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Doctors Reveal 8 Signs You’re Ignoring Your Health

August 20, 2020 by Power of Positivity

Are you ignoring your health without realizing it?

It can be challenging to find time to take care of your health with the busy schedule you might keep in everyday life. Even if you do keep an eye on your vitals, there’s a good chance that you’re only looking out for significant or severe symptoms that cast no doubt on the fact that something may be wrong.

Unfortunately, many health-related problems start with the most subtle and unnoticed signs. Catching these problems from the get-go can help to prevent them from becoming even more significant issues later on. For many of these problems, by the time they escalate to an obvious point, they can be much more severe. Therefore, they present much more of a risk to you. Here’s how doctors reveal eight signs you’re ignoring your health.

1. Constant Fatigue

According to functional medicine expert and cardiologist Martin G. Bloom, MD, constant sleepiness or drowsiness can be a clear indication that there’s something amiss with your health. A few issues could be at play, including:

· Poor Lifestyle Choices

Individual decisions, such as choosing to eat poorly or getting insufficient exercise, can have adverse effects on sleep ability, according to research.

· Insufficient Sleep

If you’re not sleeping enough, it makes sense that you’d feel fatigued virtually all the time. This sluggishness could be due to nighttime habits, such as eating or drinking too late. It could also be because you have inconsistent sleeping and waking times, which can result in your circadian rhythm messing up, causing a lower chance of positive sleep experiences.

· Poor Mental Health

Even if you follow all the textbook rules on health and sleep, poor mental health can cause you to feel fatigued, even after a full night’s sleep. On top of that, many mental disorders come with comorbid insomnia. Make sure you speak to a relevant mental health professional if you feel this may be the issue for you.

· Sleep Disorders

If you feel like you’re sleeping the required amount of hours and are living a relatively healthy lifestyle, there’s a chance that a more serious issue is at fault. Sleep apnea and other disorders can ruin sleep quality, leading to exhaustion and fatigue, according to studies.

2. Acne

Acne, in most cases, is hormonal or genetic. This condition means the phase of a menstrual cycle, your age, or your family’s history of acne is more likely to be a factor in determining the cause of acne.

However, Mount Sinai Hospital director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology Joshua Zeichner, MD, says that some other factors can also cause skin breakups. Here are some examples:

· Dehydration

Oily skin commonly causes breakouts. But according to Mount Sinai Medical Center’s assistant clinical professor of dermatology Francesca Fusco, MD, dry skin can also be bad for you. The small cracks in dry skin can allow for bacteria and dirt particles to find their way in, causing acne. A lack of sufficient hydration is a common cause of dry skin – and seeing as even a little dehydration can harm your body, it’s a direct indication that you need to drink more water.

· Stress

Stress on its own isn’t necessarily enough to bring you from a clear face to a full-fledged breakout, says Yardley Dermatology Associates director and author Richard Friend, MD, Ph.D. But stress can cause spikes in a hormone known as cortisol and also leads to the release of inflammatory chemicals. These issues combined cause inflammation and can be a trigger for breakouts. Even positive stress can do this!

· Bad Diet

A poor diet can lead to inflammatory disease, and inflammation is a driving factor in acne. Many foods are found to have bad links to acne triggers, including white carbohydrates, fatty foods, and sugary goods. MDacne medical director and dermatologist Yoram Harth, MD, adds that dairy products, especially ones that contain more sugar or more progesterone-equivalent hormones, can worsen insulin-like growths to the point of triggering acne.

3. Severe Stress

Ignoring your health can cause you to feel the impact of stress in your life.

We’ve briefly talked about how stress can cause acne, but did you know stress itself can be a sign that you’re ignoring your health? Severe, constant, or chronic levels of stress can all point to some serious hormone imbalances in the body.

Cortisol is a human hormone released by the adrenal glands. They’re commonly called “stress hormones” because they’re released when you experience stress. Essentially, they trigger a fight-or-flight response in you.

In small amounts, this is completely fine, and perhaps even healthy; it helps you overcome difficult situations. But with chronic stress, cortisol is always elevated, causing a more long-term panic response that simply doesn’t die down and can cause symptoms of mood imbalance, depression, or anxiety, says Bloom.

On top of that, severe stress can be a reflection of decreased positive thinking, anxiety, depression, and other serious mood-related issues. You should speak to a therapist if these problems are plaguing you.

4. Tooth Damage

Have you noticed any changes in your teeth? Perhaps they’ve become very stained, feel a small amount of pain, have inflamed gums, or are lacking their opacity. All of these forms of mild tooth problems, all the way up the spectrum to severe tooth damage, can be a sign that something’s wrong with your health.

According to the University of North Carolina School of Medicine gastrointestinal (GI) specialist Evan Dellon, MD, many patients don’t realize that certain underlying health conditions with mild symptoms are the reasons behind their tooth-related woes. For example, tooth enamel can be worn down because of:

Sugary drink consumption
Heartburn
Acid reflux
Gastrointestinal issues

Most of these conditions can be quite serious, so it’s a good idea to speak to a dentist or doctor if you suspect that you have acid reflux. The condition can not only cause your teeth to decay but even lead to higher esophageal cancer risk.

5. Leg Muscle Twitching

It’s not uncommon for leg muscles to twitch now and then. But those twitches at a high frequency can tell you something about your health you may not have been aware of. They may point to:

· An Overly Sedentary Lifestyle

If you spendthe majority of your waking hours sitting, you could develop muscle cramps and twitching. The actual twitches aren’t inherently bad, but a sedentary life can have negative effects on your health that have been well-researched over the years.

· Low Magnesium Levels

According to Carillon Miami Wellness Resort medical director Adonis Maiquez, MD, a lack of magnesium in the diet affects blood flow and heart strength. Consistently eating too little magnesium may lead to cardiovascular issues.

· Artery or Vein Problems

Cramping and twitching in the leg, especially when accompanied by pain or swelling, can be the sign of a vein or artery issue. This condition can be quite dangerous and usually requires quick medical attention.

6. Brain Fog

Brain fog is a bit of a blanket term, typically referring to several different symptoms that make you feel like your brain is going at a slower pace. Symptoms could include:

Feeling spaced out
Being forgetful
Inability to focus
Fatigue
Feeling mentally drained or burned out
Decreased positive thinking

Many people dismiss brain fog as nothing but a bad day. Sometimes, it can just be a rare, one-time deal due to poor sleep or stress the day before. However, brain fog may also be an indication of:

Thyroid problems
Hormone imbalance
Digestive problems
Mood disorders
Chronic illness

Bloom recommends that signs of forgetfulness are not ignored or explained away with the word “aging”. Brain fog can be indicative of many different issues, including some that affect your organs.

7. Ignoring Your Health May Stem from Too Much Alone Time

How many hours per day do you spend alone? Are you a textbook introvert who shuns social gatherings and prefers to keep to yourself? Whatever your reason for being alone so often, it’s important that you note its potential downsides and what it could say about your health.

Social activities can relieve anxiety and stress, and a lack of interest in spending time with friends can point to a lack of motivation, depressive symptoms, and similar issues. Social interaction is very positive for you anyway, with results such as:

· Better Positive Thinking

Forging connections with others allows you to maintain a more positive mental state. You feel like you belong somewhere, you have bonds with others who care about you, and you’re more connected to the outside world.

· Stronger Immunity

Researchers found links between immune system function and social interaction, especially in senior citizens.

· Sharper Thinking

When you engage in social activities, you also engage your brain. This allows for a decreased risk of cognitive decline while also keeping younger brains sharp, perceptive, and active.

· Better Overall Health

Engaging in social relationships usually points to a more active lifestyle. You may also be motivated to be on par with the health of those around you, which gives you a much increased chance of working on your health.

· Longer Lifespan

Numerous studies have found that an active social life can help the elderly lengthen their lifespan. They have fulfilling connections, supporting peers, and more interest in staying healthy.

8. Lost Interest In What You Love

Have you suddenly lost interest in your hobbies and passions? Are the things you once cared about no longer worthwhile to you? According to author, plus licensed marriage and family therapist Kiaundra Jackson, this could be a sign of bad mental health strain, primarily in the form of anxiety or depression.

If you face these issues, not only is your mental state at risk of deterioration in sinisterly low-key ways that may slip past your attention, but you’ll also see a lot of obvious negative changes. You might:

Deal with emotional fatigue
Face burnout
Turn to vices or harmful actions to fill an emotional need.
Become uncaring of responsibilities

If you are experiencing depressive or anxious symptoms, speak to a mental health professional as soon as possible.

Final Thoughts On Some Signs You’re Ignoring Your Health, According To Doctors

Your health needs must be taken care of, and it’s imperative that you take the time to pay closer attention to the subtle signs it may be showing you of deeper problems. If you notice any of these signs you’re ignoring your health, try taking steps to pay more attention to your body’s needs. If you need help, speak to your doctor or relevant medical professional for advice or aid.

10 Things Men Pay Attention To (That Women Don’t)

August 20, 2020 by Power of Positivity

What are the things men pay attention to in their relationships?

There are no concrete analogies that can describe love relationships. As in the case of men and women, you may claim the attraction of opposites. However, no relationship can last unless the partners have things in common, so the old saying that birds of a feather flock together is accurate.

Most people ignore their quirks, but men will surely notice your idiosyncrasies. You may be surprised at the things that men pay attention to that you don’t. Perhaps it’s because you are too busy with your infatuation of him.

Do you ever take those little love quizzes in magazines or online? Some questions about your mate may be obvious, while others require a more intuitive response. If your guy took a quiz about you and your personality, would he pass with flying colors?

The beauty of a committed relationship is that you complement one another. That’s not to say that you aren’t a complete person in your own right. It means that your love balances each other’s strengths and weaknesses. Such a feat can’t be accomplished without love, empathy, and much work.

Physical attraction is what sparked your mutual interest, but only love and respect will keep you together. Have you ever gazed in the mirror to see what your lover sees? Maybe the little flaws that you’re so sensitive about have never mattered to him.

Since he loves you, your mate wants to make you happy. He can only do that if he genuinely pays attention to you, the things you say, and what you do. Men pay attention to patterns and can tell when you need extra love and support.

NOTE: We acknowledge that this discussion can both ways. So we explore what women pay attention to in a separate article.

Does He Speak Your Love Language?

Part of being in a relationship is knowing how your mate loves, also called love language. Men usually show their love and affection differently than women do. Your guy may show his affection by doing something sweet and romantic, while you may prefer putting your feelings into words.

If you are both being genuine to each other and yourselves, each love language is beautiful and acceptable. What does he see that you no longer do? Is it the automatic way you carry yourself with grace and dignity?

10 Things That Men Pay Attention To (That Most Women Don’t)

Does he notice that you are more self-confident when you are wearing your favorite color? Here are ten things that men pay attention to about you that may be surprising.

1. Your Smile

The eternal beauty Marylin Monroe once noted that a woman’s greatest asset was her smile. No makeup product, designer dress, or dazzling jewelry can ever compete with the genuine smile you give your sweetheart. When he is having a bad day, a simple smile or a gleeful grin may be the thing that lifts his spirits.

The female smile has long been the subject of poetry and art, like the mysteriously demurring smile of Leonardo’s Mona Lisa. Frequently, a well-timed grin may get your man’s attention, as he wonders what you are thinking. The Mona Lisa isn’t sharing her secret.

2. Your Diet

Since men are biologically hardwired to be protectors and providers, men pay attention to what their lover is putting on her plate. Perhaps you feel comfortable with a few salad greens and a sliver of chicken. For you, it’s part of a healthy diet and your usual appetite, but he may subconsciously see your humble meal as his lack of provision for you.

Don’t be surprised if he encourages you to stack your plate high. Perhaps if you do, he might feel less guilty about the feast on his plate. It’s okay to stick to your guns and eat what you like.

3. Your Style

In the animal kingdom, it’s the males that are bursting with color and other characteristics to pique the drab females’ curiosity. Fortunately for humans, women usually have a monopoly on beauty and style. Your style is probably so ingrained in you that you don’t have to give it much thought.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and men pay attention to how you look in what you wear. Men are often attracted to women who are sure of themselves and aren’t afraid to be different. Believe it or not, he may have a better idea than your best girlfriend in what styles look best.

4. Your Passions

Part of loving a man or woman is to know what they like and what’s important to them. It’s a vital part of any lasting relationship. If your lover has been with you long enough, he will soon learn the passions that are close to your heart.

No matter your hobbies or interests, a true soulmate will know and encourage you to excel in your talents. Why does he seem to have a knack for picking gifts that reflect your hobbies and other interests? Men pay attention to what brings you joy, and he wants to be part of it.

5. Your Expressions

Although you may not realize it, your sweetheart is studying your face while gazing lovingly into your eyes. As you both practice active listening and empathizing with each other’s feelings, he will notice which of your expressions match your emotions. Consequently, women are usually better at these subtle cues, but love can do a lot for the male intuition.

You may be able to fool your friends or co-workers, but your sweetheart will know when your expressions aren’t congruent with your emotions or conversations. He can look at your face and notice when you’re feeling defeated, angry, or hurt. Sometimes, you can look into each other’s eyes and never say a word. Yet, you both seem to know what is going on due to the bond and connection you have with each other and your facial expressions.

Here are seven ways you can tell you have found your partner for life.

6. Your Conversation

Countless studies demonstrate that men and women communicate differently. How many times have you been irritated at your man because he missed a cue in your conversation? Women are usually more in tune with their feelings, and you know how to vocalize how you feel.

While your man’s communication skills may be your opposite, he can often read between the lines. He knows which subjects are taboo and which ones you enjoy. If you are normally an animated conversationalist, he often can intuit your moods by your energy and the cadence of your voice.

7. Your Quirks

Even if you are in a long-term relationship, you both are still individuals with similarities and differences. For any relationship to be healthy and lasting, you learn your partner’s little quirks and deal with them. If these differences don’t infringe on each other’s rights and happiness, then be willing to cut ties and move on.

Your beau knows your oddities and will be as understanding with yours as you are with his. If you’ve been diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive tendencies, your quirks may be linked to anxiety. Either way, he knows and understands everything about you.

8. Your Favorite Foods

Do you remember where you first met each other or had your first dinner for two? Your man took notice of what you were eating and drinking. Does it warm your heart when he remembers how you like your coffee and that you prefer mayo instead of mustard on your sandwiches?

When he knows your favorite foods and beverages, choosing an eatery for date nights is a breeze. He remembers your favorite restaurant, the dish you order, and what you were drinking. On special occasions, he may prepare your favorite meal for a quiet dinner at home for an added treat.

9. Your Favorite Color

Did you know that women usually perceive color better than men do? Now you know why you often help your mate differentiate between black and navy socks. All men should, at the very least, remember the color of their lover’s eyes.

Not only does your partner know and adore your eye color, but he also remembers your favorite color. He notices the dominant hue in your wardrobe and how you look in it. When he’s picking out a gift for you, he doesn’t need to stop and think about the best color to choose.

10. Your Pet Peeves

Pet peeves are usually irritating quirks you notice in other people. While there will always be disagreements in any relationship, considerate mates know what pushes each other’s buttons and try to stay clear of those situations. You are probably quite vocal with your beau regarding things that grind your nerves.

Many of your pet peeves may not have anything to do with him. However, he may do little things like leave the toilet seat up or crunch too loud on his potato chips. As your sweetheart, men pay attention to the things that tick you off and try to keep them at a minimum, as you should with his pet peeves.

Final Thoughts on Recognizing the Things To Which Men Pay Attention

Relationships are a labor of love that is worth every moment. It means that you are lovers, best friends, and most influential advocates. The more your man takes notice of you, the more he can meet your needs physically, emotionally, and spiritually. On the flip side, if he doesn’t notice those little things about you, then he’s not that into you.

Therapist Reveals 7 Things To Consider Before Moving In With Your Partner

August 20, 2020 by Power of Positivity

Moving in with a partner is a huge and exciting step in any relationship. It can also be nerve-wracking and leave you wondering if you are truly ready to leap this milestone with your loved one.

Many couples indeed face some difficulties after moving in together. Luckily, you can circumvent a lot of these potential problems by making sure you’re on the same page and keeping certain things in mind beforehand. Here’s how a therapist reveals seven things to remember before moving in with a partner.

1. Needs and Expectations

You might think you know your partner inside-out, and perhaps you do! Even so, it’s always a good idea to have one’s needs and expectations listed out and openly discussed. To ensure that moving in remains a positive and pleasant experience, both you and your partner need to see this is a challenge that you have to work together to overcome!

With that in mind, here are a few key topics you might want to tackle first:

· Discuss Expectations

Research confirms that close interpersonal relationships work best when both parties are forthcoming with their wants, needs, and desires. Sit down with your partner beforehand and have an open discussion about simple things like routines (both on a daily, weekly, and monthly schedule), whether you’d rather set the table instead of preparing dinner, and what you’re looking to get out of this living situation.

· Set Boundaries

Even when both you and your partner get very close, living in close quarters together can put a strain on even positive relationships. As a result, it’s best to listen to the experts and take the time to set down some boundaries. These can range from more obvious ones like time priorities and how much quality time you both want or need, to more straightforward questions about who’s in charge of paying for the groceries and the bills. This talk shouldn’t be a one-time discussion either – experts suggest catching up with each other on these discussions on a daily or weekly basis, so you both will stay on the same page as much as possible.

· Figure Out Your Intention

While moving in with your partner may seem like a natural and exciting evolution in your relationship, it’s crucial to pause still and consider why you’re taking this big step. Positive thinking aside, it’s possible that you or your partner may be doing this for reasons that are rooted in fear, rather than growth. And that needs to be something you both need to look into, to avoid problems in the future. Local movers are essential in moving big, heavy furniture.

· Intimacy

It’s only natural to expect intimacy from your partner when you move in together – both sexual and romantic. That said, it’s crucial to discuss intimacy needs, sexual expectations, and any potential discrepancies between you and your partner’s libido in advance. This chat is so you can make sure that both of you are on the same page when it comes to intimacy needs and expectations before moving in together.

· Determine Your End Goal

Moving in together is a significant upgrade in anyone’s relationship, but this relationship upgrade shouldn’t be an end goal in and of itself. There should be plenty of other long-term goals that you both might have or ought to discuss after achieving this exciting goal, says Widener University Human Sexuality Program assistant professor Dr. Sabitha Pillai-Friedman. For example, you would both need to decide if you would like to simply just wait and see how your relationship develops, or commit to each other permanently, or even get married!

2. Financial Concerns

The most natural assumption would be that money is a frequent source of conflict between partners living together. A study, however, has proven that this isn’t the case. Don’t start celebrating just yet, though: the same study also showed that money problems also last longer and are often harder to resolve. This outcome is usually because both of you might disagree on just how much money should be put into those saving accounts – or if that goal is worth saving for at all.

Additionally, it bears keeping in mind that you will both have to decide who’s financially in charge of which bills as well – especially if you’re bringing along extra expenses in the form of pets and the like. As such, author, TV host, and relationship expert Andrea Syrtash recommends discussing financial issues before moving in together. Who’s paying for what? How much do you earn? Lay it all on the table!

3. Quirks and Habits

Things that may seem adorable or cute to either of you may quickly turn into a nuisance once you find yourself dealing with it 24/7. It’s best first to discuss such things and to also reveal to each other if there’s anything else the other doesn’t know about you. After all, neither of you will be able to hide it from each other while living together!

Additionally, both of you ought to hammer out and discuss who should do which chores, and how frequently. This planning can prevent fights over household cleanliness levels, resentment towards one another, and awkward situations where some aspect of the household gets neglected – to everyone’s depriment.

4. It Won’t Be Easy, But You’re In This Together

Frankly speaking, living together is not easy to do. So you should come to expect that things are going to go south sometimes. Even so, both you and your partner should consider each other a team trying to overcome challenges – not enemies. So with that in mind:

· Prepare To Get On Each Other’s Nerves

When living together in the same space, it’s only inevitable that you will get irritated by your partner more often than usual. It’ll likely be in the form of little habits and quirks that annoys either of you and only when you both start living together – like leaving empty cups in the sink for days or your partner’s penchant for smelly foods. Be prepared for this to happen, and don’t let it bring you too much anxiety, says Relationship Expert Justin Lavelle.

· Prepare For The Ugly

The most intimate method to get to know someone, warts, and all truly, is to live with them. This experience is how you’ll find out if they are neat freaks that drive you crazy, or if they’re the type to live in a pigsty without a care in the world! Both of you should hammer out as much of this as possible in advance, but you’re still going to have to mentally prepare that things can get bad or ugly as well – and you’ll have to continue living with them anyway.

· Communicate More Than Ever

Once you start living together full time, excellent communication becomes crucial. Research proves that specific communication skills – like the ability to express emotions openly and maturely – are incredibly important if you want to be able to live together happily. This habit is especially so since there is now no room for either of you to escape to, should tempers flare and people get hurt.

5. Chores and Responsibilities

There will continuously be things that have to be done. Either the floors must be swept, or the bathrooms scrubbed, or the garbage is taken out. Whatever it is, both you and your partner will have to figure out how to divvy up the chore list.

Ideally, you’ll want to:

Discuss the frequency of certain chores and responsibilities, and if there are certain chores either of you prefers or hates
Ask each other what household tasks needed and what rooms you’ll want to manage.
Create a schedule with individual responsibilities for both of you

Bear in mind that all this needn’t be set in stone if either changes your mind. Both of you need to figure out how to get the chores sorted and completed without either one of you feeling like the division of labor is uneven.

6. There Will Be Changes

It’s naive to assume that the relationship both of you share will remain static and unchanging after such a huge, life-changing event – or even over time.

While neither of you will suddenly become different people overnight, it’s important to remember that with time comes a change in goals and aspirations. It may affect one’s disposition and behavior, and that is something that might cause clashes between both of you.

Additionally, once you move in together, both of you are going to have to contend with lifestyle adjustments, says relationship specialist J. Hope Suis. This adjustment phase is normal and expected whenever you move in with anyone. Thus, it’s a good idea to discuss things with them first. Once you’ve decided to move, call this moving company in Bradenton for assistance.

7. Break-Up Plans

Nobody wants to think about this, especially if you haven’t moved in yet. But it’s essential to think about how you and your partner are going to be able to pull out if living together doesn’t work.

For example, some things you’ll have to keep in mind are:

· Finances

Melding finances together is much easier than trying to separate it later. If you share a joint account, how do you both split the money? What happens to the bills and fees?

· Assets

Once you and your partner stop living together, you naturally will no longer be sharing belongings and assets. It’s essential to keep in mind that you will both have to figure out and decide who gets possession of what item(s) – which will only get exponentially more difficult after living together for long periods.

· Logistics

If living together is no longer a viable solution, both of you will still need someplace to live in. Additionally, both of you will have to figure out how to move your respective belongings out later too.

It’s natural to cling on to positive thinking and hope that this is a situation that both you and your partner won’t have ever to worry about or think about. But it’s always a good idea to plan for this possibility, to make things smoother and easier should the unthinkable happen. According to relationship expert and podcast host Damona Hoffman, this can make for a more amicable split.

Final Thoughts On Some Things To Remember Before Moving In With Partner

It’s equally thrilling and frightening to move in with a partner. Making sure, first, you are on the same page and remembering certain things before the big step forward can help make the transition smoother.

12 Ways To Stop Regretting And Make Peace With Yourself

August 20, 2020 by Power of Positivity

Few people can confidently say that they experience no regrets. Sadly, a part of life is all about doing things that you won’t look back on favorably later. It is how we, as human beings, learn and grow!

But regrets can grow bigger and bigger until they become very painful for you. They can even reach a point where you begin to obsess over them, leading to more regrets! So how can you stop this cycle from continuing? Here’s how a psychologist explains twelve ways to stop regretting and make peace with yourself.

1. Alter Your Current Course

If you find yourself always unhappy or feeling like you’ve missed out, this might be a surefire sign that you need to change something. According to California Polytechnic State University Professor of Psychology Shawn Meghan Burn, Ph.D., regret can be a way of the brain, informing you that change is needed.

Consider that perhaps you need to:

Consider going back to school.
Switch jobs to something more fulfilling
Step away and leave an unhealthy relationship
Reach out to others and restore relationships
Learn how to express your emotions, both positive and negative
Travel and explore the world
Move to a new home
Take better charge of your physical, emotional, and mental states.

2. Know That You Are Fallible

It’s natural for humans to make mistakes at some point – that’s just how it is, says child and adolescent psychiatrist and author Mark Banschick, MD. However, always regretting and lamenting the faults in your decisions isn’t healthy. Understand that your mistakes aren’t you, and you’re still a wonderful person worthy of love despite your mistakes.

If you don’t learn to accept and move on from your mistakes, that prolonged sense of regret may interfere with:

Your sense of self
Aspects of your relationships
Your career
Your ability to care for your health
Positive thinking
Sadness

3. Apologize

Many of us would feel that we ought to carry our regret as punishment for hurting someone, says Burn, but this guilty and shameful form of sorrow is unhealthy and unhelpful – especially if there is nothing else that can be said or done after the events have passed. Research shows us that it is better for everyone involved to:

Avoid victimizing yourself, both internally and externally
Offer a genuine and honest apology without beating yourself up
Try to make it up to them; then, amend things the best you can
Use this as motivation to change your behavior and future actions for the better

It’s very likely that the person you may have hurt will forgive you upon this apology, and won’t hold it against you. They may not even remember what you had done, or consider it hurtful!

4. Don’t Keep Thinking “Should”

Are you someone who struggles with positive thinking and defaults to self-hatred instead? That may be the cause of your depression and anxiety. Research has shown that if you’re continually inflicting yourself with self-loathing, it will also effectively affect your mental state, alongside all of the actions and behaviors that spring from it.

As you can imagine, this isn’t healthy for you or the people you love. Instead, it would be better for you to:

Stop fixating on your past mistakes, and what you should’ve done.
Understand and accept that the past is unchangeable
Focus on the things you can do better in the here and now
Actively chase after the positive things you desire, like love, acceptance, and gratitude.

5. Alter The Narrative

We have all grown up with this fantasy of the ideal version of our lives. While this fantastical vision serves as the ideal we want to work towards, reality – and the people within it – aren’t perfect, says Burns. Our life will always fall short of our plans and aspirations, and that’s perfectly normal and fine. So instead of continually comparing reality to your fantasy, try:

Reminding yourself that setbacks and mistakes are natural, and a part of life
Making different choices wouldn’t necessarily have resulted in a better experience and would’ve likely created a different set of regrets instead
Imagining how much worse it could’ve been
Think about how this is probably the path you may need to take to a better result you can’t yet imagine
Take the time to count the blessings you’ve received and the lessons you’ve learned
Give yourself credit for the things you did do right instead

Remember that it is impossible to replicate your imagined ideal life perfectly. Reality and the people within it don’t work that way

6. Determine How Your Thoughts Affect You

Cogito ergo sum – I think, therefore I am. Philosophers, scientists, and entrepreneurs from all walks of life and across the entire breadth of human history – both modern and ancient – have understood the power of one’s thoughts. It’s essential to pay attention to the ideas that arise in your brain, says Banschick, for they:

Affect your feelings
Dictate your behavior
Shape your intentions
Cultivate your motivations

If you find your thoughts to be affecting you negatively, then you might want to consider changing them in some way or another. The goal is to make them work for you and support you instead of hindering you and filling you with regret.

7. Find Triggers For Regretful Thoughts

Have you ever asked where your regrets stem from? What triggers the negativity within you? According to Mark Banschick, it’s a good idea to understand what triggers that mindset of self-loathing and regret. Thus, you can mentally prepare for such situations. This way, you can better combat them via techniques like:

Deep breathing exercises
Affirming statements
Repetitive mantras
Positive imagery
Taking the time to step back out and ground yourself

8. Forgive Yourself

Too often, we forget that we ought to forgive ourselves for the sins of our past as well. It may feel right to carry around self-directed guilt and regret as penance for our actions. However, research shows that learning to forgive ourselves is essential to becoming a better person. Cultivating self-compassion and self-forgiveness is crucial to overcoming regret, says Burn. Here are a few things you can do to get started yourself:

Be genuine in your self-directed apologies
Forgive yourself, truly and deeply
Understand that you will have imperfections, and those are acceptable and fine
Free yourself to accept your mistakes and lapses of better judgment
Do your best to apologize to those you think you’ve affected
Trust yourself to do better and to come out a wiser and stronger person

9. Be Grateful

When all you can see are mistakes, regret, and shame, it can be easy to forget where things have gone wrong. This, of course, is an unhealthy sort of rumination that only serves to hinder you and tear you down. Instead, try to:

Start a mindfulness journal
Set aside a few spare moments every day to dwell in gratitude
Jot down a few things you value and appreciate every day
Do your best to focus more on the positives over the negatives

Doing this regularly will help you pay attention to the good things in your life, which may help uplift your mood and spirits over time!

10. Forcefully Notice Negative Self-Talk

All that self-directed negativity is often untrue and rooted in shame that can hurt you. Thus, it means paying close attention to your thoughts as they unfold – and correcting them quickly – is a crucial step in the fight towards making peace with yourself, according to Banschick. This outcome happens because:

Most negative internal monologue needs to be scrutinized and challenged with positive statements to create a healthier mindset
These statements cannot be allowed to go checked and accepted as fact
It’s usually more likely that the negative self-assessment is untrue and inaccurate
The more they are repeated, the more deeply internalized they will be
Letting such thoughts and feelings continue will sabotage your attempts and doing better
They’ll often discourage you from improving yourself in the future
Catching these thoughts in the act allows for immediate self-correction
Practice makes perfect – repeated self-correcting will help replace these negative statements with truthful and positive ones over time

11. Ask Who You Want To Be

A consequence of being so rooted in one’s sense of shame and regret is that you focus primarily on what you are, at the expense of what you want to be. After all, how can you move forward in life when you aren’t sure where you’re heading? On the path to self-acceptance and peace, it’s essential to:

Take stock of your positive qualities
Learn how to embrace your good traits
Consider what attracts people to you and makes you desirable
Acknowledge and take credit for your positive contributions to those around you
Decide on what positive traits you want to expand and truly embody
Remember that there are things about you that are worth appreciating and cherishing

This way, you can focus on what makes you unique and how you can continue to uplift yourself and those around you.

12. Focus On Self-Compassion

When struck with regret and guilt, we forget that we should also be kind to ourselves. Exercising self-compassion becomes even more critical if you’re someone who’s vulnerable to melancholy and depression, as research shows us that being kind to yourself is a necessary form of self-care.

This means that while taking the time to grieve for lost possibilities is alright, moving on is also essential. If you find yourself lodged in the past, you can try moving forward via:

Reminding yourself that some things were just beyond your control
Acknowledging any self-directed pain and anger you have before explaining why you deserve kindness and forgiveness
Deliberately pardoning yourself for the mistakes you’ve made.
Taking a look at the context in which you made a choice. But remember your needs and wants at the time of decision

Final Thoughts On Some Ways To Stop Regretting And Make Peace With Yourself

It’s normal to have regrets, but it’s almost essential to try to overcome them. You have so many positive things in your future; why bother spending all that time looking to the past and being trapped in memories of things you can no longer change?

5 Thoughts That Can Negatively Impact A Child’s Mind

August 20, 2020 by Power of Positivity

A child’s mind is highly impressionable. A lot of the things that you might think kids won’t notice, can ignore, or won’t remember may wind up influencing the people they become as adults. It can be quite the scary and overwhelming thought, especially for parents to many children!

As a parent, you need to be aware of the thoughts your child is exposed to and experiences. Unbeknownst to you, they could be very much affected by these factors, so keep an eye out! Here are five thoughts that can negatively impact a child’s mind.

1. Negative Comparisons Harm a Child’s Mind

Even if the family environment is one that is loving and supporting, research shows that children as young as six will notice the difference. As you can imagine, this can affect a child negatively. This is then further worsened by our result-oriented society, which cares not for the effort put into a task.

After such comparisons, a child will find themselves wondering if there was a point in any of their efforts. When such thoughts are left to go unchecked, it can cause:

· Damaged Relationships

It should come as no enormous surprise that children are emotionally vulnerable, and therefore will take your words to heart. Repeated comparison between them and their peers may make them not only despise their peers. They may also despise you for not being on their side. This result will likely damage any positive relationships they have with you and those around them.

· Jealousy

Constant comparison between their betters will make a child naturally jealous. This only gets worse if they really cannot match up to said better, due to their better’s virtues are always being exaggerated or improved. Such emotions can easily torment a child and transform into hatred and even aggression with enough time and animosity.

· Negativity

For a child to be measured against others and found repeatedly wanting, it can be hard for them to see themselves in any positive light. As a result, they will likely develop a defeated spirit that struggles with any sort of positive thinking. They will also likely infect others with their negative assumptions, and assume the worst of themselves and of any outcomes that will occur.

· Nervous Upbringings

A child that is on the regular end of belittling and comparisons will naturally become nervous and jittery, and create in them a tendency to overly focus on pleasing those around them. This habit is because they will develop feelings of inadequacies as they continue to fail meeting expectations. Additionally, these doubts will make them lose any sense of autonomy, natural confidence, and knowledge of boundaries.

· Self-Doubt

Being repeatedly told that they’re not good enough and that there’s always someone out there that’s better than them will only plant and encourage the seed of self-doubt. This leaves a child discouraged continuously as they double-think their capabilities and skills at every step of the way. They’ll often feel that they aren’t good enough as well.

2. Jumping To Conclusions

To jump to conclusions is something that children do very often, for better or worse. This is primarily due to their struggles with developing IQ and emotional biases. Further, research reveals to us a significant impact on reasoning errors. If they are already used to negativity and comparisons, they are going to naturally gravitate to assuming the worst.

This behavior can result in them feeling hurt and accused, and be inclined to lash out and blame others when things go wrong. To avoid this, you’ll want to teach your children that:

· Explain That Others Can Make Mistakes

Not all hurtful actions are intentional or mean-spirited. It is only natural for people to blunder, and those mistakes will often affect those around them – including your child. Despite the harm caused, it is best to teach your child that it’s likely the perpetrator had meant well and accidentally made an honest mistake. As such, they shouldn’t jump to conclusions, and instead, focus on positive thinking and offer the courtesy of forgiveness.

· Teach Them About The Importance Of Evidence

Children are not rational and logical, and as such, are likely to accuse or suspect people based on gut feelings or baseless reasons. While gut feelings are useful and can be the first sign that something is wrong, your children should learn that it is best to look for real, proper evidence to back up such thoughts and feelings. This can help prevent hurt in the long-run, as looking for information to explain their reasoning may make them realize that they had no real cause at all.

· Role-Play To Practice

Role-playing can help a child to learn how to empathize with others and understand. This activity encourages them to step into the shoes of others and see how the other person may have felt, and from there, have your child understand how they should, in turn, treat others. For example, you can ask a child about the last time they had accused someone. Then prompt their imagination as you ask your child how they would feel if they were in such a situation – and in turn, how it must’ve made the other person feel.

3. Catastrophizing

To catastrophize is to magnify or minimize a situation or an outcome for the worst. In a parent, this form of catastrophizing stems from anxiety over a distressing situation – which, as research shows, is a behavior that can pass down to one’s child. This is because:

· They Will Notice

Despite a parent’s active efforts to conceal their worries from their child, they will unintentionally show those anxieties via their behavior, such as overinvolvement. Children will then learn from such action subconsciously, and internalize that same sort of tension that their parents suffer from.

· They Become Worried Too

As parent’s overinvolvement may result in them taking away any sense of agency from the child. In the process, this creates a sense of inadequacy, as children don’t successfully learn from their mistakes and situations. This outcome then gets worse in the future, as the child’s worries grow in proportion to increasingly difficult situations that they never learn how to handle.

· They Struggle To Be Independent

Research tells us that a parent catastrophizing can result in them being more controlling, which takes away a child’s autonomy. Anxious parents are also slower and more reluctant to pull back on parental control, which results in a child struggling to understand how to care for themselves as they grow older.

4. All-Or-Nothing Thoughts

Studies prove that children naturally struggle with nuance and accuracy. Instead, they’ll lean towards thinking in hyperboles, and gravitate towards the extreme as it is simply easier to understand. This, however, can result in all-or-nothing thinking, which can hurt a child’s self-esteem. It can also make it even more challenging for you as a parent to obtain an accurate picture of the situation when your child tries to tell you about it.

If you notice this happening on the regular, you ought to take this as a red flag that your child may be dealing with more cognitive distortion that is healthy. To break this habit, try:

· Be A Good Example

Take a look at your behavior. Children tend to copy what they see precisely, so it’s likely that you might be unintentionally teaching them by action. Pay attention to your language, and hold yourself accountable for being accurate when you are communicating yourself.

· Show Them That False Accusations Are Lies

It’s essential for your children to understand that extreme statements are often similar to lies, as they can be misleading and unfair. This still applies even if your child hadn’t thought of it as a lie, or intended to mislead someone – so long as it’s an untrue statement, it is not okay.

· Provide Alternatives To This Pattern

Completely stopping a habit is not realistically possible. It’s much more useful for anyone – both child and adult – to instead swap the unwanted behavior with something more positive. For a child who’s still developing their vocabulary, you can try suggesting alternative terms that are more accurate. From there, teach them to practice it and remind them on the regular until it’s replaced their more extreme statements instead.

5. Negative Labels

While labels are a quick and easy way to identify people, research suggests that they can also be harmful when it is negative and unfair – especially when it is an adult saddling a child with such labels.

When a child is labeled, it affects a child in the following ways:

· The Labels Become Ingrained

Labels can be difficult to shake off. Doubly so with impressionable children, who are likely to take any negative feelings and words directed their way at face value. Once a child internalizes a label, it also solidifies any negative behavior as something they believe is part of themselves.

· It Harms Self-Esteem

Negative labels will plant in your child’s mind the consistent negative qualities, even if said quality isn’t necessarily a bad thing. At such a young age, children will see these limiting beliefs as the truth that will shape their thoughts into adulthood permanently. This thinking pattern consequently can affect their sense of self-esteem as well.

· You Feel Less Empathy

Placing a negative label on a child can make them appear that they are unchanging. It can also create a sense of distance between yourself and your child’s thoughts and emotions, which consequently makes it difficult for you to connect to them and see from their point of view. Instead, you’re more inclined to not look any deeper as you rely on the label to tell you all you need about the child – usually at the child’s expense.

Final Thoughts On Some Things That Can Negatively Impact A Child’s Mind

You don’t have to coddle a child to keep their mind safe. You can be a strict disciplinarian with a fair but firm parenting style. On the other hand, you can be the total opposite and be especially outwardly empathic in your parenting style. Or, you can be somewhere in between. These are all valid and workable parenting choices.

But the fact remains that, no matter what you choose, you still need to be a good parent and learn how what a child experiences can impact their mind. Learn to take note of thoughts that can harm a child and the way they develop and mature, then work to prevent or change them. You’ll be glad when your child doesn’t have to deal with these thoughts years down the line!

15 Character Traits That Reveal Someone Is an Introvert

August 20, 2020 by Deborah Tayloe

The character traits of an introvert indicate a life of solitude. Introverts feel most comfortable when they are alone and left to their thoughts and ideas. They come across as shy and quiet, but sometimes that isn’t the case.

They tend to rely on their mind to recharge their energy, whereas extroverts rely on others to recharge. Neither of these methods is wrong, it’s just the differences between the personality types.

Introverts tend to share many of the same character traits. With up to half of the people in the United States being introverts, you likely know a few of them. It can be easy to identify an introvert if you know the character traits associated with the personality type.

15 Character Traits of an Introvert

Here are fifteen character traits that some people find perplexing.

1. They Enjoy Being Alone

Introverts look forward to time alone, while others may dread having alone time. They require solitude often to stay happy. The activities they enjoy tend to be ones that can be done alone because that’s when they feel the best.

This fact does not mean that your introverted pal will never want your companionship. Instead, it means that they thrive when they’ve spent time recharging their batteries–alone!

2. They Need Quiet to Concentrate

When things or sounds are happening around them, introverts will struggle to focus. They may begin to feel overwhelmed and frustrated. Introverts become distracted more often than extroverts, so they need quiet.

3. They Take Time to Make Decisions

Making decisions right away is not something an introvert can do. They must think about it, weigh the options, and reflect on their feelings first. Then, after thinking about it and making a plan, they will be ready to decide.

4. Social Interaction Drains Introverts

Some people want to have plans every weekend, whereas introverts are the opposite. An introvert may still go out of going to a party, but they won’t stay as late, and they won’t go every time. By the night’s end, they are ready to be comfortably back in their own home.

Introverts will feel exhausted after they’ve spent time around a crowd of people. They may feel stressed out and need a quiet day to themselves afterward to recuperate.

5. They are Often Thought to be Shy (and this misconception happens often!)

Introverts are often described as shy by people who don’t know them well. This is because they prefer to be quiet and reserved.

They think about what they want to say and consider it heavily before speaking, so they may not speak much. Small talk isn’t something they will enjoy, so they would rather sit quietly instead of participating in a conversation.

6. They are Introspective

Introverts are often daydreamers who plan things out in their minds before things into action. They won’t begin on any project until they have had a reasonable amount of time to think it through.

Often, they spend time self-reflecting and learning more about the things on their mind. This allows them to understand themselves and their feelings better. They are highly interested in progressing in their interests and prefer to feel prepared and ready.

7. They Learn by Watching

Introverts prefer to learn by watching the task be done. Through repeated observation, they can focus on the motions until they can do the task independently. If they are required to learn in a hands-on way, they prefer to do it alone until they perfect it.

8. They Work Better Alone

Introverts dread group projects and can become overwhelmed quickly when they have to participate in one. They can work better independently because they can focus better, allowing them to work more effectively.

It’s not that introverts don’t work well with others; it’s just that they can focus better alone. Some of this could come from socialization because it can cause anxiety or distraction for an introvert.

Due to this, they tend to look for jobs that allow them always to work alone. They gravitate toward careers such as being a writer, accountant, programmer, graphic designer, or artist.

9. They Love Deeply

Introverts might shy away from falling in love quickly. But when they finally find someone special, look out! They love deeply and genuinely care about the people in their life. They keep their group of friends and loved ones small, and they highly value those relationships. This is one of the reasons that they love more deeply than extroverts.

Since they think things through so much, introverts like to show people how much they love them. They tend to do this by surprising their loved ones with small acts of kindness.

10. They Zone Out Often

This could be related to their introspective qualities. When they can, they will zone out to escape their current situation.

They let their mind wander from what they are supposed to be doing to what they would rather be doing. This often happens when they feel overwhelmed or uncomfortable in the present environment. Others may think it means they are unfocused or being rude, but it’s a way of survival for the introvert.

11. They are Loyal

Introverts take a long time to get to know someone. They also keep their group of friends small. So, they will always be loyal to you when you become close to them.

Since they have invested so much into the relationship, you can expect they won’t blow you off or betray you. They will also be highly hurt if you betray them or end the friendship.

12. They Have a Close Group of Friends and Like to Keep it That Way

While they prefer to be alone, introverts have close friends they enjoy spending time with. They will keep their group of friends small and will often resist new friends. It’s expected that they only have relationships that make them happy and are of the best quality.

13. They Like People to Make a Plan Before Coming Over

Introverts don’t like anything to be unexpected, but unexpected visitors are a big issue for them. Since they think things through so much, they tend to have plans for themselves. Unexpected visitors throw off their plans and they may not have the energy to host anyone.

They want to plan for visitors, and they have to prepare themselves for the company. It’s a significant source of discomfort and annoyance to them when this doesn’t work out.

14. Their Preferred Method of Communication is Through Writing

They are more comfortable writing their words than speaking them. This is especially true when they haven’t had time to prepare what they will say. They like to focus on their words and consider how it sounds, which is only possible through writing.

So while you won’t get many phone calls, expect lots of long text message to keep in touch!

15. They Don’t Answer the Phone

If they don’t recognize the phone number, they won’t ever answer the phone. Sometimes, even when they do recognize the number, they still won’t answer. They don’t like to talk in certain places or situations, so they’ll avoid all phone calls during those times.

Another reason they may avoid phone calls is that it could be interrupting a personal project they are working on. They also won’t answer if they are in a bad mood or thinking something through.

Plus, you have to remember that introverts don’t enjoy small talk. Often, phone calls require small talk, making them feel uncomfortable just thinking about it. To get ahold of them quickly, you will want to text so they know what it’s about.

More to Know About Introversion

There are Different Levels

Not all introverts will exhibit every character trait associated with it. Sometimes they will have a few characteristics that are common to extroversion, but more of the qualities of an introvert. Their characteristics may also change as they grow older, and they process things differently.

What Causes Introversion?

While no one is certain about what causes someone to be an introvert or extrovert, there are some ideas. Some evidence supports the idea that genetics plays a role in someone’s characteristics. Evidence also shows that it can depend on a person’s childhood and their environment.

Research shows that introverted brains work differently, and these folks have more blood flow to the frontal lobe of their brain. This part of the brain helps with memory, problem-solving, and planning.

Introverted people are also affected by dopamine differently than those who are extroverted. Dopamine is a chemical in the brain that is directly related to pleasure and reward. For introverts, it creates a feeling of exhaustion and stress, while extroverts become excited by it.

Final Thoughts on Character Traits That Reveal an Introvert

Introverts share many of the same character traits, although they may not have all of the traits on this list. Knowing these character traits can help you understand introverts better, allowing you to communicate and interact appropriately.

Although they are much different than extroverts, introverts still like to spend time with extroverts. They enjoy going out once in a while, although they may want to be back home earlier. Even if they love solitude, they will participate in fun events and socialize regularly.

They tend to be more reflective, thoughtful, and loyal. Plus, they seem to love more deeply. If you have an introvert in your life, you should value the relationship and keep them around.

7 Ways People With PTSD Handle Relationships Differently

August 20, 2020 by Power of Positivity

People with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) have successful relationships with their loved ones all the time. However, it’s not without unique challenges that can put a strain on couples. If everyone is committed to the success of their relationship, they can achieve happiness.

*For this article, we’ll refer to a person who has post-traumatic stress disorder as a survivor.

As you can imagine, suffering from PTSD can make it difficult for a survivor to hold relationships with people due to emotional and psychological issues. This case is especially true because the people in the survivor’s life can become overwhelmed with all the problems that occur. It puts a strain on everyone involved, and this includes all relationships, not just romantic ones.

Knowing how a person with post-traumatic stress disorder handles relationships can be a big help for everyone involved. It can prepare you for issues that may arise and help take some of the strain from dealing with the symptoms. Keep reading to learn about seven ways that people with post-traumatic stress disorder handle relationships differently.

What is Post Traumatic Stress Disorder?

Psychiatrists define post-traumatic stress disorder as a psychiatric condition that occurs in people who’ve witnessed or experienced a traumatic event. This condition is characterized by an inner turmoil that they continuously deal with. People who have post-traumatic stress disorder may have nightmares, flashbacks, depression, trouble making social connections, or uncontrolled fear, sadness, or anger.

People who have post-traumatic stress disorder may seem to lead a healthy life until they’re triggered by something. It could be a sound, a touch, a smell, or just about anything.

Post-traumatic stress disorder is most common in war veterans, especially older vets. However, it can happen to civilians also from life experiences such as car accidents, family deaths, life-threatening experiences, or other traumatic situations. They may even develop the condition from indirectly experience traumatic events, such as merely learning about the death of a loved one.

Can Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Be Cured?

Since post-traumatic stress disorder is a mental illness, it can’t precisely be cured. However, with proper support, it can be managed enough for a person to lead a healthy life. That’s great news because it means that a survivor can have normal relationships.

Here are eleven tips to help you recover from a mentally abusive relationship.

How Does Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Affect Relationships?

It really takes the support of a village to helps someone suffering from the post-traumatic stress disorder. Remember that they aren’t choosing to be the way they are.

1. Constant Feelings of Fear, Anxiety, Irritability, or Stress

Survivors of PTSD are often plagued by scary feelings of fear, anxiety, irritability, or stress. This can make it difficult to interact with a survivor, especially in public. Bizarre behavior can happen, making it embarrassing for everyone involved.

These feelings can often make it difficult for the survivor to relax. It may lead to a lot of ruined dates or angry outbursts at functions. This is especially true if a lot is going on, and the survivors get overwhelmed with everything that’s happening.

2. Intimacy Difficulties

People who have post-traumatic stress disorder can have trouble with intimacy, especially when their trauma comes from sexual abuse. Survivors may find that they don’t enjoy sex, or they can’t concentrate on it. They may not be able to perform at all.

For romantic partners of survivors, this can be incredibly frustrating. It can mean the end of the relationship in the long run.

If you’re in a relationship with someone who has intimacy difficulties due to PTSD, you must be willing to have an extreme amount of patience. Just your touch could be enough to set them off, especially if the abuse was recent.

As a survivor gets the therapy they need, this can help with sexual difficulties due to PTSD. However, a small percentage of survivors may get worse or may never get over it. Whatever the case is, be as supportive as possible.

3. Trouble Sleeping

Sleeping difficulties are common symptoms of someone who has post-traumatic stress disorder. They may have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep. Nightmares may also plague them. Insomnia has been reported as high as 70% of people with post-traumatic stress disorder.

If you sleep with someone that has post-traumatic stress disorder, you’ve probably noticed that their sleep problems have become your sleep problems. If you are about to begin cohabitating with someone that has post-traumatic stress disorder, you’ll soon find out how they’ll affect your sleep. You may even wake up in the middle of the night to the survivor frantically or violently acting out nightmares.

It’s a situation that’s not for the faint of heart.

4. A Person With PTSD May Feel Unworthy

Survivors can sometimes develop a sense of feeling unworthy of love, which causes even more inner turmoil. They may have trouble trusting people, and they may think that the world is unsafe. This distrust can put a lot of strain on relationships because the survivor will continuously need reassurance.

In relationships, the survivor can feel paranoid about everyone’s intentions. They may accuse people of not having their best interest at heart, or they may continuously question people’s loyalty. They can become so dependent on everyone’s approval that it becomes overwhelming to those around the survivor.

It’s worse for romantic relationships. The survivor may have trouble trusting that you are. They may need constant phone calls, pictures proving who you’re with, or they may meltdown at the slightest change in plans. They may continuously question why you’re with them and what you see in them.

5. Social Isolation

People dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder can often have trouble interacting generally with others for all the reasons that we discussed earlier. They may simply feel unsafe around crowds or unable to socialize with people. They may be plagued with feelings of insecurity.

These feelings can cause them to withdraw from people, even people they’re close to. In a romantic relationship, this can cause a lot of stress since the survivor may not ever want to do anything or go anywhere. The survivor may become dependent on their partner for every social interaction. It’s hard to be someone’s everything.

Even worse, the survivor might withdraw from their romantic partner also. This can cause the partner to feel alone or abandoned, which endangers the relationship.

6. Denial

Some people coping with PTSD may be in denial that anything is wrong with their relationship. After all, there may be times where the relationship is perfectly healthy, and you’re happy, and everything seems perfect. Then, out of nowhere, a trigger occurs, and you’re left feeling confused while the survivor doesn’t recognize the problem.

Not all people with post-traumatic stress disorder are scary, sad, depressed, and angry – at least not on the surface. This variation can make it easy for someone to dismiss the symptoms of PTSD.

Their PTSD may manifest itself in other ways, such as hypersensitivity, communication issues, or dissociation. These types of traits may not be alarming, so they may not see them as a problem. However, even if the survivor can’t see it, you can see something is wrong.

It can be hard to convince survivors to get help sometimes, especially if they are in denial. However, if you care about them, keep trying.

7. Abusive Behavior

One of the most significant issues that partners have with their survivor is abusive behavior. Let’s be clear – not everyone with post-traumatic stress disorder becomes abusive. It’s more likely that they’ll withdraw rather than become abusive. However, some do, and it can get out of control if it isn’t addressed as soon as possible.

When the survivor becomes abusive, it may be time to leave, especially if there are children involved. They may not mean to hurt you, but if they’re triggered, things could get worse. Once you’re safely away from the survivor, you can try to help them from a distance. Just remember that your safety is the priority.

Final Thoughts on How PTSD Survivors Handle Relationships

People dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder want to have healthy lives and normal relationships. Most people put their best foot forward. They try hard but, no matter how hard they work at it, they still come up short if they don’t get help.

In these situations, they need love and support from the people around them. It’s easy when the survivor wants help and wants to get better. Eventually, with professional advice and support loved ones, things may be normal.

However, if the survivor is not willing to get help, don’t be afraid to walk away. It can be a hard thing to do, but it doesn’t help anyone if you get post-traumatic stress disorder from trying to help someone else with post-traumatic stress disorder.

In the end, just keep in mind that a successful relationship with a survivor is possible. They may approach the relationship differently while in recovery, but with some hard work, love, and support, they can be the friend, family member, or lover that you dream of.

10 Strength Training Workouts That Help You Get In Shape Fast

August 20, 2020 by Power of Positivity

Have you been procrastinating your strength training workouts because you don’t have an expensive gym membership? There’s no better time to start than the present because you can do an effective workout at home. These innovative exercises don’t require a lot of fancy equipment, either.

All you need is a small space in your house with enough room to move about safely. If you don’t have carpet, consider buying a quality exercise mat that is slip-resistant. They are relatively inexpensive, and you can find them in any sporting goods department or online.

For an optimal workout session, wear comfortable clothes that are breathable and won’t restrict your movement. You might also keep a fresh towel handy and set up a fan so that you don’t get overheated. Also, have a bottle of cold water at your side to prevent dehydration.

Innovative & Improvised Equipment

When you have a family and money is tight, pricey gym equipment may be out of the question. Did you know that most strength training workouts don’t require costly equipment? For the ones that involve weight lifting, you can be creative and use weighted things you have handy around the house, like books, canned food, or even cat litter.

Most fitness experts advise that you do strength training workouts for at least 30 minutes per day. They can easily be integrated into your regular cardio or core routines. Here are ten of the best exercises to consider for your strength training workouts.

Weight Lifting

When you lift weights as part of your strength training workouts, they provide resistance for your muscles and help burn fat. If you are new to weightlifting, consider talking to a certified fitness trainer about the weight capacity and exercises that are best for you. As your body becomes accustomed to it, you can gradually add more weights to lift.

If you have any health issues or problems with your back or joints, consult your primary health provider before beginning a weightlifting regimen. Never lift any more than your ability, and stop immediately if you feel undue pain or strain. If you don’t have dumbbells, you can use homemade weights.

1. Dead Lift

To do this maneuver, you will need a sturdy duffle bag with side handles, filled with canned goods or books. Next, stand flat on your exercise mat with your feet a little wider than shoulder-width. Grasp the handles of the duffle bag and hold it above your head, keeping your arms straight.

Now, bring your bottom and hips back and bend your knees into a squatting position with your back straight. Squat until your knees are level with your hips, then carefully return to the starting position to equal one rep. Do from 5-10 reps, taking care that you don’t strain your back or arms.

If you are a beginner or have back problems, you can modify this exercise by supporting your back against a wall. Doing deadlifts gives your entire lower body an efficient workout, from your obliques to your glutes. To further enhance your performance and protect your joints, consider using knee wraps for squats and deadlifts. They provide extra stability and support, helping you push through challenging lifts while reducing strain on your knees.

2. Overhead Squat

Using the same sturdy duffle bag stuffed with cans or books, stand firmly on your exercise mat with your body straight and your feet aligned with your shoulders. Take a deep breath and expand your chest muscles while lifting your duffle bag and placing it across your shoulders. This is the starting position of the exercise.

Tighten your back, hips, and behind as you lift the duffle bag straight over your head. To prevent your neck from straining, move your head slightly back while you are lifting. Hold the weighted bag straight up for 1-2 breaths, then lower it back into the starting position. Try to do 10-12 reps.

These exercises are an optimal way of working the major muscle groups in your arms, neck, and upper back. You’ll notice how the muscles stretch as you do each repetition. Overhead squats are also beneficial to your core muscles.

3. Kettlebell Swing

If you don’t have a kettlebell, you can fill a large laundry detergent jug with sand or cat litter. As you stand on your exercise mat, grab the kettlebell’s handle (or the detergent jug) with both hands. Try to keep your arms straight while leaning slightly forward with your back straight and your behind out, like a squat. This is your starting position.

Use your core muscle strength to stand while you push your hips forward. The kettlebell will move forward to the chest level by the force of your body. Try not to use your arms to lift the weight. Lower your body and push your bottom out again to return to the starting position. Do 15-20 reps.

4. Hammer Curls

Do you want biceps that will be the envy of your friends? Why not try these muscle-building hammer curls. They give your arms a good workout as they tone and sculpt the muscles.

Stand comfortably on your exercise mat with a weight in each hand. Slowly bring the weights up toward your arms in a curling formation. Stop right before the weights touch your arms and hold for 1-2 breaths while tightening your biceps.

Slowly bring the weights back to the starting position to complete one repetition. Do these steps for 10-15 reps. As you build muscle, you can increase the weights evenly for each arm.

Body Weight Exercises

These next five exercises for your strength training workouts use the weight of your body for resistance. They provide an excellent way for you to burn fat and sculpt your body. You can purchase resistance bands cheaply anywhere sports and fitness equipment are sold.

5. Resistance Bands

To burn fat and build strength and endurance, your muscles require a resisting force. Consider adding resistance bands exercises to your strength training workout. These latex bands come in different sizes and can be used to shape your arms, legs, and parts of your body.

Try these ten fat-blasting resistance bands moves.

6. Yoga

For thousands of years, yoga has been a holistic philosophy to benefit body, mind, and spirit. Yogic exercise uses gentle movement, poses, and mindful breathing to strengthen your muscles and make your joints more limber.

Whether you are a novice or an experienced yoga student, you can find poses to help get your body in shape. Use a quality exercise mat and other specialized equipment. There are many online tutorials that can get you started.

Yoga builds strength, improves flexibility, and melts away stubborn fat.

7. Crunches

You can’t beat a crunch for the benefit of a sit-up without the added strain to your back. You can sculpt an impressive six-pack with them. Crunches can also help sculpt your back and shoulders. For your starting position, lie flat on your exercise mat with your hands behind your head, and bend your legs as if you were doing a sit-up.

Next, tighten your abdomen and core muscles as you raise your shoulders slightly from the mat. Only use these muscles and not your neck or arms. Notice the stretching sensation in your ab muscles as you hold this position for 1-2 breaths.

On the second exhale, lower your back slowly into the first position to make one rep. Aim to do at least 10-15 reps. For an extra bit of resistance, place a heavy book on your chest as you do the crunches.

8. Chair Dips

Remember that chair you used to slump in all day? How about using it as a tool for your strength training workouts? Chair dips work your shoulders and upper back muscles well.

Make sure you use a sturdy chair that won’t move. Put your chair on the exercise mat and stand in front of it, with your face looking toward the wall. Grab each side of the seat while bending on your knees and keeping your arms out straight. This is your first position.

Next, you want to bend your arms slowly till it forms almost a 90-degree angle. You should do this while you lower your body towards the ground. Hold this second position for 1-2 breaths, and slowly bring your body to the start position on the second inhalation. Do these steps for 5-7 reps.

9. Body Squats

These squats are excellent workouts for your glutes, hips, and thighs. Stand normally on your exercise mat with your feet aligned under your shoulders. Now, move your hips back and bend into a squatting position while keeping your back straight.

When your hips and knees are parallel, use your feet to jump up, straighten your body, and immediately return to the starting position. Do these for 5-10 reps.

Working out helps you build up a healthier immune system.

10. Pushups

Use an exercise mat or a carpeted floor for comfort. Nobody has ever left high school or the military without knowing how to do a classic pushup. Whether you loved or hated them, this traditional exercise should be part of your exercise routine. Feel free to modify them if regular ones hurt your back or neck.

First, lie flat on your exercise mat with your palms flat and a little wider than shoulder-width. Keep your back straight and balance on your tiptoes. As you inhale, use your arms and core strength to lift your body until your arms are straight.

Hold this position for 1-2 breaths, then lower your body to the starting position, doing 10-15 reps. Push-ups condition your whole body, especially your arms and upper torso muscles.

Workouts are more fun with a partner! Even solitary exercises like pushups can be done in tandem.

Final Thoughts: Try These Strength Training Workouts, and You Will See Quick Results

Strength training workouts can help shape your body and burn unwanted fat. Use them alone or with other weight training exercises.

10 Signs You Had An Invisible Illness Growing Up

August 20, 2020 by Power of Positivity

Did you know that you can be sick as a child and never get the help you need or a diagnosis of an invisible illness you have? How many times did your parents tell you to walk it off when you didn’t feel well? Howe many headaches or belly aches did you complain about that they thought was caused by being tired or eating too much candy.

Parents don’t know everything. They try their best to do what’s right for you, but sadly, they often don’t make the right choices. It’s hard for a young child to communicate with an adult about their needs.

Maybe you didn’t have the right words to express how you felt, or the doctor couldn’t pinpoint what was going on in your body. It’s possible that you were fighting an invisible illness, but because it wasn’t always apparent to those around you, you were never diagnosed. All you knew is that you felt different than the other children.

Did Your Invisible Illness Start as a Child?

Perhaps, as an adult, you realize that your chronic illness started in childhood, and looking back, it all seems to make sense. Do you recognize any of these symptoms from your younger days?

1. Frequent Exhaustion

While other children came home from school, grabbed a snack, and headed outside to play, did you find that you needed a nap? Many kids are physically exhausted by the school and getting up early. If you needed more sleep than your friends, it could have been a sign of an invisible illness.

Pediatricians and parents often brush off a kid saying their tired and think they need to nap. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with taking a nap on occasion. However, when a 12-year-old is sleeping more than 8-10 hours a day, it needs to be investigated.

Thankfully, doctors are more receptive to childhood illnesses and realize that several serious health complications can start at a young age.

2. Chronic Headaches

Lots of things can cause headaches. People can see them as a side effect from stress, a poor diet, sinus troubles, and a plethora of other reasons. However, a young child shouldn’t be complaining of headaches often.

Many things can cause headaches in a child, specifically juvenile rheumatoid arthritis and eye problems like retinitis pigmentosa. Parents should never ignore ongoing headache problems when it could be a sign of an invisible illness.

3. Social Anxiety

Mental illness has a stigma attached to it. Though experts know more about these conditions today, there was once a time where it was never discussed. If you grew up in the 70s-90s, then it’s possible that you had problems that were brushed under the rug.

Do you remember being anxious, nervous, or had an upset stomach or headaches when you went into the grocery store with your parents? Were there ever times when you went to the bathroom during lunch because mingling with the other kids made you physically ill?

It’s possible that you had a social anxiety disorder or another mental illness. A chemical imbalance in your brain can happen at any age. Parents often say that their child is shy just because they didn’t fully understand the invisible illness that made them act and feel this way.

4. Constant Bruises, Muscle Strains, and Torn Ligaments

Did you ever notice that you had constant bruising? If you barely even brushed your leg against something, it would turn into an unsightly bruise? What about muscle strains and torn ligaments from doing simple things like riding your bike?

It’s normal for a child to have some bruising when playing and roughhousing outside or with friends. However, when the bruises seem to be constant and can occur for the smallest of reasons, they need to be investigated. Conditions like Ehlers-Danlos syndrome can cause people to go through these problems all their life without being diagnosed.

Since Ehlers-Danlos syndrome is a genetic condition, it takes specialized testing outside the routine blood work to diagnose. Many people wait decades to find out what’s going on in their bodies.

5. Heartbeat Irregularities

When you consider heart problems, most people don’t think about children getting these devastating conditions. Sadly, the American Heart Association found that about one in four children under the age of five is plagued by heart abnormalities.

One of the more benign conditions that affect children is an irregular heartbeat or murmur. Most kids outgrow these abnormalities and live a happy and healthy life. However, other illnesses aren’t as innocent.

Things like heart valve disorders, hypoplastic left heart syndrome, ventricular septal defects, atherosclerosis, and Kawasaki disease, can all affect children. If you had problems running on the playground with the other kids because your heart would race out of control, then it’s a sign that the invisible illness started young.

Doctors explain the causes and first symptoms of chickenpox.

6. Intolerant to Heat

Some children cannot take the heat. They will become sick, vomit, break out in a rash, or even pass out. While it’s common to think of an adult as heat or cold intolerant, most people would never consider this in a child.

The same issues that make an adult unable to take temperature extremes can happen to a little one. Things like thyroid conditions and autoimmune disorders can make the body unable to regulate temperature properly, which can cause a day at the park to turn into a nightmare.

7. Chronic Pain

It’s easy to pass off a child’s knee or back pain as a growing pain issue. Most children do experience growing pains. Consequently, other illnesses have nothing to do with growth.

Juvenile arthritis is one condition that should always be considered when a child is in chronic pain, but there are things like fibromyalgia that can start in youth too. Many invisible illnesses can begin at a young age, and they tend to worsen as a person gets older.

8. Frequent UTIs

Urinary tract infections are typically a female problem, though a male can get them on occasion. The very setup of the female system makes little girls and women prone to these horrendous infections.

While it’s perfectly normal to get one of these infections after a round of antibiotics, anyone who continues to get them several times a year is a cause for alarm. Conditions like diabetes, kidney problems, and an abnormality in the urinary system can all cause these issues.

One of the reasons why it’s so important to get to the bottom of this invisible illness is because frequent infections can damage the urinary system and plague you.

9. Always Sick

Were you always sick as a child? Do you remember every bug that came around you seemed to catch? The signs of a weakened immune system are hard to ignore. Many children have a compromised immune system from an underlying problem and have no clue what’s going on.

Parents catch on that their child seems to pick up every illness coming and going, but few doctors investigate it. A child who is always sick needs to be tested to see why their immune system is failing them. There may be an underlying autoimmune disease that is wreaking havoc on the body.

10. Extreme Skin Sensitivity

Children can have skin sensitivity that comes along with certain detergents used or other scented items. However, things like eczema, dermatitis, or even autism can affect how fabrics react with the skin.

Extreme skin sensitivity seems like nothing, and many parents learn to deal with it by changing detergents or trying other holistic practices. Sadly, there can be an invisible illness under the surface that is causing these irritations.

A doctor may look at it and say that it’s “goose or chicken flesh.” However, without proper testing and treatment, it can be a painful situation to endure through adulthood.

Final Thoughts: Fighting an Invisible Illness from the Cradle Up

Many children struggle to deal with the pain, skin inflammation, frequent infections, joint pain, and exhaustion every day. The struggle to be like other children and play carefree outside seems to be a dream.

The medical community has evolved in the past decade, and doctors are more informed about illnesses that involve children. Did you know that you can develop a severe mental illness like schizophrenia and bipolar as a child? Other things like Parkinson’s disease and diabetes can also plague the younger ones.

Parents need to take the complaints of their kids seriously. While they may be trying to get out of school or have developed hypochondriac tendencies that they use for their benefit, there is a good chance that they are telling you what’s going on the best way they know-how.

Children don’t always have the best communication system, so parents need to be in tune with their brood and listen to what they are saying. It never hurts to get an opinion from a medical specialist if a child is continuously complaining about not feeling well.

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

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