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16 Healthy Smoothies That Will Help You Lose Weight

July 15, 2020 by Power of Positivity

It can be difficult to try and lose weight. You have to stay motivated, stick to your food plan, and ignore the fact that so many unhealthy foods are delicious while so many “healthy” meals are bland and boring! Try a smoothie to add the variety you crave.

Luckily, the latter doesn’t have to be true. In fact, lots of great smoothies both taste great and aren’t just healthy, but can also help your progress! Here are 16 healthy smoothies that will help you lose weight.

1. Banana, Ginger, Orange, and Strawberry Smoothie

Banana and strawberries are a combination that has gone well together forever. This yummy smoothie provides you with vitamin C, magnesium, potassium, fiber, and calcium all in one, and it also comes with the added benefit of ginger.

Ginger can help reduce inflammation, maintain satiety and naturally suppress appetite in a safe and healthy way, and even boost digestion. Studies have even shown that it helps with belly fat loss.

To make the smoothie, just blend together:

One banana
Two cups of frozen strawberries
One cube of peeled fresh ginger root
A quarter cup of orange juice

2. Avocado and Pineapple Green Smoothie

This smoothie is delightfully creamy and sweet, which makes it great for those who have a sweet tooth or have trouble suppressing sugar cravings. The pineapple is to thank for this sweetness, and the digestive enzymes and anti-inflammatory properties that it boasts are fantastic for weight loss.

But the real hero in this smoothie is the avocado. It provides the rich creaminess as well as huge positive effects, including balanced blood sugar levels, increased satiety, healthy essential fatty acids, fiber, and tons of vitamins.

To make the smoothie, just blend together:

One cup of pineapple
Half a peeled avocado
Half a banana
A handful of spinach
One and a half cups of coconut water
One inch of peeled ginger
A teaspoon of hemp seeds
One drop of liquid stevia
Five ice cubes

3. Chocolate Peanut Butter Smoothie

This smoothie tastes like a delicious milkshake treat, so the fact that it’s good for you is a great bonus. The peanut butter helps keep you full for longer and provides you with healthy fats that keep your body in tip-top shape.

Unexpectedly, the cocoa powder is just as good for the body. It provides satisfying flavor while boosting many aspects of health, such as fat loss, cognitive function, and even positive thinking!

To make the smoothie, just blend together:

One frozen banana
Two tablespoons of peanut butter
One tablespoon of cocoa powder
One cup of almond milk (preferably vanilla-flavored)

4. Peaches, Oatmeal, and Yogurt Smoothie

Want a smoothie that tastes like a peach cobbler while facilitating weight loss? This one does that trick well. Its ingredients make it a great breakfast smoothie.

The peach is packed with nutrients, the Greek yogurt used has lots of benefits, and oatmeal has been found to help reduce bad cholesterol. On top of all that, the whole smoothie has a lot of protein in it, which fills you up and keeps you going throughout the day.

To make the smoothie, just blend together:

One cup of sliced frozen peaches
One cup of Greek yogurt
1 cup of almond milk
A quarter cup of oatmeal
A quarter teaspoon of vanilla extract

5. Kale and Lemon Protein Smoothie

This smoothie may not be to everyone’s tastes, but no one can deny that it’s nutritious and very good for the body. As with any smoothie containing lemon, all the nutrients you gain from it are boosted because lemon juice helps preserve the polyphenols in antioxidants and food nutrition.

The kale in the smoothie provides additional benefits, too. It’s great for maintaining healthy blood sugar levels, according to studies, and it’s full of vitamins that are good for the body.

To make the smoothie, just blend together:

One cup of kale
Half a seeded and peeled lemon
Half a frozen banana
1/2 cup of unsweetened almond milk
One scoop of protein powder (preferably plant-based)
Three ice cubes
Optional: Water, to desired texture

6. Matcha Fruit Smoothie

Matcha green tea is often considered a “trendy” food, but it’s actually good for the body and worth more than a flash in the pain. Green tea provides natural caffeine that boosts energy without resulting in a crash later on, and it aids in fat burn, exercise effectiveness, and more, according to research.

To make the smoothie, just blend together:

Two teaspoons of matcha green tea powder
Two frozen bananas
2 generous handfuls of spinach
One large mango (can be frozen or fresh)
One cup of light coconut milk

7. Chia Piña Colada Smoothie

Piña Coladas are usually packed with calories and not the healthiest for you, but this Piña Colada in smoothie form is quite the opposite. It can even be made ahead for a breakfast smoothie!

Though all the ingredients have nutritional benefits, it’s chia seeds that are the real hero here. Chia seeds are some of the most nutritious foods in the whole world, and they’re practically on the level of a superfood, which makes them a perfect, positive addition to any smoothie.

To make the smoothie, just blend together:

One cup of frozen chunks of pineapple
One cup of coconut milk
1 tablespoon of chia seeds
Half a cup of Greek yogurt
One teaspoon of coconut flakes

8. Tomato Variant Spice Smoothie

Remember the V8 juice you had as a kid? This smoothie tastes just like it. Tomato smoothies aren’t everyone’s cup of tea, but tomatoes are packed with vitamins and nutrients that both keep the body healthy and facilitate weight loss.

The more important part of this weight loss smoothie is the spice – namely cayenne, which studies have found to contain active ingredients known to increase burned calories, suppress appetite, and even fight obesity.

To make the smoothie, just blend together:

Two Roma plum tomatoes
Two husked tomatillos
One and a half ounces of baby spinach
One juiced lime
A pinch of cayenne
One cup of ice
One cup of water

9. Banana and Strawberry Vanilla Smoothie

For those who still like the classic banana-strawberry combo but weren’t a fan of the ginger and citrus variant we discussed above, this one tastes like a milkshake! Strawberries provide vitamin C while bananas supply potassium and other nutrients that are chock-full of positive properties.

To make the smoothie, just blend together:

One frozen banana
Half a cup of frozen sliced strawberries
One cup of skim milk (soy milk can also be used)
A quarter teaspoon of vanilla extract

10. Carrot and Grapefruit Liver Aid Smoothie

This smoothie is designed to provide positive benefits to the liver, aiding in detoxification while promoting weight loss. Grapefruit is known to boost feelings of satiety while providing the liver with the tools it needs to function healthily, and according to research, carrots do the same!

Worried about the flavor? Don’t be! Honey and cinnamon come together to make this smoothie taste great.

To make the smoothie, just blend together:

One peeled grapefruit
One cup of baby carrots
1 cup of almond milk
Two teaspoons of honey
An eighth of a teaspoon of cinnamon, or to taste
One cup of ice

11. Chia, Coconut, and Mango Smoothie

This smoothie can be a breakfast smoothie if you like, but ultimately, it’s a fat-busting, nutrition-filled tropical delight. The mango and coconut provide a creamy burst of flavor and vitamins, while the chia seeds provide protein and tons of nutrition to boot.

To make the smoothie, just blend together:

One cup of coconut milk
Half a cup of frozen chopped mango (preferably organic)
Two tablespoons of chia seeds
Half a teaspoon of vanilla extract
Optional: Half a teaspoon of flaked coconut

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12. Coffee Cold Brew Smoothie

Replace your fancy, sugar-packed coffee frappes with this great cold brew smoothie. It’s low in sugar, has protein and healthy fats, and the caffeine can work its magic without worrying about unhealthy sugars.

Caffeine can provide the body with boosts to energy, cognitive function, and positive thinking, and it can also increase metabolism to help fat burn, according to studies.

To make the smoothie, just blend together:

One cup of cold brew coffee
One cup of skim milk
1 frozen banana
One tablespoon of almond butter
One cup of ice

13. Chocolate Cherry Smoothie

This chocolate cherry smoothie has a laundry list of benefits. To begin with, it’s absolutely delicious and tastes a little like a fancy dessert treat. Since cravings often get in the way of diet efforts, it’s actually a scientific fact that enjoying the food you eat is key to improving the positive thinking necessary for successful weight loss.

The cherries in this smoothie are known for fat burn and can bring down inflammation while providing a mix of tartness and sweetness that satisfy the palette. The cocoa is great for antioxidants, the chia is fantastic for providing omega-3 fatty acids and a feeling of satiety, and the spinach has lots of fiber, protein, and other components needed for weight loss.

To make the smoothie, just blend together:

One cup of frozen cherries
Half a cup of fresh spinach
Half a cup of Greek yogurt (preferably vanilla-flavored)
One tablespoon of cocoa powder
One tablespoon of chia seeds

14. Cucumber, Ginger, and Melon Smoothie

Cucumber and melon are a classic cooling smoothie combo. They both have lots of antioxidants, and the cucumber especially has plenty of positive nutritional factors that boost weight loss. Meanwhile, the ginger provides a kick of fat-burning and digestion-boosting.

To make the smoothie, just blend together:

One cup of chopped honeydew melon
Half an unpeeled cucumber
Half a teaspoon of grated ginger, or to taste
One cup of ice
One cup of water

15. Fig and Pumpkin Fiber Smoothie

The reason this smoothie works so well for weight loss is because of its fiber and protein content. Mixed together, those two nutritional factors provide the body with energy and satiety.

To make the smoothie, just blend together:

Three fresh figs
1/2 frozen banana (preferably large)
One cup of milk
One-third of a cup of canned pumpkin
Two tablespoons of almond butter (preferably cinnamon-flavored)
One tablespoon of hemp hearts
Two or three ice cubes
Optional: Cinnamon, for garnish

16. Berry Chia Smoothie

There is simply no way to go wrong with chia, as we’ve talked about numerous times in this article. But berries are even better. Fresh berries are fantastic for providing fiber, protein, and other components, and their active ingredients apparently help fight inflammation and lower obesity risk.

To make the smoothie, just blend together:

Half a cup of Greek yogurt
Half a cup of skim milk
A quarter cup of frozen blueberries
1/4 cup of frozen raspberries
A tablespoon of chia seeds

Final Thoughts On Some Healthy Smoothies That Will Help You Lose Weight

Weight loss food doesn’t have to be boring or bland. These healthy smoothies don’t just taste great, but they also provide you with fat-blasting components that can help you in your weight loss efforts!

14 Ways To Help You Relieve Stress (That Take Less Than 5 Minutes)

July 15, 2020 by Power of Positivity

Stress is a standard part of everyday life. If not properly managed, it can escalate into serious problems such as burnout, anxiety, depression, and reduced or negative performance.

Unfortunately, with how busy your day can get, it’s not always possible to take time to handle stress in a healthy and positive way. Luckily, you don’t have to take a long time to lower stress levels! Here are 14 ways to help you relieve stress that takes less than 5 minutes.

1. Refer To Yourself In Third Person

Have you ever noticed that you’re less hard on other people when compared to how hard you are on yourself? This thinking is why referring to yourself in the third person for just five minutes can be very helpful. According to research, this allows you to think of yourself the same way you’d think of a friend, instead of imposing unfair standards on you.

Here are some examples of how to do this:

“(Your name) wanted to complete most of their work by lunchtime, but they’ve failed.”
“(Your name) is so inconsiderate for wanting an hour to themselves every day.”
“(Insert your name) didn’t work hard enough on that assignment. There must have been something else they could do.”

This objectivity allows you to hear how harsh you are on yourself. If you wouldn’t impose such judgment on other people, don’t impose it on yourself! Realizing this can boost your positive thinking and bring your stress levels down.

2. Be Aware Of The Stress

Awareness is vital in managing and relieving stress. Stress doesn’t have to be the worst possible thing – it can be an opportunity to improve and grow while letting you reset your mind.

When you acknowledge stress, you allow your brain to rewire itself by facing the stress head-on. According to research, this is teaching it to learn from what you experience, so you can better manage it in the future.

The next time you become aware of your stress, ask yourself the following questions:

Is this stress a result of a slow and steady buildup?
Is this stress because of a long-term issue?
Is this stress directly related to anything?
When was the last time I took a break?
What will help me now?

3. Eat Some Honey

Honey has enormous positive benefits for the body. It can:

Fight depressive symptoms
Reduce anxiety symptoms
Protect and maintain brain function
Relax the mind and body
Improve positive thinking
Boosting energy
Satisfying cravings

You can eat a spoonful of raw honey once or twice a day if you like to help combat stress, or you can add it to drinks (like coffee or tea) or mix it in with yogurt or similar snacks.

4. Breathe In Some Essential Oils

Essential oils are great for boosting health on all levels. They can be sleep aids, fight anxiety and stress, improve positive thinking, and even provide some physical benefits. The exact plus sides you’ll get from breathing in these calming scents differ by oil type, but almost all of them are great options to turn to when you’re stressed out.

Some of the commonly-used essential oils for fighting stress are:

Bergamot
Frankincense
Lavender
Orange Blossom
Roman Chamomile
Rose
Sandalwood
Vetiver
Ylang Ylang

Don’t be afraid to look up different essential oils and their respective benefits to find scents that you like with the benefits you seek. Ultimately, any kind of lovely scent that you enjoy can calm you, so don’t worry too much about the technicalities!

You can use a diffuser to allow the scents to roam freely in your living or working space. If you can’t do this, then a quick five-minute stress-relief option is to apply three essential oil drops onto a cotton pad, hold it in front of your nose, and inhale deeply ten times.

5. Listen To Music That You Love

Music is an excellent “medicine.” The next time you’re stressed out, put on some tunes that you love. If you have the option of picking something that sounds more soothing, go for that one, but any music you love can help. In fact, research suggests that merely listening to music can make you feel more relaxed.

If you’re able to without disturbing anyone, you can sing along to the music you’re playing, too. Singing releases endorphins, which are feel-good hormones that can give you a significant overall mood boost.

6. Do Some Stretches

If you work at a desk or spend most of your day in one position, a few stretches can work wonders for both your body’s physical state and your brain’s mental state. Stretching releases tension helps reduce the risk of pain or injury from work-related causes or long-time sitting, and prevents discomfort.

If possible, standing up or leaving the environment for five minutes to do some basic stretches can help bring down stress levels. If not, you can do some basic stretches at your desk for five minutes for similar results.

For a great stretch you can do both sitting or standing, try this one:

Start by clasping your hands together.
Push your hands upwards, palms facing the ceiling.
Stretch your arms and torso, holding the position for ten counts or 10 seconds.
Twist your torso from side to side for 30 seconds with your arms outstretched still.
Alternate between stretch posing and stretch twisting for five minutes.

7. Smile

It’s a little cliche, but research indicates that just smiling can improve positive thinking and reduce stress. This is because smiling can bring down the heart rate.

Even if you don’t feel like smiling, try to fake it till you make it! With repeated practice, the smiling will become natural, and then genuine. Better yet, smiles are often contagious so that you might pass yours on to someone else!

8. Hang Your Head Down Low

This advice sounds negative, but it isn’t. It involves the act of lowering your head until it is beneath your heart. Studies indicate that this has therapeutic effects on the body, specifically on the ANS or autonomic nervous system. This move will bring down your natural fight-or-flight stress responses, so you’re less on edge and less tense.

To do this, stand up and hang out arms and head downwards as if reaching both to your toes. If you can’t stand, just spread your legs a little while sitting down and hang your head between your knees.

9. Eat Some Chocolate

Keep some dark chocolate on hand with you. Once a day, when you feel stressed out or need a bit of a break, snap off a square of the dark chocolate and eat it.

Dark chocolate improves cognitive function and positive thinking, which in turn can help to reduce stress. Unlike milk chocolate, it doesn’t have too much-added sugar, so you can enjoy something tasty without the worry of eating unhealthily.

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10. Massage Your Hands

A lot of people wring their hands together when they’re stressed out or anxious, but this doesn’t help matters and can even add to your tension. Instead of going that, give your hands a gentle massage to provide yourself with positive results instead. This break is excellent for people who work with their hands a lot (even if that work is typing all day!) and can bring down stress and anxiety.

To give yourself a hand massage, do this:

Start by rubbing lotion or cream onto your palms. You should use the cream that you like.
Massage the spaces and webbing between each finger.
Massage the joints of each finger.
Clench your fists, then release.
Flex your wrists slowly.

This overall hand stretch and massage can help relieve the tension that builds up from finger- and hand-related work, and the massage is right for your stress levels in general.

11. Chew Some Gum

If you have some gum on hand, chewing can be a great way to cut down on your stress levels. Flavored gum is your best bet, as the taste and smell can help calm you. A study conducted on 101 working adults revealed that those who chew gum as they are working experience lower responses to stress, as well as improved positive thinking.

Do note that you shouldn’t chew without putting your whole heart into it! The energy you use when chewing can help release pent-up tension, and vigorous chewing can help relieve stress at a much more effective rate.

12. Go For A Walk

Exercise has many positive effects on the body. It:

Keeps you fit
Helps maintain a healthy weight
Builds muscles and stamina
Aids digestion and metabolism
Reduces symptoms of depression
Reduces symptoms of anxiety
Relieves stress
Improves positive thinking

Just taking a five- or ten-minute walk outside when you have a break during a workday can help you feel much better. You don’t need to go to a park – just walking up and down the stairs, walking around the parking lot, or walking to and from your desk and provide you with some benefits.

13. Do Some Acupressure

You’ve probably heard of acupuncture before. Acupressure is that, minus the needles. This pressure placed on the correct parts of the body can help bring down feelings of stress and anxiety by releasing the tension, according to research. It also stimulates the healing functions of the body.

To perform some basic acupressure:

Start by using your fingers to locate the spot in your neck where the skull is attached to the neck muscles. They should be similar to little divots.
Press down firmly for the course of 15 counts or 15 seconds.
Release, then repeat, doing this for five minutes or until any neck tension dissipates

14. Drink Some Relaxing Tea

Tea provides a therapeutic effect to its drinkers that is quick-acting. Simply stepping away to make the tea can help relax you as you breathe in the scent and engage in the calming act of brewing your drink.

After that, it takes about an hour for teas such as green tea to kick in, providing you with long-lasting, relaxing effects, according to research. If you add some apple cider vinegar into your drink, you can gain additional benefits!

Final Thoughts On Some Ways To Relieve Stress, That Take Less Than 5 Minutes

These five-minute ways to relieve stress are significant measures to help bring down pressure in your day-to-day life. Still, don’t forget to take the time to make more dedicated efforts to stress management, too! If you’re experiencing severe problems with stress and if these five-minute methods don’t help even temporarily, speak to a mental health professional.

Doctors Reveal 5 Reasons For Sweaty Feet (And How to Fix It)

July 15, 2020 by Power of Positivity

Sweaty feet are uncomfortable, smelly, and often embarrassing. Many people try their best to keep the sweat at bay, but if you go about it the wrong way, you may not be able to solve the issue on your own. In fact, you might wind up making it worse!

So how, exactly, can you get rid of sweaty feet? To do so, you must first know the actual severity of your issue, and then you have to understand what is causing the sweating. Here’s how doctors recommend 5 reasons for sweaty feet, and how to stop it.

1. Bad Footwear

Bad footwear options can be a big reason for sweaty feet, and for most people, this is the most likely cause behind their sweat-related woes. Here are some ways bad footwear can affect this problem, and how each issue can be prevented:

· Too-Tight Shoes

When shoes are too tight, your toes are squashed together and there’s less room to move in, meaning there’s less room for airflow in the shoe and through the gaps in your toes. Board-certified podiatrist Danielle DesPrés, D.P.M., who works in the New York College of Podiatric Medicine’s department of medicine as an instructor, says this is what gets the temperature higher inside your shoes. As such, you should choose shoes that provide you with a little bit of wiggle room.

· Wrong Types Of Footwear

Some popular types of shoes advertised as summer footwear are actually not particularly good for hot weather. Leather sandals, plastic slip-ons, and vibrant but very closed sneakers all look nice but trap heat. Step Up Footcare founder and board-certified surgical podiatrist Neyla Lobkova, D.P.M., recommends more breathable options, such as shoes with porous jute or cork souls, sandals with little material on top, or shoes that have air mesh toppers.

· Wearing The Same Shoes Again and Again

It’s okay to have a favorite pair of footwear, but wearing only those non-stop lets fungus grow inside. This can cause itching, odor, and, of course, sweat. You’ll probably want to have an extra pair of shoes to cycle between, recommends DesPrés. This gives your favorites time to air out and not get too funky!

· Wearing The Same Socks All Day

If you tend to get sweaty feet quickly, you may want to bring an extra pair of socks or two along with you. This will allow you to swap out your current socks with ones that haven’t been collecting sweat and stench for the past few hours. In fact, Gary A. Pichney, D.P.M., who works at the Mercy Medical Center’s Institute for Foot and Ankle Reconstruction as a board-certified surgical podiatrist, recommends always bringing a back-up pair.

· Socks With Poor Material

Cotton isn’t a poor material by any means, but it’s pretty bad when it comes to wicking away moisture without collecting sweat and, eventually, working up a stink, says DesPrés. You’ll want to opt for socks that specially wick away sweat. An unlikely good material for this is wool, as wool keeps moisture away without absorbing it. Synthetic blends and specially designed socks may also have similar benefits!

2. Lack of Cleanliness

If you don’t wash your feet enough, you’ll wind up with a lot of stench and sweat, says Amesh A. Adalja, M.D., an infectious disease expert and a Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security senior scholar. Soaping feet, while you’re in a bath or shower, is an easy way to combat this.

UCLA Medical Center’s chief of podiatric foot and ankle surgery Robert K. Lee, D.P.M., adds that this is because feet are coated in bacteria and that bacteria will feed on the waste from sweat glands, creating a stench and potentially increasing sweat production.

So when your feet get sweaty, wash them, and you’ll give bacteria less to feast on and break the cycle of sweaty (and smelly) feet. On top of that, washing your feet cools them down, preventing further sweating down the line. Just don’t forget to dry off well after to prevent bacteria from settling in damp spots!

While you’re soaking or cleaning your feet, consider adding some of these steps to your routine to further combat sweating:

· Exfoliate

Exfoliating your feet helps to remove dead skin cells that bacteria like to feast on. Do this twice or thrice weekly and you’ll notice less odor and less stench.

· A Tea Soak

Add 4 or 5 tea bags of sage tea or black tea to about one quart of boiling water, allow to steep and cool, then soak your feet for between 15 and 20 minutes. This works well because these types of tea are astringent, which essentially close pores and tighten up the skin to help reduce sweat.

· Lemon Juice Application

Use cotton balls to absorb some fresh lemon juice, then dab it onto your feet’s soles right before you put footwear on. This works because lemon juice is a great deodorant and can also help to close the pores, according to the California Dermatology & Clinical Research Institute.

· An Apple Cider Vinegar Soak

Just like tea, apple cider vinegar is an astringent, and it also has antibacterial and antifungal properties that keep your feet clean. Mix a 2:2:1 ratio of water, apple cider vinegar, and baking soda respectively, and soak your feet in the mixture for between fifteen and twenty minutes. Don’t want to do a soak? You can achieve positive effects from applying apple cider vinegar with a cotton ball.

3. Lack of Hydration

It’s easy to think that water can’t help with sweat since sweat is also a liquid. But the physiology of sweat glands is such that they activate when you need to be cooled down. After all, that’s what sweat is for – to lower body temperature.

Hydrating yourself will not only have positive effects on your body overall, but it’ll also keep your temperature balanced, says Lobkova. Make sure to drink regularly at a minimum of eight glasses or 64 ounces of water per day. If you’re up and about or performing a lot of exercises, then increase your intake.

4. Hyperhidrosis

Hyperhidrosis refers to heavy and excessive sweating. If it’s not just sweaty feet you deal with, but virtually sweaty everything, then you may have hyperhidrosis.

Though it is quite an embarrassing issue to deal with, keep your positive thinking! It can be treated, according to doctors at WebMD. You should speak to a doctor about your issues if you find that you sweat in excess. Here are some possible treatments for hyperhidrosis:

· Botulinum Toxin

You likely know of this treatment as Botox, which is commonly used in aesthetic procedures to reduce wrinkles. But did you know that it’s also approved by the FDA for use in the treatment of hyperhidrosis in the underarms? Some doctors also use it for the soles of feet and for the palms of hands. How does it work? Well, Botox halts the activation of sweat glands through the use of special, safe chemicals. Usually, multiple Botox injections are needed, but positive effects can last for a year.

· Iontophoresis

This type of treatment is not very well understood, but most doctors agree that it works. It is used to treat sweaty feet and/or hands. You would place the affected parts (feet and/or hands) into a tray full of shallow water. Then, an electrical current at a very low level is coursed through the water. Most believe that this works by preventing sweat from reaching the surface of the skin. At first, multiple treatments per week are needed, but the sweating eventually slows or stops, and effects are positive.

· Anticholinergic Drugs

This option is not particularly common but is offered to those who don’t see results from Botox or other treatments. Anticholinergic drugs work by preventing sweat gland activation, and studies on certain kinds of them have found them to be effective. However, they can come with side effects, and not everyone can use them.

· Surgical Procedures

A last-resort option for those with severe hyperhidrosis is surgery. This is done to completely remove certain sweat glands in many cases. Conversely, in endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy (which is a surgical option for hyperhidrosis), nerves that activate the sweat glands are removed. These surgical interventions cannot be reversed and may cause side effects, but research finds it to be largely effective.

5. Hyperhidrosis – But Only On Your Feet

Is it mainly your feet that suffer from excessive sweating? If so, most doctors recommend simple antiperspirants and other similar products that can treat the area. Though you will have to use these antiperspirants very regularly, they’re a simple and noninvasive method. Here are some options:

· Foot Powder

According to Lobkova, foot powders – especially those made from cornstarch and baking soda – can do wonders for absorbing sweat from feet. Any powders free of talc and deodorants can work.

· Roll-On Antiperspirants

For those who have sweaty feet on a more chronic level, you can benefit from a drugstore-bought roll-on antiperspirant. Rub the product between the toes, on your foot soles, and potentially even on your shoes for effective relief, says Pichney.

· Deodorant Sprays

These sprays can keep any funk low. Do note that you should make sure your feet aren’t sweating before spraying this product on!

· Alcohol Wipes

Grab some alcohol wipes and wipe up your feet before you wear socks or shoes. This will clean up and disinfect your feet while closing up the pores to prevent excessive sweating.

· Baking Soda

At the end of the day, when you get home and remove your shoes, sprinkle them with baking soda, both inside and out. The baking soda will absorb any additional moisture and can be easily cleaned away later if you want. This also prevents bad bacteria from growing overnight.

· Cornstarch

Just like baking soda, cornstarch is great for absorbing sweat. After cleaning your feet, sprinkle them with cornstarch. Allow to rest for a few minutes, then put your footwear on and you’ll enjoy dryer feet throughout the day.

Final Thoughts On Some Reasons For Sweaty Feet And How To Stop It

It can be awkward trying to manage sweaty feet, but maintain your positive thinking! Plenty of options, from the simpler solutions for mild sweating to the more cohesive solutions for chronic sweating, can help you bid farewell to your sweaty woes!

Therapists Explain Why You Must Show Vulnerability to Find True Love

July 15, 2020 by Power of Positivity

Vulnerability is a big topic in people looking for their soul mate.

What does being vulnerable mean anyway? It merely involves putting yourself in a position where you could either be hurt physically or emotionally.

It sounds easy to let down your defenses to the one you love, but it’s not as easy as it may appear. You have a natural defense mechanism that is there to protect you from being hurt, and when you let down your guard, it means exposing the most intimate parts of yourself.

Many people push away love because they don’t like to share some of the most intimate parts of their hearts, and it’s pretty scary to expose yourself. When something goes wrong, the first thing you want to do is withdraw from the situation to avoid getting hurt. However, what if you stay and work through it?

Is it possible to control your instinct to defend yourself? So many people are missing out on love because they prefer to isolate and withhold the secret, innermost parts of their hearts. To accept and express affection requires vulnerability, and if you don’t master this art, then you may never find your true love.

Engage in The Act of Generosity

Generosity and vulnerability go hand-in-hand, according to the London Journal of Primary Care. Moreover, it improves your general feeling of wellness.

When you’re generous, you are showing an outward expression of the compassion and sensitivity you have deep inside. Being generous to a partner will show that you are willing to give your time and energy to help them.

Let’s assume your partner is sick and needs assistance. When they’re ill and can’t get out of bed, that’s when they need you the most. So, you clean their apartment and bring them chicken soup and tea. You’re allowing yourself to see them at their worst, and they are accepting your gift and showing their vulnerability, too.

Remember, being vulnerable is a two-way street. You’re not on your “A” game when you are down and out and sick. When you do a generous act like taking care of an ill person, it gives you both a sense of gratification. Another benefit is it helps to counteract the human desire to withhold from others.

Authentic generosity

You open yourself up for emotional exchanges you might not have the opportunity for when you isolate. Make a solid effort to give in a situation where you normally would stand back. Don’t expect reciprocal treatment for the act, but you should do something kind to help another person.

If you make a nice gesture in the hopes of getting something in return, then you miss out on the true spirit of generosity. Plus, you won’t learn how to be vulnerable. There are many ways that you can be generous. The easiest way to do so is by buying gifts or giving money.

However, these acts are a little less emotional and don’t have the same psychological impact as something from the heart. To be labeled a generous person, you must be willing to drop everything in your schedule to lend a helping hand. You will notice that you will look for opportunities to respond to people in need, even if it’s just offering a shoulder to cry on.

Commitment to your relationship

In a committed relationship, there should always be acts of generosity that go back and forth. You must learn to receive as much as you give, which can also be difficult for some. It’s the same reason why some women don’t like to have the doors opened and closed for them.

Allowing someone to do something for you removes your power to do it for yourself. Sure, any woman can open her car door, but it’s something special when her partner does it for her. It shows that he or she will care for her and go the extra mile to protect her.

Generosity is physical and emotional

Keep in mind that generosity isn’t just a physical display, either. Your words and actions can also be giving. Compliment your love on how they look and help them to destroy any negative self-image they may have. While this gift doesn’t cost a dime, its value is priceless.

Lastly, when you give to someone else, you feel liberated, energized, and less defensive. It will teach you how to be fulfilled in relationships. Many say that it’s essential to your emotional well-being, but it’s also a moral way to live your life.

Be Clear About Your Wants and Needs

Another way that you can show your vulnerability is by communicating your wants and needs. Your self-protective defense wants you to keep your desires hidden, and in many instances, people turn to others to find gratification for those desires. When you hide your agenda, you risk falling into narcissism, according to researchers.

Additionally, during your isolated times, you develop an attitude that you don’t need anyone else and you can take care of yourself. It’s weird to ask someone for a need as it puts you in an inferior state where you may feel shame, and when you feel guilt, it’s often a painful emotion that you relate to childhood events.

Many children long to be understood, seen by others, loved, and touched by affection. Sadly, many didn’t get their needs met, so they develop shame when they ask for friendship and humiliation because they will never seem like anything more than an unlovable child.

Even in their adult life, they feel the pangs of humiliation asking their partner for the things they need. It may be as simple as needing to hear at least once daily the words “I love you.” Yet, many can’t even ask for such a simple request.

If you want to meet and build a relationship with your soul mate, you must be vulnerable. It will require overcoming your resistance to communicate with that person about your wants and needs. This also puts you in an uncomfortable position because you are putting yourself out there for rejection or even frustration.

Thankfully, when you make these simple requests based on your needs, you will become stronger and more aware that you are no longer a child who feels pushed into the corner. There’s no shame or humiliation in asking for your needs to be met.

Offer and Receive Affection

You encourage vulnerability when you both offer and accept affection from others. Over time, you will learn that your soul mate isn’t going to use your vulnerable times to control you. When you share warmth and love with others, you say you’re ready to receive it in return.

Affection is both verbal and physical. It can be playful, tender, caring, or seductive. However, it’s given as an outward expression of your generous nature, fulfilling the needs of others and asking for your needs to be filled.

But how do you achieve this?

At first, you may feel anxious or uncomfortable as these behaviors are new and challenging to display. Your need to protect yourself will undoubtedly come into play, too. There’s always the risk that you will be hurt, or someone will take advantage of your generosity.

However, if you hold steadfast and put your doubts aside, then you will learn why vulnerability in love is so essential. Research proves that individuals who had issues from their childhood that stem from abandonment, control, emotional, physical, or sexual abuse, and neglect often have problems with vulnerability. These people withdraw into themselves and walk on eggshells around others.

It makes it hard to have a meaningful relationship with someone who isn’t emotionally available. However, you can teach someone to be more vulnerable by giving them the tools they need to build confidence. Working with a therapist is a great place to start. If you want long and meaningful relationships, you must open yourself to the innermost parts you hide from others.

Final Thoughts on the Connection Between Vulnerability and Falling in Love

The beauty of finding your “person” or partner in life is that this person understands you better than anyone else. Some people note that they find it easier to let down their walls when it’s with the right one.

Your partner will make you feel like an equal and not less than in life. Research indicates that with therapy, your childhood battles and feelings of abandonment and neglect can melt away when you’re in a safe place. What is it that you hold back in love, and how has it affected your ability to have meaningful relationships?

If you’ve been unlucky in love, perhaps it’s time to explore if your lack of a vulnerable nature had anything to do with it. You can learn to open and expose those secretive places to someone who isn’t there to hurt you but they only wish to help.

10 Ways to Use Eggplant in a Low Carb Diet

July 15, 2020 by Power of Positivity

Eggplant, also known as aubergine, is a purple, delicious, and versatile vegetable. You can cook them in many ways and pair them with most other foods. They are low in carbs, making them perfect for a low-carb diet.

Like a tomato, it’s skin and seeds are normally eaten but, like a potato, it is normally eaten cooked. It’s important to note that it can be eaten raw, however. It absorbs oils and flavors very well, which is what makes it such a versatile vegetable for cooking.

The benefits of eggplant include the following:

-rich in many nutrients

-low in calories

-high in antioxidants

-low in carbs

-helps reduce the risk of heart disease

-lowers and helps maintain blood sugar levels

-can help prevent and fight cancer

While this vegetable is versatile and easy to incorporate, you may need some ideas if you aren’t used to it. Luckily, there are many recipes that aubergine can be easily added to. Plus, Plus, many recipes include it in the main course of the meal.

Ways to Use Eggplant in a Low Carb Diet

1. Eggplant Parmesan Bites

There are many recipes you can find for eggplant parmesan bites, but most have the same idea and ingredients. You’ll need one sliced aubergine, salt and pepper, one egg, flour, rosemary or thyme, and shredded or grated cheese.

Oil a baking tray and sprinkle it with salt and paper. Grill or bake it at 350 degrees Fahrenheit and bake until it is browned. While you wait for them to get done, mix your herbs of choice, flour, and cheese.

When the vegetable is browned, remove it from the oven. Then, turn each slice over and add more salt and pepper, if you choose.

Next, beat the eggs and brush them over the top of the aubergine. Then, sprinkle with the herb and cheese mixture. Once everything is evenly covered, put them back in the oven until the cheese is melted.

2. Use it to Make Pizza

If you love pizza but are trying to avoid carbs, this is the perfect option. Instead of using a pizza crust, you can use this as a substitute.

You’ll bake the vegetable for a little bit before adding your sauce and toppings. Then, you’ll bake it a little longer.

There are many recipes for this, depending on your exact preference. You can sauté your toppings and sauce together before putting them on. Or, you can add them in layers like on a traditional, pizza.

3. Eggplant Lasagna

This lasagna is just like regular lasagna, just without the noodles. Eggplant lasagna is a staple in a low-carb diet because it’s filling and delicious. Plus, it gives you a large amount of aubergine, allowing you to get the full effect of the nutritional benefits.

You’ll use most of the same ingredients that you use in your favorite lasagna recipe. In most of the recipes, the only difference is that there are no noodles. The total cook time is much less than with traditional lasagna, too.

For the meat sauce, you’ll need olive oil, garlic cloves, ground beef, salt and pepper, marinara sauce, and Italian seasoning. For the vegetable portion, you’ll need eggplant, olive oil, sea salt, and pepper. Then, for the cheese filling, you’ll need ricotta cheese, grated parmesan cheese, and an egg.

4. Add Them to Your Salad

You can be creative when adding this vegetable to your salad. It would pair well with any other ingredients, and you have options on how you want to add it.

You could choose to add it fresh and chop it up. Or, you could roast it, let it cool, and chop it up to add it. Either way will be delicious, it just depends on your preference of texture.

5. Caprese Grilled Vegetable Roll-Ups

With a total cook time of 13 minutes, these roll-ups are the perfect appetizer or healthy snack. You’ll need one aubergine, four ounces of mozzarella, one large tomato, two basil leaves, and olive oil.

You will cut the ends off of the vegetable and then cut it into thin slices, longways. Then, slice the mozzarella and tomatoes into thin slices, and shred the basil leaves.

Then, warm a griddle pan. While you’re waiting for the pan to warm, brush the vegetable with olive oil. If you don’t have a brush, you can drizzle the olive oil instead, and then rub it in.

Once the griddle pan is warm, grill the vegetables on each side for a couple of minutes. When the second side is almost done cooking, add a slice of mozzarella to the thick part of the vegetable. Then, top with tomato and add another slice of mozzarella to the thin part.

Sprinkle them all with basil and then drizzle with a little more olive oil. You can add more pepper at this step if you’d like. Allow it to cook for another minute before removing it from the pan and draining any liquid that comes out.

Finally, you’ll roll the vegetable from the thinner end, where it is only cheese. Hold it together with a toothpick and serve warm or at room temperature.

6. Add it to Your Soup

This vegetable tastes delicious in any kind of soup. Since it is so versatile, it can complement any other ingredients.

Simply dice it and add it in with the rest of the ingredient. If you like it a little crunchier, add it when the soup is almost done. On the other hand, if you like it soft, add it at the beginning or towards the middle of the cooking time.

7. Make it Into a Dip

For an appetizer or a snack, you can use this vegetable to make a creamy dip. You can do this by baking an aubergine for one hour until the skin has collapsed. Let it cool and then scrape out the insides.

Then, you’ll mash the insides or use a mixer until they are mashed. Then, add the other ingredients you want in your dip. A popular mixture includes minced onion and garlic, chopped dill, lemon juice, plain Greek yogurt, olive oil, salt, and pepper.

Once all of the ingredients are combined, you’ll want to cover it and chill it overnight. Then, serve it with crackers or vegetables.

8. Grill It

There are so many options when it comes to grilling this vegetable. You can cut it and grill it to add as a topping on your burgers. Or, you could cube it and add it as a topping on a hotdog, or for a kabob.

Otherwise, you can slice it into long strips, drizzle it with olive oil, and eat it as a side dish. When you do this, you could sprinkle it with seasoning or a little cheese.

9. Stuff Eggplant

This is a delicious recipe that makes a filling, low carb meal. Aside from the vegetable, you’ll need olive oil, sea salt, pepper, parsley, cilantro, scallions, and pine nuts. You could cook ground beef or shredded chicken to fill them with, too.

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, and then slice the vegetable in half lengthwise. Score the vegetable halves diagonally, avoiding cutting through the skin. Then, drizzle with olive oil before seasoning with salt and pepper, plus a little garlic powder if you’d like.

Bake them with the cut side facing upwards for 45 minutes. While they are baking, chop the parsley and cilantro and toss it with the meat, if you are using any. Then, top the mixture with scallions, pine nuts, salt, and a little more olive oil.

When the vegetables are finished cooking, spoon the mixture on top of them. You can add more pine nuts or any other toppings if you desire.

10. Use Them to Make French Fries

Everyone needs to indulge in a tasty snack or side dish sometimes, and this helps keep it healthy. To do this, you’ll need to cut the vegetable into wedges. Then, add panko and a little salt into a large plastic Ziplock bag.

Next, which egg whites in a bowl and then dip the vegetable wedges in. Transfer the dredged wedges into the bag of panko mixture and shake them to coat.

Once they are coated, arrange the vegetables in a single, even layer on a baking sheet that has been coated. Then, bake them until they are golden brown, which will take around 20 minutes. You will want to flip them halfway through.

Final Thoughts on Ways to Use Eggplant in a Low Carb Diet

As you can see, eggplant is easy to add to your low-carb diet. It is versatile, easy to cook, and can be made to fit any flavor you are looking for.

With all of the different recipes and cooking ideas, you’ll never get tired of eating it. So, embrace the nutritional benefits and stick to your low-carb diet by enjoying this vegetable as often as you can.

From meals like eggplant lasagna or eggplant parmesan to side dishes and dips, you’ll find something you love. You can make it more unique if you add a personal twist to recipes, or experiment with new recipes.

Neuroscience Explains What Happens to Your Brain As You Age

July 14, 2020 by Power of Positivity

“The human brain contains some 100 billion neurons, which together form a network of Internet-like complexity. Christof Koch, chief scientific officer of the Ammen Institute for Brain science, calls the brain the most complex object in the known universe.’” ~ National Public Radio (NPR)

Stages of Brain Development

Our magnificent brain continues to undergo changes throughout its lifetime.

Just four weeks after conception, the neural tube of a baby begins to close. After seven weeks, the very first neurons (chemical & electrical transmitters) and synapses (neuronal connections) start to form the spinal cord and brain.

Between conception and age 2, the brain will add up to 1 million neurons every minute. Fast-forward to age 2, and the brain is roughly 80% the size of an adult’s.

A child’s development is truly something to behold. It’s during these early periods when the youngster is learning the fastest; absorbing and finding meaning to the huge world they find themselves in.

The brain’s potential for growth is so extraordinary that it doesn’t reach full development until around age 22. The cognitive gains, according to scientists, last for approximately 5 more years.

Around and after age 27, memory, processing speed, and working memory begin to slowly decline slowly.

So, what does this process look like?

Truths and Myths of the Aging Brain

Per Emory University’s Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center:

A commonly held misconception is that aging results in an inevitable loss of all cognitive abilities and nothing can be done to halt this decline. Research, however, does not support these claims. While certain areas of thinking do show a normal decline as we age, others remain stable.”

One of the most maddening untruths that have infiltrated society is that our ability to think faces an inevitable downward spiral as we age. (Chalk another one up to media madness. *Sigh*)

The brain’s machinery

While we do lose some of our neurons naturally, the effects on our cognitive abilities are much less severe than what is commonly repeated.

Moreover, evidence suggests that cognitive training can facilitate the growth of neurons and neuronal connections over time. (More on ‘brain training’ later.)

First, let’s discuss the physiological effects of an aging brain. (Bad news, good news, folks!) Usually, these changes are visible to neuroscientists after the age of 60:

– The brain slowly shrinks in volume. This slight yet steady shrinkage occurs in the cerebral cortex, which is responsible for executive functions (movement, mental operations, etc.)

– The white matter of the hippocampus begins to shrink slowly. This is the part of the brain responsible for long-term memory, complex mental activities, and navigation.

The following are the possible cognitive effects:

– Taking action as a result of signaling within the brain (processing speed) slows down.

– Precise coordination and complex movements become more difficult. (Walking and talking on a cell phone, for example.)

– Attention becomes more difficult to sustain; multitasking (which we are already bad at) is more of a burden.

– Ability to learn new material begins to slowly deteriorate.

No More ‘Senior Moments.’

Dr. Michael Merzenich, in his book “Soft-Wired: How the New Science of Brain Plasticity Can Change Your Life,” says that it’s never too late to rewire an aging brain.

Merzenich, a co-inventor of the Cochlear implant and winner of the Kavli Prize in neuroscience, says:

“Your brain is plastic. You have the power within, at any age to be better, more capable, continuously growing a progressively more interesting life. If you’re in decline, you have great resources that can help you sustain – indeed, even regrow – your neurological abilities in ways that can help assure that you active brain shall last as long as your physical body.”

In other words, the commitment to lifelong learning can preserve, protect, and recover cognitive abilities. Dr. Merzenich, by the way, is over 70 years of age – and is still contributing vastly in the arena of brain science.

(Do yourself a favor and watch Dr. Merzinich’s TED talk on brain plasticity. The man is a genius of the highest order.)

Training Your Brain

(We advise you to look for ‘peer-reviewed,’ ‘double-blind’ research studies on brain training providers websites like the ones mentioned in this article. Some organizations claim their methods are ‘proven by science’ when they’re not.)

The pioneer of neuropsychology, Dr. Donald Hebb, said it back in 1949:

“Neurons that fire together, wire together.”

Hebb meant that connections between two neurons might be strengthened if the neurons fire simultaneously. If you’re willing to learn, your brain is ready to grow.

So, what are the best methods of ‘brain training’?

There are a bunch of things you can do, some better than others. Reading material that is somewhat challenging can spur neuronal growth, according to science; as can crossword puzzles and games like Sudoku.

Additionally, there are plenty of free games to play online that can stimulate your gray matter. Some companies offer subscription-based services, though it’s best to do a bit of research about the company’s claims.

In reality, doing something to keep your mind occupied can only benefit your marvelous brain!

(C)Power of Positivity, LLC. All rights reserved

Sources:
Merzenich, M. (2013). Soft-Wired: How the New Science of Brain Plasticity Can Change Your Life. Parnassus Publishing. San Francisco, California.
https://developingchild.harvard.edu/resources/five-numbers-to-remember-about-early-childhood-development/
https://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/dev.html
https://familydoctor.org/brain-training-for-seniors/
https://www.brainhq.com/media/news/you-can-rewire-aging-brain
https://www.fastcompany.com/40451692/this-is-the-only-type-of-brain-training-that-works-according-to-science
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/319185.php
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3622463/
https://www.npr.org/2013/06/14/…/decoding-the-most-complex-object-in-the-universe

15 Online Dating Rules Every Person Should Know

July 14, 2020 by Power of Positivity

Online dating has become a way to meet new people.

Virtual dating platforms receive high praise from the individuals that have met and married from using their site. However, what they don’t tell you is all the people that they remove daily for fraudulent accounts and catfishing.

If you have little social interaction in your life, then the online world opens a wide variety of options. When you don’t have an abundance of fish in the sea where you live, the ocean is swarming with potential guppies online. How can you be safe, yet give yourself the chance to meet someone amazing?

There are some basic rules and etiquette that you should follow when online dating. Done right, using these virtual dating apps can help you meet Mr. or Miss Right, but you need to be careful.

Here Are 15 Online Dating Rules Every Single Person Needs to Know

1. Be on Guard

While most people on these online dating sites are like you, there are always a few bad apples that spoil the whole bunch. Catfishing is a genuine problem on these sites, and the best way to avoid it is to not get swept into the web of deceit, but there are really good apps online such as this free sex app that let you meet people online for hookups.

There are plenty of online scammers that prey on vulnerable people. If someone tells you they are in the military and are stationed in a foreign land, be careful. Also, if anyone starts off their story that they’re a widow with a child in a boarding school, just go ahead and block them.

Virtual dating is a great way for people of all ages to meet others, but it’s a great way for scammers to make some money. Don’t be the next victim, no matter how good the story.

2. Never Meet Someone Unless You’ve Talked for More Than Two Weeks

There’s a little back and forth about how long a person should “text date” before they meet. You don’t want to get into a situation where you only have a person that will text. You need to call and meet in person.

Allow at least a couple of weeks to go by before you schedule that in-person meeting. Two weeks is plenty of time to see if anything alarming comes up. You don’t want a text-only situation.

3. Always Do a Little Snooping

Before giving away your heart, you need to do a little digging. If they’re a real person, then they have a social media account. At least get their full name and then look them up in the city where they live.

Thanks to Google, you can’t hide anywhere these days. Do a bit of research before meeting them in person. Sadly, this could be someone else’s husband or wife you’re talking too.

4. Never Send Cash

Never, under any circumstances, send cash to anyone. Additionally, don’t send i-Tune gift cards or any other gifts they want. These are scammers, and your relationship is built on lies. They will lure in your heart and use you for every dime you have.

5. If They Seem Too Good to Be True, Then It’s a Lie

If it seems like you’ve met the perfect person, be leery. There is no such thing as perfection in human beings. If they look too good, their story is unbelievable, and they seem to want the same things as you, then be careful.

6. Use an Image Locator to Verify Their Pictures

Catfishing is so frequent these days that you must protect yourself at all costs. Get pictures and run them through Google’s image locator. If they took someone else’s photo from social media or anywhere else on the web, then this tool will identify them. Don’t believe everything you see or hear until you’ve met in person.

7. Video Chat Before Meeting in Person

It’s exciting to meet that special person that you’ve been talking too. However, before you make a date and schedule the place, you should video chat at least once. Video chatting takes away a little bit of the element of surprise.

You can see them face-to-face and make sure that what they say is true. If they’re using old or fake pictures, then they won’t want to have such a chat. However, if they have nothing to hide, then they will welcome it.

Read ten fun ways to make your Zoom calls to friends and family more engaging.

8. Ask Personal Identifying Questions

While you don’t want to get too personal, like asking how much money they make, don’t be afraid to ask a few identifying questions. You don’t want your whole conversation to be in generalities.

To get to know someone, you need to know about their family and if their parents are still alive. Plus, these questions will help you to establish if they’re real or a scammer.

9. Don’t Use Old Pictures

If you expect the other person to be upfront and honest, then you must do the same. Make sure that you only use current pictures on your profile. While you may want to show them pictures of days gone by later, make sure your profile is accurate in how you look today.

10. Be 100 Percent Honest

Don’t put anything on your profile that could come back to bite you later. Make sure everything you write is 100 percent honest. Don’t put that you’re a chef when you’re a grill cook at a fast-food restaurant.

Many little white lies may come back to haunt you if you develop a relationship with this person. People feel free to embellish their attributes a bit when they’re hiding behind a virtual platform.

11. Don’t Share Anything Too Personal at First

When you first meet, you don’t want to give them too many details of your life. Please don’t share the names of your kids, where they go to school, or the name of your ex. These details can be used against you or to help with a scam.

Any identifying information should be reserved for conversations at a later date. Please stick to your basics, and leave everyone else out of it.

Safety experts explain why sharing photos of your children can endanger them.

12. Always Meet in a Public Place

The online dating world is full of people that want to hook up for one-night stands. You can identify these people quickly. However, even if you agree to such an event, make sure you first meet in a public place.

So many people get hurt physically while using virtual dating apps, and you want to make sure that safety is a priority. Let someone know where you will be and who you will be with, as it can help should there be an incident.

13. Use Proper Grammar in Your Communication

You want to use proper etiquette when dealing with the online dating world. While it may be cute to use abbreviations and emojis, try to stick to proper grammar and talk like an adult. You can loosen up a bit once you’ve been talking for a while, but you want the person or people you’re interested in to at least think you know how to have a civilized conversation.

14. Don’t Be Too Quick to Add Them as Friends To Social Media Platforms

Social media platforms are all the rage these days, and you may be eager to add people to your list. You can never be too careful. Once you add them as friends, you are letting them into your inner circle of information. Remember, they can post things to your wall and see something that you may not want them to see.

It would be best if you had been on a couple of dates before considering adding them to your social media accounts.

15. Avoid Fiery Topics

Finally, there are two topics that you want to avoid initially, which are religion and politics. These are very private and sore subjects to discuss, and you don’t want to come out of the gate with such controversial subjects. If they bring them up, then it’s giving you the green light for talking about these things, but you should never discuss them unless they seem okay with it.

Avoid virtual arguments and debates over religion and politics as it’s not worth your time. You shouldn’t care what some random person in the online dating world thinks about such things. The only time it affects you is if you decide to take the next step.

Final Thoughts on Trying These Online Dating Rules

Online dating has become the best way to meet people with American’s busy lives. While you may want to talk to that guy or gal from a foreign land, try to stick within a certain distance of your home. The chances of meetings someone real are better when you are shopping within a 100-mile radius.

Make sure you read through their entire profile before chatting. Don’t be afraid to tell them precisely what you’re looking for, and don’t leave out any details. You want this person to want the same things and like you for who you are, not what you tell them.

In the online dating world, honesty is still the best policy. Try to have fun and mingle a bit. Every person you talk to isn’t going to end up in a face-to-face encounter, but you can have fun just mingling with new people.

Researchers Reveal The Impact of Negativity And Stress on Kids

July 14, 2020 by Power of Positivity

It’s a common misconception that stress does not significantly affect children. This statement couldn’t be further from the truth. Children who experience negativity and stress early on in life don’t just temporarily suffer. They could develop health problems of all kinds that follow them well into adulthood.

But how does this work? Why do these issues impact kids so severely? Don’t kids retain little to no memories before the age of 4? To clear things up and answer your burning questions, here is how researchers reveal the long-term impact of negativity and stress on children.

1. Stress and Children

Researchers sought answers about the harmful effects of stress over the years. We are all now well-aware of the many consequences of being exposed to stress and negativity, especially over a prolonged period. But most of the most widely publicized studies focus on adults – and that does a good deal of disservice to research done into childhood stress.

Parents and guardians will often try to shield their children from the negativity in the world as much as possible. This can often involve trying to protect them by blocking out their knowledge of stressful events, such as the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. This means that, to some degree, we are aware of the fact that stress is bad for children.

At the same time, many adults also believe that kids will forget about stressful situations quickly. This includes domestic fights or violence, the deaths of loved ones or pets, illness involving family members, and similar scenarios. But do they not know what’s going on? Will they forget?

Unfortunately, more and more science is revealing that though children may not remember all the details of adverse events – or understand what they remember – they are still able to perceive them as unfavorable and experience stress as a result. This stress, as it turns out, can be harmful in the long run.

2. The Formative Years

Most experts now agree that the earliest years of our lives are some of the most important. And, some of the first experiences of an individual will vary significantly shape who they become as an adult – and even what their health will be like.

One of the most significant factors that influence a child’s future is now recognized to be stress. This vital mechanism, when left unchecked in childhood, can dramatically change the wellbeing and overall health of that person in the future.

Examples of stress that can be present in a child’s life include overly strict or harsh parenting, neglect, abuse, and more, and the child who experiences these stressors can grow up to carry on the negative cycle with their children. Even below the age of three, these factors can affect a child. In-utero stress has adverse effects on children, not yet born!

3. Studies That Indicate The Impact Of Negativity and Stress On Children

As we’ve previously mentioned, research has shed plenty of light on what happens to kids who are exposed to toxic levels of stress in early life. Here are some studies that have found answers as to the long-term impact of adverse circumstances on children:

· Disturbances Of Attachment And Parental Psychopathology In Early Childhood

This study was published in the Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics of North America journal in 2010. It reaffirmed the concept of attachment theory and urged proper psychological evaluation of parents, guardians, and children, as well as the relationship between children and their caregivers. Interventions are more essential to be provided to caregivers in this scenario, as encouraging guardians to be more supportive and parental to their children boosts the social relationship between them and their child as well as the child’s wellbeing.

· Early Life Programming As A Target For Prevention Of Child And Adolescent Mental Disorders

This study was published in the BMC Medicine journal in 2014. It found that the mental and emotional state of pregnant women could affect the development of their developing babies. Adverse mental health could produce neurotic and teratogenic factors that could result in psychiatric disorders in the resulting children and teenagers.

· Early-Life Stress and Adult Inflammation

This study was published in the Current Directions in Psychological Science journal in 2014. It found that toxic stress or prolonged stress experienced in the early stages of life, including childhood, could add risk factors to inflammation in adulthood. This inflammation puts the adults in question at a higher risk for severe physical health conditions.

· Effects of Stress and Negativity on the Developing Brain

This study was published in the Cerebrum journal in 2011. It found that uneven or chaotic behavior and emotional tone in parenting and family life could result in impairment of a child’s emotional regulation and self-control later in life. Conversely, supportive care from parents, provided consistently, provides a child with a sufficient foundation for positive development over time.

· The Lifelong Effects of Early Childhood Adversity and Toxic Stress

This study was published in the Pediatrics journal in 2012. It drew multiple damning conclusions, including linking maternal health to prenatal stress responses in children that could have lifelong effects. It also showed how the architecture of the brain is shaped by a mix of predisposition via genetics and the influence of the environment around a growing child. Toxic stress specifically disrupted the development of the architecture and even derailed the development of regulatory systems and organ function.

· Parent Psychological States Predict Changes in Inflammatory Markers in Children With Asthma and Healthy Children

This study was published in the Brain, Behavior, and Immunity journal in 2008. Its findings suggested that children are not only aware of and sensitive to the psychological negativity of their parents but also that they can internalize that lack of positive thinking and have it manifest in their biology. This is seen through higher inflammatory markers noticed in children around distressed parents, which could lead to higher morbidity rates later in life.

· The Science of Early Life Toxic Stress for Pediatric Practice and Advocacy

This study was published in the Pediatrics journal in 2013. This study reaffirms previously believed knowledge that toxic stress is harmful to children and urges pediatricians to learn to identify signs of this stress in their patients to intervene.

4. The Physical Response Of Stress

When you think of “stress,” you might attach mental health and psychological states to the word. What you may forget is that stress, especially in the case of its impact on children, refers to the physical responses of a child’s body to unfavorable, complicated, or negative situations.

To protect themselves, when a child (or anyone of any age) perceives a specific circumstance as threatening, frightening, or challenging, the body releases several different chemicals and triggers a few responses. This affects:

Metabolism
Heart rate
Blood pressure
Nervous system response
Hormones

When needed, these changes are beneficial and have nothing but positive benefits. They help you to overcome stressful and dangerous situations and survive difficult times. Unfortunately, frequent triggering of these chemical processes – a “stress response” – does quite the opposite.

Children are still developing their stress responses. When that response is triggered too often, it stops being well-tuned and becomes impaired. This can cause excessive stress responses akin to a traumatic stress disorder. It can also cause the opposite – a too-low stress response that doesn’t fire when needed.

Children who have their stress responses triggered too often early in life can develop serious health problems in their adult lives. This includes:

Cardiovascular disease
Diabetes
High blood pressure
Obesity
Depressive disorders
Anxiety disorders
Post-traumatic stress disorder

5. Is All Childhood Stress Dangerous?

We’ve harped pretty hard on childhood stress and its dangers – but is it all bad? First, let’s consider the three types of stress, which are as follows:

· Type One: Positive Stress

Positive stress is a “healthy” and completely normal stress response. In children, it is entirely essential and necessary for proper development. These types of reactions are mild, not frequently triggered, and don’t last for a long time. Usually, children who receive parental support and protection while experiencing stress are experiencing positive stress. This allows them to get mentally stronger and gain resilience, intelligence, and motivation while positively learning new things.

· Type Two: Tolerable Stress

Tolerable stress refers to slightly more frequent and severe stress responses that last longer than positive stress. This means that the triggered chemical responses have the chance to have negative effects on the brain. This type of stress refers to things like the passing away of someone close to you, the divorce of your parents, or something similar. In most cases, once the problem is removed or lessened, the brain can recover to a certain degree. In children, that can be more difficult, but with supportive relationships and guidance, it is possible.

· Type Three: Toxic Stress

This type of stress is the most dangerous and harmful. It refers to a long activation of biochemical stress responses, often with the result of the body being unable to recover. Usually, in children, this type of stress comes about due to a lack of support from guardians or parents. Parents and guardians with mental disorders, substance abuse, and aggressive or negative behavior can predispose a child to develop toxic stress.

The kind of stress we’ve bashed most today is toxic stress. Positive stress, on the other hand, can be helpful. It’s a standard part of a child’s development, teaching them to think, overcome problems, and face obstacles head-on.

Tolerable stress, while not favorable, is usually unavoidable. Protecting a child when they experience tolerable stress is key to preventing it from developing into toxic stress later on. Tolerable stress can also help children experience mental growth or learn mental resilience and strength as they overcome the difficulties they face with guidance and support.

Final Thoughts On The Long Term Impact Of Negativity And Stress On Children

Negativity and toxic stress can have severe long-term consequences on children, but it doesn’t have to be that way. If you’re a guardian or caretaker, do what you can to ensure that the child in your care is equally protected and supported. Your aid will give them the positive thinking they need to avoid toxic stress responses!

Science Explains 10 Ways to Get Laser-Sharp Focus

July 12, 2020 by Power of Positivity

The human brain is both exceptionally adaptable and resilient. Scientists have coined a term for these innate qualities of the brain: neuroplasticity.

Neuroplasticity can be defined as: “The brain’s ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections throughout life.” There’s an emphasis on the words ‘throughout life’ here. The reason is that most people think that brain development is stagnant after a certain age.

We now know this to be untrue.

Indeed, it is this neuroplasticity with which we are going to hone our focus abilities to their peak – regardless of age.

But we must first acknowledge that neuroplasticity is a double-edged sword. Our brains will absorb the bad just as much as the good. As such, we must do our best to eliminate the former to maximize such outstanding benefits like enhanced focus.

We’re going to define focus as ‘the ability to direct and hold our mental resources onto a task.’ That is, we direct our attention to what requires it – and hold it there until the task is complete.

This focusing ability may be the biggest differentiator between individuals who achieve what they set out to do – and those that don’t. In other words, a strong focus will almost assuredly lead to goal achievement.

Before getting into the ten scientifically-backed ways of achieving laser-like focus, let’s discuss what must first be overcome: distraction.

Understanding Distraction

“By prevailing over all obstacles and distractions, one may unfailingly arrive at his chosen goal or destination.” ~ Christopher Columbus

When it comes to focusing, we must all deal with multiple distractions, all of which fall into one of two categories – internal distractions or external distractions. To truly focus requires that these disturbances be overcome or, at the very least, minimized.

Internal distractions are those that cloud the mind and stir the emotions. This inner frenzy is perhaps the biggest obstacle to doing what needs to be done. For referential purposes, here are just a few of the myriad internal distractions that we must overcome:

Lethargy
Laziness
Anxiety
Procrastination
Fear
Doubt
Hesitation
Boredom
Impulsiveness
Insecurity
Low self-worth

An internal distraction is one that originates from the mind or body that has nothing to do with the task at hand.

An external distraction is one that originates in your environment, and may include:

Chatty coworkers
Loud noises
IM notifications
Cell phone notifications
Chit-chat
Clutter (especially around your desk)
Kids playing
Pets
Poor lighting
Music
Email

An external distraction is one that originates from an outside stimulus that has nothing to do with the task at hand. Without recognizing and eliminating (or minimizing) these distractions, any attempts to become more focused will prove fruitless.

Now’s a good time to bring in the neuroplasticity effect.

If you remember, neuroplasticity can be thought of as a double-edged sword. In this case, distractions are one side of the sword – and focus is the other. What side of the blade are we going to choose? Also, keep in mind that once we want, it’s challenging to stop the brain’s powerful momentum!

Now, let’s get to the juicy part. Here are ten scientifically verified ways to achieve laser focus:

10 Approaches to getting Laser-Sharp Focus

“Concentrate all your thoughts upon the work at hand. The sun’s rays do not burn until brought to a focus.” ~ Alexander Graham Bell

Eliminate distractions

This can not be repeated enough, which is why it’s again repeated here. We simply cannot focus optimally amidst a din of distraction.

Please make sure that you understand (really understand) this point before moving on.

In case you wanted to know the scientific ramifications of continuous distraction, consider the following findings by the London Institute of Psychiatry:

Emails produce an “addictive, drug-like grip” on our attention.
The average IQ loss caused by distractions is about 10 points.
Compulsive activity tires and slows down the brain
A study revealed an “almost complete lack of discipline” in how we handle emails and virtual communications.

Move away from that chatty coworker. Deal with any internal conflict. Put on some headphones. Pop in some earplugs. Show some restraint in how you handle emails and text messages.

Get rid of or minimize distractions, and your focus will automatically be enhanced.

Monotask

Almost (but not quite!) as important as eliminating distractions is doing one thing at a time.

The simple fact, which is uncomfortable to some, is that multitasking is mostly a myth. For emphasis: multitasking doesn’t exist.

Task-switching, on the other hand, does exist, and it couldn’t be any different from “multitasking.” Task-switching is precisely that: we engage and disengage our attention with multiple tasks – sometimes very quickly. We’re not handling two tasks simultaneously, ever.

If it sounds like task-switching is inefficient, that’s because it is. First, there’s a sort of attention residue that remains as we move on from a task. Per Science Direct, attention residue “refers to cognitions about a [task] that persist even though one has stopped working on [the task]… and is now working on Task B.”

The result is that we drain our cognitive resources while getting less done.

Say ‘No’

Look, nobody likes to say ‘no.’ But here’s the thing: every time we say ‘yes’ to something, we’re saying ‘no’ to something else.

What are we saying ‘no’ to? Possibly those things that can improve our lives. So, in a way, we’re always saying no to something. It’s our job to make sure we’re saying no to things that bring little value.

What are those things?

They usually come in the form of ‘favors.’ To make things harder, people are pretty good at making you feel bad if you turn down their pleadings of “Pretty please…”

Ask yourself what you can afford in terms of time, then give in.

Manage your energy, not your time

It’s so much easier to remain focused on something if we have adequate energy levels. Moreover, we perform at our best when our energy levels are high.

It only makes sense then to schedule the necessary things for when your energy peaks.

Unfortunately, we’re often in the habit of planning things using time as a barometer. The problem with traditional scheduling is that it doesn’t consider your energy capacity. This isn’t a big deal if the task is dull and monotonous. It is a big deal if the job requires some real brainpower.

Get proper sleep

This one needs to introduction. For proper focus, it is essential to get adequate sleep. Per the National Sleep Foundation (NSF), seven to nine eyes of shuteye not only enhances focus, but also aids in decision making, productivity, reaction time, and memory.

Practice meditation

Talk about something that should need no introduction. Meditation, done correctly, may just be the most useful mind and brain training there is. Quite simply, no activity hones attentional skills quite like a regular meditation practice.

In a study published in the journal Psychiatry Research, participants of two types of meditation – focused-attention (FA) and open monitoring (OM) realized improved executive attention (or ‘attentional control.’) Scientists witnessed no improvement in concentration in the relaxation-only group.

Here are fifteen habits that drain your energy.

Drink some java

Here’s some good news for all of the coffee lovers! Meta-analysis research shows that drinking up to four cups of brewed coffee per day improves cognitive function, “particularly alertness and vigilance [and] … perception of fatigue.”

The research also found that up to 400 mg of tea per day (around 8 cups) produces similar cognitive benefits.

Listen to Mozart

Researchers from Stanford University found that listening to classical music enhances the attentional capacity. If this sounds familiar, you’re probably thinking of the so-called ‘Mozart Effect,’ which purports that listening to Mozart increases general intelligence.

Why classical music and not another genre? Because classical music is entirely instrumental. There are no words or lyrics to cause distraction. Moreover, since much classical music features periods of silence – known as “transition points” – it helps to keep hearers alert and attention.

Get some cardio

We most commonly associate exercise with physical improvements, but the effect can be mental as well. Plenty of research suggests that cardiovascular exercise (‘cardio’) increases the size of the brain’s hippocampus, the brain area involved in learning and verbal memory.

Per an article published by Harvard Medical School, exercise improves the brain both directly and indirectly. It lowers inflammation, reduces insulin resistance, and stimulates the release of growth factors known as ‘BDNF.’ It can be deduced that physical activity improves focus as well, as exercise is known to improve mood and sleep and reduce anxiety and stress indirectly.

Practice relaxed concentration

To reap the full benefits of focus, you must remain relaxed and at ease. Too much tension caused by over-striving isn’t conducive to concentration and will only hinder your efforts.

Allow the mind’s focus to emerge naturally from a mind and body that’s at ease, rather than constricted or tight.

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

Eliminate distractions

Monotask

Say ‘No’

Manage your energy, not your time

Get proper sleep

Practice meditation

Drink some java

Listen to Mozart

Get some cardio

Practice relaxed concentration

Every day is a day to shine. Shine on!