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Neurology Reveals 10 Habits That Improve Brain Fitness

January 14, 2021 by Power of Positivity

If you have adopted a healthier diet and lifestyle, you know how necessary physical fitness is to your body. You needn’t be a gymnast or athlete to reap the benefits of daily exercise. What part of your regimen includes brain fitness?

Even though the brain is often called the master organ, most people don’t think much about it. Your brain stays busy 24/7 receiving and interpreting messages from your body and your environment. It simultaneously sorts and stores this data while sending commands throughout your system to keep you alive and safe.

Ways To Improve Brain Health

Are you worried about your brain health? There are many things you can do to enhance this organ and ensure you have optimal health. Here are just a few ways that you can improve brain fitness.

1. Enjoy a Brain-Healthy Diet

When you follow a healthy diet of lean meat, fresh fruits and veggies, grains, dairy, and healthy fats, your entire body benefits. Like your other organs and vital systems, your brain needs vitamins and minerals for optimal health and performance.

While it’s a good idea to limit saturated fats and eliminate trans-fats from your diet, you still need some healthy fat to lubricate your cells and organs. According to a study published by Acta Neurologica Taiwan, your brain is composed of about 60 percent. It needs essential fatty acids to form and control neurotransmitters and other brain functions.

Don’t forget these essential fats (also called Omega-3) in your daily meals and snacks for good brain fitness. An article published by the Office of Dietary Supplements offers suggestions for foods that provide these fats. You can enjoy fish and other seafood varieties, plant oils, nuts, and seeds, per the article.

2. Have an Exercise Plan

Did you know that visiting the gym or exercising at home can also contribute to brain fitness? On the surface, you can see results in your muscle tone and strength when you work out regularly. Nevertheless, your exercise is also boosting your internal organs’ health, including your brain.

The brain benefits from working out are impressive, shares an article published by the Dana Foundation. Exercise increases blood flow to your brain and releases vital proteins for neuron health and good brain function. The article also states that regular workouts release endorphins and dopamine that are responsible for mood boosts.

3. Take a Break from Technology

Yes, our world does depend on technology for many of our daily tasks, such as working and education. Though, it’s easy for you to frazzle your mind with technology overload. An article published by Digital Marketing states that Americans, on average, spend about two hours on social media every day.

It also shares that you average about 150 sessions on our phones and media devices daily. That doesn’t even include the hours spent watching tv or streaming music. You can have more time doing physical and brain fitness activities when you trim down your technology time.

Consider taking a break to have meaningful conversations with loved ones and your friends in person. Go for a walk or find an interesting book to read.

4. Get Enough Sleep

In the middle of your busy schedule, have you ever told others that sleep was overrated? Perhaps what you mean is that you need rest but don’t get it. An article published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that at least one in every three American’s report sleep deprivation.

For the best brain fitness plan, you need to get the proper amount of sleep each night. According to an article published by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, your brain completes many “housekeeping” tasks while you sleep. It removes built-up toxins and performs other rejuvenating tasks.

Since everyone is different, sleep needs can vary from person to person. However, the same article suggests that most adults need between seven to nine hours of sleep each night. Younger people may need a little more, and seniors usually require a bit less.

If you feel a little sluggish and in chronic brain fog, you may be sleep-deprived. Try to make your bedroom as dark and comfortable as possible and free from technology. Reserve your bed for sleeping and romance.

5. Share Stories

Long before early humans converted their languages into written form, they depended on telling stories. Oral history, traditions, and life lessons were passed on from generation to generation, with children listening to their elders. So, these stories kept their brains active and allowed them to preserve their lives and cultures.

To tell a story, you must remember the characters and events. According to a study published by the National Academy of Sciences, both you and your listeners’ brains react in sync when you tell a story. Through MRIs, the researchers discovered that integral parts of the brain light up when both the narrator and listener are engaged in a good tale.

If you’ve lived for a good length of time, you probably have fascinating stories and anecdotes to share with others. You might also boost your creative side and make up some fun and exciting stories to tell your children or grandchildren. It’s good for brain fitness, and it’s an ideal bonding tool.

6. Learn Something New

Wouldn’t this be a dull world if your knowledge and skill levels were never challenged? Your brain can get bored quickly and go into a slump if you don’t present a new challenge daily. It’s all about growing and expanding your world.

Break the boredom and determine to learn something new every day. Read a book about different subjects or consider learning skills you’ve always wanted to try. Perhaps you won’t be a Beethoven or Leonardo Da Vinci, but you can still have fun learning how to play the piano or learn how to surf.

7. Try Meditation

Sometimes, your mind needs time to relax and regroup. Chronic stress can not only affect your physical health, but it also can be detrimental to your mental well-being. According to a study published by Nature Reviews Neuroscience, stress can affect your brain’s prefrontal cortex, which can lead to mental illness and other brain disorders.

You don’t have to subscribe to any religion or belief system to enjoy meditation benefits. All you need is a quiet, comfortable place to sit, relax, and let your mind go free. When idle thoughts come to mind, you acknowledge and release them in peace.

It’s a useful tool for allowing your brain to rest, filter negative thinking, and absorb positive affirmations. Even if you meditate 15-20 minutes a day at home or on break at work, you’ll see the difference. Listening to soothing music may help set the mood for your meditation work.

8. Play Games and Brain Teasers

Perhaps there’s nothing more beneficial and fun for your brain than a challenging game. Riddles and other “brain teasers” have been around since the beginning. An article published by The Paris Review mentions classic puzzles and secrets throughout the ages. These games range from Ancient Egypt, Rome, and China to the iconic crossword invented by Arthur Wynn in 1913.

When was the last time you challenged your brain with a puzzle? You can buy entire books of crosswords, find-a-word, sudoku, and other brain teasers, inexpensively in most stores. Instead of mindless internet surfing and flipping tv channels, consider doing a puzzle for brain fitness.

9. Read a Good Book

It’s always a treat to immerse yourself in a good book. Not only can you glean valuable information from nonfiction books, but they can also teach you new skills and other hobbies. You can learn a new language or read about other fascinating subjects for an excellent brain fitness goal.

Fiction also plays a significant role in challenging your brain. When you read novels and other fictional works, it expands your imagination. You must use your mind’s eyes to bring the characters and action to life. Plus, being an avid reader can stimulate your brain to cultivate better writing skills.

10. Change Up Your Routine

Are you tired of doing the same old thing day in and day out? Maybe it’s your brain’s way of telling you that you’re bored and need a change. Of course, many routines are necessary for daily living, but you can challenge your mind by changing things up a bit.

Consider little changes in your daily routine that will challenge your mind. If you are used to drinking hot coffee every morning, how about trying a cup of herbal tea? Why not add something trendy to your wardrobe? Instead of ordering the same dish at your favorite restaurant, try a new entrée.

It doesn’t have to be life-changing or a drain on your bank account. Small changes in your routine can get your mind of a rut. You’ll be amazed at the inspiration you can feel just by doing something different.

Final Thoughts About Developing Habits for Better Brain Fitness

You will only have one brain in this life, so you must take care of it. Good brain fitness includes keeping your mind busy and challenged every day. The more you exercise your brain, the better chances you have a sharp mind into your senior years.

10 Ways to Help Clear Clogged Pores

January 14, 2021 by Power of Positivity

Your pores allow your skin to breathe, secretes necessary oils, and eliminate toxins. Every day, your pores fill with dirt, sweat, and dead cells. If you don’t clean them out properly, they’ll get clogged causing blackheads, whiteheads, or acne breakouts. Here are 10 natural ways to clear your clogged pores so your skin looks and feels healthy.

What are pores?

Pores are small little openings on your skin. It’s where your body’s oil gets released to help your skin stay moist. When your pores are healthy, they keep your skin healthy and glowing. It’s important to treat your pores right to make sure you don’t cause damage to them or your skin. This means you don’t pick at your pores to clear them out. This can cause scarring and other damage.

Here are five interesting facts you may not know about your pores

Large pores are hereditary
As you age, your pores look bigger
Dry skin also makes your pores look larger
If you clean your skin too much, the pores will produce more oil
Regular cleansing will help reduce the appearance of your pores

Here are ten natural ways to clean out your clogged pores without damaging them

1 – Homemade baking soda scrub

One natural way to keep your pores cleaned out is a baking soda scrub. It’s slightly abrasive so it can help you remove dead skin, dirt, and sweat from your pores. Here are some natural baking soda recipes to clean your pores.

Baking soda and facial cleanser

Mix 1/2 teaspoon baking soda with your regular facial cleanser. Wash your face as you usually do and rinse. Use this once or twice a week.

Baking soda and organic honey

Mix some organic honey with baking soda in your hand. Massage your face with this mixture, and allow it to sit for a couple of minutes. Then rinse with warm water and pat your skin dry.

Baking soda and water

The simplest way to create a baking soda scrub is to mix two tablespoons of baking soda with 1 1/2 tablespoons of water to make a paste. Apply the paste onto your skin using circular motions. Rinse with warm water and pat dry. Use this a couple of times a week. If your skin is getting too dry, use it only once a week.

2 – Steam cleaning

You can also use steam to clean your pores. It opens up your pores removing dirt, sweat, and other toxins that clog your pores. It’s easy to steam clean your face. Heat up water in a saucepan on your stove. Once it’s steaming, remove it from the stove. Drape a towel over your face and lean over the saucepan of steaming water for five minutes. Then wash your face with a natural exfoliant like the baking soda recipe or an exfoliant that you already use. The combination of the steam and the exfoliant will gently clean out your clogged pores.

3 – Charcoal masks

Have you heard about charcoal masks? They act like a magnet that pulls the clogged dirt, oil, and old makeup out of your pores. There are many versions of charcoal masks on the market. Be sure to purchase a good name brand. Some are liquid and some are premade masks for one-time use. One word of caution about charcoal masks is that charcoal really dries out your skin. So, it may be best to use it not more than once a week.

Slather the charcoal mask on your face and allow it to sit for 10 minutes, then rinse with warm water and pat your skin dry with a clean towel. Be sure to put moisturizer on your face after using a charcoal mask.

4 – Visit a professional esthetician

Estheticians provide professional facials to improve your skin tone, remove blackheads, and help you look years younger. They are specifically trained to not damage your skin. These professional facials are multi-step treatments that usually involve cleaning, exfoliant, and nourishment. When they are done, your face looks radiant and glowing. You’ll look younger, too. Look for good deals on facials and always choose a professional esthetician with good reviews to do your professional facial.

5 – Professional extraction (don’t try this at home)

You can have your acne pimples and blackheads removed by a professional at a salon or at your dermatologist’s office. They use a special tool to do this. They may steam your face first to loosen the blackheads or pimples. Then they will use an extractor to open the pimple and remove the infection inside of it. If you’re using a salon, be sure they have good reviews and are qualified to do this so they won’t damage your skin causing scarring or infection.

Learn how to treat yourself with a charcoal face mask.

6 – Homemade oatmeal cleanser

Oatmeal is an effective natural exfoliant for your skin. It’s gentle and can clear out your pores because of its fibrous nature. Mix 3 tablespoons of oatmeal with 2 tablespoons of water. Mix so it turns into a paste. If it’s too dry, add more water. Put the paste on your face and massage for a few minutes. Allow the paste to dry completely. Then rinse off with warm water, massaging your face again as you rinse. Pat your skin dry with a clean towel.

7 – Tea tree essential oil

Studies found that topical 5% tea tree oil can work to treat mild-to-moderate acne. It can also unclog pores. Tea tree is a mild antibacterial topical oil. You can apply it directly to blackheads or mix it with a carrier oil such as almond oil or jojoba oil. Then apply it to your skin where you have breakouts. Use it once or twice a week to clear your pores.

8 – Pore clearing strips (but they are very short term)

Pore strips are trending right now. They are adhesive strips that temporarily remove trapped dirt and oil in your pores. They need to be repeated often since your pores fill up quickly. It won’t provide a permanent fix to your pores, but you’ll feel like your pores are clean.

9 – Egg masks

Egg masks are a cheap, easy way to improve your skin tone and clean out your pores. They tighten your pores, remove dead skin on your face, and clean out your pores. Here is a great pore cleansing egg white mask.

1 egg white
1 tablespoon white sugar
2 teaspoons of cornstarch

Mix these ingredients and put them on your face. Allow the mask to dry completely, usually 15 to 20 minutes. Gently peel off and then rinse with water. Your skin will feel tighter, and brighter, and you’ll look younger.

10 – Lemon juice cleaner

Lemons contain citric acid, which is a great cleaning agent for your skin. Simply squeeze the lemon juice into a bowl. Add warm water and apply it to your skin. Your skin will look brighter and feel completely clean. Be sure not to use this cleaner too often since it’s very drying.

Basic daily skincare

Studies suggest that you should have basic skincare routines. These skincare routines include

Protecting- Daily sunscreen to protect from ultraviolet rays
Cleansing- Depending upon your skin type, cleaning should be done at least daily.
Exfoliating can reduce clogged pores and replace your skin’s brightness
Moisturizing- Choose a good moisturizer that keeps your skin from looking dried out.

Radiant skin is a sign that your skin is healthy. As you age, the radiance decreases so these practices are essential to keep your skin in good shape.

How can you minimize your pores?

You can’t really reduce the size of your pores, but you can minimize the way they look. Here are some steps to minimize their appearance.

Wear sunscreen. Aging and the sun can thicken the outer layer of your skin, making it look leathery and dried out. This causes your pores to look larger than they really are.
Remove makeup every evening before bed. Use a gentle cleanser to keep your pores clean.
Cut down on the oil. Oily-looking skin emphasizes your pores.
Exfoliate to remove dead skin and clean out pores.

Final thoughts on cleansing clogged pores

Be diligent to follow a daily skincare routine that can keep your skin looking its best. Part of a good skin routine is to clear out your pores to rid them of the dirt, grime, and dead cells that build up. There are many natural exfoliants you can use using things that you have in your kitchen like eggs or oatmeal. Tea tree oil is effective to remove blackheads.

Steam cleaning is also a good way to clean out your pores. If you seek out professional help, just be sure the person you choose is qualified so they won’t damage your skin. Your skin is so important to how you look and feel. It’s worth the extra effort to keep it looking its best all the time. Try out one or two of these 10 suggestions to clear your clogged pores.

6 Ways To Keep Your Discussions Interesting

January 14, 2021 by Power of Positivity

Most people want to enjoy positive discussions and conversations with others. It can be disheartening when you want to talk about something that matters, only to have your attempts derailed and turned into filler gab.

At the end of the day, only a few actually like filling their time with nothing but empty chatter. The problem, of course, is this: how can you ensure deeper verbal connections with others? Here are 6 ways to keep your discussions meaningful and engaging.

1. Don’t Assume People Don’t Want To Talk

Some of the quickest killers of meaningful discussion are assumptions, and the “deadliest” of them all is that the people you’re talking to don’t actually want to be there. It’s not uncommon for people to think that no one wants to speak or contribute to them, forcing them to stay quiet instead. This is a form of pluralistic ignorance.

In fact, research backs up this idea! A series of interesting studies were conducted on a bunch of people commuting on a train. These participants were given instructions for what to do during that commute. The results showed that:

Most participants thought that holding conversations would have worsened their commute experience before they experimented.
Individuals who held conversations during the commute felt more positive in the end.
The longer the conversation was held for, the more positive thinking they carried into the day.
There was no change in the typical productivity of the participants during their commute, whether they talked or not.
Most participants found that starting conversations was the biggest challenge, mostly due to the fear of rebuffing.
No participants reported being rebuffed by the random non-participant strangers they opened a conversation with

A lot of times, it’s not that people don’t want to talk. It’s that people think no one else does! While this won’t be true for everyone, more often than not, taking the first step to initiate the conversation or discussion will show others that it’s safe for them to talk to you, too. You can’t have any meaningful discussion if you think no one wants to have it with you.

2. Make Things Open-Ended

Anything you say that would typically result in the other person responding “yes,” “no,” or “maybe” is a surefire way to stall a discussion awkwardly. The whole point of a discussion is to share thoughts and ideas, after all – and how do you get that from a yes/no answer?

The key is to make sure you’re maintaining open-ended discussion by avoiding these yes/no conversation traps. Whatever you say should be able to be built on. Here are some tips for maintaining open-ended discussion:

· Ask For Stories

Ask someone to tell you about their experiences or life. It gives them a chance to talk about themselves, granting you new insight into their world and the person they are. This also opens the door for further discussions into specific areas and allows you to reconsider more in-depth topics later.

· Reframe Stagnant Questions Into Open Ones

Sometimes, reframing normal yes/no questions or empty standard questions can lead to a surprising difference. For example, instead of asking, “How was your weekend?” you can ask, “What did you do this weekend?” or “What was your favorite part of your weekend?”. This opens the door for a more interesting result.

· Request Advice

Sometimes, the best way for a discussion to be meaningful is for you to very directly show not just your humble side but also that you truly want someone’s input. Make it clear that you want to hear their perspectives, ideas, and how their experiences would better inform your situation.

3. Know How To Initiate

Holding a meaningful discussion gets easier when you are off to a strong start. Knowing how to initiate a conversation can flow more smoothly and elicit a more positive response from those around you. Here are some tips for doing so:

· Prepare Meaningful and Engaging Topics

It’s harder than you may think to come up with something truly insightful on the fly – and it’s even harder to have more than a surface idea of those that you can make up on the spot. Broadening your horizons and learning new things can allow you to find meaningful topics you genuinely enjoy. These topics can be added to a mental list of “deep” conversation starters that you can use to make things interesting right away!

· Don’t Just Quote Headlines, Make Sparks

Some people think talking about current news isn’t a good idea. It actually is a perfectly sound one – but you have to create conversation sparks out of it. For each hot topic, create a few jumping-off points that spark discussion and give others a good idea of continuing the conversation.

· Have A Clear Intention

When you initiate a discussion, you need to make sure you know what you’re doing it for – especially if you want it to be meaningful. Come in with a clear goal for what you want out of the discussion. What problem do you want to solve? What do you want to learn? What answers do you seek? Of course, this doesn’t apply to all scenarios; it’s also acceptable to strike up a discussion and see where it goes, but that’s technically also an intention. Keeping even that loose goal in mind will help drive the conversation to productivity.

4. Know The Difference Between Empty Talk And Small Talk

Have you ever heard someone say they don’t like small talk because they want deep, intellectual conversations? Maybe you’ve even said this yourself. Whatever the case, it’s time to learn the truth: empty talk and small talk, while commonly simultaneously occurring, are not the same thing.

Empty talk is talk that has no direction or purpose other than to fill time with meaningless drivel. But small talk is useful. In fact, studies show that most people get positive boosts from small talk, namely to their brainpower and other cognitive abilities. This means that small talk itself isn’t inherently negative, simply because it’s a form of social interaction.

Of course, what you want is a discussion, not some idle chit-chat. But here’s the thing: it’s very unusual for someone to break the ice with a deep statement, especially with strangers. And let’s face it – not all conversations can be deep, and some people may be a little tired and need more of a warmup before diving into the complex stuff.

When you begin a conversation with small talk, you can choose meaningful small talk that can slowly turn into better discussions, such as:

Ask about how the person feels and show that you care about their answer, encouraging them to open up more.
Ask about how someone’s weekend went, which may transition into them telling you a story you can build on.
Comment on something in the room or space in an open-ended way, opening the door for discussion stemming from that topic.

You can avoid empty talk by not stating the obvious and showing that you care about the other person’s response. In other words, don’t try to talk about the weather, and don’t ignore someone’s response when asking something that seems arbitrary.

5. Think Well Of Your Discussion Partners

Looking down on others isn’t just unfair and cruel. It’s also a surefire way to kill a discussion. Give the people you’re conversing with the benefit of the doubt, treat them with respect, and think of them reasonably highly. People respond best to those who positively approach them and will subconsciously pick up on your respect. Here are some ways to ensure you’re getting that message across:

· Assume Others Want Meaningful Discussion

If you believe someone isn’t intellectual enough for an engaging conversation, you run the risk of “dumbing down” the discussion and dampening any chance at depth. In other words, underestimating others can cause you to stop meaningful discussions.

· Show Interest In Their Interests

Some of the best ways to have meaningful discussions are taking an interest in what the other people involved like. Ask them questions about what they like and learn to start feeling a genuine interest in their answers. Sure, you may not be interested in fishing, sports, or parenthood, for example, but that doesn’t mean you can’t care about someone’s personal experiences with them. Try to relate to other people and hone your empathy, and who knows? You might even learn some cool new things!

· Don’t Force A Consensus

Respect other people’s right to hold their own opinions, and respect them enough to be honest if you disagree. Don’t try to force others to cave into your personal perspectives or ideas. Discussions can be more engaging and meaningful when there are disagreements, as all sides get to hear and appreciate other perspectives.

6. Use Open Body Language

No amount of verbal discussion can override messages taken from body language. You want to make sure that your body language matches up with your desire for an engaging conversation. Here are some tips for maintaining a welcoming and open nonverbal cues:

· Uncross Limbs

Crossing the legs or arms is a defensive posture that closes you off, sending the subconscious signal that you aren’t open to new information or conversation in general. Use your hands while talking and keep your legs in a neutral position to give off a friendlier, more open vibe.

· Use An Open Posture

If you want people to have more positive thinking when talking with you, your posture should be open. That means standing or sitting with a straight back and in a comfortable but confident stance, with your body angled towards the person or group you’re speaking to. This shows that you are eager for discussion.

· Maintain Reasonable Eye Contact

Not using any eye contact at all can tell someone that you’re bored or disinterested. Using too much can make someone uncomfortable. Admittedly, it can take some practice before you’re able to naturally maintain reasonable amounts of eye contact without thinking too hard about it. If this is something you struggle with, then you’ll have to be more aware of your eyes at first – keep eye contact for a few seconds, then look away, then look back again.

Final Thoughts On Some Ways To Keep Your Discussions Meaningful And Engaging

It’s always a great experience when a discussion manages to be engaging, meaningful, and productive all at once. You can make this happen in more of your conversation by keeping these 6 methods in mind!

Dermatologists Reveal 10 Ways to Shrink Large Pores

January 14, 2021 by Sarah Barkley

Large pores can be a part of life, and learning how to shrink them will drastically improve your skin. Whether they are enlarged because of being clogged, aging, or sun damage, reducing their appearance is important to most people.

Luckily, it is possible, and dermatologists have revealed some ways to reduce the enlargement of these crevices.

Since you can’t remove your pores, you have to learn to live with them. By minimizing their appearance, you will feel more confident, and your skin will feel much cleaner. It is important to take care of yourself, and taking care of your skin is just as important as the rest.

Usually, they are larger because they are clogged, and a regular, healthy skin care routine can make all the difference. This will help them become tighter again, which reduces their appearances. Other times, dry skin or irritation can cause them to enlarge.

Whatever it is that is causing the problem. There are ways to remedy the situation. Remember that everyone’s skin is different, and what works for one person may not work for you. The goal is to use the advice offered here and see what works best and implement it in your life.

How to Shrink Large Pores

1. Don’t Touch Your Face

Avoid touching your face at all costs, even when applying makeup or moisturizer. Use brushes or other beauty tools that are intended for this, instead. When you touch your face with your hands, bacteria easily transfer onto your face and into your pores.

It is even worse when you have a blemish, and you keep touching it. A blemish indicates an area of already irritated and open skin. Touching it will allow bacteria to easily get into the area and make the blemish much worse.

It is important to note that it is okay to use your fingertips when you wash your face. Be gentle, and make sure there is always a layer of cleanser beneath your fingers as you wash your face.

2. Pay Attention to Your Face Cream

While face cream is great, you have to be careful of which parts of your face you are applying it to. If your nose is oily, dermatologists recommend not putting cream on it. The same goes if you have blackheads on your nose because it can make the openings even wider.

For the rest of your face, oil-based face creams can cause further clogging and blemishes. The oil mixes with dead skin cells and increases clogging, further stretching each pore. Using an oil-free face cream can help abate this issue and reduce the appearance.

3. Wash Your Face and Use the Right Cleanser

The most important step in your skincare routine is washing your face twice a day. Dermatologists recommend washing it once in the morning and again before bed. Washing your face helps unclog these tiny openings, which makes them appear smaller.

If you choose to wash your face only once a day, make sure it’s at night. This way, you can wash off any buildup or makeup. Leaving it overnight would only cause them to become bigger and more visible.

When it comes to choosing a daily cleanser, you should choose one that is between 4.7 and 5.75 pH level. Anything outside of that range could cause further blemishes and more sensitive skin. Plus, research shows that pH levels outside of the normal range can cause skin disorders.

Wash your face with lukewarm water, as hot water can cause irritation and more enlargement. Choose a gentle cleanser that isn’t abrasive, and dry your face by patting it with a clean towel. Be gentle with your skin through the process, and make sure to be consistent.

4. Apply Sun Screen Daily

Sunscreen should be a staple in your skincare routine. It minimizes pores and can double as a moisturizer if you choose the right one. Plus, protection from the sun will help reduce collagen breakdown.

When collagen breakdown occurs, your face becomes less firm, and your skin will stretch more quickly. When your skin stretches out more quickly, it causes serious enlargement and blemishes. By wearing sunscreen every day, you are protecting your skin from the damage that causes this.

It would be best if you aimed for a sunscreen with a minimum of SPF 30. This means you will likely need more than what comes in your foundation, but some moisturizers are SPF 30. Some primers contain SPF, as well, which would help minimize the appearance even more.

5. Find Ways to Reduce Oil

Reducing oil on your skin is a sure way to reduce the size and minimize the appearance. There are a few ways to do this, however, and you could try a few of them simultaneously.

Oil-Blotting Papers

These papers are absorbent and can remove the appearance of oil on your skin. When the oil is present, your pores will appear larger, so blotting it away can reduce the appearance. Oil blotting papers are only a quick fix and don’t control the amount of oil your skin produces.

Apply Retinol

You can find retinol in face creams and other facial products. It has high amounts of vitamin A, which helps reduce acne and shrink the crevices. Retinol also decreases your oil production, further decreasing the appearance of pores while increasing collagen production.

Use a Clay Mask

Clay masks help unclog buildup and remove the oil from inside the blemishes. This drastically minimizes the size because oil buildup is what causes them to enlarge. You will notice results doing it once a week, but it can be done twice a week if desired.

Get clear, glowing skin from a weekly charcoal mask routine.

6. Avoid Liquid Makeup

It may seem easier to slather on liquid cover-up or foundation, but it isn’t good for your skin. Rubbing this into your skin causes the cosmetics to get into the crevices of your skin, which causes them to enlarge. Then, the unnatural product will irritate your skin, causing them to enlarge even more.

It is best to apply a skin protectant and moisturizer, and then add a primer before applying makeup. Then, use powder-based makeup and gently apply it to your skin rather than pulling and rubbing.

7. Try Zinc Oxide Lotion

When you need to reduce large pores quickly, you can use a zinc oxide lotion. This lotion is often used to treat diaper rash, burns, cuts, scrapes, and other skin irritations. It protects the skin and can reduce the appearance of natural openings in the skin at the same time.

8. Cut Back on Dairy

While dairy is an essential part of your diet, you shouldn’t drink too much of it. Overconsumption of dairy is bad for your skin because the growth hormones in milk can cause these blemishes. It also causes breakouts and skin irritation.

9. Exfoliate

You have probably heard of exfoliating or even tried it, but there is so much more to know. Exfoliating too much can cause skin irritation and dryness, which will make the crevices appear larger. You should only exfoliate your skin once or twice a week to notice the benefits.

Exfoliating once a twice a week is highly beneficial, so don’t be afraid to give it a try. When you exfoliate regularly, you will be removing dead cells that cause clogging. Exfoliating will also remove built-up dirt and excess oil.

10. Learn About Facial Products Containing Acids

Acids in skincare products are safe for regular use and offer many benefits, so don’t be alarmed. This is a sure way to reduce blemishes and buildup continually, and it can have a long-term effect.

One acid that is beneficial for your skin is glycolic acid. It gets rid of the buildup stuck inside even after cleansing, ensuring that nothing is left behind. This is ideal for reducing pores because nothing will be blocking them from closing.

Two other acids drastically improve your skin. These acids are alpha hydroxy acids, known as AHAs, and beta hydroxy acids, known as BHAs. Not only do these two acids deep clean your skin, but they also keep your skin from stretching.

You can find these hydroxy acids in skin care products such as exfoliators and cleansers. If the products you use contain salicylic acid, you can rest assured that you are using hydroxy acids on your skin.

Final Thoughts on Dermatologists Reveal Ways to Shrink Large Pores

You don’t have to keep fighting your large pores if you follow these tips. Improving your skincare routine and changing the products you are using can have highly beneficial results. Knowing other ways to care for your skin and keep it looking good only increase the benefits.

By knowing what is best, you can make the necessary changes to improve your skin. Only try one at a time until you know that your skin isn’t sensitive to any new products. Once you know what your skin can handle, you can try out multiple methods for reducing blemishes.

Feeling good about your skin is one of the first steps to becoming confident. Take care of yourself, and you’ll surely feel better, inside and out. Remember these tips and incorporate them into your skincare routine.

Psychology Explains Why Caring For Someone Keeps You Emotionally Stable

January 14, 2021 by Lakeisha Ethans

How many people do you care for? Do you have close family or friends that you feel a strong sense of love and responsibility to? Are you in a profession with caregiving in its job description? Do you volunteer regularly or donate to charity? You need these things to stay emotionally stable–whether you realize it or not!

However you choose to care, you’re doing yourself and your brain a huge favor! Believe it or not, the act of caring is perfect for your mental health. But how is that possible? Is that really true? To answer those questions, here are 12 ways caring for someone keeps you emotionally stable.

1. You Feel Valued

Caring for someone typically results in that person’s appreciation. You can feel and see the value that your actions provide, and as you grow closer to the person you’re taking care of, you, just as you are, are also more loved and valued.

Sometimes, in a world rife with expectations and pressures, it’s nice to remember that you, as you are, matter to the people around you. Caring for these people reminds you even more than you are important, and you can make a difference in someone’s life, even in seemingly simple and innocuous ways.

2. Doing Kind Things Is Rewarding

The brain has a series of processes that define what we consciously or unconsciously view as a reward. For example, your brain probably lights up its pleasure centers when you eat a sweet treat or receive certain praise. As it turns out, caring for others actually activates these same locations!

This means that you can get the same fulfillment you receive from unhealthy habits just by caring for someone. It can take a while and some effort before this effect is felt fully, but it certainly works, and that can help you feel more emotionally stable.

3. Positive Feelings Are Contagious

Smiling itself is already contagious, and you’re much more likely to smile when you’re around people who are also smiling. This means that you make them smile when you care for others, which also makes you smile!

But beyond just that, positive thinking and emotions, in general, are quite contagious. You’ve probably noticed how easily you imitate someone’s actions when you’re paying attention to them, and science says that humans do the same with feelings.

Basically, if you can tell someone is feeling happy, you’re also more likely to feel happy. When you care for others, you’re giving them great emotions and feelings that will make their way back around to you. It’s a wonderful way to live!

4. It Teaches Empathy

Empathy is a crucial part of emotional intelligence. It allows you to put yourself in the shoes of others, appreciate their experiences, and understand where they’re coming from. It’s an instrumental skill that allows you to become a better person – and a wiser one.

When you have more empathy, you’re able to gain many benefits beyond the ones you would have expected to come from the simple act of caring. Here are some examples:

· Better Communication Skills

Empathy reduces misunderstandings by allowing you to see things from other people’s points of view. It also allows you to communicate in ways that are more likely to be understood by others.

· Lowered Anxiety And Depression

Those with high levels of empathy are better at managing their emotions, as they have better insight into their feelings and others’ feelings. The ability to resonate with the people around you can also reduce the severity of secondhand stress, allowing you to separate that stress from yourself.

· A Healthier Environment

Any social environment devoid of empathy is doomed to fail, as everyone will be too self-focused and won’t be able to see others accurately. High empathy allows you to form bonds with people you can tell good at heart, and it makes you a good part of these groups with your equal levels of care towards others.

5. It Promotes Reciprocity

Although you shouldn’t help others solely to receive favors in return or for the sake of repaying someone who’s helped you, the fact remains that most studies agree that it’s not uncommon for human beings to be motivated by reciprocity.

But what does that have to do with emotional stability? The most obvious answer is this: you caring for others means that others will be more inclined to perform their own acts of compassion, both towards you and to others in general. For example:

Bringing food to get-togethers increases the chance that others who attend will bring their own food, making a merrier experience for all involved.
Caring about someone in their time of need will increase their chances of being there for you in your time of need, as they remember how kind you were to them.
Being compassionate towards a person means they are likely to think of you more positively and be kinder when perceiving or interacting with you.

6. It Gives You A More Positive Life Perspective

When you actively care for others, you gain new insight into life. You’ll meet others who also care about those around them and will feel the benefits of being cared for in return. All of these things combined can increase your positive thinking about the world, shifting your perspective. For example, you may:

Realize that there are plenty of selfless people in the world
Reduce skepticism regarding acts of kindness or care
Develop a purer, more genuine way of thinking about goals and everyday efforts
Be more likely to accept kindness from others, as you learn that all people need someone to care for them sometimes
Focus more energy on doing positive things involving caring for others
Regard your friendships and relationships in a brighter way
Feel more hopeful in general about life and the way people behave
See that the world isn’t as bleak as you originally thought, as small acts of care can make a huge difference
Realize the significance of seemingly minor kind actions on the people you care for

7. It Reduces Self-Focus

When you care for someone else, you have to stop focusing on yourself and your troubles for a little while. For people who struggle with stress and anxiety, this can be helpful, as it removes focus from personal worries and sometimes allows for a subconscious re-evaluation of those worries.

Of course, if you’re stressed out by the responsibility to care for someone, this won’t work the same way. But in most cases, taking the focus off of your issues can give you a break from them so you can revisit them with more positive thinking and a fresher perspective later. You get renewed energy from the “rest” that will allow you to better power through them and stay emotionally stable!

8. You Feel Like You’re Righting Wrongs

We’ve talked about how seeing happy people can make you happy. Unfortunately, this also happens the other way around – seeing sad people can make you sad, too. The more familiar you are with someone and the closer the bond you share, the more likely you will be susceptible to “catching” their emotions, whether positive or negative.

But there’s a silver lining here. When you do something caring to help someone in your life feel better, your brain overlaps the act of kindness with yourself. You’ll get the accomplished feeling from “righting” something negative, and you’ll also feel the relief and happiness that comes with the easing of the negative burden carried by the person you care for.

9. You Can Feel More Motivated

The act of caring can often involve a significant amount of emotional demands. In excess, these can certainly harm mental health and positive thinking. But on a moderate or even reasonably professional level, it can improve your motivation!

A study found that professional caregivers actually experience better vitality and motivation when they face day-level emotional demands from those they care for. This often improved their emotional regulation abilities and even carried forward to their personal lives outside of the workplace!

10. It Solidifies A Kind Identity

A majority of people think of themselves as kind individuals. As such, performing caring acts can help to further solidify that identity, according to studies. You might:

Feel proud of yourself for living up to your self-perception
Perceive yourself as a better person, allowing you to improve your self-perception
Feel more eager to continue performing these caring acts, forming a cycle of kindness and self-esteem
Be more satisfied with the way you spend your time and energy

11. It Keeps You Physically Healthy

People often forget how much health anxiety can impact your emotional state. Health problems can cause financial problems, too, which add even more to the stress that comes from being in poor health, to begin with.

Research indicates that those who perform volunteer work have a 33% lower chance of experiencing negative health than those who don’t actively perform kind acts. Specific health improvements to stay emotionally stable include:

Reduced blood pressure
Better cardiovascular health
Lowered risk of dementia
Better immunity
Longer lifespan

12. You Get To Connect

When you care for someone, you’re deepening a social bond and forging a stronger connection with that person. Kind acts alone are already known to help create closer relationships, and it’s commonly known that fostering better relationships, if they’re healthy, leads to improved positive thinking and mood.

In other words, caring deepens a bond that helps make you feel happier. Even caring through indirect ways, like participating in charity events or volunteering time at a non-profit, helps you forge bonds with your fellow volunteers. Combined with the knowledge that you’re helping people, this can all boost your mood!

Final Thoughts On Some Ways Caring For Someone Keeps You Emotionally Stable

Caring means compassion, and compassion means happiness. Though the simple act of caring can’t completely heal sadness, it can certainly help, and it can make the difference between emotional stability and a lack thereof.

It’s not always easy to care for someone, and it goes without saying that caring too much and receiving no similar care from anyone can result in emotional burnout. But, for the most part, the act of caring is fantastic for your mental health and can keep you emotionally stable from multiple angles and on many levels!

15 Muscle Relaxants for Fast Pain Relief

January 14, 2021 by Deborah Tayloe

There’s nothing worse than unbearable pain in your muscles. Your first instinct may be to reach for a bottle of ibuprofen or other over-the-counter muscle relaxants to bring fast relief. However, did you know significant risks are associated with taking these seemingly harmless drugs?

Just because you can buy things at your local pharmacy doesn’t mean they’re safe for you, especially if you have a chronic condition. Some numerous reports and studies show that long-term use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can increase your risk of heart attack and stroke and cause stomach bleeding. One such report was from Harvard Medical School.

Dr. Christian Ruff examined the dangers of taking NSAID drugs. Using evidence, he’s gathered from treating patients worldwide; he found that when individuals take these medications regularly, they are more apt to have a heart attack, stroke, and developing heart disease or a-fib. However, you have other options that don’t have such risks.

Natural Muscle Relaxants

Mother Nature provides a bounty of options for you to help ease the pain you feel in your muscles. The best thing about using natural remedies is that they have little to no side effects and aren’t habit-forming. It may take some trial and error to find the treatment that works best for you and your specific pains, but it’s worth the effort.

Most of these natural muscle relaxants are in your local supermarket. Here are fifteen remedies for muscle pain that will bring you fast relief.

1. Cayenne Pepper

Please don’t reach for the mentholated muscle rub that has a horrible smell and loses its effectiveness quickly. Cayenne pepper can produce the same feeling, and it’s better for you. Did you know that this pepper has a substance called capsaicin?

This powerful compound has both anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. These properties will help to reduce muscle fatigue and spasms with ease. Make a paste with ground cayenne pepper and water.

Apply the paste topically for a warmth deep into the muscles to relax them. It can be used anywhere on your body, except for the facial area. The spicy smell may be overwhelming initially, but its relief is worth the fragrant aroma.

2. Peppermint

Peppermint essential oil is pleasant and effective at helping sore muscles. If you’ve overworked your body, you may pay with Charlie horses and other spasms. Thankfully, peppermint brings both warming and cooling sensations to the skin, and it goes deep enough to penetrate the muscles beneath.

Merely rubbing it into the affected area will separate the lactic acid within the muscle, which is causing your discomfort.

3. Lavender

Lavender is one of the most used essential oils in history. It can work on your body when you first smell this natural elixir. It can successfully treat any aches and pains from muscle spasms or cramping. This calming herb can even be used to thwart menstrual cramping and joint discomfort too.

4. Catnip

If you thought catnip was just for your feline friends, then guess again. This powerful herb can relax your muscles with its anti-spasmodic properties. It’s been used for centuries to help with bloating and gas and curing a condition called spasmodic cholera.

Rubbing the essential oil over the affected area can bring quick relief, which you need when you have unbearable muscle aches.

5. Passionflower

Passionflower has a lovely fragrance and is so soothing to your skin. It’s often been used to help the digestive tract issues, specifically muscle spasms in this area. It’s also great for wound treatment as it promotes quick healing.

You can use the flower to make a fragrant tea or use passionflower seed oil to spread on the effective area. If you have teenagers in the home or others with acne or eczema, then passionflower is shown to easily dry these skin flares.

6. Black Pepper

Using black pepper as anything other than seasonings on your favorite foods might sound shocking. However, did you know that pepper has both anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic properties?

Using black pepper oil produces a warming sensation that can ease conditions like arthritis and tendonitis and help heal muscular injuries. Who knew that there were so many uses for a typical household seasoning?

7. Chamomile

Chamomile is an herb that has been used for medicinal purposes for centuries. It can treat numerous ailments, including muscle pains. This herb is so powerful that it has 36 flavonoids in it, and those little plant pigments have substantial anti-inflammatory properties. You can apply it topically as an essential oil or try it in a relaxing tea.

8. Hot/Cold Compress

You can try every herb and elixir out there, but sometimes the best thing for your muscle aches is to use the hot/cold compress technique. Many chiropractors, experts in homeopathic medicine, often prefer this method to treat their patients’ aches and pains.

Just use 20 minutes of heat followed by 20 minutes of cold when you’re experiencing discomfort. The heat soothes the aches, and the cold works to reduce inflammation in the area.

9. Cinnamon

If you thought cinnamon was to flavor your pancakes or a good pumpkin pie, then you don’t know the full power of this herb. Technically, cinnamon is made from the bark of the genus Cinnamomum tree, which is native to Asia but can be found in many parts of the world. Cinnamon is often used to ease the muscular aches that come with the common cold or flu.

Muscle relaxants with a cinnamon mixture are great for those who’ve had strenuous workouts or have other injuries. It’s often paired with ginger to provide soothing heat and quick relief.

10. Epsom Salts

Epsom salt is perfect for sore muscles. It’s best used in a bath to relax away stiffness and pain from muscular areas. It’s beneficial in areas such as the neck, back, legs, feet, and shoulders.

11. Magnesium

Did you know that many people have muscular pains because they’re deficient in magnesium? Magnesium is an essential macronutrient that is necessary for many of your body’s processes.

A supplement of this macronutrient can trigger a calcium block that helps those sore and stiff muscular tissues to relax. You can have pain just by having insufficient magnesium in your body.

12. Cherries

Three cheers for cherries as they’re one of the most beneficial fruits around. Many studies have been done on the power of tart cherry juice about gout and muscle aches and pains. Dr. Andrew Weil referenced a study in one of his articles, which was conducted by Michigan State University. They found that using cherries can be more beneficial than any pain reliever you can buy over-the-counter.

13. CBD Oil

CBD oil indeed tends to be a bit of a controversial holistic treatment,. But there is no THC, which is the compound that makes you high when using marijuana. CBD won’t make you high, but it will reduce the inflammation in your body and muscle soreness. Many people use this herbal remedy for anxiety because it has calming properties. Check out this 2 oz natural hemp pain relief salve and see if it can help with pain relief.

14. Turmeric

Turmeric is another herb that is getting a lot of attention. It’s known as a painkiller without all the side effects and can help with swelling and inflammation. As one of the best muscle relaxants around, it can block the body, producing proteins in neuropathic pain, perfect for muscles and sore joints.

15. Potassium

Many muscle cramps and aches come from a lack of potassium. Potassium is a vital nutrient necessary for many of your system processes. If your pains are non-specific, meaning you’re not exercising daily or haven’t had an accident, then it’s worth investigating.

You can increase your consumption of bananas, avocados, and potatoes to increase your potassium levels, or you can take supplements. However, you should never try to adjust your potassium levels without a doctor’s assistance because having levels too high or too low can equally cause major issues.

Final Thoughts on Muscle Relaxants

There are 101 reasons why you might experience muscular aches and pains. However, at the core of all of it is some injury to the muscle. The damage can be arthritis, a torn or stretched muscle overworked through exercise, or an auto-immune condition.

The key is to find the treatment that works for you. You may need to try a couple of different homeopathic therapies to see which one is right for you. What works for one doesn’t mean it will work for another.

If you take any prescription medications, make sure you do some research before using any natural muscle relaxants. While they’re generally safe and effective, they can interact with some ingredients in pharmaceutical drugs. Still, using nature to cure what ails you is always the best option.

Counselors Fact Check 15 Things About Mental Health That Are Wrong

January 14, 2021 by Power of Positivity

The mental health field is one that is not fully understood. Unlike bodily concerns that can sometimes be cured or fixed, this is not always the case when dealing with the brain. Frankly, mental health myths are plentiful, and people believe things that could be dangerous if they don’t get the treatment they need.

There is a great deal of complexity when it comes to dealing with the mind. Many people doubt the existence of these problems because it cannot be seen with the naked eye. Thus, many misconceptions floating around.

Mental health-related illnesses have always had a great deal of stigma attached to them. However, things that appear to be “all in your head” can be just as severe as battling a significant illness like cancer or Parkinson’s disease. It’s best to dispel any rumors and misinformation floating around about mental illness by combating it with the truth.

Myths Regarding Mental Illness

What myths regarding mental health have you believed? Here is a list of the most popular misconceptions among the general population. Hopefully, this will open your eyes so that you don’t believe falsehoods that could damage you or someone you love.

Myth #1. People Who Need Help Are Weak

Sadly, some people believe that those who have mental health issues are weak or lacking. The reality is that your brain can become sick, just like any other part of your body. Asking for help is not a sign of weakness but one of strength.

Myth #2. Mental Illness Can Be Cured

You can’t take a magic pill and your mental illness will all go away. It’s not like a broken bone that you can put in a cast, and it will heal. Some mental conditions are circumstantial and only last for a short while.

One such example is depression after a loved one’s death. However, many people who have depression suffer from it for a lifetime. The truth is that you can get better and learn practical coping skills to deal with your mental illness, but you won’t ever be cured.

Myth #3. ADHD Just Shows Bad Parenting or Diet

One of the biggest mental health myths is that ADHD is caused by bad parenting or a poor diet. Children who eat junk food and aren’t disciplined are perceived to develop this mental problem.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder can happen to any child, regardless of who their parents. According to Healthy Children, this is a neurobiological condition that can because by many things such as environment, head injuries, genetics, and brain anatomy and function.

Myth #4. Your Life Is Over If You Have Mental Illness

It’s undoubtedly hard to deal with mental illness, and it takes some time to adjust. However, your life is nowhere close to being over. It would help if you learned a new reality that alters life as you knew it, but it’s something you learn to live with.

Myth #5. Being Mentally Ill Just Excuses Bad Behaviors

There is no excuse for bad behavior, even if you have a mental health diagnosis. Some people do things that are out of the realm of being normal when they have specific mental issues, but it doesn’t make it right.

For instance, a kleptomaniac may take things that don’t belong to them for the thrill of it all, but it’s a reason and not an excuse. Many of the issues that this person fights are because they struggle with impulse control. So, while a mentally ill person might do things that are wrong or even illegal, there is no excuse for it.

Myth #6. Self-Care Can Cure Mental Illness

Self-care is a beautiful thing that everyone should practice. It can be helpful if you have a mental illness like anxiety or depression to learn to take care of your needs. However, one of the many mental health myths is that people think with self-care that they can cure their issues.

Myth #7. Anxiety and Worry Are the Same Thing

Worry is a common problem as life is stressful. However, when you can’t let go of the concern and ruminate about your problems, you can develop generalized anxiety.

Nevertheless, you must know that worry and anxiety are not the same. A chemical imbalance causes anxiety in the brain.

Myth #8. You Only Need to Go for Help Once

Many people believe the infamous mental health myths that states you only need to go to the doctor once if you have a mental condition. Medicine is a practice, which means it hasn’t been perfected. Wouldn’t it be nice if you could take two pills and it would all go away?

Sadly, mental health doesn’t work that way. It would help if you had a good doctor or team helping you and that can stay with you for the long haul.

Myth #9. Counseling Is Too Expensive

Many people avoid counseling because they fear that they can’t pay for it. While it may cost $100 an hour in some locations, insurance covers most of these visits. in 2010, all of that changed when the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act was passed.

All major medical carriers are required by law to offer mental health coverage to their clients. The chances are that you can get counseling for little to nothing out of pocket.

Myth #10. You Should Never Discuss Your Mental Health Issues with Others

Wrong! If you have an issue that is bothering you, you must tell those closest to you. How different would the world be if people spoke up about their mental decline rather than trying to hide it? How many suicides could it prevent?

Myth #11. Depressed People Are Lazy

A depressed person might be lazy by nature, but it’s one of the most common mental health myths that depression is nothing more than laziness. Despair makes you unable to do what you love to do, and you may have a hard time getting out of bed. This chemical imbalance can wreak havoc on your life.

Myth #12. Parents Can Prevent Mental Illness

This is a mostly false myth, but there is a bit of truth in it. First, if a parent is an alcoholic, drug addict, or abusive, it can lead to problems for a child as they grow. However, in a traditional home setting, parents don’t have the power to change the brain chemistry.

Parents can certainly step in and help to make the situation better, but there is no way they can prevent a genetic, predisposed brain disorder.

Myth #13. Getting Advice from A Counselor Is the Same as Getting Advice from Friends

You may have the best friends in the world, and they may give great advice. Regrettably, they are probably not trained as a counselor. Did you know that to be a psychologist takes years of college and training?

According to Indeed, it can take you up to 12 years once you graduate high school to be working as a clinical counselor. It would stand to reason that the trained person would be much more apt to give advice worth listening to.

Myth #14. Mental Health Is A Sign of Selfishness

A mentally ill person isn’t selfish at all. These people cannot help what their brain is doing. They would love nothing more than to have a “normal” day, but they are trapped in a vicious cycle that is problematic.

Myth #15. OCD Isn’t Real These People Just Pay Attention to Details

One of the most offensive mental health myths is that people who have OCD or obsessive-compulsive disorder are just super clean or pay attention to details. That myth is based on one side of the illness, but this anxiety-based condition has many facets.

A person with OCD may click the locks a certain number of times or only walk on one side of the room. They have many superstitions that are driven by their heightened anxiety. While they certainly can be a person who pays attention to every detail, this condition goes far beyond being tidy.

Final Thoughts on Mental Health Myths

It’s hard to separate fact from fiction when dealing with mental health issues. Sweeping issues concerning your mental health under the rug will only make things worse, not better. The stigma that’s been attached to mental health is finally starting to lift a bit.

People are beginning to realize that they need to care for their brain, just like they would cancer or diabetes. It’s good to have a strong support system, but you can’t let your friends and relatives decide your mental care. Only a licensed counselor, psychiatrist, or medical doctor should help you in these matters.

Finally, don’t let the mental health myths that are swirling around stop you from getting the help you need. There are medications and various types of therapy that can help you start feeling like you again. The sooner you get help, the better you will feel. Additionally, many conditions are treatable, though they’re not curable.

10 Things Courageous People Do Without Realizing It

January 14, 2021 by Power of Positivity

What are some of the virtues that you value the most? After consideration, you’ll probably mention ones like honesty, loyalty, patience, and courage. What does it mean to be courageous?

Remember the classic story of the four friends from the Wizard of Oz. They sought help from a mighty sorcerer in a magical land. The lion had an impressive roar, but he was reduced to tears easily because he lacked courage.

He wanted self-esteem that comes from knowing who you are and being able to face any giants that stand in your way. Thankfully, you don’t need to follow a golden road to ask a mythical being for that power.

Nor do you need a badge to prove your courageous nature. Just like the little girl in the iconic movie, you’ve had the power within you all along.

What comes to mind when you think of being courageous? Do you see a mighty soldier crawling through the foxholes to thwart the enemy? What about Florence Nightingale? She risked her life in the battle, trenches to care for the wounded and dying.

Indeed, these legendary heroes were the epitome of selflessness, strength, and courage. Remember the story of Clara Barton? During the Civil War, she was a nurse who went onto finding the institution known as The Red Cross. This rescue organization has helped millions since its inception in 1881, according to the Red Cross’s website.

How do you define courage? If you’re like most people, you would say that it means to be brave and fearless. However, equating courage with fearlessness is a common misconception. Instead, being courageous means that you take a stand for what you believe despite your fears.

A study published by the Qualitative Health Research Journal mentions that courage is a character trait developed over time with experience. The abstract defines courage as your ability to accept reality, use discernment to solve problems, and “push beyond your struggles.” Therefore, to be brave means you may still be scared, but you press on anyway.

Top Characteristics of Courageous People

How would you define a courageous person? Here are the most common traits in this desirable personality.

1. They Know What They Want

Would you ever consider getting in your car without a planned destination? You would be driving around all day wasting time and fuel and still end up nowhere. The same concept is true for a life without purpose.

First, you must know who you are and where you’re going. Your goals may change many times during the seasons of your life, but at least you have them listed. Then, you apply the courage to accomplish what you’ve planned.

2. They Aren’t Quitters

One of the hallmarks of brave people is their tenacious spirit that refuses to quit, regardless of adversity. If this sounds like you, you know how to reach beyond your fears and the unknown to reach your goals. Courage compels you to ignore the naysayers, and you won’t back down just because the going gets rough.

3. They Don’t Fear Failure

Think of the many things that would never have been accomplished in this world if people were afraid to fail. An article published by the Hedberg Public Library showcases some famous people who didn’t let fear and failure get in the way of their dreams. Among these include Albert Einstein, Fred Astaire, Milton Hershey, Benjamin Franklin, and Marie Curie.

Had these and other icons gave up just because they failed, they wouldn’t have the success they finally achieved. The source shares that classic author Dr. Seuss’ writing was rejected 27 times before he was published. Take inspiration from these successful people and use your failures as steppingstones to your goals.

4. They are Genuine

In a world filled with fakes and “wannabes,” courageous people are sincere and genuine. Anybody can follow the crowd and try to be someone they’re not. However, you may be one of those brave souls who have healthy self-esteem and are comfortable in your skin.

Instead of conforming, you embrace your individuality and your quirks. If someone doesn’t want to be your friend, you figure it’s their problem, not yours. Brave people often make their best friends because of their transparency and honesty.

5. They Speak Up

Courageous people realize that taking a stand for their beliefs isn’t always popular. For some people in history, speaking out for what was right was often dangerous. Standing up for justice isn’t an easy task, but it’s what makes positive changes in our world.

Also, you are less likely to be bound in a toxic relationship when you speak for yourself. Not only do brave people voice their rights, but they often become the voice for the vulnerable and others who are hurting.

6. They Ask for Help

Even if you were the greatest basketball player in the world, you couldn’t get far without your team. Another characteristic of brave people is that they aren’t afraid to ask for help when it’s needed. It challenges the misconception that only weak people need assistance from others.

You show great courage when you realize that you can’t do something on your own. Asking for help is not only brave, but it connects you to other people. Putting forth a team effort can benefit everyone involved.

7. They Won’t Settle for Second Best

Bravery encourages you to be your best and won’t allow you to settle for anything less. Anybody can take the easy route that doesn’t require effort. However, you can’t expect to get what you want in life if you aren’t willing to face adversity.

Ask people who have found success in business if it happened overnight. Talk to the athletes who have trained a lifetime to excel in their sport. Brave people like these had to tough things out before they achieved their goals.

It requires courage to bypass shortcuts and be patient. Remember how your parents used to tell you that good things come to those who wait?

8. They Don’t Concentrate on Fear

As a brave person, you’re not without fear. A study published by the Chapman University Survey of American Fears found that anxiety is on the rise in the U.S. The range increased from 35 percent to 60 percent in 2016. Additionally, it rose from 55 percent to 77 percent in 2019.

Fear is a primordial emotion that functions as an internal alarm system in case of danger. It’s normal to be afraid when you are facing something new or the unknown. A person with courage isn’t fearless but looks beyond their fears and intimidations to reach their goals.

9. They Can Express Their Feelings

Unfortunately, some people view emotional people as weak and scared. A study published by PLOS One Journal discovered that although men and women may have equal emotions in various situations, women were more apt to express their feelings.

Boys are often socialized with the idea that showing their emotions is a sign of weakness. However, it takes brave men (and women) to express how their hearts are feeling. Stoicism may be useful in an emergency, but it certainly isn’t a virtue.

As a brave person, you have no problem with letting others know how you feel. You are empathetic to their feelings as well. Only when people know each other’s feelings can they work together for goals and problem-solving.

10. They Admit Their Faults

Humans are fallible, and so are their relationships with others. However, it takes healthy people to admit their mistakes and shortcomings. Toxic personalities usually take the easy way out and shift the blame to others.

You are displaying courage when you apologize to others and try to make amends. It means that you are healthy enough within yourself to say that you aren’t perfect, and you can admit when you’ve messed up. Then, you take steps not to repeat these same mistakes.

Another badge of courage is the ability to forgive. While it may seem easier to hold a grudge, it zaps you of your strength. Bitterness is a poison that only destroys you, not your offender.

As you use bravery and grace to extend forgiveness, you may benefit even more than the person who hurt you. It doesn’t excuse the trespasser, but it allows you to acknowledge the transgression and get on with your life. Offering true forgiveness may be one of the bravest things you do in life.

Final Thoughts About the Characteristics of Courageous People

You may not be born with courage, but you can cultivate it with experience and effort. The definition of a coward is not a fearful person; instead, it’s a person who chooses to place fear over action. Show your bravery each day by listing your goals, refusing to quit, and asking for help when you need it.

20 Things That Might Cause Unexplained Moodiness

January 14, 2021 by Power of Positivity

Do you suffer from constant moodiness? Life is stressful, and it’s only natural that you take your frustrations out on the ones closest to you. Whether you’re hormonal or suffering from depression, being moody is quite common.

Have you ever wondered what makes your moods fluctuate so much? According to Psych Education, your limbic system is the section of your brain responsible for your moods. Within this structure are the hypothalamus, hippocampus, and amygdala, and all these areas help control your feelings.

TwentyThings That Might Cause Moodiness

Many things can affect your temperament, including your neurotransmitters like serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. Here are the 20 most common things that can cause moodiness.

1. Anxiety

Anxiety messes with your hormones and neurotransmitters in the brain, so naturally, it has a direct effect on your mood. Constant angst is a mental health condition that alters your body’s functional abilities. People with anxiety experience high levels of cortisol and adrenaline, which can significantly influence their feelings.

2. Inflammation

Auto-immune disorders can increase inflammation in the body. An article on Jama Psychiatry references a study conducted by the Department of Research in Translational Psychiatry in Munich, Germany. The review was to determine if inflammation played a crucial role in metabolic dysregulation.

The German study found that 45 percent of people that suffer from auto-immune conditions, which comes with inflammatory issues, also had mood disturbances. This shows that there is a high probability that auto-immune diseases can affect your moods.

3. Depression

Being depressed is a common condition that affects more than 17 million people in this country, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. Some of the classic signs of this mental health disorder are sleep and mood disturbances and a lack of motivation.

4. Pregnancy

Being pregnant causes a surge of hormones because it helps the baby to grow and flourish. When these surges occur, it has a dramatic effect on your mood. Pregnancy can cause a lady to feel on top of the world one minute and crying and miserable the next.

After the baby is born, postpartum sadness is commonplace due to the massive hormonal shift. According to the Center for Disease and Control, about one in ten women will experience the baby blues after they deliver.

5. Hormonal Imbalances

Hormonal imbalances can wreak havoc on your body and mind. If you notice that you feel angry or upset without a good reason, then hormonal fluctuations could be blamed. Things like testosterone, estrogen, and many others, are produced by the body to keep things going.

If these hormones are too high or low, it can cause your body to experience moodiness.

6. Sleep Deprivation

Sleep is essential because it allows both your body and your brain to recover from daily happenings. When you don’t get the proper amount of sleep, you can awaken feeling groggy and moody.

If you don’t get at least 7-8 hours of rest each night, you will be cranky and even make wrong decisions the next day. Sleep deprivation can have everything to do with your moodiness.

7. Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder and moodiness go hand-in-hand. The hallmarks of this mental health condition are highs and lows. Still, there can be many underlying cognitive factors, such as an imbalance in brain chemistry, causing these mood interruptions.

8. Prescription Medications

Did you know that the medications you take can cause you to have an altered mood? You may especially notice this when you start a new medicine. One drug that is notorious for affecting your mood is steroids.

Many people notice that they become more aggressive when taking these meds as their moods are modified. While steroids are one medication, numerous others can also affect your mood.

9. Borderline Personality Disorder

Borderline personality disorder is a severe mental health issue that is not fully understood. It’s one of the most difficult to treat mental conditions. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, BPD affects about 1.4 percent of the population.

This condition’s characteristics include mood instability, low self-image issues, behavioral problems, and difficulty with everyday functioning.

10. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

ADHD comes with impulse control issues. Those who suffer from this condition may become frustrated for the smallest of reasons, even standing too long in the grocery store line. There are many mood disturbances with ADHD, but behavioral therapy can help you learn to control the impulses.

11. Caffeine

Caffeine can be found in things like soda or even chocolate. It gives you a boost of energy as it stimulates the nervous system. Do you need 1-2 cups of coffee to get you up and running in the morning?

Well, if you crash by the afternoon and have issues with your mood, it could be because of caffeine. Your body becomes accustomed to having that stimulant to give you energy. When you’re deficient, then your mood can be affected. It’s a vicious cycle as you need more caffeine to repair your mood.

12. Allergies

Allergies can significantly affect your feelings and moods. During flares, you may experience anger, sadness, and irritability. Chronic cases can lead to a lack of motivation as well as a wide-ranging decline in your emotional health.

13. Low Blood Sugar

Some people get so hungry that it affects their moods. It’s entirely possible to be both hungry and angry simultaneously. It’s not uncommon for low-blood sugar to alter your moods.

According to an article published by the University of Michigan’s School of Public Health, many people are diagnosed with mood disorders when, in fact, it’s their blood sugar that needs attention. If you notice your mood changes once you eat, then low blood sugar issues could be blamed.

14. Life Changes

Any changes in your life, good or bad, can affect your mood. Moving can be stressful, and nothing makes some people more stressed than packing and relocating. If you’re under a great deal of pressure at work, it can spill over into your home life. Any changes or alterations in your life can have a direct impact on your emotions.

15. Dementia

Dementia is a disease that causes areas of the brain to die. Over time, a person’s memory and personality are altered. It’s not uncommon to observe mood swings in folks who suffer from this condition.

Much of the frustration comes because it’s difficult to express themselves, and they lack the words or ways to do so. These frustrations cause them to be happy one minute and raging the next.

16. Menopause

Menopause is a condition that affects women, usually over the age of 50. The body doesn’t make as many hormones as it did before, so this causes many alterations. Women going through “the change” experience things like mood swings, hot flashes, and insomnia.

17. Eating Too Much Sugar

Are you eating too many carbs and sugars during the day? Did you know that your diet can significantly affect your mood? Your diet can be a direct contributor to your mood swings. Cut the carbs and watch your mental health improve.

18. Thyroid Issues

The little butterfly-shaped gland that sits in your neck is called your thyroid. It controls many of your bodily functions. The thyroid produces hormones that regulate things like your heart rate and moods.

If your body doesn’t make enough of these hormones, then you are deficient or have hypothyroidism. If your body produces too much of these hormones, then you’re considered to have hyperthyroidism.

19. Stress

Dealing with chronic stress can take a significant toll on your mind and body. Did you know that stress can make you feel things like sadness, anger, or even rage? The problem is that being under a constant state of stress will cause a mood disturbance, and you won’t feel like yourself.

If you feel the pangs of stress and tension, then try exercising to make you feel better.

20. Premenstrual Syndrome

Premenstrual syndrome or PMS is a condition that causes headaches, cramping, and mood changes before your period. You can feel sad or moody for no reason, and there doesn’t need to be any trigger.

It’s believed that a woman’s hormone levels drop before she has her monthly cycle, and this drop in hormones causes mood issues. Thankfully, the hormones level off when the process begins, and the harsh mood alterations and cramping go away.

Final Thoughts on Moodiness

Everyone experiences an upset in their moods on occasion, and it’s not usually a cause for alarm. However, if you have moodiness that seems to occur daily, then there is an underlying cause.

One of these 20 things listed above could be the issue. If your emotions and feelings are causing you trouble in your daily life, then it’s time to seek help before it destroys or alienates the ones you love. Plus, you can’t be the best when your emotions are all over the place.

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