Tuesday, February 4, 2025

Focused-Acceptance & Commitment Therapy

Focused-Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (FACT) is an innovative approach and integrates aspects of traditional Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) with a more concentrated, session-specific application. FACT aims to provide rapid relief from psychological distress and helps in fostering long-term well-being by promoting psychological flexibility, mindfulness, and value-driven behavior.


Research has shown how ACT, and by extension FACT, may be particularly effective in treating a range of mental health issues. Studies suggest that ACT's focus on mindfulness and acceptance strategies may lead to improvements in mental health, with benefits such as increased self-compassion, mindfulness, and improved interpersonal relationships. Furthermore, ACT has been found to have a positive impact on long-term recovery and prevention of relapse, crucial for sustainable mental health management. 


Besides ACT, I encourage learning opportunities with evidence-based practices from Evidence-Based Practices Resource Center | SAMHSA. I learn the importance of adapting therapeutic approaches to specific needs with Adapting Evidence-Based Practices for Under-Resourced Populations (samhsa.gov):

...three EBPs: cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), motivational interviewing (MI), and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). These EBPs were specifically selected, based on a thorough literature review and input from a technical expert panel (TEP) brought together for this guide. While research on EBP adaptations is limited, researchers have studied adaptations of these three practices more than for other EBPs (Appendix 2 provides background information on these EBPs, with accompanying information on the process of adaptation). The adaptation examples include a wide range of mental health and substance use outcomes in various populations. This guide is not limited to certain outcomes or populations; it provides practitioners with best practices they can use to adapt and implement non core components of an EBP for their client population. Adapting Evidence-Based Practices for Under-Resourced Populations (samhsa.gov)

Quasi-experimental designs focused on individual process mapping may help to establish meaningful causal therapeutic evidence.


Motivational Interviewing encourages empathy, identify discrepancies between goals, values and behavior. Cognitive Behavioral therapy encourages identifying causal patterns between action, thoughts and feelings. Dialectical Behavior Therapy encourages focus on improving causal patterns between feelings, actions and thoughts. 


Resources

ACT vs. CBT: What’s the difference? | Psych Central

The efficacy of Focused Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in VA primary care - PubMed

Psychotherapy for Children and Adolescents: Different Types (aacap.org)

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Patients with a First Psychotic Episode

Exposure Therapy: What Is It and Why Does It Matter? | Psychiatry | Michigan Medicine | University of Michigan (umich.edu)

Mental Health Awareness Month : May is the time to raise awareness (invajy.com)

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) (for Parents) | Nemours KidsHealth

At Any Skill Level, Making Art Reduces Stress Hormones (drexel.edu)

Therapy - Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (dbsalliance.org)

Wellness Tracker

7 Scientifically Proven Benefits of Gratitude | Psychology Today

My Mental Health: Do I Need Help? (nc.gov)

SAMHSA Families Conversation Guide

CAPS Self-Help Resources - University of Houston (uh.edu)

DEAR MAN Skill - Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Tools

Tuesday, December 10, 2024

Navigating the Journey to Optimal Health

In our fast-paced world, finding moments of stillness and mindfulness may be challenging. Yet, these moments are important for our overall well-being. I was able to register for the webinar Mindful Movement https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_kr2JXIpgQay3veLBHo8kDw with a temporary email address and I learned the importance of beginning with exploring exercise goals and fitness level, intensity, impact, individual, group, structured, fit body's needs to feel better for mind, body and kindness. Mindfulness may involve having a purpose, focus, body sensations, feeling, breathing, rhythm, observation with any type of exercise including meditation, yoga, tai chi, walking, running, cardio and strength training with different health benefits.

Resources

#### The Importance of Mindful Movement


Mindful movement is a practice to integrate mindfulness and physical activity. I learn to be fully present in our bodies, paying attention to the sensations, movements, and rhythms. This practice may help reduce stress, improve mental clarity, and enhance our overall physical health. Mindfulness-based positive psychology interventions: a systematic review | BMC Psychology | Full TextWhat Are the Benefits of Mindfulness? A Practice Review of Psychotherapy-Related Research. With focusing on the present moment, we may cultivate a deeper connection with ourselves and our surroundings. With evaluation of mindful movement, I learn how to balance risk factors with the development of protective factors to promote physical, mental, and emotional well-being.

Embarking on a journey of mindful movement may significantly enhance my mental and physical well-being. I learn to start with incorporating deep breathing exercises into my daily routine to promote relaxation and reduce stress. Take regular walks in nature to connect with the environment and enjoy the calming effects of the outdoors. Engage in light stretching exercises to improve flexibility and relieve tension. Explore different styles of yoga, such as Hatha, Vinyasa, or Yin, to find what resonates with me. Explore mindfulness apps to guide my practice and help me stay consistent. Create a peaceful space at home for meditation and yoga, free from distractions. Research local yoga or meditation classes and sign up for one to fit my schedule. To improve mental health, evaluate what brings me joy and prioritize activities to foster happiness.  Get enough rest, exercise regularly, and practice mindfulness and meditation. Seek out support groups or communities with Twitter / X, particularly those recommended with the CDC Division of Adolescent and School Health. Develop a self-care routine to include these practices and attend mental health workshops or seminars to deepen my understanding. Evaluate finding a therapist or counselor to talk to, to provide me with professional support and guidance on my journey to well-being with our family community.

  My action plan combines paced walking with a self-care routine and cherishing behaviors to enhance mental health and overall well-being to provide moderate aerobic exercise to reduce risk factor of sedentary with development of protective factors of connecting with the natural environment, soothing and rejuvenating. Stick to this routine unless I experience discomfort beyond mild levels, Google Fit pacer for musical harmony of the pace. Thanksgiving Journal Keep a thanksgiving journal to shift my focus to the positive aspects of my life. This practice may boost mental well-being and increase overall happiness. Evaluative Moments: Use my journal to evaluate my day and note any moments of joy or peace to provide mental relaxation and a sense of fulfillment. Cherishing Behaviors Positive Interactions: Engage in positive interactions with others. Share compliments, express thanksgiving, and enjoy meaningful conversations. Acts of Kindness: Perform small acts of kindness, such as helping a neighbor or volunteering. These actions may enhance my sense of purpose and connection. With integrating these practices into my daily routine, I may create a balanced approach to improving mental health and well-being because these efforts to integrate evidence-based practices with health science support may lead to significant positive changes over time. Observe and note any changes in your mood and mental clarity after each walk.

93 pulse rate before exercise, 82 after 1 30 minutes paced walk,
40/92 with Blood Pressure App: BP Monitor - Apps on Google Play 12/9/2024 Challenge of Love the sunlight glowing with blue sky midst trees and neighborhood connecting us all with each other with friendly greetings, learning holiday cheer, waters of the Sebastian River flowing calmly. After the walk, I feel calmer and more energized with empathy and joy for successful learning where love is leading. 


1. Challenge of Love 12/9/2024 I enjoy the idea of learning from the strength of mountains, encouraging positive affirmations of resilience, feeling the energies of musical harmony with mountains to support human strength, calm and serenity. Love, affection and appreciation for empathy and joy for successful learning where love is leading with the powers of nature with mountains and music. 

2. Challenge of Love 12/9/2024 I enjoy learning with colorful cartoon beings how to swing like the trunk of an elephant, wave my fingers like the leaves and branches of a tree. Love, affection and appreciation for empathy and joy for successful learning where love is leading with the powers of elephants and trees with my body movements, feeling the importance of being able to be flexible with different species, encouraging big picture thinking. 

3. Challenge of Love 12/9/2024 I learn how to move in different directions in relation to the video on my computer. Love, affection and appreciation for feeling the energies of my legs stretch with bends of my arms and stretch like a dog then shift to goddess stretches of hips. 

Challenge of Love: A Journey to Health and Harmony

Date: December 7, 2024

Embarking on the Challenge of Love has been a transformative experience, intertwining my health goals, activities, and the complexities of court case 2022 CF 001383 available with Online Case View – Indian River Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller. This journey is about resolving legal matters and also about fostering love, empathy, and mental well-being through mindful movement and cherishing behaviors.

**Learning to Be a Healthy Human Being**

Health is a multifaceted journey, encompassing physical, mental, and emotional well-being. My health goals have been important in this challenge, guiding me towards a balanced lifestyle. Regular exercise, a nutritious diet, and mindfulness practices have been my pillars of strength. Engaging in mindful movement, such as yoga and tai chi, has significantly improved my mental health, reducing anxiety and enhancing emotional resilience.

Cherishing Behaviors and Mindful Movement

Cherishing behaviors, such as expressing love, affection, and appreciation, have been integral to my journey. These behaviors foster empathy and joy, creating a positive environment for personal growth and healing. Mindful movement, which combines physical activity with mindfulness, has been a powerful tool in this process to improve physical health with mental clarity and emotional stability.

Evaluating Love's Path

Evaluating where love is leading involves introspection and a commitment to positive change with energies of social connection with understanding, compassion, and respect. With cherishing these values, I have been able to navigate the challenges of the court case with a clear and focused mind. This approach has helped me to see beyond the legal complexities and focus on the human aspects of the case.

Trying to Learn How to Resolve Court Case 2022 CF 001383 A

The court case has been a significant part of my journey, presenting both challenges and opportunities for growth. With adopting a win/win approach, I have aimed to resolve the issues amicably, to help all parties involved feel heard and respected. This approach fosters a sense of fairness and promotes long-term harmony and understanding.

Challenge of Love: Embracing Second Chakra Energies

Date: December 7, 2024

Embarking on the Challenge of Love has been a profound journey, intertwining my health goals, activities, and the nurturing energies of the second chakra. This journey is about personal growth  with fostering love, empathy, and mental well-being through mindful movement and cherishing behaviors.

Second Chakra Energies and Their Significance

The second chakra, or Sacral Chakra, is associated with creativity, emotions, and relationships, connecting to our sense of pleasure, well-being, and connection to others. With focusing on this energy center, I have been able to enhance my emotional health and deepen my connections with those around me.

Mindful Movement and Mental Health

Mindful movement, such as yoga and tai chi, have been instrumental in my journey. These practices improve physical health and also promote mental clarity and emotional stability. With engaging in mindful movement at Riverside Park in Vero Beach, Florida, I have found a serene space to connect with nature and myself. The park's tranquil environment has been supportive for my practice, allowing me to fully immerse in the present moment and cultivate inner peace.

Cherishing Behaviors and Emotional Well-Being

Cherishing behaviors, such as expressing love, affection, and appreciation, have been integral to my journey. These behaviors foster empathy and joy, creating a positive environment for personal growth and healing. With practicing cherishing behaviors, I have been able to strengthen my relationships and enhance my overall well-being.

Evaluating Love's Path

Evaluating where love is leading involves introspection and a commitment to positive change with energies of social connection with understanding, compassion, and mutual respect. With cherishing these values, I have been able to navigate life's challenges with a clear and focused mind. This approach has helped me to see beyond the immediate difficulties and focus on the human aspects of every situation.

The Challenge of Love has been a journey of self-discovery, health, and harmony. With integrating second chakra energies, cherishing behaviors, and mindful movement, I have been able to navigate the complexities of life with grace and resilience. Love, empathy and respect have been my guiding values, leading me towards a healthier and more fulfilling life. I evaluate the elements to go into a healthy activity. I begin with exploring the challenge of love with the process of a specific evidence-based practice with health science support. Love, affection and appreciation for empathy and joy with successful learning where love is leading with sunlight energy to balance the risk factors of hunger and sedentary with other risk factors with elements of healthy food and exercise with other protective factors with list of cherishing behaviors to develop good relationships with everyone with proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, and minerals with AI reparenting practices for mindfulness, well-being and optimal health.

Bridging the Gap: Integrating Mental Health into Academic Success


With integrating mental health education into the academic curriculum, we may create a more supportive and effective learning environment. Here are choices:


### Understanding Mental Health Literacy


Mental health literacy involves having the knowledge and understanding of mental health issues, reducing stigma, being aware of common mental health disorders, and knowing how to seek help. Schools play an important role in fostering this literacy with delivering classroom-based mental health education and using peer-led modeling programs.


### Connecting Mental Health to Academics


1. **Curriculum Integration**: Incorporate mental health topics into existing subjects. For example, discuss the psychological aspects of historical events in history classes or explore the impact of stress on the body in biology lessons. This approach helps students see mental health as an integral part of their overall education.


2. **Mindfulness and Stress Management**: Teach students mindfulness techniques and stress management strategies. These skills not only improve mental health but also enhance focus and academic performance. Regular mindfulness sessions may be incorporated into the school day, providing students with tools to manage their stress effectively.


3. **Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)**: Implement SEL programs with focus on developing students’ emotional intelligence, empathy, and interpersonal skills. These programs help students build healthy relationships, improve communication, and foster a positive school climate.


### Normalizing Mental Health Information


1. **Open Conversations**: Create a school culture where mental health is openly discussed. Encourage teachers and staff to talk about mental health in a positive and supportive manner. Include mental health topics in school newsletters, emails, and parent-teacher meetings to keep the conversation going.


2. **Peer Support Programs**: Establish peer support programs where students may share their experiences and support each other. 


3. **Community Partnerships**: Partner with local mental health organizations to provide resources and support for students and families. These partnerships may help bring in experts for workshops, provide access to counseling services, and offer additional support for students in need.


### Implementation Ideas


1. **Administrative Support**: Gain support from school administrators to implement mental health programs. Administrators may help create consistent guidelines and practices to support mental health training and ensure staff are equipped to handle mental health issues.


2. **Resource Utilization**: Utilize CDC’s Health Education Curriculum Analysis Tool and the National Institute of Mental Health’s resources for students and educators. These tools may help schools select or develop quality health education curricula that support mental health across grade levels.


3. **Staff Well-Being**: Support the well-being of teachers and staff. Provide professional development opportunities focused on mental health and create a supportive work environment. When staff feel supported, they are better equipped to support their students.


With integrating mental health education into the academic curriculum and normalizing conversations about mental health, we may create a more supportive and effective learning environment for our students. I learn the importance to bridge the gap between mental health and academics, ensuring our students are academically successful and mentally healthy.


The webinar Creating Lasting Habits for a Healthy Lifestyle hosted with Cleveland Clinic provided valuable insights and practical strategies to help you develop and maintain healthy habits. To support the learning process, health coaching may help you empower and support yourself and others with guidance on how to develop self-directed lasting changes aligned with personal values with SMART goal timing. Setting a SMART goal may involve 6 months to solve a problem, one month to prepare a successful problem-solving SMART goal, 6 months to evaluate successful problem-solving SMART goals. Successful SMART goals may involve persistence with small step learning with social support groups with habit stacking of identifying how to build on positive habits with new habits to improve health goals you want to achieve with reminders on mirror and refrigerator with contingency plan to navigate obstacles to lead to making the most of learning opportunities and creating lasting healthy habits. 

Optimal Health

The pursuit of optimal health is a multifaceted endeavor and encompasses physical well-being with emotional, mental, and social health. In today's digital era, technology plays an important role in this journey, offering tools and resources to enhance our ability to manage and improve our health.


Health-related apps on smartphones are revolutionizing the way we approach nutrition, providing personalized experiences to cater to individual dietary needs and goals. These apps serve as digital companions, guiding users through the complexities of nutritional science and offering actionable insights to foster healthier eating habits.

The challenge of evaluating one's physical function, bodily pain, general health, vitality, social function, emotional, and mental health is an integrative task. The body scan meditation offers a method for individuals to connect with their bodies, promoting mindfulness and awareness of physical sensations and emotional states. This practice may lead to a deeper understanding of one's physical and mental state, allowing for a more informed evaluation of overall health.

Balancing risk factors with the development of protective factors is crucial in the quest for well-being. With research, we may learn how a combination of multiple protective factors may mitigate the impact of risk factors, leading to improved behavioral health outcomes. With fostering protective factors such as supportive relationships, access to education, and positive community environments, individuals may build resilience against potential health challenges.

The integration of physical activity into learning environments is another innovative strategy to promote health. Schools and districts are increasingly recognizing the benefits of incorporating movement into the curriculum, with programs to blend physical activity with academic instruction. Initiatives of walking programs, school gardening, and the use of teaching kitchens may encourage healthy behaviors to enhance the learning experience with engaging students in a dynamic and interactive manner.

Promoting healthy eating through evidence-based practices is essential in shaping nutritional habits. The implementation of nutrition standards for school meals, for example, ensures children have access to balanced and nutritious food options. With setting policies to encourage taste tests, the inclusion of fruits and vegetables, and physical activity before meals, schools may create an environment to nurture healthy eating behaviors.

The journey to optimal health is a dynamic process with the integration of technology, mindfulness practices, balanced risk management, and active learning. With these strategies, individuals and communities may learn how to successfully navigate the path to well-being with confidence and support from both science and technology.

In the digital age, technology has become important in managing health with a new webinar, Nutrition and Technology: How Apps can Help You Manage Your Health. With smartphones, health-related apps are designed to help individuals track, manage, and improve nutritional habits with personalized experiences to cater to our unique dietary needs and goals.

How do you recommend to integrate smartphone technology with CDC validated checklists and rubrics with blog posts, Twitter / X and email with school nutrition programs involving USDA's Team Nutrition learning labs and Farm to Table support of local sustainable farming practices including school and home gardens with Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital where I live?


Other Wellness Tools:

The Art of Body Scan Meditation: A Path to Enhanced Well-being


In the realm of mindfulness practices, Body Scan Meditation is a powerful technique to enhance one's well-being. This form of meditation is a relaxation exercise and a profound learning journey, inviting a deep connection with the physical self and an awareness of subtle sensations.


The practice involves a gradual progression of attention through different parts of the body, starting from the toes and moving upwards to the crown of the head. As one mentally scans, one may notice areas of tension, discomfort, or even neutrality. The key is to observe with acceptance, allowing each sensation to be a learning opportunity of discovery and understanding to help counteract the stress response and promote relaxation and may increase self-compassion with encouragement of a kind and curious evaluation towards one's own experiences, improve sleep quality, reduce anxiety, and even alleviate bodily pain. The practice offers a respite from the relentless pace of life, providing a space to breathe, relax, and release the accumulated stress of the day. Moreover, Body Scan Meditation may enhance breathing patterns. With bringing attention to the breath during the meditation, one may learn to breathe more deeply and efficiently to further support stress reduction and relaxation. The rhythmic nature of the breath serves as an anchor, keeping the mind focused and grounded in the present moment. I learn the relaxation achieved through Body Scan Meditation has the potential to improve overall mental health with better emotional regulation, increased self-awareness, and more ability to manage pain. These outcomes contribute to a more resilient and balanced state of mind, equipping individuals to navigate life's challenges with grace and composure.


To embark on the journey of Body Scan Meditation, this accessible tool may be practiced anywhere, at any time. Whether before sleep to encourage restfulness or during a break to recharge, this meditation serves as a versatile mindfulness practice in the pursuit of well-being for optimal health.


For those interested in exploring Body Scan Meditation, there are numerous resources available, including guided sessions on platforms with YouTube and meditation apps. These guides offer step-by-step instructions, making this mindfulness practice easy for beginners to start and for seasoned practitioners to deepen their experience. Body Scan Meditation is a technique and pathway to a more mindful, relaxed, and healthy life and empowers individuals to become attuned to their bodies, to recognize and respond to stress in constructive ways, and to cultivate a sense of peace to permeate all aspects of their being. As we continue to seek balance in our lives, Body Scan Meditation emerges as a valuable practice for anyone looking to enhance their well-being and embrace a life of mindfulness.

Exploring the Virtual Healthy School: A Model for Integrating Health and Education for Each of Us

In the digital age, the intersection of health and education has never been more pertinent. With the rise of virtual learning environments, the opportunity to integrate health-conscious strategies into the educational framework is an innovative approach to foster student development. The Virtual Healthy School (VHS), pioneered by Jefferson School under the leadership of Principal Paul, stands as a testament to this progressive educational model.

The VHS is a tool and a dynamic, interactive platform to bring the Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child (WSCC) model to life. This model is an integrative approach and extends beyond the traditional focus on academic achievement to include the health and wellbeing of students. With navigating through the School Map, educators, parents, and students may witness how Jefferson School has transformed the virtual environment into learning opportunities for each of us to integrate protective factors into health and wellness with people with neurodevelopmental conditions encompassing a broad range of developmental risk factors because of how different protective factors work differently for each of us.

At the center of the map is the Health Center to help each of us navigate our journey from a central starting point of identifying health goals to evaluate how to balance protective factors from the range of neurodevelopmental risk factors for each of us. The Health Center features an Exam Table to evaluate specific protective and developmental risk factors, health videos offering healthy choices and another map of specific health services available with multiple organizations. 

Map of Specific Health Services Available With Multiple Organizations to Develop Protective Factors to Reduce Risk Factors: A Community Effort

CDC’s Division of Adolescent and School Health on X: "Creating a safe and supportive school environment that fosters connectedness helps students. When youth feel connected to peers and adults in their school, they’re less likely to experience poor mental health. #BackToSchool https://t.co/2fL2e7pHHS https://t.co/QOPasV7xxL" / X. This post highlights the importance of the roles of people involved with health services, counseling, facilitating, referring, leading, nutrition, coaching of students' development of protective factors to reduce risk factors, fair and accessible to everyone, addressing the needs of students, adults, parents, grandparents, neighbors, friends, and the whole community. Their efforts are organized with community organizations to offer talks and demonstrations, answer questions, and provide informational materials. 

Health Education CDC Virtual Healthy School 

Health Education on Communication

Health Education on Collaboration

Health Education in Public Parks

Health Education with Healing

Community Organizational Events


Gymnasium To Integrate Physical Activity into Academic Environments with Mindfulness, Well-being Optimal Health with Cleveland Clinic webinar



The NIMH emphasizes the importance of community involvement and the creation of a safe, respectful environment to foster positive activities, kindness, and diversity acceptance. Role modeling respectful behavior is important in promoting well-being within the community.

Physical exercise is highlighted as important to mental health, with numerous studies supporting benefits in reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression, improving mood, and enhancing cognitive function. The #FarmToSchool program is an excellent initiative to align with these goals, celebrating partnerships between schools and regional producers to provide students with healthy, fresh foods. This program supports local agriculture and also reinforces the connection between physical and mental health, encouraging the joy of nature and the exploration of ideas to help individuals thrive. https://x.com/USDANutrition/status/1841924934618251301

Sleep, meditation, and muscle relaxation are also integral components of an integrative approach to mental health. These practices have been shown to alleviate stress, promote calm, and improve sleep quality and may have a positive impact on emotional and psychological resilience. Incorporating breathing exercises into daily routines may further enhance the relaxation response, contributing to a more balanced and stress-resilient lifestyle.

Music and social connections play a vital role in emotional support and well-being. Engaging in joyful activities such as music, expressing thankfulness, and fostering positive social connections with friends and family may provide essential emotional support. Keeping a journal to share thoughts and feelings, evaluate progress, and track healing is a therapeutic practice to aid in self evaluation and personal growth.



In recent years, the conversation around education has expanded beyond traditional academic learning to include the well-being of students. School administrators play an important role in shaping the educational environment to foster intellectual growth with physical health and emotional resilience. The #MoveYourWay Toolkit for Schools, supported with the White House's National Strategy on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health provides K-12 professionals with innovative strategies to promote physical activity and nutrition among students, aligning with the broader goal of ending hunger and fostering healthy lifestyles for 2030. Health.gov on X: "The new #MoveYourWay Toolkit for Schools supports the @WhiteHouse National Strategy on Hunger, Nutrition and Health by offering K-12 professionals, like teachers and school administrators, ways to encourage students to be more active. Learn more here https://t.co/MgCVjAPRcp" / XThe toolkit encourages educators to integrate physical activity into the school curriculum as an integral part of the learning experience. 

Mindfulness and meditation, particularly the practice of Body Scan Meditation, have also gained traction as effective tools for navigating the journey to optimal health. These practices aid in balancing protective factors and reducing risk factors, contributing to an individual's overall well-being. The Body Scan Meditation encourages awareness and relaxation to positively affect physical function, bodily pain, general health, vitality, social function, emotional, and mental health.

Incorporating technology into health and wellness initiatives, such as using SMART Boards with computers to display real-time heart rate data, may further engage students and provide immediate feedback on their physical state during activities. This integration of technology and health education may make the learning experience more interactive and informative.

As we continue to explore the connections between physical activity, mindfulness, and academic performance, I learn an integrative approach to education with movement, meditation, and health literacy are important for nurturing well-rounded, healthy individuals who are equipped to lead fulfilling lives to cater to different skill levels and interests, inclusive and accessible to all students with integrating physical activity with social interaction and team-building exercises and adjusting goals related to personal physical fitness plans, promoting self-expression and joy in physical activity with school health team discussions to provide recommendations.


This post highlights the importance of the roles of people involved with health services, counseling, facilitating, referring, leading, nutrition, coaching of students' development of protective factors to reduce risk factors, fair and accessible to everyone, addressing the needs of students to achieve health goals in the gymnasium.  

I learn the importance of regular physical activity, such as 30 minutes of social exercise, and may be as simple as a paced walk to raise and lower my heart rate with measurement of my pulse rate before exercise and with Heart Rate Monitor - Pulse App - Apps and Blood Pressure App: BP Monitor - Apps on Google Play. The benefits of such activities extend beyond physical health, fostering social interactions and emotional support. I learn the importance of 8 hours of restful slumber. Hydration and nutrition are important to physical well-being with balanced diets to fuel the body and mind. The walk could be a learning opportunity to evaluate student success to optimal health with https://www.cdc.gov/healthyschools/physicalactivity/pdf/18_300595-A_PECAT_042619_508tagged.pdf with https://drive.google.com/file/d/18kFnAPlIGAC3SgrumCRFezlnga8JfiJn/view?usp=sharing, Health Education Curriculum Analysis Tool (HECAT) | DASH | CDCCommunity Health Planning | Florida Department of Health in Indian River (floridahealth.gov) with School District of Indian River County.
 
With the School District of Indian River County, I learn the job goal of a health and physical education teacher is multifaceted, aiming to develop a deep understanding of nutrition, fitness, and exercise among students, and to motivate the cultivation of lifelong habits to benefit students with evaluation of each student's cultural background, learning styles, special needs, and socio-economic status when planning and preparing learning activities. This inclusive approach ensures students are provided with an equal opportunity to engage actively in the learning process to foster active involvement, catering to the varied learning styles and special needs of the student body. This may involve modifying existing materials or creating new ones more accessible and engaging for all students. Additionally, the educator plays a crucial role in evaluating and responding to changing curricular needs, contributing to the continuous improvement of the educational program to maintain a positive, organized, and safe learning environment with sharing skills of time management, material and equipment handling, and the ability to manage large groups of students with evaluation of behavior management choices, reinforcement of school guiding policies, and efficient health data tracking procedures  with technology are important components.

With setting clear health goals with behavioral outcomes and utilizing research-based, theory-driven tools, I wish to foster an environment to value health promotion and disease prevention. This proactive stance on health education may lead to a more informed and health-literate student population, capable of making better decisions for their personal and community health.

The integration of physical activity into school lesson plans is a strategic move towards enhancing the well-being of students. I support health promotion, disease prevention, and encourage lifelong healthy habits. As educators and administrators continue to explore and implement these strategies, the potential for positive change in our schools and communities is immense. Let us walk this path together, one step at a time, towards a healthier future for our youth with learning how to achieve mindfulness, well-being optimal health goals.


Gymnasium SMART BOARD to Integrate Wellness and Education for Student Development

I measured 82 pulse rate before exercise and 82/72 after 2 30 minutes paced walks, 82/81/79 with Heart Rate Monitor - Pulse App - Apps and 79/82/69 with Blood Pressure App: BP Monitor - Apps on Google Play. 10/1/2024 

I engaged in a mindful walk with evaluating my learning experiences with the Indian River County School District. Our health goals are centered around peer-led modeling and includes walks and coaching sessions, providing therapeutic resources for problem-solving, and fostering relationships to build a positive community through constructive interactions. I am happy to report I have successfully modeled positive behaviors with integrating healthy, research-based, and theory-driven physical activities into our routine. This includes paced walking, documented through my updated blog posts, social media interactions on Twitter / X, and email communications. I measured 85 pulse rate before exercise, 82 after 1 30 minutes paced walk, 87/80 with https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=heartratemonitor.heartrate.pulse.pulseapp&pcampaignid=web_share84/79 with https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.blood.pressure.bptracker&pcampaignid=web_share. 10/2/ 2024

80 pulse rate before exercise, 80/73 after 2 30 minutes paced walks,

With the Physical Activity | Florida Department of Health (floridahealth.gov) website ideas of wellness, I evaluate how my paced walking plan helps me to reduce stress, enhance energy and focus on positive interactions with others and sleep important to achieve mindfulness, well-being optimal health goals.

83 pulse rate before exercise, 82 after 1 30 minutes paced walk,

69 pulse rate before exercise, 70/68 after 2 30 minutes paced walks,

76 pulse rate before exercise, 71 after 1 30 minutes paced walk,

80 before exercise, 75 after 1 30 minutes paced walk,

75 before exercise, 67 after 1 30 minutes paced walk,

75 before exercise, 78/77 after 2 30 minutes paced walks,

77 before exercise, 83/78 after 2 30 minutes paced walks,

73 before exercise, 73 after 1 30 minutes paced walk,

Challenge of Love with Paced Walking 10/17/2024
learning with paced walking around my neighborhood
how to connect with my neighbors with respect
birds, sunlight, clouds with crosswinds NE and SW
with spiraling wispy white clouds
my movements focus on the act of walking with heart rate monitoring
with mindful evaluation of health goals with body scan meditation
learning opportunities to reduce risk factors with the development of protective factors
with blog posts, Twitter / X and email
with Challenge of Love poetry learning opportunities
to evaluate different movement patterns for different grade levels https://drive.google.com/file/d/18kFnAPlIGAC3SgrumCRFezlnga8JfiJn/view?usp=sharing
with my smartphone heart rate monitoring how to lower heart rate with the pace of walking
with Google Fit app with Cleveland Clinic webinars social validity
to encourage peer modeling, relationship building and offering therapeutic resources

Challenge of Love with Scorpio 10/20/2024
How to navigate optimal health with passions of love
where love is leading
Love, affection and appreciation
for our multiple intelligences with chakra energies
with empathy and joy for successful learning

10/27/2024 to 11/29/2024 Heart rate data for paced walking is obtainable with Thriving Together: Empowering Healthier Communities: Whole Person Health


Healthy Eating Cafeteria with Health Goals To Integrate Physical Activity into Nutritional Environments with Academic Environments with Mindfulness, Well-being Optimal Health

 With health goals organized, the cafeteria may be an extension of the Gymnasium with opportunities to learn how to integrate physical activity into the practice of healthy eating through available foods and beverages with nutrition education integrated into student health goals with role-modeling healthy eating behaviors.

Healthy eating goal choices:

1.Integrate healthy eating into health goals with physical activity with mindfulness, well-being, optimal health with protective factors of nutritional foods.

2. Evaluate food and beverage choices for breakfast and lunch with school monthly menus, evaluate food likes and dislikes, balance meals in portions with healing themes to respect the challenge of sustainability with the life energies of food and beverages DisplayFile.aspx (indianriverschools.org)DisplayFile.aspx (indianriverschools.org)USDA Nutrition on X: "School meals do more than nourish kids, they also support local farmers! This #FarmToSchoolMonth, we're celebrating our partnership with schools and regional producers that help put healthy, fresh foods on student's plates. Let's lift up local! #FarmToSchool https://t.co/7cr6zT9JUX" / X This program reinforces the connection between physical and mental health, encouraging the joy of nature and the exploration of ideas to help individuals thrive with the development of the protective factor of nutritious foods with physical exercise to reduce risk factors. School gardens become living classrooms where math and science flourish in the soil and sun. Cooking classes turn into delicious lessons on chemistry and cultural diversity. And farm field trips offer a glimpse into the hard work and dedication into growing nutritious food as a protective factor to reduce risk factors. With my school garden experience, I learned the importance of doing three simple steps:
1. Brainstorm ideas of what people enjoy and what is realistic for a garden or farm area.
2. Identify SMART goals of specific, measurable, achievable, realistic time duration goals.
3. Choose one small step to do and evaluate success.

Fresh fruits and vegetables help reduce childhood obesity and diet-related diseases and encourages young people to make healthier food choices, habits to last a lifetime.

Moreover, Farm to School initiatives foster a sense of community and connection to the land with respect for the farmers who feed us and the earth to sustain us with equitable access to nature's gifts.

3. Hydration stations to encourage drinking water with ice and cups and reusable water bottles and computers to evaluate health goals involving hydration and hygiene.

4. Fresh fruit baskets Offering baskets of fresh fruit provides healthy snack options and also exposes students to a variety of natural flavors and textures.

5. With 10 minutes for breakfast and 20 minutes for lunch, schools are encouraging students to eat mindfully, savoring their food, and listening to their hunger cues

6. Preparing for Hurricane Milton: A Comprehensive 3-Day Food Storage Checklist


As Hurricane Milton approaches and if you are on hurricane alert due to hurricane warning, I learn the importance to ensure you have a well-prepared food storage plan to sustain you and your family for at least three days. Here is a checklist to help you prepare:


1. **Water**: Store at least one gallon of water per person per day for drinking and sanitation for 3 days.


2. **Non-perishable Food Items**:

   - Canned meats, fruits, and vegetables

   - Protein or fruit bars

   - Dry cereal or granola

   - Peanut butter

   - Dried fruit

   - Nuts

   - Crackers

   - Canned juices

   - Non-perishable pasteurized milk

   - High-energy foods

   - Food for infants

   - Comfort/stress foods


3. **Cooking Supplies**:

   - A manual can opener

   - Cooking tools and fuel

   - Disposable plates, cups, and utensils

   - Paper towels


4. **Specialty Foods**: Consider any special dietary needs for family members with allergies or medical conditions.


5. **Pet Supplies**: Don't forget food and water for your pets.


6. **Storage**: Use airtight, waterproof containers to store food and keep it protected from pests and the elements.


7. **Regular Checks**: Regularly check your food supply for expiration dates and replace as needed.


8. **Medications and Baby Supplies**: If you have a baby or someone with special medication needs, ensure you have a sufficient supply.


9. **Sanitation and Hygiene Items**: Including soap, hand sanitizer, and wet wipes.


10. **First Aid Kit**: Keep a well-stocked first aid kit with any necessary medications and medical items.


I learn to be over-prepared than under-prepared. For more detailed information and additional items to evaluate, check out resources provided by local or state emergency management departments. Stay safe and make sure to follow evacuation orders if issued by local authorities. Preparedness is key to weathering Hurricane Milton safely.

The webinar Eating for Optimal Health helped me to focus on how to be successful with the challenge of eating well for optimal health. I learned ways food interacts and communicates with our solid body state with inflammatory or noninflammatory responses and may affect mental health and sleep. 

1. Carbohydrates support energy. Optimal health may be encouraged with the noninflammatory energies of 2 fruits per day with small apple, pear, berries, cherries, kiwi, grapefruit, 1/2 cup to 1 cup. Whole grains provide starch with oatmeal, quinoa, whole wheat, brown rice. I learned how to read food labels and to look for the idea of "whole" at the beginning of the ingredients list on a food item at the grocery store. 

2. For optimal health, the energy of carbohydrates may be balanced into a healthy plate with 3 c nonstarch vegetables/day with protein and healthy fats. Protein sources include beans, lentils, soy, tofu, calcium with milk, cheese, yogurt, e.g. Edamame frozen, protein shakes and soups. Healthy fats include avocado, olive oil, hummus, nuts/seeds and eggs. Ground seeds may be stored in the refrigerator. I learn to be mindful of the energy challenges of starch. A healthy plate may include beverages of water, fruit juice, unsweetened tea or coffee.

3. For optimal health, start to learn with small steps of one wellness goal at a time.


The pursuit of health is a multifaceted one, encompassing the physical, emotional and mental realms with finding balance, understanding the body's needs, and learning how to fulfill them with nourishment to fuel and heal. I learned how dietary choices may influence overall well-being, and how one may align eating habits with the body's intrinsic requirements for optimal functioning. I learn a personalized approach respects individual differences and preferences and creating a sustainable and enjoyable relationship with food to support health goals with taste or satisfaction with nutrient dense whole foods to navigate the modern food landscape with the myriad of choices and challenges, nurturing oneself with kindness and compassion with self-love and the desire to care for one's well-being, and an opportunity to gain valuable knowledge and support in the quest for health and living a healthier, more vibrant life and to a healthier you with open minds and hearts ready to learn and grow.


**Mindset**:  The field of nutrition is vast and evolving and may offer new information to challenge your current beliefs.

Desha Baker on X: "@CDC_DASH Thank you for encouraging evaluation of my current eating habits with wellness goals. …https://t.co/8XlJWwY2sj" / X


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