Creating Wellness Psychological & Spiritual Aspects of Healing

Importance of Mental Health Fitness

Presented by Andrea FennellKaplan University

HW420-0216 November 2010

What is Mental Fitness?

Mental Fitness is developing a focus inward. It is improving and stregentning the mind. It is also training the brain to transform our body, mind and spirit. Exercising the mind is just as crucial as exercising the physical body.

IntroductionPart One• Benefits of Mental Fitness(Better Physical

Health & Emotional stability)• Present research Studies that demonstrate

the healing qualities of mental and spiritual focus

Part Two• Examples of Mental Health Fitness Exercises• Examples of Activities & Practices to improve

Mental Fitness• Discuss step by step instructions

Benefits of Mental Fitness(Emotional Stability)

Provides Emotional Stability• Reduces anxiety, anger, fear, stress and

depression• Increases a state of calm & emotional balance• Leads to better health, happiness and

Wholeness• We have healthier attitudes and behaviors• Increased Social outlets• We gain wisdom, inner peace and loving-

kindness

Benefits of Mental Fitness(Provides Better Physical Health)

Physical

Health

•Good for your heart/lowered Blood pressure

PhysicalHealth

•Improves immune system

PhysicalHealth

•Improves Brain Chemistry to reduce stress level

Research Study

• Study by Dr. Peter Schnall Dr. Schnall published a report in the Journal of

American Association. The report discussed his study of mid level business managers dealingg with stress. He singled those who had job strain and those who did not. Some managers were able to handle the extra strain but others were not. Those who became overwhelmed developed chronic hypertension and became more ill. The stress became over powering and altered their bodies to where illness set in.

Research Study

• Study by Candace Pert and Colleagues

Candace Pert discovered a series of natural body proteins. They were called neuropeptides which are made up of cells. Neuropeptides act on other cells and other systems (2006 Dacher). It is like an interconnected community that circulates in the body. The text mentions that “The brain talks to the immune system, the heart to the kidneys, the glands to each of our cells and so on (Dacher 2006).” Pert along with others discovered that feelings, thoughts, and visual images can produce certain neuropeptides that change our physiology that mirrors a specific state. Mental thoughts can lead to a physical event. The study is an important discovery for mind body medicine. It gave credibility that the mind and our thoughts could transform our body into better health and wholeness.

Research Study • Study by Dean OrnishDean Ornish conducted some heart lifestyle studies because he felt that heart disease could be reversed. In 1980 he studied 48 heart patients in which he used a randomized control group to evaluate the heart patients against. He tested the heart to see how the blood pumped and how good the blow flow was. The group on the lifestyle program got much better but those in the normal care control group got worse. Later in 1990 he published his 1 year results. Amazingly those in the lifestyle program had reduced blood cholesterol by as much as 40 percent. There was less chest pain (91 % reduction) with improved blood flow and less blocked arteries.

The control group fared much worse by leading the normal American lifestyle. There was a whopping 165 percent increase in chest pain and less blood flow to the heart. There were also more blockages in the arteries of the control group. The good news was that those in the lifestyle program had even more reversal 4 years later. His studies revealed that changes in lifestyle like diet and stress management could reverse arterial blockages.

Research Study

• Randolph Byrd Prayer StudyOne of the first prayer studies to be done was by Randolph Byrd in 1988. He was a cardiologist at San Francisco General Hospital. The study he did was on 393 heart patients in the coronary care unit. Those who received prayer had better health outcomes. Less drugs, ventilator care and cardio pulmonary resuscitation. Many thought one could not undertake such studies but we should not overlook what prayer and intercessory healing may be doing.

Examples of Mental Fitness Exercises

Mental Health Exercises

Mental Health Exercises

YogaMeditation

Pilates

Loving-KindnessExercises

Subtle MindExercises

Guided Imagery

Simple Meditation Steps

Basic Meditation is a practice is an extension of the basic breath awareness. Begin by practicing breath awareness for a few minutes. Then begin to soften your awareness, resting your awareness on the exhalation.

The Right BreathingTo start focus on your breathing. It should be slow and rhythmic. Inhale deeply and hold the air inside of you for a second before carefully exhaling fully. You should be able to get into a relaxed, easy breathing pattern, so that it becomes almost automatic and you can thus focus on your inner thoughts.

Simple Meditation Steps

PostureYour posture must be natural and relaxed, but not so comfortable so that you become lethargicObserving objectivelyOnce you have your breathing pattern down, concentrate on detaching yourself from your mind. Look at your thoughts as an objective, outside observer. Observe them without judgment or bias. Achieving the silent mindAfter you have detached yourself from your mind, focus on achieving a state of complete inner calm and serenity. Think of nothing, and instead clear your mind of all distractions.

http://www.infobarrel.com/6_Steps_to_Good_Spiritual_Meditation

Simple Meditation StepsBecoming one with everythingNext, focus on the way in which you are connected to everything around you. Realize that you are part of every tangible and intangible thing in the world. Start with yourself and then those close to you, and others who are affected by what you do. Project your goodwillEnd the meditation session by projecting good will and joy out to everyone in the world. This works like a prayer. Simply take the renewed hope and feelings of connection that you gained from the meditation sessions and mentally impart these blessings upon others.

http://www.infobarrel.com/6_Steps_to_Good_Spiritual_Meditation

Conclusion

Why Mental Health Fitness?

The integral model of medicine is coming to light. Mental Health Fitness is a part of self healing. Mental fitness will be necessary to maintain our health and wellness. Mental fitness promotes psychospiritual flourishing. To have optimal health mental fitness and inner healing is necessary.

Resources

Dacher, E.S. (2006). Integral Health: The Path to Human Flourishing. Laguna Beach, CA: Basic Health Publications, Inc.

Schlitz M., Amorok T., & Micozzi M. S. (2005). Consciousness & Healing: Integral Approaches to Mind-Body Medicine. St. Louis, Mo: Elsevier Inc.