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11 Natural Ways to Reduce Anxiety

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Few things are more uncomfortable than anxiety. The symptoms, both mental and physical, are often enough to send sufferers running for the prescription bottle.

While not to discount the positive results anti-anxiety medication has yielded for some users, our society seems to lack awareness for more natural treatments, many of which are just as effective as the former.

“The more tranquil a man becomes, the greater is his success, his influence, his power for good. Calmness of mind is one of the beautiful jewels of wisdom.”  – James Allen

Here are 11 natural ways to reduce anxiety:

1.) Chamomile

Chamomile is an herb that has been used to treat symptoms associated with physical and mental ailments for thousands of years, including anxiety. A cup of chamomile tea is a popular choice but it can be taken as a supplement as well. The longer the herb is consumed, the more effective it can be, so it is important to take it consistently.

2.) Bananas

There are numerous mental health benefits that can be found in bananas but anxiety sufferers will be most pleased to hear that they work as an all-natural beta-blocker, which can actually block adrenaline. Eating a banana or two a half-hour before an anxiety-provoking event has been shown to help reduce symptoms of anxiety.

3.) Nature

New research has indicated that group nature walks can actually lower stress levels and improve overall mood. Nature, walking and socializing have all been shown to reduce anxiety levels individually so why not combine all three?

4.) Warmth

We often associate feelings of warmth with relaxation and serenity. Think about it- when was the last time you were stressed out while on the beach or in a bathtub? When our bodies experience warmth, whether it is in a sauna or even while exercising, we are reducing muscle tension and anxiety.

5.) Lavender

Lavender, like chamomile, is an herb that has been around for centuries to treat symptoms of anxiety. You can add lavender-scented bath salts to a warm bath, light a lavender-scented candle, or buy it in the form of an oil to carry around with you should an anxious moment strike.

6.) Exercise

Exercising releases endorphins while reducing adrenaline and cortisol, two stress hormones that contribute to anxiety. Aerobic workouts will be most beneficial as they really raise the heart rate (e.g. running, dancing, swimming, etc). Aim for 30-minute workouts atleast six times a week.

7.) Omega-3s

Omega-3s are fatty acids that can increase serotonin, a chemical that sufferers of anxiety and depression are often lacking. Incorporate omega-3s into your diet by eating more fish such as salmon or by taking a supplement containing 700-1,000 mg of EPA and 200-500 mg of DHA daily.

8.) Play

As adults, it’s easy to become so busy and wrapped up in responsibilities that we forget to do things simply for the enjoyment of them. Think back to the activities you enjoyed as a kid. You may be surprised by how much you still enjoy them and their ability to take your focus off your anxiety.

9.) The 4-7-8 Breath

Many breathing exercises exist to help reduce anxiety but I can personally attest to the effectiveness of Dr. Weil’s, The 4-7-8 Breathing Exercise. This exercise helps to calm the nervous system while relieving any internal tension. To begin, exhale completely through your mouth. Next, take a deep breath in through your nose for a count of four, hold it for a count of seven, then fully release it through your mouth for a count of 8. Perform this three more times, no more than twice a day.

10.) Meditation

Meditation isn’t always simple, especially when you’re starting out (not to mention while experiencing anxiety), however, there are many useful videos online geared specifically to calm feelings of anxiety. Ten minutes of meditation twice a day is typically all it takes.

11.) Sleep

Research suggests that lack of adequate sleep can trigger areas of the brain responsible for anticipation and anxiety. Some of us need more sleep than others so monitor how many hours it takes for you to wake up feeling minimal anxiety.

What natural methods have you used to reduce, or even eliminate anxiety in your own life?  Shine ON in the discussion below and share with others!

7 Simple Ways to Turn Your Dreams into Reality

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Go confidently in the direction of your dreams! Live the life you’ve imagined. As you simplify your life, the laws of the universe will be simpler. – Henry David Thoreau

At some point in all of our lives, we begin to realize our true purpose. This can happen at any stage in someone’s life, but it often involves a complete upheaval of how we used to live. We might move to a new city, find a new job, set out on a worldwide adventure, or start writing that first novel we dreamed about writing for years. Whatever the case might be, you will feel a deep longing to do something differently, and fulfill your dreams no matter what you have to go through along the way. However, the gap between dreams and reality often discourages people from following their dreams, and they continue to live with their dream still inside them, trying to forget about their true purpose.

Once you have discovered your deepest passion, though, it will keep nagging you until you take that leap of faith. Below are 7 easy ways to bridge that gap between dreams and reality, and start living your best life now!

7 Simple Ways to Turn Your Dreams into Reality

1. Don’t Give Into Fear

Have you ever heard the saying “There’s nothing to fear but fear itself?” Keep that in mind when you tell yourself all the reasons that you can’t follow your dreams. Most fear arises from a lack of knowledge about what’s to come; it’s the fear of the unknown. Humans naturally fear what they don’t know because they have no control over unfamiliar circumstances. It all centers around a lack of control and knowledge, but the best way to get over the fear is to just dive in headfirst, and forge ahead into unknown territory. After all, you never know unless you try.

If you’re afraid of something, you should probably do it. Remember when you first went to an amusement park, and rode that roller-coaster that you thought you could never face, let alone come off of alive? After your first ride, you probably wanted to ride it again and again. Following your dreams is much the same; life’s a roller-coaster, and the only way to know what lies ahead for you is to get on and see where it takes you.

2. Forget About Normal

Many people never follow their dreams because they believe they must live their lives according to what’s “normal.” But, what’s normal for one person may not be normal for another. One person might be destined for a desk job which leads to an executive position later on down the road. However, your destiny might lead you to a foreign country where you teach English to natives or become a travel writer.

Don’t give into society’s idea about how a person should live. You can create whatever reality you want, so remember to walk your own path. Follow your heart, not the herd.

3. Don’t Listen to Others

This one might seem a little defiant and harsh, but ultimately it’s true. If you spend your life listening to everyone else telling you how you should live it, you will have spent all that time pleasing others instead of yourself. Everyone else loves to tell others how to live their lives because it gives them a sense of control and empowerment, but no one knows as well as you what makes you happy.

Trust yourself; your heart is trying to guide you in the right direction, but if you let others lead you astray, you will always walk every path except for the one you’re meant to follow. It doesn’t matter if others think your idea is crazy or that you will never follow your dreams; do what you have to do and everything else will naturally fall into place for you.

4. Stop Seeking Approval

This relates to the previous topic about listening to your own voice rather than everyone else’s. However, it’s equally important to not be a people-pleaser. I believe this goes back to what we were taught by our parents and teachers when we were young; we’re often taught to ask others for guidance or seek other’s advice before we do something.

If the person we ask for advice says something isn’t a good idea, we tend to believe them and trust their guidance. We all just want to be well-liked by everyone, which is normal.

However, “there is only one way to avoid criticism: do nothing, say nothing, and be nothing.”—Aristotle.

You only need the approval of one person: yourself. You will never make every person in the world happy, so don’t bother trying. Just do what makes you happy, and other people will either be happy for you, or be jealous.

Understand that jealousy is also a form of flattery in itself, and people are often jealous because they wish they had the courage to do what you’re doing with your life. Encourage these people to follow their dreams as well; if everyone followed their dreams, imagine how different the world would be!

5. Get Comfortable with Uncomfortable

Humans are creatures of comfort; once we get into a routine or pattern, it becomes very difficult to break. That’s why getting out of your comfort zone often helps facilitate growth; the comfort zone is just that: a comfortable place where you can lay your head at night, but nothing grows there. Many people don’t like change and will do anything to avoid it.

However, the only difference between following your dreams and letting them go unfulfilled is in change. Nothing ever changed by doing the same thing over and over again; you must make a change in order to see different results.

If you aren’t happy with your current job, then leave. You aren’t a tree, you can move any time you please. We didn’t come to this life to be comfortable, but rather, to challenge ourselves and reach our fullest potential.

The most successful people only reached the level they’re at today by getting uncomfortable often. By challenging yourself, you become who you’re meant to be.

6. Believe in Yourself

If you started believing in yourself, imagine what you could accomplish. You don’t have to know exactly how you’ll get from Point A to Point B, and you don’t even have to have a destination in mind to believe in your journey. If you wholeheartedly believe in your dream, you don’t need anything else. You are already enough, exactly as you are. If you believe you’re smart enough, confident enough, healthy enough, brave enough, etc, then you are. Humans believe what they want to believe, and have incredible power over our own minds. We can literally shape our realities based on our own thoughts and actions, so keep this in mind when you wake up every morning.

If you start believing in your dream and do everything in your power to make it come to life, you need nothing else. Having faith in yourself makes you an unstoppable force of nature, and the Universe will help you make your dream happen as long as you believe in it.

7. Focus on Love

Love is the opposite of fear, so do everything in your life from a place of love instead. Be loving toward yourself, other people, the environment, other animals, and everything around you. Once you match your energy to the natural loving energy of the Universe, you will get everything you ever wanted. Life is merely a game of energy, and mastering it only requires you to be what you were meant to be, which is love.

Every person is born into this world with loving intentions, and is the embodiment of Love itself. However, hate, fear, stress, and violence are learned behaviors and operate on very low frequencies. Once you strive to come from a place of love with every thought, action, and emotion, you naturally raise your frequency and the Universe responds to that! Love is the answer 🙂

Putting these tips into practice will help bring you closer to truly living a life you deserve – the life of your dreams!  Add to the discussion below and share what has helped YOU live a life that you’ve always imagined!

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3 Ways to Stay Positive When Negative People Drain You

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When living in such a fast-paced world, we tend to encounter a few pessimists here and there. When we pass by a negative person on the street, we have the privilege to leave them behind, along with the dark cloud that hovers over their head. Unfortunately, the pessimist that brings you down isn’t always the random bad-tempered person in public; sometimes, it’s a best friend, an in-law, or even a parent. Maintaining a healthy relationship with these types of people can be difficult. If a positive relationship is something you desire, you’ll need to make sure their energy doesn’t affect you so much that you feel drained yourself.

“When people try to bring you down, remember that you have two choices.  You can either let them, or help pick them up.” – Chris Butler

3 Adverse Impacts When You Adopt the Traits Negative People Instead of Being Positive

First, let’s look at the possible outcomes that could happen when you choose to invest your time and energy into people who refuse to think positive.

negative people

1. Positive thoughts are contagious; unfortunately, negativity also spreads like wildfire:

Have you ever noticed how you can enter a room where everyone is happy and upbeat, it instantly raises your vibration and gives you energy? Now visualize the last time you walked into a spot where all the people seemed down, gloomy, or depressed. It has the same effect of infecting everyone with an air of toxicity. Even worse, once that gloomy atmosphere takes hold and lowers the vibration, everyone feeds into it–often not realizing it.

For instance, let’s imagine you work in an office where all your co-workers complain about their jobs and engage in gossip about others. You probably feel stuck, like you can’t accomplish anything, and you find that you also start to engage in the backbiting and negativity. You might even really like what you do, but you hope to fit in with that culture and your peers. However, the manager views this behavior as low-energy, sluggish, and unproductive. You display an outward lack of care about your job, even if that facade does not match how you feel inside.

When choosing someone to lead an exciting new project or a promotion, your desire to fit in with the negative culture may mean management overlooks your excellent skills due to the behaviors you display. Instead, the boss selects someone who projects enthusiasm and gratitude for their employment, even if their skillset is lower than yours. The disappointment you feel will perpetuate and cause this cycle to repeat itself.

But what would have happened had you projected a grateful, positive attitude along with your killer job skills? You might have been the most natural fit for that promotion or special committee. It is up to you to break that cycle of negativity and stand head and shoulders above the rest. Be known for contagious kindness and a can-do spirit–you will leave an excellent impression on all you meet.

The toxic loop of negativity can be challenging to interrupt–refuse to let negative people suck you in! Be the positive person who can uplift moods and inspire others to do better.

2. Positive emotions may support your immune system’s ability to fight illness:

Researchers did a study of the salivary immunoglobins, a natural antibody secreted in the mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract–the first line of defense against infection. Researchers found a probable correlation between happiness and better immune system health. Study participants in one control group watched video footage of Mother Teresa tending to the sick and poor in Calcutta. They felt happy after witnessing Mother Teresa’s selflessness and acts of kindness. Scientists measured the salivary immunoglobins while the participants felt this joy and observed an immediate production increase.

However, the researchers subjected a second group to situations that evoked feelings of anger and frustration. While they were in an angry state, the scientists noted reduced production of salivary immunoglobins. Furthermore, the data collected indicated unhealthy heart rates, which could lead to eventual heart disease, heart attack, or stroke.

Research in this area is ongoing, but the earliest results appear to strongly connect positive thinking to the body’s ability to fight illness.

3. Positive thinking helps you make rational decisions

Be honest and answer this question. Have you ever made a poor life decision in a fit of anger, rage, or despair? Of course, almost everyone has made that mistake! A decision made during the heat of the moment is one you might later regret or even need to reverse.

For example, you don’t want to tell your partner you want to end an otherwise happy relationship in the middle of a contentious disagreement. Spouting off threats of a breakup or even packing your belongings causes a breach of trust and shows emotional immaturity. After you calm down, you will likely realize that making that bold move was a huge lapse of judgment. You now need to approach your partner to apologize, ask for forgiveness for the harsh words and hope that they are willing to mend the chasm you widened by your snap decision.

On the other hand, handling this scenario by agreeing to table the discussion, calming your nerves, and finding positive solutions and compromises after you have a cooler head would have prevented all that drama. In fact, this more cooperative spirit could actually strengthen your relationship as you will soon visualize how you will work together as a team in the future.

 

Mother Teresa quotes

3 Ways to Stay Positive When Negative People Drain You

Now that you see how positive thinking helps you, you can fully appreciate why you need to refuse to allow negativity to hold you down in life. Remember these three tips to keep your inner wellspring of positivity when you must be around negative, draining people.

1. Spend time away (alone):

Sometimes being alone can be the best medicine to switch that negative energy into a more positive vibe. Do something you love, pursue a hobby, and don’t be afraid to treat yourself. When you love other people, you do things for them, right? If you love yourself, it should be no different. Enjoy a relaxing activity during your time alone; take a long hot bath, read a book, take a nap, or even go for a jog!

2. Don’t take someone else’s negative attitude personally:

In most situations, the pessimist doesn’t even realize they’re being pessimistic. It’s challenging to stay strong through negativity at times, especially when it comes from someone you have close ties with. Still, it’s important to remember that negativity is internal, not external. Be like the bridge over troubled water and let the negative comments disappear as soon as they are released. It’s not your burden to bear.

3. Release judgment and remain positive:

Doing the right thing and keeping in a positive mindset can be frustrating, and it takes a lot of mindfulness and hard work. But remember to keep your mind open when dealing with a pessimist. Release your judgment, understand that they may be feeling things you are unaware of, and remember we all have unique journeys. We should be allowed to take it on with respect and without judgment.

optimistic positive thinking

Final Thoughts on Being Your Best, Most Positive Self

Following and practicing these steps will help your relationship with your pessimist and even help you feel better about yourself. Perhaps you will even inspire your negative friends to come to your positive way of thinking about the minor inconveniences we experience daily. Remember to always look on the bright side, and always let your smile be the shining light in a world of darkness!

7 Promises You Should Make Yourself (and Keep)

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It’s very important for people to value the promises they make to others, and do all they can to keep them. But why so often do many not keep promises to themselves? New Year’s resolutions, promises to eat healthily, lose weight, learn a new language, all get broken soon enough, and are simply laughed off in jest.

The obligations you make to yourself should be just as important as your obligations to others. When you value your own needs and well-being and keep the promises you make to yourself, every area of your life will begin to see new opportunities and advancements. Start with these 7 simple, yet profound promises to yourself (and be sure to KEEP them!)

“Keep every promise you make and only make promises you can keep.” – Anthony Hitt

7 promises you should make yourself (and keep):

pop meme

1. I will listen to my body and mind when feeling stressed.

If you’re in pain, stressed, or fatigued more than usual, this is your bodies’ way of saying you need rest. You can help prevent cardiovascular disease, anxiety, and other ills just by stopping to smell the roses.

When feeling stressed, take 20 minutes to meditate, exercise or just talk to a friend. You’ll enjoy the positive benefits of this and can even see your daily life change because of it.

2. I will smile every day.

Smiling places a person in a better mood and makes you feel confident. It’s an energy booster and stress reducer at the same time. Studies show that even faking a smile if you have to produces better feelings and mood than not smiling at all.

Smiling each day will improve your interactions with others as well.  And not only will your illuminating energy produce more returned smiles, but will also provide a greater chance for positive results in every situation.

3. I will live a life of positive expansion.

One of the best promises to yourself is to live a life of positive expansion. You may have a hidden talent in life, but will never find out unless you’re willing to think outside the box, go out of your comfort zone, and be willing to do something you’ve never done.

Some of our greatest inventions present today are because people have pushed the boundaries from what is to what is possible.

4. I will leave the past behind, but always take the lesson with me.

Remembering your past doesn’t mean that you have to carry it with you. The lessons from those experiences, however, should always be kept.  Each lesson remembered acts as a tool to help you mold the future you truly want.

5. I will always live the life I want to live.

Many people often succumb to leading lives that others want to see them live, never chasing their own happiness.  It’s important to remember that happiness cannot be achieved by satisfying everyone else’s vision for your life. Live life how you want to live it and contribute to the world in your own creative and loving way – it’s OK to content your soul’s desire.

6. I will remember that relationships are seasonal.

People are going to come and go in your life. When you’ve thought that you’ve met your best friend, perfect business associate, or the love of your life, you may be let down. If you lose a relationship in life, let it go and realize that relationships are often seasonal – with all things that begin, an end will come.

Promise yourself to take what you’ve learned from them and move forward with your life.

promises

7. I will accept when changes are needed in my life.

Embrace the fact that change is necessary. The above promises will lead to a positive ripple effect in your life. You may need to end relationships and accept new challenges, but it’s all for the best.

Create a promise journal and write each of the above promises in it. Write what each promise means to you. Whenever you forget why you are continuing this promise or feel down, pull out your journal to refresh yourself.

6 Relationship Skills Couples Often Forget

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When a couple settles into a relationship, the spark can diminish and make the relationship a little monotonous. The impressing and chasing, or “courting” period is definitely very spunky and fun, but after getting into a relationship, couples can lose that hypnotic attention.  It gets replaced by contentment and a sense of security. Couples who were earlier spontaneous in displaying their love get channeled into a fixed routine. Tensions and problems arise frequently. Impressing your beloved and getting into a relationship is much easier than making your relationship work.

Making a relationship work requires patience, commitment, and the intense desire to stick together, come whatever may.  These 6 simple reminders can keep the spark alive in your relationship to make it harmonious.

“Being someone’s first love is great, but to be their last is beyond perfect.”

6 Relationship Skills Couples Often Forget:

1. Communication is the core of a happy relationship.

A couple may be deeply loving, but reading the mind of each other isn’t always possible for everyone. Therefore, it’s essential to express your thoughts, ideas, doubts, and problems with your partner. You should also share your negative thoughts and emotions with your partner.

If you’re having problems, or are bothered by something/someone, it’s important to share with your significant other.  You might not be willing to bother your partner with this, but keeping it bottled within you can harm the relationship.

Over the stretch of time, if the problem doesn’t get solved, you may even get frustrated and escalate into anger outbursts.  Therefore, communication is fundamental whenever either of the people in the relationship is bothered by something.

Miscommunications can be lethal in a relationship. If you misunderstand what your partner wanted to say, talk with them about it and be willing to listen openly. If you feel hurt by your partner’s gesture, tell them calmly that you felt hurt. If you keep quiet and assume things, arguments can sprout, souring the relationship.  You may feel that you know your partner very well but also remember that people grow and change with time. So be calm and communicate with your partner openly and often.

relationship skills

2. Don’t be afraid to admit mistakes.

This is extremely important to maintain harmony in your relationship. It can be difficult for some people to accept that they are wrong and their partner is right. However, inculcating this habit can keep your relationship unharmed by ego. If you realize that it was your mistake or you have been wrong with some information, accept it gently. When you admit that you are wrong, you are more likely to gain your partner’s respect.

Similarly when you’re discussing something and find that your partner is right, acknowledge it. It will increase your partner’s self-esteem. Being egoistic and always sticking to the belief that you are right will make you appear as an immature and arrogant person in your partner’s eyes.

3. Stay grateful.

“Taking for granted” has been the root cause of plenty of broken relationships. When you are in a relationship, you cannot take things too easy. You have to work on the relationship and nourish it every day.

Manage time for your partner, surprise him or her with little gestures and gifts, recollect memories together and tell your partner how much you love him or her. Making your partner feel loved and appreciated will keep your relationship always healthy.

4. Give your partner a little space.

Spending lots of time together is wonderful but you should also give your partner a little space if they require a little freedom. Some “alone time” is necessary for introspection, contemplation, growth, and realization.

A little absence will also give you time to miss each other and make your hearts grow more affectionate towards each other.

5. Provide unconditional acceptance.

When you are in a relationship, you will get to discover a lot of new things about your partner. Some of your partner’s quirks or habits may annoy you but you must provide unconditional acceptance to your partner. Do not try to change your partner or keep unrealistic expectations from them. Love your partner for the person they are.

6. Trust your partner.

Without trust, no relationship can ever survive. Trust your partner and don’t let silly, insignificant things make you suspect them. If you had a bad past and have been betrayed, then it will be tough for you to trust your partner. So, whenever you find yourself enveloped with doubts and insecurities, refer to tip #1 – talk to your partner about it. Do not assume things and let suspicion spoil your relationship.

 

If couples keep these 6 relationship tips in mind, their relationship will stay unaffected by misunderstandings, ego, and insecurities. Every healthy relationship faces some difficult moments but if you follow these tips, you can overcome those problems. Do not look for flaws in your relationship; rather try to work on them. When things go a little off the track, remember the time when you fell in love with your partner. That will make you realize the value of your partner and your relationship.

 

What do you do to maintain a positive relationship?  Share on Facebook or in the discussion below!

10 Ways Positive Thinking Improves Your Health

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We’ve all heard the sayings about the power of positive thinking. But what many of us haven’t heard of is the power that those positive thoughts can have on our physical health and social environment. If more of us were aware of the benefits from a simple state of mind, imagine what a world we could live in. Change your mind, change your life.

Here 10 ways positive thinking can improve your health.

Positive thinking can improve physical health:

1. Positive thinking can improve the immune system.

With recent events worldwide, current medical research has focused on ways the immune system functions and can be improved. In a similar effect, psychological studies show that people recover from illnesses such as flu and colds faster and are less symptomatic than compared with people who have a more negative thought process.

2. Positive thinking can decrease blood pressure.

By having more positive thinking, stress becomes less of a factor in your life. As a result, all of those negative side effects from stress also become irrelevant. Heart disease, high blood pressure, and other heart-related effects will become less significant if not eliminated completely. It’s not just a state of mind, but positive thinking can literally save your life.

3. Positive thinking can increase resilience.

People who have positive thoughts also have better coping skills. As a result, they are better at healing after a medical setback. Not only is the immune system improved as mentioned, but healing after surgical procedures, fractures, and other acute injuries have been shown to be faster than negative counterparts.

4. Positive thinking contributes to longevity.

On average, people with the power of positive thinking average a lifespan of 10 years longer than those with negative thoughts. This is due to a culmination of all of these physical benefits that allow you to enjoy improved health and physical function longer into your golden years.

5. Positive thinking can increase pain tolerance.

Nobody wants to have to tolerate pain, but there are times where you might not have a choice. Let’s say you overdo it on that new workout fad and you wake up barely able to move. With positive thinking, your mindset reduces the focus on pain and discomfort.

 

Positive thinking can improve social health:

Social perception of people is so important in today’s world of social media where “image is everything”. If you are perceived as positive, society will place a higher value and level of respect on your decisions, opinions, and overall level of interaction. Whether you are working in a corporation or business for sales or you are an individual striving to make your mark on the world, here’s how positive thinking can help you do that:

6. Positive thinking contributes to leadership skills.

People who have more positive thoughts are more likely to be hired for jobs in a leadership position. Similarly, people with more positive thoughts are more likely to be promoted to a leadership position. Studies show that positive people are more likely to be followed by employees. Another example is that salespeople who are positive have more sales than those who are perceived as negative.

7. Positive thinkers enjoy life more.

People who have more positive thoughts have an overall better love for life. They are often more socially outgoing, interacting with people and their community, and enjoying their environment and surroundings to the fullest.

8. Positive thinking increases self-esteem.

Self-esteem is a natural by-product of positive thinking. If you think positively, then you will have more confidence in yourself and in the situation you are in. And, again, people are attracted to people with a healthy dose of self-esteem. Just make sure to keep your self-esteem in check before it turns into arrogance and you lose those people you lead.

9. Positive thinking helps create healthier relationships.

Relationships are perhaps the most difficult thing in life for many people to master. But studies show that people with a positive outlook not only find their perfect partner but stay married longer. You can also put those interpersonal skills to good use in the workplace by forging positive relationships with coworkers and potential clients.

10. Positive thinking produces better habits.

With positive thinking comes more social awareness and better-coping skills. People make better decisions with such things as drinking, exercising, and eating better. They are more socially aware of their actions and how they are perceived. They are less likely to give in to social pressures that aren’t good for them. Their decision-making skills are more detailed and objective and geared to a better overall outcome for everyone involved.

The social and physical aspects begin to intertwine as well.  As you have more social opportunities and develop more relationships, you tend to celebrate life a little more. Your stress goes down as more and more positive things happen for you. Your overall health is now increased and you feel better than ever. And when something happens that affects your health, you are now able to cope and heal faster than before.  Above all, the positive thinking lifestyle takes effort but is an effort well worth it.

How have you used the power of positivity to change your life?  Share with others in the discussion below!

This One Minute Video Will Give You Instant Peace & Serenity [Positive Affirmation VIDEO]

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Every word we speak is affirming our perspective of ourselves, others or the world around us. Essentially, we are using affirmations every day, sometimes without consciously realizing it. At times, our affirmations are not the most accurate or positive affirmations.

Consciously using affirmations can help us flip the switch and begin speaking in the direction that we actually want to travel – reversing the unconscious self-sabotage that holds us from our goals and dreams.

“An affirmation opens the door. It’s a beginning point on the path to change.” – Louise L. Hay

We have found that visual inspiration is always the best and most effective. So, we created a video with some of our favorite affirmations to bring you instant peace and serenity. It’s only a minute, too.

Without further ado, enjoy this little dose of instant awesomeness! 🙂

Positive Affirmations for Abundance:

Here are more Positive Affirmations for Abundance:

My good comes to me from every direction. I am open to receive!

I am in tune with the smooth, beautiful rhythm of the Universe. Abundance is lining up for me in EVERY area of my life!

I feel truly grateful for the abundance that surrounds me!

I remain grateful for the victories already on the way.

Focusing on my individual self will bring the outward results I am looking for.

I thrive and flourish in an environment that expands my current boundaries. My potential is truly limitless!

My thoughts and spirit are wealthy as can be. I am using my Power of Positivity!

Wealth is a mindset. I allow it to flow freely into my life and abundantly enrich multiple avenues.

Feeling and expressing gratitude in any situation allows me to change my focus to the good things in life.

I love my career and earn a good income.

Love is abundant in my life.

I open the doors to receive more right now.

I am self-sufficient! And, I am equipped with everything I need to THRIVE!!!

Life is sooo good to me!

How I feel matters, therefore I concentrate on aspects of life that make me feel good!

Positive affirmations will always be the main ingredient to attracting more health and abundance into your life.

We have a collection of affirmation articles on our site to help you expand your awareness and transform your life, just like we did.

Every day is a day to Shine. SHINE ON!positive-affirmations

 

3 Ways to Handle Disturbingly Negative Thoughts

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The human psyche has so many funky glitches that it’s a wonder we can all get along. Actually, on the whole, we have a very, very difficult time getting along, aren’t we?

This is why positive thinking resources are so necessary. They help us remain on the positive side of the mental equation. Still, what do we do when negative thoughts creep in?

Well, negativity begins in the mind, so let’s start with how it manifests and then discuss steps to take that will neutralize it.

Negativity can spontaneously manifest – and it often does so in a disturbing way. You may be sitting at lunch with a friend. Suddenly, a thought pops into your head: He’s so stupid. And look, his socks don’t even match.  You may be meeting with your boss or another authority figure. Suddenly, you feel the urge to go off, ranting about what a horrible supervisor he or she is.  You may even be cuddling with your romantic partner and begin to have doubtful, negative, and unfounded thoughts about his or her intentions.

Negativity can have a life of its own within our psyche, and we often feel helpless to do anything about it.  The question is – what can you do to manage the negative aspects of your mind effectively?

Here are three ways to handle disturbingly negative thoughts:

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 1. Realize that impulsive, critical, and even blatantly hostile is normal.

These thoughts are not “socially acceptable,” so few people want to admit what’s going on in their heads. Nevertheless, your average person’s mind can be a steaming cauldron of mischief.  I know this from 25 years of counseling and coaching very average people like me. My clients have always been well-adjusted, successful people with families, jobs, business ventures and adult responsibilities. Normal people.  Yet, when we dig around just a bit, even the nicest, most reserved people reveal a totally different and much darker version of themselves.

This is normal, normal, normal. I’ve never met anyone – anyone – from the average marijuana-smoking teenager to the most distinguished professional who wasn’t struggling on a deeper level with this stuff.

I remember when I first realized that my mind was ready to go off on people. I was standing in the office of the Mission President in Sao Paulo, Brazil. (At the time, I was a Mormon missionary from 19-21 and a devout Mormon until age 37).   Through hard work and dedication, I had risen through the ranks and landed a position as a special assistant to the president. This job was the envy of all power-hungry missionaries. Anyway, there we stood. The president was going on about necessary changes in the field and I was nodding along gravely.

I support you, Mr. President!

And then it hit me – the sudden urge to punch him in the face. I noticed my hand clenching and….Whoa! Hold on a second. Don’t punch your spiritual leader!

Then the voice, “Screw it. I’m going to lay this guy out right now!”

I said a silent prayer. I’m so sorry for my violent thoughts. Please give me the strength to respect my leader…

“Punch him! Punch that sucker!”

For six months I worked in the office of the president. And for six months I wanted to haul off and sock that guy in the face for no apparent reason (there was a reason – just not one I was aware of at the time). It was agonizing.

Ok? I’m a person, too. And this is all pretty normal from my perspective. If you are aware enough to notice your disturbing thoughts, congratulations. You are not alone. You’re in the company of every other human being who has ever existed. Trust me.

2. Thoughts are only thoughts; that is all they will ever be.

A thought is a tiny secretion of neurotransmitters. They happen to the tune of thousands per hour according to some estimates (actually, they can’t really be quantified since the brain never rests and is constantly processing an enormous amount of data). Some of this data rises to the surface where we give it conscious consideration and meaning.

Isn’t it interesting that we often give the negative stuff all the weight and dismiss the positive? These are your negative psychological attachments at work. Negative attachments are what keep us glued to inner angst. They’re powerful. I dedicated a book to this concept of clinging to inner negativity. It’s real – and everyone should be aware, as difficult as it is to admit.

Anyway, thoughts are just thoughts. They are neither good nor bad. They only have the significance that you give them. Can you stop taking them so seriously? If you can, then you’ll have more choices.

 3. There is a solution.

It’s not a magical solution. No one can wave a magic wand that will clean up your mind, turning you into pure, golden light. You’re a person; imperfect and vulnerable.

That said, if you are willing to address the deeper issues, you can achieve a purer, more relaxed mind a lot more often. In my experience, you won’t get there by battling each thought. This only sets you up for war within yourself.

You get there by dealing with your deeper issues.

For me, the deeper issue was one of resistance to authority. Growing up, those in authority over me consistently hurt or neglected me. At length, I came to the conclusion that they didn’t care or didn’t know what they were doing – and therefore, no authority figure ought to have any power over me. In fact, I guess I thought authority figures needed to be punished.

These are childish thoughts from a hurt child who didn’t understand that my parents and older siblings were just people struggling with their own issues. In my child mind, I didn’t care. I just wanted revenge.  This leads to problems throughout early adulthood. My rebel attitude only invited more intervention from authority – not less -which made me resent them all the more….vicious cycle.  The Rebel is one of the 12 attachment types that cause self-sabotage per the AHA Solution online program. I had to work through this one for quite some time. It was worth it.

Most of all, working on the deeper issues has allowed me the luxury of a quiet mind that rarely spins out of control. My mind does still get the best of me from time to time, but nothing like before. More than worth all the effort!

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Final Thoughts on Managing Your Darkest Thoughts

What’s the deeper issue beneath your negative thoughts?

Identify it. Name the issue and square yourself with the truth. Then, you’ll have your work cut out for you. It’s doable. And a much better path than remaining at the mercy of your mental demons.

10 Ways to Help Kids Think Positive

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Helping kids understand the effect of their thoughts, words, actions (and reactions) is essential in building a foundation for their future wellness. When kids learn how to think positive from a young age, they will have a much greater chance of leading happy, healthy, and successful lives as adults.

There are many effective ways to help guide children down a great path in life, but it’s up to us, the adults in their lives to get them started in the best direction possible. Here are some fantastic parenting tips to help you to that end.

Here are 10 ways to help your kids think positive:

1. Be a great role model.

“Children are like wet cement. Whatever falls on them makes an impression.” – Haim Ginott

If you want children to think positive, it’s important to be an exemplary role model. When you have a child, being conscious of your thoughts becomes a clear goal as you see them begin to mimic your moods, speech, and actions toward others.

Find a positive perspective in your experiences, and explain why the choice you made is important. Adults know that the world isn’t all sunshine and rainbows, but children can forget this awareness at their age. Be someone they can learn from through both success and failure.

2. Help them feel comfortable with their emotions.

The aged assumption that “boys should not cry, and girls should always be dainty” can hinder a child’s creativity and ability to tap into their wellspring of love for themselves and others. Fostering emotional well-being among children has actually been shown to avoid “mental illness” later in life, along with many other health and social benefits.

Teach your child how to laugh, cry, and express their joy, and that it’s ok to do so. Let them live in an environment where they feel safe enough to communicate what they’re feeling, and what they want in life.

3. Teach them the law of attraction.

The law of attraction simply states that you will eventually receive the opportunity, in some form, to achieve that which is in alignment with your most dominant thoughts. If children understand this concept, they can learn to focus on achieving everything from potty training to becoming President.   Teach your children to think well of themselves, as they are now. Teach them to be kind and compassionate toward others. This simple 3 step process to the law of attraction will help you explain it to them simply.

Also, have your child repeat positive affirmations in the mirror with you every day. Phrases like “I am creative, I am strong, I am a good friend, and I make a difference in the world” plants the seeds of positivity in their hearts, and impacts their lives in a tremendous way.

Nothing can stop your child from achieving greatness when they make positive thinking their habit. Watch young Jessica as she expresses her inner confidence in this Youtube video:

 

4. Be a motivator and encourager.

Help your child believe that they can be their best. Encourage them to follow their dreams and to believe that they can achieve great things in life.

Even if your child fails at something, motivate them to pick themselves up and carry on – teach them that in every outcome, there is always a silver lining. If your child was expecting to win first place at the science fair but didn’t, acknowledge their feelings. Talk about the cool projects, and how they can be inspired for their next project. Sometimes, the best thing you can do is say that you tried your best, look forward, and that another opportunity will be on the way.

5. Teach them how to focus on solutions.

Followers talk about problems. Leaders talk about solutions.

Problem-solving is a critical skill that all kids need to gain confidence, continue thinking positive, and excel in life. Help them learn about the problem and what created it, then how to move past it and focus on a solution.

Moving into the “solution zone” as quickly as possible will encourage them to always think positive, and be confident that answers are always out there.

6. Allow them the freedom to do what they love.

To flourish in their own unique way, children need some freedom to do what they love. Guide children to safely find their purpose and passion. Create a learning environment from what excites them in life. Everything has a lesson, and it’s up to us to provide that lesson in the most engaging way to maximize a child’s learning.

7. Surround them with positive people.

Surround children with a positive, uplifting environment. Explain to them that they are a product of the people they spend the most time with, and to try to associate with other people who also think positive. From this fertile positive environment, they can move forward in helping others think positive as well.

8. Encourage strong morals and values.

Children can grow up to be strong, positive leaders if cornerstone positive morals and values are built from a young age. Knowing what’s “right and wrong” when interacting with friends, holding them accountable for their mistakes, and teaching them to follow through with commitments are all core principles of practicing positivity.

To help them understand easily, talk about your own life experiences such as returning someone’s wallet or intentionally making friends with the new kid at school to welcome them.

9. Ask them about the positive events of their day.

Instead of just asking how their day went, ask them about the positive things that happened during their day. These specific questions help them focus on their achievements rather than disappointments.

When children stay focused on thinking positive, their positive experiences will only continue to grow.

10. Create a literacy-rich environment.

Support literacy starting from an early age. It takes them to places they can embrace their own powers. A child that often reads is enriched with the power to strategize and solve problems. Give them library cards, provide puzzles, read a variety of books, play bingo, scrabble, and introduce books on the computer.  There are even programs like Reading Kingdom that allows them to play online as they learn to read.

 

Your turn: Share your tips to help kids think positive in the discussion below!

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