1. What are three to six key points or impressions that you will take away from these stories?

To start off, when people are struggling with something addictive, a great solution is to replace that with a healthier activity. I also learned that the best way to get through to people is to have them in a comfortable setting. It doesn't matter how the educating is done, as long as at the end of the day, the students are learning. If a student feels like he or she has control over his or her learning, the learning will be much more effective.

2. Write a 200-word reflection that engages, analyzes, critiques, expands upon, and/or questions what you read or listened to.

What I learned from both of the stories that I read is that a comfortable environment is, generally, always most effective in getting through to people in need. Whether that is a comfortable workout space for those struggling with addiction or a comfortable education center for those struggling to learn, it doesn’t matter. I think the gym idea is perfect because working out has loads of benefits beyond being physically in shape. First of all, it takes focus away from the addictive substances that gave the members so much trouble. Working out also changes the chemistry in the brain back to normal states because it reduces the brain’s cravings for substances and lowers stress levels. The education system that is being used in many parts of rural India is also showing great benefits. Students are getting opportunities to learn that they have never had in the past. And students that aren’t always able to make it to school are getting opportunities to learn at their own pace. I question how efficient this system really is because there is really no way to cater to each one of these student’s personal needs, but at least they are getting this opportunity.

3. Share your reflections on your experience reading, watching or listening to the solutions journalism stories. Did you learn new information; gain new understanding; see things with a different perspective than you had in the past? Did the stories reinforce an idea or thought you'd previously had? Did you meet new people, or learn about opportunities you were previously unaware of?

I've always worked out and enjoyed the many benefits of it, but I've definitely learned a lot more than I previously have about its effect on mental health. I never realized that exercise could actually change the chemical composition in your brain in the ways that was described in this article. This method should be taken advantage of more all around the world in order to help those struggling with abuse. I know that I have recently been struggling with stress and anxiety, so I hope that this can help me improve my quality of life as well.

4. Were there other stories this week that you’d like to give an “honorable mention” -- that you enjoyed, but were not your top choice to share?

I want to give an honorable mention to this story that I read about creating better workplaces to those struggling with substance abuse. I didn't want to use that article because it is very similar to the other article that I used, but it was definitely inspiring. The story is about how workplaces are creating environments that help integrate those struggling with substance abuse back into a regular working environment.

5. What else would you like to share?

It is settling to see that there's thousands of these recent stories about how people are helping each other. I think it's very encouraging to see some of the light in the world instead of all the dark that I usually see in the media. I hope that society takes this momentum and runs with it.