Unit 4

Describe your experience. Did you find it beneficial? Difficult? Why or why not? Would you recommend this to others? Why or why not?

My experience with this exercise was both positive and negative. Although I did have some amazing positive thoughts about my children I had more of a negative experience with other parts. I could not seem to get past when it asked to take in all of a loved one’s suffering and pain. I was so overwhelmed by this that I literally had to stop the exercise, I almost felt like I was going to have a panic attack. I know that it said to bring in those negative feelings but then to release positive ones, I just could not get past the negative emotions. I think the rest of the exercise went downhill from there. I do not feel as if this was very beneficial, just because I could not get past this. I personally would not recommend this to others, however, I know that someone else might benefit from this, I personally could not.


2.       What is the concept of "mental workout"? What does the research indicate are the proven benefits of a mental workout? How can you implement mental workouts to foster your psychological health?

The concept of “mental workout” is to keep your mind alert and sharp. Research on the physical results of thinking has shown that just using the brain actually increases the number of dendritic branches that interconnect brain cells. The more we think, the better our brains function – regardless of age. (The Human, 2004)

I can implement mental workouts in my daily routine by playing games that stimulate my mind and reading more. This will help to keep my mind sharp and to continue to read and add to my daily vocabulary, having a 2 year old and a 4 year old, it is easy to forget about grammar.

The Franklin Institute. (2004). The Human Brain. Retrieved on October 13, 2012 

http://www.fi.edu/learn/brain/exercise.html