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15 Dangerous Children’s Toys Most Parents Overlook

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Many of the most dangerous toys on the shelf for kids are items you might already have in your home. These toys are common, and many parents don’t know they pose risks to children. As you read this list, you’ll likely be surprised by the number of popular toys on it.

Many toys have hidden dangers that people don’t consider when purchasing gifts. Not all of these toys are unsafe, but if not used properly, they can threaten your child’s well-being. Understanding the risks can help you choose safer toys or let you know to monitor closely when your child uses the ones on this list.

With this being the case, you must learn about dangerous toys to prevent accidents. You can either avoid the toys entirely or monitor their use closely to ensure precautions are in place.

Common Injuries from Dangerous Toys

Investigating toys before purchasing them can help you avoid the dangerous ones. Research shows that over 200,000 kids get injured by toys each year, making it a big problem. When the unthinkable happens, it shows that some gifts bring more harm than good.

Some of the common body areas for injuries to happen include:

  • Head, neck, or face
  • Shoulder, arm, or elbow
  • Hand, wrist, or finger
  • Knee or leg
  • Foot, toe, or ankle
  • Pubic region or trunk

dangerous toys

Recalled Dangerous Toys for Children

There will often be a recall later when faulty or dangerous toys make it to store shelves. However, having a toy recalled doesn’t save the kids from harm that have already encountered issues. Plus, some families may not hear about a recall and continue using the product.

It would be best if toys were safe before reaching stores, but it doesn’t always happen. Some dangerous toys will never even have a recall because they are supposed to be the way that they are.

Dangerous Toys Most Parents Overlook

Protecting your child is your most meaningful job, and seemingly safe items can pose a risk. Knowing which toys to watch out for can prevent accidents and keep your child safe and healthy.

1. Smart Toys

Smart toys introduce privacy issues for our kids. Toys with cameras and recording capabilities that use unsecured mobile apps can store data. Personalized online accounts also store data about the user.

Bills have been introduced to the House of Representatives addressing children’s online safety. Some discussions around the bills include offering protection to kids and educating adults.

2. Flying Toys or Toys with Working Propellers

Any flying toy or toy with a working propeller can cause injury. These toys can cause eye injuries, broken teeth, lacerations, and concussions.

3. Slingshots Can Harm Children

Slingshots are a classic toy, but that doesn’t mean it’s safe. Many slingshots have gotten recalled after receiving reports of causing blindness and broken teeth. The slingshots that come with water balloons can also cause injury, so it might be best to avoid them.

4. Trampolines

Research shows that nearly 90,000 people yearly go to the hospital for injuries incurred on a trampoline. Some experts say to avoid using them altogether because falls, collisions, and improper landings can cause:

  • concussions
  • broken pones
  • paralysis
  • death

5. Toys Containing Chemicals

Some plastic toys and slime contain chemicals that are harmful to kids. When kids put their mouths on these toys, it can cause them to ingest materials they shouldn’t.

Kids seem to love slime, but it isn’t always safe. Some slime contains chemicals, making it dangerous if ingested. You can tell your child not to put it in their mouth, but that doesn’t always work well.

6. Toys with Small Magnets or Batteries

Small magnets and batteries are some of the most dangerous things your child can encounter. The magnets used in small toys can come loose, allowing your child to get ahold of it. If they swallow more than one, it can cause fatal internal issues.

Magnets can attach to the intestines and make holes that require surgery. Ingesting magnets can also cause gastrointestinal damage and infection.

Batteries are dangerous because the chemicals break down in the esophagus and stomach. When this happens, it causes internal chemical burns that create holes.

Even products that aren’t intended for kids are unsafe if they contain small magnets or batteries. These items are fun, and kids are drawn to them. Don’t leave anything around that could allow your child to get ahold of these unsafe pieces.

7. (Super Dangerous) Toy Guns

Kids often love toy guns, but they’re not a safe option. They present choking and eye injury dangers, among other issues.

Besides the physical dangers of the toy’s mechanics, past tragedies have occurred when law enforcement officers mistook a realistic-looking toy gun for a live firearm.

8. Bath Toys

Bath toys are dangerous because the water gets trapped inside and can grow harmful bacteria. Many parents assume squeezing the water out and regularly washing the toys will be fine. However, you can’t see the bacteria, and you can’t clean them out enough.

The bacteria in bath toys can cause cellulitis, a bacterial skin infection. This infection causes swollen, red, and painful skin that is sometimes warm to the touch. Cellulitis can spread, and if it makes its way to the child’s eyes, it can cause blindness.

9. Noisy Toys

You might think noisy toys are only annoying, but you might not realize that they are also unsafe. They can irreversibly harm your child’s hearing.

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10. Toys with Small Parts

Any toy that comes with small parts is unsafe for children. Some toys that manufacturers market for toddlers come with small parts a child can choke on. You also must watch for any small pieces attached to the toy because they can come loose when you least expect it to happen.

11. Fidget Toys

Some fidget toys, such as fidget spinners, can become a choking hazard if it comes apart. They have small pieces inside that can harm kids, especially under three.

12. Plastic Blocks

Small plastic blocks can pose a choking risk if a child puts them in their mouth. They are marketed for older kids, but it’s easy for toddlers to get ahold of them.

13. Play Swords and Knives

These toys are dangerous because they can cause blunt force and eye damage. Kids aren’t always aware of how to use these toys safely during play. It can result in accidental injuries causing damage.

14. Toys with Wheels

Outdoor toys with wheels are becoming increasingly popular, but they pose risks. These toys include:

  • Skates
  • Roller blades
  • Skateboards
  • Scooters
  • Hoverboards

These toys can cause head and impact injuries. They are difficult for drivers to see if they are close to the ground. Since drivers can see them well, it can result in vehicle accidents if used near roads or driveways.

Many toys with wheels aren’t used with protective gear, making it even more dangerous. They don’t always come with instructions or warnings, making it hard to grasp the danger.

Unpowered scooters are a surprisingly dangerous toy, too. You might think they’re okay because the child can control their speed easier, but they account for almost one-third of toy-related injuries.

15. Drum Sticks

Parents love for their children to play with musical instruments, but it’s not always safe. Drumsticks can pose a choking hazard and injure a child’s mouth or throat. The long sticks can go too far into a child’s mouth, or your child can fall with them in their mouth.

How to Buy Safe Toys for Children

Many popular toys are unsafe for kids, and you might not know where to start when buying things for your kids. There isn’t a fool-proof way to identify potential dangers; the best thing you can do is remain vigilant.

Examine toys before purchasing them to look for hidden hazards and red flags. After buying the item, regularly examine it for anything you might have missed. Something could have come loose, or you may have overlooked a hidden hazard.

Buying second-hand or receiving hand-me-down toys has other risks you must account for. If you buy used toys online, you don’t have a chance to touch and inspect the toy and its packaging before purchasing.

Receiving a second-hand item also means you might not receive safety information from packaging or inserts. Sometimes recalled toys make it back into circulation this way, too. You must be vigilant about researching model or product numbers to ensure that’s not the case for you.

How You Can Prevent Injuries from Dangerous Toys

While avoiding dangerous toys sounds ideal, you also don’t want to shelter your child. Things like riding bikes and scooters offer many benefits when used safely. If you decide to let your child use any of the toys on this list, prevent injuries by doing the following:

  • Buy helmets for your child to wear while using bikes, scooters, hoverboards, roller skates, and other toys with wheels.
  • Know common issues to look for.
  • Inspect new toys for defects and design flaws.
  • Regularly inspect old toys for loose parts, broken pieces, or sharp edges.
  • Don’t assume specific brands are always safe.
  • Follow age recommendations and warnings.
  • Ensure toys get assembled correctly.
  • Check ingredient labels on toys for kids who put things in their mouths.

What to do if Your Child Is Injured by One of These Dangerous Toys

Your child might get ahold of some dangerous toys without you knowing it. Even when you try your best to avoid them, it’s not uncommon to miss something. Seek medical care immediately if your child gets injured by a toy.

Even if you’re unsure of the severity of the situation, you don’t want to wait long to find out. Immediately getting help is better than waiting it out and worsening the injury.

You might want to consider filing a lawsuit to aid in paying the medical bills associated with the injury. Holding someone accountable can encourage manufacturers to produce better designed, manufactured, and marketed items. Many injuries are preventable with pre-market testing and stricter manufacturing practices.

dangerous toys

Final Thoughts on Dangerous Toys Most Parents Overlook

Learning and sharing safety information about toys can prevent injuries and save lives. When you know the dangerous toys commonly associated with injury, you can proactively keep your child safe. You can also make better-informed decisions when shopping for toys.

While many dangerous toys exist, you can find plenty of safe ones. Don’t lose hope or assume your only options are potentially unsafe ones. Be selective and research the toys so your child can safely enjoy them.

13 Ways to Have Fast Headache Relief Naturally

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Everybody gets a headache now and again. Headaches interrupt your ability to function in your daily life. If you get a terrible headache, you may need to leave work or school because the non-stop pain makes it hard to focus or causes stress and tension. Sometimes the pain is so awful, you feel nauseous or throw up. Whether your headache is a dull throb or a sharp stabbing pain in your head, you want quick headache relief to get back to your life.

Thirteen Tips for Fast, Natural Headache Relief

Here are thirteen natural ways to get fast headache relief.

headache relief

1 – Drink water for headache relief

Drink a big glass of water. Then drink another one. Dehydration causes headaches, especially in the summer when it’s hot outside. You may not realize you’re dehydrated until a headache shows up. One study found that adults who carry extra weight find it hard to distinguish hunger from thirst. Many people said they couldn’t tell the difference, so they got dehydrated.

There’s a big debate about how much water you need each day. Some researchers suggest at least eight glasses daily, while others say you should drink 11.5 glasses of water daily. Generally, somewhere in between these two are good goals. Of course, how much water you need every day also depends on certain things such as:

  • Where you live: Certain areas in the United States are hotter and drier than others. You’ll need to drink more water if you live in a dry, hot climate. The altitude you live in also plays a part in how much you should drink. Generally, people who live at higher altitudes need to drink more.
  • Think about your diet: If you have a salty diet, or a sugary diet, you need more water. If you eat a lot of hydrating foods like fruits and veggies, you may not need as much water.
  • Outdoors: If you work outside, then you’ll need to drink more water. If you exercise outdoors, you’ll need to drink more.
  • Your health status: If you have certain health conditions, you may need to drink more water. Sinus pain from infections, diabetes, or certain autoimmune conditions requires more fluids.
  • Pregnant or breastfeeding: If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, you should drink extra fluids to stay hydrated.

2 – Get a jolt of caffeine

Another quick remedy for headache relief is to eat or drink something caffeinated. Eat a chocolate bar, drink a caffeinated soda or cup of coffee to get a boost of caffeine right away. Many over-the-counter headache medications contain high doses of caffeine, so you’re replicating what they do by consuming a large amount of caffeine for headache relief. Here’s a list of foods to take when a tension headache has got you down.

  • Dark chocolate coffee beans
  • Coffee
  • Energy drinks
  • Espresso
  • Caffeinated sodas
  • Green tea
  • Black tea
  • Dark chocolate

3 – Try some ginger

Ginger reduces headache pain and nausea caused by the pain. Researchers found that ginger could not only help relieve the pain, but people who took it were pain-free for up to two hours longer than others who took medication. Ginger also helped relieve nausea and vomiting that sometimes accompanied a migraine headache. Raw ginger extracts were a good home remedy for people with migraines for people who couldn’t take other types of treatments. It is unclear if ginger tea or crystallized ginger works as well as raw ginger to relieve headache pain.

4 – Find your pressure points

Finding certain pressure points and gentle pressure on them will help relieve your headache. Here are several of the main pressure points to massage to find relief.

  • Yinxiang points: Points on either side of your nostrils, lined up with your eyes. Pressing on these pressure points can help remove a headache and relieve tension.
  • Yintang points: This is called the 3rd eye. It’s between your eyebrows. This pressure point can help reduce eye tiredness and headaches.
  • Tian Zhu points: These are pressure points on the back and middle of your head. Massage these points to relieve sinus pain and severe headache pain.
  • Outside your nose:  This area is sometimes called the ‘welcome perfume.” This pressure point is on either side of your nostril. When you have a headache, try putting pressure here using a circular motion. It should relieve your pain.
  • Edge of your eyebrows:  On the inside edge of your eyebrows, massage the area until you feel the pain leaving.
  • Shuai gu points: At your temples, apply pressure on this area to relieve a headache or eye pain.
  • Point celestial pillar: This pressure point is at the back of your neck. Apply pressure in a circular motion for 1 minute. You should feel your headache pain leave.

5 – Lavender or peppermint essential oils

Using a couple of drops of peppermint or essential oils massaged into your temples is an effective way to get quick headache relief. To reduce tension and stress, put a small drop of essential oil on your upper lip so you can inhale the pleasant scent. Other essential oils that can bring you headache relief include:

6 – Say the code

TikTok videos gone viral claim that the CIA uses numerology to help agents deal with pain. It’s a trending topic supposedly from declassified CIA documents on how to deal with pain. So far, everyone who does this says their pain goes away immediately. It’s a simple technique. Visualize the area where you have pain. This could be a headache in any part of your head. Focus on where the pain is located, then say, “55515.” Your pain could diminish or completely go away. You may need to do it twice, but it should disappear. It’s a crazy remedy, bur some people swear that it works. Try it.

7 – A cold pack for headache relief

An ice pack on your forehead is a quick headache remedy for a pounding headache. Lie down with it on your head for fifteen minutes. If you don’t have an ice pack handy, you can use a bag of frozen veggies or fruit in a pinch. The coldness will ease the pain and reduce the tension in your head.

tension

8 – Go to a dark room

If possible, go to the darkest room in your house for relief. Avoid blue screens like television, computer, or iPhone. If you don’t have a dark room in your home, pull the curtains and turn off all the lights. Avoid fluorescent bulbs in light fixtures, which can cause headaches and migraines.

9 – Avoid chewing

Avoid chewing, drinking, or talking. The movement of your jaw will hurt your head. Try to relax your face as much as you can. Use a straw for drinking water or a caffeinated drink. If you wake up in the morning with a headache, you may grind your teeth during the night. Talk to your dentist about this. They will suggest you get a mouth guard to prevent teeth from grinding at night. This will save your teeth and gums and prevent you from getting a headache every morning.

10 – Hot water on your feet

If your head is throbbing, one quick remedy is to climb into the shower. Let as hot of water as you can stand wash over your feet for several minutes. The hot water increases blood circulation from your feet throughout your entire body, including your head. This takes away your headache pain.

11 – Breathing exercises for headache relief

Find a comfortable position, like lying on your bed or sitting in a comfy chair at work. Take regular breaths, focusing on the air going in and going out. Take rhythmic breaths. Breath in for six seconds, then out for six seconds. As you do this, relax your muscles. Another simple technique is to start at your feet and relax each part of your body. Focus on how relaxed your feet are, then relax your legs and work up your body. Before you know it, your entire body will feel comfortable. This technique can help ease the tension in your head and reduce headache pain.

12 – Eat spicy foods

Try eating chili peppers, jalapeno peppers, or sprinkle cayenne pepper on your food. These foods contain capsaicin, a natural remedy that helps control pain.

13 – Drink apple cider vinegar

Add two teaspoons of apple cider vinegar to a large glass of water. If you want, add a little honey to it and then drink it. The vinegar restores your body’s acid-alkaline balance, which can help relieve some if not all of your headache pain.

headache relief

Final Thoughts on Natural Headache Relief

Headaches prohibit you from being able to do your everyday activities. You might need to leave work or school because the pain takes away your ability to focus. You want a quick headache remedy when your head is throbbing with tension and pain.

These suggestions can give you quick pain relief, whether your headaches are because of tension, sinus infection, or plain old stress. Try one or two of these remedies the next time you experience a headache. Hopefully, you’ll find relief and be able to get back to your life pain-free.

12 Quotes About Strong Relationships Never to Forget

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Strong relationships give your life new meaning. They help you feel understood, accepted, and loved. It strengthens your bond if you feel like you can be yourself in your relationships. As a result, it allows you to live your best life.

All relationships have challenges, but you can overcome the issues. Reading relationship quotes inspires and motivates you to persevere when things get complicated. Love and connection are basic human needs, so you must embrace and strengthen your relationship.

These quotes about strong relationships can remind you why your person is so important to your life. They can offer tips, suggestions, and helpful ways to connect with your partner. Feeling good about yourself, your life, and your relationship will strengthen what you have.

Remember that the rewards are worth the challenge, even when your relationship gets complicated. Healthy relationships are vital to your well-being, so work to develop strong bonds. Use these relationship quotes to remember to celebrate the essential people in your life.

Why You Need Strong Relationships

Strong relationships are essential to your well-being. They promote certainty, contribution, significance, and support during hard times. Developing a deep relationship also ensures you have someone there to celebrate your successes and enjoy the good times.

Strong relationships are selfless, with both partners helping and supporting one another. It will make you want to be a better version of yourself. You’ll find new meaning as you focus on giving to your loved ones rather than taking.

strong relationships

Twelve Quotes About Strong Relationships

When you experience hard times within your relationship, these quotes about relationships can help you overcome the situation. These quotes are also beneficial when things are going well as they encourage you to continue the positive romance.

1 – “We’ve got this gift of love, but love is like a precious plant. You can’t just accept it and leave it in the cupboard or just think it’s going to get on by itself. You’ve got to keep watering it. You’ve got to really look after it and nurture it.” – John Lennon

When you have love, you must take care of and nurture it. You can’t neglect it, or it’ll interfere with your chances of having a deep relationship. Take care of your relationship by doing what you and your partner need.

Be proactive so that it doesn’t wilt or waver. If you continually take care of your relationship, you won’t have to work so hard to repair it later on. Plus, you’ll ensure you deepen your connection instead of drifting apart.

2 –  “In a relationship, each person should support the other; they should lift each other up.” – Taylor Swift

Both of you must take care of each other and the relationship. You can’t put it all on your partner, and they can’t put it on you. As Swift explains, it takes both of you to make a relationship work and foster a strong connection.

If one of you isn’t doing your part, you can’t lift one another and reach your dreams together. Remember this quote, and do what you can to strengthen your partnership.

3 – “You can talk with someone for years, everyday, and still, it won’t mean as much as what you can have when you sit in front of someone, not saying a word, yet you feel that person with your heart, you feel like you have known the person for forever.” – C. JoyBell C.

When you have found your person, you won’t have to speak to feel them in your heart. You’ll know you have support and love and won’t need clarification. If you have reached this point, you know that you have developed a strong relationship.

You’ll know when you’ve found your person because you won’t feel this way with anyone else. You might still feel alone or misunderstood when you sit and talk with others. In a strong relationship, the energy will radiate between you.

4 – “Love does not consist in gazing at each other, but in looking outward together in the same direction.” – Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

While staring into each other’s eyes is beautiful, it doesn’t deepen the bond forever. It’s a sweet gesture that shows how much you care for one another, but you must go beyond that. Strong relationships require following a path together.

You each have dreams and goals, and you must decide to go through life together in the same direction. If you can’t look outward and move forward, it’ll prevent you from developing a long-lasting connection.

5 – “You can’t just give up on someone because the situation is not ideal. Great relationships are not great because they have no problems. They are great because both people care enough about the other person to find a way to make it work.” – Unknown.

If you want a strong relationship, you can’t give up when things go wrong. Every couple has problems, and you must work to overcome them.

Moving forward together requires finding a way to make the relationship work when experiencing an obstacle. If it’s important to you, you’ll work together to find a way through.

6 – “When we love, we always strive to become better than we are. When we strive to become better than we are, everything around us becomes better too.” – Paulo Coelho.

Love has a way of bringing out the best version of you. If you’re in a strong relationship, you’ll subconsciously start making better choices and developing your skills. As you feel and act better, the world around you will shine, too, making it beneficial all around.

strengthen

7 – “We can improve our relationships with others by leaps and bounds if we become encouragers instead of critics.” – Joyce Meyer

Strong relationships involve supporting the other person. You can help them by encouraging them to do better, chase their dreams, and get things done. Encouraging someone deepens your bond, whereas criticism can cause you to drift apart.

8 – “I want to be in a relationship where you telling me you love me is just a ceremonious validation of what you already show me.” – Steve Maraboli

It’s easy to say I love you, but showing it is something entirely different. Strong relationships involve showing love to one another and making your feelings clear. Telling your partner that you love them should only be a sweet phrase that vocalizes what you already show them.

9 – “Love is like a friendship caught on fire. In the beginning, a flame, very pretty, often hot and fierce, but still only light and flickering. As love grows older, our hearts mature, and our love becomes as coals, deep-burning and unquenchable.” – Bruce Lee.

You might think that when the initial spark of a relationship dies down, it means you don’t have a strong bond. However, it could show that your love is deepening and strengthening.

Remember this quote and how love is like a flame. It’ll help you understand the deep stages of romance.

10 – “Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength while loving someone deeply gives you courage.” – Lao Tzu

If you want to become a better version of yourself, spend time developing a solid relationship. When you know someone loves you, you’ll feel more resilient. If you love someone deeply, you’ll feel brave and ready to take on anything.

These feelings are beneficial because they help you strengthen your relationship and achieve your dreams. You’ll want to move forward and get things done, and you won’t be afraid to dive in. These benefits also improve your relationship because you’ll give your partner the same feelings.

11 – “Remember, we all stumble, every one of us. That’s why it’s a comfort to go hand in hand.” – Emily Kimbrough.

Everyone makes mistakes in life and relationships. You can’t hold every mistake against your partner, or it interferes with your strength as a couple. Standing together after making a mistake is comforting and builds a stronger foundation for your relationship.

12 – “A loving relationship is one in which the loved one is free to be himself — to laugh with me, but never at me; to cry with me, but never because of me; to love life, to love himself, to love being loved. Such a relationship is based upon freedom and can never grow in a jealous heart.” – Leo F. Buscaglia.

A healthy, strong relationship requires being yourself and allowing your partner to do the same. Experience life and your emotions together, but never hold them against one another. It requires having the freedom to grow without exhibiting unhealthy behaviors. When you can focus on these aspects of a healthy relationship, you’ll have found the strength you need together.

strong relationship

Final Thoughts Quotes to Strengthen Your Relationship

These quotes about strong relationships help deepen your bond. They teach you how to be aware of your and your partner’s needs, allowing both of you to feel fulfilled.

Whether you’re going through a hard time or want to celebrate your relationship, these quotes are the way to go. They’ll remind you why you are in the relationship while building acceptance and trust. As your bond strengthens, you’ll feel more fulfilled, and your romance will be meaningful.

12 Differences Between Feeling Butterflies and True Love

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Are you feeling butterflies, or are you falling in love? It’s challenging for some people to distinguish between the two. However, butterflies come from infatuation and romance and are usually short-lived. True love is a choice, and it’s nothing that will go away anytime soon.

The feeling of butterflies in your stomach is transient. It only lasts a couple of months before it subsides for most people. Others may experience these sensations for up to a year, but this would only be in rare cases. How do you know which one you’re experiencing?

Twelve Ways to Separate Feeling Butterflies from True Love

The difference between infatuation and love is that the person with these butterflies depends on that feeling. They need that rush or thrill to be satisfied. Sadly, when the surface goes, usually they’re right behind it.

True love, however, is quite different. It doesn’t happen quickly but tends to last for a long time. They say it takes a minute to fall in love with someone, but it can take a lifetime to get over that person. Here are some ways to tell the difference between infatuation and love.

romance

1. Physical Attraction is Driving Your Feelings

You can tell when you’re captivated by the way you feel. If you’re stuck on their physical attraction and can’t seem to get past it, it’s a sign that you’re feeling butterflies rather than love.

To develop a loving relationship, you must look beyond the exterior and see the heart. You want someone as beautiful on the inside as they are on the outside, but you must remember that beauty is only skin deep.

The person who is eye candy might treat you horribly. However, the person you wouldn’t usually consider might be the one who treats you like royalty.

2. Infatuation Happens Fast

Infatuation stems from the chemistry of a physical nature. Yet, love takes time. There are stories where people fall head over heels in love at first sight, but it’s easier to explain these scenarios as butterflies that grew into something more profound.

Until you’ve sat by your partner in the hospital while they were sick, held them when they felt like their world was falling apart, or wiped their tears, you genuinely don’t know them. You cannot love a person until you know everything about them.

3. There Are No Deep Conversations with Infatuation

It’s very romantic to curl up by a fire and talk to that person who makes your heart skip a beat. When you’re infatuated and feeling butterflies, you’re more interested in making out physical contact than taking time to talk.

Deep conversations are where you get to know someone’s mind, body, and soul, and it’s an integral part of any relationship.

4. Infatuation Doesn’t Complete You

When you find your soul mate, you feel a sense of completeness. You feel like you’ve found the other half that’s taken you years to search. When you’re feeling butterflies, you don’t have that sense of being complete.

Instead, you’re probably thinking they’re cheating if they don’t call several times a day, or you’re constantly questioning whether they’re really into you. True love allows you to share your most profound dreams and darkest fears, and you feel free to open yourself up to be vulnerable because you trust them.

According to BYU Scholars, vulnerability becomes empowering and not debilitating, especially with the right person. Even if you’ve been hurt before, being with the individual that completes you changed everything. It’s a liberating feeling as it allows you to tear down walls and feel free to be yourself.

5. Infatuation Focuses on the Right Now

When you’ve found a romantic love written in the stars, you look to the future. However, infatuation and feeling butterflies can’t go beyond the here and now.

The infatuated individual isn’t making plans for growing old together. This person is only concerned about fulfilling their physical needs with the latest and most significant object of desire.

6. There are Unrealistic Expectations with Infatuation

Since these butterfly feelings are based on physical desires and lust, the other person will always be insecure about the relationship. One person wants more, while the other wants their needs met. One of you will always be sitting and wondering if this association will ever go anywhere.

When you have genuine and romantic love, there are no unrealistic expectations. You accept the person and don’t want them to change a thing. You appreciate what they offer and wouldn’t want to force them to be something they’re not, as you love them just the way they are.

feeling butterflies

7. Infatuation Exhausts You

While butterflies are great, the continual process of infatuation can drain your resources. It takes so much of the energy that you never even dreamed how exhausting it could make you.

Love also can be exhausting, but it’s not a forced feeling as it’s one you can’t stop. You can control your infatuation at any moment when those feelings die, but love is uncontrollable. It will make you do and say things you never thought possible.

8. Love if Forgiving and Kind

Feeling butterflies and trying to form a relationship from these feelings often ends in heartbreak. When everything is said and done, you may feel cold and isolated when it falls apart.

Thankfully, when you’re with someone in love, they can overlook your idiosyncrasies and are willing to forgive you time and again. Infatuation lacks the substance that love provides.

9. Love Develops a Strong Root System

Someone who’s infatuated wants to get married right away because they’re afraid if they don’t move quickly, they will lose them. However, the person in love wants to take things nice and slow.

They desire to savor each part of the relationship they’re building. An article in the Chicago Tribune says love is like a friendship that catches on fire. It develops a robust root system to grow into something beautiful.

You both strengthen one another in the growing process, and even if you’re far apart, your hearts are always close together. Infatuation, on the other hand, is just a fleeting desire. It comes with much insecurity and nagging doubts.

10. Love Makes You a Better Person

In the grand scheme of things, infatuation isn’t doing much for you. However, love will allow you to become a better person. Have you ever met someone who was a complete mess until they met the one individual that changed their life?

They give them a sense of belonging, help them establish their life, and make them want to do and be a better person. That’s how you can tell the difference between love and butterflies. Love gives you a desire to grow and change into the person you want to be, but infatuation believes there’s no reason to alter anything.

11. Infatuation is Insecure, But Love is Confident

You don’t question things when you have a spiritual connection with someone. You know how they feel about you, and you know exactly how you think about them.

Infatuation is not romantic, and it causes the other individual to constantly wonder about their position in this person’s life. Being involved in a relationship based on infatuation is nothing but a very insecure situation, and it’s flaky and breakable.

12. Infatuation is More of an Idea

Sometimes people become infatuated with love. They want the white picket fence and the perfect family like everyone else. When someone is feeling butterflies, their senses are more based on a fairy tale than grounded in reality.

Love happens at the soul level, and it’s a connection that’s more than an idea. Infatuation is someone being in love with the idea of being in love, but someone who has the real thing knows there’s a big difference.

feeling butterflies

Final Thoughts on Feeling Butterflies and True Love

Have you ever given a speech and felt those butterflies in the pit of your stomach? Sometimes, these feelings are so intense that you feel sick. Compare that to infatuation. Infatuation is based on senses and emotions and is not grounded in reality.

Now, think of planting a seed in your garden. It takes time for that seed to germinate and sprout. It must develop a root system to hold it in the ground so that the first wind or rainstorm doesn’t wash it away.

Though it’s a much slower process, it’s about building something that will last. A romantic relationship based on genuine love is much like that seed. Someone infatuated will never take time to build that root system that allows the relationship to grow and thrive.

They’re more concerned with their feelings and the here and now. You can quickly tell the difference between the two by examining the abovementioned points.

11 Tips for Mold Detox, According to Science

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Do you need to perform a mold detox? How harmful are the spores to your health?

Fungus and molds are part of the natural environment. They exist everywhere, both inside and outside. The spores thrive in damp places like decaying leaves or on damp drywall. You encounter mold all the time. Mold spores are always in the air, growing on food or living on different things in your home.

Not all mold is harmful. You eat mold in blue cheese. It also comes in medicines like penicillin. Dangerous molds are harmful to people because they produce mycotoxins. Mildew is related to mold, but it’s a different type of fungus. It thrives in damp, dark places. Mildew is powdery and lives on the surfaces, while mold is fuzzy looking, black or greenish. You can develop specific health problems because of molds and mildews.

How do the spores get inside your house?

Mold spores are so tiny they’re almost invisible to the eye. They grow on wet surfaces. Some molds grow without moisture or water. Mold grows indoors when you have leaky pipes or a flood in your home. It can spawn on the firewood that you have sitting in your fireplace. The most common places you can find mold in your house include the following:

  • Air conditioning or heating ducts
  • Washing machines
  • Dryers
  • Carpeting
  • Upholstery
  • Walls
  • Ceilings
  • Basement
  • Garage
  • Attic
  • Fireplace
  • Chimney

mold detox

Health problems that might indicate the need for a mold detox

Scientists have discovered the relationship between mold exposure and health problems. They found moldy buildings cause an increase in respiratory problems, including:

Asthma

Asthma is a disease of your airway that causes inflammation. People who are exposed to indoor dampness and these spores are at a greater risk of getting asthma. If you have the disease, mold exposure makes it more severe.

Aspergillus fumigatus

This is a type of fungal asthma. It obstructs your airways by producing too much mucus. Constant exposure to molds can lead to asthma symptoms, especially in young kids.

Allergic reactions

There are some people who have allergic reactions to the spores. When they’re around moldy areas, they develop symptoms such as the following:

  • Runny nose
  • Sneezing
  • Coughing
  • Sore throat
  • Congestion
  • Eye irritation
  • Skin rash
  • Headaches

Not everyone exposed to mold or mildew experiences symptoms. Or, they have very minor symptoms such as a runny nose.

Changes in your immune system

Long-term exposure to mycotoxins can change your immune system, causing inflammation. Aflatoxins are mycotoxins in grain, seeds, or nuts. The Food and Drug Administration created guidelines to reduce the amount of mycotoxins in the United States food supply, especially in imported foods.

NIH questions the efficacy of mold detox cleanses and issues a warning

The NIH National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health warned that cleanses “advertised commercially, offered at health centers, or part of naturopathic treatment” might waste your money and time. Furthermore, some of the cleanses available do not have enough scientific data to justify purchasing the products.

In the worst-case scenario, the NIH notes, unpasteurized juices can make people sick. The caution here–do your homework. Please learn what’s in any commercial mold detox cleansing product (or any cleanse for that matter) before consuming it.

Because of the stern nature of this NIH warning, we will focus on helping you mitigate spores naturally–consider it a mold detox for your environment to help you avoid illness.

What are treatments for mold allergies?

If you think you have mold in your home, you should probably see an allergist and pulmonologist for tests. Avoid self-medicating until you get a professional diagnosis.

How to kill mold naturally?

Chlorine bleach kills mold, but there are other less caustic ways to clean up minor mold problems. These include:

  • White vinegar: White vinegar can be sprayed directly on mold spots in your house. Let the vinegar sit, then wipe. If the mold is still there, repeat this process.
  • Tea tree oil: This oil is a natural fungicide. Put eight to ten drops of it in a spray bottle with water. Spray on the mold spots and let the mixture work. Wipe when you notice it’s cleared up the mold.
  • Vodka: Vodka is a great natural mold killer. Spray a little vodka on the mold and let it work. Wait a bit, then wipe away the mold spots with a rag.

Eleven tips for mold detox, according to science

Mold detox is considerable controversy in the scientific community. Although most researchers agree that mold can produce substances called mycotoxins, there is no scientific evidence there’s a need for people to do a mold detox.

Most researchers encourage people not to live in fear of mold. If you’re a healthy adult, it’s unlikely you’ll get sick from mold. There is a lot of misinformation about mold detox, mold treatments, and even about mold. However, if you are one of the people who react to its presence, try these things to prevent an illness.

spores

1 – Clean up water damage in your home

If you’re experiencing allergy symptoms, it might be time to get your home checked for mold. Water damage restoration is crucial if you’ve recently had a flood or any water-related issues in your home. Mold growth can thrive in such conditions, making it essential to have a mold inspector evaluate the situation. This is particularly important if you’re at higher risk due to immune compromise or asthma. Allergy symptoms caused by mold include:

  • Itchy eyes
  • Coughing
  • Stuffy and runny nose
  • Rash
  • Eczema
  • Asthma

2 – Mold infections

Mold infections are pretty rare. If you have a mold-related disease, you’ll have a fever of at least 100.4°F. You’ll also have low blood pressure, dizziness, and shortness of breath.  The people most prone to a mold infection are those who are immune-compromised or have asthma.

3 – Prevent mold growth in your house

According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, your conditioner should have a certified allergy and asthma-friendly air filter to prevent mold growth indoors. Use a dehumidifier when it’s humid outside. Always use the exhaust fan in your bathroom during a shower or open a window. Clean your bathrooms, kitchen, and laundry room with anti-mold and mildew cleaners to kill mold.

4 – What about “sweating it out.”

This mold detox treatment claims if you sweat hard enough and long enough, it will remove the mold from your body. There is no science to support such an idea.  Of course, it is kind of scary when you look at pink, brown, or black fuzzy mold growing in the corner of your house. Many people equate mold with poison. But according to the CDC, there are few reports of toxigenic molds inside homes. There are even online reports that there’s been pulmonary hemorrhaging or memory loss because of mold. But none of these claims prove to be true. Use a critical eye when reading online health sites that claim to have cures and treatments for things not backed up by scientific research.

5 – Does activated charcoal work for mold detox?

Emergency rooms have activated charcoal to treat drug abuse, overdose, or accidental poisonings, like when a young child eats a poisonous mushroom. But activated charcoal won’t do anything to detox mold exposure. It’s not possible.

6 – Are probiotics beneficial for mold?

Can you use probiotics as a mold or mildew detox? Probably not. They’re beneficial for good gut health, especially when you eat foods that are natural probiotics. Many websites suggest probiotics as a treatment for mold-related conditions, but these live organisms can’t treat a bacterial infection and don’t help with a mold detox.

7 – Get qualified professionals for major mold cleanup projects

Don’t clean up big mold projects on your own. Call a professional who can handle the job safely. Avoid breathing in the mold spores if you must be in the house when they clean up the mold. Wear an N-95 mask with a nozzle on the front with removable cartridges to trap the mold spores. You can change the cartridges daily.

8 – Wear gloves when performing mold detox activities

Always wear gloves if you’re cleaning up minor mold in your home. Use water, detergent, and a disinfectant such as chlorine bleach to wipe down areas where mold grows. Don’t touch mold or any moldy items with your bare hands. Throw out things that have gotten moldy, such as

  • Linens
  • Carpets
  • Stuffed animals
  • Cardboard
  • Papers
  • Foods
  • Clothing
  • Leather accessories like purses, belts, or shoes are prone to mildew growth

9 – Wear goggles

When you’re cleaning up mold, wear goggles or some eye protection. The best ones are those without ventilation holes, so mold spores can’t get into your eyes.

10 – Use fans to dry your home and avoid the need for mold detox measures

Fans keep the air moving and help dry out areas where moisture could build-up, allowing mold or mildew to grow. Use a fan in your bathroom, kitchen, laundry area, or basement because these are where mold is most prone to develop. Other ways to use a fan to prevent mold include:

  • Use the exhaust fan in the kitchen
  • Use the exhaust fan in bathrooms
  • Put a fan in a room of your house that is dark because of lots of trees outside

11 – Open your windows to avoid spores from forming

Fresh air and sunlight help get rid of mold naturally. Sunlight kills the mold spores and prevents more growth. If you live in an area with high humidity, only open your windows when the humidity is low. Other ways to get rid of mold in your home include:

  • Use a dehumidifier in damp areas, like your basement or laundry room
  • Clean up any spills right away
  • Air out your house once a day to get good air circulation flowing
  • Keep your clothing dry
  • Change the filters on your AC
  • Wash mildewed shower curtains

mold detox

Final thoughts on performing mold detox

Mold is a natural part of your environment. It’s found all over the world. Not all molds are harmful. People with asthma or a suppressed immune system risk getting sick from certain types of mold. Healthy adults don’t need to think of mold as poison. Typically, household molds aren’t dangerous. Of course, if you have a big problem with spores in your house, call in professionals to clean it. You can clean small bits of mold in the bathroom or kitchen with household cleaners or use the natural mold cleaners suggested in the article.

10 Things That Cause Someone to Be Defensive

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You were born with the innate ability to protect yourself. Your internal wiring tells you whether you need to fight or flight. Being defensive allows you to safeguard yourself in the face of danger, but sometimes, your senses kick into overdrive. When you’re always in survival mode, your brain is in a state of defense or you deny responsibility for your actions. In turn, this can cause those around you to walk on eggshells. These behaviors are challenging to deal with, but it’s even worse when someone is being defensive in a relationship.

When you’re always on guard, you’re unable to communicate, live mindfully, and enjoy the company of others.

Ten Common Causes of a Defensive Person

Why are some people so ready to jump on the defense bandwagon than others? Have you noticed that you tend to have your guard up more than you like? Here are ten common reasons someone lets their defensiveness interfere with their life.

defensive

1. A Defensive Person May Have an Underlying Anxiety Disorder

There are several types of anxiety disorders, and each one of these disorders can impact you significantly. Post-traumatic stress disorder is one such condition that puts you in a defensive mode. PTSD is often known as being shell-shocked, affecting soldiers or those who had been through incredible traumas.

However, according to the Mayo Clinic, you can develop PTSD from genetic links, traumatic events, or another mental illness. With anxiety, your senses heighten, and you live most of your life waiting for the next catastrophic event.

It’s challenging to be in a relationship with someone with PTSD, as you may feel that you’re always walking on eggshells. Even simple things like having music or TV too loud can intensify their anxiety. Thankfully, many beneficial treatments help those with PTSD live their everyday lives.

2. Poor Self-Esteem May Cause Someone to Be Defensive

People who have poor self-esteem tend to be especially sensitive. Things like walking through the mall might be challenging when you think all eyes are on you. When folks feel they are less than others or stand out from the crowd, it causes them to put on their defensive shield.

According to Medical News Today, a borderline personality disorder can alter your self-image and cause you to feel that everyone is out to get you. There’s a lot of denial about this condition too, but seeking help is the best way to combat this mental concern.

However, not everyone who has a poor self-image struggles with mental illness. Often the events of the past can dictate the present. It’s essential to love yourself as it effects so much in your life.

3. Feeling Vulnerable

Karen was bullied in school. There wasn’t a day when someone didn’t call her a horrible name, and she dreaded each day. Her parents were less supportive, often telling her that she needed to toughen up.

When she reached adulthood, having a healthy relationship with anyone was challenging. Karen felt uncomfortable when she was alone with anyone as she was responsible for communicating and opening up to them. She tried to hide her scars like battle wounds, but she was so afraid of being made fun of that she lived in a state of defensiveness.

People often become wary when they’re outside their comfort zone. However, you are responsible for working through these issues to have friendships and romantic relationships that keep you fulfilled.

4. Feeling Manipulated

No one likes to be a puppet on a string. Being manipulated can cause someone to be too defensive towards others. When you’ve been taken advantage of, it’s only natural to put up your guard to protect yourself from being hurt again.

It’s good to set healthy boundaries, but you can’t think that every person is out to harm you. The worst thing you can do is to resort to passive-aggressive defense mechanisms to try to defend yourself. Healthy communication is the key to resolving all issues. Additionally, it would help if you learned when situations are toxic and you need to move on.

5. Refuses To Be Accountable or Take Responsibility

Some folks refuse to take responsibility for their actions. They live in denial about everything, making it challenging to be around this person. Someone who can’t admit their wrong will often become very defensive about anything and everything.

The truth is they need to justify their actions, so they create a scenario in their mind that brings the justification they need. For instance, Cindy had an affair with her husband. She knew it was wrong, but she felt justified in her decision because he worked long hours.

In her mind, she knew that if she could blame the situation on him, she wouldn’t be consumed with guilt. It would be much easier to admit she did wrong, ask for his forgiveness, and decide if she wanted to stay or go.

responsibility

6. Trauma and Abuse in Childhood Can Cause a Defensive Personality

Children who’ve been through abusive upbringings often will keep up their guard to protect themselves. These people fear the sky will crash, so they’ve learned to be on guard.

According to the Innocent Lives Foundation, abuse rewires the brain, and the person who’s suffered from such things won’t think or react like everyone else.

The hippocampus, amygdala, and prefrontal cortex are all affected by trauma, and it can take a lifetime to repair the damage from one single event. Be kind, as someone who is too quick to put up their guard may be acting from past trauma that’s inhibiting their life.

7. Taking Responsibility Is a Learned Behavior

Your childhood taught you many things, but did you also learn how to be defensive towards others? Some parents inadvertently teach their children things by allowing them to observe their behaviors. Some parents lack responsibility or the ability to overcome trauma. If your mom or dad had insecurity issues, an anxiety disorder, or had been through a trauma, they might have been overly cautious.

While they didn’t mean to transfer these behaviors onto you, it’s something you picked up over the years. Take, for instance, Tommy. Every time the doorbell rang, his mom would go and hide.

When he was a toddler, he would go with his mother to hide in another room whenever someone came to the door. Now, Tommy is 25 years old and still feels the need to run and hide when the doorbell rings. It’s not that he had anything to fear, but he is only reacting based on learned behaviors.

His mother ran from the doorbell because she was robbed one night and couldn’t get past the trauma. Tommy was following his mother’s lead, but he has a great responsibility to his family to ensure he doesn’t pass this behavior on to them. Counseling is a great tool to work through learned behaviors you may not understand.

8. Hiding The Truth

Covering a lie will undoubtedly bring up someone’s defensive nature. When a person becomes moody or dismissive when confronted about a situation, it’s usually because there’s something to hide.

Remember the writings of Shakespeare when he stated, “the lady doth protest too much.” Someone overly defensive about a situation is usually trying to cover something up.

9. Guilt or Remorse

There’s not a person alive who hasn’t made a mistake. Some people will live in denial about these issues, but it’s best if you stand up and take responsibility for these actions. This can cause many problems if you have unresolved feelings.

Take, for instance, Jean. She is a workaholic who rarely spends time with her family. She tries to be a good mother but feels terrible guilt that she’s at work for 12 hours a day. Jean hasn’t been to one of her daughter’s many school events, which is a sore spot for her family.

Jean automatically becomes defensive when anyone mentions lousy parenting or not being there for their kids. She uses her guilt-ridden defenses, even if people aren’t talking about her situation. It would help if she could forgive herself for the past, try to do better in the future, and be there for her kid.

Consequently, whenever any parenting subject arises, the intense guilt becomes unbearable. Guilt is just an indication that you need to fix something. In this instance, the decision is Jean’s, and she has the power to change the future.

10. Defensive Behavior Can Stem From All or Nothing Thinking

Some folks only see things as all or nothing, and they can’t see the middle ground. If these individual feels judged unfairly by others, it can cause their defense mechanisms to go wild. Suppose you told your spouse it was their turn to do the dishes because you’ve done them for the past two days.

They automatically jump into defense mode. They feel attacked because they feel you’re saying they’re not holding up their end of the housework. You’re not saying that at all, but you want some help.

The problem is that they lash out because they are frustrated and know they can improve, but they feel you’re judging them. Finding good ways to communicate without being on guard is essential in any relationship.

defensive

Final Thoughts on Taking Responsibility for Your Behaviors Without Being Defensive

It’s challenging to figure out people, primarily when each person communicates their defensiveness in various ways. Some will use denial or responsibility for their actions, while others will become aggressive or show oppositional behaviors. Then there are the folks who have righteous indignation, even though they’re clearly in the wrong.

When someone is overly cautious and always seems to have their guard up, you can rest assured there is a reason for these actions. If it’s you or a close family member, counseling or learning effective boundaries can help resolve some of these defensive behaviors.

10 Ways to Stop Losing Yourself in Love Relationships

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Losing yourself in a relationship is a common experience that nobody admits is a problem. After falling in love with that special someone, your life becomes a whirlwind of champagne bubbles, laughter, and romance. Amid your joy as a couple, you could be losing yourself and not realize it.

During this incredible “honeymoon” phase, you’re head over heels in love, and all is bright and beautiful in the world. You spend most of your time together and less with your regular circle of family and friends. It’s normal in a new relationship, and most people understand.

Allow yourself to revel in these magical moments as a couple. However, remember that you’re still individuals with preferences, interests, and goals. Being a couple is a blessing, but you were still a whole person before you met.

Ten Ways to Avoid Losing Yourself While Falling in Love

What happens after the fireworks of falling settle? How can you foster a lasting relationship and still be yourself as you slip into everyday life? Here are ten ways to avoid losing yourself in a romantic relationship.

losing yourself

1. Make Yourself a Priority to Avoid Losing Yourself

Losing your individuality in a relationship can be avoided if you remember to love yourself. It’s not narcissistic to preserve your self-esteem and give yourself the loving care you deserve. If you don’t love yourself, you can’t successfully love anyone else.

Your partner can only fulfill so many of your needs as an individual. Being content doesn’t mean every aspect of your life is satisfying. You still have passions and goals you need to fulfill on your own, and you can’t deny yourself those rights.

2. Don’t Always Say “We”

When you’re in a committed relationship, you are deeply connected to your person and become a “we.” You’re together so much that you begin to think alike and can often complete each other’s sentences. Listen to yourself some time and see how often you replace “I” with “we.”

Even though falling in love makes you feel like one flesh and one mind, you remain two individuals. It sounds spiritual and poetic to think of two becoming one, but it’s not reality. Losing your individuality won’t be as easy when you are confident enough in your relationship to be your person.

3. Stay Connected with Family and Friends to Prevent Losing Yourself

Like most people, you have two circles of relationship and influence. The outer circle is acquaintances and other people with whom you share minimal social contact. Your inner circles are those family and friends who’ve built trust and a solid emotional bond with you.

People will orbit in and out of your outer circle, and a few may become part of your inner circle. However, those in your inner circle have been with you for years, and their connections are often lifelong. They’ve seen you at your best and worst. They have supported you no matter what.

Perhaps your significant other was part of your outer circle and found their way into your inner crowd. They may be your intimate partner, but it doesn’t exclude others who’ve been your steady rock. You don’t turn your back on family and friends just because you’re falling in love.

Staying connected with your inner circle is an ideal way to avoid losing yourself in a relationship. While you’ll have mutual friends, separate friendships are also healthy. It would help if you had time by yourself to hang out with your besties and enjoy a night on the town.

4. Don’t Sacrifice Too Much

According to an article by UCLA-Berkeley, relationships require sacrifice from you and your lover. However, the report states that sacrificing too much can lead to unbalanced power, frustration, and resentment. Falling in love doesn’t mean losing yourself by compromising your self-esteem.

How do you know if you’re sacrificing too much in the relationship? What’s your motivation, and would your mate do the same if the tables were turned? The right sacrifices can benefit a relationship, but when you do it for the wrong reasons, it can only lead to negative consequences.

5. Set Boundaries and Respect Them

Boundaries are essential for maintaining a loving, healthy relationship. In his article published by Vanderbilt University, Dr. Chad A. Buck states that limitations set the stage for positive relationships. They offer you choices instead of expectations and obligations.

Setting boundaries early in your romantic relationship may minimize misunderstandings later. You each know what the other expects to give and receive in the connection. It doesn’t allow much room to question what is and what isn’t acceptable.

You pay the consequences when your boundaries are clouded and compromised, like losing yourself. Your mate needs to know where you stand in the relationship and how you want to be treated. You preserve your self-respect, and you won’t have to keep compromising your wants and needs.

falling in love

6. Do Some Activities by Yourself

One of the many pleasures of falling in love is having someone to share fun activities and fascinating travels with. There are countless things that you can do together for enrichment and leisure. You probably have enough in common to do something as a couple.

On the other hand, pursuing your interests may reduce your chances of losing yourself. Maybe you’ve always wanted to take up a hobby or activity that doesn’t interest your partner or vice versa. You’ll have more to share when you’re free to enjoy a few things on your own.

7. To Thine Own Self Be True

No relationship exists without a few arguments–or someone isn’t being true to themselves. Falling in love doesn’t mean you must relinquish your thoughts, feelings, and opinions. You can pledge your heart to a partner and keep your individuality intact.

How can you be honest and genuine with another person if you can’t do the same for yourself? You are as unique as a snowflake, and you don’t have to compromise all you are for the sake of a romantic partner. If their idea of a relationship is to mold you into something you’re not, it’s not worth it in the long run.

8. Communicate with Each Other

A study published by the National Library of Medicine concludes that communication plays a crucial role in relationship satisfaction. How can you possibly know what’s happening in each other’s lives unless you communicate? Assuming how your partner thinks and feels is a recipe for misunderstandings and resentment.

Having meaningful conversations with each other is one of the benefits of falling in love. You relate to each other on a physical, mental, and spiritual level, as you care about one another’s feelings. When you spend time talking together each day, losing yourself is less likely.

Notice that meaningful conversations are marked by talking with, not talking to, your mate. Practice excellent active listening skills and try to listen more than you speak. Listen intently to what the other is saying without interrupting and contemplating what you’ll say next.

A skilled active listener will also try to mirror the speaker’s emotions and maintain neutral body language. After your partner has made their point, pause for a moment before saying anything. Restating what they’ve said in your own words can offer clarity and fewer misunderstandings.

9. Live in the Present

If you aren’t living in the present moment, you risk losing yourself in the past. Maybe you’re haunted by past broken relationships and the issues that caused them. Sure, you can learn from your mistakes and be grateful, but you can’t go back and change anything.

Make your current situation a relationship of “now.” Accept and love yourself and your partner for who you are. Refuse to allow the past to control what joy you have now and in the future, as this will only hurt your self-esteem and your connection with your lover.

10. Prevent Losing Yourself by Keeping a Reality-Based Relationship

Who hasn’t read fairy tales since childhood and dreamed of the handsome prince riding off into the sunset with the lovely maiden? If you continue fantasizing about your romantic relationship and living happily ever after, you may be disappointed.

A relationship forms between two fallible humans, and nothing is perfect. Losing yourself in a fairy tale dream isn’t fair to either of you. Relationships are hard work, demand give and take, frequent apologies, forgiveness, and patience.

In the beginning, it’s normal to idealize yourselves and the relationship. If you don’t experience a reality check, you’ll see that you both have faults and may feel disillusioned. For true love to work, you must view each other as individuals with favorable characteristics, flaws, shortcomings, and limitations.

losing yourself

Final Thoughts on Maintaining Your Identity in a Relationship

Remember that your lover fell in love with you as you are. Keep your self-esteem, and don’t discard those unique characteristics and behaviors they adore. You can maintain a beautiful relationship for a lifetime when you avoid losing yourself.

10 Signs That Someone Should Raise Their Relationship Standards

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New love is a beautiful feeling, but are you settling for less than what you deserve in life? A balance of inequality can cause some severe issues in any relationship. So many times, people settle when they feel lonely or desperate, and the truth is they could have so much more.

While you don’t want to set your standards so low that you attract just anyone, you need to have some requirements for whom you will date. It may not cause any issues initially, but it will undoubtedly be a factor as the relationship continues. Everyone has dating preferences, but do your tastes align with what’s best for you?

Let’s assume you always get a ham and cheese sandwich at the deli. Now, how do you know that you don’t like the pastrami on rye unless you try it at least once? The same can happen in the dating pool. While you want a specific type of person, you don’t honestly know what you like until you play the field.

Ten Indications Your Dating Standards Are Too Low

Finding a good relationship means discovering what you like and empowering yourself. When considering lifestyle choices and long-term goals, you don’t want to set your standard too high. However, if you set your bar too low, you can buy yourself a great deal of trouble you don’t need. Here are some signs that it’s time to raise your dating standard.

relationship standards

1. When You Lower Your Standards, You Get Bored

Once you’ve been together for many years, you can expect things to get boring. You must constantly reinvent the relationship and your life after the newness has worn off. The problem is that you shouldn’t be bored early on.

You may be the extrovert who loves to be the life of the party. However, if you’re with an introvert who loves to stay at home, it may not work. One of you must at least be willing to compromise a bit for the other person’s happiness.

If no one is willing to compromise and everyone is doing their own thing, it’s easy to see how things could become tiresome.

2. Raise Your Standards if Your Partner Does Not Treat You Well

Does your partner make rude comments to you? Do they use unconstructive criticism to tear you down? Do you walk on eggshells because you always feel like you’re never good enough for them?

Perhaps you have low standards when finding someone to have a relationship with. Remember that you can do better, but it’s important not to let feelings of desperation come into the mix. The only thing worse than being alone is being with someone who isn’t right for you. Toxic relationships not only affect the here and now but also the future.

3. There’s No Emotional Connection

Are you one of those people who only looks at things like income, job, physical characteristics, and the material possessions your partner owns? It’s easy to be influenced by money and power, but just because a person has these things doesn’t mean they’re good relationship material.

A person who looks like the perfect package on the outside may be horrible in a relationship. Your standards may need to be adjusted to ensure that you find someone who fits your needs beyond materialism.

You must look for emotional value and compatibility in a relationship. Look to the inside more than you look on the outside. It would help if you connected on an emotional level for a relationship to have a chance to flourish.

4. Communication Is Awkward When You Don’t Have High Standards

There’s something nice about cuddling beside a fire and discussing life and your dreams. When your partner doesn’t have good communication, it can leave you lacking. They may not like talking on the phone, sending emails, or texting, but how can you have a deep and meaningful relationship if you’re not communicating?

According to Ways Youth and Family Foundation, communication is vital to any relationship. They also state that many times this communication is natural, but it’s something that you both must work on. Do you need to raise your standards because you desire deep communication and long chat sessions?

Could the problem be that your dating preferences keep you from finding the right person for you? Some people will never be good conversationalists, no matter how much you want them to be.

5. Your Needs Are Compromised

Relationships are all about giving and taking. Sadly, you have an inequity problem if you’re doing all the giving. You shouldn’t always be the one to lose, nor should you be the one that’s always doing the compromising.

Sit down, evaluate the situation, and ask yourself what you’re getting from the relationship? Are you truly fulfilled, or do you always seem to come up with the short end of the stick?

relationship standards

6. You Settle in Your Relationships

Nick Notas is a dating consultant in the Boston area. He works with people from all walks of life. One thing he says he’s noticed when it comes to relationships is that everyone seems to be in a hurry. He further states that being with the right partner will bring out all the good things in you while being with the wrong partner will bring out the bad.

He believes society places an unhealthy, unrealistic pressure to settle down on folks. Having standards and wanting what’s best for you is okay. Even if you must be alone for a while, it’s better than being with someone who makes you miserable.

7. There’s a Lack of Respect

Do you not respect your partner? You may have set the bar too low and can’t provide the respect necessary because you don’t value their worth. Assume you have a master’s degree and have dedicated to educating yourself to move up the corporate ladder.

Perhaps your partner didn’t value education and is happy to work an entry-level job. While you got together because the physical chemistry was undeniable, there wasn’t enough substance to keep things once those feelings settled down. Now, it’s clear that you look down on them because you feel like they’re beneath you.

Each person is valuable, but sometimes when you’ve done a lot more in life or made more money than someone else, you determine the value of this person. It’s not fair, but it’s a sign that you’re not on equal playing fields.

8. You’re Seriously Unhappy

If you keep settling for the wrong person, it’s a clear indicator that you need to raise your standards. When you settle for someone all wrong for you, you might miss the person that’s perfect because you’re preoccupied. Additionally, when you’re not with the right person, you can start to resent this individual and be miserable.

Your life is too short to live in misery and regret. No one wants to be unhappy, and there’s no rush regarding heart matters. The best situations often catch you by surprise when you’re not even looking.

9. You Tend to Jump into Relationships Fast

Nothing screams that you have low standards than someone who jumps from relationship to relationship. Do you always need to be connected to someone to feel fulfilled? Perhaps, you have issues from the past like trauma or abuse that cloud your judgment on what’s considered a healthy relationship.

10. There’s No Support

It’s often the case that relationships are unbalanced, as one partner takes on the bulk of the responsibilities. For instance, it can get tiring if you’re grocery shopping, paying the bills, cleaning the house, and making all the appointments.

It seems unfair when your partner only goes to work and comes home to play video games. It would help if you didn’t have to ask your partner to support you, as they should be eager to pitch in and help. Some people are lazy in the relationship, and these individuals will sit back and let you take on the burden and all the responsibilities.

Who cares about your dating preferences if you always end up with someone who expects more than they give? You may need to adjust your standards a bit.

relationship standards

Final Thoughts on Knowing It’s Time to Raise Your Relationship Standards

There’s only one reason to be in a relationship with anyone, and the reason to be committed is that you’re in love. Some people love the idea of being in love and don’t care for the person they’re hooked up with now. If you tend to hop from one relationship to another, it’s a sign that you need to raise your standards a bit.

Don’t be in such a hurry to find the right one, as you’re often just filling your idle time. It’s also okay to play the field, but it typically doesn’t lead to long and meaningful relationships when you play the field and date around.

You owe yourself to find someone who checks all the boxes and is your better half. Until you find that person, you’re settling for someone that isn’t right for you. Settling and having low standards isn’t fair to you or the person you’re with.

10 Dietary Changes That Can Reduce Stress Hormones

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There are many ways to manage stress, but you may have overlooked your diet. Following healthy strategies such as eating a healthy diet, drinking enough water, and limiting your caffeine is an excellent place to start.  But researchers suggest dietary changes can reduce stress hormones. Here are ten dietary changes you can make to reduce your stress hormones.

What Are the Main Stress Hormones?

Your primary stress hormone is cortisol. It gets released when you’re experiencing pressure causing a fight-or-flight response. Even though cortisol is essential, there are other significant hormones. Hormones like insulin affect weight gain, blood sugar levels, and your body’s stress levels. Other hormones that affect your stress include:

  • Prolactin
  • Growth hormones
  • Thyroid hormones
  • ACTH
  • Gonadotropins
  • Adrenaline
  • Norepinephrine
  • Catecholamines
  • Vasopressin
  • Corticotropin-releasing hormone

stress hormones

What Foods Affect Your Hormones the Greatest?

Sugar is at the top of the list of foods that activate your stress hormones. Sugar causes memory problems and brain fog. Furthermore, there’s even an increased risk of dementia when your diet is high in sugar. This is because it creates insulin resistance, making it harder for your body to process glucose.

Snacking throughout your day also disrupts your hormones and puts stress on your body. When you snack, it increases your insulin, which causes insulin resistance. These up-and-down hormone fluctuations affect your health, mood, and your stress.

10 Dietary Changes That Can Reduce Stress Hormones

If you want to manage health more efficiently, try these ten things.

1 – Eat more magnesium

According to studies, a diet low in magnesium increases anxiety-related behaviors. Foods rich in magnesium have the opposite effect. They make you feel calm and relaxed. Rood high in magnesium include:

  • Spinach
  • Swiss chard
  • Nuts
  • Seeds
  • Whole grains
  • Legumes

Magnesium provides support for your nerve function, muscles, and energy levels. When you are low in magnesium, it increases your blood pressure and puts you at risk for  type2 diabetes, heart disease, and osteoporosis. Having enough magnesium in your body makes a difference in how you feel and function. It improves your PMS, reduces migraines, and promotes lower inflammation.

2 – Eat fatty acids

This is an excellent dietary change to reduce stress if you aren’t eating enough fatty acids. Fatty acids, such as omega 3s, are linked to improving depression. These foods improve your mood and reduce your anxiety levels. Omega 3s create fluidity in your brain cells and play roles in your brain function. Your body can’t produce these essential fats, so you must include them in your diet.

Omega-3-rich foods to include in your diet:

  • Salmon
  • Dark chocolate
  • Fermented foods
  • Oatmeal
  • Bananas
  • Nuts and seeds
  • Blueberries
  • Beans
  • Lentils
  • Coffee

3 – Avoid skipping meals for lifetime dietary changes you can live with

Skipping meals can lead to metabolic syndrome. According to researchers, metabolic syndrome creates conditions in your body that can lead to diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and other health conditions. Metabolic syndrome is also called insulin resistance syndrome. Constant exposure to stress increases your risk of developing metabolic syndrome. How do you know if you have metabolic syndrome?

Know the red flags that reveal metabolic syndrome:

Good chance you have it if you have three or more of these conditions.

  • Large waistline: This is sometimes called an “apple shape.” It’s where you carry extra weight in your stomach area. This shape puts you at risk for heart disease more than if you carry your fat in other parts of your body.
  • High blood pressure: If you have high blood pressure that stays high, it can damage your blood vessels and heart. High blood pressure also builds up plaque, the waxy-like substance that clogs your arteries. Plaque causes blood vessels and heart disease, stroke, or heart attack.
  • High blood sugar: High blood sugar increases your chances of blood clots, damaging your blood vessels and heart. High blood pressure also raises triglycerides, a type of fat found in your blood. If you have high triglycerides, it increases your cholesterol, which leads to heart disease.

Metabolic syndrome is preventable with dietary changes and stress reduction.

4 – Try natural probiotics

Eating foods that are natural probiotics can reduce your anxiety and stress. These foods protect the lining of your gut, where many serotonin receptors live.

Natural probiotics are in these foods:

  • Pickles
  • Sauerkraut
  • Kombucha
  • Kimchi
  • Yogurt
  • Tempeh
  • Miso
  • Buttermilk
  • Some cheeses-mozzarella, cottage cheese, cheddar, gouda

dietary changes

5 – Enjoy foods rich in zinc

Another dietary change to consider is eating more foods rich in zinc. Zinc can improve your mental function and boost your brain health. Prolonged stress decreases zinc in your blood. Having enough zinc in your body stabilizes your cortisol levels, which can lead to hormonal changes.  Food high in zinc include:

  • Cashews
  • Liver
  • Beef
  • Liver
  • Egg yolks
  • Oysters
  • Crab
  • Chickpeas
  • Beans
  • Nuts

Eating a Mediterranean diet will boost your zinc levels. This diet improves your mood and reduces your stress.

7 – Eat foods rich in B vitamins

Foods rich in vitamin B are the “feel good” foods. They help release and regulate hormones, such as dopamine and serotonin. This vitamin’s other roles include:

  • Supports your overall sense of well-being
  • Improves your energy levels
  • Brain function
  • Cell metabolism
  • Prevent infections
  • Cell development and health
  • Stress control and improved mood

The Vitamin B foods include these items:

Make dietary changes by adding vitamin B-rich foods to your daily menu. Vitamin B foods include:

  • Eggs
  • Organ meats
  • Milk
  • Oysters
  • Clams
  • Mussels
  • Beans
  • Leafy greens
  • Citrus fruits
  • Avocados

What are the symptoms of low vitamin B?

Watch for these primary symptoms of low vitamin B:

  • You feel dizzy
  • Pale or yellowish skin tone.
  • Loss of appetite
  • Losing weight without trying
  • Fast heartbeat or chest pain
  • Your feet and hands feel numb or tingling
  • Weak muscles
  • Mood changes
  • Feeling forgetful or confused.

8 – Try adding antioxidant-rich foods

Antioxidants are natural substances that help delay cell damage and reduce anxiety disorders. There’s a considerable debate about how many antioxidants you need for maximum health benefits. It’s best to eat foods that are naturally high in antioxidants rather than taking supplements. Going overboard with supplements is never healthy. Eating these foods is the safest way to get enough antioxidants.

  • Apples
  • Cherries
  • Plums
  • Blackberries
  • Strawberries
  • Raspberries
  • Blueberries
  • Walnuts
  • Pecans
  • Kale
  • Spinach
  • Red beets
  • Broccoli
  • Ginger
  • Turmeric
  • Parsley

9 – Eat eggs

Eggs are full of a wide variety of minerals and vitamins. They also contain amino acids and antioxidants, which help boost stress reactions. Eggs are also rich in choline, a mineral that improves brain health, especially in protecting against stress. This fantastic food contains healthy amounts of protein. It’s also an excellent source of vitamin D, which strengthens your bones.

10 – Try sweet potatoes

These aren’t just sweet little orange vegetables. Sweet potatoes lower your cortisol levels, a stress hormone. Hormonal changes occur because of chronic stress. This situation leads to cortisol dysfunctions, resulting in inflammation, pain, and sometimes autoimmune problems. Sweet potatoes are a good carbohydrate choice to add to your dietary changes. They’re full of vitamin C, potassium, and vitamins B, E, and A.

Other benefits of eating sweet potatoes:

  • High fiber: Sweet potatoes are a great source of fiber, which helps your gut function well. They help lower diabetes and some cancers. Next time you grab potatoes for fries or mashed potatoes, pick up sweet potatoes. You’ll boost your fiber and improve your digestion.
  • Helps your vision: Orange vegetables such as sweet potatoes contain beta-carotene. It’s a pigment that changes into vitamin A in your body. It helps your vision in the dark and prevents certain eye diseases. Beta-carotene is fat-soluble, so it’s best to eat them with olive oil or butter for the best absorption.
  • Brain help:  Sweet potatoes are high in antioxidants and beneficial to help prevent brain function decline diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. Orange fruits and veggies slow cognitive decline. Eating these sweet little potatoes can aid your memory and brain function.
  • Helps your skin: Rich in vitamin C aids in the production of collagen, a protein found in your skin and hair. Eating sweet potatoes improves your skin and hair. Making them look strong and healthy. As you age, your body produces less collagen, such dietary changes as eating more sweet potatoes prevent your skin from drying out.
  • Supports your immune system: Another benefit of sweet potatoes is boosting your immune system. Because they’re high in vitamin C, which stimulate the production of your white blood cells that fight infection. Eating one sweet potato will give you 25% of your daily vitamin C. Your body cannot store this vitamin, so be sure to get it daily by including sweet potatoes in your daily menu.

dietary changes

Final Thoughts on Making Dietary Changes to Reduce Your Stress Hormones

You probably know many ways to manage your stress. But maybe you didn’t realize what you eat had such a significant impact on stress. Simple dietary changes will make a big difference. These ten dietary changes are simple to incorporate into your daily diet. It’s important to consider eating more of these foods since stress impacts your body. If you don’t regulate stress, it can cause hormonal changes in your body, lower your resistance to infection and disease and make you susceptible to dementia and Alzheimer’s. Try these foods to reduce your stress. Your health is worth it.

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