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15 Phrases to Say to Someone Who Needs Emotional Support

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Challenges, setbacks, and heartbreaks are a part of life. Important people in your life will surely experience these feelings sometimes, and knowing how to support them is essential. When someone you care about needs emotional support, saying the right thing can make all the difference.

You will want to let your friends or loved ones know that you are there for them during challenging times. The best phrases offer support, comfort, and sometimes relief. As long as they know you are there, they will find a bit of comfort from your emotional support.

If it seems like your friend or family member wants to be left alone, you can still send a text or a note of encouragement. Sometimes, all people need to overcome their situation is to know that they have a positive support system. You never know when your message is the one they needed to hear that day, so don’t hold back.

Fifteen Phrases to Say to Someone Who Needs Emotional Support

Sending a positive message to someone who needs emotional support isn’t always as easy as it sounds. You might not know what to say or how to word it, making you nervous about speaking up. Don’t keep your support to yourself, though, and use some of these phrases instead.

Note: These phrases are not a one-size-fits-all approach to providing emotional support. Choose phrases that fit each individual’s personality and situation.

Furthermore, be alert to the signs of more severe distress or threats of suicide. Help someone in this situation get help right away.

needs emotional support1. This situation must feel awful, but I’m here if you need a friend to listen to as you bounce back.

It can be difficult for someone to see that things will be okay when they are in the midst of emotional turmoil. By reminding them that they will get through it and bounce back, you’re giving them hope. Sometimes, they need to hear reassurance that they will bounce back, and hearing it from you will help.

2. You have been there for me during hard times, and now I’m here for you.

Accepting help isn’t always easy, so using this phrase can come in handy. As you remind your person of all the times they were there for you, it’ll be hard for them to refuse your offer. Plus, if you don’t offer and instead tell them that you are there right now, they can’t tell you no.

Reminding your person of all the times they have helped you can also brighten their day by reminding them of better times. It reminds them of how strong they’ve been for others, giving them the strength that they need for themselves.

3. I know you’re in pain right now, but I am here if you need someone that will listen to you.

When someone is dealing with emotional pain, it can be hard for them to open up. Making it even worse, they don’t know who cares enough to listen and be there. Make sure they know that you are there for them and that you’ll listen to anything they have to say.

If they know they have someone that will listen, they are more likely to open up. When the person can open up, their pain will ease, and they will have an easier time facing the situation.

4. You do so much for everyone else, and now it’s time to take care of yourself.

If your friend or loved one does everything for others but never focuses on themselves, they likely need to hear this phrase. They might feel like they can’t take the time they need for themselves. Hearing it from someone they trust can give them the perspective they need to shift their focus.

When someone you care about faces a hard time, make sure they know they can take a break. If there is something specific that the person worries about, offer to step in and take over. Otherwise, think of other things you can do so that the person can take the time to care for themself.

5. Things may not have turned out the way you wanted them to, but I know you can handle it.

Acknowledging what the person is upset about is one way to offer emotional support. If they’re struggling because something didn’t work out for them, make sure you point that out. When they see that you understand, they will feel less alone in the situation.

Reminding the person that they can handle what they’re going through will help, too. It will give them a new perspective on the situation, helping them look for the positive aspects moving forward.

6. Please remember that I am here to help in any way I can.

Telling someone that you’re sorry about what they’re going through isn’t always enough. If you want to show the person that you care and that you’re there for support, use this phrase instead. Let your friend or loved one know that you are there for whatever they need, and they’ll see that you’re sincere.

7. Your support system cares about you and loves you, and we’re here whenever you’re ready.

When someone is going through a hard time, they might not want to talk right away. Sometimes, they’ll want to be left alone to come to terms with the situation. If this is the case with your person, make sure they know you’re there when the time comes to talk.

Make sure your friend or loved one knows that you care and love them, but don’t pressure them. If you pressure them to talk or to spend time together, it could make things worse. Leave it up to them to decide when the time is right.

needs emotional support8. I am proud of everything you have done and how you are handling this situation.

Telling your person that you are proud of them will give them some comfort. When someone needs emotional support, they are likely to experience negative emotions regarding themselves.

By telling the person that you are proud of them, it gives them the courage to face their situation. If they’re already facing it, hearing that you are proud of them will help them keep pushing through.

9. I believe in you, and I hope you believe in yourself just as much as I do.

When experiencing upsetting situations, a person might lose faith in themselves. Remind them that you believe in them, and encourage them to have faith in themselves, too. This phrase can increase their confidence regarding the experience, helping them handle it positively.

10. I know you’re strong enough to do this alone, but you don’t have to. I’m here.

The strongest people won’t ask for help, and they’ll likely turn down offers. If your friend or loved one is this way, remind them that they don’t have to face it alone. Remind them as often as you can that you are there for them and that you’ll continue to be there.

11. I know things are hard right now, but you’re strong enough to get through this.

Acknowledging that the person’s situation is difficult will let them know that you support them. They’ll realize that you aren’t dismissing their feelings as you encourage them to push through. Additionally, reminding them of their strength will help them persevere and get through the situation.

If your friend or family member knows that you see their strength, it’ll boost their confidence, too. Referencing a specific instance in their life when they were strong and pushed through hard times will help even more.

12. You have the power to overcome anything, and I know you’ll get there.

Always remind your person that they are powerful and can get through anything. It might not happen right away, but with your emotional support and encouragement, it’ll happen sooner. Use this phrase whenever they feel like things won’t get better.

13. Remember that your accomplishments are your selfless actions and behaviors.

If your friend or loved one is upset because they failed at something, this phrase can help. Tell them that their accomplishments lie in their behaviors and actions towards others.

If they are selfless and always think of others, point that out as their accomplishment. Otherwise, change the phrase to fit whatever characteristic it is that your person exhibits. Once they realize that their worth is more than their failure, they’ll feel better and start working through the situation.

14. I know you have a lot on your plate, so what can I do to help?

When someone is experiencing emotional turmoil, they could likely use some help. Most people are already busy enough, but adding upsetting situations to the mix makes it worse. Acknowledge that they have a lot going on, and then ask what you can do to help.

They might turn down your offer, but encourage them to give you at least one task that will help them out. If the person still doesn’t let you help, consider delivering meals or dropping off coffee to bring a little positivity to their day.

15. Life has no limits, even when you encounter these challenges and obstacles.

Reminding your person that life has no limits can help them see that there is still hope. They might feel like their life is over, so this phrase is helpful.

needs emotional supportFinal Thoughts on Phrases to Say to Someone Who Needs Emotional Support

When someone needs emotional support, you might not know what to say to help them. These phrases can help you get started, and then you’ll feel more comfortable speaking from the heart.

As your friends and loved ones experiencing hard times, make sure you’re there for them. Plus, make sure they know you are there for whatever they need. You never know when you will be in their position, so do whatever you can to help.

10 Ways to Avoid Negative Thinkers for Good (and why you should!)

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Most people have dreams of great friends and climbing the ladder of success. However, if you want to reach the realm’s dreams are made of, you need to surround yourself with positive people. Avoid negative thinkers as they can ruin the whole environment, and if they can get inside your mind, they can cause catastrophic thinking.

Those who have a fatalistic attitude can cause an epidemic in your surroundings. Remember the old saying that a “bad apple spoils the bunch?” It’s because once an apple has bacteria on it, it’s not long before those toxins spread to the others in the area. So, if you don’t want the toxic attitude of negativity to rub off on you, you need to avoid negative thinkers at all costs.

Ten Ways To Avoid Negative Thinkers

If you want to live a positive and happy life, you mustn’t let people ruin it with their toxic pessimism. Having a negative mindset can cause you great harm, so here are some ways to avoid those gloomy folks.

avoid negative thinkers1. Walk Away From Negative Thinkers

One of the easier things to do is to walk away and excuse yourself from a conversation with the negative thinker. If you see them approaching, forgive yourself and find something else to do. Don’t think you’re stronger than the clutches of these toxic thought processes because it will eventually rub off on you.

2. Combat the Pessimistic by Hanging Out in Groups

It’s easier to avoid negative thinkers when you’re in a group. The more people with you, the easier it is to turn your focus towards more optimistic ones. You can disperse the negative energy around you by hanging with someone more confident in the group.

3. Block Them on Social Media

Social media is full of people that like to spew negativity. If you find someone who wants to stir the pot and be controversial, you need to block them. Make social media a safe place where you engage with family and friends, and you don’t have time for all that other toxic nonsense.

4. Don’t Argue With the Pessimistic

If you argue with someone who has a toxic thought process, you’re feeding them by making them and their topics of conversation important. Once you let it happen, you’re ensuring that there will be unending conversations in the future. When they want to debate the issues and spew negativity, it’s best if you walk away.

When you get in a battle with them where you’re trying to defend your points, you’re wasting time and energy. They will never see your side on a rabid topic, so don’t engage with them to give yourself peace of mind. You’ve better things to do with your time.

5. Recognize Those Who Have a Negative Mindset

One of the best keys to avoid negative thinkers is to identify them. You might not always know someone who is pessimistic until you start paying attention to certain things. If a person leaves you stressed and exhausted just being with them for five minutes, it’s probably because they’re filled with negativity.

You will find these people in both your personal and professional life, but these folks will zap your productivity. Though it might be hard to label someone as a negative person, you must limit those who have a toxic influence over your life. Choose your friends wisely.

6. Encourage Friendships With Positive People

When you surround yourself with positive people, negativity will flee. See, the negative person wants a captive audience, and if you’re constantly avoiding their doom and gloom with your optimism, they won’t stay around for long. You need friends that lift you and bring a positive influence into your life.

7. Set Boundaries and Remember You Owe No Explanations

There are times when you will engage with those negative folks whether you want to or not. However, you do have the power to set boundaries for what you will and won’t discuss. It’s always a good rule of thumb to avoid topics like religion and politics, as these tend to cause heated debates.

If you don’t want to converse with someone about a specific topic or at all, it’s your right to excuse yourself without an explanation. You don’t owe this person any reasons why you won’t engage in their cynicism.

8. Understand Cynicism Is Part of Life

You must understand that life is full of negative things as well as positive ones. It’s your choice whether you will engage in it. Sometimes, you will need to discuss things that are more on the darker side of life, but it’s necessary.

You can’t put your head in the sand and act like the world is all sunshine and roses, as you will find that it isn’t. There will be bad days, difficult situations will happen to you, and you’re going to be drawn by the darkness of negativity. However, it would help if you put things into perspective.

According to Medical News Today, when you need to process something awful that’s happened to you, it’s essential that you accept the negative emotions, reframe your thoughts, and find ways to overcome your adversity. Being positive doesn’t mean you must ignore reality, but it means that you need to limit the time you spend in those places of despair.

avoid negative thinkers9. Stop Feeding Negative Thinkers

Did you know that one of the easiest ways to avoid negative thinkers is to stop giving them so much attention? As the old saying goes, misery loves company. When you converse with someone who has this toxic mindset, you’re feeding their pessimism.

The best thing to do is find a good excuse and slip away from them if you can’t get out quick enough, limit eye contact, and appear disinterested in what they have to say.

10. Choose Your Mindset

You have the power to choose the mindset you want. For instance, when negative thoughts or people come your way, combat them with positivity. Each day you’re going to be tested and challenged by things that want to get your spirits down, but you can rise above it with optimism.

Why Should You Avoid Negative Thinkers?

So, you’ve learned how to avoid those with toxic thought patterns, but now you need to know why it’s so important. Here is a list of things that negativity can do to your life.

1. It Affects Your Health

When you think negative thoughts all the time, it can affect your mind and your health. According to Marque Medical, constant negative thinking can cause you to have headaches, sleeping, depression, anxiety, and social withdrawal.

2. It Affects Your Attitude

If you’re constantly thinking about all the bad things in life, it’s going to affect your attitude. It’s hard to be happy and upbeat when you feel like there’s nothing but bad things surrounding you. You must avoid negative thinkers as they can get inside your head and allow the toxins of negative thoughts to ruin your outlook.

3. Negativity Drains Your Energy

If you wake up in the morning thinking about all the horrible things around you, then you’re not going to have a good day. However, if you wake up feeling about all your blessings, your gratitude attitude will set the stage for a fabulous time. When negativity comes knocking at your door, you don’t have to answer.

4. Life Is Too Short To Be Crabby

Do you want people to think you’re crabby? Grumpy people don’t seem to attract as many friends as those who are upbeat and jolly. Let the world see the best side of you, as your optimistic outlook will be infectious.

5. You Won’t Grow

If you want to grow emotionally or spiritually, you must have the right mindset. If you’re constantly using pessimistic phrases like:

  • “I can’t.”
  • “It’s too difficult.”
  • “This is so frustrating.”
  • “I’ll never get this done.”
  • “Why is my life so hard?”

It changes your mindset when you make sayings like “I can’t” or “I won’t” or a regular part of your conversation. You can’t grow when you don’t try difficult things. You must have the mentality of a winner if you want to succeed.

avoid negative thinkersFinal Thoughts on Learning How to Avoid Negative Thinkers

It’s all up to you on the people you choose as friends and who you will engage in conversations during your lifetime. If you have people, both family and friends, who are constantly bringing you down with their negativity, then you have the power to cut them off. Even if you can’t limit your time with someone, like a coworker, you do have the authority to set boundaries for yourself.

You can avoid specific topics of conversation and talk to them only when it’s about pleasant things. When you were younger, did your parents or grandparents ever tell you things like “birds of a feather flock together” or “you can’t run with the wolves if you aren’t going to howl?”

While these metaphoric sayings might seem silly, what they’re expressing is that the people you run with have a direct impact on you. Avoid negative thinkers, as it won’t be long before they rub off on you.

14 Techniques To Help A Stressed Loved One Unwind And Relax

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It’s hard to watch a stressed loved one struggle, especially if they’re facing a lot of stress or dealing with a difficult time in their life. You want to help. but sometimes there isn’t much you can do, and you feel a little helpless as you watch them face their problems alone.

But you don’t have to do a whole lot to help out someone dealing with a rough patch on their journey. A simple little thing or two, to show that you care, can be enough to help them feel better. It’s amazing what feeling loved can do for someone’s positive thinking!

So, how can you go about it? How can you help the people you care about in your life when they’re struggling? Here are the fourteen best ways to help a stressed loved one unwind and relax.

1.    Make Them Laugh

stressed loved oneWhen was the last time you’ve seen your loved one give you a genuine smile or even a full belly laugh? It can be hard to remember how it’s like to be carefree and joyful when you’re stressed – and you probably shouldn’t leave it that way.

Research has proven that laughing regularly helps with the release of endorphins – a hormone that helps with reducing stress. It can even help with increasing pain tolerance! In other words, laughter clearly is good for the soul. So if you need to cheer someone up, try:

  • Sharing a funny story
  • Watching a comedy with them
  • Reminding them about hilarious memories you’ve shared

2.    Be A Positive Influence

In times of stress, holding on to positive thinking can become difficult. So try to make yourself a source of positivity for your loved ones! Here are a few ways you can act on it and carry it out:

  • Make sure they’re getting enough water, food, and rest
  • Encourage them to take care of themselves
  • Do not enable bad habits – redirect them to healthier ones instead
  • Ask your loved ones as to what they need, and act accordingly
  • Remind them that they are good and that they deserve good things
  • Encourage them to fight back against any negative thoughts they may have about themselves

3.    Motivate Them With Genuine Words

What do you love about them? Do they know? In times of duress, it can be hard to remember that we are wonderful people who deserve positive things. So it’s important to remind them on the regular with statements you know are true about them! For example, you can:

  • Text them compliments and encouragements in the morning
  • Remind your loved ones of what they have accomplished so far
  • Share with them what you appreciate and love about them
  • Congratulate and be excited for them when they successfully finish a dreaded task

4.    Serve Them A Warm Drink

It seems people always walk away from coffee dates with a closer relationship – and there’s a reason for that! A study has discovered that there is a positive correlation between warmth and interpersonal relationships. The warmer your drink, the more connected you become!

So why not take advantage of this, and share a hot drink with a loved one to remind them that they are cared for? Plus, hot drinks like tea and warm milk also carry advantages like:

  • Being soothing and healthy
  • Promoting relaxation and stress relief
  • Helping with sleep
  • Providing nourishment and comfort
  • Keeping you warm when it’s cold out

5.    Take Them Out To Eat

You might notice that you don’t see your loved ones as much when they’re being stressed out. You may realize they aren’t eating properly either! That won’t do, so why not bring them along for a meal hangout? It can:

  • Remind them that they have support and love all around them
  • Put them in a good mood
  • Take the burden off them for making a meal
  • Create a moment of socialization they may not have gotten otherwise
  • Ensures that they’ll have eaten properly at least once that day

6.    Put On Soothing Sounds

ASMR is a YouTube phenomenon that has only gotten increasingly popular over the last 5 years or so, with its biggest claim to fame being a source of audio (and visual) calm. If your loved one isn’t already a fan, however, you still have plenty of options.

For example, you can try introducing them to other calming audio sources like:

  • Audiobooks
  • Calming podcasts
  • Meditation apps
  • White noise machines
  • Soothing music
  • Nature sounds
  • Water fountains

7.    Send Them A Care Package

You can’t deny that someone’s looking out for you when you’re holding a physical representation of their love!

Try assembling a care package to support your loved ones during their tough times. It can be from simple things like comfort foods and face masks to more helpful devices like a brand-new robot vacuum! Here are some ideas you can try including in a care package for them:

  • Favorite snacks
  • A good book or two
  • A hand-written note
  • A hand-made gift
  • Nutritional, easy-to-make food and drinks
  • A body scrub
  • A collage of photos of their best times and favorite memories

A care package doesn’t have to be full of helpful items necessarily – it can also simply consist of things you know they’ll love. The possibilities are endless!

positive messages8.    Go Outside With Them

A growing number of studies have shown that nature and greenery have an undeniable positive effect on our psyche. It only makes sense, then, that research has also proven outdoor activities are beneficial to reducing one’s stress and anxiety levels!

So why not suggest to your loved ones to join you for a:

  • Hike in the wilderness
  • A quick walk around the neighborhood
  • Stroll to the park
  • Bike ride – maybe even with a tandem!
  • Picnic outdoors
  • Visit the beach or riverside

9.    Make Something With Them

Have you ever noticed how much joy and pride you naturally get from making something successfully? It’s no wonder then that art, handicrafts, and other similar hobbies can be so addicting. Luckily for your loved ones, it’s also a great source of stress relief and relaxation!

With that in mind, why not encourage a stressed loved one to try art as an outlet. Consider:

  • Painting on canvases (they don’t have to be good or perfect!)
  • Textile work like crocheting, knitting, or even weaving
  • Cooking or baking
  • Learning how to play an instrument (or picking up an old one to shake off the dust)
  • Writing or drawing
  • Pottery
  • Making assorted resin jewelry and knick-knacks

In more creative cases, you can even try introducing your loved ones to blacksmithing or silversmithing. There’s plenty of options out there for them to do something with their hands – and it can be just the stress outlet they needed this whole time!

10. Help Them Around Their House

Trying to keep up with the chores can be difficult, even in the best of times. So you can imagine just how much more difficult it is when you’re stressed or overwhelmed! In such times, it can be a huge relief of burden to have someone come in and do some of the chores, like:

  • Cooking them a meal (or two, or three!)
  • Doing some laundry
  • Sweeping the floor
  • Light (or serious) grocery shopping
  • Taking out the trash
  • General quick cleaning

11. Use Calming Scents

Aromatherapy has gotten incredibly popular as of late – and as it turns out, for a good reason. Research has shown that fragrances and pleasant smells induce positive effects on our psychophysiological state, which can be just what your loved one needs to relax and destress.

Some notable benefits include:

  • Helping with entering deeper states of relaxation
  • Encouraging positive thinking
  • Calming and soothing one’s emotions
  • Creating a comfortable and homey atmosphere

Creating calming scents is pretty easy too. All you’ll need is a diffuser, an oil burner of some kind, or even simply a wonderful perfume, and you’re all set!

12. Listen To Them

At the end of the day, the ultimate support often boils down to simply being there for your loved ones and listening to them. Often enough, it’s really all they need too. Here are some of the ways you can show you’re listening and paying attention:

  • Please keep your thoughts to yourself, unless they are explicitly asked for
  • Avoid sharing opinions unless they request for it
  • Follow up with questions for further elaboration or explanation
  • Mirror or reflect their situation to them as you understand it
  • Show empathy and sympathy
  • Ask them what you can do to help and support them
  • Remind them that you are there for them and love them

13. Meditate With Them Or Guide Them In Meditation

Mindfulness meditation is the latest buzzword self-help buzzword found everywhere, and for a good reason too. A study found that it can help with managing one’s anxiety and depression. Not only that, it can help with:

  • Focusing on the here and now
  • Relaxation
  • Calming one’s mind during a difficult moment
  • Managing your stress
  • Encouraging positive thinking

14. Plan A Self-Care Day Of Pampering

We all deserve a little “Me Time,” – but when you’re busy and stressed out, it can be easy to forget that important detail. So why not try doing the remembering for your loved ones? Plan a day to make your loved one feel special with a trip to the spa or a massage session. You can even try:

  • Planning a movie date
  • Enjoying some face masks
  • Preparing them a hot bath soak
  • Breakfast in bed
  • A trip to the nail salon, or DIYing it for them
  • A visit to the hot springs or a sauna
  • Taking them on a day trip to somewhere they’ve wanted to go

You don’t have to strictly follow these suggestions, especially if they’re not of interest to your stressed loved one. So long as they feel like they’re being made special and they’re enjoying themselves, then that’s really all that matters!

stressed loved oneFinal Thoughts On Some Effective Ways To Help Relax A Stressed Loved One

If you have a stressed loved one, trying a couple of simple methods to help them relax and unwind can be just the thing they need to feel encouraged, motivated, and supported. Small acts of compassion and care can go a long way, whether they’re for a family member, friend, or other loved one in your life!

4 Effective Ways To Experience Inner Peace

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Inner peace is something many people seek in life, but it’s so desired partially because it’s so elusive. The concept can seem almost far-fetched to some. How can one experience inner peace happen in a world as hectic, busy, and often troubled as ours?

Well, there are plenty of ways to cultivate this emotional state of being. Most of them are methods that will even further your personal growth at the same time! Here are four practical ways to experience inner peace.

1.    Take Inventory Of Yourself

To find inner peace, you must first better understand yourself. Taking an inventory of the person you are is often a crucial step to achieving inner peace, as it gives you the chance to examine your soul and find what truly matters. Inner peace usually requires you to know yourself so that you can begin with a bit of inventory-taking. Here are some ways to do so:

·         Note Your Characteristics

Take note of the basic stuff. How would you describe your personality? What do you look like? What features about you stand out? What have you done in your life so far, and how do you feel now? Defining yourself is a significant first step to taking a personal inventory.

experience inner peace·         Write Your Weaknesses and Strengths

What are you good and bad at? Why do you appreciate your strengths? How can you positively frame your weaknesses? If you can’t do the latter, how can you improve on those weaknesses? Keeping stock of all these facets of yourself grants you concrete insight into what you should pay attention to, how you can best perform specific tasks, and what needs some work or support.

·         Reframe Your Bad Traits

Everyone’s got negative traits, but that doesn’t mean you can’t reframe yours into a more positive – though still realistic – light. This isn’t to say that you should excuse negative traits such as selfishness. Instead, it’s to suggest that you can find the positive parts of each attribute and use them. For example, if you’re selfish, you may take the ability to put yourself first and use that to aid in a proper self-care schedule. And, of course, some traits aren’t bad at all! Thinking that you’re too passionate, for example, can be reframed to an appreciation for your drive and enjoyment of life. When you learn to accept and work positively with even your worst traits, you’ll find inner peace and improve as a person.

·         Write Your Goals

Everyone has goals in life, and you definitely do, too. Having these aspirations can motivate you, and it’s an excellent way to broaden your horizons. Setting personal goals based on your known ability – and adjusting as needed over time – can promote better self-acceptance. Then, take regular inventory and use these goals as a method to guide your everyday actions.

2.    Change Your Mindset

Your mindset is what determines everything about how you view the world. If you lack inner peace, your perspective likely plays a significant role in that. Your brain, after all, is responsible for dictating pretty much everything about your life, emotions, and processing of experiences. As such, changing how you think can help to encourage inner peace. Here are some ways to start changing your mindset in this vein:

·         Slow Down

It’s easy, in the bustling world of today, to think that everything needs to happen quickly. It certainly doesn’t! Your emotions and experiences need time to grow, develop, and be. If you want to experience inner peace, you have to allow your feelings to mellow out, and you need to learn to take your time. This will calm your nervous system and help to stop you from becoming stressed out from moving quickly. Take time to appreciate everyday life and live in every moment without rushing by! This can also be referred to as mindfulness, which is a positive habit that encourages living in the moment. Mindfulness has been linked to good mental and physical wellbeing and can help you feel more at peace with life’s outcomes.

·         Don’t Make Things Bigger Than They Are

Things that feel like huge problems to you can be very overwhelming. But just because something feels big, that doesn’t mean that it is. Finding inner peace means learning to see things with realistic eyes instead of making mountains out of molehills. Ask yourself if this will matter in a week, a month, a year, or even a decade. This will give you the chance to reassess the situation in a more big-picture way quickly.

·         Be More Grateful

Gratitude can have enormous benefits for positive thinking and can help to facilitate inner peace. The more grateful you are, the more likely you are to notice good things in the world around you and the more likely you are to be satisfied with your life and the people around you. It’s easy to see why that would be an essential part of inner peace! Better yet, gratitude as a mindset only grows with time, becoming more accessible and easier to use and view the world through with the more that you practice it.

·         Accept and Release

Many bad things happen in life, and your world won’t be only sunshine and rainbows and daisies – that’s to be expected. Inner peace can still come in these circumstances, however, as you can learn to accept the negative parts of life positively and then release the bad feelings that go with them. You shouldn’t repress negative feelings, but there is wisdom in learning to accept the bad things as they come and release your attachment to the destructive emotions they may create.

quotes on when to let go3.    Spend Time In Nature

Nature isn’t just beautiful – it’s also relaxing. Studies have found links between time spent in nature and personal health and wellbeing for a long time, so it’s little surprise that the serene and grounded experience of being in nature may facilitate inner peace, too. Interacting with nature in these ways is most helpful:

  • Without electronic devices, you can separate yourself from the stress of being connected to a fast-paced world constantly and instead get back to humanity’s more grounded routes.
  • Physical activity, such as moderate exercise or even simple relaxing walking, can help to get you beneficial activity, provide health benefits, and balance your emotions all at once.
  • On a regular, daily basis, even for a short amount of time, to make a habit out of the calming experience and so the effects are long-lasting.
  • For a prolonged period, such as a nature retreat for a few days or even a week, to give your brain and body the chance to reset stress levels and encourage better inner peace.
  • By decorating your home with nature so that you are surrounded by a naturally calming environment.

4.    Stop Pursuing The Wrong Thing

Often, the lack of inner peace comes from a simple place – the constant act of seeking out, pursuing, and chasing the wrong things in life. If you have the wrong motivation and bad goals, it’s easy to fall into a situation of inner turmoil that disrupts your positive thinking. Here are some things you shouldn’t pursue:

·         Material Things

It’s okay to like and want some material things in life, but ideally, that shouldn’t be your biggest goal. Having expensive luxury items doesn’t give you inner peace, and while there are good ways to enjoy material possessions, those objects shouldn’t be your main source of happiness in life.

·         Perfection

It’s good to set challenging standards for yourself, but you’ve gone too far overboard when you begin desiring perfection. You’ll never achieve that desire because no human being is perfect. You’re setting impossible standards that will only hurt you and leave you dissatisfied and discouraged.

·         Comfort

Comfort is a good thing in many cases, but forward momentum and progress in life usually require that you’re able to manage discomfort, too. Many situations in life that include improvement also include the ability to be comfortable with risks and unstable conditions. If you aren’t willing to venture into the uncomfortable unknown, you’ll ironically wind up with less inner peace as you recall the things you missed out on!

·         Total Self-Reliance

It’s great to be independent, but no human being can go it alone entirely. The ability to find friends, family members, or support systems is just as important as learning to be reliant on yourself. There will be times in life where asking for help will be beneficial to you. Trying to only rely on yourself forever and in all circumstances will ultimately hurt you and keep you from inner peace as you scramble to keep up and do everything yourself.

·         Impressing Others

There’s little point in living to impress other people. Others have no say in how you live your life, and their admiration or disdain barely matter at all in the grand scheme of the world or your own life. True inner peace comes from finding motivation and validation from within, and no amount of admiration from others will ever replace the beauty of self-love. Don’t waste your time obsessing over what other people think. You’ll find the most inner peace by wanting to impress yourself first and foremost.

·         Happiness

Most people in life indeed want to be happy, and it’s good to like that, too. But chasing happiness rarely ever works out. The more you try to pursue it, the less likely you are to be satisfied with the results that you do receive. You see, happiness is a state of contentment, and it’s not defined by the things you have or achieve. Trying to conflate happiness with success or other symbols of positivity will not get you the happiness you seek. Working on yourself, focusing on being at peace with what you have, and developing healthy mental and physical habits will allow happiness to come to you instead – and, with it, inner peace.

experience inner peaceFinal Thoughts On Some Effective Ways To Experience Inner Peace

Inner peace is a beautiful thing to have, but it’s not something that should be painstakingly sought. Instead, it would help if you worked on making your life and mindset as positive as possible, with healthy habits and a good dose of self-love. That way, you will experience inner peace in due time.

3 Ways To Teach Your Subconscious Mind To Think Positive

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The subconscious mind is the part of your brain where your thoughts and actions happen unintentionally and automatically. It’s where ideas that are as natural to you as breathing come from, and these thoughts can exist in your head without you even realizing they’re there. Naturally, this makes it pretty dangerous to have a negative subconscious, as that can influence everything you do without your knowledge!

But how can you fix something that you’re not even consciously aware of? How can you tap into parts of your brain that aren’t easy to reach? And, once you get there, how can you begin to improve it? Here are three efficient ways to train your subconscious mind to think positively.

1.    Talk To Your Subconscious Mind

By definition, the subconscious is something you aren’t innately aware of. To understand what it holds within it, you need to speak to it and seek to understand it actively. In the background, it chugs along unchecked and unheeded until you turn your attention to it directly.

Some people think it’s best to ignore the subconscious because it can hold negative thoughts and other toxic ideas. But addressing your subconscious doesn’t mean you believe entirely in every word that it says. Learning to communicate positively with your subconscious will allow you to understand your deep-rooted issues better.

Basically, if you want to learn to think positive, you have to understand the things that maintain negative thoughts. Those things lie in your subconscious, and without trying to get in touch with it, you’ll never be able to start to train it properly. And, of course, any form of subconscious “training” requires that you interact with that part of your mind. Here is how to begin:

subconscious mind·         Ask Your Subconscious Questions

To understand the negativity that your subconscious holds, it can be helpful to ask it questions and prompt it for answers regarding the issues you face. They suggest how many of your negative thoughts that block positive thinking are embedded deep in your subconscious. So you have to coax information regarding these roots out from your mind. Your brain is trying to protect you by using these negative thoughts to find out why. Ask what your subconscious is shielding you from, what it fears, and even what it dislikes. It’s almost like interviewing with that part of your brain.

·         Consider If Your Subconscious Has A Point

Your subconscious aims to keep you safe, and while this isn’t always rational, there’s usually a reason it’s doing what it does. In most cases, the way it is going about this protection – for example, by creating negative thoughts, so you don’t do certain things – isn’t ideal or the healthiest option. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t a point to what it’s doing. In all likelihood, there are things you need to address and give attention to that you haven’t focused sufficiently on, and this is causing your subconscious to stay negative. There is wisdom in your inner thoughts – listen to them!

·         Reassure Your Subconscious

Your subconscious is scared and frightened, and you have to help reassure it and teach it that positive thinking is more beneficial to it. Promise yourself that you will handle challenges well. Remind yourself of your strengths and powers. State that you have heard the fears rooted in your heart and will do everything you can to protect yourself from them without stunting your growth. Acknowledge that things will turn out okay, and your subconscious will relax.

2.    Provide Your Subconscious Mind With Motivation

An unmotivated subconscious will have no interest in being trained towards positivity. Your brain needs something to push it forward. Having this healthy desire can work wonders for your positive thinking while allowing your inner brain to focus on something it wants over the usual negativity. Here are some ways to motivate your subconscious:

·         Look To That Which Inspires You

There are many potential sources of inspiration in the world. You can find inspiration from other people, from media, fiction, art, and even from yourself. The things that inspire you can help you can stoke a fire in your belly that makes you hunger for forward momentum, sending you sprinting forward. Just remember that drawing inspiration is positive, but comparing yourself to impossible ideals is definitely not! Find people and things that make you want to work harder, but don’t try to mimic them exactly!

·         Keep Creating New Goals

A great way to stay motivated is by breaking down large goals into smaller ones and then continuing to add more and more goals as you go, adjusting based on your new abilities and desires. That way, each time you hit a small goal, you get to congratulate yourself and feel your accomplishment. Every new goal should challenge and excites you without being too lofty. Find a balance between giving yourself something to work hard on and making things impossible!

·         Surround Yourself With Positive People

People that support you can help you feel motivated to make good on your promises, make them proud, and be held accountable. A positive support circle will uplift you as you uplift them, and this is a great way to keep each other on task and find encouragement when necessary. If you don’t have a large social circle, you can join groups and clubs related to your goals or find support groups that aim to help people from all walks of life move forward.

·         Be Realistic

No one’s forward momentum is perfect. Progress is not linear. There will be times when you take steps back and times when you take steps forward, and the sizes of those steps may change pretty dramatically, too. Remember that it’s normal to have dips, to have moments of failure, and to have difficult or rough patches. Take care of yourself, pick yourself up again, and keep trying!

subconscious mind3.    Rewire How You Think And Move Towards Positive Thoughts

Training the subconscious mind involves rewiring your brain towards better and more productive manners of perceiving the world, processing input, and thinking about things. It sounds like a tall order, but it’s perfectly doable. As a matter of fact, many methods can successfully help you change the way your brain processes signals. Here are some tips for moving your negative subconscious thoughts to positive ones!

·         Give Yourself Examples Of Reality

If your subconscious tends to catastrophize and fear the worst in every single situation, you can counteract this by patiently grounding it back in reality. Think of all the times where you have been through similar outcomes. Imagine how your capabilities have gotten you through all the worst times of your life. Remind yourself of the many, many times you’ve thought the worst, but everything turned out okay. This firm grasp of reality will help your positive thinking.

·         Start Using Positive Self-Talk

Positive self-talk is a concept that involves the use of positive statements towards yourself. It’s similar in many ways to positive affirmations, and studies have found that it is an effective way to improve wellbeing. Often, if your subconscious mind leans towards the negative, you have to actively speak to yourself in positive ways and hype yourself up to combat that. But over time, what you say will manifest accurately, and you will begin to believe in the nice things you say about yourself genuinely.

·         Toss Out Unnecessary Negativity

If you’re facing a negative thought, observe it, then make a judgment call. Is this thought accurate? Is it grounded in reality? Finally, is it productive, or is it only harming you? If the thought does nothing for you other than bring down the mood, then imagine yourself throwing the thought out the window or hitting a “delete” button on it. While you should never repress your emotions, you should also learn to determine which thoughts serve you in no way whatsoever and aren’t worth your additional effort and thought.

·         Be Grateful

Gratitude is a known method of improving the way you look at the world. Essentially, the more grateful you are in everyday life, the more your brain naturally searches for more things to be grateful for. Expressing appreciation to others, patting yourself on the back for your small wins, and finding the good in every bad situation are all fantastic ways to think more positively.

·         Use Visualization

Visualization is a powerful technique that involves immersing yourself in an imagined situation. You set your brain to work by creating a landscape that you place yourself into, and you focus on this image until you believe it or know you can manifest it. This is a known method for improving positive thinking, gaining emotional resilience, and training your brain to think in more optimistic ways. It’s an ideal training mechanism for your subconscious because the human brain has trouble distinguishing between imagination and reality, so the things you imagine can help to motivate it! Imagine vivid details and creative thoughts that put you in powerful, successful, and positive situations.

·         Combat Negativity With Positivity

Whenever a negative thought crops up in your head, immediately counteract that with a positive thought in kind. It is okay to go a little exaggerated when making these positive statements to fight back – the goal is to “argue” with your negative thoughts and firmly replace them with positive ones. As an example, if you think, “I stuttered when I spoke, so now everyone thinks I’m an idiot,” combat it by thinking, “No, I impressed them all with my brilliant points, so they don’t care that I stuttered!”. Or, if you think, “My partner is going to break up with me because I’m late for this date!”, fight by thinking, “Actually, I texted my partner about this, and they’re very understanding; I will make it up to them, and we will continue being happy together!”

be positive memeFinal Thoughts On Some Ways To Train Your Subconscious Mind To Think Positive

Harnessing your subconscious for positivity is a powerful way to improve your mental wellbeing. Being in tune with your inner self and working with it for your growth can be a fantastic step in your life. It may be tough at first, but keep at it, and you’ll soon find that your subconscious is truly focusing on positive things!

15 Mantras for Couples to Have a More Positive Marriage

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Mantras or affirmations for a positive marriage can strengthen your relationship and help you through hard times. These mantras will remind you of the reason you married your partner in the first place. With these reminders, you will feel happier and more fulfilled in your marriage.

Using mantras to improve your marriage can make a huge difference. Affirmations can remind you of all the positive aspects of your relationship and the reasons you are together. The phrases help keep your spouse at the forefront of your mind, ensuring a healthier relationship.

To use mantras for a more positive marriage, post some of them in areas you often see. You can write the phrases on sticky notes and put them on your mirror, desk, or anywhere else you see often. When you see these mantras frequently throughout your day, you will maintain a positive outlook on your marriage.

Fifteen Mantras for a More Positive Marriage

Share these positive mantras with your spouse so that they can choose their favorites, too. It’ll be easier when you work together to create a joyous marriage than doing it alone. As you make the affirmations a habit, you’ll notice a restoration in your relationship.

positive marriage1. I take every opportunity to learn more about my spouse.

No matter how long you’ve been with your spouse, there is always more to learn. Please pay attention to the little things, and ask questions when they mention something you haven’t heard before. Learn as much about their past as you can, but don’t stop there.

You and your partner are both constantly changing, even if you don’t recognize it right away. As you work to learn more about their past, continue learning about them in the present, too. Since you’re both constantly changing, make it a point to keep learning.

2. I look for ways to laugh with my spouse.

Laughter can bring the two of you closer together and help build a more positive marriage. When you laugh together, it eases stress and tension. It also encourages bonding and a deeper connection between the two of you.

Consider telling funny stories about memories the two of you have had. You can also watch a comedy together or listen to a funny podcast. Or, you can do something fun together that neither of you has done before, ensuring laughter as you learn.

3. I am enjoying the little things in my marriage.

It can be easy to become complacent in your marriage when there hasn’t been much excitement. Times like these are inevitable in long-term relationships, though, so learning to think beyond it is essential. Use this mantra to remind you of the little things in your marriage that make you happy.

Think of the little things that your partner does for you or your relationship. Maybe they make the coffee each morning or cook most of the meals in the evenings. Whatever little things you can think of, work to enjoy and appreciate them.

4. I respect my spouse for who they are.

At the beginning of your relationship, you might think your partner is perfect. As time goes on, though, you’ll begin to notice little quirks or differences that you aren’t fond of. When you’re married, you must respect your spouse for who they are no matter what.

If you respect your spouse for who they are, you will have a more positive marriage. Your relationship will be stronger, and your spouse is more likely to appreciate you, too.

5. I listen to my spouse before speaking in anger.

Sometimes it’s tempting to speak in anger before hearing your spouse out. If you tend to do this, try using this mantra each day to help you overcome that issue. Listening to your spouse is essential because it can help you understand their point of view.

With understanding, you can agree or talk out the problem calmly. Plus, you won’t make your spouse feel attacked and unheard.

6. I appreciate all of the things my spouse does for our marriage.

With appreciation, you can have a more positive marriage. Your spouse will feel loved, and you’ll experience happiness as you recognize all of the things your spouse does.

You might get into a funk sometimes where you feel like your spouse isn’t doing enough. This mindset causes arguments and tension, so using this positive mantra can turn it around.

7. I understand that pushing through the hard times is worthwhile.

Every marriage will experience hard times, and getting through them is all about your mindset. If you can remember that working through problems is worthwhile, you can create a more positive marriage.

When you recognize that the hard times don’t determine the value of your relationship, you will find more fulfillment. When things get hard, turn to this mantra to remind you of all that your marriage is worth.

positive marriage8. I am loyal and fully devoted to my spouse.

Marriage requires loyalty and devotion, so this mantra is essential to protecting a positive marriage. If you forget about your commitment and promise of love, your marriage can fall apart. This mantra is beneficial to both partners as it can help both sides of the relationship.

Reaffirming that you are loyal and devoted will keep your mind focused on the right thing and the right person. You won’t be as likely to drift or lose sight of what is essential in your marriage.

9. I focus on the positives in our relationship.

No relationship is perfect, despite its length or the closeness of the couple. Every couple faces relationship issues, but the difference is that some work it out while others give up. Those that work it out focus on the positive aspects of the relationship rather than the negatives.

If you and your spouse are going through hard times, this mantra can help bring back positivity and fulfillment. Repeat it each day, and if necessary, repeat it multiple times throughout the day to regroup your thoughts.

10. I decide to love my spouse each day.

Love is as much of a decision as it is an emotion. Some days you won’t feel as much love, but if you decide to love your spouse anyway, you’ll notice things go better. Plus, you will find that the feeling returns, too, once you implement the decision.

Having love in your relationship is essential all of the time, but even more so when feelings are decreasing. If you decide to love them and do things that you know will make them happy, you’ll notice more positivity. Then, your bond can strengthen, too, leading to improvement in all areas of your marriage.

11. I give my spouse the space to be an individual even as we grow together.

In a marriage, two people come together to live one life. Coming together in this way doesn’t mean you can each be an individual, though. Give your spouse the space they need to explore their hobbies and interests, and don’t discourage them.

Additionally, give your spouse space to spend time with their friends and loved ones without you always there. While you should be a part of these areas of your life, they should still have time to foster these areas of life alone. The same goes for you, as you should get the space to be an individual, too.

12. I am always working on strengthening our relationship.

If you ever feel yourself getting lazy in your relationship, this mantra is for you. By repeating this affirmation, you will remember to do things that strengthen your bond. You will be more aware of your behavior, body language, and tone, and you will recognize when you’re letting things slide.

Recognizing and addressing any issues in your attitude or effort can lead to a more positive marriage. Share this mantra with your spouse so that you can both consciously work on strengthening the relationship.

13. I forgive my spouse when they’ve made a mistake.

Everyone makes mistakes, and your partner isn’t exempt. They will mess up sometimes, do or say things they shouldn’t have, and seem thoughtless once in a while. When this happens, remember that it happens to you, too, because no one is perfect.

Give your partner grace and work on forgiving them when they mess up. If you can’t forgive them, then you will live in a constant state of tension and negativity. Work towards positivity, instead, by forgiving your spouse and moving forward together.

14. I support my spouse’s decisions.

Your spouse should have the freedom to make decisions for themselves without worrying about how you will react. If they want to change careers or make a life change, you should support that and be there for them. The same idea applies to smaller decisions, such as taking on a new hobby or not attending an event.

15. I am grateful for my spouse’s presence in my life.

When someone is a constant presence in your life, it can be easy to take them for granted. Use this mantra to help you practice gratitude for your spouse each day. With gratitude, you will feel more fulfilled, and your marriage will become more positive.

positive marriageFinal Thoughts on Mantras for Couples to Have a More Positive Marriage

Marriage isn’t always perfect, but you can work on making it better. By using mantras for a more positive union, you will improve all areas of your relationship. You and your spouse will become closer, your bond will strengthen, and you will both feel respected and fulfilled.

If you are happy with how your marriage is going, these positive marriage mantras can still help. A happy marriage requires constant work, so you must remember that it is worth every bit of it.

How to Disarm a Manipulator

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A key element to a happier life is being surrounded by a supportive and influential network of friends and acquaintances. Sometimes, though, we can mistake influencers with manipulators, and it can be hard to tell the difference.

It’s rare to find those who will invest time and energy into something that doesn’t have the potential for some personal gain. Like in business, we calculate the ROI (return on investment) for our friendships, maybe not in such a black and white way, but it happens.

A manipulator knows how to get what they need with little effort from themselves but at a high cost to others. They find ways to work around the system (or you) for their benefit, so even though your ROI is low, you still take the time to invest in the relationship.

Manipulators people spend a lot of time and energy creating an environment where they can control the outcome so others constantly meet their needs. The biggest problem of a manipulative relationship is that we often don’t even know it’s happening and allow it to continue.

Here are four ways to disarm a manipulator:

traits of manipulators

1 – Recognize the problem

It should come as no surprise that you must recognize there is a problem before you can solve it. The first sign of a problem is leaving an encounter with someone not feeling right and questioning the outcome. If you have questions and doubts about something you promised or agreed to, it might be time to start questioning the motives behind the request.

Here are some characteristics of manipulators:

  • Their needs take precedence over everyone else’s.
  • They expect you always to be available at a moment’s notice.
  • They are often in a crisis that requires immediate action.

Another key indicator of a manipulative relationship is when other friends notice the imbalance of the give and take with someone else. Please pay attention to the people around you and their opinions. It is often easier to see things from the outside looking in.

2 – Ask the manipulator a few questions

Part of a manipulative relationship is the never-ending demands put upon us. They are usually phrased so that we should feel privileged at the opportunity to help.

Because a manipulator thrives on control, it is helpful to remove some of that control by putting the focus back on them by asking questions. The right kind of questions can help make them aware of the one-sided value of the request and can signal that you are aware of their behavior. For example:

  • I see how this helps you. Can you help me understand how this benefits me?
  • Do I have a say in how this goes forward?
  • Does this seem like a reasonable request to you?
  • Does it seem fair to you that you ask me to do?

When you ask probing questions, you shine a light on their request’s true nature. If there is any self-awareness, they will usually see the situation for what it is and change the request or withdraw it altogether.

3 – Say “no” and stand firm

You can only control your actions. That is important because you will not be able to change the behavior of a manipulator, but you can stop being their victim. That happens when you start saying “no.”

We are manipulated because we allow it, and refusing to be controlled the first step in breaking the cycle. Manipulators are good at what they do, so pay attention to their responses. They are likely to say or do things that pull at the heartstrings. We should stand firm in our “no,” knowing that we are taking the first step towards freeing ourselves from their influence.

4 – Use time to your advantage

Manipulators are good at what they do and will have all sorts of responses to our objections. They also know their best opportunity to get us on board with their scheme is to get us to agree immediately. Instead of committing to the request, we can try using the time to our advantage.

“Let me get back to you.”

That one statement puts the power of the situation back in our court. It gives us the ability to assess the situation and find a reasonable and respectful way to decline if that is what we want to do.

We stay in a relationship for all sorts of reasons, but we should only stay in it if it serves us. And one of the ways our relationships do us is by us serving them. So while someone important might need more attention and help from us because of a significant life change, over time, the relationship honors the needs of everyone.

A manipulator doesn’t buy into this philosophy. Remember, it is okay to create boundaries and say “no” for our well-being. After all, we are better prepared to help others when we put ourselves first.

7 Signs of a Manipulator, According to Psychology

Manipulative people have an arsenal of tools in their belts to get what they want from others. They usually prey on the kind, empathetic people since they’re less likely to suspect malicious intent in others.

Manipulators will drain their unwitting victims of energy and dignity before moving on to their next target. They have no remorse and only see others as a means to an end rather than a human being that deserves respect.

Look out for these warning signs identified by psychiatrist Abigail Brenner, M.D., so that you don’t become snared in their clever traps.

manipulators shift blame

1.     They believe they’re always right.

A manipulator can’t view a situation from someone else’s perspective; to them, they’re right 100% of the time. They can only see the world through the lens of manipulation, so if they “win,” they see nothing wrong with their actions. Power, success, and ego are the only things that matter in their eyes, and they don’t care who they hurt in their schemes.

2. Manipulators don’t understand boundaries.

Or, maybe they do understand, but they choose not to respect others’ boundaries, feelings, and thoughts. They will trample and bulldoze anyone in their path to have their way. These people have tunnel vision, only able to focus on themselves and what makes them happy. They can’t see anything outside their limited perspective because that would involve empathy and vulnerability.

Since they lack these two traits, manipulators continually look out for #1, often at the expense of everyone else. They relentlessly pursue what they want, even disregarding physical or emotional boundaries.

3. They never take responsibility for their mistakes.

Manipulators will always blame other people and circumstances for any wrongdoings. They can never admit when they’ve made a poor decision because that would tarnish their image. They keep a guard up around people to maintain an air of aloofness and superiority. After all, if they keep their distance in relationships, it allows them to take advantage of others and move on after a while.

In a relationship, the manipulator will constantly shift blame to the other person when something goes wrong. This lack of accountability allows them to get what they want without feeling remorse.

They also don’t care about meeting anyone else’s needs because they see relationships as one-sided. As long as their needs have been met, everything’s peachy in their self-centered world.

4. Manipulators will shower you with praise and compliments (at first).

Manipulators hook you by “love bombing” at the beginning, giving you endless compliments. They know that they have to give a little something first to get what they want. They don’t mind doing this because it’s all just a part of their game. Sure, it takes effort, but reeling you in will give them far more in return.

So, watch out for anyone who seems overly friendly or charming. They may seem nice, but most of the time, they have underlying intentions. That’s not to say that everyone who gives compliments is a manipulator; there are plenty of kind-hearted people out there. It’s just a good idea to keep your guard around people until you get to know them a little better.

5. They try to create disharmony in relationships.

Another common tactic they use is called triangulation, which involves creating dynamics that increase jealousy and suspicion between you and others. For instance, they may badmouth your mother or father and try to create disharmony in your personal relationships. If they can isolate you from others, you won’t have any support system left to fall back on. Then, the manipulator can take full advantage of you in your weakest moment.

Be on the lookout for people who talk about others behind their back. They’ll do the same thing to you when you’re not around because they only have power by stealing it from others.

6. They don’t care about getting to know you.

When you’re trying to form a relationship with a manipulator, they will talk about themselves most of the time. Trying to explain yourself to them is like attempting to teach calculus to a toddler – they won’t get it. They won’t even try to understand because they simply don’t care. They see you as a means to an end, not a person with thoughts and feelings.

They prey on empathetic people since they’re not big on talking about themselves. The more the manipulator can put themselves in the spotlight, the better they can execute their plan. Self-centered people would go against their goals because they wouldn’t ever tolerate manipulation.

7. Manipulators will gaslight you so that you question reality.

Manipulators want you in a confused, vulnerable state because that makes you easier to control. So, they will distort your words and sow seeds of doubt, making it harder to distinguish between lies and truth. Eventually, you may not even know what’s happening because the manipulator has denied facts for so long.

So, watch out for people who try to twist your words and guilt trip you because they don’t have your best interest at heart. They only want to tear you down and strip away your sense of identity to gain power over you.

toxic peopleFinal Thoughts on Dealing With a Manipulator

Manipulators will use every trick up their sleeve to gain access to what they want. This usually involves lying, gaslighting, love bombing, and blaming others for mistakes. Manipulators and narcissists have a lot in common, as both only care about themselves in the long run. They get what they want from others by exerting dominance and preying on kind-hearted people.

So, to avoid being manipulated by others, learn to stand up for yourself and refuse to become someone else’s toy. You’re not obligated to do anything for others that you don’t feel comfortable with. Even if you consider yourself an empath, you can still set boundaries and say “no” to people who disrespect you.

Crew Rescues an Entangled Bottlenose Dolphin in Bali

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Crews working for the environmental organization 4Ocean came across a Bottlenose dolphin in Bali during their shift one afternoon. 4ocean employs crews all over the world to clear trash and plastic pollution in the oceans. Last November, the crew spotted something unusual during a routine cleanup mission.

The crew had their cleanup gear ready to begin work off the coast of Jembrana. Once they made it to a floating debris patch, they saw the Bottlenose dolphin entangled in the debris. As they got closer, they soon realized it was a life-or-death situation. The heavy debris kept dragging the dolphin underwater, and it struggled to breathe.

“Our team in Bali, Indonesia, came across a Bottlenose dolphin that was entangled on a fishing line on the brink of drowning. They quickly jumped into action and were able to free this dolphin from all the entangled fishing line and safely release it back into the ocean,” CEO of 4ocean Alex Schulze said.

The bottlenose dolphin escaped thanks to the dedicated 4ocean crew.

The desperate dolphin fought for its life with a fishing line wrapped tightly around its mouth. While cleaning up trash, the crew pulled the dolphin onto their boat to help free it. They took a small pair of scissors to cut the lines wrapped around the dolphin’s mouth, body, and tail. The crew also removed several fishing hooks embedded in the animal’s body.

The Bottlenose dolphin appeared to have cut from the fishing gear, but they weren’t severe enough to keep it from swimming. The animal also had other injuries, likely caused by a shark, but it wasn’t around any longer. After removing the fishing line and ensuring the dolphin’s injuries weren’t life-threatening, the crew released it back into the ocean. The team watched as the dolphin swam away happily, finally free from the fishing line’s grip.

“We’re incredibly proud of our cleanup teams, not only in Bali, Indonesia but all around the world, that can have an impact on the amount of plastic that’s in the ocean, as well as any animals that may be entangled in this debris,” Alex said.

bottlenose dolphinPlastic pollution and other debris affects all marine life

Upon freeing the Bottlenose dolphin, the crew began cleaning up plastic and other trash in the area. They determined that the fishing line and rods entangled the dolphin was used to catch layur fish. The fishing line measured about 82 feet and weighed nearly 7 pounds. It’s easy to see how that could’ve drowned the poor dolphin.

Discarded fishing gear accounts for around 10% of all plastic debris scattered across the oceans. Marine animals like whales, dolphins, sea turtles, fish, seabirds, and marine mammals get caught in them each year. Unfortunately, not all of them escape. In 2018 alone, ‘ghost fishing gear’ killed up to 650,000 marine animals worldwide.

The WWF reports on other consequences of abandoned fishing gear:

  • Entanglement of ingestion of plastic debris affects 557 marine species, up from 267 since 1997. Ghost gear harms 66% of marine mammals, 50% of seabirds, and all 7 species of marine turtles.
  • Each year, lost gear around the world includes 5.7 percent of all fishing nets, 8.6 percent of traps and pots, and 29 percent of all fishing lines.
  • In the Gulf of California near Mexico, illegal and abandoned gillnets have nearly caused the extinction of the vaquita porpoise – only around ten remain.
  • Ghost gear doesn’t just harm marine species; it also affects their habitats. Additionally, it damages coral, and other vegetation causes sediment build-up, and inhibits access to important ecosystems.
  • It takes about 600-800 years for fishing nets to decompose, on average.

In Bali, many dolphin species receive special protection, so fishers can’t hunt them. However, they still can get trapped in abandoned fishing gear, which occurs quite often. Thankfully, Bali’s maritime authorities have taught local fishers to release any entangled dolphins. While this can help to save marine life, it won’t completely solve the problem.

It’s clear that the fishing industry needs stricter regulations to reduce plastic pollution from fishing gear. The World Animal Protection says governments should set guidelines for marking fishing gear. Also, laws obligating fishers to retrieve and report lost gear should be better enforced.

The organization launched the Global Ghost Gear Initiative to achieve these goals, which calls for governments and organizations to collaborate on the issue. Together, they will share data, resources, and educational material in addition to coordinating search efforts. So far, 16 governments have joined the initiative, marking a huge step in the right direction.

Marco Lambertini, General Director of WWF International, said:

“This is a global problem which requires coordinated action across the world, which is why WWF urges governments and businesses to support the establishment of a new global UN treaty on plastic pollution that sets out global goals and binding targets for both land- and marine-based plastic pollution, which in turn can help drive robust local regulation of ghost gear. We must stop ghost gear from decimating marine life and drowning the ocean we all depend on once and for all.”

Hopefully, governments around the world will get on board with the initiative to enforce stricter fishing laws. Ensuring fishing operations clean up their gear will make a positive impact on both the oceans and marine life.

bottlenose dolphinFinal Thoughts: Crew rescues an entangled Bottlenose dolphin in Bali

While working in Bali, a 4ocean crew spotted a Bottlenose dolphin entangled in fishing lines. They immediately sprang into action, using scissors and a knife to cut the dolphin loose. The crew was thankful to have helped the beautiful creature, but not all animals get so lucky.

Hundreds of thousands of marine life die from being entangled in fishing debris each year. ‘Ghost fishing gear’ also harms their habitat and makes it difficult to access the ecosystems. Environmental organizations have called on governments to enforce stricter laws regarding fishing gear. Hopefully, this will make commercial fisherman clean up their act and make the oceans safer for marine animals.

Science Reveals that Fetal Cells Remain in Mothers Long After Pregnancy

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Scientists confirm that mothers and children share a biological connection known as fetal-maternal microchimerism. This means that a developing baby’s cells travel into the mother’s bloodstream and circulate back to the baby. The term microchimerism comes from the word chimera, mythical creatures made from various animals in ancient Greek mythology.

In biology, it means “an organism containing a mixture of genetically different tissues.” In a way, we’re all chimeras since our DNA comes from both our mothers and fathers.

We know that pregnant mothers pass nutrients and DNA through the placenta to their unborn children. However, scientists have also found a child’s genetic material in mothers long after pregnancy, even decades later.

The evidence scientists discovered

fetal cellsScientists have found evidence that all pregnant women possess some of their child’s fetal cells and DNA. In fact, up to 6% of free-floating DNA in the mother’s blood plasma comes from the fetus. While these numbers decline after the baby is born, some cells remain in the mother. In the 1990s, a team of researchers from Tufts Medical Center found male fetal cells in a mother’s blood 27 years postpartum.

These fetal cells can act like stem cells, morphing into different cell types to help repair damage in their mothers’ organs. The cells can influence a mother’s long-term health and explain why prior pregnancy can protect women against diseases like breast cancer.

This suggests that even before birth, babies have an innate instinct to survive. By looking out for their mother’s health, it ensures the baby can develop safely. Fetal microchimerism also helps the mother heal from potentially deadly diseases. Scientists have found that stem cells can develop into epithelial cells, specialized heart cells, liver cells, and even neurons.

However, while fetal cells can enhance a mother’s health, a 2015 study found that microchimerism can also negatively affect. Arizona State University researchers discovered that the cells could act cooperatively or competitively, depending on the circumstance. They’ve been linked to protection and increased risk of many diseases, such as cancer and autoimmune disorders.

How fetal microchimerism impacts a mother’s health

This phenomenon can be found across mammal species, such as in dogs, mice, and cows. Scientists have just begun to understand this alien concept and how it impacts both mother and baby. When the ASU scientists reviewed published studies on fetal microchimerism, they discovered the true complexity of fetal cells.

For the study, they applied an evolutionary framework to predict the behavior of fetal cells. This would help them understand when the cells benefited the mother and led to adverse effects. They found that fetal cells don’t just migrate to maternal tissues; they also act as placenta outside the womb. The cells redirect essential nutrients and genetic material from the mother to the developing fetus.

How it works

In short, there’s a constant tug-of-war between the mother’s and child’s interests. There’s also a mutual desire to survive, which requires cooperation between the baby and mother. The mother passes vital nutrients to her baby, and the fetus passes DNA to the maternal system.

If fetal microchimerism benefits maternal and offspring survival in most instances, it will become part of evolutionary adaptation. The review of existing data found that fetal cells have a cooperative relationship with maternal tissues in some cases. In other instances, the fetal cells compete for resources, or they may exist as neutral entities. Scientists believe that the cells likely play all of these roles in various situations.

For instance, fetal cells may lead to immune responses and even autoimmunity if the mother recognizes them as foreign bodies. They may explain the increased autoimmunity rates in women. For example, rheumatoid arthritis occurs three times as often in women as men.

Fetal microchimerism can also benefit the mother, even helping heal wounds from caesarian incisions. This shows that fetal cells play an active role in repairing tissues in the mother. However, the cells may also enter a mother’s bloodstream and act as bystanders, neither helping nor harming the mother.

The complex nature of fetal microchimerism

The authors used a cooperation and conflict approach to help predict fetal cells’ positive or negative influence on mothers. This gave them more insight into the circumstances causing cells to cooperate or compete for resources.

According to evolutionary theory, the fetal cells will cooperate when the cost doesn’t outweigh the risk, such as tissue maintenance. However, competition is the likely outcome in situations where limited resources must be allocated between the fetus and mother. This conflict may cause harmful effects for both mother and baby.

Researchers observed the tug-of-war relationship in the fetal cells in female breasts, for instance. The cells have been detected in the breasts of over half of the women sampled. Fetal microchimerism plays an active role in breast development and lactation. While milk production ensures the baby’s survival, it also takes a lot of energy from the mother.

Scientists have found that poor lactation, a common occurrence, may stem from low fetal cell count in breast tissue. Testing fetal count in breast milk could provide concrete evidence of fetal cells’ impact on maternal health.

The relationship between breast cancer and fetal cells is also a complicated matter. Scientists found that women with breast cancer tend to have a lower fetal cell count. However, some data shows that fetal cells may increase breast cancer risk for several years after a woman gives birth.

Finally, fetal cells may also impact a woman’s thyroid function. Fetal cells have been found more frequently in the blood and thyroid glands of women with thyroid diseases, including Hashimoto’s, Graves’ disease, and thyroid cancer. The study authors believe that a women’s immune system may overact when controlling fetal cell influence. This could lead to high levels of autoimmunity and inflammation, contributing to autoimmune disease.

fetal cellsFinal Thoughts: Fetal cells affect a mother’s health during pregnancy and beyond

Fetal cells can travel into a mother’s bloodstream and circulate back to the baby, also known as fetal-maternal microchimerism. This phenomenon has been observed in all placental mammals. However, scientists are just beginning to unravel the complicated relationship between a mother and her developing fetus.

It’s clear that researchers will need to continue studying fetal microchimerism, as it’s a highly complex topic. They hope that future studies will lead to improvements in diagnosing conditions and predicting long-term maternal health.

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