• Reflect on a recent stressful event that caused you distress. Begin by describing the stressful event in your journal. What specific thoughts were going through your mind at the time? Be specific, write down as many thoughts as you can remember. Looking back, what were your emotions (feelings) at the time? Using the cognitive distortions handout, identify the distortions that may have been occurring. Remember that cognitive distortions are negative, illogical thoughts based on emotional reactions, not on facts. Were your thoughts accurate? Make a notation next to your list of thoughts – fact or fiction? What were the behaviors/consequences of your actions? Did it go the way you planned or wanted? What could you change now that you have had time to reflect and process the event? Finally, if you had it to do over, what thoughts or cognitive distortions could you challenge and change to have a different outcome?
• Example scenario: if you recently had a fight with your significant other and they said something hurtful (stressful event), you can bring that situation to mind and try to remember it in detail. Identified thoughts about the event? (If you loved me, you wouldn’t treat me like that. We need to break-up!). Cognitive distortions – is it true that my significant other does not love me? Is this event worth breaking up? Emotions/feelings experienced at the time – (anger, hurt, fear of abandonment). Actions/behaviors that resulted during the situation and urges felt (e.g., to run away, to yell at the significant other, to cry).
• Frame your journal post using the following outline: 1. Identify recent stressful event; 2. identify initial thoughts about the event; 3. identify emotions you were experiencing; 4. what was the outcome or consequence of your actions about the event. 5. Were your thoughts about the event accurate? 6. Identify cognitive distortions (negative thoughts) that drove your negative emotions; 7. What could you do differently next time knowing what you know now?

250-400 words

HWE 3001 Journal #6

• We live in a society today where technology tends to drive many of our actions and reactions. While the use of technology can be very helpful in terms of completing tasks in our daily lives, technology has also increased our levels of stress and impacted our ability to be fully connected to other people. Keep a log for a 24-hour period of how much time you spend using some form of technology. Are you surprised about the result? Have you considered taking a break or turning off all technology? How can disconnecting from technology improve our well-being and ability to manage stress?

250-400 words