Module 3: Perception of Nature

         When doing this assignment is was definitely relaxing. Today, it wasn’t hot outside, and there

weren’t any bugs so I had the chance to enjoy nature and all that it entails. I chose to sit in the backyard

of my parent’s house because they always have the weirdest animals at the weirdest times and they have a

really comfortable patio. Surprisingly, I saw a family of kittens and a mother cat come from under my

parent’s neighbors wooden fence. I also saw birds land on the fence and prey on lizards. During this

experience, I heard car engines, the whistling of the breeze, and distant bird chirps. This experience made

me catch myself thinking out loud, rather than 100% relaxing I caught myself reflecting on the week and

what I think I could’ve done better or improved to help my mental health. Yesterday, I had taken a midterm

exam and I am still stressed out about the exam, I studied and truly did my best but this is literally the last

course I need to complete my degree, so the grade is weighing heavy on my mind.

         Besides the side reflecting, the breeze was very much so mind easing. I didn’t have as much

anxiety about my exam as the time started to pass. I lost track of time in a sense, I did not set a 30-minute

alarm or anything because I truly wanted the experience of the positive effects of nature. I easily sat outside

for an hour, I even caught myself yawning almost falling asleep till I caught myself. I could’ve easily taken

a nap. This experience brightened up my mood and I wasn’t as stressed about anything including my small

box of stress like school, work, and bills. I am such a perfectionist when it comes to completing or being

ahead. When I am behind, it makes me feel like the world is literally falling apart. I get depressed and sleep

my life away.

         This experience helped me mentally to reduce my stress and anxiety about life and while I have a

short attention span, I was able to focus when I had gotten back into the house and legit completed 3

assignments. Usually, when I am going through a more gloomy stage I shut everyone out and sleep. When I

finished this assignment whether I had to cry or just open up, I ended up talking to my mom about the

things that were bothering me. I had the release stress by talking about it rather than bottling it up and

holding on to the stress. When I finished talking to my mom, I felt a weight on my shoulders literally

lessen improving my entire day. There was definitely increased productivity and an increase in my

happiness in my mood. I think this assignment helped me to realize that life gets better when you let go

and appreciate nature for what it really is. Rather than being stressed out about life all the time, letting the

problems of the world go and just living is really needed and in my opinion, maybe 3-4 times a week to

reset your mental health, productivity, and attention span.