Hmm..I’m currently reading this book that I’ve borrowed from the library; “How to Pass Exams”. And seriously, I don’t read it because I want to be or look like a nerd *ahem* just that, this book motivates lazy ass students (like me) to be a little more hardworking, so that I can pass my exams. lawl.
I could still vividly remember, the moment we were lining up to enter the examination hall to sit for SPM, oh my gawd, how my hands began sweating, practically my whole both, bathed in my own sweat and my heart began thumping hard on my chest with exaggerated beats at an accelerated rate and having a garden in my stomach, full of beautiful butterflies.. that was unforgettable. =p
Somewhere in the book, it says…
“ By practising relaxation training, you can develop a sufficiently strong relaxation response which will then counteract the fear symptoms associated with examinations. This can be done by systematic desensitisation…”
Now now, would you laugh at me if I told you that I need to practice my relaxation skills? Haha, when I came to this chapter, I thought that I might as well just skip it coz’…hey, doesn’t everyone knows how to relax? I’m an expert when it comes to this la. But, my problem is, I can’t relax when there’s exams. ><” stressss…
So, solution? Heehee, read the description below and try to place yourself in the scene being described. Make them real to you. =)
Scene 1 : Walk through an English garden.
I am standing on a small hill overlooking a garden below on a warm and sunny day in early summer. I can feel the sun’s warmth on my forehead and cheeks. On the level below, there is a lovely garden bathed in deep luxurious green and punctuated by numerous flower beds filled with summer flowers. The garden is inviting and I walk over to the marble steps which lead down to the garden.
Starting at the top of the step, I step down to the next and with each successive step, I can feel myself becoming more and more relaxed. Stepping now down to 18….17, feeling the smooth, cool marble under my bare feet…16….15….(counting slowly as I exhale)….14….(feeling more and more relaxes)…9……8………7 (deeper and deeper)…………4…..(very deep now)…..3……….2……………and 1….
Down at the bottom of the steps, I can feel the warm, soft grass under my feet, and smell the sweet fragrance of the summer flowers hanging heavily in the air. I walk over to a garden statue of a Grecian goddess and touch the smooth surface of the stone. Very smooth, with soft flowing lines. It seems that the sun’s rays penetrate and meet somewhere inside the smokey white stone, which is firm to the touch, but soft to the eyes.
Further along in the garden, I come to on of the numerous flower beds with flowers of every colour and hue. The fragrance is very sweet and strong. I can smell the perfume as I feel the occasional soft puffs of warm air on the left side of my face.
I approach a large fountain which is spraying fine jets of water into the air. A mist of vapour is picked up by the breeze and I can now feel the fine droplets landing on my face -very cooling, while my face feels quite warm from the sun. the sun’s rays create a vivid rainbow in the mist with intense colours of red, orange, yello, green blue and violet.
Further along in the garden, I come to a large lake with two swans, one black and one white, drifting so peacefully and effortlessly in unison through the water. They glide through lily pads with white, pink and mauve coloured flowers. So quiet, tranquil and relaxing. Very, very relaxing.
I sit down on the bank of the lake and then lie back on the soft, warm grass. So comfortable and quiet. I can feel the warm sun basking down and warming my entire body. So relaxed, very relaxed. As I lie there, I am quite alone and free from my problems and concerns. Just me, warm and relaxed, alone and quiet by the lake. Very quiet, very tranquil and very calm…
Scene 2 : South Pacific Island Beach.
I have gone on a holiday t a remote South Pacific island where all my needs are catered for. Today, I have walked to a distant beach, far removed from any habitation. I am standing at the back of the beach in the shade of some palm trees. I can hear the chirping of some birds overhead and can hear the rustling of the palm fronds as they move in the gentle wind. Looking out across the golden-white sands of the beach, I can see the blue-green water of the ocean. Glancing further out to the sea, the water becomes a rich, intense blue and the terminates in the arc of the horizon. Overhead, one large, puffy white cloud drifts lazily across the sky.
As the day is warm, I decide to go down to the water and step out from the shade of the palm trees. As my foot first makes contact with the sand, I am immediately aware of the lovely warmth. I can feel the warmth radiating up through the soles of my feet unto my legs, my abdomen, my chest, arms, neck and head. So warm and pleasant. As I walk, almost in slow motion down to the water, I can feel the powdery, soft sand slowly giving way under my feet. The sand is very soft and very fine.
I come to the smooth, cool sand, left damp by the receding tide. The sand is firm but receptive to my feet which leave their mark as I walk. I now walk to the water’s edge and the into the water to calf-deep. The water is cool and very refreshing. I look down into the crystalline clear water and can see on the bottom several fragments of broken shell, a large star fish with purple and blue encrustations on its upper surface. I can see two small crabs scurrying away from me and a small school of silvery fish darting hither and thither. The water is so clean and clear that I scoop up several handfuls and splash it over my body. Very cool and refreshing.
I now walk back up on to the dry sand and stretch out on my beach towel, face upwards. I can feel the penetrating warmth of the sand working its way up into my back. I can feel droplets of water slowly running off the upper surface of my body. The sun warms and dries me. So warm and so pleasant.
Lying on the beach, I can only hear the gentle lapping of the waves upon the sand. Occasionally, a sea gull calls as it flies overhead, but apart from these sounds, it is blissfully quiet. So quiet…so calm….so relaxing…
