Page 234

5 Reasons People Feel Unmotivated (and How to Fix It)

July 1, 2022 by Kristen Lawrence

People feel unmotivated for various reasons, such as lack of purpose or mental disorders like depression. Regaining motivation doesn’t happen overnight, but you can feel inspired again by taking baby steps. The most important thing to remember when feeling unmotivated is to sit with your feelings rather than fight them or overcome obstacles.

Remember that you’re not a machine, and you don’t owe the world anything. You’ve come here to realize your true nature and a sense of purpose. You will naturally serve the world without much effort since the energy will flow freely.

When we live our truth, all the obstacles we face seem to melt away. Our vision becomes more precise, and we feel at one with the world around us. If that sounds like a pipe dream, perhaps you need a change in perspective. We’ll give you a few common reasons why people feel unmotivated and how you can find inspiration.

5 Reasons You Feel Unmotivated (And How to Reignite Your Spark!)

Do you recognize any of these signs of an unmotivated life?

1. When Unmotivated, You Don’t Live With Purpose.

When you suppress your true desires in life, you lose energy and vitality. Living to please others in fear of rejection or shame may cause you to follow the wrong path. If your parents wanted you to attend college and become a doctor, you might have felt pressured to make them happy. However, did you ever stop to think about what you truly wanted in life?

Others may encourage us to get a typical job because of societal pressures and a sense of security. But, this path isn’t for everyone, especially the dreamers, creators, and visionaries among us. People that think outside the box typically don’t do well in routine careers, and that’s okay. However, if your dream requires a degree, there’s nothing wrong with following the crowd.

The bottom line is that you shouldn’t allow others to dictate your life trajectory. By following your heart, you will awaken and inspire the creative spirit in others. So, if you feel stuck or unmotivated, ask yourself if you’re living your truth. If not, it’s time to move beyond your fears and find your voice!

2. You Don’t Exercise.

This may seem like a strange reason for feeling unmotivated. However, studies show that exercise helps improve motivation and ward off symptoms of depression. This occurs because exercise releases feel-good hormones such as dopamine and serotonin, which can boost your mood. Of course, if you feel unmotivated, it isn’t easy to get off the couch and hit the gym.

But, after your first gym session, it becomes easier to continue the workouts each time. After a few weeks, it will become part of your everyday routine and won’t require as much effort. Try exercising just three days per week to start, and do something that you genuinely enjoy. Moving your body will allow your mind to become more flexible, making your goals more attainable.

3. You’re Burnt Out and Can’t Deal with Obstacles.

When you overwork yourself, you start to feel unmotivated about life. You may become frustrated, depressed, or restless with little energy left for yourself. Unfortunately, more people have started to experience burnout at work than ever before. In fact, a recent survey from Indeed found that 52% of workers felt burned out in 2021.

Burnout can happen for several reasons, such as being disconnected from your job, experiencing chronic stress, or feeling unmotivated. When you feel unable to cope with life’s incessant demands, it can cause burnout syndrome.

If you feel unmotivated due to overworking or disinterested in work, ask your boss for a few days off. This way, you can recharge your batteries and perhaps look into other types of work.

4. If You’re Unmotivated, You May Lack Structure or Discipline.

Everyone needs a reason to wake up in the morning. If you feel unmotivated, perhaps you don’t have a routine or obligations to fulfill. Some people shy away from discipline, but it makes you feel better in the long term. In today’s world, we have become spoiled by instant gratification, but as they say, nothing good comes easily.

If you want to achieve your goals, you will have to sacrifice some of these habits. Or, prioritize the most critical tasks to knock them out while you have the energy. Setting a schedule will help you stay focused and avoid obstacles such as scrolling on social media or watching TV. You can permanently save these activities for the end of the day when you’ve completed your work.

5. You Have Unrealistic Goals.

Just as lack of discipline can make you unmotivated, so can setting too many lofty goals. Being on either end of the spectrum can quickly lead to restlessness and frustration. For instance, think about someone who aims to lose thirty pounds by the end of the month. They will most likely quit shortly because of their unrealistic expectations.

So, if you feel unmotivated, perhaps you should reassess your goals and desires in life. Remember to take baby steps and focus on smaller achievements along your journey. No one builds an empire in one week; manifesting any vision takes time and persistence.

To keep motivated, celebrate your small wins along the way to the finish line. With this attitude, it becomes much easier to feel inspired.

Final Thoughts on Feeling Unmotivated and Ways to Fix It

Sometimes, everyone feels unmotivated; it’s just a part of life in today’s fast-paced world. Often, though, a lack of motivation stems from having unrealistic goals. daily obstacles, or overworking ourselves. Frankly, we expect too much from ourselves and society in general, causing us to work ever-longer hours to keep pace with demands. However, we can see the detrimental effects of our obsession with productivity playing out in real time.

People have become more stressed, unhappy, and unhealthy than perhaps in any previous era. We must restore our balance between ourselves and nature by working moderately and simplifying life. Motivation naturally increases as we do what’s needed rather than what our egos desire.

Science Reveals Why You Feel Tired After Eating

July 1, 2022 by Chris Butler

Postprandial somnolence is the scientific term for some people’s shared experience of feeling sleepy after eating a meal. It’s challenging if you struggle to stay awake at work after you eat. It causes you to lose focus and lack motivation. You may be curious about what causes the common health issue of food exhaustion.

Here are reasons why scientists think you feel tired after eating.

Why People Feel Tired After Eating

It’s a typical experience because it takes your digestive system several hours to digest a meal. Thus, it’s normal to feel drowsy after eating. If you go back to work after lunch, you’ll notice this because you need to focus on your job. Don’t worry too much, but be aware of what you’re eating and how it affects you. Here are some other factors.

1 – You are eating big meals

Did you know it takes your body two to three hours to digest a meal? Your body is working full time to digest the food you eat. Enjoying a heavy meal while your body breaks down an earlier meal slows down your system. This leads to feeling tired and sluggish. Consuming less helps you not feel so full, and you won’t feel as sleepy later.

2 – Your body makes too much serotonin

Some people feel tired after eating because their bodies produce too much serotonin. This hormone regulates your sleep and moods. Although it’s a good hormone to have, too much of it causes drowsiness, tiredness, and even feelings of a lack of motivation. So, be aware of eating foods rich in serotonin, including

Pineapple
Cheese
Eggs
Tofu
Soy products
Turkey
Chicken
Nuts and seeds
Salmon

If you notice feeling tired at work after lunch, try to avoid these foods that could increase your serotonin levels.

3 – You enjoy eating foods with tryptophan

This amino acid comes in protein-packed foods like cheese, turkey, fish, chicken, and eggs. Eating a meal that contains these foods will make you feel sleepy because they’re high in tryptophan.

4 – Blood sugar dips

When you eat, your blood sugar goes up, but your blood sugar drops back down as the insulin releases into your bloodstream. This drop causes you to feel sluggish and tired. Some people have a health issue that causes low blood sugar after dining. It’s called postprandial hypoglycemia21. This triggers drowsiness and feelings of weakness.

5 – You eat high-fat foods

Eating high-fat processed foods is another cause of food coma after a meal. Scientists aren’t sure why high-fat meals cause drowsiness. But eating a lighter meal with whole grains, low-fat proteins, fresh vegetables, and crisp fruits can help you avoid this mid-day sleepiness. Try eating whole foods like these:

Avocados
Peanut butter
Vegetables and vegetable oils
Brown rice or quinoa

6 – You don’t get enough sleep

A significant contributor to daytime drowsiness is not getting enough sleep at night. If you have trouble sleeping at night, it throws off your circadian rhythm so that your body is off all day, and you’ll feel tired, especially after consuming your mid-day meal. Aim for at least 7 to 8 hours of sleep every night to help offset feeling tired during the day after you eat.

7 – You drink alcohol with your meals

Alcohol contributes to tiredness after eating. It makes you feel sluggish and tired when combined with a meal. Even though you feel like drinking helps you fall asleep, sleep quality is worse. Avoid drinking alcohol with your meals if you want to avoid a daytime slump.

8 – You have thyroid problems

Individuals with an underactive thyroid condition are prone to feeling tired after a meal. This is because your body’s metabolism slows down, making you feel fatigued. You may also experience dry skin, moodiness, and constipation.

9 – You’re drinking too much caffeine

A steamy cup of coffee in the morning is a great way to start your day. But if you drink too much coffee and other caffeinated drinks, it may lead to health issues. Overdoing the caffeine can lead to

Poor sleep
Irritability
Jitteriness
Sluggishness
Leads to heart problems
Anxiety

Keep tabs on how much caffeine you drink during the day to avoid feeling tired after eating.

10 – You take medications for another health issue

Certain medications cause drowsiness after you eat. If you take medications, read the side effects and understand the best times of day to take your meds. It may help to carry them around bedtime to avoid daytime drowsiness.

11 – You don’t eat enough

If you don’t eat enough during the day, you’ll feel tired when you eat a meal. This is because skipping meals makes your energy levels drop. When you finally eat, you tend to overeat, which causes your body to overwork while digesting your food. This leads to tiredness.

12 – You need to exercise more frequently

It sounds counterintuitive, but getting more exercise gives you more energy. When you’re not getting enough exercise, you will lack the power to do your daily tasks. Lack of exercise also makes your digestive system sluggish, so you gain weight and feel even more tired.

13 – You’re dehydrated

Dehydration could be the reason you’re feeling so tired after eating. Lacking enough fluids makes you feel tired and lethargic. Remember to drink an adequate amount of water all day to avoid dehydration, especially in the hotter summer months. Most adults should drink at least eleven to fifteen cups of water a day.

14 – You’re eating sugary meals

Sugar and processed carbs make your blood sugar levels rise, then crash shortly afterward. Skip the candy bar after lunch and eat a handful of berries instead.

15 – You lack specific vitamins and minerals

Another reason you feel so tired after eating could be a shortage of specific vitamins and minerals. You can get your blood work checked to see if you’re low in vitamins and minerals such as

B12
Vitamin D
Magnesium
Iron
Zinc
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
Creatine

16 – You may have an undiagnosed health issue or medical condition

If you upped your exercise, changed your diet, and tried to plan for smaller meals. Still, you feel exhausted after dining–you may have a health issue. If tiredness prevents you from being able to do your daily tasks, talk to your doctor. Your extreme fatigue after eating could be chronic. You may struggle with a health issue, such as the following:

Allergies, especially food allergies
Anemia
Celiac disease
Diabetes
Anemia

How Do You Counteract Food Exhaustion After Eating?

If it’s a challenge to stay awake after eating a meal, some suggestions may help you.

Don’t eat big meals a day: Try eating mini-meals throughout the day. Avoid sugary, high-fat snacks. Instead, choose to eat fruits, lean proteins, or vegetables.
Eat smaller portions: Eat half as much as you normally would eat. This makes it easier for your body to digest the good. You’ll have short bursts of energy from eating instead of feeling tired after eating a big meal.
Get enough sleep at night: Try to keep a regular bedtime, and avoid things that disrupt your ability to sleep, like blue screens before bedtime, snacking too late in the evening, or drinking caffeine too close to bedtime. Take a quick power nap only if you need it.
Exercise: A short walk around the neighborhood or doing some exercises helps your blood sugar levels stay up and gives you energy. Take a walk after you eat a big meal. This can help your body digest better.
Eat a balanced diet: If you’re struggling with fatigue after you eat, it could be that you’re not eating well. Focus on healthy proteins, whole grains, fruits, and non-starchy veggies.
Don’t drink too much caffeine: Avoid drinking too much caffeine during the day. It may help you function during the day, but it’ll keep you awake at night, disrupting your rest. This makes you tired the next day and prone to drowsiness, especially after a meal. Read drink labels. Many low-calorie drinks contain caffeine, even some seltzer waters. Certain herbal teas have caffeine, too.
Bright light therapy: Studies show that exposure to bright light lamps could help counteract sleepiness after meals. Researchers are still studying how to apply this to work settings, but they think using a bright light therapy could have a future impact on workers.

Final Thoughts on Identifying the Health Issue That Makes You Feel Drowsy After You Eat

It’s no laughing matter if you struggle with feeling sleepy after eating. It’s challenging to get your work done when you lack focus and feel moody and lethargic. Researchers are trying to understand all the causes of postprandial somnolence, but it’s usually because you’re eating too high fat, sugar, processed foods, and too large portions for your meals. Be aware that you could have a health issue causing a food coma after eating. Check this list of typical reasons you may feel tired after eating. Try some suggestions on avoiding post-meal drowsiness to see if they help. If not, be sure to speak with your doctor, who can diagnose any health issues that may cause you to feel exhausted and tired after you eat.

Science Explains What Happens to Your Body When You Take Probiotics Every Day

June 30, 2022 by Chris Butler

Over the years, probiotics have become a household word. This “good” bacteria can benefit some people, but they aren’t helpful in all situations. Probiotics aren’t medicine. They’re a natural supplement found in many foods. It’s essential to understand the difference when taking them for gut health. Here is what scientists suggest happens to your body when you take probiotics every day.

What are probiotics?

Probiotics are a combination of live yeast and bacteria in your body. They’re considered the ‘good bacteria which keep your gut healthier and boost your immune system. Probiotics are part of the microbiome, a group of organisms made up of microbes that live together in and on your body, keeping it healthy. Microbes in your lower intestines digest your food, fight off bacteria and keep you regulated. When these microbes get off balance, it leads to health problems.

What are the health benefits of probiotics?

Researchers are still learning the health benefits of probiotics and who benefits the most from taking them. Probiotics may help treat people who have these health conditions, including:

Antibiotic-resistant diarrhea
Inflammatory bowel disease
Irritable bowel disease
Hypercholesterolemia
Obesity
Atopic dermatitis
Pediatric acute infectious diarrhea
Gastro symptoms like gas, bloating, and constipation, especially in older people.

Studies show that taking a probiotic while on an antibiotic may help you avoid diarrhea. Researchers are still unsure whether probiotics help healthy individuals.

When choosing a probiotic to improve your gut health, what do you need to know?

There are so many probiotics on the market that it’s hard to know which ones live up to their claims. Many probiotics get destroyed by your stomach acids even before reaching your digestive tract. So, consider these things when you buy a probiotic.

Shelf-stable: Make sure the probiotic supplement is shelf-stable. Probiotics shouldn’t need to be refrigerated, and they should last at least two years.
Soil-based organisms: Your probiotic should be soil-based.
Strain varieties: Choose a probiotic at least ten probiotic strains. These include the following: Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bacillus coagulans, Streptococcus thermophilus, Bifidobacterium strains.
A high number of probiotics: Your probiotic should have at least 50 billion probiotics per serving.
Delay release: Choose a delayed-release capsule that protects the probiotics from stomach acids.
Prebiotic included: Choose a probiotic with prebiotics included in the supplement’s formula.

What foods are natural probiotics?

There are many foods loaded with probiotic cultures for good gut health. Today, people understand that it’s best to get their nutrients from healthy foods rather than supplements to meet their dietary needs. If you want to be sure to get enough probiotics in your system, these are some excellent foods with natural probiotics.

1 -Dark chocolate

Dark chocolate is packed with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties that are good for your gut. Be sure to choose dark chocolate with at least 70% cacao for the best source of prebiotics and probiotics.

2 – Greek yogurt

Greek yogurt is rich in probiotics. It has two strains of bacteria that restore your gut health. Some people say that eating yogurt regularly helps repair your gut to the right balance of good bacteria if you’re on antibiotics. Be sure the label on the Greek yogurt you choose says live active culture for the best results.

3 – Sauerkraut

Sauerkraut is a cabbage fermented with lactic acid rather than vinegar. Thus, it delivers the most probiotic benefits. Sauerkraut contains fiber, vitamins K, B, C and iron. When you buy sauerkraut, ensure it’s unpasteurized and fermented with lactic acid. Buy it fresh rather than on the shelf in a can.

4 – Kimchi

Kimchi is a spicy Korean dish made from fresh cabbage and vegetables fermented in lactic acid bacteria. This spicy side dish boosts your gut health, similar to sauerkraut. Kimchi comes either pasteurized or unpasteurized. You’ll find the best benefits in unpasteurized kimchi with live active cultures. Buy fresh kimchi at the market or make your kimchi to guarantee it’s new.

5 – Kombucha

Fizzy and fermented and made with drinks like black or green tea, kombucha has grown in popularity over the past few years. It’s not a cure-all, but many people have experienced health benefits from this probiotic blend. Be sure to buy an authentic kombucha, not a kombucha-type drink. There are many copycats, so read the label to see if the drink contains lactic acid.

6 – Kefir

Kefir is a dairy with probiotics. Even if you’re lactose intolerant, you should be able to drink kefir. It’s made from lactic acid, yeast, and bacteria. It’s thought that drinking kefir will improve your gut and bone health and help fight infections. Be sure to read the label to guarantee you’re getting genuine kefir and not an imitation drink.

7 – Pickles

If you like to eat dill pickles, you’re getting natural probiotics. Made from cucumbers fermented in their lactic acid, pickles contain good bacteria and salt, and water. Pickles are sour probiotic snacks. You should choose the type of pickle in the refrigerator section of your grocery. These contain lactic acid. Conversely, food manufacturers make shelf pickles with vinegar, not lactic acid.

8 – Tempeh

Tempeh is fermented soybeans made into a loaf or patty. Thus, it works for people who enjoy a plant-based diet. It’s high in protein and a great source of probiotics, calcium, and protein. Be sure to buy fresh tempeh for the best health benefits and taste.

Probiotic risks

There is a wide assortment of probiotics currently on the market. The FDA does not regulate most supplements. Because of this, it’s hard to know what’s inside many of these supplements. There is a risk of taking these probiotics because of the unknown ingredients that could make you sick. Beware of probiotics from other countries, especially those countries that don’t have the same medical standards as the United States.

A second risk is that many people assume probiotics are like medication instead of supplements. The lack of quality of some of these probiotics that promise to cure you of certain health conditions could be dangerous. Many of these probiotics don’t list the ingredients or disguise them. Studies show that unregulated probiotics may transfer a plasmid-mediated antibiotic resistance to your gut, especially in certain at-risk groups. Researchers suggest you use discretion when choosing a probiotic that may not have FDA approval and could cause more harm than good. Generally, it’s best to get your nutrients from eating healthy foods rather than taking supplements.

Misuse of probiotics can kill you.

It may sound dramatic to say probiotics can kill, but it can happen–rarely. People with serious medical conditions like severe infections should avoid probiotics. Probiotics are harmful to these individuals. There have been cases where probiotics led to sepsis in people who are:

Post-operative patients
Infants with serious illnesses
Elderly patients
Immunocompromised patients
Cancer patients on immunotherapy inhibitors-Avoid taking them since they lower your chances of remission.
Babies: Probiotics aren’t safe for babies, especially preemies, since their immune systems are still developing.

Individuals in the ICU who take probiotics can develop bacteremia or fungemia, two deadly infections. The risk is incredibly high if they have a catheter. Sepsis can spread to other patients in the room through the air, hand contact, or objects and utensils used by the medical staff.

Two common probiotics that can kill high-risk people include the following:

Saccharomyces: This yeast causes fungemia in the person who took the probiotic and those around them. Most of these cases happen in intensive care units in hospitals.
Bifidobacterium: These bacteria cause invasive infections and even sepsis in people with low immune system function. It’s essential to understand a person’s health status before giving them probiotics. You could cause them a severe or even deadly infection.

Should you take probiotics every day?

Whether it’s healthy to take probiotic supplements every day for gut health. Probiotics are safe for most people, but it’s probably better to skip them if you fall into specific categories. Even if you’re healthy, sometimes probiotics can cause side effects such as

Gas
Bloating
Diarrhea
Upset stomach

Once you get used to them, your system settles down, and the side effects will go away. Most importantly, is t at before you give probiotics to someone, be sure you understand their health conditions. Generally, unless your doctor prescribes probiotic supplements, it’s best to get your probiotics from a well-balanced diet that includes foods that naturally have probiotics. Your digestive system functions quite well, so there’s no need for daily probiotic supplements.

Final thoughts on understanding how probiotics help your gut health–and who should avoid them

Today, people understand that the best way to stay healthy isn’t to take great supplements, but to eat healthy, natural foods, including those with natural probiotics.

If you want to receive the many benefits of probiotics, choose fermented vegetables such as kimchi or sauerkraut or fermented dairy foods like kefir for probiotic health in your gut. Hopefully, this article helps you answer whether it’s healthy for you to take probiotics every day or if you should look for ways to get them in your diet.

Dads Adopt a Family of 6 Siblings to Keep Them Together

June 30, 2022 by Kristen Lawrence

In 2021, six siblings who had spent 5 years in foster care finally got adopted by their two dads. They found their forever home and couldn’t have asked for better parents. Steve and Rob Anderson-McLean, a couple from Pennsylvania, adopted the six brothers and sisters to keep them together. They first heard about an adoption need for Carlos, 14, Guadalupe, 13, Maria, 12, Selena, 10, Nasa, 9, and Max, 7, in 2018.

When the two dads saw their pictures for the first time, they instantly felt called to adopt them. The couple knew that many siblings get split up in the foster care system, which can cause lasting psychological damage. They didn’t want to see that happen to these siblings. The state also agreed they should stay together, luckily.

So, in July 2018, all six kids came to live with the two dads as their foster children. After just the first week, the siblings asked their new parents if they could stay forever. They’d been having a blast going to the zoo, and parks and playing in the backyard together.

In their time in foster care, they never had much of a chance to have fun. So, they soaked up the experiences as much as possible, and never wanted them to end.

Steve and Rob expressed initial concerns about how the oldest sibling, Carlos, would react to having same-sex parents. Since he was a teenager, they thought he might have problems adjusting. Thankfully, he didn’t seem phased at all and fit right in with the family.

All six siblings just feel grateful to have two caring dads that want to give them the world. They look forward to Friday nights at the trampoline park the most. But after the adoption, they enjoy every moment together.

The Family of Eight Loves Their New Life Together

The two dads felt so lucky and blessed when they officially adopted the children on May 23, 2019. Steve already had two sons from a previous marriage, Parker, 25, and Noah, 21, as well. The judge told the couple that from now on, the adoptive children were just as much their own.

When the dads looked up into the grateful eyes of their new children, they couldn’t have been happier. They have never forgotten that special day, and have always treated the siblings like their biological children.

After spending 1,640 days in foster care, the siblings finally had a chance at a normal life after adoption. The couple says the children have brought so much love and warmth into their lives. They also get along wonderfully with friends and extended family, a bonus to the arrangement.

Steve and Rob Anderson-McLean have been a couple for nearly two decades. They held a commitment ceremony in 2006 before tying the knot in Maryland in 2013. After Parker and Noah grew up and moved out, they felt like they weren’t yet done raising children. Steve said that after he and Rob saw a TV show about a couple adopting siblings, they felt inspired to do the same.

After researching adopting kids, they learned how many siblings get separated in the system. It broke their hearts, and they wanted to prevent that from happening. So, they started searching in the United States for children to adopt. They came across the six siblings on an Ohio website stating they had been in foster care for almost 5 years.

Sadly, the children had been victims of abuse and neglect, and the parents lost custody of them in 2017. They initially matched with the children in June 2018, hoping to give them a much better life. The siblings went to live with the two dads the next month, and the rest is history.

The Kids Still Can’t Believe They’ve Been Adopted

Adoption can sometimes be a difficult, tedious process, but it’s worth it to transform children’s lives. Steve knew he could give the children a better opportunity. But, he didn’t realize how much the siblings would impact him and his husband. The family of eight thoroughly enjoys their new life together, and the children couldn’t feel more thankful for their dads.

But, sometimes they still can’t believe they’ve been adopted and even worry it won’t last. One day, their 7-year-old son Max came up to Steve and said, “I’m adopted.” It seemed as though he had to say it out loud to accept the new reality of his adoption.

After hopping from one foster home to the next, Steve understood exactly how Max felt. He also asked Steve if he could get unadopted, so his dad reassured him that would never happen. He told him that he would always be their son, a message that the couple reiterates to all the children. They want to ensure the kids know they aren’t going anywhere.

They’ve lived with the couple for three years, but it feels like they’ve known each other forever. Rob says they’ve had an emotional bond for many years. They make new memories every day and feel blessed to have each other. And, their love knows no bounds, helping to transform the children from their turbulent past.

Carlos told his parents that having a stable, forever family seemed surreal. He no longer had to call himself a foster kid, a label he thought would always stick with him. Now, he’s a son to two loving dads who ensure they give the children the best life possible.

Final Thoughts on Dads Adopting Six Siblings to Keep Them Together

When two dads adopted six siblings in Pittsburgh, they didn’t realize how much it would change their lives. The children came from an abusive household and lived in the foster care system for nearly 5 years. Sadly, they had never known love, stability, or security, things they desperately needed. Thankfully, Steve and Rob decided to give them a second chance and transform their lives with love.

After hearing their story, they felt heartbroken about the children’s past and wanted to make a difference. Now, the family of eight has lived together for three years and will cherish many more together. It’s amazing how love and affection can heal even the most broken souls. If you have ever considered adoption, hopefully this story will inspire you to do so!

5 Tips to Rebalance Life and Bring Back Joy

June 30, 2022 by Kristen Lawrence

Do you feel a need to rebalance your life? Perhaps you’ve been feeling frazzled or pulled in many different directions. When we’re too busy in the outside world, it usually means we have to sacrifice in other aspects of life. For instance, if you spend all your time at work, you won’t have any extra time for relationships, health, or self-care. In a noisy and rushed world, it may seem impossible to rebalance your life with chaos around every corner. After you solve one problem, it seems like another crops up before you have a chance to recuperate. Life requires endless juggling and multitasking.

So this balancing act can take a toll after a while. However, we have a few tips on how to feel more peace and joy in daily life below.

5 Ways to Rebalance Life and Create More Happiness

Try these new habits to set priorities and make a happier life.

1. Learn How to Say “No” to Rebalance Life.

If you want to rebalance your life, you will have to learn to create boundaries. It’s essential for your mental and spiritual health to assert yourself at times and not allow others to take advantage. By delegating tasks to others and saying “yes” to yourself more often, you will have more inner peace. Oftentimes, an imbalance in our lives stems from not prioritizing ourselves enough.

We expend so much energy trying to help others or be the perfect employee that we have nothing left for ourselves. It isn’t selfish to say “no” when you genuinely don’t have time or energy for more tasks. In this world that stresses ever-greater productivity, we must regain our power. Humans aren’t machines and need time to rest from the rigors of modern life.

Allow yourself to set boundaries at work and in personal relationships, and you’ll find balance more easily.

2. Stop Trying and Just Go With the Flow.

Ironically, when we attempt to control life, it usually causes everything to spiral into chaos. But if we don’t take any action, life will also slip through our fingers and result in even more problems. Like anything else, balance is necessary to keep life flowing without disruptions.

You can compare it to a musical instrument that requires tuning and regular maintenance to play the correct notes. To rebalance life, we need to learn to tune ourselves to the natural rhythms of the universe. Nothing in nature strives to achieve anything outside of itself, yet we still find it profoundly beautiful.

Since we’re nature as well, we need only slow down and learn to let things unfold without judgment. Exerting too much control over life’s events always leads to suffering and misery. To restore balance, we need to find our center and a sense of inner peace. With a clear mind and calm, steady heart, our energy will flow freely and we can achieve what’s necessary.

3. Listen to Your Own Intuition.

Many times, we follow the crowd instead of listening to our inner voice for the answers. However, we all have a unique path in life, so it doesn’t make sense to look outside for wisdom. No one else can make you happy except yourself, so create your own rules in life. Only by looking within can we rebalance our lives and discover the unique story we’re here to tell.

If you feel disconnected from yourself, take time to discover your soul and ignore the outside world. All the noise and mental chatter distract us from our true nature of peace, joy, and infinite wisdom. However, we can recover our souls by tuning into intuition rather than reason.

4. Practice Discipline.

Sometimes, you need to set priorities to rebalance your life. If you find yourself spending hours binge-watching Netflix or scrolling social media, for instance, you would benefit from discipline. This doesn’t mean you should throw away your phone or go to extreme measures, of course. Having a schedule of tasks you must complete each day would help in this case.

For example, you should always complete the most important things first and set aside distractions such as smartphones. Studies show that even having your phone in the same room reduces cognitive capacity and attention. So, make sure to leave your devices elsewhere while completing work.

Also, you might benefit from prioritizing certain activities, such as meditation and exercise, before beginning your workday. Making time for self-care and mental health will make it easier to accomplish necessary tasks. Discipline may not sound fun, but it leads to greater happiness in the long-term.

5. Avoid Multitasking.

If you want to rebalance your life, start by completing only one task at a time. After all, research shows that our brains can’t effectively multitask because it hinders cognition. Multitasking doesn’t mean that we’re accomplishing many things simultaneously, but rather switching between tasks. The study found that multitasking lowers productivity by 40%, meaning it will take you longer to finish work.

So, this point also ties back into discipline and focus, since we can achieve more with intense focus. Think of a doctor performing an intricate surgery or a student studying for a difficult exam. They perform tasks slowly and methodically, absorbing information as it comes to them. We find greater peace and fulfillment if we approach life in this manner. Remember, nature doesn’t rush, yet everything gets accomplished.

Final Thoughts on Ways to Rebalance Your Life and Leave Multitasking Behind

In our modern times, we have become disconnected from what brings true joy and lasting peace. We have become burnt out and discontent in our rush to achieve things at an ever-faster pace. That’s because working longer hours and earning more money doesn’t actually create peace or happiness. It only presents more problems to solve in our quest to outperform everyone around us.

Therefore, we need to slow down and look to nature for answers. Creating joy comes from living a fulfilling life that benefits others in some way. It comes from taking time to smell the roses, not from racing through life without reason.

So, give yourself permission to live on your own terms, and don’t apologize for it. Whatever makes you come alive, do it, because we need more people living with passion in this world.

Strong People Know When to Stop Fixing Problems for Others and Take Care of Themselves

June 30, 2022 by Sarah Barkley

It’s natural to want to help your friends or family during a struggle. You want them to live a joyful life with everything they need. While you might want to fix their problems, there comes a time when you must stop. Sometimes you must prioritize caring for yourself first.

You might think that fixing things makes you powerful, and you go out of your way to achieve the feeling. However, accepting that you can’t always solve issues for others doesn’t make you powerless. Instead, it helps you put the energy into solving your problems and taking care of yourself.

You become a stronger person when you know when to stop fixing problems for others. Once you start taking care of yourself, it’ll improve your overall well-being. Figuring out when to stop first requires learning why you want to fix people’s troubles.

Nine Signs That You Are Fixing Problems for Others

If you’re unsure if you are fixing problems for others, you’ll want to figure it out. Most fixers, or people who try to fix difficulties for others, are empaths, but there are other signs, too. The signs that you’re a fixer include:

Trying to take someone’s pain away when they’re feeling down
Getting someone back on track after they take the wrong path
Attempting to force someone to make healthier life choices
Fixing people makes you feel good
Feeling needed and purposeful when fixing things for others
Dropping what you’re doing to help someone
Feeling guilty about saying no or disappointing someone
Being hard on yourself when you can’t help or fix an issue
People often take advantage of you

Eight Reasons Why You Should Stop Fixing Problems for Others

While wanting to take care of a loved one is ideal, it doesn’t always work out how you’d hoped it would. It could cause unintended problems for you or the other person.

1 – Fixing Problems for Others Could Make Things Worse

Solving other people’s issues can often worsen things, even when you want them to improve. You can inadvertently cause more complications by getting bossy, giving unsolicited advice, or behaving like you know everything. It can convey that you think you know better than them and don’t trust their judgment.

If you keep pushing, it can cause more stress and conflict for the person. It can also negatively impact your relationship with the person you want to help.

2 – You Don’t Know What They Want

While you can assume what people want, you never honestly know. You don’t know what they need, either, and it’s presumptuous to believe otherwise.

3 – Not Everyone Wants to Fix Their Problems

People might not want to change, at least not how you want to help or think they need help. It’s their choice if they’re going to make a change, and you can’t force them. Even when you have their best interests at heart, you can’t make them see the situation as you do.

4 – It Takes Away Their Opportunity to Grow

When you make decisions for others and continually fix their issues, it takes away their autonomy. This situation interferes with their learning and growth. You take away their chance to become better, and they won’t learn how to handle their life independently.

Struggles make people more potent, but they must have the opportunity to deal with them. Once they handle their situation, they’ll feel empowered and ready to tackle the next challenge.

5 – You Start Caring for Yourself, Instead

If you spend all of your time and energy trying to fix other people, you miss out on personal growth. It distracts you from solving your problems, preventing you from becoming the best version of yourself.

6 – You Miss Out on Opportunities and Experiences

When you always want to fix others, it causes you to miss out on experiences. You might pass on trips or opportunities because you feel you must be available.

Some people believe that if they are constantly present, the other person will be sad. Or, they think that they must be there to take care of the person whether they want it. You should feel comfortable doing things you enjoy, visiting new places, or accepting opportunities despite the hardship of others.

7 – Fixing Problems for Other People Disrupts Your Well-Being

Fixing things for others interferes with your life and well-being. It can cause you to obsess over the choices of those around you. It can also cause you to worry about the impact of your life choices on the people you care about.

8 – Problem Solving for Your Friends and Family Can Cause Negative Feelings Later

When you constantly sacrifice your needs and wants for someone else, it can cause negativity. You’ll begin to experience resentment, lack of appreciation, or anger. These feelings often stem from helping others out of obligation or guilt, but they can occur when you want to help.

Four Ways to Stop Fixing Problems for Others

If you’re a natural fixer, it can be hard to stop fixing troubles for others. You want everyone to be happy and do well with their life, and that’s hard to let go. However, you can stop stepping in and continue rooting for them to do well.

1 – Determine Whose Problem It Is

You might already know that you can’t control people or make their problems disappear. Still, you could get sucked into trying to fix things for others. This situation often occurs when you’re unsure about whose complication it is.

It can cloud your judgment when you strongly desire to help and protect those closest to you. You might think that you know best, regardless of what the other person wants. However, you must assess if it is your problem to fix.

Even if the problem affects you, it doesn’t make it yours. If you don’t realize that it isn’t your problem, it can send you into a spiral of trying to fix things that you can’t control.

2 – Realize Which Problems You Can Do Something About

You can’t fix everyone’s problems, but you can solve your issues. If someone’s complications cause you to feel anxious, stressed out, or angry, you can deal with those things.

Focus on dealing with what you can, letting go of trying to help the other person. Remember, you can only do something about how it affects you, and you can’t force the other person to change.

3 – Remember That You Must Let People Grow

Depriving someone of their chance to grow is unfair. You must allow people to work through their problems, and they’ll be ready for the next one. Give the other person the opportunity to learn and grow because they need to experience it.

4 – Focus on Yourself Instead

Anytime you get the urge to fix things for someone else, take a step back. Instead, focus on yourself by doing something that will help you grow.

Spend the time and energy doing something that helps you become a better version of yourself. Learn a new skill, develop existing talent, or seek new opportunities.

When You Can Help

There will be times when you can help other people, but you must distinguish when it’s appropriate. If you step in too soon or too often, it shows you are enabling their behavior. Take some time to assess the situation and determine what you should do.

Start by asking yourself if the other person wants your help. If they don’t want your assistance, you shouldn’t try to force it. However, if they desire your assistance, ensure you give the kind of help they need and want.

You should also ask yourself if you desire to control or influence. Your goal should never be to handle the situation, so don’t step in if you can’t refrain. It is likely okay to help the person out if you can offer influence and new information.

How to Start Caring for Yourself Again

Caring for yourself is an essential aspect of your life. If you think you must put others first, it’s time to shift your mindset. After all, you can’t give to others if you neglect yourself.

You must nourish yourself and live a fulfilling life, and it all starts with not fixing problems for others. Work on solving your problems instead of focusing on other people’s issues.

Focus on self-nourishment, meaning taking time to hone in on your needs and wants. Take some time alone to relax without pressure, or get away with your spouse for a weekend. It might also mean taking the job of your dreams, even if it means leaving someone behind.

Self-love and self-care can make all the difference in your life. You’ll stop trying to fix everyone else’s problems, allowing you to improve your energy.

Another way to start taking care of yourself is to share your talents and resources with others. Give your time and attention without stepping in to save the day. You are not responsible for anyone else, and offering your talents is more than enough.

Final Thoughts on Strong People Know When to Stop Fixing Problems for Others and Caring for Yourself, First

While you might want to care for your loved ones, it’s not always beneficial. Sometimes it’ll cause more issues rather than making things better. Plus, even if you fix it, you’ll hinder the other person’s progress.

Instead of doing things for people and fixing their issues, you must allow them to do it themselves. They must deal with the consequences or complications, allowing them to develop. Rather than putting your time and energy into others, focus on taking care of yourself instead.

Psychology Explains How Pets Increase Positive Thinking

June 29, 2022 by Lakeisha Ethans

Most people love animals and either own pets or wish they had at least one little furry buddy. Pets are some of the most genuine and cute beings alive, so it’s easy to understand why they can steal our hearts in seconds. Interacting with your furry friends can increase your positive thinking and overall positivity in life, confirm psychologists.

Of course, pet owners know how much they can improve someone’s mood. Each time you get home, they are waiting for you, and you can see how excited they are to see you. The connection you can create with a pet is genuine and wholesome, and you can feel that. So, after a demanding day at work, feeling the love your pet has for you is the best thing you could ask for, and that’s why taking care of them even when you’re not home is important, so you should learn to use online resources, like https://petboarders.co.uk/catteries/, to choose a cattery for your feline’s next getaway.

And they don’t ask for anything in return. Your furry friends love you unconditionally and they will always be there to cheer you up when you are going through something. But pets aren’t just good companions who can lift your spirits for a moment. They can completely change who you are as a person. Having pets has been shown to increase positive thinking. By hanging out with your pet for a couple of hours a day, you will become generally increase positivity.

How Pets Increase Positive Thinking

It seems logical that pets would make you happier. But how exactly can they change the way you think? Well, psychology can explain the link between pets and positive thinking.

1. Pets Change Your Mood to a Place of Positivity

Pets don’t just make you happy by being adorable for a moment. The change in mood that they cause isn’t temporary. It’s permanent, as playing with a pet has been shown to create changes in the hormones your body releases. Playing with an animal has been proven to increase oxytocin and decrease cortisol.

Thus, your stress levels will inevitably go down. This is the reason why pet therapy can be so effective. Because there’s a clear biological link between being around an animal and a decrease in stress, people with depression or anxiety have something to gain by being around pets. Studies explain the effectiveness of pets as therapy. They also showed that playing with an animal is tied to decreased heart rate and blood pressure. This is because oxytocin, besides inhibiting the release of stress hormones, also plays a role in the cardio-respiratory system.

It slows someone’s breathing rhythm and heart rate, thus reducing blood pressure. Oxytocin can help the body heal, either physically or psychologically, whenever it needs to. For example, it allows the body to create new cells, making people’s bodies healthier. Because of this, oxytocin makes people feel generally happy. This happiness, coupled with lower depression and anxiety levels, promotes positive thinking.

2. Pets Help You Socialize

This isn’t the case with all pet owners. For example, if you own a snake, you don’t have to walk it. But most pet owners know that their pets are a great conversation starter. This is especially true if you own a dog you must walk daily. And this is something all dog owners can attest to. Whenever someone walks their dog, at least one person will come up to them and ask something about the dog.

Pets dogs can help you socialize and create new friends and encourage positivity in the community. For example, if you just moved into a new neighborhood, simply taking your dog on walks will help you meet all your neighbors. A survey shows that pet owners are 60% more likely to meet their neighbors than non-pet owners. But some studies show that even owning other pets, like a cat, a rabbit, or even a snake, can help you socialize. That’s because having a pet can be a great conversation starter. This is especially true if you have an uncommon animal. People will be curious to hear about a snake if you have a snake. Or, if you are traveling with your cat, people will inevitably come up to you and ask you about the cat.

There are many cases where owning an animal can open new doors and help you meet new people. As everyone knows, isolation has disastrous effects on someone’s mental health. It can lead to depression, anxiety, and even physical issues. But the socialization you can engage in because of your pet will help you avoid those issues. And you don’t just avoid being alone. You can even create a solid social circle, which will help you become a happier person.

So, having a pet who can help you socialize can help you increase positive thinking.

3. Having a Pet Boosts Your Self-Esteem, Thus Boosting Positive Thinking

Owning a pet has been shown to boost your self-esteem and improve how you see yourself. This is especially true for people who have owned pets since they were children or teenagers, but it can also happen for adults. This seems to be the case because kids don’t worry as much about how other people view them when they have a pet. If they have these thoughts, they’ll fade as soon as they see their pet.

Because they have that companion who will never leave them, they don’t have to worry about popularity. Even if their peers don’t accept them, they’ll still have someone who does and who loves them unconditionally. And, since childhood is when someone’s behavior is shaped, this child or teenager will have a healthier development. The outcomes of this development will always be positive.

But improvements in self-esteem can be seen in adults too. The changes won’t occur as quickly, but your behavior will see some difference. Again, having that companion will make you feel better about yourself. You won’t worry as much about how others view you, which will improve your mental health. And it’s important to note that a person with higher self-esteem will tend to be more positive and engage in positive thinking.

4. Having a Pet Helps You Be More Mindful

Psychologists say that mindfulness is based on attention, intention, compassion, and awareness. Thus, a person cannot be mindful if they don’t know how to empathize with others or even pay attention to what their body is telling them. Being mindful is about being aware of your feelings and needs and others’ feelings and needs.

Mindfulness is an excellent trait to have because it improves both your physical and psychological health. When people think of mindfulness, their mind immediately goes to meditation. While meditation is an essential tool for becoming more mindful, it’s not the only tool. You can’t learn to be more compassionate by simply meditating. But you can understand it by having to care for another being.

So, having a pet is one of the best ways to become more compassionate. This being is dependent on you to provide them with food and shelter. Simply knowing that their life is in your hand will make you empathize more and be more attentive. As you might know, mindfulness is one of the best ways to become more positive.

Once you become aware of your needs, as well as others, you will be more likely to cherish what you have and engage in positive thinking. Along with these benefits, your life will respond with positivity as your mental and physical health improve.

5. Caring for a Pet Adds Structure to Your Life

Having structure is one of the essential things in someone’s life. It can help you manage your tasks better, thus lowering your stress levels. But that’s not the only advantage. Routine and structure will give you a guideline for how your days should look. When you know what you need to do and where to aim, you are more likely to see things in a positive light. But it can sometimes be hard to create that structure.

Most times, people don’t want to schedule every minute of their life or walk around with a planner in their bag. But that’s the beauty of owning a pet. They add structure to your life organically, and they change your thinking patterns such that they become natural. When you have a pet, you need to care for them every day. You need to feed them, clean their living environment and make sure they exercise. For pet sitting Charlotte contact For Pets Sake Pet Sitting & Dog Walking. In time, all these tasks will become structured routine. You will always provide them at the same time. You will regularly clean their tanks, cages, or beds and walk your dog every day at the same time.

This routine is often very calming. You don’t need to worry about what you’ll do with your day. You’ll already have a plan that you can stick to no matter what. This way of planning and making routines will expand in all areas of your life. As you become a more structured person, you will find that you’ll engage in positive thinking more often. Your stress levels will decrease, and you will always find comfort in your routine. Instead of stressing out about some minor inconvenience, you will look forward to getting home and feeding your pet.

Final Thoughts on How Pets Increase Positive Thinking

Having a pet is a beautiful experience. They bring joy into your life on even the darkest days. They are always full of positivity and excitement. Because of how joyous a pet always is, it’s hard not to have positive thoughts around them.

Pets aren’t just cute and cuddly. They are the best companion someone could ever ask for. They help you become a better person and engage in positive thinking more often. Having pets has been associated with a decrease in stress levels and loneliness. They are always there to comfort you when you are feeling down, thus lowering levels of depression and anxiety.

Because of how drastically they improve your mental health, they’ll inevitably make you a more positive person. Besides that, they help you meet new people and become more sociable. They also help boost your self-esteem and make you more mindful. Lastly, they add structure and routine to your life, which allows you have a goal. Overall, if you’ve ever asked yourself if getting a pet is a good idea, the answer is an undeniable yes.

Psychologists Explain the Best 12 Ways to Clear Your Mind

June 29, 2022 by Kristen Butler

When you think of clutter, you probably instantly picture your closets and other areas of hoarding that occur in your home. However, few realize that your mind can become just as cluttered as your abode, and the consequences can be just as severe. Here are a few signs that prove you need to take the time to clear your mind:

Negativity
Worrying about things that might not occur
Past hurts and regrets
Anger
Sadness
Ruminating on your problems
Dreams and plans
External distractions
Continuous sensory input
To-do List

A little clutter won’t hurt, right? Sure, you’re not going to get your mind 100 percent free of every thought, as it’s impossible. Consequently, the problem exists when it becomes overloaded. Have you ever opened too many browsers on your computer, and it causes your CPU to run slow?

The same thing happens in your brain. You can’t be present at the moment and engage in mindful living when your mind is chaotic.

Twelve Ways to Clear Your Mind

A position of mental confusion causes you to become distracted and disorganized in your life. You cannot define what’s a priority from things that can wait, and it’s impossible to make sound decisions. The key is to build mental muscles to help you declutter your mind.

You need space in your brain to organize your time and keep up your energy, and it all starts by unraveling the unhealthy thought patterns you’ve picked up along the way. If you want to clear your mind and release these patterns, here are a few ways to accomplish this task.

1. Decrease Multitasking to Clear Your Mind

Employers often extol the virtues of those who multitask efficiently as the best employees and parents. However, new research proves that your mind cannot handle so much at once, as it overloads your brain. Instead, you need a to-do list that allows you to focus on one task at a time, which can avoid the mental overload that occurs.

An article written by the American Psychological Association cites research by Dr. Robert Rogers and Dr. Stephen Monsell. Studies found that people who focus on one task have more significant mental strength than those who try to do many things simultaneously.

How often have you got lost in all you have to do, and it’s hours later, and not much has been accomplished? Try setting a timer for each task and making yourself accountable for your time. When the timer sounds, you move on to something else. This little tip will give you a gentle push to help clear your mind and desk.

2. Clear Your Mind With Journaling

One way to get all those thoughts floating inside your mind out is by journaling. If you have notes, to-do lists, and other things swirling inside your brain, you can let go of them by putting them on paper. Decluttering your mind is simple when you use journaling to help you.

3. Reject Negativity

Do you engage in toxic self-talk, feelings of sadness, or hopelessness? Is the negativity you ingest each day suffocating you? You need to reject negativity and angle your perceptions towards reality. Be careful what you allow into your mind and heart, as it can profoundly affect you.

Changing your mindset isn’t easy, but you can do it. Ways you can do this are through positive affirmations, replacing negative thoughts with positive ones, relaxation techniques, and practicing gratitude. Your brain isn’t always right, but you can help guide it along the way with positive reinforcement.

4. Get Restful Sleep

Your sleep directly links to your mental state. When you don’t get sufficient rest, it causes you to have “brain fog.” Have you ever had those days where you can’t think straight or remember anything?

It likely comes from a disrupted sleep cycle. Not getting sufficient rest disrupts your mind, and your cells cannot properly communicate with one another. When you want to clear your mind, the best and easiest way is by getting more sleep.

5. Limit Social Media

Every day your mind is flooded with sensory information. One significant way to clutter your brain is by limiting social media. Did you know that these channels can dramatically impact loneliness and depressive states?

Social media is skewed only to see what the actor wants you to see. They give snapshots of the perfect life and family, as most people don’t like to air their dirty laundry. It’s effortless to feel down on yourself when you can’t measure up to the façade created on these channels. If you find that negative feelings from social media trigger you, it’s time for you to take a break.

6. Clear Your Mind by Prioritizing the Chaos

Is your to-do list growing longer by the minute? Do you feel completely overwhelmed and don’t know a good place even to start? Think of your brain as an empty house where vagrants have moved in.

When you take control of the property and move out the uninvited guests, you have the space you need to work. You restore order by setting priorities and following through with them. Sometimes you need to dump the data and organize it accordingly.

Some things are urgent, while other matters can wait. Prioritizing your mental hoard can help you ensure that things get done promptly. Additionally, it feels so good watching things get crossed off a list, as you have a sense of accomplishment.

7. Share Your Burdens

Everyone feels mentally overloaded at times in their life. However, sharing your deepest thoughts with someone you trust is one way to unload all this negativity. Mentors can help you gain perspective and clarity, and they can help lighten your load.

8. Practice Decisiveness to Clear Your Mind

When you have a brain full of clutter, think of all this stuff as delayed decisions. Your life is all about choices, and some of the decisions you must make are simpler than others. If you become too overwhelmed with all that’s on your plate, you may avoid making any choices.

Did you know that procrastination is one of the biggest reasons your mind is so full of clutter? Each day, you face so many “what ifs,” which can be overwhelming. Relaxation is challenging when your mind’s full of stuff, and you can develop analysis paralysis.

Thankfully, when you practice being more decisive, you can let go of all the unanswered questions and things that keep you up at night.

9. Declutter Your Atmosphere

What would you say if you found that your environment directly impacts your mental clutter? Chaos creates confusion, and it’s challenging to focus when there’s an excess of stuff around you. In an article by the New York Times, Dr. Ferrari conducted a study to see how clutter or hoarding affects mental wellbeing.

The results were quite shocking, as those who kept their space neat fared better than those who had excessive stuff.

10. Meditation

Meditation is like a tow truck that pulls a stuck car out of the ditch. When you need to clear the area effortlessly, this is the vehicle for the job. Meditation gets rid of negativity and confusion and allows you to focus on what’s most important. Using this ancient practice every day lets you clear your mind and stay grounded.

11. Get Outside to Clear Your Mind

Those who spend more time in nature have better mental health than those who don’t venture out much. A study cited by the National Library of Medicine states that people who get fresh air and sunshine have lower rates of depression and anxiety. If you feel overwhelmed and your mind clogged, then a stroll outside may be what you need to clear the clutter.

12. Take a Break

Sometimes you need to hit the reset button on your life and clean up the chaos by getting away. It’s often very taxing when you get stuck in a mundane rut. A change of scenery, new faces, and experiences can do you good.

If you don’t have time to take a week off, don’t worry, as just a couple of days will do the trick. Even if you have an evening to unwind, prop your feet up, and read a good book, it can be all you need to do to hit the reset button.

Final Thoughts on Ways to Clear Your Mind

Are there any tips from the list that you can implement to help clear your mind and relax? Remember, you’re not trying to make it empty, as that’s impossible. Who wants to remove the dreams, ideas, and beautiful memories you have stored there?

These little tips will help you bring clarity, organize your thoughts, and increase productivity. Since life is so unpredictable and you never know when the next curveball is coming your way, at least you will have the mental muscles to handle it.

Counselors Share 20 Behaviors for Positive Mental Health

June 29, 2022 by Deborah Tayloe

The number of people that suffer from mental health issues is staggering, especially given the things this country has been through in the past few years. What is your mental health? It comprises your mental, emotional, and social wellbeing. Your brain has a specific way of handling stress, and your stress response can affect how you think, feel, and act each day.

The cost of mental health care encompasses over five percent of all health care costs. In 2019, people spent $225 billion to combat mental illness, and these numbers are only increasing. Experts found that many people in specific areas or states had more significant mental health needs than others, so your atmosphere does dictate a lot about your mental health.

Twenty Behaviors for Positive Mental Health

Just like your physical condition, your mental health is something that you must strive to keep in good shape. You can’t just eat a salad one day and expect all those years of bad eating habits to go away, nor can you do things to enhance your mental wellbeing just once and expect anxiety to disappear. Here is a list of things that counselors have found can benefit and improve positive mental health.

1. You Enjoy Positive Mental Health if You Laugh Often

Do you laugh every day? It would help to laugh as often as possible, as it’s like good medicine for your soul. According to the US Department of Veterans Affairs, the concept of laughter took center stage in the 1970s.

Norman Cousins was diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis, an excruciating type of arthritis. As a journalist, he documented his journey to heal himself with laughter. He found that laughing increased his oxygen consumption and altered his brain’s chemicals, which helped his body kick his sympathetic nervous system into high gear.

His groundbreaking personal study proved that laughter could be quite healing, even when facing a debilitating condition. So, how much more can it do for your mental health?

2. Listening to Podcasts

Podcasts are motivational, primarily when you tune in to those people who’ve overcome significant trials in their life. Listening to positive things allows you to ingest them into your spirit, and it’s hard to be negative when you’re filling your vessel with optimism.

3. Practice Gratitude

It’s always amazing what a dose of reality and counting your blessings can do for your mental health. Some people get so caught up in the things they want and lack, but positive mental health naturally comes when you stop focusing on material things and start looking at all the Universe has given. Many people pray for the things they take for granted each day.

4. Sleep Six to Eight Hours

You cannot function without sufficient rest, nor will you have positive mental health when running on empty. Make your bedtime a priority so that you can attempt to refresh each day.

5. Journaling for Positive Mental Health

Everyone needs an outlet, as there’s no way to avoid negativity. It all comes down to what you do with the negativity you ingest, as you need a way to get it out of your mind and heart. Journaling allows you to write down all the things bothering you, which means purging them from your being.

6. Write a Book

While you’ve got your pen out from journaling, is a book inside you waiting to come to life? Have you overcome significant triumphs, and your testimony could help someone? You can self-publish a book on many outlets, help folks in similar situations, and make some money on the side.

7. Turn off the TV

Spending too much time in front of the TV is unsuitable. You must get up and move your body rather than become a couch potato. Of course, this doesn’t mean that you can never watch TV, but you should limit mindless activities that cause you to be sedentary.

8. Awake Your Inner Creative Being

Do you have a creative side ready to burst out of you? Why not try playing a musical instrument, painting in a studio class, or spinning the potter’s wheel to make a fantastic creation? People have used various art forms as it dramatically affects their positive mental health and is fun, too.

9. Break the Daily Grind

Engaging in positive thinking when stuck in a monotonous rut is challenging. The daily nine-to-five can be tedious, and you need to break free from this rigid schedule. Go away for a day or two or even a week, as it will do wonders for your mental health.

10. Increase Positive Mental Health by Changing Your Eating Habits

Are you a healthy eater, or do you prefer to grab fast food and not worry about a mess? While eating on the go works well in your twenties, all those carbs and calories will catch up to you when your metabolism slows as you age.

You must fuel your system with fruits, vegetables, and protein to keep everything running efficiently. Vitamin deficiencies can cause you to feel horrible, affecting your mental health.

11. Take Evening Walks

There’s something tranquil about the still of the evening. It helps to boost your positivity as well as burn some calories. Nature is quite healing in many regards, as it has a way of grounding you. Why not try tree bathing to help heal your mind and clear the chaos?

12. Create a Vision Board

Where do you want to go in life, and have you made goals for the next year, five years, or even ten? A vision board is a great visual tool that helps you see where you’re at right now, where you want to be in the future, and plan how to get there.

Counselors often use this tool to help folks mentally heal, as it’s easy to get caught up in the big picture and feel overwhelmed. Breaking it down into small, manageable steps is helpful.

13. Exercise

Perhaps one reason why so many people don’t exercise as they should is that they think it’s boring. There are plenty of maneuvers that are fun and can burn calories.

Some fun methods include dancing, skating, cycling, and isometric exercises. There’s no reason why working out must feel mundane and boring, as you can spice it up with something new and exciting.

14. Visit Family and Friends

When did you last visit your family or friends for dinner and fun? Everyone has a support system that’s helped them get where they are in life, and these people play a vital role in keeping you mentally sane. If you feel your mental health slipping, they can help your positive thinking by just being in their presence and feeling their warmth and love.

15. Use Positive Affirmations

No matter how bleak things might look, you can alter your perception. How you respond to things means everything, such as seeing the glass as half full or half empty. Try speaking positive affirmations each day before you begin, and watch the profound difference it has on your day.

16. Change Your Vocabulary

Did your parents have words you weren’t allowed to speak as a child? Some parents don’t like these words because they don’t sound good, but what about the works you use that have negative undertones? Why not take words like can’t, don’t, and won’t from your internal database? Start using words like “can,” “will,” and “do,” and see how it changes you for the better.

17. Clear the Clutter

Your closets, garage, basement, and other home areas often become cluttered as you lack time to sort through the stuff. If your home is overwhelmed with clutter, it can put your mind in chaos.

How can you rest or be organized when there’s stuff suffocating you? Pitch and donate things that take up vital space and declutter your abode to enhance your positivity.

18. Limit Social Media

Limit the time you spend in online worlds where people can post anything they want, whether true or not. Instead, spend your time with folks who can have great conversations and lift your spirits.

19. Embrace Mindful Living

Mindful living lets you let go of the past and focus on the present. You look within for peace and contentment instead of on the outside. You let go of expectations and perfectionism that will only hold you back, and you cherish every moment that you have a breath in your body.

20. Pray or Meditate for Positive Mental Health

Whether you believe in God or the Universe, you have a spiritual side, and embracing this side of you can increase your positive mental health. Praying or meditation clears your mind and allows you to allow peace to surround you. It’s a good move for positive mental health as you’re purging negativity and inviting the ease and comfort of your spiritual side to rule.

Final Thoughts on Behaviors for Positive Mental Health

What behaviors do you think you can practice to help enhance your mental health? Don’t try to do too many things at once, but you should start with a couple of things that you can utilize to help your overall mental well-being and build positive habits.

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

Every day is a day to shine. Shine on!