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5 Steps to Rebuild Your Relationship After Infidelity

August 19, 2022 by Chris Butler

The stable foundation of any loving relationship is love, trust, and faithfulness. If your partner cheats on you, rebuilding that crumbling foundation will take more than love. How can you mend your heart after the cruel betrayal of infidelity?

Five Steps to Reconciliation After Infidelity

The decision to reconcile after infidelity can be an overwhelming task. It takes commitment and works from both partners. Here are five steps for rebuilding your relationship after cheating.

1. Put an End to the Affair to Begin to Heal the Relationship

The first step to healing a relationship after infidelity is for the affair to stop. Period. All communications with the other person must end. There must be no phone calls, texts, or other contacts.

Your partner must distance themselves from the situation and destroy any photos, letters, or other mementos. If they are serious about rebuilding your connection, they shouldn’t have a problem with your request.

However, things can get a little complicated if the other person is a co-worker or, even worse, a close relative. In these delicate situations, they may consider applying for a different department in the company or getting another job. If crossing paths is inevitable, the conversation should be kept to a minimum.

If your partner has cheated in your relationship, the last thing you want to hear is excuses. You want them to be adult enough to say they messed up and for them to make amends.

2. Be Honest About Your Feelings About the Relationship

If there’s ever a time to be genuine and transparent with your feelings, it’s now. Don’t be afraid to tell your partner how their infidelity hurt you. They’ve betrayed your trust and broken your heart.

Even though it will be difficult, try to listen to how they feel. Chances are they are experiencing profound guilt and embarrassment. They may feel lost and remorseful because they hurt you and don’t know how to fix it.

These serious discussions probably won’t happen in the beginning. The first communication will probably be a whirlwind of fury and tears. Give yourself some time, so you can both have a heart-to-heart conversation instead of a shouting match.

The notion that time heals wounds isn’t based on reality. You may have a chance to learn better coping skills, but you can’t erase the hurt. Nor can you accept excuses for why they broke things with infidelity.

Nevertheless, time is still one of the best gifts you can give yourself after such a traumatic experience. Both of you need time and space to focus on your next steps. Be patient and let your heart, mind, and soul take all the time it needs to heal.

If your spouse truly loves you, they won’t pressure you into forgiving instantaneously. They need to understand their betrayal’s gravity and how it hurts. The least they can do is be patient and considerate in the process.

3. Get the Support You Need to Recover From Infidelity

After intense soul searching and conversations, maybe you’ve both decided to move forward with your relationship. It doesn’t mean everything will be fine and return to normal. Your first attempts at talking may seem forced and awkward.

When you both feel comfortable and can have a civil conversation, try to spend quality time together. While parts of the conversation must be serious, it doesn’t all have to be doom and gloom. Discuss the negative things, but you must shift to a positive focus.

These are moments when you can rediscover the love that brought you together in the first place. As you rebuild, you may learn new things about each other you never knew. The quantity of time you share isn’t as important as the quality.

Most people who are faced with an unfaithful mate find themselves in a dark place. It affects you physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. More than one person can bear the sense of grief, betrayal, and bitterness.

In the beginning, you may feel too embarrassed or ashamed to talk to anyone about the infidelity. However, it would help if you had the support of your closest family and friends. Only confide in ones that you completely trust and who can remain unbiased in the matter.

Likewise, your partner will need people who can listen to them and offer support. The object isn’t to try to build a team in each corner. You need to gain support for your relationship as a couple.

Getting a counselor involved for you individually and as a couple might be beneficial. There’s probably a plethora of thoughts and emotions you need to explore and sort. Remember that there’s no shame in asking for help from your inner circle or mental health professional.

4. Establish Boundaries for Recommitment

At some point, a partner who cheats has lost their faith and commitment in their relationship. Maybe you’re one of the many couples who choose to rebuild and recommit themselves. It’s not an easy decision, and there will be plenty of hurdles along the way.

According to an article published by Health Research Funding, 31 percent of American couples surveyed would stay together after cheating. However, at least 80 percent say infidelity is wrong, and 99 percent of those polled expect their partners to be faithful. A couple’s chances of dealing with a cheating spouse are one in four.

Maybe the odds of 31 percent who are for reconciliation isn’t the best, but it doesn’t mean things are impossible. It depends on how much you want to fix things and how hard you’re willing to work to make this happen.

Also, is your partner on the same page and determined as you to make amends? It takes two people to create a relationship, and you work together to heal the hurts.

Once that sacred vow is broken, it’s pretty challenging to rebuild. However, it can be done with time, patience, and extensive communication about where to go from this point. Some have compared reconciling after a cheating partner to an exquisite vase.

How do you repair it if it falls and shatters into a million pieces? Only time and hard work will determine if rebuilding is possible. Even once it’s fixed, it will never be as pristine as it was before it was shattered. Take baby steps as you work through the suspicious feelings and bitterness you harbor.

If this relationship is worth saving, your partner must focus on earning your trust and respect. It’s going to be a while before you can trust them on their phone or computer. It may be tempting to spy on their accounts, but that makes matters worse. Give it time to see how determined they are to make things right.

Establishing and enforcing boundaries is the only way to have a healthy, lasting relationship. If your lover has cheated on you, they must have lost sight of these mutual perimeters. Reconciliation will take some serious efforts to rebuild boundaries.

You may never know why they breached these rules, but they’re still non-negotiable. Rebuilding boundaries doesn’t mean that you expect any less from your mate. It’s a long process where you must define your limits and let them know how you wish to be treated.

5. Embrace Self-Care After Infidelity

An article published by Southern New Hampshire University defines self-care as anything you do to keep yourself healthy. It’s a holistic approach that includes body, mind, and spirit. Unfortunately, it’s one of the first things that go out the door after a traumatic experience.

Don’t lose yourself in the rubble when you feel like your whole world is crumbling around you. You can’t love anybody else until you learn to love yourself. It’s essential when your significant other has stepped out on you.

It’s not uncommon for spouses who have been cheated on to blame themselves. You may develop anxiety, depression, and other health issues. Also, you may buy into the delusion that they wouldn’t have cheated if you were younger, prettier, or more intelligent.

Instead of putting yourself down, it’s time to lift your spirits with self-care. Pamper yourself with massages, manicures, and days at the spa. It may not help your current problems, but it can put you in a better mind frame.

Another healthy way you can take care of yourself is by using meditation. Set aside a sacred space in your home to breathe and focus on relaxing your mind. Meditation is ideal for mental clarity and relieving stress.

Journaling is another avenue to explore for expressing your thoughts and emotions. For now, it may be hard to discuss how hurt and angry you are because your partner cheated. Keeping a journal allows you to write whatever is on your mind without pressure or judgment.

Final Thoughts on Rebuilding a Relationship after Infidelity

Few things can break your heart and spirit, like learning that your partner cheated on you. Should you decide to take the path of forgiveness and reconciliation, you must realize it’s a lot of work. However, you may be unable to walk this path, and you should know when to walk away. Realistically, not every relationship will survive such an act of betrayal.

How to Train Your Brain to Feel Good Enough

August 18, 2022 by Zane Landin

Imagine when you were experiencing emotional distress from something that went wrong in your life. Did you feel like your entire world had fallen to pieces? Do you think these self-degrading thoughts regularly? If this is a familiar feeling for you, it may not be surprising for many people because they don’t give themselves grace as they do for others. They lose all sense of positivity and believe they are not good enough.

As a result, they can easily blame themselves when they are trapped with these heartbreaking moments that don’t go to plan. If people don’t train themselves to view themselves more kindly, these thoughts might spiral and enter other parts of their life.

For the people who have trained their brains to feel good enough, they are not immune to the challenges life will throw them. Life will happen, but they don’t allow themselves to experience the true meaning of life. Life is about understanding and not perfection. Falling prey to negative energy isn’t your fault. We live in a world where negativity is fostered in the news and the media. The world includes many pessimistic areas, where it feels like people must work harder to be kind to themselves. They focus on the feelings of melancholy because they may be accustomed to it.

According to the National Science Foundation, an average person has about 12,000 to 60,000 thoughts per day. Of those, 80% are negative, and 95% are repetitive thoughts. Since a negative culture influences how things are seen, thought of, and perceived in the world, there is a need to methodically and intentionally rewire the brain to achieve the power of positivity. This mindset will help people feel good and worthy and transform how they treat themselves and the people around them.

Rewiring May Be a Gradual Process

As mentioned in the beginning, the world is filled with negativity, but there is also light and encouragement. It just isn’t glorified by the stories told in society. Rewiring and motivating your brain to accept yourself and speak kindly to yourself so you feel good enough can be very hard. For some, their unwavering thoughts may have been personified very young, which stemmed from the people telling them they weren’t good enough.

When a child begins to internalize these feelings from a very young age, they can mature into adult life in overwhelming and maybe catastrophic ways for their mental health, wellness, and esteem. This is a difficult journey because you are tasking yourself with breaking what you learned, which can feel like a challenging adventure. You may desire immediate results, but give yourself the time and grace to embrace change. If you are struggling to love yourself and tell yourself you aren’t good enough, understand it is a process that may take time.

Accept You Aren’t Perfect, But You Are Good Enough

Accepting that the world isn’t perfect, including the people, seems easy. Millions of messages appear affirming people aren’t perfect and shouldn’t strive to be. It is impossible to be perfect, and you set yourself up for failure when you do so. This is an easy concept to understand. But we must still ask this. Why do people come across layers of borders when they try to apply it to themselves?

We already know things are out of people’s control, like how others treat one another. They can’t change people, but some stress themselves by trying to change people and their behaviors. Without positive guidance, even the things in their emotional possession, they may feel lost if they don’t have an ounce of stability. Even for things you cannot control, it doesn’t mean you can’t make mistakes. It isn’t a mistake if you don’t learn from it.

Language Matters When You Speak to Yourself

What are the negative thoughts you think of every day? Acknowledging what you believe often will allow you to understand where these thoughts come from. Reflect on how and when these negative thoughts manifest in your life. When you think about these thoughts, what is coming up for you? If you can identify why these thoughts emerge, you can better proactively tackle them when they show up for you.

Let’s try an activity to replace your negative thoughts with positivity from yourself physically. Position yourself in a relaxing, non-distracting space where you can become vulnerable to yourself. Look for a journal or computer you can write on. Once you have what you need, write them down in your journal or type them on your computer, on the left side. This may be a complex task at first, But it is vital to underline these thoughts in your journal and in a place accessible to you. Next to the negative thought, write something you should say. For example, usually, you might think, “I am completely worthless.”

If you already know what you would rather say, you take an excellent first step in retraining your brain to think you are good enough. Some need a reminder, which is why you want these positive replacements you can access with ease. Instead, write, “I made one mistake, the world will not end, and I will do better next time.”

Train Your Brain to Surround Yourself with Positivity

The energy you put out in the world is precisely what you will face and undergo. If you are putting negative energy into the world, don’t be surprised when you make the stark discovery you are also receiving it. Energy is vibrational, and people need to be intentional and responsible about what they put into the world. The best part is knowing you have a choice to make–positivity or negativity. You can empower yourself by taking ownership of your emotions and energy or sulk in the dread and negativity. Choose wisely–that negativity is why you might not feel good enough.

If you surround yourself with people who do not bring out the best version of yourself, there is nothing wrong with changing your physical or virtual surroundings, including those you associate with. It isn’t about what you put into the world because sometimes your surroundings can encourage negativity. If that is the case and you want to be around positive energy, there is something called detachment. Detachment is not something you should fear. It is often shamed, but it needs to be embraced more.

Final Thoughts Training Your Brain to Feel Good Enough and Restore Positivity in Life

Training your brain to feel good enough can be long and demanding, but taking these initial efforts to appreciate who you are will reinforce your wellness, wellbeing, positivity, and esteem in your future. It will make you feel better about how you treat yourself and others.

Counselor Explains Why Stability Is Essential to Long-Lasting Love

August 18, 2022 by Sarah Barkley

Stability in your relationship is essential to having a healthy, long-lasting love. All couples experience hardship, but those in a stable relationship can handle it respectfully. Stability requires prioritizing your partner and allowing your relationship to flourish.

Being in a stable relationship doesn’t mean you must always stay positive. Instead, it means you work through challenges together rather than blaming one another. Understanding why stability is so important can help you handle disruptions in your relationship.

Experts describe stable relationships as ones where both partners recognize when things are off. Then, you’ll work together to repair the issues and return to how you usually are with one another. These relationships involve strong communication that allows you to connect on a deeper level with your partner.

Both of you will know what the expectations are, and you’ll agree to them. Even in conflict, you respect boundaries and work to strengthen the relationship. Understanding why stability is essential to long-lasting love can help you improve your relationship and find happiness together.

Why Stability Is Essential to Long-Lasting Love

Studies show that nearly forty percent of marriages end in divorce. This statistic can be alarming, but don’t worry. You can have a successful long-term relationship if you focus on stability.

Other studies indicate that long-term relationships activate areas of your brain associated with reward, motivation, and desire. Brain scans show that long-term relationships trigger parts of the brain that ease anxiety and pain, promoting happiness and calmness. Short-term relationships don’t do this.

Falling out of love isn’t inevitable, so don’t worry that it’ll happen to you. You can promote a healthy relationship by focusing on stability and respect.

Humans require relationships with others, and their mental and emotional well-being can suffer without it. You likely want to be close to others, building and connecting as you form relationships.

You can’t get everything you need from the relationship with your partner. While that relationship is essential, stability requires fostering other friendships and family connections. Allow your partner to focus on other people in their life, too.

Another reason stability is essential to long-lasting love is because it promotes support and encouragement. When you’re in a healthy relationship, you’ll care for your partner physically, mentally, and emotionally. You’ll also focus on positive communication to promote a healthy relationship.

Benefits of Stability

With stability in a long-term relationship, you may experience:

Less stress: Committed relationships decrease the production of cortisol, a stress hormone. A supportive partner protects you from stress because you know someone loves and supports you.
Healing and improved health: When you’re in a healthy relationship, you have someone to remind you to take care of yourself. They’ll encourage healthy eating, exercising, and stopping unhealthy habits. You also have someone to comfort you and distract you from pain.
A sense of purpose: Being in a stable relationship requires doing good for your partner. You’ll experience a great sense of purpose as you contribute to your partner’s life.
A longer life: Studies show that having a solid relationship can increase longevity. It improves your mental and physical health, helping you live healthier.

Eight Signs That You’re in a Stable Relationship

If you wonder if you’re in a stable relationship, there are some indications, including these:

1 – You Can Have Tough Conversations

Every couple goes through hard times, and addressing the situation is essential. Having tough conversations allows you to overcome obstacles while deepening your relationship. Overcoming hard times require having hard conversations and expressing vulnerability and trust.

When you have tough conversations, both of you have a chance to communicate your feelings. It also offers the opportunity to understand each other’s emotional needs.

Couples experience moments of conflict, including misunderstandings, mistakes, and misguided expectations. Even when something is hard to say, you must communicate your needs and allow your partner to do the same.

A stable relationship involves facing these conversations rather than avoiding them. It requires openness, curiosity, and understanding. You can learn more about your partner while they learn more about you.

2 – Kindness Indicates Stability

Being kind to your partner can make all the difference. It promotes a stable, healthy relationship. You’ll make time for one another, say kind things, and treat each other respectfully.

Treating each other with kindness requires listening to one another and working toward understanding. Tough times are bound to happen, but you can get through them together while still expressing kindness.

3 – Healthy Boundaries

Healthy boundaries are essential for healthy relationships. They will help protect you and your partner, ensuring both feel respected and safe. You can implement healthy boundaries surrounding your daily routines, such as needing alone time or having fewer work interruptions.

Another common area for boundaries includes interacting with extended family. If extended family is an issue, you can discuss when and how you socialize with them.

Stable relationships require you and your partner to agree and understand each other’s boundaries. However, implementing them takes compromise from both of you. It won’t always be perfect, either, because it can take time and effort to accomplish.

3 – Self-Reflection

A relationship takes two people, but it also involves self-reflection. Take time to reflect on life changes and how you feel things are going. Taking this time is the only way to develop and grow, an essential aspect of a stable relationship.

It’s easy to forget about or ignore things about yourself when you’re in a relationship. You spend so much time focusing on your partner that you might neglect your desires, thoughts, and feelings. Both of you must spend time reflecting and focusing on who you are.

Reflection also helps increase self-awareness and empathy toward your partner. You’ll have more stability as you develop into a better version of yourself while growing together.

4 – Relationship Stability Builds Trust

A stable relationship requires trust as it’s critical for a healthy foundation. Trust ensures you both feel secure and safe in the relationship without needing constant reassurance. You can spend time apart without stressing or wondering if your partner will leave you.

5 – You Don’t Always Have to Be Right in a Stable Relationship

Being right isn’t essential in a stable relationship. You’ll have arguments, and you can overcome the issue without feeling like you won.

Understanding each other and letting things go is a sure path to stability. When you both want to be right, it creates unhealthy competition rather than encouraging communication. Letting go of the urge to win the argument shows empathy toward your partner. Even during disagreements, you’ll want to understand why your partner reacts a specific way.

6 – You Don’t Ignore Each Other

In a stable relationship, the couples don’t give each other silent treatment. You might disagree, but don’t ignore your partner when things get tricky. It shows that you can repair your relationship and overcome struggles.

When you can do this, it promotes a healthy, long-lasting relationship. Communicating when you’re upset is the way to achieve stability.

7 – Having Each Other’s Back Shows Stability

Strong couples have each other’s backs and stand up for one another. Outside sources can cause issues within your relationship, and standing up for each other is a way to avoid it.

Other people will try to cause drama in your life, and how you and your partner react shows how healthy your relationship is. Your partner won’t let others disrespect or mistreat you. It helps you feel secure and protected, which is essential to a healthy relationship.

8 – Having Separate Friendships and Relationships

Your partner is a significant part of your life, but you also need other positive relationships. You and your partner should have separate relationships with friends and loved ones.

You can’t rely only on your partner to discuss important matters. While you should talk to them about everything, you should also turn to other people for another outlook or idea. When you only rely on your partner, it can create a heavy burden on your relationship.

Having other friendships will ease some of the relationship strain, allowing you and your partner to be happier. It improves stability and promotes a long-lasting romantic relationship.

How to Increase Relationship Stability

If you want to improve your relationship, focus on making beneficial changes. These changes should involve working toward the signs of stability mentioned above. You can also go beyond those tips and do the following:

Go to Couples Therapy

Every relationship is different, and these tips can vary for each couple. For advice specific to your relationship, consider speaking with a professional therapist. They can help address issues within your relationship or help you experience growth as a couple.

Improve Communication

A lack of stability often stems from a lack of communication. You can build a healthy relationship and repair issues by communicating clearly with your partner.

Discuss your expectations and ensure both of you agree to them. Don’t forget to discuss your needs and desires, as both are important in a romantic relationship. Your expectations may change over time, and you must regularly discuss them. Communication is one of the foundations of a stable relationship.

Final Thoughts on Why Stability Is Essential to Long-Lasting Love

You can have long-lasting love, but it requires stability. Having a healthy relationship is essential to making it last and finding happiness. You’ll feel fulfilled, supported, and loved, and your partner will, too.

If you want to improve your relationship, try establishing some signs of stability. Focusing on the essential aspects of a healthy relationship can help you improve your happiness and well-being.

Teacher Gets Emotional About Why Students Think He Is the GOAT

August 18, 2022 by Sarah Barkley

People commonly refer to others as the GOAT, but not everyone knows the meaning. An 8th-grade math teacher was surprised to learn why his students called him the GOAT. The term is unfamiliar to many of us, but they’re worth knowing so we can keep up with what people mean.

An 8th-grade math teacher turned to Reddit to find out why his students called him the GOAT. Throughout the school year, they continually referred to him this way. He went along with it, thinking it was a funny joke.

Then, curiosity got the best of him, and he had to know why they called him the GOAT. The educator was surprised and flattered to find out what the nickname meant. It made him emotional to find out how much his students respect and look up to him.

The Teacher Made a Reddit Post

He turned to Reddit and asked, “Why do my students call me a goat?”. He explained that it was a running joke, but he didn’t understand why they would call him that. Since he didn’t know why they called him the goat, he called them the same in return. The responses caught him off guard.

One user explained that when they call him the goat, it refers to the acronym G.O.A.T. This acronym stands for the Greatest of All Time. Other Reddit users explained that it means the students enjoyed his classes and that he must be a great teacher.

When the educator read these responses, he replied, “omg. I am IN TEARS!!! I can’t believe they were complimenting me this whole time!!!!!”. He had no idea that they liked him so much or that he made such a difference in their lives.

Many other Reddit users responded to say that he must be great if his students enjoyed math class. As a least favorite class amongst many students, it’s a tricky subject to teach. This educator not only helped his students learn, but he became a favorite teacher, too.

Why Being Called GOAT is So Impactful

Not only does this nickname make the teacher feel good, but it also lets him see the good he does for the children in his life. Educators go into the profession hoping to make a difference in a child’s life. His students called him the greatest of all time, allowing this man to see that his effort paid off.

He wanted to make a difference, and he made it happen. This teacher was well-loved by students, but he didn’t know how or why he obtained the nickname.

The 8th-grade math teacher’s students called him the GOAT, a meaningful nickname. This educator deserves recognition, and he’s not the only teacher who has earned the title. With all educators have to overcome, those connecting with their students deserve it.

Students never forget their favorite teacher, even through adulthood. The educators who made a difference in their lives hold a special place in the student’s life. Being called the greatest of all time by students is powerful because it shows you’re influencing and getting through to students on their level.

The Power of a Good Teacher

A good educator can make all the difference in many students’ lives. You never know what a student experiences at home or with their peers. As an adult who interacts with them daily, an educator can play a role in the lives of those they teach.

While getting students to like you might sound like an easy feat to non-teachers, it can be challenging. Not all students like school; many need a positive role model in their life. If they struggle academically or emotionally, it can interfere with your ability to teach and get through to them.

If a teacher can help their students learn while also making them feel good about themselves, it’s life-changing. These educators are unique, and students will remember them for the rest of their life. To reach this level, a teacher must break through all the walls in a child’s life.

Not only does it take talent, but it also takes empathy, compassion, and a deep love for children. We all want to help children and see them do well as they grow, but not all of us have the ability. Teachers go out of their way to help, stepping in and fulfilling the many roles for their students.

Many people believe teachers only have to think about teaching. However, they never hesitate to jump in and fill another role in a child’s life when necessary. They must break through and connect with their students to even begin to do their job.

Our children’s teachers do so much for their students, impacting society. Teaching has always had difficulties, but educators deal with more.

Obstacles Every Teacher Must Overcome

Teachers are special people and take on much more than many realize. They don’t just teach, as mentioned before. They influence their students’ lives in ways we could never imagine.

As educators work to influence their students, they also must overcome many challenges. These challenges make it harder for them to be positive influences. However, they push through and continue to make a difference.

Some of the obstacles every teacher must overcome include the following:

understanding each child’s learning style
family problems
time management
bullying
financial issues within the district
poverty within the community
lack of communication
burn out or feeling drained
being a positive influence when they are overcoming personal hardship
discipline or lack thereof
paperwork and extended working hours
pressure from administration
evolving technology
lack of parental involvement
politics
state standards
classroom size
following changing safety protocols
lack of teamwork or support between students
fulfilling many roles simultaneously
lack of time

With all these obstacles, it’s clear that teachers have a tough job. They still persevere and continue their positive influence on their students’ lives. Teachers deserve our respect and compassion because they fill a role many people can’t.

It’s also important to note that educators aren’t perfect. Many of us expect our child’s teacher never to make a mistake. However, just like the rest, mistakes occur, and we should focus on understanding and forgiveness.

They want what’s best for our children, and they have many tough decisions to make. Teachers also have so much on their plate that mistakes are inevitable. Cut educators some slack and step in to help when you can. After all, these are the people raising our future society.

Why Learning Math in School is Important

We’ve all heard that the math we learn in school doesn’t help us in our daily lives. Many Reddit users on this thread mentioned it. However, the math teacher from the Reddit post described how that’s an inaccuracy because it can influence our lives. In addition, if you need services that remove Reddit posts, make sure to consult an expert from Haydenkoch.net.

High school and middle school math can help with money, patterns, and careers, and there are still more benefits. With math being an aspect of the Reddit topic, it’s important to note the benefits of learning math. The life lessons that math teaches include:

Logic and Order

Learning math during the school years teaches logic and order. Each math problem has a predictable outcome, helping students understand to look for answers in life. They also learn to take specific steps to find a solution to their problems.

Math also teaches students the discipline it takes to see an equation through. It’ll help them see other life issues through to the end, knowing they’ll find an answer. Plus, future employers know to look for students who can do this.

Math also teaches students to explain their steps in order. They must show their work to explain how they arrived at their answer. People often must do this in life, and not only involving math problems.

Life Skills

Math teaches people how to do basic skills to live their life. It helps them learn about money, percentages, and fractions. All these aspects are necessary for your life, and you’ll use them for cooking, shopping, budgeting, and many other things.

Continuing Education and Career Decisions

Many jobs require math skills and can help determine a career path. A student might want to continue their education by going down a mathematical path if they enjoy math. It’ll help them choose their future job, and it can help them along the way, too.

STEM-related Skills

As technology advances, STEM-related jobs are changing the future. Students must have math skills if they want to achieve in STEM. Science, technology, engineering, and math all tend to go together, so it’s best to learn all you can.

Final Thoughts on Teacher Gets Emotional About Why Students Think He Is the GOAT

This middle school math teacher learned a heart-warming lesson by taking his question to Reddit. His students respected and valued him enough to call him the GOAT. That nickname says so much about this educator and how his students felt about him.

Educators play an impactful role in students’ lives, and this math teacher made it happen. The people who teach our children don’t get enough credit, but they do so much while overcoming many obstacles. Their importance goes far beyond the classroom, although the academic lessons are essential too.

This teacher’s impact on his students is worth noting, but his educational value is essential, too. He’s fostering a love of math in his students, helping them throughout their life. This educator deserves recognition, as do all the other teachers who help shape the future.

Study Warns of Connection Between Cyberbullying and Teenage Suicide

August 18, 2022 by Sarah Barkley

As social beings, humans must form bonds and have relationships with others. It helps them feel secure as they develop a sense of identity. Cyberbullying is an issue that threatens that security, making it hard for teenagers to stay confident. Bullies come in all forms, but new technology makes the harm even more insidious.

The Internet and messaging apps have created new levels of bullying that did not exist before. Electronic communication can be beneficial as it allows you to connect with others quickly and easily.

However, many people use it as a tool to bully one another and tear each other down. As this situation becomes more common, researchers and experts are beginning to realize the connection between cyberbullying and teenage suicide.

Researchers recently published a study on this topic in the journal JAMA Network Open. Their study explored the link between the two issues, giving more insight into the problem. However, before discussing the study, it’s essential to discuss cyberbullying.

What is Cyberbullying

Cyberbullying is a type of bullying that involves sending electronic messages, posting information, or sharing images to harm someone. It’s a way to ostracize vulnerable people, and the bullies often don’t realize the potential consequences. The consequences can be severe, going as far as including suicidal behavior and ideation.

When someone cyberbullies, they use computers, cellphones, or other electronic devices to hurt someone. It involves the following:

sending harassing or threatening messages
posting negative comments about someone on social media or a website
physically threatening or intimidating someone through any means of electronic communication

Cyberbullying is also a repeated behavior intended to harm the victim. Bullies don’t often give up until they achieve their harmful goals. If they obtain what they set out to do and hurt the other person, they might keep going to make it worse.

Traditional bullying involves victims seeing the aggressors in public. For teenagers, this often means seeing them in the school hallways or the cafeteria. Cyberbullying is entirely different because they can remain anonymous if they choose to.

Cyberstalking

On online platforms, the bully might engage in cyberstalking with many of the same characteristics as in-person stalking. However, it only happens online and includes repeatedly sending emails or private messages to scare or harass the victim.

Cyberthreats

Cyberthreats are when someone posts information online to get others angry at a victim. They might also include pressuring the victim to hurt themselves. Additionally, the threats can come from one person, and be specific.

What the Study Shows About the Connection Between Cyberbullying and Teenage Suicide

The study in the journal of JAMA Network Open helps us understand the connection between these two situations. Experts analyzed data of more than 10,000 children aged between ten and 13 years.

Participants filled out surveys, answering questions about their experiences. The results from this study indicated a strong connection between cyberbullying and suicide in children. Out of the group of children, more than 7% of them experienced suicidal thoughts or acts.

Methods of Cyberbullying

The study further broke down bullying into sub-categories. These categories aren’t limited to but include:

trolling on social media
being mean in text or private messages
threats
ostracizing
gossiping

Connection Between Cyberbullying and Teenage Suicide

Researchers want to determine the connection between cyberbullying and suicide. They also consider how it contributes to depression, anxiety, and stress. Even if a child didn’t have suicidal thoughts initially, long-term symptoms of mental health conditions could lead them there.

Depression and Anxiety

When a victim gets targeted online, it causes feelings that trigger depression and anxiety. These feelings include:

sadness
shame
worthlessness
lack of self-esteem
overwhelming stress
vulnerability
helplessness

Victims experience long-term psychological, mental, and sociological problems that those affected by traditional bullying. The teenage years are essential for developing self-esteem and a sense of identity.

When the development is affected by harmful situations, it disrupts the process. It causes them to have trouble making friends and developing positive relationships.

Cyberbullying allows negativity and harm to occur around the clock. Victims don’t only have to deal with it at school like with traditional bullying. The children also have to experience it at home and wherever they have their electronic devices.

These effects last well into adulthood, causing difficulties after the bullying stops. Depression contributes to suicidal thinking and behavior, so it’s a dangerous position for a teenager.

Suicidal Thoughts, Ideation, and Behavior

Experts have been interested in the psychological impacts of this experience. They’ve looked into the connections between bullying and suicidal ideation and continue researching. This ideation involves thinking about suicide and how to do it, but it doesn’t mean you plan to see it through.

Cyberbullying leads to a diminished sense of self-worth in the victim. Sometimes it goes so far as to make the victim feel like they don’t deserve to live. The victim might exhibit self-harm, an alarming sign that can escalate.

Limitations of the Study

This study on cyberbullying gives helpful insight, but there are limitations. Limitations will always be present because experimental methods are impossible. However, it is essential to note them to help you understand that there’s still more to learn.

This research is limited because the method only involves surveys. The problem with surveys is that some participants won’t answer honestly, even if it’s anonymous. They might under-report being victims because they feel embarrassed or guilty.

It also is a short study rather than following students over some time. Longer studies could help understand the long-term effects better and identify methods of easing the issue.

Behaviors and Characteristics of a Cyberbully

Cyberbullies can be any age, gender, race, or class. However, it’s more common amongst pre-teens and teenagers. Some of the characteristics to watch for include those who exhibit:

aggression
low self-esteem
a desire for anonymity
low-inhibition
a need for power
other risky online behaviors
high beliefs in their internet abilities
pride over their online persona
a lack of internal moral values
low agreeableness
neuroticism
a lack of self-control

Why People Cyberbully

The motivations for hurting people are hard to grasp for many people because you don’t want to hurt others. There are several unfortunate reasons why bullies use their power to control or harm another person, including:

retaliation or revenge
to achieve a goal or obtain a resource
redirected feelings
making themselves feel better
jealousy
seeking approval from others
boredom
lack of acceptance of those who are different from themselves
believing there are no consequences
fear of in-person confrontation
thinking it’s funny

What Parents Can Do to Help Children Cope With Bullies

If you are the parent of a teenager, you might be worried about your child. They might not tell you when it occurs, so you’ll often have to figure it out.

Educate Yourself About Cyberbullies

As a parent, it is essential to learn about cyberbullying to help protect and encourage your children. Do what it takes to understand the problem and what can happen. You should also learn the signs and what to do if it happens to your child.

Educating yourself also involves understanding the social platforms your child uses. Your child has access to these platforms almost constantly, and you should learn about it.

Allow Your Child to Be Open and Honest Without Judgement

Teenagers may refrain from reporting cyberbullying for fear of getting in trouble with their parents. They might fear their parents will take their cell phones away or revoke internet privileges.

If you want your child to talk to you, try to avoid punishing them. You might fear for their well-being, but isolating them won’t help.

Give your child the confidence to be open and honest without letting them know they aren’t in trouble. When they talk to you, discuss a plan to deal with it together instead of making decisions without them.

Seek Professional Help to Recover

If you know or suspect your child is depressed, don’t hesitate to seek professional help. You don’t want to wait until it worsens, as they could be hiding the severity. Get your teenager help for depression, anxiety, stress, and feelings of helplessness.

If your child shows any signs of suicidal thoughts, ideation, or attempts, call for emergency help. You can also encourage them to call the teen suicide hotline at 1-800-USA-KIDS.

Cyberbullying: What to Watch For

Your teenager might not always tell you when they experience cyberbullying. Instead, watch for the following signs:

frequent headaches
recurrent abdominal pain
trouble sleeping
anxiety
depression
suicidal ideation
self-harm

Final Thoughts on Study Warns of Connection Between Cyberbullying and Teenage Suicide

Cyberbullying has become a growing problem since social media platforms get more popular. It’s easy to send a meaningful message or post something harmful. Teenagers don’t always think about the consequences until it’s too late.

The connection between cyberbullying and teenage suicide is alarming. It is clear from this study that we need to plan to reduce bullying and help the victims. Even with the limitations, there’s no need to wait before learning how to handle it.

Parents can take proactive steps now to help their children with this experience. Be their safe space and let them talk openly without making them feel like they’re in trouble.

20 Foods With Hidden Salt

August 18, 2022 by Chris Butler

Are you trying to control your sodium intake? If so, you should consider the hidden salt lurking in foods you don’t know about. Processed foods are high in sodium, and too much salt can cause problems with your blood pressure and inflammation in the body.

Wouldn’t it be nice if you could monitor your sodium intake by just putting away the saltshaker? Sadly, you need to read labels and know what you’re putting into your system. Your body needs some salt to thrive, but consuming too much throws your electrolytes off balance.

Twenty Foods with Hidden Salt

It’s time to sound the alarm about hidden salt in your foods. Since salt is a preservative, it could be why you’re not seeing a reduction in your inflammation or blood pressure. Here are some notorious foods high in sodium that you probably eat daily.

1. Lunch Meats

Cold cuts are an easy way to make a quick meal. Since most slices are low in calories, it also seems like a good option for a dieter. However, according to the World Health Organization, you shouldn’t eat more than 350 grams of lunch meats a week.

These meats have high sodium levels, but they’ve also found that it’s likely to increase your chances of getting cancer.

2. Pickled Foods

Anything pickled has lower calories and seems like a healthy option, but it’s a whole different story when you consider the hidden salt. Salt is a preservative for these dill delights, and one medium-sized pickle has over 780 milligrams of sodium. Eating a few pickles as a snack can exceed your daily limit.

3. Pizza

A slice of the old Italian pie is delicious. The only problem is the toppings you choose. Not only does the bread and pasta sauce have hidden salt, but the pepperoni and other toppings only add to the mix.

A traditional slice of pepperoni pizza has around 760 milligrams of sodium, nearly half of your daily allowance. Since most people eat more than one slice, this meal could take you over the daily limit.

4. Soup

There’s nothing better on a cold day than a bowl of chicken noodle soup. However, the average can have a whopping 940 milligrams of salt unless you buy the low sodium version. Consequently, this doesn’t include any crackers you might add with it.

5. Canned Veggies

One ear of corn has around eleven milligrams of sodium. However, one can of corn has about 440 mg. The difference is all about using salt to preserve and extend the shelf-life of this product. The hidden salt in these veggies is causing health distress, and most folks don’t even realize the damage from a simple food item.

6. Yogurt

Yogurt is one of the healthiest foods around, or is it? Did you know that just one cup of plain yogurt has as much as 170 mg of sodium? This is supposed to be the healthy stuff, but what do you think is in all the ones with added fruits and candies?

7. Bread

Most folks are shocked to learn that one teaspoon of salt is equivalent to around 2,300 milligrams of sodium, which is what your suggested daily allowance is from The American Heart Association. It helps to put things into perspective considering that one slice of bread has around 200 milligrams. It’s easy to see how your consumption can get very quickly out of hand.

8. Breakfast Cereals

Who doesn’t love a good breakfast cereal? They’re ready-to-go, which makes breakfast a snap. Sadly, the amount of sodium in these quick meals is remarkable. A simple bowl of corn flakes can carry more than 750 mg of sodium, a hidden salt most people wouldn’t consider. Why not try some delicious oatmeal where you can control your salt intake?

9. Baked Goods

There’s nothing better than a piece of decadent chocolate cake or a donut filled with whipped cream. Sadly, one little donut can have one-third of your daily intake. What if you polish off a bag of donuts or eat half a box? When you stop and consider all these little things that add up to an astonishing amount of sodium, it puts things into perspective.

10. Smoked Fish

A nice piece of pink salmon has excellent heart benefits, but when you consider this fish is cured in salt, it changes everything. Fresh is always better for fish like mackerel, salmon, tuna, and haddock. All of these are high in sodium and not heart-healthy.

11. Pasta Sauce

Pasta sauce from the jar has become a staple in most households. However, when you consider 500 milligrams of sodium in a commercially-packaged jar, it doesn’t sound so appealing. Making your sauce is a healthy alternative, as you can reduce salt and sugar content.

12. Ready-to-eat Frozen Meals

TV dinners became prominent in the 1950s. It seems like an easy way to get a healthier meal and cater to everyone’s taste buds. Sadly, these convenient meals can range from 700 to 1,800 milligrams per entree.

13. Chips and Crunchy Snacks

The next time you’re in the grocery store, why not take some time to read the labels on your favorite snack items? Once you see the hidden salt and sugars in some of these products might change your mind about what you buy. While you can’t escape salt, and your body does need some of it, you certainly can be picky about what you ingest.

14. Soda

Having a cold soda is so refreshing on a hot day. While it’s not a food item, it should be mentioned as most folks don’t consider the amount of sodium in just one can. You’re getting about 45 to 100 milligrams of sodium in a 12 oz serving, according to Healthy Eating San Francisco. Even diet soda has sodium content, which most people don’t consider, as they’re only concerned with the lack of sugar and calories.

15. Bacon

Bacon is a favorite food for breakfast. However, it’s full of salt and lard, as these are used for preservation. The high level of saturated fat in this favored meat is uncanny. While a slab of bacon goes perfect with eggs, it can mess with your cholesterol and blood pressure.

16. Packaged Sandwiches

Many people rely on prepared foods from a gas station or local grocery store, like sandwiches, for quick on-the-go meals. However, that tuna on rye might not be as healthy as it seems. You already know bread is high in sodium, but they must preserve these sandwiches to make it from the plant to the store without issue.

How do they get that bread to stay so fresh? They pump dextrose and water into it to help extend the shelf life. The meat is often packed with fillers like corn flour, which will help take up more space without costing a fortune. Have you ever noticed how flavorless these sandwiches are? Now you know why they taste so much like cardboard.

17. Sausage

Sausage is just as bad, if not worse, than bacon. It’s full of cancer-causing carcinogens and hidden salt. It tastes fantastic on a platter with some eggs, but if you only really knew what was in it, you might think twice about eating it.

18. Salted Butter

The next time you need butter, you should choose the unsalted variety. Having this added sodium in your cooking is unnecessary, and it’s not required. Many salt substitutes can be used to keep your heart healthy, but when you have added salt to the butter, it cancels out this healthy choice.

19. Ice Cream

Ice cream is another product that can ride the fence. A simple half-cup of vanilla has only around fifty mg of sodium. However, when you add nuts, candy, chocolate, and all the other goodies that make it irresistible, you change the entire treat. Ice cream can be another source of hidden salt you don’t consider.

20. Instant Pudding

You wouldn’t consider instant pudding high in salt, as it doesn’t taste salty. It’s the additives that give it a high sodium ranking. When the manufacturing company adds disodium phosphate and tetrasodium pyrophosphate to the mix, it changes the sodium content. Packaged foods must be preserved; these preservatives usually increase the hidden salt content.

Final Thoughts on Hidden Salt in Foods

You’re eating way more salt than you realize, and if you’ve issues with your blood pressure or inflammation, these foods could be behind it. Some products have hoodwinked you for far too long. It’s time to start reading the labels and taking control of your health. You can cut out those pesky foods laden with salt and live a healthier and happier life.

15 Ways to Work Smart (Not Harder!)

August 17, 2022 by Chris Butler

How many times have you heard it said that you need to work smarter and not harder? It’s possible that adjusting your routine and method just a bit can enhance your overall productivity and performance. Whether you need to improve your personal or professional life, you can utilize some strategies that will help you to increase good habits and work smart.

Fifteen Ways to Work Smarter and Get More Done

You only have so much energy to utilize during the day. The more efficient you become in what you do, the easier it will be to complete tasks. There are numerous strategies that professionals use that can help them to prioritize their work. Here are some ways to enhance your life and help you to get more done.

1. Work Smart–in Short Bursts

People can only focus on something for so long. Breaks mandated by law help prevent overworking. Taking a short break every 90-120 minutes is advisable.

Even if you take fifteen minutes and walk around the office and get something to drink, you need to break the monotony of the day. You’ll be more efficient when you learn that you must develop good habits to get more done.

2. Do the Hardest Tasks First

The morning is the time when you’re the freshest. Your brain isn’t bogged down, as you’ve had a good night’s sleep. Schedule the most challenging or most laborious tasks for early in the day. Most people have less energy after lunch, so this is the time you should save to do the lighter jobs.

3. Set Small, Achievable Daily Goals

It’s easy to become overwhelmed by the big picture. Stop looking at all you have to do for the week or month and focus on the day. Goal setting should be part of your routine. Remember to keep things small and achievable.

When you set goals that are impossible for you to complete, you’re only setting yourself up for failure. Good habits include scheduling your day to feel like you’ve accomplished something when it’s over.

4. Focus on One Thing at a Time

Contrary to popular belief, multitasking makes you less efficient and more prone to errors. According to Dr. Cynthia Kubu from the Cleveland Clinic, people never really multitask as they think. She states they’re just rapidly cycling back and forth between tasks.

A study listed on Springer Link found that only 2.5 percent of the population can multitask adequately. New research shows that it’s better to focus on one thing and allow yourself to complete it before moving on to the next.

5. Work Smart by Utilizing Stress Management Techniques

Stress can hinder your performance. If you’re stressed out and having significant anxiety about all you must do, it’s time to try stress management techniques.

One of the best ways to get rid of stress is to meditate. Did you know that a quick five to ten-minute meditation session can cleanse your mind and give you a boost to make it through the day? Do meditation in your car on a lunch break or at your desk.

When you’re setting your goal, make sure to include time stress-breaking activities like meditation.

6. Group Together Like Tasks

Making a list is essential because you can group similar tasks. Rather than being all over the place, you can learn how to categorize your day so that like goes with like. It’s all part of goal setting and optimizing your activities. When you work smart, you develop good habits that can help you at work or home.

7. Learn to Say “No.”

It’s hard to say “no,” as you don’t want to come across that you need anyone to get things done. Sometimes, you need to let go of a bit of your pride and understand that you can’t do everything and be successful.

It would help if you learned to stand up for yourself and know your limits. You can accomplish more when you set effective boundaries by staying within those confines.

8. Delegate Tasks When Possible

Delegating tasks is sharing the workload, and this is especially helpful when you’ve got too much on your shoulders. Even the most significant leaders throughout history had to have people under them to help get things done. Oprah Winfrey is considered one of the most influential women of today.

However, she would be nothing without her staff under her, which helped her get stuff done. Her writers, clothing and makeup artists, and personal assistants help keep her on task and looking great. While you may not have an empire like Oprah, you can learn how to utilize the help of those around you.

You must learn that when you ask for help, you mustn’t micromanage these folks. When people assist you, you must learn to let them do the task without watching over their shoulders.

9. Get Rid of Distractions to Foster Good Habits

There are numerous distractions in your day. You probably deal with emails, text messages, phone calls, social media chats, and coworkers or children. All these things can significantly impact your ability to get things done.

Developing good habits means you may need to silence the cell phone and check your emails a couple of times a day. According to a study by The University of California, it takes three minutes to regain your attention after a disruption, so this can cause a significant issue with your productivity.

10. Know When It’s Time to Quit

Everyone has a point where they’re done for the day. Knowing when you hit this place and learning to stop is essential. When you’re burned out and have reached the maximum amount of work you can do, you will not be very productive if you keep going.

You’re wasting your time and the little energy you have left when you push yourself beyond reasonable expectations. When you work smart, you know your parameters and don’t force yourself beyond those limitations.

11. Utilize a Power Nap

Wouldn’t it be nice if America was one of the countries that saw the importance of the power nap? Many companies are incorporating this nap time into their employees’ days, as they see the value in recharging and rejuvenating yourself. Zappos is a pioneer company that has created a nap room for employees.

Now, you’re not going to be able to take a three-hour nap, but they do believe that it helps to improve effectiveness if people can recharge their batteries. According to CEO Tony Hsieh, a quick 20–30-minute session can help improve the efficiency of the employees.

12. Work Smart by Playing Music

What would an exercise class be without music? Many people find that they work better when they have music playing. Now, head-banging rock probably isn’t helping you focus, but a nice jazzy tune can put a little bounce in your step. Some people like it to be silent, but other folks prefer a little background noise to help them.

13. Start the Day with Positivity

Your attitude can dictate a lot about how much you accomplish in a day. Why not start the day positively if you want to work smart and get more done? Try positive affirmations to help get you geared towards success.

14. Get a Routine in Place to Work Smart

When utilizing goal setting, you must include making a routine for yourself to follow. Each morning you should have a small checklist of your startup activities.

You should do the same thing in the evening when you’re closing up shop. Your brain works better when you have that routine to follow, and when you have processes in place, it keeps you on task.

15. Learn How to Block Your Calendar

Your cell phone and computer have calendars for you to help plan your days. Some folks find it helpful to block out periods where they can’t be disturbed while working.

Maybe you need to mentally reserve this space for productivity so that you can train your brain to focus during this specific time frame. Using the calendar can help you work smart and get more done.

Final Thoughts on Ways to Work Smart and Develop Good Habits

There are so many distractions in life that it’s hard for some people to focus. Utilizing goal setting and to-do lists can help you stay on task. If you want to work smart, you need to find little things that can work into your day to make you more efficient.

What works for you might not work for someone else, so you need to try a few things and find the good habits that help you get into your productive groove. What can you do to help you work smart and accomplish more than you ever thought possible?

15 Signs of Unconditional Love Between Partners

August 17, 2022 by Sarah Barkley

When you’re ready for a happy and healthy relationship, you look for unconditional love in your partner. Many people yearn for the experience of teamwork with a loved one and spend lots of time and energy searching for it. Unconditional love can be hard to attain, but you’ll recognize it when you find it.

Loving someone as they are and prioritizing another person’s happiness with no expectations for a returned favor is unconditional love. In this situation, you’ll deeply love your partner through all stages of life. You’ll be there together when things get hard and when they’re great.

Unconditional love doesn’t mean your relationship is perfect or you must fulfill unrealistic expectations. Instead, it is about offering and receiving kindness, safety, and respect.

Finding unconditional love is one of the best things to happen in your life. If you want to know if your current relationship involves this type of love, there are signs you can watch for.

Fifteen Signs of Unconditional Love

Identifying unconditional love requires watching for some specific signs. These signs will improve your confidence in the relationship because you know it’s unquestioning.

You might want to know if your current relationship involves this extraordinary experience. Or, you might doubt the love your partner has for you. Either way, these signs can help determine if you’ve found the person for you.

1. Unconditional Love Means Outside Forces Don’t Affect Your Relationship

External influences won’t affect your bond in a healthy, loving relationship. Your relationship also shouldn’t depend on outside forces to keep you together.

Whether the external influence can be harmful or beneficial, you won’t need them either way. You should be able to love one alone despite anything else going on. Societal pressures or opinions won’t sway you when you’re in the right relationship.

2. Teamwork, Even Through Fights and Offering Forgiveness

Even in healthy relationships, arguments are bound to happen. Your choices and preferences might differ, leading to disagreements and fights. If you can work through issues and forgive your partner, it’s a good sign of unconditional love.

Looking past the differences and using teamwork and communication to overcome problems will help. Working through issues means not holding grudges or bringing up past issues. It shows that you’re both in it for the long haul, willing to accept you as you are.

Moving past arguments and offering forgiveness doesn’t mean you should tolerate abuse or misbehavior. True love doesn’t involve continuous harm because your partner should want what’s best for you. If you experience harmful behavior, you might want to reevaluate the relationship.

3. Unconditional Love Makes You Both Feel Whole

Healthy relationships are rooted in feeling whole. Both partners should feel whole on their own, making them feel better about who they are. Feeling whole allows you to do things for your partner without expecting anything.

People who feel whole on their own are more likely to make beneficial life improvements. They won’t become a better person because you’re in their life but because they want to be the best possible version of themselves.

You’ll love yourselves fully, allowing you to give more to your partner. Feeling whole and loving yourself gives you the hope to keep moving forward and look for the good in everything. Accepting yourself allows you to put in the effort to form a healthy, loving relationship.

4. They Prioritize Your Needs and Wants

Although you can take care of yourself, a healthy relationship involves partners prioritizing one another’s needs. You’ll notice that they go out of their way to give you what you need and want. They don’t mind putting their desires on the backburners so that you are happy.

5. Accepting One Another

You’ll know your partner loves you unconditionally if they accept everything about you. They’ll love your flaws and shortcomings and won’t make you feel wrong about them.

No one is perfect, and everyone has negative aspects of their personality. You and your partner will look past these negative aspects and love you for who you are. It doesn’t involve trying to change your partner or control each other’s lives.

6. Unconditional Love Is Always Kind

Your ideal partner will always be kind to you, even when you disagree. They won’t say things to hurt your feelings or intentionally harm you. If you’re fighting, they’ll still do acts of kindness to ensure you’re happy and taken care of.

They won’t hesitate to bring you a blanket or pillow if you fall asleep on the couch. Whenever possible, your partner will do thoughtful things that make your life better. It shows that they want you to be comfortable, safe, and secure.

7. They Take Care of You When You’re Sick

Think of how your partner behaves when you’re sick. If they take care of you and make sure you have everything you need, it’s a sign of unconditional love. They’ll be there for you until you feel better, doing whatever they can to help you find comfort. The selflessness of true teamwork strengthens your relationship.

8. Vulnerability and Open Communication

Unconditional love requires vulnerability from both sides. You’ll open up to one another about past experiences, learning every detail about each other. This type of relationship offers a safe space to let your guard down.

9. Unconditional Love Offers Emotional Support

Life gets hard, and having a partner who offers emotional support can make it a little easier. If your partner is there for you through sorrows and hardship, it’s a sign of unconditional love. They come through when you need it the most, giving you strength through the negativity.

Your partner will be sensitive to your needs and help you cope with any situation. They’ll also want to protect you when things get complicated.

10. They’re Supportive; Teamwork is in Play

A healthy relationship includes partners who support one another and offer a sense of security. They don’t waver in their support as they encourage you to follow your dreams.

Your partner will even be happy and excited for you when things go in the right direction. They look for ways to increase teamwork and serve as your biggest fan. They understand that your goals might differ from theirs, and they encourage you anyway.

11. Going Out of Their Way to Make You Feel Special

If your partner loves you unconditionally, they’ll go out of their way to make you feel good. They’ll do acts of kindness and say sweet things to bring a smile to your face.

Your partner will also recognize the little things you do for them and show how much they appreciate you. They’ll make you feel like the most critical person in the world because, in their eyes, you are.

12. They Show That They are Proud of You

A partner who loves unconditionally will be proud of who you are. They won’t just tell you they’re proud of you either, because they’ll want to show you. Not only are they proud of who you are, but they are proud of your accomplishments, too.

You and your partner will be one another’s biggest cheerleaders. When you want what’s best for one another, this teamwork shows the health of your relationship.

13. Unconditional Love Means You Feel Comfortable Telling Them Everything

If you are in a relationship with unconditional love, you want to tell each other everything. It shows there’s a level of comfort that allows openness and security. Trusting your partner with the innermost workings of your mind and soul is an extraordinary experience.

14. Mutual Respect

Respecting one another is essential to having a healthy relationship. When you are both mindful and respectful, it’s a good sign that you have found unconditional love. Respect goes beyond doing kind things like opening doors or pulling out chairs. It involves valuing each other’s values and beliefs no matter what.

15. The Relationship Feels Right With Unconditional Love

When a relationship feels right, go with your gut. The right relationship for you will feel right in your heart. It’s a good indicator of unconditional love because it feels different than relationships in the past.

When you still get excited every time they get home, you know they’re someone special. If your partner goes out of their way to make you feel good, don’t push them away. If your relationship feels right, it probably is.

Another sign that your relationship feels right is if you want to grow old with your partner. It shows that you envision spending the rest of your life with this person, a good indicator of unconditional love. If you can’t see a future with your partner, it’s a sign that they aren’t the person for you.

How You Can Love Unconditionally

If you want to focus on loving your partner unconditionally, here are some things you can do:

focus on personal growth
practice open communication
learn to forgive
use teamwork to overcome obstacles
focus on positivity
understand that it won’t always be perfect

Final Thoughts on Signs of Unconditional Love Between Partners

A long-lasting, healthy relationship takes effort, teamwork, and unconditional love. If you identified any of these signs in your relationship, it’s a good sign. It shows that you and your partner respect each other and want to keep moving forward.

With unconditional love, you are free to be yourself without judgment. Your partner won’t expect anything from you other than being the person they love.

15 Signs of an Emotionally Unfaithful Partner Never to Ignore

August 17, 2022 by Chris Butler

Some folks think that being emotionally unfaithful is not cheating, while others consider it just as bad as having an affair. These situations usually start with two people getting to know someone outside their marriage or a committed relationship. This cheater may bond over work issues or problems with their partner.

It’s not long until the conversations become more vulnerable, and you start sharing things you shouldn’t. When you cross this line and have deep conversations, you’re opening yourself up for romantic feelings to develop. Soon you’re fantasizing about a romance with someone who was once just a friend.

According to a study conducted by Health Research Funding, around twenty percent of married couples must deal with an emotionally unfaithful partner. Though some folks like to classify men as cheaters, women are just as likely to look elsewhere to meet their needs. In fact, this study found that 45 percent of men and 35 percent of women experience emotional affairs.

Fifteen Signs of an Emotionally Unfaithful Partner

How do you know if your partner is being emotionally unfaithful to you? Are there classic behaviors that you need to be wary of? Here is a list of commonly observed actions in someone who’s being unfaithful to their partner.

1. You Catch a Cheater in Lies

Whether having a physical affair or an emotional one, you can be sure they will lie to you. Cheating on your partner and keeping things 100 percent honest is impossible.

At some point, they will need to make up a story to cover their tracks, but you must be one step ahead of this person and investigate any discrepancies. Emotional cheating is still cheating by most people’s standards, and there’s scarcely a person in this situation that’s honest.

2. An Emotionally Unfaithful Person Is Secretive About Their Phone

Cell phones are one of the easiest ways to catch someone who’s being emotionally unfaithful to you. Since most cell phones have text messages, call history, and social media communications, it becomes proof of their wrongdoings.

People become very secretive only when they have something to hide. If you see your once open person now hides their phone and changed passwords, something is going on.

3. They Suddenly Bring Up a Person’s Name Too Much

Another classic case of someone having an emotional affair is that they start name-dropping. They might tell you about a new employee or a friend they met. Their opinions, what they had for lunch, or anything else they feel to share about them might become commonplace.

This indicates that they can’t get this person off their mind, so they can’t help but talk about them. If suddenly someone else becomes a common topic of conversation, you can believe they’re the third party in your relationship.

4. Physical Appearances Change

When a person develops feelings for someone else, it’s only natural to try to change their exterior to be more appealing. For instance, they may dye their hair, change their style of clothes, start losing weight, or wear a new perfume/cologne.

They’re trying to impress someone the best way they know how, and if you pay attention to them, you will see what’s going on behind your back.

5. Intimacy Changes With a Cheater

If your partner fantasizes about being with someone else, they will likely not want to be with you. They may turn away from you because they’re trying to plot the great escape and don’t want to lead you on any further.

Now, some folks do precisely the opposite. They will be even more into you to help keep you in the dark about what’s happening. While they’re with you, they may fantasize about it being the other person.

6. An Emotionally Unfaithful Person Is Moody

It’s challenging for someone who is emotionally unfaithful to keep it all together. They have guilt for what they’re doing to you, and they need to justify their actions.

You may notice that they pick fights or try to get you angry at them so they feel more justified in turning to the other person. Their bad mood is just a sign that they’re feeling guilt, and they don’t know how to handle it.

7. A Cheater Will Often Lose Track of Time

Your partner who always walked through the door at six pm on the dot is now always late. They have weekend business trips and reasons to leave town more than ever before.

They have more social engagements with work folks that don’t include you, or there are always the proverbial meetings they must stay late to attend. Please make no mistake that jobs don’t change things like this, so you can be sure they’re up to something.

8. They Find Excuses to Be Around This Person

It’s often the case that the person your partner is emotionally unfaithful to is a family friend. They may have a relationship with you too. You may notice that they’re engrossed in each other’s conversations when they’re together and make excuses to see one another. When you’re with them, it seems like you’re the fifth wheel because they only have eyes for each other.

9. Emotionally Unfaithful People Might Even Joke About an Affair

Remember the old Shakespearian quote that states, “many truths are said in jest”? Well, people often say things in a joking manner that’s not funny. For instance, it’s alarming if you notice your partner starts joking about having an affair, especially when confronted.

They’re likely trying to throw you off by stating something outlandish, but the truth is that it’s constantly on their mind.

10. Your Partner Shares Too Much with Another Person

Your partner won’t need to confide in you if they’ve found someone else. They will start sharing all the intimate details of their life with the person making them feel butterflies inside. Most infidelity starts with friendships that get too deep.

According to the National Healthy Marriage Resource Center, most emotional affairs start innocently. Everyone craves emotional support and communication; if you’re not getting it from your partner, it’s only natural to turn to someone else. The article further states that though the relationship seems beneficial initially, no one will ever benefit from cheating.

11. Date Nights are Less Frequent

When things were going great, you both spent lots of time together. Now, you don’t have date nights or see each other much. They may pull away from you because they’re running toward someone else.

Being unfaithful has many warning signs, and when you start seeing less of each other, you can ensure there’s a reason behind it. You need to find out if there’s another person behind this sudden absence.

12. You Feel Like Strangers With an Emotionally Unfaithful Partner

Being secretive is a standard action when someone is doing something wrong. Your partner will try to conceal many aspects of their life if they’re unfaithful.

The relationship may be on autopilot, and no one is paying much attention to how things are going. It’s a sign that they’re pulling away, so they can focus more energies on someone else.

13. They Dismiss Your Complaints

When you bring up anything about this person or their possible unfaithfulness, they are quick to dismiss it. They make you think that you’re overreacting and downplay the whole situation. They’re trying to put your mind at ease but protesting way too much.

14. They Drop Hints Wanting You to Change

When someone lives a secretive lifestyle, the guilt can be pretty overwhelming. So the best thing for them is to try to make you the reason for their wrongdoing.

One of the easiest ways to do this is to show their frustration with you. They may make subtle hints about the things they wish you would change. Fault finding is more about them and less about you.

15. A Cheater Accuses You of Being Unfaithful

With emotional or physical unfaithfulness, the other party often likes to point the finger at their partner. It’s effortless to lay the blame at your doorstep, so they don’t have to face the music. Sadly, these feelings will eventually grow and become physical if something doesn’t alter the course.

Another aspect to consider is that this is a power play to force your hand. They’re manipulating you into seeing what kind of relationship you don’t want. It doesn’t matter how great things were before because they’re unsettling now.

Final Thoughts on Detecting an Emotionally Unfaithful Partner or Flat-Out Cheater

It’s excruciating to think that your partner would cheat on you. Before you know how you will proceed, you need to define what you call cheating. Many people describe it as physical activity, while others believe it’s anything that causes you to get close to someone other than your partner.

Emotional affairs are friendships that go too far, and it’s easy to fall into these relationships when you’re struggling. Though it may be your partner who is guilty of infidelity this time, you can guarantee that you are not alone. Many couples overcome one partner being a cheater. Or perhaps you are the guilty party. The key is to set boundaries to protect yourself and one another from being caught in these tangled webs.

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