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How Can You Spot a Narcissist? Here Are 12 Revealing Behaviors

January 31, 2021 by Chris Butler

Do you know how to spot a narcissist? Learning to identify this manipulative person is paramount as you navigate life. The last thing you need is to get involved with someone with more problems than a math book and treats you horribly.

Sure, they’re all charming and say just the right things initially. However, please don’t get too comfortable with their charm and charisma because this ruse lasts only for so long. They don’t want to be with you for anything other than to further their agenda.

The narcissist doesn’t have good relationships with people; indeed, some might say these manipulators have an expiration date. They can only be good for so long, and once people figure out their true colors, they will move on to their next victim. It’s the stuff the movies are made of, but you want to ensure no one is ever writing a script about the horrors of your life.

To Spot a Narcissist, You Must First Understand the Mindset

Before you know how to spot a narcissist, you should understand the driving force behind this person. In most cases, these individuals became manipulative because something happened to them changed their view of the world around them and themselves. They could be abuse victims or have been involved in trauma.

They’ve developed an “I’ll get them before they get me” attitude. All the behaviors you see from the manipulator are just an effort to ease their bruised self-esteem. While they may love themselves more than anyone else, the truth is that they have exceptionally low self-worth.

When you tangle with someone like this in the dating world, you will probably be instantly attracted to them. See, they’ve perfected their game and know just the right things to say and do to make you putty in their hands. Due to their keen manipulative abilities, you must be on guard.

How to Spot A Narcissist Through Revealing Behaviors

You should learn the common red flags to protect yourself from manipulative friends or love interests. Here are ten ways to spot a narcissist to avoid getting involved in their drama.

1. They’re Bigger and Better Than You

Have you ever met someone that always has to one-up you? These individuals can never let anyone have anything better than them, as it hurts their pride. If you got a raise on your job, they’ve already had two increases. They always seem to have the right words to make you feel less than you so that they feel greater than you.

2. They Flock to The Vulnerable

Do you remember the classic tale of the Three Little Pigs? The big, bad wolf would huff, puff, and blow the pig’s house down. The pigs had homes built from hay, sticks, and bricks. The first two pigs couldn’t stand against the wolf, but the third pig had a substantial house secure enough to save the others.

The wolf immediately went to the pigs whose homes were the most vulnerable. The selfish person looks for the same things when they’re on the prowl. They want the person who is an easy target to further their agenda.

Since they are incapable of having meaningful relationships, they will use you to get the finances, notoriety or to fulfill their sexual desires. One of their classic behaviors is to seek out vulnerable people who’ve been unlucky in love or just been through a rough time and need a shoulder to lean on.

3. They Dominate the Conversation

The fine art of conversation is a skill that isn’t developed overnight. It takes time to cultivate the ability to converse back and forth without talking over one another. However, if you want to spot a narcissist, it’s the person constantly talking over you and interrupting you so that you can’t get a word into the conversation.

You may find that trying to talk to this individual is impossible because they won’t let you.

4. They’re Loud and Proud

One would think that a manipulator would be quiet and unpretentious, but the self-centered person often tends to be loud and vibrant. They want all eyes on them rather than cowering in fear in a corner. True to their personality, they would rather be the life of the party.

5. They Shy Away from Conversations About Family and Friends

Talk about relationships if you want to hit a sore spot with any manipulator. These individuals rarely have a large inner circle because they alienate so many people along the way. Even relatives don’t want anything to do with them because their manipulative ways have burned them.

If you want to spot a self-centered person with relationship issues, ask them about their family and friends and see how they act.

6. They’re Very Secretive

A narcissist has many secrets they keep, and they don’t want you getting into their business. This person will often keep their phone locked down tighter than Fort Knox, and they will be very indiscreet when talking or texting. Sadly, you may not be the only person they’re trying to use.

7. They Belittle You

Once the manipulator has you in their clutches, they will start letting down the charming façade that lured you in. One way that they will try to control you is by belittling you. It’s a classic manipulation tactic to get you to do what they want.

Never let someone put you down or call you names, no matter how charming they appear. You are worth more than that, and you don’t need that kind of a pain in your life. They will destroy you mentally and make you think you cannot do anything right.

8. They Track Your Every Move

Remember, a selfish person fears losing their possessions, even people. If you live with this person, they may insist on security system cameras in most rooms and cell phone trackers. Sure, they will use the ruse for your safety, but they want to keep a good eye on your actions.

9. They Alienate You from Family and Friends

If you don’t see through their games, your family probably will. So, they will do everything they can to be your one and only.

They don’t want you hanging with others who might call out their manipulative ways. The more people you’re around, the more their house of cards risks tumbling down.

10. “Takes” Often, “Gives” Little

The hard part for good and honest people to comprehend is that this person is using them. They make it seem like you two are a match made in heaven, but they’re just using you. Narcissists want to get as much as possible from you but don’t expect them to give anything in return.

They want your money, time, attention, and you to come running when a crisis comes their way. However, when you need them, they will be conveniently unavailable. They are the masters of one-sided relationships.

11. They Brag A lot

Their self-inflated views of their life can’t be ignored. They want everyone to know how powerful, wealthy, and successful they’ve become. They will talk about all their wealth and accomplishments and name-drop all the high class in their ranks.

It’s quite annoying to talk to this person because they make themselves appear so high and mighty that you will feel inferior to them.

12. They Lie

One of the ways you can spot a narcissist is that their stories don’t add up. They have a lot of bull they feed people, but if you dig into their lives, you will find that most of what they tell is fabricated. Sure, there may be some truths among the lies, but most of what you hear is garbage.

These individuals are often pathological or habitual liars.

Final Thoughts on How to Spot A Narcissist

If you’ve ever watched made-for-television movies about relationships gone wrong, you know about narcissistic behaviors. Maybe you’ve experienced a manipulator in your personal life and know the pain they leave behind. It would help if you remembered that this person is broken beyond what you can see, and they need in-depth psychological help.

Don’t ever think that you can fix them or be the love that changes their ways, as most of the time; you will be another victim in their portfolio. You must know how to spot narcissists to protect yourself from all the pain and psychological damage that comes with this master manipulator.

15 Phrases to Affirm Your Belief in Your Own Strength

January 31, 2021 by Sarah Barkley

You are strong, but sometimes you may forget just how strong you truly are. There will be times when you need to affirm your belief in your inner strength, but that is easy to do. Many phrases will help you affirm your belief and help you stay strong even when things get complicated.

As you go through life, things don’t always go as planned. Likewise, you may encounter many obstacles or experience things being harder than you expected. This is okay because you are strong enough to get through it, no matter how bad it might seem.

Remember how strong you are so that you don’t struggle any more than you have to. You are capable of doing anything, as these phrases will affirm. With them, you will be able to quickly remind yourself no matter where you are or what you are doing.

Phrases to Affirm Your Belief in Your Own Strength

As you go through your day, remember these positive phrases to affirm your belief. You will be glad that you did, and it will get your much farther in life. If they help you, write them down or print them out and carry your favorite ones with you everywhere you go.

1. I will stay focused and dedicated.

Think about what you want in life, and then focus your efforts on reaching it. You are strong enough to stay dedicated, and this is what will help you reach your goals. By repeating this phrase, you will be helping yourself remain on the right track and stay motivated.

2. I have willpower, and I can avoid things that aren’t good for me.

Having willpower is essential to getting things done and living a good life. It would help if you stayed away from things that aren’t good for you to be the best version of yourself. Your willpower comes from your inner-strength, so this phrase is perfect for affirming your beliefs in your strength.

3. I can reach any goal I set my mind on.

You are strong enough to reach all of your goals. Set your mind on it and keep working towards it. No matter what happens along the way, you can reach that goal.

4. I will stay calm when unexpected things happen.

Use this affirmation to remind yourself that you are strong and can stay calm. Unexpected things happen in life, but you can handle them positively. Remind yourself of things when things get hard.

5. I am in control of my thoughts, so I will replace negative thoughts with positive ones.

You are the only person who can control your thoughts. If you find yourself thinking negatively, change your thought process and start thinking of positive things. Changing your thought process takes mental strength, but you are strong enough to do it.

6. I can stand up for myself without saying hurtful things to others.

You don’t have to hurt other people’s feelings, even if they have hurt yours. By standing up for yourself without hurting others, you are showing just how strong you are. If you are struggling to stand up for yourself in a nice way, repeat this phrase until you feel better.

7. I am ready for the unexpected, and I will get through any challenge.

As explained before, unexpected things happen all the time, but you can be ready for them. Use your strength to prepare for the unexpected and know that you can get through anything. There is no obstacle too big to overcome.

8. I am confident in my abilities.

When you are confident, you will achieve much more than if you lack confidence. Your confidence will help you push forward even when you are stepping into unknown territory. It will help you take on new challenges and will help you succeed when others couldn’t.

9. I am in control of my emotions, and I will decide how I feel.

No one else can tell you how you are feeling. Your emotions are yours alone, and you get to decide how you are feeling. Plus, it is important to remember that your feelings are validated.

10. I am always working on being better than I was yesterday.

Each day is a new opportunity and learning experience. Use the wisdom of yesterday to be a better person today. As long as you tell yourself that you are better each day, you will suddenly notice the proof.

11. I can handle what has happened and whatever happens next.

Being able to roll with the punches in life is essential, and you are strong enough to do it. Accept the things that have happened and deal with them positively. Then, rest assured knowing that you can overcome whatever happens next.

12. I am good enough, and no one can decide otherwise.

Always remember that you are worthy and that you are good enough. Anytime you begin to think otherwise, repeat this phrase to affirm your belief in your strength.

13. I will learn from my mistakes and try again.

Everyone makes mistakes, and this is perfectly okay as long as you try again. When things don’t go as planned, remember how strong you are. Remembering your strength will give you the determination you need to try again until you get it right.

14. I am willing to work hard and learn new things.

To be successful, you have to be strong enough to work hard. Plus, you have to continually learn new things, even when you think you know enough. Believe in yourself, and you will have the strength needed to do this.

15. I can and will reach my goals.

It is always possible to reach your goals, and you are more than capable of doing it. Remind yourself that you can and will be successful, and it’ll be easy to keep pushing through.

How Positive Phrases Work to Affirm Your Belief in Your Own Strength

It may seem crazy that a simple positive phrase can help you, but it is true. These positive affirmations work to affirm your beliefs in yourself and help you be a better person overall. If you are still skeptical, science backs it up.

One study shows the part of your brain that is associated with pleasure activates with positive affirmations. With the activation of pleasure, participants wanted to continue saying positive affirmations and gain even more pleasure. Additionally, positive affirmations can help you process things better.

Positive affirmations help regulate emotions, too. When the participants spoke the affirmations aloud regularly, they experienced less painful, negative, or threatening feelings. Their feelings of self-worth increased, as well.

Studies also reveal that regularly speaking positive affirmations turns the phrases into reality. As you say these positive words to yourself, your brain will process them and believe them to be true. Then, you will be more likely to live by the words you have spoken.

After a while of repeating these phrases, you will find that it becomes natural. You will begin to live by the words without even realizing it, and it will increase your inner-strength.

Tips for Using Positive Affirmations

If you have never tried using positive affirmations before, it isn’t hard to get started. A few tips will get you going, and you’ll quickly realize how simple it is. Before you know it, you will be great at saying positive affirmations and making them work for you.

Decide what you are trying to accomplish with your affirmations.
Choose positive affirmations that will help you reach your goal.
Make sure your goal is specific and realistic.
Use only positive words in your affirmation, so your brain doesn’t pick up any negativity.
Focus on the present.
Always use the word “I” in your affirmations instead of the word “you.”
Use powerful words.
Imagine your goal as you say the affirmations.
As you say the phrases, think about how you will feel when you reach your goal.
Say the phrases often so that you can gain inner-strength.
Don’t give up if you don’t notice a difference right away.
Come up with unique affirmations once you feel comfortable.

Final Thoughts on Phrases to Affirm Your Belief in Your Own Strength

Positive affirmations are helpful as you go through your daily life. The positive phrases can help you affirm your belief in your strength and make it easier for you to reach your goals. Affirmations remind you of your worth and of what you are capable of.

Find the positive phrases that work best for you and implement them in your day. Whenever you need some positivity or a reminder of your own strength, recall these positive affirmations. They can help you in many areas of your life and help you accomplish all of your goals.

Remember, the more often you speak the words, the better they will help you. Plus, you will eventually memorize them and can use them at any time and in any situation. Don’t miss out on these positive phrases, and make sure to use them to affirm your belief in yourself.

20 Daily Positive Affirmations for Introverts

January 30, 2021 by Sarah Barkley

While everyone can benefit from daily positive affirmations, introverts face different challenges. Sometimes they make themselves feel bad about the way they are, and other times someone else is making them feel bad. Either way, it can be hard on their mental health and well-being.

If you are an introvert, you likely understand the truth behind this. The guilt trips, whether from yourself or others, seem to be never-ending. Your life doesn’t have to be this way, though, because the way you are is perfectly fine.

You were created to be different and to embrace your differences. Remember that as you go about your day, and use daily positive affirmations to reaffirm it. You don’t have to please everyone else because you are only responsible for your happiness.

If being alone makes you happy, then continue spending your time alone. These daily positive affirmations will help you remember that it is fine to be alone. Plus, they can help you socialize positively when you are around others.

Daily Positive Affirmations for Introverts

1. I am confident enough to speak up when I want to.

If you are an introvert, you have likely been in situations where you didn’t speak up when you wanted to. By saying this affirmation every day, you will be reminding yourself that you can speak up when you want to say something.

2. I am not judging myself anymore.

Introverts often judge themselves for not being as outgoing as others. Make it a point to stop judging yourself, because you are perfect the way you are. Accept yourself and embrace the differences, because being true to yourself is what will bring happiness.

3. I like to socialize and make new friends.

Even though you prefer being alone, you can still enjoy socializing when you are with others. Plus, even for introverts, life is more exciting with new friends.

Use this affirmation to remind yourself that it is enjoyable. If you do, you may find that you socialize a little more throughout your day and that socialization comes easier.

4. I am intelligent and knowledgeable even if I don’t want to contribute to a conversation.

You know plenty of things and you are intelligent, even if you choose to not talk. Sometimes you might simply feel like being quiet.

By using this positive affirmation, you can prevent the guilt and regret that might come later. If you didn’t want to contribute, don’t beat yourself up over it later. It is okay to feel that way.

5. I am happy with who I am and the way my life is going.

As long as you are content with your life, that is all that matters. If you are happy with the way you are, you will be more confident with who you are.

This affirmation will help with that. Plus, it will make you more likely to choose what makes you happy rather than giving in to others.

6. I don’t care what people say or think about me.

Being an introvert isn’t always easy because other people may not understand it. Their misunderstanding could lead to them saying or thinking things about you since being an introvert could make you seem indifferent.

While you know this isn’t the case, it doesn’t stop people from speculating. They might wonder or talk about why you don’t want to socialize or go out all the time. Don’t let this get to you,

7. People enjoy talking to me and spending time with me.

Introverts tend to think that other people don’t enjoy their company. This isn’t the case, and you should say this daily affirmation to remind yourself of that. It will help you relax in the company of others and be more comfortable speaking up.

8. My needs are important, and I take care of them myself.

You must remember that your needs are just as important as everyone else’s. It is also important to remember that you don’t need to rely on others to meet your needs. Since you like to be alone, you will be happier and calmer knowing that you can yourself.

9. I don’t have to change unless I want to.

Never let anyone make you feel like you must change. You are uniquely you, and you must embrace it and enjoy the person that you are. Remember that, and say this positive affirmation each day.

You will notice that you become more confident in who you are. Plus, you will be assured that you do not have to change and that you are perfect the way you are. If someone wants you to change, then they don’t truly understand who you are.

10. I have people that I love, and people that love me.

It doesn’t matter how often you go out or how often you choose to stay home. Even when you don’t see your loved ones for a while, they are still there and still love you. Use this positive phrase to affirm that you love and are loved in return.

11. I am approachable.

Sometimes, introverts seem unapproachable since they aren’t normally speaking up or engaging with others. When you are around other people, however, you should take advantage of the opportunity to socialize. Say this phrase aloud to yourself each day and you will start to become more approachable to others.

12. It is okay that I enjoy my own company over the company of others.

You should never feel bad about preferring to be alone. If that is the way that you are, then do what it takes to be happy. Don’t feel guilty about it, and remember that it is perfectly fine that you choose to spend your time alone.

13. It is okay to say “no” to an invite.

Always remember that you can say “no” when you don’t feel like doing something. Your mental health and well-being are more important than pleasing others.

You can say no and do whatever it was that you wanted to do, instead. Then, you won’t feel like you missed out on what you truly wanted to do. Plus, you won’t have to suffer through a social gathering you didn’t want to go to anyway.

14. I can enjoy time with others.

When you have no choice but to be around others, you might as well enjoy your time. Before you’re going to be around other people, repeat this affirmation. It will help you feel confident going into the socializing experience.

15. I become more confident each day.

Introverts sometimes struggled with confidence. If you are one of the people who struggle, use this affirmation each morning before beginning your day. By telling yourself that you are confident, you will find your confidence increasing each day.

16. I will contribute positively to the conversation.

You may have to excuse yourself for a few moments to say this affirmation to yourself. Otherwise, the person you’re talking to might start to think you’re crazy for talking to yourself. Once you do, however, you can return to the conversation and begin contributing to the conversation.

17. I am happy with being alone and not sharing my thoughts. This is the way I want to live.

If you don’t want to share your life and your thoughts with anyone else, that is okay. As long as you are happy with it, you don’t have to change or be made to feel like you should. You don’t have to change for anyone, and your desire to be alone in this sense is important.

18. I will do things I enjoy because that is part of taking care of myself.

Doing things that you enjoy will mean saying ‘no’ to social encounters from time to time. If you are constantly forcing yourself into situations you don’t want to be in you’ll become discouraged and unhappy.

Take some time for yourself and say no once in a while. It is okay that you don’t want to hang out all the time, so do things that make you happy instead of what others want you to do.

19. I don’t have to be like everyone else.

You might feel like you are supposed to be more outgoing sometimes, but you shouldn’t feel that way. The way you are is how you are supposed to be, and it is fine if that is different from others. Be yourself and you will truly be happier.

20. When I’m alone, I can focus more, work harder, and come up with new ideas.

Being alone isn’t a bad thing. For some people, this is the best environment for focusing. If you like this, you will notice that your work is always better and more efficient when you are alone. It is better to be alone to get something done or think it through, so this affirmation will help you.

Final Thoughts on Daily Positive Affirmations for Introverts

Staying positive is hard for everyone, but introverts face more issues with this. Introverts are often made to feel bad for being the way that they are, and that isn’t fair to them. You have to put yourself first and do what makes you happy and comfortable.

If you are an introvert and find that this is a problem for you, use these positive affirmations. Likewise, if you ever make yourself feel bad, these daily positive affirmations will help you. The more often you repeat them, the more your brain will believe them.

You are unique, and you were intended to be this way. Your feelings and desires may be different from extroverts, but it doesn’t mean they are wrong. Embrace your differences and use these daily positive affirmations to help you out.

The Remedy for Loneliness That Most People Ignore

January 29, 2021 by Sarah Barkley

Feeling lonely is hard, but there is a remedy for loneliness that truly works. This remedy is one that is often ignored but is one of the most successful for combating loneliness. In it, you will find peace and happiness in your life, and it can also help you gain meaningful relationships.

Loneliness doesn’t mean you have no one in your life. Instead, it means that even with people around you, you feel lonely and disconnected. It means that you lack a deep connection with another person, not that you lack having people in your life.

The often-ignored remedy for loneliness is simple. You have to change your maladaptive behavior patterns, meaning you have to change your way of thinking about things. Maladaptive behavior will be explained in further detail below, but it’s important to explain loneliness and its effect a little more.

When you are lonely, it will eventually lead to you feeling sad, anxious, and overwhelmed. It can also cause binge drinking or eating and a sense of hopelessness. Millions of people experience this feeling, and for some, it will pass more easily than for others.

The Remedy for Loneliness That Most People Don’t Know

Changing Maladaptive Behavior

While you have likely heard of many remedies for loneliness, there are a few that truly work and often get ignored. One of these remedies that are often ignored is changing your maladaptive behavior.

Maladaptive behavior is any behavior that stops you from being able to adjust or change when necessary. This means that during difficult or challenging times, you struggle to or are unable to adapt to it. Irrational thinking concepts also characterize maladaptive behavior.

Research shows that changing this behavior is more effective than any other remedy for loneliness. It also allows for long-term healing and feelings of positivity. It will give you more hope for the future, increased self-esteem, and contentedness during solitary times.

When you notice that your thinking is causing your loneliness, you can decide to change them. If you can change those thoughts to something more positive and productive, you’ll immediately feel better. While it may seem like a difficult process, it will quickly become a habit, and you won’t have to think about it so much.

The Reason Changing Maladaptive Behavior is So Effective

The reason changing maladaptive behavior is a remedy for loneliness is a simple one. This type of behavior makes you look for signs of rejection and hostility in all situations. When you do this, it causes negative thoughts about social situations and can cause you to clam up when around others.

You will always look for the negative parts of your encounters rather than the positive ones. It results in always thinking the worst and will leave you having negative thoughts about future encounters.

If you notice that you struggle with maladaptive behavior, you can change it, however. Start consciously checking your thoughts to see if you are negative. If you find that you are fixating on what you think went wrong, you have to change your thought process.

You can think about the parts of the encounter that went well. Or, you could remind yourself that you may have made a good impression and everything went well. By reminding yourself that you don’t know for sure that the impression was bad, you open possibilities for positivity.

When you can look at it this way, you’ll realize that the worst-case scenario won’t always happen. It’ll help you be less lonely, as you won’t be so negative toward social situations. You will also see that the behavior or demeanor of others doesn’t always have something to do with you.

Then, once you have learned to change your maladaptive thinking, you’ll be more positive. Social situations will become positive times rather than negative ones, and you’ll become more confident. In turn, you’ll become less lonely as you form positive, meaningful relationships.

Maladaptive behavior has more to do with chronic loneliness than you may realize. It becomes a habit, causing you to be lonely everywhere you go. As you think these negative thoughts, you’ll isolate yourself from others and miss out on forming new relationships.

Part of changing your maladaptive behavior also involves learning to love the time spent alone. Once you learn to change that thought process, you’ll begin to see the good in all situations. This will allow you to feel comfortable with being on your own, and you’ll be able to heal yourself.

Accept It, Embrace It, and Learn to Heal Yourself

Another remedy for loneliness that most people ignore is to accept and embrace it. You can heal yourself from loneliness without the help of anyone else.

You can do this by filling your life with things that make you happy and make you feel complete. This could be hobbies such as reading, baking, or gardening. By doing this, you are choosing to embrace yourself, and that will remedy the loneliness.

You can also embrace the loneliness and heal yourself of the negative connotation by setting goals. By giving yourself something to work toward, you’ll fill your life with positive meaning and purpose.

Using this method as a remedy for loneliness will make you love yourself. Then, you will enjoy the solitary lifestyle, and you won’t mind spending it by yourself. It’ll be a joy rather than a burden.

If you can learn to enjoy your time and fill it with fulfilling things, you’ll quickly stop being lonely. Learn to fulfill yourself and stop waiting for someone else to come along and do it for you.

You have to stop thinking it’s bad to be on your own. When you can learn to enjoy being alone and stop thinking that no one enjoys your company, you’ll feel better. Plus, you’ll find yourself connecting with more people on a deeper level, too.

What Can Happen If You Don’t Remedy the Loneliness

If you don’t get a handle on the loneliness you’re feeling, it can be incredibly detrimental. As mentioned before, it can cause feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and anxiety. There is more to it than that, however.

Loneliness can lead to many emotional problems as well as social and health problems. It’s important to learn an effective remedy for loneliness so that you don’t experience these issues.

Physical Health Problems

Poor Self-Care Habits

Oftentimes, when loneliness has lingered for a while, it can hinder your self-care. Your diet will become unhealthy, your hygiene could plummet, and you will likely not exercise enough. These issues usually stem from a lack of motivation that is caused by feelings of loneliness.

Increased Risk of Heart Disease

Another health problem that can occur is heart disease. Research shows that being lonely increases the chances that you will suffer from heart disease of some kind. This is because lonely people don’t handle stress as well, plus, poor diet and lack of exercise contribute.

Weakened Immune System and Increased Inflammation

Loneliness can lead to a weakened immune system and increased inflammation. You will be less able to fight off illnesses, which will cause you to be sick more often. The increase in inflammation can contribute to other health problems such as heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, and other conditions.

Mental Health Problems

Depression

With persisting feelings of loneliness, you will likely develop depression. Hormones in your brain that are associated with depression and stress become active when you feel lonely. The more of these hormones that are released, the more severe your depression will be.

Suicide Risk Increases

Depression associated with loneliness only gets worse if the loneliness isn’t eased or cured. Because of this, those who are lonely tend to commit suicide more often than those who aren’t. For this reason alone, you must find a remedy for loneliness that works.

Trouble Sleeping

Even if you can fall asleep, your sleep quality will be lessened. This can hinder both your mental and physical health, but it will first affect your mental health. Lonely people will also be more likely to wake up during the night and have trouble falling back asleep.

Final Thoughts on The Remedy for Loneliness That Most People Ignore

This remedy for loneliness that most people often ignore is one that will truly work. Changing your maladaptive behaviors will change your life for the better. It will help you stop feeling so lonely, and you’ll be able to accept the loneliness and embrace it.

From there, you will be able to heal yourself without waiting for someone else to do it for you. Loneliness is more about yourself than you may initially realize. Once you begin addressing your thoughts and behaviors, you’ll notice a quick change in your life.

You shouldn’t go through life feeling this way. It isn’t good for your physical or mental health and can have serious consequences if it isn’t addressed. Make sure to get it taken care of so you can start feeling better and living a more fulfilling life.

12 Habits That Boost Confidence When You Feel Insecure

January 29, 2021 by Power of Positivity

Do you feel insecure and lack confidence at times? Sure, everybody has moments when they don’t feel on top of the world. Part of living is learning lessons and those experiences come during the hard times.

Those lessons will mold you into the person that everyone loves. When life hands you a devastating blow, like a job loss, death in the family, or other turbulent times, it’s easy to feel shaken to your core and lack confidence in yourself and your future. However, things don’t have to be this way.

No matter what’s going on around you, you can learn how to nip those insecurities in the bud. The more secure you’re within yourself, the more attractive you will be to suitors and potential employers. Would you want an insecure doctor or lawyer working for you?

Of course not; you want someone who believes enough in their abilities to have a secure nature. It would help if you got to the place where you can be as confident as a brain surgeon about to make the first cut. Do you have that kind of security within yourself?

Ways to Boost Your Confidence and Stop Being Insecure

If you want to boost your confidence and get yourself out of the rut you’re in, you can do a few things to help. Some of these tips can be used for immediate help, and some are more habits that you should develop to keep your confidence level at even kilter.

1. Look Forward, Not Behind

When you look behind you at all the years and tears, you may see discouragement and heartbreak. Stop looking at all the failures of your past and focus on the present. You may not have tomorrow, so you need to treat today as the gift you’ve been given.

When you feel insecure and your self-esteem is plummeting, don’t revisit past failures as they will only make things worse.

2. Practice Self-Care

When’s the last time you treated yourself to a manicure, pedicure, or shopping spree? Whatever it is that you like to do to treat yourself, you should indulge on occasion.

If you feel insecure and like you’re a failure in life, then you can change your whole outlook by spicing up your look a bit. When you look good, you feel good, so why not give yourself a treat?

3. Practice Positive Affirmations

If you suffer from low self-esteem, then you should try using positive affirmations. There’s nothing that works wonders on your insecurities than telling yourself time and again all the wonderful things you love about yourself. You say things like:

I am beautiful/handsome.
My life is perfect.
I’m blessed.
I have a good support system.
I can do anything I set my mind to do.

4. Replace Jealousy with Appreciation

Rather than looking at everyone around you and being envious of what they have that you don’t, why not be thankful for all the blessings that you’ve been given. It’s easy to think the grass is greener on the other side, but if you could change shoes with another person, the chances are that you would want your life back.

Money and material things are just one part of your journey on earth. There are so many other things that are so much more important. Don’t feel insecure because you think you have less than someone else because not all gifts are bought with money, and somethings that don’t cost one penny are priceless.

5. Quit Trying to Please Others

If you are insecure, you will spend your days trying to please everyone else to make yourself feel better. The truth is that the only people you need to please is you, your boss, and your spouse. Quit wasting all your time and efforts trying to make others like you.

You are uniquely you, and there will be people that love you and those that don’t. However, you cannot waste your time pinning after those who aren’t in your inner circle. Put your time and efforts into the ones that put their time and efforts into you.

6. Make a List of Your Accomplishments

It’s easy to forget just how far you have come and the things you’ve accomplished when you’re facing many battles. Most people have done more good things than bad in their life, and you need to remind yourself of these facts. Anytime you get depressed or feel down on yourself, it’s time to take out the list and remember all the accomplishments you’ve done in life.

7. Be Willing to Accept Constructive Criticism

Do you wear your emotions on your sleeve? You must be willing to accept constructive criticism when it’s done in the right way. A mentor wants to guide you and help you to be a better person.

Sure, some people want to criticize, but some people have genuine intentions towards you. To grow and learn and become a better you, you must accept some advice along the way.

8. Learn Your Triggers

If your confidence has taken a hit, then you need to identify the things that trigger your insecurities. When you start to feel those old feelings of self-doubt come rushing to the surface, hit them with some positive affirmations. Write down a list of the things that trigger you and be willing to combat them when the time comes.

9. Be Grateful for Your Blessings

Sometimes it’s just impossible not to feel down on your luck. Your confidence may be at an all-time low due to a job loss, relationship breakup, or another traumatic event in your life. However, remember that there is always someone that has things worse than you.

When it looks like everything is closing in on you, things are shifting to allow change. If you lost your job, you were looking for a job when you found the previous one. You will find another career and be back up on your feet in no time.

Sometimes, you need to be patient and wait until the next door opens, but you must never blame yourself for things outside of your control. Time and chance happen to everyone, but what you do within these times matters so much.

10. Use Visualization Tactics

When you feel insecure, you need to use tactics to make you feel more confident. Try creating a vision board so that you can see where you are right now and where you want to be in the future. It’s always good when you feel down on your luck to boost your confidence by setting some major goals and then to follow through with them.

The vision board is an excellent tool because you can see your progress by marking things off as you accomplish these goals.

11. Put Your Inner Critic in Its Place

Everyone has an inner voice that spews negativity into their mind. However, it’s your job to put this critic in its place. Remember the old videos where a good entity and a bad entity were sitting on someone’s shoulders?

Well, that concept is an illustration of a typical thought process that most people go through. It would help if you gained control over the negative thoughts that come into your head, as most of them are anxiety-based. When self-doubt comes rushing in trying to shake your confidence and security to the core, you need to combat it with the power of positivity.

Anxiety will fill your head will all types of noise, but you must kick it to the curb. Take control over the inner critic so that you can boost your confidence.

12. Talk to Your Inner Circle

Everyone needs people in their corner that can help them when the chips are down. When you feel so insecure, and your confidence level is zero, you need to call on your support system for help. This person can be a parent, friend, spouse, or therapist.

Where would your life be without people you can count on? A true friend can lift your spirits when you’ve hit rock bottom, and they can give you a reason to get up and keep fighting.

Final Thoughts on Boosting Your Confidence During Times of Insecurity

Life is full of challenges, and somedays it’s going to rain and storm. You can’t expect the sun to shine always, though it would be nice. When the storms come rolling in, you must stand on the firm foundation that is your friends, your past accomplishments, and your future goals.

It’s natural to lack self-confidence at specific periods as there is no perfect life. However, you can’t let those insecure feelings get you down. You must vow to yourself to get back up, shake the dust off your feet, and try again.

When all else fails, remember that this too shall pass. You will wake up tomorrow, and it will be a brand-new day, and the troubles of yesterday will only be a memory.

15 Quotes of Encouragement Everyone Needs to Hear

January 28, 2021 by Sarah Barkley

Everyone needs some encouragement from time to time, and these quotes of encouragement are perfect for that. If you feel like you need some positive encouragement in your life, these quotes of encouragement will help you find it. No matter why you need to be encouraged, these quotes will give you just what you need.

When life gets hard, you must remember to keep pushing on. You can’t stop just because things aren’t easy or aren’t going as planned. You can reach all of your goals, and you have to have the determination to keep pushing forward.

Picture all the things you want in life and what you want your life to look like. Use that image as your ultimate encouragement and motivation to keep going in life. Don’t disappoint yourself or let yourself down by stopping now.

Fifteen Quotes of Encouragement

While that sounds easy enough, you still may need some help to get there. These quotes of encouragement come from people who have been where you are now. Since they can relate to the way you’re feeling, you’ll find comfort and motivation in their quotes of encouragement.

1. “It doesn’t matter how slow you go as long as you don’t stop.” – Confucius

Everyone lives their life differently, and everyone takes different amounts of time to get things done. Don’t let this hinder your ability to reach your dreams. If you are going slower than others, keep going at your pace and never give up.

2. “Believe in yourself. You are braver than you think, more talented than you know, and capable of more than you imagine.” – Roy T. Bennett

Always remember what Bennett tells you in this quote of encouragement. You are brave, talented, and you can do anything you set your mind to. If you can believe in yourself, you can do anything.

3. “Character cannot be developed in ease, and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved.” – Helen Keller

You must overcome obstacles and hardships to develop your character. When things are calm and easy, you won’t be able to grow or develop at all. Embrace the challenges because this is when you become stronger, more ambitious, and successful.

4. “There are moments when troubles enter our lives, and we can do nothing to avoid them. But they are there for a reason. Only when we have overcome them will we understand why they were there.” – Paulo Coelho

Life is unexpected, and there will always be unavoidable challenges. Each challenge happens for a reason, though, and you may not know the reason right away. Whether it is a learning opportunity or something more, always remember that hardships happen for a reason.

5. “It doesn’t matter who you are, where you come from. The ability to triumph begins with you. Always.” – Oprah Winfrey

Your past doesn’t matter when it comes to your future. You can achieve anything you set your mind to, and as long as you have faith in yourself, you will get there.

6. “We define ourselves far too often by our past failures. That’s not you. You are this person right now. You’re the person who has learned from those failures.” – Joe Rogan

As explained before, your past doesn’t define who you are now or who you will be in the future. You have learned from your past mistakes, which means you have grown out of the person you were then. Don’t let your past hold you back because each day is a chance to start fresh.

7. “Just don’t give up trying to do what you really want to do. Where there is love and inspiration, I don’t think you can go wrong.” – Ella Fitzgerald

Don’t give up when things get hard. Keep working toward what you truly want in life and draw inspiration from wherever you can. As long as you love what you do and stay inspired, you will achieve your goals.

8. “When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it.” – Henry Ford

When things get tough, it is truly your time to shine. Airplanes take off with the wind against them, and you can take off with everything going against you. Remember this the next time it seems like everything is against you, and keep pushing forward.

9. “A bird doesn’t sing because it has an answer; it sings because it has a song.” – Maya Angelou

Don’t decide what to do based on what others want to see or hear. Only do what you love and what makes you feel fulfilled, and only do it for yourself, never anyone else. It is great if others enjoy what you do, but the only important thing is that you enjoy what you do.

10. “Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all.” – Dale Carnegie

If you give up when things get tough, you will never know how close you were to success. As Carnegie explains, important things happen when those who accomplished them felt hopeless. However, these people didn’t give up, and if you don’t give up, you will succeed, too.

11. “Do not wait; the time will never be ‘just right.’ Start where you stand, and work with whatever tools you may have at your command, and better tools will be found as you go along.” – George Herbert

Contrary to popular belief, timing is not everything. The time will never be right to do big things. You have to get started and use what you already have available.

Waiting around for the right time could mean waiting forever or missing opportunities. If you get started right now, however, you will be ready when an opportunity presents itself.

12. “There is nothing to fear because you cannot fail… only learn, grow and become better than you’ve ever been before.” – Hal Elrod

If you can convince yourself that you can’t fail, you will be confident enough to do anything. Instead of thinking of it as failing, think of it as a learning opportunity and time for growth. With each obstacle, challenge, and the new plan comes learning, not a failure.

13. “Embrace uncertainty. Some of the most beautiful chapters in our lives won’t have a title until much later.” – Bob Goff

There will always be uncertain times in your life, but you must embrace them. It is during the uncertain times that you will discover new things and new opportunities. Remember that the most memorable and life-changing moments in your life were not pre-planned.

You can figure out the details later but, for now, keep moving even if you are uncertain. You have to figure things out and write your story as you go along, and the title can come later.

14. “You don’t need to be better than anyone else; you just need to be better than you used to be.” – Wayne Dyer

Don’t compare yourself to anyone else. Only compare yourself to what you were like before. Work to beat your records or to achieve new things that you haven’t done before. Or, set goals for yourself that you haven’t achieved yet and focus on hitting those.

Comparing yourself to others will only cause you to become discouraged. Remember that your path and your life are much different than anyone else’s. You can’t compare yourself and your life to something so much different.

15. “Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck.” – Dalai Lama

If things don’t work out the way you wanted them to, don’t get too discouraged. Things happen for a reason in life, so tell yourself that things worked out the way they were supposed to.

You’ll never know what would have happened if things had been different. Instead of wondering, count it as a stroke of luck because it got you to where you are today.

Final Thoughts on Quotes of Encouragement Everyone Needs to Hear

Life isn’t always perfect, and there are always things to overcome, meaning you may need encouragement occasionally. When you find yourself in need, come back to these quotes of encouragement. Consider sharing them with others in your life who you think could use some encouragement, too.

Allow the authors of these quotes to remind you that you can achieve your goals as long as you don’t give up. Please find comfort in the fact that they have been in your position before and successfully fought through. Use their advice to guide you and encourage you to do the same.

You can overcome any obstacle in life, and you can achieve all of your dreams. Keep pushing forward, even when things get hard, or you don’t get what you wanted. When that doesn’t work, remember these quotes of encouragement to help you push on.

10 Ways Gifting Improves Your Mental Wellbeing And Relationships

January 28, 2021 by Lakeisha Ethans

How often do you give gifts to the people in your life? Do you remember the way their faces lit up and how they wanted to give you something in return?

It’s truly amazing to think that giving gifts could do all that. As it turns out, there are scientific reasons that gift-giving, altruism, and compassion, in general, can be so powerfully good for you and those around you. Our pick and mix sweet boxes are the ultimate treat, perfect for movie nights, car journeys & gifts. We create tasty & creative sweet boxes with your favourite sweets delivered to your door.

Here are 10 ways gifting improves your mental wellbeing and your relationships.

1. It Reduces Anxiety

Gifting is an act of kindness, and it involves thinking about other people and trying to make them happy. It seems like this kind of effort would naturally cause some stress or anxiety in individuals on the surface.

But, as it turns out, being nice to the people around you – whether through gift or other means – can increase the kind of positive thinking that reduces anxiety and stress. This is especially true of social anxiety.

Why does this happen? Many common anxiety experiences, especially social ones, are a result of low levels of positive affect. Gifting to others increases positive affect, letting you experience better happiness, alertness, and interest levels. Being kind to others through gifting and other methods will allow you to feel happier, reducing anxiety as a result.

2. It Promotes Social Connection and Cooperation

Giving to others promotes a feeling of trust in your relationships. The people around you feel more connected to you, are more likely to give to others within the same community, and foster a better overall experience of connection and togetherness. Here are some ways this works:

Giving to others increases the likelihood that they will give back to us or give to other people
The exchange of gifts can promote cooperative and trusting feelings in others as they view others more charitably
Generosity breeds positive social connections, which can lead to strengthened bonds between people
You will feel closer to the people you give to, not just the other way around

3. It Produces Positive Hormones

As it turns out, the act of giving – whether through gifting or otherwise – makes people feel good! This is because when you gift things, you’re helping your body produce certain useful hormones. Here’s how:

Serotonin is a feel-good hormone or neurotransmitter in the body. It is known for its ability to promote better feelings of wellbeing and self-satisfaction.
Endorphins, another kind of feel-good hormone, creates a lot of positive and rewarding feelings.
Acts of generosity and general kindness can lead to serotonin production, as you feel satisfied with your actions and find them rewarding.
Altruism can lead to the release of endorphins in a well-documented occurrence commonly referred to as “helper’s high.”

4. It Makes You More Likely To Give Again

Let’s be real: most people would rather not receive a gift if the gift is not genuine in their generosity. No one wants to feel like receiving a gift is a burden to the giver, nor do they want to feel like the giver only wants something in return from them.

The good news is that the more you give, the less likely you will have ulterior motives or feel any dislike for gifting. Studies have found that thinking about all the times you’ve been selfless actually encourages further genuine selflessness compared to thinking about all the times you’ve received something. This means you’ll have more positive thinking about gifting if you continue to gift, even if you don’t receive in turn!

This can strengthen your relationships, showing the people in your life that you genuinely want to make them smile and are truly giving only out of the goodness of your heart. Better yet, your habits may rub off on those around you!

5. It Creates Gratitude

Both giving and receiving a gift can lead to emotions of gratitude. The recipient will express or instill this gratitude, and the giver will feel that gratitude instilled in them in turn.

Gratitude isn’t just crucial to positive relationships and social experiences. It can also work wonders on overall health. Being grateful and experiencing thankfulness can make you happier and even improve your physical wellbeing.

In this way, it’s also useful to remember that gratitude can be a gift you give, too. You can:

Express appreciation for someone and verbally recognize and praise their work, talent, ability, or personal selves
Send “thank you” notes and gifts to people who have done kind things to or for you.
Internalize your feelings of gratitude for others so that they naturally shine through

6. It Can Boost Job Satisfaction

Not happy with your job? You might find your job satisfaction boosted when you start giving more at work! No, this does not mean it’s time to do more than your job description entails, and no, it does not mean you should let yourself be taken advantage of by bad employers or bosses.

So, what does it mean? It means being kinder and more giving to your colleagues. You’ve already heard about how giving can create cooperation and togetherness, which are crucial components in any workplace. Altruism at work may help boost job satisfaction and even make work easier as you and your colleagues forge better connections!

7. It Makes Others Give, Too

Giving gifts regularly creates an environment of multiple people giving gifts. Basically, generosity and compassion are both contagious. Then you behave in a generous manner, those who observe you can be inspired to perform their own acts of generosity.

Research has found that this positive, “contagious” giving can be spread for a shocking three degrees. This means that you will spread it to someone, who will spread it to someone, who will spread it to someone else! This means that kindness and giving can literally spread across dozens, hundreds, or even thousands of people, including those you may not ever meet.

Your relationships will become tighter knit than ever in this cycle of giving. You and those around you will be inspired to be kinder and more generous, and it’ll just keep going and going!

8. It’s A Reward

You already know that giving can make you feel happy – but did you know it can also feel like a reward? It seems logical that it is the recipient of gifts who feels rewarded by those gifts, but it’s actually a two-way street! In fact, giving can feel more rewarding than receiving.

This is because the act of giving, especially genuinely, activates certain parts of the brain that are designed for:

Trust
Pleasure
Reward

Essentially, giving to others makes you feel warm, so it’ll feel like you’ve won something by giving. Isn’t that delightful?

9. It Can Strengthen A Marriage

For many people, their closest and most valued relationship is their marriage. It’s the one relationship that rises above most others, as the commitment shared is a life partner through all the ups and downs that the world has to offer.

Sadly, it’s not uncommon for marriages to decrease in happiness over time, leading to unhappy unions that either end in divorce or trudge on despite misery. Many factors go into what ensures a healthy and happy marriage, and gifting may be one of the factors!

Most marriages benefit from relationships where both parties often make an effort to “serve” their spouse. This means the gifts don’t have to be traditional kinds of presents that cost a lot of money, and they will help strengthen your relationship anyway. Here are some ways you can give “gifts” of a less material kind in your marriage or similar long-term partnership:

Make a drink for them.
Help whittle down their to-do list
Please give them a massage, back rub, or foot rub.
Take them out on a simple date.
Cook them a nice meal
Leave sweet notes for them to find

10. It Shifts Your Focus

Negative self-esteem is often a cause of being self-focused. When you hear the term “self-focus,” it’s not uncommon to automatically think of someone selfish and so absorbed in themselves because they think they’re better than everyone else. But there’s an opposite kind of self-focus, too – specifically, one where you:

Constantly worry about the way others are perceiving you
Focus too much on behaving or acting in a certain way to avoid scrutiny or meet a certain standard
Listen too much to voices in your head that derail your positive thinking
Become your own worst critic and constantly talk yourself down all the time
Believe your inner critic more than you do the positive words of others

This kind of self-focus is extremely damaging to your self-esteem, as you can probably infer. But where does gifting come in, and how does it help?

Gifting forces you to think of other people. It shifts your focus away from yourself and onto those in your life. You have to think of what they like, what they need, and how they’ll feel. At first, your inner critic may tell you that you’ll pick bad gifts when you actually perform the gifting activity. You’ll see the positive response you get from the recipient!

In other words, when you gift, you have to stop thinking about yourself. Over time, more frequent gifting will reduce the time you spend listening to your worst thoughts. There may even come a time when that negativity is completely quieted!

Final Thoughts On Some Ways Gifting Improves Your Mental Wellbeing And Relationships

Giving gifts, and other forms of generosity, have always made people feel good. Through these acts, you build bonds, improve your happiness levels, and show others that you’re thinking of them.

Gifts don’t have to be expensive, and there are many things that some would consider gifts. A little trinket is sometimes all you need to show someone that you care about them, and that small act can set off a wonderful and beautiful butterfly effect.

Fostering a community that cares, gives, and loves each other can start with you. So think about how much power simply giving a gift holds! If you’re nervous or unsure, start small and with the people you trust, then expand your gifting reach as time goes on. You’ll be amazed at the difference you can make with those actions alone!

15 Life-changing Affirmations to Heal Your Soul

January 28, 2021 by Sarah Barkley

Using positive, life-changing affirmations to heal your soul is key to improving your overall well-being. When you use positive affirmations daily, you will notice a significant change in your life.

Your mind and body work together in a bigger way than you may have initially realized. Thoughts become a reality, and it will affect you and everything around you. If you have positive thoughts like those found in these affirmations, you will attract positivity, happiness, love, and thankfulness.

These life-changing affirmations will positively change the way you think, behave, and treat yourself. The changes you will notice confirm that affirmations are much more than just spoken words. They can create your reality.

Once you have recited these life-changing affirmations often enough, you will begin to know them subconsciously. The affirmations will become such a normal part of your life that you won’t even have to think about them anymore. This comes in handy in those moments when you are caught off guard and need some positivity quickly.

Seven Reasons Why You Might Need to Heal Your Soul

Needing to heal your soul isn’t imaginary, as it is normal and experienced by many. While it may be hard to define, most know what it is and have felt soul pain before. It may cause physical exhaustion, stress, anxiety, negative thoughts and actions, and other issues.

While needing to heal your soul is often necessary after a tragedy or traumatic experience, you may not realize that you need healing. There are things you can watch for to help recognize if you need to heal your soul. The signs you should watch for include:

1 – The Inability to Live in the Moment

If you find yourself always thinking of the past or stressing out about the future, then you may need to heal your soul. When you can’t live in the moment and enjoy what is going on around you, it is a sure sign.

2 – You Feel Stuck

You may need to work on healing your soul if you feel like you are stuck in life. If you feel like you aren’t moving forward, this is something to consider.

3 – You Stay Busy or Distracted Always

Sometimes you might notice that you can’t relax and need to stay busy constantly. If this is the case, you could likely use some life-changing affirmations to heal your soul. It is a sign that you aren’t content with your life and are looking for distractions from your problems.

4 – You Pretend to be Fine, But You Don’t Feel Fine.

You might have times when you feel like something is wrong, but you pretend to be fine anyway. If you do this, then you could benefit from these positive affirmations.

5 – You are Exhausted For No Reason

Even with adequate sleep, you will be exhausted if your soul isn’t at peace. It is defeating your body and mind, and it will make you feel tired all the time.

6 – Difficulty Sleeping, Even When You are Tired

You might be exhausted, but you will still have trouble sleeping at night. Nagging thoughts might run through your mind, or you may have an uneasy feeling as you lay in bed.

7 – Feeling Like Something Isn’t Right, But Not Being Able to Figure Out What It Is

With life being so unexpected, you might have a feeling that something is off. You might not be able to figure out what is bothering you, but you will feel uneasy anyway. This is a sign that you need to heal your soul.

15 Life-changing Affirmations to Heal Your Soul

1. I will accept who I am today and be okay with what makes me different.

Sometimes, all you need to do to heal your soul is accept yourself. Embrace the things that set you apart, and be content with the fact that you are different than everyone else. If everyone were the same, the world would be a pretty boring place.

2. Today, I will bond with those I care about.

Nothing will make your soul happy, like spending time with the people you love. Make a plan with the people you care about, and spend some quality time with them. You’ll notice a significant difference in your well-being afterward.

3. I forgive myself and those who have hurt me.

When you forgive yourself, you will be cleansing your soul. Make a conscious decision to forgive yourself from anything that is lingering in your mind. Forgive others who have hurt you, too, and you’ll be even happier.

Signs you might be a lost soul.

4. I am kind and will treat others kindly.

Being kind can make you feel good, and it can heal your soul. Remind yourself that you are a kind person and that you will be kind to others. You’ll notice that your brain listens to this affirmation, and your actions and words will be much kinder.

5. I can heal at my own pace and in my own way.

There is no timeframe on healing and no directions for the right way to do it. As you work to heal your soul, remind yourself of this. Give yourself some grace if you think you aren’t healing quickly enough because everyone has a different timeframe.

6. I will be compassionate and thoughtful.

Being compassionate and thoughtful are two things that will help heal your soul. By telling yourself that you will be compassionate and thoughtful, you will be well on your way to showing it.

7. I am in control of my feelings, and I can choose happiness.

You are the only person that can control your feelings. No one else can tell you how to feel or can decide your emotions. If you want to choose happiness, use this life-changing affirmation, and you will be happier.

8. I am strong enough to overcome anything, and I am getting stronger every day.

You have overcome every challenge in the past, and you will continue to do so. You are strong enough to get through hard times and to heal your soul. Remind yourself of this and remind yourself that you are getting stronger with each day that passes.

9. I trust that everything will work out and that there is a reason for everything that happens.

Put your faith in the universe and know that things will work out the way they are supposed to. If you got everything you wanted or everything you planned for, you wouldn’t be where you are today. Just trust that everything you go through happens for a reason.

10. I will let go of fear, and I won’t let it control my life.

New things and changing situations can be scary, but you can’t let that hold you back. You must keep moving forward and let go of the fear that is keeping you from moving forward.

11. Whenever I have a negative thought, I will replace it with a positive one.

If you can replace negative thoughts with positive ones, you will quickly heal your soul. The negative thoughts will only remind you of what disrupts your peace. Replacing them with positive thoughts will help you move forward and be happy.

12. My life is full of things to be thankful for.

If you often think of the things you are thankful for, you will feel joy in your soul. Think of your loved ones or all the things you enjoy in life and count your blessings.

13. If I set my mind to something and work hard, I can achieve anything.

You can do anything you set your mind to, no matter how out of reach it seems. All you have to do is decide that you will do it and then take the necessary steps to get there. Don’t give up, and use this affirmation to heal your soul as a reminder that you can reach your goals.

14. I have people that I love who love me, too.

Knowing that you are loved and can give love is essential to healing your soul. It will remind you that you are never alone, and you always have someone you can turn to. This reminder can leave a happy and secure feeling in your soul.

15. My peace and happiness are just as important as anyone else’s.

You may tend to put others first, but sometimes you have to put yourself first. Your well-being is just as important as other people’s well-being, and you must acknowledge it. Take care of yourself and use this life-changing affirmation to remind you and help heal your soul.

Final Thoughts on Life-changing Affirmations to Heal Your Soul

You can’t fix everything that doesn’t go the way you wanted it to, but you can fix the way you feel about it. By using these life-changing affirmations to heal your soul, you will be able to let go of what is bothering you. You will be happier and at peace, knowing that everything is working out the way it should.

These life-changing affirmations to heal your soul are much more than just words. The affirmations are a way to connect your mind to your body and a way of fully healing your soul. By repeating the positive affirmations, you will notice a positive change in your well-being.

As you continue to say these life-changing affirmations, your entire mindset will change. Along with that, your actions will change, and you will become more positive as your soul heals. Repeat these life-changing affirmations so often that they stick with you in the hard times.

Stanford Study Proves Climate Change Responsible For Flood Damage

January 27, 2021 by Kristen Lawrence

A recent Stanford study found that climate change caused one-third of flood damage over the past thirty years in the U.S. Increasing rainfall due to a warmer climate caused nearly $75 billion of the estimated $199 billion. This devastation occurred from 1988 to 2017.

The researchers published their research on Jan. 11, 2021 in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

The Goal of the Study on Flood Damage

This study helps settle an ongoing debate about the increasing financial burden of flood events due to climate change. It also sheds light on the total financial costs of global warming.

Lead author Frances Davenport, a Ph.D. student at Stanford’s School of Earth, Energy & Environmental Sciences, said:

“The fact that extreme precipitation has been increasing and will likely increase in the future is well known. But what effect that has had on financial damages has been uncertain. Our analysis allows us to isolate how much of those changes in precipitation translate to changes in the cost of flooding, both now and in the future.”

The global insurance company Munich Re regards flood events as “the number-one natural peril in the U.S.” Flooding does rank among the top most common, ubiquitous, and expensive natural disasters.

However, until recently, scientists have been unsure if climate change contributes to flooding’s rising costs. And they wondered if so, how much. Researchers have been debating this topic for decades. We also saw this in the recent climate report from the U.S. government and the IPCC.

At the heart of the debate lies whether costly flood events stemmed from mainly socioeconomic factors. These include an increasing population, housing development, and rising property values. Much of the prior research mainly focused on detailed case studies about specific disasters or long-term changes in certain states. Some of the research also dealt with correlations between increasing rainfall and flood damages across the entire U.S.

How scientists proved that climate change is causing increasing flood damage

To prove their theory, the scientists began with higher resolution climate and socio-economic observations. Then, they applied advanced economic techniques to understand the correlation between historical rainfall variations and flooding costs. In addition to this, they employed statistics calculations and climate science to understand the relationship between intensifying precipitation and flooding costs.

Their in-depth analysis found that climate change has contributed significantly to the rising flood costs in the U.S. Furthermore, scientists believe that continued global warming will lead to more instances of these extreme flood events. Unless all countries in the United Nations Paris Agreement agree to lower emissions, flooding will likely only increase in severity and frequency.

“Previous studies have analyzed pieces of this puzzle, but this is the first study to combine rigorous economic analysis of the historical relationships between climate and flooding costs with really careful extreme event analyses in both historical observations and global climate models, across the whole United States,” said senior author and climate scientist Noah Diffenbaugh, the Kara J. Foundation Professor at Stanford Earth.

She added,

“By bringing all those pieces together, this framework provides a novel quantification not only of how much historical changes in precipitation have contributed to the costs of flooding but also how greenhouse gases influence the kinds of precipitation events that cause the most damaging flooding events.”

The scientists compare their analysis to other cause and effect scenarios. For example, they viewed how increasing the minimum wage will impact employment. Or how the addition or subtraction of a specific player contributes to the wins of a basketball team, for instance.

In their study, the research team developed an economic model based on observed precipitation and monthly instances of flood damage. Then, they controlled for other factors that might impact flood costs, such as rising home values. Next, they calculated the variation in intensifying precipitation over the 30 year study period. Finally, they calculated the economic cost if the fluctuations in precipitation hadn’t occurred.

“This counterfactual analysis is similar to computing how many games the Los Angeles Lakers would have won, with and without the addition of LeBron James, holding all other players constant,” said study co-author and economist Marshall Burke, an associate professor of Earth system science.

Implications of this study on the future of climate change research

After finalizing these calculations, the research team concluded that precipitation caused 36% of the flooding costs from 1988 to 2017. To reach this conclusion, they totaled the rainfall amounts across all individual states in the U.S. They also found that changes in precipitation resulted mostly from increases in extreme flood events. These have been responsible for the majority of flood expenses historically.

“What we find is that, even in states where the long-term mean precipitation hasn’t changed, in most cases, the wettest events have intensified, increasing the financial damages relative to what would have occurred without the changes in precipitation,” said Davenport, who received a Stanford Interdisciplinary Graduate Fellowship in 2020.

Final Thoughts: How understanding the threat of flood damage helps us in the future.

The research team notes their analysis of climate change’s financial costs could apply to other natural disasters.

“Accurately and comprehensively tallying the past and future costs of climate change is key to making good policy decisions,” said Burke. “This work shows that past climate change has already cost the U.S. economy billions of dollars, just due to flood damages alone.”

The team says their economic model could apply to other natural disasters in the U.S. and worldwide. It can also be used to understand climate impacts in various sectors of the economy. Finally, it could help with cost-benefit analyses of climate mitigation and adaptation strategies.

“That these results are as robust and definitive as they are really advances our understanding of the role of historical precipitation changes in the financial costs of flooding,” Diffenbaugh said.

“But, more broadly, the framework that we developed provides an objective basis for estimating what it will cost to adapt to continued climate change and the economic value of avoiding higher levels of global warming in the future.”

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