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The Four Cornerstones of Self-Improvement

May 31, 2020 by Chris Butler

“Oh, God. Another ‘self-improvement’ article…” You’d be forgiven if these words come out of your mouth.

Why?

Because many – if not most – self-improvement articles proclaim to know “the way”: to more productivity, better performance, and happier life.

And what do we get in return? The same empty platitudes seem aimed toward fulfilling a word count rather than instructing, guiding, and encouraging.

So, please be forewarned: if you seek the latest, “trendiest” self-help hack or shortcut, this article isn’t for you. On the other hand, if you’re looking for time-tested words of wisdom and a legitimate self-improvement framework, you’ve come to the right place.

Without further ado, here are the four cornerstones of self-improvement.

Cornerstone #1: Relaxed Discipline

“Too often we forget that discipline really means to teach, not to punish. A disciple is a student, not a recipient of behavioral consequences.” – Dr. Dan Siegel, ‘The Whole-Brained Child”

We’ve somehow acquired the mindset to improve means that we must go to war with ourselves. While self-discipline is undoubtedly one aspect of higher wisdom, it’s not, can’t, and shouldn’t be the product of the ego-driven, restless mind.

To learn relaxed self-discipline, we must first learn to (that’s right) relax. It sounds super easy, but this right kind of relaxation is a skill that must be cultivated.

Because since childhood, we’ve learned that to discipline oneself involves austerity, punishment, and, yes, physical tension. Tell a child to pay attention and class, and one of the first things they’ll do is tense up their muscles and furrow their eyebrows and forehead.

That’s not discipline – it’s seizing up. And we’ve been brainwashed into thinking that’s okay. It’s not. It’s an idiotic way of teaching discipline, especially to vulnerable children.

Learn what happened when millions of children in Thailand all meditated at the same time.

What does a relaxed form of discipline look like?

Internally, it’s a sense of dynamic equilibrium. If you make a mistake, you don’t scold yourself for it. Gently bring your attention to the task and, maintaining a sense of calm, give the job your full focus. Forget to do something? No problem! Relax your shoulders, breathe out, and think about your next steps.

Externally, others can see a noticeable sense of ease and “flow” in all daily activities. People can see your outer calm, and this, in turn, contributes to their sense of tranquility. You’re bringing something of inestimable value to the world.

What does relaxed discipline not look like? First and foremost, relaxed discipline isn’t an excuse. Nor is it something you do part of the time. It’s an approach to life – an ethos. Like any meaningful endeavor, it requires commitment and continuity. Speaking of which…

Cornerstone #2: Familiarization and Habituation

“Renew thyself completely each day; do it again, and again, and forever again.” ~Chinese King Tching-thang, as cited by Henry David Thoreau in “Walden”

Unless you’re some sort of enlightened being, automaticity will continue to guide much of what you do. Hence, the importance of becoming familiar with, setting and acquiring healthy habits.

So why not just say, “Build new habits”? Because it’s too abrupt, opaque, and, yes, intimidating. Habits are hard things to get, after all. One doesn’t just “get” a new habit. There’s a growth process – and because of our misinformed approach to self-discipline, it’s too often riddled with unnecessary tension, strain, and self-doubt.

So, in keeping in line with our relaxed, disciplined approach, we’re going to discuss habits differently.

Familiarization

Familiarization includes implementing the habit – and continually reinforcing the habit as wholesome. This means that we remain mindful (attentive) to the growth that comes from the process of habit formation. Then, once the habit is formed, remaining conscious of the benefits.

Let’s contextualize this a bit, as familiarization can be confusing. Let’s talk about weight loss for a minute.

People lose weight to feel better about themselves. They’re tired of being fat and decide to do something about it.

Most people fail. By one count, as many as 98 percent quit. Of the people that do lose weight, around 90 percent gain the weight back within a couple of years.

A lack of attentiveness to the process causes both. People make one wrong choice, which leads to another, and another. They don’t remain familiar with how weight loss feels, its benefits, or the repercussions of keeping weight on – or failing to keep it off.

As a result, the desire to maintain the habit wears off, something that psychologists call normalization. We just become “used to” being a certain way, having certain things, etc. It becomes no big deal. (Normalization, by the way, is one big reason why “money can’t buy happiness.”)

We start to take things for granted, even those we’ve worked so hard to achieve. When this happens, we risk losing those things.

As such, we must, as Henry David Thoreau cites in ‘Walden,’ “Renew thyself completely each day; do it again, and again, and forever again.” One way to do this is through gratitude practice.

Don’t forget the process, results, and benefits of your actions.

Cornerstone #3: Attention and Concentration

“The education of attention would be an education par excellence.” ~William James, the “Father” of modern psychology

It’s not hyperbolic to state that concentration is the most valuable asset you have as a human being. The ability to direct and hold your focus lies at the heart of most endeavors – including any type of training. This includes, of course, any and all efforts at self-improvement.

But first, we must face the uncomfortable truth: for most of us, our attention span sucks.

There are many reasons for this, but perhaps the biggest culprit is convenience. We’ve gotten used to having things – and quickly. We can order a product from across the country and have it on our doorstep within a day.

Impatience is the antithesis of calm, stable attention.

Another culprit: too many stimuli.

From every angle, we’re bombarded with television advertising, radio, text messaging, video conferencing, and instant messaging (because email is not fast enough anymore!) We’ve been forced to adapt to a society that values multitasking.

(Nevermind that multitasking is a complete and utter myth; not to mention much less effective than “single-tasking.”)

Now that we’ve established that our attention could use some work, how to train it?

Of all the beautiful things that Eastern cultures have contributed to the world, the systematic training of continuous attention – or samadhi – may not only be the most profound but the most practical.

But it’s not easy. Developing samadhi takes some effort – and a lot of that relaxed discipline we discussed earlier.

Putting samadhi into practice

You can start by carving out 15 to 20 minutes of daily mindfulness meditation practice. Here are some basic meditation instructions:

Find a comfortable sitting position
Bring your awareness to your body, including any sensations that arise
Set your awareness in a “witnessing” mode; non-reactive, not cogitating, and not imagining
If you feel tension anywhere in your body, release it. Allow the body to feel loose and relaxed.
Set your mind at ease by allowing the breath to come and go naturally.
Direct your attention to any noticeable breathing sensations. These may appear in the abdomen or around the nostrils or upper lip.
Specifically, select the most prominent area where the breath is felt
Direct and hold your attention to this area, bringing the attention back every time it wanders off.

A few things to keep in mind during meditation practice:

Your mind will wander off – this happens to everyone. You build concentration by bringing back your attention again and again, so don’t be hard on yourself.
Keep your body loose and relaxed. You’re trying to build a positive feedback loop of concentration!
If you’re tired but still want to meditate, you can try lying down and doing it. Just don’t make this a habit.
Consistency is key! Don’t go into meditation practice half-heartedly or treat it like a quick fix. It won’t work.

Cornerstone #4: Compassion and Forgiveness

“If you want to be happy, practice compassion. If you want others to be happy, practice compassion.” ~ The Dalai Lama

A compassionate mind is a powerful mind. A compassionate mind is a potent force for the development of self-improvement. How?

First, a compassionate heart – especially towards yourself – will allow you to treat any perceived shortcomings or “failures” differently. Too much harshness is perhaps the number one killer of self-improvement.

Compassion is both relevant and powerful because it builds resilience. You’re bound to fall short once in a while – we all do. The ability to pick yourself back up – and do so with a compassionate, loving, forgiving heart will make all of the difference.

Maybe it’s been a few days – or a few years – since you’ve sought to better yourself. Perhaps you feel worthless or not up the task.

I’m here to tell you that this is all mind-constructed B.S. Don’t allow your mind’s excuses to get in the way of what you want to accomplish.

Final Thoughts on Putting the Four Cornerstones of Self-Improvement

So here is your bottom line. If you want to improve yourself, nurture self-compassion and forgive your shortcomings, practice a relaxed discipline, cultivate your attention, and form lasting, process-oriented habits.

Most important, love yourself and those around you. That’s the most meaningful type of self-improvement of all.

Doctors Explain How More Screen Time Lowers Brain Growth in Kids

May 31, 2020 by Power of Positivity

Unfortunately, many parents engage in too much screen time and spend too little time playing and interacting with their children. Even worse, parents today tend to use tablets and smartphones to pacify and babysit their children so they can have the freedom to do other things. However, this type of passive parenting can have long-lasting detrimental effects on children, from developmental to psychological disorders.

Because of the explosion of technology in society today, even children can’t escape the addicting games and television shows marketed to kids. Screen time among young children has increased dramatically in the past decade. While certain educational programs can benefit children, they still need to spend time in the real world to develop motor and communication skills.

Below, we’ll go over what the experts have to say about children spending too much time in front of screens. We hope this information can help you make informed decisions about how to protect your children from the potentially harmful effects of technology.

Here’s how too much screen time leads to lower brain growth in kids:

Read about the potential health implications of 5g technology.

In the early years of life, critical brain development takes place, but technology may hamper these important changes from taking place. Scientists scanned brains of children 3 to 5 years old to see how screen time affected them. They found that those who used technology more than an hour a day had lower development in the brain’s white matter, which helps with cognitive, language and literacy skills.

Pediatrician and clinical researcher at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital and lead author of the study, Dr. John Hutton, said that the study was the first one to show the link between more screen time and lower cognitive function in preschool kids. He added that during the first five years, the brain develops rapidly, forming connections that will last a child’s whole life.

Side effects of too much screen time

Studies link too much time in front of the TV to the following:

difficulty focusing and thinking clearly
bad eating habits
behavioral issues
delayed speaking
poor sleep quality
impaired executive function
less parent-child interaction

Kids mimic their parents, so in households where the parents use screens more, the kids tend to copy that behavior, according to Hutton. For example, the kids who stay on technology for 5 hours may have parents who engage in double the screen time. So, if kids get home from school and immediately head to the television while their parents scroll social media, they have no time for interaction.

Also, kids tend to bring their screens with them wherever they go. They can take them to bed, the playground, to meals, and everywhere in between. After they experience the stimulation from smartphones and tablets, it becomes all too easy to become addicted to them. They feel like they can’t do anything without having a screen of some sort in their hand. Hutton said the age at which kids get exposed to technology is majorly concerning. He said 90% of kids use screens before turning one, with some just two or three months old.

Disrupting white matter in the brain

Researchers scanned the brains of 47 healthy children who hadn’t started kindergarten yet. The study used a special kind of MRI called diffusion tensor imaging, which looks specifically at the white matter in the brain. This area of the brain organizes communication between different parts of the brain’s gray matter. In this part of the brain, the cells communicate with the body to tell it what to do.

White matter helps form connections between the brain and the nervous system. Hutton said the white matter can be compared to cables much like telephone lines that connect different parts of the brain so they can communicate with each other. If development becomes delayed or doesn’t happen at all, it can slow down the brain’s ability to process things. However, activities such as reading, playing a musical instrument, and playing can improve the structure of white matter in the brain.

Before the children had the MRI, they had to take cognitive tests while parents filled out a questionnaire about screen time developed by the American Academy of Pediatrics. The test measured how much access children have to screens, how much exposure they had, the content they watch, and if parents engaged with them during screen time.

The results

The study showed that the children who engaged in more screen time than the AAP recommendations had a more disorganized, underdeveloped white matter in the brain. Hutton said the average screen time among the kids was two hours a day, but some children used screens for up to five hours. However, researchers want to ensure that using screens doesn’t mean children’s brains get damaged; it just means they won’t have the same development as children who use less screen time.

Hutton said that the screen time may just inhibit growth that children could’ve had from other experiences, such as human interaction and playtime. Children need plenty of experiences that encourage strong connections in brain neuron networks, such as interaction with parents, reading, and problem-solving tasks.

In addition to the MRI results, researchers found that excess screen time led to decreased literacy skills and the ability to use expressive language. The children in the study also showed impairment in being able to rapidly name objects shown to them. However, research in this area is still in the early stages, and more studies need to be done in the future to solidify these results.

Here’s what you can do as a parent to protect your kids:

Make sure you limit their screen time each day and only allow them to use technology for educational purposes. Sit with them while they learn so you can interact with them and reinforce what they learn. Also, do other activities with them – play games, go outside and allow them to explore nature, read, sing, and laugh together. Kids need a lot of interaction to develop healthy brains, and in the formative years, it’s critical to give them that emotional and mental support.

The AAP lists the following guidelines for children and screen time:

Infants:

No baby under 18 months old should use technology, other than occasionally being on video chat with family. Babies need a lot of interaction with their caregivers, and parents shouldn’t use technology to babysit them. Parents shouldn’t even have the TV on in the same room with a baby, as it leads to distractions and less able to interact with the child.

Toddlers:

By the time a baby turns 2, they can learn words from programs and live chats with family members. However, toddlers learn best when the parents sit with them to reinforce what they learn and repeat words to them so they memorize them better.

Preschoolers:

Children from 3 to 5 years old can learn from quality kid’s shows such as Sesame Street. These shows help kids learn words, increase cognitive abilities, and help develop social skills.

The AAP cautions that many educational programs on media devices don’t actually benefit children because developmental specialists don’t help create them. So, they can impair development in children if they get exposed to too many shows and programs that don’t cater to their needs. Children learn best, as we’ve said, from their parents anyway, so make it a habit to engage with them daily and keep screen time to a minimum.

Other harmful effects of technology

Screen time doesn’t just impact children; teenagers and adults see negative effects from heavy media use as well. Scientists have documented the following consequences from using too much technology:

Increased risk of anxiety and depression
More pressure on the neck and spine, which could lead to chronic pain in this area
A more sedentary lifestyle
Worsening vision
Low self-esteem
Sleeping problems
Trouble concentrating and thinking clearly
Brain fog
Poor posture
Difficulty carrying on a conversation
Antisocial behavior

Of course, we realize that technology can benefit society in many ways as well, from medical advancements to the ability to talk to people across the globe. However, the dopamine hits we get from likes on our Facebook pictures and just viewing the content, in general, can set us up for addiction. Like anything else, moderation is key when it comes to technology. Try to only use your phone when you absolutely need it, not just when you feel bored or need a distraction.

Swap out screen time for these quiet activities that will engage your child’s brain.

Final thoughts on how screen time impacts brain growth in kids

We’ve come a long way with technology, but the pervasiveness of phones and tablets can severely impact a child’s growth. Their brains have shown more disorganized and less developed white matter when exposed to heavy media use. Parents raising children in the technology age should use technology sparingly, making sure to place human interaction first and not use phones as a babysitter.

Children can benefit from certain TV programs and apps, but babies and toddlers shouldn’t use technology without their parents. Kid’s brains respond very strongly to their environment, so parents should make sure to create a healthy one that supports their children’s development.

20 Life-changing Positivity Affirmations to Note in Your Gratitude Journal

May 31, 2020 by Kristen Butler

Here’s why everyone should keep a positivity journal and count their blessings.

In a world filled with negativity, we should all put some positive energy into our lives–and some positivity affirmations into our gratitude journals.

Dr. Norman Vincent Peale spent decades of his life promoting the power of positive thinking in the human soul.

There is a direct link between your words and your outcome in life. If you are tired of feeling run down, depressed, and anxious, then It’s time to use positive affirmations. Here are 20 declarations you can say each day that will put you on an optimistic track.

20 Positivity Affirmations to Never Forget

Write these positivity affirmations in your journal or recite them out loud.

1. I am Beautiful

It’s essential to think you’re beautiful. When you love yourself, then others can quickly love you too. You should look in the mirror each day and tell yourself that you’re attractive and that you’re uniquely you. Don’t ever let anyone tell you any differently. Anyone who has a different opinion about your beauty doesn’t matter.

2. I Am Worthy to Love and to Be Loved

You deserve to be loved. Be grateful that your family and friends love and care for you. Many people don’t have anyone. Write in your gratefulness journal all the people that love you and are a part of your support system. Make sure you tell them how much it means that they are in your corner.

3. My Opinions Matter

Whether at work or in your personal life, your opinions matter. By telling yourself that your ideas are valued, you can empower yourself to stand up and speak out at work or in other aspects of your life. Your thoughts and feelings about things are significant, and people are ready to listen.

4. I Have Value

What is your value? One of the positive affirmations in this life is to say that you have value and self-worth. When you see yourself as a valued part of society, you hold your head a little higher and walk with a bounce. Depression and the cares of life may try to keep you down, but you remember how tremendous your worth.

5. My Past Doesn’t Dictate My Future

Everyone has skeletons in their closet and has made bad choices in the past. Thankfully, you don’t live there anymore. No matter what has happened, your history will never dictate your future. It’s time to leave yesterday behind.

6. I Will Be Kind and Caring Towards Others

Life isn’t always about you and your needs. Sometimes, it’s nice to reach out to someone less fortunate. Whether it’s comforting someone who experienced a breakup or it’s taking food to a person with little means, everything you do to be caring towards others will bring good karma your way.

7. It’s Okay Not to Be Okay

In life, there will be sunshine and rain. You can’t expect to be happy every day. Make sure you are grateful for both the good times and bad as the bad times help you learn life lessons. Tell yourself that it’s okay to have a bad day occasionally.

8. I Am Thankful for My Blessings

What things are you thankful for today? Rather than counting all the wrong things in your life, why not count all your blessings? You are blessed if you have a beautiful bed to sleep in, a nice car to drive, and a job that pays you well. Start making positive affirmations to count your blessings rather than your disappointments.

9. I Won’t Compare Myself with Others

It’s never a good idea to compare your looks or achievements with others. You are a unique being who was carefully formed in your mother’s womb. There will never be another you. Make sure you tell yourself how special you are, and don’t compare your life with others. Stop trying to keep up with the Jones and Smiths. Rather, make others want to keep up with you.

10. I Can Forgive and Be Forgiven

Forgiveness is a hard thing to do. However, one of your positive affirmations should be that you will forgive yourself and others, and in return, you will be forgiven when you have wrongdoings. It’s okay to be upset, but you must forgive.

Learn more about the 3 Minute Positivity Journal by Pop Founder and CEO, Kristen Butler

11. I Will Eat Healthy and Exercise Today

Do you have a difficult time losing weight and eating healthy? Why not add positivity affirmations in your gratitude journal about your health? When you have the mindset that you will eat well and exercise, then your chances of completing those tasks are greater.

12. I Will Achieve My Goals

What goals do you have for your life? Do you see yourself married with a family or in a higher-paying job? It’s time to set your mindset to achieve every goal you want and dream about. You will be if you believe in your heart that you are victorious.

13. I Will Never Give Up

One of your positivity journal entries should be that you won’t give up no matter what life throws your way. Even if you lose your job, house, relationship, and every dime you own, you will dust yourself off and rise again. Remember, life isn’t about how many times you fall but how many times you rise that counts.

14. I Will Live Life to the Fullest

It would help if you vowed to live your life to the fullest daily. Don’t let one day slip past you without taking the time to smell the roses. A life full of all work and no play is a recipe for disaster. Make your life exciting and adventurous.

15. I Radiate Success

If you are a career professional, you must make one of your positivity affirmations about your success. People love to be around those that radiate success. It makes them feel like they, too, can achieve these heights. An aura of confidence is beautiful to both employers and others.

16. I Love My Body

It doesn’t matter if you are a perfect weight or a bit overweight. You must love the skin you’re in. Write in your journal all the things that you love about your body. Maybe you think you have beautiful eyes or legs. Remind yourself of all the reasons why your body is gorgeous.

17. I Have A Good Relationship and Lover

If you want your relationship to be fantastic, you must believe it is. Don’t compare your relationships with that of other people. Look for all the good things in your marriage or the person you’re dating. You both are unique, and no one can compare to you or your love.

18. No One Can Make Me Feel Inferior Unless I Allow Them

One of the best positivity affirmations you can tell yourself is that you won’t allow someone to make you feel inferior. People can only use or make you feel bad about yourself if you allow them too. Don’t let bullies in life bring you down; rather, always take the high road.

19. I Don’t Need To Beg For Friendship

If someone doesn’t want to be your friend, move on to the next person. You don’t ever have to beg for friends. Your unique attributes are one of the reasons why you have the friends you have now. Don’t let people make you think you’re not worthy of friendship; move on to the next person who will respect you.

20. I Am Enough

Finally, the best one is last. One of the most significant positivity affirmations you can tell yourself is that you are enough. Write it in your gratitude journal, tell yourself this 100 times daily, and put it on a sticky note on your work computer.

Engrain in your brain that you are enough. You’re a good mother/father, worker, son/daughter, spouse, relative, and friend. While you may have things you are working on to better your life, you are on the right path. Never think of yourself as less than as you are the whole package.

Final Thoughts on the Keeping a Power of Positivity Journal

You may have won, and you may have lost. You’ve got many things right in your life, but you’ve also got some things wrong. The beautiful thing is that life is a journey filled with joy and regrets, but you are still the best you you can be through all of it.

Count your blessings, and you should never focus on your failures. Surround yourself with people that love and respect you. You only get one chance to live your life to the fullest, so don’t ever let a day pass you by that you waste feeling pessimistic. You can and will have a good experience; keep writing in your positivity journal, and you will see a change for the better in your life.

Science Reveals What Happens to Your Body When You Eat Greens Daily

May 31, 2020 by Power of Positivity

When it comes to healthy living, it’s all about the green stuff. No, we’re not talking about dollar bills! We’re talking about dark, leafy greens.

There’s overwhelming evidence that the more green you get in your diet, the lower your chances of developing conditions like heart disease and Alzheimer’s. On top of that, green veggies are a fantastic way to burn fat and keep your skin radiant.

Let’s go over just a few of the most substantial benefits you’ll experience once you start eating green veggies every day. In this post, we’ll also share pro tips on how to sneak a little green into your daily routine.

The Glorious Benefits Of Eating Leafy Greens

Here are some fantastic benefits of eating your greens (like Mom told you!).

Benefit #1 – Enjoy A Long-Term Memory Boost

Forget about spending hours playing those brain-training apps. If you add one serving of leafy green veggies to your day, then you’re bound to experience a memory boost.

A recent study out of Rush University tracked the diet and cognitive health of about 950 senior citizens in Chicago. Over roughly five years, researchers screened study participants for mental issues and asked what they ate on a typical day.

Amazingly, there was a strong correlation between how many greens a person ate and their risk of memory problems. People who ate just one serving of green veggies per day versus those who ate none had a substantially slower rate of cognitive impairment.

Benefit #2 – Naturally Lower Your Blood Pressure

High blood pressure is one of the most common chronic conditions in the USA. In fact, the CDC now estimates that about 108 million Americans have some degree of hypertension. Thankfully, it appears dark green veggies could help millions of patients keep their blood pressure levels in check.

Scientists at Boston’s Brigham and Women’s Hospital recently published a long-term study analyzing the correlation between diet and hypertension. Researchers tracked the health of over 28,000 middle-aged females for a little over 12 years. According to the data, women who ate more dark green veggies had a lower incidence of blood pressure issues.

It’s important to note, however, that leafy green veggies are only a part of managing high blood pressure. Indeed, professors involved in the above study found an even higher correlation between fruit intake and lower blood pressure.

In addition to eating plenty of healthful foods like green veggies, here are a few other strategies you could use to keep your blood pressure down:

• Exercise for at least 30 minutes every day.
• Add a mindfulness meditation session into your daily routine.
• Get at least seven hours of sleep per night.
• Quit harmful habits like smoking and drinking.
• Take a warm bath or visit a sauna a few times per week.

Benefit #3 – Show Your Teeth Some Serious Love

One of the annoying things about eating leafy green veggies is they can often get stuck in your teeth. Well, look at the bright side: at least these foods will keep your pearly whites free from cavities!

Interestingly, all leafy green veggies have incredibly high levels of bioavailable calcium. So, if you’re lactose intolerant, you could get all the calcium your bones and teeth need from a daily helping of greens.

In addition to calcium, leafy green veggies often contain high traces of folic acid (aka vitamin B9). Many studies suggest people who eat more folic acid have a lower risk of gum bleeding and gingivitis.

Benefit #4 – Detox Your Liver With Dandelion

There’s great hope in the scientific community that green veggies could combat one of the world’s leading liver diseases: fatty liver. Recent rodent studies out of Sweden show that leafy greens contain high traces of nitrate. According to the latest research, the body can use this substance to reduce liver inflammation.

Although trials are ongoing, dark green veggies could likely play a big role in the future treatment and prevention of fatty liver disease. In particular, dandelion appears to have the highest potential to protect patients from liver disease. This green has a ton of beneficial polysaccharides that assist liver detoxification.

Since this green is somewhat bitter, most people don’t enjoy eating it raw. If you find dandelion’s taste a bit too abrasive, consider sautéing them or drinking them in an herbal tea.

If you just can’t stand this green’s taste but still want to enjoy its benefits, you could always look into dietary supplements. Just be sure to let your doctor know beforehand. Sometimes herbal pills could counteract prescription medications, so it’s best to get a physician’s approval.

Benefit #5 – See Clearly With Lutein & Zeaxanthin

When we think of healthy foods for the eyes, we usually think of carrots. Although this orange root veggie is pretty sweet, it just can’t compete with leafy green veggies.

The reason green veggies are so beneficial for eye health has to do with compounds called lutein and zeaxanthin. Research has shown both of these chemicals play a critical role in reducing the pressure in the eyes, which could decrease the risk of conditions like age-related macular degeneration and glaucoma.

Although lutein and zeaxanthin are present in a few other foods, they are nowhere near as concentrated as in leafy green veggies. No doubt: a bowl of greens every day will undoubtedly keep the ophthalmologist away!

Benefit #6 – Promote Gut Health With Prebiotic Powerhouses

One of the most significant medical discoveries in recent years is the “gut-brain axis.” Although it may seem strange, there seems to be a direct connection between our digestive and our cognitive health.

To be more specific, the types of bacteria that thrive in our gut play a significant role in our overall well-being. You’ve probably already heard about the many benefits of “probiotics,” which refers to the healthy bacteria in your gut that help to regulate digestive well-being.

Although leafy green vegetables don’t contain probiotics, they are considered one of nature’s most outstanding “prebiotics.” In other words, the fiber in these veggies acts as “food” for the healthy bacteria in your gut. Interesting research also suggests dark green veggies have an enzyme that helps increase probiotic populations.

Over 40? Here are the healthiest foods you must include on your menu.

Fast Facts On The World’s Greatest Green Veggies

Now that you know why green veggies are so good for you, it’s time to take a peek at some of the best foods in your grocery store. Here’s a quick rundown of some of the world’s top green vegetables.

1. Collards

A staple side in the South, collards have one of the highest concentrations of vitamin K for any vegetable. Just one cup of this powerhouse food packs well over 1,000 percent of your daily recommended dose of vitamin K. Interestingly. Recent research suggests collards have their highest nutrient count when they are steamed.

2. Kale

When it comes to green veggies, kale is king. Why is this green so popular nowadays? Well, in addition to its delightfully bitter taste, this veggie has loads of antioxidants, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. This leafy green also has the highest concentration of lutein and zeaxanthin (perfect for eye health). Plus, vegetarians love cooking recipes with this green because it has exceptionally high traces of protein.

3. Mustard Greens

Originating in India, mustard greens have one of the most unique flavor profiles of all the veggies on our list. Unlike the bitter, earthy taste of other greens, mustards have a rather spicy taste that almost resembles horseradish. Traditionally used in Indian and Chinese cuisine, mustards have many of the benefits of other green plants but are better suited for people who like hot dishes.

4. Arugula

While we’re on the subject of spicy green veggies, we should take a few moments to mention arugula. Sometimes known as “rocket,” arugula is a delicate leafy green that has a unique taste reminiscent of black pepper. Like many of the other veggies on this list, arugula has plenty of calcium, vitamin K, folic acid, and vitamin A. Fun fact: Ancient Romans supposedly used arugula to help improve libido…just sayin’.

5. Spinach

What list of leafy greens would be complete without mentioning Popeye’s favorite treat? Spinach is one of the world’s most famous green veggies for many good reasons, including its high iron and zinc content. As a bonus, spinach has a relatively mild flavor. It’s quite easy to hide fistfuls of this vegetable in smoothies and juices.

6. Beet Leaves

Everybody’s talking about beet juice nowadays, but please don’t throw out those gorgeous beet leaves! Yes, you can eat the distinctive leaves on your beets. In fact, some people argue this is the healthiest part of the plant due to its high traces of iron. Be sure to sauté these leaves, mix them in a smoothie, or try eating them raw.

Don’t Like Salads? Check Out These Sneaky Green Hacks

If you don’t like eating salads, no worries! There are plenty of creative ways you could get these greens into your diet. Here are just a few hacks to keep in mind:

• Mix a few of these veggies into a morning smoothie.
• Experiment with juicing veggies and covering them with sweet apples or lemons.
• Buy an organic green powdered mix.
• Incorporate green veggies into pasta dishes or soups.
• Bake tasty “kale chips” in your oven.

Final Thoughts on Eating Your Greens Daily

As you could see, leafy green veggies have a lot going in their favor. If you start incorporating any of these foods into your regular diet, you’re bound to wow your doctor at your next appointment. If possible, aim for at least one cup of your preferred green every day for the maximum benefits.

Astrologist Reveals the Cosmic View for June 2020

May 31, 2020 by Linda Joyce

Astrology provides insight into a crisis, but your own intuition is just as important. Learn how to interweave heaven and earth, knowledge, and instinct, and you’ll be able to use this cosmic view to find creative ways to solve your problems.

With Saturn, Jupiter, and Pluto in retrograde, the virus that has shut down the world is in a weakened state — for the summer. However, there is a chance it will reinvigorate itself in the fall. Be careful with your freedom.

Gemini is all about choices and with Mercury and Venus in retrograde in this sign, what you decide carries life and death consequences. What needs to be balanced is freedom and self-control. This is never easy under normal circumstances and certainly not a simple challenge now.

Saturn, the planet of boundaries, entered Aquarius in March and it has changed how you interact with friends and groups. The square it makes to Uranus and creates a clash – a desire to break free of all restrictions no matter what the consequences. Learn to open a door by increments, instead of all at once. Self-control is essential to survival.

The Full Moon on June 5^th in Sagittarius activates the houses of wisdom and communication. We may hear from the experts. Perhaps more restrictions will be lifted or there’s new information on the development of vaccines. Venus remains retrograde until the 25^th placing a focus on relationships and finance. It’s time to rethink who and what’s important to you and yes, how you want to manage your money in the future.

Mercury goes retrograde in Cancer on the 18^th, and it’s time to clean up misunderstandings with family and mend old wounds. Let forgiveness and love lead the way. The more you give, the more you receive. Stay safe and nurture yourself from within. If you do the universe will add to your gifts in ways you cannot imagine.

Here is a rundown of the cosmic view for each sign in the zodiac this month:

Aries (March 21^st – April 20^th)

Aries represents vision, it allows you to see into the future and imagine a better world. This energy is important now, more than ever. With your ruler Mars, in Pisces and conjunct Neptune, your imagination is out of control. If you’re in a creative field, then new ideas will come to you with ease. What they will need is grounding.

There’s not a lot of earthly practicality in the stars at the moment, so you have to provide it. Intuition and emotion are two separate things. Intuition comes from above and you need to trust it, emotions are a response to desire and fear, they want what they want and can’t be trusted. Learn to separate them. Any insecurities you have will be emphasized in this environment.

Uranus square Saturn increases your desire for freedom, and because you’re impulsive, you may give in more than you should. This is a time for baby steps, not giant leaps of faith.

Venus is retrograde until the 25^th making relationships in general either very difficult or rewarding. If you have good communication and know-how to be supportive, then you’ll receive the rewards of your efforts. What’s important now is to express your vulnerability, not just your strengths. That’s difficult for an Aries, but it helps others connect to you in a deeper way.

Mercury goes retrograde on the 18^th and you may go back to work or find something new. The path is zig zag, so don’t expect it to be clear. If you’re in a relationship, you’ll be working out your issues, if you hold them in, it will damage the relationship.

When Venus goes direct on the 25^th, you should know where you stand and what is possible. If you’re single, old lovers could contact you or you may reach out to them. There’s a need to reconnect to the past.

Cosmic View for Taurus (April 21st – May 20^th)

Taurus is a major player as the planets align to bring about change in the world. With Uranus, the ruler of change, in Taurus, you’re being driven from within or shaped from without, to make decisions, and to pursue new goals.

If you embrace the change you will realize that happiness is easier than you thought. Good things can come from disasters if you can recognize them in the chaos. The light and the dark are not disconnected, they are a part of the whole.

With Saturn, Jupiter, and Pluto retrograde, you’re rearranging your thinking and your ideals. This virus has forced us all to look at what’s really important. It’s shown us where we’ve strayed from our path because we followed the crowd. Getting back to core issues is empowering and it allows you to build your life on a strong foundation.

Mercury goes retrograde in Cancer on the 18^th. This is your chance to finish old projects and clear the way for the new.

Venus, your ruler, is retrograde until the 25 and relationships as well as your place of work are under scrutiny. If you haven’t worked on your communication and if you don’t understand each other, then this month you will feel more isolated and alone. If anger is what emerges then try and find another way to get it out. Attaching someone will not make you feel better.

If you’re in a relationship, then unresolved issues are now on your plate. By the 25^th you should be clear on where you stand. If you’re single, this is not a time for someone new. Focus on yourself.

Gemini (May 21^st – June 20^th)

Geminis are the center of the action in the cosmic view this month. So get ready to be busy, no — overwhelmed. It won’t all be about things to do, it goes deeper than that. It’s time to understand what is holding you back, as well as what you’re doing that brings the magic. With the full moon on the 5^th in Sagittarius, your beliefs will be scrutinized. They’re either helping or hindering you, so be objective.

Venus is still retrograde in Gemini until the 25^th and Mercury goes retrograde on the 18^th in Cancer. Old issues around values and finance may reemerge. You’re a genius at solving the problems of others, but now it’s time to take these lessons and bring them back to yourself. Being clear on your identity and goals is the quest.

Saturn, Jupiter, and Pluto are retrograde in your 8^th house, and they stir up more light-bulb moments. This is the house of transformation and any planets that pass through its energy must take a deeper look at themselves. Be prepared for self-examination.

Uranus in Taurus continues to bring surprises, or things you cannot control. The lesson is to let go. Have faith in yourself and the universe. What’s yours will come back to you.

The Neptune station in Pisces on the 23^rd brings good news when it comes to career. Venus goes direct on the 25^th and relationships are either better or worse because of what has been stirred up. Retrogrades bypass illusion and bring up the truth.

If you’re in a relationship you’re being asked to acknowledge what’s not working and do something about it. If you’re single, you may feel a longing for an old love. Figure out what you’re missing and let go. If it didn’t work then it probably won’t work now, unless both of you have changed.

Read about how you can use the romantic energy of a full moon.

Cosmic View for Cancer (June 21^st – July 22^nd)

Cancers are intuitive. With the Sun and Venus in your 12^th house of the unconscious, your instincts are on high alert in this month’s cosmic view. You may feel hesitant or afraid to act, primarily because you’re not certain. Turning intuition into a choice is always a challenge. However, when you learn to trust yourself you’ll find that you’re seldom wrong.

Mercury goes retrograde on the 18^th in your sign, and it helps you clean up your “things to do” list. Anything you started that’s not finished has a good chance of getting done. Don’t try and make something new work, it will be delayed.

Venus continues to go retrograde until the 25^th in Gemini and relationships remain under scrutiny. What’s not working is evident, what is will also be strong. It’s a time for truth and a realistic look at who you’re with and why. Remember, if it works for you and you’re happy, that’s all that matters.

The sextile from Mercury to Uranus provides you an endless array of new ideas. Your mission is to make sense of them and choose the ones you want to use. If you can break the patterns of your past and allow new paths to emerge then you will move forward with strength and confidence.

Cancers are creatures of habit, and they prefer repetition than new paths, but for now, you don’t have a choice. The new moon in your sign on the 21^st gives you an opportunity to make a wish. Think about what’s important and send your request out into the universe. The Full Moon on June 5^th in your 6^th house brings work issues to a head.

You should know where you stand around this time. If you’re in a relationship, your partner is not feeling strong. He or she may feel like hiding from life. It’s okay. It won’t last. If you’re single, then you’re attracted to someone very independent. It helps you feel free.

Leo (July 23^rd – August 22^nd)

Leos have a strong sense of self and it can appear to others as selfish. With Saturn in Aquarius for the next two and a half years, you’ll be forced to see the world through the eyes of others. You will need to understand your environment, not just dominate it. It’s a time of great growth.

With Uranus at the top of your chart, you’ve been preparing for a change in your goals and career for some time. With fear and the virus dominating our lives, you’re more prepared than your competition to take the next step. Don’t be afraid of change, if you keep the faith you’ll land on your feet – you always do.

With Jupiter and Pluto retrograde in Capricorn and your 6^th house of work, you’ll have a chance to reconnect with projects or offers for work.

The full moon in Sagittarius brings issues of authority and power to a head. What is needed now is leadership. Venus retrograde in Gemini until the 25^th affects relationships. They’re either working exceptionally well or what’s wrong is apparent and needs to be fixed. Financial issues also get your attention.

When Mercury goes retrograde on the 18^th you will deal with your investments and your budget. Understanding what’s important and what isn’t is a major part of building a safe and secure existence.

Saturn in Aquarius insists you focus on partnerships, business, and personal relationships. They’re either working exceptionally well or hardly at all. Saturn sees what is without illusions. If you’re in a relationship, then you’re either closer to each other or your unresolved problems are now in the way.

If you’re single, you can meet someone special at this time. Know that if you should meet a new partner, it will happen quickly. They will feel like a perfect fit. Remember, this is a time of all or nothing.

Cosmic View for Virgo (August 23^rd – September 22^nd)

Virgos are excellent in a crisis. They quickly move past their fears and embrace the unknown, determined to shape it into something they can control. Venus in retrograde in your 10^th house of career means your focus is on your goals. It’s a good time to review your choices and see how you can adjust them to achieve better results.

Don’t be afraid of change, just jump in and try something new. It’s only difficult until you get used to the new energy. The body adjusts to what’s different and strange, it’s how we survive. Whatever is new in your life, give it support, and make it work for you.

Saturn in your 6^th house of work helps you reevaluate what you do and when you do it. Saturn has a critical eye. Don’t get depressed, use the information to open yourself up to new possibilities or dig in and keep the job you have. Accept what you cannot change. Retrogrades provide the opportunity to review what has been done and allows you a chance to change what you don’t like or no longer agree with.

Mercury, your ruler, goes retrograde on the 18^th, in Cancer and your 11^th house of friendships. Don’t be surprised if old friends show up or contact you. During times of crisis, we remember the people we care about.

The full moon in your 4^th house of home, reveals what’s not working around your family. Once all the emotions are out of the way, you can unite and move forward. If you’re in a relationship, your partner is not doing well.

Either they are frustrated because they can’t accomplish what they want to or they’re just unhappy with where they are. They have to figure it out themselves. It’s your chance to show support. If you’re single, it’s not a good time to meet new people.

Take care of yourself and reconnect to old friends.

Libra (September 23^rd – October 22^nd)

Libras represent truth, harmony, and beauty. When things are in alignment there is beauty. Truth is a more challenging subject. It’s not always easy to speak up and express how you feel – especially if it challenges someone else’s opinion.

With Uranus in your 8^th house, what you’re experiencing is a time of transformation in the June cosmic view. Whatever truth you’ve been hiding from, you may find it impossible to avoid. It’s time to see the world with a filter that plants your feet on the ground. Illusions and delusions won’t survive this energy.

Venus, your ruler, is retrograde until the 25^th and it’s helping you take a hard look at your ideals, the ideas, and beliefs that have uplifted you in the past. However, with a reset on how you see yourself and the world, it’s time to find a new center, a place that will embrace a greater truth, one that includes the concept that you are not a static being, you are constantly in motion and evolving. The more you accept this cosmic view, the more you are able to adjust to whatever happens in your life.

Mercury goes retrograde on the 18^th in Cancer, the ruler of your 10^th house of goals and career. This is your chance to make adjustments or change your direction. Don’t hesitate to do so as soon as you are clear.

The new moon in Cancer on the 21^st is a chance for a new beginning when it comes to your career. Ask for what you want and don’t be afraid to get it. Don’t let fear rule. Choose faith now and tomorrow you’ll attract opportunity.

If you’re in a relationship, your partner feels lost and unsure of what they want or how to get it. Just be supportive. If you’re single, you may meet people who are very different from yourself. It’s meant to give you some needed experiences.

Cosmic View for Scorpio (October 23^rd – November 21^st)

Scorpios struggle with the meaning of power. It’s important to be clear on where you believe the power lies. Is it with money and success or how strongly you’ve aligned yourself with your higher powers – your ability to transform yourself and the world.

Scorpios have incredibly strong instincts, but they need to listen to them if they want an advantage. No Scorpio is worth its salt, follows the crowd. You value uniqueness more than anything else and want to be recognized for it.

With Venus still retrograde and Mercury about to join it on the 18^th in Cancer, it’s important to reaffirm your beliefs. The energy is shifting and it’s directing you toward your foundation and your values. What did you build your life on? Are you happy with your choices?

With Saturn now in Aquarius your focus will be on what you rely on for strength and confidence. If it’s faith in yourself and your talents then all is well. If it’s based on exterior things then you’re feeling vulnerable. Wherever you are not anchored in your truth, you’ll have difficulties. Don’t get upset, fix it.

The full moon on the 5^th in Sagittarius activates your 2^nd house of finance and values. You’re either incredibly good at managing money or you haven’t paid attention. What’s not working will be obvious. When it comes to values, you may discover that they’ve changed.

Hiding out at home has reduced your distractions and clarity is there if you want it. If you’re in a relationship, your partner has been changing and it requires some adjustments. You’ll either make them or you won’t, but remember your choice may determine the destiny of your relationship. If you’re single, you’re looking for someone who is independent, someone who gets you, but knows how to make themself happy.

Sagittarius (November 22^nd – December 21^st)

Sagittarius is the sign of wisdom and wisdom comes from the lessons you’ve learned —both the wins and the losses. When you learn from everything, you learn quickly.

Jupiter, your ruler, has been in Capricorn since November of 2018, and it’s helping Pluto expose what needs to be looked at. Unfortunately, our weaknesses both personally and as a country, have been exposed through the virus.

Don’t lick your wounds, change your life.

When everything around you is uncertain, it’s important to be anchored in truth and have a clear idea of what you want to achieve. There is an opportunity in change and chaos, but you have to be ready to act on a moment’s notice. This is not a time for the weak-hearted. The question to ask yourself is how much of what you do reflects your values.

Have you sacrificed what’s really meaningful in order to get ahead? If you have, now is the time to make changes. It’s so easy to get lost with the pressure from bosses, family, and just life in general. You’re a strong sign and perseverance is one of your natural talents.

With Venus in retrograde in your 7^th house, you may find partnerships of all kinds, business and personal, difficult. This is your chance to fix the problem or move on. The full moon on the 5^th in your sign brings an emotional outburst that can’t be avoided. It’s important to pay attention to what is revealed. Don’t let your fear lead. Ruled by your mind, your talent lies in words and ideas, but they must be turned into action.

If you’re in a relationship your partner feels overwhelmed and misunderstood. You can help, but they have to figure it out. If you’re single, stay that way for now. Have fun if you can, and things will fall into place.

Cosmic View for Capricorn (December 22^nd – January 19^th)

Capricorns are more comfortable with power when they’re not center stage. They are often the man or the women behind the scene, but they call the shots. For several years your sign has been the host of two of the most powerful planets in the heavens: Pluto and Saturn.

Jupiter joined the group at the end of 2018 and will leave by the end of this year. These three planets have created an intense environment with the power to redirect your life. There are some things you don’t have power over, let them go, and focus on what you can make happen.

Saturn is your ruler and it removes the fog wherever it casts its light. It happens to fall on your house of values and money. It’s time to turn your critical eye on what’s really important.

With Venus retrograde, money and relationships require your attention. The insights you have now can improve your life when the world begins to move forward.

Mercury goes retrograde on the 18^th in Cancer and brings your focus to partnerships and what you need from them. The Full Moon on the 5^th in Sagittarius rules your 12^th house of the unconscious. Be prepared for a surprise. Whatever happens is a message to help you advance, even if it initially throws you off-center.

Uranus in the 5^th house reminds you that your independence is important. You must take charge of all aspects of your life. This is no time to be lazy. If your life is in the hands of others, then it may encourage you to start your own business or work freelance.

If you’re in a relationship, you will value it more or want out. It’s up to you. If you’re single, it’s not impossible to meet someone, but you do have to want it badly or it won’t happen.

Aquarius (January 20^th – February 18^th)

Aquarius is the sign of independence and the ability to express your uniqueness. With Saturn now in your sign, the truth is being revealed whether you want it or not. You can see where your efforts have failed and what has worked. Learn from the past and improve your position.

Saturn is square Uranus, your ruler, so the structure or routine of your life may change. The planet Saturn rules your 12^th house of the unconscious, so lessons will come your way, whether you’re ready for them or not.

Saturn is the taskmaster of the zodiac, it has a very critical eye, but its mission is to help not destroy. Look at what it’s showing you and make the necessary changes no matter how difficult it is to do. Saturn produces long-term and lasting rewards.

With Mars entering your 3^rd house at the end of the month, there’s a greater need to communicate to others who may be useful. They need your guidance or just your support. And if you give it, you’ll receive what you need in return.

Venus is retrograde in Gemini, ruler of your 5^th house of authority and children. It’s now clear to you where you need to take a stand.

Mercury is also retrograde but in Cancer and your 6^th house of work. You’re finishing up old projects and it will help you clear your desk and be ready for the new. The full moon on the 5^th in Sagittarius brings a friendship to a head.

If you have unresolved issues, they’ll reemerge to be dealt with. If you’re in a relationship, your partner is frustrated and concerned about finances. But perhaps you’re single, and you could meet someone, who is interesting and diverse.

These things are important to you, but proceed with caution, you’re not yourself.

Cosmic View for Pisces (February 19^th – March 20^th)

Pisces can be the way to escape life or the path to transforming it – it’s really up to you. It works on faith, what you believe you create. No faith, no results, even if you work hard. Yes, faith is the most important ingredient in success and possibilities.

When you believe, the magic happens. Neptune, your ruler, has been in your sign and will remain there for a few more years. It’s helped you go deeper into who you are. Right now, you can’t avoid that inner voice, it’s too strong.

Yes, you’re psychic by nature and if you’re willing to listen to your gut and everything that it tells you, then you will connect to real power which lies within, not in the outside world.

Uranus in your 3^rd house has improved communication and the square to Saturn has forced you to be more focused and serious.

Saturn is what every Pisces needs in the current cosmic view. You are always in search of ways to eliminate your insecurities and fears. The more faith you have, the easier life is, and the more magic you create to solve your problems. The full moon on the 5^this in your 10^th house of career.

Your goals want to speak to you. Either you’re going back to work or getting a new job. Either way, things are moving forward in your June cosmic view.

Venus retrograde in Gemini at the base of your chart, helps you see yourself and life differently. Add the retrograde of Mercury in your 6^th house of work and you can be productive, but not without adjustments.

Use the flexible side of yourself now and know you’ll have more choices later. If you’re in a relationship, your partner is preoccupied. Give them some space. If you’re single, you’ll have a chance to meet new and interesting souls.

You’re not in a stable place so just enjoy yourself this month.

Final Thoughts on the Cosmic View for June of 2020

Take time out of every day to improve your life and enjoy yourself throughout the month. Use this cosmic view to guide you, and always remember the importance of your relationships and live life to its fullest.

www.lindajoyce.com

Psychology Explains How to Deal With the Grief of Losing a Pet

May 31, 2020 by Power of Positivity

Pets are like family members. It makes sense then when you lose your pet, it’s emotionally difficult. You may wonder how to deal with the grief and sense of loss you feel. So, how do you deal with the grief of losing a pet?

Realities of Your Struggles After Losing a Pet

Here are some realities you will face as life goes on without your furry friend.

1 – The pain of losing a pet is real

Your pet is part of your life. Sadly, the death of your pet is inescapable because your pet has a much shorter life span than you. Facing your pet’s death is grievous and painful. It hurts your heart.

Studies found that pet owners who lose their pets may have trouble sleeping, have eating disorders, limit their social life, and may have trouble at their job. They’re apt to be depressed, anxious, lonely, and have feelings of emptiness.

You may want to seek out professional help if you’re grieving the loss of your pet. Talking with a counselor gives you strategies to walk through this difficult time.

Here are 20 things to say to comfort a person who is grieving.

2 – Grief is normal after losing a pet

Don’t feel bad about grieving the loss of your pet. It’s a normal reaction. You’ll feel a span of emotions as you grieve. You may go through some or all seven of the stages of grief which are: grief, denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance.

Be sure to talk to someone like a trusted friend or family member about how you’re feeling. Other pet owners will understand your grief, especially those who’ve lost pets. Hang out with them and talk about your sadness. They’ll be supportive and empathetic to your loss.

3 – Don’t try to ignore your grief

Ignoring grief doesn’t make it go away. You are actually prolonging the healing process when you choose to stuff it and pretend you’re fine. You may be afraid of these strong emotions you’re feeling. That’s normal. Find an emphatic pet owner who’s lost a pet. They can help you walk through your grief.

4 – Self-care after you lose a pet

Take care of yourself while you grieve the loss of your pet. Take your medicines, exercise, and eat healthy foods. Don’t give in to eating to ease your pain.

Loads of ice cream and chips won’t help your grieving process. Plus, if you gain weight, you’ll feel even worse about your circumstances.

Self-care means caring for all of you. Listen to uplifting podcasts or read a book on positivity for your mind. Look to your faith for strength during this painful time for your soul. Speak to your pastor about your grief, ask for prayer.

Never say these things to a heartbroken person.

5 – Face your grief, one day at a time

Grief is emotional, but it affects you physically, too. You may feel like your heart is broken, you may feel the saddest you’ve ever felt. That’s okay, take it a day at a time. Don’t rush your grieving or feel bad about it.

Face one day with all its emotions, and the next day face a new day. Cut yourself some slack in other areas of your life. Don’t worry too much about finishing making photo books of your summer vacation, unless you want to make a photo book of your pet.

Create a schedule of eating, working, playing, and sleeping. Try to stick to this so you won’t have to remember if you ate or not. Routine can help bring comfort and just help you get through another day.

6 – People (non-pet owners) may not get it

Some people will minimize your loss. They don’t do this out of meanness, but without thinking. Sometimes people are clueless.

Studies show that our society underestimates the supportive nature of a pet and how grievous it is to lose your pet. It’s hard to accept the loss. People don’t understand what it pet loss feels like, especially if they’re not a pet owner.

They may say things like, “Are you getting another pet?” or “It was just a cat.”

You will need to navigate comments like this without getting bitter or angry at these people. Talk to other pet owners who will understand your frustration at such comments.

7 – Find support in a group

Pet bereavement groups are growing. Researchers in Italy found that there’s a growing need for pet bereavement and end of life for Italian pet owners. Many pets are therapy animals, not just pets. Pet counseling services are growing in the U.S. Research online to see if there’s a pet bereavement group in your area.

Ask your vet, they may know of groups within their practice. Don’t suffer alone. When you find a bereavement group, you’ll find like-minded folks who understand and can help you walk through your grief without fear of being misunderstood.

8 – Take care of your other pets

If you have other pets, be sure to show them attention. They are probably feeling some loss of their friend, too. Animals are sensitive. They can become depressed and sad when they lose an animal buddy, especially if they played together a lot.

Take your other dog for a longer walk than normal, or play with your cat a bit more. Hold them and pet them. Talk to them in a soft, kind voice, letting them know you’re here for them. As you comfort your pets in their grief, you will feel better about your own grief.

9 – Gratitude for your pet

Be grateful for the time you had with your pet. At first, memories may be too painful, but over time you’ll be able to cherish your memories.

Keep a gratitude journal and jot down all the ways your pet was a blessing. Write out the funny things your pet did, the scary medical trips, etc.

Find ways to cultivate gratitude for what you had, not what you’ve lost. It can help you turn your sadness into gladness and gratefulness.

10 – You’re not alone

Remember, you are not alone. Pets die every day. So many people miss their pets and feel sad about their loss. Take heart knowing others have gone through this experience and have found the courage and strength to get through it.

Talking with other owners who’ve lost their pets can help. There may be someone going through the loss of a pet, and you can help them. Helping others sometimes eases your own grief and pain.

How to Help Others Who Have Lost Their Pets

If you’ve lost a pet, you know the grief and sadness you feel. When someone you know goes through a similar experience, find ways to help them walk through the grief of losing their pet. Good chance you’re the best person to help them since you understand how it feels.

1 – Show them you care

Call them, take over a meal, stop by and take them out for coffee. Tell your grieving friend that you’re praying for them. Bring them a special dessert of a smoothie. Take them for a drive and allow them to talk about their pet. Tell them you understand how it feels. Tell them it’s normal what they feel, you felt that, too. Make them feel loved and cared for.

2 – Be there for them

Tell them to call you anytime, day or night. Reassure them of your friendship and commitment to them through this dark time. Knowing someone is walking with you through these helps ease the pain and sadness of the loss.

3 – Talk and listen

Be a good listener. If they want to talk to you, just listen. Don’t correct them or try to point out a positive. Nod your head and look into their eyes. At some point, they’ll ask you a question like, “How did you get through this?” or “What should I do?”

Then you can talk, reassure them you care for them, and want to listen to their grief. Tell them what helped you or what helped other people you know who’ve gone through the same thing. Having someone who will listen is huge. It will help your friend work out their feelings and worries.

4 – Recognize the connection they had with their pet

Tell them you noticed what a great bond they had with their pet. You noticed how their pet liked to be with them, and what a great owner they were. They’ll feel like you understand their sadness.

5 – Help them work through any guilt

Maybe they didn’t take their pet to the vet quickly, and it got too sick to save. Or perhaps they didn’t close the fence, and their pet got out. Maybe they had to euthanize their old pet who had cancer. Guilt is a common part of grieving. There are always feelings of “I should have done more.”

If your friend is feeling this reassure them that they did the right thing. Accidents happen, they can’t blame themselves.

Treasuring good memories helps the grief process.

Final Thoughts on The Grief You Feel Over Losing a Pet

When you lose a pet, you will grieve. You may feel sad, worried, lonely, or depressed. It’s normal to feel this way. It will go away after a while, but in the meantime don’t ignore your grief or try to push it away. It won’t go away, but will pop out in another circumstance.

Be sure to take care of yourself and your other pets. They will be grieving, too. Take it a day at a time, but be aware that some people won’t understand what you’re going through. That’s okay because you can surround yourself with those who do in a pet bereavement group or a close friend who loves pets like you.

If you find yourself not being able to shake the grief, seek out professional counseling to help you get through.

Once you’re gone through the loss of a pet, you’re equipped to help others get through grieving a lost pet. Find ways to care and reassure them of your love. Listen to them and let them know you have their back as they walk through their grief.

10 Behaviors That Reveal a Bitter Person

May 31, 2020 by Power of Positivity

Bitter people are hard to live with; they lash out at everyone around them. People wonder how to spot bitterness. So, what are ten behaviors that reveal a bitter person? And how do you cope with them?

It’s easy to spot a bitter person once you learn their tell-tale poor behaviors.

10 Red Flags of A Negative and Bitter Person

1 – Lack gratefulness

Bitter people feel cheated by life. Even if they have a great experience, they won’t express gratitude. The glass is always half-empty. They will not express thanks for their family or friends, their home, or their job because there’s still something wrong with each of these things. Something or someone has disappointed them, and that looms larger than their blessings.

How to cope with an ungrateful person:

Remember, this person isn’t a terrible person. Instead, they feel overloaded with emotions they can’t unravel. Kindness and patience will make them feel like you are a real friend.

2 – Cynical

Cynicism is mistrust and suspicion. You can’t make a bitter person happy. In their eyes, you’ll fall short in doing what they “expected.” They will say something like, “I’m not surprised; it’s what people always do to me.” They’re like a dark cloud on a sunny day. Their cynicism overshadows everything they do and say.

How to cope with the cynic in your life:

It may take your bitter friend or colleague a while to trust you. They may even push you away at first, but be persistent. Don’t let their bitterness pull you down, stand firm in who you are. Your bitter friend no doubt has suffered, and they’re lashing out. So, be emphatic towards them without being drawn into their bitterness.

3 – Bitter people hold a grudge

It’s normal for you to have a misunderstanding with someone, but you can work it out and then let it go. You don’t hold grudges. Even if you can’t agree on a solution, you’ll let it go since you don’t want to spend your time or energy holding on to a grudge. But bitter people can’t let go of things. They become obsessed with their grudges and the people who have wronged them.

How to cope with resentful feelings of others:

Don’t agree with their assessment of other people. If they want to vent their anger, tell them you disagree in a kind but firm voice. Show them you aren’t entering into their bitterness trap.

4 – Jealousy

Bitter people are jealous of others who they perceive are getting what they deserve.

Studies found that your emotions influence your judgment. Participants were first made to feel love, then asked to rate different candies and chocolate as sweet or bitter. The participants who felt love rated the candies and chocolates as very sweet. But the participants who experienced jealousy said the candy and chocolate were less pleasing.

Bitterness influences a person’s perception. They become jealous when their friends or co-workers talk about a recent success, a new home, or their promotion. They can’t stand it that others receive things they want or think they should have.

How to cope:

It’s not a good idea to share personal things with a bitter person. Their jealousy will turn into gossiping about you to others, putting you in a bad light. Keep your conversations shallow and upbeat.

5 – They are vocal about their bitterness

Bitter people aren’t private about their anger. They let everyone know that their life is unfair. They’re looking for someone to agree with them so they can justify their feelings. Their bitterness spills out onto others, like acid tainting anyone’s good mood. Working with a bitter person is exhausting because they suck all the life out of you by continually complaining and bemoaning their lot in life.

How to cope:

Don’t get dragged into their bitterness rant. If the person has become more of a friend to you when you are alone with them, bring up to them how they sound, their propensity to be angry and bitter. It could be that no one has ever pointed this out to them and shared it humanely.

6 – Blame shifting

A bitter person blames others for their circumstances rather than accept responsibility. They will set themselves up as the “ideal worker” or “ideal parent.”

Others will be the ones who have caused problems at work or ruined their kids, but not the bitter person.

They have no responsibility because they feel like the victim. Indeed, they are the sufferer (in their minds). Also, this person won’t take responsibility for their angry, bitter emotions. They justify their blame-shifting with abusive language.

They’ll say things like, “I wouldn’t have to do this if she did her job!” or “She made me so mad I could have hit her.”

One study found that people who blame shift want to save face, to conceal their role.

How to cope with a person who refuses to accept accountability:

Refuse to accept the blame, stand your ground in an emphatic voice and manner. Don’t get dragged into their blame-shifting of others either.

7 – Irritable and annoyed

Bitter people always find something to complain about. Something or someone annoys them. Nothing is ever right in their life. They’ll complain about people at work, their family and people at stores.

In their minds, their co-workers aren’t doing their jobs, and their kids aren’t working hard enough at school, and clerks at the store aren’t competent. Irritation and annoyance is a daily emotion for a bitter person.

How to cope:

You’ll notice what triggers a bitter person’s annoyance and irritation. You may need to avoid doing things that irritate them within reason. Some people can’t stand being joked with or teasing. But don’t be afraid of a bitter person, but if you know something pushes their buttons, try to refrain from doing it.

Here are fifteen proven reasons to make meditation a habit.

8 – Won’t like it if you’re positive and cheerful

Be ready for a backlash if you try to cheer up a bitter person. Angry people find cheerful, positive people irritating. Your positivity casts a light on their anger and resentment. They don’t want to own these emotions so they will react.

They’ll ignore you or spew gossip about you to others. You’ve trod on their bitter turf, and they don’t like it. They may gossip about you to feel better about themselves. Angry people want to squash your happiness. It’s a form of manipulation to get you to be like them.

How to cope:

A bitter person needs to see that not everyone is like them. They need someone to stand up to them. Even if they don’t like cheerfulness or positivity, it is affecting them. Be positive, and don’t feel bad about it. Your identity isn’t in the bitter person’s opinion of you. Let it roll off your shoulders if they don’t like you or gossip about you. They’re miserable, but you don’t need to be.

9 – Can’t congratulate others

Bitter people find it hard to tell someone they’re doing a good job unless they seek approval. They have moments of being sweet to people they want to impress. They will often go out of their way to acknowledge a boss. But people they see as less important are worthless to them, so they will rarely admit good work or accomplishments.

How to cope with someone who cannot (or will not) celebrate your victories:

Don’t try to balance out your bitter friend’s destructive emotions. If you have a good relationship, point out your angry friend’s lack of congratulation or being happy for others. Often, they don’t realize how they come across because no one has ventured into their bitterness to point out the truth to them.

10 – Bitter people make sweeping assumptions

A bitter person’s irritations and anger display hostility. They make generalizations about people and situations, lumping everyone together. They carry prejudices, judge others, and cast themselves in an excellent light.

Studies show that such anger and hostility that a bitter person holds can affect their health. Doctors found those who are anger and aggressiveness could cause heart problems, diabetes, car accidents, or bulimia.

How to cope with people who make inaccurate assumptions:

Be emphatic without being drawn in. When they try to lump you into their generalization, gently point out you’re not that way. Be light-hearted with them, even joking in a self-deprecating way. If they drop their guard and show some vulnerability to you, share your concern for their health. Tell them they need help to control their anger because it’ll destroy them.

Final Thoughts on Identifying and Dealing with a Bitter Person

It’s hard to deal with a bitter person. You don’t want to be around them because their bitterness overshadows goodness in the day. They’re often blinded to their own emotions; maybe they’ve experienced deep hurt in their lives and are angry about it.

Strangely, bitter people often attract cheerful people who want to help them. It’s not easy to be emphatic toward an angry person. Their bitterness is contagious. But you can be emphatic without agreeing with them.

Stand your ground, but show them kindness. It may feel like you’re hugging a cactus because of its angry barbs at you. Stay positive and find ways to have more in-depth conversations with them when they see you are their friend. Share your concerns for them, and point out things they say and do that hurt them.

Be careful. Bitterness is contagious. Don’t get bitten by their venom, so you’re drawn into becoming a bitter person yourself.

20 Surprising Things That Cause People To Fart

May 31, 2020 by Power of Positivity

Fart, toot, flatulence, or a bit of wind. No matter what you call it, it’s embarrassing when foul-smelling gas slips out in public. Some people wonder why this happens. So, what are 20 things that cause you to fart?

When a large amount of gas is in our stomach or intestines, you get bloated and gassy. This excess makes you fart, which is just your body getting rid of the gas. Farts can stink to high heaven. This odor is because the gas escaping from your anus contains sulfur, which can have a rotten egg smell to it.

Do you have fart a lot?

It may seem obvious when you have gas, but there are several symptoms of gas you may not be as aware of

Lots of burping-Belching or burping during or after meals is typical. But if you are burping a lot, it could be because you swallowed too much air while you were eating. The wind didn’t reach your stomach but escaped through your mouth.
Farting-You fart around thirteen to twenty-one times a day. Believe it or not, most people on average have anywhere from .5 to 1.5 liters of gas floating around in their digestive tract.
Bloating-When your stomach feels full and maybe swollen. Air is not expelling as a burp or a fart.
Pain in your stomach- This condition happens when you have a lot of air in your stomach that doesn’t move through your intestines.

Things that cause you to fart

Everybody farts, but some everyday things cause farting.

1. Swallowing air

It’s common to swallow air when you eat or drink. Certain foods or drinks cause you to take in more breath than usual, and this makes you fart or burp. These include.

Carbonated sodas, seltzer water
Chewing gum
Hard candies

You also swallow air when you do some things

Smoke
Drink too quickly
Eat too quickly
Wear loose-fitting dentures

When you swallow air, you’ll burp, but some air goes into your stomach then into your intestines, causing you to fart.

2. Bacteria in the large intestine

Sometimes your stomach and small intestine don’t wholly digest foods-especially fibers, sugar, or starches. These undigested carbs move into your large intestine, where they start to ferment as the bacteria begin to break them down. The result is especially smelly farts that could make your cat pass out.

3. Eating gas-producing foods

Some foods have a reputation for causing gas.

Cruciferous vegetables-cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts
Legumes-lentils, black beans, pinto beans, kidney beans
High fructose fruits-apples, watermelon, mango
Sweeteners-Xylitol, sorbitol, and mannitol can cause bloating and gas
Sodas-The combination of carbonation and sugar can pack a punch when it comes to producing gas.

4. Having IBS

Irritable bowel syndrome or IBS causes bloating, gas, diarrhea, and constipation. If you notice that you get gas when you eat certain foods, you may want to try to eliminate these foods. Most people who have IBS eat a Low FODMAP diet to ease their symptoms. FODMAP stands for Fermentable Oligosaccharide, Disaccharides, Monosaccharides, and Polyols, which are carbohydrates and sugar alcohols that your body doesn’t easily digest.

5. Hormonal changes

As if going through menopause isn’t enough, hormonal changes like this increase the gas in your body. Doctors aren’t sure if this is due to progesterone or estrogen, but studies show that postmenopausal women said they had changes in their bowels, such as excess farting.

6. You’re lactose intolerant

If you’re lactose intolerant, your body can’t completely digest the lactose found in milk and milk products. Lactose intolerance is uncomfortable and embarrassing if you fart a lot after eating dairy products. This scenario happens because your body doesn’t have enough of an enzyme called lactase. Most people who are lactose intolerant can substitute milk and dairy products for almond milk, coconut milk, and cheeses made from nut fats (like cashew cheese).

7. Celiac disease

Celiac disease or CD is a rare disease. Those who have CD suffer from bloating and excessive farting, which can cause embarrassment and discomfort. Many people with CD avoid social or professional gatherings. It’s a rare disease that isn’t serious but can lead to complications like anemia, malabsorption, osteoporosis, or internal lymphoma.

Studies found that CD is very rare. Many people who think they have it have Irritable bowel disease, pancreatic insufficiency, lactose intolerance, or an overgrowth of bacterial growth in the intestines. If you’re diagnosed with CD, you should eat a gluten-free diet to reduce symptoms.

8. Fructose intolerance

If you have fructose intolerance, your body can’t digest sugar fructose, which is the simple sugars in fruits. Eliminating high fructose foods helps reduce the side effects of fructose intolerance like farting and bloating.

Studies found that some people suffer from hereditary fructose intolerance because they lack an enzyme that helps break down the fructose. This deficiency makes them prone to conditions like hypoglycemia or low blood sugar or liver problems.

9. Smoking

Studies suggest that although smoking doesn’t cause farting directly, indirectly, it contributes to the problem. This outcome is because smoking affects your digestive system causing heartburn, gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD, ulcers, and some liver diseases. Smoking puts you at risk for heartburn, which causes burping and farting.

10. Constipation and hot farts

No, the term “hot farts” does not refer to the name of a new rock band. When constipates, your gastro system doesn’t work correctly, so you get backed up. This crowding means there is less room for gas to move around.

You won’t pass as much gas, so your farts come out hot or warm. Other things that can cause hot farts are spicy foods, too tight of pants, and diarrhea. So, if anyone asks you about hot farts, consider yourself informed.

11. Overgrowth of bacteria

If you have an increase in bacteria in your small intestines, you’ll end up with gassiness. Bacterial imbalances in your gut happen when you’ve had the stomach flu or an infection. It takes a while for your gut to get back to the right balance of flora in your gut. In the meantime, you’ll be tooting more. Take probiotics to help your gut return to normal.

Learn the lesser-known red flags of early stages of colon cancer (including gassiness).

12. Peptic ulcers

A peptic ulcer causes a tear in your stomach lining and your small intestine’s upper area. The symptoms often get worse at night with burning and severe pain. One study reported that people who have peptic ulcers have symptoms like gut discomfort, flatulence, nausea, or vomiting three hours after eating.

13. Too much fiber

All you hear about is to eat lots of fiber, but you can overeat fiber. The tough parts of some plants can cause problems for some people. The body has trouble digesting it. Undigested foods get to the large intestine or colon, so bacteria in the bowels start to ferment, which produces smelly farts. Both soluble and insoluble fibers can cause this in plants such as beans, greens, fruits, and some vegetables. Eat a balanced diet of grain and other food so you won’t overload your gut.

14. Diabetes

If you have diabetes, you will be prone to excess farts. This is because of the medications you take or the excess glucose in your blood. All in all, your gut bacteria balance is off, so you will find yourself tooting a lot.

15. Eating high sulfur foods

Eating foods high in sulfur causes some people trouble. These foods and drinks include:

Beer
Wine
Cider
Apple juice
Grape juice
Dried fruits
Alum vegetables: onions, garlic, chives, leeks, shallots
Cruciferous vegetables: broccoli, cabbage

Certain nuts, grains, and meats also are high in sulfur and cause you to fart more than usual.

16. Gluten intolerance

For some people, gluten is a problem. It causes a swollen stomach and lots of farting. Gluten is a protein that’s in wheat, barley, and rye. It’s also hidden in soy sauce, beer, and even some tortilla chips.

17. Processed foods

You knew that processed and fast foods weren’t healthy, but did you know they make you fart? Burgers, pizza, and fries are high in fat and low in nutrition. Overeating processed food will upset your gut health. You’ll feel more bloated, burp more, and fart a lot. So ditch the fast food for fewer farts.

18. Significant changes to your diet

If you’ve made any significant changes to your diet, you may experience gas and excess farting. Going vegan or vegetarian, cutting out, or adding food to your regular diet can upset your gut’s balance. Your stomach should settle down eventually, but in the meantime, you’ll probably be tooting up a storm.

19. Flying

You may never fly again without thinking about this fact: flying makes you fart. If you don’t believe it, check out the study that says flatulence occurs when you’re flying due to cabin pressure changes. If you try to hold it in, you’ll feel very uncomfortable. But letting it rip will cause you social discomfort. It’s a problem. Don’t say you weren’t warned.

20. Healthy eating

So you try hard to eat well, and what do you get? Farts. That’s right; many of the healthy foods you eat don’t get digested at the same time. Undigested foods that sit in the small intestine start to ferment, causing smelly old farts. It doesn’t seem fair, our healthiest foods like vegetables, whole grains, and beans, cause the smelliest farts.

Final Thoughts on Understanding the Causes of Farts

Farts can be embarrassing, especially the stinkers. But, rest assured, they are a natural part of the human body’s digestive process. So. Go ahead. Let ‘er rip. Just have someone nearby who you can blame for the eruption.

4 Things You Shouldn’t Try During Self-Isolation

May 31, 2020 by Power of Positivity

Self-isolation can be disorienting. You may suddenly have a lot of free time and no way or place to spend it. That boredom can lead to a lot of different solutions, some of which are more ill-advised than others.

A lot of people attempt new things during social isolation. To some degree, that’s a positive way to keep your mind engaged, but when taken to an extreme, it can endanger you and those around you.

Here are four things you shouldn’t try during self-isolation.

1. Handy Projects

When you’re stuck at home, you’re more likely to notice problems around the house – and you’re also more likely to cause those problems since your home is now where you are almost 24/7. You may break things, notice more appliances that need maintenance, or simply wind up overusing something into its last legs.

There’s a reason that there are actual professionals who train specifically to do these types of tasks. You need to have an understanding of how these projects and a lot of underlying factors work before you can pull them off without a hitch. Here are some projects you just shouldn’t DIY:

· Glass Repair

Repairing glass is harder than it sounds, and it’s dangerous. When there is more than half an inch of damage in the glass, perhaps in the form of divots, holes, or chips, replacements and fixes need to be made – by a professional!

Repairing glass often involves the pouring of resin into the cracks and broken areas. It sounds simple, but the process is far from it. This is because the way resin sets may vary based on factors such as humidity and temperature. Resin can contract and expand, so putting too much resin can cause it to harden into an even worse chip, hole, or divot, thus becoming more of a safety concern.

Even glass repair kits aren’t fully reliable. For safety purposes, get a professional to do the job.

· Remodeling

It’s tempting to finally get around to fixing or remodeling your home when you have all this free time in social isolation. But projects for home improvement and reconstruction aren’t all safe to do on your own. The most basic DIYs are doable, but more complex or ambitious projects require a more expert hand.

Projects, where you need to work from heights, can put you in danger without the right equipment. Those that involve your home’s essential systems could wind up damaging them. New construction projects could be too weakly built and wind up in danger of collapsing. Difficult-to-use tools can cause injuries. All in all, if you’re looking to do remodeling, you should leave it to the pros.

· Plumbing

Plumbing is essential to a home, and it’s tempting to want to fix plumbing issues by yourself, especially since you may not be able to hire a professional but could need plumbing work done urgently. You should consider the complexity of the job first. If you’re not confident in your ability to fix the damage, you should just hire a professional plumber Sydney. If you’re dealing with problematic drains at home, you may look for a plumber that can provide you with the best drain cleaning solution.

For example, opening the catcher of a sink and emptying it out to stop clogging is a simple job that you’re unlikely to need too much expertise for. The same goes for unclogging a toilet that just needs a little help.

But when it comes to things like replacing pipes, fixing issues that you aren’t 100% sure about, or taking apart a toilet bowl to figure out why it’s leaking, you had better wait for professionals instead. Even in times of isolation, plumbers are essential workers who will likely be available for hire – but think carefully about how urgently you need the issue fixed before leaping. Craftsman Plumbing – plumbing installation in Seattle may be contacted by Seattle homeowners who need to replace or install new plumbing fixtures.

Read tips on getting an organized home on a tight budget.

2. Visiting Friends

Loneliness is one of the critical problems with social isolation. Even introverts who prefer their own company within their own four walls need some degree of social interaction. Those who led vibrant social lives or are extroverts that thrive in social situations will likely feel this pain even more.

There’s undoubtedly much to be said about loneliness and positive thinking, as well as mental and physical health in general, and these effects can linger for months. Potential problems include:

Higher mortality rates
Higher risk of mental degeneration
Increase symptoms of depression, anxiety, stress, and anger

In this time, you might be tempted to simply sneak out of your social isolation and meet with a friend, especially if you’re young or think you’ll be safe. Sometimes all you want to do is just talk for a bit, or hug someone.

But these actions put your life and the lives of others at risk. Even those who don’t experience symptoms may be carrying viruses. So you or your friend could have the disease without even realizing it since you don’t usually seek a test that could come back positive when you have no symptoms.

Instead of visiting a friend in person, you can:

Text
Take part in video calls.
Play online games together
Watch a movie or series at the same time.

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

3. Appearance-Related Changes

There are a lot of jokes surrounding drastic appearance-related alterations during times of self-isolation. There’s a scientific reason for this, too – when a lot of things feel out of control, people attempt to take control over whatever they can to regain some positive thinking. This can result in changing aspects of oneself that wouldn’t have been changed otherwise.

It’s usually fine to make some changes – experimenting with new styles of makeup or fashion, using henna or non-toxic body paint to make aesthetic changes, and even dyeing hair are all relatively safe options for changes that can be made. But there are some things you have to leave to the professionals. Here are some examples:

· Waxing

Waxing is already such a painful process in itself when done by professionals, and even professionals can leave you with some bleeding or wounds. Trying to do it all yourself can potentially be harmful to you, and without an expert on hand, you’ll have nowhere to go for help.

If you’re aching to remove some hair, try shaving first, or get your hands on some hair removal cream. And if you really are that desperate for a wax, stick to less difficult areas like your legs.

· Haircuts

Cutting your own hair seems to be a common theme in self-isolation, especially among those who usually have short hair that is now getting out of control. It’s tempting to reach for the scissors and get to snipping without the help of a pro!

It’s usually pretty harmless to try cutting your hair on your own, but you have to be prepared for the consequences. Ask yourself if you’d feel alright with an absolutely awful haircut that you have to see in the mirror every day in self-isolation. More likely than not, that will affect your positive thinking. That said, if you’ve cut your hair on your own with satisfactory results before, there’s no reason you can’t try doing so again now.

· Dermaplaning

Dermaplaning isn’t a widespread form of skincare, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t people who do it. Therefore, they might be tempted to try it on their own. Dermaplaning refers to the act of shaving your skin very close to your face to remove peach fuzz and dead skin.

This very close shaving means you risk injuring yourself with cuts and even permanently causing paralysis and other issues due to incorrect action. Luckily, there are DIY-safe options that, as long as you perform them gently, can work as alternatives. Microneedling and dimmer rollers are examples of safe options that can do the trick without professional aid.

· Piercings

Some people get a feeling of adrenaline surge when they think about piercing their skin. But it’s a hazardous process, and when done unprofessionally, it can lead to medical complications involving infections, nerve damage, and other severe conditions.

Even if you do manage to escape medical consequences, you still run the risk of uneven piercings, lousy choice of piercing location, and incorrect aftercare that can cause the hole to close again. Let’s leave the piercings to the experts.

· Botox

Almost no one thinks of Botox as something safe to do themselves, but it warrants a reminder regardless. When someone is used to regular botox treatments, being alone and unable to access that treatment might make them choose to attempt it at home.

The only way to access non-official Botox is via the black market, which contains unregulated products. You don’t know for sure what’s in any of those kits, and they can wind up paralyzing you or severely damaging your face through necrosis, infections, and irreversible damage.

Even if you do manage to get your hands on a genuine Botox product, chances are you won’t know how to inject it properly. This is something you need to leave to professionals.

Don’t neglect your self-care during self-isolation.

4. Working Longer Hours

If you’re fortunate enough to be working from home with the same or close to the same salary during self-isolation, you need to adjust to your living space now functioning as your workspace. For those who aren’t used to working from home, this can cause decreased productivity, but it can also cause the complete opposite – like being unable to switch your brain’s work-mode off.

When your personal and professional lives collide, you may begin to have trouble putting a clear separation between them. Combine that with self-isolation boredom, and you may feel the urge to work non-stop. This habit isn’t a positive one, and it can mess up your sleep cycle while adding to depressive symptoms.

Work the same number of hours you worked before self-isolation. If you’re looking for a way to fill your time, consider these options instead:

Pampering yourself with self-care
Do a little spring cleaning.
Engaging in a hobby you don’t usually have time for
Learning a new skill
Relaxing with a book, TV show, or game you’ve wanted to get into

Avoid becoming a workaholic during self-isolation.

Final Thoughts On Some Things You Shouldn’t Try During Self-Isolation

Self-isolation is difficult as it is. You don’t need to add to its struggles by trying out difficult or dangerous things at this time! Leave hard jobs to the professionals, abide by self-isolation guidelines, and take care of your mental health first.

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

Every day is a day to shine. Shine on!

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

Cornerstone #1: Relaxed Discipline

What does a relaxed form of discipline look like?

Cornerstone #2: Familiarization and Habituation

Familiarization

Cornerstone #3: Attention and Concentration

Another culprit: too many stimuli.

Putting samadhi into practice

A few things to keep in mind during meditation practice:

Cornerstone #4: Compassion and Forgiveness

Final Thoughts on Putting the Four Cornerstones of Self-Improvement

Here’s how too much screen time leads to lower brain growth in kids:

Side effects of too much screen time

Disrupting white matter in the brain

The results

Here’s what you can do as a parent to protect your kids:

Infants:

Toddlers:

Preschoolers:

Other harmful effects of technology

Final thoughts on how screen time impacts brain growth in kids

Here’s why everyone should keep a positivity journal and count their blessings.

20 Positivity Affirmations to Never Forget

Write these positivity affirmations in your journal or recite them out loud.

1. I am Beautiful

2. I Am Worthy to Love and to Be Loved

3. My Opinions Matter

4. I Have Value

5. My Past Doesn’t Dictate My Future

6. I Will Be Kind and Caring Towards Others

7. It’s Okay Not to Be Okay

8. I Am Thankful for My Blessings

9. I Won’t Compare Myself with Others

10. I Can Forgive and Be Forgiven

11. I Will Eat Healthy and Exercise Today

12. I Will Achieve My Goals

13. I Will Never Give Up

14. I Will Live Life to the Fullest

15. I Radiate Success

16. I Love My Body

17. I Have A Good Relationship and Lover

18. No One Can Make Me Feel Inferior Unless I Allow Them

19. I Don’t Need To Beg For Friendship

20. I Am Enough

Final Thoughts on the Keeping a Power of Positivity Journal

The Glorious Benefits Of Eating Leafy Greens

Benefit #1 – Enjoy A Long-Term Memory Boost

Benefit #2 – Naturally Lower Your Blood Pressure

Benefit #3 – Show Your Teeth Some Serious Love

Benefit #4 – Detox Your Liver With Dandelion

Benefit #5 – See Clearly With Lutein & Zeaxanthin

Benefit #6 – Promote Gut Health With Prebiotic Powerhouses

Fast Facts On The World’s Greatest Green Veggies

1. Collards

2. Kale

3. Mustard Greens

4. Arugula

5. Spinach

6. Beet Leaves

Don’t Like Salads? Check Out These Sneaky Green Hacks

Final Thoughts on Eating Your Greens Daily

Here is a rundown of the cosmic view for each sign in the zodiac this month:

Aries (March 21st – April 20th)

Cosmic View for Taurus (April 21st – May 20th)

Gemini (May 21st – June 20th)

Cosmic View for Cancer (June 21st – July 22nd)

Leo (July 23rd – August 22nd)

Cosmic View for Virgo (August 23rd – September 22nd)

Libra (September 23rd – October 22nd)

Cosmic View for Scorpio (October 23rd – November 21st)

Sagittarius (November 22nd – December 21st)

Cosmic View for Capricorn (December 22nd – January 19th)

Aquarius (January 20th – February 18th)

Cosmic View for Pisces (February 19th – March 20th)

Final Thoughts on the Cosmic View for June of 2020

Realities of Your Struggles After Losing a Pet

1 – The pain of losing a pet is real

2 – Grief is normal after losing a pet

3 – Don’t try to ignore your grief

4 – Self-care after you lose a pet

Aries (March 21^st – April 20^th)

Cosmic View for Taurus (April 21st – May 20^th)

Gemini (May 21^st – June 20^th)

Cosmic View for Cancer (June 21^st – July 22^nd)

Leo (July 23^rd – August 22^nd)

Cosmic View for Virgo (August 23^rd – September 22^nd)

Libra (September 23^rd – October 22^nd)

Cosmic View for Scorpio (October 23^rd – November 21^st)

Sagittarius (November 22^nd – December 21^st)

Cosmic View for Capricorn (December 22^nd – January 19^th)

Aquarius (January 20^th – February 18^th)

Cosmic View for Pisces (February 19^th – March 20^th)