Caring for Ourselves

List and describe three things that bring joy into your life. State why each thing brings you joy.
-Husband
-Learning
-Sleep

Three things that bring me joy in life are my husband, learning and sleep. School and learning can be fun but are also a known stressor. The excitement of learning is what motivates me to continue living life to the fullest bringing me great joy. Secondly, my husband brings me great joy and love. This allows me to deal with the stressors caused by school and life because it is therapeutic to talk, and he offers support and understanding that makes me feel needed and understood. Finally yet important, sleep, allows me to recharge and dream about what the future holds and recharge my mind, body and spirit which gives me the energy to enjoy the joyful moments that bring me hope and meaning in my life.

What is an example of a combination feeling you have experienced?

I have experienced many mixed emotions or combination feelings. One in particular that I thought I would share was when I had to give a presentation in a large lecture hall. Prior to doing this lecture, I was excited and anxious in anticipation for the date to talk about my information to the students. I prepared and used those emotions and stressors to focus and motivate me to create a well thought out presentation that included very specific information on psychology and behavior.

These emotions continued and increased until the date to give my presentation. When giving the presentation I was still experiencing anxiety and excitement, but I was also experiencing intense nervousness because I had never given a lecture to a group of this magnitude. This lecture hall had seats that go up in step design, a classic lecture hall layout, and I was nervous and afraid.

Wondering if my anxiety would interfere with my ability to speak or think clearly if asked questions, feeling worried about the sheer volume of students, and excited to share my research findings and information to the students I experience mixed emotions that contributed to intense feelings of distress, anxiety and excitement. Overall, the experience was a great one and I had no problems with my presentation. I contribute the success of that moment to great mentorship, preparation and belief in my abilities to be successful in public speaking.