Physical Self

Objectives
• Determine the condition of your physical self ;
• Classify the various physiological needs of the
self
• Identify the institutions and forces that impact
the development of various aspects of identity
and the self;
• Explain the significance of a good health.
 "Man is a transitional being? This body is a bridge." (Sri
Arubindo).

• Physical Self refers to the body, this marvelous

container and complex, finely tuned, machine
with which we interface with our environment
and fellow beings. The Physical Self is the
concrete dimension, the tangible aspect of the
person that can be directly observed and
examined.
• William James considered body as the initial source
of sensation and necessary for the origin and
maintenance of personality.

• In Psychoanalytical school, Sigmund Freud's

construction of self and personality makes the
physical body the core of human experience. 

• For Erik Erikson, experience is anchored in the

ground-plan of body (Erikson, 1963)
• He treats human being as an unopened, but
certainly not empty, box. (BF Skinner)

• Eastern traditions (Yoga) have regarded the

body in different ways. Range from the outright
rejection of the body, because it is seen as the
source of desires and attachments, to an
appreciation of the body as the main vehicle
spiritual growth and self realization
• The Bhagvat Gita counsels, Yoga is a harmony.
Not for him who eats too much, or for him who
eats too little; nor for him who sleeps too little,
or for him who sleeps too much (VI: 16). Most
Yoga disciplines advocate a moderate approach
to body, neither indulgent and nor unduly
ascetic.
• There is entire discipline devoted to Physical
Self i.e. Hath-yoga, or the Yoga of the body.

The Indian tradition views growth and

enlightenment as the whole body event, which is
not possible until one has a pure and strong
body.
• In Buddhist tradition the concept of Middle Path
is of central importance in one's attitude
towards the body. Both your life and your body
deserve love and respect
 Factors Affecting Development
• Heredity (nature) is the transmission of traits or
characteristics from parents to offspring. Heredity
refers to the genes one inherits from his/her
parents which provide the upper and lower limits
of his/her intelligence quotient. It provides the
raw materials of which the individual is made up.
Hereditary potentials like physical, mental, social,
emotional and moral traits are passed down to
generations through the genes.
• Environment (nurture) is the sum total of the
forces or experiences that a person undergoes
from conception to old age. It involves the
experiences , and the psychological and the
physical exposure of the individuals to the
various influences around him/her. It includes
the home, family, friends, school, nutrition,
community and other agencies one is in
contact with.
One cannot conclude that environment is more
important factor than heredity, or that heredity
is more important than environment. Both
heredity and environment interact to contribute
to intelligence and personality.
• Whether you inherit high or low intelligence
genes, make use of your positive things
around you (environment) which will improve
yourself.
 The Beginning of Life
• Life begins at fertilization – Zygote (289
days/36weeks/9calendar months.
• Male Sex Cell- Spermatozoa
• Male Reproductive Organ – Gonads
• Female Sex Cell – Ova
• Female Reproductive Organ - Ovaries
Stages of Life Span
 DEVELOPMENT STAGE AGE
Pre-Natal Period Conception to birth
Infancy Birth to end of the second week
Babyhood End of second week to end of the
second year

Early Childhood or Preschool age Two to six years

Late Childhood or Elementary age
Puberty or Pre adolescence
Adolescence
Early Adulthood
Middle age
Old age or senescence
Six to ten or twelve years
Twelve to thirteen or fourteen years
Thirteen or fourteen to eighteen
years
Eighteen to forty years
Forty to sixty years
Sixty years to death
 Taking care of Your Physical Self
• Balanced Diet
• Water
An individual should drink at least 8 glasses of water
every day. This allows the body to function efficiently. Water
washes away wastes to keep the skin clear and healthy.
With a high-protein diet, the body utilizes the water properly
and avoids water retention. Milk, coffee, tea, soda should
not be counted as water. Although these drinks contain lots
of water, there is also build up of acid, caffeine or fat.
• Sleep
An individual needs eight or more hours of sleep a day. Sleep
gives the bones, muscles, and the mind time to recover. One
very important requirement for a refreshing sleep is a firm
mattress. A soft and lumpy mattress provides uncomfortable
positions causing body aches. Replace the bed with a firmer
one or another way to improve the bed is to raise the lower
part of the mattress so as to elevate the feet. Moreover,
sleeping on one’s stomach can help prevent varicose veins
from developing as other circulatory problems.
 Activity
Answer the following questions. (Individual Task)

• What healthy habits do you practice for a healthy

living?
• Are there things you consider unhealthy but you
cannot stop yourself from doing? What are
these? Cite examples.
• What do you plan to do to become physically fit?
Days Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4 Week 5 Week 6 Remarks
         
Activity 1 Ex. No junk
for self to food for
keep me this week
healthy
           
Activity 5 Ex. Exercise
for self to early in the
keep me morning
healthy
             
Activity 5
for self to
keep me
healthy
             
Activity 5
for self to
keep me
healthy
             
Activity 5
for self to
keep me
healthy