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10 Red Flags Someone Has Suicidal Thoughts and How to Help

September 19, 2020 by Power of Positivity

Life is a precious gift that is renewed each day. For some, it can become so burdensome that they decide to take their life. How can you detect warning signs of suicidal thoughts before it’s too late?

Brief History of Suicide

Anthropologists and zoologists agree that suicide is a human action. The act of killing one’s self may be older than recorded human history. One of the first recorded suicides may be from Ancient Egypt, with records being more common in Ancient Greece and Rome.

As centuries passed, suicide became woven into the tapestries of art, literature, and music. The legendary Egyptian Queen Cleopatra was said to have taken her life by a venomous snake bite. Who could forget the double suicides of Romeo and Juliet?

Taking one’s life hasn’t always had the moral implications it does today. In some cultures, suicide is considered honorable and loyal under the right circumstances. Suicide missions have been war tactics for years in some countries.

Modern Suicide Statistics

To get an idea of how disturbing the numbers are, try counting from 1-40. By the time you get to 40, one person has taken his life somewhere in the world. One suicide approximately every 40 seconds equals about 800,000 people a year.

Mortality statistics show that suicide is the second most common cause of death among people in the 18-24 year-old bracket. Nearly 45,000 people take their life in America every year. Statistics show that the races most at risk are Caucasian, Native Americans, and Native Alaskans.

Suicide Prevention

It’s normal to want to give up when you are depressed and overly stressed. However, suicidal thoughts are a cause of concern and shouldn’t be taken lightly. It’s a cry for help that must be answered before it’s too late.

Do you or a loved one have suicidal thoughts? Maybe your teen has seemed withdrawn and in a constant dark mood lately. Has your senior family member lost interest in things she used to do and is fixated on death and dying?

It would be a blessing if people who wanted to take their own lives would seek help immediately. Unfortunately, they usually don’t, so it’s up to family and friends to discern the warning signs. Here are ten warning signs that someone is contemplating suicide and needs immediate intervention.

Red Flags of Suicidal Ideation

If your friend or loved one is thinking about suicide, he won’t always say anything about it. Changes in normal behavior are of concern. Carefully notice these non-verbal pleas for help.

1. Withdrawal from family, friends, and society

2. Chronic drop in mood

3. No longer attentive to personal hygiene or appearance

4. Behaving recklessly, especially if it’s out of character

5. Poor diet, overeating, malnutrition, weight fluctuations

6. Constantly being distracted

7. Being uncharacteristically angry or in a constant rage

8. Persistent insomnia

9. Substance abuse, such as drugs or alcohol

10. Giving away sentimental or expensive possessions

Other Clues Someone is Suicidal Never to Ignore

Are you listening to what your person is saying, even if you must read between the lines? Anyone can have a bad day and make negative comments. However, pay attention when someone is always making references to these points.

1. Expressing hopelessness

2. The belief that no one loves them or believing they’re a burden

3. Expressing feelings of worthlessness or loneliness

4. Fixation on death

Suicide Risk Factors

Did you know that some factors can make you more apt to entertain suicidal thoughts? Just because you are in a risk group doesn’t mean it’s a given. However, statistics show strong correlations between risk factors and suicide.

Suicidal ideation and attempts
Substances abuse concerns
Mental health troubles such as depression, anxiety, bipolar, PTSD
Bonding issues with parents, family, friends, romantic partners
History of incarceration and legal issues
Financial problems
Abuse history, especially physically and sexually
Easy access to things like medication and weapons
Recent death or suicide of a family member or a close friend
A victim of bullying
Chronic physical illness or disability
LGBTQA+ youths are more likely to commit suicide than heterosexual teens or young adults.

According to statistical data, men are more likely to commit suicide than women. Their methods are also usually more violent, such as self-inflicted gunshots, hanging, or cutting. Women often choose to take poison or overdose on prescriptions.

• Mental Illness: Common Link

When you compare the signs and symptoms of suicidal thoughts with clinical depression, they are almost identical. Also, people diagnosed with these conditions won’t always have every one of the signs. Statistics show that as many as 60 percent of those who commit suicide were diagnosed with clinical depression.

Do you suspect that someone you love may be having suicidal thoughts? Have you noticed one or more of the signs and symptoms? How can you seek help for your friend or loved one?

Beware of the Myths About Suicidal Behaviors

Even in the 21st century, myths about people who are having suicidal thoughts are prevalent. Such misperceptions not only hinder people from getting help sooner but can cost a valuable life. Don’t believe these common myths.

Myth #1:

All you need to do for a suicidal person is to give him a hotline number.

Truth:

While suicide crisis hotline numbers are a lifesaving asset, there are no guarantees that your loved one will call just because you gave him a number. Instead, consider calling 9-1-1 or taking him to the emergency room yourself.

Myth #2:

Never ask a depressed person if she is considering suicide.

Truth:

The signs and symptoms of depression and suicidal thoughts coincide, so it’s vital to ask. If your friend or loved one is deeply depressed, your questions may save her life.

Myth #3:

Once somebody has hit rock bottom, he isn’t at risk for suicide.

Truth:

Really? When a person has gone as low as he can go, he is even more apt to contemplate suicide. A person can be suicidal in any degree of hopelessness or despair.

Myth #4:

If someone is considering suicide, she will do it, no matter what.

Truth:

This dangerous myth assumes that intervention is useless. Never shy away from asking direct questions and helping your person get the help she needs.

Myth #5:

If it’s not wintertime, you don’t have to worry about suicide.

Truth:

This myth is based on fact, albeit twisted. Yes, many people commit suicide during the winter holidays. But a person can take his own life any day and any time of the year.

Myth #6:

This person is too religious to consider suicide.

Truth:

Suicidal ideation is no respecter of persons, religious or not. Although having a spiritual support network is vital when someone is in crisis, it is no guarantee that they won’t have suicidal tendencies.

Ask Candid Questions

Don’t beat around the bush when you are dealing with someone’s life. Ask direct questions concerning whether they want to take their life.

How are you coping with the stress in your life?
Do you ever feel like just giving up?
Do you think about dying?
Are you thinking about hurting yourself or committing suicide?
Have you ever thought about suicide before, or tried to harm yourself back?
Have you thought about how or when you’d do it?
Do you have access to weapons or things that can be used as weapons to harm yourself?

If the person answers yes to one or more of these questions, it’s time to intervene immediately. Whether you drive her to the emergency room or call 9-1-1, please don’t leave him or her alone. Make sure she is in the hands of medical personal and be as supportive as possible.

Final Thoughts: What If You Are Having Suicidal Thoughts?

What if you are the one who is thinking of ending your life? Under normal circumstances, you may dismiss the idea. You never know how you may feel when you are influenced by overwhelming stress and depression.

If you’ve experienced a significant loss or have a history of mental illness, you must talk to someone when you feel down, and that life isn’t worth living. Have you noticed any of the signs and symptoms of suicidal ideation? Do you work with a mental health provider?

Don’t wait until you are in crisis to consider counseling. When you are already working with a counselor, she may see the red flags when you can’t. Asking for help is not a sign of weakness.

Don’t hesitate to reach out to someone you know and trust if you feel like hurting yourself or taking your life. There is help and hope for you. Out of all the deaths around the world each day, perhaps suicide is the most preventable cause.

Remember that the more you know about the signs and symptoms, the quicker you can intervene to stop someone from who wants to take their life.

15 Ways to Make a More Positive Environment Every Day

September 19, 2020 by Power of Positivity

Your environment has a lot to do with your mood. Indeed, many people don’t realize how much their environment affects their happiness and even their outlook on life. A positive environment or a negative situation has a massive impact on whether you’re a positive or negative person.

One study, published by researchers at IOP Science, shows that having green areas such as trees and landscaping in a neighborhood positively correlate with a “joyful” factor. Also choosing to add a retaining wall or two to your landscaping can be a big step, depending on the size and scope of the project. Retaining walls Lenexa can be functional, decorative, or both and some experienced retaining wall contractors can plan, design, and install all types and sizes of retaining walls for residential and commercial properties. Other things will also keep your environment positive.

Here are 15 ways to create a more positive environment at home or work

1. Let in some light.

It’s no secret that darkness and depression go hand in hand. There have been numerous studies done linking these two things. Always being in a dark environment can alter your mood. You won’t be as happy and positive as you could be.

If you work in a dark environment, you can’t do anything about that. However, on your breaks, try to relax in a well-lit room or even outside. In your home, try to stream in as much natural light as possible. Natural light puts you in a better mood than artificial light.

2. Decorate your space to your liking.

Dull, boring, bare walls don’t inspire much. This is especially true if your walls are a flat, dull, stark color. This is one reason why people hate working in cubicles so much.

Adding some personality to your space can go a long way when it comes to putting you in a positive and inspired mood. Personalizing your space, whether it’s home or work, is a great way to create a positive environment.

3. Put affirmations on your walls.

This is probably one of the easiest ways to create a positive environment. Being able to read positive messages throughout the day can subconsciously put you in a positive and motivating mood. It’s almost like tricking yourself into being positive.

You can buy fancy wall messages if you want to be more decorative, but you could also write out your affirmations and stick them on your wall. This might be a little more logical if you work in a cubicle. Either way, get some positive messages up in your line of view.

4. Socialize more.

Lack of social interaction can make you feel lonely, negative, and depressed. Even introverts need to interact with people sometimes. If you’re always by yourself, you need to push yourself to get out and meet people.

You don’t have to become a social butterfly, but you should at least make an effort to make a friend or two. You can easily do this by joining a group. A book club, a fitness class, or volunteering are great ways to get out and meet people.

5. Take care of background noise.

Background noise, also known as noise pollution, can have a dramatic effect on your mood and your health. In some cases, you can’t do anything about the noise. Urban areas are drowned in background noises like traffic, sirens, and people.

Unfortunately, background noise has been linked to an increase in high blood pressure, anxiety, and depression, among other things. While you might not be able to get rid of it, you can do something to reduce it. Earplugs help, or you could try a white noise machine.

6. Keep your work in your workspace and keep your relaxing space work-free.

It would help if you had clear boundaries in your home to maintain a positive environment. This means that you should designate a place in your home for work only. If you have an office that is great, but if you don’t, you should block off an area and let that be your work area.

Doing this allows your mind and spirit to relax fully when you’re in your relaxation areas. Being able to relax has a significant impact on whether you’re positive or negative. If you can never relax, you can be sure that your mood is going to lean more towards the negative side.

7. Clean up clutter.

Regularly seeing piles of clutter everywhere throws off your brain’s dynamic. It can make it hard for you to focus, affect your memory, and decrease your productivity. Even worse, the effect is cumulative, so all of this continues to pile on until you’re left feeling uninspired and unmotivated.

Cleaning up clutter helps to keep you in a positive spirit. Your brain isn’t thrown off by disorganization, and you can focus more. You’ll find yourself happier and in a better mood.

IKEA’s Bully a Plant project proves the power of positivity can alter your outcome.

8. Surround yourself with positive people.

If you’re always around positive people, that positive attitude is going to rub off on you. Even if you think of yourself as a leader and not a follower, surrounding yourself with the wrong people will eventually have a negative effect on you.

Instead, keep your circle full of people with a positive outlook on life. This could mean cutting some people out. Sometimes even family and friends are the ones you need to drop from your circle. It doesn’t mean you should not ever talk to them again. It just means to keep them at a distance, so they don’t influence your environment.

9. Start a garden or buy some plants.

You don’t have to become a gardener, but greenery and pretty flowers have been known to increase happiness and positivity. If you don’t want to grow plants, buy them. It could be a small plant for your desk, or it could be large floor plants for your home.

You don’t even have to buy real plants. Fake plant arrangements that look great can have the same effect. This way, you can reap the benefits without having the stress of keeping them alive if you don’t have a green thumb.

10. Enjoy the little things in life.

There is so much to enjoy in life. If you’re continually ignoring these little things, it can take the joy out of your day. Wake up, go to work, come home, do it all again. That’s a monotonous cycle that doesn’t inspire a positive mood.

Try enjoying the warmth of the sunshine for a few minutes. Smell the flowers outside of your job before you go in. Watch a street act—Pet a puppy. Admire an elderly couple who is still in love after decades. It’s the little things that make life worth it.

11. Make sure your environment smells good.

According to Rachel S. Herz, an Assistant Professor of Psychology at Brown University, odors can affect your mood, but not like it does for everyone else. You must have associated that odor with something in your life. Therefore, if a scent is offensive to you, it can put you in a bad mood, which can crush your positive environment. For anything else that smells bad to you, do what you can to remove the odor from your situation.

12. Don’t stare at screens all day.

Studies show that the average American spends 7 hours a day staring at screens, and it’s causing vision problems, eye strain, headaches, and neck pain. With all of this going on, it can be hard to remain positive. Try to limit your screen time as much as possible. Put up your phone and read a book instead of watching tv.

13. Exercise more.

When you feel good physically, you feel good mentally. The effects of regular exercise on your mood is no secret. It’s been studied over and over again. Exercise releases endorphins which make you feel good and puts you in a great feeling. You’ll feel better and be in a more positive mood.

14. Be kind to people.

Being helpful to people will inspire people to be kind to you. You’ve heard that old saying – treat others how you’d want to be treated. Treating other people well will make you feel great and make them feel great. Then they’ll want to make you feel great, and it becomes an environment where everyone is making everyone feel great. How can you not think positive like that?

15. Eat healthily.

You are what you eat. You’ve probably heard that several times before. Studies have shown that certain foods can affect your mood and even the way you feel about life in general.

Eating healthy is a great way to feel good about yourself. As stated before, feeling good mentally equals feeling good physically and vice versa. Your mental state is as much a part of your environment as any tangible object, so eat healthy to keep yourself feeling good.

Final Thoughts on Creating a Positive Environment

Creating a positive environment starts with yourself. You must make your physical environment warm, happy, and inviting. You must also have excellent mental and emotional health to keep you in a positive spirit. Don’t be afraid to remove anything that inspires negative thoughts or emotions. The more happiness, light, and positivity you invite into your life, the better you’ll feel and be. Before you know it, being positive will be a way of life.

15 Red Flags Someone is an Emotional Vampire

September 19, 2020 by Power of Positivity

If you’ve never dealt with an emotional vampire, you’re lucky. However, it could be that you don’t realize that a friend or loved one is like that. These types of people will drain you of your energy and emotions, and, to make matters worse, they won’t care.

For your health, it’s important to recognize when someone is an emotional vampire. Once you identify this energy zapper, learn to deal with them pleasantly while keeping them at arm’s length.

Know the fifteen signs someone might be an emotional vampire

Here are 15 red flags for which you should look.

1. They always turn the topic to themselves.

For some reason, no matter what you’re talking about, they’ll find a way to make it about themselves. Are you talking about your college grades? Somehow the conversation will turn in to how your scores affect them. What about a great date that you had yesterday? Yep, all about them.

If you’re feeling left out of a conversation with someone all the time, this is a significant, glaring indicator. This self-centered friend is incapable or possibly unwilling to allow someone else to be the center of attention in a conversation.

2. They always seek validation.

They probably have low self-esteem, so they require constant validation. The crazy thing is that you probably know this on some subconscious level, and you feel bad that they have low self-esteem. Therefore, you try to be friendly and supportive because you care.

They feed on this caring emotion from you. Indeed, they may even always fish for compliments. No matter how tiring this gets for you, they’ll continue to do it until you put a stop to it.

3. Emotional vampires thrive on and seek out drama.

Problems, negativity, and drama have a lot of energy. Energy suckers are naturally drawn to drama because it feeds their personality. Sometimes they may even go to extremes to instigate drama.

Continually seeking out drama is childish, but emotional vampires don’t see it that way. Instead, it’s a thrill to them. If you’re not careful, you can find yourself squarely in the middle of their drama simply because you’re associated with them.

4. They are emotionally unavailable.

If you think that your energy-sucking friend will be there for you when you need a shoulder to lean on, think again. They are selfish and emotionally unavailable. They will suck away all of everyone’s emotions, but they are unwilling to share when you need some.

Of course, they may be so wrapped up in themselves that if you tell them exactly how you’re feeling, they’ll dismiss it and change the subject to how they’re feeling. Even worse, they might make you feel bad that your bad feelings are making them feel bad. It’s a crazy cycle.

5. They always seem to have a negative vibe.

If you are a spiritual person, you may be able to detect people’s vibes when they come around. An emotional vampire will always project a negative vibe or aura. It can be so strong that it’s hard to ignore.

If you keep yourself around such a strong negative vibe, some of it may rub off onto you. Even the healthiest people might be slightly affected. The best thing you can do is stay away from people with negative vibes.

6. Every situation is always a crisis.

You may notice that your friend over-dramatizes every little thing. The most superficial problems that can easily be solved seems like the Titanic is about to sink again. What’s worse, it may seem that your friend is always having these minor-major issues.

People who suck up energy and emotions need to turn everything into a crisis so they can get more power and feelings out of you. It’s a vicious cycle in which you’ll continuously feed their needs until they wear down your last nerve.

7. They hold ridiculous grudges.

If your friend is holding grudges from elementary school, this is a big red flag. It seems that they can’t let anything go, ever. You can be sure that your friend will be holding grudges on their death bed.

This grudge-holding stems from their desire for drama all the time. If they forgive people, there will be no more drama. That means no more emotions for them to suck up, and they can’t have that.

8. They will complain about everything all the time.

It may seem like nothing is ever good enough for your friend. They have a problem with everyone and everything. They never have compliments or anything good to say.

Life can be very dull and harsh, being around a person who complains about everything. They’ll try to suck all of the joy out of whatever you’re doing so you’ll be as miserable as they are. If you’re a healthy person, you can fight against this, but it doesn’t make it any less irritating.

9. These friends seem to be unaware of others.

A person who is an emotional vampire doesn’t pay any attention to the fact that there are other human beings on the planet. They can happily go through life, never connecting with people, giving them credit for anything, or even recognizing that they have feelings and emotions.

Examples would be dismissing the excellent job that their waitress did or ignoring how their partner feels about them forgetting their anniversary. They can be cold, cruel, and seemingly heartless.

10. These folks never accept responsibility for their actions.

As much trouble as your friend can cause, they will never accept responsibility for their role in the drama. According to your friend, everything is everyone else’s fault. They play the victim role exceptionally well.

Even when it’s obvious that your friend is to blame, they will deflect that blame elsewhere. There is no reasoning with a person like this. You’ll only drive yourself crazy, trying to get them to see the light.

11. Emotional vampires continuously try to one-up you.

Unfortunately, they don’t just suck up negative energy. They suck up all energy. This means they want the power of being “the best” at all times. They won’t celebrate in your successes. Instead, they give you an empty compliment and immediately compare it to something they’ve done better than you. Here is an example.

“Oh, you finally lost that ten pounds? Great. Keep working at it, and you might be able to look as good as I would in that dress.”

It’s an empty compliment. This phrase is not a compliment (because they are incapable of giving real compliments). It’s just your friend trying to prove that they’re better than you.

12. They think that only their needs matter.

This makes sense because a person like this doesn’t pay any attention to people around them anyway. It’s almost like they live in a bubble, and they only pull you in long enough to drain your emotions. In their bubble, no one else’s needs matter.

Just keep in mind that if you keep this person as a friend, they’re not going to care about what’s happening in your life genuinely. They are more of a “surface” friend. They’re incapable of caring about your needs.

13. They are masters at guilt trips.

Emotional vampires seem to be skilled at making you feel guilty. They can even make you feel guilty about something that you had absolutely nothing to do with. Before you know it, you’ll be caving into what they want in an attempt to apologize for nothing.

Sometimes it can take a little time to recognize that they do this to you. However, when you realize it, get out of it. They’re not going to stop guilt-tripping you. It’s just who they are.

14. Emotional vampires are bullies.

People like your energy draining friend are unpleasant to be around. They have a nasty personality. They’re mean, selfish, insecure, and hostile. They are also bullies.

Bullying doesn’t work on everyone, but emotional vampires seem to have an innate quality that allows them to sense weaker people. They’ll bully these people into giving them what they want – energy and emotions.

15. Talks nonstop.

After reading the other fourteen red flags, it shouldn’t be surprising that all those energy suckers talk nonstop. If they don’t even acknowledge the people around them, it’s not going to occur to them that people have an opinion (or maybe they don’t care that people have an idea). To them, they are the only ones that exist or matter, so why would anyone else have anything to say?

They may rarely give you a chance to even reply to what they’re saying. Why? Because they don’t care what you think or how you feel.

Final Thoughts on Dealing with the Emotional Vampires in Your Life

Throughout this article, we’ve referred to the energy sucker in your life as your friend. However, let’s be honest. This person is not a friend. They’re a leech. They’re simply a parasite in your life feeding off of your energy and emotions. They’ll keep mooching off of you until there is nothing left, or until you put a stop to it.

Don’t allow emotional vampires to consume you. Use these 15 red flags to recognize them for who they are. Then cut them off and enjoy your life.

Family Therapist Explains 10 Ways to Win Over Your In-Laws

September 18, 2020 by Power of Positivity

Getting married is an exciting adventure filled with love and plenty of planning. One thing that the happy couple doesn’t prepare for is what it’s like to meet the in-laws. There have been movies made about the dreaded encounters when you meet your mother and father-in-law, and they learn that you will take the hand of their son or daughter. The good news is it makes for great movies and videos, but you can have a beautiful relationship with your family, and everyone can live in harmony. Now, it all comes down to the personality of each party and their views on things. Some people are easier to win over than others.

Not only can an awkward relationship with your love’s family cause you anxiety, but it also puts your partner in the middle of any disputes. Over the long-term, your partner will also suffer stress from this predicament.

10 Tips to Build an Excellent Relationship With Your In-Laws

If you want to have a good relationship with your in-laws and win them over from the start, here are some tips that can help you accomplish this task.

1. Respect Their Religious Beliefs

Whenever you join two families together, you are bringing different backgrounds, traditions, and beliefs. You must respect their family and their views, even if they don’t align with yours.
In some faiths, women wear caps over their heads as a covering. Here are some examples. In the Mormon faith, they don’t believe in drinking caffeine of any kind. In the Muslim faith, alcohol is a no-go.

It’s easy to see how just these three examples could bring about major conflict with some people. However, while you don’t have to live by their rules and regulations, you should follow them while you’re in their home. So if the family is against drinking, you shouldn’t bring a flask in for dinner.

These little gestures of kindness can have a significant impact on your relationship with your in-laws. Additionally, you want your husband or wife to feel that you have respect for their family, or it can cause a significant rift. Being positive about religious diversity will go a long way, according to studies.

2. Always Show Kindness

It would help if you treated your partner’s parents how you want your parents to be treated. Even if they step across the line or say inappropriate things, you want to make sure that you treat them with respect. It’s perfectly acceptable to say something like, “I respect and value your opinion, but we will have to agree to disagree.”

There’s no need to argue and fight when you can state your feelings and move on. This world would sure be a boring place if everyone had the same opinions.

3. Include The In-Laws When Appropriate

One of the things that cause rifts with the in-laws is they feel excluded. When a son or daughter starts spending time with a love interest, the family often feels left out. They may not be present at Sunday dinners anymore, or they may not be as readily available to help with household needs.

You will probably encounter a lot of ill feelings because you take him or her away from them. The vital thing to counteract these feelings is including them. If Sunday dinner is a big thing at their house, then make sure that you attend also.

Though it’s difficult, you need to make sure that you don’t cut off people that were so special just because you’re busy being in love. You will need those relatives one day, so it’s best to start on the right foot.

4. Be Up Front and Honest

Honesty will go a long way with your future relatives. It’s easy to want to embellish your accomplishments to put yourself in a brighter light. Frankly, who doesn’t want the family of their future husband or wife to think they are going places?

It would help if you remembered that the things you say could and will impact your relationship at some time. If you exaggerate your salary or social standing, eventually, they will know the truth. Dishonesty can cause you plenty of problems when it comes to your in-laws, so it’s best to stick to the facts and be truthful from the start.

5. Defend Them When They Feel Slighted

One way to get on your mother or father in-law’s right side is to come to their defense. According to research, family members care if others in the unit feel they receive justice. Even if it’s just in family arguments or disagreements with the cell phone company, you need to play their defender.

When you rush to their defense during times of adversity, it shows that you are rooting for them and on the same team. They will appreciate that you stand up for them, especially when it seems like they’re on the losing end.

6. Laugh at Their Jokes

Some new family members may try to win you over with levity. Even if they tell the dumbest jokes you’ve ever heard, and they are not remotely funny, you still need to laugh.

When you give them the pleasure of thinking they’re funny, it’s a form of bonding. They want someone who is not only going to treat their son or daughter properly but will also listen to what they have to say.

7. Keep Conversations Light

One of the biggest mistakes you can make with your future relatives is to delve into in-depth topics too soon. Never discuss politics or religion unless you have no choice. These two subjects have caused war and many violent encounters across the country, and the last thing you want to do is talk about such matters with the family.

Try to keep things neutral and positive. Please talk about the weather, sports, and your partner when they were a child. If you want to make a good impression, then don’t get into anything controversial.

8. Offer a Helping Hand to the In-Laws

If you want to butter up the in-laws, then you can offer to lend a helping hand. A mother loves nothing more than their soon to be daughter in law to help peel potatoes or do other mundane tasks.

Perhaps, they need a new light hung in the Livingroom as the old one is on the fritz. If you have electrical skills and can hang that light for them, they will bond instantly with you. Helping them doesn’t mean making them feel like they can’t do something for themselves.

You want to tread lightly because some people may find it offensive if you try to take over their home, and this is especially true about a woman in her kitchen. Make sure it’s known that you want to help and not take charge.

9. Become Interested in Family History

Every family has a story. They may be relatives of a famous person, or they may have some well-to-do millionaires that they are close too. When you are going to marry someone, you must know about their family.

Additionally, family members will like the fact that you seem interested in their clan. Therapists advise that there are always destructive dynamics that you want to steer clear of in every family. So you should learn as much as you can about their history.

10. At Least Consider Taking Their Last Name

The older generation is a bit more old-fashioned. It was always commonplace for the women to take the man’s name in marriage. However, millennials have changed things dramatically. These days, you can hyphenate your name, keep it the same, or the husband can take the wife’s name.

If you want to impress them and let them know that you love their family, you can at least consider changing your name to match theirs. They will respect the fact that you at least considered the possibility.

Final Thoughts: What Not to Say or Do to The In-Laws?

Now that you’ve learned all the things you should do to get in your new family’s good graces, there are a few things that you should avoid. Here are the top things to avoid when dealing with your in-laws.

1. Don’t talk about religion or politics.
2. Avoid Subjects about alcohol or your consumption.
3. Don’t criticize their parenting skills or offer suggestions.
4. Never put down their son/daughter’s ways to them.
5. Don’t call them mom or dad right away without being told it’s okay.
6. Never tell them they have a standing invitation to your home.
7. Avoid making them feel inferior to your family.
8. Don’t talk about your family’s finances or yours either.
9. Avoid discussion holiday schedules in advance.
10. Don’t let the relationship turn into a power struggle.
11. Keep your not-so-nice opinions to yourself.
12. Never discuss the not-so-savory circumstances you’ve faced.

Dealing with in-laws can be a nerve-wracking experience. You want to put your best foot forward and hope they like you. Remember, these are the people that you’re going to see on every holiday, birthday party, or other special occasions. You want to forge a good relationship with them even if you don’t like them.

No one says that you must be good friends with your relatives, but you must find ways to get along even if it’s just for your spouse’s sake. If you want to win these people over, then you must be cautious during your first few encounters.

11 Surprising Rosehip Oil Benefits for Your Skin

September 17, 2020 by Sarah Barkley

Rosehip oil has many benefits that will immediately make you want to add it to your skincare regime. As it gains popularity, more people wonder about rosehip oil’s benefits for the skin. Surprisingly, there are many, making it a beneficial ingredient for all areas of your skincare.

Rosehip oil, harvested from the seed of rose plants, contains vitamins, antioxidants, and fatty acids. These components are essential for skincare, giving you the beautiful skin you desire. You may have already noticed, but many skin care products in the store contain rosehip oil because of their beneficial properties.

Research shows that rosehip oil skin can reduce redness, slow aging, eliminate acne, and moisturize your skin. Many products claim to do these things, but dermatologists back rosehip oil, agreeing it is beneficial for skin care.

Your skin is your largest organ, and it protects all of your other organs. Considering this, taking care of your skin is essential to maintaining your overall health. Learn about the benefits of rosehip oil for the skin and implement it into your daily skincare routine.

What Is Rosehip Oil (and what is it good for)?

Rosehip oil gets extracted using a cold-press method from the crushed seeds of a wild rose plant called Rosa canina. The oil contains many nutritional benefits, including vitamins, antioxidants, and fatty acids.

While rose oil comes from the petals, rosehip oil comes from the seeds and fruit, which sit just below the rose. It is a light, unscented oil, making it ideal for skincare or mixed with other ingredients.

Rosehip oil is often used with essential oils as a carrier oil. Essential oils are sometimes too intense to put directly on your skin, but the rosehip oil dilutes it safely. Plus, using rosehip oil with essential oils can offer many more benefits than just using essential oils alone.

Eleven Benefits of Rosehip Oil for Skin

Let’s look at rose oil’s benefits for face and skin care.

1. Rosehip Oil Hydrates Your Skin

Your skin can lack hydration due to extreme weather or as your skin ages. Rosehip oil rehydrates it with its essential fatty acids, linoleic and linolenic. These acids keep your cell walls strong, so they don’t lose water, resulting in soft and supple skin.

Rosehip oil for the skin also contains high levels of antioxidants, which further the hydration benefit. Your skin will easily absorb the oil and its antioxidants, allowing nutrients into the skin’s deepest layers.

2. Rosehip Oil Moisturizes Your Skin

Since rosehip oil locks moisture in your skin cells, it is a natural moisturizer. The oil isn’t greasy, making rosehip perfect for any skin type. It contains fatty acids and water, which are essential for skin nourishment.

3. Rosehip Oil Exfoliates and Brightens Your Skin

Rosehip oil contains high amounts of vitamins A and C. Vitamin A, also known as retinol, promotes skin cell turnover, while vitamin C helps with cell regeneration. Together, these vitamins eliminate and replace dead skin cells, leaving your skin vibrant and smooth.

Additionally, rosehip oil is high in beta-carotene, an antioxidant that promotes skin cell renewal. As you exfoliate with the oil, your skin becomes brighter, and your skin tone evens out.

4. Rosehip Oil Enhances Collagen Formation

Collagen is essential for skin firmness and elasticity and is known as your skin’s building block. As you get older, your body naturally produces less collagen. The vitamins A and C are essential for collagen production in rosehip oil.

Plus, studies show that rosehip oil stops creating enzymes that break down collagen. Breaking down those enzymes ensures that your collagen levels aren’t compromised. Collagen also helps improve the appearance of wrinkles and keeps the skin moisturized.

5. Rosehip Oil Helps Reduce Skin Inflammation

Rosehip oil contains polyphenols, anthocyanin, and vitamin E, which all have anti-inflammatory properties. This oil also contains the anti-inflammatory fatty acids linoleic acid, alpha-linolenic acid, and oleic acid. These components help control inflammation and redness, bringing relief to your skin.

Because of its anti-inflammatory properties, rosehip oil can help treat:

rosacea
psoriasis
eczema
dermatitis

6. Rosehip Oil Protects Your Skin from UV Rays

Exposure to the sun’s harmful UV rays can lead to premature aging and other skin issues. The UV rays interfere with your body’s ability to make collagen, making it lose elasticity and defining wrinkles. Research shows that vitamins A, C, and E combat visible sun damage and reduce the detrimental effects of UV exposure.

7. Rosehip Oil Helps Reduce Hyperpigmentation

When excess melanin forms dark spots or patches on your skin, it is hyperpigmentation. This condition can occur because of sun exposure, hormonal changes, and certain medications. The retinoids found in rosehip oil can help reduce the appearance of these spots.

Additionally, rosehip oil contains lycopene and beta-carotene. Studies show that these two components can lighten the skin, helping reduce dark patches.

8. Rosehip Oil Helps Reduce Scars, Wrinkles, And Stretch Marks

The fatty acids and antioxidants in rosehip oil promote tissue and skin cell regeneration. This benefit allows the oil to reduce scars, wrinkles, and stretch marks as it heals and revives damaged skin.

In one study, researchers studied two groups of people for twelve weeks after surgery. One group used rosehip oil twice daily on their incision, and the other didn’t use it at all. At the end of the study, the results showed that those who used rosehip experienced significantly more healing.

The beneficial properties of rosehip oil can prevent and undo oxidative damage and promote collagen production. It also promotes healing as it stimulates the healing macrophages.

9. Rosehip Oil Helps Fight Free Radicals

The vitamin C and antioxidants found in rosehip oils help fight free radicals in your skin. By fighting free radicals, this oil helps protect your skin from oxidative stress. This oxidative stress protection prevents skin damage and eliminates the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles while brightening your skin.

10. Rosehip Oil Helps Fight Acne

Since rosehip oil has anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties, it helps fight acne. It promotes cell turnover and reduces clogged ducts. Plus, it calms redness while reducing acne cysts.

11. Rosehip Oil Is Known to Have Anti-aging Properties

The vitamin C in rosehip oil gives it a strong anti-aging effect. It protects and repairs your skin from damage and reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Plus, rosehip oil contains carotenoids that promote skin cell turnover.

How To Use Rosehip Oil

Here are some ideas of how to use rosehip seed oil to benefit your daily beauty routine.

1. As a Spritzer

Using rosehip oil as a spritzer can help when your skin is dry as it infuses your skin with hydration. Mix filtered water in a small spray bottle with five drops of rosehip oil and two drops of lemon balm oil. Spray it on your face and skin whenever you need some hydration.

2. As an Exfoliating Scrub

To help remove dead skin cells, exfoliate your skin with a rosehip oil mixture. Combine one teaspoon of sugar or baking soda, ten drops of rosehip oil, and three drops of lavender essential oil in a small container. Then, use your fingertips to gently rub it on your face in a circular motion before rinsing it off with cold water.

3. As a Moisturizer

You can make a moisturizer using rosehip oil and a few other ingredients. Fill a glass bottle ¾ of the way with rosehip oil, and then add ten drops of moisturizing essential oil. Add a few drops of lavender or lemon essential oils to give the moisturizer a scent.

4. As a Remedy for Oily Skin

To relieve oily skin, mix one teaspoon of rosehip oil with one tablespoon of sweet almond oil in a glass bottle. Then, add three drops each of lavender, tea tree, and frankincense essential oils. Apply three drops of this mixture to your clean skin, gently massaging it with your fingertips.

5. As a Makeup Remover

You can effectively remove makeup with this rosehip oil and don’t need any other ingredients. Put a few drops onto a cotton ball and use it to wipe away any makeup. You can use rosehip oil on your face daily, making it the perfect addition to your routine.

6. As a Blemish Remover

If you have blemishes, you can use a rosehip mixture to reduce their appearance and heal them quickly. Mix one small bottle of rosehip oil with three drops of vitamin E and tea tree oil. Rub the mixture on your blemishes twice a day for the best results.

Possible Side Effects of Rosehip Oil

Rosehip oil is safe for most people, but there are a few issues you should watch out for. If you experience any side effects, discontinue use right away because it could indicate an allergy. Some of the side effects include:

red, itchy skin
itchy or watery eyes
scratchy throat
nausea or vomiting
difficulty breathing
wheezing
swollen mouth, throat, or face
rapid heartbeat
stomach pain

Final Thoughts on the Benefits of Rosehip Oil for Skin

The benefits of rosehip oil for skin seem never-ending, and they work for any skin type. Rosehip oil can make your skin healthier, radiant, and more refined even as you age.

This all-natural skincare product helps ease inflamed or dry skin and prevents it from recurring. Your skin will feel and look better, and you don’t have to use chemicals to achieve the result.

15 Reasons Why People With Kind Hearts Live Happier Lives

September 17, 2020 by Power of Positivity

People with kind hearts lead happier, more rewarding lives.

Think about it.

Does it seem like people have forgotten the “Golden Rule” these days? Wouldn’t it be nice if one of the soft drink companies could come up with a kindness cocktail or a niceness nectar for people who need a boost of humanity? A Harris Poll found that only one-third of the population considers themselves happy.

The study gave a survey to 2,345 U.S. adults. It was shocking to see that two-thirds of the population isn’t content with their lives, jobs, or overall well-being. These numbers are awful, and something must change. A happy person is usually someone who is kind and looks out for others.

Why Kind Hearts Are Happier?

While the number of joy-filled people may be lacking, those who are kind tend to live longer lives. It’s a novel concept to think that showing kindness to your fellow humans could make you live longer.

Why would being happy affect your longevity on the earth? Here are 15 reasons why kind hearts tend to stick around longer than those who tend to be melancholy.

1. Being Kind Boosts Happiness

When you’re doing something for others, it gives you a sense of accomplishment. Everyone is busy and has a hectic schedule, but when you take a few minutes to be kind even when you don’t have to, it gives you a whole different outlook.

Imagine how different the world would be if people automatically loaded groceries for senior citizens, opened doors for mothers with infants, and just did random acts of kindness for no other reason than the feeling of warmth and happiness it brings. It feels good to help others, and it puts a bounce in your joy-filled bounce in your step.

2. Luckier in Love

Have you ever seen a couple that is so in love that they ooze with mushiness? Then there are those people who tend to be so unlucky that they find every narcissist and toxic person along life’s highway. Why are some people so blessed with good relationships while others struggle?

The key to being lucky in life may be having a kind heart. There are all kinds of people that you date when you’re playing the field. However, the one you choose to marry or commit too is always the one that completes you.

It’s the person that makes you want to do better and work harder. Perhaps, it’s the person who is kind to others, and you see their heart before anything else. Generous people tend to be happier in love because they attract people with like minds.

Being kind and having a big heart are attractive features that everyone wants in a spouse.

3. Engage in Philanthropic Activities

Some many charities and organizations reach out to those in need. Doing philanthropy work tends to get your mind off your troubles and focus on what matters most.

It’s hard to complain about your sore knees when you see someone who lost their legs due to a disease. Benevolence helps you to view the world through a different pair of lenses.

When you have a joyous existence, you count your blessings instead of pinning for your wants.

4. Don’t Suffer from many Health Problems

Harvard Medical School recently did a study regarding the health link to happiness. Happy hearts generally don’t have as many health problems as those who tend to be negative and pessimistic.

True happiness is learning how to free yourself from stress. When you are under constant duress, your cortisol and adrenaline levels are too high. Having these hormone levels at accelerated heights causes your heart to work overtime.

Lowering your stress levels decreases your risk of heart attacks and strokes, not to mention other muscle tension issues. A joy-filled heart is like good medicine to the soul.

5. See the Good in all Around Them

How many times do you look at the good around you? You might look at your home and see a dripping faucet, carpets that are worn, and lights that need to be replaced. However, kind hearts and happy people will be thankful they have a place to lay their heads.

You can extend kindness to others when you see the blessings you have and think of those who are less fortunate.

6. Tend to Have Many Friends

When you’re in the market for a friend, you want the kind, loving, and eager person who is willing to help you. No one wants a needy friend who keeps the relationship one-sided.

Kind hearts attract the masses because everyone wants to be their pal. They’re the ones that you can count on when you need to vent, and they will be there at a moment’s notice when you call anytime day or night.

7. Take Time to Enjoy the Simple Things

Kind hearts love to enjoy the simple things. They find grounding in the beautiful aroma of a rose or the splendor of rainbow after a storm. They have an infectious manner that brings everyone into their simple life.

These people tend to be laid back and don’t allow the simplest of life’s pleasures to pass them by.

8. Never too Busy to Help Someone in Need

Martin Seligman wrote a book about how to have a meaningful life. For this story, he conducted a study. He wanted to see who was happier the people who chased after their pleasures or found pleasure in helping others.

He dubbed the study “Philanthropy versus Fun.” The first group sought happiness by self-pleasure, and the second group found contentment by doing charitable acts. The results were remarkable. The group that helped their fellow man was happier for longer than the group that sought to please themselves.

Happy hearts are never too busy to read to the blind, work in a soup kitchen, or run errands for the elderly.

9. Would Give the Shirt off Their Back to Someone

Happy people would gladly give you the shirt off their back. They are not stingy with their possessions, and they will gladly share. They’re the person that always has a small gift or token to give you whenever they see you.

They may make crafts or baked goods for a new neighbor moving in. Sometimes, they are often a doormat because people take advantage of their generosity, but they don’t let these negative experiences stop them from being kind.

10. Forgiveness Comes Easily

Their forgiving heart is apparent in life’s troubles. These people usually don’t hold grudges or stay mad too long. They are easy to forgive and forget about the past because they don’t want to let it affect their future.

11. Believe Life Comes with Purpose

Someone who has joy chooses to live their life with purpose. They are not content with getting up in the morning, going to work, and returning home. They want to live each day to the fullest. Therefore, they look for opportunities to give back and to make an impact every day.

12. Never Stop Chasing Their Dreams

Just because kind hearts want to help others doesn’t mean that they ever stop chasing their dreams. These people are often goal-driven. They can set goals and make sure they accomplish them. Their tenacity and drive are attractive to others.

13. Always Put Their Family First

Family is an integral part of life. A kind person makes sure to see their mom on Mother’s Day. They send cards to everyone on their birthdays, and they would never miss a family function. They put family first and try to be actively involved with their close and extended relatives.

14. Are Accountable for Words and Actions

Being accountable for your words and actions is a big job. Kind hearts would never want to hurt you for anything. If they feel they have hurt you, then they would be the first to apologize. Though they try to do right, they will admit that they’re not perfect, but their ability to quickly resolve wrongdoings makes them a joy to be around.

15. Prioritize Relationships over Possessions

Worldly possessions don’t mean that much to someone who puts their investments in relationships and experiences. They don’t find joy in new cars or bigger homes. Rather, they make connections and people a priority.

It’s a blessing to be around someone who has their priorities straight and doesn’t spend time trying to keep up with neighbors and family members who seem to have more money. It’s refreshing to find someone that can find contentment in the things they have.

Final Thoughts on How People with Kind Hearts Always Seem to Be Happy

Every day when you get out of bed, you make choices. You select the clothes you will wear, decide what cologne or perfume to put on, and pick out your food for breakfast. Additionally, you choose whether you will be happy or sad.

You decide whether you will help the lady struggling to load her groceries at the supermarket, and you choose whether you will blow up at your spouse for leaving their dirty clothes on the floor. Make a conscious choice to take joy over sadness and happiness over sorrow.

You have the power to change your entire life by simply altering your mindset. Be the person that everyone wants to be around and the one that is considered one of the kind hearts.

15 Natural Insomnia Cures Most People Forget

September 16, 2020 by Power of Positivity

It’s three o’clock in the morning, and The Sandman is nowhere nearby. You’ve tried to count sheep but lose track after 100. It sounds like you could use some of the many natural insomnia cures that have been used successfully for years.

Good sleep hygiene is essential for the quality rest. You need to revitalize your body every night. While you sleep, your brain goes into energy-saving mode. As it stays busy filing information and monitoring vital systems, your body relaxes and produces millions of new cells.

If you don’t get enough sleep, this process is interrupted, and your health will be affected. It’s normal to have occasional bouts of sleeplessness. However, chronic insomnia is a severe condition that needs to be addressed before it causes damage. Those who are struggling with insomnia may consider taking organic supplements from Kratom Earth.

Try These Fifteen Natural Insomnia Cures

Before you risk getting hooked on sleep medication, try some lifestyle changes to promote good sleep hygiene. Then, you can look for ways to get some rest naturally. Here are ten natural insomnia cures for you to consider.

1. Turn Down the Lights

Your brain is hardwired to awaken when stimulated with light. If your room isn’t dark at night, any light can mess with this function, and you will lose sleep. Consider using blackout shades in the windows and turning digital clocks away from your sight.

2. Stay Cool

Set your thermostat to keep your room between 60-67 degrees, which is the temperature that is comfortable for most people for sleeping. Temperatures above or below this point make sleeping difficult. Purchase a mattress that supports your body and use pillows that cradle your head and neck properly.

3. Create a Sacred Space

Your bedroom should be your personal space of refuge and tranquility. Avoid doing paperwork or any other chores in there. Reserve this sacred space for rest, romance, and for sleeping.

4. Try Using White Noise

Does the sound of silence sound like a foghorn in your head? Some people rest better when they sleep with the noise of a fan. If you don’t want the extra breeze, you can also purchase an inexpensive white noise machine to keep at your bedside.

5. Yoga

This ancient practice goes back to the 6th century BCE in India. Ayurveda practitioners developed yoga as a philosophy that benefits the body, mind, and spirit. Modern scientific research suggests that yogic practice can not only strengthen and tone your muscles, but it can also encourage well-being, relaxation, and restful sleep.

Whether you are experienced or a newbie to yoga, it can help you get the sleep you crave. All you need is an inexpensive yoga mat and a comfortable, quiet place to practice. Try simple poses like Wide-Knee Child, Reclining Bound Angle, and Corpse Pose to encourage a good night’s sleep.

6. Meditation

One of the reasons you may be staring at the ceiling all night is the constant chatter in your mind. All night, you replay the events of the day while worrying about things happening tomorrow. Does that sound familiar?

Meditation is an ideal way to reel your thoughts in and allow your mind to rest. While it doesn’t erase your thoughts, it will enable you to acknowledge them and allow them to pass. Before you get to bed each evening, sit in a comfortable place, close your eyes, and be fully aware as your body relaxes.

7. Warm Milk

Some of the old-fashioned natural insomnia cures can be backed by scientific research. Did your mother ever give you a warm glass of milk before bedtime, or if you were having trouble sleeping? Part of why it worked was probably your mother’s nurturing, but the other part was ingredients in the milk.

Tryptophan is a natural chemical in milk that can stimulate the sleep portion of your brain. Did you know that milk also contains melatonin, the brain chemical responsible for your sleep/awake process? As always, your Mom knew what she was doing when she recommended warm milk.

8. Valerian Root

No discussion about natural insomnia cures would be complete without mentioning valerian root. For centuries, the humble valerian plant has been recommended for everything from nausea, to epilepsy, to congestion. It was also valued for inducing restful sleep.

Today, valerian root is a common herbal sleep remedy that is used throughout the world. It comes in different dosages and is available in most pharmacies and health food stores.

9. Remove Electric Devices

Isn’t it ironic that the technology that is supposed to make your life easier can create different problems? For example, go into your bedroom at night, turn out the lights, and look around the room. Do you see total darkness or a multitude of small red and blue eyes blinking at you?

If you spend time watching television, chatting on a cellphone, or scrolling on a mobile device before retiring, they may be sabotaging your sleep. These electronic devices emit low-frequency blue rays that alter your brain’s sleep/wake cycle. Avoid technology at least an hour before bedtime and remove electronic devices from your bedroom.

10. Insist on a Consistent Bedtime

When you are juggling work, caring for your family, and other responsibilities, it’s often difficult to keep a consistent bedtime for yourself. Perhaps you wait until the kids are asleep to catch up on chores or finish a work project. It’s no wonder why so many Americans are sleep deprived these days.

Make a consistent bedtime part of your daily routine. Even when you’d rather sleep in on the weekends, a varied sleep schedule will do more harm than good. Do the math to see when you should go to bed to get 7-8 hours of sleep and make that time a constant.

11. Kick the Caffeine

Are you like many Americans who depend on caffeine to get through the day? Whether you sip a gallon of coffee or tank up on caffeinated sodas, the caffeine overload can keep you counting sheep instead of sleeping.

If you can’t give up caffeine entirely, compromise, and try to drink less. Try decaf coffee, herbal tea, and sodas without caffeine. Avoid drinking anything with caffeine a couple of hours before bedtime.

12. Herbal Tea

Like coffee, tea leaves have caffeine and can cause insomnia. What if you’re used to a hot cup of tea or frosty glasses of iced tea? Instead, why not switch to a delicious herbal tea?

Herbal teas have always been among the plethora of natural insomnia cures, plus they don’t have caffeine. Consider a comforting cup of chamomile, valerian, or passionflower tea to relax your nerves and encourage a good night’s sleep. Herbal teas can be enjoyed hot or iced with the same benefits.

13. Lavender Oil

Among the many essential oils used for natural insomnia cures, lavender remains the Queen of Calm. The lovely purple blossoms native to the Mediterranean region have been prized for food and medicine since recorded history. Great ancient societies such as Babylon, Egypt, Greece, and Rome used lavender oil as a nerve tonic and an essential sleep aid.

Purchase pure essential lavender oil and put a few drops in a diffuser to use at night. You can also spray a bit of diluted oil on your pillows and sheets so the delicate scent can drift you off to dreamland. Lavender promotes a sense of calm and tranquility as well as inducing sleep.

14. Journaling

Do thoughts and ideas race through your mind and keep you up all night? Journaling is a great way to put your thoughts onto paper and leave them for later. Write about the topics that worry you or make a list of things you want to accomplish, so they aren’t cluttering your mind.

You can use a plain notebook or get creative and make a lovely journal that appeals to you. Set aside a time each evening to write in your journal. Write whatever is in your heart and mind, and nobody needs to read it unless you want.

15. Make Your Room Comfortable

Did you know that your bedroom may be the root cause of your sleepless nights? Is your mattress comfortable, or is it too soft or firm?

Do you fight with uncomfortable pillows that go flat and keep your neck in a pinch? Is your room too hot or too cold to sleep comfortably? Make your space a haven that encourages rest.

Final Thoughts About Trying Out These Fifteen Natural Insomnia Cures

Before you take any herbal supplement to promote sleep, tell your primary healthcare provider about your medical history and any medications or supplements you are currently taking. Some herbal supplements are not safe for pregnant or nursing mothers, so get medical advice first.

Without sleep, your body can’t function. If you are tired of tossing and turning in bed every night, there’s hope. With a few adjustments in your lifestyle, like remove electronic devices from your room and practicing natural insomnia cures, you will be sleeping comfortably before you know it.

Eastern Healers Explain 10 Ways Kokum Butter Boosts Skin Anti-Aging

September 16, 2020 by Power of Positivity

The famous singer and actress Cher once wrote a song about turning back the hands of time. Perhaps, if you had the money and access to beauty treatments like this iconic star, you wouldn’t worry about fine lines and wrinkles. Thankfully, you do have products that Eastern healers use like kokum butter.

If you haven’t heard of it, then you’re not alone. It’s been a secret that Indian healers used for centuries, but it’s’s just gaining popularity in the United States. Unlike putting a glossy mask over your hair, trying to improve the look, this butter goes deep to the root to penetrate and heal. Your hair and skin can both benefit from kokum butter.

Do you feel that your hair and skin is looking a bit lackluster these days? Do you see actresses with gorgeous locks and skin, growing old gracefully, and you wonder what their secret is? While you may not have a stylist, who does hair and makeup for you, you can find ways to get the healthy glow you want.

Why Does Aging Affect You So Much?

As you age, you will notice that your skin will become rougher, thinner, have some slack to it, and becomes more fragile. You will bruise more quickly, and you may notice some unsightly dark spots. Part of the problem is that your body produces less collagen than it did in your younger years.

Your genetics and lifestyle both play a factor in the production of these proteins. Due to the lack of this substance, your skin’s surface layer becomes thinner, and you can see blood vessels, which is why you bruise so quickly now. Remember all those times you baked in the sun for hours without sunscreen?

The sun’s rays might not have affected your skin when you were younger, but the damage it caused will undoubtedly find you as you get older. If you want a youthful, lustrous glow, you may try to spend thousands on a facelift or other reconstructive procedures.

However, you’re wasting your time and money because nature has all you need. Eastern healers trust kokum butter to help with anti-aging aspects. The best part about this is that it’s an all-natural cream that doesn’t have any harsh side effects.

As an alternative to invasive procedures, stem cell therapy offers promising avenues for combating the effects of aging. Stem cells possess unique regenerative properties that can aid in tissue repair and rejuvenation, addressing issues such as skin thinning and collagen loss.

This therapy targets age-related diseases by harnessing the body’s natural healing mechanisms, potentially providing a more holistic approach to maintaining youthful skin and overall health.

For those considering non-surgical options, exploring the benefits of stem cell therapy could be worthwhile. To learn more about how stem cell therapy can contribute to anti-aging efforts, visit DVC Stem website for comprehensive information and resources.

Yes, you won’t have redness, dryness, or any other troublesome issues that come with some claimed miracle elixirs. Why is this butter so much better for your skin than what you can buy over the counter at your local drug store?

The Healing Properties of the Kokum Fruit

If you’ve reached for shea or cocoa butter for your skin issues, then you probably didn’t know there was something much better. Kokum butter works like the other varieties in that it helps to restore and protect your hair and skin. Using heating products like a curling iron or straightener causes significant damage to your hair.

Also, the effects of aging on your hair and skin cannot be denied. Do you have any gray hairs on your head? Another problem with aging is that you lose melanin. Melanin is the substance that gives your hair color, as well as the iris of your eyes.

As you age, your body doesn’t produce this pigment, and your hair loses its hue. Your once chestnut or golden locks become white or silver. Not only does the color fade, but you will notice that your gray hairs are wiry and unmanageable.

They seem to be dry and brittle and have a mind of their own. While Kokum won’t restore your tresses’ color, it can rehydrate and make your hair manageable again. All the damage from heat, aging, and chemicals that are put into your hair can be erased using this healing butter.

The 411 on Kokum Butter

The butter of the kokum trees is made from the fruits of this plant. You will find them growing tropically in India. When harvested, the insides of the fruit, or the yellow butter, are gathered. Since it has stearic acid in it, the fat must be stored at room temperature.

It has a consistency that is very much like shea butter, and it will melt once from the gentle warmth of your hands. The fruit is also edible, and the people of India also enjoy mixing delicious chocolates and nuts with this sweet treat. However, most commonly, it’s’s used to make cosmetics, shampoos, soaps, lotions, and other skincare products.

Alone, kokum butter is exceedingly challenging to spread because it has such a stiff consistency. Remember, it needs heat to make it pliable. Thankfully, when mixed with other plant-based butter, it can make it easier to spread.

In terms of weight, kokum butter is not nearly as heavy or greasy as shea or cocoa varieties. So that means you can use it on your face or any other part of your body without having an oil glow.

To test the healing properties of this butter, a university in India conducted a study on 23 patients. They applied Kokum to their cracked heels for 15 days straight, both in the morning and again in the evening. At the end of the study, the results were uncanny.

The heels of all 23 patients were smooth and healthy. It was as if they had grown new skin. Not only did this butter smooth the cracks, but it seemed to restore and rejuvenate the skin, too.

Since kokum butter has no smell and is not greasy, it was easy enough to apply and not worry about it offending someone’s nose or getting oily residue on beds and socks. If they had used shea or cocoa butter in this trial, it might have the same outcome, but the smell and oil factors would have been challenging to handle.

10 Ways to Boost Healing with Nature’s Butters

By now, you’re probably sold on the healing properties of Kokum, but before you commit to buy this butter, you want to know all the things it can do. Well, here are the anti-aging and other benefits of the kokum plant.

1. Softens Heals and Rough Feet

The study mentioned earlier proves that cracking heels and rough feet can be soft as a baby’s skin in a matter of days. It’s easy to see why so many people love this butter during sandal season.

2. Works Great on Acne

One of the problems with aging, especially women during menopause, is the presence of acne. If you thought you were done with pimples, then guess again. Since Kokum has antibacterial and antifungal properties, it works great to heal your embarrassing blemishes.

3. Rejuvenates Thin Skin

Kokum provides oxygenation of the cells, which means that the necessary nutrients get to your skin. You will be amazed at how much better your skin looks with regular use.

4. Adds Shine and Luster to Your Hair

The same oxygenation that Kokum provides to the skin it also does to the hair. While it’s not greasy, it gives strength and viability to the hair shaft.

5. Can Restore Moisture to Your Scalp

Stop reaching for a dandruff shampoo or a conditioner that only leaves an oily buildup on your locks. Use the power of nature and this butter to ensure you repair and seal moisture to your dry scalp.

6. Soothes Dry, Itchy Skin

Nothing is worse than dry or itchy skin. Thankfully, you will see a difference after one use of Kokum.

7. Can Help Treat Rashes

Do you get rashes from rosacea or rash from lupus on your face or other parts of your body? The dry and itchy sensation, as well as unsightly redness, can be gone with Kokum.

8. Prevents Wrinkles

The cells’ oxygenation can help with fine lines and wrinkles you already have, and it can prevent new ones from forming.

9. Works as Medicine to Cuts and Wounds

While you may reach for antibiotic ointment when you get a cut or scrape, you should reach for nature’s butter instead. With its healing properties, it can get deep into the wound’s surface to heal and restore health to the area.

10. Makes a Great Lip Balm

Nothing makes your face look and feel worse than dry, chapped lips. Thankfully, Kokum makes an excellent lip balm when used with another carrier oil to soften it. Soon you won’t dread the effect of the winter season and the way it dries out your skin.

Final Thoughts on Trusting Kokum Butter to Provide Skin Anig-aging Benefits

There are so many beauty products out there that are made with the thoughts of turning back the clock on your skin. While some of them work, others fall short. You can spend a fortune on creams and surgical procedures to make your hair and skin look better or look to nature for help.

Kokum is a plant that makes an incredible butter for your skin, hair, and body. Stop trusting chemicals and human-made products that can irritate or even burn the skin. Mother Nature provides everything you need in the Garcinia indicia tree from India.

Psychology Explains 10 Ways to Be Empathetic, Even When It’s Hard

September 16, 2020 by Power of Positivity

Do you know how to be empathetic? Have you ever talked to a friend when the conversation suddenly takes a downward turn and becomes a challenge? Perhaps, your friend has lost their job, had a relative diagnosed with cancer, or their significant other broke up with them.

To make matters worse, they’re a single parent trying to raise a toddler. It’s hard to find the right words to say when it seems like chaos is erupting on the other end of the line. You’re sorry that your friend is going through so much, but you don’t know what you could say to make things better for them.

Trying to be a good human being, you might offer a thoughtful, “I’m here for you, and things will get better.” While you may sympathize with your friend because you do feel sorry for him or her, sometimes people use vain words just to fill the silence.

However, empathizing with them means that you understand what they’re going through and can relate to them. How do you learn to get beyond sympathy and move into an empathetic realm? If you’re struggling with mastering the concept, then here are ten ways to be empathetic.

1. Listen More Than You Talk

When your friend is going through a difficult time, they want you to listen to them. Let them say what’s on their mind and troubling them at that moment. Please give them the platform to speak and show your support by listening and giving them your undivided attention.

In most cases, the best way you can be empathetic is by just giving someone your ear and pouring their heart out to you. At times, it’s difficult to hear all your friend’s troubles, especially when you have your own issues. However, it’s what a good friend does for another.

2. Don’t Try to Fix the Problem

Unless you’re a licensed counselor or psychologist, let them tell you what’s wrong in their life without trying to diagnose or psychoanalyze them. You can show your support by listening.

The chances are that you don’t have the answers to their dilemma either, but you can be empathetic and build trust with them by not trying to play the person who can fix everything.

Your friend doesn’t need you to fix his other life as she will figure things out. She just wants you to take time out of your busy schedule and listen to their hurts.

3. Never Compare Your Story to Theirs

Why is it when someone goes through a rough part in life that the human in you tries to compare it with things you’ve been through? While an empathetic person will try to see things from their perspective, you should avoid using sentences that start with something like:

I know just how you feel
I’ve been through something similar
I felt the same way when

All these introductions start with the word “I.” The problem is that this situation with your friend isn’t about you; it’s about them. You might have lost a job previously and know the pain that it causes, but you don’t know their specific feelings.

Every person handles things differently and has a varied circumstance, so it’s impossible that you know exactly how they feel. Situations may be similar, but there is no way that they are the same. If you compare your situation with theirs, it negates their unique feelings and experience, which is not empathetic.

4. Validate Their Feelings

Validation is an essential part of being empathetic. The first thing you should do is to be active in listening, and the second thing is to validate how they feel. Don’t try to correct their thoughts or feelings.

Instead, it would help if you listened to how they feel and register that as a matter of importance. If they tell you that they don’t want to live anymore, be sympathetic to those emotions. Don’t patronize them and say things like, “No, there’s no way you want to give up on life.”

Additionally, since suicidal thoughts are commonplace when someone has a rush of bad luck, then you need to be friendly enough to ask them if they need help and then follow through.

5. Be Vulnerable

To build trust with your friend, you need to show your vulnerability. It would help if you were open and honest with them above all else. If the situation looks bleak, don’t paint the picture as something that’s an insignificant bump in the road.

The real art of being vulnerable means that you share a bit of yourself with your friend. It can be something that is very private, and it’s a thing that you don’t tell many people. While you shouldn’t compare the situations, you can talk about your insecurities and worries.

Nobody wants a friend who acts like their world is all sunshine and roses when facing some of the biggest challenges of their life. They want to see and hear your worries and insecurities too.

Only share something about your life if it can help the current situation. Remember, this isn’t about you right now. It’s about your friend.

Learn how schools in Denmark now include empathy training in the classroom.

6. Put Yourself in Their Shoes

While you must be careful and don’t deflect from the focus on your friend, you need to learn to put yourself in their shoes. How would you feel at this moment? What would you do to resolve the matter?

This tip is not something you vocalize but rather something you internalize. Before you answer any questions or give advice, put yourself in their shoes for a minute. It’s easy to tell someone else what to do when you sit there with a job, spouse, and no relatives in medical distress.

Now, when you put yourself in their shoes for a minute and consider their thoughts, it will change your whole perspective. Being empathetic allows you to feel their fears and anxieties for a moment.

7. Be Present

How many times have you tried to have a conversation with someone, and they can’t put their phone down for five minutes to talk to you? Don’t deflect from the conversation, and make sure that you give your friend your undivided attention.

There’s nothing worse than trying to talk to someone, and they are answering their kids, have a bunch of noise going on in the background, or are a million miles away. An in-person conversation can be just as frustrating when you don’t make eye contact and are too busy texting or answering phone calls to digest how your friend truly feels.

8. Strive for Compassion

Compassion helps you to put things into perspective and take things on as a team. When you’re compassionate about others, you are suffering together. Understanding is what allows you to hug them and tell them that you will be there for them during these difficult times.

To be empathetic, you must learn how to channel your compassionate side so that your friend doesn’t feel all alone in the battle.

9. Don’t Make Assumptions.

It would help if you never made assumptions. Instead, you should focus your mind on the truth of the matter, not on what you believe to be the truth. It’s essential that you see your friend’s situation for the way it is, and make sure that you don’t read things into it and see it the way you want to see it.

You may not believe the assumptions your mind creates, but the energy of your thoughts that you invested in your friend will return to you. Be active in listening and not jumping to conclusions.

10. Learn to Withhold Judgement

Why are human beings so judgmental? You should show your support to your friend and be empathetic and not be critical. No one on this planet is perfect, including you. Everyone makes mistakes and has deficiencies in life.

Always be willing to give people the benefit of the doubt, even when you have every right not to. Remember, karma will come back on you someday, and if you have lived your life in the judgment of others, then it will come back to bite you.

Remember when you’re pointing your finger at your friend and telling her all the things your friend needs to do; you have more fingers pointing back at yourself.

Final Thoughts on Learning to Be Empathetic

Mastering empathetic listening is not an easy skill to conquer, particularly today, when many things are competing for your attention. What your friend needs now more than anything is for you to be there and listen to her.

Your friend doesn’t want your judgment. And they don’t want you to tell them all the things they could and should be doing. Be a sounding board and compassionate listener. Part of empathy means that you are quiet and allow the other person to speak. Give him or her your undivided attention, and don’t compare your journey with thiers.

Though it seems like a lot for you to do during a conversation, you can master empathy with some work. Someone who can show sympathy and empathy has good character and will be a person that everyone will want as their friend.

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