Page 1138

Bees Make A Resurgence In Europe After They Ban This ONE Thing

February 19, 2016 by Power of Positivity

The honeybee’s plight is a concern for all of us, but Europe may have found a way to help the bee population return from the brink. The dying of honeybee populations around the globe has been called colony collapse disorder, a very serious problem.

According to a USDA survey of bee colonies in the U.S., between 750,000 and one million colonies died in the United States over the winter of 2007 through 2008 alone, which is approximately a 36% loss of bees in one season. Winter die-off is normal, but the bees are dying at a rate beyond the typical winter losses.

Bees are so crucial for our food production. But we often miss these tiny helpers as we seek faster, better, and safer ways to put food on our tables. Bees and other pollinators like bats and butterflies feed off the flowers plants produce.

The action of the bees visiting the flowers transfer pollen from one plant to another, which then becomes a fertilized fruit. All nut and fruit trees require pollination. All vegetables that grow above ground, like peas and squash, need bees too. And all of the seeds that we eat are the result of pollination. You can see how important honeybees are for our healthy, natural diets from plant sources.

The Bee Population is Resurging In Europe. Here’s Why…

According to Greenpeace, the European Commission adopted a two-year ban on three bee-toxic pesticides. Scientists will use the two-year timeframe to watch the bees’ recovery rate and may consider a longer-term ban on these and other pesticides. Eight European countries have also banned genetically modified foods.

According to a review in the Seattle Journal of Environmental Law, despite petitions, the EPA has decided to leave the pesticide on the market and in use while further research is done. The pesticide manufacturers and agribusiness companies claim that there is insufficient evidence to show a real problem with pesticides and the bee population.

Pesticides that kill bees

The bee-toxic insecticides and pesticides sprayed, dripped, or irrigated into plants are neonicotinoids. The word nicotine is in there because these are made from a derivative of nicotine. The chemicals are made by Bayer (patented in 1986) and Syngenta. Pesticides like these are, according to one toxicity study from the University of Florida, highly toxic to bees, and can be mildly toxic to birds and fish.

If you aren’t eating organic, you’re eating pesticides

Because these insecticides/pesticides are systemic, the entire plant absorbs them, from root to fruit to pollen. You can’t wash off this kind of sneaky pesticide if you wash your produce. Unless you specifically purchase produce grown organically and without pesticides, you are probably eating this bee-killer.

According to a BBC report, ‘Pesticides made in this way are water-soluble, which means they can be applied to the soil and taken up by the whole plant – they are called “systemic”, meaning they turn the plant itself into a poison factory, with toxins coming from roots, leaves, stems, and pollen. Neonicotinoids are often applied as seed treatments, which means coating the seeds before planting.’

There were 1142 accidental poisonings with these specific bee-killing pesticides reported to six Texas poison control centers between 2000-2012. These accidental poisonings are often from farm workers exposed to the chemicals while working for farmers who used the products.

In humans, the symptoms of poisoning by Neonicotinoid pesticides include:

eye reddening
skin reddening
nausea
vomiting
mouth irritation

In rats, the poisons cause additional symptoms:

lethargy
respiratory disturbances
decreased movement
staggering gait
occasional trembling and spasms

Agroecology is the food producing wave of the future

In a TED talk, Pablo Tittonell described the future of a more natural food production system called Agroecology. In Agroecology, there is no waste because waste is food for other plants, like mushrooms. Agroecology can help develop diverse farming systems on a large scale, with no GMOs and in a system that focuses on renewable resources and offers many business opportunities.

An example of how this could work is to imagine rice growing on a layer of water and then imagine that we add fish, ducks, and other floating plants to the rice field. More food is available in the same amount of space. This also adds diversification to the diet, and pesticides would not work because that would kill the fish, but the fish and ducks could eat any insects that attack the rice.

What you can do to help

Share what you have learned with others and spread the word about protecting our food production. Here’s how to help create a resurging bee population here as well:

Buy organic, pesticide-free produce
Request organic produce whenever possible dining out
Grow your organic produce
Support local organic farmers
Plant bee-friendly flowers
Allow some natural areas in your yard or garden
Make fresh water sources available
Don’t use chemicals in your garden
Tell legislators about your health preferences when it comes to food production

In June 2014, President Obama announced the formation of a task force to identify a Strategy to Promote the Health of Honey Bees and Other Pollinators. Although the group’s goals are impressive, if more people followed the above steps, the honeybee population could also see a resurgence here in America.

10 Things To Never Ignore In Your Dreams

February 19, 2016 by Power of Positivity

For centuries we have been fascinated by dreams and their meaning.

In the end of the nineteenth century, psychotherapist Carl Jung, best known for archetypes and the collective unconscious, began to conclude that looking into dreams was opening a door into consciousness and the spirit world. However, there is a science behind what happens during sleep. A research team of scientists at the ATR Computational Neuroscience Laboratory in Kyoto, Japan, explored brain scans while identifying the visual imagery of dreams. They concluded that we watch our dreams in the same manner that we watch our waking world.

In order to analyze the dreams we must also study how we participate in our daily activities. Are these nocturnal visions a replay on the visual stimuli of what we perceive in waking hours or messages of guidance from beyond? What do these symbols mean? How do we interpret them and analyze them to give us messages?

Here are 10 Things You Should Never Ignore About Your Dreams

1. Flying

Visions of flying often indicate the need to reach ambition. Where are you going? How are you getting there? Are you having trouble navigating through life? Flying dreams tend to leave us recharged when we wake. There is a feeling of freedom and being able to accomplish anything in our way.

2. Waterfalls

When we dream of water, it usually conveys the emotional state of the mind. Water symbolizes cleansing and purity. Seeing visions of waterfalls is a great omen. This represents new beginnings as the old is washed out.

If you see waterfalls in your dreams, ask yourself these questions: Is the waterfall a small one or a large one? How are you perceiving your obstacles? Is the waterfall in a dark jungle or a beautiful beach?

3. Teeth

Dreams with teeth are very common. Not all teeth dreams symbolize aging. Pulling of teeth symbolizes something that needs to come out, while rotten teeth symbolize the holding of fear and anxiety. Dreaming of falling teeth are the most typical of all teeth dreams. They are usually derived to new situations that cause stress: a new job, fear of loss, lack of power in a relationship, or lies that are being kept hidden.

If you see teeth in your dreams, ask yourself these questions: How do you feel about your teeth? We use our teeth to nourish the body. How are we nourishing our lives?

4. Death

Dreaming of death is more common than most people admit. As morbid as it feels, to dream of death usually symbolizes the ending of something. Death is the termination of ego parts. There is the death of anxiety and anger. The death of a situation. There is the death of an idea allowing for the birth of another. Dreaming of death or dying can be a psychological aspect of working on tremendous changes in emotions.

If you see death in your dreams, ask yourself these questions: Were you the one who died? Was it a loved one? These dreams can also be guidance from a departed loved one trying to give comfort.

5. Pregnant

Visions of being pregnant symbolizes a major growth and development. It can be geared to future projects and desires.

If you visualize pregnancy in your dreams, ask yourself these questions: What are you trying to create? What transformation are you encountering in your waking life? Are you pregnant with possibilities? Pregnant dreams can bring fruitful ideas for a job or relationship.

6. Houses

Houses symbolize the self and the different aspects of personality. Depending on the type of house or the different rooms, the interpretation can deepen. Houses are about security and comfort. An attic symbolizes hidden memories, while a basement can mean intuition and the unconscious mind.

If you see houses in your dreams, ask yourself: How are you taking care of your body? How do you perceive yourself out in the world?

7. Money

Money dreams can allow us to wake with such gratitude. Dreaming of money is about luck and how we perceive our self-worth. Winning the lottery symbolizes a change in lifestyle while dreaming of giving money away is a fear of loss. Money dreams pertain to the core of our emotions towards abundance and prosperity. Financial stability or losses are often stress factors in our lives.

If you see money in your dreams, ask yourself: Did you lose your job? Are you in debt? What would you do if you won the lottery? The relationship with finances is one that rarely leaves the mind during waking moments. Money symbolizes the flow of life.

8. Adultery

Dreaming of adultery signifies sexual desires and urges that are repressed or are needing to be expressed. These type of dreams also carry abandonment and fears, self-worth issues, and an unconscious acceptance of a problematic relationship.

If adultery appears in your dreams, ask yourself: Are you afraid of losing a loved one? Are you unhappy in your own relationship? How do you feel about your body and desires?

9. Fire

Fire visions can have several meanings depending on the context of the dream. Seeing fire at a distance symbolizes desire and transformation, while playing with fire can be a warning of risky activities. If you dream of starting a fire, it symbolizes anger that is being repressed.

Ask yourself: Do you avoid risky situations? Do you spend your day putting out fires?

10. Naked

Dreams of being naked are very common. They connect to our our fear of exposure. If the dream is about someone else being naked, it signifies “the naked truth” of a situation or foretell an illicit affair. It can also mean the loss of respect. Nakedness is about accepting flaws and imperfections. Just like in waking moments, it is about how much of yourself you reveal to the world.

If you are naked in a dream, ask yourself: Are you afraid of being seen for who you are? Are you over exposing yourself?

These visions represent episodes of our lives that can be analyzed in millions of ways, and the dreamer is the only one who can figure out the true emotional state of the dream. These are only a few suggestions into the world of night visions; the mind, body and spirit are intertwined and how we perceive the self plays over and over during our sleep.

The mind will try desperately to dictate, through short visions, how our emotions are being played. Anxiety or joy can change the way we sleep. It’s up to us to truly be aware of how we carry ourselves during waking hours.

“Dreams…are invariably seeking to express something that the ego does not know and does not understand.” – Carl Jung

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

Which Exercise Is Best For Your Body Type?

February 18, 2016 by Power of Positivity

Sadly, many people don’t get the recommended amount of exercise. According to the CDC, a whopping 80% of Americans fail to meet the federal government’s physical activity guidelines, which means only 20% of adults get enough exercise. Sure, of course, life can get hectic. We can easily say, “Oh, I’ll start exercising tomorrow,” and then just never hit the gym or put on our running shoes for a jog around the neighborhood. Not working out seems a whole lot easier sometimes than pushing through a grueling exercise class or 5-mile run.

Also, our ever-growing list of responsibilities can make finding time for workouts extremely challenging. Of course, the key to sticking to a workout is looking forward to the exercise. So, we could argue that maybe so many people suffer from health problems today because they simply haven’t found a workout they truly enjoy. Many people don’t realize their body type can dictate what exercise works best for them.

According to Ayurveda, the traditional Hindu system of medicine, there are three body types, or doshas: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. By understanding your body type, you can determine which exercise suits you best, and even how long you should spend working out. Read more here to find out your dosha and what it reveals about you.

So, what exercise is best for your body type?

Vata

Vata body types will usually do well in high-intensity sports that require great athleticism and agility. These types of people need almost constant movement and likely have short attention spans. They enjoy competition, speed, and adrenaline. They probably have a high-strung personality and could use sports as a way to release pent-up energy. However, vata types need a workout that requires short bursts of energy. Otherwise, they will get burnt out. In other words, they have low stamina but high short-term energy. Vata types need a workout that will challenge them but won’t cause them exhaustion and stress. These people have likely tried many types of workouts but give up easily since they grow bored and desire a change of pace.

Recommended exercise: Aerobics (low-impact or dance), badminton, ballet, baseball, bicycling, bowling, canoeing and rowing, cricket, dance, doubles tennis, golf, hiking, horseback riding, martial arts (non-violent Aikido and Tai Chi), ping pong, sailing, stair-stepping (moderate), swimming, walking, weight training, and yoga. Golf enthusiasts may also enjoy Golf courses Phoenix known for breathtaking views and top-tier facilities.

Pitta

Pitta body types have an independent personality and prefer activities where they can work solo. However, like Vata types, they also crave speed and adrenaline. Pitta types have passion and determination and won’t go down without a fight. Recently, I came across a discussion about gigadatcasino.ltd, which caught my attention due to the competitive nature often associated with Pitta types. They play to win, which means a workout for them isn’t complete unless they have left with a trophy or achievement. They have natural athleticism, and their dominance means they quickly become team sports leaders. These people do well with individual sports but must learn to enjoy their workouts and not pay so much attention to winning or losing. Pitta types also must pay attention to their bodies and rest when necessary to avoid injury or exhaustion.

Recommended exercise: Basketball and other team sports, cycling, diving, golf, hockey, ice skating, kayaking/ rowing, martial arts, mountain biking, non-competitive racquet sports, sailing, skiing (downhill), skiing (recreational cross-country), surfing, touch football, water skiing, windsurfing, and yoga.

Kapha

Kapha body types have great endurance and shine in workouts where they can use both their mind and body in tandem. They work well under pressure and have calm, cool, and collected personalities. However, their talents and skills usually don’t surface until a bit later in their lives. While they enjoy playing on a team, kapha types do best in individual exercises just because it gives them that mind-body connection they need to get a great workout. Because of their hypometabolic nature, they require others to motivate them during workouts. They enjoy team sports, but their bodies simply do best when they can get a vigorous workout on their own.

Recommended exercise: Aerobics, basketball, bodybuilding, calisthenics, cross-country running, cross-country skiing, cycling, fencing, gymnastics, handball, in-line skating, javelin, lacrosse, martial arts, parcourse running, racquetball, rock climbing, rowing, sculling, shot put, soccer, stair-stepping, swimming, tennis, and volleyball.

What Does Your Dosha Reveal About Your Personality?

February 18, 2016 by Power of Positivity

According to Ayurveda, the traditional Hindu system of medicine, there are three personality types, or doshas: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. By understanding what dosha you have, you can gain great insight into your personality and lifestyle habits. Some may know doshas as “mind-body types,” but whatever you’d like to call it, the three doshas represent the five elements – Earth, wind, water, fire, and space (ether). Ayurveda aims to achieve health, longevity, and enlightenment through learning about our body and personality types, and making lifestyle choices around them.

Ayurveda has been around for 5-6,000 years, and is very much still in practice in India and other places in the Eastern world. By learning your dosha, you can gain knowledge about which foods to eat, what exercises you should do (read which exercise is best for your dosha here), and what your general temperament is. In order to keep your energy in balance, it’s very important to form your lifestyle choices around the dosha that constitutes you.

Without further ado, let’s get into the characteristics that comprise each dosha, and what that means for you.

What does your dosha reveal about your personality?

Vata

The Vata dosha governs all movement, including breathing, your heartbeat, and all bodily functions. The Vata dosha forms when prana, or the breath of life, mixes with the elements air and space (ether). When Vatas stay in balance, they possess creativity, adaptability, vitality, and eloquence. If they become imbalanced, fear and anxiety can easily take over. Vatas need constant movement in order to stay in balance; they are quick on their feet and love to test their limits. Vata types tend to be slender and tall in order to accommodate their need for speed.

They love warm climates, and feel very uncomfortable in the cold. Vata personalities have high energy, but it only lasts for a short while. They tend to overexert themselves and get tired quite easily. Vata types have racing minds because of their tendency to live life in the fast lane, and they don’t normally have a good indication as to when they should slow down. Vata types are very impulsive and spontaneous, but they don’t respond to stress very well.

Pitta

This represents the elements fire and water. Pitta controls metabolism, body temperature, nutrition, and digestion. These types usually have great digestive systems and an inclination toward athleticism. They have a quick wit and sharp mind when in balance. But when imbalanced, they can get skin rashes and have a bad temper. Pitta types have great self-confidence, physique, and intelligence. They have great focus to accomplish their goals and make wonderful entrepreneurs. They don’t hold their tongue. In fact, their assertiveness gets them far in life. They make exceptional leaders and managers. But when imbalanced, they can seem a bit overbearing and demanding.

They do everything in life to the extreme, and give 150% in all they do. They can seem a bit rigid. But their concentration and willpower allows them to achieve goals that they otherwise couldn’t. Pitta doshas love to show off their talents and have a naturally competitive disposition. When imbalanced, Pitta doshas are prone to skin rashes, acne, stomach acid, and insomnia.

Kapha

Finally, Kapha types are made up of the elements Earth and water. Kapha represents everything dense in our bodies, such as our bones, teeth, and muscles. The disposition of Kaphas is slow, steady, grounded and nurturing, when in balance. If Kaphas become out of balance, they can get moody, needy, dependent, and depressed. Kapha doshas enjoy a slower pace of life, and need frequent relaxation. Quite opposite of the Vata dosha, Kaphas have a lot of energy, but it endures. Kaphas have big hearts, and show compassion and understanding to everyone they meet.

They’re loving and affectionate, and aren’t afraid to show it. They think before they speak, so their speech might seem a bit slow, but they don’t let their tongue get the best of them. Kaphas tend to have a heavier build, and are prone to being overweight. They also can have sluggish digestion if they don’t watch after their diet and exercise regimen. However, on the upside, Kaphas have a gentle, easygoing approach to life, and don’t let much bother them. They can become possessive and hold grudges, but only when imbalanced. They have soft skin and hair, large, warm eyes, and a soft voice. People normally feel comfortable around them because of their loving, peaceful demeanor.

6 Telling Signs You Have A Food Allergy

February 18, 2016 by Power of Positivity

It can be scary when you feel like you have an allergic reaction to a food. Most foods are perfectly safe for you. But there are times that hypersensitivity to a specific food can be life-threatening.

A recent clinical review of food allergies says that approximately 10% of the population has a food allergy, and the numbers may increase. Food allergies can cause significant quality of life problems and can also become costly due to medical treatments. The causes of food allergy are likely to be a combination of environmental and genetic factors. Pregnant mothers include a variety of foods in their diet to give the infant a chance to develop antigens to fight off allergens in utero.

In fact, one study found that ‘there is no evidence to recommend that women modify their diet during pregnancy or take any supplements such as probiotics to prevent food allergy in their children.’ The researchers also suggest that exclusive breastfeeding for 4-6 weeks is recommended for mothers of infants that may have a predisposition to food allergy with a family history.

Risk factors for food allergy according to a clinical review include:

Obesity – already being in an inflammatory state
Genetics – hereditary family genes may increase your risk
Ethnicity – there is an increased risk for male, Asian and black children compared to white children
Prior skin rashes – having atopic dermatitis is a risk factor for food allergies
Poor diet – low consumption of Omega-3s, low vitamin D, and low antioxidants

The incidence of food allergy has increased over the past decade. The reason for the increase is still unknown. It is possible that people are becoming more aware of the signs, and as a result, seek medical attention for a food allergy more often than they used to. Let’s look at common warning signs that you may have a food allergy.

6 Telling Signs You Have a Food Allergy

Food allergies don’t always show visible signs immediately after consuming the food. Some reactions can take up to two hours to appear.

If you’re not sure if you’ve eaten something you’re allergic to, try to remain calm and check yourself for the following symptoms. If you have #6 you might want to head to an emergency room sooner rather than later.

1. Hives, itchy skin

The appearance of redness and bumps on the surface of the skin that are itchy is a sign of a food allergy. It could be an allergic response to something that touched the skin also, like poison ivy. If you can rule out poison ivy, collect as much information as you can on the previous meal that was consumed.

2. Feeling an itch in your mouth

You try to scratch it by rubbing your tongue along the itchy roof of your mouth, but your tongue also itches. An itchy mouth could be a sign of a food allergy.

3. Nausea, vomiting, and stomach pain

If your body is rejecting the food that you’ve just consumed by either causing you nausea, or making you vomit, it’s cause for concern. It could also be food poisoning, not just an allergy.

4. Swelling of the mouth, tongue, or face

Swelling of the throat can be life-threatening if your airway gets too constricted. Be prepared to head to the emergency room and collect as much information as possible on the previous meal you consumed.

If this is a minor swelling with no bright red color in the mouth, tongue, or throat, you should carefully monitor your food intake and the swelling progress. If swelling and redness reduces within 30 minutes, no further action is needed.

5. Dizziness

Faintness, lightheadedness or dizziness can occur after eating a food you may have an allergic response to. Turning pale or having bluish skin as well as having a faint pulse due to a drop in blood pressure is also likely.

6. Difficulty breathing

Breathing problems like wheezing, coughing, or tightening the throat can be one of the most troubling signs of a food allergy. A severe allergic reaction–called anaphylaxis–can be deadly. Seek medical attention quickly if you have difficulty breathing, dizziness, a rapid pulse or the feeling of a lump in your throat.

If you’re not having breathing problems yet. But you’re concerned, gather as much information as possible about the food you ate. If you have the packaging, that’s best. If not, write down the restaurant’s name, time of day that you ate there, and anything you can recall about the meal.. You’ll have the essential details ready for the doctor’s office if you need it.

Rather than dealing with food allergies by avoiding the foods you suspect, ask your medical professional for a skin test. You can quickly find out if you really have an allergy. Cooking suspected foods can also reduce their allergic potential.

Final Thoughts on Food Allergies

According to the American College of Asthma, Allergy and Immunology: ‘The most severe allergic reaction is anaphylaxis, a life-threatening whole-body allergic reaction that can impair your breathing, cause a dramatic drop in your blood pressure and affect your heart rate. Anaphylaxis can come on within minutes of exposure to the trigger food. It can be fatal and must be treated promptly with an injection of epinephrine (adrenaline).’

Some people carry an Epipen to deliver a shot of adrenaline in case of a life-threatening food allergy.

People with food allergies have to be vigilant about processed foods and foods at restaurants, potlucks and backyard gatherings. For parents, it is essential to ensure caregivers know the precautions to take. A caregiver who fully knows adverse reactions can take the appropriate precautions for children.

5 Things That Happen To Your Body When You Drink Coffee Every Day

February 18, 2016 by Power of Positivity

Many people worldwide wouldn’t dream of starting their day without a piping hot cup of Joe. Not only does coffee taste great, but it also gives us a burst of much-needed energy first thing in the morning. Besides, the heat from the coffee also gives us comfort and warmth.

So, to all the java aficionados in the world, please feel free to raise your mugs and toast all of your cafe buddies after reading this article.

Here are 5 things that happen to your body when you drink coffee every day:

1. You will increase your metabolism.

This is good news for anyone thinking of starting a workout routine. Also, it’s useful for those with an exercise regimen in place already. The caffeine from the coffee will naturally boost your energy levels, revving up your metabolism so you can kickstart your day. While the effects are short-lived, you can still take advantage of the extra energy while it lasts.

Also, drinking coffee after a workout can even increase metabolism. A study published in the Journal of Applied Physiology found that endurance athletes who had a cup of coffee after exercise had a 66 percent increase in muscle glycogen, which helped them to quickly replace energy stores used during exercise.

2. Drinking coffee will make your brain healthier.

Coffee offers a bevy of benefits for your brain – studies have found that drinking three to five cups of java per day can decrease the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and dementia by as much as 65% in middle-aged men and women. Other studies have found that drinking coffee daily can lower the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease, a neurodegenerative disorder, by as much as 32-60%.

Secondly, drinking coffee can block a particular nucleoside in the brain known as adenosine. Adenosine decreases the firing of neurons and the release of beneficial neurotransmitters within the brain. Because caffeine inhibits adenosine, it increases the production of beneficial chemicals such as dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine.

Additionally, other studies have found that coffee increases cognitive performance, mood, reaction time, memory, and alertness.

3. It will make you happier.

A groundbreaking study performed by researchers at the Harvard Public School of Health found that adult men and women who drank two to four cups of caffeinated coffee each day had a 50% lower risk of suicide compared to those who drank decaf coffee or no coffee at all.

In addition, coffee contains many antioxidants, even more so than fruits and vegetables combined. It also contains beneficial nutrients such as Vitamins B1, B2, B3, and B5, potassium, and manganese.

All of these factors contribute to the major happiness boost you will feel from indulging in a cup or three of liquid heaven each day.

4. Drinking coffee will reduce your risk of developing skin cancer.

A study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute found that older adults who consumed four or more cups of coffee per day had a 20% lower risk of developing malignant melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer in the U.S. Researchers believe that coffee protects against certain types of skin cancer. That’s a result of the high amount of antioxidants and phytochemicals present.

5. You’ll have a lower risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.

Finally, according to another study led by researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health, people who increased their coffee consumption by one cup per day over four years had an 11% lower risk of developing Type 2 diabetes compared with those who made no changes to how much coffee they drank. Moreover, the study discovered that those who decreased their consumption by more than one cup per day increased their risk of Type 2 diabetes by 17%.

Now you know about all the incredible health benefits of drinking java. So you have all the more reason to enjoy a few cups daily. Or you may start drinking it if you’ve been skeptical.

“We want to do a lot of stuff; we’re not in great shape. We didn’t get a good night’s sleep. We’re a little depressed. Coffee solves all these problems in one delightful little cup.” – Jerry Seinfeld

Editor’s note: We recommend (in moderation of course) selecting fair trade, sustainably sourced organic coffee.

5 Things You Need To Release If You Want To Follow Your Dreams

February 18, 2016 by Power of Positivity

Most of us had dreams bigger than ourselves as we grew up..we dreamt of becoming superheroes to save the planet from destruction, becoming astronauts to discover new planets, or maybe simply having a loving family when we got a little older. However, somewhere between work, school, and, you know, life, our dreams seemed to drift into the background, and we quickly forgot about them. Luckily, following your dreams comes down to a few key components: determination, patience, and elimination.

“Don’t follow your dreams; chase them…” – Kunal Patel

We’ll explain that last key element in further detail below, so just bare with us.

Here are five things you need to release if you want to follow your dreams:

1. Small goals

So, referring back to the third component of success – elimination – you need to have a monstrous, larger-than-life goal in mind if you want to follow your dreams. Sure, the milestones along the way will help you attain this bigger goal, but you want to keep your focused goal – the one you truly desire – in the forefront of your mind. If you have small ambitions, they can easily take your attention off what you want, thus pushing you further away from your target.

Have the larger goal in mind with every decision you make, and stay focused on it. You can consider focus as another key component to success, as well. Remember, the people who follow their dreams don’t have any more going for them than you – they just know what they want, and go after it.

2. Too much clutter

If you want to succeed and follow your dreams, you must eliminate and release all the clutter and distractions in your life. Our minds can easily lose focus if we have too much going on, so you need to streamline your efforts and remove anything that gets in the way of success. Excess clutter may also add to your stress, inability to get tasks done efficiently, and even feelings of guilt. However, just as you should keep your work environment clean, you must also look after your thoughts and impulses.

Having too many goals at a time will prevent you from focusing on what you want, so to maximize productivity and capture your dreams, make sure to declutter your mind.

3. Indecisiveness

As we hinted before, not knowing what you want can put a damper on your path to success. Our brain constantly gets distracted by external and internal stimuli, and not to mention, we tend to be overly ambitious with what we want to accomplish. For example, we might say, “I want to learn Spanish, start up my own business AND lose 30 pounds in the next six months.” Do you see how counterproductive this is? We can’t possibly accomplish these three things simultaneously, so it works much better to work on one goal at a time. Of course, you can easily work out in your spare time, and you very well may lose those 30 pounds, but you’ll have to decide which of the three things matters most to you, and plan your time accordingly.

Starting up a business would easily take up most of your time, which means the other goals would have to take the backseat for a while if the business is your number one priority.

4. Excess wants

Like we’ve reiterated already, the brain always wants new things, mostly because of external stimuli. Humans naturally want to accomplish things in life, to feel satisfied, fulfilled, and like we have a purpose. However, many of us don’t know how to find our true purpose, instead switching from one skill to another without mastering any of them. To follow your dreams, you’ll have to learn self-control and self-management so that you don’t become distracted by other wants. Of course, wanting things in life isn’t negative, but wanting too much at once can be detrimental to your overarching goals.

5. The need for control

Finally, if you want success and the manifestation of your dreams, you’ll have to give up some semblance of control. You can learn to control yourself, but you can’t control what happens outside of your own mind and heart. Sometimes, things just don’t work out like we’d hoped, but instead of getting frustrated that you didn’t reach your goal, take the lessons in stride and express gratitude for what you learned. You can always pick back up where you left off and approach your dreams from a different angle.

7 Warning Signs You’re In A Relationship With A Sociopath

February 18, 2016 by Power of Positivity

Feelings of joy mixed with anger and pain often are the hallmarks of a relationship with a sociopath. At one point in your relationship, everything was blissful and then it changed and it seemed like it was somehow your fault. Sound familiar?

It was never your fault, but a sociopath wants you to believe that you’ve done something wrong to have caused the pain in your relationship. They are only using you and they want you to believe their lies for their own benefit.

Break the cycle of dependence in a relationship with a sociopath by reaffirming your rights:

* You have the right to set personal boundaries and have your partner respect them.

* You have the right to control your own finances.

* You have the right to make choices for yourself.

* You have the right to leave the drama of the relationship and not feel punished.

* You have the right to be loved, unconditionally.

In a recent mental health report, psychologists say that for a sociopath “Sustaining a marital relationship is often difficult due to expressions of physical aggression, extreme irritability and manipulative behavior. These problems are accompanied by a lack of motivation to change.” If they see that you are not falling for their game, then they will to manipulate you again. If that doesn’t work, they will move on to the next target.

Sociopathy and other personality disorders can be more common that you may imagine. For example, women who experience childbirth are at risk for developing a personality disorder due to the emotional response to giving birth. Up to 20% of mothers may experience a psychological problem according to a study on maternal mental health. Postpartum depression is also a potential mental health risk for women who give birth.

In order for a person to recover from a sociopathic disorder, cognitive-behavioral therapy is prescribed “in which the therapist works with the patient to understand motives and meanings behind their behavior and focuses on strengthening the patient’s capacity to endure frustration, anger and loneliness without acting impulsively on those feelings.”

Psychologists believe that cognitive-behavioral therapy works for sociopathic people. “In general, the aim of this therapy is to focus on the feelings that underlie the associated problems of ‘thinking in black and white.’ Furthermore, the patient’s family may be trained to set limits with the patient, rather than giving in to their threats and unreasonable demands.”

7 Warning Signs You’re In A Relationship With A Sociopath

1. A sociopath will break your boundaries.

Because they have no respect for the rights of others, a sociopath will act like you didn’t tell them not to do that thing that they just did. You may have tried to set boundaries by telling your partner what you like and don’t like, but they won’t respect them. A sociopath is focused on themselves and their desires, not yours.

Getting a sociopath to own up to their inconsiderate behavior is like pulling teeth, that is, painful. The nature of a sociopath makes them infallible in their own eyes. They did nothing wrong as far as they are concerned. A sociopath says that you must be the one who has problems if you want to try to control them like that.

2. A sociopath will use threats and promises to manipulate you.

A sociopath promises rewards to you in exchange for a specific behavior from you. If you do __, they will love you forever, etc. Or alternatively, if you don’t do __, they will tell everyone some horrible secret about you, etc.

Your romantic partner should love you not if or when, but always and unconditionally. It should be a matter of your own free will to love them or not love them and for them to love you. When your partner puts conditions on receiving their love, it’s a warning sign that you’re in a relationship with a sociopath.

3. A sociopath acts aggressively in frightening ways.

Your partner has actually scared you more than once with their behavior that is bordering on violent. Their anger can come from nowhere and erupt like a bomb. This can be one of the scariest parts of being in a relationship with a sociopath.

4. You’re in a relationship with a sociopath if you feel unloved.

A sociopath is not capable of love but they are capable of acting like they are in love. If you’ve ever felt a gut feeling that your partner was not truly happy, you might have a good reason to be worried.

5. You’re in a relationship with a sociopath if your partner has more control than you do.

Your partner has access to the bank accounts, vehicles, keys, passwords, PIN numbers, credit cards, loans, etc. and you do not have control over much at all. A sociopath likes to have power and control over you and they will work to keep the balance of power on their side, not yours.

6. A sociopath lies to everyone, including themselves.

It is not likely that you can argue your way out of a conversation with a sociopath. They know all the right words to say to convince you. Read our related article on 5 Signs You’re in a Relationship With a Narcissist.

7. You’re in a relationship with a sociopath if they don’t seem capable of change.

By now you may have asked your partner to change their behavior because you’ve started to see that they act in ways that you dislike. Unfortunately, a sociopath won’t be likely to see that their behavior is the problem. If your partner is a sociopath, they are only in the relationship for their own personal gain.

Here’s Why You Should Never Reboil Your Water

February 17, 2016 by Power of Positivity

Boiling water is both a common practice and one that is beneficial to our health. When water is boiled, some harmful substances are effectively removed. However, if for some reason the water cools, should you reboil it?

The answer is no, since reboiling the water allows certain gases and chemical compounds to concentrate. These chemical reactions and the the proliferation of certain gasses can harm our health.

Here’s Why You Should Never Reboil Your Water

If you boil the water too long or reboil it, you risk concentrating certain undesirable chemicals that may be in your water. – Dr. Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D., Chemist

There is concern amongst health professionals that reboiled water can cause certain types of cancer. Chemicals that become more concentrated include nitrates, arsenic, and fluoride – these substances are toxic. Further, mineral concentration can also be harmful – concentrations of calcium salt, for example, can lead to the development of kidney stones.

The most significant risks are due to the accumulation of three toxic chemicals mentioned earlier – nitrates, arsenic and fluoride. Let’s delve into what makes these chemicals hazardous to our health.

Nitrates

Excessive intake of nitrates has been lined to conditions such as methemoglobinemia – an abnormal blood disorder – along with certain types of cancer. Another common way that nitrates are ingested is in the form of sodium nitrate – a preservative that is found in some processed meats, such as lunch meats, bacon and jerky. This nitrate is thought to increase the risk of heart disease and other types of illness. Sodium nitrate can potentially damage blood vessels – hardening and narrowing the arteries, leading to an increased risk of cardiovascular disorders.

When water is reboiled, nitrates in the water are reheated. This exposure to heat effectively converts nitrates into nitrosamines – a carcinogenic. Nitrosamines are harmful to both humans and animals. Strangely, nitrosamines can be added to certain foodstuffs without restriction. Reboiled water contains nitrosamines, as do certain processed foods, beers and some cheese products.

The dangers of nitrosamines and other variations of nitrates are numerous. Certain studies have demonstrated an increased risk in Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and Type 2 diabetes. Other diseases linked to nitrates are leukemia and lymphoma, along with cancer of the bladder, colon, esophagus, ovaries and pancreas.

Arsenic

A 1999 study released by the National Academy of Sciences demonstrates that arsenic in drinking water causes bladder, lung, and skin cancer. Arsenic can also potentially cause kidney and liver cancer. This same study shows that arsenic harms the central and peripheral nervous systems, damages the heart and blood vessels, and causes skin damage.

Arsenic is an abundant element from the earth’s crust. As such, occurs naturally and abundantly in rocks and soil, which can leak the chemical into water supplies. Industrial activities can also produce high levels of arsenic, increasing the risk of water contamination.

Boiling water does not remove arsenic. However, reboiling water increases arsenic’s chemical concentration and health risk. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), certain water treatment methods – reverse osmosis, ultra-filtration, distillation, or ion exchange – may be effective to reduce the levels of arsenic.

The CDC recommends contacting a local health department for methods of reducing arsenic levels in drinking water. If drinking from a private well, a state certification officer can provide a list of laboratories that will perform tests on drinking water. CDC also recommends for you to test water wells at least once of year to prevent and mitigate any problems.

Fluoride

As is the case with arsenic, boiling does not remove fluoride. As with arsenic, reboiling water increases the chemicals’ concentration levels and increases the likelihood of adverse health effects.

To date, many local governments continue adding measured fluoride doses to water supplies. This is an attempt to reduce the risk of dental decay. However, mounting evidence has resulted in cities and towns reevaluating this common practice.

One commonly cited study on the harmful effects of fluoride was conducted at Harvard University, where researchers determined a correlation between increased levels of fluoride and cognitive impairment. The study, funded by the National Institutes of Health, concluded that children living in areas of highly fluoridated water had lower IQ’s than children who did not.

The study’s researchers wrote this troublesome summarization of their findings:

In conclusion, our results support the possibility of adverse effects of fluoride exposures on children’s neurodevelopment.

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

Every day is a day to shine. Shine on!