Monday, August 15, 2022

Summer Assignment 8.15

 Only one link for this week. As the start of the school year gets closer, it is important to remember the importance of mental health. Over the last few years, this has become more of a focus, as people were dealing with the pandemic and subsequent stresses. As students taking at least one AP class, it is vital to find a balance between school work, extra-curricular activities, sports. family obligations, and possibly jobs. As teachers, we feel many of the same demands on our time, so we always do our best to be understanding of mental health concerns. During this upcoming school year, please do not hesitate to reach out to one of us if you are feeling overwhelmed. Not just with classwork, and not just with our course. 

In the comments, please mention a few things that you do to relax and recharge. Maybe a few of you can find some new strategies, or find a few classmates with similar interests. 

34 comments:

Laasini Kavuri said...

The article "To Get Out of Your Head, Get Out of Your House" emphasizes the importance of nature for a healthy mindset. I agree with the author that going outside is a great way to relieve stress. I enjoy walking in my neighborhood in the afternoon. It's a great way to clear my mind. Sometimes, my family and I go on hikes on nearby trails. Simply playing outside with the kids on my street is a form of relaxation for me. We play badminton, box ball, capture the flag, and a few other games. In addition, I like spending time indoors relaxing too. Reading and drawing are two other stress-relieving activities I enjoy. It keeps my mind off of school. Overall, this article made me remember the importance of mental health.

Tarun Sriram said...

Maintaining your mental health while keeping your life stable is extremely hard for a lot of people, including me and this article made it clear that technology is a big reason for that. Technology and social media are the major reasons why most teenagers are either depressed or have anxiety and a lot of them don’t know how to help themselves. A few ways I help myself recollect and recharge whenever I’m feeling burnt out or just need to reset is exercise. Either if its going to the gym or just at home, exercising has helped me take my mind off everything especially when I’m very busy. It’s like a therapist that is available when you are and it helps you both mentally and physically. Additionally, eating food that I love puts me in a much better mood and just lifts my spirits up. It gives me tons of energy and it makes me feel like I enjoyed doing something even if my whole day felt terrible. Another way that helps me relax and I feel like this is my go-to method is listening to music. Music is such a therapeutic way to help someone relax, especially if its upbeat and one of your favorites. I usually listen to really upbeat music, as it helps me calm down and have a good time while doing something I don’t want to do like studying. There are so many different ways a person could take care of their mental health and relieve themselves, and doing so is so beneficial especially in times where mental health issues are at an all time high.

Sai Ashraya Chegu said...

As a rising senior in high school, with all the ups and downs of SAT’s, AP’s and everything in between, I have really begun to appreciate any time that I can just take and spend to destress. Over COVID I began to realize how much working out helped me with my stress levels. I am not an athlete by any means, but participating in some version of aerobic exercise like biking (with music) or cardio workouts always distracts me from stressors and helps me refocus my energy. But overall, the main thing that helps me reduce anxiety and stress is doing whatever I want, without worrying about wasting time or not being productive. Sometimes, I get so stressed out by the fact that I am not being productive and it further deteriorates my work ethic. So sometimes it is worth it from time to time to have no expectations of yourself for a day or a couple of hours and do whatever your heart desires. And once you take a little ‘me time’ it’s back to the million other things going on.

Zaara Irfan said...

The article emphasizes how technology can take a toll on our mental health. I would have to agree, but it is also very difficult and almost impossible for many people to take a break from their devices. While technology overall can be harmful, I think that specifically social media has a significant effect on the mental health of teenagers. A break from that would help many people, including me. When I'm feeling stressed, I calm myself down by taking a walk, sitting outside, or going on a bike ride. My mom likes to take my family to parks and trails to go hiking or have a picnic. A big thing I do to unwind is listen to music. It allows me to forget my stresses and to just relax. I also like to spend time with my cat, watch a comforting show, organize my room, or try on different outfits. All these things help my mental health. I think it's very important that everyone has things to do to relax, as being burnt out and stressed is very common in our generation.

Marissa Schrob said...

The article, “To Get Out of Your Head, Get Out of Your House” highlights the correlation between mental wellness and nature. With a whole school year awed where the majority of my time will be spent indoors, summer is a great time to regain my connection with nature and mentally prepare myself with what is to come. Going on a walk outside is a way I found to be extremely helpful when trying to clear your head or calm down. I also think swimming and going to the beach are great outdoor activities that help my mental health since they are special activities that you can do with friends that you cannot do all year round. In general it is important for people to set aside time in their lives to focus on themselves, whether it's inside or outside. Some inside activities I like to do are listen to audiobooks or music, watch TV, do some cooking or baking, or even just taking time out of your day to talk to your family and friends.

Udana Desilva said...

After reading this article it has only confirmed my suspicions that being independent and spending time by yourself isn’t a bad thing, even healthy. However what the pandemic brought to my attention is that too much isolation from the outside world can cause detrimental effects to a personals well being. In addition to the physical issues of lacking vitamin D, without interacting with people as well as overloading oneself with so much work causes a person to feel overwhelmed and as though they are drowning in the daily tasks of life. This is why as the pandemic was wrapping up I made a promise to myself that I would balance my independent time, with my extracurriculars, my time with my family and friends, as well as my time outdoors. Things that have alleviated my anxiety is calling/spending time with my friends. Talking to them knowing I have people to lean on has helped immensely when I feel overwhelmed with work. Listening to music and singing has provided an outlet for me to expel my stress physically. And lastly, going outside to hike, walk, or to do activities with my friends has brought me out of the mental strain of being isolated in my home and reminded me that I am not just confined to my house but there is a whole world to explore and enjoy with those I love.

Ava Fernandes said...

The article, "To Get Out of Your Head, Get Out of Your House", embraces the importance of the relationship between nature and mental health. However it also discusses how social media and technology impact people’s mental health. In today's day and age, many teenagers face anxiety and obtain unrealistic images of people from social media. This can cause people to enter phases of depression and be drained out by social media. I believe that it is important to prioritize yourself especially with circumstances like the pandemic. During covid, I started going on walks outside as a way to clear my mind but also get some form of exercise into my daily routine. I also started working out and lifting weights since that helps take my mind off of my other responsibilities for the time being. I also think that making the most of summer is important since it is the only time where us as high schoolers do not have to stress over classes, assignments, due dates, and tests. With this, I try to go to the beach and swim regularly, hang out with friends, go hiking, and find new places to try and adventure at. I try not to confine myself to just my house but at home a way to recharge is workout, cook, go on walks, bake, and spend time with my family. It is very important to stay on top of your mental health because it is easy to burn out.

Ansh Patel said...

The article relates technology and nature to mental health. Especially transitioning from virtual to in-person school in my sophomore year, it is imperative that going into my junior year, I know how to take time for myself and deal with mental struggles that persisted throughout highschool. Its better to spend less time invested in technology and be more physical. Personally, working out and going to the gym has helped me not only improve my physical health, but my overall mental well being. Going outside for a run or even just a walk can bolster confidence and reduce anxiety, as well as its physical benefits.

Sarayu Vejju said...

I agree with the article “To Get Out of Your Head, Get Out of Your House.” As technology becomes more and more present in our everyday lives, people usually don’t go outside and enjoy nature. Just as the article explains, I think that going outside is a great way to improve your mood and put your mind at ease. For example, whenever I’m feeling stressed or upset, taking a walk around my neighborhood is something I do to clear my mind. Another thing I like to do when I want to relax or if I’m feeling stressed is baking. Baking is a great way to take my mind off my worries because when I bake, I just think about the recipe. Furthermore, reading is one of my favorite ways to relax because I can do it almost anywhere and anytime. Reading distracts me from all of my worries. When I read, I only focus on what is occurring in the book, so my mind is free of stress. I understand that some people (including myself) find it hard to relax and recharge because they might feel like they are being unproductive, but it’s also important to recognize that taking care of yourself can put you in a better mood and help you complete your tasks more efficiently.

Ishani Jena said...

In the article, "To Get Out of Your Head, Get Out of Your House” it talks about how nature helps clear your mind and helps relieve stress. I completely agree with the author since whenever I would go for walks after hours of studying for a big test, it helps calm my mind down and relieves my stress. Overall though, taking care of your mental health is as important as taking care of your physical health. Over the years, I’ve realized how important it is to have good mental health since it helps me stay healthy overall. As a rising junior, I am trying to come up with a routine which will allow me to have a good balance between school and my personal life since junior year is known to be one of the hardest years of high school. Some ways that I like to prevent burnout from school is hanging out with friends at least once a week outside of school or spending time with my family. I think the thing that helped me most with my overall mental health was spending time with my dog since it really helps me take my mind off of things and relieves stress. Along with that I try to do little things that please me, for example watching Netflix or drawing. Since technology and social media sometimes disrupts my mental health I try to limit it as much as possible and over time I am seeing a difference. Overall, your mental health is really important and it should be a main priority for everyone to take care of it.

Zara Qureshi said...

The article, “ To get out of your head, Get out of your house” describes how spending time in nature can increase a person’s level of happiness and decrease malaise, such as stress or anxiety, that one may be experiencing. I agree with the author, Arthur C. Brooks, as he explains how over the years, people are spending less and less time outside, and instead spending that time using technology. As I read the article, I realized that I, myself, do not spend enough time outside and want to make an effort to do so. I often wrongly think that I “don’t have enough time” to relax and spend time outside, although I really do. Instead of going on my phone and scrolling through Tik Tok, I realize that spending that time outside has so many benefits. During the pandemic, I had a lot of free time, so I was able to spend a lot more time outdoors, going on bike rides, hikes, playing with my dog, etc. However, as school reopened, I found that I did not have as much time as I was busy doing schoolwork. As a rising sophomore, I realize that although there is a lot of work, I have to manage my time in a way that I have enough time to spend on my schoolwork, extracurriculars, as well as free time. When I am feeling stressed, I take my dog for a walk or I bake, which both help me calm down. In addition, whenever I feel overwhelmed with loads of work, I often find myself making a list of the things I have to do, and check things off as I complete them. This way, I complete the tasks with less anxiety and in a more organized way. It is important to take time out of your day to spend time outdoors, away from work, as it is often more relaxing than you may think and is crucial for your health.

Anisha Srinivasan said...

I really enjoyed reading this article. It was very cool to see the effects nature and the outdoors have on the quality of life of humans and I liked all the studies used to back up the ideas. Currently I have a few favorite activities that I like to do when I want to recharge or when I am having a stressful day or week. I like doing face masks right before I go to bed or when I want to take a break from doing homework. I find that they are really soothing and the whole process of applying it and taking it off relaxes me. Another activity I like to do is go to the gym. When I am physically tired I am less stressed and it gives me something else to focus my mind on. This also can help if I am struggling with an assignment because I can clear my mind so when I get back to it I have new ideas and a fresh set of eyes. Finally I like taking my dogs out for walks in the neighborhood because just like the article had talked about, it helps me think about what I am grateful for and is a nice time to just relax and have for myself.

Celine Mossa said...

In the article “To Get Out of Your Head, Get Out of Your House,” the author emphasizes that it is important to have contact with nature in our lives, since it improves our creativity, happiness and health. I believe it would be beneficial for work environments to provide opportunities for exploring nature. For example, a place of employment could have a nature walk before work every month which will help with health and help the coworkers interact with each other outside of an office space. A place of employment can also provide nature areas close to work to allow employees to go on a walk or take in some fresh air during their breaks. I believe implementing these factors would be of great benefit to the employers and the employees, which will further benefit the work productivity. When I want to relax, some of the things I do include sitting outside to take in some fresh air, drink coffee, go shopping or go on a drive around. All of these methods help me to keep my mind off of other worries and recharge so I am able to deal with any tribulations before me.

Sachi Rele said...

The article “To Get Out of Your Head, Get Out of Your House” discusses how exposure to nature can help to relieve stress. I found it interesting how the number of people working outdoors decreased dramatically from the nineteenth to the twentieth centuries. As mentioned in the article, technology is playing a significant role in the lack of outdoor activity. There are countless articles about the harm excessive technology use can cause. It is unfortunate that so many of us are so invested in our phones. It is also ironic that some people use social media to talk about stress when an answer to relieve some stress can be by putting down the phone. I am guilty of this as well because I rarely step outside, especially when school is in session. Being in nature is beautiful, and it is not surprising that exposure to nature can help with stress. I think the shift to incorporate a little nature in our lives is not difficult and has amazing benefits. Something I do to relax is paint my nails. I enjoy painting intricate nail art on my nails, and can spend several hours painting them. During this time, I forget about anything causing my stress and concentrate solely on my nails. It is also one of the few times where I do not use any technology. Another way I recharge is by listening to music while lying in bed with my headphones on.

Camila Aguirre said...

As I was reading the article, it reminded of when I was younger and the anxiety that I would get when I didn’t have my phone. As I grew up and got used to not having it I learned that there are many other activities to do other than being on a phone all day. I used to go to Colombia for the whole summer and my family and I would do outdoor activities like: hiking, camping, or just even swimming in the lake . I have come to realize that walking in a quiet place and or even a wooded area calms me down. I seem to forget that I even have a phone. Social Media and even technology itself is harmful to today’s population and future generations. We should try to practice less dependence on technology for entertainment and appreciate the worlds beauty because if we don't appreciate it we will never be able to fix the damage we've done.

Bianca Kurani said...

The article, “To Get Out of Your Head, Get Out of Your House” by Arthur C. Brooks discusses how by spending time in nature- whether that includes camping out in your backyard, exposing your body to natural light or even implementing daily outdoor walks- can help with one’s stress and anxiety. Additionally, the author explains how the combination of people using technology now more than ever and how more people residing in urban areas has been leading people to be out of touch with nature. For me personally, whenever I get very tense and stressed out about something like a big upcoming test or even just overwhelmed by school I like to just put on music and lay down on my bed. I find that doing that helps calm me down by distracting me or giving me time to think. Furthermore, similar to what the author discussed, I find that going on walks outdoors with my family also helps me whenever I’m anxious because it allows me to physically step away from my school work (whereas going on my phone does not) and gather my thoughts. Moreover, during the pandemic I found that baking in particular helps me with my stress and calms me down. In a recent article I read, the author discussed how baking allows you to focus on a certain task and helps put you in the present which in my experience helped me better when I used to get burned out by online classes.

Aaryan Pothakamuri said...

In the article "To Get Out of Your Head, Get Out of Your House", spending time outside is described as a good way to relieve stress and anxiety, while also increasing happiness. The author also states the amount of times people are going outside is rapidly decreasing. I agree with the article, and always spend at least 15 minutes outside every day, doing pretty much anything. It is really calming, and especially after a long day, it helps me destress.

Lea Lai said...

The article, “To Get Out of Your Head, Get Out of Your House” by Arthur C. Brooks explains how important nature is to mental health. I completely agree how being connected to nature by being outside or being exposed to natural light can help relieve stress and improve your mood. I love to go outside even when I am not in a bad mood or stressed. I feel like it really relaxes me, especially when it is not loud outside, and there is only a little background noise. I also really enjoy listening to music, stretching, and watching movies to help me destress. I think it is much easier not to be stressed when you are not worried about being productive as well. Taking time for myself really helps destress and calm me down.

Parthivi Chauhan said...

The article highlights how technology can be damaging to our mental health, and emphasizes the importance of nature’s role in our lives and health. I love going to a nearby park just to stroll and/or go on a bike ride with my friends or family. It’s especially nice at sunset. While I do love spending time with others, something that I’ve been working on is taking time for myself. I love listening to my favorite music or baking by myself to help me relax. Baking a wide variety of goods with different techniques allows me to express myself and my emotions uniquely, either through the treat’s decoration or the preparation itself.

Haley Pandya said...

The article discusses technology and its effect on mental health. With the lockdown and the pandemic, I have definitely noticed the effect of social media on my mental health. Since I always had time over the course of the lockdown, I was glued to my phone and rarely did anything else. Once I realized that I took steps to destress. Typically, I read a book or go outside for a walk with my friends. Since I enjoy baking, sometimes I'll bake a dessert as a treat for myself and my family.

Vrusha Patel said...

The article reflects the impact of technology on mental health. Many people, especially high school and college students, are unable to stay away from using their phones and social medias often. While there are many benefits to social media, there are many downsides to it. Social media sets unrealistic standards and expectations for young people. It also distracts them from being able to do their tasks, which leads to procrastination, which in turn leads to stress and poor mental health. It is important for people to have a way to be able to disconnect and recharge, such as spending time in nature, as mentioned in the article. During the covid pandemic, I started taking long walks, and they became a part of my regular routine even after we returned back to normal, as it was a stress reliever and increased my serotonin. One thing I do to to unwind whether I am stressed or tired is listen to music. Another thing I enjoy doing is shopping, as it helps me feel relaxed and takes my mind off of things.

Joseph Williams said...

The article to me explains a lot about how we have grown distant and we are in a different era were everything nature like is slowly disappearing. When I was a kid I didn't go out a lot because it was just me and my mum so she would be at work and I would be at school so I didn't really have many friends or good communication skills. I started to be terrified of large amounts of people and a hated all outdoors activities. It only got worse as the years went on and then I moved here by myself and moved in with my grandparents. living in a new country isn't easy cause now my communication skills aren't worse but some people don't understand me because of my accent but because of that it helps me to become more outgoing so people understand me. I do have some similarities to the article but at the end of the day if you see the kids of today there surprised if they see a tree. I would see a large decrease in overall positivity at a young age from now on and it will only get worse as the years go by school will become more tiring and kids will have weaker mentalities and fold under the pressure its already starting to happen in todays day and age.

Abhi Solanki said...

The article, "To Get Out of Your Head, Get Out of Your House," presents some ways in which we can relieve stress and anxiety. For example the author suggests that spending time in nature is beneficial. I believe whatever is needed to help with your mental health is beneficial. To me nature is also something I would prefer due to the nice breeze and the nice ambience. Something I do to help with my mental health is I take some time out of my day to do just whatever I like and what is fun for me. I feel by doing this you can become fully charged for the upcoming things that you have to do. Soon school is starting and many tests are going to come. In order to cope with all this I would suggest finding something that is fun and right for you and can be beneficial for you in the best way possible.

Anika Chekuri said...

The article "To Get Out of Your Head, Get Out of Your House" emphasizes the relationship between one's mind and relation to nature. Not only that but the article also talks about the technology and its damaging effects on mental health as well. Going outside and getting fresh air is important. It is also important to get off technology. Social Media can cause a lot of distractions which in turn can lead to more stress and harm to your mental health. So, it is important to focus your attention on something else and spend time with nature. Sometimes going on bike rides or going on walks with my dog is just what I need to relax and decompress.

Danielle Youssef said...

The article “To Get Out of Your Head, Get Out of Your House” makes multiple good points about mental health. For both young and old, the environment that surrounds them plays a part in their behavior. To have a healthy environment means a good balance of work and personal life. Personal life means being able to have healthy relationships with others. This also includes taking care of yourself through your mental health. In the article the author pointed out that the mental health of many have declined over the years. Many think it was because of Covid, but what they don’t realize is that the decline was from long before. In order to improve this, it is statistically proven that nature is crucial for a positive feeling overall. In my own life, I like to walk a lot. It feels very refreshing to get out and enjoy mother nature and to just be thankful for everything around me. I also love to read outside when I have the opportunity. I admit when school comes around I do not walk or read as much which I myself find very disappointing. I hope going into this year I can change that and improve myself.

Athena George said...

Reading, “To Get Out of Your Head, Get Out of Your House”, has made me realize the importance of nature in regards to mental and physical health. The article noted that there are numerous benefits one can receive by simply walking outdoors, such as increased creativity and lower levels of stress, anxiety, and depression, as opposed to remaining indoors. I can personally relate to this statement. During the school year, I often spent my time indoors studying or doing homework on my iPad. Not to mention, any free time I had was spent on more screen time. However, this summer I decided to walk outside every morning for at least an hour. I can confidently say that this decision has reduced the stress and anxiety I felt beforehand and has provided more mental clarity. I strongly recommend others to start taking a stroll in nature at a park or around one's street whenever there is free time as opposed to screen time, especially for other highschoolers who are prone to stress, anxiety, depression, and many other psychological detriments. Taking the time to appreciate nature can help increase mindfulness and peace. With more mental stability, students can thrive in other areas, including relationships, academics, sports, and much more.

Shreya Konkal said...

Mental health is such a beautiful yet scary thing. Stress and lack of sleep largely contribute to unhealthy mental health. The article mentions how fewer and fewer people go on nature walks and are stuck indoors. Although it was inevitable during the bane of the pandemic, now the public is safer to walk through. I usually find myself stuck in my dark room studying. But every now and then, I'll open the curtains and look outside. To destress, I play the piano. I like the feeling of pressing the keys and I always find time to practice; whether that be during the day or in the middle of the night. I had decided to go into psychiatry, like my aunt, so I enjoyed reading this article.

Ananya Naveen said...

The end of summer vacation is approaching quickly and with the thought of spending a great deal of time indoors, I try to be outside as often as I can. Whenever we can, my brother and I go biking to the park near our house and play soccer in the open field. I find that going early in the morning when it’s still foggy outside is a great way to start my day. The article, “To Get Out of Your Head, Get Out of Your House” points out that fewer people are utilizing the benefits of spending time in nature and I resonate with the fact that sometimes the comforts of the indoors are more appealing than the outdoors. When I am indoors I enjoy reading as it takes my mind off all my worries and lets me focus solely on what is happening in the book. I also enjoy practicing my violin as I enjoy improving my skills and listening to the perfected product. The bottom line is that taking out time to relax allows one to recollect their thoughts and perform better throughout the day.

Clara Yacoub said...

The podcast, “The Secret History of DNA” was very informative. It was an easy listen and a short podcast that made facts about DNA very clear. I enjoyed getting a recap on the basics of DNA and finding out new things that I had no clue about. I found it interesting to learn about how DNA looks nothing like a double helix strand on the inside. It’s instead 6 feet tall in one cell and it’s packed very tightly like beads on a string. It’s amazing the power of each bead, the histone protein that control everything wrapped around the string, the DNA strand. I learned about how different packaging changes how the dna is accessible to our cells. Tight packaging is when the beads are close together and it’s very hard to access. Our lung and mouth cells don’t need the same things, so depending on what we need the cells send signals to our histones to let them know if they should do loose packaging or tight packaging. I was glad that this podcast was easy to understand because I was very intrigued to find out all this new information and got a lot of things out of it.

Flory Deepak said...

One of my favorite topics to discuss is mental health, mainly because I am familiar with how it feels to experience challenges in that area. As high school students, getting good grades and studying hard are our top priorities. As admirable as that attitude could be, it can also be destructive. Being the greatest at what you do might be challenging, but it gets even more difficult when something doesn't go your way. Not to mention everything else that we have to cope with. All of our eight classes, extracurricular activities, a social life, and for some even a job. All of this just so we can repeat it in college? While I believe that everyone should have the chance to learn, I also believe that no one should be under excessive pressure to the point that they burn out. I found the article "To Get Out of Your Head, Get Out of Your House" to be incredibly fascinating. A close friend recently suggested that I start running after we discussed my mental health. I followed her suggestions, and she was spot on! As cliché as it may sound, nothing beats the sensation of having the wind caress your face. It was wonderful to re-connect with nature, and it is nice to have educators who are concerned about our health and who can put themselves in our position. Thank you for understanding!

Rebecca Chin said...

The article "To Get Out of Your Head, Get Out of Your House'' serves as a great reminder to take care of my mental health. I can agree that I spend a lot of time indoors using technology and that it would be beneficial to break my routine and make a habit of spending more time outdoors. I think that it was interesting that the author made the point that being immersed in nature is different from simply being outside. In my experience, walking in a forest and hiking by a river have an overall more calming effect than being in a busy city, which is an environment that doesn't give as much room to think and reflect. Some activities I enjoy doing to relax are dancing, reading, and painting. Though I enjoy reading and painting very much, last year I rarely had time to do those things if I didn't have to do it as part of my coursework or a project. That indicates to me that I did not do a good job of making sure to relax. As a senior, the upcoming year will likely be one of the most stressful periods of my life with college applications and a difficult course load. I have realized that it is as important as ever to make time to destress and spend some of my time in the next few months in the great outdoors.

Srimaye C. said...

Whenever I think of the 2020/2021 school year, I remember feeling so stressed and anxious all the time. I was in 8th grade at the time, and whenever I hear about the 8th grades of my friends older and younger than me I feel disappointed because they all seemed to have had a great last year of middle school. A part of the reason I think I felt so bad is because I would just be alone the whole day, in my room, on my computer. I felt really bad for a lot of personal reasons but also, I felt really lonely. Then, when April 2021 came around, one of my teachers suggested that we sit outside during our virtual classes. I immediately started feeling so much lighter after that. My mood was lifted so abruptly. Even after classes were over, I’d play around in my backyard and listen to music. As the author of the article said, “if you are more present in nature, you are likely happier.”. This makes perfect sense to me and even now, I still play around in my yard.

Shriya Peddu said...

The article explains how technology is a major factor in unhappiness since we are spending time away from nature. I agree with this article because I personally feel more relaxed when I'm outdoors. And having a mom that’s obsessed with plants helps a lot. I find myself often gardening in the backyard or going on long walks around my neighborhood in my free time. This helps to clear my mind because instead of worrying about school and other activities, I’m forced to stay in the present. Along with these, reading and meditating are two other things that help me destress. In my family, meditation is something which is strongly encouraged, as it is a daily practice.

Hardi Amin said...

I agree with everything that is said in the article, “To Get Out of Your Head, Get Out of Your House”. It is true that people nowadays spend way less time outdoors and are glued to their devices most of the time. However, spending more time outside in nature could bring down stress levels and rise happiness. I could relate to this because whenever I feel stressed, I go outside biking and it really helps me calm down. Also, as a high school student, there is a heavy workload that causes anxiety and stress. However, working out or just doing a few simple stretches help me bring down my stress level. If I cannot go outside to recharge myself, I stay home and try my best to relax by listening to some favorite music or watching a favorite tv show to distract myself. I sometimes also just try to take a nap when I am stressed. These few methods help me bring down my stress level since stress should be prevented as it can lead to harmful effects on your body.