What if I asked you?

What if I asked you, "When you think of health, what do you think about?" What would you say?

Many responses I have heard in the past, and just recently in the HEAL program, are: physical, emotional, social, spiritual and psychological.  The list is much more extensive than this, but these are the common responses.  What I'm confused about, and a little concerned with is, why don't most people include, 'sexual health'?

I recently asked a colleague of mine the same question, "When I say health, what do you think about?"  She said, "Physical, mental and social."  I replied, "What about sexual health?"  She said, "Oh, that's part of physical health."  So, using Google and Google scholar, I typed in, "What is physical health?" Topics such as strength, flexibility and endurance, nutritional diet, medical self care, rest and sleep, drugs and alcohol, and even, religion came up; but I have not yet seen sexual health considered as one of the main components of physical health.  So, if people are quick to respond by saying that sexual health is obviously part of physical health, then why isn't it clearly discussed in the information on physical health?  Is the topic of sexual health still considered taboo in the twenty first century?

I have recently completed the Sexual Health Educator Program, which is the only comprehensive sexual health education program offered in North America.  In this program, I learned an amazing amount of valuable information about the human biological reproductive system, relationships, orgasm, puberty, how our bodies are very different and that the differences are both normal and natural as well as learning to appreciate and accept the LGBT2Q community. 

I am currently reading the book, Come As You Are, by Emily Nagoski. "She is a Wellness Education Director and Lecturer at Smith College, and has a PhD in Health Behavior with a doctoral concentration in human sexuality and a master’s degree in counseling. She has taught graduate and undergraduate classes in human sexuality, relationships and communication, stress management, and sex education."( Simon and Schuster, 2016) I cannot better promote this book than by saying that everyone NEEDS to read this book.  It focuses and informs the reader on why and how women's sexuality works.  The author explains how our sexuality is like a finger print, no two people are the same, and that women vary more than men in our anatomy, our sexual response mechanisms, and the way our bodies respond to the sexual world. So, we never need to judge ourselves based on others’ experiences. 

 

As a public secondary school teacher, I have had the pleasure of educating students about sexual health in my Planning 10 classes. I hope that by educating the next generation, and empowering them on their own sexuality and what that means to them, they will be more successful in their future relationships and as an individual.  I feel we truly need to educate ourselves on sexual health and well being.  

So now I ask you, "What do you think?"

(Images taken from Google images)



Me Time

Self care is something that has to come within each individual; it’s not something that can be forced or persuaded. As for myself I usually don’t think of it as self-care but more of ‘Me Time’ which comes in many different forms. 

Certain ‘me time’ is just sitting on the kitchen floor; letting the tears trickle down my cheeks until my body relaxes and I take a deep breath.  In other circumstances I find that movement within the natural world eases the imbecility that floods my mind; running until I can’t feel my legs and it feels more like I am a passenger just along for the ride in my own body.

And then there are those times where my ‘me time’ requires an energetic motivational boost and I find myself listening, not watching, but listening to YouTube motivational clips.  One of my favorite videos is called Unbroken (see link to video below).  I choose to actively tune in to how the words are expressed, the passion that in undeniably true to the person that speaks them and the music that seems to dance with each cell of my body. 

‘Me time’ can help guide the understanding of who you are, where you want to be and how you are going to get there.  It’s not a simple task that can be completed within moments. At the same time, listening to your body and your mind; reflecting on how you embrace the world perhaps can help counsel you on your journey within this lifetime.  Self-care or ‘me time’ is important to my own growth and development; it’s like taking a step back or away for a moment, cleansing my thoughts and then re focusing. 

Unbroken-motivational video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=26U_seo0a1g

A Reminder Of How Powerful and Important We All Are - Together We Are Stronger

Post Card

YOU WERE GIVEN THIS LIFE BECAUSE YOU ARE STRONG ENOUGH TO LIVE IT

BE THE LIGHT FOR SOMEONE IN NEED AND DON'T FORGET THOSE THAT LIT THE WAY FOR YOU

A Little Bit About Me :)

Hello, my name is Renee Gregerson. I am an adventurous, energetic and inquisitive woman who enjoys being around people of all ages, genders, educational levels and experiences.  I’m an observer of human behaviour, and I am always trying to figure out people’s intentions and expectations, as well as their thoughts behind their actions.  I have a passion for connecting with others, intellectually, spiritually, mentally, physically and emotionally, and I feel energized when I support others' connections with the people around them. 

 My educational background consists of a BHk, B.Ed., First Aid Instructor’s Certificate, Sexual Health Educator’s Certificate and I’m currently working on my M.Ed. HEAL.  I chose the Health Education and Active Living Master’s program because it supports many of my life's interests including, nutrition, fitness and mental wellbeing, along with my current passions, emotional and social health.  Working as a secondary teacher for the past 6 years, I have come to the realization that one of the most prominent factors missing from the classroom is the understanding of how important the connections with the people in our lives are on our growth and development.  How the smallest of interactions, and the understanding of how those interactions connect with who we feel we are, and who we want to be, is incredibly powerful.  I’m hoping that my fellow classmates and professors, who are all so very knowledgeable both from education and  their own life experiences, will be able to support my research and help guide my understanding within this field of health education.  Having this opportunity to dig deeper into research that supports what I have only just discovered through my own teaching and social interactions will enrich my understanding and capability, and I hope to design a program that will further guide new educators coming into the public school system. Imagine a facilitator that understands and creates a learning environment where everyone feels cared for, welcomed, valued, seen as a human being that deserves respect and understanding, yet also holds expectations that challenge who we are, that in turn promotes our own personal growth and development.  Envision a classroom where students are excited to learn, where they feel free to speak up without hesitation or fear of what others may think.  An environment that feels like a home away from home, where we all appreciate our similarities and embrace our differences.  This may seem euphoric but our children and students are worth the effort!