1.Describe your experience. Did you find it beneficial? Difficult? Why or why not? Would you recommend this to others? Why or why not?

I felt relaxed related to the voice on the mp3.  I tried using my daughter but she is easily distracted and joked the whole time.  I tried my son who is younger and it worked better.  My son is very giving and not to a stage of judgmental that other kids his age are.  I received a very warmth feeling from this exercise. 

I read quite a bit on paranormal and science fiction so the exercise on talking in someone else’s feelings wasn’t very foreign.  I feel like I do that being a nurse anyway in a matter of speaking.  I have my own way of visualizing it.  I imagine pulling away the negative and eating it whole to take it away.  I found myself amazed that I could concentrate in it that long.  I will bring this into practice at work tonight.

2.What is the concept of "mental workout"? What does the research indicate are the proven benefits of a mental workout? How can you implement mental workouts to foster your psychological health?

Mental workouts can take many forms.  There are puzzles, computer workouts, and concentration exercises to name a few.  Whatever it is though, mental workouts are to keep are mind fresh and open.  According to Walter Perrig, (Professor at the University of Bern and conductor of a study in 2008,)the more you exercise the brain the stronger it becomes like in the case with sports and muscle growth.  So it stands to reason that the stronger your brain the more likely to become psychologically fit.

According to Dacher,  "Once we have achieved a healthy psychology, it is time to leave the psychological focus and begin to explore the deeper nature of the mind.  In this way, psychological development becomes a springboard for spiritual development."    Then we can move on to flourishing and loving kindness. 

Perrig, Walter,”Mental workout 'boosts the brain', as retrieved from: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7373026.stm on 06/08/12

Dacher, E.S. (2006). Integral health: A path to human flourishing. Laguna Beach, CA: Basic Health Publications, Inc