Page 488

10 Everyday Moments You Should Never Take For Granted

November 27, 2020 by Lakeisha Ethans

The life we live often goes by so quickly that we forget to be grateful. We’re so busy with our tasks and worlds that we take so many different things for granted.

But if you were to stop and think about it, you’d realize just how many amazing things you’re missing because you don’t stop to appreciate them. Here are 10 everyday moments you should never take for granted.

1. Positive Physical Contact

Not everyone is comfortable with physical contact, but the forms you are comfortable with should never be taken for granted. Not only are hugs from loved ones simply lovely to receive, but even pats on the back and high-fives from friends and acquaintances give you a boost of positive thinking.

Hugs and other forms of close physical contact release a feel-good hormone called oxytocin. The support you receive results in not just better mood from the oxytocin but also pain reduction and mental strength, according to studies. Here are some more benefits of hugs and physical contact!

Better social support
Reduced fear and anxiety
Reduced stress
Better communication
Higher immunity
More positive cardiovascular health

2. Finishing A To-Do List

In today’s world, everything is fast-paced. Days are always busy, and life comes at you fast. Your daily activities involve the hustle and bustle, and sometimes, it can all feel overwhelming.

But when you finally check off the final item on your to-do list, the wave of accomplishment that follows should be celebrated! Just because it’s something you have to do doesn’t mean you shouldn’t appreciate it. Give yourself a pat on the back and a routine reward – like a relaxing bath, reading a chapter of a good book, having a piece of dark chocolate, or watching an episode of a favorite show!

When you don’t express thankfulness to yourself for accomplishing your tasks for the day, you’re setting yourself up for monotonous boredom. Make this success something to look forward to! And if you haven’t made a schedule or don’t make to-do lists, consider turning them into a habit. Here are some benefits of doing so:

You can hold yourself accountable.
Everything becomes more orderly.
You don’t forget anything.
You’ll experience less stress.
You can delegate more easily.
You get to be more productive in the long run.
You’ll improve and grow.

3. Internet Access

Internet access is so normal in today’s technologically advanced world that we often forget to be grateful for it. The days of rushing to the library or asking as many people as you knew for answers are long gone. According to industry analysts, the internet has transformed how we seek out specialized information, such as exploring the beste Buchmacher ohne Oasis im Vergleich for offshore gambling options. Everything is at your fingertips. It’s truly amazing, but it’s so normal that you might take it for granted. Here are some things to be thankful for about the internet:

A wealth of information, constantly at your fingertips
The ability to stay in touch with distant friends
Syncing technology means you never lose your files
Finding a community of people who share your interests
Being able to do virtually everything from home

4. Kindness – Even Of Those You Will Never See

Kindness and compassion are beautiful. A world without these acts would be cold, empty, and broken. How many people’s lives have been bettered or even saved by compassion? How often have you been cheered up by someone’s kindness?

Imagine that none of that kindness ever existed. It isn’t very comforting to think about. As a society, human beings have grown to love and care for each other. We’ve learned to be selfless and helpful. That’s something we should always appreciate and never take for granted. Around the world, people are helping each other. Here are some acts of kindness to both do and appreciate from others:

Smiling at someone
Holding open the door for someone
Giving someone a compliment
Buy a busy friend, a drink, or a snack.
Volunteer with a charity or donate to them

Need a reason to perform acts of kindness? Well, studies suggest that doing these things reduces depression and boosts positive thinking. As such, your capacity for kindness is something you shouldn’t take for granted, either!

5. Access To Basic Necessities

The necessities that you receive every day are ones that keep you alive. While they are basic human rights, it’s also fair to not take them for granted. At any moment, your life could be uprooted, and you could lose access to them due to situations outside of your control. This isn’t meant to catastrophize, but more so to encourage you to understand better why this shouldn’t be taken for granted:

· Clean Water

Did you know that 780 million people worldwide do not have safe drinking water that they can access? That’s one big reason to think in positive ways that this is something easily available to you! You have clean water to drink, cook with, shower with, and clean with.

· Food

Food is more than just eating for sustenance alone. It’s nourishing and flavorful, and there are many things about food that you can appreciate. Don’t take your tasty and healthy food options for granted, and don’t take the fact that you can eat all your square meals for granted, either!

· A Roof Over Your Head

Your home protects you from the elements. It may not be perfect, but it’s outfitted to keep you alive. Think of all the harsh weather you’ve seen and how difficult it would be if you didn’t have that roof. It’s not something to take for granted, especially if you’re able to decorate it and turn it into a home, not just a house.

6. Contributing To The World With Your Work

Every day you work, you have the chance not just to be productive but also to share your efforts with those around you. The work you do matters and affects other people. Even if you have a “normal,” “boring,” or unassuming job, what you’re doing means something. Jobs don’t exist for no reason, after all.

When you work, you display your character and your strength. Each day gives you a chance to show off what you can do. It adds purpose and career goals and helps you shape the future that you want. It can transform your life, and anything that powerful to you should never be taken for granted.

7. Health

You don’t have to be the perfect picture of health to be grateful for what your body and mind can do. Sickness is a part of life, and chronic illness – be it physical or mental – isn’t a sign of lesser worth in the slightest.

Your body is an amazing marvel that carries you through all your best and worst days. It’s gotten you through every single ordeal alive, and it keeps ticking and ticking away. That’s something worth celebrating, appreciating, and even thanking yourself for. Think of all the things you can do with your body – running, writing, holding hands of loved ones. Are those not things worth being happy about?

Loving your health, your body, and your mind may also encourage you to take better care of it in the long run. When you don’t take yourself for granted, you realize how much you’re worth and how much care you deserve!

8. Boring Days

It seems weird to be grateful for boring days. But the busier you get, the more you’ll wish you had better appreciated the days when you had nothing to do. So don’t take those precious moments for granted!

Do you have trouble being appreciative of boredom? No problem. All you need to do is learn to utilize your boredom well. Consider:

Thinking of all the positive reasons this boredom has occurred, like finishing tasks early or being financially secure enough for a break
Diving headfirst into something you’ve always wanted to try but haven’t had time to
Engaging in self-improvement tasks that will further your abilities, skills, and talents
Designating this to be a self-care time where you pamper yourself and do whatever you want to do with no shame or judgment

Learning to be comfortable with the concept of resting and simply doing nothing for a day, and then be grateful for the rest it’s giving your body!

9. Time To Spend With Loved Ones

It goes without saying that you shouldn’t take your loved ones for granted. But on top of that, you should also appreciate the time you get to spend with them. This doesn’t just refer to fun dates with your spouse, playtime with your kids, or dinner with your parents. These are obviously positive things that are easier to appreciate. Gratitude for time spent with loved ones includes:

The time you spend dealing with your rowdy, loud, and messy children, with all the tantrums and shenanigans that come with it. Someday, they’ll be all grown up, and this valuable time will be lost.
The time you spend arguing or fighting with your partner. By working together through it, you’ll grow as a couple and become stronger in the long run.
The time you spend caring for an elderly relative, who might be forgetful, confused, or difficult to look after. They will leave this world one day, and you will miss them when they are gone.
The time you spend locked up inside because of a natural disaster warning means you can’t leave the house, no matter how much you want to. When you no longer have free time for your family, you’ll wish you had taken advantage of this.

10. How Your Trials Have Shaped You

The things you’ve been through may have hurt you, changed you, and been difficult to overcome. But at the end of the day, each of those things played a crucial role in shaping you and who you are today.

Your strength comes from the hardship you have endured. And your wisdom comes from the lessons of your mistakes. Your trauma has shown you your power and the amazing things you can do, and it’s shown you who you can trust. Your past has shaped every single element of you. It’s time to appreciate what brought you here.

Final Thoughts On Some Everyday Moments To Never Take For Granted

It’s like the saying goes: you don’t know what you have till it’s gone! Please don’t make the mistake of not giving something the attention and gratitude it deserves, only to miss it when it is no longer here. Even the most mundane everyday moments have sparks of magic in them. Please don’t take them for granted!

10 Things People Can Do to Become More Attractive

November 27, 2020 by Power of Positivity

When you look at a person, what is it about them that makes them become more attractive to you? Do you look at things like their eyes, their figure, or do you delve deeper into things like their humility or knowledge? Many people use physical attraction when, in fact, there are more things in a relationship than intimacy.

Sure, intimacy is essential, and it is a healthy part of any union, but there must be an attraction beyond physical aspects to ground your partnership. It doesn’t matter if a couple is spicy in the bedroom, as those moments don’t last long. What goes on beyond the intimate realm is what will solidify you as a couple.

Do you feel that you’re attractive? Do you look in the mirror and think that you’re an object of desire? What things could you change about yourself to make you a more viable catch? Even if you’ve already found the person you wish to spend your life with, think about the alterations you should make to ensure that you keep the relationship vibrant?

Enhancing Male Attractiveness

If you’re a male who wants to become more attractive, have you ever thought of what work you need to do? The more effort you put into this endeavor, the better your chances of finding the kind of person you want to attract. Here are ten things that the male suitor can do to make themselves a better catch.

1. Improve Your Body

There’s no right or wrong size as everybody is different. However, you should at least put some effort into improving your body. Some girls like a man with a little weight because they’re like a teddy bear, while others like the athletic type.

It would help if you ate healthily and hit the gym at least a couple of times a week. Being healthy and fit makes you a better catch than someone who gives little attention to their body. After all, you want to be able to take a walk with the girl of your dreams without needing an inhaler and a nap afterward.

2. Enhance Your Grooming Skills

To become more attractive, you must pay attention to your grooming. Ladies like a man who takes time to shave, put on some cologne, and wears stylish clothes. Sure, some variations are acceptable depending on where you live, but your grooming should never be lax.

Remember, when you smile, your lady wants to see pearly whites that have been well taken care of. It’s the little things like this that make such a significant impact on your overall appearance. Lastly, always take a shower, put on deodorant, and clip your fingernails before any date. It’s incredible how many people skip the little things, and they turn out to be huge to potential mates.

3. Find Your Passion and Dive in Headfirst

There’s nothing sexier than a man that has a passion and throws himself into it. Perhaps you want to fly a plane and are working on getting a pilot’s license. You may have many civic events you’re involved in as you wish to give back to the community.

There are so many things you can do. Women like to see driven men who have more on their minds than video games and lounging on the couch. It’s attractive to see a man enjoying life.

4. Practice Long-term Resourcefulness

Do you take into consideration tomorrow? To become more attractive, you must become grounded. Women like to feel secure in a relationship and their future. Have you prepared for the future with resourcefulness?

5. Prioritize Play and Fun

When you’re all work and no play, it’s no way to live. While everyone must work to make a living, you should make sure that you have a good balance to allow time for fun. A relationship where you never see each other will never be successful.

6. Live A Full and Dynamic Life

Are you living life to the fullest? Do you engage in new experiences and have moments where you are free-spirited and fun? Women prefer men who aren’t afraid to do an impromptu weekend away in the mountains because it sounds like an adventure.

To become more attractive, you must learn how to let your hair down and throw caution to the wind. It’s okay to be let everything go for some downtime.

7. Cultivating and Honoring Your Boundaries

What are your morals and beliefs? Do you have personal boundaries that make you the good man you are? Women love to see someone with convictions that have rules they live by.

For instance, you may believe that there should be no intimacy until you’ve dated someone for at least six months. When you have boundaries, it shows that you’re secure as a person and won’t compromise on the big things that are important to you.

8. Develop a Positive Mindset

A positive mindset is a beautiful thing. You want to show someone that you are optimistic in life. Do you want to be with someone that is always so negative that they bring you down? Of course, you don’t want to be with someone like that, and neither does anyone else.

You need a partner that picks you up when you’re down, and even when things look so bad, they always see the glass as half full. To get this kind of person, you need to show that you have a positive mindset too.

9. Be Grateful for Your Blessings

Are you thankful for all the things that the universe has blessed you with in life? It’s enduring to be with someone humble and appreciative. There’s nothing worse than someone who has a sense of entitlement, so make sure to practice humility.

10. Practice Being Honesty Above All

One of the most important things that makes you more attractive is your honesty. A woman wants to know that she can count on you. When she asks you a question, she doesn’t need to query your answer.

Things like being honest and having good communication are the core of any relationship.

Enhancing Female Attractiveness

Women seem to live by a different set of rules than men. Many guys want a good-looking woman who completes them. It’s hard to be real in such a superficial world. However, many men are interested in more than your exterior, so here are ten ways that you can become more attractive.

1. Show Off Your Personality

Personality is everything when you’re trying to be more attractive. It’s the second thing a person sees after they meet you. Do you like to be the life of the party and laugh and joke around? Guys want a woman who knows how to have fun and doesn’t take herself too seriously.

2. Create Your Best Look

Creating your best look may mean getting a new hairstyle and color or carrying a designer purse. The requirements for a good look are different for everyone, so you must do what makes you look and feel like a million bucks.

3. Wear Clothing That Flatters Your Female Shape

The clothes you wear aren’t as important as how they fit you. Have you seen someone that wore a nice outfit, but it didn’t compliment their body type? Many women don’t know how to dress for their figure.

Find something that accentuates your good parts and hides your bad. Most of all, if your clothing is comfortable, then you can be more relaxed.

4. Practice Mindfulness

You must be aware of your thoughts, feelings, sensations, and the environment around you. Rather than living in the past, focus on the present and the future. No one wants to be with someone who can’t get over an ex or a traumatic event, so to be attractive, show that you can let go of your baggage and live in the moment.

5. Improve Your Mind

There’s nothing wrong with improving your mind through education or experience. Guys like a girl who is smart and can have decent conversations and be the authority on a subject.

6. Exude Confidence

Do you have confidence, or are you cowering in a corner during a party? Guys like to see a woman who is assured enough to approach him and is not waiting on him to make a move. Being confident and a bit assertive will be attractive to suitors.

7. Stop Trying to Look Model-Thin

Women think guys want the model-thin woman by their side, but a study from the University of Aberdeen shows that men prefer a woman with a bit of meat on her bones. Please stop trying to impress others by starving yourself as it’s not attractive. It’s okay to have a healthy appetite if you keep your weight in an acceptable range.

8. Give Back to Others

Being grateful for your blessings is a big turn on for men. Do you give back to others in your community, family, and across the world? Having a heart that is eager to give and shows humility in the things you’ve been blessed with is very attractive.

9. Wear Something Red

If you want to become more attractive and stand out in the crowd, you should wear red. A study conducted by Rochester University in 2010 found that people who wear red attract more attention and are more likely to get a date than those who don’t.

It can be a redshirt or lipstick, but make sure to incorporate this bold color into your wardrobe.

10. Engage in The Power of Positivity

Do you have a positive attitude and show kindness, or do you complain about every little thing? If you want to be attractive to others, then you will learn how to remain positive even when the whole world around you seems to collapse.

Your positive attitude will put good vibes into the atmosphere. Everyone wants someone who is optimistic and can make things like going to the grocery store fun. Life is hard enough without being with a partner who is always down and depressed.

Final Thoughts On Ways To Become More Attractive

The old saying states that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, which means that everyone has different tastes. People will see your kindness and humble nature above your outward appearance.

However, just because your personality and mind are essential doesn’t mean that you should skimp on good grooming. It takes a perfect balance of mind, body, and spirit to be attractive to others. What things did you find that you should work on to make yourself more attractive to others?

Dietitians Reveal 10 Weight Loss Myths You Should Stop Believing

November 27, 2020 by Power of Positivity

Are you tired of the endless weight loss myths confusing you on what you genuinely need to do to get healthy? The diet industry rakes in more than $72 billion each year, and everyone seems to have an idea of what you should do or a gimmick to help you. While there are grains of truth in many of the claims, many falsehoods can cloud your judgment.

Some people believe that you need to take supplements or pills to lose weight, but nothing could be further from the truth. There is absolutely no reason to put anything into your body to speed up your metabolism when wholesome eating with the right combinations of foods can do the same thing.

Myths That Mess with Your Weight Loss Mindset

When it comes to weight loss, many of these gurus seem to provide more hype than help. Stop believing all the propaganda you read and stick with the facts. Here are the ten most common weight loss myths that people take as gospel.

1. Obesity Is Caused by A Lack of Willpower

Remember, there are grains of truthfulness in most of these myths, and a lack of willpower causes that obesity is only a partial truth. Did you know that obesity can have a lot to do with your biological makeup rather than what you eat? Why do you think that you see families where every member is heavy?

Your genetics can help define obesity, but what you put in your mouth can help or hinder your weight. You can’t eat a large pizza, a pan of biscuits, and polish it off with a few double cheeseburgers, and blame your weight issues on genetics.

The Metabolic Medicine Associates conducted a study and found that about 70 percent of people who are obese is because they are predestined from their genetics. The truth behind this weight loss myth is that some people can cut their food intake and remain overweight because of their biological makeup.

2. Weight Loss Is A Direct Process

Losing weight is not always as direct as someone would think. Some days you will not lose a pound, and other times it seems 2-3 lbs. will come off. Water weight and many different factors come into play when you’re on the scale, which is why experts say that you should only weigh yourself once a week.

Weighing yourself every day can easily discourage you if things don’t shift downward. Many people get caught up in what the scales say, and they don’t consider the other factors. While eating a 1,200 calorie a day diet seems like the weight should drop off, it’s not always the case.

You can send your body into starvation mode if you don’t eat enough. When you’re depriving yourself of nutrition, your body will hold onto the fat rather than flushing it out of your system.

3. Carbohydrates Should Be Avoided

One of the biggest weight loss myths right now has to do with carbohydrates. This myth is only fueled by diets such as the Keto or Atkins plans. First, your body needs carbohydrates to function. Second, it’s not healthy to live on 20 grams of carbs indefinitely.

Lastly, there are two types of carbohydrates, which are simple and complex. The body doesn’t have any issue processing simple carbs, but it takes longer for the complex one to pass. When you mention carbohydrates to most people, they will automatically think of pasta, bread, and sugary treats.

However, grains are also considered a simple carb that your body needs. No, you don’t need those complex carbs to be healthy, but you need simple ones to keep your body functioning.

4. You Must Eat Breakfast to Lose Weight

How many times have you heard that breakfast is the most important meal of the day? If you don’t like breakfast, then don’t force yourself to eat it. There is nothing that says that you can’t lose weight if you skip breakfast.

Studies show that people who eat breakfast tend to lose more; it’s not mandated for weight loss. A new study proves that you don’t need breakfast to fight the battle of the bulge.

5. Fast Food Is the Most Fattening Food Around

Fast food should generally be avoided. They use fats, sugars, and MSGs to keep things preserved. However, many strides have been made in the past decade to change the fast-food industry.

While it’s not the best option, you can find healthy things to eat that are low in fat at the local drive-thru.

6. You Need to Reduce Your Calories to Starvation Levels

Why do people think that they need to eat 1,200 calories or below to lose weight? Stringent diets with such restrictions are meant for people who require immediate weight loss. One of the biggest weight loss myths around is that you need to starve yourself to be thin.

The recommended daily calorie intake is 2,000 – 2,500, which is decided by your activity level. If you want to lose weight, you need to figure out how much you want to lose based on your height and current weight. It’s safe to lose 1-2 pounds per week, but any more than that and your body can go into starvation mode.

7. Dieting Works Wonders

No! Diets never work for the long haul. Remember plans like the cabbage soup diet or the infamous company that stated you should drink two shakes and eat a sensible dinner? These plans typically offer quick solutions that last for the short term.

However, lifestyle changes and adopting a new mindset is guaranteed to work. You can try 101 diets and still end right back at square one. However, if you want to conquer your demons, you must change your mindset to change your life.

8. Thin People Are Healthy, And Obese People Are Unhealthy

Thin people are healthy and plump people are unhealthy, according to popular opinion. Honestly, your weight is only one fraction of your health. Take, for instance, Whitney Way Thore from the popular TLC show My Big Fat Fabulous Life.

She currently weighs around 335 lbs. She is currently a bodybuilder, dancer, marathon participant, and super active. Her weight peaked at nearly 400 lbs., but she never let it stop her from doing the things she loved. Now, it’s not healthy to carry that much weight on a small frame, but she doesn’t have any major health issues aside from the PCOS that triggered her weight gain.

While she is at a more significant risk of developing complications, she is healthy despite her clothing size.

Someone who is pencil-thin can have issues on the inside that the outside world cannot see. It’s unfair to judge people based solely on their body type.

9. You Must Buy Diet Foods to Be Successful At Weight Loss

Diet foods are nothing more than gimmicks to pad the pockets of weight loss companies. Are there some foods that can help and be a useful aid for you? Yes, you can lose weight with the products you buy.

The fact is that these items are very costly, and you don’t need them. Mother Nature provides everything you need to lose weight and be healthy. There’s no need to break the bank to buy frozen entrees or specialty treats when you can cook nutritious meals in your kitchen that will taste better and be far more economical.

10. Consuming Fat Only Makes You Fatter

If you’ve done any reading on the Keto diet, then you know that consuming fat will not make you fatter. There are healthy fats that are good for your body, such as olive and coconut oil. Weight loss myths about consuming less fat aren’t helpful.

You really need to cut out unhealthy fats like trans and saturated, which can clog arteries and cause high cholesterol levels. Good fats provide energy to the body, make hormones, provide nutrition to the skin, and help the body build healthy cells.

Final Thoughts on Weight Loss Myths

Everyone worries about their metabolism and carbohydrate counts. Sadly, weight loss is about so much more than those two items. It’s easy to get caught up in the latest gimmick or scheme when everyone else is jumping on the bandwagon.

Weight loss is a simple equation where you must eat less than you burn, but other factors come into play. Your water weight, health conditions, and genetics also play a significant role in how quickly and how much you will lose. Please don’t believe all the weight loss myths out there, as they will only confuse you.

Try a few things and see what works for you and what doesn’t. Your body has specific needs that aren’t the same as the next person, and it’s all about trial and error until you find something that fits.

10 Things a Caring Person Does Without Realizing It

November 27, 2020 by Deborah Tayloe

Are you a naturally caring person?

In a world where you have endless possibilities where you can do or be anything, the best thing you can do is be kind. You encounter people every day that come from all walks of life. There is no way to know what this person is suffering from without talking to them, but you can be a caring person who shows that there are still good people in this world.

Suppose someone cut you off in traffic and nearly caused an accident. Your first instinct is to give them a rude gesture, honk the horn, and gripe about it on social media. You didn’t know this person was rushing to get to a loved one in the hospital dying.

Perhaps you’ve encountered a rude waitstaff at the local fast-food restaurant who sends your blood boiling. While your gut instinct is to report them to the manager and get them fired, there’s a story behind their poor mood you don’t know about. See, their baby has both mental and physical disabilities that keep them up all night long.

They run on two to three hours of sleep and can barely drag themselves to their job to make ends meet. The fact is that there’s no way for you to know what each person you encounter is facing in life, so it’s best to be kind because you may be the one smile that they need to see that day.

The difference in how a caring person responds is this: they will gather the facts before they judge or brush off such incidents.

Ten Behaviors Caring People Exhibit Without Realizing It

Do you consider yourself to be a kind person? Are you caring, have good manners, and go out of your way to help the elderly and those in need? Life is stressful, and the burdens that many people carry are great. If you could put yourself in the shoes of others for a day, your perception of things would vastly change.

When you put goodness, kindness, and a caring nature into the universe, it will return to you. Plus, people like kind individuals and they never lack for friends. Here are some things that kind people do to make this world a better place.

1. Eager to Offer Praise

A kind word can go a long way. A caring person who is kind-hearted towards others will offer praise to try to build up someone else. Even if it’s something as small as a new dress or a lovely cologne, they use good things about others to help build their esteem.

It feels good when people take time out of their day to stop and appreciate something nice about someone else.

2. Practice Patience

Patience is one virtue that takes a lot of practice to achieve. The next time you’re stuck in rush-hour traffic, the phone is ringing, the kids are arguing, and you’re late, this would be an excellent time to exercise this virtue. Patience means you don’t fly off the handle when people don’t move at the pace you require or do things the way you prefer.

3. Caring People Respect Privacy

The privacy of others is a big deal. Some people love sharing their children’s photographs all over social media; then others find it offensive that people would share such a private part of their life. When respecting others’ privacy, you consider their feelings and beliefs even if they don’t align with yours.

4. Show Sincere Appreciation

Have you ever handed someone a gift, and they look less than thrilled with the item? It’s hard to hide some sentiments, but a caring person does everything they can to show sincere appreciation for what they have in this life. You probably won’t hear them bragging about the car they drive or the home they live in as they see them as blessings and nothing to brag about.

5. Caring People Give Back to the Less Fortunate

Kind and caring people are the ones that are working in the soup kitchen during Thanksgiving and Christmas, and they’re the ones that clean their closets out to give to those in need. They donate their time and resources to help others and never take a dime for their assistance.

See, they know that there is always someone with less than they do, even if they don’t have a lot. These individuals live by the motto that you give your brother one if you have two shirts. Giving back makes you feel good, and the other person blessed.

6. Smile Frequently

In 1936, John Turner and Geoffrey Parsons wrote a song entitled “Smile.” Though it was written as a soundtrack for the movie Modern Times starring Charlie Chapman, it didn’t become popular until 1954 when Nat King Cole made a recording. The song’s words are commonly known and powerful as they resonate with so many people.

It merely states to smile through your heartbreaks, when there are dark clouds in the sky, and smile through your tears. When you smile, it’s your way of reaffirming to yourself and the world that things will be alright. Some experts believe that smiling is a magic pill because it tricks your brain into thinking that you’re happy.

You can show others how much you care by smiling at them. Who knows, it could improve their day too.

Meet twelve elderly couples who teach us the true meaning of kindness and commitment.

7. Do Random Acts of Kindness

The movement to do random acts of kindness intensified a few years ago to show others that there are still good people out there. You may pull up to get lunch at a fast-food eatery only to find that the person in front of you has already paid for your order. Other acts are flowers sent for no reason, paying for the groceries of the person behind you, or doing anything that helps someone see you care.

The golden rule says giving to others is better than receiving something yourself. However, when you do these random acts, you and the receiver are blessed. You don’t have to spend hundreds of dollars to do these acts. A simple coffee to your boss in the morning or a candy bar to a coworker can be just as effective.

8. Involvement in Civic Events

No matter where you live, there are always civic events that help make the place you call home better. A person who cares will help plant flowers in local parks, assist in cleanup days to minimize litter, and do other things to improve this world. Civic events can be for charitable purposes, and they will be the first one to sign up as the help crew.

9. Caring People Show Good Manners

One of the best things parents can teach their children is good manners. Saying please, thank you, and you’re welcome shows good manners. Have you ever handed a child a gift and they snarled their nose and didn’t even thank you for the purchase? Someone who is kind and cares about others would never want to hurt their feelings.

Even if they didn’t like what was given, they would be generous and show impeccable manners. These positive behaviors come easily to these individuals; they don’t have to think about it.

10. Are Kind to The Elderly

Have you ever been in the grocery store and seen an elderly gentleman or lady having trouble getting the bags from the cart to the car? Stopping what you’re doing to help them is a sign that you’re a good and caring person. Being kind to the elderly is not something that doesn’t go unnoticed when it comes to the universe.

Good karma follows those eager to help others, even if it’s just a small gesture like putting bags in a trunk. Take time to stop and say high to the aging crowd, for many are lonely and go home to an empty house. You’ll be there one day, so it’s essential to be kind now.

Final Thoughts on Being Kind and Caring

If everyone on this planet took time to practice just one thing on this list, they would make the world a better place. Do you think people see you as a kind and caring person, or are there things you need to work on?

It’s easy to become downtrodden and think of everything going so wrong in your life, but when you consider others’ needs, you put your troubles aside. Give, and it will be given back to you. No, the universe isn’t always going to bless you with monetary wealth, for some things in this life are worth more than any amount of money.

The priceless things you do daily are helping someone in need, smiling when you feel like crying, and never being too busy to help an older adult who is lonely and has no family at home. You will feel much better at the end of the day when you care and are kind to those you encounter.

Why Some People Hate Being Alone (And Why Some People Love It)

November 27, 2020 by Power of Positivity

Would you describe yourself as an extrovert or an introvert? Some people aren’t happy unless they are surrounded by people, while others prefer being alone. Perhaps you have a little of both personality types.

Why is it that some people can’t stand to be alone and others love it? There are advantages and disadvantages to each option. Some introverts, also called solitaries, prefer to be alone but are forced to be around people because of their jobs or other social responsibilities.

Biologists and anthropologists explain that humans evolved as social creatures. The first human social unit was the family, and it quickly became extended families. Since there’s safety in number, these family units combined into tribes and early cultures.

Support and relationships with others are basic human needs. For many people, being alone can lead to anxiety, depression, and physical illnesses. Even though you may be social by nature, you may still have a few hours or days of solitude to get back in tune with yourself.

While some people are true loners and avoid human contact as much as possible, most people are a mixture of introversion and extroversion. The ratio is rarely 50:50, so you may be more of one personality than the other. Here are some pros and cons of being a people person or wanting to be alone.

Advantages of Being an Extrovert

Do you consider yourself an extrovert? If so, you’re probably at your best when you’re in a crowd. Extroverts usually exude warm, positive vibes and are often the life of the party. Does that sound like you or someone you know?

• Variety of Friends

One of the positive aspects of being an extrovert is that you meet so many interesting people. Extroverts don’t know a stranger and make friends easily. Having a large circle of friends from different walks of life enriches you, and you’ll always have a fascinating topic to discuss.

• Promotes Self-Confidence

Most extroverts have a high level of self-confidence and are willing to take risks if the benefits are high enough. When you are a people person, others naturally look to you as a strong, take-charge individual. Your exceptional conversational skills help you understand problems and work them out agreeably with others.

• Creates a Positive Attitude

Since most extroverts are optimistic, they tend to attract other positive people. They can also have a positive effect on negative people. Studies show that people who have a positive attitude are more likely to be healthy physically, mentally, and spiritually.

• Promotes an Attitude of Helping Others

When you enjoy being around other people, you may be drawn to helping professions like teaching, medicine, and social work. Extroverts usually derive great joy by helping others in difficult situations. They love people and seldom spend a lot of time being alone.

Disadvantages of Being an Extrovert

There’s nothing wrong with surrounding yourself with people you love and enjoy. However, there can always be too much of a good thing. If your personality ratio is too highly extroverted, you may encounter a few challenges.

• May Battle Loneliness

When you’re used to people around you all the time, it may not feel right when you are alone. Many people stay surrounded by others because they can’t stand to be lonely. Being by yourself may trigger bad memories from the past or cause you to be anxious or sink into a depression.

• You May Lack Independence

Extroverted people often place too much value on the opinions of others. If you have a difficult decision to make, you may poll the crowd instead of making it yourself. When you are a people person, you may need the cheers around you to have the nerve to complete a new task.

• Becoming Overbearing

It’s one thing to be the life of the party, but it’s quite another to be continually dominating the conversation. To be chatty, you may find yourself talking more than you are listening. Remedy the problem by practicing active listening and remember that other people have opinions that matter, too.

• Your Conversation Might be Over the Top

Who doesn’t like to laugh and cut up once in a while? Extroverts are usually known for their quick wit and sense of humor. Use humor judicially because too much can make you seem silly and immature. Monitor your voice’s tone and volume, so you don’t come off as loud, obnoxious, and offensive.

• Everyone Needs Some Alone Time

Are you too busy stuffing your schedule with meetings, parties, and gatherings that you get lost in the crowd? Extroverts often need to remember to take some alone time to rest and silently ponder questions in their minds. If this is you, try to make time for meditation, journaling, or taking a leisurely walk to enjoy nature alone.

Advantages to Being Alone Sometimes

History is brimming with a variety of people who shunned the company of others. Famous people like Albert Einstein, Bill Gates, Rosa Parks, Katherine Hepburn, and Elenor Roosevelt were happier when they were alone. Actress Greta Garbo, also a loner, is known for her iconic line in a movie, “I just want to be alone.”

Some individuals take vows of solitude in specific religious communities. Others, like Henry David Thoreau, voluntarily lived a while in seclusion for self-reflection or inspiration. Thoreau’s two-year hermitage on Waldon Pond inspired his most memorable book.

When you are solitary, you have more time to reflect on your inner thoughts without interruption. You needn’t consider other opinions about your business. You may strongly prefer healing peace and quiet.

• Most Introverts aren’t People Haters

If you are an extrovert, you may assume that solitaries hate people. While some loners despise the sight of others, most prefer more alone time. They are usually forced out of their shell for basic needs and social responsibilities. Many are deep thinkers who need time to recharge their batteries.

• You May be a Better Listener

Introverts spend a lot of time alone with only their inner voice to break the silence. Therefore, they often take more time to listen when others are talking. If you are solitary, you may have practiced good listening skills and use them well.

• Solitaries are often More Focused

Have you ever tried to concentrate around a bunch of noise and loud people? It’s even difficult for the most assertive extrovert to do. Since solitary people are usually alone, they’ve trained themselves to focus on ideas and tasks.

If you are solitary, you may have a natural talent for some jobs. These are best done alone, such as researcher, scientist, writer, or engineer. You can focus on your work without the distraction of needing company.

• You May Make Deeper Connections with Others

Although solitaries prefer going solo, they still need some social interaction to survive. Extroverts are a buddy to everyone and often don’t form close relationships. However, when solitaries are social, they are more apt to make a more substantial connection that will last.

• Introverts Can Also Be Leaders

Not everyone who is a successful leader is a people person at heart. If you are an introverted leader, you probably lead with compassion and integrity. When you let the extroverts around you do the work, both of you win.

Disadvantages of Being Alone

Being alone does have its perks, but it also has its disadvantages. The saying is true that nobody is an island. Socialization is a basic human need, and being alone all the time isn’t good for you.

• Society Labels Introverts

Since most people in every culture tend to stick together, a lone person is often labeled as an outcast. Many loners are eccentric and don’t always play by society’s rules. Therefore, they are often misunderstood, unfairly judged, and mistreated, which leads to more isolation problems.

If being alone is your thing, some people may think you are a snob or are. It may make socializing even more difficult for you. However, you owe no one an apology or explanation if you prefer to be a loner.

• Introverts are Often Overlooked at Work

You don’t have to be a people person to be successful at work. However, it would help if you still worked with others effectively. The unfortunate thing for loners is that they are often overlooked or ignored at work for their love of being alone.

If this is you, perhaps you’ve been overlooked for a well-deserved promotion. Maybe you miss out on accolades because you don’t speak up for yourself. You don’t have to become an extrovert to let your voice be heard to get what you deserve on the job.

Final Thoughts on Being Alone–Love It or Not

There’s much to gain from being alone with your thoughts. Many people prefer isolation, yet they will never feel lonely. Still others love to be the life of the party. Neither way is wrong. So whether you are an extrovert or an introvert, you’re whole within yourself but can still benefit from being with others.

5 Things Parents Should Never Say to Adults With No Kids

November 27, 2020 by Power of Positivity

In the endless circle of life, you raise your children and then have the blessing of watching them do the same. Since people live longer today than they did years ago, you may get to know your great-grandchildren. Each generation anticipates the joy of passing the torch to the future.

Also, every generation wants their children to have it better than they did. In many ways, technology has enriched the lives of your children and future grandchildren. They will, no doubt, earn more money and have more opportunities than you did.

As your children reach adulthood, you hope they settle down with the right person. After the wedding bells, you probably expect to hear the gentle hum of a lullaby. You long to hold those little ones in your arms and bless them as your family’s legacy.

After all, weren’t these the things your folks wanted for you and your mate? You want your adult kids to be happy, prosperous, and have a house full of babies. Isn’t that all part of the American Dream?

Why did you save many of your children’s baby clothes, furniture, and toys? It was in hopes that you would be outfitting a nursery for a new generation. Some couples start college funds for their future grandchildren.

You dream of holding that precious little one in your arms and wondering which derivative of Grandmother and Grandfather you’ll use. You hope the baby looks like your adult child because it takes you back to the day when you were a new parent.

Maybe you made some mistakes when raising your children, and that’s normal. Perhaps with having grandchildren, you feel you’ll have a chance of redemption. Maybe you hope to be a better grandparent than you were a parent.

Having a bevy of children may be your dream.

But what if your adult children have different ideas? It’s not always easy to change parental roles. When it comes to your grown child becoming a parent, it’s a touchy subject for some.

What If Your Adult Children Can’t Have Kids?

Infertility can be devastating for couples who long to have children. Recent statistics say that at least 12 percent of women in the United States either have trouble conceiving a baby or carrying one full term. Of those, about six percent are never able to conceive.

Of course, modern science has proven that infertility is just as much a man’s problem as it’s a women’s issue. Fortunately, we no longer live in the times when women were ostracized, divorced, or even executed for the inability to conceive an heir, i.e., King Henry VIII. Studies conclude that one-third of infertile couples in the United States results from male infertility.

Discussing a couple’s infertility is off-limits, even if you are their parents. Suppose they come to you with their problem; then it’s best to listen compassionately rather than give advice. It’s often a painful subject that can cause a family rift if mentioned.

If your adult children talk to you about infertility problems, don’t be the first to suggest adoption. While adoption is an ideal and loving way to have children, let your adult children come to that conclusion. Just being there for them is the best thing you can do in this situation.

Five Things You Never Say To Childless Couples

In past generations, prominent families were the norm. Since most people were farmers since colonial days, families needed lots of children to help with chores around the land and the household. Birth control wasn’t a topic until the 1960s, so the more children you had, the better.

Now, couples with no kids needn’t worry about big farms and tedious house chores. Modern technology, conveniences, and safe birth control make it easier to decide if you will be a no kid household. Being childless doesn’t hold the stigma that it once did, especially for women.

When you were making plans for your children growing up, did you ever consider that they may be against having a family? It’s a bitter pill to swallow when you realize that you may not have grandchildren unless you have other children who want kids. How you react can make a big difference in your relationship with your adult children and their mates.

Before you get impatient and start with the third degree, maybe you should reconsider. Is this situation about their happiness or yours? Here are five things you should never say to your adult children who have no kids.

1. Aren’t You Even Trying to Have Kids?

Just because you are a parent never gives you the right to ask such a rude and intrusive question to your adult children. Think of the message you’re sending. It’s practically asking the couple to have enough intercourse or doing things to help the process.

Don’t allow your desire to have grandchildren to make you stoop to asking such an inappropriate question. What if the couple is battling infertility?

Try to remember when you and your mate first started. Do you remember worrying about finances and having enough space for children? Just hold your tongue and allow your adult children to make their plans and decisions for their lives.

2. Hey, Your Biological Clock is Ticking Away

If you want to add insult to injury, then saying things like this can sting deeply. Not only have you intruded into a touchy subject, but you’ve insulted them, too. If you need to know, today’s women well into their 40s are birthing healthy babies.

Saying this rude comment also digs away at your adult children’s self-esteem. Are they somehow flawed in your eyes because they haven’t conceived soon enough to suit you? Remember to be a compassionate and considerate parent, and never ask about biological clocks.

3. I Bet You Save Tons of Money with No Kids

Do you believe that you raised a child who would put money over people? An inexcusable comment like this assumes that the couple is stingy and thinks only of money. Some couples wait to have children when it is more financially viable for them, and that’s their business.

According to recent statistics, a couple can expect to pay at least $233,610 from birth to age 18. Yes, that is a strong financial commitment to make. Some couples may wait a while, and some couples may say they want no kids from the beginning.

Another blow from this statement is the hint that you’re trying to ask how much money they make. It may have been acceptable to ask them when they were teens working a part-time job, but not once they’re on their own. Unless your adult children offer to tell you their financial business, the topic is off-limits.

4. Having Children Is More Important Than a Career

Until after World War II, women were stereotyped as the dutiful mother and housewife. Very few women worked outside of the home, let alone chose a career over having children. The Equal Rights Amendment and the Women’s Liberation Movement changed the family scene forever.

Now, it usually takes both people in the relationship working to make ends meet. It’s necessary and acceptable for couples to pay for childcare while they do. It’s also acceptable for couples to have no kids, so their careers aren’t hindered.

It doesn’t make them greedy or selfish. The decision is for those two, and they don’t need a third opinion. Learn to be proud of your adult children’s achievements, with or without children.

5. You’ll Never Be Complete with No Kids

Think of how cruel and devastating this comment would be to a couple who is silently battling infertility. It’s also a rude thing to say to a couple who has decided they won’t have children.

Most parents will tell you that one of their fondest achievements in life is being a parent and grandparent. That’s a heartfelt statement that’s true for them. However, it’s not true for everyone, especially those who have no kids.

It’s a grave mistake to raise your children to think that they are only worth anything if they have kids. How do you explain that to an infertile couple or to couples who choose to be childless? It sets your kids up for low self-esteem and a skewed sense of personal worth.

Yes, having children is a blessing that will enrich parents’ lives forever. The blessing of children can add to your adult children’s lives, but it may not complete them. A couple with no kids is just as whole and respectable as those with children.

Final Thoughts on the Things You Should Not Say to People with No Kids

Even as adults, your children need to know that you love them unconditionally. If they choose to have no kids, working against them will only destroy your relationship. When you accept your adult children as they are and respect their decisions on having kids, everyone will be happier in the long run.

5 Reasons Why Feeling Sad Isn’t The Same As Being Depressed

November 27, 2020 by Lakeisha Ethans

Have you ever heard someone exclaim, “Ugh, I’m so depressed!” when referring to moments of feeling sad, even though they don’t have a mental illness? Have you wondered if that’s acceptable to do? You’ve come to the right place to find out!

Sadness is a straightforward term: it refers to the emotional state of being sad. Commonly seen as the “opposite” to happiness, it’s a natural reaction to certain unfavorable events and affects many people. You’ve probably been sad multiple times over the course of your life.

Depression, on the other hand, refers to a mental health condition. You usually feel sad in a way when you’re depressed, but it’s much more severe, and it can affect, or even ruin, your life. It’s difficult to control and affects a worryingly sizable chunk of the American population.

So what happens when you say you’re depressed when you’re really just sad? Well, this sort of language, while often not ill-intentioned, can be damaging to people with actual mental illnesses. On top of that, it’s also just plain inaccurate! Still not sure how to tell the difference? Fret not! Here are 5 reasons why feeling sad isn’t the same as being depressed.

1. Feeling Sad vs. Mental Illness

Feeling sad is a common emotion experienced by many people in the event of negative circumstances. Everyone experiences sadness and even periods of sadness following difficult events, disappointments, and other similar issues.

Although it feels negative, sadness is a productive feeling. It’s part of what makes you a human being, and it helps you work through and process different events and circumstances. In moderation and when necessary, the feeling is not just natural but also necessary.

Conversely, depression isn’t just an emotion – it’s a mental health problem. Even without a diagnosed depressive or mood disorder, depression is a medical term referring to unusual and disruptive levels of negative mood.

If it’s helpful, you can think of sad moods as a spectrum. On the far start of the spectrum is normal sadness, and at the very far end is severe depression. There are many different degrees of sadness and depression between that, but specific criteria determine when something can be considered depression.

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition: DSM-5 defines depression as the experience of five or more of the following symptoms:

A depressed mood almost every day for most of the day (required symptom if the loss of interest is not present)
Loss of or noticeably diminished pleasure and interest in most or all daily activities, almost every day (required symptom if depressed mood is not present)
A lack of or loss of energy, or an experience of fatigue, almost every day
Appetite level changes almost every day, OR noticeable weight loss without dieting OR noticeable weight gain
A reduced ability to focus, make decisions and think almost every day.
A reduced level of physical activity or thought slowness that can be observed by others and are not restless or subjective
Emotions of excessive guilt or worthlessness almost every day
Repeated or recurring suicidal ideation, thoughts of death, suicidal planning, or suicide attempts

2. Specific Events vs. General Experience

Specific events or circumstances typically trigger sadness. Yes, sometimes you may not be sure why you are sad, but there are easily defined causes for sadness for the most part. For example:

The loss of a job
A sudden change or upheaval in life or routine
Rejection
A break-up
Homesickness
Disappointment
The illness of a loved one
The death of a loved one

But what about depression? Well, studies certainly have indicated specific events can still trigger depression. However, the difference is that depressed individuals typically are more susceptible to negative events like this, thus leading to a deeper experience of depression. The triggering of depression from specific events can also lead to prolonged, disproportionate depressive episodes or long-term depression.

And, of course, it’s worth noting that in many cases, depression seems to pop up from nowhere at all. This contributes to feelings of confusion and worthlessness, as the person involved may feel that they don’t deserve to have depression to begin with.

3. Cheering Up vs. Inability To Enjoy Things

When you’re sad, even if you don’t feel much like doing what you usually like, you can typically find ways to cheer yourself up. Sure, it takes some coaxing, and you might not opt for your usual favorite things, but there’s sure to be something that perks you up again. It might be a good book, a favorite show, some good music, or even a pet.

With depression, though, that’s less likely to work. In fact, this is one of the main factors of depression: an inability to experience pleasure at all. The decreased positive thinking becomes almost all-consuming, and it’s not possible to be excited about, interested in, or feel positive about any of the things you usually love. You may feel:

A complete loss of passion for things you once loved deeply
That engaging in activities you once enjoyed is pointless.
A lack of interest or investment with things you once devoted your time and energy to
An inability to sustain any positivity you may feel towards these things for longer than a brief period.

4. Reluctance vs. Inability

Sadness can make you reluctant to do a lot of things. But it doesn’t remove your ability to do them at all. With depression, you may find that you can’t do anything at all, no matter how much you know you should – and even no matter how much you genuinely want to. Here are some examples of where this becomes most obvious:

· Eating

Emotional overeating and undereating are both often engaged in when you’re sad. Regardless, you’re likely to eat still if you get starving, and you have some regulation for emotional eating even if you’re stuffing your face more than usual. But if you’re depressed, you might feel so much that everything is pointless that you don’t care about your health anymore, causing you to eat as little or as much as you feel driven to do no matter what.

· Hygiene

When you’re sad, you might not feel like doing your usual skincare routine, and you might even skip a shower for a day. But there’s a limit to how much you’ll let sadness affect you before you say, “Okay, time to stop this.” On the other hand, depression can cause you to be completely unable to keep up your hygiene at all. You may not shower for a week, might stop brushing your teeth, or stop taking out the trash altogether.

· Daily Tasks

You might need a couple of days to process sadness before you can throw yourself back into everyday duties. Still, ultimately, you’re likely not going to let yourself lose your jobs and ruin your relationships because you’re sad. With depression, everyday things become impossible. You know you have to go to work, reply to texts, and perform chores, but you simply can’t. And with every passing second, you sink more and more into either guilt at not doing those tasks or feelings that everything is too worthless to bother. This is why many depressed individuals are often labeled “lazy,” even though they can’t control it.

5. Short-Term vs. Long-Term

When you’re sad, what you’re experiencing is an emotion. By nature, emotions come and go. They ebb, flow, grow, and fade with time in turn. Even sadness that is more stretched outcomes in lapses. Depression, on the other hand, is long-term. It must last for at least 2 weeks and, for many people, it may never really go away. Here are some examples of this time-based difference:

· Persistence

Sadness usually goes away after a few days, or you will at least be able to notice things fading in intensity or at least improving as time goes on. With depression, it’s long-term. Most people experience depression for months, if not years, and some may never really fully recover from it, either. There’s no way to snap out of it.

· Variations of Feeling Sad

Sadness, even when stretched out, may come and go. For example, if you’re recovering from a break-up, you may feel sad for a longer period, but it will likely come and go. You’ll have days when you feel great and days when the sadness comes back, and it may even change with the hour. With depression, things are often one monochrome shade of grey. Even on “good” depression days, things are just “fine.” It’s as if the depression is now the undercurrent for everything.

· Changes

Sadness can ruin a day or two, especially if your sadness is a little inconsolable. Still, you’ll likely be able to carry on with the things you absolutely have to do and even muster some positive thinking. On the other hand, depression can change your entire life. It can feel like you’re living in a completely different world than you were before, and the disorder colors all aspects of what you once knew. It can be a terrifying experience.

Final Thoughts On Why Feeling Sad Isn’t The Same As Being Depressed.

There is a trend in everyday language where people use hyperbole to express themselves. Unfortunately, this hyperbole sometimes crosses into territory that it shouldn’t be in. For example, someone who likes things clean may say they have OCD even though they don’t, or someone may call themselves “autistic” for missing a social cue.

These uses of hyperbole aren’t just a little too extreme, but they’re also dangerous. They create stigma surrounding actual, real mental disorders and illnesses. They give off an idea that these disorders are either less severe than they truly are, or they make it seem like no one really has them because everyone claims to. For things like sadness versus depression, that can be the whole difference between someone getting life-saving help or succumbing to their illness.

Of course, you shouldn’t gatekeep people who use the term “depressed” if you don’t know their story. Many people with depression refer to it flippantly as a humorous coping mechanism, and you can’t tell who does or doesn’t have this disorder from the outside looking in. Instead, focus your energy on being more aware of your own language and using more correct terms to describe your emotions.

If you feel that what you’re experiencing is more similar to descriptions of depression than feeling sadness, you should seek a professional opinion. Even if you’re just not sure at all, there’s no harm in speaking to a doctor or mental health professional to know for certain! Don’t be afraid to reach out for help. There are sure to be people who can help you and are happy to do so.

14 Mental Health Benefits Of Showing Gratitude

November 27, 2020 by Lakeisha Ethans

Do you ever feel like your mental health is slipping in multiple different areas at once? Have you ever wondered if there was a way to address those problems cohesively? The answer might lie in simply being thankful.

Sure, it sounds condescending, but gratitude has always been a wonderful booster for psychological wellbeing. Just try it and see! Here are 14 mental health benefits of showing gratitude and being thankful.

1. It Makes You More Optimistic

The more grateful you are, the more likely you are to shift your thoughts towards positivity. Your thoughts will slowly and steadily begin to automatically seek out the positive things in life that you can be grateful for, effectively retraining your brain.

This means that showing gratitude changes your perspective, allowing you to see silver linings before you lose yourself in grey clouds. That’s powerful stuff!

2. It Relieves Stress

Being grateful can benefit positive thinking by helping to regulate your stress levels. A study found that when experiencing gratefulness, people feel a variety of surprising results, proving that being thankful:

Reduces heart rate
Creates a calmer mind frame
Reduces anxiety
Creates a sedative state
Relaxes anxious brain communication

On the flip side, experiencing feelings of resentment would have the opposite effects, worsening stress levels all around. The research suggested even further that directing your attention and concentration onto things to be grateful for can be enough to relieve the worst of stress in difficult situations, giving you better positive thinking.

3. It Reduces Your Risk Of Depression

When you’re grateful, you’re not necessarily being unrealistic. Instead, you’re focusing on the blessings. You’re telling yourself that the world isn’t terrible and not everything is bad. As a result, you feel better overall, and the way you think can change.

Research suggests that this creates a significant ripple effect. It helps you keep working towards your goals, remaining motivated through trials and tribulations. All combined, this reduces your risk of developing depression at all, which is an immeasurable mental health benefit!

4. Showing Gratitude Gives You A Positive Outlook

The human brain typically has what experts call a “negativity bias”, which is a natural tendency to focus on the negative in life. It also means you’re more likely to focus on what you lack and the potential trials you face ahead. This is a completely normal way of thinking, sadly, as the brain attunes to this perspective quickly as you grow up.

But being grateful can turn these behaviors towards positive thinking, and all you have to do is a little bit of practice. The act of writing daily or even weekly logs of things you’re grateful for can lead to better mood and reduced symptoms of both mental and physical health. More importantly, it shifts your perspective, moving your mind towards the positive.

5. It Makes You More Altruistic

Did you know that being grateful for your life can also make you want to give more to others, especially those in need? To better understand this, we can take a closer look at a rather interesting study conducted using the analysis of brain activity via an MRI scanner. Here are some pointers from the results:

The ventromedial prefrontal cortex, which is the part of the brain responsible for risk versus reward processing, lit up when participants experienced feelings of altruism and gratitude.
At the beginning of the study, most participants experienced higher reward values from gratitude than altruism.
After three weeks of gratitude journaling, the value of altruism as a reward increased significantly in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex, and in most participants, was valued more than gratitude.

This study suggests, then, that practicing gratitude can make altruism more rewarding to you than continuing to receive more benefits, yourself. Your entire perspective just changes!

6. It Makes You Less Materialistic

Materialism isn’t always a negative trait, but most would likely agree that isn’t among the best. There’s nothing wrong with having some material success as a goal, but problems can arise when you focus too much on material objects over everything else.

If you’re looking for a way to reduce those tendencies, showing gratitude can help! Participating in acts of kindness while keeping a gratitude journal can reduce your interest in materialism, moving items and objects further down the list of your priorities, according to research.

7. It Boosts Your Self-Esteem

Do you often feel unconfident about your abilities and skills? Being grateful for them can help raise your self-esteem, according to studies. It’s a bit of a self-fulfilling prophecy. The more positive you are regarding what you can do, the more likely you are to manifest that positivity. This both helps you to improve and keeps your self-esteem in the present moment high. This can also apply to:

Your appearance
Job performance
Personality
Lifeskills
Your habits

8. It Can Help You Recover From Substance Addiction

Addiction is an incredibly difficult thing to overcome. Aside from its obvious physical effects, it takes a toll on your mentally, causing:

Feelings of guilt or shame regarding your addiction
Inability to break out of the cycle of addiction
Perceptions of pointlessness at the concept of breaking addiction
Increased likelihood of relapse due to difficulty with coping emotionally
Overwhelmed emotions regarding the knowledge of the difficulty of addiction recovery

If you’re trying to fight substance abuse or are recovering from substance abuse, then gratitude may help you in your journey. It allows you to develop positive traits, strengths, and resources that motivate you towards a better life while boosting your desire to see your journey through to the end.

Do note that gratitude alone cannot fight substance abuse or facilitate its recovery. You are encouraged to seek professional help in the process.

9. Showing Gratitude Makes You Happier In The Long-Run

Did you know that the act of keeping a gratitude journal can make you significantly happier in the long run? Studies have indicated that you can find your long-term happiness boosted by more than 10%!

But why does this happen? Well, taking notice of the good in life allows you to facilitate positive thinking. You feel happier when you’re aware of the things that can make you happy.

10. It Helps You Cope With Emotional Trauma

Emotional trauma is hard to fight. Your brain has formed links between certain triggers and danger, causing strong, disproportionate, and even self-destructive reactions to those triggers. Whether in the form of depression or PTSD, emotional trauma is tough to handle.

The good news is that gratitude can help you in your recovery. Telling yourself about how thankful you are for your progress and being grateful for positive aspects of your life can be a fantastic coping mechanism that facilitates healing.

Once again, please note that gratitude alone is not a sufficient form of trauma recovery treatment. You are encouraged to seek professional help in working through trauma and all the complexities it entails.

11. It Boosts Social Support

When you are grateful, you have a brighter outlook on life that makes other people more likely to support you. You’re grateful for their company, and when you express that thanks, they feel appreciated and want to continue because they know their actions are positively impacting you.

This leads to increased social support, which doesn’t seem like a big deal. But social support is capable of boosting strength in tough times, reducing depression and stress levels, and reminding you that, no matter what, you’re not alone. These are important things to have in your life, and studies suggest the little gratitude that earns these benefits is more than worth giving.

12. It Reduces Suicidal Thoughts

Studies indicate that gratitude protects the brain front the worst of suicidal ideation. This is because it helps with factors like coping with difficult times, reduces depression, and boosts positive thinking. When you are at your lowest, being grateful can be all you need to pull you back to safety. It’s really remarkable to think about.

It bears repeating that severe suicidal ideation without treatment is dangerous, and gratitude alone should not be considered a sufficient counter-measure to it. Seek help immediately if you feel that you may attempt suicide or cannot stop thinking about your suicidal desire.

13. It Improves Spiritualism

For many people, spiritualism is an inherent part of their mental health. If that’s not the case for you, that’s completely valid. But if it is, then read on!

Many people suffer from feeling like they have lost aspects of their spirituality or become disconnected from their faith. It can weigh negatively on your mental health if you perceive this to be a problem, as you may feel guilty for “abandoning” a faith you’ve always upheld.

Gratitude can help you rise up from a spiritual “funk”, say studies. If you worry that you’ve become more “worldly”, remembering the things you are grateful for and expressing thanks to figures of your faith for that can help you get back in touch with your spirituality.

14. It Boosts Work-Based Mental Health

There’s no denying that work can take a toll on just about anyone, but being grateful might be the main way to overcome the worst mental detriment from a difficult job. Here are some things that being thankful in the workplace can help:

· Purpose

It’s hard to continue working when you feel like you have no purpose. Being grateful may be able to increase feelings of fulfillment and satisfaction during your career. When you’re grateful, the meaning is easier to find as you apply your strengths, abilities, and positive thinking to achieving career goals.

· Patience

Economic decision-making can be very crucial, and it takes a strong mind to hold out to just the right moment to make positive decisions with decreased pressure. To say no to short-term gratification in favor of long-term results, practice gratitude!

· Overall Psychological Health

If you’re experiencing stress from such issues, expressing your thanks in workplace environments and being grateful for your work can protect you from the worst work negativity, including common side effects of more mentally taxing jobs.

Final Thoughts On Some Mental Health Benefits Of Showing Gratitude And Being Thankful

It can be difficult to express and show gratitude every single day, but it’s a habit that you can learn to build. It takes time and effort, but work on your thankfulness and it will begin to come more naturally to you. Once gratitude is an automatic habit, you’ll be reaping the mental health benefits constantly!

10 Signs You’re With a Genuinely Kind Person

November 26, 2020 by Power of Positivity

Do you believe you have a soulmate who was placed on the earth just for you? Some people spend a lifetime finding their significant other. If you’ve found a new love interest, how do you know if he’s a genuinely good and kind person?

First impressions aren’t always accurate since many people put their best foot forward. Perhaps you are one of those people that believe in love at first sight. However, many people mistake infatuation for love without really knowing the person.

Nobody begins a new relationship wanting an insincere or mean person. Unfortunately, you may fall for a guy before you realize he’s a real jerk. How can you tell the true character of a new love interest before you fall in love?

Ten Signs You Are Falling in Love with a Kind Person

She may say all the things you want to hear, but are her words and actions congruent? Trust your instincts, and you must pay attention to the unspoken things about her. Here are ten positive signs that you’ve met a kind person who may be your happily ever after.

1. They’re Truthful

Before someone becomes your significant other, you must know without a doubt they’re honest. When you meet a new love interest, pay close attention to the things they tell you. Some people try to impress their dates by exaggerating stuff about themselves.

Some dishonest individuals will bald-faced lie about their marital status, age, or what they do for a living. If you catch your new love interest lying initially, how could you ever trust them? A kind person will be honest, transparent, and trustworthy.

2. He or She Treats Others with Respect

Suppose you want to find out if your possible significant other is kind, then you should first notice how they treat others. When you go out for a date, do they do things like open the car door for you, or pull out your chair at the dinner table? Chivalry has never gone out of style, and you’ve found a gem if they have polished manners.

How does this person treat people in the service industry? A person with a genuinely kind heart will treat wait staff and other individuals in the service industry with respect and decency. Even if there’s a problem with a product or service, they work it out in a civil manner.

When you get to meet their family and close friends, watch how they interact with them. Remember the old saying that you can tell how a man will treat you by watching how he treats his mother? This adage can be used for women too.

A kind person will be courteous and thoughtful to their family, friends, and even strangers. How they treat you is a clear indication that you’ve found one of the good ones. They’ve probably been raised well and will be careful with your heart.

3. They Own Their Mistakes

Even the best folks make mistakes. Sometimes, good people make poor choices that hurt others and themselves. However, a genuinely kind person will own up to their mistakes and shortcomings and will make amends. A narcissistic person will usually shift the blame to others to make themselves look better.

You know that you’ve met your Mr. or Ms. Right when they don’t act like a know it all. Kind people listen to other’s opinions and may change their way of thinking. Are they the first to say that they’re wrong?

Your new love interest isn’t perfect, and they’re going to make mistakes along the way. It’s all part of life and how people learn and grow. If they’re honorable, they will apologize and learn from their mistakes.

4. They’re A Spiritual Person

It’s a common mistake to assume that spirituality and religion are synonymous. While religions often have spiritual aspects, they are two different things. You can be a good person who is spiritual without religious dogma or any connection to deities or supernatural beliefs.

If your significant other is a spiritual person, they’re in tune with more meaningful things than themselves. They believe in love, faith, loyalty, and inner strength that transcends any material goods the world offers. They may even talk about having a “spiritual connection” with you.

Spiritual people are often kindhearted because they take time for self-reflection. Your sweetheart may practice yoga, meditation, journaling, or other spiritual exercises. As you both mature spiritually, you positively affect each other.

5. They Don’t Have Time for Drama

One of the greatest destroyers of relationships is unnecessary drama. A kind person values time and relationships too much to mess with drama. When people come to them with juicy gossip and backbiting, they will politely step out of the situation.

For one, most kind people try to stay positive and avoid a negative atmosphere. They know that negativity can eventually lead to depression, anxiety, and other mental disorders. Research also demonstrates a correlation between a negative attitude and severe health issues.

You’ll also notice that they don’t engage in hateful talk and accepts people as they are. They will keep their distance from drama mongers and won’t encourage their efforts. They are courageous enough to deal with real problems, but they aren’t looking for trouble or soap opera moments.

6. They Have A Great Sense of Humor

Nobody wants to be in a relationship with someone sour, no matter how attractive they’re. There’s an old saying that those who can laugh at themselves will never stop being amused. A sense of humor in both partners is crucial in a successful relationship.

Does your significant other make you laugh? Do they enjoy a funny joke and are not afraid to laugh at themselves? Remember that kind of person will never make prejudiced comments or hurtful jokes at the expense of others.

7. They’re A Life-Long Learner

Good people who are true to themselves are perpetual students of life. This doesn’t mean that your sweetheart will be enrolled in college forever, but education is essential. As a student of life, they are continually trying to glean knowledge from other people.

They enjoy traveling and exploring different cultures and ways of thinking. They use this knowledge to better themselves and share with you and others. A kind person respects their elders and is enriched by their life experiences.

Kind people never use their education or life experiences to snub or degrade others. Albert Einstein re-stated Aristotle when he observed that the more he learned, the more he realized he didn’t know. Kind and wise people are never too smart to learn from others.

8. They’re A Good Listener

Yes, not all good listeners are kind people and may use the information to manipulate others. However, a kind person is considerate of others and is honestly interested in what they have to say. You may notice this fine quality in your new love interest.

Are your significant other a brilliant conversationalist and a good listener? Do they use open body language and lean slightly toward you when you’re talking? When they mirror your emotions and restate what you’ve said for clarification, you know they’re a good listener.

9. They’re Kind to Animals

This may seem like a trivial point, but it’s more essential than most people realize. Multiple studies have linked animal cruelty to human cruelty and homicide. Your love interest can be kind to all animals, whether they prefer to have pets or not.

If they do have pets, how do they treat them? It’s a good sign when they talk about their pets, like friends or a family member. Kind people may not have pets or be affectionate to animals, but they will not tolerate animal cruelty or exploitation of any kind.

10. They Go the Extra Mile

People who have a genuinely kind heart will do practically anything to help someone in need. They help others because it’s the right thing to do, and it’s not for their gain. These are the people who volunteer in civic and religious organizations.

Is your sweetheart a generous person? Do they give of their time and material goods to help those who are less fortunate? A wise person once said that you could give without loving, but you can’t love without giving.

That’s not to say that your new love interest will be a doormat. They may be generous to a fault, but they have enough wisdom to see when they’ve been taken. Even then, good people will often err on the side of kindness.

Final Thoughts on Your New Love Being a Kind Person

Perhaps you’ve told yourself that all you ever wanted in a relationship was someone who’d be good to you. You’ll never find a perfect person, but you can find a mate who is kind, loving, and honest. If you look for these positive signs in your new love interest, you will probably be on the path to a fulfilling relationship.

Weekly tips, affirmations, and small actions to feel your best.

Every day is a day to shine. Shine on!