Summary: I answered ‘No’ to twelve out of twenty questions in the exercise. According to the workbook, my sleep patterns are okay. I will need to maintain and improve on them.

Reflection: the exercise made me ponder over some behaviors I had previously, like making an office out of my bed. Such behavior deprived me of my sleep, and I experienced moments of prolonged stress and emotional disturbance. I reiterated that good management of sleep patterns leads to good stress management skills. I would, in that case, continue applying them, and recommend them to most of my friends.

Exercise 2.1

Summary: After I had completed exercise 2.1 in the workbook, I realized I answered yes to thirteen out of the thirty-four questions. The purpose of the exercise aimed at increasing my awareness on the impact of culture n my behavior. Gauging by the nature of the questions, I would conclude that, I have interacted well with my culture, in that I have been able to get the best from it, without being carried away by overboard behaviors.

Reflection: thinking about the questions and the outcome, I have noted that culture has a big influence on people’s behaviors. After completing the questions, I went through them again, trying to analyze the behavior I have realized in some of my friends. I found it interesting to note that some behaviors they have displayed is a result of cultural influence. On my side, I was all smiles to realize how well I have managed the pressure brought about by the changing culture.

Exercise 3.2:

Summary: After completing this exercise, I realized that I am an immediate responder to stress. My whole system reacts immediately to the aspects of stress. According to the workbook, this is dangerous since, it makes the body t be strained beyond its normal ability. However, the immediate response recovers within no time, saving one from the chronic effects of stress.

Reflection: the results indicate that I am an immediate responder to stress. Although I am alarmed by the results, they have enabled me to retrospect upon some of my past experiences with stress, and how I was affected. At the same time, I intend to use the results to manage my future instances of stress. This will be now easier since I have some personal knowledge on how I respond to stress. Whenever I am subjected to provoking instances, I will remember these tests and apply stress-management measures immediately.

Exercise 10.2

Summary: after doing the exercise, I realized that I am not affected by the personality types of being a perfectionist, codependent, or even type D personality. I would say I am an idealist, gauging from how I instituted a behavior change.

Reflection: The results showed I was not the type A, or the codependency type. Although I find this however, I am happy I can manage a behavior change in a logical manner.

Exercise 11.6

Summary: After completing this exercise, I realized that I had written more than five pages within a very short while. I wrote about my worst day in life. I found it very relieving.

Reflection: This exercise acted as a pointer to a very good way of managing stress, though it is rarely utilized. Through the exercise, I relieved myself of chronic pain that had been burning in me for years. I found it interesting because of its simplicity. I would recommend it to my friends.

Exercise 15. 1:

Summary: I completed this exercise and realized I had a weakness in my non-verbal communication. For example, sometimes I minded less of what people would say about my dressing or hair style. However, I found out that I am a good listener.

Reflection: Considering the importance of communication in cultivating inner peace, and lead a stress free life, I found it interesting how good it is to mind one’s non-verbal communication. I purposed to incorporate that in enhancing my communication skills as I tap from my strength in listening skills.

Exercise 16.1

Summary: I completed this exercise and was surprised how I have been strained financially. The expenses are more than the income. Surprisingly, nothing to save.

Reflection: I found it annoying in that I was spending very much in some less important items. I decided to review my budget to adjust it, as a measure of doing away with stress that comes through financial pressure.

Exercise 16.2

Summary: I completed this exercise and realized that, although I have enough, I am a bit extravagant, and I have not taken time to mind about others.

Reflection: From the results of the exercise, I need to change my financial management behaviors. The exercise has made me realize that I waste money buying items I already have.