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8 Signs of A Sugar Addiction

July 29, 2016 by Power of Positivity

Your body is powered by sugar. Sugar is the energy your cells use to operate. So, sugar is life. But your body strives for and needs homeostasis, a balance of water, salt, nutrients, and sugar. Too much of any of those things can cause serious biological problems. Your brain is wired to crave sugar. In our not-so-distant past, we got our sweets from fruits for the most part. The fruits’ fiber and nutrients slowed the digestive process, so our bodies were not flooded with sweetness in one rush.

The fiber also makes us feel full, so we can only get so much into our bodies through eating fruit. In the last century, refined sugars have evolved from the occasional cake or muffin into nearly every food we consume. Anything other than raw fruits, veggies, and meat can have added sugar that you wouldn’t even expect. So how do you know you are addicted to sweet treats?

The Consequences of Caving in to a Sugar Addiction

Sugar is a common ingredient in most foods, and while our bodies need some sugar to function, excessive consumption can lead to several health problems. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that adults should not consume more than 25 grams of sugar per day, and children should not consume more than 19 grams. However, most people consume much more sugar than these guidelines recommend, putting them at risk for various health issues.

Here are the consequences of overconsumption of sweets:

Weight Gain: Consuming excessive amounts of sweets can lead to weight gain, as sugary foods and drinks tend to be high in calories and low in nutrients. This can increase the risk of obesity and related health issues such as diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.
Increased Risk of Diabetes: Excessive consumption has been linked to an increased risk of type 2 diabetes. Simple carbohydrates can cause insulin resistance, leading to high blood sugar levels and diabetes.
Tooth Decay: It significantly contributes to tooth decay, as bacteria in the mouth feed on sugar and produces acid that erodes tooth enamel. This can lead to cavities and other dental problems.
Increased Risk of Heart Disease: Consuming too much sugar can increase the risk of heart disease, as it can lead to high blood pressure, inflammation, and other risk factors. People who consume high amounts of sugar are likelier to have high cholesterol levels, which can contribute to heart disease.
Reduced Energy Levels: While sugar may provide a quick burst of energy, it can also lead to a crash later on. This is because it causes a rapid rise and fall in blood sugar levels, leaving you tired and sluggish.
Addiction: Sugar has been shown to have addictive properties, and some people may become dependent on sugar to feel good or cope with stress. This can lead to a cycle of overeating and cravings, which can be challenging to break.
Nutrient Deficiencies: Consuming too many sweets can displace other nutrient-dense foods, leading to nutrient deficiencies. This can impair overall health and increase the risk of chronic disease.
Inflammation: Studies concur that overconsumption may cause inflammation, a critical factor in many chronic diseases. High levels of sugar intake can cause the body to produce more pro-inflammatory cytokines, which can lead to a range of health problems.

8 Signs of a Sugar Addiction (That You Probably Don’t Realize)

Here are eight signs that you might be addicted to sweets:

1. Sweet Tooth

Someone with a “sweet tooth” craves sugar because their bodies have become physically addicted to sugar. Eating sugar stimulates the brain’s pleasure center and stimulates similar changes in the brain as addictive drugs. Binge, Withdrawal, Craving and Behavioral Sensitization are sugar and drug addiction terms.

2. Bingeing

If you find yourself bingeing on sweet foods uncontrollably, you might have a bit of an addiction. You get a high from ingesting large amounts of sweets. Unfortunately, like any addiction, you need larger and larger amounts to get the same high.

3. Crashing

If you are prone to sudden energy crashes where you suddenly feel exhausted for no reason, then you might suffer from a crash. This happens when your body reacts to large amounts by producing large amounts of insulin to metabolize the sugar in your blood. Because of this, a sudden ramp-up of insulin production will get the sugar out of your blood quickly, leaving a sudden sugar deficiency. This sudden drop can exhaust the body, as no sweetness is left to power it.

4. Withdrawal

Let’s say you decide to give it up cold turkey for your New Year’s Resolution, and a few days later you have a giant headache and feel like crap. You may be suffering from withdrawals. Your body and your brain have become so used to a constant influx of refined sugar from sugary drinks, candy bars, and fast food that when you cut those out your diet, the body freaks out.

5. You love starchy foods

You love starchy foods like french fries, potato chips, pasta and bread. Starches convert to sugar quickly in the body. However, they don’t have enough fiber or protein to slow down the breakdown of starches into sugar. Without good foods like veggies and foods with lots of fiber, starches can cause surges and crashes.

6. Body fat

The body stores excess energy within the body as fatty tissue. This fatty tissue takes a long time to break down to provide energy for the body. Your body also stores sugar in your muscles as glucose. That muscle glucose is like your hall closet – it is easy to get to, but doesn’t hold much stuff. Your fat reserves, on the other hand, are like a storage unit. It takes time and effort to get anything out of it, but it can hold much. If you have more sugar in your system than your body can use immediately, it will store that excess energy as fat.

7. Mood swings

Sugar rushes and crashes can cause swings in mood as your blood sugar level changes. If you need a constant drip of sweetness into your system to keep your mood stable, you might be addicted.

8. Tired for no reason

You must be tired if you have been out in the yard working hard or at the gym. If you are tired and sleepy and haven’t been doing anything other than loafing on the couch, you might have an addiction. Your body is used to large amounts of sugar for its energy; without that fix, you feel exhausted for no good reason.

Final Thoughts on How to Kick Your Sugar Addiction

Make small changes in your diet. Eliminate that pastry you have every morning and have an apple instead. Eat more veggies since the fiber from vegetables will make you feel fuller for longer. Enjoy cereals and bread without added sugar; you must check the label by trying to keep the grams of sugar as low as possible. Eat more protein, such as beans and legumes, which will help stabilize your blood sugar levels. Also, drink more water and exercise more. Water will make you feel full, and exercise will make you feel better by releasing endorphins into your system. Don’t make drastic changes, or they won’t stick. Make small changes over time, and they can have a huge impact.

11 Ways Narcissists Will Try To Manipulate You

July 29, 2016 by Power of Positivity

Hopefully, you will avoid ever having to deal with narcissists who try to manipulate you. If, on the other hand, you suspect you are affected by someone with this behavior, it’s essential to recognize their clever (but hurtful) tactics.

Narcissists have several traits, but above all, a narcissist is selfish. They are motivated by what is best for them, not what is best for them, and it is unlikely that you will ever be able to change that about their nature. Removing yourself from a narcissist’s influence is sometimes the best thing you can do to protect your mental and emotional well-being.

What Is Narcissism?

Narcissism is a complex personality trait thought to develop due to genetic, environmental, and cultural factors. While the exact causes of narcissism are not fully understood, researchers have identified several potential contributing factors, including:

Genetics: Some studies suggest that there may be a genetic component to developing narcissistic personality traits, although the exact genes involved are not yet known.
Childhood experiences: Children who receive excessive praise and attention from their parents or who grow up in an environment where their needs are consistently met without any challenges or difficulties may be at a higher risk for developing narcissistic traits. On the other hand, children who experience neglect, abuse, or trauma may also develop narcissistic tendencies as a defense mechanism to protect themselves from further harm.
Cultural influences: Society’s increasing emphasis on individualism, success, and self-promotion may contribute to the development of narcissistic tendencies in some individuals.
Brain function: Research suggests that individuals with narcissistic traits may have differences in how their brains process information and regulate emotions.

It is important to note that not everyone with some narcissistic traits is a full-fledged narcissist and that not all narcissistic tendencies are negative. However, when narcissistic traits become extreme and interfere with an individual’s ability to form healthy relationships and maintain stable emotions, they may be diagnosed with Narcissistic Personality Disorder.

11 Ways Narcissists Will Try To Manipulate You

These behaviors are manipulative–even if the person is not a narcissist, you should not tolerate the abuse.

1. Triangulation

Narcissists believe they are always correct; to prove this, they will bring in a third person they have already convinced to support them. This is clearly unfair because if you had known that there was an evidentiary hearing, you would have brought witnesses of your own. Narcissists often get away with their wrong opinions through the smokescreen of having plenty of people on their side.

2. Devaluing

You may have once seemed to be everything the narcissist wanted you to be, but now it feels like they hate what they once said they liked about you. This is how the narcissist manipulates you into believing that you need to be even more than you are to please them. If you internalize this, you will feel that you have little worth. In reality, you deserve more and should not allow yourself to be devalued by anyone.

3. Narcissists use aggression

Researchers studying narcissistic personality traits related to aggressive behavior say that narcissists show strong associations with overt aggression, verbal aggression, and the inability to control their behavior or emotions. Do not get into an unsafe situation with a narcissist. Ensure you protect yourself from falling victim to the abusive tendencies of a narcissist. Again, you deserve better.

Although physical aggression is easy to see, psychological aggression is more challenging to identify. These are the traits of a psychological abuser, according to the National Domestic Violence Hotline:

Intimidating you or making you feel afraid
Threatening you
Using denigrating language
Withholding emotional, physical, or financial support
Controlling your access to friends and family
Controlling your behavior
Pressuring you to do things that you don’t want to do

If you are fearful for your safety, get to a safe location and call 1-800-799-7233 or visit thehotline.org for resources and help to recover from a domestic violence situation.

4. Shaming

Belittling others and making them feel less valuable is one way a narcissist will try to manipulate you. If they can make you feel ashamed for your appearance, lack of education, or social class, then they feel better by comparison.

5. Narcissists love playing the victim

The attitude of “I can’t win with you” is one of the narcissist’s tactics. By playing victim, the narcissist forces you to console and help them justify their inflated ego. Don’t back down from your stance. Otherwise, you implicitly allow the narcissist to get everything his (or her) way.

6. Inappropriate behavior

Researchers studying the everyday behavior of teenage narcissists say, “Narcissists do indeed behave in more extroverted and less agreeable ways than non-narcissists, skip class more (among narcissists high in exploitativeness/entitlement only), and use more sexual language.” These people will likely embarrass you in public and make you apologize to others for their behavior. Doing so supports the narcissist’s ego by being their lackey and smoothing things over, making it easier for them to continue getting away with unacceptable behavior.

7. Monopolizing conversation

A narcissist believes everything should be about them, so don’t be surprised if they aren’t listening to you. Not only that, but the narcissist immediately turns the topic back to themselves and cuts you off when you speak, but will not tolerate it if you cut them off.

8. Projecting

Whatever you accuse the narcissist of doing, they reflect and blame you for it. They project their behavior onto others because they believe they are flawless.

9. Brainwashing

Have you found yourself doing things you don’t want to do for a narcissist? This is another form of them manipulating you. Somehow, they used a ploy to get you to obey their command despite your not wanting to.

10. Gaslighting

Gaslighting is an insidious tool used by psychopaths, sociopaths, and narcissists. This tactic makes you question your sanity. For example, they may insist that you’re the abusive one, that you don’t listen to their feelings, and that you bring them down while verbally and emotionally abusing you in the same conversation. They may even get physical with you, but if you turn your back on them, they will insist you are disrespectful.

11. Narcissists engage in verbal aggression

Yelling and using insulting language is another way a narcissist will try to manipulate you. Again, the tactic is to make you feel small and fearful. Stay strong in the face of this kind of bullying behavior. Keep your voice calm and at an average volume; ask the narcissist to do the same. If they do not change how they speak to you, refuse to talk to them.

Final Thoughts on Recognizing the Manipulative Tactics of Narcissists

The causes of narcissism are not fully understood and likely involve a combination of genetic, environmental, cultural, and brain function factors. But when you recognize the behaviors, understanding their tactics can help you avoid becoming the next victim.

10 Signs of a Possessive Relationship

July 29, 2016 by Power of Positivity

If your partner is the possessive type, you might have many reasons to be concerned, both for your safety and your relationship’s health.

A possessive person is like the green-eyed monster. Furthermore, it can lead to dangerous behavior in those who lack enough self-control to avoid violence toward someone they see as a romantic rival. Having a partner who doesn’t want to give you up might seem ideal for those who like these romance stories in movies and television, but you aren’t a prize to be won. Your well-being is at stake if your partner is the possessive type.

It may be evolving as social norms about what defines a romantic partnership change. Typically both halves of a committed couple expect that their partner will remain not only monogamous but also emotionally attached to only them. Here are ten signs that your partner is the possessive type.

10 Signs of The Possessive Type

1. Your Partner tries to restrict your behavior

If your partner is setting limits on how often you can go out, whom you can see, and whom you talk to, that is not something you should tolerate. You are a person of free will who can choose where and whom you will speak with.

2. Your partner wants you to be with them 24/7

Insecurity is the reason that your partner is constantly attached to you. Whether they believe you will cheat or not, your partner needs to check up on you and ensure you are ‘OK’ more often than they should for a healthy relationship.

3. Your partner says demeaning things about others who they believe to be cheaters

This is a very subtle form of manipulation that borders on verbal abuse. First of all, demeaning language toward you should never be tolerated. Someone who is using belittling words toward others is more likely to do it to you. For example, your partner calls someone they believe to be cheating a ‘slut’ and suspects you are unfaithful. Indeed, you can fill in the blank about what they call you under their breath.

4. Your partner has an unstable mood

Researchers looking at abusive relationships say that anger, jealousy and mood instability are all strongly related to how often verbal and physical abuse happens in intimate relationships. It is a sign if their moods are unpredictable and frequently shift from anger to sadness to anxiety.

5. Your partner has a limited support system outside of you

They may be the possessive type if they have a small social circle. Your partner is dependent on you almost entirely for their feelings of self-esteem and self-worth.

6. Your partner negatively compares themselves to others

If your partner thinks they are unfavorable compared to a potential romantic rival, you might have reason for concern that your partner is the possessive type. Researchers looking abusive relationships say people who compare themselves negatively with others will try to get their partner’s approval ‘to validate their tenuous sense of self-worth.’

7. Your partner is afraid of being abandoned

If your partner fears that you will leave them and you are physically weaker than your partner, protect yourself first from the potential of physical assault by getting to a safe location and calling the National Domestic Violence Hotline 1-800-799-7233. Researchers warn that ‘With the exception of serial killers, almost all cases of males killing females occur in an ongoing intimate relationship, and much male intimate violence occurs in the process of real or perceived relationship dissolution. Prior research indicates that men who assault their wives have high chronic anger scores, and that their anger comes from attachment change they perceive as uncontrollable.’

8. Your partner is upset about you spending time with any potential romantic rival

This behavior is primarily based on the risks to the male and female partners raising offspring if there is a romantic rival. For example, if there is a baby and the male is concerned that the female may have gone outside the partnership, there is a risk that if he stays and raises the young, it may not be his genetic offspring. For the female partner, if the male strays, she risks loosing his commitment to raising the young and the resources that he can provide for the family.

Researchers looked at men and women’s responses to an imaginary scenario where their partner had either a physical or an emotional affair. Heart rate increases, perspiration, and eyebrow movements were studied when the participants imagined their partner’s infidelity. Men felt upset about their partner’s sexual infidelity. But women were more upset about a partner’s emotional infidelity.

9. Your partner has unrealistic expectations of your relationship

You’ve only known each other briefly. Still, your partner has already jumped to talk of marriage. Or maybe your partner wants to move in together right away and you’re not comfortable making that move yet. When your partner puts the pressure on, it’s a sign that they are trying to tie you down because of their own insecurity.

10. Your partner has a poor life balance

You may notice that your partner’s work or social life is suffering because they spend more time at home where they can check up on you. If you are anxious about the potential for your partner to become violent, get to a safe location and call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233. Alternatively, you can visit their website for guidance and resources to help you.

25 Quotes To Remember When You Need Inspiration

July 29, 2016 by Power of Positivity

Sometimes, you just need to sit down, forget about everything, and read some thought-provoking quotes to change your perspective and regain the inspiration you’re looking for. Life can get very overwhelming, but quotes from thought leaders, philosophers, authors, and others can help you get through it and find that inspiration again.

Some quotes stick with you because they strike a chord in your heart that makes you change the way you look at things, and today, we’ve gathered 25 of these types of quotes.

These 25 One-Sentence Quotes Will Give You Inspiration Every Time. (Especially The 12th One)

1. “The struggle you’re in today is developing the strength you need tomorrow.” – Robert Tew

2. “The best way to cheer yourself up is to cheer someone else up.” – Mark Twain

3. “Nothing haunts us like the things we don’t say.” – Mitch Albom

4. “Everyone you will ever meet knows something you don’t.” – Bill Nye

5. “There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside of you.” – Maya Angelou

6. “Learning to ignore things is one of the great paths to inner peace.” – Robert J. Sawyer

7. “The greatest source of happiness is the ability to be grateful at all times.” – Zig Ziglar

8. “You are so brave and quiet, I forget you are suffering.” – Ernest Hemingway

9. “I loved her not for the way she danced with my angels, but for the way the sound of her name could silence my demons.” – Christopher Poindexter

10. “You have to die a few times before you can really live.” – Charles Bukowski

11. “She always had that about her, that look of otherness, of eyes that see things much too far, and of thoughts that wander off the edge of the world.” – Joanne Harris

12. “The problem is not the problem, the problem is your attitude about the problem.” – Captain Jack Sparrow

13. “One of the best lessons you can learn in life is to master how to remain calm.” – Catherine Pulsifer

14. “The strongest hearts have the most scars.” – Jeff Hood

15. “I think the saddest people always try their hardest to make people happy, because they know what it’s like to feel absolutely worthless, and they don’t want anyone to feel like that.” – Robin Williams

16. “Always stay humble and kind.” – Tim McGraw

17. “Before you start to judge me, step into my shoes and walk the life I’m living and if you get as far as I am, just maybe you will see how strong I really am.” – Unknown

18. “You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can choose not to be reduced by them.” – Maya Angelou

19. “It’s not selfish to do what is best for you.” – Mark Sutton

20. “You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.” – C.S. Lewis

21. “My goal is not to be better than anybody else, but to be better than I used to be.” – Dr. Wayne W. Dyer

22. “Traveling: it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller.” – Ibn Battuta

23. “I don’t have to agree with you to like you or respect you.” – Anthony Bourdain

24. “Often, our biggest disappointments and heartaches lead to breakthroughs and transformation.” – Michelle Maros

25. “Everytime you get upset at something, ask yourself if you were to die tomorrow, was it worth wasting your time being angry?” – Robert Tew

20 Questions To Ask That Will Reveal A Person’s True Self

July 29, 2016 by Power of Positivity

In life, we all just want someone to know us, to hear us, and to appreciate us.We want someone to listen to our crazy stories and philosophies at 3AM, call us just to say hello, and ask us those questions that other people didn’t. We just want someone to understand us, but not many people take the time to. In today’s fast-paced world where people have more distractions than ever, listening and even being interested in others seems to be fading quickly.

In an article on Huffington Post, psychologist Michelle Roya Rad says about active listening:

“People are attracted to good listeners, and they complain that there aren’t that many of them around these days. People are also skilled at telling a real from a phony, meaning someone who is really listening or someone who is just pretending to be listening. The bottom line is, one of the skills we need to learn when we want to connect to someone on a deep level is to learn to listen to them empathetically. Empathic listening means we put all of our baggage, distraction, need to control and beliefs as to how things “should” be outside of the interaction and attend fully to the person we are listening to. In other words, it will be about them, not us.”

If you really want to get to know someone on a deep level, the following questions can help.

20 Questions To Ask Someone That Will Reveal Their True Self

1. What’s your life motto or philosophy you live by?

They might answer with something simple like “Hakuna Matata,” or maybe they will have a more in-depth answer. However, this question will allow you to get to know their basic outlook on life. Do they have a negative or positive view of the world, and how do they react to it?

2. What’s your favorite thing about yourself?

This will show you their self-esteem levels. If they can’t think of anything, this shows they don’t have a very positive self-image. If they do have an answer, however, it will show you what they think about themselves.

3. Do you follow a religion or spiritual practice?

This question may seem generic, but getting to know someone’s spiritual beliefs will allow you to see if you have compatibility with this person.

4. What was the best time of your life?

Again, the point is to show your interest in every aspect of their life. This question will let you into their past a little bit.

5. What was the worst thing that ever happened to you?

This might seem a bit dark, but to fully know someone, we have to know their pain, too.

6. What’s your biggest dream?

Many people, believe it or not, don’t want to share their dreams for fear of rejection. Letting someone open up in this way will make them trust you.

7. What did you want to be when you were a kid?

These types of questions will let you get to know their inner child, which is important in knowing someone deeply.

8. What was/is your biggest accomplishment?

Let them gloat for a minute – allowing someone to share their accomplishments will show that you really care.

9. Why do you think we’re all here?

This might be one of the most contemplated questions ever, but it’s worth asking. Their answers might give you a new perspective.

10. What was your best relationship?

This might reopen old wounds, but if they don’t want to answer, they’ll tell you. This question will show you an important part of their past.

11. If you could change one thing about the world, what would it be?

This will show you what motivates them, and what they truly care about in the world.

12. Do you like your job? If not, what would you like to do instead?

Unfortunately, many people dislike their jobs. However, this question might open them up to new possibilities.

13. What are your favorite hobbies?

Basically, this shows you how they spend their free time, which is important in getting to know someone.

14. If money was no object, what would you do in life?

This will show you what the person would do if they had freedom to spend their time how they chose to.

15. Have you ever broken someone’s heart?

Relationships are important in someone’s life, and this will let you get to know them on a more intimate level.

16. What are you thankful for?

This will tell you what they value most in life.

17. What do you wish people understood more about you?

Many people feel misunderstood, and this will show you why they might feel this way.

18. If you could turn back time and do anything differently, would you?

This will tell you if the person has any regrets, and why.

19. What’s the craziest or most exciting thing you’ve ever done?

People love to share their memories of fun times, and it’s a great way to get to know someone’s life.

20. What do you think about most often?

People just want to share what’s on their mind, and allowing them a space to do so is the foundation of a great relationship.

Final Thoughts on Asking Questions That Reveal A Person’s True Self

Master asking these 20 questions in conversations, when appropriate. Then, you will have the skill of getting to know people better, faster.

(C)Power of Positivity, LLC. All rights reserved

Harvard Psychologists Reveal: Parents Who Raise ‘Good’ Kids Do These 5 Things…

July 29, 2016 by Power of Positivity

In this era of technology, raising children is a bit different from those before the iPod, iPhone, computers, Internet, and all the other unique gadgets that consume us. Children played outside. They kicked a ball across a field. They played with cards rather than chasing Pokemon on a screen. Children played outside until the street lights came on, and they knew they had to go indoors. We are raising kids differently now than twenty or thirty years ago. But, Harvard experts suggest it’s time to return to basics.

This is a new world. Children born in this time are automatically given gadgets to entertain them. But, what are we missing? Psychologists at Harvard University have been studying what makes a well-adjusted child in these changing times. They have concluded that several elements are still fundamental.

Here are five secrets to raising a good kid, according to Harvard psychologists:

1. Spend time with your children.

It’s a simple suggestion. But, we live in challenging times when we are “on” 24/7 through technology, work, and the bombardment of busy lives trying to stay afloat. It’s not just social media – the news, emails, texts, or the fluctuation of being on call at all times strains our relationships. We have become accustomed to the addiction of putting ourselves out there. It’s easier to give a child a toy or an Xbox console to keep them busy than to do something with your child.

Spending time with your children means putting everything down, reading a book, kicking a ball, hiking, or just playing an old-fashioned card game. In simplest terms, it means that you interact with your kid person-to-person. These are the things they will remember. They will forget what you bought them. They only want to spend quality time with their folks.

2. Speak out loud to your children.

According to Harvard researchers, “Even though most parents and caretakers say that their children being caring is a top priority, often children aren’t hearing that message.”

It goes back to discovering what’s happening in your child’s life. Check with teachers, coaches, tutors, and other caretakers. Find out if there is a shift in behavior. Allow your child to feel comfortable to come and speak with you. Your child needs to hear that he/she is a top priority in your life. It’s not enough to show them by giving them things, keeping them safe, or feeding them. Children require acknowledgment through words. Words are important. Invite them to sit and share their stories about school, homework, friends, and so on.

3. Show your child how to solve problems without stressing about the outcome.

One of the greatest gifts you can give your child is the ability to analyze and solve problems. Trust your child to decide for himself what he wants. You cannot solve their issues all the time. It’s healthy to allow them to experience life through their lenses. Achievement is significant and, in allowing them to determine what they want, you are gifting them with awareness.

You want to help raise your child to become a productive adult. Allow him/her to come to you and share their problems and guide them to make the best possible choices. It’s challenging to step back as a parent and watch your child make a mistake. But, just like you, it’s part of learning and the evolution of our humanness. You want them to be happy for what they have done and not just to make you happy as a parent.

Rick Weissbourd, who conducted the study, says, “We are hyper-focused on our kid’s happiness. I wasn’t surprised that happiness was ranked the highest, but I was surprised that achievement was ranked so high.” Are we pushing our children to focus only on success? “The achievement pressure can have a bunch of negative results,” says Weissbourd, co-director of the Making Caring Common project. “I’m concerned that it makes kids less happy.”

4. Show your child gratitude regularly.

The Harvard researchers say that “studies show that people who engage in the habit of expressing gratitude are more likely to be helpful, generous, compassionate, and forgiving–and they’re also more likely to be happy and healthy.” Parents should give their kids chores and express gratitude for their accomplishments. Children need to see that gratitude is a remarkable gift. Whenever they do something, honor and acknowledge them for their performance. The Harvard psychologists did find that parents are giving praise only to “uncommon acts of kindness.”

As parents, our duties are to teach our children to be empathetic and compassionate toward others. Children learn by example. Take them to a homeless shelter. Expose them to others who aren’t in the same social class. Let them witness how fortunate they have what they have at home. Be open with them. Be grateful for the small acts they perform that have nothing to do with school or work. Helping others is not just giving them a chance to be amazing adults but removing the prejudice of bigotry and differences. It all starts at home.

5. Teach your children to see the larger picture.

This goes back to showing them gratitude. Let your child experience the world through your compassion. Researchers say that “almost all children empathize with and care about a small circle of families and friends.”

Teach your child to be a good listener, interact without the use of technology, empathize with others outside of their family, and not judge anyone based on their religion or nationality. We are in pivotal times of human evolution, and this new generation can significantly change and shift our world. Exposing your child to different cultures helps develop a loving, kind, and happy person.

You are responsible for helping to raise loving souls. Help them navigate this world through compassion, love, and kindness.

“Raising a caring, respectful, ethical child is and always has been hard work. But it’s something all of us can do. And no work is more important or ultimately more rewarding.”

(C)Power of Positivity, LLC. All rights reserved

8 Reasons Why Scorpios Are The Best Lovers In The Zodiac

July 28, 2016 by Power of Positivity

,If you aren’t careful, your Scorpion lover could burn you with their intense passion and fire in a relationship. They might be a bit stubborn and feisty, but they make some of the best lovers in the zodiac, and here are some reasons why

8 Reasons Why Scorpios Are The Best Lovers In The Zodiac

1. Passionate Lovers

Scorpios make some of the most intense lovers in the zodiac; they want to know you deep down to your core, so get ready for a passionate, wild ride. If you have a Scorpio partner, you’ve probably already witnessed their ability to love you deeply, both emotionally and physically, which makes them an incredible lover.

2. Great Conversation

Scorpios have an attraction to talented, intelligent people like themselves. They don’t do well with small talk, but this makes them great lovers because they enjoy getting to the core of who people really are. They like to dig deep and ask you tons of questions about your life, which opens up the door to true, intimate connection. If you happen to date a Scorpio, though, make sure you come prepared, because they will expect you to carry an intelligent, thought-provoking, mature conversation with them.

3. Courageous and Strong

Scorpios don’t let fear stop them from living their lives. Even if they feel the fear, they push through it and let it motivate them to grow and learn. They stand tall and strong. For that reason many people look up to them for their bravery. They don’t depend on anyone – if they want something done, they do it themselves. They see the challenges and obstacles, but don’t let that stop them from achieving their goals.

4. Mysterious and Elusive

You will have a hard time figuring your Scorpio lover out, just a heads up. They like to keep their emotions under wraps until you’ve truly gained their trust, so it might take a few dates for them to come out of their shells. However, many people find the mystique of a Scorpio very alluring, and their aloofness just makes you even more curious to find out what they’ve been hiding.

5. Loyal Partners

Scorpios will stand by you until the end; if they chose you, then they only have eyes for you. You have their heart, their devotion, and their unconditional love. Scorpio picked you for a reason, and believe me, the scorpion makes one of the pickiest lovers in the zodiac. They picked you out of all the others out there because they saw near-perfection in you, so if you have a Scorpio lover, don’t take the relationship for granted, by any means.

Scorpio doesn’t trust others easily, so if you’ve won their heart, then you must be doing something right.

6. Deep Emotions

Scorpio tends to hold in their emotions until they finally break, so make sure to check in with them often. As a water sign, their emotions run deep, and they often hide a lot of themselves beneath the surface. While this might seem overwhelming, it actually makes them an incredible lover. If they feel emotions deeply and can tune into them so easily, then they can connect with you on this intimate level as well.

7. Very Picky In Choosing A Partner

Scorpio holds themselves to a very high standard, which means they won’t just take any lover. They hold a partner to even higher standards, which means if they chose you, then you’re pretty much perfect in their eyes. Scorpios have very high self-esteem and can even seem a bit egotistical, but this just means they know their worth, and want someone who knows theirs, too.

8. Fiercely Independent

Finally, a Scorpio won’t ask you for much of anything in the relationship, which means you won’t have to deal with a needy, codependent partner. They already have it figured out, and they don’t want your help unless they explicitly ask for it. They love to do things for themselves, as they don’t trust many other people to get the job done right.

Scorpios have counted on themselves for a long time now, and don’t really know how to do anything differently. They have learned to become their own best friend, so don’t try to get in the way of their independence.

10 Signs You’re A Strong Woman Who Stands Out From Everyone Else

July 28, 2016 by Kristen Lawrence

Strong women impact our lives, and we can’t help but feel gratitude for them. You may have been raised by a strong woman or had a strong female role model in your life who helped shape you into the beautiful person you are today. If you identify as a strong woman, then you’ll resonate with the following traits about yourself and all the other beautiful, strong women out there.

10 Signs of a Strong, Independent Woman

1. A strong woman displays unmatched courage.

If you have the mental fortitude, you stand up to face any challenge, no matter what it entails. A strong woman will also walk away from any situation that no longer serves her best interest, requiring immense courage. You may feel the fear, but you push past it and stand tall in the face of adversity or danger. This makes you incredibly powerful and a force to be reckoned with!

2. You love yourself no matter what.

If you love yourself despite the mistakes you’ve made and your perceived flaws, then you’re most certainly a strong woman. Self-love takes immense effort and time to cultivate, and only the strongest of women know how to love themselves.

3. You don’t depend on anyone else.

Independent females don’t lean on anyone else for their financial, emotional, mental, or physical well-being. It can feel scary to go out there on your own and conquer the world, but you don’t let the fear of failure stop you. You trust yourself to get through any challenge, which makes you a strong woman.

4. A strong woman is kind and compassionate.

“Kind words are short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless.” – Mother Teresa

Strong women don’t consider kindness a weakness; instead, they see it as an essential part of being human. Empathy helps them connect with others emotionally and build others up rather than tear them down. Strong women don’t use their egos for evil but good. They see others as their brothers and sisters and treat them as such.

5. You always follow your intuition.

A strong woman doesn’t listen to any voice in life but her own. She trusts her gut, knowing that her instincts will never lead her astray. She may listen to other people’s opinions, but they have no bearing on her decision-making process or personal values. Her intuition speaks loudly, and she’s learned how to quiet her mind and honor her inner voice.

6. Others consider a strong woman a great role model.

Others look up to you for your wonderful personality, attitude, and treatment of others. People come to you for advice or to catch up and chat for a bit. They truly love your company, as you radiate happiness, wisdom, kindness, and strength.

As a strong woman, you know that strength doesn’t come from the brute force but rather an inner fire that never stops burning. It’s a humble, quiet strength that doesn’t boast, and people feel drawn to this peaceful yet vibrant energy you give off.

7. You know how to make your happiness.

A strong woman doesn’t depend on others for their happiness – they create it. If you’re a strong woman, you don’t let other people’s feelings get you down. You also don’t let your inner turmoils run your life; you rise above and make the best of this beautiful journey.

8. A strong woman doesn’t shy away from showing emotions.

“Never be ashamed of how you feel. You have the right to feel any emotion you want.” – Demi Lovato

Strong women don’t bash themselves or others for feeling and sharing emotions. They know that holding in emotions only creates more problems in the long run, and hiding your true feelings isn’t healthy. They speak their minds, let out their innermost feelings and thoughts, and then move on.

9. You always believe in yourself.

Believing in yourself allows you to reach new heights in life, but only a person with healthy confidence knows that. They know that having faith in your abilities forms the essential foundation for creating the life you deserve.

10. A strong woman shows others unconditional love and support.

A study of maternal vs. romantic love revealed that many of the same brain regions became activated with both types of love. It also led to a suppression of brain activity linked to the negative judgment of other people and negative emotions. So, this means that the love your mom showed you as a child helped you learn how to love others unconditionally. This doesn’t just apply to romantic partners, either; any close relationship you have in life requires love to flourish.

So, next time you see your mom or grandmother, thank her for being a strong woman who helped shape you. Because of them, we grew into the strong women (and men) that we are today.

5 Ways to Find Your Inner Strong Woman

Here are some tips to help you summon your inner strength.

1. Practice positive thinking in every situation.

It may seem challenging to keep a positive mindset even in the darkest times, but there’s always a silver lining. Perhaps trouble crossed your path to teach you an important lesson or remind you to practice gratitude for what you have. If you can remain mentally balanced no matter what you face, you’re well to become a strong woman.

Next time you find yourself in the middle of a stressful situation, repeat positive affirmations such as “I’ve got this” or “Nothing can take away my inner peace.” If you say these mantras enough, you will start to believe them. Then, no person or circumstance can drag you down, and you will have the tools to combat any problem with confidence.

2. Surround yourself with uplifting, empowered people.

If you hang around negative people who have no goals in life, their energy will cloud your mind eventually. You start to lose motivation when you’re around people who view the world through such a dark lens. A strong woman needs equally powerful people around her who will support her dreams and goals.

Negative people end up sucking the life out of you but inspire people to enhance your energy levels. They realize that to accomplish anything in life requires positivity and inner strength. Empowered people only like to associate with like-minded individuals who encourage them to push past their limitations. So, seek out the company of those who wish to emulate you to become your best self.

3. Develop healthy habits.

A strong woman knows that taking care of herself is essential for developing mental resilience. She avoids habits that diminish her health, such as smoking, drinking, eating unhealthy food, or overindulging in the news. Instead, a formidable woman will choose the more challenging path of exercising, eating healthy, and training her brain to become more positive. Good habits require willpower and effort to practice, but anything worth having doesn’t come easily.

Today’s lives are filled with opportunities for instant gratification, but we never feel satisfied. The strongest people know that inner happiness comes from delaying rewards until you’ve worked hard to earn them. So, this could mean exercising five days a week to achieve your weight loss goals. Maybe it means spending an extra hour or two each week prepping healthy meals. These habits take time out of your schedule, but the benefit of improving your health makes them well worth it.

4. Don’t follow the crowd.

A strong woman carves her path in life and doesn’t care about fitting in with others. She trusts her intuition to lead the way and relies on her higher self in the most demanding situations. If you want to become a resilient woman who stands out from others, take the path of most significant resistance. Take the long, arduous route through life instead of the easy way out.

You will see that happiness isn’t found in the crowd but inside yourself. And, the journey within isn’t always pleasant; it involves facing the truth directly and dealing with your inner demons.

That is why so many people choose to distract themselves with instant gratification rather than doing the difficult work of self-improvement. But, if you want to master yourself, you will have to dive into the depths of your soul, something most people avoid at all costs.

5. Get outside your comfort zone.

Expanding on the last point, trying new things will help you push past self-imposed limitations. If you want to commit to improving yourself, you have to feel a little uncomfortable during the process. Once you experience your greatest fear or achieve something you once considered impossible, you will start to feel your inner power. No matter how long you’ve been in the dark, the world will shine brighter when you defeat your doubts.

After all, Buddha said: “A man who conquers himself is greater than one who conquers a thousand men in battle.”

Transform yourself, and you will have done your part in changing the world.

Final Thoughts on Celebrating Strong Women

When you look around at the world, it’s incredible what humans have accomplished. Women throughout history have played a large part in the success of our species and have helped shape us into who we are today. A strong woman shows resilience, courage, and wit in the face of adversity and never backs down from a difficult situation. She stands tall no matter what storms she may face and also lifts the people around her.

We can learn a lot from strong women, and we’re blessed to have them in our lives.

9 Reasons To Stop Eating Processed Foods

July 27, 2016 by Power of Positivity

“There’s a lot of processed food in America, and I know that can make some tourists who are used to fresh food feel sick.” – Wolfgang Puck

Wolfgang Puck is a famous chef and restaurateur that was born in Austria. As a foreign-born food expert, Puck is knowledgeable about the prolific presence of nutritionally-lacking meals -which are is unique to the United States and other Western countries. He is among many experts who testify to the harmful nature of food that undergoes processing.

As a reference, processed food is defined as “any deliberate change in a food that occurs before it’s available for us to eat.” This rather ambiguous definition doesn’t identify what makes some (not all) processed foods harmful. Mechanical processing – the physical actions required to grow, harvest and produce foods – isn’t harmful and doesn’t alter the nature of food.

Chemical processing – altering the chemical makeup of foods through additives and other artificial substances – can harm one’s health. Artificial substances include sweeteners, preservatives, and other elements. The inherent risk of such substances is a public safety concern in many countries for legitimate reasons.

Here are nine reasons to stop eating processed foods immediately:

1. Processed foods contain disproportionate amounts of sugar or corn syrup

Foods that contain sugar essentially contain empty calories. In other words, these calories provide no nutritional value. Studies have shown that these empty calories can have a harmful effect on the metabolism and cardiovascular system. The diabetes epidemic also strongly correlates with sugar consumption. Corn syrup, particularly of the high fructose variety, has been found to increase the risk of heart disease, cancer, obesity, dementia and liver failure.

2. Processed foods contain too many artificial ingredients

Many ingredients listed on the labels of these products cannot be properly read. This is because these ingredients are chemicals, and most chemicals have unpronounceable names. Many additives and preservatives contribute to potentially harmful physical effects, from common fatigue to heart disease.

3. Processed foods are high in refined carbohydrates

Refined carbohydrates are sugars and starches that have been modified (refined). The problem is that this refinement process empties the food of its nutritional value, including its fiber content. Of course, many sugars and starches contribute to several adverse health conditions.

4. Processed foods are usually lacking in nutrients

The manufacturing and packing cycles often empty the food of its nutritional value. Even though many of these foods are infused with synthetic (read: artificial) nutrients, the quality of nutrition derived from such is far superior compared to whole, unprocessed foods.

5. Processed foods are low in fiber content

Fiber has many different roles to play in developing and maintaining a healthy body. Primarily known to aid digestion, fiber also helps to: produce healthy bacteria, slow the absorption of carbohydrates, and create feelings of satiety.

6. Processed foods harm metabolic function

Because of the chemical makeup of these products – absence of fiber, nutrition, satiety and sustenance – our digestive system and metabolism operate poorly. The cumulate effects result in more food consumed and less food energy expended. In other words, we eat more stuff and burn less fat and calories as a result of eating these products.

7. Processed foods contain pesticides

To grow and harvest GMO’s (Genetically Modified Organisms), farmers must use pesticides and herbicides to preserve the area where they are grown. These pesticides and herbicides will often penetrate the soil and the crop itself. Needless to say, chemicals designed to eradicate insects and vegetation are not well-received by the human body. These chemicals have been linked to an assortment of functional and developmental problems, including cancer.

8. Processed foods cause inflammation

Various studies have shown that artificial ingredients such as processed flours, vegetable oils and refined sugars can cause or worsen cases of inflammation. Inflammation has been linked to a variety of maladies including dementia, respiratory problems and neurological disorders.

9. Processed food is often high in trans-fat or vegetable oil

Hydrogenated oils such as vegetable oil often contain an excessive amount of Omega-6 fatty acids, which has been linked to inflammation and oxidation issues. Studies have demonstrated that these substances carry and increased risk of heart disease.

Weekly tips, affirmations, and small actions to feel your best.

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