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Experts Reveal 6 Powerful Ways To Turn Your Weaknesses Into Strengths

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Weaknesses are a part of what makes us human. You likely have a fairly balanced list of strengths, weaknesses, and learned skills, and maybe you’ve come to terms with that.

But what if you found out that some of your weaknesses could actually be giant assets in your road to success? What if you could flip over your negative traits and make them not just positive, but instrumental to your goals? Here’s how experts reveal 6 powerful ways to turn your weaknesses into strengths.

1.    Acknowledge Both Weaknesses and Strengths – And Accept Them Both

In order to better something, you must acknowledge that it exists and needs improvement. Global analytics and advice firm Gallup defines a “weakness” as anything that can affect your chances of success. These weaknesses can reduce your potential when you completely ignore them.

Essentially, you need self-awareness if you’re going to move forward with your life. That awareness ensures you can acknowledge both weaknesses and strengths with clarity.

weaknessesAccording to Gallup, here are some of the biggest obstacles to self-awareness:

  • Being unable to see your weaknesses or how those weaknesses affect you and your life
  • Considering weaknesses more crucial to develop while ignoring strengths
  • Claiming to have strengths that are not actually possessed, or overstating existing strengths
  • Reacting negatively, defensively, or protectively when confronted with areas of weakness

This is why it’s so crucial to properly acknowledge your weaknesses and your strengths while appreciating the truth about them. You need to know what you’re good at, what you’re bad at, and why each skill is valuable to you in some way.

Further classifying your weaknesses is also helpful. You may have a weakness that occurs because it is the opposite side of the same coin as a strength. You may also have a weakness that occurs due to a lack of experience or incomplete honing of that ability. By segregating your weaknesses into these categories, you’ll know how to go about addressing them.

A word of caution

Still, do this in moderation. Many people feel the pressure to improve on things they’re not great at, often focusing on the negative over the positive. But the fact is that it’s not really possible to be good at everything. When you focus on only weakness and ignore your strengths, you end up:

  • Meeting a lot of resistance, frustration, and negativity with nothing positive to balance it out
  • Achieving mediocrity at best when you are not selective about the weaknesses you want to improve
  • Creating a toxic environment in your brain that is trained to see only your bad sides and never notice anything good about yourself
  • Losing positive thinking regarding your abilities, meaning you have a lower chance of actually bringing your weaknesses up to the level of strengths
  • Believing that weaknesses should develop with the same speed and progress levels as strengths, even though in reality, things you’re not talented in will take more work

While it’s powerful to take weaknesses and flip them on their head, it’s equally important to understand that not all weaknesses need to be focused on. You should not lose sight of your current strengths in favor of improving your weaknesses, so work on both of them in even tandem!

2.    Put Your Weaknesses On A “To-Do” List

Weaknesses are completely possible to change – that is, if you put the effort into doing so! For many people, it can be tough to not just confront weaknesses but commit to changing them. Instead of leaving them as abstract items, put them on a to-do list of improvement goals.

Josh Waitzkin, the author of “The Art of Learning: A Journey in the Pursuit of Excellence” and a Tai-Chi and chess master, talks about how this to-do list can help you achieve what success truly is. He explains that it is a mix of:

  • Enjoying the learning process
  • Investing in each loss
  • Never thinking of a fixed world
  • Embracing an organic process
  • Embracing a long-term learning effort
  • Get out of mediocrity and comfort zones

This is known as a “growth mindset”, which is the opposite of the common fixed mindset. A fixed mindset would involve seeing yourself as an unchangeable entity with relatively static strengths and weaknesses. For example, if you have a fixed mindset, you might say:

  • I don’t think I can achieve that because I’m bad at time management.
  • That sounds great, but I can’t reach that level due to my lack of skill.
  • I’ll probably pass on that opportunity because I know I’m not equipped to handle it.

On the other hand, a growth mindset is much more positive. It embraces. The idea that you can and will continue to learn and grow throughout your life, often in dramatic ways. Remember, you’re your own worst enemy, and you’re the only person standing between your current self and your goals for the future. Embrace a growth mindset and move forward with your to-do list!

3.    Engage In Deliberate Practice

Deliberate practice is one of the most effective ways to help your learning curve become more efficient and effective, with overall positive effects on your rate of understanding. Anders Ericsson, a psychologist, describes this kind of practice as episodes or pockets of time involving intense concentration in relatively real conditions to practice a specific skill.

According to Albert Bandura, another psychologist, this act of deliberate practice benefits even more from something called “guided mastery”. Guided mastery is the act of pairing deliberate practice with instant constructive feedback, which dramatically speeds up your skill acquisition. Bandura believes that emotional barriers of all kinds can be overcome this way.

Deliberate practice sounds simple, but don’t forget one of its most important factors: discrete skill. This requires the act of focusing on one very specific part of a skill you’re trying to learn and honing in your practice on that specific element. Once you’re satisfied with that element, you can move on to the next!

pop meme4.    Surround Yourself With People Of Strength

In life, it’s not really possible to completely go it alone. So don’t! There are so many people in the world with abilities and strengths from all sorts of perspectives. Peers who challenge you are ones that can help you turn your weaknesses into strengths. Here are some tips for making this happen:

·         Get To Know The Strengths Of Others

When you view other people by their strengths, you unlock a different way of looking at the world, says Centre of Applied Positive Psychology founding director Dr. Alex Linley. This method allows you to appreciate people by what they can do over the weaknesses you have likely already noticed by now. It teaches you to value the mix of ups and downs that each person comes with and shows you the importance of a diverse mix of strengths and weaknesses in a team. Why is this important? Because it transforms your understanding of your own strengths and weaknesses, too.

·         Learn From People Of Strength

By surrounding yourself with capable individuals, you are able to learn from them. If you have a weakness in a certain field, being around someone strong in that field lets you learn from their abilities. They can be your mentors – both officially and unofficially! It’s a wonderful way to learn and is called “observational learning” by experts.

·         Don’t Be Afraid To Rely On The Strengths Of Others

It is simply not possible to be good at everything. Author and public speaker Dave Rendall states that we’re raised with the idea that having someone help us with something we’re bad at is a negative act. It’s a way of thinking we carry into adulthood, but it’s false. There is simply no way to do it all yourself. There are some weaknesses you may never be able to hone. So learn when to ask for help from those with strengths you lack. Build a team of people who can help each other out and cover each other’s backs and your weaknesses will become the things that help you work with other strong people!

5.    Think Of Weaknesses As Blindspots – And Then Try To Face Them

Sometimes, weaknesses are located in places you simply can’t see or think about. That’s why you need to listen closely to constructive criticism and ask for feedback from people you trust and respect. “Leadership Blindspots: How Successful Leaders Identify and Overcome the Weaknesses That Matter” author Robert Bruce Shaw explains that there are many possible reasons for blindspots, including:

  • Misaligned incentives
  • Gaps in experiences
  • Emotional biases

Shaw states that it’s important to accept that blindspots are inevitable. When you accept this, you can stay aware of them and learn to manage them without becoming complacent. Not sure how to find your blindspots? Here are some ways to get started in looking:

  • Seek advice from people that you know are skilled, trustworthy, or respectable
  • Self-reflect on your actions and behavior, then check in with yourself regularly
  • Be your own devil’s advocate; argue with yourself and look for flaws in your statements, logic, and beliefs
  • Set up an agreement with a peer to check in with each other on your respective weakness blindspots

6.    Look For All The Possibilities

Some people try to rush from identifying a weakness to leaping straight to the most obvious solution to it. But by doing this, you’re skipping a very important step that could provide you with valuable and much-needed insight.

Before you begin embarking on a path to an obvious solution, take the time to list out all the possibilities. Don’t overthink them – just write whatever comes to mind, then read over your list and make notes and changes. Don’t be afraid of sounding silly or weird. This is your private list!

Eventually, you’ll find some great possibilities you may have missed earlier. Need some help? Try asking yourself the following questions:

  • What is causing this weakness?
  • What are ways the weakness can be improved?
  • What are things you’re doing now that are counter-productive?
  • What strengths do you have that can fight this weakness?

weaknessesFinal Thoughts On Some Powerful Ways To Turn Your Weaknesses Into Strengths

You can’t avoid having weaknesses. What’s important is learning to pick out ones to work on and find ways to improve on them in powerful ways. Who knows? Maybe a glaring weakness of yours will turn into one of your great strengths in a couple of years with hard work and positive thinking!

15 Red Flags That Someone is Delusional (and How to Help)

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Dealing with a delusional person can be alarming. You don’t want to wait until the person is in the middle of a serious delusion to learn about this disorder. Knowing the signs can help you recognize when an episode is coming to be better prepared to help the person.

Furthermore, handling the person in the wrong way can make matters worse. This article will tell you everything you need to know about this scary disorder, red flags you should watch out for, and what to do when suffering from the disorder.

15 Signs of a Delusional Person

Watch for these signs that someone needs help.

1. The obvious delusion.

delusionalYou may be trying your best to convince them that what they’re claiming isn’t real, but despite your best efforts, they won’t believe you. In fact, they may be putting forth their best efforts to make you believe them. Strangely, they can be quite convincing, and at some point, you may entertain the idea that they might be right.

Of course, recognizing this red flag requires you to know for certain that what they’re saying isn’t true. When a person is claiming things that could occur, it’s hard to know up front that it’s a delusion. You might believe that someone stole something from them. After all, theft happens all the time.

2. Irritable mood.

Understandably, a person suffering from delusions would be in a foul mood. In their head, they’re suffering from something. This can cause their emotions to be all over the place.

Even worse, no one believes them, so they’re suffering alone. If you put yourself in their shoes, you can see how this can be irritating. Their delusions may not be real, but the effects of the delusions are.

3. Hallucinations.

At first, delusions and hallucinations may seem like the same thing, but there is a big difference. Delusions are more idealistic – the person thinks something is wrong. Hallucinations are visual. The person sees something that’s not there. Think of delusions as the disease and hallucinations as a symptom.

4. Negative or antagonistic behavior.

People who are suffering from delusions may appear to behave negatively or aggressively. They may harass people, be constantly argumentative, protest something aggressively, or even be interruptive. There are many ways that a delusional person may display negative behavior.

5. Self-inflicted wounds.

If you notice a person seems to have many wounds from scratching themselves or possibly even cutting themselves, this is a big red flag. People who suffer from delusions can sometimes think that there are “things” on their skin or under their skin. They injure themselves to get these things out or off them.

6. Unfounded accusations.

People who suffer from delusions often accuse those around them of things that didn’t really happen. They’ll think that a romantic partner is cheating on them, that friends are making fun of them, that strangers are stalking them, or other untrue scenarios. The person may lash out due to these made-up scenarios in their heads. These accusations can make social bonds vulnerable for people who don’t recognize the delusional behavior.

7. Claims of constantly being sick.

Claims of illness is one of the most popular symptoms of people suffering from delusions. In fact, it’s so common that it has a medical name – somatic disorder. It’s sometimes confused with hypochondriasis.

These two mentioned issues are similar, but there is one characteristic that sets them apart from each other. According to an entry from the Encyclopedia of Human Behavior (Second Edition), 2012, for this type of mental illness to be classified as a somatic delusion, the person must be suffering from tactile or olfactory hallucinations associated with the delusion. For example, they believe they have a foul odor coming from their body, that they are infested with parasites, or that their body is deformed in some way.

schizophrenic8. Belief that they are a significant person.

Everyone is important, but people suffering from delusions may think that they are significant to society in some form or fashion. For example, they may think they’re Jesus incarnate or that they’ve discovered something more valuable and important than anything ever discovered in the world.

At first, it may not be evident that the person is suffering from a delusion. They may seem obnoxiously motivated to accomplish some far-reaching dream. A great example is when Kanye West announced his intent to run for President in 2020.

9. They won’t take no for an answer from their crush.

People suffering from this type of delusion will make updates and details of a relationship with their crush. You may believe them at first, thinking that they’re in the perfect relationship, but after a while, you’ll notice that this crush is never around. They may even go so far as buying themselves gifts and telling others that their crush bought the gift.

10. Beliefs that people are out to get them.

A delusional person may feel like people are out to get them or plotting against them. It’s similar to schizophrenia, but there are subtle differences. People suffering from delusions tend to have a “milder” form of delusions than those with schizophrenia People with delusions can function normally while people with schizophrenia may be impaired.

This ability to function normally while having a delusion can make it seem like there is really someone out to get them. However, once you realize that no one is out to get them, it will become evident that they are suffering from a delusion.

11. Incessant gambling habits.

This refers to someone who believes that certain numbers, colors, seats, and more are lucky. The beliefs themselves aren’t the delusion – there are plenty of gamblers who believe that putting pennies on the table is bad luck or that a certain number is their lucky number. According to observations from Bovada Sports experts, the delusion comes in when the person thinks it’s more than luck – that it’s real. That pennies really are bad luck. They live their life by it, and you can’t tell them otherwise.

12. Making constant complaints to authorities.

A person suffering from a persecutory delusion may make constant complaints that they are being harassed or persecuted. They may think someone is after them, that some company needs to be sued because that company is ruining their life, or that they are the victim of some false misfortune. No matter how much you try to convince them that the incident in question didn’t occur, they won’t believe you even if you have evidence.

13. Dismissing facts as if you never said them.

When you’re trying to convince a delusional person that what they’re experiencing isn’t true, they may skip over what you said as if you never said it. It’s almost like their brain is blocking the truth from processing. You can tell them that no one is after them, and they’ll respond with something like, “we need to arm ourselves.”

You may find yourself repeating what you said, but they seem like they aren’t absorbing it. This is a clear sign that they are experiencing a delusion.

14. They gravitate towards people who share their delusions.

It’s hard enough to deal with one delusional person but imagine if you had to deal with two or three! A person suffering from delusions will gravitate towards another person suffering from delusions because that person believes them. It makes them feel less alone. Unfortunately, this can also make the delusion worse.

15. They have anger issues.

Many people have anger issues, but a delusional person will have anger issues causally related to the delusion. They could display explosive anger, especially when someone tries to stand in the way of their delusion. The person rarely gets violent, but their behavior can sometimes get out of control.

delusionalFinal Thoughts on Delusions and How You Can Help Someone Who Suffers from Them

At some point, the person will need professional psychological help. However, you can take steps to help them at home or in their daily life. The first thing you need to do is be patient. Keep in mind that these delusions are very real to the person suffering from them, so it’s important to be patient, calm, and understanding.

According to the British Columbia Schizophrenia Society, the worst thing you can do is challenge or disprove the delusion. This will only create mistrust, and then you won’t be able to help the person.

Reassure them of their safety if that’s relevant to their delusion, and try to get them to verbalize what they’re feeling. However, don’t be the first to bring up the delusion if they aren’t experiencing it at that time.

If the person is in immediate danger of harming themselves, get help right away. Otherwise, assess the intensity and frequency of their delusions over time. See if you can identify any triggers. This information will be helpful when the person seeks out professional help for their delusions.

Please don’t treat them like they’re crazy. Above all, listen if they need someone to talk to. Sometimes they’ll drop the subject on their own. Other times you may need to redirect their focus.

Just remember that this delusion is real to them, so be their support system as if the delusion was real. It may seem dishonest to do this, but it’s the best way to help a delusional person without making matters worse.

Meet a Pair of Golden Retrievers Who Will Brighten Your Day

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Have you ever met a Golden Retriever you didn’t like? We didn’t think so! This pair of Golden Retrievers will put an end to all your sorrows and remind you of what makes life beautiful. Dogs add so much joy to life and have a way of making everything okay again. Here is Henry and Luke’s story.

They both live in North Carolina with their dad and mom, Anastasia. They’ve become the best of friends over the years and make people all over the world smile daily. Henry is an English Cream Golden Retriever, so his coat is much lighter than his brother’s. Luke is a Classic American Golden, so his coat is the typical tan color. Henry is three years old, and Luke is two.

 

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The golden retrievers were not best friends at first

According to their Instagram, it took around 6 months for Henry and Luke to get used to each other. Their parents helped them bond by taking them on walks together and giving them toys to play with. Anastasia made sure to still allow them alone time with her and her husband as well. She said they now get along wonderfully but still fight like brothers sometimes!

“They are absolutely best friends, but they’re actually very different as far as their personalities,” Anastasia says. “Henry is our protective watchdog. He is the sneaky one who likes to get into trouble. He’s overall very laid-back and loves to cuddle with us on the couch.”

 

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Luke is pretty much the polar opposite of Henry. He has tons of energy and is very playful. One of his favorite activities is playing fetch for hours on end. Henry, on the other hand, never seems to want to play fetch! However, their different personalities help balance each other out, and maybe that’s why they get along so well.

“I say we have the best of both worlds.”

Anastasia says that she and her husband don’t have kids of their own yet, so Henry and Luke are their fur children. They spoil them and shower them with love, and their dogs follow them wherever they go. Anastasia says she can’t even go to the bathroom without one of the dogs following her! They can’t stand to be apart from their parents for even a second.

 

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These golden retrievers give their family love

“It’s a very special, pure, unconditional love that we have for them. I really didn’t understand what that was like since they are my first dogs I’ve ever had. They have taught me to just be in the moment, and, you know, don’t stress, go with the flow.”

Dogs have a way of teaching us those important lessons about life. While most of us worry about the trivial matters of life, dogs seem just to ground us in the present. We can enjoy the simple things with them again and remember not to let life bury our happiness. Golden Retrievers are some of the best dogs to learn from, as they always seem happy and carefree!

Perhaps their loving, fun, playful demeanor makes them one of the world’s most popular dogs. They make wonderful family pets and can adapt easily to any situation. They will also help you get in shape, as they need tons of exercise to burn off all that energy!

Some of their favorite activities include walking on the beach, hiking in nature, and swimming in the backyard pool. They also enjoy being lazy on the couch and eating snacks their parents give them (like Starbucks puppacinos!) The pair of Golden Retrievers live life to the fullest and bring so much happiness to their parents. From their pictures, it seems they have an endless supply of love to offer.

 

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Final thoughts on these terrific golden retrievers

“It’s amazing how beneficial dogs are for your mental health. Especially these last few months being in quarantine, it’s been great having them there, providing that comfort.”

Henry and Luke don’t only help their mom and dad, though – they seem to make an impact on many people worldwide.

“It’s amazing to not only see the joy that they bring us, but also the joy that they bring so many people. I get messages on their Instagram from people all over the world telling me that Henry and Luke just make their day and make them smile,” Anastasia says. “That makes me happy, being able to spread that joy to others because they definitely lift me up when I’m having a bad day.”

Dogs truly are a man’s best friend, and you won’t find a more loyal dog than a Golden Retriever. They’re intelligent, sweet, easy to get along with, and have so much playful energy. While they may shed a lot, it’s a small price to pay for unconditional love. We hope their story brought a smile to your face! No matter what happens in the world, at least we have dogs to keep our hearts full.

Pica Disorder: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

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When you see someone eating or craving non food items or other strange things, it’s likely a pica disorder. They will crave substances with little to no nutritional value, and often the things they eat are not fit for human consumption.

While pica disorder is hard to understand, learning the causes and symptoms can help you identify it. Plus, learning why someone craves strange, unhealthy things can help you understand that person better. Once you can identify the symptoms, you will know when to get help and start treatment for pica disease.

This disorder typically occurs in children and pregnant women, but it is becoming more common in men, too. It also occurs in people with intellectual disabilities, and it is more severe and long-lasting for this group.

Pica disorder is dangerous, but you can help yourself or someone else overcome it. Getting pica treatment will be life-changing, and it can potentially save a life.

What Is Pica Disorder?

pica disorderAccording to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, pica is a psychological disturbance. Pica is an eating disorder that causes people to consume substances with little nutritional value and severely harm the body.

People that suffer from this disorder might consume strange things for more than one month straight. Additionally, the person must be old enough to understand that the substance is unfit for human consumption. If these two things apply, then the ailment can be described as a Pica disorder.

What Are the Symptoms of Pica Disorder?

The symptoms of pica vary, but most occur due to consuming toxins, poisonous content, and bacteria. Some of the symptoms include:

  • stomach pain or abdominal cramping
  • nausea
  • constipation or diarrhea
  • stomach ulcers
  • blood in the stool
  • symptoms of lead poisoning
  • infections
  • behavioral problems
  • fatigue
  • symptoms of poor nutrition
  • problems at work or in school
  • bloating

What Are the Causes of Pica Disorder?

So far, there are no direct causes of pica, but there are some direct correlations involved. Some of the things that cause or trigger pica include:

  • emotional trauma
  • family issues related to abuse or neglect
  • pregnancy cravings
  • vitamin and mineral deficiencies
  • anemia or low red blood cells
  • anxiety
  • mental health conditions such as schizophrenia or obsessive-compulsive disorder
  • developmental disorders and intellectual disabilities
  • suffering from hunger
  • stress

What Do People with Pica Disorder Eat?

People that struggle with pica might ingest:

  • dirt
  • clay
  • paper
  • sand
  • chalk
  • animal or human feces
  • paint chips
  • ice
  • gum
  • shampoo, soap, or detergent
  • hair
  • plants, flowers, or grass
  • talcum powder
  • wool
  • cloth
  • string or yarn
  • rubber bands
  • small toys
  • rocks
  • cigarette butts or ashes
  • wood
  • metal
  • glass
  • caulk
  • paint
  • drywall
  • deodorant
  • perfume
  • baby powder
  • buttons
  • glue
  • chalk

What Are the Complications Associated with Pica Disorder?

After continually eating substances that aren’t fit for human consumption, the person can experience complications, including:

  • hairballs in the stomach or digestive tract
  • poisoning
  • parasitic infections
  • blockages in the digestive tract
  • choking
  • learning disabilities
  • brain damage
  • nutritional deficiencies
  • tears in the esophagus or intestine lining
  • bacterial infections
  • kidney or liver damage
  • injuries to the teeth

pica disorderHow Is Pica Disorder Diagnosed?

Pica disorder is typically only diagnosed if someone consumes a strange substance for at least one month. The person has to be over the age of two because children younger than that don’t fully understand that they shouldn’t eat some things. Plus, a person can’t get diagnosed if they are consuming substances for religious or cultural practices.

When a doctor diagnoses you, one of the things they consider is the severity of your condition. For a diagnosis, the strange eating disorder must cause a need for physical or psychological medical attention. Typically, people don’t receive the diagnosis until they land themselves in the hospital due to a complication.

Eating non-edible things does not automatically command this diagnosis. So, someone that nibbles on soap, grass or other weird things occasionally won’t receive a pica diagnosis. If the occasional taste becomes an irresistible craving or urge, a doctor will likely work toward a diagnosis.

There isn’t a specific test for pica, but doctors have a few methods to help reach a diagnosis. The patient must be honest with the doctor about which items they ate and the amount they consumed.

Honesty will help with the accuracy of a diagnosis, and if the patient is unable to provide this information, the doctor might want reports from family members.

Your doctor might check your blood to look for low zinc or iron levels. They will also use the bloodwork to determine if there is poison in the bloodstream. In some cases, they will request a stool sample to check for intestinal bleeding or damage.

The patient may also need an X-ray or other imaging tests to determine if there is an intestinal blockage. Additionally, the doctor will do tests to look for parasites or bacteria, and they will evaluate weight loss.

A doctor will likely evaluate the patient for other disorders, too. If intellectual or developmental disabilities or obsessive-compulsive disorder are the culprits, addressing those issues is essential.

How Is Pica Disorder Treated?

Pica disorder is complicated to treat, but it is possible after a diagnosis. Since the diagnosis typically only comes when emergency treatment is necessary, it increases the severity of the issues. Because of this, the treatment options change for each case.

Additionally, the treatment options vary based on the underlying cause of the disorder. Someone with a mineral deficiency will receive much different treatment than those with a mental illness. If a mental illness is a cause, the most important treatment for pica is counseling and behavioral therapies.

Before treating the underlying cause of pica, though, the doctor will treat any complications. If they believe your pica is caused by nutrient imbalance, the doctor will likely prescribe mineral or vitamin supplements.

If the patient has lead poisoning from eating paint chips, the doctor might prescribe chelation therapy. This type of therapy involves taking medication that binds with lead, allowing excretion of lead through urine. The medication can be taken orally or through an IV.

A doctor will also treat the symptoms of pica, which differ based on the substances consumed. The doctor might prescribe medications for constipation or diarrhea, or they might treat stomach ulcers. Antibiotic treatment will be used to treat infections, and other treatment options will be suggested for other symptoms.

What Is the Outlook for People with Pica Disorders?

Pica sometimes goes away after a few months, even without treatment. Otherwise, you must treat the underlying cause of the disorder if you want a positive outlook. Once you address the underlying cause, it should ease and eliminate the symptoms.

The treatment success rate varies depending on underlying causes, complications, and severity. Since all cases of pica are different, the doctor will discuss the expected outcome for each specific case. Managing the disorder is essential for the best possible situation.

If a child with pica receives a medical assessment and behavioral evaluation, their outcome is more successful. These options can help them overcome the issue quicker and more effectively than others.

Children with pica tend to outgrow it as they age, and it gradually improves over time. If the child has a mental illness or developmental disability, it could continue into their teenage years and adulthood. Unfortunately, pica sometimes doesn’t go away and can last for years, especially for those with disabilities.

Can Pica Disorder Be Prevented?

There isn’t a specific way to prevent pica, but there are some methods that can work. Paying close attention to eating habits can help because it promotes a connection between the mind and body. When you think about what you’re eating, it helps meet nutrient intake goals, possibly limiting the desire to eat other things.

Another way to prevent pica is by closely supervising children that tend to put things in their mouth. By watching closely, you can help catch and reverse the disorder before complications arise. Without complications, the disorder will be easier to treat before it gets out of hand.

For children, it is also wise to keep non-food items out of their reach if they are known to eat strange things. By keeping these items out of reach, the child can break this habit before it becomes a severe disorder.

Additionally, ensuring proper nutrition every day can prevent a desire to consume strange substances. Since pica often stems from a lack of nutrition, a person might be less likely to eat unfit things for human consumption. Eating metal, for example, might point to mineral deficiencies. If the person never misses out on essential nutrients, the disorder is less likely to develop at all.

pica disorderFinal Thoughts on Pica Disorder: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

Pica can affect anyone, so make sure that you remember the causes and symptoms. Knowing the causes of pica can help prevent, and recognizing the symptoms can help with a diagnosis. Treatment options vary based on the substance consumed, the severity, and the underlying cause.

Whether you consume non-food items or someone in your life does, it is essential to begin treatment. The sooner treatment begins, the better the outcome will be. If treatment begins before complications arise, it can be less invasive and easier to overcome.

4 Ways to Help Someone Prevent Compassion Fatigue

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Compassion fatigue is a bit of a misnomer, and its name means many people don’t understand it as well as they should. It can sometimes be looked at as a selfish thing to experience, as feeling “tired” from caring for other people can sound like a negative and self-absorbed thing to feel.

But that’s not what compassion fatigue is, and thinking of it in this manner can be harmful. It’s a severe problem, and it needs to be addressed and prevented with specific steps, especially if you’re at risk. Here are the answers to what compassion fatigue is and how to avoid it.

Defining Compassion Fatigue

Compassion fatigue refers to a condition caused by the effects of helping or caring for others. In simpler terms, it is exhaustion resulting from extreme shows of compassion. It can manifest in psychological, physical, and emotional effects and is often mistaken for generic burnout, which is a form of general mental fatigue.

Compassion fatigue tends to occur when you’ve spent a lot of time helping someone through something complicated, such as trauma or stress. It can also happen as a side-effect of specific caregiving jobs.

compassion fatigueOther Names for Compassion Fatigue

There are other terms used when describing compassion fatigue, too, such as:

  • Secondhand shock
  • Vicarious trauma or vicarious traumatization
  • Secondary victimization
  • Secondhand stress reaction
  • Secondary traumatic stress
  • Secondary survivorhood
  • The “cost of caring.”

By these names, it is easy to see that compassion fatigue is when you feel the adverse effects of other people’s troubles and problems, even though you’re not personally experiencing them yourself. But according to studies, it takes more than just general compassion to experience this fatigue – it requires empathy. This means that compassion fatigue occurs because you feel for the people you’re helping or relate heavily to the people around you.

Who Is Most At Risk Of Compassion Fatigue?

Though anyone can develop compassion fatigue, certain people are at higher risk than others. Knowing if you are in a risk group can help you ensure that you can deal with compassion fatigue. Awareness is one of the critical steps to prevention. The people most at risk are as follows:

·         Those Who Work In Healthcare

People who work in healthcare fields have very high risks of developing compassion fatigue. The job inherently requires caring about others and potentially watching them struggle with painful or difficult circumstances, breaking bad news to patients, and even witnessing death. As an example, 86% of all emergency room nurses meet the description of compassion fatigue. Physicians, mental health professionals, caregivers, critical care personnel, ambulance paramedics, and other healthcare workers are all automatically at risk due to the nature of their work.

·         Those With Unmanaged Trauma

If you’ve experienced trauma in the past and didn’t learn positive coping mechanisms, the negative aspects that linger in your life can open you up to the risk of compassion fatigue. These negative aspects may include bottling up your feelings, withdrawing and isolating yourself, or using addictive substances to cope.

·         Those Who Work In Student Affairs

Post-secondary education institutions are often home to a diverse student population, including marginalized individuals and those who deal with many personal issues. Student affairs professionals have, in recent years, experienced a steadily broadening scope of responsibilities, including the management of crises, traumatic events and even developing compassionate connections to students in their care. This emotion can put them at risk of compassion fatigue, and many staff who work in such positions have a desire to quit as a result of these effects, according to research.

·         Those With Certain Personalities

Did you know that certain personality traits can put you at risk for developing compassion fatigue? If you are a perfectionist, very conscientious, or selfless, you have a higher risk of dealing with compassion fatigue. These typically track logically – if you like to be planned and get things perfectly done, you are more likely to struggle with dealing with the messiness of caring for another person. Or, if you are more selfless, you are more likely to face tiredness from being kind to others.

·         Those Who Work In The Legal Field

Attorneys and lawyers are often at risk for developing mental health disorders due to their compassion fatigue. Many struggles with their job’s emotional and mental toll can take, as most legal training does not involve education in trauma management. Long hours and heavy pressure can further decrease positive thinking and lend itself to this problem.

·         Those With Poor Social Support

If you lack social support, you are more likely to face difficulties because you cannot gain the support of others in your caregiving duties. Your tiredness can be amplified when you don’t have anyone to help you while you spend a lot of your time caring for others or many other people.

Once again, it is worth a disclaimer that anyone can experience compassion fatigue, even if they are not statistically at risk. You shouldn’t discount your personal feelings and experiences just because you’re not in a relevant group.

Symptoms of Compassion Fatigue

It is not always easy to discern compassion fatigue, as it can be mistaken for many other issues and is easy to dismiss. Keeping an eye out for the warning signs can help you determine if you’re experiencing this kind of fatigue.

It is easy to insist to yourself that you have no right to feel negative when you’re caring for those who seem to be suffering more than you. Don’t fall into this trap.

Know the Symptoms

compassion fatigueInstead, keep an eye out for symptoms such as:

  • Feelings of anxiety, nervousness, irritability, jitteriness, anger, sadness, or other strong negative emotions
  • A reduced sense of personal accomplishment or career accomplishment
  • A lowered tolerance for stress or decreased resilience to challenging situations
  • Lower levels of empathy, sometimes to the point of no longer being able to care about others at all
  • Repeatedly dwelling on and thinking about the suffering of other people
  • Experiencing helpless, powerless, overwhelmed, or hopeless feeling when you’re faced with, witnessing, or hearing about the suffering of others
  • A loss of focus or concentration, especially when making decisions
  • Feeling physically or emotionally detached from the world around you or your personal experiences
  • Blaming yourself or berating yourself for not being able to do more or not having done more
  • Dramatic mood swings
  • Becoming extremely sensitive to any emotional feelings and situations – or losing sensitivity to them entirely.
  • Experiencing a dramatic change in belief systems regarding yourself, the world, your future, your purpose, or life
  • Higher instances of conflict in relationships
  • Worsened productivity at work, or heightened perceived productivity
  • Behavioral issues, such as inadequate coping mechanisms, substance abuse, or self-isolation
  • Physical symptoms like dizziness, nausea, headaches, digestive problems, tiredness, insomnia, and nightmares

Awareness is one of the key ways that you can prevent compassion fatigue. If you notice worrying signs or symptoms in advance, you can learn to take a step back and use positive coping methods, so your risks lessen.

How to Prevent Compassion Fatigue With Self-Compassion and Health Social Interactions

Ironically, compassion fatigue can be combated with more compassion – but, specifically, compassion towards yourself. Remembering that you need to be kind to yourself and are deserving of your own compassion is an important part of managing and dealing with compassion fatigue. Regular self-compassion as a part of your life can also be instrumental in preventing the condition by infusing you with positive habits. Here are some tips for being kind to yourself:

1 – Practice Self-Care

Taking time for yourself and to look after yourself is a top way to manage compassion fatigue and tiredness. You may feel guilty about needing to look out for yourself, but not doing so doesn’t just damage your wellbeing. It is also going to be evident around those you’re caring for. Again, this is a little ironic, but you have to care for yourself to be a good caregiver, too. Eat well, get enough sleep, exercise a little bit, and make sure you have some me-time for rest.

2 – Fully Understand Self-Care

A lot of people throw the word “self-care” around without truly understanding what it means. It’s not about robotically going through the motions of technically taking care of yourself. It means allowing yourself to enjoy guilt-free things, prioritize your well-being, and applaud yourself for taking the time for self-care. Understand that self-care is not only important. Indeed, it is also just a fantastic thing that you should be proud of yourself for doing!

3 – Schedule Hobby Time

If you’ve recently become very busy caring for something or someone, you may not have had time to do the things you love. Don’t forget to spend some time unwinding on things you enjoy. You’ll feel much better after, and this will ensure that you aren’t neglecting yourself while caring for others.

4 – Positive Social Interactions

Withdrawal and social isolation are tempting when dealing with compassion fatigue, and it’s also easy to do by accident if you’re very busy and occupied. But lacking social interaction is a quick and easy way to harm your exhaustion levels. It would be best if you were around other people and be supported by them to reduce the risk of compassion fatigue.

When was the last time you hung out with the people in your life who matter most, like friends and family? Have a meal with them, chat with them over the phone or through text, and arrange to hang out. Your loved ones don’t need to directly attempt to support you to help you with compassion fatigue; just being around them can work wonders for your positive thinking and wellbeing.

You can also find caregiver support groups if you work in a profession where compassion fatigue is common. You’ll find many people dealing with the same feelings and difficulties. It can be a great way to learn healthy coping mechanisms and build a community with supportive, understanding, and kind people.

exhaustionFinal Thoughts On How To Prevent Compassion Fatigue

There is nothing shameful about feeling compassion fatigue. If you find yourself beginning to deal with this kind of exhaustion, take the necessary steps to care for yourself and finding support. If necessary, you can speak to a mental healthcare professional for further advice and help.

Science Explains How Pesticides Can Contribute to Food Shortages

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Scientists have discovered that pesticides may lead to food shortages because of their adverse effect on bees. Specifically, the researchers found a group of pesticides called pyrethroids that contribute to colony collapse disorder in bees. This occurs when worker bees disappear, causing the queen and other members of the hive to die. Without bees, hundreds of billions of dollars worth of crops would not get pollinated, and agriculture would greatly suffer.

Because of the profound importance of bees, scientists wanted to investigate if they could separate the pesticides from the honey somehow. Researchers at the University of Waterloo created an eco-friendly, completely automated technique that extracts honey’s pesticides. This way, the worker bees will not leave the hive, and colony collapse disorder may improve.

How they removed the pesticides from the honey

pop memeThe team extracted the pyrethroids using the solid-phase microextraction (SPME) method. This made it easier for them to measure whether honey levels exceed what is safe for human consumption. It also helps pinpoint locations where farmers utilize this pesticide and how much they use. Because of its chemical makeup, the pesticide has previously been difficult to remove.

“Pyrethroids are poorly soluble in water and are actually suspended in honey,” said Janusz Pawliszyn, a chemistry professor at Waterloo. “We add a small amount of alcohol to dissolve them prior to extraction by the automated SPME system.”

When farmers spray the pesticides on crops, it affects the functioning of insects’ nerves and brains. This can lead to paralysis and ultimately death in certain species. Pesticides have been classified as neurotoxins, which is any substance that alters the structure or function of the nervous system. However, because they have been so effective at controlling insect infestations, weeds, and disease, they’re now used worldwide.

While the Environmental Protection Agency says that we need pesticides to protect crops and increase yields, they have their disadvantages. When used in excess, they can lead to mass bee die-offs, which means crops don’t get pollinated. Without bees, we couldn’t have food, so a balance must occur between protecting crops and pollinators.

“It is our hope that this very simple method will help authorities determine where these pesticides are in use at unsafe levels to ultimately help protect the honeybee population.” ~Janusz Pawliszyn

As some of the research team was based in Canada, they performed tests on honey products there. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency inspects foods for chemical residues there. The Pest Control Products Ac regulates maximum allowed residue limits. The team found no indication that any honey had excess pesticide levels.

However, aside from killing bees, pesticides cause food shortages in other ways as well. While pesticides do increase crop yields, they cause damage to biodiversity, which disrupts the food chain. Studies have shown that pesticides have caused widespread contamination of ecosystems worldwide. Many studies have also found negative effects on the physiology, diversity, and abundance of certain aquatic and terrestrial organisms.

Furthermore, pesticides cause widespread deterioration of biodiversity in agricultural areas, which comprises around 50% of Earth’s ice-free land. In Germany, insect losses of around 70% have been observed in the last 30 years, and bird species in Europe have declined by 50%. Major pollinators such as bees, hummingbirds, and monarch butterflies have also decreased in numbers in the past few decades.

In a European study, researchers found that pesticides were the sole culprit behind lower biodiversity in plants, ground beetles, and birds in wheat fields. They accounted for differences in field size, fertilizer application, and landscape diversity in the study. Another review labeled pesticides and chemical pollution as the second leading cause of a worldwide decline in insect populations. As we’ve said, without insects and pollinators, we cannot have crops to use pesticides on in the first place.

Interesting facts about pollinators

Here are some important facts about pollinators and how pesticides affect them according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service:

  • Bees pollinate around $10 billion worth of crops in the U.S. each year. Of the approximately one hundred crops that most of the world eats, domestic bees pollinate only 15%. Wild bees and other wildlife pollinate around 80% of crops.
  • More than 100,000 different species – perhaps even closer to 200,000 – help pollinate 250,000 variations of flowering plants worldwide. Insects such as bees, wasps, moths, butterflies, flies, beetles pollinate most plants. However, as many as 1,500 species of vertebrates like birds and mammals pollinate plants as well. This includes flying foxes, hummingbirds, perching birds, fruit bats, possums, lemurs, and even lizards!
  • Bees exposed to pesticides recover very slowly because of their low reproductive rates. Therefore, it can take 3 to 4 years for bee populations to recover to pre-pesticide levels.
  • Crops that would produce a higher yield and quality from more pollination do not receive adequate pollination due to heavy pesticide use. Studies estimate that income from harvests could grow by $400 million a year if farms had more pollinators available.
  • Pollinators help support biodiversity; however, as we’ve stated above, pesticides destroy biodiversity worldwide.
  • Declines in pollinators may also lead to plant extinction, which would cause large disruptions in the food supply.
  • For migratory pollinators, such as bats, hummingbirds, and the monarch butterfly, their nectar corridors must remain intact. If they can’t find nectar at any point during stops along their migratory route, it could lead to population decline and even death. Nectar sources may become tainted or even disappear in areas that receive heavy treatment with pesticides and herbicides.

pesticidesFinal thoughts on how pesticides may lead to food shortages

While pesticides have been shown to increase the overall supply of crops, they have devastating consequences on the ecosystem. Heavy spraying of pesticides can lead to mass die-offs of important pollinators such as bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies. It can also result in soil damage, air and water pollution, and damage to insects and aquatic animals.

More people today prefer organic or homegrown produce with fewer pesticides used. However, on a global scale, scientists are still researching safe and effective alternatives. Pesticides do help in feeding the world, but at what cost? It will take monumental scientific ingenuity, but perhaps we can have a healthier food system free of pesticides in the future.

Owners Teach Their Shiba Inu to Paint to Communicate With Him

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Hunter, a 7-year-old Shiba Inu, loves to spend his free time painting and even has his own Etsy store! His owner Denise says he seems to really enjoy it, and she feels he communicates with them through his art.

“He likes the challenge, he likes doing different things with us and interacting with us. He is very vocal about what he likes and what he doesn’t like, so we communicate in that sense,” she said.

Denise says that he’s a pretty laid-back dog now that he’s older, but as a puppy, he had a lot of energy. He wanted to learn new tricks all the time, and Denise taught him the usual commands such as sit, stay and paw. “Then eventually we ran out of tricks to teach him, so we ended up teaching him how to paint!”

 

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Hunter the Shiba Inu sells his artwork on Etsy

She says that seeing his paintings hung up in offices and homes around the world gives special meaning to his work. It makes it rewarding for Denise to see others enjoying his art, and Hunter seems to have a good time with it, too.

“They’re a very special breed. They’re not like your typical dog – they’re very stubborn,” Denise says. “You have to give them a lot of exercise and a lot of attention, so that they don’t get disruptive or they don’t cause you and your family trouble when you take them out.”

Well, even though Hunter might have a stubborn streak, his creative side comes through just as much! Perhaps this hardheaded mentality gives him the discipline and drive to continue with his paintings. He seems to enjoy learning new things, and painting just stuck with him from a young age. Hunter appears to go for the abstract style of painting, and uses all different shades of color for his work.

So far, he’s made almost 300 sales on his Etsy store, which customers have given a 5-star review. Denise classifies them by three categories: Classics, Night Sky 2017, and Seasonals. However, you can also request a custom order and Hunter the Shiba Inu painter will do his best to fulfill it!

 

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Denise runs a YouTube account for Hunter as well where she occasionally posts videos of him painting. His most recent video shows him painting on a Korean game show, so it seems that he’s getting pretty popular! He’s also been featured on another program called HARU TV.

It’s amazing what dogs can learn and how quickly they pick up on certain skills. Just like humans, dogs learn by repetition and practice, whether you teach them commands or painting. Of course, reinforcement with treats always helps dogs remember things better or perform a desirable action. However, with Hunter the Shiba Inu, it seems like he doesn’t need any extra encouragement or bribing.

 

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He truly enjoys painting, and his owners love to bond and communicate with him through this medium. It’s fascinating to see how intelligent and adaptable dogs are, and how they all have different likes and dislikes. When Hunter isn’t painting, he seems to enjoy going on hikes and trying out new dog treats. He also hangs out and celebrates birthdays with some other dog friends, including fellow Shiba Inus.

How to teach your dog to paint

If you want to try out painting with your dog, follow these tips from Little Dog Tips:

Tools and supplies you will need to get started:

  • Modified paintbrush
  • Washable, non-toxic paint – Children’s tempera paints are cheap, washable and fun to use. Acrylic paint is brighter and more opaque, but should be wiped out of fur before it dries
  • Protected surface – an old bedsheet on the floor, for example
  • High value, bite sized treats
  • Blank canvas – or maybe paper taped to a wall
  • A creative dog – ideally an adult dog past the chewing phase

Step 1: Teach “Touch” Or “Paint”

Bring a canvas into the room; your dog may go up and investigate it, or look confused at first. If your dog goes up to it, make sure to reward him or her with a treat. After your dog goes up to the canvas a few times, you can add in the cue “paint!”

You want your dog to approach the canvas nose-first. In the beginning, your dog may claw at it, but you should only give treats for nose touches. Tell your dog to sit if he or she keeps pawing at the canvas in order to “reset” him or her.

Step 2: Teach “Hold”

The hardest part about teaching your dog to paint will be getting him or her to hold the brush. Make sure to work on this step for a few weeks before moving onto the next phase.

Step 3: Teach “Give”

In order to keep messes under control, you’ll want your dog to give you the brush after each stroke. If you taught your dog the “retrieve to hand” trick while playing fetch, he or she should know how to return objects to your hand.

Step 4: Hold, Paint, Give

So, after you feel comfortable with each step, move through the sequence with your dog. Hand your dog a clean brush and ask him or her to “paint.” Make sure to stay close to the canvas so your dog doesn’t have to hold the brush for very long after each stroke. Once you’ve gone through the steps several times, your dog should feel comfortable painting with you!

Also, make sure to keep some dog wipes on hand, as this can get a bit messy!

Does your dog know how to paint or do any other cool tricks? Share with us in the comments!

Learn How a Former Bait Dog Found a Safe, Loving Home

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When a couple decided to adopt a former bait dog, their lives changed forever in the best way possible. Bait dogs grow up in a very traumatic, stressful environment and often have severe wounds from dogfighting. However, bait animals don’t actually attack; they serve as punching bags for the other dogs to test their fighting skills. Dog fighters use bait animals such as dogs, cats, rabbits, and even wild animals, though dogs are the most common.

Dog fighters often wrap bait animals’ snouts in duck tape so they can’t fight back, and they may even break their teeth. The dogs then get placed in a pit or tied to a tree so they can’t get away while the game dogs to practice. Sadly, many bait dogs don’t survive the vicious attacks. The ones who do will have physical and emotional scars for life. Most countries have banned dogfighting. But it remains legal in a few countries like Japan, Albania, and parts of Russia.

Though the practice is illegal in the U.S., underground dogfighting is still rampant. The bait dogs who escape often go to shelters, where they finally have a chance at adoption and a normal life.

When Katharine and her partner Cody saw Bubby, they just knew they wanted to bring him home. They didn’t know what to expect regarding the dogs’ temperament, but they couldn’t let him stay in the shelter. He deserved a loving, safe place to live, and they wanted to give him that.

Katharine says when she first started looking for a dog, she didn’t know quite what she wanted. However, when she laid eyes on Bubby and saw his adorable smile, she immediately felt drawn to him.

Bubby’s transition from bait dog into a family dog

“I could tell right away that he had this personality even just through a photo where I was like ‘I want to know more about this dog,’” she said. “So, I emailed the rescue about him, and within 5 minutes actually, I had a phone call from the rescue.”

They told her about Bubby’s situation and asked if she could pick him up the next day. She hadn’t expected to have a dog so soon, but she knew the former bait dog desperately needed a home. So, she told her partner Cody, and they agreed to go pick him up.

When they arrived, Katharine saw firsthand the severity of Bubby’s situation. He was underweight by about 20 pounds and had many bare patches and scars from being a bait dog. Bubby not only had physical injuries and scars; he’d also suffered emotional trauma from his former life. Katharine said he was very closed off and distrustful of them at first.

“I was a little bit nervous because you hear pitbulls are just killers, and so obviously, I didn’t want to get myself into something dangerous,” she said. “But I couldn’t be happier that I brought this man home. I’ve had many dogs in my life growing up, and this dog is everything I could have ever wanted in a dog partner.”

Bubby warms up to his new family.

While Bubby may have been scared and traumatized at first, he quickly warmed up to his new surroundings and family. Katharine says he’s very gentle, forgiving, and loving.

“He has changed my life for the better. My mental health has improved so much since having this dog because it’s just impossible to be in my own head or be upset about my own problems when I look at him, and he’s just a constant goofball.”

The pitbull brothers love their new life together.

Bubby drags his blankets all around their house, smothers them both with kisses, or cracks them up in general. Their lives have improved so much since bringing Bubby back home with them. Plus, Katharine and Cody live and work in national parks all over the country as park rangers, so Bubby lives like a king! The couple also adopted another pit bull, Simon, from the same shelter as Bubby came from.

They both enjoy the freedom and adventure the great outdoors offers and have settled nicely into their new lives. Bubby and Simon get along wonderfully as brothers and really love the companionship. Sure, they may get into fights sometimes, but most of the time, they’re happy-go-lucky pit bulls. Coming from their life as former bait dogs, they have made a remarkable transition into family life.

Pitbulls, especially those who have been raised in traumatic environments, often get a bad rap. Many people believe them to be aggressive, dangerous, and not safe for children. However, even if they’ve grown up in a bad environment, pit bulls can be some of the most loving, sweet dogs. It all depends on how their new family raises them and what kind of training they give the dogs.

If you decide to adopt pit bulls from this type of background, make sure to do your research. It will take a lot of work and commitment, but you will have a dog bestie who will absolutely adore you. The satisfaction of knowing you saved the dog from a terrible past also makes the process worth it. However, pit bulls or other powerful breeds are not for everyone, and that’s okay too.

Final thoughts: two former bait dogs get a second chance at life

Bubby and Simon, two pit bulls raised as bait dogs, now have a wonderful life with their adventurous mom and dad. They get to enjoy beautiful scenery and nature at national parks all over the country and get smothered with love every day. Raising them is a lot of work, but Katharine and Cody couldn’t imagine their life without them now. They’ve come such a long way from when they first adopted them because of all the love and support they’ve gotten.

We hope all bait dogs and dogs in abusive situations, in general, will have a chance at a better life. If you know of anyone who’s rescued or adopted a bait dog, we’d love to hear the story in the comments!

10 Signs You Have Low Self-Esteem (and how to boost it!)

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Are you confident in your abilities, or do you feel that your self-confidence is lacking? You know you need to boost your self-esteem, but doing such a task seems monumental. It’s hard to overcome all the thoughts and feelings that make you feel defeated.

If you could only look at yourself the way others see you, your picture would be quite different. Having low self-esteem is a vicious cycle that goes around and around. If you don’t jump off the merry-go-round, you will continue this pattern for life.

Thankfully, you can send your esteem soaring and boost your confidence with a little self-maintenance.

Understanding Low Self-Esteem

Your self-esteem goes in cycles. For instance, someone comments that they don’t like your shirt or hair, and then you feel bad about yourself. It’s not uncommon for you to ruminate about that issue and bring other things into your thoughts too.

You start going through a mental list of all the things that are wrong with you. Have you ever heard of the term self-fulfilling prophecy? If you keep telling yourself how worthless you are, then soon, you will start believing it.

Does this cycle all sound too familiar? Having low self-esteem can have a significant impact on your life.

low self-esteemPeople who suffer from esteem issues often deal with problems like:

•Anxiety

•Agoraphobia and social withdrawal

•Self-harm

•Eating disorders

•Fear of trying anything new

• You’re fearful of trusting your opinions

•Constantly worrying about what others think of you

Does any of these things sound familiar to you? If so, then it’s time for you to make some profound changes in how you view yourself.

Building Self-Esteem and Confidence

Do you want to improve your self-esteem instantly? You should know that it’s a process that isn’t going to happen overnight. However, practice makes perfect, and the more you practice these little tricks, the better the results.

1. Stop Ruminating and Put Your Focus Elsewhere

People stuck in the low self-esteem cycle can’t see beyond their issues to the world around them. Rather than focusing on all the things wrong in your life, put your focus elsewhere. Other people in the world are suffering just as much, if not more, than you.

Do something different that puts kindness back into the world. Shifting your focus will help you to stop ruminating about your problems and give back to others. Remember that positive actions will help you to generate positive thoughts.

2. Take Care of You

Did you know that what’s on the inside always rolls to the outside? How many times do people tell you that you don’t look like you’re feeling well today? There is a mind-body-spirit connection within each human, and they all reflect off one another.

If you want to improve your low self-esteem, you can start by taking better care of yourself. It’s the little things that will make the most significant impact. You could get a new hairstyle, buy some new clothes, or do something to enhance your appearance.

When you look good, then you will feel good too. When you love yourself first, then everything else in your life will fall into place.

3. Do Something to Break The Cycle

If you want to break free from the merry-go-round of low self-esteem, then you need to jump. It’s time for you to get away and have some fun. When you do things that are out of the ordinary, then you can change your whole outlook.

Why not take a weekend to visit family or friends that cheer you up? Instead of your usual lunch spot, why not try that new café down the street? Better yet, why not ask someone to go with you that you would never have asked before?

When you break the cycle, you can refresh your mind and thwart those negative thought patterns. So take a deep breath!  Your imagination only limits you, so you must learn to think outside the box. Remember, you are only one decision away from an entirely different life, so what’s holding you back?

4. Focus on Your Accomplishments

While you tend to ruminate about all the bad things and horrible decisions you’ve made, it’s time to look at the good. Grab a journal and start writing all the accomplishments in your life. When you tally up the results, the positive will always outweigh the negative.

Now, examine your mindset each time you did something extraordinary. Indeed, you will find that you can accomplish more when you are positive. If you want to build your esteem, then you must focus on all the good things that you’ve done in your life.

self-esteem5. Share Your Talents with The World

Each person has unique gifts and talents that they can share with the world. Perhaps you make the best brownies around, but no one will know unless you share that knowledge. Your cooking abilities may be something that you take for granted that someone else would love to know how to do.

Why not teach someone your skills? It doesn’t have to be baking; it can be something like changing the oil in a car or showing someone how to knit. You have so many gifts and talents that are hidden behind an exterior of pain, so it’s time to bring those things out of the darkness and let your light shine.

6. Create A New Vision

Do you feel that all the problems you have are your fault? Low self-esteem will make you think all kinds of silly things, but you must remember that most of your thoughts aren’t based on truth. It would help if you observed your surroundings and see what is causing you so much stress?

Is your job too demanding for you to handle? Do you have a neighbor in your apartment complex that is making life miserable? Maybe your stuck in a city or area that you don’t like.

It’s time for you to come up with a new game plan for your life. Have you ever used a vision board? These boards can help you look at where you’ve been and where you’re going.

You can examine all the bad things in your life and make a conscious plan to move forward. Plus, seeing the goals being met one-by-one is an excellent way to motivate yourself.

7. Learn to Simplify Things

Your inward man reflects on the outside, and the same can be said about your home. The type of person who lives in that dwelling will be apparent to those around you. What do those passing by think about your space?

If they drive by and see that the lawn is well manicured with no weed in sight, they will think this person has it together. Now, what do they feel when they drive by a property being overrun by hoarding? The person who is prone to hoarding has an anxiety disorder.

Remember, what’s on the inside is coming to the outside. Hoarders are afraid to let things go because their anxiety won’t allow them. It’s time for you to simplify your life and possessions.

While you may not be a hoarder, you still hold onto things you need to let go of. Stuff can weigh you down.

Start by donating clothes to a charity that you haven’t worn in years. Clean out closets, the garage, basement, and any other areas you’ve allowed clutter to accumulate. Your possessions can hold you back, and it’s time to get rid of a lot of junk that triggers your anxiety.

8. Check Some Things Off Your Bucket List

Do you have a bucket list of things you want to do? Why not make time to check a few of those things off your list? If you keep telling yourself you don’t have the time or money, you won’t accomplish one thing.

Stop making excuses for the things that can bring you pleasure in life so you can stay home and sulk in the misery of low self-esteem. It’s time for you to start living.

9. Replace Destructive Habits with Positive Ones

Did you know that many people use shopping and spending money to cope with their unhealthy thought processes? What indulgences do you have when your anxiety is at its worst?

Do you eat unhealthy foods in massive amounts or spend money you don’t have to spend? It’s time to take inventory of your destructive habits and replace them with positive ones.

10. Get Moving

Stop having a pity party and waiting for the sky to fall. You can boost your feel-good brain chemicals by exercise. Just 20 minutes, three times a week will make a dramatic impact on your life.

Many people who suffer from esteem issues have depression as an underlying complication. You can help to turn these negative emotions around by using exercise as your medicine.

low self-esteemFinal Thoughts on Recovering from Low Self-Esteem

It’s easy to get stuck in a pattern of self-destructive thoughts when it seems everything in your life is going wrong. You have the power to take control of things and turn your bad into good. Stop ruminating on all the things that you’ve failed at, and start celebrating your successes.

You can turn your low self-esteem around with positive self-talk and a few of the items from this list. After all, you’re worth the effort.

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Every day is a day to shine. Shine on!

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