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Instagrammers Tell Stories of People Who Helped Others in Extreme Weather

March 1, 2022 by Kristen Lawrence

Extreme weather events have been ramping up in frequency and severity due to climate change. The unstable weather caused by warming temperatures leaves many communities reeling from one disaster after another. While we can’t predict when the next storm will strike, we can count on each other to make it through.

After hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, and any other natural disaster, you’ll always find people coming together to help. If you’re worried about climate change, perhaps you can find reassurance in humanity’s resolve and empathy during trying times. After all, we’re one big, human family, and we should remember what unites rather than divides us.

Instagrammers Share Stories of People Helping in Aftermath of Extreme Weather

We hope these stories provided by Instagrammers can bring you hope in times of great change. There’s nothing we can’t overcome if we simply open our arms and hearts in times of need.

1 – Hurricane Harvey devastated Southeast Texas, but it couldn’t destroy the Texas spirit of giving.

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A post shared by Christina Cox (@ansr4ministries)

Many people used their own boats or jet skis to rescue others from rising floodwaters and sea levels. Houston, shown in the first photo, was hit particularly hard, with some places reporting 50+ inches of rain in a matter of days. Thousands of homes and cars were destroyed in the extreme weather, but many selfless citizens risked their lives to save others. People also donated whatever supplies they could in a time of need.

As the floodwaters began to recede, many of those who had used their boats or jet skis to rescue others found themselves in need of repairs. The intense conditions and constant use took a toll on their watercraft, leaving many with damaged engines or faulty parts. Thankfully, services like The Jet Ski Doctor offered much-needed assistance. With their expertise, they quickly got people back on the water, ensuring that those who had been heroes during the crisis could continue to serve their communities without delay.

Hurricane Harvey was the worst flood event in U.S. history and caused over $125 billion in damage. More than 100 people died from the storm, making it one of the deadliest in Texas in a century.

While some communities lost everything, it didn’t stop people from extending a helping hand. For instance, the grocery chain HEB traveled to south Texas where Harvey made landfall to deliver groceries. Restaurants cooked meals for citizens who couldn’t access stores due to flooding. Houston’s Muslim community opened its doors to thousands of people who’d lost their homes and needed a temporary shelter.

2 – Recent tornadoes in Kentucky took dozens of lives and upended communities, but the heart of humanity lit a candle in the darkness.

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A post shared by F E M I B R A N D E D (@femibranded)

Rare December tornadoes tore through the cities of Mayfield, Dawson Springs, Bremen and Princeton. A violent EF4 tornado tracked 165 miles, forming in northern Tennessee before it finally dissipated in central Kentucky near Falls of Rough.

Making a dangerous situation even worse, the tornado outbreak happened during nighttime hours. The night sky and heavy rain hid the tornadoes from view, so many people never saw them coming. Some worked shifts at the local Amazon warehouse and Mayfield candle factory, both of which were leveled by the tornadoes.

In wake of the catastrophic damage and unseasonable extreme weather, organizations all over the country mobilized to help. Mercy Chefs, a non-profit that serves warm meals to citizens following natural disasters, traveled from Virginia to serve Kentuckians. They cooked hot food for victims, first responders and volunteers, providing comfort in a dark time for the state.

Other nonprofits and community members helped with cleanup efforts and collected funds for those who lost everything. Some even sifted through rubble to save others trapped beneath piles of wood and debris. One of the most heartwarming stories from the tragedy came from the Hopkins Country Sheriff’s Office. In Dawson Springs, police officers rescued two babies from a debris pile; one child suffered a head injury, both both survived and will make a full recovery.

3 – The 2021 Snowpocalypse knocked out power for millions of Texans. But Southern hospitality got them through the harrowing extreme weather event.

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A post shared by PaperCity Magazine Houston (@papercityhouston)

When historic Winter Storm Uri blasted Texas with cold temperatures, many weren’t prepared. Since Texas usually doesn’t get below freezing in February, it came as a shock to most. The extreme weather left millions in darkness when it froze the main power grid, and many had to use firewood or blankets to survive.

Some people even burned backyard fences or furniture to make it through the cold, bitter nights. While they struggled to survive, this didn’t keep them from checking on their neighbors. One woman who was a nurse decided to check on her elderly neighbors after power had been out for 24 hours. She brought them food, refilled their toilets with melted snow, and checked their pulse each morning.

Another Texas couple even let their delivery driver, Chelsea, stay the night with them as the roads became impassable. They cooked her a steak dinner for Valentine’s Day, and Chelsea returned the kind gesture by baking them a coconut cake. After a few days, they had become family, all because of the kindness of strangers.

4 – A car accident left drivers stranded on I-95 in Virginia for over a day. Luckily, some of those drivers stepped up and helped however they could.

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A post shared by Before it Starts (@beforeitstarts_nc)

Many drivers ran out of gas since they had to run their cars constantly to stay warm. Some had no food or water, and it quickly turned into a dire situation. However, one truck driver dipped into his food supplies so people trapped on the interstate could have a meal. Another woman begged an EMS driver to let her kids stay the night in an ambulance since she’d run out of gas. Without a second thought, the paramedics allowed her and her children to take refuge in their ambulance to stay warm.

In extreme weather events, it’s the kindness of strangers that makes difficult times a little more bearable. Sometimes, those strangers even end up becoming family. It’s heartwarming stories like these that help restore our faith in humanity.

Final Thoughts on Stories of People Helping Others in Extreme Weather

No one wants disaster to strike, but it seems that extreme weather events have become the new normal. However, when it’s a life or death situation, it’s comforting that thousands of strangers usually come to the aid of others. Sometimes, they put their own lives in danger to rescue others, proving that humans act selflessly when it truly counts. With everything going on in the world, we hope these stories remind you that good always trumps evil in the end.

10 Brain Hacks to Help Switch to a Money Saving Mindset

March 1, 2022 by Sarah Barkley

Saving money is essential, but not everyone is doing it. You might have good intentions but can’t seem to follow through on the saving part. If so, you can learn to switch to a saving money mindset and boost your financial situation significantly.

Learning to save money means figuring out what you need to do, how to do it, and how to stick to it. You likely already know how to open a savings account, but there’s much more to it after that. It isn’t about being smart or having willpower, but it’s about how you handle the environmental cues around you.

You can read all of the budget advice you want, but it won’t help if you don’t know how to make your intentions happen. Tips like cutting expenses and living below your means are great, but they don’t help you develop a saving money mindset. You must train yourself to naturally make choices to save money if you ever want to put the tips to good use.

Ten Brain Hacks to Help Switch to a Money Saving Mindset

Changing your perspective and taking action are essential steps to developing the best mindset. A money saving mindset requires psychological changes to break bad spending habits.

1. Learn from Past Mistakes When Switching to a Money Saving Mindset

We’ve all made financial mistakes in the past. All that you can do is learn from the situation and work to overcome the effects. Then, you can keep that wisdom in mind throughout your life so that you never make the same mistake again.

Move on from your mistakes, but don’t forget about the damage it caused. Most importantly, don’t let it cause further damage to your financial wellbeing. It’s not too late to make changes, so don’t let your past make you feel defeated.

If you ever encountered financial issues due to over-spending, you can learn from the mistake by tracking your spending. Even better, try breaking the habit of spending money daily. Commit to taking a break from spending, allowing your mind to open up to new ideas.

Another common mistake that people make is not prioritizing where their money goes. You might look at your bank account and think you have extra spending money and then fall short when it comes time to pay a bill. Once you get hit with fees for late payments, you’ll realize your mistake and hopefully learn from it.

As long as you learn a valuable lesson, you won’t fall into the same trap again. Use the knowledge to develop a money-saving mindset and promote positive results from now on. Learning from mistakes helps rewire your brain to avoid the situation from occurring again.

2. A Money Saving Mindset Means Gaining Control of Small, Frequent Purchases

You might not realize how much money you spend on small, frequent purchases, but they add up. Every time you eat out or buy a coffee, it decreases your ability to save. It might not seem like much at the time, but it adds up to a decent amount.

Track your expenses and note every small purchase you make over a specific time. You might be shocked to see the number, and you’ll recognize why you’re struggling to save. However, it isn’t as easy as telling yourself you will stop with the purchases because you also must change your environment.

One thing you can do is unlink your credit or debit card from apps you tend to spend the most on. Entering your card information each time adds a process that acts as a barrier. The more work you have to do to buy something, the less likely you will go through with the purchase.

Another option is to limit the number of times you can buy something each week. If you buy coffee at a drive-thru daily, try limiting yourself to only a few times a week instead. Your brain can better process the number of times you make something rather than the amount of money you spend.

3. Treat Your Savings Account Like a Bill

After you figure out your monthly bills, determine how much is leftover. Consider your savings account another statement, and put your extra money towards your future. You can apply the funds to your savings or retirement, but don’t go out and blow it on things you don’t need.

Try not to think of it as extra money because you can always use it for your future. Saving for your future is just as important as paying your other bills. When you treat it that way, it helps you develop a saving money mindset.

If it helps, have this money come directly out of your paycheck and into a savings account that isn’t easy to access. Then it’ll be harder to put the money toward frivolous things or withdraw it for something else. When it comes directly out of your paycheck, you likely won’t even think about spending it.

4. Think of Your Income in Terms of Weekly Pay

Studies show that it is harder to save when you think of your monthly salary instead of your weekly income. People who view their weekly income tend to be better at budgeting, allowing them to improve their finances.

The amount of money made no difference in the results, and it seemed to be all about how they viewed their salary. This environmental cue makes a huge difference. If you want to save more money and you currently view your monthly income, start looking at it as a weekly number.

5. Wait Fifteen Minutes Before Making Purchases

If you’re tempted to buy something, give it 15 minutes before you make the purchase. The impulse loses its effectiveness after 15 minutes, so you might not spend the money after all. If you still want to purchase in 15 minutes, you can consider it safe to buy.

By giving yourself 15 minutes, you’re more likely to save money than if you purchased things impulsively. If you can, it’s even better to wait a full day or a week before making purchases.

When the waiting time is up, you likely won’t want to buy anything at all. The emotions tied to making purchases wane quickly, so giving yourself time is the best way to train your brain.

6. Use Your Birthday to Your Advantage

Transition moments are the perfect time to develop a money-saving mindset. Having age-specific financial goals can help you build your savings and hit the targets. When you have a date set, it helps make the changes you need to reach your goals.

If your birthday is coming up, set that as your date for making these beneficial changes. It’s a start to a new year of your life, and you’ll have the motivation to make it the best one yet. A fresh start always makes things seem easy as it’s a new season in your life, and you’re more open to adapting.

It’ll help if you put a date on your schedule for the day or week before your birthday. At that time, spend some undistracted time setting your goals and determining how you’ll make the necessary changes. As you define your goals, make sure you focus on developing achievable ones that you can realistically reach.

Having specific goals before your birthday gives you a purpose and direction for money management. It’s easy to lose focus when you don’t have detailed plans and dates in place.

7. Minimize Your Financial Accounts

Having multiple financial accounts can cause trouble in your money-saving efforts. They’re harder to keep track of, and it’s tricky to use multiple accounts in a way that helps long-term.

Plus, handling multiple accounts can be overwhelming, and you’ll quickly get distracted trying to go back and forth. Having many financial reports makes it harder to recognize spending habits or progress.

You’ll have quick access to your overall financial situation by minimizing your accounts. You’ll know where you stand at every moment, and you’ll see when you’re making progress towards your goals. These easy visuals help with developing a money-saving mindset.

8. Pre-Commit to a Money Saving Mindset

When you know you have money coming in soon, pre-commit to saving a pre-determined portion of it. Pre-commitment makes you more likely to keep a higher percentage of your income.

Deciding how much money you’ll save in advance shifts the decision-making environment and changes the cues. It helps you take control and think about how you can benefit your future self.

Then, when the money comes in, you’ll have already thought about how the savings could benefit your future. It’ll make you more likely to follow through with your savings plan.

9. Think About the Price of Items in Terms of How Many Hours You’d Have to Work for It

When you want to buy something that you don’t need, it might help think about the number of hours you’d have to work. Once you realize that you have to work nine hours to pay for something, you might think twice.

As you teach yourself to think this way, it’ll start to become a subconscious thought that steers you away from overspending. It’s sometimes hard to refrain from frivolous purchases, but it’s also hard to give so many hours of your life.

10. Pay All of Your Bills at One Time

By paying all of your bills at one time, you trick yourself into saving money. When your bill due dates spread throughout the month, your bank account might make it look like you have more money than you do. A portion of your funds is already earmarked for other bills due later.

However, as the money sits in your account, you are more likely to spend it before your bill is due. Then, when the date comes, you won’t have the money you intended for the expense.

When you pay all of your bills at once, you can get a more accurate sense of your available funds. You’ll also be more likely to make your payments on time, resulting in better credit scores and fewer charges. If it’s easier, you can ask your credit card company and service providers to change your billing date.

Final Thoughts on Brain Hacks to Help Switch to a Money Saving

Improving your financial situation isn’t always easy, but it’s essential for switching to a saving money mindset. It can change your life and future as you set aside funds to grow your savings account. You don’t have to utilize all of the tips at once, but try one or two out and see how it goes.

Once you become comfortable with the changes, try another brain hack to help switch to a saving money mindset. It’ll create a powerful impact on your financial situation, and your savings will quickly increase. As you develop a money saving mindset, you’ll take control of your finances and change your life.

10 Twitter Users Clearly Define Depression to the World

March 1, 2022 by Kristen Lawrence

People usually define depression based on their personal experience with it. Two people suffering from depression may have different perceptions and symptoms. While mental health stigma isn’t as prevalent nowadays, many people still misunderstand what living with depression means. Like anything in life, it’s challenging to comprehend what someone else goes through without being in their shoes.

For example, severe depression may have difficulty getting out of bed or taking showers each day. People without depression may view themselves as lazy or lacking willpower. But that couldn’t be further from the truth. They have a chemical imbalance which makes it almost impossible to live normally.

On the other hand, someone with high-functioning depression may have no problem completing daily tasks. They may have a successful career, a thriving family life, and appear happy on the outside. However, they still experience depression, though not severe enough to interfere with their lives. To an outsider, they seem “normal,” even though they’re still struggling inwardly.

10 Twitter Users Better Define Depression to People Who Don’t Understand

Indeed, how people define depression will vary, but everyone deserves to feel heard and seen regardless. Below, we’ll share a few accounts from people living with depression who explain the battles they face each day.

1 – Depression doesn’t mean you don’t care; it just means you don’t have the energy to.

The most frustrating thing about depression has got to be the indifference. You want to care but all you can muster is autopilot. And you sit there watching life pass you by as you battle the mental fog.

— Boss Baby (@penguinhowler) January 26, 2022

Many people define depression as the lethargy and lack of energy they frequently experience. After taking care of the necessities in life, they may not have anything left for other activities. Battling your mind every day takes a toll on you after a while, so you do what you can to survive.

2 – You can have the whole world in your hands and still suffer from depression.

Depression is an internal battle. Has nothing to do with the amount of love that surrounds you.

— Tasha (@Tash_NoChill) January 22, 2022

As we said in the beginning, depression looks different for everyone. A person with a stable job and loving family can still suffer from severe depression, even if they don’t show it. Even if you have a reliable support system, it doesn’t change how you feel inside.

3 – Taking pills to control depression symptoms does not make you weak. It’s an illness that requires medication to treat in some cases, and that’s perfectly okay.

I’m a medical doctor who specializes in psychiatry. I’m trained in therapy. I have a good support system. I see my own therapist. I exercise regularly & eat healthy.

I still have to take an antidepressant to control my anxiety and depression. And it’s okay if you do too.

— Melissa Shepard, MD (@drshepard_md) January 25, 2022

There’s no universal answer to depression; some people respond to lifestyle changes, and others need medical interventions. No matter how you treat or define depression, you’re not weak or inferior for seeking help when necessary. Many people need medications to ease depression symptoms, including doctors, so never feel ashamed at taking something that makes a living a little bit easier.

4 – Men also suffer from depression and other mental illnesses, even if they’re not always vocal about their feelings.

My two farmers.

Men get anxiety
Men get depression
Men get mental illness

Instead of saying man up and suck it up.

Let’s say: it’s okay. It’s okay to not be okay. It’s okay to ask for help

It’s okay and it will be okay

We’re stronger together❤️
#Bellletstalk pic.twitter.com/3eC3zQC8Rr

— highheels&fields (@lesleyraekelly) January 26, 2022

Check on the men in your life because they deserve to have their voices heard. Men suffer from higher suicide rates than women, so let’s end the stigma surrounding male mental health. They’re human, too, and it’s high time we recognize the struggles they face.

5 – Your mental and emotional health should come first because you can’t pour from an empty cup.

I urge y’all to pay attention to your #mentalhealth because your mind, body, & soul can only take so much before the stress of it begins to negatively impact your quality of life. That’s my current situation but getting the help I need. Don’t minimize your #depression & #anxiety.

— Megsie (@warriormegsie) January 21, 2022

Love yourself enough to look after your needs and nurture your soul. When you’re feeling good, you’ll have more energy to devote to others in your life as well.

6 – This image captures the internal battle many people face with depression.

Fighting inner demons.#mentalhealth #depression pic.twitter.com/nFkL2ZqAKu

— Daniela Schreiter (@Fuchskind) January 25, 2022

No matter how you define depression, you can probably relate to this picture. Sometimes, you may feel overwhelmed trying to fight your inner demons because they never seem to disappear. Remember to honor your feelings and practice self-care – the world outside can wait in those moments.

7 – A person living with depression may appear selfish, but they’re just trying to get through the day. They need love and support more than anything else.

My #depression isn’t selfish, I need validation and love but I have no energy or will to do what it takes to keep up my end of relationships. Lately I’ve been so irritable. I stare at the ceiling for hours at night. This is not your everyday darkness, this is advanced darkness

— (@DeepHydrangeas) January 19, 2022

Like this Twitter user, some people define depression as irritability or emptiness. These are common symptoms of depression, as the illness drains your energy and capacity to deal with everyday life.

8 – Depression isn’t a character flaw; it’s a mental health condition. Just be kind because everyone is fighting a battle you know nothing about.

Even the strongest of us break down at a point. Mental health issues are real just be kind to everyone. #mentalhealth #depression pic.twitter.com/TPeqCDEoQc

— akosua_rockson (@RocksonAkosua) January 25, 2022

9 – Depression can make you feel like you’re losing yourself slowly. It’s painful to watch yourself fade away and not know how to feel like you again.

I’m Shattered in pieces, idk which piece should i choose.#quote #Sad #idk #depression pic.twitter.com/izq7zZWmGA

— kurumi (@caramel_131) January 20, 2022

Others define depression as a feeling of brokenness, like being shattered in a million pieces. In many ways, it’s like depression steals your identity, which can lead to feeling empty inside.

10 – Perhaps this sums it up best: depression just ‘is,’ and needs no further explanation.

#Depression Try to understand what they’re going through.

‘Its hard to be a friend to someone who’s depressed, but it is one of the kindest, noblest and best things you will ever do’ -Stephen Fry-#mentalhealth pic.twitter.com/E76RcNBI66

— Sunny #PeaceAndJusticeProject #WeAreAllAssange (@animal_paws) January 22, 2022

So, in summary, it’s not always easy or necessary to define depression. Everyone suffers through it differently, but one truth remains: the need to spread love and kindness without asking who’s worthy of it.

Coping Skills for Depression

No matter how you define depression, it’s important to have coping skills in place to manage symptoms. The following can help boost your mood when you’re feeling depressed:

Spend time in nature. Sunshine and the great outdoors can lower stress and temporary relief for depression. Studies confirm this, saying that contact with nature boosts positivity and gives a sense of purpose in life.
Practice mindfulness or meditation. When you’re depressed, it’s essential to listen to your intuition. We’re so disconnected from ourselves in the modern world, but we can start healing by simply being present with ourselves. Set aside at least 30 minutes per day to meditate, practice yoga, or any other exercise that fosters mindfulness.
Cut down on work or other responsibilities. We’re obsessed with productivity but often forget to look after our well-being. Health, happiness, and peace should come first, so don’t feel ashamed to cut back on responsibilities if you’re overwhelmed. Everything else can wait, but your search for inner fulfillment can’t.

Final Thoughts on How Twitter Users Define Depression

Millions of people live with mental illnesses, and they all experience them differently. Because people today feel more comfortable talking about mental health, it’s helping end the stigma and normalize seeking help. Hopefully, the accounts featured above provide clarity and understanding of what it’s like to live with depression.

These 20 Habits Can Help Recharge Your Positivity Batteries

March 1, 2022 by Kristen Butler

Do you ever feel an emotional slump during the day as if you’re running on empty? Maybe you can’t focus or feel drained of all your energy. Life is no fun when you feel negative and downtrodden all the time, but there is a better way to live. All it takes is learning how to recharge your positivity when you feel depleted.

Have you ever seen someone so down and depressed that it seemed to carry the weight of the world on their shoulders? Negativity doesn’t make for a great look on you. Thankfully, walking through life with a positive outlook is like stepping from the darkness into the sunshine. It changes everything.

These Twenty Behaviors Can Help Recharge Your Positivity Batteries

If you’re tired of the slumps, and you want to have a more positive life that’s full of joy and happiness, then it’s a choice you must make. Here are 20 easy ways to recharge your batteries and get back on course.

1. Reconsider Your Eating Habits

You can’t expect to put soda pop in your car’s gas tank and get very far. In fact, not using the correct fuel could cause irreparable damage to the engine. The same thing can happen when you don’t refill your body with the healthy foods it needs to survive and thrive.

One of the best ways to recharge your batteries is to maintain healthy eating habits and avoid junky processed food. According to an article published by Harvard Medical School, a nutritious diet keeps your brain working at optimal levels.

2. Try to Exercise Each Day

Have you ever noticed how pumped you’re physically and mentally after a good workout? It’s because exercise stimulates your brain to produce endorphins and other “feel good” hormones. Even taking a brisk walk, 15 to 20 minutes a day, can strengthen your body and help recharge your batteries.

3. Recharge Your Positivity by Performing Stretches

Pet parents can learn many lessons from their fur babies about relaxing and recharging their batteries. You’ve probably seen your dog or cat do a few stretches from head to toe when they awaken. They also like to stretch after running and playing with the family.

When you get out of bed each morning, consider doing some stretches to get your body limber and ready for the day. Yoga and other traditional gentle stretches are ideal for adding to your daily routine. A body that’s fit and relaxed is less vulnerable to injury.

4. Get Enough Sleep

Sleeping is a natural state of relaxation that allows you to recharge your batteries physically, mentally, and spiritually. Unfortunately, many people are sleep-deprived and go through an overwhelming brain fog throughout their day. If this condition is chronic, you can develop severe health conditions.

Like most people, you probably feel your best with at least six to eight hours per night. Keep your bedroom as dark as possible and maintain a comfortable temperature. Your bedroom should be a serene oasis reserved only for sleep and romance.

5. Take a Power Nap to Recharge Your Positivity

When you listen to your body, it will tell you what you need. Sometimes, you need to recharge your batteries mid-day or early in the evenings. Maybe you’ve had an incredibly stressful day and need a little siesta.

A quick power nap for 15 to 20 minutes can energize you and clear your mind. Be careful that you don’t nap for too long. When you oversleep during your power nap, you’ll be wide-awake in the middle of the night. Sadly, you’ll be frazzled the following day.

6. Enjoy a Warm Bath

Pamper yourself and wash your stress away in bubbles by enjoying a warm bath. There’s something about water that relieves muscle tension while it soothes and calms your nerves. Lock the bathroom door, light a few candles, and enjoy a rejuvenating soak.

7. Recharge Your Positivity Batteries with Aromatherapy

Are there certain smells that evoke pleasant memories and boost your spirits? An article published by Frontiers in Systems Neuroscience explains that your sense of smell links to emotions and past experiences. The next time you need to recharge your batteries, use some of your favorite essential oils as aromatherapy, such as rose, orange, or ylang-ylang.

8. Tap into Your Creativity

It’s easy for your brain to get bored, and you feel like you’re on autopilot. Nix the boredom and give your brain a creative challenge. Schedule time for doing hobbies or learning something new.

9. Take Regular Technology Breaks

How did humans survive without smartphones, computers, and other modern technology? These are inventions that are supposed to make your life easier. However, these same gadgets can rob you of precious energy and quality time with family and friends.

Try to give yourself well-deserved technology breaks, especially during family dinners. Put away your phone and mobile devices, turn off the TV, and forget social media for a while. Not only will your eyes get some rest, but so will your brain and the rest of your body.

10. Reconnect with Family and Friends

While you’ve determined to take regular technology breaks, use the time you save for reconnecting with those in your circle. Of course, that doesn’t include social media. Make a date, go out to lunch with your besties, and recharge your batteries.

11. Avoid Negative People and Emotional Triggers

The best way to keep a positive attitude is to avoid negativity as much as possible. While you’ll always have some grump in your extended family or at work, they needn’t monopolize your time. Also, try to avoid emotional triggers that damper your spirits.

12. Meditate to Recharge Your Positivity Batteries

You can recharge your positivity batteries by spending fifteen or twenty minutes a day in meditation. Designate a quiet space at home or work, close your eyes, and be mindful of breathing. Meditation provides respite for your mind and energy for your body and spirit.

Don’t worry about the intrusive thoughts. Acknowledge them and let them float away like fading clouds. If it helps, you can meditate with music or other calming sounds.

13. Reduce Your Multitasking

At some point, multitasking became the buzzword for everyone’s resume. It’s a badge of honor that proves you can exhaust yourself doing a dozen things at once. Not only do you quickly deplete mental and physical energy, but the quality of your work will suffer.

Although you must juggle various duties, try to keep them at a minimum. You will have more creative stamina, and each project will be your best. Even when you have pressing deadlines, you can pace yourself and not be in a nervous tizzy.

14. Write in a Journal to Recharge Your Positivity Batteries

Sometimes, it recharges your battery to be alone with your thoughts. What better way to do that than a personal journal? It’s an ideal tool for recording your innermost thoughts, dreams, and ideas.

Plus, reviewing your accomplishments ever so often boosts confidence and positive energy. Your journal can be as straightforward or as creative as you like. You can write in it as often as you like, and nobody has to read it.

15. Have Some Fun

The most obvious way to catch a break and reboot your system is to do something fun. Whether it’s doing something artistic, traveling, or participating in a sport, it’s a break from routine. Why not do it with your family and make some beautiful memories.

16. Make a List of Your Goals

How do you know when you’ve arrived at your destination if you don’t know where you’re going? That’s why it’s essential to list your goals and how you plan to achieve them. This list will also inspire you to create more aspirations as you reach each level of success.

17. Let Go of the Past

Adverse events in your past can drain your present energy if you meditate on them. At some point, you acknowledge past failures, hurts, disappointments, and toxic people and decide to forgive. Or you may be the person who needs to apologize and make amends.

Either way, you have to free yourself from these massive weights so you can go on with your life. When you’re no longer shackled by bitterness and love undone, you feel lighter and more positive. You will revitalize your mind for today and whatever lies ahead for you.

18. Tune in to Music to Recharge Your Positivity Batteries

Few could deny music’s emotional and spiritual impact on every living thing. Another way to reboot your energy is to listen to some of your favorite songs, no matter what genre. Get your body grooving to the beat, sing, laugh, and get lost in harmony.

19. Show Gratitude Each Day

How do you feel when you give someone a gift and express their sincere gratitude? You’ll often find that the giver is just as blessed as the recipient. Make a habit of showing your appreciation to others and the Universe, and notice how your positive energy grows exponentially.

20. Spend Some Time Outdoors

The Universe is an ever-expanding source of energy that resonates in all things, including every cell in your body. So, it stands to reason that spending time in nature is a superb way to recharge your batteries. You wonder what secrets the breeze whispers through the trees as your heart rejoices in the chorus of birds overhead.

Make it a point to spend a few minutes outdoors every day. Instead of sitting at your desk during lunch break, go outside and commune with nature. You can’t help but feel more positive about your connection to everyone and everything.

Final Thoughts on Recharging Your Positivity Batteries So You Can Shine On

Your body isn’t meant to be in perpetual motion, and you need a chance to rest and revitalize yourself. When you combine these suggestions with a healthy dose of positive thinking, you’re on the right track. Remember to be kind to yourself and get the rest you need to kickstart another day…and SHINE ON!

These 7 Metabolism Myths Can Harm Your Weight Loss Efforts

March 1, 2022 by Sarah Barkley

Metabolism is a common word regarding diet and healthy living. Since everyone is talking about it, misinformation gets passed around often by well-meaning people. It’s hard to tell which metabolism myths are real and which aren’t, but learning about them can help your weight loss efforts.

Many of the myths have been in existence for decades, making most people believe they are real. Once you know the metabolism myths to stop listening to, you can ditch the ideas that hinder weight loss. For more ideas, you can read about intermittent fasting here. Then, you can work toward hitting your goals, as you won’t waste time or effort on incorrect rules.

Metabolism is a series of chemical reactions that allow your body to burn calories. It includes your resting metabolic rate, physical activity’s thermic effect, and feeding’s thermic effect. These concepts are a lot to understand, which is why they are often misunderstood and have many associated myths.

Seven Metabolism Myths That Can Harm Your Weight Loss Efforts

Without debunking the myths, you’ll waste time and energy worrying about things that don’t matter. It’ll prevent you from reaching your weight loss goals and interfere with your overall health. While it’s impossible to debunk every metabolism myth, here are seven to get you started.

1. Exercise can Increase Your Metabolism, and You Don’t Have to Eat Healthily

Many people believe that their metabolism will increase if they work out enough. People assume that they’ll lose weight if they burn more fat than they take in each day. Unfortunately, it doesn’t work that way, and working out won’t eliminate the effects of a poor diet.

One of the reasons that exercise alone won’t boost your metabolism is that there isn’t enough time in the day. Most people don’t have enough time to burn more than a few hundred calories, and junk food will put you well beyond that. Even if you plan to work out that day, you must consciously choose healthy eating.

Eating unhealthy foods takes a toll on your body and weight loss efforts. While exercise is essential, you can’t count on it alone. Pay attention to your eating habits and daily dietary intake to see if you’re hindering your weight loss efforts. You must get a healthy mix of physical activity and essential nutrients daily to fulfill your metabolic needs.

2. Eating Breakfast Boosts Your Metabolism (myth alert!)

Most people have heard that breakfast is essential daily and boosts your metabolism. However, experts say breakfast might not have anything to do with speeding up your metabolism.

The myth comes from the thermic effect of food, which occurs when your body uses energy to break down food. This process happens no matter when you eat your first meal, so it doesn’t have to be breakfast. You can eat whenever it works best for your lifestyle and schedule.

3. Cardio is Better for Your Metabolism Than Strength Training

This metabolism myth is common because cardio burns more calories than strength training. However, burning more doesn’t always mean it’s better for your metabolism. Instead, a higher metabolic rate requires more muscle mass.

Studies show that resistance and strength training reduce fat while increasing muscle. Cardio only reduces fat without doing anything for your muscles. So, speeding up your metabolism requires more than just cardio; strength training is the way to go.

Additionally, cardio will only boost your metabolism for at least one to two hours. If you opt for strength training, the boost can last up to 24 hours, helping your weight loss efforts all day. You’ll get more out of your workout by implementing strength or resistance training daily.

It’s essential to note that any physical activity helps burn fat. Don’t skip out on cardio altogether because it reduces the risk of health conditions. The best option is to combine strength training and cardio each day.

4. Eating After 7:00 PM Ruins Your Metabolism

A long-held metabolism myth is that you shouldn’t eat after 7:00 PM or you won’t lose weight. However, it doesn’t matter if you eat late at night or not because it doesn’t affect your weight either way. The only thing that matters regarding late-night snacks is what you choose to eat.

If you choose a healthy snack after 7:00, it won’t harm your weight loss efforts. It will help keep your metabolism going overnight, regulate your blood sugar, and help you meet your protein goals. Choose something healthy, like a low-fat cheese stick or Greek yogurt.

However, if you choose an unhealthy snack, it could hinder your weight loss efforts. Junk food and desserts can cause weight gain, but eating them early in the day or late at night affects your outcomes. So, enjoy your late-night snack, and don’t assume you have to eat your treats early, either.

5. Many Small Meals Throughout the Day Boosts Your Metabolism

One myth that can hinder your weight loss efforts is that eating many small meals is better than three big ones. Eating small meals doesn’t boost your metabolism at all, and it can do more harm than good. Most people struggle with portion sizes, so eating many small meals leads to overeating.

People believe this myth because frequent eating throughout the day can curb cravings but doesn’t boost metabolism. However, there’s nothing wrong with this eating schedule as long as it works for you and doesn’t lead to overeating.

As further proof that eating many small meals doesn’t boost metabolism, you can skip meals and lose weight. Your body won’t suffer from skipping a meal unless you’ve missed multiple meals. However, skipping meals can cause you to miss out on essential nutrients that keep you energized throughout the day.

If you eat three full meals a day, you can eat snacks in between. Eating healthy snacks can help curb your cravings the same way eating many small meals does. Snacks can prevent you from getting too hungry, helping you resist overeating.

6. Some Foods and Drinks Boost Metabolism

Many people believe that caffeine, green tea, and spicy foods boost metabolism, but that isn’t accurate. These foods and drinks can give your metabolism a jolt, but it isn’t enough to make a difference. Plus, the jolt doesn’t last long, either.

The only foods that can truly boost your metabolism are those with nutrients and vitamins. You must consume more than one food to receive adequate nutrition for improving your weight loss efforts. Don’t focus on adding something specific to your diet, but ensure eating many nutritious but low-calorie foods daily.

To add a variety of nutritious, filling, and low-calorie foods to your diet, look for the following:

Fruits
Vegetables
Low-fat dairy
Lean meats

7. Metabolism Slows with Age (the most surprising of these metabolism myths!)

A common myth is that your metabolism slows down as you get older, so people think there’s nothing they can do about it. However, this decline only occurs if you become less active. If you continue being active as you get older, your metabolism won’t slow down.

Three Ways to Boost Metabolism Naturally (Without Relying on Those Debunked Metabolism Myths!)

So what can you do to increase the metabolic process?

1. Drink Plenty of Water

Your body needs water to function, including processing the food you eat. If you aren’t drinking enough water each day, it slows your metabolism down. Studies show that those who drink water throughout the day burn more calories than those who don’t.

If it’s hard for you to drink enough water, start drinking a glass of water before every snack and meal. You’ll get used to drinking so much water and consume more than you did in the past. Water also helps suppress your appetite, making it highly beneficial for weight loss.

2. Get Enough Sleep

You’ll be more energized and focused during the day when you get enough sleep. You’re more likely to make better food and movement choices with energy and focus.

You won’t feel as sluggish, giving you the energy to move whenever the opportunity arises. Plus, you can make nutritious choices with a focused mind rather than reaching for a sugar-filled treat.

3. Take Time to Move During Your Workday

If your workday takes up a significant portion of your day, finding time to move regularly is essential. Schedule short breaks throughout your day, making sure to get out of your chair and move around.

Taking short breaks to move around isn’t only beneficial for weight loss. It also helps boost productivity and concentration, allowing you to work more efficiently.

Final Thoughts on Metabolism Myths That Can Harm Your Weight Loss Efforts

Knowing the truth about metabolism myths can make all the difference in your weight-loss efforts. You can adopt new and eliminate old habits, guiding you closer to success.

Don’t hold up your progress by believing the myths you’ve heard all your life. Do research to see what will work best for your weight loss efforts because these aren’t the only metabolism myths you’ll find. Aim to eat healthy foods, drink plenty of water, move frequently, exercise, and get plenty of sleep.

This Sweet Ginger Cat Will Melt Even The Coldest Heart

February 27, 2022 by Kristen Lawrence

Tommy, a 4-year-old ginger cat, lives in the UK with his loving cat parents. The adorable tabby cat garners a lot of attention on social media for his fashionable bandanas and bowties. He’s the perfect model for them, if you ask us! We hope his story brightens your day and warms your heart during these cold winter days.

“When Tommy first came to our home, he was very nervous and he used to run away and hide, but after a couple days he was absolutely fine,” Tommy’s mom said. “We were looking to adopt another kitty, so we found through another friend that there was one in need of a home down the road.”

This Sweet Ginger Cat Will Warm Your Heart

Once they found a ginger cat close by, they decided to provide a loving home for him. They adopted him when he was just eight weeks old in July 2017. They also had two other cats at home that got along wonderfully with their new furry addition. Just like any ginger cat, Tommy loves the simple things in life.

“Tommy loves his treats as any cat would; one of his favorites are the nice, licky treats. Tommy is very lovable and loving, and he loves to sit on our lap to cuddle. He loves playing with his toys and he loves to go out to explore,” his mom says.

When he’s not doing normal cat things, he also loves being a ham on social media! You can find the ginger cat on Instagram @the_ginger_tom.

“We love to spend time cuddling with Tommy; it makes us happy and makes him happy too. If you’re thinking of adopting a pet, we recommend lots of cuddling, lots of love, lots of pet playing as well,” Tommy’s mom said.

Enjoy perusing his Instagram page and admiring his luscious good looks! He probably makes all the other ginger cats out there jealous, because he’s one handsome fellow!

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A post shared by Tommy (@the_ginger_tom)

Interesting Facts About Ginger Cats

National Tabby Day is April 30, so if you have a ginger cat, make sure to celebrate him or her on this day!
Tabbies got their name from their resemblance to silk sold in Baghdad’s “Attabiy” district. In the 14th century, the French named them “atabis,” which became “tabis,” and nowadays, we simply call them tabby cats.
Tabbies aren’t an actual breed of cats, but a way of describing their physical characteristics. One of the telltale signs of a tabby is a unique “M” mark in the middle of their forehead.
You might think tabby cats only come in the color orange. While most people think of a ginger cat as a tabby, they have other coat colorings as well. Black and grey tabbies also exist, and you can usually spot them because of certain patterns on their coats.
About 75-80% of ginger tabby cats are male, and only 20-25% are female.
Ginger cats have five distinct coat patterns. Classic tabby cats have striking swirling patterns, mackerel tabbies have long, thin stripes, and spotted tabbies have large or small spots. Ticked tabbies have unique markings on their faces and agouti hairs (hairs with more than one band of color) throughout their bodies. Finally, patched tabbies may showcase one or more of these patterns, with most of them residing on their legs and head.
Tabby patterns come in handy in the wild, as they help camouflage big cats while they hunt for prey. Large ginger cats like tigers benefit from these markings on their coats. Leopards also bear these patterns.
Ginger cats and kitties have a warm, affectionate, playful personality. They also have high intelligence, but unfortunately, that can make them incredibly stubborn as well.
Tabby cats make wonderful family pets due to their social nature. They enjoy playtime and will gladly participate in activities with their human family.
Like most cats, ginger cats love a good hunt. If you have a mouse or other rodent in the house, a tabby cat won’t hesitate to chase it down.

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A post shared by Tommy (@the_ginger_tom)

Basic Ginger Cat Care

If you decide to adopt a ginger cat, you’ll need to ensure you can properly care for him/her. Follow these tips to keep your tabby safe and healthy:

Cats are carnivores, so make sure to feed them foods made only for cats and not table scraps.
Make sure to spay or neuter your cat as soon as possible. Skipping this step can lead to thousands of unwanted cats being born each year, with an average lifespan of just two years. As you can imagine, homeless cats have very rough lives on the street. Also, feral cats can cause significant ecological damage. They’ve been linked to declining bird populations in Australia and North America, and have even caused extinctions on islands across the globe.
Avoid declawing your cat, as tabby cats need their claws for scratching. This behavior is instinctive and helps them stretch, remove dead parts of their nails, and mark objects with their scent.
Take your cat to the vet at least once a year. Even if nothing seems wrong, a good check-up will keep your ginger cat healthy and happy.
Keep a few toys around the house so your cat stays occupied while you’re gone. Some ideas include strings, balls, sticks, or fake mice. Also, consider buying a cat stand or tower, because cats love to climb!

Final Thoughts on Tom the Handsome Ginger Cat

Have you ever seen a cat as photogenic as Tommy? We didn’t think so! He just looks like a pro model in all his pictures; his parents should feel very proud! Tabby cats aren’t just beautiful to look at; they also have a heart of gold and offer companionship to humans. They love to play and will happily engage in any activity with their humans.

If you’ve ever owned a tabby cat, you probably remember their warm, friendly demeanor. Everyone talks about dogs being a man’s best friend, but ginger cats have just as much love to give. Have you ever owned a tabby cat? Let us know your experience in the comments.

Are You Using Negative Affirmations Without Realizing It? Here’s How It Hurts

February 27, 2022 by Kristen Butler

Many people use negative affirmations without realizing what they’re doing. Your thoughts play a role in how your life plays out, and they impact your overall well-being. It’s harmful in many ways, whether you realize it or not.

Negative affirmations are statements and words that lead to negativity. This non-constructive type of self-talk is severely damaging to your self-esteem and overall outlook on life. While you might not realize that you’re engaging in negative self-talk, you can learn to identify it and address the issue.

Positive affirmations are popular, so you’re likely familiar with those already. However, many people don’t realize that negative affirmations exist, too. Negative phrases work the same way as the positive ones, but they attract negative energy instead of positivity.

Whether you say the phrases aloud or you keep them in your mind, they’re detrimental in many ways. Learning to identify negative affirmations is essential for overcoming them and shifting your mindset. Once you’ve identified it, you can replace it with something positive about your life.

How to Determine If You’re Using Negative Affirmations Without Realizing It

1. You Say Sentences Starting With “I Will Never.”

When you say things similar to this phrase, you’re setting yourself up to be unsuccessful. Whatever you’re saying you’ll never do, you’re probably correct.

So, shift your thought process and tell yourself that you can do anything. Rephrasing the statement allows you to make it a positive thought instead of a self-limiting idea. Nothing is impossible unless you tell yourself it is.

2. You Think Negatively About Yourself

Anytime you experience negative self-talk, it’s an affirmation. These thoughts manifest other negative things in your life. You don’t have to say the words out loud for them to affect your life, so always be aware of your thoughts.

If you often experience negative self-talk, start memorizing positive affirmations to replace them. When you make this beneficial change, you’ll see how detrimental the toxic thoughts were.

3. You Have Negative Thoughts About Money

You might be surprised to know that you can manifest money. However, even more, surprising is that negative thoughts about money can cause you to run into more financial issues.

Anytime you talk or think about money negatively, you only exacerbate the problem. Plus, you start to convince yourself that earning money is hard and that not everyone can do it. This false idea quickly harms your finances as you stop being open to new opportunities.

One big issue is constantly thinking about debt. While you must address the problem, you shouldn’t obsess over it at every moment. Try focusing on your income instead of on your debt and see what a difference it makes.

4. You Talk About Your Problems, Limitations, and Obstacles

When you discuss your limitations with yourself or others, it starts an endless cycle of negative thoughts. Likewise, complaining about the obstacles you’re dealing with can hinder your progress.

While it’s okay to vent, you must know when to stop and let go of the negative thoughts. If you find yourself talking about your problems, limitations, or obstacles, take a moment to refocus. Replace the negative thoughts or comments with positive ones, like how you’ll overcome each issue.

5. You Tell Yourself That You Will Fail

If you ever tell yourself that you can’t do something, you probably won’t be able to do it. This negative affirmation is one of the most detrimental because it holds you back in every way.

Many times, you won’t even attempt because you’ve convinced yourself that you will fail. Other times, you will still have the negative thought on your mind as you try to do something, hindering your success. Your thoughts become your reality, so you must stop telling yourself that you’ll fail.

6. You Can’t Stop Thinking About Your Problems

If you don’t stop thinking about your problems, they’ll never get any better. Think of things in the present that allow you to move forward positively. The negative thoughts only recreate the situation instead of changing it with the help of positivity.

7. You Constantly Tell Yourself That Life is too Hard

Focusing on how hard life can be is sure to hold you back. Telling yourself that things are too hard for you to do limits your abilities instead of letting you push your limits.

When you say phrases like this, you subconsciously give up on whatever task you need to accomplish. Even when things get complicated, it’s never too hard to overcome by finding a creative solution.

8. You Feel Like You Have Bad Luck

If it seems like bad things keep happening to you, you might think you have bad luck. However, it is more likely that you’re manifesting negativity. Pay attention to your thoughts and see if you subconsciously refer to negative thinking. If so, now is the time to shift your mindset.

How Negative Affirmations Hurt You in Life

Negative statements and thoughts make you feel bad and unhappy about your life. They make you feel like you can’t change anything and that you’re stuck where you are right now. When you allow these thoughts to continue, it worsens the problems instead of inspiring a solution.

Not only do negative affirmations exacerbate the problem, but they also invite other harmful things into your life. You teach yourself to expect bad things to happen, and you start subconsciously looking for negative things around you.

Additionally, after hearing negative self-talk often enough, you start to believe what you tell yourself. When you say that you’re bad at something, you’ll begin to feel insecure about your abilities. Likewise, if you tell yourself that you are lazy, you’ll stop doing the things you do now.

Whatever your self-talk is about, you’ll experience a setback in that area of your life. You might even stop trying to do anything because you have convinced yourself that you are a failure. Even if you don’t notice a dramatic effect from your negative thoughts, it’ll still interfere with your happiness and self-appreciation.

Unfortunately, you can’t unthink a negative thought or remove it from your mind. It’s a part of life, but you must learn to overcome it to undo the damage and avoid further harm. Let go of your negative self-talk and embrace positivity instead.

Replacing Negative Affirmations with Positivity

Replacing negative affirmations with positive ones can make all the difference in your life. You’ll notice an overall improvement, and you’ll start to see the good all around you. Positive affirmations are inspiring and encouraging words regarding what you want to happen, receive, or achieve.

Anytime you acknowledge a negative thought, replace it with a positive comment about yourself or your life. If you shift your thoughts each time, it’ll become a habit that helps you get further and feel better. The statements should improve your life and cultivate a positive mindset.

You can also shift your mindset by countering every negative thought you have. For example, you might think about how you don’t make as much money as someone else. You can oppose the ideas by acknowledging that you get to spend more time with your family because your job is less demanding.

When you focus on positivity, you can always counter your negative thoughts. After consciously doing this, you’ll find that you don’t have as many negative thoughts anymore.

Examples of Positive Affirmations

To help you get started on replacing your negative thoughts, here are a few examples of positive affirmations:

I am capable of getting this job.
I can get this promotion.
I’m successful and living up to my full potential.
I love myself as I am right now, and I embrace my unique qualities.
I’m attracting positivity into my life.
I’m enjoying a remarkable career that brings me joy and allows me to have everything I need.
I know that everything in my life is gradually getting better, and hardship doesn’t last forever.
I watch for signs from the Universe to guide me forward.
I’m happy with my life right now, but I continue to improve myself every day.
I let go of any fear that might hold me back.
I’m worthy of positive things in my life.
I choose happiness even when things get complicated.
I’m excited to become a better version of myself every day.
I learn from my mistakes, so I have a better chance of success next time.

Are You Using Negative Affirmations Without Realizing It? Here’s How It Hurts

Now that you know how to recognize negative affirmations, you can start making a positive change in your life. Start by addressing the negative thoughts and figuring out how to overcome them. Shift to positive thinking and countering your thoughts and comments.

The more often you challenge your negative thoughts or replace them with positive affirmations, the sooner you’ll see an improvement. Use positive affirmations each morning and night for the best results, and use them anytime you need a boost during the day. As you become more comfortable with positive affirmations, you’ll experience fewer negative thoughts.

15 Daily Affirmations for a More Disciplined Mindset

February 27, 2022 by Sarah Barkley

Having a disciplined mindset is one of the most important skills a person can have. It helps with all areas of life, helping people achieve their goals and accomplish tasks. However, many people fail to recognize the importance of a tenacious mindset, and fewer know how to achieve it.

You can strengthen your self-discipline by reciting daily affirmations. These positive phrases help you manifest the things you want in life. Luckily, many positive phrases can help you achieve a disciplined mindset.

Self-discipline doesn’t require living a restrictive lifestyle. Instead, it requires using common sense, setting priorities, and thinking things through before acting. It also requires self-control and inner strength in all situations.

With a disciplined mindset, you’ll have the power to make decisions and follow through with them. It helps you get things done, allowing you to live the life of your dreams. Get started by using these daily mantras and developing the best mindset to improve your self-discipline.

What Self-Discipline Means

Understanding self-discipline can help you develop the skill in your daily life. Having a better understanding of what discipline means will also help you use the affirmational statements. Self-discipline means that you:

Exhibit self-control
Avoid unhealthy excess of anything
Persevere in all situations
Have the inner strength to keep trying
Keep your goal in mind
Continually pursue your plans despite setbacks and frustration
Can delay instant gratification
Avoid procrastination

People with self-discipline exhibit certain behaviors, too. They are more punctual than others, and they take responsibility for themselves. These people know that they control their lives and focus on doing what’s best long-term.

These people also set goals and determine which steps they must take to achieve them. If you work to develop these behaviors yourself, it’ll help you be more focused.

Fifteen Daily Affirmations for a More Disciplined Mindset

1. I am using my time wisely today.

When you use your time wisely, you’ll maintain a focused mindset. You can’t get wasted time back, and being self-disciplined means you’ll resist distractions and procrastination. This affirmation will also help you prioritize the essential tasks on your list.

2. I am giving my best effort in all situations.

It might be easy to slack off sometimes, but you must resist the urge. Even when you don’t feel like doing something, you must give your best effort anyway.

3. I always finish what I start.

When you start a project or a task, you must see it through to the end. Avoid giving up on things you’ve already started by using this affirmation each morning and night. You can also use it to gain motivation in the middle of a task you feel like quitting.

This affirmation shifts your mindset and awakens everything you need to accomplish the task. You’ll feel positive and content as you finish what you started.

4. I practice self-discipline each day.

Self-discipline takes daily practice and consistency. It isn’t something you can occasionally do and expect it to become a habit. Work on it every day, resisting temptation and being the best version of yourself.

The more often you practice self-discipline, the better you’ll get at it. Before you know it, it’ll be a habit that you no longer have to think about.

5. I am setting realistic goals and sticking to them.

As you set your life goals, you must think realistically. Set goals that you can create a plan for, and make sure your dream correlates with your vision of the future. Once you choose your goals, stick to them no matter what obstacles come your way.

There are many ways to reach the same goal, so avoid switching paths mid-way. If you feel like your plan isn’t working, keep pushing forward because you might already be on the right path. Choosing a new plan halfway to your goal could set you back and cause other issues.

6. I am doing things that I don’t want to do because they are good for me.

Having self-discipline helps you do things you don’t want to do. Not everyone wants to exercise or eat healthy foods, but it’s beneficial to their well-being. Likewise, some people don’t want to quit smoking or give up other bad habits, but they want to be healthier.

Whatever it is that you don’t want to do, remind yourself that it’s good for you. If the task is beneficial to your health and well-being, practicing willpower can make all the difference. This affirmation will help you get those tasks over with, allowing you to move forward with your day.

7. I am making the best decision for myself and my family.

Remembering that you’re doing what’s best for you and your family makes it easier to maintain self-discipline. Having something or someone to keep trying for can make all the difference. This affirmation can also help when you have a tough decision to make. It’ll help you choose the right option for you, giving you confidence regarding your decision.

8. I am in control of my actions, thoughts, and choices.

You might sometimes feel like other people control you and your life. However, that is never truly the case because you are the only one who can control your actions, thoughts, and choices. Other people might influence them, but they can’t ever control you.

Use this affirmation in the morning to start you on the right path for the day. Repeat it before bed to help solidify it in your mind. The more often you say it, the better off you’ll be regarding discipline.

9. I am conquering every obstacle I encounter.

You’ll encounter obstacles even with extensive preparation. By telling yourself that you are conquering every setback, you’ll be ready to tackle everything. You’ll always be on the lookout for learning opportunities and other solutions to your problems.

10. I am creating results.

You are responsible for creating your results in life. When you want something, do what it takes to make it happen. Go after the things you want that will help you accomplish your dreams.

Using this affirmation can help you develop and maintain a disciplined mindset. It reminds you that you’re responsible for creating results, and it won’t happen without your determination. When you keep this in mind, you’ll want to keep pushing forward even when things get hard.

11. I am resisting distraction today and staying focused.

Getting distracted is one of the most common reasons for not getting things done. You might miss deadlines or events, or you could get behind on work and feel overwhelmed. Plus, you won’t work as effectively if you give in to distraction.

12. I am making progress every day.

It doesn’t matter how quickly you reach your goals, only that you keep working toward them. Make progress each day by taking small steps to get you going. Each small step leads to the bigger picture, so the ultimate goal is to persevere.

Keep pushing when things get hard and find new ways to do something when your original plan didn’t work out. Obtaining a more discipline mindset means working on your goals even when you don’t feel like it. You can’t reach success overnight, so use this affirmation to help you focus on progress.

13. I am disciplined and highly organized.

By repeating this affirmation, you’ll start to exhibit that behavior. Being highly organized helps with discipline as you can find things easier. It helps you accomplish more and remember everything you have going on, too. Staying organized plays a huge role in your discipline levels, helping you reach your goals and accomplish tasks.

14. I am following through on all commitments.

When you say you’ll do something, make sure to follow through. A disciplined mindset requires doing the things you say you will. When you don’t do what you committed yourself to do, you start to make a lack of self-discipline an issue. Then it’ll be harder to accomplish anything, including reaching your goals.

15. I am making choices that get me closer to my long-term goals.

Your decisions should always align with your goals. There will be times when you must choose between something that doesn’t get you closer to your goals and something that does. In every instance, choose the option that will get you where you want to be long-term.

The other option might sound like a fun time, but it could set you back. Choosing between the best option and a fun experience is where a disciplined mindset comes into play because you’ll have to choose the best option. Using this affirmation each morning will help you with decision-making throughout the day.

Final Thoughts on Daily Affirmations for a More Disciplined Mindset

These daily affirmations can help you develop a more disciplined mindset and reach your goals. Indeed, developing your discipline skill can make all the difference in how quickly you accomplish your dreams.

With discipline, you’ll experience positive guidance heading toward your goals. You’ll know what you must do. Besides that, you’ll be able to choose the best option for your long-term dreams. Use these affirmational statements each morning and at night for the best results.

15 Behaviors That Help You Have a More Abundant Life

February 26, 2022 by Sarah Barkley

Living an abundant life allows your mind and body to experience freedom. You’ll have what it takes to reach your full potential, living up to all of your dreams.

Many people believe that living an abundant life requires being rich or having lots of extra money. However, this belief isn’t accurate because it only requires is happiness, determination, and eliminating self-limiting thoughts. If you fulfill your needs and reach a state of contentment, you’ll have everything that it takes to live an abundant life.

You’ll feel free to live a happy life while chasing your goals and living in the moment. Living abundantly creates a barrier of positivity, helping you be more resilient in life. You’ll know that everything will be okay because you have everything you need.

Once you understand that you already have everything it takes to be happy, you’ll start living an abundant life. However, it’s not always easy to shift your mindset, but there are some things you can do to help yourself.

Fifteen Behaviors That Help You Have a More Abundant Life

Learning the behaviors that help you have an abundant life can make all the difference.

1. Practice Self-Love Fosters a More Abundant Life

When you love yourself, you’ll feel like you have everything you need right now. Accept who you are to boost your self-image, confidence, and sense of self-worth. When you know what you’re worthy of, you will have an easier time loving yourself and living a fulfilling life.

Love yourself by focusing on your physical, mental, and emotional health. Make sure to live life on your terms, too, and avoid following societal standards. Do things that bring joy to your life, and don’t accept things that don’t feel right for you.

2. Prepare for Opportunities

While you must live in the moment, you must take some time to better yourself. Preparing for opportunities allows you to feel confident when the time comes. If you’re always ready for a new opportunity, you’ll continue advancing in life and becoming better at what you do.

When you prepare for opportunities, you’ll start by identifying your strengths. Then, continually develop your skills related to what you’re good at. You’ll also want to be observant and on the lookout for unexpected opportunities.

3. Be Consistent

When you practice consistency, you won’t have to struggle with willpower as often because you’ll form beneficial habits. Being consistent allows you to make steady progress toward your long-term goals.

Come up with a plan to develop healthy and beneficial habits and stick to them. There are always many ways to reach the same goal, so don’t keep switching your methods to see if another way will produce faster results. If you want to achieve a goal, consistency is essential.

As you implement new habits, practice them daily for short increments rather than weekly for a longer time. Daily activity will help develop a consistent routine more than weekly or monthly.

4. Time Management Can Help You Be More Abundant

It’s easy to get distracted, and even a quick interference can cause you to lose focus. With time management, you can knock out the essential tasks each day. Plus, it helps keep track of time, productivity levels, and efficiency.

Practicing time management requires preventing procrastination, defining your goals and tasks, and breaking your tasks down into smaller chunks. It helps with relieving stress and getting more done in less time. You’ll also want to determine your distractions and work on eliminating those.

5. Avoid Comparisons

Comparing yourself to other people will make you feel like you’re lacking something in your life. Remember that everyone has flaws, and no one has a perfect life, even if they lead you to believe that they do. Focus on becoming a better version of yourself and avoid comparing your life to anyone else’s.

While it’s detrimental to compare yourself to people in person, it’s even worse to do it on social media. People on social media only see what other people want them to see. They’ll post the good parts of their life and gloss over the rest, attempting to look perfect to everyone else.

6. Continually Improve Social Skills

Fostering healthy relationships is essential to living a fulfilling life. Surround yourself with positive people and improve your social skills along the way. Focus on listening to others and spreading happiness, hope, and love.

Having negative people in your life will bring you down, so fostering positive friendships is essential. The law of attraction describes how positive people attract positivity, and negative people attract negativity. Make sure you surround yourself with people who have the same mindset you want to achieve.

7. Take Responsibility for Building an Abundant Life for Yourself

Taking responsibility for your happiness and life fulfillment is essential. Don’t blame misfortunes and bad moods on anyone or anything around you because you can make a change at any time. The sooner you take responsibility for your happiness and fulfillment, the sooner things will improve for you.

8. Keep an Open Mind

Keeping an open mind allows you to recognize opportunities and think of ideas you wouldn’t have otherwise. It’ll help you think critically and reasonably, even in challenging situations. With an open mind, you’ll learn new things, feel empowered, become insightful, and experience optimism.

You must move beyond limiting beliefs and understand that with focus and determination, anything is possible. Challenge your existing thoughts and look for ways to build on them. Keeping an open mind will also help you explore new strengths that you didn’t know you had before.

9. Accept Risks

Fears can hold you back in all areas of your life. The fear of the unknown might stop you from changing certain areas of your life that aren’t beneficial. When you get used to how things are, it’s easy to want to stay in your comfort zone, but it won’t help you.

Staying in your comfort zone doesn’t allow you to broaden your mind or fulfill your potential. Instead, it holds you back from becoming a better version of yourself. Accept risks and try new things, even when it would be easier to stay where you are.

10. Express Gratitude to Receive an Abundant Life

Expressing gratitude leads to more happiness and fulfillment in life. It helps you focus on the things you have right now and limits thinking about the things you don’t have. When your mindset shifts to one of gratitude, you’ll quickly realize that you’re living a fulfilling life.

Think about all the people and things in your life that make you happy right now. Focus on those things each day, and you’re sure to realize how blessed you already are.

11. Avoid Overthinking

Your thoughts determine how you live, so make sure you focus on positivity. Overthinking leads to negative thoughts, enticing negative results. If you can shift your mindset and avoid overthinking, you’ll find that you feel happier and more fulfilled.

Overthinking is a habit you’ll have to overcome, but you can make it happen. Focus on living in the present and thinking about the things that could go right instead of wrong.

12. Focus on One Task at a Time

It’s great to have long-term goals, but you must focus on more minor things each day. Break your long-term goals down into more manageable tasks, helping you make steady progress. When you break down your goals, make sure you separate them into manageable tasks that you can focus on daily.

Working a little each day will help you get further, promoting consistency. Don’t set too many goals for yourself, or it’ll lead to overwhelm and lack of progress. If you want to feel like you have everything you need, set one small goal at a time, guiding you a little closer to your overall dream.

13. Manifest Happiness, Don’t Chase It

When you manifest happiness, you’re more likely to find it than when you chase it. Happiness and fulfillment come from within, so don’t bother searching elsewhere. Focus your mind on one goal, and use affirmations to help you feel empowered.

When you believe in your goal, it’s more likely to come true. Visualize living in abundance as you manifest happiness, and you’ll find what you’re looking for.

14. Practice Mindfulness to Feel More Abundant

Mindfulness helps you become aware of the present moment, allowing you to enjoy life. You don’t have to do anything special or take much time out of your day to practice mindfulness, either.

To practice mindfulness, you can look outside, do acts of kindness, observe nature, or meditate. Other options include reflecting on your situation, smelling food or different scents, or sitting quietly.

15. Let Go Of Resentment

Holding resentment is harmful to you and doesn’t often affect the person you have a grudge against. It causes unnecessary stress in your life, causing you to feel like something isn’t right. Focus on forgiveness and moving on instead.

Final Thoughts on Behaviors That Help You Have a More Abundant Life

Living an abundant life doesn’t require being rich. Instead, it only requires having the basic things you need in life. If you can remember that you have everything you need, you’ll start to realize how blessed you are.

With that realization, you’ll start to make more significant strides toward your goals. Living an abundant life helps you excel in life and do more than you ever thought possible. Implement some of these behaviors into your life and see what a difference they make.

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

Every day is a day to shine. Shine on!