Wellness Plan: Guided Imagery—Still Mountain Lake by Siang Thang

Daytime (First Time)

siangthang — 2025-12-07 22:48:33 UTC

1. How did you feel before the exercise?
Before I started the exercise, I felt a bit tense and mentally scattered. I had several things on my mind from school, and I could feel the stress in my shoulders and chest. I wasn’t extremely stressed, but I definitely wasn’t relaxed.

2. What was your experience during the exercise?
During the exercise, I slowly felt my body start to loosen up. The guided imagery made it easier to visualize the calm lake and quiet environment, which helped me shift my attention away from my usual thoughts. My breathing slowed down, and I noticed that my mind became much quieter. A few distracting thoughts came and went, but overall the imagery kept me focused on calmness.

3. How did you feel immediately after the exercise?
Right after the exercise, I felt lighter and calmer. The tension in my body had noticeably decreased, and I felt mentally clearer. My stress level dropped from what felt like a 6 out of 10 to around a 3.

4. How did you feel several hours after completing the exercise?
A few hours later, I still felt a sense of calm, though not as strong as immediately afterward. I was more patient and less reactive with small stressors. My mood stayed steady, and I noticed that I wasn’t overthinking as much as usual.

Daytime (Second Time)

siangthang — 2025-12-07 22:49:31 UTC

1. How did you feel before the exercise?
Before the second session, I felt slightly tired and a little stressed from the day. I wasn’t as tense as the first time, but I could tell my mind was busy.

2. What was your experience during the exercise?
This time, I was able to relax more quickly. The imagery felt more familiar, and I found myself going deeper into the visualization of the mountain and lake. My breathing was smoother, and I felt my muscles release sooner than the first attempt. I had fewer distracting thoughts overall.

3. How did you feel immediately after the exercise?
After finishing, I felt extremely relaxed more so than the first time. My body felt grounded and calm, and mentally I felt refreshed. It almost felt like my mind had been “reset.”

4. How did you feel several hours after completing the exercise?
Several hours later, I still felt the benefits. I noticed I was moving through tasks at a more comfortable pace and staying focused without feeling overwhelmed. My overall stress level remained low for the rest of the day.

SUMMARY

siangthang — 2025-12-07 22:51:48 UTC

1. What did you like or not like about this technique?
I liked how vivid the imagery was and how it helped me mentally escape from stress. It was easy to follow and didn’t require physical effort. The only thing I didn’t like was that staying awake was a bit challenging, especially during the second session when I was very relaxed.

2. Compare this technique to some of the others you have practiced.
Compared to breathing exercises or body scans, this technique felt more engaging because the visualization gave my mind something peaceful to focus on. Breathing exercises calm me, but guided imagery helped me relax mentally and emotionally at the same time. It felt more immersive than other methods.

3. Would this be a relaxation technique you would consider using on a regular basis for stress management? Why or why not?
Yes, I would use this technique regularly. It’s simple, effective, and doesn’t take long. It helped reduce my stress both immediately and throughout the day, and it’s something I can do anywhere as long as I have a quiet place. I think it could be a great weekly or even daily stress-management tool.