Chapter 2 had been interesting looking into applying psychology to health and wellness since I am a psychology major and have a great understanding and insight into this and love learning about with as much depth as I can. I can say that learning from the psychology courses I have been able to be more aware of myself and others but also learned about myself more than I ever imagined and how to understand and cope with emotions and stressful situations, which has helped me tremendously be more successful socially, mentally, and physically.
Although, most of this chapter I have learned about and was able to follow along I did come across one thing that I did not know too much about. Psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) is something that I was not too sure of but found out that it is how the individual’s brain and behavior affect the body’s immune system and how this is important for the mind-body connection. I think this is something I can say I can relate to it. When I have been sad or struggled with personal problems from my past that was hard for me to overcome it always affected my behavior to withdraw and not do much but sleep. This was something that occurred enough during a time in my life where I was often always getting sick during this and can see how my brain and behavior when I was feeling poorly had made an impact on my immune system. This was something that I was, fortunately, able to work through and feel better.
I can also attest to how wonderful yoga is and how it had a huge impact on my life and this chapter expands on the relationship spirituality and yoga have on health and mindfulness. I never knew much about yoga that this chapter had shown me, I more so just showed up to the class and fell in love. As for my health aspect, this has a huge part while also trying to incorporate a clean diet and becoming healthier I owe a lot to yoga. I have been doing yoga for almost a year and can say that this has been a powerful tool for me to use. I have been also making a point while sticking to my health aspect to use yoga as a tool for me to achieve these goals and find peace and happiness from it. When I have a rough day at work, a lot of homework, a presentation, or just want to take time for myself, yoga has helped me through this. I take classes that work with posture, breathing, and meditating that keeps me centered and calm. I can deal with stressful situations confidently because of this and believe that taking just even 5 minutes out of your day to just breathe and regroup can benefit every individual.
I would also like to touch on that also learning about grief was something personal for me and I had focused a little more on what this chapter had to say about it. I had lost my best friend last year and it was unexpected and the hardest thing I had ever had to go through. I did not know too much about grief other than a textbook definition until I went through it myself and I am still going through it. There is so much more to grief than people think and it does factor in mental, psychical, social, and emotional reactions.
I had felt every emotion and felt it hard, which was such an unusual experience for me. I felt complete deep sadness that was just an empty heartache, and then an unusual burst of tears of joy thinking of how lucky I was to have a person like that in my life. It does feel like the longest rollercoaster that I am still on. I do have to say that learning more about grief and others’ experiences does help and understanding allows me to feel and go about each feeling healthily with the right support. These chapters take on psychological well being was personal for me, but also so crucial for people to learn about and develop an understanding for all that goes into it.
Samantha Lundrigan - Health & Wellness 