Deep Breathing Exercises to Reduce Anxiety

Deep Breathing Exercises to Reduce Anxiety Panic Disorder Coping Print Deep Breathing Exercises to Reduce Anxiety By Sheryl Ankrom linkedin Sheryl Ankrom is a clinical professional counselor and nationally certified clinical mental health counselor specializing in anxiety disorders. Learn about our editorial policy Sheryl Ankrom Reviewed by Reviewed by Amy Morin, LCSW on January 23, 2020 facebook twitter instagram Amy Morin, LCSW, is a psychotherapist, author of the bestselling book 13 Things Mentally Strong People Dont Do, and a highly sought-after speaker. Learn about our Wellness Board Amy Morin, LCSW on January 23, 2020 Image Source / Getty Images More in Panic Disorder Coping Symptoms Diagnosis Treatment Related Conditions Breathing is a necessity of life that usually occurs without much thought. When you breathe in air, blood cells receive oxygen and release carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide is a waste product thats carried back through your body and exhaled. Improper breathing can upset the oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange and contribute to anxiety, panic attacks, fatigue, and other physical and emotional disturbances.?? Your Breathing Can Contribute to Your Anxiety and Panic Most people arent really conscious of the way theyre breathing, but generally, there are two types of breathing patterns: Thoracic (chest) breathingDiaphragmatic (abdominal) breathing When people are anxious they tend to take rapid, shallow breaths that come directly from the chest. This type of breathing is called thoracic or chest breathing. When you’re feeling anxious, you may not even be aware you’re breathing this way. Chest breathing causes an upset in the oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in the body resulting in increased heart rate, dizziness, muscle tension, and other physical sensations.?? Your blood is not being properly oxygenated and this may signal a stress response that contributes to anxiety and panic attacks. During abdominal or diaphragmatic breathing, you take even, deep breaths. This is the way newborn babies naturally breathe. Youre also probably using this pattern of breathing when youre in a relaxed stage of sleep. Difference Between Chest and Abdominal Breathing The easiest way to determine your breathing pattern is to put one hand on your upper abdomen near the waist and the other in the middle of your chest. As you breathe, notice which hand raises the most. If youre breathing properly, your abdomen should expand and contract with each breath (and the hand on it should raise the most). Its especially important to be aware of these differences during stressful and anxious times when youre more likely to breathe from your chest. Simple Abdominal Breathing Exercise for Relaxation The next time you’re feeling anxious try this simple relaxation technique: Inhale slowly and deeply through your nose. Keep your shoulders relaxed. Your abdomen should expand, and your chest should rise very little.Exhale slowly through your mouth. As you blow air out, purse your lips slightly, but keep your jaw relaxed. You may hear a soft “whooshing” sound as you exhale.Repeat this breathing exercise for several minutes.?? You can perform this exercise as often as needed. It can be done standing up, sitting down, or lying down. If you find this exercise difficult or believe its making you anxious or panicky, stop for now. Sometimes people with a panic disorder initially feel increased anxiety or panic while doing this exercise. This may be due to anxiety caused by focusing on your breathing, or you may be unable to do the exercise correctly without some practice. Try it again in a day or so and build up the time gradually.? Deep Breathing for Panic Disorder

Symptoms And Symptoms Of Anxiety Disorders - 2561 Words

What are Anxiety Disorders Anxiety Disorders is a serious and common mental illness, often defined by the feelings restlessness, worry and fear. Everyone feels Anxious now and then, it is just a normal emotion of everyday life. An average person might feel a little anxious when, for example, they have a business interview, but a person with Anxiety Disorders might feel anxiety every time they leave home, or get out of bed in the morning. Anxiety Disorders can take a number of forms, these forms include Panic disorders, Social anxiety disorder, Specific phobias and Generalized anxiety disorder. †¢ Panic Disorders People with this disorder have brief and sudden attacks of intense fear, terror and apprehension that happen repeatedly with no†¦show more content†¦Phobias is the largest category of anxiety disorders, having between 5 to 12% of Worldwide sufferers of Anxiety Disorders. †¢ Generalized anxiety disorder People who Suffer from Generalized anxiety disorder have excessive and unrealistic worries about little things, that there is nothing to provoke anxiety or stress. Symptoms There are both emotional and physical symptoms of Anxiety Disorders. It does mainly depend on the type of Anxiety disorder, but the general emotional and physical symptoms include: Emotional Symptoms †¢ Constant an unnecessary worry about the past, present and future †¢ Feeling powerless and helpless †¢ Difficulty concentrating †¢ Constant sense of panic and danger †¢ Mind racing, difficult to think straight Physical Symptoms †¢ Excessive trembling and rapid sweating †¢ Feeling tired and weak †¢ Chest pain †¢ Struggle to Sleep †¢ Dizziness †¢ Muscle tension †¢ Dry Mouth Prevalence in Australia Figure 1: Table Comes from https://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/A24556C814804A99CA257BF0001CAC45/$File/mha25.pdf This information shown in the table above are 2014 statistics shown during a 12-month Period. Anxiety Disorders is the most common mental illness. 1 in 7 people, 14.4% suffer from the different types of Anxiety disorders, with Females having the highest

The Hypersexualization of Young Women and the Role Models...

Free will and the ability to choose for ourselves are some of the most important natures that make us human. As a society though, we have put limits and restraints on some people for arbitrary reasons, and try to override people’s free will, especially young women. In today’s society, young women are subjected to all kinds of prejudice and double standards. From having to face the ‘slut or prude’ paradox of sex, the rules of dressing and appearance, or how to act in public, the amount of scrutiny that they face is outrageous. These issues that they face creates a social dialogue that is constantly analyzing young women and how they act, enough that it slowly worked to become social knowledge that almost every women follows consciously and†¦show more content†¦Straight, young women in the United States have adopted a new wave of feminism, and have forced it into mainstream view where any race and any class can adopt it. This variation of the feminis t movement involves â€Å"fighting fire with fire,† and they have done this by adopting the hyper sexualization of their bodies, and reversing it onto the male figure through the over sexualization of the male body. Women have also taken a major virtue of feminism, which is the right of choice. Instead of shaming others for being celibate or for being sexually active, they accept each other and push to inspire others instead of forcing them into being submissive members of the knowledge. Although, the real question is what has caused this new wave to appear so quickly, and in a way that everyone almost has the exact views and behaviors? Again, if we look towards media and its ability to make social knowledge spread like wildfire. Actresses, Musicians, and Pop Culture Icons have also adopted this behavior and started a new social knowledge fire, and young women are mimicking them. However, I feel that one person is an original fire starter of these new wave of feminism, and th at is Ke$ha. Ke$ha’s behavior has always been under watchful eye ever since she came into spotlight, and everything she does promotes this new wave, be it good or bad. Ke$ha promotes the fighting back of sexual objectification byShow MoreRelatedThe Oversexualization And Objectification Of Women1528 Words   |  7 PagesThe Oversexualization and Objectification of Women On all platforms of media, women and even young girls are oversexualized; thus leading to men viewing women as no more than breasts, vaginas, legs, or any other body part they prefer. Even in current television shows, movies, comic books, and advertisements, women are still depicted as sexual objects, which can damage a woman’s confidence. The oversexualization of women s bodies can degrade a young woman’s confidence, and when girls try to boost

Commemorative Speech Free Essays

Commemorative Speech October 27, 2008 the day the city of Philadelphia finally could breathe a sigh of relief. On this date the Philadelphia Phillies won the 2008 World Series, breaking the city’s long 25 years of heart breaks since the city’s last major sport championship. They beat the Tampa Bay Rays in 5 Games in the best of 7 series. We will write a custom essay sample on Commemorative Speech or any similar topic only for you Order Now Four days later the city’s dreams of a parade down Broad Street finally became a reality. On October 31st, 2008 instead of costumes and Halloween candy the city was painted red. Everywhere you could see, everyone was celebrating the World Championship of our Philadelphia Phillies. The city took a day off. Whether it be from school, work, or even a day full of errands, the city shut down to be a part of this great memory. Hundreds of thousands poured into the heart of the Philadelphia. As the parade marched on down Broad Street, fans lined the street 40 to 50 rows of people deep. The sea of red shirts flooded Broad Street, but was then separated by the flatbed trucks that carried our beloved champions. The roar of the crowd chanting, â€Å"Let’s Go Phillies! echoed throughout the entire city just like the Liberty Bell used too when it rang so many years ago. The parade ended in Citizens Bank Park with a sellout crowd. As they held up the trophy the place erupted in cheers. Today there was no sadness. There was no anger. There was no pain. Nothing but smiles and happiness, for today we were number one and the whole world knew it. News channels portraye d our parade as one of the largest in history with the total attendance coming in around what some sources say just about 2 million people. Today the city was one. Everyone, no matter who, came together to rejoice. There were no enemies today. The rich partied with the poor, the criminals with the police for today we were all friends. For once happiness rang throughout every household. When thinking back to this day I can’t help but see the symbol of unity. Unity is defined as: â€Å"The state of being united or joined as a whole; Harmony or agreement between people or groups. † The Philadelphia Phillies united the great City Of Brotherly Love and lifted a huge cross off our backs. Not only did they give us a championship, but they gave us a break from our overworked lives and to enjoy a simple game. This was the city’s first major sport championship since 1983. It was a long 25 years filled with heart breaks and disappointments. Some people believed it was the â€Å"William Penn Curse† that caused this drought for championships, but whatever it was the 2008 Phillies overcame it. Fans throughout Philly are relieved to finally have a team of their own that they can call champions. Everyone could agree on one thing, without any arguments, that on this day October 31st, 2008 we stood together in celebration for our team, our city, and ourselves and will forever hold these memories in our hearts. A quote that’s most fitting and I would like to end with is from Fred Shero, a former Philadelphia Flyers head coach who took his team to the Stanley Cup in 1974 and won it. He said as a pregame speech to the Stanley Cup Championship â€Å"Win together today and we’ll walk together forever. † The 2008 Philadelphia Phillies changed the demeanor of the city and gives us hope for more championships to come. How to cite Commemorative Speech, Papers Commemorative Speech Free Essays Today, I’m going to tell you why I’m proud to share the history of the Soccer Ball and the love of the beautiful game. Ill. Most of you are familiar with the proud heritage that the game of soccer has grown to be not only in our country, but around the world. We will write a custom essay sample on Commemorative Speech or any similar topic only for you Order Now ‘V. Today, I am going to commemorate the Soccer Ball and the love for the beautiful game of Soccer. I want to share with all of you about our proud history and heritage, and discuss personally what working and living with you guys has meant to me these past three years. Transition: First, I would like to share with you the amazing history of the game of Soccer. ) Body l. Through out history, humans have enjoyed kicking a ball or something like a ball. A. According to historical references and legends, early balls ranged from human heads, animal or human skulls, to animal bladders. B. It wasn’t until 1855, when Charles Goodyear designed and built the first rubber soccer ball. C. Since then, every four years a new ball is designed specially for the World Cup. II. B. Due to their specialized training, the men of 2nd Ranger Battalion were chosen to conduct operations on June 6, 1944 during the Invasion of Normandy. ll. The Invasion of Normandy is arguably one of the most famous and greatest feats the men f 2nd Ranger Battalion gained notoriety for. A. During the Invasion of Normandy, the 2nd Ranger Battalion was split in two and sent on two different missions. Ill. One of these groups was send to Omaha Beach. attempt to complete the mission their country asked of them. B. They faced heavy gun fire, mortar attacks, and heavy casualties as they ran up the beach to subdue the German bunkers. IV. The other group of men were tasked with scaling the cliffs of Point Du Hoc to destroy 1 55 mm guns. A. These men scaled cliffs using grappling hooks and rope ladders while gunfire and hand grenades rained over them. B. Once these men reached the top of the cliffs, they held their position for two days against heavy German counter attacks while only a third of them were left standing at the end still able to fght. V. Both of these instances give pride to the organization. A. These men stared death in the face and fought against it for the greater good. B. Despite being heavily overwhelmed with the odds stacked against them, these Rangers used their training, ingenuity, and courage to complete the mission. (Transition: When I think about the history I have Just discussed and look at all of you tanding here, I see the same type of man in front of me that I have Just described to you. ) l. Since I can remember, I have watched a soccer ball being kicked around. A. Every Sunday, I would wake up and soccer would be on TV. I would sit by my dad and watch the games with him. B. There were times when we would go and kick the ball around instead of watching it on TV. C. This was our father daughter time and I loved it. D. Even now, being far from my father, we still bond through soccer whether it be talking about games or when I come home and visit go watch a game. E. It is a ymbolic figure and representation to the best nations in the world 1. No other sporting event has the same impact as the World Cup. Entire countries grind to a halt to watch games. 2. Even those who arent fans can and should appreciate that the World Cup is far more than a mere competition. During the next year, hundreds of millions of people will celebrate a shared passion and, because of it, perhaps fret a little less over the things that drive them apart. That is a beautiful and all-too-rare thing. Even if we don’t speak each other’s languages, don’t always appreciate and espect each other’s cultures, religions, politics and lifestyle choices, â€Å"Goal! is a word that resonates Joyfully and is understood from Beijing to Bogota, Sydney to Seattle. No other sport speaks to so many. The game’s cross-border, cross-culture, cross- division universality is what makes the World Cup so special, a celebration not of 22 players on a pitch but of all who watch them. F. In the end, all I can say is that you all hold my deepest and most sincere admiration. (Transition: I feel pride not only because I am part of an organization with such an enduring and proud history, but because of the men standing in front of me right Conclusion 1 . The World Cup is an event filled with personal stories, national pride, and heart wrenching moments, and next year in Brazil will be no different. Although these have been the hardest and most miserable times of my life, I wouldn’t change it for anything. A. To be be part of such a proud organization, and to have spent this time with you guys is irreplaceable. B. It has been an honor and a privilege to serve in 2nd Ranger Battalion and to have served next to the finest and bravest people I have ever met in my life. C. Thank you for the memories. II. Rangers Lead The Way! How to cite Commemorative Speech, Papers

Yolanda free essay sample

â€Å"YOLANDA† pulls dead from the Earth HERNANI, Samar (AFP) – Skulls lie on tombstones and a hand reaches out from a grave at a cemetery in the eastern Philippines, after a typhoon so powerful it pulled the dead from the earth. Shell-shocked survivors speak of how there was nowhere to hide when the storm brought the ocean surging ashore, sweeping through a school where children and the elderly cowered. Typhoon Yolanda killed at least 75 people in the small rural town of Hernani. Another 45 are missing. And like something from a nightmare, the storm surge was so powerful it washed bodies from their graves as it swept over the local cemetery. Those who survived the on-slaught were horrified to discover the graveyard in ruins. â€Å"It was a hair-raising sight. Some of the dead were sticking halfway out of their tombs. Others were strewn across the street, ‘’ said Claire Gregorio, an aid worker from the nearby Catholic diocese of Borongan. We will write a custom essay sample on Yolanda or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page â€Å"The water came in and just swept everything away,’’ said Gregorio, one of the first aid responders to reach Hernani, pointing to the ocean about 700 meters ( yards ) away and hidden by a strip of now-dead mangrove forest. On the day an AFP team visited, the Catholic cemetery in this deeply religious country was jumble of upturned and broken concrete and marble tombs, half-buried by the fine, crushed coral that came in with the water. A calcified hand stuck out of one broken grave, several skulls lay on top of tombs and a thighbone sat on the ground. Romeo Vasquez, 45, recalls how the waters rose rapidly around 2 am on November 8 and did not retreat for five terrifying hours. â€Å"These fields were like a sea at the time,† he said. â€Å"There were houses and boats afloat as well as people, both the dead and those still alive.† His family all survived after sitting out of the flood on a small hill behind their house. But relatives who had been laid to rest once before have now gone. â€Å"My brother is missing, his shattered tomb was empty,† he said. â€Å"My grandmother’s remains are also missing.† Farmer Luciano Habagat, 70, waded to safety through chest deep water when the waves engulfed his home. â€Å"People were awake because of the strong winds, but it was very dark. Some people sought sanctuary in a nearby school while others ran to the hills,† he said. His sister died in the flood. Gregorio, the church aid worker, said villagers had fled to the school because they thought they would be safe there. â€Å"The elementary school was an evacuation center, but after a while the floor became wet and the  water tasted like salt,† she said, relating stories from survivors. â€Å"When they opNened the doors the seawater exploded in their faces.† Typhoon Yolanda was one of the strongest ever recorded when it thundered through the Philippines, cutting a swathe of destruction and killing thousands. More than a week after it hit, 1,600 people are still officially listed as missing in addition to the 3,976 dead, and up to four million are homeless. A huge global rescue operation has swung into action, with millions of dollars’ worth of aid being delivered around the clock. Source: Tempo Newspaper

A Guide to Understanding Homeschool Laws

A Guide to Understanding Homeschool Laws Homeschooling has been legal in all 50 U.S. states since 1993. According to the Homeschool Legal Defense Association, home education was illegal in most states as recently as the early 1980’s. By 1989, only three states, Michigan, North Dakota, and Iowa, still considered homeschooling a crime. Interestingly, of those three states, two of them, Michigan and Iowa, are today listed among the states with the least restrictive homeschooling laws. Although homeschooling is now legal across the United States, each state is responsible for drafting its own homeschool laws, which means that what must be done to legally homeschool varies depending on where a family lives. Some states are highly regulated, while others place few restrictions on homeschooling families. Homeschool Legal Defense Association maintains an up-to-date database on the homeschooling laws in all fifty states. Terms to Know When Considering Homeschool Laws To those who are new to homeschooling, the terminology used in homeschool  laws may be unfamiliar. Some of the basic terms you need to know include: Compulsory attendance: This refers to the ages children are required to be in some type of school setting. In most states that define a compulsory attendance age for homeschoolers, the minimum is usually between the ages of 5 and 7. The maximum is generally between the ages of 16 and 18. Declaration (or Notice) of Intent: Many states require that homeschooling families submit an annual notice of intent to homeschool to either the state or county school superintendent. The content of this notice can vary by state, but usually includes the names and ages of the homeschooled children, the home address, and the parent’s signature. Hours of instruction: Most states specify the number of hours and/or days per year during which children should be receiving instruction. Some, like Ohio, state 900 hours of instruction per year. Others, such as Georgia, specify four and one-half hours per day for 180 days each school year. Portfolio:  Some states offer a portfolio option in place of standardized testing or professional evaluation. A portfolio is a collection of documents outlining your student’s progress each school year. It may include records such as attendance, grades, courses completed, work samples, photos of projects, and test scores. Scope and sequence: A scope and sequence is a list of topics and concepts that a student will learn throughout the school year. These concepts are usually broken down by subject and grade level. Standardized test:  Many states require that homeschool students take nationally standardized tests at regular intervals. The tests that meet each state’s requirements may vary. Umbrella schools/cover schools: Some states give the option for homeschooled students to enroll in an umbrella or cover school. This may be an actual private school or simply an organization established to help homeschooling families comply with the laws  in their state. Students are taught at home by their parents, but the cover school maintains records for their enrolled students. The records required by cover schools vary based on the laws of the state in which they are located. These documents are submitted by parents and may include attendance, test scores, and grades. Some umbrella schools help parents choose curriculum and offer transcripts, diplomas, and graduation ceremonies. States with the Most Restrictive Homeschool Laws States that are generally considered to be highly regulated for homeschooling families include: MassachusettsNew YorkPennsylvaniaRhode IslandVermont Often regarded as one of the most regulated states,  New York’s homeschooling laws require that parents turn in an annual instruction plan for each student. This plan must include information such as the name, age, and grade level of the student; the curriculum or textbooks you intend to use; and the name of the teaching parent. The state requires annual standardized testing in which students should be at or above the 33rd percentile or show a full grade level improvement from the previous year.  New York also lists specific subjects that parents must teach their children at various grade levels. Pennsylvania, another highly-regulated state,  offers three options for homeschooling. Under the homeschool statute, all parents must submit a notarized affidavit to homeschool. This form includes information about immunizations and medical records, along with criminal background checks. Homeschooling parent Malena H., who lives in Pennsylvania, says that although the state is â€Å"†¦considered one of the states with the highest regulations†¦it really isnt that bad. It sounds overwhelming when you hear about all the requirements, but once you have done it once it is pretty easy.† She says, â€Å"In third, fifth and eighth grades the student has to take a standardized test. There is a variety to choose from, and they can even do some of them at home or online. You must keep a portfolio for each child that has a few samples for each subject taught and the results of the standardized test if the child is in one of the testing years. At the end of the year, you find an evaluator to review the portfolio and sign off on it. You then send the evaluator’s report to the school district.† States with Moderately Restrictive Homeschool Laws While most states require that the teaching parent have at least a high school diploma or GED, some, such as North Dakota,  require that the teaching parent have a teaching degree or be monitored for at least two years by a certified teacher. That fact puts North Dakota  on the list of those  considered to be moderately restrictive with regards to their homeschool laws. Those states include: ColoradoFloridaHawaiiLouisianaMaineMarylandMinnesotaNew HampshireNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOregonSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeVirginiaWashingtonWest Virginia North Carolina is often considered a difficult state in which to homeschool. It requires maintaining attendance and immunization records for each child. North Carolina also requires that children complete nationally standardized tests each year. Other moderately regulated states that require yearly standardized testing include  Maine, Florida, Minnesota, New Hampshire, Ohio, South Carolina, Virginia, Washington, and West Virginia. (Some of these states do offer alternative homeschooling options that may not require annual testing.) Many states offer more than one option to legally homeschool. Tennessee, for example, currently has five options, including three umbrella schools options and one for distance learning (online classes). Heather S., a homeschooling parent from Ohio, says that Ohio homeschoolers must  submit an annual letter of intent and a  summary of their intended curriculum, and  agree to complete 900 hours  of education each year. Then, at  the end of each year, families â€Å"†¦.can do state-approved testing or have a portfolio reviewed and submit the results... Children must test above the 25th percentile on standardized tests or show progression in their portfolio. Virginia homeschooling mom, Joesette, considers her state homeschooling laws reasonably easy to follow. She says parents must â€Å"†¦file a Notice of Intent each year by August 15, then supply something to show progress at the end of the year (by August 1). This can be a standardized test, scoring at least in the 4th stanine, a  [student] portfolio†¦.or an evaluation letter by an approved evaluator.† Alternately, Virginia parents can file a  Religious Exemption. States with Minimally Restrictive Homeschool Laws Sixteen U.S.  states are considered minimally restrictive. These include:   AlabamaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaDelawareGeorgiaKansasKentuckyMississippiMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew MexicoUtahWisconsinWyoming Georgia requires an annual Declaration of Intent to be filed by September 1, annually, or within 30 days of the date you initially begin homeschooling. Children must take a nationally standardized test every three years starting in 3rd grade. Parents are required to write an annual progress report for each student. Both the test  scores and progress reports  are to be kept on file but are not required to be submitted to anyone. Although Nevada is on the minimally restrictive list, Magdalena A., who homeschools her children in the state says that it is, â€Å"†¦homeschooling paradise. The law states only  one regulation: when a child turns seven...a notice of intent to homeschool should be filed. That is it, for the rest of that childs life. No portfolios. No check-ups. No testing.† California homeschooling mom, Amelia H. outlines her state’s homeschooling options. â€Å"(1) Home study option through the  school district. Material is provided and weekly or monthly check-ins are required. Some districts provide classes for home study kids and/or allow kids to take some classes on campus. (2) Charter schools. Each one is set up differently but they all cater to homeschoolers and provide funding for secular curriculum and extracurricular activities through vendor programs†¦Some require that kids meet state standards; others simply ask for signs of ‘value-added growth. Most require state testing but a handful will allow parents to generate a portfolio as a year-end assessment. (3) File as an independent school. [Parents must]  state the curriculum goals at the start of the school year†¦Getting a high school diploma through this route is tricky and many parents choose to pay someone to help with the paperwork. States with the Least Restrictive Homeschool Laws Finally,  eleven states are considered very homeschool-friendly with few restrictions on homeschooling families. These states are: AlaskaConnecticutIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaMichiganMissouriNew JerseyOklahomaTexas Texas is notoriously homeschool-friendly with a strong homeschool voice at the legislative level. Iowa homeschooling parent, Nichole D. says that her home state is just as easy. â€Å"[In Iowa], we have no regulations. No state testing, no lesson plans submitted, no attendance records, nothing. We dont even have to inform the district that were homeschooling.† Parent Bethany W.  says, â€Å"Missouri is very homeschool-friendly. No notifying districts or anyone unless your child has previously been public schooled, no testing or evaluations ever. Parents keep a log of hours (1,000 hours, 180 days), a written report of progress, and a few samples of [their students’] work.† With a few exceptions, the difficulty or ease of complying with each state’s homeschooling laws is subjective. Even in states that are considered highly regulated, homeschooling parents often state that compliance isn’t as difficult as it may appear on paper. Whether you consider your state’s homeschooling laws restrictive or lenient, it is essential to make sure you understand what is required of you to remain compliant. This article should be considered a guideline only. For specific, detailed laws for your state, please check your statewide homeschool support group’s website or Homeschool Legal Defense Association.

Using Writing Bursts to Generate Ideas and Enthusiasm

Using Writing Bursts to Generate Ideas and Enthusiasm Using Writing Bursts to Generate Ideas and Enthusiasm Using Writing Bursts to Generate Ideas and Enthusiasm By Ali Hale Many of us want to write fiction but rarely manage to get round to it. We struggle to find a free hour to write in – or the energy to write. Doing writing bursts is a great way to get going when time is short and motivation flagging. What is a writing burst? I came across the concept in Robert Graham’s How to Write Fiction (And Think About It). Mini-exercises are scattered throughout the book, and Graham explains: Every class I teach begins with a 10 minute writing exercise which I call a writing burst. I give a stimulus and ask the class to start writing, keep writing for 10 minutes and not to worry for one second about the quality of the work appearing on the paper. When the thought of sitting down and writing a whole short story is daunting, it’s much easier to find 10 minutes. Open your notebook or word-processing program of choice, write the burst at the top, then set a timer – and write without stopping or looking back. How do writing bursts help? I use writing bursts when I have very little time in the day to write, but wanted to feel I’ve achieved something. They’re also great for establishing a creative mood at the beginning of a longer writing session. You can use the material you produce as a starting point for longer pieces. One of mine became a thousand-word â€Å"twist in the tale† short story that I’ve submitted to a woman’s fiction magazine. The bursts help you to generate new or unusual ideas – I come up with more creative and interesting concepts than usual, because I don’t stop to self-edit. Where do you find them? There are plenty of sources for writing burst prompts. The Writers’ Book of Matches, by Writers’ Digest Books, is a collection of â€Å"1,001 prompts to ignite your fiction†. The Pocket Muse: Ideas and Inspirations for Writing has some similar exercises, as well as photo prompts to help spark your writing. Competitions which give a first line can be used as writing bursts. Famous quotes can work well, so long as they’re short. Phrases or lines from a story you’ve read that inspire you are also good starting points. What variations are there? If you’ve tried a few writing bursts and you’re starting to get bored, the concept is open to any number of tweaks. When ten minutes starts to seem too rushed, you could lengthen the burst to fifteen or twenty minutes. If your ideas seem stale or trite, try writing with a friend: use the same prompt and swap the pieces that emerge. Alternatively, use multiple prompts – pick two prompts at random and figure out how to use them both. If you’re writing a novel or extended piece of fiction and have ground to a halt, use a prompt to get going again. You can always cut the scene out later – but it just may give your story the new life it needs. Some writing prompts After completing a solo camping trip, a woman gets her film developed and discovers that several photos are of her †¦ sleeping. (From 1,001 Prompts) â€Å"That was the moment I wished I could remember what we’d been taught.† (from How to Write Fiction) â€Å"She’s been told.† (from How to Write Fiction) â€Å"When a man knows he is to be hanged in a fortnight, it concentrates his mind wonderfully.† (Samuel Johnson) A man sneezes painfully. He looks into his handkerchief and finds something that looks like a microchip. (From 1,001 Prompts) â€Å"The place is very well and quiet and the children scream only in a low voice.† (Byron) Pick one of the prompts now – you can afford ten minutes – grab that blank page, and go! Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Fiction Writing category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:20 Great Similes from Literature to Inspire YouComma Before ButList of 50 Compliments and Nice Things to Say!