Assignment 5: Stress Reduction

1. The stress reduction technique I have chosen to try out is meditation. Meditation is a great opportunity to think about the future as well as sort through current issues in your life. It is very effective in relieving stress and improves an individual's overall spiritual well-being.

2. The way I went about performing this technique is by sitting in my backyard in complete solitude. The sun was just going down and I was the only one home so it was a very peaceful atmosphere. With all of the exciting and terrifying things that are about to happen in my life when I go away to school in the fall, this exercise really revitalized me. I am now able to accept the new experience with an open mind and go in with a positive attitude!

3. Physically I felt like I had just woken up from a nap or something. I tried this exercise after working out for 4 hours and the meditating actually recharged me. Mentally and emotionally it felt like I was given a fresh start. I gained an enormous amount of positivity and now view the approaching, life-changing experience optimistically! I feel much more peaceful spiritually after performing this meditation exercise and will try and revisit this activity on a regular visit from now on, especially once school starts back up in a few weeks.

4. I feel like this technique really did reduce my stress levels, and it also reduced my anxiety about the future. This is a very valuable technique that I plan on using on a regular basis in the future.