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Research Explains How Circadian Rhythm Fasting Can Help You Lose Weight

September 11, 2020 by Power of Positivity

Is circadian rhythm fasting the new way to help you lose weight and feel great? To be healthy and keep your body in top shape, you need to make smart choices when it comes to food. You can’t live a sedentary lifestyle, eating chips on the sofa while binge-watching television to get in shape.

Many people become confused at all the choices there are when it comes to dieting. You can choose between low-carb, low-fat, or calorie counting schemes. Some say to drink shakes instead of eating meals, while others say that you need to eat at least six small meals a day.

All these tips and tricks can become overwhelming when you want to find what works best for you. Yet another bit of research has come to the forefront that shows that the time you eat may be just as important as when you eat your meals. You’ve heard that you need to speed up a sluggish metabolism to lose weight effortlessly.

However, have you heard that your metabolism and your circadian rhythm are closely related? Many people believe that their metabolism goes one speed all day long. Nothing could be further from the truth. Your metabolism is continually changing, and the circadian rhythm is what’s causing these changes.

Your body’s natural clock is responsible for how much fat you burn. When the sun rises and brings about daylight, your insulin increases to meet your food demands. Additionally, the melatonin in your body decreases so that you can stay awake for the day.

As the sun sets, the melatonin levels increase to prepare you for sleep, and your insulin resistance drops because you won’t be eating. The body clock gets you ready so that you will engage in cell repair while you’re resting. Now, a controversial study shows that circadian rhythm fasting has helped people to maximize their weight loss.

The researchers also note that there is a reduced risk of lower blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and an improved endurance level. Managing your body fat and the number on the scale directly impact these diseases.

Understanding Your Circadian Rhythm

Think of the circadian rhythm as a clock that is inside your body that controls everything. It operates 24 hours a day and seven days a week. It helps your brain to stay on track and keeps you in the sleep/wake cycle.

When you rest, it affects two essential hormones in your body, which are also known to regulate your hunger. These hormones are ghrelin and leptin. The stimulation of your appetite is done by ghrelin, while lapin keeps hunger at bay.

Now, just like any clock in your home, your internal clock can get off balance. For instance, shift workers and those who don’t sleep when it’s dark outside will have a hard time sleeping during the day. Why do you think so many people invest in darkening curtains and blinds? They are trying to trick the body into thinking its night.

Did you know that people can get sick when they start working the night shift as their body’s clock gets all out of whack?

Control Hunger Pangs with Circadian Rhythm Fasting

Sleep deprivation throws off your circadian rhythm, but it’s not the only thing it affects. When you don’t have a night of adequate sleep, you can have intense hunger issues and crave junk foods because your leptin and ghrelin levels are off kilter.

Sleep deprivation isn’t the only thing that will mess with your internal clock; other things can mess with your circadian rhythm too. If you take a long trip on a plane, jet lag can be problematic to your body’s clock and take certain medications.

What’s interesting is what is going on inside when this rhythm is out of whack. The body starts producing more insulin, which is the hormone that helps your body metabolize your nutrients it receives from food. If the insulin level stays too high, it can result in type 2 diabetes and an increased chance of cardiovascular disease. Are you starting to see how circadian rhythm fasting can significantly impact your weight and health?

Circadian Rhythm Diet 101

You’ve learned that your body’s natural clock is harmonized by the external environment. Things like light and darkness, as well as when you eat your meals, are essential. Some experts call the circadian rhythm diet the body clock diet because it’s a time-restricted eating plan that you synchronize with your body’s internal clock.

Essentially, you eat when it’s daylight outside, which is around 12 hours. When it’s dark out, you don’t eat. So, the last 12 hours of the day will be fasting. Also, going along with the internal clock, your largest meals of the day should be at the beginning of the day.

So, your breakfast and lunch should be larger than your dinner portions. This is where much of the theory of no eating after 6 pm came into play. The study further showed that anyone would benefit from using this intermittent fasting variety. However, they especially noted that it did wonderful things for the people who have type 2 diabetes and other metabolic diseases.

If you have a problem with late-night snacking, it will take you some time to develop new, better habits. This new diet will be a significant change, mostly since you can’t eat for up to 12 hours. While it may be okay during the summer months, think about time changes and when it gets dark by 6 pm?

Doing the Circadian Rhythm Diet Correctly

To start this diet, you may want to speak with your health care provider if you are on medications or have a medical condition that might be dangerous for long periods without food. However, to start this diet right, you want to divide your day into three meals and two snacks.

It would help if you built each meal using the four pillars, which include the following:

Protein like Fish and Dairy Products
Vegetables
Fiber
Healthy Fats

Another consideration of your diet plan is fermented foods or beverages like kombucha. To get enough dairy into your day, make sure to use things like cheese and yogurt, packed with protein and full of healthy things your body needs.

• Breakfast

When engaging in circadian rhythm fasting, you need to eat your breakfast within two hours of waking up. Make sure your meal consists of the four building blocks listed above to get the nutrients your body needs. One thing that many people enjoy as a quick on the go morning meal is a smoothie.

You can hide a lot of nutrients into that mix, and you won’t even know you’re eating them. Find a recipe that uses berries, greens, avocados, and why protein in the mixture.

• Lunch

You can have a nice tuna fish sandwich, an apple, or some other fruit during lunch. You can allow about 600 calories for this meal, so you can get your belly full. Just make sure you don’t go overboard and indulge on unhealthy things.

• Dinner

When evening comes, your night meal should be something light and filling. Soup is an excellent option, specifically bean soup, because it’s loaded with fiber and keeps you fuller longer. Also, soup usually is low in calories and won’t take you over your daily allowance.

If you don’t want soup, then you can try something like salmon and a salad. Just be careful not to go crazy on the dressing.

• Late Night Snack

Lastly, before you go to bed at night, try drinking a big glass of warm milk. You’ve probably heard that warm milk helps you sleep, but the tryptophan in this dairy product does have a calming effect on your body and mind.

When you go to sleep, as soon as your head hits the pillow, then you will find you have less time to ruminate about all the foods you’re craving. Remember, it will take some time to get your cravings under control with circadian rhythm fasting just as with any other diet plan.

Final Thoughts to Consider With Circadian Rhythm Fasting

Here is one final problem that many people have when starting this diet. Some might feel that they feel that since they are using circadian rhythm fasting, there’s no need to watch what they eat. You still shouldn’t eat more than 2,000 to 2,500 calories each day, or 1500 calories or under if you are trying to lose weight.

You still need to consume nutrient-dense foods, monitor your calories, and use portion control. Another important thing is that you need to get at least seven hours of rest each night. Don’t try to cram caffeine to stay awake during the day, or it’s going to mess you up when you’re trying to sleep.

One way to help you get to sleep faster is to shut down all electronic activity 30 minutes before bedtime. An overstimulated brain takes longer to wind down, and you don’t want to mess with your body’s internal clock. If you have a hard time falling asleep, turn on a fan or a noise machine for white noise to drown out any noises or disturbances that keep you from rest.

The most important thing when you started the circadian rhythm fasting is that you are consistent. When you have good sleeping habits, then the body clock diet will work better for you.

10 Red Flags Someone is a Negative Thinker (and How to Help Turn It Around)

September 11, 2020 by Power of Positivity

We all know that one particular individual who is always negative and puts a bad vibe on everything. Sometimes, that person maybe you, even if you don’t realize it. There are many signs of a negative thinker that you may not always consider.

You may always think you are bringing positivity and optimism to a group. If you are exhibiting any of the red flags discussed below, however, you are doing the opposite of that. Negativity doesn’t always mean rudeness or sarcasm, and it can occur in many forms.

A negative thinker may not realize it, but negativity is bad for both their emotional well-being and their health. It can cause negative self-thoughts, judgmental thoughts about those around them, and destructive behaviors. Plus, it can cause high blood pressure, over-production of cortisol, and cause problems in their relationships.

Red Flags Someone is a Negative Thinker

Hard times will occur, and unexpected obstacles will interfere with your plans. You can’t let your negative thoughts overwhelm you in these instances, though, because the future depends on your positivity. Watch for these red flags in yourself and others that someone is a negative thinker.

1. This Person Often Says, “It’s too good to be true.”

Another phrase you may hear from them is something like, “It’ll never last”. They shut down all possibilities because they think good things will never truly come to them or those around them. This type of mindset forces them to miss out on joy and happiness.

2. Negative Thinkers Dwell on the Past

While the past is essential, it shouldn’t be all-consuming or even causing stress and anxiety. For negative-thinkers, however, they can’t get past what has happened before. It will keep them stuck in a cycle of repetitiveness and displeasure.

Instead, they should think about how their past situations shaped who they are today. They should think about what they learned from it how to avoid it in the future.

3. Negative Thinkers Are Always Judging Other People

If someone is always gossiping and making rude comments about others, they are likely a negative person. It may seem relatively harmless, but when it is a regular occurrence, it’s a sign of negativity toward themselves and others.

Their overly critical personalities are a huge red flag, and it’s something that doesn’t go away on its own. You may often wonder if they are saying mean things about you behind your back. The people in their lives will often wonder if they’ll ever be good enough, too.

4. They Seem Unable to Accept Compliments

Many people have this problem, and you’ll notice it quickly any time you hear them receive a compliment. They will downplay their accomplishments or tell you they don’t believe you when you offer nice words.

This mindset causes people to miss out on the happiness and excitement of achievement. Plus, it can ruin self-esteem because these folks are always thinking negatively about themselves.

5. They Have Trouble Keeping Friends or Relationships

People who aren’t negative don’t enjoy being around negative people. The constant negative remarks can take a toll on any relationship, causing the relationship to end. It’s all about how they present themselves and how they behaved toward the person.

6. People Who Think Negatively Focus on the Problem

Instead of thinking about a solution, a negative person will fixate on the problem. They won’t be able to see a way to fix the problem, and they’ll keep bringing up the negativity. Frequently, they’ll be able to point out where the failure happened, but they still won’t come up with a solution.

7. Negative Thinkers Aren’t Excited About the Future

If someone is overly anxious about the future, they may be a negative person. Likewise, if they won’t do anything to change their future, it’s also a sign. They don’t often explore new opportunities or work on developing skills.

When a challenge arises, they often give up because they can’t process that the future can be better. Since they have already decided that it won’t be better, they’ll do nothing to change it.

8. Negative Thinkers Are Overly Bossy

Negative people like to control everything, and that includes the actions of others. They will try to tell you what to do in your life. Then, they’ll have a negative opinion about every decision you make if it isn’t the decision they suggested.

Even big situations in other people’s lives will warrant a comment from a negative person. From which house they buy to the job they choose, the negative person will weigh in. This is another sign they haven’t gotten their life issues taken care of, and they have a negative personality.

9. Those Who Think Negatively Are Constantly Listening to Bad News

They will always know the latest bad news about those around them and about the world in general. Often, they feed off alarming or shocking news, as it gives them something to discuss. They will keep you well-informed on all the details, even if you aren’t interested.

Unfortunately, over-exposure to negative news can harm a person more than they think. It can cause post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, or anxiety.

10. Negative Thinkers Are Always Complaining

You will notice a person who complains or whines about every aspect of your life. These are negative people, and they find any tiny detail to complain about.

They make it seem as if everything happens only to ruin their day. This is including the weather and other things that no one can control. This person will also often blame their “bad luck” on their boss or their upbringing. You may notice that they think they are never at fault. They will never admit that their lack of effort, energy, or creative energy is what is holding them back.

How to Start to Think Positive

1. Start and End Each Day with One Positive Thought

Starting the day with a positive thought can set the tone for the entire day. If you start with a positive idea, you will have a joyous day. On the other hand, if you begin negatively, you’ll have a gloomy day.

Tell yourself that it will be a good day and that you are going to be in a good mood. This will help you get in the right mindset for positivity.

2. Find a Positive in All Situations

Unexpected obstacles or situations are going to occur, no matter what. Remember to stay positive through these situations. You can do this by finding any positive, no matter how small it is.

The positive could be that you had time to listen to your favorite song on the radio. Another option is to find humor in a negative situation. No matter what it is, it will help keep your thoughts positive.

3. Learn from Your Mistakes

Everyone makes mistakes, so remind yourself of that next time it happens to you. Instead of thinking negatively about it, use it as a learning opportunity. Figure out an action plan for next time so that you don’t make the same mistake.

4. Eliminate Negative Self-Talk and Implement Positive Self-Talk

You might not notice when the negative self-talk first sets in. As soon as you see, however, you should make a conscious decision to change it. For every negative thought, think two positive ones about yourself.

5. Focus on the Present Moment

Don’t even focus on something that happened five or ten minutes ago. Only focus on this exact moment, and make a change so that it’s a positive one. Frequently, negative thoughts stem from things that have happened previously, so focusing on the present will eliminate that problem.

6. Surround Yourself with Positive People

Positivity is contagious, so when you surround yourself with positive people, you’ll become more positive. From them, you will hear positive comments and outlooks, lively stories, and positive affirmations. These words will positively affect you, and you’ll find yourself having similar thoughts.

Additionally, you need to get rid of other negative people in your life. Just like positivity, negativity is contagious, too. When negative people surround you, you won’t be able to become more positive.

8. Learn to Accept Compliments

It may feel off-putting at first, but force yourself to say “thank you” when someone compliments you. Don’t shrug it off or tell them you don’t believe them. Don’t convince yourself that their compliment had a negative meaning beneath it, either.

When you can do this, you’ll become more positive. Plus, it’ll help boost your self-esteem and confidence.

9. Stop Listening to or Reading Negative News

Hearing negative news each day can take a toll on your mental health. It can force you to think negatively and hinder your ability to be hopeful for the future. Limit your news intake if you feel like it might be affecting you.

Final Thoughts on Red Flags Someone is a Negative Thinker (and how to turn it around)

Everyone experiences negative thoughts sometimes, but if you are a negative thinker, you’ll always have them. Positive people will roll with whatever comes their way and look for the best solution to problems. Try to focus on doing that if you find that you are having negative thoughts.

If you let the negative thoughts take over your life, you will struggle to reach your goals. Use these ideas for how to turn the negativity around so that you can live a more fulfilling life. If you aren’t the negative thinker in your life, share these ideas with the person who is.

Marriage Counselor Reveals 10 Relationship Stages Couples Must Go Through to Last

September 11, 2020 by Deborah Tayloe

Most people don’t know that different relationship stages exist, but knowing this can help your relationship succeed. For example, once the honeymoon ends, couples settle into more of a long-term friendship. They realize it takes effort and a conscious choice to make the relationship work. Then the real work begins after the butterflies start to fade. Unfortunately, movies and other media outlets have glamorized relationships and given people unrealistic expectations.

Many relationships fail because people expect to feel the same way about their partner after years of being together as they did in the very beginning. Of course, those exciting and intense feelings fade after having kids and dealing with life’s responsibilities. Perhaps this disappointment in reality not living up to fantasy may explain why around half of the marriages in the U.S. end in divorce.

However, if a couple chooses to remain together, they should learn about the different stages of a relationship to know what to expect. Below, we’ll go over them in more detail.

Here are ten relationship stages every couple should know about:

While different relationship stage theories exist, we will focus on the one by Dr. Mark Knapp, a renowned professor at the University of Texas. He studied relationship patterns and was considered an expert in nonverbal communication research. While his model assumes that all relationships will eventually end, as evidenced by the coming apart phases, not all relationships will follow this pattern.

He devised ten different stages, broken up into two phases: the coming together and coming apart phases. Let’s go over them more extensively below.

The Coming Together Phase

Relationships don’t all begin in the same way, but they usually have some things in common. Some people meet through online dating sites or in the workplace, while others meet during travels abroad. After the initial coming together phase, most couples will go through the following stages of a relationship.

1. The Initiation Stage

This phase happens during the dating phase when you both are still getting to know each other. You know you like one another. But you haven’t committed to each other yet. You may get together once or twice a week for dates when you gauge your compatibility with this person. You may feel that butterfly sensation in your stomach when you meet up with them, as everything feels fresh and exciting.

2. The Experimentation Stage

If you take things further, you get to know them deeper. You may start dating formally and call each other boyfriend or girlfriend. Others begin to recognize you as a couple, and you make this person the center of your world. While you haven’t fallen in love with them yet, you realize the potential in this relationship and want to test the waters.

You get to know their values and outlook at this stage and see if they match yours. While you probably don’t agree on everything, you have enough in common to want to continue dating them.

3. Intensifying Stage

This time is the real honeymoon stage where everything goes smoothly, and you want to see them as much as possible. After work or on the weekends, you call or text your new beau and make plans to meet or chat on the phone for a while. You start to feel comfortable with this person to the point where you want to divulge more intimate details about yourself. You develop deep feelings for this person and may begin to picture a future with them.

4. Integration Stage

Since you’ve officially become a couple, you mesh your lives together. While you may not live together at this point, you still take each other into account when you make plans and revolve your lives around one another. As a unit, you have routines and habits and start to see yourselves as an “us” rather than a “me and you.”

5. The Bonding Stage

As your relationship deepens, you start to bond more intensely. You may decide to live together or get married because you feel strongly about each other. You’ve ensured that your ideals and values align and that your personalities mesh well together. The people closest to you recognize the seriousness of your relationship, and you may decide to make a formal commitment, such as marriage.

The Coming Apart Phase

Unfortunately, not all relationships last forever. While some people stay married for life, others divorce or break up for various reasons. It may signal trouble shortly if you start seeing any of these stages in your relationship.

Here are the stages of a relationship in the coming apart phase:

6. The Differentiating Stage

Whether this happens after months or years together, every couple goes through this phase at some point. Even if the relationship lasts a lifetime, couples will have periods where they don’t see eye to eye on things. They may notice incompatibilities in their personalities or beliefs. They may see themselves as separate people rather than one unit. If you can’t overcome your differences, you may decide to break up during this phase.

7. The Circumscribing Stage

The stages of a relationship include a phase where you drift further apart, called the circumscribing stage. You may start to set more boundaries for yourself and have more of your life separate from your significant other. You may begin to do things independently without consulting with your partner first. As a result of the distance in your relationship, you may have more arguments or feelings of resentment.

The intimacy steadily decreases, and you may start sleeping in separate rooms or moving back with friends or family for a while. You still love them but don’t see yourself as a unit any longer.

8. The Stagnation Stage

You feel that the relationship is hurtling toward a dead end. In this stage, you don’t feel devoted to your partner like you used to and don’t see much of a future with them. While both of you may know that things have reached a standstill, you may have difficulty formally ending things. In the coming apart stages of a relationship, you must decide to either reconcile or go your separate ways.

9. The Avoidance Stage

In this phase, you try to avoid one another as much as possible. If you still live together, you may have separate lives and only interact if you have to talk about bills or other adult responsibilities. However, any feelings of love or devotion toward your partner have faded. You may start planning to move out and have a life of your own to have closure.

10. The Termination Stage

In this stage, you make a formal decision to end your relationship. Whether you have hard feelings or not, you realize you don’t get along anymore and feel it’s best to move on. If you were married, you might start or finalize your divorce. If you had been living together, you decide to go your separate ways. You also tell family and friends about your separation once you’ve made the decision.

The importance of understanding the stages of a relationship

Many people become confused or overwhelmed about their relationship because of the emotions involved. However, even if you love someone, you may grow apart or realize you want different things. Understanding the phases that relationships go through will give you awareness if you and your partner start to drift apart. It will also help you learn when to give a relationship the green light if you’ve just started dating someone.

Final thoughts about the stages of a relationship

Relationships all go through phases, but not all will last forever. Some couples can weather the stormy seas, while others decide to jump ship and start over with someone new. Of course, every relationship is unique, and what is right for one couple may not apply to another. No formal rulebook for life exists; we have to make it up as we go.

Therefore, no matter your relationship stage, know that the right person will stand by you through all the phases. If your relationship must end, take the lessons you learned from it and keep an open heart for Mr. or Mrs. Right. They will come when you least expect it, so enjoy your life and follow the flow. Exit a disharmonious relationship gracefully, and wish your ex well along their path in life.

Relationships may seem complicated, but when you find the right person, you’ll have clarity about life you’ve never felt before.

15 Life Lessons to Learn From Your Most Epic Fails

September 11, 2020 by Power of Positivity

Do you have epic fails in your life that have defined you? Sadly, you will continue to err–as you are human. While you may want to beat yourself up and scream at mistakes, your disappointments provide you the chance for one of the greatest lessons.

Failure is all around you. From raising children to working a job, you make mistakes every day. A young toddler even fails at things too. How many times have you told your infant not to touch the stove?

It wasn’t until they touch the stove and feel the scorching pain that they realize they’ve made a horrible error. However, the burn will go away, but the pain they experienced will teach them a lesson.

Your life is remarkably like that of a toddler. You’re going through life learning as you go. Did you know that the fear of failure can often be more traumatizing than the epic fails that you experience in life?

It’s natural to want to avoid things that cause you pain to develop anxiety and panic. The child who touched the hot stove might be so scared of getting burnt again that they won’t come within five feet of the cooker. It’s unrealistic to avoid a stove for the rest of the child’s life, and you can’t avoid living for fear of falling or getting hurt.

The Persistence of Walt Disney

Who doesn’t love Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, and Goofy? Did you know that these beloved characters were a struggle to bring to the public? The Disney empire wasn’t always the thriving success it is today.

Walt was an advocate for falling down a few times and often showcased his failures as much as his successes. When people hear the name Disney, they associate it with prosperity, but few know that the legend behind this empire filed for bankruptcy.

All the pressures in life caused Disney to have a nervous breakdown. Even once his characters became a household name, he found himself without money again when he created Snow White’s story. He had to get a bank loan to get the movie off the ground.

Indeed, Disney once even told reporters that it was essential for life to kick you in the teeth a few times. Those times teach you more lessons than fame and prosperity could ever do.

Everyone has a story, even the rich and famous, who seem to have it all going for them. It’s what you do during those times of adversity that matters most.

Fifteen Enduring Life Lessons

Thinking back on the lessons you’ve learned throughout life, you can see the ones that made you and the ones that broke you. However, here are 15 things that you can learn from those experiences.

1. Humility

The epic fails you experience in life will teach you humility. Once you’ve had your ego shattered a time or two, you look for new paths and develop a greater understanding.

You will learn to right the wrong that caused you to fail, and you can go on to fulfill your dreams. There is nothing more sobering than falling a few times to make you humble.

2. Empathy

Many people have sympathy because they feel sorry for others. However, once you’ve been to rock bottom, you learn how to empathize. You can relate to others on a deeper level when you’ve been in those dark places. You will have compassion for others, and it changes your perceptions of things.

3. Resourcefulness

If everything is handed to you on a silver platter, you do not need to be resourceful. However, once your finances have tanked and you’ve been on skid row, you realize how important it is to find new resources. Desperation can lead to inspiration, and you will learn new methods to make things happen.

4. Better Coping Skills

When you’re younger, you may use alcohol as a coping method for stress. However, as you age, you learn that you must be mentally and spiritually sound for your family and career. When the emotions roll in like the ocean’s tide, you find better ways to deal with them.

You may have turned to prescription medications or alcohol in the past, you now have learned to meditate or journal to get rid of all the angst you feel.

5. Develop a New Perspective

Through your epic fails and disappointments in life, you learn how to put happiness into perspective. Being happy is a state of being and not a destination. You discover how to view things in proportion, and you understand that you can only embrace the moment.

6. Grasp Time Management

Everyone gets 24 hours a day and seven days a week. No matter who you’re or how much money you have, time is life’s biggest equalizer. When you have a few failures, you learn how to manage your time.

If you don’t learn to manage time, then it will control you. If you want efficiency and to improve your result, then you know strategies to help you manage your time more effectively.

7. Better Planning Skills

Establishing a concrete action plan to accomplish your goals is crucial to success. Failures teach you to become a better planner. You need to refine your approach and not alter your goals. By adjusting past methods and techniques, you learn how to make your dreams possible.

8. Discover New Meaning

Life’s disappointments push you to uncover new meaning. You’re compelled to ponder your motives for wanting things. Either it’s important enough for you to move forward, or it’s not that significant, and you quit and give up. You’ll look at everything quite differently after epic fails than you did before.

9. Gratitude

Sometimes the pursuit of happiness and financial gain makes you lose sight of what matters. Ask a homeless person that lives on the street how wonderful it was to have a house and a comfy bed to sleep in. Hitting rock bottom forges you to be thankful for what you have in life.

10. Financial Responsibility

Once you’ve been through bankruptcy court or been on the brink of financial ruin, you have a whole new meaning for managing your finances. You soon learn that those $5 gourmet coffees on the way to work are an extravagance that you don’t need. Your epic fails in life teaches you how to be responsible with your money.

11. Embrace Your Faith

Everyone has different faiths and beliefs, which is your right in this country. However, one thing that you will learn is how to call on your higher power in times of adversity. Whether you are Christian, Muslim, or atheist, everyone has something that they can call on for strength and help.

12. Your “Real” Friends

It’s easy to have a lot of friends when everything is going grand. However, it’s the ones that stick with you when you have no money, have lost everything, and have no status to offer them that count. You will discover who is your true friend when you walk through the darkest times, and they still stand beside you.

13. Examine Your Heart

Once you fail, you have no choice but to look inside to see what might have caused you to have these disappointments. Analyzing the inside can help you move past the things that held you back, and you can succeed in the future.

14. Money and Prestige isn’t everything

How many times have you seen a movie or TV stars focus so much of their attention on their careers and the pursuit of money that they neglected their family? Having money in the bank and a few luxuries are understandable, but some people will trade everything for fame and fortune. If you lose your family but have a bank full of money, is it worth it?

15. Change Habits

A recent study found that 45 percent of your daily behaviors are forged from habits. If you have bad habits that could be holding you back, it’s time to evaluate them and learn methods to conquer those tendencies. Additionally, when you add new, better habits to the mix, you can achieve anything you set your mind to do.

Final Thoughts: Learn From Jim Carrey About How to Move on From Epic Fails

Your life will never be perfect, nor should you expect it to be. When you stumble and fall along life’s journey, it’s all about getting up and having the courage and strength to start again. Did you know that the famous actor Jim Carrey had many failures?

He is the winner of many People’s Choice and Golden Globe awards, yet he doesn’t even have a high school education. His family was so poor he had to drop out of school at 15 to be a janitor to help with finances. Carrey struggled with depression, anxiety, and the fear of failure.

In an interview, he stated that he used positive affirmations and visualization techniques to help him achieve his goals. Carrey is an outspoken believer in the Law of Attraction–using positive energy to attract the best in life. What’s your destiny? Where do you want to go in life? Don’t let your failures define your future. Using your life lessons, you have the power to overcome.

10 Menopause Self Care Tips Never to Ignore

September 11, 2020 by Power of Positivity

Going through menopause can be an incredibly difficult challenge, so it’s essential to observe some menopause self care tips. From the hot flashes to the loss of skin elasticity, and even the anxiety that comes along with everything, it can feel like your whole life is changing involuntarily. It may leave you wondering what your body will be like when it’s over.

The good news is that it’s manageable. Women everywhere have dealt with menopause and continued having an active and productive life despite the symptoms. You can be one of those women!

With a little effort and a lot of self-love, you’ll get through menopause like a pro if you take care of yourself. Here are ten menopause self care tips you should never ignore.

1. Be prepared for hot flashes.

A hot flash is the most recognized symptom of menopause. They can be brutal. The constant sweating, overheating, and pink/reddish skin can be embarrassing and can send your anxiety through the roof.

According to Harvard Health, about 75 percent of women in menopause experience hot flashes. If you’re lucky, you’ll be in the remaining 25 percent. However, if you’re in the majority, the good news is that there are some things you can do to minimize the effects of the flashes.

The first thing you can do is learn what triggers them. Common triggers include hot drinks, warm outdoor temperatures, medications, and stress. Once you identify your triggers (they aren’t the same for everyone), you can try to avoid them. At the very least, you’ll know the hot flash is coming.

You can attempt to keep your environment cool. Examples are lowering the temperature on your AC, putting cool sheets on your bed, and wearing thin, breathable layers of clothing. Finally, if you do have a hot flash, don’t panic.

2. Get regular checkups.

Performing menopause self care tips doesn’t mean to do everything yourself. Regular checkups with your doctor can ensure that your body is functioning correctly. After all, your body is going through a lot of changes during menopause.

The changes that happen in your body, particularly a lowered level of estrogen, can put you at risk for specific medical conditions. These can include stroke, heart disease, and osteoporosis. Getting regular checkups will allow your doctor to identify these conditions early if they happen so that you can fix them.

Even after menopause, you should continue to get regular checkups. You’ll find that your medical needs are different during this stage of your life. Your health is more important than ever at that point, so don’t leave anything to chance.

3. Take care of your mental health.

Menopause is stressful. The constant changes in your mood, temperature, weight, and other bodily functions can drive your anxiety through the roof. On top of that, you may be dealing with embarrassment from the flashes.

You are not alone in your feelings. It’s important to remember that what’s happening to you is regular and that you can talk to someone about it. You may not need a professional counselor but confide in a loved one or a close friend.

You should also do things that help to reduce your stress level. Yoga is an excellent activity for reducing stress. Meditation is another one. Whatever relieves stress for you, make that a regular part of your life.

4. Don’t be embarrassed to admit when you’re not feeling your best.

Women are tough, resilient humans. It’s not uncommon to find “superwomen” all over the place. Many women pride themselves on being able to juggle everything that life throws at them.

Because of this, it can be difficult for a woman to admit when she isn’t feeling her best. During menopause, this can happen often. You simply may not be feeling as energized or motivated, and accepting this might be hard for you.

However, one of the biggest menopause self care tips you can follow is to listen to your body. If you’re not feeling up to tackling all the tasks of the day, give yourself a break. It doesn’t make you any less of a person or any less of a woman.

Women can be incredibly hard on themselves when they aren’t feeling like being intimate with their partner. However, you must talk with your partner about these feelings. Otherwise, they won’t know (unless they are a woman who is also going through menopause). Don’t be afraid to admit when you need a “me day.”

5. Take care of your sexual health/sex life.

Vaginal health can take a big hit during menopause. The vagina gets drier than usual, and the vaginal walls get thinner. There may even be a loss of skin elasticity in the vagina. This can result in painful sex plus vaginal health problems.

For a lot of women, the stress of having an ill-functioning vagina makes them feel like their sex life is on the line. However, that’s not what you should be focusing on. If your partner loves you, they will understand that you may have to put a hold on sex and intimacy until you get your vaginal health under control.

This doesn’t mean that your sex life has to take a back seat. There are lubricants and medicines that can help. You need to visit your gynecologist (#2, regular checkups!) and discuss the problems you’re having.

6. Get enough sleep.

Insomnia is a common problem for women during perimenopause and can continue all the way through menopause. While the exact cause for insomnia issues is unknown, medical experts speculate that a hot flash can interrupt deep sleep cycles. Even if you sleep through the hot flash, the quality of your sleep is being affected.

This can mean that you find yourself being more tired throughout the day. It could also lead to irritability and health problems. Get more sleep is a simple menopause self care tip, but not always an easy tip without some help. You may need to see your doctor if you can’t figure out how to sleep on your own.

7. Be aware of your mood changes.

Unfortunately, your menopause symptoms don’t only affect you. Since menopause affects your hormones, it also affects your emotions. This can manifest in the form of bizarre mood changes, which means that everyone around you must deal with it too.

Managing your mood changes is one menopause self care tip that can help everyone in your household. While you probably can’t stop the mood changes, you can at least be aware of them. Being mindful, along with a lot of understanding from your loved ones, will help you get through it in one piece.

8. Take care of your skin.

Menopause can wreak havoc on your skin. If you’ve never had a solid skincare regimen, now is the time to get one. If you don’t, you might become unrecognizable.

Menopause can cause your skin to get dry and thin. You can develop age spots and larger patches of dark skin. You may begin growing facial hair while the hair on your head thins out. There is even a possibility of skin growths and skin cancer.

This all sounds extreme, but you can significantly reduce skin problems by implementing a great skincare regimen. Don’t take this menopause self care tip with a grain of salt. Start taking care of your skin as early as possible.

9. Eat healthily and exercise.

Weight gain is another side effect of menopause. Even if you’ve always been at a healthy weight all your life, you can expect to put on a few pounds during menopause. Many women gain extra weight around their midsection.

There are several factors that cause weight gain. Genetics, lack of sleep, and hormonal changes can all play a role. However, eating right and exercising is a way to combat this. Living a healthy lifestyle can help you fight those extra calories and, in the process, combat many weight-related diseases that you can get as you get older.

10. Exercise your brain.

Unfortunately, the efficiency of your brain can take a hit during menopause. Many women suffer from memory problems and concentration issues. You could even go as far as calling these problems brain fog.

Some of this brain fog is due to other problems you may be having from menopause. Sleep problems, mental health problems, and even frequent mood changes can all play a part. If you manage these, you can reduce or even prevent brain fog.

The best thing you can do is to incorporate brain-stimulating activities in your life. Challenge yourself and do things that make you use your mind. Anything that makes you think and remember things is welcomed.

Final Thoughts on Menopause Self Care Tips

Menopause is a challenging time for any woman, and taking care of yourself during this time is essential. As your body goes through these inevitable changes, comfort becomes your primary concern. Don’t be afraid to be a little selfish as you deal with the effects of menopause.

The good news is that the phase won’t last forever. Eventually, your body will become your friend again, and you can get back to a healthy, everyday life. How healthy it is will depend on how good you are a menopause self care, so make sure you put yourself first and take care of all those menopause needs.

10 Easy Ways to Melt Away Cellulite Naturally

September 11, 2020 by Power of Positivity

Cellulite is something that most women will deal with in life, at some point. Numerous factors come into play when it comes to the production of this unsightly fat. Most folks think that you develop this problem when you are obese or have excessive fat in certain areas. However, even thinner people can develop these unsightly fatty deposits. Let’s take a look at the causes, along with treatments you can try at home.

Six Things That Cause Cellulite to Form

Your weight has some bearing on the development of cellulite, but even the skinniest women can get these dimply fat deposits. These dimpled areas are commonly observed on the thighs, hips, and buttocks. Why do women develop these pouches of fat? Well, here are some of the most common reasons:

•Sluggish Metabolism
•Hormonal Fluctuations
•Poor Diet
•High Overall Body Fat
•Color and Density of the Skin
•Little to No Physical Activity

There are many ways that you can get rid of these fat deposits that don’t cost thousands of dollars or require invasive procedures. Liposuction is one of the most common ways to eradicate this problem, but you don’t have to break the bank to get rid of fat.

Treating Cellulite with Common Sense Natural Care

Did you know that many women spend a lot of money on these treatments only to find that they don’t work as well? If you’re serious about getting rid of that unsightly, dimpled fat, try these ten natural ways first.

1. Juniper Oil

Juniper is an essential oil that helps with inflammation in the body. Thankfully, it is helpful in the reduction of fatty deposits too. For starters, you need to make a mix.

•Ten drop of juniper oil
•One-fourth C of olive oil

Mix the two oils in a container. Place a few drops of the oil on a natural bristled brush and rub counterclockwise in the troubled areas. You can do this a couple of times each day, preferably after a shower or before you turn in for the night.

It would help if you repeated this routine for about a month before seeing any noticeable changes. Did you know that juniper oil has also been hailed as a preventative measure in the fight against fat dimpling? Make sure you stock up on this essential oil.

2. Increase Your Water Intake

Did you know that one of the simplest things you can do for your skin is to hydrate it? You can do amazing things by just increasing your water consumption. Many people don’t know that cellulite is full of toxins, so you need extra water to help flush those poisons from the body.

Plus, drinking water will help you glow as you will be hydrated and have a more robust immune system. If you can’t stand plain water, you can add some flavors to it with fresh fruit to give it a kick. How much do you need to drink?

Well, start by having two liters each day. You can break that down into eight-ounce glasses or grab one big container and sip on it all day long. Water can help so many other systems in your body, so it’s essential that you increase your hydration for dramatic results.

3. Daily Moisturizing with Coconut Oil

Your skin needs moisture. While drinking water will help give moisture on the inside, you need to provide some on the outside. Some people tend to moisturize in the winter when the skin is prone to be dry or chapped, but it’s essential to do this all year long.

Forget the store-bought lotions full of chemicals; you need to use natural ones with no harmful additives. Coconut oil is one of the best things that you can use for your body. Did you know that this popular cooking oil has anti-fungal properties and a high saturated fat content?

After showering, rub your troubled areas down with some of this oil. You can rid the cellulite you struggle with if used daily. Your body must be wet when you apply this oil, as it will help to lock in the moisture.

4. Increase Your Omega-3s

Your body needs fatty acids and fat-soluble vitamins to build your immune system. However, did you know that adding Omega-3s to your diet will help build your tissue vitality and make it smoother? It’s even known to reduce unsightly cellulite over time too.

You can take supplements like cod liver oil, or you can increase your consumption of salmon. All you need is one teaspoon each day either by capsule or food. It’s enough to give you the power to fight these unsightly fat pouches.

5. Exfoliating Coffee Scrub

If you’re a fan of Java, then you will love this next scrub. Coffee smells fantastic, but did you know that it can help to exfoliate your skin too?

What would be better than removing the dead skin cells from the surface of your skin and replacing them with new, healthier ones? Start by making this scrub:

•One-fourth C of coffee grounds
•3 Tbsp. of brown sugar
•2 Tbsp. of coconut or extra virgin olive oil

Mix the contents to make a paste. Take about one tablespoon of the scrub and massage it firmly into your troubled areas. You should use this more than three times each week, but you can use it for up to a month.

This mixture will last up to a month in an airtight jar. With regular use, you will see the skin change in these areas as new, healthy cells are formed. Additionally, the rubbing motion will stimulate the area bringing blood circulation, which will help to tighten the flabby skin around the cellulite.

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6. Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is all the rage these days. It’s used for acid reflux, digestive health, and a plethora of other things. Did you know that ACV has helpful minerals like potassium and calcium? These natural minerals help reduce and eliminate the toxins within cellulite so that you can reduce water weight. Make a scrub using these ingredients:

•One-fourth C of ACV
•One-half C of Water
•5 drops of Honey

Mix these ingredients and slather them on the areas of concern. You should leave this mixture for about 30 minutes to allow it to work. Now, wash the ACV mixture off with warm water. It would help if you did this at least twice a day until you get the results that you desire.

7. Stabilize Your Hormones

One of the best things that you can do for yourself and the cellulite issues you have is to eat a well-balanced died. When you live a healthy lifestyle, your body will produce stable hormones that are important to keep fat at bay.

It would be best if you had a wide variety of colors in your diet, which comes from fruits and vegetables. Additionally, you need plenty of exercise and to keep your stress levels down. By incorporating a few of these things, you should see a reduction in these dimply, fat deposits.

8. Dry Brushing

Have you ever heard of cupping therapy? This ancient art is so beneficial because it causes the blood to rush to the area, which improves circulation. Also, improved blood circulation helps to stimulate the body’s healing properties.

Dry brushing will help to stimulate these troubled areas as well as get rid of dead skin. It’s one of the most naturally frugal methods around. You will boost the drainage of the lymphatic system as well as get rid of toxins. All you need is a soft, dry brush, and a few minutes to dedicate to it each day.

9. Seaweed Wraps

If you want to get rid of fat deposits naturally, then seaweed may be the answer you need. Did you know that seaweed will work like that of coffee grounds as a scrub? Start by making a seaweed paste with these ingredients:

•3 Tbsp. Seaweed
•One-fourth C of Pink Himalayan Sea Salt
•One-fourth C of Extra Virgin Olive Oil
•5 Drops of the Essential Oil of Choice

Mix the four ingredients together. If you don’t have dried seaweed, then you will need to use a mixer to blend. Apply to your skin about 20 minutes before you shower. You should do this every day until you see the benefits you desire.

10. Tangerine Oil

There’s nothing better than the smell of sweet tangerines, but did you know that these little citrus fruits can abolish toxins from your body? Like other essential oils, tangerines are superior in cutting fat and helping to stimulate blood circulation. Mix these ingredients:

•5 drops of Pure Tangerine Oil
•1 Tbsp. of Olive Oil

Mix these oils and put them in an airtight container. Massage about one tablespoon into the affected areas two times each day. Please keep it in the refrigerator to help it from spoiling, and make sure you don’t expose your skin to the sun for a couple of hours after the application. There’s no need to wash it off.

Final Thoughts on Trying These Tips to Naturally Melt Away the Unsightly Cellulite

If you’re tired of these unsightly dimpled fat deposits, then you have the power to do something about it. No, you don’t need to take out a loan for liposuction or spend your savings trying to look better, you can use the power of nature to fix the skin you’re in.

Scientists Explain How an Artificial Kidney Could Replace Dialysis

September 11, 2020 by Power of Positivity

If you have an end-stage renal disease (ESRD), then perhaps you have heard of the groundbreaking new treatment in the works that uses an artificial kidney. It brings a ray of hope to those who’ve suffered waiting for a donor. Is this artificial body part the answer to a significant medical dilemma?

Your kidneys are a biological engineering feat that keeps your blood clean with countless tiny filters called nephrons. After filtration, they send the waste to your bladder to eliminate as urine. Without your kidneys, your body would poison itself, and you couldn’t live.

Medical experts have voiced their concerns about the hazards of American lifestyles. They point to the alarming obesity epidemic that is caused by poor diets and lack of physical activity. All these factors lead to a rise in chronic kidney disease and failure.

The Relationship Between Kidney Disease and Other Diseases

Did you know that recent reports show that at least 15 percent of adults in this country have a renal disease? The number is probably more significant because many people have low-functioning kidneys that have yet to be diagnosed. Sadly, chronic kidney disease is among the top killer diseases in the modern world.

Since your body systems are interrelated, it makes sense that a disorder in one would affect your whole body. Not only are your kidneys part of your urinary system, but they are also a vital part of your circulatory system. Diseases that affect your heart and blood vessels will also cause trouble for your kidneys.

• Hypertension

Hypertension, also called high blood pressure, is a disease that causes too much pressure to be exerted on your arteries and veins. Since your kidneys are the central station for blood filtration, their many nephrons are loaded with blood vessels transporting blood back and forth. Hypertension can cause damage to these blood vessels, resulting in chronic kidney disease.

• Diabetes

Chronic kidney disease and kidney failure are classic comorbidities of diabetes. Think of your blood vessels as water pipes. If the water pipes in your home become overloaded with silt and other sediments, it will eventually damage them.

If you have uncontrolled diabetes, the surplus of sugar in your blood will do the same thing to your blood vessels. It can clog or even block vital blood vessels in your kidneys, resulting in kidney damage and improper blood filtration.

• Obesity

Obesity is a common denominator for both high blood pressure and Type 2 diabetes. Perhaps it is the most preventable condition that can lead to kidney disease or end-stage kidney failure. A proper diet and exercise regimen can bust the fat and minimize your risks.

Signs & Symptoms of Chronic Kidney Disease

If you have diabetes, hypertension, or other medical conditions, you can be at risk for chronic kidney disease or end-stage renal failure. Some of these signs and symptoms overlap with other diseases, so you should consult your primary healthcare provider for a proper diagnosis. Here are some common symptoms:

Change of appetite and unexplained weight loss
Change of sleeping patterns
Edema in the hands, feet, or ankles due to water retention
Dyspnea (shortness of breath)
Blood in the urine
Muscle cramps
Increased urge to urinate, especially during the night
Constant skin itchiness
Lightheaded feeling or headaches
Lack of sexual performance in male patients

There’s no easy fix when your kidneys are failing. When dialysis is no longer sufficient, kidney patients must rely on a transplant. These can be taken from a living donor or from an organ donor who has died.

None of these options are in vast supply because donor kidneys must be a perfect match for the transplant surgery to be a success. It’s difficult to find living donors who will give a kidney to a stranger, and not everyone with viable kidneys who dies is a registered organ donor. No wonder the waiting list for a kidney transplant is so long because the demand exceeds the supply.

Kidney patients often pass while waiting for a transplant, since their bodies can’t live long without at least one properly functioning kidney. The wait for a kidney transplant can take years, and these patients don’t have enough time. Even if they are fortunate enough to get the transplant surgery, they can die from organ rejection or other complications.

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The Evolution of Kidney Dialysis

If you have chronic kidney disease and your kidneys are failing, your only hope of surviving is dialysis. In the 1940s, Dr. William Kolff invented the first dialysis machine and called it the “artificial kidney.” After caring for his many renal patients and observing their mortality rate, he correctly concluded that their blood could be artificially filtered to prolong their lives.

He brought his invention to the United States and introduced it to renal specialists at Mt. Sinai Hospital. His work brought limited success for patients who were in renal failure, but his artificial kidney machine couldn’t help those with end-stage renal disease or ESRD.

Twenty years later, another kidney specialist named Dr. Belding Scribner built on Dr. Kolff’s work and devised an artificial kidney that could filter toxins from ESRD patients’ blood. It worked through a port that drew blood from the patient’s arm through the filtering machine, then pumped the cleansed blood back into the patient. Scribner’s portable device allowed renal patients to do dialysis from the comforts of home.

Today, most people go to a dedicated dialysis center for treatment rather than doing the process at home. These centers are found in most major hospitals and private clinics across America. Those with kidney failure or end-stage kidney disease usually have dialysis treatments from 3-4 hours at least once to three times each week, and sometimes daily for severe cases.

The Cons of Kidney Dialysis

Yes, this artificial kidney filtration can prolong renal patient’s lives. However, it’s a temporary treatment for the symptoms, and it can’t cure the failing kidneys. If you are a dialysis patient, it’s difficult to have a normal schedule because you are connected to the artificial kidney for hours each week.

Kidney patients must take many medications to minimize their symptoms, and some of these drugs can have substantial side effects. Dialysis is an expensive treatment, and most private insurance plans and Medicare will only cover 80 percent of the cost. The 20 percent left for the patient to pay can be staggering and can cause serious financial problems.

The artificial kidney is merely a bandage for kidney failure and end-stage kidney disease. Of the estimated 468,000 Americans on dialysis each year, roughly 20-25 percent will survive their first year of treatment. Only about 35 percent will live past five years.

The Birth of Bionics

As of now, the only treatment options for kidney disease patients is a transplant or dialysis. While survival odds are much better for those who get a transplant, patients often die while waiting on the long list. Dialysis can prolong these patient’s lives, but they often lose the quality of life and have a slim margin of survival.

With such dilemmas as these, advanced technology may hold the keys to a better solution. Remember the iconic 1970s television show about the man and woman who were rebuilt with bionic parts? What was then science fiction is a reality in the 21st century.

Of course, current medical technology has yet to produce a human with superpowers, but bionic parts have revolutionized health and medicine. In 1982, the first artificial organ, a bionic heart, was successfully transplanted. Advances in bioengineering continue to find artificial solutions for other organ transplants, such as an artificial kidney.

Final Thoughts on The Artificial Kidney Project

You may have already heard about the conglomerate of American kidney experts and bioengineers called the Kidney Project if you are a kidney patient. Their goal is to replace traditional dialysis with a bionic kidney that is transplanted in the patients’ bodies. It’s a complex marriage of the human body and machine that can offer the quality of life and more time to kidney patients.

This innovative artificial kidney debuted during National Kidney Week at the American Society of Nephrology in November 2019. The Kidney Project is centered at the University of California-San Francisco Schools of Pharmacy and Medicine, with Shuvo Roy as the project director. Roy and his associates have a positive outlook on the bionic kidney’s success.

Instead of kidney patients being hooked up to a traditional dialysis machine, this artificial kidney will be surgically transplanted into their bodies. It will use high-tech filters to remove toxins from the blood, just like a human kidney. The device is still in its developmental stage and can go to clinical trials with FDA approval, which experts hope will be soon.

Chronic kidney disease is severe and can affect your quality of life and even cause premature death. If the new artificial kidney is successful and gets approval, it may be a ray of hope for kidney patients worldwide. If you follow a healthy lifestyle and get regular checkups with your primary healthcare provider, you may keep your kidneys happy and healthy for years to come.

Counselors Explain 10 Signs a Child May Need Mental Health Therapy

September 11, 2020 by Power of Positivity

Kids will be kids. It can sometimes be difficult to distinguish the awkward behaviors of growing children from more serious, mentally unstable behaviors that may plague their well-being. However, as a parent, you may get a vibe that something is wrong with your child. Do you even suspect your child would benefit from mental health therapy or treatment?

Don’t ignore these vibes. Children often don’t talk about the mental and emotional problems they’re going through, so it’s up to you to recognize these problems and get them some help. When talking to them doesn’t work, it’s time to get professional help.

According to psychology researcher Courtney E. Ackerman, MSc., here are ten signs that, according to counselors, your child needs mental health therapy.

Ten Signs You Should Seek Mental Health Care or Therapy for Your Child

1. Constant depression.

This red flag is one of the most common mental disorders in the U.S., so it’s no surprise if a child is suffering from it. There are so many factors in life that can contribute to a child feeling down and hopeless, and they may not all be obvious. However, it’s important to recognize depression as soon as possible so you can get your child the mental help they need before something disastrous happens.

These feelings should not be confused with fleeting moments of sadness. That’s completely normal. However, if your child’s sad moments are lingering for weeks or months, this is a primary clue that something is not right. Some signs to look for are negative thinking, extreme self-criticism, feelings of being unlovable or unlikeable, or overreacting to minor problems.

2. Skipping school.

Skipping school is usually a significant indicator that there is something wrong with a child. It could be that they’re exceptionally down, as was discussed in the previous section. Children could have problems at home or feel unsafe at school. It could also be a combination of any of these situations.

Whatever the reason is, skipping school is a sign that something is going on with your child. While the direct reason could be physical like bullying, for example, you can be sure that it’s having some harmful mental effects on your child. You should get your child some mental help so you can get to the bottom of the problems.

3. Bad behavior in school.

Just like skipping school is an indicator of problems, so is bad behavior in school. Children may not know how to express how they’re feeling about certain things, or they may be embarrassed to express themselves. This turmoil can lead to children “acting out.”

The best way to get to the root of your child’s bad behavior is to talk to them. Often children act out because they don’t understand the lessons, but they’re too embarrassed for their classmates to find out.

If this is the problem, it’s simple to fix. However, if there is more going on, getting mental help for your child may be the best way to figure out why they’re misbehaving.

4. Out of control behavior.

It can be incredibly difficult and frustrating to deal with a child who has out of control behavior. You may have seen this before in public – that parent who has a child who screams, hits, or destroys in-store displays because they can’t get what they want. Hopefully, you aren’t the parent that’s dealing with that.

Unfortunately, children who are displaying this type of behavior are doing so because the parent has not asserted themselves as the authority figure. The children have lost respect for the parent and feel as though they can do whatever they want without consequences since, usually, the parent doesn’t implement any consequences.

The problem with this is that the child grows up with this false mentality. As teenagers and adults, this out of control behavior can lead to them getting into constant trouble and going through severe hopelessness. That’s why it’s important to get mental help for the child (and probably the parent also) when they are out of control at a young age.

5. Hurting themselves or others.

It’s never normal to hurt yourself. In most cases, it’s not normal to hurt others. If your child is doing this, you need to rush to get them some mental help.

This type of behavior can and will escalate if it isn’t taken care of immediately. It can be dangerous for the parents but especially dangerous for any other children that are around. Don’t delay on getting a violent child the help they need.

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6. Talking about death or suicide.

Kids say some weird things but talking about suicide should never be one of them. The suicide rate of teenagers in the United States is alarming. It’s the second leading cause of death for young people ages 15 to 24 years old.

If your child mentions anything about dying or ending their life or something vague like they won’t be your problem anymore, stop what you’re doing and get them some help. This type of conversation means that they are dealing with some other underlying severe issue (most likely depression), and they don’t know how to handle it.

7. Frequent mood swings.

It’s normal for children to have mood swings. However, you should begin to worry if the mood swings are frequent or interfere in the child’s daily life. If this is the case, your child is in mental distress.

There can be quite a few reasons that a child has frequent mood swings. Being extremely sad or hopeless is one of those reasons, but it could link to a different underlying cause. Examples are (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder) ADHD, bipolar disorder, and dysthymic disorder.

Unless you’re a medical professional, you won’t be able to diagnose your child on your own. Mental health therapy can identify any problems your child may have and provide you with a treatment plan that will help your child live every day and productive life.

8. Strange eating patterns.

Children who are under mental distress can display strange eating habits such as not eating enough or overeating. It’s normal for kids to fluctuate in how much they eat – they’re growing, and their bodies are getting “used to” the nutrition they need as they grow. However, if you notice extreme fluctuations, this is a sign that your child may need some mental health therapy.

Extreme can be defined by significant weight loss or weight gain, a sudden disinterest in their favorite foods, sneaking foods or snacks when they’ve already eaten, or relying on food to deal with their emotions. If these behaviors aren’t taken care of, it can lead to problems like anorexia, bulimia, or obesity. This habit will only make your child even more mentally distressed.

When you notice that your child has strange eating habits, don’t hesitate to find out why. If they won’t talk to you about it, get them some help before their physical health becomes a problem also.

9. Difficulty sleeping.

Sleeping problems are a classic sign of mental distress. While it’s normal for children to have dreams or even nightmares now and again, they shouldn’t interfere with your child’s life. Once they cross the threshold to vivid dreams or night terrors, it’s time to find out what’s happening with your child mentally to interrupt their sleep so much.

Counselors explain that vivid dreams and night terrors are usually manifestations of painful emotions that your child is dealing with internally, but possibly not expressing while they’re awake. Mental health therapy can get to the bottom of these unexpressed emotions, and hopefully, the vivid dreams and night terrors will stop.

If this problem isn’t taken care of, it can lead to other issues while they’re awake like anxiety, fatigue, irritability, and more. Don’t ignore your child’s dreams and nightmares if they become excessive.

10. Drug or alcohol abuse.

It’s not pleasant to think about a child or teenager abusing drugs or alcohol, but unfortunately, this is an ordinary reality in today’s world. It can come from hanging with the wrong crowd, but there is usually some mental or emotional underlying issue that causes them to choose that path in the first place. If your child is abusing drugs or alcohol, you need to get them the best mental health therapy that you can afford.

Abusing drugs and alcohol can ruin a child’s life. Often, begging and pleading with them to stop doesn’t work. Reasoning with them won’t work. Only getting to the root cause of the problem works, and children are often uncomfortable confiding in their parents. Getting mental health therapy might be the only way to get them back on the right track.

Final Thoughts on Signs That a Child Needs Mental Health Therapy

As a parent, you want the best for your child. It can be incredibly difficult to decipher what’s going on in your child’s head. After all, you’re not a psychic, and no one expects you to be one.

The best you can do is be attentive. Look for signs such as the ones above that counselors suggest and when you see them, take action. The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) indicates that a great starting point is to talk to your child’s teachers and counselors at school.

Keep in mind that your mental health is essential also, and having anxiety about your child’s mental health may affect yours. It’s okay to get mental health therapy as a family. In fact, that could be a great way to let your child know that they aren’t alone.

25 Ways to Make Your Weight Loss Plan Work Faster

September 11, 2020 by Power of Positivity

Are you in a hurry to lose the weight you’ve carried for years? First, you must realize that you didn’t gain the extra pounds overnight, and similarly, losing it will take time and effort. For those looking for a more immediate solution, consulting a weight loss surgeon at https://www.adelaideweightloss.com.au/ could be the next step toward a healthier life. With the right guidance and support, you can finally achieve lasting results and feel confident again.

Thankfully, you can do some things to enhance your weight loss plan. If you’re ready to kick your weight loss into high gear, then there are 25 things you can do to help.

25 Ways to Kick Weight Loss Plan into High Gear

Are you looking to supercharge your journey to better health and a trimmer figure? Try these new habits.

1. Change Your Lifestyle

Don’t look at your efforts as just another diet because most diets are short-lived. Instead, focus on making better food choices and creating a healthier lifestyle. When you make gradual changes in your old eating habits, it can be easier to lose weight and keep it off for good.

2. Aerobic Exercise

Aerobic exercise is one of the best workouts for your heart, mental, and overall health. The American Heart Association recommends this type of workout to help keep your heart fit. It’s known to lower blood pressure and help manage blood glucose levels too.

3. Walking Daily

Walking is one of the best exercises around because it helps you move your entire body, plus you can enjoy the scenic views of nature too. Whether you use a treadmill indoors or the track outdoors, walking daily can quickly help you in your weight loss plan.

4. Resistance Bands

Resistance bands have recently made a comeback. They’re very inexpensive, can fit in your suitcase when you travel, and give you a good workout without oversized equipment.

Using the power of science, resistance can help you to build muscles and lose weight too. Plus, you can target areas like your arms and legs with ease.

5. Use a Smaller Plate for Portion Control

The average-sized plate in America is 14”. Psychologically, when you see a large plate, you feel like they need to fill it up.

Switching to a 10” dessert plate can help you in your weight loss plan. You won’t have room to pile on the goodies, and you shouldn’t go back for a second helping either.

6. Switch to Heart-Healthy Fats

No matter how amazing your eggs taste when fried in bacon fat, it would help if you switched to more heart-healthy fats like coconut, avocado, or olive oil. Using canola, lard, and vegetable oils are harmful because they have unsaturated fats that cause inflammation.

This inflammation can fill your blood vessels, causing a buildup of plaque, which can lead to a heart attack. You need to use an oil that is good for your body and not one that causes health risks. Inflammation can also be counterproductive to your weight loss plan as it will put water weight on you, and it will reflect on the scales.

7. Supplement Your Diet with Probiotics

Probiotics are great for your gut health, which has a direct link to your mental health. These beneficial bacteria can help your body protect against infection, aids in digestion, and will strengthen your immunity.

8. Eat More Fiber

You can find fiber in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes. The more fibrous foods you eat, the less your desire to snack. Any healthy weight loss plan must have fiber. Plus, it will keep your bowels regular too.

9. Spice Up Your Meals

Did you know that some spices can help you burn fat and make it easier to lose weight? Adding flavors like turmeric, cinnamon, cayenne pepper, ginger, rosemary, cumin, and cardamom. No wonder the Spanish tend to be heavy with the spices; they don’t seem to have the weight problems of Americans.

10. Get Enough Sleep

Why are Americans backward? When you’re depressed, you eat. When you’re tired, you eat too. Sadly, when you are exhausted, you will often consume extra calories and drinks to keep yourself awake.

If you’re not getting the right amount of sleep, your body cannot function at optimal levels. Plus, you may be inclined to snack and drink caffeinated drinks to keep yourself going.

11. Stay Hydrated

Water helps to flush impurities from your body. No, diet soda won’t do the same things for you as water. If you’re drinking diet beverages, it could be harming your weight loss plan more than helping. Avoid caffeine as much as possible and stick to good, refreshing water.

12. Try Intermittent Fasting

Intermittent fasting is all the rage these days. Rather than eating around the clock, you only consume foods during a specific window of time. Research has shown that those who incorporate fasting into their life can lose way more weight than those who eat three meals.

13. Eat More Protein

If you’ve read about the Keto plan or other similar diets, then you’ve learned that protein and good fats are what you need to lose weight quickly. Your body needs protein to help keep your glucose levels stable and to burn fat. Additionally, protein helps to fill you up faster, so you don’t overeat.

14. Cut the Carbs

Carbohydrates are in everything from pasta to potato chips. A carb is a combination of sugar, starch, and fiber, and your body has a more difficult time breaking down these particles. You should strive to eat under 100 carbs per day unless you’re on a restricted weight loss plan that calls for under 50.

15. Get Healthy Together

Getting an accountability partner is probably the most significant thing you can do in the weight loss journey. You need someone to help you along the way. It helps if the person who is assisting you lives in your household, but that’s not always necessary. Just having someone to go to the gym with or taking a walk with you is extremely helpful in you reaching your goals.

16. Eat Slowly and Chew Better

Did you know that Americans eat way too fast? It’s true; people are in such a hurry to get to the 100 places that they need to go that they eat quickly.

The problem is that when you eat slowly and chew each bite, you will consume less. Try to chew each bite to the count of 10 and see if it makes a difference in how much you eat.

17. Calories Still Count

Even if you’re on a low carb diet, your calories still matter. Most people have a misconception that as long as you eat foods low in carbs, you can eat all you want.

In theory, having two double cheeseburgers from a fast food restaurant without the bun would work, but the calories would be more than you should consume in an entire day. You won’t lose weight eating like that, so you must still count your calories no matter what plan you’re on.

18. Eat a Variety of Fruits and Vegetables

Mother nature has a bounty of fruits and vegetables for you to consume. While some are higher in sugar than others, you don’t have to cut those out, just limit them. Fill your plate with nature’s offerings, and you will find that it fills you faster and has fewer calories.

19. Kick the High-Calorie Drinks

As hard as it is, you must get rid of your soda, juices, lattes, and other sugar-filled drinks. They are high in calories and sugar and can sabotage your weight loss plan. Stick with water, coffee, and an occasional diet soda if you must.

20. Limit Your Sugar and Sodium Intake

You already know that sugar is terrible for your weight loss plan, but did you know that sodium can be detrimental to your diet? Sodium is found in abundance in things like canned soups, potato chips, and other processed foods. It can cause inflammation and water weight, plus it’s not good for your heart either.

21. Enjoy Whole Foods

If you prefer white bread, then it’s time to switch to whole grain. You need the fiber; plus, white flour is highly processed and has things that are hard on your body. You don’t need white flour in your diet when whole wheat is a better option.

22. Avoid Overly Processed Foods

Overly processed foods, like boxed potatoes, mac-n-cheese, and a million other things, will do more harm than good to your body. They use preservatives like MSGs that are harmful to the body, and they can cause digestive issues. There’s no reason to eat processed junk when you have nature providing amazing things that are pure and good for you.

23. Drink Coffee and Herbal Teas

In addition to coffee, which is a non-calorie drink, you can also enjoy herbal teas. Many teas have significant benefits for weight loss, such as cinnamon. When you feel the urge to splurge outside of your allotted food for the day, a lovely warm tea can help to fill your gut and keep you satisfied.

24. Avoid Drinking Diet Sodas

Though the subject of diet soda has already been touched on. But you should honestly know why it’s so unhealthy for you. Did you know it can cause metabolic dysfunction? The first three letters of the word diet are “die,” and you should remember that those artificial sweeteners are not going to make you healthy.

25. Change Your Mindset

While there are many things that you can do to help your weight loss journey, perhaps the most significant is to change your mindset. If you think you will fail, then you will. You must start each day with the passion and drive that you will be successful no matter what temptations you face.

Final Thoughts on Making the Changes That Supercharge Your Weight Loss Plan

Set realistic goals and expectations for yourself, and you must remember that it’s a journey that you will walk for life. Set small obtainable targets, and you will master every one of them before you know it.

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

Every day is a day to shine. Shine on!