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California Cut Toxic Emissions by 78% Over Past 25 Years

May 20, 2021 by Kristen Lawrence

A new study by scientists at UC Berkeley found that toxic emissions in California fell by 78% since 1990. Specifically, researchers found that diesel exhaust dropped dramatically between the study period of 1990-2014. The study was published last month in the journal Science.

Because of California’s strict air pollution control policies, deaths attributed to diesel emissions fell by 82% during this time period. Diesel exhaust contains various pollutants, such as fine particulates that get trapped in the lungs and move into the bloodstream. The small pieces of soot and other contaminants can lead to lung cancer and heart and asthma attacks.

Researchers saw a significant drop in deaths from heart and lung disease caused by diesel fumes in the study. They estimate that if California abided by federal regulations only, 1,330 Californians would’ve died in 2014 due to diesel emissions. This is over 50% more than the estimated total of 596. The estimates come from studies that link pollution to an increase in early deaths.

Federal environmental rules instated from 1990-2014 led to a 51% drop in diesel particulates nationwide. The policies required cleaner-burning fuels and engines for vehicles such as buses, trucks, trains, ships, and heavy machinery. However, since California consistently makes headlines for having the nation’s worst air quality, state policymakers set even stricter standards.

When the Clean Air Act passed, Congress granted California the authority to set its own emission standards. It became the first state in the nation to have its own vehicle exhaust rules. California began addressing the dangerous smog shrouding its major cities back in the 1940s. When a scientist determined that tailpipe emissions were causing the smog, the state began enforcing vehicle exhaust rules.

California paves the way in reducing toxic greenhouse gas emissions.

Since California set the standard for tackling air pollution, Congress gave it an exception when the Clean Air Act passed. When policymakers revised the Clean Air Act to stop states from making their own vehicle emissions rules, they exempted California. Congress mandated that the EPA grant California a waiver if its rules are as strict or stricter as federal regulations. The EPA can deny the waiver only if the state doesn’t demonstrate a “compelling need” for one.

“…The State of California has continued to reduce mobile-source DPM emissions using the state’s long-standing authority under the Clean Air Act (CAA) to regulate air pollution more stringently than the federal government,” write the authors of the paper.

“Our analysis of mobile-source DPM emissions suggests that many California sector-based policies have been highly effective relative to the rest of the US. To improve health in communities disproportionately affected by these emissions, we point to opportunities to further reduce DPM emissions in California, in the US more broadly, and in parts of the world where countries have less aggressive vehicle emissions policies than the US.”

Clearly, California’s policies have been effective at cutting emissions in the state. Despite a 20% increase in overall diesel fuel use during the study period, California surpassed federal emissions cuts. This shows that regulations calling for cleaner-burning engines have paid off.

How strict diesel exhaust regulations have drastically lowered emissions

Researchers determined that the biggest reductions in pollution came from commercial trucks and buses. The scientists attributed this mostly to state policies that required the replacement and retrofitting of older engines.
California’s air also improved due to stricter regulations on the marine exhaust. Under the new rules, ships within 24 nautical miles of the coast must have cleaner-burning fuel. Also, certain types of ships must cut their engines or capture their pollution upon docking. Because of these new regulations, marine diesel soot fell by 51% between 2008 and 2014, study authors reported. Since California contains two of the busiest ports in the country, this makes a dramatic difference. Half of the state’s air pollution comes from transporting cargo alone.
While agricultural equipment accounts for 18% of California’s diesel pollution from vehicles, it fell by only 1%. Study author Megan Schwarzman says that state policies can only accomplish so much until we stop burning fossil fuels entirely.

It doesn’t end there

However, the state plans on passing more laws to lower emissions. In fact, Governor Newsom signed an executive order banning the sale of fossil fuel-powered vehicles by 2035. This would result in more than a 35% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. In addition, the Air Resources Board will issue mandates that all medium- and heavy-duty vehicles be zero-emission by 2045.

This is the first regulation of its kind in the world. Under the new policies, 5-9% of trucks must be zero-emission by 2025. By 2035, 55% of delivery vans and large pickups must move to zero emissions. This also applies to 75% of school buses, garbage trucks, and other large vehicles and 40% of big rigs in California.

Other states have been putting pressure on the federal government to tighten regulations on vehicle emissions. Many well-known environmental groups wrote to the Biden administration last month encouraging stricter emissions regulations on large trucks. 14 other states and the District of Columbia have pledged to follow California’s lead in eradicating diesel emissions by 2050.

Final thoughts: California cut toxic emissions by 78% over the past 25 years

In a new study, California scientists and state agencies found that diesel emissions have fallen by 78% since 1990. This is due in large part to stringent regulations in place that limit vehicle emissions. Since California has more cars registered than any other state, cutting emissions wherever possible is critical.

These policies have also led to 82% fewer deaths attributed to toxic diesel pollution. Since 1990, deaths from heart attacks and lung cancer caused by exhaust have fallen dramatically. California continues to set the standard for reducing emissions with the ambitious goal of having all-electric vehicles by 2050. Hopefully, more states will follow suit, as lowering greenhouse gas emissions is vital to protecting our planet.

UC Irvine Study Reveals Drinking Tea Reduces Blood Pressure And Improves Health

May 20, 2021 by Kristen Lawrence

A new study from UC Irvine revealed that green and black tea have the ability to reduce blood pressure. Compounds in both types of tea help relax blood vessels by activating ion channel proteins in the vessels’ walls. The findings provide more insight into how tea benefits health and may result in better blood pressure medications.

The discovery came from the laboratory of Geoffrey Abbott, Ph.D., a Department of Physiology and Biophysics professor at UC Irvine. A graduate student in the Abbott Lab, Kaitlyn Redford was the first author of the study. The findings were published in Cellular Physiology and Biochemistry.

The study revealed that green and black tea have two catechin-type flavonoid compounds (epicatechin gallate and epigallocatechin-3-gallate). Both of these compounds activate a certain ion channel protein called KCNQ5. This causes potassium ions to disperse out of cells, which lowers cellular excitability.

The smooth muscle inside blood vessels contains KCNQ5, which becomes activated by catechins in green and black tea. Researchers, including collaborators at the University of Copenhagen, believed this could also relax blood vessels.

Dr. Abbott said this:

“We found by using computer modeling and mutagenesis studies that specific catechins bind to the foot of the voltage sensor, which is the part of KCNQ5 that allows the channel to open in response to cellular excitation. This binding allows the channel to open much more easily and earlier in the cellular excitation process.”

Around one-third of the global adult population suffers from high blood pressure. However, health experts consider hypertension as the most modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease and early death. New findings and research about ways to treat hypertension could have huge implications for public health.

Previous studies have confirmed that green and black tea can lower blood pressure by a minimal but consistent amount. Researchers believe that the catechins present in tea play the largest role in lowering blood pressure.

How catechins in green or black tea activate KCNQ5 channels

Researchers have identified KCNQ5 as the main ion channel protein affected by tea catechins. They believe this discovery will result in more advanced medicinal chemistry optimization in the future.

KCNQ5 helps control the vascular tone as well as regulate electrical activity and neuron signaling in the brain. When these neurons become impaired due to genetic variants, it can lead to epileptic encephalopathy. This debilitating developmental disorder causes frequent seizures due to malfunctions in the ion channel.

However, the discovery of green and black tea’s ability to activate KCNQ5 may lead to new treatments for seizures. Since catechins have the ability to cross the blood-brain barrier, researchers believe this could help cure brain excitability disorders.

People all over the world have consumed tea for over 4,000 years due to its health benefits. Each day, people drink about 2 billion cups of tea globally, second only to water in regard to volume consumed. The three most popular caffeinated teas include green, oolong, and black.

Each of these tea varieties comes from the leaves of the evergreen species Camellia sinensis. The differences in the color and flavor of the teas come from varying fermentation processes during production.

How you “take” your tea makes a difference, according to the study

Many people in countries such as the United States and the UK prepare black tea with milk. Interestingly, researchers found that milk prevented the tea from activating KCNQ5 when they directly applied it to cells. When people drink tea with milk, though, it shouldn’t have the same effect.

However, according to Abbott, “We don’t believe this means one needs to avoid milk when drinking tea to take advantage of the beneficial properties of tea. We are confident that the environment in the human stomach will separate the catechins from the proteins and other molecules in milk that would otherwise block catechins’ beneficial effects.”

The team came to this conclusion due to other studies showing antihypertensive benefits of tea, whether consumed with milk or not. Using mass spectrometry, the team also found that warming green tea to 35 degrees Celsius altered its chemical composition. When warmed to this temperature, the tea became more effective at activating KCNQ5. However, researchers say that you can get the same benefits by drinking the tea hot or cold. Abbott explains:

“Regardless of whether tea is consumed iced or hot, this temperature is achieved after tea is drunk, as human body temperature is about 37 degrees Celsius. Thus, simply by drinking tea we activate its beneficial, antihypertensive properties.”

Because green and black tea can help lower blood pressure, researchers hope that new treatments will become available. Perhaps medications will include tea catechins in the future, or doctors will prescribe drinking tea as a viable solution.

Other benefits of consuming green or black tea

Here are some great reasons to take tea every day.

Green tea benefits

Lowers blood sugar
Improves digestion
Reduces free radicals
Lowers cancer risk
Reduces cholesterol
Decreases risk of heart and liver disease
Improves liver health
Increases cognitive function
It helps prevent colds and cases of flu
Boosts immune system

Black tea benefits

Increases alertness and energy
Boosts metabolism
Improves cardiovascular health
High antioxidant content, including polyphenols and catechins
Lowers diabetes risk
Reduces cancer risk
Lowers stroke risk
Improves bone health
Anti-inflammatory properties

While green and black tea both have caffeine, an amino acid in tea called L-theanine helps counteract it. It helps increase your concentration and alertness while producing a calming effect, unlike coffee. If you’ve been trying to give up your coffee addiction, consider drinking tea in the morning instead. It contains all the same benefits as coffee without overstimulation.

Final Thoughts: Study reveals drinking green or black tea can lower blood pressure

A new study shows that drinking green or black tea can help reduce blood pressure by acting on KCNQ5 channels. When these ions become activated, they cause blood vessels to dilate, therefore lowering blood pressure. Besides, green and black tea have been proven to have many other health benefits. Lowering cancer risk, improving cognitive function, and reducing inflammation are just a few notable benefits.

If you don’t already drink tea, consider having 1-2 cups per day. Not only will it improve your health, but it just may help you kick your coffee habit!

12 Behaviors That Reveal a Person Who Likes to Intimidate and Bully Others

May 20, 2021 by Power of Positivity

There’s nothing worse than a bully. This person loves to intimidate others by pushing their weight around.

While it’s classically thought of as a child on the playground, a bully can be someone of any age. According to the National Institute of Health, bullying in the workplace can be done through the internet or in person.

Assume you work in an office with a gentleman who has been there for years. You’re considered an up-and-coming sales professional, and corporate is grooming you for management. He may feel threatened because of your position, so he will use intimating and other tactics to try to force you out.

You must remember that this person’s insecurities are coming into play in situations like these. Just like the kid on the playground, they make themselves feel better or more critical by pushing you around. Sadly, not all bullying cases are so blatant, and you need to have keen senses to determine who is manipulative and pushy and who is your friend.

Twelve Behaviors That Reveal a Cruel Person Who Loves to Intimidate Others

Thankfully, some specific behaviors or habits show someone has bullying tendencies. You can quickly identify when someone is trying to intimidate or manipulate you by using the following list. Here are the top behaviors of bullies.

1. Blackmail is Commonplace

One of the most common tactics used by a bully is blackmail. If they have any dirt on you, they may use it to get you to do what they want. For instance, if they know that you had someone else clock in for you, they may use that against you.

It wouldn’t be uncommon for this person to tell you that you must buy their lunch for a week, or they will tell. Yes, this action sounds quite childish, but this is how the typical bully gets their dirty work done. They will use whatever information they know about you to their advantage.

2. Lying Comes Natural

To do some of the evil things that this individual has done, they need to be a good liar. Please don’t believe anything out of their mouth as it’s only what they want you to know. Be careful telling them anything as they can add to or take away from your facts to make it completely untrue.

3. They Won’t Talk About Their Past

Another interesting trait of someone who loves to intimidate is that they want to know all about your story, but they won’t tell you about themselves. They may approach you asking for information about your life, but don’t count on them to offer anything about their life in return.

Be careful as what you tell them can and will be used against you. Additionally, they don’t want to talk about their past because it’s too painful. In most cases, you will find some abuse or neglect that has left them psychologically damaged.

4. Tries to Confuse You

One classic tactic of a manipulator is that they try to overload you with data to confuse you. For instance, assume you’re having issues with your car and need a mechanic. They may start spouting all these car repair tips to show their knowledge in this area.

The goal is to make themselves look knowledgeable and to make you feel insignificant in their presence. They want to appear to be all-knowing about the matter, so they will spew all sorts of information about cars and repairs, whether it’s true or not.

5. Displays Negative Emotions

What’s one thing a bully always does? They want to be louder than everyone else. They want to see and be heard.

This person may aggressively manipulate others by raising their voice so all can hear what they have to say. The louder they are, the more intimidated people are by their presence. The behaviors you’re seeing are nothing more than someone who wants you to conform to their demands, but you shouldn’t buy into it.

6. Uses Adverse Humor and Sarcasm

If you tend to be a bit insecure, then you will be a prime target for those who love to intimidate. This bully sees your insecurity as a weakness, and they will use this to their advantage. It’s not uncommon for them to want to make you feel insecure or inferior, so they will use poor humor and sarcasm to achieve it.

They may laugh at the shoes you’re wearing, the fact that you’re always late, or the lack of a personal life. They love nothing more than to make you look bad, but you need to get away from this person rather than playing into their hand. If you can think of a comeback quick enough, then turn their hostile humor back around on them.

7. Plays Professionally Ignorant

A manipulator has a few tools in their arsenal, and professional ignorance is one of their secret weapons. Since they like to be a con artist, they don’t mind “playing dumb” occasionally. If they want to avoid a situation or try to hide something they’ve done, they may use this passive-aggressive technique to cover their tracks.

An example would be your child didn’t clean their room as you asked them to do. So, rather than just taking the punishment, they will pretend they didn’t hear you ask them to do this chore. As a parent, you would call their bluff because they should keep their room clean anyway.

While the example uses a child, plenty of adults also like to use such methods when they refuse to take responsibility for their actions. According to the National Institute of Health, the passive-aggressive personality can be resentful and vindictive, making them hard to handle.

8. They Manipulate the Facts

You must remember that you’re not dealing with the average person as this individual is a compulsive liar. They will twist the facts to use them to their advantage. Be careful about anything that comes out of their mouth as they will often forget critical details of a conversation, make excuses, and blame those who are entirely innocent. It’s best to stay as far away from this person as possible.

9. They Appear Selfless

Those who intimidate often keep their plans, aspirations, yearning for power and dominance well concealed. So, in the first few encounters with an intimidator, you may think they are completely charming and selfless. They seem like a person that could be your best friend.

However, these charming first few encounters are only acting to lure you into their manipulative schemes. They know how to say and do the right things to make you want to be their friend, but they only want to use you. Remember, no matter how genuine they seem, they want to manipulate and control you.

10. Uses Pressure Tactics

An intimidator will apply pressure when they want someone to move. They accomplish this by creating a false sense of urgency to make you respond to their demands. The goal is to raise the level of tension to get their way.

What they’re attempting to do is to suppress your decision-making abilities by taking control over the situation. They’re not above using theatrical displays to undermine you.

11. They Use Forced Teaming Strategies

Those who love to intimidate are con artists with self-destructive behaviors. They like to gather their team to make their story even more believable. They often use words like “we” or “us” to make themselves seem more powerful. They’re trying to project that it’s more than just them that’s of this belief so that they can get you on board.

Another tactic observed is using these terms to pull you into their drama. For instance, assume a machine went down at work because the safety check wasn’t done correctly. They might say to you, “how are we going to handle this mess?” You may have had nothing to do with the error, but they want to bring you into their drama to lessen their impact if they take sole responsibility.

12. Playing the Victim Card

A schemer may fake as a victim of situations or another person’s bad behavior to sympathize. When these individuals try to get your pity, watch how they act. It’s easy to tell someone who is an actual victim from someone who is faking.

Assume they told you they were in a car crash. They would be shaken after such an event, and they may cry, be angry, and have anxiety over the situation. The faker won’t have the same emotions because they didn’t truly experience the incident.

If they’re good at their game, they may emulate these emotions, but they will quickly recover.

Final Thoughts on Recognizing a Person Who Seeks to Intimidate Others

Some people love to intimidate others, and they never pass up the chance to use someone to further their agenda. The classic manipulator often is seen as having a narcissistic personality that is unrelenting. They don’t care about others, and they have few friends or relatives who want anything to do with them.

The key is their past tells the story. If you were to dig deep into the background of those who love to intimidate others, you would often find they are very insecure. They make themselves feel better by using passive-aggressive tendencies and manipulating others. They need to be in control, so they will use whatever methods possible to accomplish this task.

If you encounter a bully on your job or in a social club, you mustn’t play their games. Try as they may; you don’t have to allow them to lure you into their web of deceit. By making sure your interactions with this individual are few and always keeping a witness by you when they’re near, you can minimize the damage done by this classic narcissist.

4 Behaviors That Reveal Someone Has A Lazy Personality

May 20, 2021 by Lakeisha Ethans

Have someone ever called you “lazy”? Most people have! Many individuals like to throw around the accusation around, assigning any non-productivity or a lack of activity to the phrase. It’s an insult. But have you considered that, instead, you are merely disinterested?

While it’s true that so-called lazy behavior can cause problems, assuming it is genuine laziness all the time isn’t the best idea. Human brains, emotions, and motivations are often more complex than they seem on the surface, and laziness can cover other problems. Most commonly, it’s a stand-in behavior that hides boredom or disinterest.

Still, no one wants to be seen as lazy, and most who think they display such traits will want to fix that. This is why it’s essential to understand that behaviors that seem sluggish on the surface aren’t always actually lazy. By assuming that they are, you’re making it harder for yourself to overcome the actual reason behind your behavior.

So, how can you tell if you’re truly lazy? Is it ever okay to assume the laziness of yourself or others? What do you do if you are just lazy, and what do you do if you find out you’re not? In short, the question is: are you lazy or just disinterested?

Here are four ways to find out.

1. Do You Dislike Your Everyday Work?

Lots of people spend their days doing things they barely tolerate. If you’re lucky enough to work at a dream job or at a job you truly and genuinely enjoy, then good for you! But there are plenty of people who don’t. And your work is likely a mere means to an end. You need to earn money to live, and you need a job that pays you that money, and that’s that.

Unfortunately, this can mean that you’re very disinterested in your everyday life. This can look like laziness because:

Behaving lazily is an easy distraction and can help separate you from what you dislike.
Sitting around all day and doing nothing can feel better than doing the work you dislike
Finding ways to make your work enjoyable can mean deviating from your current task as your brain seeks enrichment or any form of stimulation at all.

Of course, it isn’t easy to spice up everyday work without being seen as “lazy,” especially if you have a strict superior, manager, or boss who keeps tabs on you. If you can, however, it’s possible to find ways to brighten your working experience. You can listen to music you love as you work (or an audiobook, if you can focus on it!), start some friendly competition with colleagues, reward yourself for specific accomplishments, and more!

2. Do You Procrastinate?

Procrastination is the act of waiting till the very last minute to do specific tasks, forcing yourself to rush to finish them despite having lots of time beforehand. It’s such a standard behavior that those who do it often joke about it. And yes, it is often considered a key sign of laziness, but research indicates that it’s far from just that.

Surprisingly, procrastination is a complex topic. Being bored or disinterested can often mean you aren’t motivated enough to get things done. You need to learn and internalize that personal drive is more important than motivation. Beyond that, there are a vast number of different factors that can influence someone’s decision – or lack thereof – to procrastinate. Here are some examples:

· Poor Time Management

It’s easy to underestimate the amount of time you need to complete something, and time has an unfortunate way of going by much too quickly when you’re not paying attention. Learning to be better aware of time and keep track of deadlines can reduce this severity, mainly if you include a detailed plan.

· Being Unsure Of The Task

When you’re unsure what to do, it’s easy to get overwhelmed as you sit around and try to figure it out by observation and guesswork. If your most common excuse for procrastination is that you didn’t know how to start, you may want to ask for help or advice from your colleagues or peers. Studies indicate that those who don’t request assistance from coworkers have lower positive thinking and satisfaction regarding their job.

· Bad Thinking

Many procrastinators genuinely believe they are at their most proficient and efficient when working at the last minute. This means they’re not lazy – they’re just wrong about their best methods for productivity. For example, any neurodivergent individuals who do not receive proper treatment often feel that only pressure from rushing to get things done makes them work well or fast. If this describes you, then you need to learn to understand what truly works for you.

· Perfectionism

It seems contradictory to be a perfectionist who procrastinates. Surely wanting perfection means you want to get started sooner rather than later, right? Well, not for everyone! Perfectionism itself is a flawed trait. It always imposes impossible standards, and you should not use it to measure self-worth. This can mean that you don’t want to start working because you’re overwhelmed by your impossible task. It’s an avoidant coping mechanism, not a sign of laziness, and you need to start lowering your standards to more reasonable goals if you want positive results!

3. Do You Never Exercise?

One of the most common examples of laziness is a lack of exercise. This seems to suggest that if you don’t want to take care of yourself, it’s because you’re too lazy to do so. This doesn’t consider that exercise is challenging for some people, and it also forgets that exercising involves long-term commitments that can be intimidating to first-timers.

And, on top of that, let’s face it – exercise can be pretty dull! Not everyone wants to trek off to a jog or lift weights at the gym. It can seem like a terrible way to spend free time when the environment can be dull and dry. The trick is to learn how to make these moments more enjoyable. For example, you might:

Listen to an audiobook, podcast, or your favorite music while running
Watch a video, show, or movie while you’re at the gym
Find more exciting ways to exercise, like via dancing, playing certain sports, or brisk-walking while window shopping, or anything similar
Workout with a friend, family member, or someone else you like spending time with

4. You Have Low Self-Esteem

Being told you’re lazy for your whole life can lower self-esteem, and if yours already isn’t the greatest, there’s a chance that your laziness stems from that personal self-loathing. When you lack confidence in your abilities, using them to do anything is hard. That mindset forms a self-fulfilling prophecy. The lower your spirit, the more likely you are to mess up, and the more you mess up, the lower your confidence.

In other words, having little self-esteem can make you disinterested in even trying to begin with. Here are some ways you can fix this:

· Use Your Strengths

If most of the things you do play into your weaknesses or aren’t things you’re very good at, it’s easy to become disinterested as you feel like you can’t do anything correctly. Research has shown that using your strengths can have positive effects on productivity as you are more likely to enjoy working in areas where you shine.

· Take Note Of Progress

If your self-esteem is low, you likely constantly feel like you aren’t doing well enough and may feel stuck in your jobs or hobbies. This can be quickly discouraging as you feel like you’re not improvising, causing you to want to stop and give up. This isn’t you being lazy; you need your intrinsic validation. Keep track of all progress in subjects where you tend to seem “lazy,” no matter how small. Real change happens gradually and, when you live in your own life, it’s hard to notice those gradual improvements. You might discover that you are doing much better than you initially believed! Don’t forget to reward yourself after you surpass a milestone.

· Stop Being Afraid Of Failure

Low self-esteem can make failure seem like a brand. You may blame yourself entirely whenever something goes wrong, rendering you uninterested in the last at hand. You may even feel so discouraged that you no longer want to do anything in that vein. Learning to get comfortable and positive about failure can do wonders for your interest levels. You will soon learn to take these as teaching moments instead of symbols of your self-worth.

Final Thoughts On Some Signs To Find Out If You’re Lazy Or Just Disinterested

If you’ve noticed, there aren’t any signs that you’re lazy. The reality is that laziness isn’t a natural, inherent emotion or trait. In fact, viewing it as such can be incredibly detrimental to your mental health, positive thinking, and personal growth. The idea of laziness brands you with a particular behavior, implying that this is just a trait you have and it cannot be changed.

The truth is that laziness isn’t a real “thing,” and plenty of modern experts agree. People are not lazy because they want to be. Laziness is a mere symptom of a situational problem and a deeper-rooted issue. It may be disinterested, but you may also feel overwhelmed by thoughts, fear, pressure, insecurity, and much more that.

These issues masquerade as laziness to the untrained eye because they dig deep. Most people aren’t ready to delve into the problems of others. Thus, they assign a trait that fits best based on what they see. This is a poor way to judge someone’s character, as it makes many assumptions that can’t be founded in evidence. If you don’t understand why someone is doing something and decide they must be lazy, you haven’t received the necessary information to comprehend their situation.

Everyone deals with their struggles and battles, and so are you. Instead of calling yourself lazy, consider the actual root cause of your behaviors. Reflect on why you behave ” lazy ” and ponder how to overcome those roots. If you need further assistance, remember that you can always contact a mental health professional for help!

5 Positive Ways to Process Grief and Let Go

May 20, 2021 by Lakeisha Ethans

Grief is a response to some form of loss. Most conventionally, it refers to the emotional reaction to the loss of someone dearly loved. But it can refer to many other forms of loss and their effects. Either way, you must process grief and let go to stay mentally healthy.

Those who are grieving go through many difficult processes as they attempt to carry on in a world with this loss. For some, this can go sideways, and they can end up coping with their emotions in negative and harmful ways. How can you prevent that from happening? Here are five positive ways to process grief to move on in life.

1. Let Yourself Feel

Different people tend to react to grief in varied ways. The most positive way to deal with all those reactions, though, is by allowing yourself to truly feel and experience all those painful emotions and minor details, even if it’s tough.

It can be tempting to deny your emotions and repress how you feel, especially since it hurts so much. You may even think that forcing your feelings down will promote healing and recovery, but it’s very much the opposite. The more you repress it, the more it will fester and affect areas of your life in hard-to-detect ways.

If you have trouble processing and feeling grief, begin by intentionally setting aside time to grieve. Don’t run away from your emotions and, in fact, schedule time for those emotions. Let yourself sit down and feel everything wash over you. Cry, rage, bargain – whatever you feel, observe it, watch it, and wait for it to pass. Some days, it won’t pass, and that’s okay too.

Remember, denying your sadness is a surefire way to make it persist for longer. The more you fight it, the more likely you will wind up dealing with mental health disorders and conditions or stronger emotions of frustration, guilt, shame, and fear.

Sadness is not dangerous. Grief is healthy. Approach yourself and your emotions with compassion and show your brain that these feelings are natural and accepted.

2. Don’t Limit Your Perceptions of Grief

There are lots of portrayals of grief in the media that paint it in a very particular light. You may believe that grief is particular and rigid in its rules and that anything outside of that no longer constitutes grief.

This is usually incorrect, as grieving is so complicated and confusing. Limiting how you view grief can make you feel invalid in your emotions, causing you to struggle to recover at all. Here are some tips, so you don’t limit that perception:

· Don’t Put A Time Limit On It

Some people’s grieving process will be concise, but for many, it can take a long, long time to overcome debilitating feelings of grief. That’s okay and valid. It is normal for grief to ebb and flows or take very little time or take years. There’s no such thing as the “right” way to grieve. Believing that grief must be over by a certain point will backfire on you. While it will lessen over time, you can’t predict exactly what trajectory your grief will take.

· Don’t Assume Grief Is Only Sadness

Studies show that grief is very emotionally complex. It is normal to feel emotions that aren’t limited to sadness, and some of these feelings may be ones you’re ashamed of. You may feel happy because a chapter in your life feels closed, and that might make you feel guilty for not grieving correctly. You may feel angry or resentful towards someone you’re grieving over, which may cause you to wonder what’s wrong with you. Understand that these emotions are normal. There is no one way to grieve, and most people experience a colorful array of feelings during the process.

· Don’t Compare Your Grief To The Grief Of Others

Lots of people grieve in lots of different ways. The people who grieve for the same reason as you may appear to cope better on the surface, or they may be less debilitated, or they may exhibit a sorrow you can’t quite reach, or they may genuinely recover very quickly. Their experiences have nothing to do with yours, however. It’s normal to contrast your experiences with other people’s, but remember that you don’t know what goes on behind closed doors. In addition to that, there is nothing wrong with grieving uniquely, so take your own time. Your grief is about your feelings and your unique experiences, not anyone else’s.

3. Don’t Rush To Erase The Traces

There’s a general perception that grief involves completely removing all remnants of something for healing to occur. This isn’t true. In some cases, you may find recovery in the act of completely eradicating a memory of a subject of grief, but more often than not, preserving the memory and thinking about it is more helpful. Here is how to do this:

· Talk About It

Whether your grief is from the loss of a loved one, a missed opportunity, or something else, it doesn’t have to be pushed aside and forgotten. Sometimes, people believe that moving on entails leaving behind all traces of what hurts, but that’s not true. Those traces can keep things alive. Talk about what happened with others, reminisce and reflect, and find support in others dealing with similar grief. Share memories of lost loved ones, and you’ll be able to find peace in a world without them.

· Don’t Rush To Clear

If the loss of a loved one causes your grief, then you may want to look through their belongings and throw out or donate some of their stuff. You might even feel pressured to do it. But while hoarding everything isn’t healthy, neither is trying to get rid of things you’re not yet ready to. You will never get rid of some items and remember them or pass them on to others. There are other items that you will, eventually, throw away. Take your time with it, and don’t feel like you have to “purge” your home right away from their memory.

· Think About Impact

If someone you love is now lost, reminisce on the way they’ve changed your life. Think about the lessons they taught you, whether intentionally or inadvertently, and about the good and bad times you shared. If the grief comes from something that’s a missed chance instead of someone gone, then reflect on how it has changed your life and how you can learn from the loss.

· Do Something To Continue A Legacy

If your grief stems from someone who passed away, then do something in their memory. Donate to or volunteer at an organization they were passionate about. Please pass on the wisdom they gave you to others. Incorporate the values you loved in them into your everyday life. Make a little memorial for them, or tell stories of their greatness to others. If your grief stems from things and circumstances instead of people, then remember that the best way to continue such a legacy is not to give up and keep moving forward.

4. Seek Support to Help Process Grief

Grief isn’t something you have to go through alone. You can find positive thinking from being supported, encouraged, and comforted by others. The right kind of social support can play a significant role in recovery and moving on from grief. Here are some ways to find support:

· Request and Accept Comfort

The people closest to you will likely want to comfort you for your loss. If you feel ashamed or embarrassed about your need for this comfort, it’s time to learn to accept that help graciously. You can and should also voice your needs to those trying to help you so that they understand how to help you.

· Find Support Groups

Grief is far from a unique experience. It’s something countless people across the planet have to deal with at least once in their life. This means that there are support groups out there for people who need them. When you’re surrounded by those who understand your pain, you can find encouragement, advice, and motivation from them while providing the same in turn.

· Get Professional Help

There is nothing wrong with needing extra support due to grief. Therapists, counselors, and other mental health professionals are equipped with the tools and knowledge necessary to help you work through your emotions and move on. They can also help you to unpack the more complex intricacies of how you feel.

5. Take Care Of Your Health

When you’re grieving, it’s easy to forget to take care of your physical health. But the state of your body can play a significant role in your grief, and poor health can make it harder to cope, process, and move on.

While you can’t be expected to be the perfect picture of fitness while grieving, make sure that your body is kept in a relatively flattering shape. Here are some things to keep in mind:

· Eat Well

Don’t resort to long periods of emotional eating, as junk foods will only make you feel worse. At the same time, don’t starve yourself out of grief, or you’ll lack the energy necessary to push forward.

· Get Some Physical Activity

You don’t need to crush it at the gym while grieving – though doing so may work off some of the stressed energy. Instead, focus on getting a little movement into your day. Go for walks, do some stretches, and don’t sit or lie still for too long.

· Sleep Enough

Grieving individuals may get too little or too much sleep, depending on their unique response to their emotions. Seek a doctor’s help if you’re unable to sleep or unable to wake up, as you need good sleep to keep up the energy required for healing.

Final Thoughts On Some Positive Ways To Process Grief To Move On In Life

As such a powerful and devastating emotion, it’s alarming to think that every single person is likely to experience grief several times in their life. Still, grief is entirely natural, and it’s something you can work through and process. If you learn to manage and reflect on your feelings with positive thinking, you will move on in your life.

Psychologists Explain 6 Reasons Why People Scream

May 20, 2021 by Sarah Barkley

People express their emotions by screaming, and it is one of the most intense ways to do so. Whether they are happy, sad, or afraid, a scream is often the first reaction someone has. While everyone does it, most people don’t know why people cry out or what it means.

This outcry is sometimes a sign that something is wrong, but that isn’t always the case. While it is true in some instances, it is just as likely to occur when something positive is happening.

New studies show that there is a reason that people communicate this way, helping us understand the action a little more. Scientists have found six different types of screams and what each of them means. The types include both alarming and non-alarming cries.

Six Reasons People Scream and the Feelings Revealed

Understanding why someone screams is essential because it indicates their emotions. This signal can alert you of danger, a threat, and even excitement. These outcries are a communication tool, and you might notice that when one person screams, others begin to, as well.

1. To Cope With a Traumatic Event

When someone has trouble coping, they might scream to release their emotions. Screaming to cope often happens in unexpected and devastating situations when someone is blindsided by bad news. Their first reaction is to let the sudden sorrow they feel out.

If a situation is traumatic enough, crying might not help enough. It will seem like the crying lasts forever, but the pain is still intense. When someone feels this way, they might turn to this reaction for relief.

No matter what the situation is, if someone has a problem with coping, they might scream. It is used as a release and can make people feel better. You might have a hard time understanding this reason if you don’t have a problem with coping yourself, but it is all too real for others.

Try to be understanding in these situations. It is impossible to feel what another person is feeling, and they are coping in the only way they know how to.

2. They Feel Like They Have Lost Control

When someone is overwhelmed with negative thoughts, feelings, and emotions, they will likely feel a loss of control. Experiencing this usually leads to finding other things to take control of. This is especially true for anyone that desires power in all situations.

Someone that feels like they have lost control might resort to an outcry because it is one thing they can control. The person can control how loud they are, how powerful their scream is, and how it makes them feel. Plus, they can control their reaction in this way, bringing them a little comfort.

3. They Feel Threatened or Are Naturally Aggressive

If someone feels like they are being threatened, they might react by screaming. Threats dredge up intense emotions because they often target the person’s sense of well-being. In this instance, it can be a defense mechanism to scare off potential predators.

Even if they know that the threat might not happen, it can intensely upset them. This heightened reaction may occur when someone that the person loves is threatened, too.

Some people scream because they are naturally aggressive. When they get angry, their first reaction is to be loud and assert their power. It helps them feel more superior, which is something that aggressive people desire.

When someone screams because they are aggressive, it could turn physical. The person’s overwhelming aggression and need for power could cause them to start a fight. A physical altercation isn’t always what happens, but it is always a real possibility to be aware of.

4.They Mimic Learned Behavior

Sometimes, if someone grew up in an environment with frequent screaming or shouting episodes, they will mimic that behavior. Whenever conflict arises, they rely on screaming as a way to deal with the situation.

In this situation, the person likely hasn’t learned positive coping skills. They might think that screaming is a standard way to deal with issues because that is the way they were raised.

Another instance where this might occur is when it comes to fears. If someone saw their parent or other role model scream due to a fear of something, they might react that way, too. For instance, if a mother screamed every time that she saw a bug, her child might mimic that same behavior in their adult years.

5. They are Excited or Happy

When something great happens, it might entice a scream from those who are most excited. The great thing that happens could be seeing a famous person they are a fan of, hearing good news about their family or getting a promotion at work. It could even be less significant events like getting a gift they are excited about or receiving an exciting phone call.

People might also scream when they are intensely joyful. When someone feels extremely happy, their emotions build up until they feel like they need to let it all out. Seeing a friend or loved one they haven’t seen in a while is a situation that often leads to this type of happiness and joy.

Here’s how your facial expressions reveal your true feelings.

6. They Feel Useless

If someone feels like no one hears them, they might feel useless. The person might also feel useless in upsetting situations if they can’t do anything to make it better. Feeling like they don’t have a purpose can lead to even more upsetting feelings.

When someone is going through something traumatic, they often want to stay busy and help out. Even small tasks can make them feel like they are doing something to help. Unfortunately, sometimes there aren’t even those tasks to do.

Eventually, their negative feelings will come out, and sometimes that involves screaming. With all of the intense emotions, they are already feeling, feeling useless is too much to handle.

Different Types of Screams and The Feelings It Reveals

Since there are different reasons that people scream, there are bound to be different types of screams, too. The emotion conveyed in each cry is apparent based on the kind of scream that it is. Something must trigger the outcry, and the feeling evoked will depend on what the trigger is.

Screaming is one way humans communicate, and it is an attempt to let other people know how they are feeling. There are two categories of screams, and the types dividing into alarming and non-alarming screams.

Alarm Bells

The types of alarms include:

anger
fear
pain

Alarm screams are a sign of potential danger or a negative situation. They can be used when people are fighting, scared, angry, or physically hurting. Alarm screams are something that humans share with most animals, whereas most non-alarm screams are unique to humans.

This type of scream was better understood long ago, whereas non-alarm cries were lesser-known. Now, more research has revealed information about non-alarm signals.

Non-Alarm Signals

The types of non-alarm communications include:

joy
pleasure
grief

The brain responds quicker to non-alarming screams that signify positivity and joy. Joyous screams are often a way of socializing and seem to spread from one person to another. If one person is screaming, others will likely join in, too.

You will notice this situation at music concerts or sporting events. When there are fans present, and everyone is excited about the event, the screaming will be seemingly contagious. It is a great way to make social connections and strengthen bonds since it is such an emotional experience.

In the past, people thought that humans only screamed when they needed help or were afraid. It was considered a defense mechanism, but things have changed. Now, we know that non-alarming screams are more common than terrifying cries and have taken priority.

Non-alarm communications taking priority have to do with a change in the environment. Humans don’t usually have the threats that animals living in the wild have. They don’t often need to scream out of fear of looming danger.

Since humans don’t have to worry about it as much, they focus on positive screams like joy and pleasure. People focus on the excitement involved with it and the social interactions it inspires.

Joy and pleasure are both cheerful non-alarm screams, but grief is a desperate non-alarm scream. People still react more quickly and efficiently to grief than they do to the alarm screams, however.

Final Thoughts on Reasons Why People Scream and the Feelings It Reveals

Screaming is unique and interesting, and luckily, research can now help explain it. Scientists now know why people raise their voices this way and what it means. Plus, they have described the feelings that screaming reveals.

The next time you hear a scream, try to decipher which type it was. Remember that your mind reacts more quickly to non-alarm screams, but alarm screams are the ones you should pay the most attention to.

Another fun thing to do is watch the crowd at the next sporting event or concert you attend. Once one person yells out, those around them likely will, too. Once you understand why people scream, you will start to notice all the little things about it.

How to Make Himalayan Sea Salt Candle Diffusers

May 20, 2021 by Kristen Lawrence

If you love Himalayan sea salt and candles, why not combine the two and create homemade diffusers? They can help purify and cleanse the air in your home while leaving it smelling amazing. Plus, they look beautiful and make a great decorative piece for any home. You could even place them on outdoor patio tables to create a relaxing vibe at nighttime.

We’ll show you how to make several different sea salt candles so you can place them throughout your home.

Here’s how to make homemade himalayan sea salt candle diffusers

1. Lavender bergamot sea salt candle

Relax your mind with this fragrant diffuser.

What you’ll need:

– 1/2 cup sea salt
– Red and blue food coloring
– Tea light candle
– Votive candle holder
– Lavender essential oil
– Bergamot essential oil
– Small spoon
– Small bowl
– Dried lavender

Directions:

1. Grab a small bowl and measure about 1/2 cup Himalayan sea salt. Pour into bowl.
2. Squeeze a couple drops of both red and blue food coloring into the bowl.
3. Stir with a small spoon to coat the salt evenly.
4. Add about 7-10 drops of lavender oil and 5-7 drops of bergamot essential oil. Stir once again with the spoon.
5. Finally, add your dried lavender to the mix, stirring thoroughly.
6. Grab your votive holder and scoop about 3 tablespoons of salt into it.
7. Place the tea light candle inside and light it. Now, sit back and relax while the smell of lavender fills your home.

2. Mint lime candle

Invigorate your senses and sharpen your focus.

What you’ll need:

– 1/2 cup sea salt
– Tea light candle
– Votive candle holder
– Small spoon
– Small bowl
– Spice grinder or pestle
– Fresh mint leaves
– Mint essential oil
– Lime zest

Directions:

1. First, grab your bowl and pour in a handful of sea salt. Add about 10 small mint leaves to the bowl.
2. Next, use a dropper to squeeze 10 drops of mint essential oil into the bowl.
3. Use a spice grinder or pestle to crush the mint leaves.
4. Now, add in the rest of the salt.
5. Put 5-7 drops of lime essential oil in the bowl, along with about a teaspoon of lime zest.
6. Mix it all up with a small spoon.
7. Place 3 tablespoons of salt into the candle holder, and put the tea light candle on top.
8. Light it and enjoy the invigorating, energizing aroma of the mint and lime.

3. Rosemary lemongrass Himalayan pink sea salt candle

Indulge in a spa-like treat for your body and mind.

What you’ll need:

– 1/2 cup Himalayan pink sea salt
– Small bowl and spoon
– Lemongrass essential oil
– Rosemary essential oil
– Dried rosemary
– Votive candle holder
– Tea light candle

Directions:

1. Pour half a cup of the pink sea salt into your bowl. Add roughly two teaspoons of rosemary sprigs and 7-10 drops of lemongrass essential oil.
2. Next, use a dropper to squeeze approximately 7-10 drops of rosemary essential oil into the mixture.
3. Stir with a spoon to combine the ingredients.
4. Spoon 3-4 generous scoops into the candle holder and place the candle on top.
5. Light the candle and breathe in the woody, citrusy fragrance of the lemongrass and rosemary.

4. Lemon grapefruit orange sea salt candle

This aromatic treat will boost your mood.

What you’ll need:

– 1/2 cup sea salt
– Yellow food coloring
– Small bowl and spoon
– Lemon essential oil
– Grapefruit essential oil
– Orange essential oil
– Lemon zest

Directions:

1. For this citrusy candle, you’ll just need a few ingredients. Grab your bowl and once again pour in the sea salt.
2. Add a couple heaping drops of yellow food coloring to make this sea salt candle pop.
3. Stir with a small spoon to combine with the salt.
4. Next, add 2-3 drops of lemon essential oil.
5. Add 3-5 drops of grapefruit and 7-10 drops of orange essential oils into the mixture.
6. Combine thoroughly with the spoon.
7. Finally, add about 1 teaspoon of lemon zest and stir in with the spoon.
8. You know the drill: scoop about 3.5 spoonfuls of the sea salt into the candle holder.
9. Add the candle, light it, and allow the uplifting citrus scents to rejuvenate your soul.

We hope these homemade sea salt candles will add peace and beauty to your home. They don’t take long to put together, and it can help you relax after a stressful day. Wondering which candle diffuser you should make? We’ll go over all the benefits of the various fragrances below.

Benefits of aromatherapy

People have been using aromatherapy throughout the world for millennia to treat different ailments. Certain fragrances can aid in healing both the mind and body, another testament to the power of plant medicines. The effects depend on which plant you’re using for aromatherapy.

Here’s a few of the widely known benefits of each plant:

Lavender. Promotes calmness and relaxation, especially when used before bed. Can help ease your mind and reduce stress, anxiety and depression. Lavender may also alleviate headaches and mild body or menstrual cramps.
Bergamot. Is known to boost mood, reduce inflammation, and eliminate fatigue, anxiety and stress.
Mint. When mint is diffused, it can help boost cognitive function, reduce headaches and relieve nausea or stomach discomfort.
Lime. Lime is a very energizing scent, helping balance emotions, renew the mind, and promote well-being.
Rosemary. Rosemary is an energizing yet calming fragrance. It’s known to relax the mind and body while perking you up if you’re down.
Lemongrass. Lemongrass is a powerful anti-inflammatory, helping to reduce migraines and stomachaches. It can also ease stress and anxiety while improving cognitive performance.
Citrus: Lemon, orange, and grapefruit. We lumped these together because they have similar benefits. Citrus scents are known to invigorate and energize you, promoting a positive mood.

Final thoughts on how to make Himalayan sea salt candle diffusers

As you can see, these candles have many benefits and will add a touch of beauty to your home. After a long day, the smell of fragrant herbs can help relax you and ease your mind. If you don’t have a diffuser, you can easily make your own with these simple recipes. Use lavender if you want to wind down, and the others if you need a quick energy boost.

10 Things That Might Cause Jaw Pain

May 20, 2021 by Sarah Barkley

Jaw pain is highly uncomfortable and, if it gets bad enough, it can be debilitating. It can affect the way you speak, eat, and even carry yourself. If the pain gets bad enough, it can keep you from your job, social opportunities, and other important things.

There are many causes of jaw pain, and figuring out the cause of your pain is the key to fixing it. Simple things like a sinus infection or headache can cause pain. Or, the cause could be more serious such as a heart attack or injury.

Jaw pain might present itself as an aching feeling near your ear or in one or both sides of your face. It commonly occurs when you are chewing, talking, or opening and closing your mouth in any way. In addition to the pain, you might notice a clicking, grinding, or popping sound.

This type of pain can typically be remedied at home, but sometimes it may require a doctor visit. To determine whether you should see a professional, it is essential to figure out what might be causing the pain. By narrowing down the cause, you will know if you should see a doctor and how quickly you should get there.

Ten Things That Might Cause Jaw Pain

Do these indicators sound familiar to you?

1. A Sinus Infection or Other Sinus Problem

Some of your sinus cavities are located near your jaw joint, so if your sinuses are giving you problems, you might experience pain. Sinus problems can occur when they become infected and swell up, putting pressure on the surrounding areas.

2. Trigeminal Neuralgia

Trigeminal Neuralgia is a condition that causes intense pain in your facial areas. It is caused by compression on the trigeminal nerve, which gives sensation to most of your face. Even slight facial movements can trigger the pain, so you may notice the pain as you talk or eat.

If you have trigeminal neuralgia, the pain will likely increase with each attack. The length of each episode normally increases with each one, as well. Luckily, there are ways to control the symptoms of this condition once it has been diagnosed.

3. Temporomandibular Joint and Muscle Disorder

Often known as TMJ or TMD, this disorder causes pain when you move or stimulate your jaw. Some of the things that cause temporomandibular joint and muscle disorder include:

injury
a displaced disc
arthritis
grinding your teeth
clenching due to stress or anxiety
misalignment
inflammation

4. Heart Attack

This type of pain is a surprising sign of a heart attack because most people don’t know about it. If you experience pain on the left side of your face, pay close attention to other symptoms. Some of the other signs of a heart attack include:

chest pain, pressure, or discomfort
sweating
feeling like you might faint
nausea
feeling like you can’t breathe
numbness or tingling in the left arm

If you experience the symptoms of a heart attack, you must seek medical treatment immediately. Waiting to find out is dangerous, so it is better to be safe and get checked out.

5. Dental Infections or Tooth Pain

Dental infections can spread down into the jawbone, causing pain to radiate from that area. Many times, the infection is a tooth abscess caused by a bacterial infection. Your tooth will hurt, too, so that can help you identify if it is the issue.

6. Trauma or Injury

Injuring your jawbone will cause pain, and the severity of the injury will determine the level of pain. The bone could have been broken or knocked out of place.

You might also notice bruising, swelling, and loose or missing teeth. Whether your injuries are severe or minor, the pain will be all too real.

7. Headaches

As if the pain in your head wasn’t bad enough, it could also cause pain in your face. Cluster headaches can cause pain in your face and behind your eyes, and it is intense.

Tension headaches can cause this type of pain, too. You’ll experience these headaches when the muscles in your head or neck are tight. Tension headaches are common, so it is a good chance that it is causing your jaw pain.

8. Chewing Gum

This seemingly harmless action can cause you a world of pain. If you chew gum often, it can overwork the joints and muscles. It will cause soreness and inflammation that makes it hard to move your mouth.

9. Stress and Anxiety

Anxiety and stress both lead to tension, which can cause clenching and grinding of your teeth. Grinding or clenching can cause damage to your jawbone and your teeth, putting even more unnatural pressure on the area.

10. Swimmer’s Ear

Also known as otitis externa, a swimmer’s ear is an ear infection in the canal that goes from the eardrum to the opening. It happens when bacteria, fungus, or a virus make their way into the canal. Many times, this occurs when someone has been swimming.

Water leftover in your ear after swimming isn’t the only cause, though. You can also develop this infection by using cotton swabs or putting other things inside your ear canal.

How to Ease Jaw Pain

You can treat jaw pain at home with natural remedies. One way to reduce or eliminate the pain is by avoiding chewing gum and other sticky candies. You can also try stretching or massaging the muscles or using a hot or cold pack on the painful area.

Using Hot or Cold Packs

If you don’t have a cold pack, you can put ice in a plastic bag and wrap it in a cloth. Once you have done that, place it on the painful area for around 10 minutes. Take it off for 10 minutes, then do it again.

If you think a hot pack will work better, you can try that in the same way as the cold pack. You can also get a washcloth wet with hot water and apply it to the area if you don’t have a hot pack.

The hot or cold packs can relax your muscles to help alleviate the pain. You can do this as many times as you need to, as long as you remember to take it off every 10 minutes.

Massage It

You can use your pointer and middle fingers to gently press on the painful areas. While pressing, rub in a circular motion about ten times, open your mouth and do it again. Adjust the pressure as you figure out what seems to be helping, but be careful not to press too hard.

Learn Stress-Reducing Techniques

Learning to reduce your stress can help alleviate tension that causes grinding or clenching of your teeth. You can try things like yoga, journaling, or meditation, or deep breathing to help you relax during stressful times. Don’t give up if the first method you try doesn’t work because different de-stressing techniques work for different people.

Avoid Sticky or Chewy Foods

Since chewy foods can cause pain, avoid them whenever you can. The foods to avoid include apples, beef jerky, chewing gum, or anything else that causes your jaw to work overtime. If your jaw gets sore while eating it, you should consider cutting back on that particular item.

When to See a Doctor

While you can often treat the pain at home, there are times when a doctor is necessary. The severity of your pain depends on what is causing it, so you must consider the cause first.

If the pain is due to tension, you can learn to relax better or get help from a therapist. Recognizing the issue is sometimes enough to help, though.

But if the pain is due to a dental issue, seeing your dentist can alleviate the pain and fix the problem. The dentist can determine where the problem is and what needs to be done, and they can help you with tooth grinding or clenching. Dental problems should be treated quickly but aren’t typically an immediate emergency.

If you experience chest pain, sweating, or shortness of breath, you should seek medical care immediately. You should also see a doctor right away if the pain is sudden, severe, or follows an accident.

If you can’t open, close, or properly move your jaw, seeing a doctor is likely a good idea. Seeing a doctor is wise if you notice the pain comes from both sides and is up in front of your ears.

Final Thoughts on Knowing the Things That Might Cause Jaw Pain and When to See a Doctor

Jaw pain is uncomfortable and can be excruciatingly distracting. The pain can interfere with your daily life and leave you unfocused. Plus, the pain could be an indicator of something more serious.

If any of the possible causes discussed above sound similar to what you are experiencing, figure out what you can do to fix it. It might be a simple fix, or it might require more attention.

If the natural home remedies don’t help alleviate your pain, it might be time to see a doctor. Consider the factors discussed above and consider whether you need a professional opinion. Go with your gut feeling because it is usually correct.

15 Behaviors That Reveal a Hypersensitive Person

May 20, 2021 by Sarah Barkley

You may think that being a hypersensitive person means that someone cries easily. While that response might be authentic, there is much more to it than that. Many actions reveal a hypersensitive person, helping you identify one in your life or if you are one yourself.

Being hypersensitive is sometimes thought of as a bad thing, but it doesn’t have to be that way. There are benefits to being this way, including being empathetic, self-aware, and motivated. Hypersensitivity helps with being more aware of personal emotions and paying attention to details.

Researchers explain that the key to making hypersensitivity a positive is for the individual to learn about emotional intelligence. First, they must know that they are hypersensitive, though. If you think you might be a hypersensitive person or someone in your life is, then these actions will help you figure it out.

If a person doesn’t realize they are prone to hypersensitivity, they won’t learn how to use it to their advantage. It could cause anxiety, stress, depression, isolation, and poor experiences. If they know how to make it a positive thing in their life, though, they can use it to their advantage, instead.

15 Behaviors That Reveal a Hypersensitive Person

Do you think you might be hypersensitive? Maybe you recognize the following behaviors in yourself!

1. They Have Great Manners

A sign of a highly sensitive person is that they have better manners than other people. They are considerate and are likely to notice when others are lacking in this area. Plus, they are aware of their surroundings to ensure they aren’t blocking someone or interfering with someone else’s actions.

They pay attention to the people around them and make sure to acknowledge them immediately. Plus, they often apologize, and they are quick to thank someone for helping them. If you notice that someone seems overly polite, it could be an instance of hypersensitivity.

2. They Take a While to Make Decisions

Overly sensitive people tend to take longer to make decisions. This is because they want to consider all factors and gather as much information as possible first. Even seemingly small choices might take them a while because they want to think about every likely scenario.

They don’t procrastinate, but they spend every second making sure things are perfect. If the time is allotted, you can expect them to use it.

3. Hypersensitive People Have Extreme Emotions

Being hypersensitive is revealed when someone has extreme emotions compared to other people. Their feelings are more intense, which appears as laughing too loud or for a more extended amount of time than others. It is also revealed when they cry over little things or a lot more than those in the same situation.

They might even become upset over situations that aren’t upsetting to others. This action might take you by surprise because you won’t be expecting their emotion.

4. They Communicate Well

Since hypersensitive people have heightened emotions, they can communicate better than others. They have an easier time connecting with people and being empathetic, helping them communicate in a way that others respond well to.

Another reason they communicate well is that they are good at respecting personal boundaries. Respecting boundaries makes others feel comfortable with them, and it can make others open up easier. They also read the emotions of others well, helping them see what the other person needs at that moment.

5. They Become Overwhelmed Easily

Highly-sensitive people get overwhelmed so quickly because they experience more emotions. Plus, they work themselves so hard that it quickly leads to an overwhelming feeling. Unfortunately, being overwhelmed can cause a decrease in productivity and can cause burnout.

They take on more than they can handle, too, which doesn’t help them feel less overwhelmed. It leads to disorganization, anxiety, depression, and uncontrollable emotions. They also don’t like to ask for help until it is too late to remedy the problem.

6. They Like to Work and do Other Things Alone

Hypersensitive people are great at working in groups but prefer not to. They prefer to work alone because they get more done that way. Plus, they like to control their environment; being alone helps them focus.

This type of person also gets easily stressed out when working on a team because they don’t enjoy compromise or collaboration. While this heavily applies to a work environment, it doesn’t just stop there. They also avoid team sports and like working out alone at the gym.

7. They are Self-Aware

Being self-aware means they are in tune with their emotions and know why they feel the way they do. With self-awareness, people can be more successful, thoughtful, and social if they regulate themselves properly.

However, self-awareness can cause poor social skills, lack of self-care, and unpredictable emotional expression if they don’t learn to self-regulate. They can reverse the negative consequences once they learn to regulate their emotions before reacting.

8. Small Things Set Them Off

If you know someone that is easily upset by seemingly small things, they are likely hypersensitive. You may notice that they are okay with something one day but then freak out the next. They may react negatively to things that don’t matter in the long run, causing others to feel nervous around them.

9. They Emotionally Attack Someone When There is an Issue That Needs Fixed

When an overly sensitive person is frustrated or upset, they tend to attack others instead of fixing the problem. They might end up saying things they don’t mean in an attempt to make others feel bad, too. The emotional attack also happens when other people give them feedback, even if it is given kindly.

10. They are Insecure

Because hypersensitive people are often insecure, they make incorrect assumptions about others. If someone corrects them or tries to give advice, they take it personally instead of learning from it. They also don’t like to speak up because they worry people will think badly about them or their ideas.

11. They Pay Close Attention to Detail

Highly sensitive people are detail-oriented and pay close attention to their surroundings. They process more information than most and help them notice things that other people didn’t. Sometimes they will fixate on a detail that doesn’t seem necessary, and it turns out to be essential in the bigger picture.

12. They are More Annoyed by Sounds Than Others

If someone is overly sensitive to noises, it is a sign of hypersensitivity. Loud or chaotic noises tend to overstimulate them, leaving them feeling annoyed and anxious.

It is important to note that this isn’t the same as someone being sensitive to noises. The noises are more than just frustrating for those that are overly sensitive.

13. They React Quickly and in an Over-the-Top Way

While hypersensitive people take a long time to decide something, that doesn’t mean they don’t react quickly to emotional situations. They often react this way to noises, movement, or the behavior of others.

This tendency to react quickly can be good in some situations but can be harmful in others. It is good in the sense that it can protect them and those around them. However, it is a bad reaction when something they thought was a threat turns out to be harmless.

Reacting in this way can cause anxiety, distress, and exhaustion. Those negative results are the reason that it is harmful when the situation was innocent.

14. Hypersensitive People Tend to Overanalyze

Highly-sensitive people can’t let go of things even after they happen. They tend to replay each situation in their mind, overanalyzing everything they said and the other person said. Overly sensitive people also tend to play out scenarios that might never happen.

When they are busy overanalyzing, they lose focus on what they need to do. Sensitive people struggle to let go of the thoughts, even after realizing that their mindset is holding them back. This type of person will go over every text message, email, or conversation looking for true meaning.

15. They Overwork Themselves

Hypersensitive people tend to take on too much and become burnt out quickly. They will take on all the tasks that no one else was willing to, without even considering if they can handle it all. It leads to putting those tasks ahead of all other things in their life and feeling a lack of balance.

Final Thoughts on Actions Reveal a Hypersensitive Person

Being hypersensitive can be beneficial as long as the person realizes it. Once they have identified that they are experiencing hypersensitivity, they can learn more about it to make it a positive part of their life.

Hypersensitivity can help someone become successful, self-aware, observant, and good at socializing. On the other hand, it can cause isolation, lack of motivation, and other issues if it doesn’t get handled well. Learning how to regulate overwhelming emotions is essential for hypersensitive people.

If you recognize these behaviors in yourself or someone you know, it is a sign of hypersensitivity. Learning how to use it as an advantage is key to making the most of it. It can be a good thing once the triggers and actions are recognized.

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