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Why Crying A Lot Means You’re Mentally Tough

September 13, 2015 by Power of Positivity

We need never be ashamed of our tears. – Charles Dickens

Did you know crying is actually good for you? According to neuroscientist and tear researcher Dr. William H. Frey II, PhD, “crying is not only a human response to sorrow and frustration, it’s a healthy one. Crying is a natural way to reduce emotional stress that, left unchecked, has negative physical effects on the body, including increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease and other stress-related disorders.”

Research shows that 85 percent of women and 73 percent of men feel less angry and sad after crying than they did before. Many people feel that crying makes them weak and unable to cope with their lives and emotions, when in reality, crying represents the exact opposite!

Here are 5 reasons why crying a lot means you’re mentally tough:

1. You meet your emotions head on.

When you release negative emotions that don’t serve your best interest, this means that you don’t run from your feelings. You stare them right in the eyes and invite them in, allowing them to totally take you over. After you feel them and let them run their course, however, you let them go and don’t dwell on them for too long. Crying does not mean you have no capability of handling life; it means you have even MORE ability to deal with anything that comes your way, because you don’t try to escape. You stand strong and show up for the moment, no matter what it may bring.

If you must cry, you know that your body needs to flush out excess energy, or replenish itself after a stressful event. And you embrace this fact without feeling ashamed or apologetic about it.

2. You don’t care what others think about you.

Crying is the ultimate display of vulnerability; it takes a lot of guts to show that side of yourself to others, and not care what they might think. We live in a far too structured world, where we are almost discouraged from showing emotions because it will disrupt the workday, make us less productive, or some other absurd reason.

Crying means you have overcome these societal norms and realized that showing emotions makes you human. Without feeling emotions, we would simply be machines, cogs in the wheel, robots performing our duties in an orderly, mundane, calculated fashion. However, our ability to cry means we are much more than machines, and you have realized this. Crying a lot means you have broken out of the prison of what others think, and have risen above the confines of social norms. You know crying is a big part of being a balanced, emotionally healthy person.

3. You know that crying helps you release pent up feelings.

Suppressing emotions only leads to big blowouts in the end, where you release everything you’ve felt for months all in one setting. Usually, this means either an emotional breakdown, or a big fight with someone else because you had to take out all that frustration on somebody. Neither of these situations are ideal, and can cause a lot of emotional damage in the long run. Crying regularly helps you keep your nervous system in check, and also helps you get out any stale emotions that don’t belong in your emotional body any longer.

4. You know that crying makes you healthier overall.

Crying offers many benefits beyond just emotional ones; it actually releases feel-good hormones by lowering manganese levels, which can cause extreme anxiety and stress if too much builds up in your system. Crying also helps lubricate your eyes and prevent dehydration; without tears, we wouldn’t even be able to see properly! Finally, crying kills bacteria and remove other harmful toxins from the body. Without tears, we would have much poorer health, not to mention, drive ourselves crazy from our suppressed emotions!

5. You help others feel more comfortable expressing themselves.

It takes a mentally strong person to help others free themselves from the fear of what others think. By crying and showing your vulnerable side to people, you not only liberate yourself, but help others feel more comfortable doing the same. Many people lock their emotions away, fearing what others may say or thinking that showing themselves in the purest form will scare people off or be deemed inappropriate. However, by you not inhibiting your emotions and crying in front of others when you need to, you automatically contribute to a much more authentic, free, and healthy society.

10 Ways To Make Life Exciting Again

September 13, 2015 by Kristen Butler

How do we go about getting excited about life again? It seems like it should be an easy question to answer, but the reality is it can be a challenge.

Before we can tackle getting excited again, we must understand where our energy is drained. Everything not in alignment with our highest truth drains our energy, makes us irritable, and wears us down. I bet if you thought about it, you could start a pretty significant list of stuff that annoys you and yet needs to get done. This is the stuff that sucks the excitement out of our lives. Getting excited about life is about how you approach “the stuff.”

Here are ten ways to make life exciting again:

1. Claim your joy.

When life seems a little boring, realize it’s because of us, not because of a task, our job, or the lack of nightlife. We have the ability to create joy and excitement in everything we do, and it starts with our thoughts about the situation. It is not so much about trying to fix the situation or ourselves as it is about learning new things, finding the good, and focusing our energies on activities that have personal meaning.

2. Free your mind of the negative things in your life.

We need to take the time to look after our emotional well-being by putting time aside every week for a yoga class or a little meditation. The relaxing breathing strategies will help eliminate stress and reduce anxiety. We will feel better and will look at things differently.

3. Make little, positive life changes.

When we make small changes to our daily routine, it brings back excitement. Take a new exercise class, read a book, or doodle – these can get you out of a rut and ignite your creative self. You will soon realize that starting and doing something new can give you the confidence to continue creating.

4. Reframe negative thinking.

Negative thinking is common, but how we handle the thoughts will either drain our excitement for life or build on it. We can’t stay amid negativity and hope to be our best selves. Understanding our negative thoughts and reframing them into thoughts that better serve us keeps us from getting stuck.

5. Practice optimism.

An optimist is more excited about everything, not just life! If you’re not an optimistic individual, don’t worry – optimism may be learned. And it’s not whether the glass is half full or half empty, it’s knowing you can fill it up.

Teach yourself to see another side, even with the small setbacks, little adversities, frustrations, disappointments, and letdowns in daily experiences. Look for the lessons and trust things will work out. When you do, it’s easy to get excited about the possibility.

6. Eliminate wasted time from your life.

When we look at our day, we’ll probably notice a lot of time wasted on non-value-added activities like Candy Crush, Facebook, or mindless television. Wasted time is energy draining; as mentioned earlier, it’s hard to get excited when your energy is drained. When you know deep that you need to do something, you will find the time and the energy. But beware because time fillers have a way of creeping in.

7. Stop caring what other people think.

One of the major reasons we don’t follow through with our desires is that we care a lot about what other people think about us. As a result, we get discouraged and don’t pursue things that might fill us with joy. We should focus on finding the courage to do things that make us happy regardless of what others think. We owe ourselves to be who we are, not what others want us to be.

8. Do not let fear control you.

Life is unpredictable, and we can embrace our fears or let them hold us back. Fear is at the heart of many of the feelings we have that make us uneasy. If we aren’t feeling apprehensive or scared, we aren’t trying hard enough. And it’s hard to get excited when we’re just doing what we need to get by.

9. Spoil yourself.

Everyone should be finding ways to bring a little indulgence into their life. Go out with friends, massage in the middle of the day, see a movie all by yourself, or curl up on the sofa and read a book. When we spoil ourselves it breaks up our daily routine and adds an element of excitement and pleasure.

10. Say yes to interesting life events more regularly…

And NO when you need to. Understand where you are – if something feels right, then do it. And when something feels wrong, don’t. When we stop answering the way someone else expects us to, we claim our power and are true to ourselves. It’s living in our truth that brings excitement back to our life.

Final Thoughts on Living a More Fulfilling Life

The adage tells you how you’ve only one life–and that is more than just a saying. It’s the truth! Enjoy every moment by making these changes that will help you find the drive to make the most of your time in this amazing Universe.

10 Ways to Open Your Third Eye

September 12, 2015 by Power of Positivity

Can it be that ancient civilizations knew what they were talking about with the mention of “the third eye?” If so, then they were talking about the pineal gland.

The pineal gland, also known as the “third eye” is a pea-sized endocrine gland located near the center of the brain where the two hemispheres of the brain come together.

The pineal gland is comprised of rods and cones just like the eye and is directly wired to the visual cortex in the brain. A fascinating design since the pineal gland is denied direct access to light due to its location.

The pineal gland is best known for the production of melatonin. Melatonin regulates the body’s circadian timing and allows us to adapt to seasonal changes and a significant change in time zones. Melatonin is also responsible for our sleep patterns including the quality of the sleep we get.

It also plays a role in other bodily functions by working with the hypothalamus gland that controls thirst, hunger, sexual desire, our sense of direction and the biological clock.

What makes the connection of ancient civilizations reference to the “third eye” interesting is that throughout history the pineal gland has been referenced to as the intuition organ. While not scientifically proven, it is thought to be the connection between the body and spirit and provides a direct line to our inner wisdom.

Pineal Gland Calcification

Pineal gland calcification can begin at a very young age. The buildup of calcium phosphate crystals eventually hardens which causes the pineal gland to lose much of its functionality.

There is a great deal of speculation as to how calcification buildup occurs in the pineal gland with the most common claim being excess fluoride that is found in tap water and toothpaste.

The National Research Council of the National Academies of Science states that “fluoride is likely to cause decreased melatonin production and to have other effects on normal pineal function, which in turn could contribute to a variety of effects in humans.”

There may be other causes that contribute to the calcification of the gland. Food additives, artificial sweeteners, and even cell phones have been thrown around as possible culprits. This is all theory, however, as significant studies have not been able to substantiate the claims.

Decalcifying the pineal gland is important to keep the the third eye working optimally, which, of course, is important for restorative sleep, productive awake hours and weight control. Not to mention that since it is thought to play a role in spirituality, a decalcified pineal gland can help make the voice of intuition clearer and contribute to feelings of happiness.

Here are 10 ways to open your third eye by decalcifying your pineal gland:

1. Avoid Flouridated Tap Water

Since fluoride is a known common cause of calcification, avoiding tap water that has fluoride added is a great place to start.

2. Change your Toothpaste

Another common source of fluoride that we can eliminate is in our toothpaste. Most commercial brands of toothpaste contain fluoride, but there are natural options without this element.

3. Reduce Meat Intake

Heavy meats, like beef, are high in acid, and contribute to an imbalance in our bodies pH levels which can foster calcification of the gland. Reducing your meat intake can help maintain a healthy pH balance and help in the decalcification process.

4. Shed The Sunglasses

Sunglasses block the ultraviolet rays that travel through the eyes to the pineal gland. Only 3-5 minutes of exposure to the sun’s rays daily are needed to be beneficial.

5. Eat More Plant-Based Meals

Besides being good for our overall health, a plant-rich diet of alkaline foods feeds the pineal gland.

6. Avoid Mercury

Since mercury is toxic, it seems obvious we should avoid it. However, dental work such as fillings can often contain this substance. Many dentists today use mercury-free fillings, and you may want to consider replacing old dental work for the safer option.

7. Use Natural Lighting

Since the pineal gland is light sensitive, you want to create an environment that mimics natural light whenever possible. This includes when you sleep, which you can achieve by making the room as dark as possible.

8. Take Supplements

Melatonin, apple cider vinegar and chlorophyll-rich supplements like blue-green algae will all help in the boosting of pineal gland function and aid in its decalcification.

9. Try Essential Oils

Lavender, oregano, sandalwood, and frankincense essential oils may be helpful in the decalcification process. Add to a warm bath, dilute with oil for a massage or use in a diffuser to help stimulate the gland.

10. Meditate

Meditation may help decalcify the pineal gland by stimulating the gland through vibrations that occur in our breath.

Many of the things that can help decalcify the pineal gland are also good for our health. A fully functioning pineal gland is important for many things, the most important of which is sleep. That alone is worth paying attention to keeping this gland healthy.

10 Skin Care Tips You Need To Know About

September 12, 2015 by Power of Positivity

Do you love the skin you’re in?

The simple truth is that everyone loves healthy, clear skin, and we wish we could maintain our youthful appearance forever. As we age, unfortunately, our skin ages too, and in a beauty-obsessed society, that can make us feel less than who we are.

Obviously we can’t stop the aging process, but we can do things to slow it down at least where our beauty routine is involved.

Here are ten tips for having more radiant, healthy skin:

1. Get your vitamins.

The most important thing for maintaining your glowing skin is feeling good. A healthy body leads to healthy skin and a healthy mind.

Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Vitamin E, and Vitamin K are probably the most important vitamins we can take to promote healthy skin. The best way to get vitamins is naturally through your diet (and sunlight in the case of vitamin D). Simple tricks to getting more vitamins are to spike your water with lemons or limes, make spinach and berry smoothies, and eat plenty of fruits and vegetables.

While vitamin D is absorbed into the body by spending time in the sun, there is a fine balance between using sunscreen to prevent sunburn and going without it to get your vitamin D. Going out earlier in the day is recommended because the sun’s rays aren’t as strong. Regardless, too much sun can cause premature aging, so be cautious.

2. Nourish regularly.

It’s important to nourish your skin just as you nourish your body. Read the labels of your facial care products and try to buy products with more natural ingredients. Many commercial products are primarily water that evaporates before your skin has a chance to absorb it. Seek out natural butters and oils. They make good cleansers and properly moisturize your skin.

3. Cleanse properly.

Your skin cleansing routine is very important in order to maintain its health. However, most of society over-cleanses their skin. It’s true you should do a deep cleanse after a day of wearing makeup and other products, but there is usually no need for a deep cleanse in the morning. Just a light wipe down is usually all that’s needed. The more you cleanse, the more you strip your skin of its natural oils, robbing it of its barriers to dirt and grime.

4. Hydrate often.

Hydration is very important for the skin, and our best source of hydration is water. The liquid that comes from energy drinks, soda, and even coffee can be dehydrating to the skin. Stay away and drink water instead. The recommended amount of water for proper hydration is half one’s weight in grams. You may even require more on hot days or long workouts.

5. Get good sleep.

Sleep is vitally important to our overall well-being. It is recommended that we get between seven and eight hours of sleep a night. It’s how our body recovers from the stress we put on it. Our skin is an organ, and our organs require the ability to heal and regenerate, which happens when we sleep.

6. Exfoliate occasionally.

Slowly exfoliate your face and body about 1 – 2 times every week to wash away built-up dead skin cells, dirt, and oil. Gentle motion is key, because exfoliating too roughly could damage delicate skin. You can even create your natural personal exfoliant by making use of sea salt, sugar, coffee grounds, cinnamon, oatmeal or raw honey.

7. Tone daily.

Toners help the skin absorb moisture, tighten skin pores and eliminate any last traces of makeup or other toxins. Choose your toner wisely, using ones made of natural ingredients. Be wary of alcohol-based toners as they can be drying to your skin. There are many natural toners you could create at home utilizing items straight from the kitchen, such as rosewater, lemon, salt, vinegar, and honey.

8. Chill out.

As calming as a hot shower can be, too much hot water can dry the skin. The hotter the water, the more damaging to you skin. Try turning down the temperature a bit and make sure to properly moisturize while your skin is still damp.

9. Keep moving.

Whether it is yoga, dancing or jogging, scheduling a daily activity that gets the heart pumping will assist you in slowing the aging process and boosting blood circulation to the skin. So get up and get moving!

10. Change with the seasons.

Our environment is the biggest cause of stress on our bodies, and as the climate changes, our skin’s needs also change. Understand how the weather, the sun, humidity levels, and pollution levels change in your area and adjust our skincare accordingly. Dry, cold locales may require heavier butters while humid, hot areas will require something lighter. When applying natural butters and oils, the skin will absorb what it needs and leave the rest on the surface.

Observing how your skin responds to your routine is a good indication of when you should consider changing things up.

10 Things to Avoid Telling Someone With Anxiety

September 11, 2015 by Power of Positivity

Anxiety is one of the most common conditions among people. In the United States alone, studies estimate that the number of people suffering from an anxiety condition is around 40 million. This number is likely to be higher, as it only includes the individuals that have been diagnosed by a medical professional.

To be clear, occasional anxiety is a normal state of mind. We all feel anxious when going on a first date, studying for an exam or going on a job interview, for example. However, chronic (long-term) anxiety can interfere with routine, day-to-day activities.

The Mayo Clinic uses the following symptom checklist to discover and diagnose Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), one of the most common types of anxiety:

Persistent worrying or obsession about small or large concerns.
Inability to set aside or let go of worry
Inability to relax, restlessness, or the feeling on edge.
Difficulty concentrating or feeling the mind “going blank”.
Distress about making decisions for the fear of making the wrong decision.
Carrying every option in a situation all the way out to its possible negative conclusion.
Difficulty handling uncertainly or indecisiveness.

What shouldn’t I do to deal with anxiety?

When we or someone we love is affected by chronic anxiety, it can be a difficult time. Of course, we’ll feel at times that there is no control over the situation. However, while there are elements of the condition that can cause us to feel this way, there are things that we can do – and, just as importantly, not do – to help our loved ones.

It’s important to understand that people don’t feel that they can control their anxiety. Indeed, chronic anxiety is a chemical imbalance in the brain; as such, there are pathways that are set within the brain that make it difficult to alleviate their own symptoms – although it is possible.

When someone you know is affected by chronic anxiety, there is often a sense of guilt and hopelessness. To make matters more difficult, some people don’t understand the science behind the illness and could (often unintentionally) be judgmental and hurtful.

“Anxiety does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows, but only empties today of its strength.” – Charles Spurgeon

With that said, here are 10 things that people with anxiety do not want to hear.

#1 – “Calm down”

Oh, yes, if it were only that simple. Not only is this unhelpful, but hurtful as well. You’d better believe that if someone with an anxiety condition could just “calm down”, they very well would have done so by now. Remember, this is not just a “phase” or a “moment”, it’s a condition. Just as someone with a fever can’t just cool their temperature, someone with anxiety cannot just “calm down”. Something that may be helpful instead is to just kindly instruct the person to “breathe”…this shows compassion and can be very helpful.

#2 – “It’s not serious”

Yes, it is serious. Mental disorders – chemical imbalances in the brain – are serious conditions. For a person with chronic anxiety, there are often physical symptoms associated with the disorder – trembling, aching, insomnia, headaches, heart palpitations, etc. The noise going on in the person’s head – along with the physical symptoms that often follow – feels quite serious. Looking for the right words? Try “It’s only temporary”.

#3 – “At least you’re healthy/have your health”

While the person may not be suffering any severe physical ailments, there is more to overall health than just the anatomical. Indeed, a mind/body connection is becoming more and more accepted among the scientific community, and anxiety disorders are a perfect example of this connection. How else can one explain the racing heart, sweaty hands, and body aches that often accompany anxiety? Prolonged stress, including the stress caused by anxiety, can have a negative effect on a person’s body.

#4 – “You’ll get over it”

This statement is not acceptable to someone that has an anxiety disorder. Instead, this statement is likely to be interpreted as an equivalent of a shoulder shrug or an “eh”. Anxiety disorders can be overcome using both natural and medical intervention, but that doesn’t mean that someone can “get over it”, as “it” is often not in their control.

#5 – “Why are you anxious?”

It’s important to understand that the afflicted person often does not know why they feel the way that they do. As mentioned, anxiety is strictly a chemical imbalance. The brain is a complex organ; something that is still to be discovered. Until we fully know how the brain receives, processes and interprets all stimuli, there will likely not be a concrete answer to the “why” for many mental disorders.

#6 – “Think about something else”

This is often easier said than done. While someone may be able to divert their anxious thoughts for a short period of time, it is difficult to sustain such diversion. One important note: meditation and mindfulness practice has been shown to alleviate some symptoms of anxiety and depression. Instead of saying “think about something else,” perhaps suggest that the person study meditation. Remember: suggest, but don’t insist.

#7 – “You look bad/terrible/sick”

Granted, nobody likes to hear this, but this is even truer if someone has chronic anxiety. Already self-conscious and on-edge, this is a statement that can really hurt. If you know that someone you care for has anxiety, do them a favor: stay away from using these kinds of statements.

#8 – “Everyone gets anxious sometimes”

We’ve established this fact. However, it doesn’t take away from the severity of the person’s situation. Saying something like this simply makes the afflicted feel more inadequate than they already do. Taken the wrong way, this can result in the person feeling isolated and unwilling to discuss their situation, which is the exact opposite of what we want as their loved ones.

#9 – “I have problems too”

Sometimes say this out of empathy; sometimes it just said out of outright selfishness. Regardless of the motive, this statement doesn’t help anyone – you’ll still have your own problems and they will compound their anxiety with worrying about your problems…this is unhelpful to say the least. Also, they are not oblivious to the problems of other people. We are all mature enough to understand that most of us – all of us? – have problems.

#10 – “There’s nothing to worry about”

Again, this is a statement that can be misinterpreted as either empathetic or crass. Anxiety is not a conscious choice, therefore it’s not as simple as someone deciding that there’s “nothing to worry about” and eliminate their condition. Besides, how do we know if there’s nothing to worry about? Maybe there is indeed something to worry about that we are unaware of. Instead, just lend an ear and make yourself available for them to talk if they wish.

Final Thoughts on Helping a Loved One With Anxiety

It is important to note that there are ways that you can help. The purpose of this article is not to dissuade anyone from reaching out to someone that is suffering. Indeed, mentioning things like meditation, prayer, rest, seeing a doctor, etc. – especially if you’ve benefitted – are all great ways to show the person that you care. Just remember, that we cannot force someone to study meditation or seek treatment, as this must be the individual’s decision.

Again, suggest don’t insist while making yourself available for them. This way, your loved one with feel cared for and you will have done something essential: demonstrating your love and compassion.

10 Signs You Think Too Much About What Other People Think

September 11, 2015 by Power of Positivity

Most people tend to care what other people think about the things they do, how they look and the choices they make. There is nothing wrong with wishing to project a good, positive persona to the world. However, when we focus on what other people think about us, we diminish a bit of our authenticity and truth. We worry about the opinions of others, but we are the only ones that should define what is acceptable for us. It’s time to stop making choices in the hopes of seeking approval from others and start making choices for what truly makes us happy.

Ten Things That Prove You Worry Too Much About Others

Here are ten signs you worry too much about what other people think:

1. You are trying to please everybody.

People who worry a lot about what others think will devote too much of their time trying to please everybody. The issue with this is when we try to win everyone over, we are choosing to value their opinion over our own. Seeking outside opinions is important, but not when it compromises what you know to be true. A common saying says, “if you are trying to please everyone, you are sure to please no one.”

2. You put everyone’s needs ahead of your own.

If we always try to satisfy everybody, we will not spend the required time on ourselves. When we do not put a priority on our needs, we are emotionally telling ourselves that everybody else matters more than we do. That’s just not the case. We are more likely to be able to help others if we meet our needs and keep our self-care as a priority.

3. You worry that your hobbies are selfish.

It’s important that we continue to feed our soul with activities that light us up. Hobbies keep our creative mind working for us so we can do bigger and better things. Unfortunately, though, our hobbies and the things we do for fun often get tossed aside for the responsibilities of daily life. Hold on to the things that make you smile.

4. You turn into a social chameleon.

You know people who alter their personality, look, and even political party each time they are in a crowd? Finding ourselves morphing into something just to fit into a social environment probably means we care too much about what others think and are not aware that we are losing our truth in the process.

5. You tell white lies.

When we don’t feel our opinions and ideas are respected, it’s not uncommon to tell some white lies to fit in. Nobody wants to feel like they don’t belong, but when we compromise our beliefs, we sell ourselves short. We should focus on staying true to our values. Who wants to belong to a group that doesn’t understand or care who they really are?

6. You constantly try to read people’s minds.

Worrying about what other people are thinking is different than seeking their approval. It’s a mind game we play with ourselves usually while drumming up the worst-case scenario. For our mental health, we must stop wasting our time wondering what is going on and just ask. Most of the time, we will save ourselves a whole lot of worrying for nothing. And if our worst fears become true, we can begin to take action to find a solution. Either way, the time spent worrying doesn’t serve us, because when we care what other people think, we inhibit our true nature.

7. You cannot say no.

There is a time for yes and a time for no, and some people are afraid of both. However, their fear of what will happen if they say no is greater, so they wind up saying yes more than they should. Both are equally important, and we should be comfortable using both. Take the emotion out of the no and stay true to doing what is best for you. Don’t care what others think about your decision if you know you made the right choice for yourself in your heart.

8. You worry and feel guilty when things go wrong.

When we worry too much about what others think, we tend to feel guilty when things go wrong – even when we aren’t at fault. We take the bad result and make it about us instead of about the result because we don’t want others to be disappointed. We should accept responsibility when it’s appropriate; otherwise, we should focus on being part of the solution instead of the problem.

9. You worry too much about what you say.

If we are trying to say the right things at the right times, it probably means we are censoring ourselves. Of course, censoring can be good and even necessary at times, but not when it means misrepresenting our truth.

10. You have a hard time asking for help.

Asking for help is often seen as a sign of weakness from people who aren’t secure in their strengths. Asking for help is the opposite of weak; it shows we are comfortable and secure with who we are and realize we can’t be everything to everyone.

20 Amazing Health Benefits of Lemon Water

September 11, 2015 by Power of Positivity

How we start our day can be very important to how our day unfolds. What we do in the morning matters and nothing matters more than taking care of our bodies. Our body including it’s organs and tissues wake up dehydrated and in desperate need of water to help eliminate toxins and rejuvenate our cells. Well, we don’t need to look any further than a glass of warm lemon water to help set our day off on the right foot.

Today, we know lemons have a variety of benefits when added to our diets, and we know we need to up our water intake. And that’s why a recommendation of lemon water makes sense. We should be drinking half our weight in grams of water each day.

A good habit to get into to is drinking a warm glass of lemon water first thing in the morning. The recipe is easy, simply squeeze half a lemon into a glass of warm water. Warm water is suggested because it uses less energy to process and helps awaken your entire body, while cold water can shock our systems. The rest of the day can include hot or cold lemon water, whatever the preference.

Most of us don’t drink enough water during the day and water is important to our bodies since it makes up about 60 percent of it. Adding lemon to your water intake adds nutrients like vitamin C, iron, calcium, potassium, and pectin fiber. And let’s not forget the antibacterial properties your lemon water contains to help keep you healthy.

An added bonus, many people have successfully used hot lemon water as a substitute for coffee. So if you are trying to give up caffeine, hot lemon water may be just the thing to help you do it.

Here are twenty reasons you need to drink lemon water regularly throughout the day.

Regular glasses of lemon water can:

Lower your risk of stroke, according to the American Heart Association
Clear the skin and reduce signs of aging, including diminishing the signs of fine lines and wrinkles
Act as detox and cleanse according to a study on lemon water’s ability to improve the natural function of the liver
Enhance your mood and balance emotions
Balance your body’s pH levels
Reduce joint inflammation and act as a mild pain reliever
Help in the recovery from a hangover
Suppress your appetite and aid in weight loss
Relieve discomfort due to constipation
Freshen your breath
Calm and regulate your respiratory system
Alleviate urinary tract infections
Prevent dehydration and adrenal fatigue
Regulate your metabolism
Supercharge your brain power
Boost your immune system
Reduces mucus buildup
Flush your internal organs and keep them operating optimally
Increase the efficiency of your digestive system
Help you achieve your overall health goals

Pretty impressive list. Well to add to it, here are some lesser-known lemon facts.

Lemon is one of nature’s top seven potassium sources. Potassium is a mineral that promotes clear thinking and aids in normalizing blood pressure, and when paired with sodium, it can regulate the body’s water balance.
Lemon has been known to act as an insect repellent.
Gargle with the juice of one lemon plus an equal amount of hot water for an antibacterial mouthwash.
A tablespoon of fresh lemon juice has only four calories.
Christopher Columbus brought citrus trees to Haiti in 1493.
Lemon trees can grow up to 20 feet tall.
In the Victorian age, lemon trees were a sign of wealth and prestige.
Fully grown lemon trees can produce up to 600 pounds of lemons per year.
Fashionistas from the Renaissance era used lemon juice to redden their lips.
Cattle will choose to eat lemons rather than oranges, grapefruits, apples, and peaches.

In a time when many people are going back to eating natural, healthier food that nourishes their bodies, there is no better food to add to your nutrition plan than lemon. One of the best and easiest ways to add lemon into your diet is in your water.

Everyone is on a search for that easy trick to stay healthy, feel better, look younger and improve our lives and lemon water might just be that trick.

The disease-preventing capabilities of lemon and the hydration component of water make this duo a powerhouse of goodness. Adding lemon water to our daily routine can benefit us in so many ways, it’s a wonder why more people don’t do it. It is such an easy, preventive measure that there is no excuse.

As always, please consult with your wellness advocate before using lemon water as a medical treatment. This information is produced for informational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose or be used as a substitute for your doctor’s advice.

8 Things Only Empaths Can Understand

September 10, 2015 by Power of Positivity

Only empaths can understand certain things in life.

Empaths, or highly sensitive people, comprise about 15-20% of the population according to Dr. Elaine Aron, who first coined the phrase in 1996. Empaths simply see and feel the world much more deeply but have been misunderstood and mistaken in the past for being socially anxious, extremely shy, introverted, and even fearful. However, empaths just process the world around them differently than other people; they get overwhelmed easily by stimuli and need ample time alone to readjust and regain internal balance.

If you identify as an empath, you have probably heard people tell you to “stop being so sensitive” or “just grow up already.” However, you shouldn’t have to hide your empathic nature or apologize for your demeanor simply because others don’t understand it. Empaths sometimes feel as though they live in a totally different dimension from others, so they usually feel accepted and comfortable only amongst each other.

Here are 8 things only empaths can understand:

1. They need ample alone time.

Empaths get drained from too much external stimulation, so they need time to recalibrate themselves and restore their energy levels. In most instances, they would rather spend time in solitude than with others, simply because doing too much with other people drains them immensely. This doesn’t mean they don’t like people; rather, empaths just obtain their energy from quiet time alone.

2. Empaths feel all emotions deeply.

Sadness, happiness, fear, distress…all of these are felt intensely by empaths. Sometimes, they feel as though they can’t control their emotions, and even feel cursed by their ability to feel things so deeply. However, they also understand that they possess a rare gift, and cherish it even during times when they feel overwhelmed by their emotions. Many people in their lives have probably told them to grow thicker skin and toughen up, but this doesn’t phase them.

3. They don’t like confrontation.

Empaths would much rather talk things out rationally or avoid the situation than hash things out in a heated confrontation. They don’t like upsetting people, and since they feel emotions on such a deep level, their pain is amplified thousand times over. Their nervous system gets overwhelmed easily, so they would much rather sort things out calmly.

4. They feel totally misunderstood by most people.

Empaths comprise a considerable part of the population, but most empaths feel that other people simply can’t relate to them. They don’t typically enjoy small talk and “normal” conversation but would rather jump right in to deep, thought-provoking topics. Empaths also don’t always show their emotions to people, which leads people to misunderstand and mislabel them as “aloof,” “shy,” or “indifferent,” but this couldn’t be further from the truth. They just have a different operating system installed in their brains, which makes them behave in their own unique way.

5. Empaths feel drawn to creative and artistic endeavors.

Because most empaths feel that people cannot understand them, they immerse themselves in the arts. They feel balanced and comforted as long as they understand themselves and can find happiness doing something on this planet. Arts speak to them in a way that people cannot, so they use their creativity as an outlet for their deep emotions.

6. They don’t like crowded or noisy places.

As we said before, empaths can become quickly inundated by all the stressors and stimulation present in loud, busy environments, so they tend to avoid these places. They will go to them if they have to, but they generally don’t hang out in them for too long if they can avoid it. Malls, grocery stores, and any bright, noisy places don’t accommodate empaths very well, so they’d rather stick to nature, small coffee shops, or just any place where they can hear their own thoughts clearly and process things at their own pace.

7. They find themselves in nature.

To them, nature is medicine. Empaths relish in the chance to explore nature and escape the modern world for a while, because nature heals them. It understands them without them having to say a word, and empaths feel a strong pull to protect the environment and bring it back into alignment. They feel most connected, free, and comfortable in the great outdoors, and escape into nature as much as possible.

8. Empaths can relate easily to what others are going through.

Even though they don’t like being around large groups of people, intimate settings where they can have a deep conversation with someone make empaths extremely happy. They live to connect and feel on a powerful level, and if they can do this with someone, they feel they have served their purpose. They want to help as many people as possible, which can sometimes drain their energy, but they know they have come here for a specific reason. Empaths realize that they have an innate gift to use their intuition and motherly energy to help heal others, and receive great joy from being able to listen to someone else and guide them through their problems.

5 Things That Happen When You Become Your Own Best Friend

September 10, 2015 by Power of Positivity

Did you know that some people hate spending time alone with themselves so much that they would rather endure painful electric shocks instead?

In a study published in the journal Science, University of Virginia psychology professor Timothy Wilson and Harvard psychology professor Daniel Gilbert found that people in the study didn’t even enjoy being alone for 6 to 10 minutes!

They first asked the participants to sit quietly in a room and do nothing for six to fifteen minutes and then rate the experience from 0 to 9. Most of the volunteers rated the experience a 5.

Now, for the interesting part, the researchers upped the ante a bit for the second half of the study, showing volunteers beautiful photographs and giving them slightly painful electric shocks. They then asked the volunteers how much they would pay to avoid the electric shocks if they could. After hearing the answers, the professors asked the participants to again sit in a room alone for fifteen minutes. They had the option of pressing a button to shock themselves, which would feel like a painful static shock on their ankle.

The results? Of the 42 people who said they would rather pay than endure the shocks, two-thirds of men and one-quarter of women chose to shock themselves. One woman even pressed the button 190 times!

What does this tell you? For the most part, people would rather avoid being alone like the plague. They have no idea how to enjoy their company or become their best friend. However, learning to look forward to alone time rather than dreading it will enhance your life in many different ways.

Here are five things that happen when you become your own best friend:

1. You learn how to love yourself.

Like we said before, most people have no earthly idea how to love themselves or even like themselves because they can’t stand being alone. They would rather constantly escape themselves than endure five minutes of sitting in silence with their own thoughts and feelings. Many spend their whole lives running away from themselves, just so they don’t have to deal with what they find. However, uncovering both the darkness and light within will yield beautiful new beginnings and discoveries about what you’re made of and who you are.

Once you start to become your own best friend, you will learn to treat yourself like you would any other friend. You will also learn to have a real relationship with yourself, and not depend on others for love and attention.

2. Solitude won’t scare you anymore.

Many people feel afraid of spending time alone, but it shouldn’t scare you; in fact, it should liberate you. You don’t have to answer to anyone else or try to explain yourself to others; you can just BE, and take in the joy of simply being alive.

In solitude, you can find out more about yourself, and do things on your own clock. If you want to spend hours in nature, go do that. Go do it if you want to spend time gardening, drawing, or coloring. Spending time alone means learning what you like and don’t like, which will help you uncover more truths about yourself and peel back those layers on your soul.

3. All your relationships will improve.

Once you become your best friend, you will magically see all the other relationships in your life improve. You will no longer have disconnected or strained relationships because you will have started to mend everything disjointed and distant within yourself. If you want better, more meaningful relationships in your life, you must first learn how to be your best friend and love yourself no matter what. Do this, and you will have blossoming, wonderful relationships with others that seem effortless rather than exhausting.

4. Being your own best friend means creating your own happiness.

As you make a best friend out of yourself, it will become clear that nothing outside you should regulate your happiness. You hold the reigns and can gallop through the most beautiful field of wildflowers or into the darkest, stormiest night. You get to make the choice, and only you can steer yourself toward a happier life. In becoming your own best friend, you will learn what makes you happy and start doing more of that! We can’t learn to create our own happiness if we don’t take the time to explore ourselves and realize what brings our hearts the most joy.

5. You will feel more independent.

Nothing feels better than freeing yourself from expectations and dependency on others. Simply put, if you rely solely on other people for happiness, companionship, safety, or anything else, you will have NOTHING when they leave. You must cultivate all of this within yourself and truly realize that everything you need, you already have. You came to this Earth as a divinely created, complete being, so nothing is lacking within you. This world might have you think you need all these things outside yourself to feel happy, but don’t buy into that.

You have it all, and once you understand this and choose to live from a belief of abundance rather than scarcity or inadequacy, you will have the best friend possible by your side: yourself.

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Every day is a day to shine. Shine on!