Science Explains Why Asthma Severity Increases at Night

October 7, 2021 by Kristen Lawrence

A new study found why asthma severity gets worse at night. While scientists have observed this occurrence for centuries, they’ve been baffled about what caused it until recently. A team from Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Oregon Health and Science University investigated this phenomenon. They discovered that the body’s internal circadian clock might contribute to worsening nighttime asthma symptoms.

Scientists previously believed that certain behaviors increased asthma attacks, like sleep, body posture, and physical activities. However, the team discovered that the body’s biological clock is the most significant contributing factor. By gaining insight into the mechanisms that cause worsening asthma, scientists could unveil new treatments in the future.

The study was published in The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Asthma, a chronic lung disease, causes airways to become inflamed, swollen, and narrow. Symptoms include difficulty breathing, chest pain, cough, wheezing, and mucus buildup. While it affects people throughout the day, doctors noticed nocturnal asthma for centuries.

For instance, in 1698, the physician Sir John Floyer experienced this phenomenon firsthand. He noticed increasing asthma severity at about 1 or 2 AM compared to daytime symptoms. Scientists have found evidence to support these prior reports, discovering that peak expiratory flow (PEF) can vary between night and day by up to 50%. PEF refers to the maximum flow rate generated during a forceful exhalation, beginning with total lung inflation.

The highest rate of respiratory failure or death due to asthma occurs at nighttime since patients can’t monitor symptoms. So, understanding the mechanisms driving daily variability in asthma severity could have significant implications for treatments.

Patients had to use their inhalers four times as often during the night.

“This is one of the first studies to carefully isolate the influence of the circadian system from the other factors that are behavioral and environmental, including sleep,” said co-corresponding author Frank A.J.L. Scheer, Ph.D., MSc, director of the Medical Chronobiology Program in the Division of Sleep and Circadian Disorders at the Brigham. Co-corresponding author Steven A. Shea, Ph.D., professor, and director at Oregon Institute of Occupational Health Sciences, added the following:

“We observed that those people who have the worst asthma, in general, are the ones who suffer from the greatest circadian-induced drops in pulmonary function at night, and also had the greatest changes induced by behaviors, including sleep. We also found that these results are clinically important because, when studied in the laboratory, symptom-driven bronchodilator inhaler use was as much as four times more often during the circadian night than during the day.”

Around 75% of people living with asthma, or twenty million US citizens, report increasing asthma severity at night. Various behavioral and environmental factors, such as exercise, air temperature, sleep environment, and body posture, have been known to affect asthma severity.

The study on why asthma severity worsens at night

The team wanted to study how the body’s internal clock may contribute to these factors. The circadian rhythm consists of a central pacemaker in the hypothalamus called the suprachiasmatic nucleus. In addition, most organs and tissues in the body have circadian oscillators or networks of biochemical feedback loops that generate 24-hour cycles in all organisms. This vital system helps coordinate bodily functions and predicts daily cycling environmental and behavioral demands.

The team then set out to determine how much the circadian rhythm dictates asthma severity compared to behavioral/environmental factors. They gathered 17 participants with asthma who did not take steroid medications but did use bronchodilator inhalers to manage their symptoms. Then, the scientists separated them into two complementary laboratory protocols and assessed their lung functions, asthma symptoms, and bronchodilator use.

In the “constant routine” protocol, participants stayed awake for 38 hours, maintaining a constant posture under dim lighting. Researchers gave them snacks every two hours. In the “forced desynchrony” protocol, scientists placed participants on a 28-hour sleep/wake cycle for a week under dim light conditions. They scheduled all behaviors evenly throughout the study period.

The researchers found that both groups had their lowest lung function during the night at around 4 AM. They explained that the worsening asthma severity might typically go unnoticed during sleep. Using a mathematical model, the team discovered that the circadian rhythm and the behavioral sleep/wake cycle affected asthma symptoms. This suggests that both internal mechanisms and sleep behaviors may contribute to increased asthma severity.

More studies necessary in the future

“Our findings point to a phenomenon of ‘silent’ asthma,” said Scheer. “A person’s airway resistance may be worse at night, due to the combined effects of the circadian system and the behavioral sleep/wake cycle, but they are generally unaware of this unless it is so severe that it wakes them up.”

However, the team says that their study contains certain limitations. They will need to investigate how other behaviors like exercise and temperature changes influence asthma in the future. In addition, the team will need to test their findings against patients taking other asthma medications like inhaled corticosteroids.

“These highly standardized protocols revealed that the internal circadian system plays a significant role in modulating lung function and asthma severity and that these influences summate with other daily behavioral and environmental effects to drive asthma to be worst at night,” said Scheer. “Uncovering a key role of the biological clock in asthma severity may help in the development of novel therapeutic approaches for asthma,” concluded Shea.

Final Thoughts: Asthma severity worsens at night due to circadian rhythm

A small study reveals that asthma severity increases at night because of changes in the sleep cycle. This research could have important implications for future treatments since most asthma deaths occur at night—around 75% of people living with asthma in the US report worsening nighttime symptoms. While behavioral and environmental factors like posture, air temperature, and exercise contribute to symptom severity, the internal biological clock plays a significant role.

Researchers will expand upon this study in the future to investigate how other factors, like other asthma medications and exercise habits, affect asthma severity.

20 Things to Tell a Child After an Inappropriate Outburst

October 7, 2021 by Sarah Barkley

Children are still learning to handle their emotions, so it’s normal to have an inappropriate outburst occasionally. Even adults slip up sometimes, so we can’t expect children to react to their feelings appropriately each time. When kids start feeling angry, the emotion can escalate quickly, leading to outbursts and tantrums.

While it might be tempting to give in to your child’s demands, you shouldn’t reward the behavior. Likewise, you shouldn’t lose your temper, use intimidation, or overly punish them, either. Set an example that shows they won’t always get their way and that lashing out doesn’t help.

Talking to your child after an inappropriate outburst is the best option available. They are still learning to handle emotions, and they need your guidance along the way. The way that you react to their emotional eruption teaches your child more than anything else will.

Twenty Things to Tell a Child After an Inappropriate Outburst

If you don’t know what to say to your child, use some of these phrases to help get you started. You’ll quickly realize that talking to your child helps more than any other method after an outburst. As you talk to your child, remember that you are still learning, too.

1. Let’s take some deep breaths together and try to relax.

Teaching your child healthy ways to cope can make all the difference the next time they feel overwhelmed. Show them how to take deep breaths in and out, and teach them to relax their body as they do it. By setting this example, you offer a new solution to handling their emotions.

2. Your behavior is upsetting me, and I need some time to myself.

This phrase is beneficial to the situation in two ways. First, it shows your child that their behavior negatively affects those around them. When they see that they hurt your feelings and upset you, they might remember that next time and refrain from having a tantrum.

Secondly, telling them that you need time to calm down sets a positive example for them. The child learns that taking a break to work through their emotions is beneficial.

3. I wish I could help you calm down, but maybe laying down will help.

Your child must learn to calm themselves down, especially when they’ve lost control. Tell them that you wish you could help them, and then offer a solution for how they can recover. Suggest that they lie down, as that will help them gather their thoughts and emotions.

Don’t leave them alone during this time, however. You want to give the child their distance but stay nearby so that they don’t feel isolated.

4. Come and find me when you’re not as upset anymore.

Sometimes the outburst gets so bad that you have to walk away. If that happens, let the child know that they can come and find you when they have calmed down a little. By using this phrase, you’re letting them know that you won’t tolerate their behavior but that you’re there when they want to behave differently.

5. After the way you behaved, I need to calm down. We will talk later.

Letting your child know that their outburst upset you can help them understand the consequences of their behavior. If you need a chance to calm down, be honest about it. However, make sure your child knows that they aren’t off the hook for how they decided to act.

6. I know you’re mad, and I sometimes feel that way, too.

Parents sometimes minimize their child’s feelings by telling them to stop or saying it’s not a big deal. Rather than making your child feel like their feelings are wrong, try using this phrase instead. Validate your child’s feelings by telling them that you know how they feel.

Then, further the discussion by telling them that you sometimes feel angry, too. When the child knows that you also get those feelings, they’ll recognize that what they’re feeling is okay. Once they know that it’s a normal feeling, they’ll have an easier time controlling it next time.

7. It’s okay to be upset, but saying mean things isn’t acceptable.

Being clear with your child after an emotional eruption is one of the best things you can do. Be sure to tell them that their feeling was okay, but it’s their behavior that upset you. You don’t want to shame your child for being upset, but you do want to let them know what’s appropriate.

Reestablish your expectations, and consider following your statement with something they can do next time. You should also have them apologize for the name-calling and suggest they explain why they are upset instead.

8. I’d like to help you, but your outburst is upsetting me, too.

Let your child know that when they react this way, it makes it hard for you to help them. They likely want you to help them get past their overwhelming feelings, so let them know that you want to. When they realize that they are making it hard for you to do anything, they might calm down.

9. Do you want to solve this now or later?

This question lets your child know that you will be talking about the situation, but it gives them a choice. They might want a little more time to calm down before talking, and that is okay. Other times, they might want to talk right away.

By letting them choose when to have the conversation gives them a little responsibility. Set a time to talk, and stick to the plan. This way, you also form a connection, making the discussion easier and more effective.

10. I’d like you to tell me what is making you so upset.

Finding out the cause of the child’s reaction can help you handle their behavior. Most children won’t tell you why they are upset until they’ve calmed down a little, so make sure you give them that chance.

Once they’re calm, ask them to use their words to explain what’s wrong. When you help your child put their emotions into words, you can help them solve the problem in a better way.

11. I understand that you’re frustrated, but behaving that way only results in a consequence.

Make sure your child knows that their feeling isn’t the issue in this situation. Validate their feeling, but reinforce that the way they reacted wasn’t appropriate. When you use this phrase, the child will find a different way to handle it next time.

12. What ideas do you have for solving this problem?

Ask this question, but don’t expect an answer right away. Sit silently until the child comes up with an answer. If they don’t come up with anything or change the subject, ask it again and see if they have any ideas.

This method teaches new ways of thinking and helps the child develop the skills to make decisions in the future. If they don’t come up with anything after a while, suggest a few ideas and ask them to give their input. Not only does this help build their skills, but it also reaffirms that the way they chose to react wasn’t acceptable.

13. I won’t give in to this behavior and your angry reactions.

If your child has tantrums when they want to get their way, don’t give in. It might be tempting to give them what they want to stop the outburst, but it only worsens the problem long-term. Firmly tell your child that their behavior will not cause you to give in.

14. You can feel any way you want, but you don’t have to react this way.

Teach the child that it is okay to express their emotions, but make it clear that they choose their reaction. By telling them that they don’t have to behave that way, you help them understand that they have choices in how they respond. It also teaches the child that while their emotion is valid, they cannot act inappropriately.

15. It sounds like your feelings were hurt, and you got angry.

When your child talks to you about why they are upset, it helps when they know you understand. Help them put words to the emotion if they struggle to describe it, but mostly let them do the talking. If a child can identify their emotion, it is easier to handle and react appropriately.

16. Screaming doesn’t help me understand what’s wrong, so please use words.

State the ground rules right away by explaining that screaming isn’t helpful. Don’t make threats, but be firm when you say that screaming won’t solve the problem. Follow it up by asking the child to use their words instead so that you can help them.

17. You are losing privileges because of the way you chose to behave.

If the child loses privileges, make sure they know why they are in trouble. Don’t let the child think they are in trouble for being angry or frustrated.

They need to know that the way they chose to react is the reason for the loss of privileges. When you handle it this way, the child learns that they can choose to react differently next time.

18. You’re showing me that you need to take a break.

Teach the child that it’s okay to take a break and walk away from a situation. They can go to a place they feel safe so that they can work on calming down.

19. What can I do for you right now?

By asking your child what you can do for them, they’ll understand that you’re there for them. They’ll be more willing to talk about the problem and listen to suggestions. When a child feels understood, they are more likely to react appropriately next time.

20. Let’s go for a walk together.

Going for a walk can help the child calm down and process their thoughts. When they’re ready to talk, you can hear their side of things and understand what was so upsetting. You can also use this time to discuss more positive ways they can express emotion in the future.

Final Thoughts on Things to Tell a Child After an Inappropriate Outburst

Children are still learning to manage their emotions, and an inappropriate outburst will happen sometimes. Use the tantrum as a chance to teach your child and improve their skills.

If it helps, remember that adults sometimes don’t react appropriately, either. A child won’t be perfect when handling upsetting situations, but you can use it as a learning opportunity for better behavior next time.

How to Make Tie-Dye Cheesecake

October 6, 2021 by Kristen Lawrence

Everyone loves a good cheesecake, but making a beautiful tie-dye version takes it to the next level. Not only will it wow your guests with the bright colors, but it also tastes delicious! To make this eye-popping dessert, you will need to add some food dye to the normal recipe. Sometimes, baking or cooking feels like a chore, but we guarantee you’ll have a blast making this cheesecake.

Cheesecakes come in all flavors and varieties, such as blueberry, strawberry, chocolate, or peanut butter. This one will be plain, but feel free to add any topping you’d like. Now, on to the recipe!

Here’s how to make a delectable tie-dye cheesecake:

Let’s take a look at how to make this fun, colorful…and delicious… tie-dye cheesecake.

What you’ll need:

Food processor
Electric hand mixer
Six small bowls
Spatula
Cake pan
Larger mixing bowl
Small spoon
Aluminum foil
Baking sheet
Piping bag
Knife
Parchment paper

Ingredients for the crust:

2 1/2 cups graham crackers
1/3 cup melted butter
1 tbsp sprinkles

Ingredients for the cheesecake filling:

4 1/2 cups cream cheese
1 cup granulated sugar
1/4 tsp salt
1 tbsp vanilla
4 eggs
1 cup greek yogurt
1 cup heavy cream
4-5 gel food colors of your choice
Hot water

Ingredients for whipped cream topping:

1 cup whipping cream
1/4 cup powdered sugar
More sprinkles to add on top

Directions:

First, blend the graham crackers in a food processor. Pour them into a small bowl.
Next, add in the melted butter and tablespoon of sprinkles, mixing thoroughly.
Now that you’ve made your crust pour it into the bottom of a cake pan lined with parchment paper. Use your hand to press down on the mixture to spread it evenly throughout the pan.
Bake at 325 degrees F for 15 minutes (or until golden brown).
In a large bowl, mix the cream cheese with an electric whisk until it’s nice and creamy. Add in the cup of granulated sugar and blend with the mixer.
Next, add in the salt and vanilla, mixing these thoroughly as well.
Now, put the eggs in the bowl, adding them one at a time. After adding each one, mix with the electric whisk. Use a spatula to scrape any filling off the sides of the bowl.
Next, pour in the Greek yogurt, blending this into the mixture.
Repeat this step with the heavy cream.

Get ready to add color!

Your cheesecake filling is now ready for some colors! Separate the mixture into 5 smaller bowls. Add the food coloring of your choice to each bowl, mixing thoroughly.
Get out your crust, and scoop a little cheesecake filling from each bowl onto the crust. Alternate between each bowl to create the tie-dye look, and keep adding layers until the bowls are empty.
Now, use a knife or a chopstick to make horizontal and vertical lines in the cheesecake. Press down gently to create a cool tie-dye design.
Next, tear off a parchment paper sheet and wrap the bottom of the cake pan with it.
Place it on your baking sheet, and pour hot water around it to add moisture to the pan.
Bake at 325 degrees F for 1-1 1/2 hours, then turn the oven off and leave it in for another hour.
Now, in a large bowl, pour in 1 cup of whipping cream and blend with the hand mixer.
Pour in 1/4 cup powdered sugar, also mixing this with the electric whisk.
Use a piping bag to add the whipped topping to the cheesecake. Go all the way around the cheesecake, making a circle with the topping. Leave about an inch of room on the edges of the cheesecake.
Then, put some sprinkles on top to add a little more color. Refrigerate for at least 8 hours.
After waiting for it to cool, cut yourself a slice and enjoy the fruits of your hard work!

Tips for making the best tie dye cheesecake ever

As we said before, you can add whatever toppings you’d like. However, we think the tie-dye effect shows up best on plain cheesecake. If you make the filling chocolate, for instance, the colors wouldn’t show up as well. Putting blueberries, strawberries, or a chocolate drizzle on top shouldn’t be a problem, though.
You should also make sure to use room-temperature ingredients. This ensures that everything blends up smoothly, so you don’t have any lumps in your cake. Using a hand or stand mixer is also essential to get the batter as smooth as possible.
Make sure to beat the eggs moderately until just combined into the batter. If you mix them too long, air will start to get into the batter. The air will then expand and contract during the baking and cooling process, leading to cracks.
Even though we advised using parchment paper on the pan’s bottom, you may want to grease the sides. This way, the cheesecake won’t stick to the sides of the pan.
Pouring the hot water into the pan during the baking process is crucial for preventing cracks. The humidity adds moisture, helping to keep the cheesecake from drying out.

Final Thoughts: This tie-dye cheesecake will quickly become your new favorite dessert

This cheesecake looks beautiful once it’s done, almost too beautiful to eat! We believe that food is art, and this dessert definitely looks as great as it tastes. Whether you make this for family or a big gathering, we guarantee it will please your guests. The cheesecake should keep for up to five days in the fridge. Just make sure to wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and store it in the original container.

We know that making cheesecake can be a little tricky. But, by following the tips above, you should avoid the most common mistakes. Even a beginner baker can make this cheesecake recipe, so have some fun with it! If you decide to make this mesmerizing dessert, let us know how you enjoyed it in the comments!

How to Make Baked Buffalo Cauliflower Bites

October 6, 2021 by Kristen Lawrence

Cauliflower bites or “wings” have become popular among vegans and those who want a healthier alternative to chicken wings. Whether you have gone meatless or not, you will surely enjoy this tasty spin on buffalo wings. This dish packs the flavor while providing health benefits, making it the perfect afternoon snack.

Even if you’re not the biggest fan of cauliflower, you may change your mind after trying this recipe! Trust us – you won’t even notice you’re eating a vegetable once you bite into these savory cauliflower bites.

How to make delicious baked buffalo cauliflower bites

Whether you make them for the big game or just an after-work snack, we promise these won’t disappoint!

Gather these kitchen supplies:

Large mixing bowl
Smaller bowl
Whisk
Cutting board
Knife
Baking sheet
Parchment paper
Small pot
Spatula

Ingredients:

1 cup all-purpose flour
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp curry powder
Salt and pepper to taste
1/2 cup milk (plant-based or dairy)
3/4 cup water
2 medium cauliflower
Breadcrumbs
1 cup sriracha sauce
1 tbsp butter
Greek yogurt, ranch, or blue cheese dressing for dipping (or whatever sauce you like)

Directions:

First, get out the large bowl and pour in the all-purpose flour. Next, add in the paprika, garlic powder, curry powder, and salt & pepper. Use the whisk to blend the ingredients.
Now, pour in the 1/2 cup of milk and 3/4 cup of water, blending again with the whisk.
Next, grab your cutting board and chop up the cauliflower. Start by cutting off the leaves, then cut the cauliflower head in half.
Then, lay the cauliflower halves down and cut them into quarters. Angle your knife to cut the core out of the cauliflower, then pull apart the florets.
For the next step, pour your breadcrumbs into a small bowl.
Dip the cauliflower bites into the bowl with the sauce, covering them thoroughly.
Next, please put them in the breadcrumbs, turning them over to coat completely.
Repeat with all the florets, then place the cauliflower bites onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Bake at 400 degrees F for 30 minutes, until golden brown.
In a small saucepot, pour in the sriracha sauce and butter. Keep the heat on low, cooking until the butter is melted. Stir with a spatula until the sauce is thick and creamy.
Pour the buffalo sauce over the cauliflower bites, using the spatula to coat thoroughly.
Transfer them back to the baking sheet, cooking at 400 degrees F for another 15 minutes.
Put whatever dipping sauce you’d like in a small bowl, and top with parsley or chives.
Plate the cauliflower bites along with the sauce, and enjoy!

These cauliflower bites will easily fool your omnivorous friends because they look just like chicken wings! While they may have a different texture, the plentiful spices and sauce do well to cover up the crunchiness. Vegans and meat-eaters alike will love this healthy snack.

Why these buffalo cauliflower bites are healthier than chicken wings

Most chicken wings that you find at bars and sports lounges are deep-fried and coated in sugary sauces. They may taste delicious, but they usually leave you feeling heavy and bloated. On the other hand, these cauliflower bites are baked instead of fried, eliminating a lot of calories from oil.

The recipe does contain sugar from the milk, butter, and sriracha sauce. However, as long as you eat a reasonable serving, your sugar intake will be minimal. Chicken wings contain protein, but the high salt and sugar content in this popular bar food counteracts the benefits. Cauliflower doesn’t have a lot of protein, but it offers other impressive benefits.

Health benefits of cauliflower bites:

Cauliflower contains many important nutrients. In just one cup of cauliflower, you’ll get 77% of the RDI of Vitamin C. It also contains 20% of the RDI of Vitamin K and 11% of Vitamin B6. Folate is found in abundance in cauliflower as well – one cup contains 14% of the RDI.

It also has a lot of fiber, which improves digestion and promotes healthy gut bacteria.
Cauliflower is rich in antioxidants, which slows the growth of cancer and reduces inflammation. One antioxidant in particular called sulforaphane helps lower blood pressure and improve artery health, preventing heart disease.
These cauliflower bites are low in carbs, making them perfect for anyone on a keto or paleo diet. One cup of cauliflower only has 5 carbs, which explains why it’s a popular replacement for pizza crust or rice.
In addition to the actual cauliflower, the spices used in this recipe contain many health benefits. Paprika, curry powder, and garlic powder all have antioxidants, which help to reduce bodily inflammation.
The milk and butter in the recipe contain moderate amounts of protein and calcium. These dairy products also have many vitamins, namely A, B12, D, E, and K2.
Despite the sugar content in a cup of Sriracha sauce (about 50 grams), it can boost your health in surprising ways. Many of the benefits are thanks to garlic and capsaicin, a phytochemical found in the red chili peppers used to make the sauce. Reduced blood pressure and blood clots, improved circulation, and fewer colds have all been linked to sriracha. It may also help improve allergy symptoms, as spicy foods open your sinuses.

Final Thoughts: These buffalo cauliflower bites are a tasty alternative to chicken wings

No matter if you’re a meat-eater or a vegan, you will love this unique take on chicken wings. They taste very similar to the bar staple and have a positive effect on your health. Low in carbs and high in protein and fat, this snack is perfect for anyone on a keto or paleo diet. However, anyone can enjoy this snack, no matter what diet you’re on – it’s universally delicious!

You can find many recipes for buffalo cauliflower bites, but we like this one because it has two different sauces. This makes them extra juicy and tangy and really kicks the flavor up a notch! We hope you enjoy these savory cauliflower bites!

College Standout Starts Football Mentorship Program to Deter Gang Membership

October 6, 2021 by Chris Butler

After returning home from playing football at Shaw University, on the semi-pro circuit, and working out with NFL teams, defensive end Nagai Lee could see how young men in his rural community needed a mentorship program. Combining his love for football and a desire to mentor these young adults to avoid gangs, he came up with an idea to start a local semi-pro football team.

He knew he couldn’t accomplish his idea alone, so Lee pulled together a group of men whom he knew had the same vision for young adults in the area. He turned to his old friends and former high school football teammates Cam White, Charles Harden, Torrence Mourning, and Willie Smallwood. The other men agreed to become co-owners, along with Lee, and the Carolina Falcons semi-pro football team was born. The new football team is slated to begin its season in 2022.

Lee has personally experienced the benefits of participating in sports. He hopes this new football team will do the same for the local players. He’s not alone in the belief that sports can be a positive experience for youth. For years, researchers have been learning what helps young adult men, in particular, avoid joining gangs.

In a recent interview, mentorship program founder Nagei Lee stated this:

“Our goal is to give back to the community…and hopefully…to stop gang violence.”

Why do young people join gangs?

Nagei Lee with a previous semi-pro football team, the East Carolina Phantoms

A report by the Juvenile Justice Bulletin states that participation in sports can deter young people from joining a gang. This report explains the appeal of gangs for many young adults. Gangs are appealing to youth for several reasons, including that they:

Feel protected and protect themselves
Feel respected by others and the gang members
Can make money from illegal activities
Feel part of a family, especially if their home life is dysfunctional

Of course, there are many negative reasons why kids join gangs, such as peer pressure, fear of reprisal from the gang, or boredom. Finding a way to meet their needs for protection, family, and a sense of respect could help young adults avoid gangs. Many people suggest that sports could be part of the solution to this continuing problem.

Who is most at risk of gang membership?

Here is a list of some of the contributing factors that cause young adults to be at risk of joining a gang, including:

A history of gang membership in their families, such as siblings, parents, or cousins
Violence in their home
Growing up in an area with gang activity
Unstructured free time after school hours and on weekends
Little to no adult supervision at home
No positive role models at home
Lots of exposure to television, music, and movies that revere violence and gang-like solutions
Low personal self-esteem
Feelings of hopelessness about their future due to lack of education or lack of money, poor learning skills
Behaviorial conditions like oppositional defiant disorder(ODD) or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder(ADHD)

Can a sports mentorship program help decrease gang membership?

According to one study, recreational programs combined with other strategies can decrease gang activity. Researchers found that recreational programs like football provide youth with positive role models, nurturing relationships, life skills, safety, and meaningful experiences. They said these programs are tools that address youth gang membership. One gang member told researchers that sports help kids avoid gangs because “it (sports) takes energy. It would have to be something physical” to attract youth.

People suggest that because gang membership can be an unstable experience in these young people’s lives, sports give them a more family-oriented experience with regularity and positivity that gangs lack. But these researchers caution that recreational sports alone can’t solve the problem of gang membership and violence. Still, it’s a good place for communities to start, and that’s what Lee and his co-owners are doing.

Coaches become trusted mentors who become a key part of a young person’s support network.

How can you tell if a young adult is involved in a gang?

There are some telltale signs that a young adult you know might be participating in a gang. These include:

Sudden expensive clothing or items or they suddenly have a lot of money.
Clothing that looks different from what they usually wear. All one color or style, unique haircuts.
Tattoos or body markings indicate gangs.
Slang words or writings on their walls that indicate membership.
Using unique hand signs.
Hanging out with known gang members.
Pulling away from family, ignoring curfews, and changing attitudes towards their peers and adults around them.
Using or carrying drugs.
Carrying a weapon.

What should you do if you have concerns that someone you know is in a gang?

If you have a friend or family member you suspect is part of a gang, here are a few suggestions.

Talk to At-Risk Youth: Let them know about your concerns. They may deny it, but they may at least consider your concerns.
Share Informative Resources: How to Break Free from Crime; this article addresses gang membership and how to get out of a gang.
Make Yourself Available: Reassure them you’re there for them.
Keep Reaching Out: Be there for them. They must know if they get out of the gang, they’ll still have a friend.

What’s going on with the Carolina Falcons football team today?

Right now, the team is holding tryouts to find local players. To show your support for this mentorship program, check out the Carolina Falcons Facebook site for more information.

Lee and the other co-owners have taken on a huge responsibility. They would greatly appreciate the public’s help to pay for the costs of uniforms and equipment the team needs.

Final thoughts on the young man using football as a mentorship program

The Carolina Falcons semi-pro football team plans to kick off in the 2022 season. Let’s hope they succeed not only in providing the community with some excellent football entertainment but accomplish Lee’s goal of helping the young adults in the area avoid gangs. Lee and the other co-owners know they have a huge task ahead of them. But they’re willing to make a difference in as many lives as they can with this mentorship program. We wish them the best in their endeavors.

Young NASA Hopeful Alyssa Carson Helps Kids Discover Space

October 5, 2021 by Chris Butler

At the tender age of three, Alyssa Carson knew what she wanted to do with her life. Since that time, her dream of becoming an astronaut opened doors for her and gave her the chance to inspire other kids to pursue space and space travel.

Several years ago, she started the Blueberry Foundation, which helped kids who may not have the resources to pursue their dreams and enjoy learning. She picked the name blueberry for her foundation because she chose that call sign when she attended space camp. Her first space camp experience was when she was just seven years old. She attended a family space camp with her father, where they won the Right Stuff Award. Since then, Alyssa has participated in the camp seven times!

What Is Alyssa Carson Doing Today?

Today, Alyssa Carson is a sophomore at Florida Tech University, where she’s studying Astro-Biology. It’s a general science major that she hopes will help her become eligible to attend astronaut school. To apply to astronaut school, you need these qualifications.

A master’s degree in biology, computer science, physical science, engineering, or math
Three years of professional experience in one of those fields
Or 1,000 hours of flying as a pilot
To pass NASA’s astronaut physical exam

Besides attending college, Alyssa is working hard to build her resume in other ways. She became a certified scuba diver and participated at the Advanced Possum Space Academy, a four-day space course at Florida Tech for high school and college-age kids. The course uses underwater training, which is the closest thing on earth to the long-term microgravity in space. She also has her pilot’s license.

Alyssa’s Other Accomplishments

Alyssa’s pursuits and accomplishments in her short 21 years are astounding. These include attending both national and international space-related events, speaking engagements, awards, and certifications, including the following:

Robotics academy
Advanced Space Academy
Aviation Challenge
MIT for the Sally Ride Camp
Witnessed three space shuttle launches
Engine testings at Stennis
Space Camp Canada
International Space Camp in Turkey
First-person to attend all three NASA Space Camps in the world
First-person to compete in the NASA Passport Program
She’s visited all 14 of NASA’s Visitor Centers in the United States
She witnessed the MAVEN launch
She was on the NASA MER 10 panel in Washington, D.C., to talk about the upcoming Mars mission in the 2030s
TEDx talks in Kalamata, Greece
Met with Mars One team in the Netherlands
Attended the Euro Space Camp in Belgium
She graduated from the National Flight Academy in Pensacola and the V.A. Space Flight Academy at the NASA facility in Wallop Islands, VA.
Graduation from Gladiator School in Rome
She gave the closing speech at Pangea 2015 Starting Point in Madrid, Spain
Speaking at the X-STEM in Washington, DC
She graduated from Cosmosphere Space 201 & VA Flight Academy Advance Rocket
She’s also interned at Space Camp
Alyssa is the youngest person to be accepted and graduate from the Advanced Possum Academy.
She was selected as one of seven ambassadors to represent Mars One, the mission created to send people to live on Mars in the 2030s’

Alyssa Carson Still Dreams of Going to Mars

Of course, Alyssa Carson’s biggest dream is to be part of the Mars mission to send humans to live on the planet. NASA hopes to send a team of astronauts to Mars in the early 2030s. In a recent interview on March 2021, Alyssa said,

The crew of astronauts will travel to Mars in an SLS space rocket. It takes six months to get there, and then they’ll live there for a year. The trip back to earth will take 6 to 9 months.

Even though she has a strong desire to be the first person to set foot on Mars, she doesn’t yet have the qualifications needed to be part of the Mars mission. NASA has made no crew assignments for the Mars mission, so Alyssa could still possibly have a chance since the mission.

How does Alyssa inspire young girls interested in space?

Alyssa is also still encouraging kids to go into space-related careers. During the same interview, she had some advice for young girls interested in science and space but may feel intimidated about where to start.

Any girls who have any interest in space or science, I would definitely encourage them to go for it. Just figuring out what you want to do is the first step. Think past the typical jobs we think of, like doctor, teacher, or lawyer. The more obscure jobs like rocket science and space designer aren’t talked about as much. Explore, be adventurous in terms of what subject you’re interested in. Try to find those bizarre science jobs to see if it’s interesting. If you’re into fashion, why not design the spacesuits? SpaceX is having superheroes designers design their spacesuits! Don’t be afraid to mix interests.”

She encourages all kids to look for opportunities in the local area, such as space clubs or science museums. She encourages them not to be afraid to talk about their dreams because you never know if people know someone who can help you in your dreams. Last, she encourages kids to find someone who can support them in their goals. Find that one person who can be your cheerleader to inspire you as you pursue your dreams.

What Happened to the Blueberry Foundation?

Today, the Blueberry Foundation is working with the Space Camp Foundation to keep kids going to space camp and contributes to the U.S. Space and Rocket Center open. All donations are now being worked through the Space Camp Foundation.

Final Thoughts on the Bright Future Ahead for Alyssa Carson

No doubt, you haven’t heard the end of Alyssa Carson. Look for her name in future NASA announcements. She’s a fantastic example of someone who never quits in the pursuit of her dream and seeks to inspire others globally to consider space and space-related careers. Alyssa has shown the world that dreams can happen at any age. She’s not an astronaut yet, but good chance she may be one someday. She’s set their sights on space, and who knows what will happen.

Oh, by the way, Alyssa has plans for what she wants to do when she returns from her Mars mission.

…I would become an astronaut, go to Mars, come back, and then be a teacher or the president.”

And we hope that Alyssa Carson accomplishes all her dreams.

Polar Ecosystem Coming Under Threat From Climate Change

October 5, 2021 by Kristen Lawrence

Climate change may impact the polar ecosystem disproportionately due to rapid warming taking place at the poles. The frigid polar oceans contain some of the most extensive food webs on the planet. However, human-caused climate change threatens many of the species that call these oceans home.

Microscopic, photosynthetic algae make up the bottom of the polar ecosystem’s food chain. The new study shows that warm-adapted algae have begun taking over this ecosystem, displacing the cold-adapted algae. Moreover, it could disrupt the delicate balance in the marine food web if the trend continues.

The tiny phytoplankton at the bottom of ocean food webs varies depending on their location. Like the tropics, phytoplankton communities in warmer water consist primarily of prokaryotes (microorganisms without a defined nucleus). On the other hand, eukaryotes (microorganisms with a nucleus) congregate in colder waters in polar ecosystems. These photosynthesizing eukaryotes, or algae, give rise to a flourishing, productive food web in more frigid waters.

“A lot of our food comes from the North Atlantic, North Pacific, and South Pacific fisheries because of eukaryotic phytoplankton — not prokaryotes,” said Thomas Mock, a marine microbiologist at the University of East Anglia (UEA, UK) and senior author of the study. “Prokaryotes are not capable of producing all the juicy proteins and lipids that eukaryotes are.”

However, according to the study published in Nature Communications, warmer waters where prokaryotes proliferate may replace eukaryotes relatively easily.

“That would cause significant consequences on the entire food web, and therefore ecosystem services that we all depend on.” -Thomas Mock

Mock and other lead scientists from eight institutions led by UEA collaborated on the study. It included the US Department of Energy (DOE) Joint Genome Institute (JGI) located at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. They focused their research on how eukaryotic phytoplankton communities vary depending on latitude.

A thin boundary separates phytoplankton ecosystems.

The team set out on a voyage to explore, collect and catalog samples in algal communities. The scientists also kept their eyes out for patterns, including the algae-associated microbiomes that impact their diversity and gene expression.

Research teams traveled across the oceans to visit both poles, using four research cruises. They placed self-closing containers along transects in the Arctic Ocean, North Atlantic Ocean, South Atlantic Ocean, and the Southern (Antarctic) Ocean to gather algal samples.

Next, they isolated the algal communities on filters and sequenced DNA ‘marker’ gene sequences to pinpoint microbes. To determine which genes the algae expressed, they sequenced their RNA transcripts. The JGI Community Science Program made the sequencing possible.

Using an ecology analysis known as beta diversity, the team found an invisible boundary separating the microorganisms. Instead of gradually changing across the oceans, they divided themselves into two geographical groups, confirming previous findings. The eukaryotes remained in colder, polar ecosystems, and prokaryotes stayed in the tropical waters.

Study co-author Igor Grigoriev, JGI Fungal & Algal Program Head said this:

“We can think about the ocean, naively, as a sort of homogeneous medium. In reality, it’s not — there is variation of nutrients, temperatures, and other Physico-chemical properties,” But still, there are no boundaries in the ocean. Yet, what was found here is that there is this invisible partitioning of algal communities.”

They discovered that this invisible boundary, called a biodiversity’ break point,’ occurs in waters with a moderate average surface temperature of around 58 degrees F. This lies right in the middle of average minimum and maximum ocean temperatures – 28 and 97 degrees F, respectively.

“The study authors point to this fundamental observation of cold and warm microbial networks, and just how clear and stark the biogeographic boundary is between them. The data is somewhat beautiful in that regard,” said Andy Allen, a biological oceanographer at the University of California, San Diego, and the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, who was not affiliated with the study.

Climate change dramatically impacts polar ecosystems.

“But the findings also suggest a certain level of vulnerability we might not have been aware of,” he added. “If the system is perturbed, it could be very hard to return to baseline.”

Climate change is already making an impact on sea ice and water temperature in polar ecosystems. As global governments deliberate on tackling the climate crisis, these vulnerable polar communities hang in the balance.

“We know so little about these algal communities; they could have beneficial findings, like antibiotics, pharmaceuticals, and novel enzymes that function at low temperature.” said Katrin Schmidt, co-lead author of the study with Kara Martin. “But these ecosystems are literally melting away.”

The team referred to data from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) 5th Assessment Report to predict the speed and movement of this invisible boundary. The models showed that the most drastic shifts in algal microbiome diversity would occur between 40 and 60° N. This area includes the North Sea and much of the British Isles.

“It’s driven by climate: warm water is replacing cold water communities. And this changes everything.” -Thomas Mock

As the polar regions continue to warm, this will inevitably impact the marine organisms in these food webs, said Schmidt. Whale species such as gray whales and humpbacks migrate to polar ecosystems for food. Shrimp consume algae that live underneath sea ice as well. The absence of cold-adapted eukaryotes will trigger cascading effects throughout the food chain.

These changes would also impact krill, an organism that lives in the Southern Ocean and resembles shrimp. These small animals consume algae, but in a warming world, their food source may disappear. Whales, penguins, and seals also depend on krill for survival.

“The biomass of krill at least equals the biomass of all humans on the planet,” said Mock. “This gives you an idea of how significant these organisms are. And now, imagine the base of the ecosystem is changing from cold water, eukaryotic phytoplankton communities to warm water, prokaryotic phytoplankton communities.”

Final thoughts on how warming oceans threaten polar ecosystems

So you can see, changing the base of the polar ecosystem would have devastating effects throughout the food chain. In addition, phytoplankton contributes to around 50% of the world’s fixed carbon. By throwing off the balance between eukaryotic and prokaryotic communities, it would disrupt the global carbon cycle.

“I think that this paper is going to be used to advise policymakers to mitigate the effects of climate change on ecosystems because we now have a new angle on how warming is impacting these marine communities,” said Mock. The greenhouse gas carbon dioxide (CO2), produced from the burning of fossil fuels, is what’s causing the ocean surface temperature to rise. “What needs to be done is reducing the production of CO2 — this is the first and foremost important thing we need to do.”

20 Signs It’s Time For You to Set Priorities in Life

October 5, 2021 by Deborah Tayloe

You’re busy, and the proverbial “to-do” list seems to grow with each waking moment. However, within each day is the power to make choices. You may choose to go to the grocery store tomorrow because you are required to work overtime today. It all starts to come together once you learn to set priorities.

Life pulls you in hundreds of different directions, but the crucial part is planning and maintaining calm no matter what comes hurling at you. How do you keep a cool head when you’re stressed to the max? You set objectives to accomplish the most important things first, and you will find these little guidelines change your life.

Understanding Priorities

Many people get confused by the difference between a priority and another item on the “to-do” list. The key is that a priority is something that comes before everything else. Another thing to consider is that priorities are not goals, though they’re similar.

Goals are something you set and work on slowly, whereas a priority needs to be addressed immediately. You can now classify the steps you need to take to prioritize those goals, but you need to understand the distinction.

Assume that you want to spend more time with your partner, but you also want to take on a part-time job to pay off some bills. By adjusting your goals to your priority list, you can accomplish both. What’s more important to you, having more money or spending time with the one you love?

There’s an old saying that states this:

“Where your treasure is your heart will follow.”

So you will make time for the things that are important to you.

Identifying Your Essential Items

Why are your priorities so important anyway? You know they help you stay on track, and you know it helps you accomplish your goals, but why do you need to identify them? Assume you must be at work every day by eight am.

You walk into the office with a mental list of the things you need to accomplish. However, by 11 am, your list has completely changed. You have added tasks and situations that arose that altered your day.

There have also been a lot of smaller tasks that popped into your mind as you worked. So, you have a mere five hours left in the day, and you have more than twenty things to do. You can look at this list and become overwhelmed, panic, and start to feel nauseous, or you can set priorities to accomplish them.

You start by writing down everything floating around in your brain and all the other stuff that needs to be done. Now, you look at this list and decide what’s most important. A financial report due to the owner in the morning should take top precedence over things that aren’t time-sensitive.

Now you have your list of pressing things, and you can fit the more minor, less trivial stuff in as you have free time. Items like calling to make a grooming appointment for the boss’s pet don’t have near the clout of preparing financial statements. You can apply the same principles to your personal life as you do to business.

Some people find it helpful to schedule themselves with specific time frames. For instance, from 8 am till 9 am tomorrow, you will balance the work checkbook. From 9 am till 10 am, you will return customer phone calls.

When you allow yourself specific periods, it helps you stay on track and accomplish things within a particular time. However, this trick doesn’t work for everyone, as some people panic and clock watch. The goal is to find what works for you and set priorities you can manage.

While work is a top priority, there are other things that you must also consider. Tchiki Davis, Ph.D. from Psychology Today, states that you need to divide your priorities into categories. The categories are as follows:

Work
Relationships
Family
Self
Life

Just because your job takes the top spot in your life doesn’t mean there aren’t other important things. Make sure you have time to schedule for your family, self, and life goals.

Twenty Signs You Need To Set Priorities in Your Life

You might read through this article and think it’s for someone else. You believe that you have it all under control. However, you might not be doing as well as you feel.

Some days are better than others, but what if you need to set priorities to help ease some of the stress in your life? Here are twenty signs that it’s time for you to set priorities.

Decrease in productivity
Feeling stress continuously
You no longer make time for family and friends
You’re tired–almost always
You feel nauseated often
Frequently feeling chest pains
Rapidly losing or gaining weight
Dealing with anxiety
You are moody
Failure to engage in self-care
You don’t make time to socialize
Experience frequent headaches
Struggling with depression
Deteriorating romantic relationship
Relaxation eludes you
Your sleep patterns become erratic
Lack of a healthy work-life balance
You rely heavily on drinking caffeine to power through your day
You’ve lost your passion or zest for life
You forget about your other interests

Looking through this list may be a painful reminder that you don’t have things together as you would like. Is there any way that you can get more done while reducing stress levels? Yes, you can accomplish more, stress less, and have time for all the things that you want to do.

How to Set Objectives?

You see the need to set priorities in life, but you’re not sure how you will go about this task. First, start with your goal list. While you need long-term goals, for this subject, you need to deal with your short-term aspirations.

There are seven days in a week, 24 hours a day, which equates to 168 hours. You work forty hours of this time, and you spend 10 hours commuting. Additionally, you sleep for 56 hours too.

So, if you subtract the time from work, commuting, and sleep, that leaves you 62 hours. Now, divide that by seven days, and you have 8.5 hours a day to take care of other things. Why is it that you don’t have time for family and friends or self-care?

You have time to get a manicure, get your hair cut, and shop for that new outfit you want. However, you must learn to set priorities so that you can make the most of your day. Coming home and lying on the couch all night is a waste of time.

Suppose you need some downtime, then you can budget yourself an hour or so to chill after work. Then, it would help if you got up and started tackling some items on your priority list. Here are some things that you can do to help with setting priorities.

Stop taking on more than you can handle.
Learn to say no.
Never borrow from your sleep time to get things done.
Ask for help when needed.
Don’t beat yourself up if you fail and have an off day; pick yourself up and try again tomorrow.
Be flexible.
Be prepared for the spur of the moment invasions.
Learn practical tools to help you manage stress, such as yoga or meditation.

Every human being has limitations. You can put things on your priority list that would take two to three people to accomplish. These are the moments when you need to start saying “no” to things. Additionally, it never shows weakness to ask for help.

Final Thoughts on Knowing It’s Time to Set Priorities in Your Life

Priorities are significant in your life. Regardless of the life-cycle that you find yourself in, setting your priorities is a must. When you have no priorities, your life has no clarity, visions, or objective.

The good news is that when you set priorities, it gives you a clear path to walk on and move forward. Sadly, many folks don’t have any defined priorities, and they will flounder in the chaos of the day. The Wishing Well Coach, Jessica Sweet, suggests that you also keep the big picture in mind when you set priorities for the day.

It’s effortless to get caught up in the here and now so much that you forget about tomorrow. Life priorities or goals are just as important as your daily to-do list. Sweet also suggests that for you to make priorities that you can stick with, you need to eliminate conflict in your life.

When you get yourself into proper alignment, you will have more motivation to finish things you must do. If you’re in a bad place with overwhelming stress, it’s hard to accomplish anything.

12 Signs of an Empath Most People Don’t Understand

October 5, 2021 by Kristen Butler

Are you an empath? Are you trying to understand the signs of an empath?

Perhaps you’ve heard the term but don’t know quite what it means. According to the National Library of Medicine, an empath is a person with a hardwired capacity that some consider a multidimensional phenomenon.

When someone is empathetic, they can feel the internal circumstances of others. It’s a state of being extraordinarily heightened or in tune with emotions, and it causes the individual to take on the feelings of those around them. Being an empath falls into the category of a psychic gift, as it’s a realm of intuition that falls well beyond the typical realms of sympathy.

It’s often believed that empaths are also introverted people, but it’s not always the case. The theory behind this is that when you’re constantly taking on the emotions and feelings of others, it’s only natural that you would need some time to recharge your batteries. It can be very draining going into the supermarket and feeling all the sensations from the emotional stance of the hundreds around you.

Some empaths are so overwhelmed by large crowds that occur in public places that they avoid these areas. The feelings would be like someone who has sensory processing disorders. All the emotions hurling at them can be overpowering, and they find it difficult to enjoy themselves in these situations.

Twelve Common Signs of an Empath

Many believe that empaths came to the world to help increase vibrations, heal the sick, and generally help humanity in all ways. These folks feel deeply, and they’re in tune with those around them, as well as nature.

Since everything is energy, it’s only natural vibrating on a higher plane makes someone more sensitive. Here are 12 signs of an empath that might resonate with you.

1. An Empath Feels Everything on a Higher Level

The empath has the unique ability to absorb the feelings of others, which also includes their pain and suffering. Since you feel everything much higher than most, you have difficulty distinguishing between pain or just a negative emotion. You can walk into a room and pick up the vibrations of others, which lets you feel their energies and emotions.

2. Nature Recharges Empathic People

One of the signs of an empath is that they love to spend time in nature. Being alone in the great outdoors helps them to recharge their batteries. Many of these folks love the incredible energy that Mother Nature gives off, and they find it very comforting after picking up such negativity so often.

If you want to spend time alone in nature and crave it like a glass of water, it’s a possibility that you’re an empath.

3. Empaths Are Told To Stop Being Sensitive

Were you always the child who was told to stop being so sensitive? Empaths wear their emotions on their sleeves, and they tend to take life very seriously. You may remember your parents telling you to stop being so dramatic when you were in public.

It’s not that you were acting up when you were in large crowds; it’s that you didn’t know how to process all the sensations you were feeling correctly. According to The Spirit Science, empaths’ brains function pretty differently than the average person, so it’s believed that sensory processing type issues exist. Things like strange smells, clothes that itch, socks that don’t feel just right, and bright lights can be unbearable.

4. An Empath Avoids Crowds and Public Places

While going to the mall may be enjoyable for many, an empath prefers smaller stores or shopping online. They find that being around so many people can be very overwhelming. If you haven’t embraced being an empath yet, you may feel like you have a panic attack in public places, and it could be mistaken for social anxiety disorder.

One of the signs of an empath is feeling dizzy, sick to your stomach, and anxious when you’re in large crowds. The issue is that you’re picking up so many emotions from others that you’re becoming lost in the overwhelming negativity.

5. Empaths See Through People

Empaths make great detectives because they can see right through people. They know whether someone has good intentions towards them. They can easily pick up dishonesty, and someone who is very surface and fake can’t fool the keen empathetic person.

6. Cruelty or Tragedy Is Unbearable To Watch on TV

Some folks enjoy gory slasher movies or those that depict violence, but the empathetic person steers clear of such programming. They can’t stand watching anything where others are being hurt. One of the signs of an empath is that watching anything, even make-believe, where others are being mistreated is appalling.

7. Routines Are Suffocating for Empathetic People

While most people thrive from a routine, the empath finds them stifling. When there’s any control over them, it feels like being in prison. Since having freedom is essential to the empath, you will often find them working for themselves rather than others.

It’s not that they have an issue with authority; it’s that they feel suffocated. Empaths need freedom in their life and work, and they cannot do things that they don’t enjoy. In fact, since their emotions are on such a different level, they may feel sick if they’re doing something they don’t like.

The empath needs to allow their intuition to flow freely, and they don’t feel comfortable when anything gets in the way.

8. Empaths Are Sensitive to Sounds

Do any loud noises tend to pierce you deeply? One of the signs of an empath is that they’re disturbed by sounds, loud noises, and even chemicals. Another interesting note is that they can’t handle overly processed foods or those with many additives.

Even food has energy levels, so the empath must be very careful about what they put in their mouth. Many empaths are vegans, and they don’t like processed or fast food. Eating a hamburger might be a pleasant experience to some, but the empath can feel the animal’s suffering. It’s hard to enjoy a sandwich when it’s tied with so many negative emotions.

9. An Amazing Listener

The empaths listen and connect with others. People love talking to these folks, so they have no issue coming to them with their problems. Since the empath can put themselves into the shoes of other folks, they understand on a deeper level.

10. Put Others Before Yourself

A career as a nurse or doctor might be challenging for you if you’re an empath. You want to help those who are suffering, but you constantly put the needs of others before yourself.

Continuously doing this can be very draining on your resources. It would help if you learned to put yourself first, or you won’t be able to help others.

11. Prefer To Make Friends With the Underdog

Do you find yourself attracted to the underdog or the person who seems to march to the beat of their own drum? You resonate with these folks because you see much of yourself in them. You feel drawn to those who dare to be different.

12. If You Are an Empath, You’re Probably Creative and Feel Like You Don’t Always Fit In

One of the exciting signs of an empath is that they have a natural creative edge. They’re often engaged in art, dancing, music, writing, and even fashion designing. These people often have difficulty fitting into a traditional workplace, so they forge their way using their creative side.

No matter where the empath goes, they tend to stand out. They don’t care about being famous, as they would instead follow a different path that fits them.

Final Thoughts on Signs of an Empath

Do you resonate with any of these signs of an empath? Perhaps you see some of these things in your spouse or child. The key is to stop fighting the special gift you’ve been given and learn how to work with it.

Grounding is vital to the empathetic person, and meditation can help with that process. If you’re starting to recognize your abilities, you might want to check out Judith Orloff’s book entitled The Empath’s Survival Guide: Life Strategies for Sensitive People. Since there are different empaths, you need to identify which type you are and learn how to protect yourself.

Once you learn how to manage the gift you’ve been given correctly, you can help so many who are hurting. Sadly, the world tells people, especially men, that you need to be tough and not show emotions. However, being emotional is a part of living.

Emotional blockages can cause significant pain, and empathetic people are great at helping those who have suppressed their emotions for years. Think of empathy as a gift and something that should be shared with the world. However, the first step is learning how to manage the gift you’ve been given as well as protecting yourself.

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