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10 Self-Confidence Killers You Should Always Avoid

December 11, 2020 by Power of Positivity

Do you consider yourself a confident person, or do you use negative thinking patterns to define who you are? It’s a slippery slope that can lead you to more profound self-doubt, depression, and anxiety. The good news is that you can build your self-esteem just as you can exercise to build muscle. How? By avoiding these self-confidence killers.

It takes a commitment and changing your thoughts and lifestyle. You needn’t have anything less than fulfillment, joy, gratitude, and confidence. By nature, some people are more assured of themselves than others. Experts say that children are born with a neutral sense of themselves. How they are raised, socialization, and other factors can either build confidence or tear it down.

Your first mentors were your parents. When they used positive words and affirmations, it allowed you to believe in your blossoming abilities. Encouraging words like “you can do it” or “it’s okay, you’ll do better” go a long way to building childhood esteem.

However, verbal and emotional abuse at a young age can set the pattern for low self-worth into adulthood. Soon, you may begin to think you are unworthy, unwanted, and substandard. It forms negative thought patterns that evolve into habits that can be damaging mentally, physically, and spiritually.

No matter how old you are or how deeply ingrained your self-defeating thoughts and actions are, you can overcome them. It requires a complete reversal of how you think about yourself. Conversely, the golden rule also means that you should treat yourself just as well as you treat others.

Have you noticed any habits you have that may affect your self-assurance? With some work and possibly some therapy, you can break these habits and trade them for ones that cultivate self-worth. It’s time that you realize that you are just as good as everyone else.

Habits That Are Self-Esteem and Self-Confidence Killers

Recognizing unhealthy habits is the first step toward better thinking. You are on your way to building the esteem you deserve. Here are ten self-defeating habits that you can identify and change.

1. Staying in a Negative Atmosphere

Being in a constantly negative atmosphere is like being in a room with low oxygen. It may be okay for a while, but soon you’ll have difficulty breathing. Negativity is highly contagious and can affect the strongest person.

Do you surround yourself with toxic people who are always bringing down your mood and self-confidence? Instead, try to hang around those who create a festive atmosphere that makes everyone feel good about themselves. While you’ll always have to deal with toxic people at some time or other, you still can choose not to bring them into your inner circle.

2. Feeling Like Everyone Else Gets the Advantages

It’s only human when you are struggling to make ends meet and wonder how others seem to be blessed in every way. Self-pity and petty jealousy can create negative thought patterns that can suppress your self-confidence. You may start to think that you aren’t good enough or that you’ll always be plagued by bad luck.

Remember the old saying that nobody knows what goes on behind closed doors? Even the wealthiest people on earth have problems that weigh heavily on their minds. When you realize that materialism won’t buy you joy, you can see the blessings you do have and be grateful for them.

3. Overthinking Situations

If you want to build more self-confidence, you must stop overthinking about everything. That’s not to say that you shouldn’t do research and think about making crucial decisions in your life. When you aren’t confident in your abilities and decision-making skills, you constantly overthink things.

Overthinking about decisions and situations can make you overstressed. Numerous studies warn that stress can lead to mental issues, coronary disease, hypertension, diabetes, stroke, cancer, and even premature death. Learn to trust your instincts and know that you can make wise decisions and that some situations are out of your control.

4. Using the Wrong Body Language

Did you know that your body language speaks louder than your voice? The next time you are around several people, make a mental note of each person’s posture and body language. When you see those who are slouching and dragging their feet, you may assume either they are ill or lack self-confidence.

How do you carry yourself? Do you have a straight posture with open, friendly body language that says you have confidence? Positive body language and good posture not only makes you feel better about yourself, but it also has a positive effect on others.

5. Living in the Past

We all know a few people who keep their minds in the past. You’ll notice that they rarely use the present or future tense when they are talking. Of course, reminiscing about the great times you had years ago can be fun and healthy, but the past can’t take over your life.

A mindset of the past can be especially harmful when you are constantly ruminating about painful memories. It drains you of any self-confidence and can fill your life with doubt, hurt, resentment, and depression. Living in the present makes you happy for who you are and what you have now.

6. Keeping Track of Your Faults and Failures

Did you know that Stephen King’s first novel Carrie was rejected hundreds of times? Still, he pushed through the sting of rejection to make the classic horror movie that has become iconic. He went on to write 86 books, and many of his books became box office hits. You enhance your self-assurance when you use your failures as learning tools for success, as King did.

You’re also not alone when it comes to faults and shortcomings. However, healthy and confident people will own their mistakes, apologize, and learn from them. Instead of using them as a battering rod, use your faults and failures as a ladder that leads to your best self.

7. Forgetting to be Grateful

Some may think it’s clichéd, but counting your blessings is one of the best life lessons you can practice. When is the last time you contemplated the beautiful things in your life? Plus, have you thought about being grateful for the things you “don’t” have?

Gratitude is a precursor of self-confidence and a radiant personality. As you note your many advantages each day, you feel blessed, joyous, and secure in yourself. Some people find it helpful to keep a gratitude journal for daily or periodic writing and reflection.

8. Comparing Yourself to Others

Unfairly comparing yourself to others is one of the main self-confidence killers! It’s human nature to size yourself up to the appearance and abilities of others. Thankfully, this comparison is part of the competition and working to better yourself. However, it becomes a problem when it erodes your self-worth.

The media and Hollywood often set unrealistic expectations of people, especially women. Most beautiful people on screen and pictures have the magic of light, cameras, makeup, photo enhancement, and plastic surgery. Remember that these are actors in fictional situations that are not a substitute for reality.

Maybe you unfairly judge yourself to friends and family you deem better looking, more successful, and more talented. When you can celebrate your individuality and be proud of your abilities and accomplishments, you’ll realize true self-confidence.

9. Allowing Fear to Take Over

Do you admire people who’ve looked danger in the eyes without flinching? Being brave and having courage are virtues that are greatly misunderstood. When you are courageous, you are still afraid, but you go past the fear to overcome your adversary.

If you are content with an attitude of defeat, it destroys your self-confidence and attracts more negativity into your life. Often, you’ll find that the things you fear the most rarely even happen. So, instead of being engulfed in the shadows of fear, you can be courageous one day at a time.

10. Keeping the Drama Going

Have you noticed that “drama” has become a buzzword in the media and many conversations? You may hear people call each other “drama queens” or quote many funny sayings about the overdramatic person. Although everyone has ups and downs in their lives, some people turn their lives into a soap opera.

Unfortunately, these dramatists often try to drag others into their negative scripts. These individual are true self-confidence killers! To sustain your self-worth and peace of mind, don’t get caught in these life-draining situations. Such negativity can only bring you down, and you’ll be cast in the soap opera again and again.

If you have a drama enthusiast in your life, refuse to be part of their games. While you can be empathetic, you needn’t take sides and be emotionally depleted. Save your time and resources for things that need your attention.

Final Thoughts on Self-Confidence Killers

You may be practicing some of these self-confidence killers without even realizing it. The remedy is to believe in yourself, stay positive, and show gratitude. When you keep these actions in mind, you will realize that you’ve always been “good enough.”

Woman Proves You Can Lose Weight Without Dieting

December 11, 2020 by Kristen Lawrence

We all know the frustration of gaining weight after trying diet after diet and finding out they don’t actually work. Fed up with yo-yo dieting herself, Jacinta Mayora finally found a way to lose 30 pounds without committing to any specific diet. At her heaviest, she weighed around 220 pounds at the beginning of 2019. By committing to a healthy lifestyle and focusing less on what the scale says, she ended up finding a routine that truly works for her.

“I was always obsessed with losing weight. I’ve tried diet after diet, and at my lowest point, I even had an eating disorder,” she said. “Because of all the yo-yo dieting, I gained weight every single year, so I realized I needed a different approach to get a different outcome.”

So, she started eating healthier and going to the gym 2 or 3 times per week. Rather than following strict diets and trying to look a certain way, she simply listened to her body and intuition. “I didn’t focus on how my body looked; I just wanted to feel good.”

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A post shared by Jacinta Mayora (@jacintamayora) on Sep 30, 2020 at 9:29am PDT

Jacinta focused on health, not physical appearance

Despite not focusing as much on her physical appearance, she said not weighing herself felt scary in the beginning. She felt that she would gain even more weight if she didn’t closely monitor her calories and weigh herself frequently. However, she said, “When I let go of that thought, it was such a relief – it was like a weight lifted off my shoulders.”

Since she didn’t put as much pressure on herself, she felt a lot more freedom and flexibility with fitness and health. Ironically, not having fixed goals amped up her motivation and helped step her game up. She started going to the gym 5 times a week and got into boxing, weight training, and HIIT. “Variation made it so fun, and the fact that I was getting stronger kept me going.”

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A post shared by Jacinta Mayora (@jacintamayora) on Oct 7, 2020 at 8:58am PDT

Of course, even though Jacinta loves working out and eating healthy now, she still struggles at times. “I eat a bit too much, I gain some weight, but you know what? I don’t care,” she said. “I’m only human.” She knows that life comes with its fair share of ups and downs and that real transformation takes time.

She gives a great piece of advice in her video to us for anyone looking to improve their health: “Start from the inside cause you need to do it out of love, not out of hate for your body.”

What a powerful, beautiful truth! Every action we take will bear a consequence, so it only makes sense that hating your body will only draw more of that energy back to you. If you want real change, start by truly loving yourself as you are right now. That way, you’ll have much more positive energy to push you forward toward your goals.

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A post shared by Jacinta Mayora (@jacintamayora) on Aug 4, 2020 at 6:06am PDT

“My body is far from perfect, and yes, I still have insecurities, but it’s my living body. I finally learned to love every inch of it,” she said. “If I can do it, so can you!”

You can get a lot of motivational tips and posts from her Instagram page, where she’s amassed almost 33k followers so far. She truly shows what’s possible when you shift your energy from hate to love. Many of us struggle with choosing to love ourselves, but we all have that option. It’s pretty liberating and should give us all hope that at any moment, we can choose to write a new story.

When you resist your current reality and appearance, you only make it harder to move forward. However, by letting go of all expectations and just letting life flow through you, everything gets easier with time. Beautiful things and people will come your way, the more you trust yourself and choose to follow the path of love.

Jacinta is living proof that our bodies know exactly where they want to be if we just allow them to get there. In other words, by giving up restrictions and crazy diets, we can find our body’s natural set point. Perhaps the trick to lose weight without dieting is simple. Do not worry as much about calories, scales, and all these modern ideas about dieting that have overcomplicated health.

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A post shared by Jacinta Mayora (@jacintamayora) on Nov 9, 2019 at 7:28am PST

Final thoughts on how you, too, can lose weight without dieting

Simply move your body in a way you enjoy, eat healthy most of the time, and love yourself! Make sleep a priority, rest when you need to, and don’t hate yourself for missing a workout. We’re all on our own journeys here, and no one should feel they have to be perfect. As long as you do your best and make loving choices for yourself, you’ll feel good from the inside out.

As Jacinta learned the hard way, don’t fall for the crash dieting trap. You will only feel disappointed when you gain the weight back since your body will always try to make up the lost calories later. Consistency and persistence will get you much farther than trying to find shortcuts. So if you feel determined, you also can lose weight without dieting.

From her Instagram posts, it seems Jacinta has truly found her happy place and doesn’t cut out junk food when her body craves it. We hope you find inspiration from her story, and if you want to follow her, check out her Instagram.

Doctors Explain Why You Should Never Hold Back a Fart

December 11, 2020 by Power of Positivity

To a little boy, there’s nothing funnier than the noises they can make with their body. While it isn’t humorous to most adults, kids chuckle when they fart or burp as they feel like they’ve done something taboo. Actually, farting is quite normal, and it’s a sign that you have a healthy colon.

Some think the very mention of the word fart is offensive, so they prefer to use terms like a stinker, toot, cutting the cheese, fluffing, or the technical term to flatulate. Regardless of what you call it, you shouldn’t be embarrassed about this normal bodily function.

Did you know that the average person farts between 13-21 times each day? So, it doesn’t matter how prim and proper some try to be; their body will do what it was designed to do.

Interesting Facts About Bodily Gasses

Men usually pass gas way more than women because they’re not afraid to do it, and usually, they eat much quicker. Did you know that you’re taking in more air when you eat too fast than you should, which can build up in your system and cause gas? It sounds strange, but if you eat slower, you can better control the gas in your system.

Breaking wind releases gas from your body, which is called hydrogen, though most people think it’s called methane. This gas is almost as flammable as putting a match to fuel. Have you seen the videos where pranksters try to light their farts to see if it will catch on fire?

Sadly, many have burnt themselves because hydrogen is flammable, but it doesn’t have the potency of the gas in your car. Did you know that the size of your anal cavity can dictate how loud you flatulate? Those with larger anal openings tend to have quieter stinkers, while those with smaller ones tend to flatulate louder.

Women usually try to hold their gas in as long as possible to avoid embarrassment, but their sphincter muscles determine how long they can hold it.

This is why your dear mom or grandma might have a few slip outs when you’re around. Don’t worry if you tend to crop dust someone in the grocery store. They now make panty liners that can capture the gas and absorb it into the active charcoal layer, which means your foul smells can go undetected. So don’t hold back a fart, head for that section of the store!

What Is A Toot Anyway?

What is a fart? Gas builds up in your intestines from the air and food your body takes in. Your stomach, colon, rectum, and small intestines, are full of gaseous materials that aid in the digestion process. Only so much of this gas can be absorbed into the body, and the excess comes out in the form of a stinker.

As the gas fills into the upper part of your intestines, it puts pressure to release it on the colon wall. If you don’t dismiss this build-up, then the pressure will continue to mount. It can go as far as up into your chest area.

How many times have you heard of someone going to the hospital for chest pains only to find out they had an excessive amount of gas? Gas pains can feel as bad as those from a heart attack, and the two are easily confused.

When you flatulate, you release those gasses and bring relief to your body. Gas comes from four sources in your body; they are:

• The Foods You Eat

Some foods, like broccoli and cauliflower, have sulfur in them as they’re a cruciferous vegetable. Their high fiber content makes it difficult for the body to completely digest these veggies in the small intestines. So, undigested foods cause more significant gas content.

The flatulence from these and other similar foods often cause quite offensive gas when you release it.

• Excess Air

All-day long, you intake air into your body. When you’re talking, chewing gum, and eating, your body is intaking oxygen into your system. Did you know that carbonated beverages can also contribute to an overabundance of gas in the body?

When the body has too much air intake in the stomach and intestines, it must release it. Usually, stinkers that come from internal air won’t have such a pungent odor.

• Bacteria Overgrowth

Another reason why you pass gas is that you have an overabundance of bacteria inside the small intestines. You often see this with medical conditions such as celiac disease or irritable bowel syndrome.

• Improperly Digested Foods

Your body has trouble digesting some foods, specifically complex carbohydrates. The small intestines’ enzymes work hard to digest what you eat, but they cannot fully digest foods high in sugar and carbohydrates. The partially digested foods travel down through your colon, and the body converts it into both hydrogen and carbon dioxide.

Let Her Rip – Don’t Hold Back a Fart!

If you are embarrassed by breaking wind, you should know that it’s unhealthy to hold it back. Did you know that holding in all that excess gas can be bad for your health? Here are some common reasons why you shouldn’t feel bad about breaking wind.

1. It Feels Good When You Do Not Hold Back a Fart

Nothing feels better than to release the stomach pain and bloating that comes along with excessive gas. When you break wind, you release feel-good hormones in your system that are part of your rewards center.

So doing something as simple as tooting can make you feel better. Not to mention you’re releasing internal pressure that brings instant relief.

2. May Prevent Heart Disease

A shocking fact about how passing gas can help prevent heart disease and other severe conditions. When you smell the aroma from an unpleasant stinker, it helps repair things like mitochondrial cell damage. While the fumes of any gas can be toxic, a small amount can be beneficial.

3. It Warns You of An Underlying Issue

Did you know that your flatulence can tell you a lot about your overall health? People with bowel conditions or lactose intolerance or celiac disease can often help doctors diagnose their bloating and farting.

Excessive gas shows that the body has problems digesting food, indicating a medical problem that needs to be addressed. Additionally, a study found that people with diabetes tend to have more gas, especially if they take medications to remove excess glucose from their system.

4. You Gas Tells You Whether You’re Eating Right

Did you know that people who eat too many carbs and sugars tend to be gassier than people who eat a healthy diet? If you wonder if it’s true, then you should try to go a few days without eating any sugar and see what happens.

Additionally, those who overeat protein may have an issue with smelly gas. Your body will communicate with you when your digestive system is in trouble.

5. It Helps Stomach Pain

How many times have you heard that you need to chew your food thoroughly before you swallow it? Science supports that the first step in the digestion process begins in your mouth. Your teeth crush and chew the food to break it down so that the intestines can do the rest.

Once it’s inside the intestines, bacteria take over to break down the remaining bits. Bacteria automatically produces gas to help in this process. The gas buildup causes pain and boating that is uncomfortable and sometimes unbearable. When you release this gas, you will feel relief.

Final Thoughts on Why You Shouldn’t Hold Back a Fart

This topic tends to be one that proper people don’t talk about, and many try to hide. Yet, your body has specific functions that are part of the normal processes it needs to thrive. You usually get a lot of gas when the stool inside the colon is full, and the body is ready to release it.

Did you know that if you hold your stools, it can cause plenty of health issues? There are just some things that you don’t talk about with others, but you still need to know the importance of why these functions occur. Both good and bad things happen when you break wind.

Your body is releasing excessive gas, which makes you feel better. However, your system could be trying to warn you of a severe underlying issue that needs to be addressed. People who flatulate a lot can be consuming too much sugar or protein or have a problem like diabetes, acerbating the issue.

At the end of the day, if those around you can live with your gas, then it’s probably not an issue. Consequently, if you’re continually breaking wind and you can’t seem to control it, then it’s worth mentioning to your doctor.

Also, farts with pungent aromas can indicate a digestive issue. Since the gut and brain health connection is becoming more apparent, having a good digestive system is essential. Until science can fully explain, know it is unsuitable for your body to hold back a fart.

Researchers Reveal How Sea Otter Population Change Impacts the Climate

December 11, 2020 by Kristen Lawrence

The size of the world’s sea otter population, changing because of warming oceans, may accelerate climate change, according to scientists. Limestone reefs that have been a part of Alaskan kelp forests for centuries have started to disappear.

According to an article shared on September 10, 2o20 in Science Daily, the authors believe that predator loss and climate change contribute to the reef destruction.

The research was performed by Douglas Rasher, a senior research scientist at Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences. He led the team alongside coauthors Jim Estes from UC Santa Cruz and Bob Steneck from the University of Maine.

“We discovered that massive limestone reefs built by algae underpin the Aleutian Islands’ kelp forest ecosystem,” said Rasher. “However, these long-lived reefs are now disappearing before our eyes, and we’re looking at a collapse likely on the order of decades rather than centuries.”

How sea otters contribute to this complex ecosystem

The coral-like reefs, formed by the red alga Clathromorphum neostriatum, have started to disappear due to sea urchins. After the urchins’ prime predator, the Aleutian sea otter became nearly extinct in the 1990s. Sea urchin populations increased dramatically. Without the sea otters keeping the urchin population controlled, they have begun to ground down the kelp forests. Now, scientists have observed that the coralline algae that form the reef is disappearing as well.

How sea otters impact the sea urchin populations

The red alga Clathromorphum produces a limestone protective skeleton that wards off predators. It has formed a reef teeming with diverse sea life over hundreds of years. However, now that kelp is quickly disappearing, urchins have begun to make their way through the alga’s hard shell to eat it. Climate change has greatly contributed to this occurrence and the decline in the sea otter population.

“Ocean warming and acidification are making it difficult for calcifying organisms to produce their shells, or in this case, the alga’s protective skeleton,” said Rasher. “This critical species has now become highly vulnerable to urchin grazing – right as urchin abundance is peaking. It’s a devastating combination.”

Scientists believe the huge reefs formed by the algae have played a crucial role in the Aleutian Islands’ marine ecosystem. Based on their age and size, they believe that they supported past increases in urchin populations. During the fur trading era of the 1700s and 1800s, sea otters were hunted almost to extinction. As a result, the sea urchin population rose dramatically, but the reefs remained virtually intact.

Rasher further explains:

“During the fur trade, Clathromorphum persisted through centuries where urchins presumably abounded. However, the situation has drastically changed this time around. Our research shows that sea urchin grazing has become much more lethal in recent years due to the emergent effects of climate change.”

Because of this, the algae adds bands of growth to its calcified skeleton each year. These bands show whether sea urchin grazing happened that year or not. By looking at these polished samples under a microscope, the team discovered that they could study the forest ecosystem’s history. This showed them that urchin grazing ebbed and flowed with the cycles of sea otter populations rising and falling. It also revealed that grazing rates had increased exponentially in recent years due to rising water temperatures.

The team also did a controlled study with live Clathromorphum and urchins in a laboratory that mirrored preindustrial and current water conditions. They also tested them in conditions expected at the end of this century. After three months, the team placed the algae and urchins together to assess the urchin die-offs due to water temperature and acidity. They found that lethal urchin grazing occurred at rates of 35-60 percent greater than preindustrial times. Under future water conditions, that rate grew by 20-40 percent.

Study outcome

This data shows that the reef decline due to urchins eating away at the alga’s defense systems is directly caused by climate change. The warming oceans and loss of diversity in the ecosystem are pushing it to a critical tipping point.

“It’s well documented that humans are changing Earth’s ecosystems by altering the climate and by removing large predators, but scientists rarely study those processes together,” Rasher said. “If we had only studied the effects of climate change on Clathromorphum in the laboratory, we would have arrived at very different conclusions about the vulnerability and future of this species. Our study shows that we must view climate change through an ecological lens, or we’re likely to face many surprises in the coming years.”

How to reverse this trend

Despite the alarming discovery, the study shows how we can stop the reef destruction by addressing climate change. Of course, we must urgently address the greenhouse gas levels in our environment. This requires the effort and coordination of governments and companies worldwide. Restoring the sea otter population in Alaska can help the region to revitalize the ecosystem and slow down reef erosion.

“This is exciting because it suggests that resource managers have opportunities to manage large predators in ways that can help slow the rate with which climate change is deteriorating our natural ecosystems,” Rasher said. “In the case of Aleutian kelp forests, restoring sea otter populations would bring many ecological benefits, and would also buy us time to get our act together on curbing carbon emissions, before this foundational reef builder is lost.”

Despite the threat of climate change, it helps to know that we can do something to mitigate its effects. If we do not curb our reliance on fossil fuels, however, the resulting ocean acidification could lead to mass extinctions.

How ocean acidification could cause mass extinctions

Ocean acidification occurs due to an increase in the hydrogen ions created from the absorption of Co2. This chemical reaction changes the pH balance of the water, causing acidity to rise. It also decreases the carbonate ions and calcium carbonate saturation levels. Furthermore, the ocean absorbs less oxygen from the environment because of the increase in Co2. This imbalance makes it very difficult for marine life to survive, as they need adequate oxygen levels.

Researchers and scientists noted in 2012 that the surface water up to 4 meters down had already warmed by .13 degrees per decade over the last century. According to a groundbreaking report in 2012 by Geophysical Research Letters, the ocean absorbs heat much deeper, up to 700 feet down.

What happens due to ocean warming?

Calcium carbonate allows much marine life, including coral, plankton, oysters, and crabs, to produce and maintain their shells and skeletons. Researchers have noted a decline in coral production, oysters, and pteropods.
Coral starts to bleach and die because of higher Co2 levels. Coral allows many types of marine life to thrive and helps maintain coastal landscapes. As they continue to die off, coastlines will start to disappear. This change will cause a huge die-off of fish and other marine animals.
FDA issued a report in 2012 stating that marine and freshwater fisheries provide 4.3 billion people with 15% of their dietary protein. The warming of our oceans will lead to massive declines in fish populations and make the surviving ones unhealthy for humans to eat. This shift could pose a huge threat to food security for billions of people.
Estimated financial losses from decreased fisheries expect to range from 10s to 100s of million dollars.
Coastal regions will likely see an increase in the frequency and severity of hurricanes, flooding, and other storms. This trend could displace millions of people worldwide.
Melting Antarctic ice shelves, as well as others in the Arctic, are contributing to rising sea levels. The oceans warm up faster in the Southern Hemisphere, and along with ocean acidification, this could devastate coastal areas.
The IPCC report in 2019 shows the warming trend continuing in recent years. The report states some of the effects of climate change will still occur even if we don’t surpass the 2C warming threshold.

Figuring out how to filter carbon dioxide out of the ocean and tackling our greenhouse gas problem should be a top priority. Although we might not be able to reverse climate change completely, we can at least stall some of the devastating effects. For future generations, we must act as stewards to our planet and its inhabitants. After all, there is no Planet B (yet).

Final thoughts on how sea otter decline contributes to climate change

You wouldn’t think sea otters would affect the climate very much, but their existence keeps other parts of the ecosystem in check. The sea otter preys on urchins in Alaska, which allows the kelp forests to thrive as well. With the decline of the sea otter, the urchin population has skyrocketed, leading to diminishing kelp forests. Urchins feed on the algae in the reefs, which is causing a threat to the entire ecosystem.

Ocean warming makes it difficult for algae to produce its protective skeleton, making it vulnerable to urchin grazing. However, scientists believe that by restoring the sea otter population, the ecosystem will return to equilibrium. The ocean warming trend may continue, but we can still do our best to protect the ecosystems of the ocean.

Brave Woman Loses Weight by Changing to a Positive Mindset

December 10, 2020 by Kristen Lawrence

When someone loses weight, you probably attribute their success to diet and exercise, but mindset makes a big difference, too! Josephine Desgrand from Australia ended up losing 132 pounds in total by adopting a positive outlook. Of course, she also hit the gym and changed up her eating habits, but her newfound optimism pushed her through it.

When Josephine was 16, she reached her heaviest weight of 127 kgs, or almost 280 pounds. At that point, she realized she needed to make some serious changes, so she jumped right into a healthy lifestyle and never looked back. When someone feels that fire within and loses weight, it often ends up falling off very quickly.

“I lost in total, I’m pretty sure it was like 62 kilograms. So over 132 pounds, and that was in under 11 months! All by myself, all naturally”

Such a dramatic transformation can only happen when someone really wants to make a difference in their life. Oftentimes, it’s only by reaching our lowest point that we rise from the ashes and become our best selves. When a person loses weight, it doesn’t just change their physical appearance – they change for the better within, too.

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A post shared by Josephine Desgrand (@nolongerfatjosie) on Nov 7, 2018 at 2:59am PST

So, how did Josephine achieve such life-changing results?

“I started my fitness journey back in 2016. I was 16 years old and I was overweight,” Josephine says. “I was actually so exhausted of being overweight. I had tried so many times, so many different diets, to try and lose weight but nothing was working for me.”

She says at that time, she didn’t have the right mindset for losing weight, and hadn’t done enough research on healthy foods. So, she got to work learning all she could about food to understand what her body really needed to thrive. This served as the first stepping stone toward reaching her goals and feeling better in her own skin.

“I sat there and googled everything I could and tried to find as much information as I could.”

While she came across a lot of conflicting ideas, everyone seemed to agree on the negative health consequences of sugar and refined carbohydrates. So, she cut those out of her diet right away.

“So I started seeing results pretty much immediately. The first few weeks I could see a massive difference.”

Josephine decided not to weigh herself as she continued shedding pounds, but rather use before and after pictures to track progress.

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A post shared by Josephine Desgrand (@nolongerfatjosie) on Nov 3, 2018 at 5:59pm PDT

“At the end of two weeks or after a week I would compare my two photos, my beginning photo and my current photo, and I could see the minor little differences,” she said. “I would do that every couple of weeks and I would see so much change, and the first six weeks I lost 15 kilograms!”

That equates to around 33 pounds, which came from tweaking minor things about her lifestyle. Cutting out sugar, paying attention to the foods she ate, and getting regular exercise contributed to the weight loss. Of course, when someone loses weight, keeping up these good habits becomes a challenge. However, if you look at exercising and eating healthy as “treating yourself,” this mindset shift could make all the difference.

It’s all in the positivity

Most people view working out and choosing healthy foods as boring or restrictive. If you look at fitness as drudgery, you will have a hard time sticking to it long-term. However, if you choose to see the lifestyle change as something beneficial to your mind and body, you’ll want to keep at it.

As Josephine said, a positive mindset helped her stay on track and remain motivated to continue losing weight. She knew she didn’t feel good carrying around excess weight, but she had to shift her perspective to start seeing results. If you want to achieve any goal in life, it all begins within your own mind. Positive mantras and affirmations can greatly help you to realize your potential and move forward in life.

Just think how much you can accomplish in a year if you just get started today. You don’t have to go from sitting on the couch to running a marathon right away, either. Simply take that first step – sign up for a gym membership, cut out foods you know make you feel bad, or walk around your neighborhood. Every little step will take you in the direction you want to go.

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A post shared by Josephine Desgrand (@nolongerfatjosie) on Oct 5, 2018 at 1:54am PDT

“Today is my 2 year anniversary of the day I decided to change my life. I remember just clearly thinking, this is it – I am going to do this. I took control myself. I knew that it was me, and only me, that could make this change. I lost 60kg in 11 months and have maintained for just over a year. The biggest advice I can give is just keep going. Don’t give up. The time will pass anyway, so spend it creating the life you want. It’s your choice.”

Final thoughts on how someone loses weight through positive thinking

We all feel stuck sometimes in life, but only you can decide to take the reigns and make a difference for yourself. Don’t feel like you have to lose weight or look a certain way for anyone but yourself, either. If you compare yourself to other people’s journey, you’ll always feel inadequate. Just try to become better than the person you were yesterday, and you’ll inspire others in the process.

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A post shared by Josephine Desgrand (@nolongerfatjosie) on Aug 6, 2018 at 12:44am PDT

“Same girl, completely different life. It took me a long time to believe I could do it, but if you change your mind, you will change your body. I feel so proud seeing the results of my hard work and effort. Make the change. You got this.”

Experts Reveal 4 Ways To Access Your Mind’s Incredible Capabilities

December 10, 2020 by Lakeisha Ethans

Are you hoping to learn how to access your mind and harness its incredible power?

The brain is a mighty organ, capable of all sorts of amazing things. Sadly, most people will never get to reach the full potential of their minds, leaving a lot of that power to waste away and go untouched.

If you want to use all of your brain’s abilities, you need to know how to unlock those parts of it. Here’s how experts reveal 4 ways to access your mind’s incredible capabilities.

1. Lead Into Thought Productively

A lot of potential in the human brain goes unlocked because the brain naturally compares itself to what is common, not the very best that it can do. To change how the brain naturally begins to think of the world at bare-minimum or barely-above-minimum levels, you need to learn new ways of leading yourself into thought.

Essentially, if you don’t begin your thought process productively, you’ll wind up not being able to gain as much from your brain’s processing. Here are ways to unlock its capabilities more healthily by getting a better start, as explained by executive coach, neuroscientist, and author Dr. Robert Cooper:

· Pause

Your brain has a series of “default” settings that it immediately jumps into when confronted with a problem. You need to stop those settings from taking over before you get carried away with them. Before you allow yourself to react to difficulties, hurdles, opportunities, and challenges, intentionally take a pause. You just need a second of stopped time to dial back your brain and override it with some manual processing. Insert the delay and let yourself catch your bearings before moving forward.

· Be Curious First

In the practice of neuroscience, curiosity is actually something called the “need for cognition.” It refers to the desire to learn, know, and discover something in reaction to stimuli. Your curiosity is crucial in the adjustment of your brain, activating it to focus on learning over simply observing.

· Understand Why You’re Engaging Your Mind

It seems a little silly, but it will be hard to fully immerse yourself in a task without any purpose or meaning to your actions. Instead of thinking about extrinsic sources of motivation, like impressing your peers, think of intrinsic desire. What are your goals? What do you want to achieve? And why is an active, engaged mind so important for that purpose? Remember, life is about bettering yourself on your own terms and caring about your own opinions most. Keep your personal values and dreams in mind when you approach new, difficult, or fascinating situations and predicaments.

2. Seek New Experiences to Access Your Mind

Have you ever noticed that famous “geniuses” or inventive minds like Albert Einstein and Leonardo da Vinci were all skilled in many different life areas? That’s because part of unlocking your mind’s potential and capabilities is exercising all areas of it, including ones you previously didn’t bother sharpening.

Cognitive neuroscience and psychology researcher Andrea Kuszewski, who works with the VORTEX Research Institute and writes about these topics, says that geniuses always look for novel and new things to learn and try. It’s a part of who they are and what makes them so brilliant.

This is because the act of seeking new things allows your brain to form new synaptic connections that continue to build upon each other over time, creating even more connections and boosting neural power. This means your ability to learn gets stronger with each new thing you pick up. It’s called neural plasticity, and studies have found that this is one of the key signs of intelligence.

Here are some recommended ways to boost your neural plasticity through the regular learning of novel activities:

· Take A New Route To Familiar Places

Most days involve a semblance of routine that makes it hard to find novel experiences. But you can create new things for your brain to learn by opting to try using different roads and shortcuts to get to your usual destinations. The brain can gain a lot of power and reveal many of its capabilities from this kind of positive learning!

· Expand Your Vocabulary

Research states that many parts of the brain are involved in learning vocabulary, including auditory and visual processing centers. Try reading more complicated works of writing and keeping a log of words you aren’t familiar with. Each day, pick one of those words to try and use five times throughout the day!

· Learn A New Language

A step up from just broadening vocabulary, this practice can provide positive benefits to multiple different cognitive factors. Bilingual people often have better visual-spatial skills, improved memory, and increased creativity levels. It can also help with switching between tasks and delaying cognitive degeneration in old age.

· Pick Up A New Skill

There are countless options for new skills that you can learn. You can start small with skills closely related to ones you already know, or you can opt to really challenge yourself with something out of your comfort zone. Either way, you’ll be boosting memory and providing positive space for your brain’s potential to break free!

3. Access Your Mind Through the Creative Process

Creativity does not necessarily refer to doing tasks related to the arts. Instead, it refers to creative cognition and creative thinking. But what, exactly, is creative cognition? Simply put, it is a form of divergent thinking that involves making associations between ideas, using cognitive flexibility to bounce between conventional and unconventional thinking forms. This also means using both sides of your brain at once.

According to Psychology of Abilities, Competencies, and Expertise Center founder Dr. Robert Sternberg, who works in research relating to maximizing intelligence, abilities are flexible, not fixed. This means that anyone can learn new skills to change to abilities, change to competencies, and finally master into expertise. Abilities can all be modified and adapted to different circumstances, creatively applied to new situations.

Of course, this does not mean that traditional forms of creativity are not equally important to your brain’s development. Rather, you should seek to balance multiple creativity types in your everyday life if you want to access the best capabilities of your mind. Here are the four kinds of positive creativity to tap into:

· Deliberate, Cognitive Creativity

This form of creativity involves collecting information about a specific subject and mixing it with all the skills you have to apply them and reach a goal. It’s most common as a feature in people who are exceptionally skilled in one area. It’s excellent for problem-solving, research, experimentation, and investigation, usually using the brain’s prefrontal cortex.

· Deliberate, Emotional Creativity

This form of creativity involves the intentional influence of emotion over productivity and progress. Those proficient in this form of creativity are often sensitive, emotional, and introverted, though they can still make decisions in logical and sensible manners as required. It’s a good mix of emotional thought with rational action that utilizes the brain’s cingulate cortex and amygdala. You’ve probably experienced this type of creativity when you have sudden moments of insight or ideas.

· Spontaneous, Cognitive Creativity

The best way to envision what this type of creativity can be is by thinking of Isaac Newton, who had a moment of sudden discovery when an apple fell on his head, and he thought of the law of gravity. This kind of creativity involves a revelation that occurs during rest after you’ve spent a long period of time agonizing over a solution to a problem without success. Essentially, it means you have sufficient knowledge, but you need a little more inspiration before you find the eureka moment. Honing this kind of creativity involves knowing when to take a break and trust that your subconscious knowledge will find its way to you.

· Spontaneous, Emotional Creativity

Most people call this kind of creativity an epiphany. It occurs when you have the same sudden revelation from the aforementioned kind of creativity and emotional variety. It’s what causes innovation and new ideas out of nowhere. It’s responsible for philosophical discoveries, scientific breakthroughs, and enlightened solutions viewed in brand new ways. They’re great discoveries and are best honed through the sharpening of artistic creativity and abstract thinking.

4. Get In Touch With Your Body

A healthy body makes a healthy mind of positive thinking. If you want to increase and access your brain’s capabilities, you need to be at peace with your body. So how can you make your mind one with yourself? Here are some ideas!

· Meditate

Meditation is undoubtedly one of the best ways to unlock your brain’s potential. It increases positive thinking, fine-tunes processing and memory, and helps you stay present and grounded. Try doing meditation daily, even if it’s just for ten minutes while you’re on the train. Over time, you can increase this duration as needed!

· Engage Your Senses

Try to engage multiple senses at once – if not all five – in the activities you do. This may have positive effects on your brain’s strength and will help keep you mindful and grounded at the moment. Pay attention to the world around you and how your senses interact with it!

· Practice Tai-Chi

Tai-chi is a wonderful form of exercise with numerous health benefits that only get more useful as you age. According to studies, long-term practice of it can actually alter brain structure and processing, leading to a larger volume of brain overall!

· Dance

Dancing is a great way to learn how your body naturally flows. According to the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control, the act of dancing – especially when you’re learning dance moves – boosts your memory, speed, and processing ability. So learn some choreography online, join a dance class, or just start grooving to some music and inventing moves as you go!

· Keep Your Body Healthy

Your brain will suffer if your body isn’t in good shape. Eat a balanced diet, often exercise, get enough sleep, and keep yourself free of substances like alcohol, cigarettes, and drugs.

Final Thoughts On Some Ways To Access Your Mind’s Incredible Capabilities

No one can deny the power of the mind, and it’s a true shame that so many people waste the potential that it holds. Don’t let that be you! Start trying to access your mind’s incredible capabilities today!

Therapists Reveal 10 Positive Affirmations To Uplift Your Spirit

December 10, 2020 by Lakeisha Ethans

Do you need to uplift your spirit? Try giving yourself a little pep talk.

Positive affirmations are specific statements that you are meant to say to yourself. The idea is that saying these affirmations will subconsciously program your brain to believe them, thus allowing you to manifest the subject of your affirmations effectively.

Some scoff at the idea, but it has a scientific basis! When you’re feeling down, who better to talk you back up again than yourself? But how do you make positive affirmations? What words and sentences suit the task? Here’s how therapists reveal 10 positive affirmations to uplift your spirit.

1. I recognize and appreciate my many good qualities

This affirmation reminds you of the things you are capable of and is a fantastic way to boost your self-esteem. Instead of focusing on the negative, it encourages you to turn your attention to your positive qualities, reminding you that you are more than just your setbacks.

This affirmation is recommended by mind-master coach and trainer Carolina Rushforth. She discusses how improving personal image and self-esteem requires:

Changing how you interact with others and yourself
Changing the voice with which you speak to yourself
Believing in yourself
Living by your values and beliefs
Doing your best and recognizing that you do

Using affirmations like “I recognize and appreciate my many good qualities” helps you interact with yourself with personal power. You’re sending a message to your unconscious mind: you are worthy.

2. This one moment does not define who I am. I believe in myself and am not afraid to keep going

Do you have anxiety or depression? Cognitive distortions and overgeneralizations are common in individuals who struggle with the aforementioned disorders. Research proves that these problems can further exacerbate themselves, creating a cycle of unhealthy thinking.

One widespread way that this manifests is through exaggeration. Upon experiencing one negative moment, you may immediately feel horrified and start to catastrophize, losing your positive thinking. That’s why it’s important to remind yourself that this one situation will pass and is not a representation of who you are.

A longer affirmation, this inspiring affirmation is adapted from the recommendations of psychologist Catherine Moore. Other similar affirmations you can use in this vein include:

I have come so far and am proud of myself, and I will keep going.
This moment is isolated and is not a reflection of the larger world. Things will improve from here.
I am stronger than this situation; I will emerge victoriously.

3. I am strong, brave, and powerful, and I am always becoming stronger

Many times, you may feel small or as if the world is too much for you. You may feel as if you aren’t worthy of that world, especially if you are often talked down or treated as lesser-than. And if you are a highly sensitive person, you may feel that pressure keenly. Saying that you are powerful, strong, and courageous and emphasizing how your power grows is a great way to bring back the pep in your step and boost your positive thinking, reducing stress even in difficult situations.

This affirmation comes at the author’s recommendation, certified life coach and Live Bold and Bloom founder Barrie Davenport. She talks about using the present tense in your affirmations as a method of manifesting something in the present. This language tells your brain that the affirmation won’t just become real but is already happening now.

4. I love who I am and who I am becoming

This affirmation is rooted in concepts of cognitive-behavioral therapy, or CBT, specifically positive CBT. Positive CBT focuses heavily on improving wellbeing without a focus on pathology and without the need for treating specific disorders. It also focuses on amplifying your own strengths and making you more aware of them, which is exactly what this affirmation does.

Behavioral neuroscience research and psychologist Joaquín Selva states that this form of CBT is often used to treat depression and other similar disorders. It is also commonly used in conjunction with more traditional treatments for various conditions, and it’s been shown to benefit many patients undergoing it!

5. I am safe and calm, and no one can disturb the peace of my world.

This affirmation is a great one for those who deal with anxiety. Often, anxious thoughts are filled with rumination, which is a series of repetitive negative thoughts that begin to control and consume you. Studies have found that using positive affirmations can halt rumination in its tracks, which is a great one to try.

Moore recommends using affirmations like this one when you feel stressed out, worried, or anxious, even if you don’t usually find yourself susceptible to nervousness. As you use the affirmation, make sure you regulate your breathing. Take soothing, deep breasts slowly and steadily, attuning yourself to the patterns of inhalation and exhalation. Here are some ideas for similar anxiety-busting affirmations:

My anxiety does not control my actions or my life; I am in control.
I feel serene and peaceful within.
I’m liberated from doubt, fear, and worry.
I recognize irrationality in my thoughts and stop them.
I breathe deeply with collected and calm thoughts.

6. I hold the infinite potential to conquer my challenges and succeed

This affirmation is a great way to manifest your strengths into fruition. Intuitive psychologist, relationship expert, and author Dr. Carmen Harra states that affirmations like this are wonderful to affirm ambitions and dreams, thus empowering yourself with confidence and reassurance to turn those affirmations into reality.

Harra also talks about how affirmations, just like exercise and rewards, help to produce positive hormones in the body, leading to better responses to situations and challenges overall. It’s a way of saying “no” to fear and putting power into your hands, which is truly incredible!

7. I am equipped with humility to be open to learning and growth

For those who find themselves stagnating in their current personal progress, this affirmation helps you be humble enough to ask questions and learn from those around you. It’s important to remember that every single person you meet has the potential to teach you something important, and you’ll miss out on those things if you’re too proud to learn from them. That’s why this affirmation can be so useful for self-improvement!

Well-being technology expert and consultant Tchiki Davis, Ph.D., outlines the importance of using positive affirmations that focus on the solution instead of the problem. In other words, if you phrased this affirmation as “I am not too proud to learn,” that might backfire because your brain is focusing on something inherently negative: pride. Basically, state improvements and goals, not the bad things that lead to the need for the affirmations in the first place.

8. I form healthy habits that further uplift me

This affirmation sounds generic, but it can be specific if you speak its energy into certain areas of your life. We all have habits that we wish we could work on, and this affirmation may help you get there.

Therapist and clinical psychologist Dr. Angele Close discusses the importance of making positive affirmations about experiences, not goals. If you focus on talking about specific things you need to stop or start doing, you’re creating statements that sound like chores instead of the aforementioned affirmation. That’s not very encouraging at all! Here are some examples of goal-based affirmations that you should not use.

I will exercise every day.
I will stop watching TV at 10 pm.
I’ll lose 5 pounds.
I will learn to knit.

9. I can do this (gain confidence + uplift your spirit)

This very simple-sounding affirmation is effective purely because of its simplicity. Licensed clinical social worker and board-certified TeleMental Health Provider Katie Leikam is a huge proponent of this affirmation. When you doubt yourself, it’s a great quick reminder to reaffirm that you are the person with power, in control, with the ability to do what must be done, she says.

This type of quick, short affirmation is useful for in-the-moment necessity. For example, you might use it when the following events occur:

Getting the jitters before a performance or presentation
Facing a difficult conversation with someone
Finding yourself losing hope in the face of a complicated situation

If you’re choosing daily affirmations to say in the morning, you will likely benefit from something more specific that branches off this general idea.

For example, you’ll uplift your spirit with these sentences:

I have the qualities necessary for success.
My confidence soars as I recognize my self-worth.
I am an indestructible powerhouse.
I’m full of all the energy I need to conquer the day.
I can do anything that I set my mind to.
I welcome challenges and meet them with strength and capability.
I’m the best at my job.

10. I breathe in positivity and exhale negativity

This affirmation is one to do along with focused breath, which is a powerful tool to uplift your spirit. Licensed clinical marriage and family therapist Tracie Strucker, Ph.D., states that it’s a great way to use your breath and mindfulness to release stress, tension, and other negative emotions, replacing it with more positive things.

This is especially useful for those who have trouble with affirmations, to begin with. When you anchor the affirmation to a physical action or two, it becomes more solid and real in your mind, making it more likely to be effective.

Eventually, enough uses of affirmations in conjunction with breathing exercises will begin to automatically make the affirmations for you when you take a steadying breath. In other words, you may reach a point where taking deep breaths immediately reminds your brain of the affirmation you’ve used! Other breathing-based affirmations include:

I breathe in peace and exhale stress.
I breathe in optimism and exhale pessimism.
I’ll breathe out anger and hatred and replace it with love and kindness.

Final Thoughts On Some Positive Affirmations To Uplift Your Spirit

Positive affirmations are powerful. Of course, the more you tell yourself positive things, the more your brain will recognize and apply those statements. The marvels of the brain allow these things to come to fruition. Even if you fake that positivity, you’ll still get some benefits, as your mind will register your words as truth regardless.

So try adding positive affirmations to your daily routine! You might be surprised by how much you uplift your spirit.

7 Things Happen to Your Body When You Chew Too Much Gum

December 9, 2020 by Power of Positivity

What brings out the child in everyone more than a piece of chewing gum? Not only is it tasty, but it can freshen your breath, and you can use it to blow bubbles too. However, can this iconic confection be doing you more harm than good?

When you pop this chewy candy in your mouth, have you ever considered its history behind it? Bubblegum has only been around since the late 19th century. However, people all over the world have chewed on naturally gummy substances for thousands of years.

The first thing people chewed for taste and medicinal reasons was tar from various plants and trees. Archeologists have found evidence of Europeans chewing on birch resin to freshen their breath and to relieve toothaches. Ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans also chewed on barks and resins for the same reason.

The Mayan culture is rich with discoveries that were advanced for their time. One of the many things they discovered centuries ago was chicle. This gummy substance comes from the native sapodilla tree. According to records, Mayans kept a wad of chicle in their mouth to stave hunger and thirst for a while.

The Aztecs’ cousins also used chicle and even set a code of manners about chewing it. It wasn’t long after the European invasions that chicle was introduced to the countries of Europe. Natives of North America chewed resin from spruce trees and introduced it to the European colonists.

Modern Chewing Gum

Taking from the Native American tradition of chewing spruce resins, John Curtis established the first official factory in Portland, Maine, in 1840. The product didn’t go over well with the public since it tended to get brittle and didn’t taste good. Other chewing gum inventors across the country tried to invent a product that would be tasty and would stay soft and chewy.

When inventor Tom Adams of New York was introduced to the Mexican chicle, he decided it would be a better chewing ingredient than spruce resin. His product had a pleasant taste and wouldn’t get brittle when people chewed it. By the late 1880s, his company was producing bubblegum for stores across the country.

The godfather of the industry was a salesman named William Wrigley, Jr. After having success selling soap and baking powder, Wrigley went into the bubblegum business. He invented two classic flavors that are still popular today.

The Advent of Real Bubblegum

However, these products were only meant to chew and really couldn’t produce bubbles. Fleer, another bubblegum company, wanted a product that people could chew and blow real bubbles. In 1928, Fleer produced the first authentic bubblegum, and people across the world have been blowing and popping bubbles ever since.

At first, these chewing sticks were flavored with mint or cinnamon to freshen people’s breath and perhaps calm a queasy stomach. When bubblegum was invented, it was mixed with a cocktail of artificial fruity flavors that created its imitable “bubblegum” taste. Its iconic pink color was to make it more appealing to consumers, especially children.

Bubblegum in Pop Culture

Everyone has a favorite brand of bubblegum. You probably grew up chewing a particular brand and stuck with it throughout adulthood. Maybe you had contests with your friends to see who could blow a giant bubble.

Bubblegum has played a considerable role in American pop culture. It’s been represented in music, art, books, and media. You probably remember the classic children’s hands play rhyme, “Bubblegum, bubblegum in a dish, how many pieces do you wish?” Bubblegum was a favorite among the cool kids of the 1950s, as well as barhops and waitresses.

It became such a fad that many schools made rules against having bubblegum in class. It was often taboo for adults to chew in public because people said it looks like a cow chewing its cud. The infamous bubblegum under the seats and tables was the pet peeve of many custodians and cleaning staff.

Is Bubblegum Bad for You?

The benefits and risks of chewing bubblegum have been an ongoing debate. Most people chew on bubblegum all day and don’t think about it. Maybe you wouldn’t think of going to work or out on a date without a breath-freshening stick of this chewy candy.

Yes, chewing gum may help you avoid cravings when you are trying to diet. Many people have successfully quit smoking by using bubblegum to nix their cravings. Plus, it’s always handy to have a stick of bubblegum to freshen your breath after a spicy meal with onions or garlic.

If you consider sugarless bubblegum, it can have some benefits. If you are dining out and can’t brush your teeth afterward, a stick of bubblegum can help clean your teeth. The chewing action and stickiness of the bubblegum can remove small particles of food before they turn into harmful plaque.

Seven Risks of Chewing Too Much Bubblegum:

Bubblegum is certainly a healthier alternative to chewing tobacco or snuff. However, some healthcare experts point out that chewing bubblegum can pose some health problems. Here are seven things that can happen to your body if you chew too much gum.

1. Bubblegum is Loaded with Sugar

Are you craving something sweet, and you don’t have anything on hand? Just pop a stick of bubblegum in your mouth, and it can satisfy your sweet tooth. However, the extra sugar your chewy treat has isn’t good for your health. Dentists warn that chewing too much sugary bubblegum can cause tooth decay and disease.

Although most bubblegum brands range in about 11 calories a stick, those calories can add up if you chew several pieces a day. Additionally, the extra sugar in your mouth can make you crave more sugar. When you start eating more sugary snacks, it can lead to obesity and other health issues.

2. Artificial Sweeteners

Some bubblegum companies got the big idea to use artificial sweeteners in their products to appease dentists and other healthcare professionals. They hoped that the public would try their “sugar-free” products and wouldn’t worry about sugar anymore. One company boldly advertised that dentists recommended their sugar-free product to patients who chewed bubblegum.

You may feel good about kicking the extra sugar when you chew sugarless bubblegum. However, artificial sweeteners are a risk factor of their own. Countless studies about the health dangers of artificial sweeteners can’t be ignored. Some experts say that sugar may be safer than artificial sweeteners.

3. Jaw Disorders

If ever your teeth and jawbone got a workout, chewing bubblegum would do it. As soon as you put the fruity or minty stick in your mouth, you can chew on it for hours. Such a lengthy workout may not be healthy for your jawbones.

Many people who are bubblegum addicts often develop pain in their jawbones, especially in the joints connected to the skull. These joints, called your temporomandibular joints, can get inflamed and painful from injury or repetitive motion. You can also develop muscle fatigue in your jaw and mouth.

4. Headaches

Do you have unexplainable headaches during the day? Your bubblegum chewing habit may be the blame. You may be one of the many people who chew bubblegum when stressed.

Constant and heavy chewing can not only affect muscles in your jaw and mouth, but it can cause tension in your head and neck. The result can be a tension headache that will only get worse with chewing. It’s a point worth considering when you talk to your primary healthcare provider.

5. Tooth Decay

Many bubblegum products remain full of sugar, and some products have a blend of sugar and artificial sweeteners. However, chewing sugary bubble gum can wear your tooth enamel and cause decay and cavities. Sugar also creates a haven for harmful bacteria that’s responsible for dental issues.

6. Tooth Deformities

Do you want to wreck a smile that your parents paid thousands of dollars for back when you got braces? Chronic bubblegum chewing can potentially cause tooth deformities, especially if you only chew on one side. It can cause your molars to misalign and affect your entire smile.

7. Chewing Bubblegum Can Interfere with Healthy Eating Habits

Since sugary gum is a candy, what are children more likely to choose, a healthy snack or candy? Instead of getting the satisfying crunch and nutrients from fruit and veggies, you may reach for a stick of bubblegum. A diet lacking in fruit and vegetables can lead to malnutrition, obesity, or other eating disorders.

Final Thoughts on Chewing Gum

Enjoying a stick of bubblegum is engrained in our culture. However, it’s important to remember to do it in moderation, especially with the brands that contain sugar. If you crave something tasty to chew, why not reach for a carrot or celery stick one in a while for the extra vitamins.

12 Red Flags Reveal Your Partner Struggles With Toxic Jealousy

December 9, 2020 by Power of Positivity

Does your partner have a problem with toxic jealousy? You may have seen red flags in the beginning, but you chose to ignore them because you thought you met “the one.” Now that the sexual chemistry has faded, you’re wondering how you didn’t see all the toxic behaviors that were staring you right in the face.

When you’re with a person that makes you feel less than, sad, and even angry at times, it’s hard to find the courage to let go and move on. Don’t think that this person will change or that you can alter their behaviors. The reality is that they will never change unless they are willing to go through some intensive therapy.

Sadly, the person who will change will be you. Once you spend time with someone who tears you down and is always jealous of your every move, it does something to your psyche. Thankfully, you don’t have to settle for such a relationship as there are people out there that will healthily love you without jealousy involved.

Signs Your Partner Has Issues with Toxic Jealousy

Many people think that they must settle because they have flaws. It doesn’t matter if you’re poor or have millions in the bank. Your body size doesn’t matter, nor does how many children you have or what religion you are affiliated with when it comes to true love.

When you’re in a toxic relationship, they tear your self-esteem down so that you don’t believe that anyone else will ever want you. Thankfully, this is not true, and you can and will find true love. Here are the most common red flags that people see but ignore, but you don’t have to settle for this anymore!

1. Uses Derogatory Language Towards You or An Entire Gender

There is nothing worse than to hear someone down an entire gender. The behavior of this nature is often observed with misogynistic people. A guy may be mad at the woman at the drive-thru window for messing up his order, and he may call all women a derogatory term because of her mistake.

This would be disrespectful to you and your family. A woman wouldn’t care to call out men who tick her off either. The problem is that this person feels powerless around this gender, which means they could be potentially dangerous to you. Degrading and suppressing an entire group is never acceptable.

2. Monitors Social Media

Toxic jealousy can get to the level of absolute insanity. You may be required to hand over your phone when you get home from work if they ever allow you to work outside the home.

They may monitor your social media pages for instant messages and other communication. You have no freedom whatsoever, and they are frequently on guard for any sign that you’re cheating or lying to them.

3. Wants to Know Where You Are Every Minute of The Day

You have a schedule, and you better stick to it. If you’re even ten minutes late coming home from work, you know that you will have plenty of questions to answer. If you alleviate your schedule, they see this as the possibility that you are either cheating or plotting to leave them.

4. Yells And/or Becomes Violent During Arguments

Have you learned that you must avoid arguments because they escalate to a dangerous place? While many people think of men as abusive, both verbally and physically, it’s not always the case. Women can be just as violent as men, but men usually don’t speak about such things as the stigma attached to it.

Even the smallest of arguments between you two seem to escalate. They may call you names, become hotheaded, and you’re afraid they will hit you. The chances are when they have such an explosive temper that they will eventually resort to violence.

5. They’re Very Opinionated About Everything

There are many opinionated people in this world. However, their opinions go far beyond your appearance and into your preferences. They may try to dictate what movies you can watch, the restaurants you can eat, and what you can or cannot buy at the grocery store.

The toxic personality type likes routine, so if you suggest doing something new or unfamiliar, they may explode. This person has significant control issues, but you must understand that some of this control comes from a lack of security. They’re afraid that you’re going to find someone else, so they try to keep a tight rein on you. You are the only thing in their life that they feel they can control.

6. Avoids Your Family and Friends

Remember, toxic jealousy stems from insecurity problems. They don’t want you around your family or friends because they fear that they may try to get you to leave. They also don’t want all the secrets about your relationship to come to the forefront.

The truth is that you can do better, and you should leave. You don’t have to live like this as it will only get worse.

7. There Are Specifically Defined Roles in The Bedroom

The insecure person doesn’t like to change things up in the bedroom. They may not even want to discuss intimacy. They usually have defined roles on what a man and woman should and shouldn’t do when making love.

If you suggest anything outside the normal realms, they may be very offended. Additionally, some men believe that women who want to try new things are a dirty person or a “slut.”

8. Has Horrible Mood Fluctuations

You don’t know from one day to the next what kind of mood your partner will have. You’ve become so used to playing the game of whether they are Dr. Jekyll or Mr. Hyde that you are used to their bipolar tendencies. Sadly, you walk on eggshells because you’re afraid that anything you do might set them off.

9. Strong Opinions on How You Should Dress

Does your partner have strong opinions about the way you dress? They may think your jeans are too tight or your shirt is too low. Some people even get angry when a woman puts on too much makeup as they feel that she may be trying to entice another man.

It’s okay for your partner to have preferences regarding how you look, as there are some things that everybody finds attractive. However, the toxic personality will be upset if you don’t dress or look a certain way. When they point out things they don’t like, they will be angry if you don’t change it to appease their jealous tendencies.

This person is emotionally invested in you not as a person but as an object. Your nobody’s possession that is on display. They view you as an extension of themselves and not an individual with free will.

10. Complains About Parents and Raisings

Guys have mommy issues, and girls often have daddy problems. The toxic jealously might extend from issues with how they were raised. If they had an abusive mother who drank and had a substance abuse problem, then this guy might see that all women are bad and out to hurt him.

A woman who had a father that was both verbally and physically abusive might cast that negative view of her dad onto all men. This sort of ugly blaming is nothing more than holding grudges from childhood, and it’s toxic. You could potentially have a physically abusive nightmare on your hands.

11. They’re Easily Offended

Forget joking around or trying to make this person laugh. They are typically easily offended by any foolery. Remember, this person is very insecure, and they take themselves too seriously.

12. They’re A Different Person with Friends Than with You

When you’re out with your friends, your partner is the life of the party. They may laugh, tell jokes, and act like the best person ever. However, when you’re alone, you see a vastly different side that no one else sees.

Some people are awkward, reserved, and sit in stony silence when they’re out in a crowd on the flip side. They feel emotionally insecure being in larger groups as they cannot control the situation. It’s also possible that they don’t like a position where they’re not the center of attention.

Final Thoughts on Toxic Jealousy

Toxic jealousy stems from a deep-rooted issue that needs intensive treatment. In most cases, you will find someone who has a grudge against the past and is taking out their frustrations and insecurities on you. The longer you stay in this toxic relationship, the worse things will become.

Usually, these personality types escalate as their insecurities and fears mount. Mainly, they are insecure about you leaving them behind and finding someone new. Toxic jealousy is challenging to deal with daily, and you don’t have to live this way anymore. You must love yourself enough to leave.

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