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Psychology Explains Why People Dream of Teeth Falling Out

November 23, 2020 by Power of Positivity

Are your dreams so vivid and real that you remember them the next morning, or do you have no recollection of anything that happens while you’re asleep? Maybe your night visions are related to actual circumstances in your life or just random and bizarre pictures. Many people worldwide have reported they dream of teeth falling out, which is a common theme.

Perhaps no aspect of the human condition has been studied or written about than dreaming. It’s been the subject of some of the earliest historical records. For many ancient societies, dreams were a way that humans communicate with the divine.

Throughout many cultures in history, dreams were a significant aspect of religious beliefs, traditions, and sacred writings. Dream interpretation was probably the first form humans used for divination and foretelling the future. Rulers and peasants often turned to wise people or shamans to interpret their dreams, which could be good or bad news.

Dreams as Prophecies

Depending on the era and the culture, people who had dreams or visions were celebrated as prophets and oracles of the divine. These dream interpreters soon began to recognize common themes and symbols and labeled them as omens for luck or disaster. Sacred writings from almost every culture and religion contain passages of dreams, interpretations, and apocalyptic warnings.

Many religious sects use recorded dreams as a plan for the end of the world. St. John the Revelator, who allegedly penned the Book of Revelation, is one of the best-known examples in the Christian belief system. Most of these dreams that the legendary apostle recorded are bizarre and open to interpretation.

While prophetic dreams were honored in many cultures, they were held with contempt in others. During the witchcraft purges of Europe and even in the unfortunate witch hunts in the American Colonies, a dreamer could be considered in league with the devil.

Still, dream interpretation remained a vibrant source of American folklore and magic.

Native tribes throughout the Americas enjoy a rich heritage of dream interpretation and vision quests. Many of these tribes still integrate dreams with rites of passage, sacred ceremonies, and reality representation. They emphasize dream symbols with animals and other aspects of nature.

The Dream World & Modern Psychology

Although many modern psychologists may scoff at the idea of dreams having supernatural connections, they can’t deny the overwhelming influence on the human psyche. Who could consider the psychological aspect of dreaming without thinking of Carl Jung? This Swiss psychiatrist was a pioneer of analytical psychology and was fascinated with dreams.

• Carl Yung’s Dream Research

After years of research, Jung theorized that dreaming was the brain’s way of interpreting reality. He believed that dreams were a valuable connection between the body, mind, and spirit. Jung also based his ideas of individuation and personality on a person’s ability to dream.

Why Do You Dream of Teeth Falling Out?

Sometimes, your dreams play out in a logical sequence that replays the events of the day or something in the past. However, most dreams don’t make a lot of sense and may use funny or worrying symbols. Whether or not a dream is an omen or has meaning is entirely subjective.

Is this a familiar dream scenario? You look in the mirror and notice to your horror that all your teeth were gone? Or maybe you dream that you touch a sore tooth, and they begin to fall out one after another. Having a dream of teeth falling out is a common theme, regardless of age, gender, race, or culture.

Not only is a dream of teeth falling out common, but it will usually recur throughout the dreamer’s lifetime. If you’ve had this toothless dream for most of your life, it may seem funny or terrifying. Do you ever wonder if it’s a sign you are losing your teeth, or does it have a deeper meaning?

The Brain’s Symbolic Language

Before you rush in a frenzy to your family dentist, realize that the dream world’s common symbols can’t always be taken literally. Just because you dream of teeth falling out doesn’t mean that it’s going to happen. It may not have anything to do with your pearly whites at all.

Remember that your brain often uses familiar symbols to reflect what is deeply seated in your psyche. Dream interpretations can be as subjective as seeing patterns in the clouds. Symbology may be significant for one may not be accurate for another person.

Many mental health professionals specialize in analyzing dreams and comparing them to how their clients process their past and present. They’ve offered several interpretations for those who dream of teeth falling out. One or more of these suggestions may resonate with your dreaming experiences.

• Your Teeth as Your Self-Esteem

What is one of the first things you notice about self-confident people? They are usually beaming with a toothy smile. Do you sometimes smile in the mirror at your reflection? It’s not conceited to feel good about how you look if you keep it in perspective.

If you dream of teeth falling out, say some psychologists, it could be your brain’s way of coping with low self-esteem. It’s as if you are losing your power to smile, and it becomes a powerful symbol in your mind. Maybe you wrestle internally with not being “pretty enough” or “good enough.”

• Personal Loss

Dealing with a personal loss of any type can short-circuit your brain as it scrambles to protect you while trying to understand. Personal failure isn’t always connected with the death of a loved one. Things such as divorce, losing a job, or moving from your home can be devastating enough to cause significant dreaming activity.

Perhaps as you dream about losing teeth, your mind is coping with an unexplainable loss in your life. The shock and anguish of watching your teeth fall one by one can symbolize your grieving process. You can have this common dream scenario even if you’ve had dentures for years.

• Grinding Your Teeth

Here is an exciting interpretation of a dream about losing teeth. Some experts say that people often grind their teeth at night when dealing with anxiety or depression. The physical action of grinding your teeth while sleeping may produce the tooth dream.

Conversely, you can be dreaming about losing your teeth, and the anxiety makes you grind your teeth in your sleep. It’s difficult to say if the action produces the dream or the dream creates the story. Either way, teeth grinding can wear down your teeth and should be addressed by a healthcare professional.

• Other Suggestions

Having a dream about losing your teeth doesn’t necessarily signal a mental or physical issue. Sometimes, your brain may use tooth loss as a symbol of personal growth or challenges. Remember how excited you were when you lost a baby tooth that would soon be replaced by a permanent one? In this sense, interpreting tooth loss can represent a good thing.

If you are coping with health issues, your brain may feel overwhelmed. You may have recurring dreams about losing your teeth to symbolize your fears and frustration in these cases. Your teeth and smile may be symbolic of your well-being.

Maybe having a dream about losing your teeth doesn’t suggest anything at all. It could be like Scrooge’s observations in Dickens’ iconic novel. Countless studies show that indigestion during sleep may result in strange dreams or nightmares.

• Common Symbols Related to the Tooth Loss Dream

Who in this world has never had the universal dream of standing in public naked? Like the tooth loss dream, psychologists often relate its symbology to low self-esteem or the lack of confidence. Have you ever dreamed that you were falling endlessly into a dark abyss?

Old folklore suggested that it was a dark omen if you have the falling dream and hit the ground.

• When Dreams Turn Dark

Many common dreams fall under nightmares, especially for people who are coping with anxiety or PTSD. They may have chronic nightmares that reenact their trauma, or an unseen force or assailant can symbolize it. You can’t run or scream because your brain has a safety mechanism that turns these actions off for your safety.

When nightmares are amped to full power, they become night terrors. Such horrific dreams are so vivid that the dreamer reacts in panic and terror. Night terrors are often seen in traumatized children and adults with PTSD, requiring mental health intervention.

Final Thoughts on Why People Dream of Teeth Falling Out

Could your dreams be revealing things in your life that need attention? If you always dream of teeth falling out, maybe it’s time to consider your well-being. When you cope with underlying issues like low self-esteem or life’s uncertainties, you can understand your brain’s messages with a compassionate smile.

10 Ways to Improve a Runny Nose Without Medicine

November 23, 2020 by Power of Positivity

No matter the season, you may be one of the many people prone to sinus infections and other respiratory conditions. At the first sneeze, cough, or throat tickle, you know what’s coming next. Soon, you’ll probably notice the endless dripping of a runny nose.

While you want your nose to dispel excess mucus and embedded microbes, the constant flow presents issues of its own. Are you plagued with sniffling and a swollen nose that make you feel terrible? There’s hope for what ails you.

10 Ways to Relieve a Runny Nose Naturally

Before you reach into the medicine cabinet, why not try a natural remedy first? Most of these are things you probably have in your house already. If you are battling a dripping nose, hacking cough, and sore throat, here are some home remedies for you to consider.

1. Blow Your Nose

Blowing your nose may seem like common sense when it’s clogged or dripping. However, it is astounding how many people don’t do it. Instead, they resort to the old childhood trick of snuffing the mucous right back into their heads, making matters worse. When your nose is draining like a sieve, blow your nose regularly to keep the mucous and germs out of your nasal passages.

Not only do you need to blow your nose often, but you should do it correctly. Avoid placing the tissue over your nose and forcing a hard blow. It can result in a severe infection because the undue pressure can force air and germ-laden mucus into your ear passages. Do it correctly by pressing your finger against one nostril, blow gently to clear the other nostril, then switch.

2. Drink hot beverages

If you have a cold, flu, or seasonal sinus issue that gives you excess mucus, it’s essential to stay hydrated. Drinking plenty of cold, refreshing water can boost your immune system and can thin the massive mucus build-up in your breathing passages, which helps to clear your runny nose. You may also consider low-sugar sports drinks to replenish your electrolytes.

When you have been sniffling, don’t forget the benefits of drinking hot liquids. Soothe your sore throat, achy sinuses, and runny nose with herbal tea, coffee, or homemade chicken stock. Not only does the warm liquid comfort you, but the rising steam can help relieve stuffy nasal passages that cause a runny nose.

3. Hit the Shower

When you consume hot liquids, you quickly find that steam can be your best friend when you have the sniffles. Likewise, taking a warm shower can build up beneficial steam to help open your clogged nasal passages so you can breathe better. Don’t use water that’s too hot because it can irritate or damage your skin.

If you want to boost the power of your warm shower, try adding a shower tablet infused with essential oils like eucalyptus or mint. These essential oils are powerful natural decongestants that can ease your runny nose. As you relax in the comforting steam, the tablet will melt and infuse the air with healing vapors.

4. Gargle Away Your Sniffles

Your ears, nose, and throat are so intricately related that a simple case of the sniffles can cause problems for each area. Have you noticed that tell-tale tickle in your throat that warns you a cold or sinus issue is on its way? In the process, your ears may pop and feel itchy or stuffy.

Don’t wait until you get the inevitable runny nose to try this effective natural remedy. When you have post-nasal drip, the constant drainage can inflame your throat and make you cough. Gargling on of these options can soothe your sore throat and may help relieve your sniffles:

·Salt gargle: For thousands of years, salt has been revered for its many healing benefits. For an effective salt gargle, dissolve half a teaspoon of fine sea salt in a glass of warm water, gargle, then rinse your mouth. Repeat these steps three to four times per day to relieve symptoms.

·Honey-Lemon: Both honey and lemon juice has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Take advantage of their natural benefits by mixing a tablespoon of fresh lemon juice and a teaspoon of honey into two cups of hot water. It will make enough for you to gargle at least three or four times a day until the sniffles subside.

5. Pamper Your Nose

For playing such an essential role in respiration and your sense of smell, your nose is often under-appreciated. You may not pay much attention to it until you start sniffling with a runny nose. It will usually be puffy, red, and irritated from constant blowing and using scratchy tissues.

When these dreaded symptoms appear, be kind to your nose and pamper it with some soothing herbal salve. Use a salve with essential menthol or eucalyptus oil to calm the inflamed skin at the base of your nostrils, but don’t put it inside your nose. The vapors from this salve can also help unplugged stuffy sinuses so that you can breathe better.

Handkerchiefs may have been a status symbol in the past, but we know better today. Blowing your nose into a cloth and re-using it redeposits germs, so save the hankies for dress-up. Instead, use soft disposable tissues and wash your hands each time you must blow your nose.

6. Ease Your Sore Sinuses with Heat or Cold

Sometimes, inflamed or infected sinuses are to blame for a dripping nose. When your sinuses’ delicate lining becomes irritated and swollen, it blocks the normal flow of mucus and traps germs. You may often experience excruciating pain in the sinuses around your eyes, forehead, and cheeks.

A natural remedy to ease painful sinus pressure is using either a hot or cold pack. You can purchase them or try a homemade variety. Sometimes you can alternate heat and cold to relieve the pain and reduce swelling so your sinuses will drain adequately.

7. Prop Up with an Extra Pillow

When you feel miserable with sinus congestion and a runny nose, rest may be one of the best things for you. However, coughing and blowing your nose can keep you awake at night, worsening your symptoms and exhaustion. How you sleep may be an answer to relieving your issues.

If you don’t already, consider sleeping with two pillows. With your head slightly elevated, you may breathe better and allow for proper sinus drainage. You can get the same effect by placing a foam wedge between your mattress and box springs.

8. Try a Neti Pot

Although nasal irrigation has been used for centuries, it hasn’t received much attention in the medical community until recently. A Neti Pot uses a warm saltwater solution to rinse your nasal cavities of excess mucus and microbes.

Neti pots are usually rubber and resemble small teapots. You pour the warm saline solution into the pot and use the spout to rinse each nostril gently. You can easily find a Neti pot inexpensively at your local drug store or online.

9. Turn Up the Heat

Are you a fan of hot and zesty spices found in cuisines around the world? When you dig into a spicy dish that’s touched with hot peppers or tangy spices, your whole body takes notice. Your eyes may water, and you may feel your sinuses opening and draining as a response to the heat.

The next time your nose is stuffy and won’t stop dripping, try eating something with hot peppers, cayenne pepper, or other zesty spices you enjoy. These ingredients contain capsaicin, a natural compound responsible for the heat that can open your sinuses so that you can feel better.

10. Boost Your Vitamins

It turns out that your mother was right when she urged you to get plenty of Vitamin C to ward off colds and the flu. Countless scientific studies demonstrate the effectiveness of Vitamin C to help prevent these issues. Vitamin A and Vitamin E can also help strengthen your immune system.

Other nutrients that can help relieve your sniffling include zinc, probiotic foods, and protein. While dairy products provide calcium and Vitamin D for healthy bones and teeth, avoid them when you have sinus issues. Consuming dairy products can thicken mucus linings and make your symptoms worse.

Final Thoughts on Improving a Runny Nose

These natural remedies have been used for years to relieve symptoms related to clogged sinuses and post-nasal drip. If you have asthma or another chronic respiratory disorder, talk to your primary healthcare provider before trying any home remedy. If you notice that your symptoms are getting worse, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible.

What can be more irritating than sniffling throughout your day with stuffy sinuses and a drippy nose? Natural remedies may be the answer to preventing the condition or at least minimizing your symptoms. You can feel better without spending a fortune on over-the-counter treatments or prescription drugs.

These 15 Quotes on Love Will Help You Love Again

November 22, 2020 by Sarah Barkley

Love is the best feeling in the world, but heartbreak may leave you feeling like you can’t love again. However, it’s crucial to get past that feeling and give love another shot when the time is right. Many quotes on love can help you love again with tips, encouragement, and experienced insight.

You are not alone in this situation, and it is expected to be afraid to love again. You deserve to be happy and to experience all of the joy that comes along with being in love, though. Don’t miss out on those experiences out of fear or because you are holding onto something that has ended.

Give yourself another chance at love, no matter how many times you get hurt. As these quotes on love will explain, the right person will come along at the right time. You have to be open to the possibility and remember that true love will be incomparable to anything else.

Fifteen Quotes on Love to Help You Move On and Love Again

1. “It’s okay to be scared, but you have to go out there, open up, love, make mistakes, learn, be stronger, and start all over again.” – Unknown

If your last relationship left you scared for the next one, that’s okay. You still have to be strong and start again, being open to loving again. Life is about love, so learn from your mistakes and try again.

2. “The greatest act of courage is not falling in love. But, despite everything, falling in love again.” – Robin Wayne Bailey

Falling in love the first time happens without warning, so it is not the most courageous thing. However, falling in love again after being hurt shows true courage. Show yourself just how courageous you are by being open to the possibility of loving again.

3. “First best is falling in love. Second best is being in love. Least best is falling out of love. But any of it is better than never having been in love.” – Maya Angelou

There is nothing better than falling in love, as Angelou explains here. While falling out of love is pretty awful, it is still better than never having experienced love.

Give yourself a shot at love, even if you have been scorned. Don’t miss out on the best thing in life because of fear or anger.

4. “Being hurt should not stop us on loving again. Always remember that better things are yet to come in our life.” – Unknown

Everyone gets hurt in life, and while it is an awful experience, you can’t let it hold you back. You deserve to be happy and to love again, so remind yourself of this. Better things will come as long as you let them in.

5. “The truth is, unless you let go, unless you forgive yourself, unless you forgive the situation, unless you realize that the situation is over, you cannot move forward.” – Steve Maraboli

When a relationship ends, it can be hard to let go and move on. This will only stop you from loving again, however. If painful feelings are still there, you won’t be able to experience love.

Learn to let go and forgive yourself. Forgive the person and the situation, and allow yourself to heal. Then, you can love again when the time is right.

6. “The most important thing in life is to learn how to give out love, and to let it come in.” – Morrie Schwartz

Many things are important, but giving and receiving love is at the top. Love brings happiness and other positive feelings, making life more enjoyable and exciting. Be open to falling in love again, and remember that it will be well worth it.

7. “If you’re brave enough to say goodbye, life will reward you with a new hello.” – Paulo Coelho

The pain you experience at the end of a relationship can be hard to deal with. If you can let go and accept what has happened, it will make the process easier for you. Acceptance and closure will open up new possibilities and bring new people into your life.

8. “Stop rejecting new relationships just because old ones didn’t work. Next thing you know, you rejected the one that God made for you by mistake. Yes, never give up on finding your soul mate. Searching for true love and finding it? Is priceless!!” – Glen Rambharack

You don’t have to date everyone you meet, but at least give people a chance. Please get to know them, become friends, and be open to the possibility that something more might happen later.

If you turn everyone away, you might miss out on someone great. Even after experiencing pain, you have to be open to loving again. There is nothing that compares to love, and it will only lead to more incredible things.

9. “Keep walking through the storm. Your rainbow is waiting on the other side.” – Heather Stillufsen

Falling out of love and healing from it is a storm you must get through. Don’t stop and let the storm overcome you and ruin your chance at love in the future. If you can get through the hard times, you will be blessed when the storm passes.

10. “Keep love in your heart. A life without it is like a sunless garden when the flowers are dead.” – Oscar Wilde

Always remember that love is what makes life beautiful and exciting. Without love, everything would be dreary. With love, however, comes excitement, happiness, and a new perspective on life.

11. “Loving can cost a lot but not loving always costs more. And those who fear to love often find that want of love is an emptiness that robs the joy from life.” – Merle Shain

Even if you try to convince yourself that you don’t want love, you will feel robbed of joy without it. It will leave you feeling empty, which is always worse than the risk you take by falling in love. You have to give happiness a chance and open up to the idea of loving again.

12. “Life without love is like a tree without blossoms or fruit.” – Khalil Gibran

Trees are always more beautiful with blossoms or fruit mixed in with the green leaves. Without blossoms or fruit, however, the tree is not the same. Fill your life with beautiful, eye-catching things by letting love in.

13. “Keep going. Everything you need will come to you at the perfect time.” – Unknown

You don’t have to start searching for love now, but stay open to it. Love will come to you when the time is right and when the right person comes along.

You have to give people a chance and keep an open mind. Then, you can recognize it when it comes to you.

14. “There is always madness in love. But there is also always some reason in madness.” – Friedrich Nietzsche

Love is complicated and wonderful simultaneously, and there is always madness, as Nietzsche describes. What is more important, though, is the reason behind the madness.

When it comes to love, that madness might be passion and a deep connection. Instead of being afraid of the intense feelings, remember that there is a reason your feelings are so strong.

15. “Getting even with the person that broke your heart will never give you peace. The only thing that will heal your wounds is believing that God loves you enough to bring someone else into your life to respect you and love you in the way you deserve!” – Shannon L. Alder

If you focus on getting even or dwelling on your anger and pain, you won’t be able to love again. You will only love again when you let go of the feelings and work on moving forward. Remind yourself that you will find someone to love again as long as you begin letting go of the past.

Final Thoughts on These 15 Quotes on Love Will Help You Love Again

Love is scary enough, but when you have been hurt, it is even scarier. The idea of falling in love again may scare you enough that you turn everyone away. However, this isn’t ideal, and these quotes on love can help you get past that mindset.

Use these quotes on love to help you love again to not miss out on joy in life. Love makes everything just a little bit brighter, so keep an open mind and an open heart. Once the right person comes along at the right time, you should be ready to recognize it and try again.

When you begin to feel afraid again, remember these quotes on love. You deserve to love and be loved, and you can only do that if you overcome the fear.

Fitness Experts Reveal 12 Ways Exercising Can Increase Mental Health

November 22, 2020 by Lakeisha Ethans

You’ve probably heard many times that you should exercise to increase mental disorders symptoms. Believe it or not, there’s truth to that advice!

While it isn’t a cure, exercising is truly one of the best ways to manage and reduce symptom severity healthily. Here’s how scientific studies by fitness experts reveal 12 ways exercising can improve your mental health.

1. It Releases Positive Hormones to Increase Mental Health

The act of exercising releases neurotransmitters or hormones, known as endorphins. Endorphins are fantastic feel-good hormones that lead to experiences of emotions of euphoria, joy, and happiness overall.

Studies have long uncovered the benefits that exercise has on those diagnosed with depression. It increases positive thinking and, in certain cases, can have equal effectiveness to depression medication.

Here are some things to keep in mind about exercising for that mood boost and your health:

The weekly exercise recommended 150 minutes of elevated heart rate per week – or 30 minutes, 5 times weekly.
Elevated heart rate can be achieved through things other than standard gym exercises, so try dancing, gardening, walking in a park, or other similar endeavors.
Working out with friends or family can add to the fun through social engagement, and it can also keep you motivated to exercise.

2. It Relieves Anxiety

There is plenty of common go-tos for relieving anxiety, with most options gearing towards the calming, like bubble baths or reading a book. But did you know that studies show that the most effective way to relieve anxiety is through exercise?

Yes, believe it or not, the endorphins let off during exercise is more effective for your symptoms than any common “calming” action! Here are some examples of effective anxiety aids in exercise:

A 20-minute jog
Aerobic exercise (moderate or high intensity)
High-intensity interval training

3. It Helps Memory

If you find that you’re forgetful all the time, the answers you seek may lie in exercise. It’s a surprising link at first, but think about it – a healthy body means a healthy brain! Here are some studies that show how well memory can be improved via exercise:

“Exercise training increases the size of hippocampus and improves memory,” published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America (2011). Did you know that the hippocampus shrinks as you age? That’s what made the results of this randomized control trial study so important. It found that cell production within the hippocampus can be boosted thanks to exercise. The hippocampus aids functions like learning and memory, and its improvement reduce the risk of dementia in the elderly.
“High impact running improves learning” published in Neurobiology of Learning and Memory (2007). In another randomized control trial study, this research paper revealed that running sprints could actually boost the retention of vocabulary. This was conducted with only healthy adults, which makes the results even more promising, as it shows even those at a younger can benefit mentally from exercise.
“A neuroimaging investigation of the association between aerobic fitness, hippocampal volume and memory performance in preadolescent children” published in Brain Research (2010). This interesting study found links between the level of physical fitness of children and their cognitive development. An obvious relationship between increased exercise and faster development was found, typically relating to how much children could remember from school and lessons.

4. It Increases Productivity

If you find your productivity dipping, it could be a sign that you need more exercise. If you actively allocate time for even a quick walk or jog daily, you could have positive changes in energy and productivity levels. Research concludes that cubicle workers who make time for exercise are typically more productive than their more sedentary counterparts. The best time might be around midday due to the body’s circadian rhythm, so try to squeeze in a little physical activity at that time.

5. It Can Boost Your Self-Confidence

Struggling with self-esteem? Hop on the treadmill, but not for the reasons you think! Fitness doesn’t just mean losing weight. It can also just make you feel good about yourself, thanks to the positive hormones it releases. This leads to better self-worth, self-image, and confidence. Better yet, these results remain the same regardless of:

Bodyweight
Gender
Age
Size
Original fitness level

What does this mean? You don’t have to be a super fit Instagram model to feel good after exercising! No matter your outer appearance, a workout at the gym or even at home can make you feel like a million bucks.

6. It Reduces The Risk Of Cognitive Decline

Many people fear the onset of cognitive decline as they age. Unfortunately, that’s often a standard degenerative result of growing older, as certain diseases begin to shrink the brain and kill brain cells, taking away numerous cognitive functions in the process.

Luckily, research indicates that exercise can have a positive effect on this kind of degeneration. It can protect the hippocampus by increasing cell production and engaging the memory center, allowing for better preservation of cognitive function over time.

Of course, it’s worth noting that there’s no real way to “cure” cognitive decline, and these types of diseases aren’t reversible. However, exercise can considerably slow their effects, and working out in advance at a younger age can reduce your overall risk of developing such problems as you get older.

7. It Makes You More Creative

Few people can see an immediate connection between heavily sweating and puffing at the gym and then painting a beautiful portrait at home. But, as it turns out, exercise really does make you creative as well as increase mental health!

Studies have found that those who exercise experience a two-hour creativity increase right after the fact, regardless of that individual’s actual state of mind or mood. So capitalize on post-workout time by doing something creative, or get your creative juices flowing by going for a walk!

8. It Brings Down Stress Levels and Increase Mental Health

Exercise is a fantastic way to relieve stress. The effort involved works up a decent sweat and helps you expel nervous and tense energy healthily and easily. Plus, as far as stress-related coping mechanisms go, it’s a great one to have.

The American Psychological Association supports this idea. It states that exercise can increase norepinephrine concentration. Norepinephrine is one of the chemicals that helps with stress response moderation, and having enough of it has great effects on positive thinking and stress levels. It allows you to handle tension and difficult situations better!

9. It Improves Brain Power

The act of exercising can make your brain more powerful – or, at least, that’s what experts think based on the limited research available. Judge the results for yourself; here are some of the most prominent studies on the topic!

“Aerobic exercise is the critical variable in an enriched environment that increases hippocampal neurogenesis and water maze learning in male C57BL/6J mice,” published in Neuroscience (2012). This study found that exercise is the key factor in boosting the overall brain power and performance of mice, specifically improving their learning and brain cell generation.
“Aerobic exercise improves hippocampal function and increases BDNF in the serum of young adult males,” published in Physiology & Behavior (2011). According to this research paper, aerobic exercise can create brain cells at a faster rate, especially in the hippocampus, which is responsible for learning and memory. It also increases BDNF, or brain-derived protein, levels in the body.
“Short bouts of mild-intensity physical exercise improve spatial learning and memory in aging rats: involvement of hippocampal plasticity via AKT, CREB and BDNF signaling” published in Mechanisms of Ageing and Development (2011). In elderly rats, this study found that running for approximately five minutes multiple times a week over the course of five weeks could lead to significantly boosted brainpower. This was thanks to an increase in BDNF molecule production in their brains’ memory centers, leading to their performance on par with younger rats!

10. It Improves Your Ability To Sleep

Do you ever notice how easy it is to fall asleep after a good workout? As it turns out, this is about more than just general tiredness. Exercise causes an increase in body temperature that energizes and wakes up the body, but eventually that temperature slowly begins dropping back to normal.

When your temperature hits its usual coolness, your body automatically receives a signal: it’s time to sleep! This is so effective that even those with chronic insomnia can receive these positive effects. It’s recommended that you exercise about five or six hours before bedtime to receive the signal at the right moment.

11. It Can Inspire You And Those Around You as Well as Increase Mental Health

In most studies, it’s clear that being paired up with someone results in better exercise performance. This means that working out with others can inspire them, making you feel great about yourself. And of course, as part of that group, you will also be inspired by the people exercising around you. This may be due to these factors:

You experience positive and healthy competition with your exercise buddies, spurring each other to do better
The effort of your exercise buddies inspires you, and they are inspired by your efforts, in turn
Being in a team has been scientifically proven to increase pain tolerance, meaning you and your exercise buddies have a higher chance of pushing yourselves to further and more effective limits

12. It Can Help Fight Addiction

Addiction often forms due to the feel-good hormones released in the body when you engage in unhealthy food consumption, drug usage, alcohol abuse, or intimacy. Luckily, exercise produces similar hormones that can make you feel just as positive! Studies have found that it can effectively help recovering addicts overcome their addictions. This is because it can do the following things:

Distract addicts
De-prioritize certain cravings in the short-term
Provide the hit of dopamine that many addicts receive from their vices
Balance out bodily processes and functions disrupted by addiction

Of course, keep in mind that there is no fast-track solution to overcoming addiction. It takes professional help, positive thinking, and awareness to fight that mental health problem, but exercise can certainly add help to the battle!

Final Thoughts On How Exercising Can Increase Mental Health

A healthy body means a healthy mind, so it’s no surprise that exercise is a fantastic way to increase mental health. Add it to your daily routine, and you’ll be impressed by how much better you feel!

Psychology Reveals What Makes A Narcissist Change (Or Not)

November 22, 2020 by Power of Positivity

If you’ve ever been involved or related to a manipulative person, do you often wonder what makes a narcissist change? Many believe that these people are lock into a pattern of unsavory qualities that they can never alter. Some experts think that once this person is set into their devious ways, there’s no changing them.

The narcissist is hard to deal with on a good day. They like to dominate the conversations as well as make outlandish demands to gain attention. They will lie and manipulate to get ahead in life, and they are not above throwing you under the bus to keep their wrongdoings secret.

If you’re in a relationship or have this person in your family, will all your interaction with them be turbulent? While these people are often painted in dim light, they can have redeeming qualities too. Plus, what makes a narcissist change their ways may be time and their decisions in life.

Does Growth Change Your Personality?

A study brings some hope to those who must deal with these devious people regularly. The University of Mannheim did a study that looked in-depth at the characteristics of the manipulator. This analysis is that so many of today’s youth are presenting with symptoms of a narcissist, and they wanted to track changes.

Researchers want to see if these individuals can turn the spotlight off themselves and focus on others’ needs. Though previous studies have shown that narcissism is more prevalent in today’s society, no one has ever followed these behavioral patterns from childhood through adulthood.

The researchers followed people diagnosed from age 18 through 41. With data collected, they could see if people become less narcissistic overtime or more manipulative. The unique thing about personalities is that they can change as a person learns and grows.

A teenager reaching the threshold of adulthood at 18 will not be or act the same when they are 35 years old. Life’s circumstances and things like their job, family, and friends can play a big part in their personality changes. Are you the same person you were when you reached the magical age of 18?

Of course, you’re not the same. Nobody acts or thinks like they did when they first got out of high school. Though it’s a milestone to graduate and enter the “real world,” there are still many lessons to be learned. Each choice you make helps to define your character as well as mold your personality.

Take, for instance, a person who is hired to make sales. They need to open up and talk to the public to be successful. They learn how to work the crowd to gain customers. This job type can undoubtedly turn a shy person into a more outgoing one by motivating them with money.

A Study of Temperament Alterations

Using this basis, the researchers wanted to see if these people’s life choices helped further or hinder their personality development. The research used 519 people, a mix of male and female, to measure their narcissism. The evaluators looked deeply at the life events that had occurred in each person’s life. Things measured were:

•Marriages and serious relationships

•New job or career paths

•Health problems

•Serious injuries

•Loss of friends or loved ones

Participants had to rank these events as they correlated with their life. They were required to mark if it had a positive or negative effect on them. Could these events be what makes a narcissist change?

Time for Self Evaluation

Using the basis for this study, evaluate your life. What events would you say define you as a person? Are you married with children, or have you chosen the single life? Do you have a good job, or have you struggled to make it financially?

Do you have a supportive family unit, or are your friends more relatives to you? All these things can have a significant impact on the way a person acts and reacts to stressors. Someone who has a good support system may experience a loss or financial woes, but they know that they have someone standing behind them.

It makes all the difference in what happens next. Narcissism is a personality disorder that often develops from a deep-seated need for acceptance. This study was about to prove if outlying factors could help someone change these evil and manipulative ways.

A Comprehensive Look at Outlying Factors

There were many factors on the examination that gave researchers the data they needed. Everyone has things in their life that they cannot control. The study looked at the prestige of each person’s life.

• Job and Career Path

Researchers wanted to know if they had a degree, finished high school, and what type of job they held. Were they respected in their employment and had supervisory responsibilities? Did they bring home a good salary? Each participant then rated their satisfaction in this area of life.

When a person is not satisfied with their job, it can make them miserable. Think about your current position; are you happy with your pay, title, and achieved success? It certainly can be a significant factor in your personality if you must go to a job each day that you loathe.

If a person feels underappreciated, underpaid, and like they’re not living up to their full potential, it’s easy to see how it can take a toll on your temperament.

• Relationships

When considering what makes a narcissist change, relationships were another aspect that they evaluated. Evaluators asked participants about their relationship status. Were they married with children or single parents?

It’s easy to see how this could significantly impact an individual’s personality. Think about your life. If you were in an abusive marriage, it would affect you negatively. However, if you had a partner that doted on you and were your best friend, then your answer would be more favorable.

Researchers need to see if these people were in what they called “an ideal union” or if they were unlucky in love. The single parents who struggle every day aren’t going to answer the same person who has a spouse who handles 50 percent of the load.

• Health

The final part of the evaluation process to see what makes a narcissist change was about health. If you don’t think health can significantly impact your temperament, then ask someone who has had cancer, lupus, or another debilitating condition. When you’re sick and tired all the time, you don’t feel like going out and socializing or keeping your social life hopping.

Another part of the data needed was to see if the people were overweight. Did you know that there are direct links between depression and obesity? Poor body image may be a motivating factor behind the narcissist as they feel they need to compensate for their perceived negative image.

People who have frequent hospital and doctor visits and those on many medications all held important clues into life changes that affect personality.

After giving all these participant details a comprehensive look, the researchers could make an informed opinion. There was a measurable decline in narcissism scores as a person ages. The study shows that this manipulative personality peaks in the early adulthood years, but it seems to lesson as many enter the real world.

People who ranked higher on the narcissism scale held supervisory positions where they had the power to manipulate. People with children didn’t have the vanity issues that those without offspring held. Indeed, child-rearing seems to foster humility.

The Takeaway on A Narcissist’s Ability to Change

The good news from this study is that there is hope if you’re dealing with a manipulative person. It appears that what makes a narcissist change is a good dose of life and a swift kick from the real world. Life has a way of knocking an individual back into reality and giving them new perceptions with each event.

While this may not explain a person who’s 40 or 50 years of age and still acting devious, it certainly gives hope to the younger generation. Another interesting theory is that children tend to be a bit more “self-centered” because they lack the life experiences necessary to humble them.

An 18-year-old fresh out of high school thinks they know it all and are ready to take the world by storm. However, once they learn how scary responsibility can be and pay pills while juggling 100 other things, it has a way of sobering you. With each storm of life comes lessons that you learn.

Life’s events won’t change an authentic personality disorder, but it does help. There’s still the need for therapy and treatment when someone is so manipulative that they destroy the relationships around them. Thankfully, what makes a narcissist change is growing up. So, there’s always hope.

Stop Giving Energy to Negative People If You Want to Be Happier

November 22, 2020 by Power of Positivity

There are two kinds of people in this world, those who are positive and those who are negative. Your personal energy is affected by who has the most substantial influence over you. If you want to be happier, you can stop giving your power to negative people.

Sometimes, this task isn’t as easy as it seems. You may have a choice of friends who are in your life, but you can’t choose your family. Your job may also require you to interact with coworkers and customers that you would usually avoid in your personal life.

When you are around people with positive attitudes, they boost your energy and make you feel joyful. Negative people zap your strength and joy as they drain your energy. You can be happier when you deflect their toxic influence, whether they’re family, co-workers, or friends.

How have your energy levels been lately? Are you living each day to the fullest, or are you barely existing? If you have too many negative people surrounding you, their toxic attitude may be bringing you down.

Ways to Keep Negative People from Draining Your Energy

Are you ready to be happier and enjoy your life again? Like Dorothy’s magical red shoes in the Wizard of Oz, you’ve had the power all along to do it. Here are some tips to nix the energy drain from negative people in your world.

• You Can’t Change Them

Negative people have often wallowed in their misery for so long that it’s a comforting habit. Unless they decide to make a change in their attitude and situations, they will not change. It’s a waste of your precious time and energy to make toxic people change.

Isn’t it strange that those with toxic attitudes don’t seek the same? Since their energy is depleted with negativity and self-pity, they often gravitate to positive people. It’s usually not to change, but they want to latch onto you and drain your energy.

• Set Boundaries

It’s difficult when you have family or co-workers who create a toxic atmosphere. Fortunately, you may only have to deal with that negative relative at family gatherings. When the workday is finished, you can leave the toxic co-worker at the office.

No matter who the negative influence is in your life, setting boundaries can help you be happier and energetic. Toxic people demand attention and are a constant drain on your time and resources. They can only push you as far as you will allow.

You have the right to set boundaries and draw the line regarding what you find acceptable in a personal or professional relationship. See what a difference it makes in your life when you learn how to say “no.” You needn’t be a doormat or the burden-bearer of people who are always negative.

Don’t make yourself available to these people. If they violate one boundary, they will keep doing it. Realize that although you are a caring person, you can’t save people from themselves.

Stop answering the phone when that dreaded family member or friend calls to bellyache. If you are caught in a face-to-face conversation that’s going south, change the subject. People who can’t respect boundaries should be avoided.

• Stay Off the Stage

Negative people thrive on attention, and they are continually re-writing their dramatic stories. They wouldn’t love anything more than to make you a character in their tales of woe. Sometimes they will appeal to your good nature and generosity.

No matter the crisis, real or imagined, these toxic directors want you on stage with them. They desperately need your energy, so they will often create drama to snag you in the picture. While you don’t want to seem heartless, you can’t fix everyone’s problems.

Recognize manipulative people for who they are. As they are drowning in their sorrow, don’t get caught in the negative whirlpool. You’ll be happier if you step away from theater and let them have the center stage of their melodrama.

• Focus on Yourself

When someone has you trapped in their negative sphere, they want all your attention. They are like vampires who drain you physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. If you allow them enough influence, you’ll soon lose sight of yourself.

Decide to be happier and focus on your needs for a change. Just because you love yourself and see to your needs doesn’t make you a narcissist. It makes you a person who is practical and wants to have a more positive energy flow.

Be kind to yourself and engage in things that make you feel joyful. Enjoy some of your favorite hobbies, or spend some time relaxing and pampering yourself. Consider practicing yoga, meditation, and visualization to concentrate on the positive things you love about your life.

• Avoid Projection from Negative People

One of the many characteristics you’ll notice about negative people is their skewed thinking. When they are confronted with mistakes or shortcomings, they won’t own it. Instead, they will often shift the blame to somebody else.

They are never at fault for any of the mishaps in their lives. Their pessimistic outlook compels them to blame others for their misery and unhappiness. The toxic people in your life may try to project their pain and frustrations onto you.

Rather than to accept that they’ve made mistakes and take any responsibility, they may make you the target of their anger. Refuse to be a target and speak your mind. For your own sake, walk away from this toxic relationship before you end up the same way.

• Know Your Strengths and Weaknesses

Unlike negative people, those with a positive outlook know how to evaluate themselves honestly. We are all humans who make mistakes and have shortcomings. When you can admit your weaknesses, you’ve already identified an undeniable strength.

Toxic people like to focus on your flaws and past mistakes. By trying to make you look bad, they think it makes themselves look better. Instead, it makes them look like an obnoxious jerk, but they won’t see it.

When you take ownership of your weaknesses, negative people lose their leverage. Not only do you acknowledge your shortcomings, but you are learning from them. Such a positive take will deflate toxic people and allow you to be happier in the long run.

• Refocus Your Thoughts

How do you survive in a whirlwind of negative people? You may not have the ability to change a situation, but you can decide how you think about it. Instead of submitting to a negative attitude, try to look at the situation in a positive light.

• Don’t Back Down

Once you have set boundaries in a personal or professional relationship, don’t back down from them. When negative people don’t get their way, their obnoxious behavior may escalate to manipulate you. They don’t like the word “no,” and they pout and may get belligerent if they don’t get their way.

A key to remember about negative people is that they only have power over you if you let them. When you stop listening to their sob stories and refuse to be manipulated, they will move on. It’s your way of letting them know that their negative tactics won’t work anymore.

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• Save Your Fire for What Matters

Negative people often try to drag others into their drama by starting arguments. A battle of the minds with these people takes a lot of time and energy. Choose your battles wisely, and don’t take the bait.

They will often broach highly personal and controversial subjects, such as politics, religion, and sex. Their negative slant and inflammatory language are usually meant to antagonize you. Do yourself a favor and avoid conversations with them, if possible.

Malicious gossipers and backbiters generate the worst type of negativity. If you can’t get them to change the subject, say that you don’t talk about others like that. They’ll get the picture and will seek someone else for their toxic news.

• Surround Yourself with Positive People

Have you ever noticed how bright a single candle is in a dark room? Positive attitudes repel the dark, gloomy shadows of negativity. If you want to be happier, try to surround yourself with positive people who make you feel good. A positive atmosphere will shut down a negative person quickly.

One way to create a more healthy, positive atmosphere is to eliminate harmful and toxic people from your life. Of course, it won’t be easy if it’s a loved one or a long-time friend. Until they change for the better and stop dragging you down, keep away from their influence.

How do you recognize positive people? These are folks who are genuine, kind, loyal, and can laugh at themselves. Positive people don’t live in a fake Pollyanna world, but they can still see the cloud’s silver lining.

Final Thoughts on Avoiding Negative People

If you want to be happier and have a fulfilling life, avoid the influence of negative people. Instead, focus your time and energy on the positive. Even in the heaviest of life’s storms, a smile and a positive attitude can be the anchor you need to stay afloat.

You Lost An Amazing Person, And This Time It’s For Good

November 22, 2020 by Power of Positivity

You had your last chance with an amazing person. But now, you finally did it. You broke the last straw, and now your partner is gone for good. There are no more second, third, or fourth chances. This was it.

Your partner was a beautiful soul and an inspirational spirit. Someone who could cause miracles with a simple smile. A person whose light shined so brightly that it illuminated all the darkness you brought into the relationship. Your partner outshined you, but instead of absorbing that illustrious light, you wanted to dim it.

This time, you did more than dim the light. You put it out. You burned the candle all the way to the last part of the wick. You cannot relight it. Your partner left, and it did not need to be that way. Now it’s time to examine where things went wrong. Only then can you put together the pieces of your life and move on.

Instead of looking at this relationship as a failure, think of it as an opportunity to reboot your life and get back on track.

Self Reflection: Why did your partner leave?

Let’s look at some of the things that might have gone sideways in your relationship. Only once you identify the issues can you make smarter decisions when you meet a new person.

1 – Did you cherish your partner?

You could have cherished your partner. You could have appreciated everything that wonderful person gave to you. Oh my…they gave you so much.

Love, peace, acceptance, kindness, understanding, and motivation are only a few of the gifts that you took for granted. Your partner gave you so much. Your partner gave and gave, and you took it all, never giving anything in return. To make it even worse, you gave it all away. Perhaps you recognize now that you tossed these gifts to the side, thinking that there would always be more.

Now you know better. There is an end for unappreciative people, and you have reached it. This is one race that you ran and came in the first place, but the prize was not a prize at all. You ran the wrong race, and now instead of winning, you are paying. You are paying big time.

How to show your next partner how much they mean to you.

Your partner wants to know that you cherish, respect, and will always protect their feelings. Keep this lesson in mind for the next time that you fall in love. Here are some ways to show your next love interest that you really do value them:

Carve out time for them, even when you are very busy with work, family, or other obligations. No excuses. Your time is proof that you care.
Plan special outings or dates. Think of a picnic at their favorite park, movie tickets for two in their favorite genre, or even a day trip to a local tourist site. Plan these dates according to your love’s interests–not yours.
Send your new love a special text or DM for no special reason. This gesture tells them how much you treasure them.
Give your new love your undivided attention. Switch off the smartphone and pay attention. Look into their eyes when they are speaking.
Learn to become an attentive listener. Restate the key points of what they say to you to ensure full understanding. Mirror their gestures, so they see you are tuned into them.

2 – Did you think the grass was greener on the other side?

They say that sometimes the grass is greener on the other side, but you seemed to have skipped over the word sometimes. What you failed to realize is that you were already on the other side. Your grass was the greenest.

What was so special about that other side? What did you feel you were lacking? Was it worth losing everything? Was it worth giving up all the good times, all the special moments, and future possibilities? Now all you have left are memories and ghosts. I bet when you remember, you will see all that green grass that you previously ignored.

While some very forgiving people can forgive a cheater, most will not tolerate that behavior. Now that you learned that lesson the hard way, look inside yourself. You have a critical question to answer:

Why is it that you were not satisfied?

Here is the real question. It would help if you dug deep inside to determine why you cheated. Perhaps this amazing person was not the right one for you. When you find love again, find someone with the qualities that will keep you happy forever.

3 – Were you incompatible with this person?

These days, it is almost impossible to find a compatible partner for a relationship. That is something your partner now realizes more than ever, thanks to you. Hopefully, you have not scarred your partner for life, and they will be open to finding the right one. After all, they deserve happiness, not the mistreatment you gave them.

But was your behavior an indicator that the two of you were really incompatible?

The next time you take a chance on love, look for someone who shares your dreams, goals, and values. While opposites might attract, it takes two people striving for a common goal to build long-lasting love. So if that’s what you really want, then compatibility becomes ever-so-important.

Signs of compatibility

Here are eight primary signs that prove someone is compatible with you:

You share common hobbies or interests. Life is more fun when you have someone to explore it with!
Your partner inspires you to become your best self. Indeed, you greatly care about their opinion of you.
Each of you accepts the other just how you are. Trying to change someone will backfire every time.
Both of you want to make plans to build a life together. You cannot imagine walking down the path without this special someone by your side.
You love each other without any strings attached. Love should never be a quid pro quo scenario.
You want to impress your love’s family. Family is everything, and you know, someday you’ll need that support system.
Your friends and family like your significant other. When they blend into your group seamlessly, it makes life easier. Your relatives and buddies know that this is a person who is good for you, gaining them instant acceptance.
Both of you also value alone time. You are secure in a compatible relationship. So you don’t fear cheating or other misconduct. This security allows you to take the time to yourself that you might need to recharge your batteries from time to time.

4 – Did you learn your lesson–and now you’re ready to move on?

If you are ready to start healing and be better, you will search within yourself to find and fix the problems. That is assuming that you have accepted the fact that you are the problem. If you had accepted this sooner, your partner might still be around. However, you did not, so it is too late to fix that relationship. Fix yourself for the future.

Yes, you have ruined things between you and your partner, but you may still be able to change for the better (assuming you want to). This is not “another chance” with that person because those are over.

Think of this opportunity as a remaking of yourself–a reboot, if you will. You are alone now, so you can start from the ground and become a whole new you. It would be best if you start by practicing being grateful for all the blessings in your life. Gratitude makes you happier, which fosters an appreciation for those you cherish.

Remember that people are not your doormat. Treat them kindly and with respect. Treating others well helps you remember that people have feelings, and it acknowledges that their feelings are important. Finally, treating others well will make you better for the next person.

Final Thoughts on Losing Your Special Person–and the Chance to Reboot

You probably never thought you would feel this way when they left. You thought it would be no big deal and that they would come running back like always. This time, you got it all wrong. Your partner has had enough, and the relationship is over.

It is a tough fact to accept. Yes, it hurts like a broken bone, and it is a wound that may never fully heal. But you do really regret your role in this. So you will take the steps you need to take to do better in the future.

So move on. But learn from your mistakes. You will do better the next time you find love. Perhaps when you are lucky enough or blessed enough to find another, you will learn from your mistakes and treat them much better. That newfound positivity and awareness of your mistakes will help you build a better relationship in the future.

Researchers Suggest That The Middle Sibling Is Usually The Troublemaker

November 22, 2020 by Power of Positivity

Are you the middle sibling in your family? If not, perhaps you know someone who is in the middle of their sibling group. Is there any truth to the theory that kids born in the middle suffer from “middle child syndrome?”

When there are both older and younger siblings, it’s believed that the kids in the middle feel ignored or excluded due to their birth order. As a result, many children develop specific personality traits as part of this syndrome. However, some believe this is just an old theory that has no psychological basis.

The first child often is doted on by parents as it’s a new and exciting experience. The middle child is still important, but the parents become more seasoned with their skills and don’t use such a hands-on approach.

By the time the baby comes along, the parents have grown older and more relaxed in their child-rearing ways. Perhaps, much of what is thought of as a syndrome is nothing more than the shift of parenting techniques.

Is Middle Child Syndrome Real?

Did you know that your birth order can have everything to do with your personality development? Back in 1964, a man named Alfred Adler studied this theory. He believed that the order in which a child is born could greatly impact their psychological development.

At the time, such a theory was widely unaccepted as mental health and psychological studies weren’t as commonplace. However, as the years have passed, the theories he discovered have been proven. Here are some of the common personality characteristics that he believed:

• Oldest Sibling

This child feels more powerful and is often the authority figure among the sibling group. The parents put high expectations on this kid because they are experimenting and learning with their roles. It’s common to see this individual as a leader and clear the path for the other siblings.

•Middle Sibling

This kid is wedged in the middle, and they will have a hard time finding their place in life. They are stuck between the oldest and the baby, and they will vie for their parents’ attention. Though they are usually even-tempered, they can have issues from being often overlooked.

•Youngest Sibling

The youngest kid gets the beauty of being the last child born into the family. Parents are usually laxer by this time, and they’re often spoiled. Children who fall into this category often grow up with a sense of entitlement and are coddled and catered to throughout life.

Characteristics of The Middle Sibling

Many psychologists studied the impact of birth order on the middle sibling and personality tendencies. Here are some of the common conceptions about this child in the sibling order.

•Temperament

It’s not uncommon for the middle sibling to feel that the other children in the home overshadow them. Since the older sibling tends to have a stronger personality, and the baby is coddled, the middle child feels stuck trying to find their place.

The personality of this kid is often more muted. Since these individuals often feel out of place, they tend to be quiet and remain even-tempered.

•Relationships

It’s no secret that middle siblings have a hard time feeling equal to the other children in the home. Most older children get more responsibilities because of their age. The younger child gets plenty of attention because they’re the baby.

The middle child doesn’t get the extra privileges or attention, so they often have difficulty with relationship development. They may grow up feeling less than even though nothing could be further from the truth. In most cases, their perception is off.

•Competition

Being in the middle isn’t always a great place to be. This child feels that everything in their life is a competition, so they naturally grow up competitive. Some take on being a peacemaker because being wedged between other siblings puts them on neutral ground.

•Nepotism

According to the middle child’s views, they feel the older kid is special because they were first. The youngest child is also special because they are the baby. The middle kid feels that they have no redeeming position or place to make them favored. Since they are “in-between kid,” they struggle for their parent’s attention, and these perceptions can cause issues all through life.

Does Middle Child Syndrome Affect Adults Too?

Can middle child syndrome be an issue that lasts into adulthood? If the theories presented by Alfred Adler are true, then these issues can have a cascade of adverse effects that will follow these people into their adult life. The personality and relationship traits that one develops in childhood almost always follow them as they age.

Middle children often express feelings of neglect. So, in their adult relationship, it’s common for them to struggle with issues of co-dependency. If they felt like the referee between the oldest and youngest siblings, they might carry these peacemaker ways into adulthood.

Being a peacemaker isn’t a negative trait, and it can be amazingly effective in the business setting. Sadly, they might have a dulled personality when being compared to others around them. If they have a best friend, they may doubt their sincerity or ever feeling worthy enough for that title.

The Science Behind Birth Orders

Though Alfred Adler made some astounding statements for his time, researchers today still study the relationship of the middle child and the birth order. A study showed that the middle sibling is more apt to develop conditions like:

•Obsessive compulsive disorder

•Schizophrenia

•Depression

•Eating disorders such as anorexia

•Autism

•Anxiety disorders

The Role of the Middle Sibling in Birth Order, According to Science

Since the middle child often feels neglected or left out, they often hold troubles inside and don’t want to talk to their parents. One study found that children born in the middle position don’t feel comfortable talking to their parents about important matters, such as sex education and development.

The study evaluated over 15,000 people who were born as the middle child. Using analysis from both male and female participants, they found that 29 percent of women and 21 percent of men found such matters hard to discuss. Though their parents never discouraged the conversations, they did not feel close enough to chat about such topics.

Does the middle child feel that they can turn to their parents in times of adversity? A study in 2016 found that the middle sibling doesn’t feel close enough to either their mom or dad to consider them a confidant. Additionally, they found that these children were less family-oriented than other siblings in the order. Do years of being felt like they don’t fit take a toll on their relationships?

Is it any wonder that these individuals develop an obsessive-compulsive disorder as they feel that they must plan things to dictate their outcome? Though research helps to understand the individual’s position in this birth order, many other factors come into play regarding the development of personality.

Middle Siblings and Depression

What about birth order and depression? A study in 2003 found that middle children were more likely to develop depression than other kids. Nevertheless, when they conducted a follow-up to this research, they found that it didn’t single out the middle child as much as the kids born later in life.

However, they added that the increase of psychiatric disorders in adolescence increased when children felt disenfranchised by their family unit.

There are hundreds of studies on this subject, and each one has contradictory results. So, it’s not easy to determine if middle child syndrome exists or if it’s just a figment of the imagination.

The probability remains that many factors determine a person’s temperament, mental health, and connection with others. While birth order may have some bearing, it shouldn’t be considered the deciding factor.

Final Thoughts on The Middle Sibling

Psychologists and the public like to throw around the term middle child syndrome, but research is contradictory. There are defining factors in the birth order that can impact a child’s life, but it doesn’t mean they will follow them through adulthood.

Ultimately, one’s development’s temperament and the outcome are various aspects, including social status, family unit, economic factors, and genetics. Birth order is important, but it’s not the only thing that must be considered.

A middle sibling can have mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, personality syndromes, and even develop eating disorders. Consequently, those issues can also happen to the first or the last-born child too. Some middle kids might be troublemakers rather than peacemakers, and there’s no rhyme or reason to why they don’t follow perceptions.

Though many kids might fit into the beliefs established by Alfred Adler so many years ago, there’s not enough research to back up these theories to establish them as fact.

Tree Rings May Reveal Evidence of Supernova Activity

November 22, 2020 by Kristen Lawrence

New research by University of Colorado Boulder geoscientist Robert Brakenridge shows that tree rings may hold evidence of massive space explosions. When a huge star dies off, it emits high levels of gamma radiation into the cosmos. However, these colossal explosions don’t only affect space. Additionally, they leave permanent records in Earth’s geology as well. A November 4, 2020 study in the International Journal of Astrobiology reveals that plants may keep records of these celestial explosions.

“These are extreme events, and their potential effects seem to match tree ring records,” explained geoscientist Robert Brakenridge of the University of Colorado Boulder.

The study analyzes supernovas’ effects, which astrophysicists describe as some of the most violent events in outer space. To give you an idea of the magnitude of one of these explosions, picture this. A single supernova explosion can release as much energy in a few months as the Sun does during its entire lifespan. Not surprisingly, supernovas also emit a huge amount of light into space.

Brakenridge, a senior research associate at the Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research (INSTAAR) at CU Boulder, further noted the following:

“We see supernovas in other galaxies all the time.Through a telescope, a galaxy is a little misty spot. Then, all of a sudden, a star appears and may be as bright as the rest of the galaxy.”

Scientists don’t know exactly how often these supernova explosions happen in our galaxy. Various studies estimate that one to three supernovas occur each century. However, records show the most recent one exploded over 400 years ago. A supernova explosion occurring near Earth could easily put an end to human civilization. However, even if they explode farther away, the supernova can still damage our ozone layer. Furthermore, it emits dangerous levels of radiation, albeit not enough to totally wipe us out.

Scientists have a hard time spotting supernovas since their brightness varies over time. However, Brakenridge and his team thought looking a bit closer to Earth may yield some evidence of these explosions. They decided to look through Earth’s records of tree rings in hopes of finding evidence of supernovas. Their findings revealed that relatively close supernovas might have caused at least four climate disruptions on Earth in the last 40,000 years.

Radiocarbon holds the key to understanding supernova activity.

Brakenridge explained that radiocarbon, a carbon isotope occurring in only trace amounts on Earth, provides evidence of supernovas. Radiocarbon only forms when cosmic rays from outer space penetrate our atmosphere frequently. Since this radiation constantly occurs in space, Earth always gets a dose of it in varying amounts. When these cosmic rays enter the upper atmosphere, they collide with nitrogen atoms, producing a nuclear reaction which results in radiocarbon.

“There’s generally a steady amount year after year,” Brakenridge said. “Trees pick up carbon dioxide, and some of that carbon will be radiocarbon.”

However, the radiocarbon recorded in the trees varies depending on cosmic events. Scientists hypothesize that solar flares and storms may explain the random spikes in this isotope occurring over several years, then fading again. Brakenridge and his team believe these spikes in radiocarbon may occur due to much more distant space activity.

“There are really only two possibilities: A solar flare or a supernova,” he said. “I think the supernova hypothesis has been dismissed too quickly.”

The study

To test their theory, he and his team analyzed tree ring records. The first compiled a list of recorded supernovae in the past 40,000 years, as observed in remnants of stars. Next, the scientists compared this list to records of radiocarbon spikes occurring in tree rings during the same period of time.

They discovered that unexplained spikes in radiocarbon levels corresponded with the right closest supernova to Earth.

The team focused on four that stood out the most:

The Vela supernova, once 815 light-years from Earth, exploded around 13,000 years ago. Tree ring records showed a 3 percent rise in radiocarbon around the same time. However, the Vela explosion date could have occurred 1,500 years later or earlier, as scientists can only estimate the timing.
The 3+00.3 supernova exploded around 7,700 years ago. It once sat at a distance of around 2,300 light-years from Earth and corresponded with a 2 percent rise.
Vela Jr. could have occurred 2,800 years ago, although scientists have a hard time pinpointing the exact time. It corresponded with a 1.4 percent radiocarbon spike.
Lastly, HB9, which exploded 5,400 years ago at 1,000 to 4,000 light-years from Earth, caused a 0.9 percent uptick in radiocarbon.

While researchers can’t yet draw conclusive evidence from tree rings, the evidence so far seems promising. Their main difficulty lies in accurately dating the supernovae, but Brakenridge believes the findings so far warrant further research. Brakenridge said:

“What keeps me going is when I look at the terrestrial record and I say, ‘My God, the predicted and modelled effects do appear to be there’.”

If they can find more precise ways to date supernova activity, tree rings could provide great insight into these celestial events. Then, perhaps we can learn more about any supernovae that may threaten Earth soon.

Brakenridge hopes that humanity won’t have to deal with any exploding stars anytime soon. However, some astronomers think they’ve found evidence that Betelgeuse, a red giant star in the constellation Orion, might explode soon. It sits at only 642.5 light-years from Earth, which is much closer than Vela. However, no studies or findings have been published yet about this hypothesis.

“We can hope that’s not what’s about to happen because Betelgeuse is really close,” he said.

Final Thoughts on What the Tree Rings May Reveal

Scientists have found that tree rings may hold clues of past supernova activity. A geoscientist from CU Boulder believes that spikes in radiocarbon in tree rings correspond with known supernovae in the past 40,000 years. While research linking these events remains in its infancy, it could help scientists analyze supernova activity more extensively in the future.

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