Guided meditation as an aggregate or synthesis of techniques including meditation music and receptive music therapy, guided imagery, relaxation, meditative praxis, and self-reflective diary-keeping or journaling has been shown to be effective in precipitating therapeutic, rehabilitative, and educational benefits when employed as an adjunct to primary clinical and instructional strategies, including as a means to lower levels of stress,[39][40][41][42][43][44][45][46][47][48][49] minimize the frequency, duration, and intensity of asthmatic episodes,[50] control and manage pain,[51][52][53] develop coping skills,[54][55] improve ability to carry out demanding tasks in exacting situations,[56][57][58] decrease the incidence of insomnia,[59][60][61] abate feelings of anger,[62] reduce occurrences of negative or irrational thinking,[63][64][65] assuage anxiety,[66] raise levels of optimism,[67][68][69] enhance physical and mental aptitude,[70][71] and increase general feeling of well-being and self-reported quality of life.[72][73]