Genius Hour Reflection Post #1

Chris Gilham (2011) claims, "The Monster arrives and leaves, demanding something different from us, then and now" (p. 105). In reflecting on my relationship to mental health, I discovered that the "monster" Gilham (2011) refers to takes form in the shape of stress. For instance, if I am aware that I have a series of upcoming deadlines that are all due within the same time period, I almost always experience stress headaches and lack sleep given that I am consumed in thought about course deadlines.

However, this week, I practiced Mindfulness Meditation via the Headspace App. It is first important to note that Mindfulness Mediation is a key stress coping strategy that directs the participant’s attention to their breathing, thoughts, and orientation of values-driven behaviour (Parcover, Coiro, Finglass, & Barr, 2018). 

When revisiting the Headspace App, I first completed the "Basics" and "Acceptance" packs of guided meditation. I admit it was initially quite challenging because I was so consumed in thought about my practicum placement, coupled with the demanding course work load. It was only after progressing through the first sessions of the Basics pack that I began acknowledging my stressful thoughts and physiological responses rather than repressing them. The two images below are screenshots of the narratives provided in the app that encourage relaxation. 

  

One significant aspect of mindfulness meditation that I learned was that meditation is metaphorical. While engaging in deep breathing, the narrator provided an excellent metaphor of dark clouds being representative of stressful thoughts. Meditation allows these dark clouds to disperse, so that the blue sky hidden beneath is visible. For example, the Headspace breathing activity notably reduced my stress for an adequate period of time. In this case, I explicitly paused to notice how my body felt when meditating and noticed my heart rate was reduced. I felt a notable sense of calmness and tranquility by observing my physiological responses to stress reduce. I was very content that I achieved a sense of relaxation by dismantling any resistance I felt and thoroughly concentrated on reducing my physiological tension, in order to best reduce my moderate stress-level this week. 

Despite the successes described above, what I found challenging was the quantity of meditation. In order to complete certain packs in Headspace, participants are required to meditate in intervals ranging in time frames such as 10, 15, 20, and 25 minutes. This time frame became increasingly difficult as I returned home from class because I was continually consumed in thought about the assignments that needed to be completed for the week. Consequently, I found mindfulness meditation beneficial but very difficult to effectively integrate on an ongoing basis in my schedule. 

For future practice, I will need to continue to regulate my socio-emotional stress and fully concentrate on all stress reducing strategy tasks. Furthermore, for the next Genius Hour, I will need to determine which physical activity/fitness exercises I will complete. I must continually engage in metacognitive practice and reflect on the ease (and effectiveness) of implementing the stress reducing strategies in the upcoming weeks to achieve my Genius Hour project goals. 

For further information on Headspace, see the embedded video below.

References 

Gilham, C. (2011). Beyond the monster’s wanting and doing: Special education as a barrier and diacritical hermeneutics as possibility. Canadian Journal of Education, 34(3), 103-118.

Parcover, J., Coiro, M.J., Finglass, E., & Barr, E. (2018). Effects of a brief mindfulness based group intervention on college students. Journal of College Student Psychotherapy, 32(4), 312-329.