Team Franciscan Center: Vital Life & the Four Quadrants

Dr. Jack Harless

Ken Wilber has created a meta-model for looking at life, which he has styled the Four Quadrants.  The quadrants are made up of the I (thoughts, feelings, perceptions), the IT (material body, objective data), the WE (shared experiences, cultural stories & beliefs), & the ITS (governments, corporations, schools, businesses).  See image below.  Image reference: Integral Health Resources

The I & WE are both subjective states.   The IT & ITS are objective, data driven states.   In healthcare, your bio-medical tests such as blood pressure, cholesterol, & heart rate would all fall under the IT category.  Your perception, belief & experience of those tests & their data would fall under the I.

The importance of this model is that it gives value & attention to all of human experience.  It leads us away from compartmentalization & towards unification.  It’s not just that bio-medical tests are important, although they are.  Our perception of those tests, as well as that of our bodies, & our life is every bit as important.

In Vital Life terms our exercise program, our change in strength, function & endurance, would all fall under that IT category again.  Our relationships & the fun we experience while we’re exercising in a highly social setting would fall under the I.

The importance of this is not to be taken lightly as the new definition of wellness includes, but is not limited to, holistic interpretations of the self, irrespective of what is occurring from a bio-medical perspective.  In other words, someone can be very well from an internal, I perspective, & still have an objective disease or symptom state in the IT category.  This person might make a comment such as, “I feel great, but my back really hurts today.”

The Vital Life program at St. Leonard calls us to pay attention to all four quadrants as we strive for ever increasing & exciting levels of fun & function.  Both outwardly & inwardly.  Irrespective of what condition we have in the IT category, we can always gain greater depth & wisdom in the I category through socialization & participating with the human experience to its fullest.

We can say, truly, that we  have lived a Vital life, when we experience all that life has to offer with our whole being, in all four quadrants.

Team Leisure and Fun: Lynn & Bob!

Lynn and Bob engage the residents and community in seasonal songs and social exchange!

Virtual Team Parkinson's Research: Pesticides and Parkinson's

Dr. Jack Harless Team Captain

 

Team Parkinson’s has 16 members currently.  This week we looked at research from UCLA that points to the link between pesticides & Parkinson’s.  Pesticides break down dopaminergic neurons which is one of the primary mechanisms in people with Parkinson’s

Team University of Dayton Engineering & Safety Lab No. 21: What to Discuss with Your Doctor

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Asking your doctor questions about your health, and particularly balance, can be a difficult task. Reasons for this could range from nervousness to uncertainty in questions you should ask. Balance is a serious issue that has a drastic effect on the quality of life. Because of this, we have a list of potential topics that can affect balance that you and your physician can discuss at your next appointment.

1. Your history of falling and all medications you take

2. Gait and balance difficulties

3. Vision

4. Lower body strength

5. Cardiovascular conditions

6. Review your use of walking aids, such as canes and walkers

After you address any concerns you might have about balance, your doctor can help review and examine the topics that are listed to determine your everyday stability and risk of falling. Asking about these topics is important if you are experiencing trouble with balance because your doctor may make recommendations for preventing future falls

February Blessing by Denise!

Blue Zone Your Memory No. 40: Fear of Falling

 Sometimes the fear of falling decreases our confidence to pursue independent activity, which increases frailty and the possibility of falling (University of Lausanne, Switzerland, 2011). Using a fall self-efficacy scale this university’s research revealed that exercise and cognitive behavioral training lessened the need for older adults to self-impose activity restriction.  This research reveals the importance of partnering exercise with education, sensory correction, environmental adaptation, and addressing the psychological fears and factors that impair balance confidence as a holistic and integrative treatment plan for fall prevention.

February 2013 Employee Wellness Moments

Physical	Environmental
Make your health screening appointments for 2013.	This month is care for the birds month!
Review your 2012 biometrics.	Switch to recycled content purchasing.
Clear your schedule for fitness.	Plan your landscape with drought resistant plants
Find a friend to workout with you.	Check your water lines for small leaks.
Get serious about removing extended sedentary time periods.	Consider recycling packaging material.
Social	Spiritual
This is low vision month -Assist a person with low vision.	Reflect on why it is important to take good care of yourself.
Ride-share with someone to work or to the gym.	Add to your schedule the religious celebrations that are upcoming.
Attend a new social gathering.	Consider exploring different cultural beliefs to raise your awareness and respect.
Develop an international friendship with a member from a not-for-profit organization	Consider removing that habit or lifestyle choice that separates you from your higher power.
Set aside time for your family or significant other.	Take time to feel the benefits of gratitude.
Nutritional	Occupational
Make a list of diet liberties that you are planning for your February menus.	Discover the education requirements of a skill that you have been considering.
Pancake month! Develop a healthy pancake recipe!	Consider reworking a work-related task that you are not fond of.
Chef's day is Feb 26th! Thank your favorite chef!	Conduct mini time studies and analyze how to improve the process.
National Chili Day is Feb 28th! Have a healthy chili cook off!	Share that fantastic idea that you have been thinking about with your supervisor!
Remove one food for a day that might be undermining your diet plans.	Reflect on how you can improve your organizational culture.
Intellectual	Emotional
Research your family medical history.	Feb. 10-16 is random acts of kindness week!
Develop a prevention plan for diseases that are common in your family.	Reflect on what you have a heart for.
Learn about the latest treatments for diseases that may be common in your family.	Seek to resolve what makes you unkind to others.
Analyze what motivates you to succeed!	Instead of stuffing feelings try to make sense of them.
Investigate what is holding you back.	How would you describe your healing kindness to others.