Okay, so I wanted to really understand this “debrief” thing in psychology. I’d heard the term thrown around, but I wasn’t 100% sure how it worked in practice. So, I decided to try a little experiment on myself.
My DIY Debrief Experiment
First, I needed something to… well, brief myself on. I chose a mildly stressful experience: watching a compilation of “fail” videos online. You know, the ones where people trip, things fall, and general mayhem ensues. I figured it wouldn’t be too traumatic, but it would definitely get my heart rate up a bit.
I set a timer for 10 minutes and dove into the video compilation. I made sure to really pay attention to how I was feeling – heart racing, a bit of anxiety, that “cringe” feeling, you know?
- Phase 1: The Experience (10 minutes)
- I watched the fail videos. Yup, definitely felt that vicarious embarrassment and stress.
Then, the timer went off, and it was time for the debrief.
- Phase 2: Immediate Reaction (5 minutes)
- I grabbed my notebook and just started writing down everything I could remember. What videos stood out? How did I feel during specific moments? I didn’t censor myself, just let it all flow.
This part was interesting. I realized I was actually holding my breath during some of the clips. I hadn’t even noticed!
- Phase 3: Walking it off (30minutes)
- I think to myself, I should be a little bit clearer about why, to combine my feelings and rethink the process.
- Phase 4: Deeper Reflection (15 minutes)
- I went back to my notes and started to think about why I reacted the way I did. Why did those particular videos stick with me? Was it just the physical slapstick, or was there something deeper?
- I started connecting my feelings to some things going on in my own life. For example, that feeling of being out of control during some of the videos… that related to some work stress I was dealing with.
The final step was to think about what I learned. I jotted down a few key takeaways:
- I’m more sensitive to “cringe” humor than I thought.
- My body reacts physically to stress, even when it’s just watching other people’s mishaps.
- Taking time to reflect on my reactions can help me understand my underlying stress triggers.
Honestly, the whole process was surprisingly helpful. It wasn’t some magical cure-all, but it did give me a bit more insight into how I react to stress. I think that taking that dedicated time to process everything – from the immediate reaction to the deeper “why” – was the key. It’s something I’ll definitely try again, maybe with other, more everyday situations.
