Ashlyn's Blog

Off to a Good Start

I have completed my first two interviews and am well on my way to completing my story. I have found that working ahead of time pays off in Writing for Mass Communication.

I have sufficient information from the two sources I have interviewed.

Because my sources varied in the information they provided, my story will be balanced and cover different angles of health and travel.

I will discuss stress management and nutrition within the story. They are both essential elements for the health of a traveler.

My biggest challenge with this assignment will be to make the story appeal to the reader. My writing must contain interesting, factual statements infused with creative ones.

With ample time to write the paper, I am optimistic. However, I know the story will be a challenge for me. 

Sensational Source

Hypnosis really does work.

In fact, Beree Darby, licensed Psychologist and Psychoneuroimmunologist, said that hypnosis is the only way to truly cure stress related to flying.

Darby’s lectures on healing the body through the mind have reached many people. She has even traveled to London three times to present her findings.

A person’s unconscious mind controls the biochemicals within the body. These biochemicals can cause stress and anxiety.

If the individual can learn to control the unconscious mind, he or she can relieve stress or other tension.

Through hypnosis, she has even coaxed athletes to perform their very best at the Olympics.

The information that Darby provided will give a scientific basis for my story. Her interview will also provide enrichment to the story. 

First Interview

When considering health, nutrition is the first thing that comes to mind.

I was fortunate enough to conduct my first interview on Wednesday afternoon. Liz Lagassé, a nutritionist for the GatorWell Health Promotion Services, discussed the value of nutritious eating while on vacation.

She suggested always bringing fruits, nuts or other healthy snacks onto airplanes. Regardless of the length of the flight, travelers must refuel.

When traveling, a person should also stay hydrated and listen to the body’s cues for nourishment.

Before boarding an airplane, a person should not be sedentary. Moving around and exercising are very important.

The information from the interview has given me a good starting point for my story.

I can shape my upcoming interviews in accordance with the interview with Lagassé.

Healthy and Happy

In the past decade, there has been a growing concern about having a healthy lifestyle. This may mean working out or eating healthy foods for some individuals.

But others take it to another level. Healthy habits are the focus of their everyday lives. These habits include turning down fatty foods, hitting the gym every day and getting ample rest each night.

Some even have enough restraint to eat healthy foods on vacation. With spring break approaching, I want to find out how someone can prepare mentally and physically for a trip.

I will focus on healthy habits individuals should follow while traveling.

Because this story has a different style than a news story, it will be difficult to master it so quickly. However, I will be able to show a creative writing style.

Writing for Mass Communication is teaching me to adapt well to unexpected obstacles.

When it comes to being denied an interview, having to change topics midway through the process or having difficulty writing, I have learned to overcome the unexpected.  

Dry vs. Paper

Some people call me a germaphobe.

It’s true. I am obsessed with cleanliness.

Thus, I initially wanted to write a story about the cleanliness of hand dryers in public restrooms. But are dryers really more sanitary than paper towels?

There is a lot of clout surrounding this subject. Some studies show that dryers generate an airflow that can pick up germs within the restroom and recycle them through the air.

Others show that this is simply an urban myth. The studies reveal that dryers are economically smart and environmentally friendly.

Environmentally, both drying methods are almost equally harmful. Hand dryers expend electrical energy, and paper towels contribute to deforestation. Therefore, the difference in effects is so slight that either option can be used.

Because the best option remains to be seen, I decided against this topic. Finding sources for this topic is another issue I encountered.

Therefore, I will focus my story on healthy habits to follow on vacation.