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4 Relationship Behaviors That Can Break Your Partner’s Heart

April 3, 2022 by Sarah Barkley

When you care about someone, the last thing you want to do is hurt them or break their heart. However, some relationship behaviors can do that even if you don’t realize it’s happening. Knowing the behaviors can help you address issues within your relationship and help you both find happiness.

Experts believe that four relationship behaviors indicate divorce is inevitable. If you notice any of these behaviors in your relationship, you must do what you can to make a change. Relationship therapy can help, or you can find other ways to make a change.

Even when couples seem happy together, these relationship behaviors are red flags. If you want to stay with your partner, you must acknowledge if you’re guilty of these behaviors. You don’t want to break your partner’s heart, so making a change is incredibly necessary.

Four Relationship Behaviors That Can Break Your Partner’s Heart

Once you know the relationship behaviors that can break your partner’s heart, you can learn how to make a change. Getting the behaviors under control can help you return to an enjoyable and satisfying romance.

1. Too Much Criticism Is a Damaging Relationship Behaviors

While feedback is essential to fixing issues within your relationship, you don’t want to be overly critical. It’s okay to give reasonable criticism, but anytime you attack your partner’s character, it can break their heart. Avoid calling your partner sensitive, hysterical, dishonest, or anything else that insults which they are.

Additionally, don’t criticize their appearance or unique characteristics. Another massive issue regarding being overly critical is that it can lead to name-calling, including calling them dumb, lazy, or anything else.

Being overly critical is an abusive form of power play. It not only breaks your partner’s heart, but it also chips away at your partner’s sense of self-worth.

Research shows that every critical thought you give requires five instances of positive feedback to make up for it. However, when the criticism undermines your partner’s self-worth, praise won’t make up for what you said.

2. Expressing Contempt

While it’s okay to get angry sometimes, contempt goes too far. It is anger that dismisses your partner’s needs and desires. This behavior hurts them and can destroy your relationship.

One example of contempt is rolling your eyes because it conveys to your partner that they aren’t worth listening to. Additionally, mocking their emotions and refusing to comfort them are other signs. Undermining your partner, bullying them, or publicly humiliating them are other examples of this situation.

When contempt becomes a regular part of your relationship, it continually breaks your partner’s heart. It also might result in your partner showing the same behavior in return.

3. Defensive Behavior

While becoming defensive sometimes is normal, it’s not okay to do it constantly. You should be able to accept criticism from your partner when warranted. If you immediately begin defending yourself or telling your partner they’re wrong, you’re clearly exhibiting overly defensive behavior.

Relationships require communication and compromise. When your partner voices a concern, they want to feel like you hear them and understand where they’re coming from. If you can’t ever see things from their point of view, they’ll become emotionally hurt and might stop communicating.

Once the communication breaks down in your relationship, it becomes impossible to fix problems. Remember that when your partner voices concerns, they aren’t doing it to make you angry. Instead, they’re trying to remedy issues within the relationship.

Defensiveness implies that you don’t think the problem is real, although it hurts your partner. If you exhibit this behavior every time your partner speaks up, they’ll think you don’t care about their needs. It hurts them because they count on you to help keep the relationship healthy and happy.

Signs of contempt

If you’re unsure of what defensive behavior looks like, it occurs when you:

Constantly remind your partner of the good things you do when they voice a concern in another area
Don’t apologize when your partner is upset about your behavior
Say your relationship problems are your partner’s fault
Consistently tell your partner that they are wrong about the situation
Don’t listen to your partner’s concerns
Refuse to see how your behavior affects your partner

3. Defensive Behavior

Defensiveness implies that you don’t think the problem is real, although it’s real to your partner. If you exhibit this behavior every time your partner speaks up, they’ll think you don’t care about their needs. It hurts them because they count on you to help keep the relationship healthy and happy.

If you’re unsure of what defensive behavior looks like, it occurs when you:

Constantly remind your partner of the good things you do when they voice a concern in another area
Don’t apologize when your partner is upset about your behavior
Say your relationship problems are your partner’s fault
Consistently tell your partner that they are wrong about the situation

4. Stonewalling Your Partner

Stonewalling is more common than you might realize because it involves things you might do daily. If you ever give your partner the silent treatment, it’s a form of stonewalling. Other examples are walking out during an argument or refusing to talk about things.

Essentially, this behavior occurs anytime you refuse to engage meaningfully. If the behavior only lasts a few minutes, it’s likely okay, but anything longer than ten minutes is a problem. Walking away to cool down for a few minutes is beneficial, but it can hurt your partner if you let it continue.

People stonewall because they don’t have the skills to resolve conflict positively. They hope the issue will dissipate without talking about it, so they leave. However, this doesn’t fix anything and leads to deeper problems within your relationship.

This negative behavior breaks your partner’s heart because it implies you don’t care about resolving the issues. It also shows that you don’t care when your partner is distressed or upset.

Overall, stonewalling implies that the relationship isn’t essential to you. It makes your partner feel disregarded or abandoned, destroying the connection you share.

Six Signs Your Relationship Behaviors Hurt Your Partner and How to Fix Them

If you exhibit these negative relationship behaviors, you likely want to know the signs that your partner is hurting. You can remedy the issue and make a positive change to repair the damage.

When You Exhibit Negative Relationship Behaviors, They Spend Less Time with You

If you break your partner’s heart, they might start avoiding you. While you’ll still see them sometimes, they’ll start spending less time with you. Each time you hurt your partner, it’ll cause them to distance themselves more.

If this is the case in your relationship, spend time discussing the problem. Give your partner a chance to communicate without doing the negative relationship behaviors mentioned before.

They’re Quieter Than Usual

If your partner has been hurt by you many times, they might become quieter than usual. They know that saying anything could set you off, and they might start to feel like it’s best to keep their thoughts to themselves. If your partner used to be talkative and cheerful, but you notice a change, think about your behavior.

Think back and consider what could have caused the change in your partner. If you realize you’ve portrayed negative relationship behaviors, ask your partner to discuss it with you. Commit to making a change, but give them their space if they don’t want to talk yet.

They No Longer Laugh When You Tell a Joke

When your partner stops laughing at your jokes, it’s a sure sign that something is wrong. It shows that they’re experiencing emotional pain, and since they don’t laugh with you, it’s likely because of you. If this happens in your relationship, you must figure out where it went wrong and discuss the situation.

They Give Cold Responses When You Engage in Harmful Relationship Behaviors

Receiving short responses from your partner indicates you’ve broken their heart. They’ll send one-word text messages or won’t respond at all. They might give yes and no answers or respond by nodding when you’re together.

If your partner is giving cold responses, you can be direct and ask them if something is wrong. Avoid defensiveness and other negative relationship behaviors when they explain what’s on their mind. Once you know the issue, you can discuss it and apologize if necessary.

They Don’t Tell You How They Feel Anymore

When you break your partner’s heart, they’ll stop telling you how they feel. They’ll likely clam up because you’ve made them feel insecure about their feelings.

If your partner stops telling you how they feel, do something to show them that you care. Let them know that you think their feelings matter and want them to be open.

They Are More Emotional Than Normal

Destructive relationship behaviors can make your partner bottle their feelings up instead of expressing themselves. When they keep their emotions in, it builds until they can’t take it anymore. Then, the slightest situation can make them break down and become more emotional than usual.

If you notice that they’ve been more emotional, you can work on making a change. Acknowledge how your partner feels and why, and give them a safe space to open up.

Final Thoughts on Four Relationship Behaviors That Can Break Your Partner’s Heart

When you get comfortable in a relationship, it’s easy to become lax in your behaviors. You might exhibit some of these relationship behaviors without even realizing it. If you notice any signs of heartbreak in your partner, reflect on how you’ve been acting. While your behavior might not always be the cause, it’s worth thinking about so that you can make things right.

Reduce Anxiety in Life with These 15 Daily Affirmations

April 3, 2022 by Sarah Barkley

Positive affirmations are beneficial to reduce anxiety as overthinking can provide a shifting mindset. They offer relief because it addresses negative thinking, one of the most prominent effects of anxiety.

As the body’s natural response to stress, anxiety happens to everyone. However, some people experience anxiety as an intense, persistent worry. They worry about the past, present, and future, overwhelming their thoughts and emotions.

Using positive mantras to reduce anxiety can drastically improve your well-being. You can use them to prevent negative thinking, ease an anxiety attack, or during times of stress. The positive phrases replace your anxious thoughts, allowing you to think clearly and focus.

As you take control of your thoughts, you also stop your anxiety from overtaking your mind. You can choose your thoughts, and positive phrases can help you make them a habit. Anxiety can cause your worrisome thoughts seem realistic, but positivity can remind you that it’s an illusion.

Daily Affirmations That Help Reduce Anxiety

If you ever suffer from overwhelming worry or other anxiety symptoms, these phrases can help you. They can remind you that nothing terrible is happening, so you can release some of the stress you’re experiencing. Use the words that speak to you and counter your negative self-talk so that you can start reaping the benefits right away.

1. I will reduce anxiety with every breath I take.

To reduce anxiety, focus on speaking positive thoughts to yourself. When you tell yourself that the agitation is leaving, you’ll quickly experience relief.

Use visualization as you repeat this mantra, envisioning the anxiety leaving your body each time you exhale. Then, imagine positivity taking its place as you inhale. It might not eliminate it, but it’ll help you get your thoughts back under control.

2. I am talented and have great things to offer the world.

Who you are and what you do matter to those around you. You offer many things to the world, and this phrase will help you remember your talents. Don’t downplay what you are good at because it is beneficial no matter how others view it.

The things you do are important, so don’t let negative self-talk tell you otherwise. Use this phrase to shift your mindset and think about how great you are.

3. I am taking things one baby step at a time.

You can’t accomplish your dreams overnight, but you can take baby steps to make it happen. Break your overall goal into smaller milestones that you can chip away at. Each time you accomplish one of the milestones, you’ll experience a sense of satisfaction.

This phrase reminds you that you don’t have to do everything all at once. You only have to focus on one smaller task, allowing you to feel less overwhelmed.

4. I am a positive contributor to my family.

If your anxiety causes you to think that you don’t contribute to your family, this phrase is for you. Whether you provide an income, take care of children, or take care of the home, your position is valuable. You contribute to your family’s needs, so use this phrase as a reminder of that.

5. I keep an open mind to reduce anxiety when I approach a new situation.

When you have anxiety, it can make a new situation seem dreadful. You might experience the negative feelings as soon as you hear about it, and it’ll continue throughout. When this happens, it forces you to miss out on what could be a positive experience.

Using this positive phrase can help you shift your mindset and remember that not all new situations are bad. Be open to new experiences so that you can embrace life without anxiety holding you back.

6. I am surviving this situation like I have survived everything in the past.

You are stronger than you realize and can successfully handle anything that comes your way. Your anxiety might cause you to feel like you can’t get through the hard times, but you can regain control over your mind. Look in the mirror as you repeat this powerful statement, and you’ll feel the anxiety symptoms reduce.

7. I am doing what it takes to reduce anxiety.

It’s up to you to reduce your anxiety, even when you don’t feel like taking the necessary steps. This positive phrase motivates you to start making changes and improving your well-being.

8. I am looking for the beauty surrounding my life.

Anxiety can cause you to miss out on the beautiful aspects of your daily life. With negativity running rampant in your mind, it’s hard to embrace anything else.

This phrase will help you consciously look around for beauty whenever you feel negativity creeping in. Eventually, it’ll become a habit you don’t even have to think about anymore.

9. I am patient as I work to overcome anxiety every day.

Overcoming anxiety takes time, and the process isn’t always easy. You’ll still experience anxiety attacks and overwhelming negative thoughts sometimes. Don’t beat yourself up when it happens, and use this phrase to help you remain patient with yourself.

10. I am strong enough to push away these negative feelings.

You are stronger than you give yourself credit for, and this affirmation serves as a reminder. Whenever negativity creeps into your mind, take a moment to repeat this positive phrase. It’ll help you replace the negativity with positive thoughts, giving you a clearer mindset.

Sometimes all it takes is telling yourself that you are strong enough. Then, you can find the strength that lies within and use it to improve your situation.

11. I focus on my breathing and slow it down as necessary.

You can often recognize anxiety when your breathing increases. If you can slow it down, you can likely reduce anxiety quickly. Focus on your breathing by counting your breaths or simply thinking of each inhale and exhale.

12. I am living in the moment and letting go of negativity.

If you can eliminate negative thoughts of the past or worry about the future, it’ll reduce anxiety. Living in the moment and focusing on the good things around you can reduce your anxious thoughts. It’ll improve your overall life and allow you to experience happiness.

13. I am actively listening to people when they talk.

When your anxiety kicks in, listening actively as people talk can be challenging. You’ll be so caught up in your negative thinking that you don’t hear or process what someone says. This phrase can remind you to listen actively, resulting in decreased anxiety.

When you focus on what other people say, you can engage in conversation. If it’s not a situation you can speak up in, it can still help as you focus on something other than your thoughts.

14. I am not my anxiety, and I don’t have to let it take over.

You can overcome anything, including your anxiety. Don’t let your anxiety disorder define who you are because you are so much more than that. These words can help you prevent negativity from consuming your thoughts.

15. I reduce anxiety by releasing the things that threaten to weigh me down.

There will always be things that threaten to steal your peace, but you can free yourself of them. This positive phrase helps you look at things differently so that it doesn’t weigh on you.

Eight Tips For Creating Positive Affirmations to Reduce Anxiety

Once you become comfortable repeating these phrases, you can start creating your own. Creating personal mantras allows you to make specific ones for your life, helping target the areas you need help with the most. You can also change the phrases listed above to better apply to your specific situation.

Positive phrases can help reduce anxiety and decrease the intensity and duration of attacks. These tips can help you maximize the benefits of your positive words:

Keep them short, limiting them to one sentence.
Make them meaningful to your life goals.
Create them to fit your personality, using humor, lightheartedness, or keeping them serious.
Make them encouraging.
Include facts by mentioning your strengths and accomplishments.
Focus on who you are right now and not what you don’t have.
Use “I” statements and focus on the present.
Write ones that target your negative self-talk.

Final Thoughts on How to Reduce Anxiety in Life with These 15 Daily Affirmations

Whether you use positive mantras from the list above or create your own, they can help reduce anxiety. Repeat some of them as you get ready each morning, and use others before bed at night. Memorize a few to repeat throughout the day, too, as you never know when anxiety will creep in.

You can write down the positive phrases to carry with you, and you can display them where you’ll see them often. The more you remember the positivity, the easier it’ll be to reduce anxiety. Eventually, you’ll remember the phrases and notice that they subconsciously stay on your mind.

Every time you use a positive mantra to replace negative thoughts, it’ll help you improve your mindset. The realistic positive self-talk allows you to see reality for what it is and not what your anxiety wants you to believe.

15 Strong Woman Quotes to Straighten Her Crown

April 2, 2022 by Sarah Barkley

Women around the world make a difference every single day. As women become more assertive, they can do more to change the world for the better. Women continue to fight for equality and have come far to make the United States different for females. Female leaders speak out and empower other women to do the same. Strong woman quotes can help you stay strong and find happiness as you stand up for your beliefs. Using the wisdom of these women can help you move forward and maintain your strength when things get complicated.

Reading strong woman quotes can also help define who you are and what you want. Knowing that you can do anything, you’ll experience joy like never before. These words will help you put yourself first, chase your dreams, and live your desired life.

These quotes will give you the confidence to do the things you’ve always dreamed of. They’ll help you stand up for yourself and go after all of your goals. You’ll find inspiration as you read these strong woman quotes, bringing greater joy to your life today.

Strong Woman Quotes to Bring Greater Happiness

Women are often stronger than they give themselves credit for. They can do anything and persevere in any situation. These strong woman quotes will help you find joy and embrace the power of women.

1. “A strong woman understands that the gifts such as logic, decisiveness, and strength are just as feminine as intuition and emotional connection. She values and uses all of her gifts.” – Nancy Rathburn

Society expects women to be nurturing and emotional, and it’s okay if you are. However, it is also okay to embrace those qualities with other ones. Logic and decisiveness are just as important, and you can use all your gifts simultaneously.

Remember these wise words from Rathburn the next time you think you must hide some of your qualities. Embrace who you are and learn to love every gift you have to offer.

2. “Truly powerful women don’t explain why they want respect. They simply don’t engage with those who don’t give it to them.” – Sherry Argov

You never have to explain yourself when it comes to demanding respect. Anyone who asks for an explanation doesn’t truly understand what it means to be a good person.

Focus on those who respect you without you having to ask for it because they are the ones that will help bring joy. Letting go of anyone who doesn’t respect you will improve your life in many ways, and it’ll show how strong you are.

3. “A strong woman loves, forgives, walks away, lets go, tries again, and perseveres … no matter what life throws at her.” – Unknown

Strong women are resilient and can deal with anything that comes their way. They don’t hold onto things that no longer serve them and always find another way to make things happen.

No matter what, she keeps going and making things happen. If you’re like this, write this quote down as a reminder to reference each day.

4. “The world needs strong women. Women who will lift and build others, who will love and be loved, women who live bravely, both tender and fierce, women of indomitable will.” – Amy Tenney

If you’re a strong woman, you’ll be happy to know that the world needs you. Even when people try to tear you down, you’re valuable and worthy.

Surround yourself with the type of women Tenney explains because they’re the ones who will support all of your endeavors. They’ll build you up and make you feel good about yourself. When women tackle the world together, nothing can stop them.

5. “Don’t let anyone speak for you, and don’t rely on others to fight for you.” – Michelle Obama

When you speak for yourself, you’ll experience empowerment and joy. Fighting for yourself brings positive feelings like nothing else can. Letting others speak for you diminishes your power and makes you feel weak, hindering your progress moving forward.

6. “One of the most courageous things you can do is identify yourself, know who you are, what you believe in, and where you want to go.” – Sheila Murray Bethel

When you identify who you are and know what you want, things will improve. Be strong and keep your eye on your goals no matter what happens. When you stay true to yourself and your belief, you’ll be happy every day.

7. “Life is not easy for any of us. But what of that? We must have perseverance and, above all, confidence in ourselves. We must believe we are gifted for something and that this thing must be attained.” – Marie Curie

No one has a perfect life, and things don’t always go as planned. You might have to work harder to figure out another plan, but perseverance will get you where you want to be.

With perseverance and confidence, you’ll find that you’re happy no matter what. Believe in yourself and what you are capable of, and you can make anything happen.

8. “You must know that you can do this. You are strong. And you will make it. Just hang on and keep believing in yourself, always.” – Heather A. Stillufsen

You can do anything you set your mind to. You might encounter obstacles along the way, but you can make it through. Stay strong and don’t lose faith in yourself, and you’ll quickly find joy.

9. “Each time a woman stands up for herself, she stands up for all women.” – Maya Angelou

When women speak up for themselves, they make a difference in the world. It changes things for all women, allowing everyone to find joy. If you don’t want to stand up for yourself, do it for all of the other females in the world.

10. “Strong women don’t play the victim. Don’t make themselves look pitiful, and don’t point fingers. They stand, and they deal.” – Mandy Hale

If something unexpected happens, don’t play the victim. Strong women take a stand and deal with every situation. You’ll feel empowered and happy each day when you stand and deal with the predicament.

11. “Life is tough, my darling, but so are you.” – Stephanie Bennett-Henry

Things get hard sometimes, but you’ll be happier if you persevere. The key to finding joy is to keep moving forward. You are strong enough to overcome anything that comes your way.

12. “Do not tame the wolf inside you just because you’ve met someone who doesn’t have the courage to handle you.” – Belle Estreller

Don’t even be any less than your true self, no matter what anyone else wants. If someone can’t handle who you are, you can let that person go and find someone who can.

13. “We need women at all levels, including the top, to change the dynamic, reshape the conversation, to make sure women’s voices are heard and heeded, not overlooked and ignored.” – Sheryl Sandberg

This strong woman quote reminds you that all women can make a difference. No matter your level, you can speak up and make a change.

You have what it takes, and it’s up to you to ensure your voice is heard. You’ll feel happier each day when you stay strong and speak up.

14. “Be a first-rate version of yourself, not a second-rate version of someone else.” – Judy Garland

Strong women don’t try to be anyone but themselves. Stay true to who you are and what you believe in because that is the only way to find joy. When you remain a first-rate version of yourself, you’ll feel happier, as Garland explains.

15. “We need women who are so strong they can be gentle, so educated they can be humble, so fierce they can be compassionate, so passionate they can be rational, and so disciplined they can be free.” – Kavita Ramdas

Strong women don’t have to be mean. They can be gentle, humble, compassionate, and rational. These characteristics don’t make them any weaker, though, as they can still be intelligent, fierce, passionate, and disciplined. Let your good traits shine through no matter what they are because that’s the only way to find true joy.

Final Thoughts on Strong Woman Quotes to Bring Greater Happiness in Life

These strong woman quotes remind all women that they can be fierce and powerful all of the time. You don’t have to downplay your strengths to make other people happy. Stay true to who you are and remain firm in what you believe.

These quotes can help you find the joy you desire as a strong woman. You can also share these strong woman quotes with the women in your life, empowering them along the way. Anything is possible when women stick together and speak up for what is right.

15 Things That Happen to Your Body When You Eat A Heart Healthy Diet

April 2, 2022 by Chris Butler

It’s hard to change your eating style when it’s all you’ve known and enjoyed throughout your life. Your parents instilled food habits that you’ve adapted, whether good or bad. However, if you’re carrying excess weight or not eating healthy foods, it can be causing a great deal of harm to your body.

Things like high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea, and obesity link directly to the foods you eat. If your refrigerator is full of soda, snack foods, and processed stuff, then you’re doing more harm to your body than you realize. It would help if you had a heart-healthy diet full of rich vitamins and minerals to help you thrive.

Your system was designed to eat a plant-based diet, according to studies posted on Era of Light. Some scientists who study the human body believe that humankind should not eat meat or its by-products.

However, the fact that you’re eating things like burgers from the local fast-food joint can be why you have arthritis at the age of 25, due to the higher fat content. If you see a person in top physical shape with glowing skin, few wrinkles, and looks young beyond their years, you will see someone who eats healthily and exercises. A heart-healthy diet is a great way to eat, especially if you want longevity and quality of life.

Fifteen Benefits of Eating a Heart-Healthy Diet

Perhaps you know you should eat better, but you’re not sure where to start. This is the position that many people find themselves in, but this is a comprehensive guide to help you.

Not only will it show you what you should be eating, but it gives you all the reasons why adopting this new lifestyle is the best thing for your body. Here are the benefits of a heart-healthy diet.

1. It’s Good for the Environment

Eating processed foods comes with packaging and waste. Heart-friendly diets contain many fresh fruits and vegetables with little to no waste.

2. A Heart-Healthy Diet Reduces Stress

You have a lot of stress every day, plus your body feels oxidative pressure. However, the powerful antioxidants in fruits and vegetables counteract these issues. Your physical and mental stress will improve with a heart-healthy diet.

3. Slows the Aging Process

Did you know that the food you eat directly impacts how fast you age? The vitamins and minerals in the fruits and veggies help flush out the harmful free radicals, which help support the DNA structure. Yes, eating healthy can make your skin glow.

4. Increases Your Productivity

When you free your system of sugar and carbs, you’re going to notice a drastic change in your energy. Your focus will become more precise, and you will get more done.

5. Increase Immunity by Eating a Heart-Healthy Diet

If your immune system is compromised, you will get every sickness that comes your way. However, you can boost your immunity with a healthy diet. It’s all about the antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that you consume, as they will help to fuel your system and not drag it down.

6. A Heart-Healthy Diet Helps You Keep a Healthy Weight

A study done in Brazil shows that when obese people eat a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, the weight falls off. It’s because you should not eat a diet high in bad fats and sugars. It’s impossible to maintain a healthy weight if you live on fast food and snacks.

However, when you make some changes, according to this study listed on the National Library of Medicine, it alters everything.

7. Improve Sleep Quality with a Heart-Healthy Diet

Did you know that consuming oily and heavy foods can mess with your sleep cycle? When you switch to a healthier eating habit, your rest becomes more productive and routine—no more lying there counting sheep to get some shut eye.

8. Decreases the Risk of Developing Cancer

Your diet and genetic factors can dictate if you will have abnormal cell growth. According to World Health Organization, cancer is the second leading cause of death. What you eat could directly impact whether you get this horrible disease.

9. Strengthens Teeth and Bones

Healthy teeth and bones are imperative for overall good health. Thankfully, a heart-healthy diet can assist. Things like egg yolks, liver, and saltwater fish are packed full of vitamins and minerals that help keep your teeth and bones strong. Plus, you can help keep things like osteoporosis at bay.

10. Eating a Heart-Healthy Diet Increases Longevity

One of the most significant advantages of a plant-based eating style is reducing inflammation. Inflammation causes things like cancer and heart disease. However, you can extend your life by lowering your inflammatory response with healthy eating.

11. Boosts Brain Health and Elevates Your Mood

When talking about brain health, it’s all about those omega-3 fatty acids. Your cell membrane depends on it, which is why a heart-healthy diet is so powerful. Did you know that many mental health conditions are treated with diet first?

Ask anyone who does the Keto diet how their mood and mental clarity shift when they cut the carbs. After all, doctors initially suggested this diet to help people suffering from epilepsy.

12. Can Reverse Diabetes

Many people turn to radical treatments to get their diabetes under control. However, one of the best things you can do for your type 2 diabetes is to switch to a plant-based diet. You will see your glucose levels drop when you fuel your body with fruits and vegetables rather than processed foods, and the weight you lose also helps with diabetes.

13. Your Heart Works More Efficiently

Of course, if you eat a heart-healthy diet, you’re going to have a better heart. It’s key to keep your triglycerides and cholesterol levels in check, or they can cause your heart to weaken and cause a blockage. That’s why this diet is great because it keeps your blood pressure in check as well as your cholesterol.

14. Enhanced Digestion

There’s nothing worse than chronic digestive issues, but the foods that you eat are causing most of the problems. Your gut needs the dietary fiber found in plant-based foods, so consuming junk and fast food isn’t going to help your digestion.

15. You’ll Have Healthier Skin by Consuming a Heart-Healthy Diet

Are you prone to breakouts and acne? It could be what you’re eating. Eating things like vegetables, fatty fish, and nuts rich with omega-3 fatty acids as they can improve your skin.

What Foods Can You Eat on A Heart-Healthy Diet?

It’s always good to have a grocery list that can help you prepare for a new eating style. Most fruits and vegetables are acceptable, as well as healthy fats. Here is a comprehensive list, so you know what to buy on your next shopping trip.

Fruits

Avocados
Strawberries
Blueberries
Blackberries
Apples
Cranberries
Oranges
Grapefruit
Bananas (more green and less ripened)
Figs
Dates
Cherries
Plantains
Cucumbers
Pomegranate
Tomatoes
Cantaloupe
Honeydew

Limit fruits like pineapple, pear, peaches, and watermelon as they have high sugar content.

Vegetables

Spinach
Squash
Kale
Arugula
Green Beans
Beets
Beans
Broccoli
Cauliflower
Garlic
Onions
Carrots
Bell Peppers
Asparagus
Celery

Limit foods like potatoes, sweet potatoes, yams, corn, and peas due to their high sugar content.

Herbs and Spices for a Heart-Healthy Diet

Cinnamon
Turmeric
Red Pepper Flakes
Oregano
Parsley
Ginger
Thyme
Rosemary
Black Cumin
Capers
Celery Seed
Fenugreek

Grains

Buckwheat
Oats
Brown rice
Quinoa
Barley

Nuts, Seeds, and Legumes

Cashews
Almonds
Brazil nuts
Macadamia
Pecans
Sunflower seeds
Chia seeds
Flax seeds

Limit intake of peanuts due to the high mold content that these nuts contain.

Also, note that all legumes are considered heart smart.

Oils

Olive
Coconut
Sunflower
Canola
Ghee
Natural or plant-based kinds of butter

Don’t use margarine in exchange for butter. According to Healthy Food, it’s full of harmful ingredients that aren’t heart-healthy.

Dairy Products for a Heart-Healthy Diet

Almond, oat, rice, or hemp milk
Skim or 1 percent cow’s milk
Non-sweetened plain, Greek-style yogurt
Cheese (all kinds)
Cottage cheese
Ricotta
Cream cheese

With this list in hand, it shouldn’t be too hard to develop a meal plan that can suit your dietary needs. Remember, the more foods you buy from the fresh produce section, the better your heart health and waistline.

Before you head to the grocery store, a tip is to avoid the center of the store where they display highly processed foods. Try to focus on the perimeters where the grocers stock the healthier foods like fresh produce.

Final Thoughts on Eating a Heart-Healthy Diet

There are numerous benefits to eating a heart-healthy diet. When you stop choosing fast food, sugary snacks, and high-calorie items, you will improve your overall health. You need to fuel your body and not cause it to be compromised from inflammatory issues and a weakened immune system.

When you adopt this new lifestyle, you will lose weight, feel mentally sharp, have more energy, and even have glowing skin. Don’t think of all the foods that you’re giving up that you love but think of the health that you’re gaining.

3 Signs of Stress That People Try to Hide

April 2, 2022 by Lakeisha Ethans

Stress is a common grievance in today’s society. Everyone has loads of responsibilities they have to handle and not enough time to relax. Because of this lack of time, people tend to throw their issues under the rug. Pretend you don’t have any problems, keep working, and things will turn around somehow. Or at least that’s what you learn to tell yourself.

But that’s neither true nor sustainable. And even if you learn to spot the most common signs of stress, many symptoms can still go under the radar. One day, you don’t get enough sleep. But you don’t think anything of it. The next, you eat less than you ate a day before. Again, you don’t think anything of it. And then something else unnoticeable happens until dozens of issues pile up.

Your health deteriorates, energy levels go down, and happiness declines. And you don’t have the time to deal with that, so you hide everything. You pretend everything’s fine, and you put on a happy face. But, if left untreated, stress can take over your life. It’s essential to learn about the hidden signs of stress so you can help the people you know or even yourself.

What Causes Stress?

Stress is the emotion you feel when your body responds to external stimuli perceived as threats. Similarly, you feel stressed when under a lot of pressure or demand. Your body is aiming to go into the “fight-or-flight” response. In this state, you are more focused and alert. It gives you the edge you need to get through difficult situations. For example, stress will kick in when you have to present something in front of many people.

But this stress can help you concentrate. In practice, stress might get out of hand from time to time. So, it’s not uncommon to develop chronic stress disorders if you keep putting yourself in stressful situations. Stressors are the things that trigger this reaction. There are many everyday stressors, like a busy work schedule. But these stressors are usually subjective. Some people thrive when they are always on the move. Others need time to recharge and relax after a day of work.

The Internal Signs of Stress

And not all stressors are external. Some are self-generated, caused by worrying, irrationality, perfectionism, and more. These stressors trigger the hypothalamus to signal the adrenal glands to secrete cortisol. This hormone is the primary stress hormone, and it can control mood and concentration. Cortisol is significant in small quantities from time to time.

It mainly increases your heart rate and derails some functions if the body doesn’t think it needs them. For example, if you must run for your life, cortisol can shut down your digestive and reproductive systems until you’re out of danger. This is great for conserving your resources for a short while. But in the long-term, too much stress, thus too much cortisol, leads to health issues. Your body functions can be derailed, and you can develop anxiety, depression, heart issues, memory and concentration issues, and more.

When someone is stressed, you need to try to calm them down. And the first step is to notice the signs of stress. It’s safe to say that someone who seems more agitated or anxious is probably stressed. But what are other signs of stress that you might not be as aware of?

3 Signs of Stress Most People Hide from the World

Watch for these hidden signs of stress in your life.

1. Your Eating Patterns Change

When you are stressed, the cortisol secreted can change your appetite. Cortisol, in high quantities, can make you crave sugary, salty, or fatty foods. All of these foods are instant fuel for your body. Because stress triggers the fight-or-flight response, it makes sense that your brain wants to fuel your body wholly.

Not only do you crave these high-calorie foods when you are stressed, you even eat a larger quantity than you usually eat. You may know this cycle as stress-eating. Most people don’t think much about it. But it’s clear that your stress levels are out of control.

Even though the biological reaction is to eat when stressed, some people get so caught up that they forget to eat. This is more of a psychological response. The hunger cues still exist. Your body still tells you to eat. But you can get so focused on the stress that you forget to listen to your body. So, you might even eat less than what you need.

Stress also affects metabolism. One study shows that people surrounded by more stressors in a 24-hour span will burn around a hundred fewer calories. This is especially true if you eat high-fat meals. Stressed people who eat high-fat foods will gain some pounds over a few months.

If you notice someone overeating or eating too little in your life, make sure you check in on them. These eating patterns can indicate eating disorders, but that’s not always the cause. More often than not, you’ll find that the reason for the change in eating patterns is stress.

2. Your Sleep Schedule Is All Over the Place

Chronic stress affects the nervous system, as it keeps it on alert for longer. Being on the lookout all the time will interfere with your sleep schedule. It can delay the onset of sleep. And even if it doesn’t, it causes rapid, anxious thoughts to form at night. These thoughts can easily keep you awake and disrupt the quality of your sleep.

Sometimes, it’s not even stress that causes a lack of sleep. Sometimes, you become more stressed because you can’t sleep. But no matter if stress is the cause or the effect, you still create a vicious cycle. A stressed person can’t sleep. A tired person experiences more stress. So, if you don’t rest, your stress levels stay up, which disallows you from getting good sleep.

But not all people get less sleep. Some people get too much, which makes them feel drowsy. Stress often links to depression, which can often lead to excessive tiredness. You feel like you can’t get out of bed. or oversleep. You might even sleep not to have to feel stressed or sad anymore. If this oversleeping comes from stress linked with depression, you need specialized help. So, if you know someone who oversleeps, help them go to therapy.

Maybe you are stressed, but you can still sleep the recommended seven to nine hours. In that case, stress might cause you to have weird dreams, affecting the quality of your sleep. These dreams are caused by negative and anxious thoughts when you go to bed. And, in many cases, weird dreams will cause you to wake up often or sleep lighter.

3. Stress Affects Your Memory

Stress is supposed to help you focus when you are in difficult situations. But that’s not always what it does. This primarily happens during times of stress. That’s because people have a more challenging time creating short-term memories. And it’s harder to turn those short-term memories into knowledge that you’ll remember in the long term. In a nutshell, it’s harder for you to learn when you are stressed. Additionally, you tend to gloss over details during these times. So, it’s harder to remember everything about a stressful event accurately.

This is only the case with acute or chronic stress. Conversely, moderate stress could improve your ability to learn. If your learning is directly related to your stressor, you’ll remember what you are learning better. For example, if you feel concerned about a math test, you’ll be able to learn math quite well. But it will be almost impossible for you to learn something unrelated, like literature.

Even memories can change because of stress. A memory is just remembering the last time you experienced a particular event. They aren’t entirely accurate portrayals of the past because every time you remember them, your experiences change the memory. And stress can make you vulnerable to believing false information about the past, which changes your memories.

It even makes it harder for the brain to reencode memories, so it’s easier to misremember things in the long run. You might also harm your memory and concentration due to a lack of sleep or deficient nutrition. So, if your stress causes you to sleep less, you won’t focus as you normally would. You will have trouble being present and understanding what’s going on around you. So, you won’t be in the best space of mind to understand and remember the events surrounding you.

If you see someone zoning out or have trouble recalling what just happened around them, that’s because they could have stress. Or, if they always seem to have difficulty remembering certain things, it’s probably because they are under a lot of pressure. In either case, they probably hide just how stressed they are and need a helping hand.

Final Thoughts on Signs of Stress Most People Hide from the World

Stress is a common problem in today’s society. It’s normal, and even beneficial, to feel a certain amount of stress. But many people struggle with chronic stress and know how to hide it. Because of how normalized stress has become, most people ignore it and pretend it’s not an issue. Still, stress can affect the body and the mind in noticeable ways from the outside.

People are aware of the common signs of stress, like its anxiety. But some signs of stress are less known. What most people hide about their stress is that it can affect everything, from their sleeping patterns to their diet and mental acuity. Stress makes people sleepless or sleeps worse, and it causes exhaustion and mood changes. The cortisol secreted by stress makes people crave sugary, salty, or fatty foods.

Because of this, stressed people can even gain weight in the long term. Although this seems counterintuitive, feeling too much stress affects your memory negatively. While you may have these hidden signs of stress, it’s good to know how to spot them. Then, you can help the people around you who also struggle with stress.

3 Hidden Behaviors That Lead to Stress (And How to Stop Them)

April 2, 2022 by Lakeisha Ethans

What factors lead to stress in life?

Stress is something that everyone has to deal with at some point in their life. In small quantities, it’s not even a bad thing. It can help you concentrate and keep you on your toes in challenging situations. But stress can quickly become chronic and become an issue affecting all areas of your health. This constant pressure can harm you, from your physical health to your mental well-being.

There is nothing you can do to prevent stress in some cases because it’s a natural response to fear. It’s your body’s way of protecting you in dangerous or difficult situations. But sometimes, your actions or mindset will determine how stressed you feel.

Many common human behaviors lead to stress. It would help if you learned how to identify them. Otherwise, you won’t be able to change them. But no matter which behaviors you engage in, there are ways to change your mindset and get rid of stress.

What Causes Lead to Stress?

Stress is a typical response to fear and other tense situations. It’s the default emotion the body goes to when it feels like it needs to protect you. Your body is trying to get you ready to face a threat, so it goes into “fight-or-flight” mode. In this state, some functions, like heart rate, are heightened, while other processes slow or even shut down.

This happens because the body aims to conserve energy and use it to get you away from the threat. This was very effective in the past when people had to run away from wild animals and other threats daily. Nowadays, people rarely need to run away from animals or enemy forces. But the body still perceives threats all the time. You will probably feel stressed when you have to present something at work. But this is not a general rule.

Cortisol Release Leads to Stress

Work, relationship issues, and financial issues are common factors that cause stress. But not everyone gets stressed by these things. Some people thrive on a busy schedule, and what stresses them out is not having any work to do. All the causes that trigger stress are called stressors. They are usually external but can be internal (caused by overthinking, anxiety, and more). These stressors stimulate the hypothalamus, which sends a message to the adrenal glands.

These glands are in charge of secreting the primary stress hormone, cortisol. This hormone can be helpful in small quantities. It helps you concentrate on the task at hand. It also improves the functions needed for the task while decreasing the activity of the tasks that aren’t used at that time. This way, it conserves energy and makes you more productive. But too much cortisol is bad for your health. Especially if you develop chronic stress, you will struggle with some side effects.

Because cortisol is such a powerful hormone, it can greatly affect your body. It heightens the activity of specific organs beyond a reasonable level. The increased heart rate and quick breathing will become issues. Some systems, like the reproductive system, are shut down when stressed. It’s best to avoid stressful situations altogether if you want to conserve your health.

3 Behaviors That Lead to Stress

Do you engage in these detrimental stress-inducing behaviors?

1. Overworking (and Work in General)

It’s no secret that if you want to make money in today’s society, you must work a lot. Some people might even need to work more than one job to survive. But some people just become workaholics because they are scared of relaxing. In both cases, people overwork and become stressed. But in the second case, it’s up to you to take a break.

When it comes to your job, it’s not just the amount t of stress that acts as a stressor. Job insecurity, dissatisfaction, and conflicts at the workplace are factors that stress you out. And sometimes, these destructive behaviors can be avoided. The behavior that’s easiest to avoid is the need to overwork.

Yes, you might be working overtime to suppress other issues you have. You might be aiming to use work as a way to forget about other issues. If, for example, you have family issues, working overtime can help you avoid them. It’s not always up to you if your work stresses you out or not. But it’s always up to you how you respond to certain externalities.

For example, it’s normal to feel trapped if your boss is a piece of work. But it’s up to you to accept the mistreatment or stand up for yourself. Work is necessary for everyone’s lives, but people have strange relationships. Not being satisfied with your job makes you disinterested and frustrated. Working too much can even make you perform worse. Nothing is good in excess, and you should try to have a balance no matter what you do.

2. Major Life Changes

You might be looking forward to potentially the best thing that will ever happen to you, but you still might get stressed. Change as a concept is scary that people would rather avoid, no matter if that change brings something good. Even people who get married can confirm that the prospect of getting married brings them more stress than they would ever have imagined.

Sometimes, this happens out of fear. It’s hard enough to adapt to your life as it is. If you add changes on top of that, it can become unbearable. People need stability and need to feel safe. And having a routine, something constant in their life, can soothe them. But, when they need to change that cozy stability, it can get very stressful.

But this doesn’t happen because of the change. The change might be the best thing to ever happen to you, and it can still stress you out. It happens because of your perception and how scared you allow yourself to be. Life changes are inevitable, and you must embrace them. But that can be hard to put into practice.

3. Unrealistic Expectations and High Standards

It’s good to have a goal, something to strive towards. But there is a fine line between having a plan and setting unrealistically high standards. Just because you have an end goal that seems prominent and respectable doesn’t mean it’s attainable or suitable. Having unrealistic expectations is often the most stressful thing you can do. It does nothing more than set you up for failure and put you in stressful situations.

When you have high expectations, everything seems not good enough. If you want a specific job but get the position just below, that’s still good. But if your standards are too high, you won’t see it like that. You will see how much you have failed, leading to stress and sadness. Standards too high also set you up for disappointment because you will feel like nothing you do is ever good enough.

3 Ways to Change Your Mindset

Now that you know the habits that lead to stress, let’s review three ways to help restore your peace of mind.

1. Be Kinder To Yourself

Instead of beating yourself up over every little thing, please learn to treat yourself with kindness. Being overly self-critical will never help you. It will even make you feel worse about yourself. If you constantly ask too much from yourself, you will never be content with who you are.

You will always feel like you aren’t enough and can never achieve what you want. But this attitude only stresses you out. When you learn to be kinder to yourself, you can take your failures in stride. Instead of beating yourself up over everything, you will have the power to work towards achieving something better.

2. Embrace Your Fears

Often, people get stressed because they are afraid of facing the unknown. Because they can’t control everything around them, they get panicked and enter fight-or-flight mode. And most of the time, people don’t even know that their fear makes them act that way.

If you don’t try to understand your fears, you will never be calm. It would help if you learned to control your fears instead of letting them control you. That stems from understanding and embracing them. When you understand what makes you scared, you can control how much power they hold over you.

3. Take a Break

You will inevitably get overwhelmed and stressed if you are always on the move. You might think that being busy all the time will guarantee a good life, but that’s not always the case. Being too busy is often a problem, especially in today’s society.

Everyone needs to relax from time to time. And taking a short break and looking for Mushroom Gummies for Sale is the best way to ensure that your stress levels are as low as possible. Otherwise, you won’t have time to take care of your mental health, and you will have to live with the effects of stress every day.

Final Thoughts on Behaviors That Lead to Stress and Ways to Change Your Mindset

Stress is something that everyone will have to deal with throughout their lives. But some people act in ways that only make them more stressed. And they might do it without even noticing. Stress has become so normalized that people don’t think twice about doing something that will stress them out. But that will only harm you, and it has destructive long-term effects.

Many factors make people feel more stressed than they should. Working too much, never having time to relax, all the way to significant life change will affect you. There is no way to avoid stressors. But you can learn to change your mindset in ways that mitigate the effects of stress. For example, if you have to deal with a significant life change, try dealing with the fear surrounding it.

If you solve that fear from the root, you will find that the life change won’t stress you out as much. Or try to take a break instead of always working overtime. They are small steps, but they do wonders in the long run.

Watch a Guy Make Music With Everyday Items

April 1, 2022 by Kristen Lawrence

A guy who calls himself Napkins makes music with everyday items like bottles, rubber bands, and, of course, napkins! It’s amazing to see what the music producer and video creator can come up with as he combines sounds from various objects.

He’s also a singer and songwriter, and has posted several original songs on YouTube called “LMAO” and “Mars.” In addition, he uploads cover songs from various artists; some of his most popular include “Memories” by Maroon 5 and “Bad Guy” by Billie Eilish.

“Some people call me a comedian, but I like everything. I saw Lauryn Hill in “Sister Act 2,” so I also decided to become a musician. There were many ways to show talent: stage, newspaper, radio, TV show, and SnS. If it were not for SnS, I would have found another way,” he says.

With the advent of social media platforms, many people like “Napkins” have found their path to fame. It does take time to build a following, but it only takes one video going viral to get your big break just like this Jimmy John Shark video here. After that, posting quality videos on a regular basis will keep your audience engaged.

Many people today can earn a full-time income with the Internet since you have virtually endless options. It’s still a job like any other. But if you can follow your passion, working doesn’t feel like such a chore. Instead, you actually look forward to it since you’re doing what you love each day!

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Watch a Guy Make Music With Everyday Items

“Most of the time, it starts on impulse, like this…this is gonna be fun.” In the video, Napkins takes a filled balloon and runs his fingers across it, then makes clapping sounds. He finishes things up with some good, old-fashioned fun: dropping glass wine bottles and other bottles on a hard floor. Luckily, they didn’t break, but that would’ve made for some interesting sounds!

To make music with other sounds, he throws a plastic ball against guitar strings while also flicking a door handle. For another, he quickly slings a dishcloth to create a snare sound. He also uses a rubber band placed over a cup to act as a guitar.

He even rubs a pair of wet gloves on the bathroom mirror to add a squeaking sound to his tunes! In another combination, he takes an empty water bottle and hits it with a badminton racket.

In another attempt to make music, he turns on a vacuum cleaner and holds the attachment over the opening of an empty energy drink. It actually creates a sweet-sounding melody! He seems to have endless creativity, and it’s fun to watch him play around with random items to make music.

These combinations create unique sounds that come together quite nicely when he puts the finishing touches on them. Perhaps one day we’ll hear his songs on the radio!

He truly marches to the beat of his own drum when he makes music. However, it’s this one-of-a-kind style that sets him apart and compels people to come back for more. As an artist, it’s important to create your own path and not just follow what others are doing. When you’re true to yourself, people notice, and it also makes your work more fulfilling.

“When I make something, I smile, and people are smiling at what I made. Making a smile is the biggest reward for me. I think I’m a comedian. Laughter gives a positive power, so just keep working and laugh!” he says.

This last bit of advice holds so much truth, because we don’t laugh enough in the modern world. We’re bogged down with various stressors and responsibilities, but we should never forget to have fun in life.

After all, laughter and joy bring us closer together and help relieve stress. Hopefully, we can all follow Napkins’ example and allow our hearts to shine through us in everything that we do. Whether you make music or work in an office, try to make your work fun and don’t take it too seriously!

Exploring how other artists make music can also be incredibly enlightening. It opens up new avenues of creativity and helps you understand different perspectives. In country music, for instance, every artist has their own way of capturing the spirit of their experiences and emotions. By learning from others and integrating new ideas, you can enrich your own work and find fresh, innovative ways to express yourself.

So, whether you’re writing a song or pursuing any other creative endeavor, don’t hesitate to explore the methods of those who inspire you. If you’re looking to dive deeper into the world of country music and discover the stories behind the songs, https://countrythangdaily.com is a treasure trove of insights and inspiration. Remember to keep the process fun and authentic, just as Napkins suggests, and let your unique voice shine through.

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Tips on Making Music for Beginners

If you want to make music but aren’t sure where to start, these tips should help you out. Whether you follow the more traditional route or Napkins’ way of using random objects to make beats, just let things flow naturally. Don’t set any limits or boundaries, and just allow your heart to guide your work.

Have a creative vision in mind. The best artists know what they want and have set goals they’re working to achieve. You don’t have to brainstorm every step you take, but you should have a basic idea of where you’re headed. This will make your work more productive and higher quality.

Make investments in yourself and necessary equipment. If you’re a true beginner, you might want to take a music production course. You can find free information on YouTube, but for more in-depth techniques, a course would be your best bet. Once you learn the basics, you will need certain equipment, such as a laptop designed for music production. For example, MacBooks offer certain programs specifically for music producers.

Explore new techniques. If you want to make music, you shouldn’t put yourself in a box. Like Napkins, it’s crucial to remain open to new methods of music production because this will expand your skills and knowledge. Also, it’s more fun to try new techniques instead of sticking with the same approach!

Final Thoughts on the Guy Who Makes Music With Random Objects

We have to say, it’s pretty entertaining to watch Napkins make music with everyday items we don’t think twice about. After all, most people don’t look at their vacuum cleaner or dishcloth and think they’d make great musical instruments. But, that’s the creative ingenuity of Napkins at work, and we’re all for it!

We can’t wait to see where his unique career path will take him in the future. Which of his musical combinations was your favorite? Let us know in the comments!

Mourners Brought School Supplies, Not Flowers to a Teacher’s Funeral

April 1, 2022 by Kristen Lawrence

When a beloved teacher in Georgia passed away, people brought school supplies rather than flowers to her funeral. The teacher, Tammy Waddell, requested that people bring supplies for children in need as her last wish. She was indeed a “teacher to the end,” as her cousin described.

Waddell had been an elementary school teacher in Forsyth County, Georgia, for 30 years. She’d taught at several schools: Sawnee Elementary & Primary Schools, Cumming Elementary School, and Haw Creek Elementary School. In 2003, she was honored as the county elementary school teacher of the year. After a long battle with colon cancer, she passed away on June 9, 2018, at the age of 58.

Her son, Kevin Waddell, wasn’t surprised at all that his mother requested school supplies in lieu of flowers at the funeral. Her obituary suggested that to honor Tammy’s commitment to children in need, mourners should donate to Project Connect. The organization provides backpacks and supplies for disadvantaged students.

Mourners Brought School Supplies Instead of Flowers to a Teacher’s Funeral

After learning about her dying wish, people were more than happy to comply. Tammy’s cousin and fellow educator, Brad Johnson, took pictures of dozens of backpacks lining the church pews at her funeral.

People donated around 130 backpacks filled to the brim with school supplies. Paul Holbrook, a spokesperson for the funeral home, estimates the supplies would last at least half a year. They included items like notebooks, pencils, sharpeners, markers, binders, and more.

About a hundred of Waddell’s colleagues showed up at the funeral to collect the backpacks for students in need. Brad said they served as “honorary pallbearers” since they carried the backpacks out and delivered them to their schools. He said the experience was “heartwarming” in an interview with CNN.

He also told Good Morning America that Tammy greatly inspired his career path. Brad added that the beloved teacher gave as many hugs as she did school supplies. It’s clear she had a lot of love in her heart for others and wanted to share it whenever possible.

People all over the world have been touched by the devoted teachers’ dying wish. When the story went viral on social media, a non-profit called Tes Resources in the UK wanted to honor her memory. They ended up donating thousands of school supplies to students enrolled in Forsyth County schools.

Tammy Treated Her Students Like Family

Everyone described her as a loving, caring person who put her students first. Her son Kevin said that Tammy’s passion for teaching even inspired him to pursue the career as well. He added that she did everything out of love for others and didn’t want any attention or praise.

She referred to her students as her “kids,” so they always felt cared for and eager to learn. While she’s not there in person any longer, her legacy will live on. She was selfless until the end and wanted to ensure students had the necessary resources to learn. Tammy did everything in her power to ensure their needs were met, even before her own at times.

Her obituary reads: “She had a passion for literacy and believed that every child deserved an opportunity to learn. Those around her recognized Tammy by her generosity, selflessness and unconditional love. Though her achievements and accolades are numerous, none are greater than the many lives that she changed over the course of her three decades in education.”

Her son said she would encourage the public to donate funds or supplies to their local school district. You never know how your small act of kindness could change a student’s life.

Waddell is also survived by a husband of 41 years, another son, BJ Waddell, and four grandchildren.

She will be dearly missed but never forgotten.

Other Amazing Teachers Who Change Lives Every Day

We previously wrote about a kind teacher who ensured a student didn’t miss his high school graduation. Daverius Peters, a senior at Hahnville High School in Boutte, Louisiana, couldn’t wait to walk across the stage and receive his hard-earned diploma. However, a school representative said he wasn’t in the proper dress code when he arrived at the ceremony.

Daverius had on the mandatory cap and gown, white dress shirt, tie, and black dress pants. He’d only bent the rules slightly on his shoes, wearing black leather sneakers instead of dark dress shoes. But, since he didn’t have any dress shoes, he thought the sneakers would suffice. Unfortunately, the school representative disagreed.

Just as he began to lose hope and thought he would miss his graduation, a teacher came to his rescue. Paraeducator John Butler recognized Daverius and walked over to see if he could help.

When he learned about Daverius’ shoe predicament, the teacher quickly offered his dress shoes without a second thought. He wasn’t about to let the young man miss this important moment in his life, so it was a “no-brainer” to let him borrow the shoes.

While the shoes were a couple of sizes too big, Daverius was just thankful he could graduate! He slid across the stage in Butler’s size 11 loafers, proudly accepting his diploma. Butler sat in the crowd wearing only socks, ignoring everyone’s bewildered stares. He was happy he could help a student in need, and Daverius’ family made sure to thank him after the ceremony.

There are truly some amazing teachers in this world, and they deserve much more credit for their sacrifices.

Final Thoughts on the Teacher Who Preferred School Supplies Over Flowers at Her Funeral

Tammy Waddell wasn’t just any teacher – she went above and beyond for her students, ensuring they had every opportunity to learn. Everything she did was for others because she wanted them to succeed. That’s why she asked for backpacks full of school supplies instead of flowers at her funeral. She cared so much about her students that she put them first, even in death. The selfless women left a legacy that the world will never forget.

Other teachers like John Butler aid students in other ways. He made sure Daverius Peters could graduate by letting him borrow his shoes for the ceremony. It just shows that no act of kindness is ever too small if it can change someone’s life for the better.

Meet Broccoli… an Adorable Cat Who Loves Sunbathing

April 1, 2022 by Kristen Lawrence

Broccoli, the cat, enjoys spending most of her time sunbathing, as any self-respecting feline would. There’s nothing like the warm sun caressing your fur as you drift off to sleep. It seems humans aren’t the only animals who love laying out on a sunny day; alligators, dogs, cats, and even some birds soak up their fair share of sunshine.

If you own a dog or cat, you’ve probably noticed how often they take naps in the sun. Broccoli is no exception, and her owner, Carolyn, loves her for it! Be prepared for cuteness overload – don’t say we didn’t warn you!

She says that most of the time, Broccoli and her brother Dilbert spend their time lounging and sunbathing. Their old apartment had a little window seat where Broccoli would “play dead,” lying flat on her back with her arms straight out. It was a sight to behold and became Broccoli’s trademark after a while.

“She used to love to sunbathe in that spot, so that’s where she spent the majority of her day,” Carolyn said.

“So as far as we know, Broccoli is a domestic shorthair Tortoiseshell Tabby. We adopted Broccoli from the National Humane Association,” she explained. “Her cat dad Cade and I have been wanting a cat for a while, but Cade actually ended up surprising me with Broccoli one day.

“When I was at work, he called me and said that he had a surprise and to come outside. I was not expecting to walk outside and see just the tiniest, cutest little cat walking around his car like she owned the place,” she jokes.

Meet Broccoli, the Adorable Sunbathing Cat

Broccoli isn’t the only one with a big personality. It turns out Dilbert also showed his feisty side from day one.

“Broccoli does have a brother named Dilbert, but we call him Dilly for short. When we adopted Broccoli’s brother Dilly, he was screaming at us through a little kennel thing, and we were like, ‘Oh, let’s see if that one wants to play.’ I mean, he did want to play. He just did not want to play with us,” Carolyn recalls.

He chased a little ball around the entire time, ignoring Carolyn and the gang. However, when they placed him back in the kennel, he started screaming at them! He followed them around the place and continued screaming as if he didn’t want them to leave.

“The people at the shelter were like, ‘Oh, he must really like you. He never does that for anyone.’ But come to find out, I think they might have just been tired of the screaming because he’s very vocal and makes noises all the time,” Carolyn says.

Now, he has a cat sister to play with and release all his pent-up energy. He also seems to enjoy basking in the sunshine with Broccoli, and it’s become one of their favorite pastimes. They immerse themselves in other typical cat activities when they’re not sunbathing. For example, playing, running marathons through the house, and cuddling are also on their daily to-do list.

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“[Broccoli] loves to play with like toy springs, anything that resembles a hair tie, and she loves to chase ice cubes. Anytime I walk over to the ice machine, she’ll come running over and start meowing at me relentlessly until I toss her a little piece of crushed ice for her to chase around and lick. So that’s her new favorite hobby,” Carolyn says.

She Also Has a Unique Nighttime Ritual

When she’s done sunbathing and playing for the day, Broccoli tucks herself snugly into bed with her parents. It’s so adorable that she’d rather sleep with her humans than by herself! Of course, she’s not always gentle about getting into bed, but that’s another story.

“So one of the cutest things I think Broccoli does is she sleeps with us every night. She loves to sleep on this little pillow that’s above my head. She really has no regard for other people; she’ll just jump right on your chest and knock the wind out of you, and then climb across your face to get to her pillow,” Carolyn jokes. “But it’s very sweet when she’s sleeping there. She’s like our little princess on her little pillow, so that’s one of our favorite things that she does.”

You might wonder why cats love to sleep above your head at night. According to cat behavior experts, it’s because heat escapes through your head, so it’s pretty warm up there. In other words, it’s the perfect place for cats to keep themselves cozy while sleeping. Also, they have a strong sense of smell, so your cat might like the scent of your shampoo. Whatever the reason, it’s cute that some cats exhibit this behavior at bedtime.

Cats may have their quirks (such as sunbathing), but it’s easy to see why people love them. They’ve changed Carolyn and Cade’s life for the better, and they wouldn’t trade their fur babies for anything!

“It’s hard to say all of the positive things that Broccoli and Dilly bring into our lives. Sometimes we will just be talking about her, me and her dad, and we’ll just say, like ‘I can’t even imagine what we’d be doing or what our lives would be like without our cats,’” Carolyn says.

“They just make us so happy, they’re so sweet, they bring so much entertainment because you never know what they’re going to do. If you don’t have a cat, you should get a cat!”

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Final Thoughts on Broccoli the Sunbathing Cat

Have you ever seen a cat sunbathing before? If you’ve been around cats enough, you probably have noticed this quirky behavior at some point. It’s an instinct for cats since they have a high body temperature of 102° F, so they need sunlight to keep warm.

Of course, most cats have other hobbies besides just lying in the sun, such as playing with random objects and cuddling with you! Broccoli is the complete package, providing her owners with endless entertainment and a wellspring of love. How could you not absolutely adore her?! Let us know what you think about Broccoli in the comments.

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