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Psychology Explains The Signs of Body Dysmorphic Disorder (And Why It Happens)

March 10, 2021 by Power of Positivity

Body dysmorphic disorder or BDD is a psychiatric disorder that causes an obsessive preoccupation with a perceived flaw in your appearance. Delusions about a defect in your appearance may motivate you to pursue various treatments to change your appearance. Here is what psychologists are saying about the causes and symptoms of BDD.

What is body dysmorphic disorder?

A recent study in August 2020 stated that 2% of the American adult population struggle with body dysmorphic disorder. Psychologists recently classified BDD as an obsessive-compulsive disorder since it involves repetitive acts and behaviors. The person may have rituals such as constantly gazing in the mirror, skin picking, excessive grooming, and constantly comparing themselves with others. There are also pathological fears of being ugly based on some part of your body.

Sadly, BDD disorder is easily misunderstood and minimized. Those who suffer from this disorder may feel disapproval and even reproach from others.

Symptoms of BDD

BDD patients struggle most often with the appearance of their head and face. They may obsess over scars, acne, wrinkles, facial symmetry, hair thinning, or facial hair. Other concerns the BDD patients obsess about include their

Nose shape and size
Eyes, eyelids, and eyebrows
Ears size and shape
Cheeks
Teeth
Lips
Mouth
Jaw

Orthodontists, dermatologists, and plastic surgeons see a huge number of these patients come through their offices. Dermatologists are often the first doctors to recognize a body dysmorphic disorder in their patients.

Approximately 26% to 40% of people with BDD seek out cosmetic surgery. BDD patients are obsessed with their appearance, and most BDD patients are unhappy once they’re received dermatological treatments. In fact, dermatologists say that these patients are some of the most difficult patients to work with due to their obsession with perfection. Today, dermatologists are working with psychiatrists to identify patients with BDD and help them get treatment. Cosmetic treatments rarely resolve BDD patients’ appearance desires. In fact, plastic surgery can often make a BDD person’s appearance obsession worse, resulting in suicide.

There are a growing number of BDD patients seeking out orthodontic treatments to improve their looks. Braces, teeth whitening, and jaw surgery, as well as spacing, tooth size, and adjustments to their smile. Approximately 5.2% of orthodontist patients have BDD.

Diagnosis of BDD

Diagnosis of this disorder focuses on the obsessive nature and repetitive behaviors of the patient. These behaviors can take 3 to 8 hours of their day.

These include:

Camouflaging with makeup to hide flaws
Excessive weight lifting or exercising
Skin picking to the point of bleeding
Over attention to clothing
Excessive grooming

On average, a person who suffers from BDD can be preoccupied with the skin, hair, nose, or a body part, but they can be obsessed with 5 to 7 different body parts during their life. Men perceived their muscles or penis is too small. Women obsess over their nose or thin lips.

What causes body dysmorphic disorder?

BDD is a growing problem in Western countries. This section provides some of the most alarming stats from the Body Dysmorphic Foundation.

Anyone can get BDD.
Around 40% of those who suffer from BDD are men, with 60% being women.

Other characteristics of those who get BDD include the following:

BDD occurs in kids as young as 4 to 5 years old
Most of the time, BDD begins at the age of 12 or 13
In 2/3 of kids suffering from BDD, it started before they were 18 years of age.
BDD occurs in every ethnic group and race
It’s a global problem but more common in Western nations.
Affects all socioeconomic levels

It’s not totally understood why people get BDD. Many people with BDD say they remember being bullied or had mean comments about their appearance, even young kids. Unfortunately, this disorder is often unrecognized and underdiagnosed until there is a crisis for the person suffering from it. Mental health professionals are often unfamiliar with BDD than other disorders. Plus, people with BDD don’t seek help, either denying they have a problem or how to get help for the body image obsessions. Others may neglect to tell their doctors about their obsessions due to

Embarrassment
Fear of being judged
Feeling like the doctor won’t understand
Assuming their body image issues aren’t a problem.
Or they don’t want to know their body image issues are a problem.
Assume they’re the only ones who have this kind of problem
The doctor doesn’t ask them about body image problems, so they don’t mention it.
Not knowing there’s a treatment for their body image problems.

BDD’s causes are unclear, but there is some thinking that biological or environmental issues could contribute, such as genetic disposition, personality traits, life experiences such as parental mistreatment, or sexual trauma.

Could you have BDD?

Do you have BDD? It’s a worthwhile question to ask yourself. See if any of these symptoms are something you are struggling with.

Do you constantly feel ugly or abnormal, or disfigured compared to other people?
Are you obsessed about a body part and spend up to 1 hour a day or more thinking about it?
Are you convinced that you are different from other people and don’t struggle with the same things you do regarding your physical appearance?
Do you have repetitive behaviors to hide, fix, inspect, or find reassurance about your body part?
Do you find yourself repeatedly:

Comparing yourself to others
Trying to hide your imperfections with makeup or other things? (one person adding padding to their clothing to look more “normal.”
Constantly checking the mirror, windows, and cell phone screen to see if you look okay.
Look for approval about your looks.
Pick your skin to get rid of perceived skin flaws.
Changing clothing a lot during the day
Extreme tanning
Extreme exercising or weight lifting
Constant shopping
Have you sought out a dermatologist, orthodontist, or plastic surgeon to fix your imperfections only to feel like it didn’t make you as perfect as you wanted?

Do you avoid social settings because of how you look?
Do you feel sad, anxious, irritable, or angry about your appearance?
Have your struggles interfered with your work, school?
Have you thought about self-harm because of your struggles?

Check out the International OCD Foundation’s website to take a self-test for BDD. If you think you have BDD, you must get help. Visit your doctor or seek out a counselor for treatment. Many good treatments can relieve you of these difficult feelings and struggles.

BDD treatments

Behavior modification therapies are beneficial to treat BDD. These include:

Cognitive behavior therapy: This therapy helps you deal with the symptoms through personal counseling and group therapy.
Medication: Serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SRI’s) are often the first line of treatment for BDD.

Most BDD patients participate in both treatments simultaneously. They’ve been very effective in treating this disorder.

Do you know someone who could have Body Dysmorphic Disorder?

You may know someone who has symptoms of BDD. Men and women both suffer from this condition, but symptoms can show up in elementary or teen years. Check this list of BDD symptoms and behaviors that could characterize a friend or family member.

The following behaviors might indicate this disorder:

Preoccupied with their physical flaws
They think they’re ugly or deformed.
They think others are looking at their flaws and mock and gossip about those people.
Wearing lots of makeup to hide flaws
Need lots of reassurance from you and others
A perfectionist about their appearance
They may have already undergone surgery to correct their “flaws,” and they still aren’t happy.
Anxious about people’s opinions of their appearance
They may have an eating disorder: bulimia or anorexia.
Substance abuse problem
Cutting or suicide attempts

Final Thoughts on Identifying Body Dysmorphic Disorder

If you know a friend or family member who struggles with these symptoms, encourage them to get help. BDD is a manageable disorder, and they can find freedom from their obsessions to enjoy life without fears about their look or don’t look.

Body dysmorphic disorder is a common problem, especially in today’s body image-obsessed culture. Although social media and celebrity blogs don’t cause BDD, these unrealistic images can make it worse. Indeed, they may amplify the BDD suffers obsessive fears and struggles. If you or someone you know is struggling with BDD, don’t hesitate to seek out help. Treatment is available and effective. You are worth more than your appearance. Find relief and happiness in being you in your appearance and personality.

12 Things Curiosity Reveals About Your Personality

March 10, 2021 by Power of Positivity

Curiosity may have killed the cat but before he died, the other cats knew a lot of things about his character.

People who are curious may not be aware that their snooping reveals things about their personalities. Curious people tend to have a lot of outstanding qualities that scientists have yet to understand fully, but that doesn’t stop people from noticing these qualities. In most cases, the qualities lead to positive outcomes.

If you’re a curious person, it may be of interest to you to know what your inquisitive character is revealing to the world, especially if you don’t want to reveal anything. Here are 12 things that curiosity reveals about your personality.

1. You’re a social butterfly when you need to be.

Snooping on your own can get you a lot of information, but at some point, you would have to communicate with people to connect some final dots. This means that you’ll figure out how to socialize well in order to get the information you desire. Even if the socialization isn’t genuine, people will think it is and will be more likely to open up to you.

You may not be the life of the party, but you certainly know how to strike up a conversation with strangers. You know how to make people comfortable, how to make people laugh, and how to read people. You’re the epitome of a people person.

2. You’re a great listener.

You can’t absorb information well if you don’t listen. This is something you probably figured out at an early age. You need to listen so you can get the correct information, read between the lines, and interpret things that are both said and unsaid.

People notice that you’re a great listener, so when they need to talk, they know exactly who to go to. They feel they can tell you anything and, if you are good at keeping your mouth shut, they may even reveal juicy secrets. Listening more than talking can be extremely rewarding for someone with such a high level of curiosity.

3. Your word is trustworthy.

The good thing about being curious is that you will find the answers to almost everything. This means that when you give an opinion or an answer to a question, you are going to be right. You might not know everything, but you know a lot more than most people in the room.

You may be the most likely candidate to win Jeopardy and everyone knows it. To them, you might be like a walking encyclopedia. Do not be surprised if people want you to weigh in on every situation.

There may be a few people who get annoyed by the fact that you know everything. Unfortunately, you can’t please everyone.

4. You are attentive to small details.

According to the American Psychological Association, curious people are naturally gifted at noticing things others may not notice. Small details won’t get away no matter how. An inquisitive person can sniff out small details like a hound dog sniffs out evidence.

People who are curious are also great at interpreting small details. They can put these details together and connect them to the big picture. With curious people, there will be no rock or stone unturned when it comes to minor details.

5. You aren’t ashamed when you don’t know anything.

Curious people are not ashamed to say they don’t know something. In fact, you may get slightly excited when you don’t know anything because this gives you something to inquire about. Anything that leads to a mystery piques your interest – after all, if you knew everything, there wouldn’t be anything to be curious about.

Anyone would bet that you won’t leave the mystery unsolved. Your curiosity will drive you to find the answer to whatever bit of information is evading you. Then you’ll be as solid as a rock the next time someone asks you about the topic.

6. You don’t live in the past.

Many people get caught up with situations that happened in the past. They are incapable of letting things roll off their shoulders. Their emotions get the best of them.

Psychology says that people who can’t let go of the past seem to be stuck in quicksand. This is in direct contradiction to the nature of curious people.

Curious people like you don’t have that problem. You have emotions – you’re human after all – but your curiosity is much stronger than your emotions. Your innate need to discover new situations and new information is what helps you to move on and focus on your future. It’s an excellent trait to have, one that will take you far in life.

7. You are a brave individual.

In order to satisfy your curiosity, sometimes you must put yourself in uncomfortable positions or face your fears. You don’t back down from intimidating circumstances if it means getting the answers you seek. It takes bravery for a person to be able to do that.

Being brave doesn’t mean you aren’t afraid of the consequences of being nosy. It simply means that your need to know certain things is strong enough to overcome your fears. In some situations, this can be good. However, there are certain instances where this bravery could get you into trouble. With practice and life experience, you’ll be able to tell the difference before you get yourself into hot water.

8. You can be irritatingly persistent.

You are skilled at wearing people down. When you want to know something, you’ll find out the information at almost any cost. If a person is holding back from you, they’re fair game.

You are good at getting people to a point where they’ll just tell you what you want to know so you’ll leave them alone. Be careful with this skill – it could cause you to lose friends, lovers, and even co-workers. No one likes to be badgered, so make sure you read signs and body language when you’re trying to drag information out of someone.

9. You’re patient.

You can’t rush curiosity. It takes time to discover all the juicy information you’re after. Being a curious person has taught you to be patient when it comes to getting what you want, but the skill of being patient spills over into the rest of your life also.

People likely take notice of your patience. However, when you get what you want, you may suddenly exit with haste depending on the rest of your personality. You may not even be aware of this behavior, but you can be sure that others are aware.

10. You focus well when you want to.

Your inquisitive nature allows you to focus on a subject fully so you can gather every detail you can. Distractions don’t seem to affect you unless you want them to. Your focus is like a laser – strong, accurate, and intense.

This laser focus that you have likely allowed you to be very efficient in your career and your co-workers and your boss have likely noticed. This focus is also what makes you a great listener. However, don’t be too intense because it can make people feel a bit uncomfortable around you.

11. You’re very intelligent.

All that information you’re collecting in that beautiful brain of yours likely gets put to good use often. You’re much more intelligent than most people because you absorb information like a sponge. You are likely one of the best problem solvers in your circle.

You can be sure that the people around you notice how intelligent you are. Intelligence stands out in a crowd. In fact, your intelligence may be what encourages you to be curious. After all, that’s how you learn even more.

12. You’re healthy and/or have healthy habits.

It may sound strange, but scientists have made a connection between health and social connections. The more socially connected a person is, the fewer health problems they have. Luckily, curious people like you are very socially connected as suggested in number one.

The study, published in the American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, states that socially connected people have healthy body mass indexes, controlled blood sugar, better cardiovascular health, less stress, a lower risk of cancer, and so much more. The researchers even went as far as comparing a healthy social life to taking vitamins. This means your snooping around can ultimately lead to a longer, healthier life and people will notice this.

Final Thoughts on How Curiosity Reveals Who You Are

Despite that old cat quip, being curious isn’t necessarily a bad thing. It makes you smarter, braver, bolder, and a better friend or lover. Curiosity helps to round out your personality.

People around you may notice your inquisitive nature, but they’ll also notice all of these other things about your personality. You’ll connect well with people while still standing out from the crowd. Every now and then, too much snooping may get you in trouble. However, it will be balanced out by all the other positive benefits you gain from being curious, so keep up the good detective work.

Researchers Reveal Most Men Desire Curvy Women More Than They Think

March 10, 2021 by Power of Positivity

The battle of skinny versus fat is been going on for centuries. Women think that men want the skinny model who starves herself to be a size zero. So thin may be a preference for some men. But it seems that curvy women, nice and thick, is where it’s at for most males.

Men are programmed to believe that they must have the petite girl that looks good dangling on their arms, but do most guys crave such a small, framed woman? You would be surprised at the results of a group of studies that show men like curves.

It’s incredibly stressful for a guy who wants to choose a partner for life. They take a girl of interest to eat only to hear about everything they can’t have on their restrictive diet. Women are always looking for diet plans that can enhance their figure.

However, it can be frustrating to work that into a date when all a guy wants to do is eat a good meal. Now, he doesn’t want a woman to eat more than he does, but he wants her to have a healthy relationship with food and not starve herself.

This does not mean that skinny model bodies are also not beautiful. But it should reinforce the idea that curvy women are attractive, too.

The Hollywood Actress and Model Crowd Adds to Improper Social Perceptions

Women feel that if they eat less, they will appear more attractive to the opposite sex, but studies have shown that men prefer a woman with a fuller, hourglass type of figure. It’s not comfortable to snuggle with someone who is bony.

Part of the reason why women think that men want model type body is the misperceptions given by Hollywood’s elite. Consider some of the super skinny stars like Paris Hilton or Kelly Ripa. These women are so small that their bodies have nothing to fill out their clothes.

A woman should indeed be the size that makes her feel most comfortable, but what women think a guy wants and desires is quite diverse. Why is it that a man likes a little meat on the bones, and could these preferences come from his home life and his mother’s body composition?

Curves indeed help a lady look better in her attire, and nothing looks more voluptuous to a guy than a large, busted lady. Look at the bodies of Adele and Kate Winslet. They both are beautiful women who don’t conform to social norms to be pencil-thin, and they feel comfortable with their size.

If these ladies are healthy, and they appear to be, there’s no reason for them to starve themselves to get or keep a spouse. The average woman was once a size 12-14, but now it’s a size 16-18, which means it’s becoming more acceptable to be larger.

The Weight Debate Throughout History

Things have certainly changed over time. Back during the Renaissance Era, women were considered to have more money and be sexier when they were heavier. Their curves equated to beauty, sophistication, and wealth.

Look at some of the paintings done during this time frame, and you will be surprised. The famous painter Leonardo da Vinci rose to fame during this period. His portrait of The Mona Lisa depicts that a larger woman was undoubtedly more desirable.

What’s uncanny about many of the paintings during this era was that the women weren’t just curvy but quite large. To be big and beautiful meant that a woman was at the height of sexiness. Back then, women were treasured for their God-given bodies, and no one dared use harsh labels to shame them.

While being “plump as a partridge” was socially acceptable, things changed around 1840. Sylvester Graham, a Presbyterian minister, sowed that women should be thinner for better health. By 1860, the first diet plan made it on the scene, which was the Banting diet.

Consequently, he’s the one who invented graham crackers, which were first considered a diet food. This low carbohydrate strategy was remarkably like the Keto or Atkins plans, and many women lost weight. This started a trend that women should have a lower target weight to keep them in good health. However, nothing was said about the men.

Research Proves Men Like Curvy Women

The Journal of Perception recently published an article from a study done at St. Andrew’s University. The participants were given photographs that looked at several women’s facial features. Shockingly, the guys unanimously chose the women who were in a healthy weight range more than the skinnier ladies.

The study sends a strong message that being underweight isn’t necessarily attractive like many women think. The 1,200 male participants were between the ages of 25-55. To the amazement of the research team, over 81 percent of these gentlemen like curves and lots of them.

When inquired further, the men stated across the board that curvy women are more seductive and sexier. Could men be tired of the growing trend to make women figureless just to fit into society’s demands? This study shows that the average guy likes a little meat on his lady’s bones, and if she’s healthy, there’s nothing wrong with it.

Curvy Women are Gorgeous, Attractive, and Ladylike

Women think guys are attracted to the ultra-thin woman with little to no shape. However, it’s the curvaceousness of a female that turns their crank. When a lady has curves, it gives her a shapely appearance, and she emerges as more natural and even graceful.

Why is it that the voluptuous woman tends to radiate sensuality, and men love to see a nice round booty and hips that shift when a lady walks? Some think that a man sees the potential for a woman to have children when they have larger hips and bigger breasts. This is all a subconscious thing, but some women carry babies effortlessly while others have difficulty with pregnancy and childbirth.

Do you know that some scientists believe that curvy women will live longer? It sounds bizarre as you would think that someone with less weight would have a longer life expectancy. The Institute of Preventative Medicine in Copenhagen found that women who have hips more extensive than 40 inches have protection against heart disease.

This layer of hip fat is offering more protection than harm. According to this study, a woman around a size 14 is perfect, and the little bit of fat that she carries is healthy. What’s sad is most women think that they need to be a size two model on average to be desirable.

To Some Men, Thinness Blights the Perfect Lines of Femininity

Women think that guys only like one type of lady, but you should remember that variety is the spice of life. Everyone has a taste and a preference when it comes to their partner.

Is there any truth to the theories that a man will marry someone like his mother and a girl will marry someone like her father? If a guy is raised in a home where the woman is larger or even classified as a big, beautiful lady, he will likely not develop stereotypes that are harmful against people of size.

If this gentleman had a good relationship with his mother, he would likely be attracted to a similar caliber. Keep in mind that physical traits aren’t the only thing that reminds you of your parents. Some guys see a lady with a few extra pounds and assume she’s a good cook, and in many cases, this assumption is correct.

However, a skinny person can be just as good of a cook. Metabolism and genetics can play a massive part in the weight equation as it’s not always about what you eat. The bone structure is also another factor that weighs into the whole package.

A woman who weighs 120 lbs. on a small frame will look much different than the same weight on a larger bone structure. Genes tend to help with the overall look a lady has, and if guys want a glimpse into the future, they should consider their mothers.

Society Doesn’t View Body Types the Same.

Something that completely goes against the original study is that skinny women tend to have more successful careers. While men may prefer curvy women, the business place prefers a smaller female. An article was published in the Journal of Applied Psychology that reviewed a study done by the University of Florida.

They found that a woman with fewer curves made $22,000 more a year than a heavier woman. A more petite lady’s sharp and angular lines may not be appealing in the dating world, but it’s a preference for the business one. Many heavier ladies swear this is why employers pass them over–and this seems to confirm that suspicion.

Final Thoughts: Curvy Women Are Actually More Attractive to Many Males

Above all else, a man prefers a woman who knows how to care for herself. Being skinny as a model can be just as detrimental to your health as being too heavy. There’s a fine line between being thick and obese that you should respect because of health implications.

Still, when it comes to sexual attraction and desirability, it seems that what women think and what men genuinely like are not even in the same range. It’s okay to have a healthy appetite, and it’s okay if you’re not a size two. You are beautiful, just as you are, model thin or not!

12 Tricks to Control Your Appetite If You’re Trying to Lose Weight

March 10, 2021 by Power of Positivity

Is it a significant problem for you to control your appetite? Could it be because there’s nothing better than a heaping bowl of mashed potatoes, noodles, rolls, and macaroni and cheese? While these may be comfort foods, they are not foods that you can eat every day and maintain a healthy weight.

Everyone has cravings that will dictate what they eat daily, but how does someone get their urges under control to eat nutritious foods rather than those laden with carbs and sugars? How can you push yourself away from the table and say it’s enough before you reach for seconds or even thirds?

Many people don’t have a good relationship with food. You must understand that the hunger pangs you feel are a survival mechanism. Appetite is a different thing as it’s cravings and a desire to eat foods that you want. However, it would be best if you learned how to control your appetite to be healthy.

Twelve Simple Ways to Control Your Appetite

If you are one of the millions of people around this country that have problems exhibiting self-control when it comes to food, then you shouldn’t beat yourself up too badly. It’s nearly impossible to be perfect all the time, but here are some easy tricks that will help you eat less and control your appetite.

1. Try Yoga

Yoga is good for you in many ways. First, it can help with your digestion, and second, it can put you in a frame of mind where you want to take care of your body more. Yoga gives you self-discipline, which is at the core of many appetite problems.

During the exercises, you will learn to breathe in positive and expel all negativity around you.

2. Drink Water

When you drink water, you’re expanding your stomach to allow less room for food. You should drink enough based on your weight to sustain your body, which most people are lacking. Sorry but Flavored waters don’t count. You need fresh H20 that has nothing in it but perhaps a bit of lemon.

3. Fill Up on Fiber

Your body needs fiber to aid in digestion and to fill you up. It’s easy to control your appetite when your belly is full. Fiber-filled foods include grains, nuts, legumes, as well as fruits, and vegetables. Even if you practice Keto or other low carb eating plans, make sure you get in plenty of fiber.

4. Eat Slower to Control Your Appetite

Why is it that some people think it’s a race when they sit down to dinner to see who can finish first? There must be a happy medium in the speed at which you eat. To eat less, try chewing each bite ten times.

This little trick will make you feel fuller faster, and it will stop the signal to the brain that tells you that you’re hungry.

5. Replace Poor Habits with Good Ones

It’s not easy to turn over a new leaf. When you want to replace poor habits with good ones, you need to give yourself a pep talk and choose foods you like. It’s impossible to think that you’re going to replace that delicious pizza with a bowl of turnips, but you can find small adjustments that can make skipping that Italian pie easier.

There are healthier versions of pizza, like the veggie style, that are better for you, and you won’t feel like you’re missing out.

6. Don’t Fill up On Sugary Drinks

While 100 percent juice is good for you, it must be consumed in moderation. You can quickly drink your allotment of calories in a few hours by drinking soda, fruit juice, and other sugary drinks. Energy drinks are one of the worst culprits because they have coffee or another base that is not usually bad, but the additives make it terribly unhealthy.

Unfortunately, these drinks use caffeine and sugar to give users a buzz, and the sugar content may surprise you. An eight-ounce of a popular energy drink has a whopping 124 grams of sugar and 330 milligrams of caffeine. The recommended amount of sugar on a 2,500-calorie diet is no more than 62 grams.

Now you see how easy it is to get a teeth-rotting amount of sugar with just one drink, so you must be careful when filling up on anything other than water. The average can of cola style soda has about 39 grams of sugar. While it’s better than an energy drink, one will nearly put you at your limit for sugar intake for the day.

Dietitians refuse to eat these thirty foods.

7. Have A Cup Of Joe

There’s nothing better on a cold day than a piping hot cup of coffee. If you use spices like cinnamon and vanilla instead of cream and sugar, coffee can be quite helpful. Like soup, coffee warms the stomach to give you a feeling of fullness.

Plus, coffee can help suppress your appetite, and the antioxidants in the beans are good for your body. It can help to give your metabolism a healthy boost as well as make you feel fuller faster. Some people find that drinking coffee with a meal allows them to consume less and still feel satisfied.

Be careful about the additives. There are plenty of sugar-free options to help flavor your java if you can’t take it black. You may find that by adding more coffee to your day that you’re eating less and not as hungry.

8. Use An 8” Plate

Do you subconsciously feel that you must fill your dinner plate at every sitting? The standard plate size should be no more than ten inches, but many manufacturing companies have extended the size and will go up to an incredible 14” plate. You don’t need that much food!

If you put the appropriate portions of food on that 14” plate, you will consume 3-4 times more than you need. The bigger saucer, the more you feel compelled to fill it up. Now, if you switch to a small eight-inch plate, then you will think that you’re still getting a good portion, but you will eat significantly less.

There are many little tricks that you can utilize, as the smaller plate tip, that will help to curb your appetite. Once you adapt to these new ways of life, your stomach will begin to shrink. When you gorge on a plate of food at every meal, your stomach will grow to meet the demands.

9. Get Rid of Junk Food in Your Home

If you want to suppress your appetite, you need to watch what you bring into your home. When you’re making your grocery list, make sure it doesn’t have sugary things that can tempt you later. If you have a pantry filled with potato chips, snack cakes, and pies, get rid of them.

The more you eat these sugary snacks, the more your body will crave them. If you want to get your appetite under control, you need to eat the right things and not tempt your body. Once you have a laden diet laden with sugars, you will find it difficult to break this habit.

10. Distract Yourself to Control Your Appetite

Do you tend to be an emotional eater? Many people use food to soothe their emotions. Why is it that nothing makes you feel as good as a chocolate bar when life is going awry? Instead of reaching for that chocolate bar, why not try journaling instead.

When you distract yourself from thinking about food, you can develop new habits to replace the old unhealthy ones. If you absolutely cannot live without chocolate, then switch to a dark variety instead.

11. Eat on A Schedule

Did you know that you can put yourself on a food schedule? Instead of eating around the clock whenever you feel hungry, you can control your appetite by putting yourself into a routine. Babies quickly learn the importance of a schedule, and you can accomplish the same thing by giving yourself a food routine.

Try having breakfast at 7 am, lunch at 11:30 am, and dinner sharply at 6 pm. You can also incorporate your snack times into this arrangement. When you have your body on an eating schedule, then it will become expectant on nourishment at those times, and it should reduce your cravings.

12. Practice Mindfulness

Don’t let the mistakes of yesterday’s food diary dictate what happens today. Make a mental note of what you’ve eaten today and consider each bite you put into your mouth. Mindfulness is simply being present in the moment and being aware of everything around you.

You have the power to control the thoughts coming into your head, which can control your appetite. Other options include using an online app that you can enter the foods you eat to ensure you stay within your calorie allotment for the day.

The Takeaway on Ways to Control Your Appetite

Weight loss and being healthy all stems from the ability to control your appetite. There are so many tempting foods out there that can lead you astray, so you must develop the proper mindset to control what you put in your mouth.

Do You Feel Like People Don’t Like You? Here’s Why, According to Science

March 10, 2021 by Sarah Barkley

Sometimes, you might feel like people don’t like you, and it doesn’t seem to change no matter what you try. It can lead to isolation and confusion, and you may not pinpoint the issue. However, identifying the behaviors that make you feel this way is essential if you want to make a change.

It is essential to point out that you can never please everyone. You can, however, work to please those who matter to you. This will help you form meaningful and positive relationships with influential people.

If you are one of the lucky ones who doesn’t feel like people don’t like you, then maybe these words will make you think of someone else in your life. It can help you understand that person better and help you identify what people don’t like about that person.

Either way, whether you are the one who feels like people don’t like you or you know someone who feels this way, this article should help you understand better. Oftentimes, it stems from pushing people away and doing things to put up a wall, even unintentionally.

Why You Feel Like People Don’t Like You

You May Place Blame on Others

When something terrible happens, you may look for someone to blame, even when no one caused the situation. Think about if you had ever looked for someone to blame when there was truly no one at fault. If you do this, it will push people away from you because placing blame causes negativity.

Placing blame is a negative trait; most people like avoiding negativity whenever possible. Plus, if you always blame someone else, it looks like you won’t own up to your mistakes. This is another characteristic that positive people like to avoid.

When you place blame, you also waste precious time that could be spent solving the problem instead. People want to be around those who will help solve the problem, and if you are placing blame instead, the problem is getting solved.

You May Not Show That You Care

Before people can like you or show you that they like you, you must show that you care about them. If you are always looking at what you can get out of a relationship rather than what you can put in it, they will notice. Any relationship requires you to give at least a little, so ensure you do your part.

People must know that others care about them when they form relationships. Without a feeling of care, there will be no trust or comfort between the two of you. This will cause people to avoid confiding in you or spending time with you.

You Lack the Ability to Show Empathy

If you hear about someone’s struggles and instantly think it isn’t your problem, then lacking empathy might be an issue for you. Likewise, if you don’t want to hear about someone else’s problems, you might struggle to show empathy.

When you are close to someone, you should only expect to hear about their problems and obstacles. Plus, you should want to hear about it to help them or offer comfort.

When you know someone is hurt or upset, you should allow yourself to feel some of their suffering. If you avoid doing this and try to make it so you don’t have to hear about their issues, it could cause some people not to like you.

It is important to point out that these people might like you, but they will treat you differently, causing you to think they don’t like you. They won’t have such a deep connection with you because you don’t know or understand what they are going through.

People want to surround themselves with people who genuinely care about them. This is one of the most significant ways to identify whether you care or if you don’t care. If you can’t show empathy, you will likely feel like people don’t like you.

Developing empathy

This characteristic (or lack thereof) often stems from how you respond to your feelings. If you feel you can tolerate your feelings and try to push them away instead, you will likely do that to others.

So, when other people express or show their feelings, you will also want to push them away. You may become angry or visibly annoyed with them, making them feel ashamed of their emotions. Again, people don’t like this feeling, so they will turn away from you and stop confiding in you.

You Are Arrogant

Pay attention to the way you interact with others. If you don’t let people respond to what you have said or done, you may be behaving arrogantly. Likewise, if you brush off all the suggestions of others, you may come across as arrogant then, as well.

You are probably arrogant when you dismiss everything others say and only consider your thoughts. You live with a sense of always being right, which causes you to dismiss what others have to say.

One of the biggest signs of arrogance is never admitting when you are wrong. Another sign is that you will never consider if other people might have a good idea for you. When you behave this way, it will make it seem like other people don’t like you.

What You Can Do to Positively Change

Reflect

You must admit that part of these feelings must come from within. Admitting that there is something about yourself that others may not like will truly help you with this.

Show People That You Care

When friends or loved ones are having a tough time, pay attention, and show them that you care. Figure out or ask what you can do to help them, even if offering a listening ear.

Ask questions about your friends’ lives, and follow up on events you know have recently taken place. Avoid talking about yourself unless your friend asks, as well. This will let them know that you genuinely care about them and value their presence in your life.

Extend Empathy to Those Around You

If you notice that you don’t often show empathy or feel like emotions are uncomfortable, change that. Work on getting in touch with your emotions. Then you can exhibit understanding and comfort when someone is experiencing pain, sadness, embarrassment, or fear.

Show those around you that you care about them by being empathetic when they admit their feelings. Be understanding, and put yourself in their position for a minute. This will help you show empathy because you will better feel their feelings.

This sounds harder than it is, but practice will make it natural for you. First, work on how you respond to others when they are upset or facing obstacles.

Instead of becoming angry, annoyed, or judgmental, take a moment before you respond. Then, react in a way that is based on how you would feel if you were them. Taking a moment before responding can help you reel negative feelings and emotions and exhibit empathy instead.

While this might cause you to feel more vulnerable than you would like, it will also help you attract people. They will see that you are kind and caring and want to connect with you. Stop viewing emotions as weaknesses and instead view them as an opportunity to connect with others.

Show Humility

The first step to showing humility is to admit that you aren’t always right. Acknowledge that other people might be right or that they might have a better idea than you do. Consider others’ opinions before automatically going with your idea and do so with an open mind.

To do this, you have to start truly listening to people. Listen to others, even if you disagree with them, and keep any snide comments to yourself. As you listen, make comments that let the other people know you listen to them and understand.

Final Thoughts on Why You Feel Like People Don’t Like You

If you ever feel like people don’t like you, consider why this may happen. It likely stems from your everyday behaviors and attitudes. However, with positive changes in your life, you can stop feeling like people don’t like you.

This isn’t to say everyone will like you, because that is impossible. Instead, it just helps those you care about be drawn to you. When this happens, you’ll experience more happiness and not feel alone or isolated.

While you should always stay true to yourself, these changes can help make a difference. You can still be the person you are while working on making yourself a better person. Remember why it is possible people don’t like you, and then do what you can to change those things.

10 Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Worry About Not Having Kids

March 9, 2021 by Power of Positivity

Are your family and society pressuring you because you chose not having kids for your life? You can rest easy that you’re not alone in this decision.

Indeed, an article in Time Magazine found that more than 47 percent of women now choose to live kid-free lives.

The trend is growing as more women hold careers and look to their professional lives, and it doesn’t leave much time for children. Additionally, people can look to other methods to find happiness. The old theory that having a baby brings happiness has been unproven.

Raising children is a difficult task, and it’s not a job for the faint of heart. While a child does bring lots of joy into a person’s life, they also bring a lot of responsibility and tie you down. It’s not easy to travel the world, move up the corporate ladder, and live a carefree lifestyle when you have a toddler in tote.

So what about all the family members that pressure you for grandchildren to add to their growing brood? You can let them know that you are not singled out as this growing trend has fewer people looking to grow their family and instead focus on their own health and happiness.

Reasons Why You Should Avoid Growing Your Family

You know the reasons why not having kids works for you. You want your freedom and don’t want anyone or anything interfering with your lifestyle. Remember, nearly 50 percent of women in this country feel the same, so it’s obvious the tide is shifting on whether having children is acceptable. Here are some reasons why you should feel justified in your decision.

1. You’ll Be Healthier Mentally and Physically

You’re in it for the long haul when you choose to be a parent. Think of the journey to motherhood as a sprint and not a marathon. There’s no real defining moment when the responsibility ends.

When your child turns 18, they still need a parent and support. There is no magic number when you stop worrying about your children. A study was conducted in the Journal of Child and Family Studies.

A mother’s health is affected by the moment she brings a child into this world. Relationships are messy, and the association between a parent and their child is often complicated. You will worry, pace the floors, cry your eyes out, and stress about the child’s choices. Indeed, all this strain can take a toll on your health.

To say there is a great deal of energy, dedication, obligation, and accountability when you have a child is an understatement. According to the study, women who don’t bring this stress into their lives are healthier. So the next time someone pressures you to have a family, remind them you will be much healthier without one.

2. You’ll Get More Sleep

Parents lose a lot of sleep over their children, and it’s not just in the first year that you will be sleep-deprived. On average, a mother gets about 1.5 fewer hours of sleep each night, according to a recent study.

Dads are also in the same boat, as sleeping with a crying infant nearby is hard. While some people try to compensate by napping whenever possible, parents regularly complain about fatigue problems. When you have issues with sleep deprivation, it can impact many areas of your life.

Did you know sleep deprivation can cause hypertension, obesity, diabetes, and heart disease?

3. You Won’t Have As Much Exposure to Germs and Illness

Many parents rely on daycare centers to watch their children while they work. Sadly, children are germy little creatures as they wipe their noses frequently, lick things, and pass the germs from toy to toy. Daycare centers are cesspools of germs, and it’s not uncommon for things like the stomach flu or other illnesses to spread like wildfire in these establishments.

You will, no doubt, miss fewer days of work over trivial illnesses spread by your children. Not having kids will allow you to accumulate those sick days for personal use.

4. Intimacy Won’t Be An Issue

Having a kid certainly takes a toll on your relationships. If you can’t get your child to sleep at night or in their bed, it can cause intimacy problems. A tired person that is stressed out and worried their child doesn’t feel like being romantic.

You would be sadly mistaken if you think the trouble ends when they become teenagers. A survey conducted found that parents of teenagers have 45 percent less sex than parents with no kids. So no matter your child’s age, it seems they will impact your romantic life.

5. Your Back Might Be Healthier

Hippokratia notes that many women develop lower back pain during pregnancy.

But after you give birth, you might not get the rest you need for your aching back. It takes some real muscle to lift a baby in and out of a car seat as well as carrying them on your hip wherever you go. All these muscles will become strained, and this pressure can lead to continued back pain.

Though the pain isn’t often immediate, over time, you will notice that your body creates ways to compensate for the unevenly distributed weight of carrying a toddler.

6. You’ll Have More Money

It costs a lot of money to raise children in today’s world. A U.S. Department of Agriculture report estimates that it costs around $245,340.00 to raise a child from birth to age 18.

You’re responsible for feeding, clothing, and education, and you can’t forget about all those other little expenses that come into the mix. No wonder you will have more money if not having kids is your choice.

7. You’ll Eat Healthier

It’s challenging to eat and live a healthy lifestyle when you have children around. They want finger foods, and of course, you must give them the occasional cookie to keep them well-rounded. However, if you’re going to eat a plant-based diet like is observed in a vegan lifestyle, it’s almost impossible with a child.

Children have different nutritional needs than that of an adult. It’s more difficult for parents to maintain a healthy body as they don’t have the energy to cook two different meals.

8.Your Stress Will Be Less

Stress is inevitable in life. However, when you have children, you are faced with things like economic and emotional strains and your job tensions. Constant stress plays a big part in your mental and physical health. It’s no fun to go to bed at night and worry about how you’ll pay bills and make it for another month.

Not having kids is a wise choice if you want financial freedom and less stress. You won’t have to worry about how you’ll pay for little Susie’s piano lessons or Johnny’s football team requirements. When you stress less, you live a more healthy and happy life.

9. You’ll Have Plenty of Alone Time

One of the parents’ chief complaints is that they don’t have enough time to be alone or care for themselves. While you don’t need much solo time, taking a bubble bath and listening to music occasionally is nice. Sadly, a parent would like to use the restroom in peace.

Children are time hogs as their needs are always pressing. In the younger years, they’re very clingy as the need to be close is ever-present. Not having kids will allow you to spend time pampering yourself and enjoying a quiet evening without interruptions.

10. Your Relationships Have A Better Chance of Lasting

You know that children strain finances, health, and intimacy, so it’s no wonder that people with kids often have problems keeping a relationship. Trying to juggle work, home, and the kids leave little time for romantic interests. Even those who manage to have relationships will struggle when the needs of the children come first.

While some people stay together for the kids, many walk away because of the children too. A relationship doesn’t need youngsters in it to survive. If anything, the ones without children seem to last longer and are healthier.

Final Thoughts on Not Having Kids, Despite the Pressure

While many people have a clear picture that a woman must marry and have children in their heads, social norms change to incorporate a different view. Not having kids is an option you can make, and no one can force you to think otherwise.

Whether you have children or not is a very personal topic, and you don’t owe anyone an explanation for your decisions. If you want to focus on your career and experiences in this life, you might be better off without children. Some people are not the parenting kind, and that’s okay. The world needs aunts and uncles as well as good cousins too.

25 Ways to Keep Bad Smells Out of Your Home

March 9, 2021 by Power of Positivity

Is your home a harbor for bad smells? Do you have pets, teenagers, and shoes that need to be fumigated? You can live in a house with good air quality by changing a few of your cleaning rituals. A little extra work can make a big difference. Our professional home cleaners in Inverness can give you back the time in your life.

25 Easy Ways to Keep Your Home Smelling Fresh

It’s a constant struggle to keep up with your home, job, and family. Do you have an area of concern that is really bothering you, like the laundry? Every family has a unique smell about their home based on their spices for cooking and their lifestyle.

However, if you want to make sure your home has a pleasant aroma, then follow some of these tips.

1. Empty the Trash Frequently

Your trash is the most significant cause of odors in your home. Never let the trash overflow and sit for days. If you have an abundance of trash, then you should take it out frequently.

2. Don’t Smoke Inside

While it’s challenging to smoke outside when it’s cold or raining, cigarette smoke can destroy the inside of a home. It’s one of the bad smells that is dangerous when it’s lurking inside.

If you can’t stop this habit, then smoke in a covered area. It would help if you talked to your doctor about ways to help you quit for your health and those around you.

3. Bathe Your Dogs

Dogs should be bathed at least once a month, and they may need more baths during the winter months. Nothing smells worse than a dirty dog that has had their grooming neglected. Lather up Fido and use some essential oils like clove to help keep odors at bay.

4. Wipe Pet Paws When It’s Raining

Is there anything worse than the smell of a wet dog? Since dogs must use the restroom outside, you should try to wipe their paws and body with a towel when they come back inside during inclement weather. The smell of a wet dog can penetrate your carpet and cause an awful aroma.

5. Deep Clean the Bathroom Frequently

So, the bathroom is one place that could be classified as a hazardous dumpsite. First, you should make sure to flush after each use. Second, the commode needs a good scrubbing at least once a week, if not more frequently. Don’t forget to wipe down the shower and get rid of any soap scum. And if you need other repair services like for instance plumber indianapolis services, make sure to contact professional contractors for expert services. And if you have plumbing issues like a toilet not flushing, make sure to contact a plumber. You may consider getting the services from Wills Plumbing Services for prompt action. And if you need water heater repair services, make sure to enlist the help of the professionals.

6. Don’t Let Dirty Dishes Sit

Dirty dishes can get a funk as well as develop strong odors. Have you tried to scrape spaghetti off a plate that has set for days? It can be like chiseling concrete, trying to get it clean.

Since most households have a dishwasher, rinse your dishes, and put them through the wash. Never let dishes sit longer than a few hours as bacteria start growing immediately.

7. Empty Cooking Grease

Cooking grease has an awful odor about it. If you want to save your bacon drippings, put it in a covered container, and put it in the refrigerator. Grease is also a big attraction for bugs and vermin.

8. Scoop the Kitty Litter Box Daily

Cat litter boxes have bad smells if they don’t get emptied regularly. Make sure to scoop out the droppings every day or every other day to prevent odors.

9. Throw Out Leftovers After Three Days

Benjamin Franklin said that the company and fish both stink after three days, so you don’t want to keep leftovers long. Fruits and vegetables are big culprits of rotting and getting shoved into a drawer in your refrigerator. If you’re going to keep your icebox smelling fresh, then pitch leftovers sooner rather than later.

10. Have a Designated Area for Shoes

Shoes and boots can really carry some nasty smells. If you have a garage, it’s a great place to store stinky shoes. When someone in the home has foot odor, it can penetrate the entire house. Designate an area where you can store the smelly shoes to keep your home smelling fresh.

11. Clean Sink Drains with Deodorizer

When you’re washing dishes or rinsing them for the dishwasher, it’s only natural that bits of food go down the drain. You can stop the smells that cause odors by using drain deodorizers. They make special drain sticks that can slip into the drain and keep odors at bay.

12. Change Furnace Filter Regularly

Your furnace filters collect dust particles as well as toxins in the air. Each furnace has different requirements, but typically, you should change it once a month. Duct cleaning can also help to keep the fresh air moving through your home.

13. Deodorize the Trash Cans

While you’re emptying your trash cans, take the time to clean them too. Sprinkle baking soda inside the can, and hose it off. Your bins get all kinds of spills and food debris left on the inside and out, and you want to clean it off.

14. Keep Up with Your Laundry

Nothing is as smells as bad as dirty socks and musty towels. If you do just one or two loads of laundry each day, then you won’t have any build-up. Using chemical-based fabric softeners and detergents should be tossed for earth-friendly ones too.

Laundry is a big problem for many working people, but you should get the whole family involved to help with this chore.

15. Keep Bathroom Windows Open

Do you have a window in your bathroom? You should keep the fresh air flowing in this frequently used room. If you don’t have a window, make sure you have an operational ventilation fan to help with bad smells.

16. Don’t Fry Foods Use Crockpots and Air Fryers Instead

Frying foods permeate the entire home, especially if you fry something as potent as fish. A better way to cook with less mess is to use a crockpot or an air fryer. Plus, these methods are healthier too.

17. Sprinkle Carpets with Baking Soda and Vacuum Often

You should vacuum your carpets a couple of times a week. Before you do this chore, sprinkle some baking soda on them and allow it to penetrate for an hour or so. Baking soda really helps get rid of smells in the home.

18. Open Your Windows When Possible

When it’s a lovely day outside, then you should open as many windows as possible. Let the sunshine and fresh air blow through your home and bring with it the healing kiss of Mother Nature.

19. Run the Washer on the Cleaning Cycle

If you have a front loader washing machine, they can harbor bad smells after so many washes. Did you know that they have a self-cleaning mode to help get rid of any aromas? Plus, a washing machine that is not thoroughly cleaned can make the clothes stink too.

20. Clean Garbage Disposal with Lemon or Orange Rinds

About once a month, make sure to put some ice cubes with lemon or orange rinds down your garbage disposal and allow it to run with warm water for a few minutes. The food builds up on the inside of these can cause horrific smells.

21. Launder Linens Regularly

Change your sheets and pillowcases once a week, and wash your blankets once a month. You sweat, and your natural body odors can give the whole bed a weird smell.

22. Make Sure Basement Has No Stagnant Water

Make sure your sump pump is working if you have a basement. If there is stagnate water sitting in a crawl space or basement, it can permeate your whole abode. It’s also a health hazard to have standing water, so make sure you keep this area dry.

23. Clean the Filter In Your Dishwasher

Did you know that your dishwasher needs cleaned? Since it removes food, it has a trap where this stuff is collected. A build-up of food can cause some smelly situations.

24. Deep Clean Your Carpets Annually

If you have carpeting, you need to shampoo your carpets at least once a year. When you have pets in the home with carpeting, you might want to do it twice a year. Carpets collect a lot of dust and bacteria from constant foot traffic. Don’t wear your shoes in the house to cut down on the need for more frequent cleaning. For professional results and a deeper clean, consider services like Carpet Cleaning Laguna Niguel.

25. Use an Air Purifier

Air purifiers are great for bad smells, especially when you have people with sensitive allergies like asthma. You can get a small tabletop unit or opt for a more extensive system that is professionally installed with your HVAC unit. If you have pollutants like cigarette smoke, heavy cooking smells, and pets, then it’s worth the investment. If you suspect that the smell comes from your HVAC unit, make sure to have an hvac system repair immediately. Call emergency ac repair services in Fort Worth, TX to repair it. You may also check nearby services like AirMax Heating and Air for job opportunities.

Replace chemical deodorants with these natural beauty products.

Final Thoughts on Bad Smells in Your Home

Candles and air fresheners only mask the odors, but you need to get to the root cause. Isn’t it funny how people will put these round disk deodorizers on their litter boxes? If they just cleaned it a bit more, they wouldn’t need to cover up the smell.

You can change a few things about your cleaning routine and the way you store items, and it will make a big difference. Carpets are a significant source of odors, which is why so many people are ripping them out and going for wood floors. Whatever you can do to help your home be safer and smell better will only make it more comfortable for all who live there.

12 Habits That Make it Easier to Motivate Yourself

March 8, 2021 by Power of Positivity

Everybody needs a little motivation from time to time. There are many psychological theories on how to accomplish this, but you must find the methods that work for you to be successful. It would help if you transformed motivation into excitement.

The world can be an extremely negative place at times. You wonder how you can get through another day with all the things you must accomplish. How can you push yourself to be all you can be while remaining positive?

Twelve Ways to Motivate Yourself Without Being Critical

Thankfully, this is an area of psychology that has been well studied. You can accomplish everything your heart desires by merely changing your mindset. Just like a child, you may need to use some motivation tactics to give you some pep in your step. Here are 12 ways that you can motivate yourself to keep going without using any self-criticism.

1. Use A Reward System

Have you ever used a star chart for your children to reward them for a job well done? Well, even though you’re grown and have adult responsibilities, you can still benefit from a reward system.

According to Brain Facts, when you reward yourself, you stimulate the dopamine-producing neurons, making you feel good. Who doesn’t need a little natural boost in your brain’s chemicals?

It feels good when you can see that you’ve accomplished something, and it feels even better to be rewarded. Your brain will respond to these positive stimuli and will want to do more to be compensated.

2. Know When You Need A Break

As adults, you try to push yourself to accomplish all that you must daily. However, you need to know when you need a break. Remember when you were little, and you would play a game with your friends. When you surrendered or gave up, you would say that you cried “uncle.”

Now that you’re an adult, you need to know when it’s time to cry “uncle.” You can only take so much, and only you can determine when it’s time to take a necessary break.

3. Keep Your Plans to Yourself

Why is it that when people have exciting things on the horizon, they feel the need to get on social media and broadcast it to the world? Plans change, and people go in different directions all the time. You don’t want to answer 100 questions about failed dreams, so leave things off social media until it’s a done deal.

4. Define Your Legacy

What is your purpose here on earth? Do you live each day with purpose, or do you meander through life like a lost soul?

When you define your legacy, you dictate what you were put on this earth to do. If you want to motivate yourself, then you must determine your reason for existence.

5. Cut Your to Do List

Do you put so much on your to-do list that there’s no way you can accomplish it all? Start being realistic with yourself and only put down the things you know you can do. When you have a daunting list of impossibilities, it’s not going to give you any motivation to finish the tasks.

6. Never Compare Yourself to Others

Do you look at friends and relatives around you and compare your life? The grass always looks greener on the other side, but that’s because you don’t know the struggles that it takes each person to obtain what they have.

Additionally, don’t motivate yourself to gain material possessions as those things only last for a matter of time. It would help if you left behind more than money and worldly goods. Whether you’re a millionaire or have $20 in the bank, all graves look the same. Strive to be the best you possible and stop looking in the windows of other homes and beating yourself up.

7. Celebrate Victories No Matter How Small

It would be best if you celebrate your milestones, no matter how trivial they seem. Did you get a raise at work? Who cares if it’s only a quarter, you deserve every dime you make? Take time to celebrate yourself and your accomplishments, as it will make you feel like doing even more.

8. Change Your Way of Thinking

How is your mindset? Do you tend to be a positive or a negative person? Your brain is the first place you need to start to motivate yourself. Practice positive thinking and kick negative thoughts to the curb.

If you think you will fail at everything you set out to accomplish, then the chances are that you will. However, if you believe that you will have a fantastic day and accomplish everything on your list, then chances are that you will be successful.

9. Cut the Chaos

There’s so much chaos nowadays that you must learn to disconnect to stay motivated. How many times are you distracted from text messages, email alerts, or phone calls? Sometimes it’s essential to unplug so that you can have the focus to get things done.

There’s no reason to check your emails more than 2-3 times a day. If it’s something important, the person can call you. Text messages are also usually not necessary. If you’re continually filtering calls, emails, texts, and social media alerts, then your motivation will lack.

10. Embrace Your Vulnerability

Wouldn’t it be nice if you were a perfect person who never made a mistake? What if your life was the object of envy from others because you were so flawless? There’s no way that you will ever be perfect, and no one else is perfect either.

It’s time to embrace your vulnerable spots, and sharing your story with others can help them become motivated. Did you fight a health battle that you came out on the other side, okay? You never know when your testimony will help someone else going through a test in their life.

Never be afraid to show your failures because it makes you a human being. People like folks who can be real with themselves and others. The fake people try to act like they have it all together that rubs individuals the wrong way.

11. Use Positive Affirmations

Do you practice positive affirmations as soon as you awaken in the morning? If you don’t, then you’re missing out on one of the best ways to motivate yourself. When you see the sun peak over the horizon, tell yourself things like this:

Today is going to be a great day.
I will embrace my vulnerabilities.
I am loved.
I’m successful.
I will accomplish everything on my to-do list.
I will take time for me.
My challenges will be lessons.
I will eat healthily.
I’ll help others who need me.
I am thankful for all the Universe has given me.

If you want to watch your whole attitude improve, then start saying things like this to yourself. Now, to take things a step further and motivate your family, why not say something like this to your spouse or children too. Imagine how much better this work would be if everyone started looking at things opportunistically.

12. Meditate Often

Did you know that meditation is an ancient art that dates back more than 5,000 years? According to Time Magazine, it started as a spiritual practice. However, today it’s become more about psychology and less about faith. Meditation is the key to ridding your mind of all the negativity of the day.

Did you know that you don’t need to be any wear fancy to practice this art? If you’re having a terrible day at work, then you can escape to your car and do a quick session there. All you need is a place to decompress and let the negativity go.

There are guided meditations for those who are new to this art, or you can do your version without music and soothing voices. The key is to get your breathing under control, which regulates your heart rate. Your stress will reduce, and you will feel empowered when you learn how to turn all your negativity into motivation and success.

Final Thoughts on Motivating Yourself

It’s hard to motivate yourself every day, and there’s no reason to sugar coat things and say it’s always going to be a walk in the park. There’s going to be a time when nothing but a good nap and a vacation works, and it’s okay to give yourself time off.

Society is flawed into thinking that everything must be perfect for it to work. When you can’t get anything right or get all you need to be done in a day, you need to call on your support system.

Above all else, you need a support system that you can call at a moment’s notice for help. These people always know just what to say to keep you from throwing in the towel. When you need a boost in your step or additional assistance, turn to a trusted friend to give you that boost you need.

20 Habits That Make it Easier to Kick Toxic Negativity Out of Your Life

March 7, 2021 by Power of Positivity

Is toxic negativity ruining your life? Do you wish that you could be more positive and happier? Does every day seem to be worse than the one before?

Does this sound like your life? It’s time to make some drastic changes to improve your outlook. Being constantly negative can eat away at your soul like cancer. Life is hard enough without you putting additional pressure on yourself.

Some experts suggest that you pick a personal mantra to motivate you. Others suggest that you need a pet to help you ease the stresses of the day. What works for one person certainly won’t work for another, but there is something that you can find to help you.

20 Ways to Kick Toxic Negativity to The Curve

To be a more positive person, you will need to take inventory of your life, friends, and overall habits. Are you ready to make such a change? Well, here are 20 habits that can help you kick toxic negativity to the curb.

1. Avoid Pessimistic People

Your inner circle will say a lot about the kind of person you are inside. Remember the old saying that “Birds of a feather flock together?” Well, if you surround yourself with negativity, then you will be negative. If necessary, make new friends.

2. Practice Positive Affirmations

Start each day with a boost of positivity. Using positive affirmations is a powerful way to change your mindset. A study was conducted at the GEMS Wellington Academy in the UK. They talked to plants both positively and negatively.

The plants that were spoken to in an uplifting manner thrived, while the ones that were talked negatively were in poor health. Use this as a lesson and speak positivity into your soul.

3. Listen to Uplifting Music

Music can put a boost in your step and help you get through the day. Forget all those songs about lost loves and people that have passed on. It would help if you had something to get your toes tapping.

Music is a great motivator, and did you know that music is often used to calm animals or help Alzheimer’s patients who need to relax? There have been many studies on this topic, and it’s all positive research. Find some tunes that speak harmony to your soul, and it can improve your mood.

4. Set Realistic Goals for Yourself

One problem that many people have is that they set goals for themselves that are completely unrealistic. You’re not a superhero, and you can’t manage it all. Make your goals more achievable so that you can have time for yourself.

5. Get Adequate Rest

How much sleep do you get each night? If you’re not getting at least 6-8 hours, you are doing yourself a great disservice. It’s hard to be positive and feel good when you have a sleep debt.

6. Change Your Diet

If you’re consuming fast food, sugary sweets, and processed junk, then it’s going to make you feel horrible. If you want to be a positive person, then you need to feel good. When you start eliminating some of these things from your diet, it will make a huge difference.

7. Hit the Gym

One of the reasons why you may experience negativity is because you feel horrible. When’s the last time you hit the gym? The University of Turku in Finland did a study on the power of exercise on depression and anxiety. They found that working out increases not only your serotonin and dopamine levels but also releases feel-good hormones.

8. Practice Mindfulness

Mindfulness helps you to stop looking at the big picture and live in the moment. Life is stressful enough without trying to worry about your tomorrow during today. Try to stay present in the here and now and leave tomorrow’s troubles for another day.

9. Incorporate Journaling

Journaling is a great way to get things off your chest. You can write whatever you want in this journal, and no one ever must see it but you. Journaling can be a therapeutic process that helps to get what’s inside out.

10. Change the Way You Look at Things

If you change the way you look at things, it can help transform your toxic negativity. Stop viewing the glass as half empty when you still have half a glass to go. Your perceptions mean everything when it comes to your pessimism.

11. Give Back to Others

Nothing can kick toxic negativity to the curb than giving back to others. When you see how others must live, it helps you put things into perspective. It’s kind of hard to be melancholy when you see people who don’t have a roof over their head or anything to eat.

12. Make Your Home A Haven

Change your home to make it into a haven where you can rest. What can you remove or add to your space to make it feel more tranquil? Adding water and fire elements are a great place to start, so get a fountain and some candles to enhance the ambiance.

13. Practice Gratitude

Are you thankful for all that you have in life, or are you constantly complaining that you want more? Learning to practice gratitude can change your attitude. There’s no reason you need to “keep up with the Jones,” as you have no idea the struggles; they must pay all their bills.

14. Keep Your Work and Home Life Separate

One big issue that can cause toxic negativity is not keeping your home and work life separate. When you bring the stresses from the day into your home, then you’re going to take things out on those closest to you. Remember, when you leave work for the day, remove the negative emotions that come with it.

15. Stop Being So Hard on Yourself

Give yourself a break! You bring much of the negativity on yourself because you’re so hard on yourself. If you can only learn your worth, you would treat yourself a little bit differently.

16. Reward Yourself

First, you need to make sure that you have time for self-care. An empty pot cannot pour into others, so you need to make sure you’re replenishing yourself. Additionally, when you try something new, like getting rid of negativity, you should reward yourself.

Rewards systems work great for adults and kids alike, and you deserve a little treat now and again.

17. Build Good Relationships with Coworkers

Since you must spend at least 40 hours a week at work, why not build good relationships with the people you’re around? Sure, there are negative Nelly’s that you want to avoid, but you can select good coworkers who will make your day way better.

18. Quit Dwelling on The Past

Why do so many people think that their past is a life sentence? What happened yesterday is not nearly as important as what will occur tomorrow. If you need counseling to deal with trauma, then get help. Stop letting the past dictate your future.

19. Learn Meditation

Meditation is one of the best ways to clear your mind and rid it of negativity. Something magical happens when you learn just to let everything go and focus on being more positive. It will change your entire life.

20. Stop Multitasking

It was once thought that multitasking was the component of a good worker. However, the evidence is now showing that those who are multitasking regularly are confusing their brain. According to the Cleveland Clinic, multi-tasking gives divided attention to many things when you could accomplish more by focusing on one task.

What about texting and driving? That would be an example of multitasking that not only doesn’t make sense but is quite dangerous. Please focus on the road ahead rather than the cell phone. While other instances may not be as serious, they can be just as chaotic to your brain.

Final Thoughts on Toxic Negativity

It’s hard to be positive in a world that is so full of hate and toxic negativity. Thankfully, you can learn to turn over a new leaf, and it will change your entire life. You’re extensively known by the company you keep, and it may be time to re-assess your friendships.

Some friends drain the life right out of you with their toxic negativity, while others are a breath of fresh air that gives you hope. Choose your friends wisely. Another prominent bone of contention with most people is their job. If your job makes you miserable, then life’s too short to stay in a career that makes you unhappy.

There are plenty of jobs out there, and when you find the right career for you, working won’t seem like such a chore. Today is the right time to make a change. You will be amazed at how much better you feel when you release what’s been holding you back.

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