Flourishing: Four Questions

What Are the Major Stressors in My Life? #

According to the text, stress “is the non specific response of the body to any demand made upon it” (Kalat, 2017, p.402). Taking into consideration how stress is defined, I have many stressors, but will narrow down my list to the root cause. My current confinement in a Max A prison in New York State, is the main contributor of my stress. Although Selye’s concept of stress “does not include the effects of anything unchanging,” Sing Sing’s mantra is “there’s no consistency, but inconsistency” (Kalat, 2017, p. 402). This environment is one of extremes, meaning it’s either too much of one thing, or it’s polar opposite, e.g. hot, cold, humid, dry, and I have no temperature control. The dramatic changes in climate to which my body is subjected, is physiologically demanding in ways I was previously unaware of.

An alternative definition of stress is, “an event or events that are interpreted as threatening to an individual and which elicit physiological and behavioral responses” (Kalat, 2017, p. 402). In reference to this alternative definition of stress, where I reside impacts my stress levels in other ways. Due to the fact I am a victim/survivor of multiple violent crimes, and have been diagnosed with PTSD in the past. What I perceive to be mildly threatening may affect another individual more intensely. However, there may be some things that have an affect on me, but do not trigger a response in that individual at all. I have noticed that, when this place where I am confined has an increase in violence throughout the facility, I go on high alert. It’s as if my body’s defense mechanism is to be constantly prepared for battle, and it leaves me feeling physically and mentally exhausted by the end of the day. When coupled with the high noise levels and required “master counts” by security staff, the sleep my body needs to achieve homeostasis is elusive. I also experience a resurgence of suppressed PTSD related symptoms related in the text, like “frequent nightmares, outbursts of anger, unhappiness, and guilt” (Kalat, 2017, p. 405).

How is my Health? #

Health is my primary concern, and I have broken it down into what I refer to as the three branches of my health: physical, mental, and spiritual. My physical health has been maintained by diet and exercise; and one of the only concerns I have is relating to high blood pressure, which runs in my family. So, I avoid excess salt intake, drink plenty of water, and engage in breathing exercises/meditation regularly. Funny story, the one time I missed class this semester, is because I went out for a colonoscopy. Due to being frustrated because they took me to the infirmary at nine p.m. Sunday night, my blood pressure was high, and the nurse asked me “do you take blood pressure medication?” After the procedure was completed (on Tuesday afternoon) and I was waiting to see the nurse on Wednesday morning — before being cleared for release from the infirmary — I had been performing breathing exercises for approximately 10-15 minutes. As a result, after my blood pressure was taken by a different nurse, I was asked “do you have low blood pressure?”

As for my mental health, I’m as good as I can possibly be under the current circumstances. I mentioned that my PTSD symptoms can sometimes resurface, so I have started meeting with a therapist recently. Due to the perpetual gym closures in B-Block, I have not been able to exercise, which is an important coping mechanism of mine that helps ensure I can sleep. After realizing how my lack of exercise was affecting my mental health, I had my OMH case reopened. Utilizing the other coping skills already in my repertoire, in conjunction with speaking to a mental health professional regularly, has been extremely helpful — especially since I am unable to hear the voices of my loved ones as much as I would like to, despite receiving a Wi-Fi tablet with the phone app. Some people beyond the walls of prison, do not realize the importance of connection, while being caught up trying to maintain their own balance in a society designed to keep us all unbalanced.

As for my spiritual health, it’s wonderful. My faith is the primary reason I am able to thrive under such uninhabitable and inhospitable conditions, while practically being starved due to the poison served under the guise of food; and I am definitely being starved of affection from my loved ones.

What Do I Define as Flourishing? #

After careful consideration of the text, I have not come across a comparative definition of this term. Being familiar with the word, it brings to mind agriculture, growth, and thriving. What I perceive as flourishing coincides with maintaining proper balance of the branches of our health — our physical and mental health specifically. Too much, or too little of any thing can be detrimental to one’s growth.

In order for an individual to flourish, they need to find that optimal balance, which our physical frame seeks, called homeostasis. However, there are things that affect us psychologically that can prevent that from occurring. Due to mental conditions, a person can develop an eating disorder, where they either starve, or engorge themselves; and these two extremes can have adverse affects on an individual’s physical, and mental health.

To avoid this we cannot allow things we have no control over to continuously stress us out — which is easier said than done. Therefore, it is of the utmost importance that we develop productive coping skills, in order to help us manage our stress levels. We must also carefully consider what we place value on, as individuals. It has been said that “a person who loves what they do for a living, doesn’t work a day in their lives,” and we cannot find out what we love to do, without first examining our value systems. That being said, I personally believe flourishing is synonymous with maintaining balance in our lives. I do happen to be a Libra and have an affinity for the scales. Humans need the proper amount of food, rest, work, play, socialization and mental stimulation in order to flourish; otherwise the mind and body begin to degenerate sooner, rather than later.

What is My Next Step? #

In my stage reflection paper, I mentioned that I am a planner, and I am personally fond of the saying “Proper Planning Prevents Poor Performance.” I am in prison but do not have the indeterminate “L” attached to my sentence. I currently have just over three and a half years until my release, and am aware that the habits I have both, maintained and developed — in here — will follow me upon my release. So, I have maintained being a morning person, even though I have not had to be to work at five a.m. in years, and I have developed productive habits like meditation and thinking before I speak — instead of blurting out the first thing that comes to mind. I currently have just about enough time remaining on my sentence to obtain my Bachelor’s degree in May 2028, and be released months later in August, inshaAllah. Due to my role in the 2024 Beyond the Block event, I was invited to attend a meeting with the New York State Council on Community Justice, where I received two job offers, of which, I am maintaining contact with the people who made those offers to ensure I remain relevant. Speaking of which, I need to mail something to them this week. I also plan on applying for the scholars program at Columbia University (Justice in Education), where I plan on obtaining a Master’s degree.

References:

• Garbarino, J. (2018). Miller’s Children. University of California Press.
• Kalat, J. W. (2017). Introduction to Psychology. Cengage Learning.
• Trachtenberg, D. (Director). (2024). Prey [Film]. 20th Century Studios.