In chapter 1, I learned and was most impacted by mindfulness. Mindfulness, according to Pearson, is being in the moment and not dwelling on the past and future. Dwelling on the past and the future is a huge cause of stress, anxiety and depression. Mindfulness also includes being grateful for the people and things around you. This helps take you off the negative thoughts and mindset that often accompanies throughout the day. Being mindful can help cognitive behavior and increase sleep at night. A way that mindfulness is used is through yoga. Yoga practices being in the moment. Yoga may be helpful for me on my journey to better flexibility.
In chapter 1, I also looked at the transtheoretical model. This model consists of 6 parts. Precontemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, maintenance and termination. After reviewing each part of the model, I realized that I am consistently dipping in and out of the maintenance category. I need to re-evaluate my reasons as to why I need to work on flexibility and why it will help me in the future. This will help me stay in the maintenance category and further move on to the termination category, where it is a way of life.
In chapter 2, I connected the fact that just because you’re doing good mentally, physically, or spiritually, does not mean you’re doing well in all of these categories. One thing I did not know which I found interesting is spiritual health does not refer to only religion. I always thought spiritual meant religion. Pearson describes spiritual health as a “sense of belonging to something greater” (Pearson 2019). Belonging to something that is not physical. I thought this was intriguing. Also a huge component of psychological wellness is having a support system. Having a support system helps you bounce ideas about your future and support you when times are tough. This is often underestimated, and it is super important to have friends and family to look to.
In chapter 3, it is all about stress. Stress can basically change and control your entire life. It can cause you to die sooner and be more prone to disease and different illnesses. It can run down your immune system, it can affect your everyday life and ultimately determines how you feel. Indirectly, after reading this, I noticed that I had already been putting strategies to reduce stress into place. I constantly write goals, write down deadlines, take breaks when doing work, reward myself when finishing work – chocolate and I say no when I am overwhelmed with school work. However I know that stress still plays a huge role in my life. Stress also can relate to lower back pain which is something I am trying to fix with flexibility. Reducing stress will help me reach my goal of pain free lower back and flexibility.
This past week I have worked on figuring out what muscles need to be targeted the most by flexibility. After doing some thinking and research, I figured out what needs to be targeted. I have an excessive anterior pelvic tilt, this is sometimes caused by weak abdominal muscles and tight iliopsoas (hip flexor). I also experience pain in my PSIS (low back area). PSIS pain is often related to tight gluteus medius and piriformis. I also noticed that I can not touch my toes and my back is very tight every morning. So far I am finding stretches for the paraspinals, quadratus lumborum, piriformis, iliopsoas, gluteus medius and hamstrings!
Health and Wellness 