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Science Reveals Anger and Irritability Linked to Depression

May 17, 2020 by Power of Positivity

Do you ever feel angry, and you don’t know why? Do you find that you are irritable and snapping at people even when you don’t mean it? Also, have you become so grouchy and cranky that you can’t even stand yourself sometimes?

Your irritable nature may be caused by depression. It sounds odd to say that a depressed person is angry, but it makes perfect sense. While you may think that someone who is sad wants to close themselves off from the world and cry in silence, it’s not always that simple.

Research shows that many people become quite irritable when they are depressed. Since being clinically and circumstantially depressed is vastly different, it stands to reason that someone who is still functioning and going to work each day could be quick to lash out at someone. Not everyone isolates, though when you’re boiling angry and even hostile towards others, giving yourself a time out, maybe what you need.

Anger is the Easiest Emotion to Show

Let’s talk about anger. If someone takes your parking space at the supermarket after you’ve waited for it for several minutes, then you wouldn’t break down into tears. Rather, you would probably honk your horn, use an obscene gesture, or yell at them. You want this person to know how mad they have made you.

People often use their grouchy side to express themselves because it’s very natural. A grown man isn’t going to cry over that parking spot, but he would get mad and let the person know that he is mad. The same can be said about despair. It’s quite easy to let someone know when they tick you off, but you’re not going to let them see you cry.

Using Rage to Motivate

Over time, you’ve naturally learned how easy it is to express yourself when you’re upset. Some people feel that their rage helps them stay in control of a situation. For instance, if you manage 20 employees at work, you will find that you need to have effective methods to keep them in line.

How many managers have you seen who motivate others through their harsh words or actions? A boss may come in and slam something across the office because there was an error in a shipment. That person has learned to motivate others to react based on their actions.

If the boss would have spoken in an even tone, then maybe they wouldn’t have been able to build fear and encourage employees to change. It’s not an effective management style, yet it’s used every day. The knee-jerk reaction produces the desired effect.

What that manager failed to say is that their job is on the line, and they’re going to get in trouble. They may be experiencing despair because corporate big shots are breathing down their neck. There are usually reasons for people’s rage.

Symptoms of Depression

When you become depressed, you have several feelings inside that make going through the daily grind almost impossible. While each person is different, some of the most common things one will experience include the following:

•Loss of Interest in Things You Once Loved
•Feelings of Hopelessness or Helplessness
•Suicidal Ideations
•Sleeping Too Much or Too Little
•Isolation
•Unable to Function as You Once Did
•Missing Appointments and Forgetting Things
•Calling off Work Frequently
•Personal Hygiene Suffers
•Drastic Changes in Your Eating Habits
•Moodiness and Irritability

When you feel horrible, then you aren’t going to be all sunshine and smiles. Rather, you’re ready to bite someone’s head off at the first sign of a problem. Is it possible that you are experiencing hopelessness and not even aware?

Clinical Versus Acute Depression

A person who is clinically depressed is someone that has been feeling down for a while. They may have been dealing with the symptoms of this common mental illness for six weeks or more.

However, a person who is experiencing acute depression can have a period of blues that is based on circumstances. If you’ve recently lost a loved one, had a relationship end, got fired from a job, or had your hours cut at work, then it’s reasonable to experience the blues.

Everyone will experience periods in their life when they will be down and out. Thankfully, most learn to cope and pull themselves out of this situation. Consequently, when you cannot shake the feelings of angst, and it continues for longer than a few weeks, then it’s classified as clinical.

Realize that people who are experiencing acute varieties can still function. You may be able to go to work, do the grocery shopping, and have your house clean from top to bottom. Your angst is causing you difficulty, but you continue everyday activities.

Unfortunately, when people are clinically depressed, they are unable to keep going at all. They have a complete shut-down of their system and need professional intervention. Left untreated, those affected can spiral deeper into mental illness or commit suicide.

Doctors Often Prescribe Drugs to Treat Depression (but not so fast, there’s more work to do)

Although depression is one of the most prevalent mental illnesses in America, you can find treatment. If you notice one or more signs and symptoms, then it’s time to talk to your healthcare professional. You needn’t battle despair on your own.

Unfortunately, unhappiness and other mental illnesses still carry a stigma in our society. As in the past, mentally ill patients are often viewed as weak, attention mongers, and those lacking in religious faith. Because of common misconceptions and fear, depressed people may be hesitant to seek treatment.

If you are diagnosed with chronic hopelessness, your healthcare provider may suggest an antidepressant. The good news is that patients have more options with better drugs than decades ago. Medical science continues to make advancements in the understanding and treatment of depression.

Your doctor may prescribe an antidepressant that best fits your needs. Usually, doctors start patients at the lowest therapeutic dose and will titrate as needed. Even though most of these medications may have side effects, the benefits typically outweigh them.

However, ask your doctor also about alternative therapies. Medication can cover up your symptoms. But until you uncover and treat the root of your depressive symptoms, you will not enjoy true healing. Thus, doctors typically prescribe medication and also recommend you see a mental health professional.

Treating Depression with Therapy

Most mental health professionals agree with countless studies suggesting that those depressed are best treated with a combination of drugs and therapy. While medication may help with chemical imbalances in your brain, therapy offers coping strategies and lifestyle change suggestions.

You may be familiar with cognitive behavioral therapy or CBT. Another name for it is psychotherapy. If you are depressed, you may avoid seeing a therapist because of misconceptions. Understanding how CBT works can ease your fears and place you on the right track for treatment.

Psychologists say that we react to things in our world according to our perceptions. If you have a skewed sense of reality about a situation, your reaction may also be unbalanced. CBT seeks to challenge misperceptions, form new opinions, and ways to cope accordingly.

First, your therapist will help you sort out your feelings about situations in your life and how they may have formed. Then, your perceptions will be challenged to understand if they are true or false. You will work together to bring your perceptions into reality, and to modify your behaviors for the best.

CBT has successfully treated clinical despair in millions of people over the years. Along with prescribed medication, it continues to be a valuable tool for mental health professionals. Your primary physician can help you find a licensed therapist who specializes in CBT for mental health issues.

Other Tools to Use with Your Treatment Plan

Did you know that you can alleviate some of your depressed feelings with self-help? For centuries, Eastern practitioners have known the benefits of meditation. Countless scientific studies in East and West concur and recommend it to depressed patients. Your therapist may suggest useful ways for you to meditate at home.

You don’t need to be a guru to benefit from meditation. Find a quiet spot at home or work, close your eyes for a few minutes, and allow your thoughts to pass in and out like clouds. While your mind is at peace, focus on mindful breathing and lifting the fog of despair.

Another complementary tool that CBT professionals suggest is journaling. Be alone with your written thoughts as you discover how you created false statements and how these have affected your life. You may have a moment that will lead you to reality-based thinking and overcoming your hopelessness.

Final Thoughts on the Link Between Anger and Depression

Being depressed is a severe mental disorder that isolates people from their family, friends, and the things they used to enjoy. While some solitude is needful and healthy in your life, total withdrawal from society isn’t good for you.

If you are diagnosed with a mental illness, then surround yourself with a loving network of support. Keep people in your life who offer positive influence and nonjudgmental conversations. A friend or loved one who has also experienced depression can be a valuable supporter.

Even symptoms like unexplained anger may point to a problem with hopelessness and sadness. Be kind to yourself and seek medical treatment if you experience this and other signs and symptoms. You needn’t let misery rob you of the joy you deserve.

Therapists Explain 6 Ways To End A Sibling Rivalry

May 17, 2020 by Power of Positivity

There is nothing worse than listening to your children bicker and fight all day long. Sibling rivalry can quickly wear on your nerves. Most parents hear iconic phrases like “I’m telling on you,” and “He took my toy.” While you may want to run away and may have got in your car with the keys on occasion, there are ways to combat this behavior.

As your children bicker, it builds tension in your home, making it an unpleasant atmosphere. Thankfully, you can use these experiences to teach rather than to cause discord. Conflict resolution is a part of everyday life.

Using these disagreements, you can teach your children about how to resolve their issues without nasty tones and harsh words. For the parent, consistency is the key. You must set firm ground rules and not allow them to get away with things on the weekend that you don’t permit during the week.

How Do You Stop Sibling Fighting

The resolution for this common problem begins with you. By ensuring there are household rules, well-defined consequences, and you are fair with all the children. Then you can establish expectations. Keep in mind that it’s normal for children to argue.

However, as an adult, it’s your job to make sure it doesn’t get out of hand. You must keep your temper and your children under control. To help you implement a program in your home that allows for less arguing, here are six ways that therapists suggest ending sibling rivalry between brothers and sisters.

1. Establish Firm Ground Rules

Most households already have rules in place for arguing. However, if you don’t have these rules established, then take a few minutes to develop a list that your family can use. Call a family meeting and tell the children the importance of following these guidelines.

Consistency is essential. If you don’t give consequences when the rules aren’t followed, then they won’t see the need to obey. Make sure you are clear on your expectations as children love to push boundaries as far as you will allow them.

Remember, some days are going to be better than others, and you must rule with understanding. Kids are going to be kids, and brothers and sisters are going to argue. You are just the referee in their daily encounters.

2. Never Compare Your Children

Did you know that one of the main reasons why sibling rivalry exists is because parents compare children? When one child is doing well, it’s easy to brag about them as you are proud of their accomplishments. However, while the child making the right decisions does deserve praise, there are other children than are feeling insufficient.

Never compare two children against each other; instead, make sure to make a point of good qualities of all. Try to find something to praise each child daily, even if it’s just for helping to bring in the groceries. Remember, that negativity will feed negativity. If you want your children to be positive, then you must set the example.

It’s essential that all your children feel loved and wanted by you. The older your kids get, the harder it is to connect and show your love. It’s easy when they are young and will allow you to hold and cuddle them, but those tactics don’t work on teenagers.

Don’t fall into the trap of comparing your children’s attitudes, behaviors, grades, or general demeanor. When you praise one over the other, you are setting your household up for sibling rivalry. Sadly, most sibling rivalry doesn’t end when children reach adulthood.

3. Treat All Children Fairly

Another thing that parents often do without realizing it is that they play favorites. It’s easy to love and be close to that child that is doing well and seems to have it together. However, the tides will turn. It seems children rotate, and one does well for a while, then the other one takes a walk on the wild side.

You must create a trust system among your offspring. One of the biggest causes of rivalry is when one child feels that they are not the favorite. They will vie for your attention and use behaviors, both good and bad, to get it.

You must be fair to all your kids and ensure that the rules are not made for one. The difficulty is that each child has unique needs, and your discipline style must vary. While you may use different tactics, you must ensure that all parties get a fair punishment.

4. Rule with Regularity

In parenting, stability is everything. If your children know your weak spots, then they will use them to their advantage. You cannot bend, adjust, or change the rules for any child. To set a good example for your kids, you want them to learn the fine art of being consistent.

Now, on the other hand, parents must remember if you don’t want your home full of sibling rivalry, then you cannot argue with their mom or dad in front of them. Sure, you will have disagreements, but you need to take them to a private room. So if you want your children to learn to get along with each other, then you must learn to do the same.

If the rules say you must make your bed in the morning, then they must receive a consequence when the bed is not made. Thus, if you don’t punish when a rule is broken, then they will break them time and again. Plus, your child will quickly learn you don’t stick with your word, which is a dangerous position to be in a parent.

5. Allow Them Some Space to Work it Out

Part of being an effective parent is giving your kids the tools to work through conflicts. If your children start to argue, then you don’t always have to step in to assist. Sometimes, you need to lay down your referee whistle and let them figure it out.

You can encourage them to use their words and take turns talking about the issues, but don’t be so quick to jump in with punishments. Teach them to identify the problem, and you must give them the tools to resolve it. However, just because you don’t step in doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be close by.

Things can take a drastic turn at a moment’s notice, and you may need to get that whistle out and put on your referee cap. When parents teach appropriate conflict resolution, then children learn to have respect for one another.

6. Teach Teamwork in Daily Life

One of the best ways to combat sibling rivalry is to teach teamwork in daily life. Rather than making activities about competition, why not teach them to work together? A team is always stronger than one individual. One of the best exercises to teach teambuilding is relay races.

Make the game where the children are against the adults, and you will teach them the importance of working together. You have many opportunities around your home to teach teamwork. Simple tasks such as mowing the grass, folding the laundry, or doing homework, are all examples of when it’s better to have more hands helping.

Final Thoughts: Sibling Rivalry is Normal

Raising children is not for the faint of heart. They can be very taxing and take you to the brink of emotional despair. However, while there are so many difficulties in this significant job, they are the best gift you could ever ask for in life.

Remember, you’re not the only parent struggling with the arguing and constant bickering. When you have both boys and girls in the home, it can be an all-out war zone. You must find useful tools to resolve their conflicts.

Another thing that you can do for your children is to make them feel special. It’s so hard to carve out time each day with all the items on your to-do list, but you should give each child 10-15 minutes of your undivided attention.

Let them talk to you about what’s bothering them and make them feel that their voice is heard. Make sure you put down the cell phone and turn off the television. Give your ear to them and allow them to vocalize their feelings.

As parents, it’s easy to think that your children don’t have issues. After all, they don’t have to go to work each day and provide for your household. However, you cannot diminish the problems in their little world.

An argument with a friend at school can be just as much of a catastrophic event in their world as you are being exhausted from working so many hours. If you want to tame sibling fights or arguments, then you must first listen to them. Lastly, you must set a good example for them to follow.

20 Quotes to Motivate You to Live Your Best Life

May 16, 2020 by Power of Positivity

Your ultimate goal in life should be to live your best life. This idea sounds simple enough, but it’s not something you can do by sitting passively. These quotes to motivate you can start you down the right path.

You have to get moving and take the necessary steps to make your life what you want. Sometimes you may need a little motivation to get going.

When you find yourself needing motivation, reading quotes to motivate you to live your best life can help.

Quotes to Motivate You to Live Your Best Life

1. “If you spend too much time thinking about a thing, you’ll never get it done.” – Bruce Lee

Over-thinking things can hinder your ability to get them done. You’ll start thinking of all the things that can go wrong, making it more challenging to motivate yourself.

2. “Small daily improvements over time lead to stunning results.” – Robin Sharma

You don’t have to make extreme changes right away. Instead, work on improving yourself a little at a time can lead to significant results in the end.

3. “Experience can only be gained by doing not by thinking or dreaming.” – Byron Pulsifer

Once you’ve decided you want to do something, you must act on it. You can’t waste time thinking about it or dreaming.

4. “The only person you should strive to be better than, is the person you were yesterday.” – Matty Mullins

You can only live your best if you strive to be better each day. Don’t compare yourself to others because the only person you need to be better than is yourself. Always spend time improving and learning, and you’ll reach all of your goals.

5. “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So, throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” – H. Jackson Brown Jr., in P.S. I Love You

You don’t want to look back on your life and be disappointed in your life. Brown explains it perfectly in this quote. Get moving and do all the things you’ve ever dreamed of doing.

6. “One, remember to look up at the stars and not down at your feet. Two, never give up work. Work gives you meaning, and purpose and life is empty without it. Three, if you are lucky enough to find love, remember it is there and don’t throw it away.” – Stephen Hawking

Go through life–loving, enjoying, and fulfilling your purpose. By doing these things, you’ll find yourself happier, and your life will be on track for reaching your dreams.

7. “It is common sense to take a method and try it. If it fails, admit it frankly and try another. But above all, try something.” – Franklin D. Roosevelt

Don’t avoid trying something new because of the fear of failure. You may not always get things right the first time, but you can try a different way next time. The only thing that you must do is to try something.

8. “Instead of complaining about your circumstances, get busy and create some new ones.” – Unknown

You can’t sit back and complain about your life. If it isn’t going the way you want it to, you must act to make it better.

9. “Poor is the man whose future depends on the opinions and permission of others. Remember this, if you are afraid of criticism, you will die doing nothing!” – Andy Andrews

Don’t let the fear of criticism stop you from doing what you want to do. This is your life to live, and, as Andrews explains, you shouldn’t look for the opinions of anyone else.

10. “Forgiving yourself means that you give up on your hope that the past will be different. When we forgive, the slave we free is ourselves.” – Unknown

This situation is one of the few times that giving up hope is acceptable. In this instance, you cannot change the past, so there is no use hoping for something different. When you accept that, you can free yourself and begin moving forward.

11. “Do not wait for your ship to come in, swim out to it.” – Unknown

Not many people are lucky enough to have opportunities and experiences fall into their lap. If you want to get something done, you have to go after it.

12. “Success seems to be connected to action. Successful people keep moving. They make mistakes, but they don’t quit.” – Conrad Hilton

If you don’t do something, you’ll never succeed. You can’t sit around and expect everything to happen for you. Get started, make mistakes, and try again until you get the results you desire.

13. “For all of the most important things, the timing always sucks. Waiting for a good time to quit your job? The stars will never align, and the traffic lights of life will never all be green at the same time. The universe doesn’t conspire against you, but it doesn’t go out of its way to line up the pins either. Conditions are never perfect. “Someday” is a disease that will take your dreams to the grave with you. Pro and con lists are just as bad. If it’s important to you, and you want to do it “eventually,” just do it and correct course along the way.” – Timothy Ferriss

There is no such thing as the perfect time. No matter the situation, you just have to get started to reach your goals. Nothing will ever be perfect, so by getting started now, you’ll get there sooner.

14. “There is an amazing power getting to know your inner self and learning how to use it and not fight with the world. If you know what makes you happy, your personality, interests, and capabilities, just use them, and everything else flows beautifully.” – Juhi Chawla

When you learn about yourself and begin to understand who you are, life will get better. You’ll figure out all of the details about yourself that allows everything else to come naturally.

15. “After all, this is how you learned how to walk. You didn’t just jump up from your crib one day and waltz gracefully across the room. You stumbled and fell on your face and got up and tried again. At what age are you suddenly expected to know everything and never make any more mistakes? If you can love and respect yourself in failure, worlds of adventure and new experiences will open up before you, and your fears will vanish.” – Dr. David Burns, Feeling Good: The New Mood Therapy

By trying over and over again until you get it right, you’re allowing yourself to be successful. Mistakes happen, but you have to try each time anew. Only then will your life be what you want it to be.

16. “Live with intention. Walk to the edge. Listen hard. Practice wellness. Play with abandon. Laugh. Choose with no regret. Continue to learn. Appreciate your friends. Do what you love. Live as if this is all there is.” – Mary Anne Roadacher-Hershey

Take care of yourself, do essential and new things, enjoy your life, laugh, and avoid regretting your past. Furthermore, always continue learning, appreciate those you love and who love you, and do things that you enjoy. If you can do all of these things, you’ll live your best life.

17. “The secret of getting ahead is getting started. The secret of getting started is breaking down your complex overwhelming tasks into small manageable tasks, and then starting on the first one.” – Mark Twain

This quote to motivate you comes from one of the greatest American minds, Mark Twain. He reveals a basic truth. You can’t reach your dreams if you never get started. So, the sooner you get started, the sooner you’ll reach your goals. Do this by setting small goals and getting started on the first one right away.

Don’t stop there, though. Once the first small task is done, do the next one without waiting or thinking about it. Keep that pattern going until the ultimate goal is reached.

18. “It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live.” – J.K. Rowling

If you spend your time dreaming about what you want your future to look like, you’re holding yourself back. You can’t just think about it. You have to go for it. The only way to reach your dreams is to get started.

19. “Don’t fear failure so much that you refuse to try new things. The saddest summary of a life contains three descriptions: could have, might have, and should have.” – Louis E. Boone

If you fear failure to the point that you don’t do anything new, you’ll never get to where you want to be. You’ll end up regretting all of the things you missed out on. Don’t let this happen to you.

20. “The quality of a person’s life is in direct proportion to their commitment to excellence, regardless of their chosen field of endeavor.” – Vince Lombardi

Your life will be better if you commit yourself to do your best. It doesn’t matter what you’re working towards in life, but if you commit yourself, you’ll reach your goals.

Final Thoughts on Quotes to Motivate You to Live Your Best Life

It’s up to you to make your dreams and goals happen. These quotes to motivate you to live your best life may help you get started.

Don’t wait to start working toward the life you want. If you start now, you’ll get there much quicker.

Doctors Explain 10 Ways Stress Can Affect Your Health

May 16, 2020 by Power of Positivity

It’s hard not to feel stressed out with all the things that are happening around us. Climate change, an ongoing pandemic, political upheaval The list goes on and on. And it should come as no surprise that with all this stress comes plenty of medical concerns!

But this all has to be just in the mind, right? How exactly does stress affect our health?

Here’s how doctors explain ten ways stress can affect your health.

1. Cardiovascular and Respiratory Systems

Stress often is a signal for our body to work harder to escape whatever scary thing is coming after us. Unfortunately, it can also cause plenty of health problems if this emergency mode goes on for too long.

· Elevated Blood Pressure

It’s a thing – the American Heart Association agrees that stress is yet another thing to add to the list of factors for increased risk of high blood pressure.

· Stroke and Heart Attack Risk

When we get stressed, it triggers our brains to make the adrenal glands release stress-related hormones – specifically, adrenaline and cortisol. Both work to increase blood pressure and heart rate. Great if you need to run from something, but harmful in the long term as the heart struggles to keep up. Repeated fluctuations in blood pressure can increase one’s risk of a heart attack or a stroke.

· Respiratory Issues

If you’ve already got asthma, you may have noticed it’s been getting harder to breathe. While chronic stress and anxiety don’t cause asthma, it can worsen preexisting respiratory problems – just like any other strong emotional response.

2. Reduced Exercise

Ever noticed how much your gym routine slips when you’re stressed out? Notice that by the time you’re home, all you want to do is plop down in front of the screen and laze out? There’s a good reason for that.

According to doctors, your exhaustion isn’t just your imagination. Indeed, stress can have a massive impact on how much energy you have. This feeling can make it harder to do exercise when you’re home, even if it’ll help with stress relief.

3. Central Nervous System and Hormones

When you are stressed, your brain puts your central nervous system into a state of panic. This process kickstarts adrenaline and cortisol production in the adrenal glands, which in turn, revs up your heart rate and oxygen intake, so your major organs are all prepped and ready to go.

Great for emergencies, but your body isn’t meant to handle this for long and will quickly start breaking down. Additionally, scientific studies have proven that the hormones released delay the healing process, making it harder to heal from wounds.

With how prolonged stress can cause all sorts of health issues, this might be one of the few instances where positive thinking might help you recover faster!

4. Metabolism

Thanks to evolution, our bodies are hardwired to store fat when stressed. The idea is that in times of emergency, our bodies will at least maintain some kind of food storage on us. Unfortunately, that’s not so helpful in today’s world, where we don’t exactly need to survive a famine.

Thanks to all that cortisol in your bloodstream, your body will opt to hold onto fat instead of burning it for energy. This process can develop excess belly fat and general central body fat – all of which link to all sorts of health problems, such as increased cholesterol levels and blood pressure.

Put this together with the unhealthy habits that are likely to develop during a stressful period, and you’ll quickly find yourself at growing risk for a variety of health issues.

5. Digestive System

Ever noticed that when you’re nervous, you can feel too sick to eat? Or when you’re super anxious, it seems to be affecting your gut? As it turns out, that isn’t just your imagination.

· Digestion

When you’re stressed, it can cause your intestines to spasm – something that is highly disruptive to healthy digestion. This activity can lead to all sorts of digestive problems like bloating, upset stomach, and even diarrhea.

· Acid Reflux

Chronic stress, especially if it’s sudden and acute, can raise your stomach’s acid levels. This can lead to acid reflux and cause all sorts of problems with your stomach.

· Type 2 Diabetes

If you find yourself stress-eating, you may want to stop. Stress eating can increase blood sugar levels, which can eventually lead to insulin resistance. Keep that up, and you might find yourself facing type 2 diabetes shortly afterward.

6. Mental Health

Our mental health strongly intertwines with our physical health. So it should come as no surprise that when stress affects our brain, it’ll also affect our ability to maintain positive thinking in times of crisis. After all, how can we take care of our bodies if our brains aren’t healthy and happy?

· Moodiness

Stress has very tangible effects on the brain, often affecting the levels of mood-related neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine. This, in turn, affects our moods and can cause things such as concentration problems and extreme emotions.

· Addiction

Research, unfortunately, has shown positive links between stress and addiction. Doesn’t matter if you’re starting one, maintaining one, or relapsing – if you’re stressed, the risk of you engaging with addictive behavior goes up.

· Symptoms of Depression

If you are at risk of developing a mood disorder, stress might just be what kicks it off. If you already have one, such as depression, generalized anxiety disorder, or a panic disorder, stress will make it worse.

· Dementia

Think your midlife crisis was bad enough? Turns out, a study has found that women who have high levels of midlife stress have a higher chance of developing dementia too.

7. Reproductive System

The last thing most people would think of is to have sexual intercourse when they’re stressed. As it turns out, stress can affect more than just your mood for intimacy. Indeed, it can also affect your reproductive organs.

· It Messes With Your Menstrual Cycle

With how stress can already affect your hormones, it should come as no surprise that it can also play havoc with your menstrual cycle and regular flow.

· It Can Cause Unexpected Pregnancies

Depending on who you ask, this can be both a positive or a negative. Stress can suppress and delay one’s ovulation period. This means a person may only start ovulating after they have been relieved of their stress, likely without their knowledge. This can make it easier to garner an unexpected pregnancy.

· It Can Cause A Lack Of Fertility

If it can affect your hormonal cycle, you can bet it’ll change your fertility as well. Studies have shown that the more stress a person has to endure, the more likely they will have infertility – even after taking other factors into account.

· It Can Mess Up Functionality

Stress may cause performance issues, such as erectile dysfunction. While in the short term, you may get a brief testosterone boost from it, long-term stress can cause one’s testosterone levels to drop and affect one’s sperm productions as well.

· It Makes Cold Sores More Common

Cold sores a regular occurrence in your life? Watch out – stress can make cold sore outbreaks more common.

· It Can Lower Libido

Chronic stress affecting your sex drive should be apparent. The last thing you’ll want to do is get busy and intimate when you’re being overwhelmed.

8. Immune System

Chronic stress can negatively impact your physical health – and your immune system is no exception to the rule.

· Illness Risk

Because of how chronic stress affects every significant component of overall health (such as diet, exercise, and sleep), it can lead to a weakened immune system. Ergo, more chances of you falling sick.

· Triggering Health Issues

The last thing you need when stressed is your illnesses to reactivate. Unfortunately, research has found that chronic stress can cause outbreaks of diseases like shingles, which usually is repressed by the immune system after apparent recovery.

· Delaying Illness

This might come in wild contrast to everything else you’ve read so far, but stress can also temporarily suppress potential illnesses. Hormones like adrenaline keep you operational during a stressful event, but you might crash and fall sick afterward when it wears off.

9. Sleep Patterns

Have you noticed just how hard it is to fall asleep when you’re stressed? And when you finally do, it’s like you never get any rest? It turns out. It isn’t just your imagination – stress does affect your sleep.

According to doctors, stress creates or worsens preexisting anxiety. And unfortunately, anxiety and sleep problems tend to bounce off each other. So the more stressed you get, the more anxious you become – and that just makes it harder to fall asleep and stay asleep.

10. Muscular System

It’s a popular image that the more stressed you are, the stiffer your muscles get. As it turns out, it isn’t all that far off from the truth. When you’re stressed, your body tenses up its muscles in preparation for a fight, this can make it pretty difficult to relax, especially when you don’t get a chance to let go of that tension.

All that tension can lead to pain, as tight muscles lock into position. You may find yourself suffering from all sorts of shoulder pains, back pains, and body aches – and a result, find yourself skipping exercise and reaching for the painkiller instead.

As tempting an idea it is, you really shouldn’t do it. Committing to doing exercise kills two birds with one stone, letting you reduce stress in addition to relaxing tense muscles. At least do some stretches!

Final Thoughts On Some Ways Stress Can Affect Your Health

It’s easy to dismiss stress as something that is just entirely mental. Unfortunately, it has authentic effects on our physical health – and in the long term, can create all sorts of problems. And with everything that is going on in the world presently, it can be hard to avoid getting stressed one way or another.

Thankfully, there are plenty of things we can do to help reduce our stress. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle with exercise and good food should form the crucial cornerstone of our stress management. Learning how to manage and organize your work will also go a long way to reducing stress as well!

Choose Your Best You

May 16, 2020 by Chad Foster

Only you hold the power to become the best you.

We all face a searing dilemma. Do we live the life we’ve always known, or live the life of our choosing? The answer is, yes. The thrilling reality is, we get to decide. Decide whether or not the prism through which we view the world is consistent with who we have been, or who we want to become.

How do you see yourself? Do you see yourself as a happy and successful person? Or do you see yourself as the victim of circumstance? It turns out that the answer to this question is more profound than any other that you can ask yourself. Only once you answer it can you become the best you.

A Devastating Childhood Diagnosis

Throughout the course of my life, I learned just how valuable self-image is, and how it influences to a high degree how we think, speak, act, and even achieve. I always had a tougher life than my friends. At three-years-old, my parents took me to Duke University because they noticed I had problems walking at night and in dimly-lit rooms.

It was there at Duke where they got the devastating news. They diagnosed me with retinitis pigmentosa or “RP” for short. The doctors instructed them to, “Prepare for the day that Chad’s eyesight is gone and go on living life.” For the next fifteen years, I followed only the second half of the doctor’s advice.

For eighteen years, I enjoyed relatively good eyesight during the day. I was very active—playing sports such as basketball, football, soccer, wrestling, running, and weight lifting. I rode my bicycle like most other children. And I relished the thrill of riding jet skis and motorcycles. For a brief time, I was able to enjoy the independence of having and driving a car.

During that time, however, I was never able to see in the dark—not even enough to safely walk around our house at night, with nightlights switched on.

My Young Adulthood and a Worsening Condition

While that sounds challenging, my condition soon worsened. While enrolled at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, the world I had known came crashing down when I lost my ability to see during the day. This event took place over a five-year stretch while in college. My dark reality was never more apparent than when attending Anatomy class as part of my premedical curriculum.

In that class, we were learning about the parts of the human body, and I was unable to see the cadavers well enough to understand any level of detail. Unless I was willing to feel my way around the corpses, those lessons were lost on me. I realized that my entire self-image was destroyed. My hopes and dreams for my future self were as cold and lifeless as the bodies that laid on the table in front of me.

The gravity of my situation weighed me down so much that it was hard to move, hard to breathe. It was as if a sledgehammer hit me in the chest. I staggered from the blow, and my emotional and psychological states were forever changed. Everything I had known was visual. Every image and dream I had for myself revolved around eyesight. Now, none of that mattered. When you look in the mirror and are unable to see yourself any longer, it pretty much squashes any image of yourself as a sighted person.

Shedding the Victim Mentality to Find the Best You

Until that point, I had seen myself as a victim. My self-talk usually consisted of “why me” and “life is shockingly unfair.” The full onset of blindness did not help matters. IN the days and months that followed, I fell into a pit of despair. The sadness and depression I felt dripped down into the deepest crevices of my soul.

This mindset continued until I had the experience of a lifetime. Because I had no cane skills, I decided that I was most comfortable with a guide dog, so I applied for and attended Leader Dogs for the Blind. I ended up learning far more than just how to use a guide dog.

While there, I met people with much more difficult situations. There were those on dialysis because diabetes that had taken their eyesight was also destroying their kidneys. There were those with cognitive impairments. And, there were young women there who dealt with deafness as well as blindness. It’s one thing when you meet someone on the street and hear how rough they have it, but it’s another thing altogether when you live with someone and observe their challenges first-hand for an entire month.

The experience of personally witnessing the living courage by these people shook me to my core. I had been given 23 years of eyesight, perfect hearing, and a sound mind. How could I dare feel like a victim when these brave souls faced a world I couldn’t even imagine, and they did it every day with such spirit and determination that it left me in awe.

Learning Crucial Life Lessons

Although I went to Leader Dogs to learn how to use a guide dog, I left with a far more profound lesson. It was a lesson in gratitude and perspective that I couldn’t have learned any other way. I learned that happiness is not a feeling. It’s not an emotion. It’s a decision that each of us makes every single day. Either we choose to be intentional about how we see the world and our place in it, or we simply allow the circumstances of life to determine our happiness and success.

It was at this tipping point that the seeds were sown for my new and improved outlook on life. With my viewpoint, solidly anchored to gratitude, my attitude instantly improved. And that gave me the mental model to live happier and more successfully.

Doors started flying open for me. University professors were more willing than ever to meet me halfway. I ended up relearning how to learn. As it turned out, I was a better blind student than a sighted student. I made the Dean’s List for the first time, earned straight-As in my business courses, went on to attend Harvard Business School, and work for a top consulting firm.

I also ended up creating job opportunities for millions of blind people by writing software that tech giants thought impossible. Furthermore, I directed the financial strategy decisions that generated countless jobs, billions of dollars in revenue, industry-leading growth, and best-in-class margins amid tightening market conditions. I did all of this without being able to see my computer screen, and I was able to do it principally because I was able to transform my self-image.

So I stopped living the life and image of a victim. I realized that the victim mentality wasn’t getting me anywhere in life. It was creating bitterness and toxicity that consumed me and only lent itself to a downward spiral.

Focusing on Future Goals and Positive Outcomes

Several years into my upward trajectory, I started reflecting in hopes I could pinpoint what had allowed me to come out the other side of this experience intact. The thing that got me over the hump—the reason I was able to thrive in the face of such extraordinary adversity—was that I chose to paint a new self-image that did not ignore my circumstances. I envisioned how I could make the blind look good. Once we can visualize greatness within our conditions, we’ve created a framework for thinking that will drive us towards our goals.

Becoming the best you takes time, energy, and commitment. Visualizing excellence like this does not guarantee success, nor does it discount the graveness of the situation. But, it does allow us to think clearly and honestly about those elements of life that are within our sphere of influence and those that are not. For example, I knew that blindness was outside of my sphere of influence, so I chose to accept it, embrace it, and figure out how I could make it look good. Why spend mental and emotional cycles churning about the things we cannot control?

Every decision tied to that launch point was aligned with my future self. I stopped seeing myself as a victim (past self) and started seeing myself as a successful businessman who would fly in the face of the stigma facing the disabled community (future self). I would succeed despite the odds stacked against me. Finally, I would become an example of what can be done with the proper perspective, focus, determination, and effort.

Later, my image evolved even further. Following the graduation talk I gave at Harvard Business School for our Program for Leadership Development (PLD) class, I realized that I could help others with my story. People had always told me that I was inspiring, but this happened when I was not even trying. For the first time in my life, I saw how powerfully helpful my story could be if I were intentional about using it.

The Challenge is to Become the Best You

Since then, I’ve started giving keynote presentations all over the world and inspiring corporate leaders, sales teams, and folks from all walks of life to live happier and more successful lives. Helping others become the best versions of themselves is now a large part of my self-identity and mission in life. I now believe that the very reason I was able to step through my experiences and emerge stronger, happier, and more successful, is because I’m supposed to use my “gift” of going blind to help others.

I’m a better person because of—not in spite of—being blind. I would be less successful if I could see. Indeed, I wouldn’t choose happiness in the way I do today. I want you to be the best you can be.

Now I see myself as someone who can and must help. I have been given the situation and ability to thrive in it because I can do so much good with it. Because of that, I’m partnering with a major publisher to bring my memoir to the world in early 2021.

Which life are you living? Are you carefully and intentionally choosing the version of you that you’ll become? Choose carefully, choose wisely. The choice is yours. Become your best you.

By Chad E. Foster

ER Physicians Explain 6 Times You Must Go to the Emergency Room

May 16, 2020 by Power of Positivity

Sometimes, trying to decide whether or not to go to an emergency room can be a tough decision. Injuries and illnesses can be problematic, and, understandably, you don’t want to overreact when emotions are running high. This thought process can be especially true if you’re uninsured, worried about childcare while you’re in the ER, or have to leave work.

So, what symptoms warrant a visit to the emergency room? Some people may think that fever is one.

Dr. Troy E. Madsen, M.D., one of the ER physicians at the Health University of Utah, doesn’t think that fever alone warrants a visit. “I won’t rush to get into the hospital based on a fever alone,” he said. “Look at the whole picture, look at all the symptoms, and how the person is acting. If they’re acting fine, and they’re eating well, and drinking well, and they’re alert, and they’re not confused, and they’ve got a temperature of 102, they’re probably okay.”

Other ER doctors like Shawn Evans, MD, at Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla, think that you should be a little less discerning. “Trust your gut,” says Dr. Evans. “If your personal instinct or your motherly intuition tells you it’s serious, don’t hesitate — go to the nearest emergency room.”

6 Times You Must Visit the Emergency Room

While many injuries and illnesses can make you question the necessity of an ER visit, there are some symptoms that you don’t have to think about. Here are six times that ER physicians agree you should go to the emergency room immediately.

1. Uncontrollable Bleeding

Uncontrolled bleeding can be a life-threatening situation. When you lose as little as 20 percent of your blood, hemorrhagic shock can occur. It can cause symptoms such as (but are not limited to):

decreased heart rate
rapid breathing
nausea
light-headed or dizziness
sweaty, clammy skin

At a 40 percent blood loss, your body can no longer compensate for blood loss. You could pass out and slip into a coma. At 50 percent, your organs can stop functioning, including your heart.

To put this in perspective, the average human body has about 1.2 to 1.5 gallons of blood. Think about how long it would take you to pour out a gallon of milk. It doesn’t take very long to bleed out half of that.

2. Unexplained Chest Pain

Unexplained chest pains can be very dangerous, and they can go south quickly. It could be a sign of a stroke or a heart attack. You could die in minutes after having symptoms, so time is of the essence when you’re having chest pains. This timing is why most ERs take people in immediately when they have chest pains.

If you have a history of heartburn, you’ll probably know the difference between that condition and some other types of chest pain, especially if you’ve eaten something you should not have eaten. Other than that, you need to go to the ER if you have chest pains.

Although you should take all chest pains seriously, here are some other symptoms that can help you identify a possible heart attack:

Nausea
Cold sweat
Shortness of breath
Anxiety
Indigestion
Vomiting
Tightness in the arms or neck

The symptoms of a stroke include:

Sudden weakness in the face muscles or limbs, especially on the left side of the body
Confusion
Slurred speech
Vision problems
Severe headache
Loss of balance/coordination

3. Anaphylaxis

Anaphylaxis is an extreme allergic reaction to something. It is always an emergency. Like chest pains, it can escalate very quickly, so every minute counts. In fact, death from anaphylaxis can occur so rapidly that you may not have time to make it to an emergency room.

Anaphylaxis triggers by your body’s sudden reaction to an allergen. Upon sensing the allergen, your body releases chemicals that can close the airways. This swelling can result in death by asphyxiation.

People with severe allergies often keep an epinephrine autoinjector, better known as an EpiPen, handy. EpiPens inject epinephrine into people experiencing a severe allergic reaction to open up their airways. However, they would still need a trip to the hospital afterward.

In most cases, anaphylaxis occurs within seconds or minutes of exposure to an allergen. A small percentage of people may not experience anaphylaxis for a half-hour to an hour. In these cases, they would have other symptoms that, when recognized, can indicate that anaphylaxis is going to occur. These symptoms include:

Hives or a rash that itches
Flush, pale skin
Wheezing
Swollen tongue
Trouble breathing
Fast, weak pulse
Nausea or vomiting
Dizziness, loss of balance, or fainting

If you suspect that you are having a severe allergic reaction, get help immediately.

Here are eight signs you are allergic to wheat products.

4. Suspicion of a Broken Bone

When you injure yourself, it may be unclear if you have broken a bone or bruised yourself. This is because minor fractures may not hurt very much, and some bruises could be the most painful thing you have ever experienced. However, these are exceptions to the rule. If you break or fracture a bone, it is going to hurt, especially when you try to put weight on the affected area.

Depending on how severe the break is, there could be other signs. You could see swelling in the affected area, see a deformity, or in extreme cases, see the bone poking out of your skin. The shock could also make you feel faint.

A broken bone is nothing to play with. It must be treated immediately so as not to have permanent damage or a permanent deformity. Even if you think you have only bruised yourself, if the pain is severe or the accident that leads to the injury is severe, you should go to the ER to be on the safe side.

5. Car Accident

Car accidents are scary. If you have had a minor fender-bender, you may be able to skip going to the ER. However, if it’s more than that, it’s wise to go to the ER because you may not realize that you are injured right away. It’s not uncommon for pain from an accident to set in 24 – 48 hours after the accident.

With some accidents, you will be required to go to the ER. Rollover accidents are an example. Once emergency crews pull you out of the vehicle, they won’t even let you stand up. They put you directly on a stretcher and into an ambulance.

The critical thing to keep in mind about car accidents is that injuries can be tricky. People are often so full of adrenaline after a car accident that it can take hours before they realize how bad their injuries are. This is especially true if the person is concerned about a loved one who is more severely injured. When it come to truck accidents, the best bet is to play it safe and get checked out at the ER. A truck accident lawyer fresno can also help you get appropriate compensation for the injury.

6. Poisonings

There are so many different ways that you can be poisoned. Some may be by accident, and some may be bad luck. There are also those poisonings that are deliberate, such as from a malicious person who poisons someone or a person who is attempting suicide. No matter how a poisoning happens, it’s an immediate emergency, and the person should be taken to the ER as soon as possible.

There are so many ways a person could be poisoned that it may be challenging to determine the exact method or type of poison. The two most common types of poisonings are ethanol intoxication (alcohol poisoning) and drug overdoses. Others that are frequently seen are:

Snake bites
Food poisoning
Contact with poison ivy
Ingestion of inedible chemicals

The symptoms of being poisoned can widely vary depending on what the poison is. However, a few general symptoms could be choking, serious abdominal pain, rapid or slowed heart rate, passing out, foul-smelling breath, confusion, and visible skin problems like a rash or burns.

Final Thoughts on Emergency Room Visits

Fortunately, most injuries and illnesses can be resolved at home. However, there are times where it is not exactly clear when you should visit an ER. The six scenarios listed above are sure indicators that you should see an ER with no questions asked. However, if something happens outside of these six incidents, some of the best advice you can follow is to trust your instinct. If it looks dangerous, go to the emergency room. After all, it is better to be safe than sorry.

Top 10 Hummus Recipes You Don’t Want To Miss

May 15, 2020 by Power of Positivity

Most people have a concept of what hummus is—that beige spread that is served with pita wedges and feta cheese, a staple at upscale parties, and a delicious way to pack in your extra protein with vitamin-rich chickpeas. The basis of this nutrient-dense dip is remarkably similar among fans; most recipes contain chickpeas, lemon juice, garlic, sesame paste, and herbal nuances that are as unique and varied as the chefs who craft it.

How much do you know about this delicious paste? Has it delighted your palette and warmed your heart lately with its gooey goodness? Here are some little known facts about it, as well as some mouth-watering recipes that you can put in your arsenal for maximum flavor and a punch of protein power. Read on for inspiration:

4 Little known facts about this delicious “dip.”

Enjoy trying these healthy chickpea-based snack recipes.

1. Hummus is made all over the world

Greece and Turkey do not have a monopoly on this golden gooey goodness. Mention of the spread dates way back to 13th century Egypt, where it was fed to Pharaohs and their royal courts as a show of decadence.

2. Recipes vary only slightly.

The only major difference in most hummuses is the amount of cumin and tahini they contain; variations containing sesame paste, butter in place of olive oil, Greek yogurt, and pepper are what give some blends their signature flavor.

3. People get feisty and fight over flavor combinations.

It is not uncommon to see professional food critics in Israel battling back and forth over which is the best hummus–we all have our favorites, right? It has actually come to physical fights in some cases where the battle of the chickpea supersedes logical thought and rational action.

4. It’s not just for pita!

It is possible to incorporate this delicious concoction into many of your favorite recipes, making them richer and more flavorful than before. Try it smeared onto your favorite sandwich, as a topping for fish, or stirred into other sauces for added taste.

10 Hummus Dishes You Don’t Want to Miss!

Take your hummus from the carton and take it to the next level. Try out these recipes and see what wonderful options are in store for you when you try these hummus-inspired dishes.

1.Mediterranean nachos

What started as an accident turned into a delicious and flavorful appetizer that you can have anytime, anywhere. Try it with friends, or indulge in a plate of these healthy nachos all by yourself, virtually guilt-free! The flavor combinations are endless!

Ingredients:

1/2 pound ground lamb or beef
1 Tbsp pine nuts
1/4 tsp salt
1/8 tsp pepper
6 Tbsp plain yogurt, divided
One pkg baked pita chips
1 cup prepared tabbouleh
1/2 cup hummus
One large tomato, chopped
1/4 cup sliced olives
1 Tbsp fresh mint
chopped red onion

Directions:

Cook meat over high heat in skillet; drain. Stir in pine nuts, salt, and pepper. Stir in 2 Tbsp yogurt. Arrange pita chips on a serving platter. Layer with all other ingredients; top with onion and feta cheese. Serve immediately.

A healthy snack or a light lunch? Your choice!

2. Grilled corn and chickpea tostadas

Have a craving for a little Mexican food? Try these beauties; they are healthy, tasty, and delicious!

Ingredients:

Four medium ears of sweet corn, husks removed
One small onion, sliced
2 Tbsp olive oil, divided
Eight corn tortillas
One container hummus
1/4 tsp chipotle pepper
1 cup halved cherry tomatoes
1/2 tsp salt
One medium avocado, peeled and sliced
half of a cup crumbled feta cheese
jalapeno slices
lime wedges
hot sauce (optional)

Directions:

Brush corn and onion with 1 Tbsp olive oil. Grill or bake until tender, about 10 minutes. Cool slightly. Brush tortillas with remaining oil. Grill for 3 minutes per side or till crisp. Cut the corn from cobs; process chickpea paste, chipotle pepper, and about 2 cups corn in a food processor till almost smooth. Coarsely chop the grilled onion and toss with remaining corn, tomato, and salt. Spread processed mixture over tortillas, top with corn mixture, cheese, avocado, and jalapeño. Top with remaining garnishes as desired.

3. Speedy pizza

What starts as an appetizer for many turns into a substantial and delicious meal. Throwing on fresh toppings and plenty of fresh mozzarella and feta gives this pizza the comfort factor that we crave.

Ingredients:

One pre-baked, 12-inch crust
1 cup prepared hummus
3/4 tsp dried oregano
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
half-cup oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
1/2 cup chopped Greek olives
1 Tbsp olive oil

Directions:

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Place crust on a baking pan. In a small bowl, mix chickpea paste with oregano and red pepper flakes; spread over crust. Sprinkle with cheese, tomato, and olive. Drizzle with olive oil and add cracked pepper for extra flavor.

4. Layered Greek dip

The vibrant combination of flavors and colors will have you drooling from the moment you feast your eyes on it. Serve with your favorite veggies or toasted pita slices for a delicious and satisfying snack.

Ingredients:

16 ounces of hummus
1/4 cup finely chopped red onion
1/2 cup chopped Greek olives
Two medium tomatoes, seeded and chopped
One large English cucumber, chopped
1 cup crumbled feta cheese
pita chips or veggies for serving

Directions:

Spread blended chickpeas into the bottom of a shallow serving dish. Layer with the rest of the chopped and prepared ingredients. Serve with your favorite veggies and pita chips for a delicious dish.

5. Greek wrap

This light yet filling wrap can be enjoyed at home or on-the-go. Tuck it into your kids’ lunches to surprise them with a healthy option that is flavorful and fresh.

Ingredients:

2 Tbsp hummus
One whole-wheat tortilla
1/4 cup torn salad greens
2 Tbsp finely chopped sweet onion
2 Tbsp thinly sliced cucumber
3 Tbsp alfalfa sprouts
2 Tbsp shredded carrot
1 Tbsp balsamic vinaigrette

Directions:

Spread chickpea mixture over tortilla. Layer it with salad greens, onions, cucumber, sprouts, and carrot. Drizzle with vinaigrette and roll up tightly.

6. Chicken and spinach pasta salad

There’s nothing like a pasta salad to provide substance and flavor to any meal. Instead of oil or mayonnaise in this recipe, the addition of blended chickpeas makes everything brighter and more flavorful.

Ingredients:

8 oz uncooked whole wheat rotini
1/2 cup of hummus
3 Tbsp Italian salad dressing
1/4 tsp salt
1/8 tsp pepper
4 cups fresh baby spinach
1 cup cubed cooked chicken breast
2 cup halved cherry tomatoes
One can of sliced ripe olives, drained
crumbled feta cheese

Directions:

Cook pasta according to package directions, drain and rinse with cold water. Combine chickpea paste, Italian dressing, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Add pasta and toss to coat. Stir in chicken, tomatoes, spinach, olives, and feta; serve immediately.

7. Mediterranean bulgur bowl

Bulgur is such a tasty and nutritious addition to any meal; dress it up with some Mediterranean flavors and some creamy goodness for a filling and flavorful meal.

Ingredients:

1 cup bulgur
1/2 tsp ground cumin
1/4 tsp salt
2 cups of water
One can of chickpeas, rinsed and drained
6 oz fresh baby spinach
2 cups halved cherry tomatoes
One small red onion, thinly sliced
1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
1/4 cup hummus
2 Tbsp lemon juice
fresh mint for garnish

Directions:

In a 6 quart stockpot, bring the first four ingredients to a boil; reduce heat and simmer 10-12 minutes. Stir in chickpeas and heat through. Remove from heat and stir in spinach. Let stand till spinach is wilted, about 5 minutes, then stir in remaining ingredients and serve immediately.

Bulk up your hummus with whole grain for a heart-healthy dinner.

8. Grilled turkey sandwich

Who needs mayo or butter when you have a creamy layer of chickpea and tahini delight? Dress up this delicious sandwich with an extra kick of flavor, and enjoy anytime.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup chickpea spread
Four slices of whole-wheat bread
4 oz thinly sliced deli turkey
Four slices tomato
Two slices pepper jack cheese
4 tsp butter, softened

Directions:

Spread bread and top with turkey, tomato, cheese, and remaining bread. Coat outer sides of bread with butter. In a large skillet, toast sandwiches on each side until golden brown and crispy and the cheese has melted. Serve with your favorite salad or soup.

9. Cheesy summer squash flatbreads

Who doesn’t love any kind of pizza? This new twist on an old classic will have you begging for more!

Ingredients:

Three small yellow summer squash, sliced thinly
1 Tbsp olive oil
1/2 tsp salt
2 cups baby spinach, coarsely chopped
Two naan flatbreads
1/3 cup roasted red pepper chickpea spread
One carton fresh mozzarella cheese pearls
freshly cracked pepper

Directions:

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Toss squash with oil and salt; spread in a shallow baking dish and roast for 10 minutes. Remove from oven and stir in spinach. Place naan on a separate baking sheet and spread with chickpea blend. Top with spinach mixture and cheese; place in the oven once more and bake until cheese is melted about 6-8 minutes. Top with freshly cracked pepper.

10. 7 layered Mediterranean dip

We just had to add another dip; its vibrant flavors and bright colors draw the eye and inspire you to start drooling from the moment that you behold the dish. Scoop it up with pita, veggies, or with a giant spoon—the end result is delicious!

Ingredients:

16 ounces of hummus
1 cup reduced-fat sour cream
One jar roasted red peppers, drained and chopped
1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
1/4 cup chopped red onion
12 Greek olives, pitted and chopped
2 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley
Dipping pieces of your choice

Directions:

Spread chickpeas in the bottom of a nine-inch pie plate. Top with sour cream, red peppers, cheese, onion, and olives. Sprinkle with parsley, and dig in!

Final Thoughts on Enjoying These Variations on Classic Hummus

There you have it—spread a little love on your plate with this delicious super spread, and your tastebuds will be thrilled. Bon Appetit!

20 Quotes About Why Everyone Should Take Time to Relax

May 15, 2020 by Power of Positivity

When life gets busy, it can be challenging to find time to relax. It’s during those times that relaxation is most important, however.

You can think more clearly, work more effectively, socialize better, and just experience better overall well-being if you relax. It’ll also give you more energy to be more productive and happier.

These quotes about why you must take time to relax will help you understand why it is so important. Plus, they may give you the motivation you need to take the necessary time you need.

20 Quotes About Why You Must Take Time to Relax

1. “Together with a culture of work, there must be a culture of leisure as gratification. To put it another way: people who work must take the time to relax, to be with their families, to enjoy themselves, read, listen to music, play a sport.” – Pope Francis

While you must spend time working in some way, you also must spend time relaxing. You can do this by spending time with your loved ones or doing something leisurely that you enjoy.

2. “Relaxation is the prerequisite for that inner expansion that allows a person to express the source of inspiration and joy within.” – Deepak Chopra

As Chopra explains, without relaxation, you won’t be able to show the happiness that you feel inside. You may not be able to realize the joy that you have inside if you don’t take this time.

3. “Learn to relax. Your body is precious, as it houses your mind and spirit. Inner peace begins with a relaxed body.” – Norman Vincent Peale

Take care of your mind and spirit by spending time relaxing. This habit is how you will find inner peace and happiness.

4. “Sometimes we just need to put down our phones, close our eyes, and take a few deep breaths. Ideas are often in flight patterns around our brains, just waiting for clearance to land.” – Sam Harrison

Relaxing doesn’t mean you should stare at your phone or scroll through social media. Pure relaxation is when you put down all of the distractions and just sit peacefully at the moment. Take some deep breaths and let your mind decide what to think about.

5. “We will be more successful in all our endeavors if we can let go of the habit of running all the time, and take little pauses to relax and re-center ourselves. And we’ll also have a lot more joy in living.” – Thich Nhat Hanh

By taking time to enjoy life, you’ll be making your life easier and more successful. When you allow your mind and body to rest, you’ll become rejuvenated.

6. “Your mind will answer most questions if you learn to relax and wait for the answer.” – William S. Burroughs

There are times when you’re racking your brain for a solution to a problem or an answer to a question. The answer just won’t come, and your thought process isn’t getting you anywhere.

It’s times like this when taking a break is most important. By resting and allowing your mind to wander, you’ll likely find the answer you were looking for.

7. “Relax and refuse to let worry and stress rule your life. There is always a solution to every problem. Things will work out for you when you take time to relax, refresh, restore and recharge your soul.” – Lailah Gifty Akita

Every issue can be resolved, so try to relax and let things play out. When you let the stress overwhelm you, the solutions will seem farther out of reach.

8. “As important as it is to have a plan for doing work, it is perhaps more important to have a plan for rest, relaxation, self-care, and sleep.” – Akiroq Brost

Planning is essential in all aspects of life. Relaxation time is one important thing to plan for. You have to take care of yourself if you want to be at your best.

9. “The only time I waste is time I spend doing something that, in my gut, I know I shouldn’t. If I choose to spend time playing video games or sleeping in, then it’s time well spent, because I chose to do it. I did it for a reason – to relax, to decompress, or to feel good, and that was what I wanted to do.” – Simon Sinek

In this quote, Sinek explains that doing things that you enjoy isn’t wasting time. You have to take time for yourself to rest your mind and let go.

10. “Your calm mind is the ultimate weapon against your challenges. So, relax.” – Bryant McGill

You’ll think more clearly and efficiently if you aren’t stressed out and thinking frantically. By keeping calm, you’ll be able to take every challenge head-on.

11. “If a man insisted always on being serious, and never allowed himself a bit of fun and relaxation, he would go mad or become unstable without knowing it.” – Herodotus

While being serious is appropriate at times, it isn’t always recommended. You have to have some fun and do things that you enjoy.

12. “The breaks you take from work pay you back manifold when you return because you come back with a fresher mind and newer thinking. Some of your best ideas come when you’re on vacation.” – Gautam Singhania

When you take a break and come back, thinking more clearly, you’ll be able to get more work done. Likewise, you might be thinking in a completely different way. This mindset can lead to new ideas and more productive work.

13. “Stop a minute, right where you are. Relax your shoulders, shake your head and spine like a dog shaking off cold water. Tell that imperious voice in your head to be still.” – Barbara Kingsolver

Even when you feel like you don’t have time to take a break, just take five minutes to relax. When you know the tension is building up and you aren’t thinking clearly, just stop.

Relax, stretch your body out, and let out some of the tension. Take some deep breaths and let your stressful thoughts. After the five minutes is up, return to work and see if that helped at all.

14. “The more relaxed you are, the better you are at everything: the better you are with your loved ones, the better you are with your enemies, the better you are at your job, the better you are with yourself.” – Bill Murray

When you’re calm, all things in life seem to go better. Your relationships will flourish, tension with enemies may ease, work will improve, and you’ll take better care of yourself.

15. “It’s a good idea always to do something relaxing prior to making an important decision in your life.” – Paulo Coelho

As was stated before and discussed in other quotes, you think more clearly when you are relaxed and calm. With this being the case, you should always relax for a bit before committing to an important decision. Even if you feel you already know what you’ll choose, relaxing will help confirm the right choice for you.

16. “Every now and then go away, have a little relaxation, for when you come back to your work your judgment will be surer.” – Leonardo da Vinci

If you want to work effectively, you have to clear your mind. Even relaxing for a short time can help you focus when you get back to work.

17. “The mind should be allowed some relaxation, that it may return to its work all the better for the rest.” – Seneca

There is a trend in these quotes that prove relaxation leads to more efficient work. If you have a large amount of work on your plate, set aside relaxation time.

18. “The happiness we seek cannot be found through grasping, trying to hold on to things. It cannot be found through getting serious and uptight about wanting things to go in the direction we think will bring happiness. We are always taking hold of the wrong end of the stick. The point is that the happiness we seek is already here, and it will be found through relaxation and letting go rather than through struggle.” -Pema Chodron

You can’t control how everything in your life will go. Sometimes things go differently than you had planned, and that is okay. Let go and allow your mind to relax, knowing that things will work out.

19. “No matter how much pressure you feel at work, if you could find ways to relax for at least five minutes every hour, you’d be more productive.” – Dr. Joyce Brothers

Productivity is vital at work. You can work long hours when you’re stressed and get less done than when you work fewer hours with a calm mind.

20. “During periods of relaxation after concentrated intellectual activity, the intuitive mind seems to take over and can produce the sudden clarifying insights which give so much joy and delight.” – Fritjof Capra

You could spend hours thinking about something, only to find the answers when you least expect it. When your mind is allowed to relax, everything becomes more evident.

Final Thoughts on Quotes About Why You Must Take Time to Relax

When you feel like there is no time to relax, you have to find the time. You can do this by spending only five minutes every hour, focusing on your breathing or sitting quietly.

Everyone needs some relaxation time each day. These quotes about why you must take time to relax will help you give yourself the time that you need.

9 Predictions Futurists Believe Will Happen In The Next Decade

May 15, 2020 by Power of Positivity

For better or for worse, it is human nature to wonder about the future regularly. This mild human obsession – combined with constant technological evolution – has led to the development of an academic field called futurism.

The term futurism was coined by the early 20^th-century Italian artist Filippo Thomaso Marinetti. In his 1909 manifesto, Marinetti used the word to “reflect his goal of discarding the art of the past and celebrating change, originality, and innovation in culture and society.”

Today, the work of futurism – or futurology – is more of a technological, rather than artistic, nature. Futurists are individuals who specialize in the systematic exploration of predictions and possibilities about future events. Most commonly, the work of futurists is directed more toward the human experience (e.g., economics, quality of life, and health) as well as scientific and technological endeavors.

So, this article is going to be fun! We’re going to talk about nine predictions that futurists think will happen in the next decade.

9 Predictions About the Future

1 – The First Machine Learning Revolution

Did you know that 90% of all the data available online was created in just the last two years? To of use to individuals and organizations, data must be issued an algorithm – a set of instructions.

For this massive amount of data to be made useful, it is necessary to build machine learning models. Here’s an example of such a model. When you type a word into your phone and options, appear on what word to select. Such a predictive tool is possible because of both algorithms and models.

There’s just one issue: privacy. Current privacy laws prohibit corporations from gathering and acting on private messages (so they say). Thus companies rely much on Federated learning to gather and act on the data received. You can think of federated learning as a sort of massive storage unit of machine learning models capable of churning out valuable information to the end-user.

How can federated learning help? Well, besides making your life more convenient, it may just save it. Patient medical data is extremely sensitive – and sometimes slow to reach the people it needs to reach (like doctors and surgeons, for example). Federated learning can help to bypass the burdensome regulations to help deliver more expedient medical care.

2 – Mass Production of Self-driving Cars

While self-driving cars are available today, their purchase is limited mostly to the wealthy (like that Musk dude from Tesla). But, just like the personal computer revolution before it, supply will skyrocket – and the costs will drop.

We already see this prediction manifested in China, where the company Baidu already faces the challenging task of building a fleet of self-driving cars in Beijing and Shanghai. China already claims about 60 percent of the world’s electric car production, so it’d be no surprise to see the same thing happen in the autonomous vehicle market.

Some futurists predict that we’ll start seeing the initial phases in the development of entirely driverless cities sometime in 2021.

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3 – A Future Explosion of eSports

Want to take any guess as to the amount of money the winner of Wimbledon – the world’s most prestigious tennis tournament – takes home? How about the winner of a video game tournament?

Who do you think earned more?

This seems like a no-brainer. I mean, we all know how much money professional athletes make (Case in point: Rafael Nadal, the top money earner in professional tennis, took home north of $16 million in 2019.)

Unless said video game tournament happens to feature Fortnite, arguably the most popular online video game in history. You see, the total purse for the esports competition was $30 million – with the winner taking home a cool $3 mil.

That’s a lot of money. And, as we all know, where people are spending their money, clever minds are already planning to make more of it. These probably include plans to expand further the esports market, which may soon become a multi-billion-dollar industry.

Here’s the kicker: some futurists even think that esports will eclipse traditional sports in popularity.

As for the question posed above? They both took home the same amount – $3 million.

4 – The Rise of Nationalism

The exponential growth of globalization is most evident in the marketplace. Our products are bound to come from just about anywhere and everywhere. The reason for this is free trade, which is only possible through the intimate, time-consuming deliberations of two or more national leaders.

While globalization has most assuredly benefited businesses and consumer choice, it has probably led to prolonged stagnation in wages. The middle class of the United States, while making up over half of the population, accounts for just around a quarter of the nation’s income. After adjusting for inflation, middle-class incomes have fallen since 2000.

If such economic inequality is allowed to continue, as futurists believe will happen, we will feel real consequences. This means a greater proportion of nationalistic citizens – and the election of more nationalistic, protectionist officials.

5 – The Collapse of the Global Economy

Let us hope that this one doesn’t come to fruition. If this COVID pandemic has taught us anything, it’s that the economy is indeed fragile.

Within weeks, nearly a quarter of the nation’s workforce filed for unemployment. The government injected over $2.5 trillion into the economic engine – and it may not be enough. Most economists predict that we’re headed for a deep recession. If not due to COVID, then some other unforeseen catalyst.

The reason why this is a bad thing is twofold. First, nearly all global economic activity is based on the dollar and its value (or lack thereof). So, when the dollar drops, the market shakes up. Second, the health of the United States economy is widely seen as a microcosm of global economic wellbeing.

Without proper preparation, it’s inevitable that some major shakeup of the world economic order occurs. Let us just hope it happens some other time!

6 – Global Political Upheaval

Have you ever heard of the Flynn Effect? In short, the Flynn Effect theorizes that subsequent generations develop higher intelligence than their ancestors. We see evidence of this in IQ test scores, which tend to increase over time.

According to some futurists, we’re about to see more evidence of the Flynn effect: a massive disengagement of ordinary people from the political atmosphere. Again, according to these same folks, it’s only a matter of time until most people wake up and realize that too much involvement in politics is not only ultimately disappointing, but futile.

Recently, the academic journal Constitutional Political Economy published a paper titled “Busy doing nothing: why politicians implement inefficient policies.” The author, Anders Gustafsson, posits that many politicians attempt to appear competent to the electorate through taking ineffective action. As long as you’re doing something – no matter how futile – the public will deem you competent.

Well, some futurists say that the proverbial hall of mirrors is about to come crashing down in a big way.

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7 – A Manned Mission to Mars in the Not Too Distant Future

Speaking of Elon Musk. We’ll probably hear of his company Space X’s mission Mars in the next few years. We already know that SpaceX is developing and testing spacecraft capable of withstanding the rough 174-million-kilometer trek to the Red Planet.

2024 will probably be the year, as this will be when the orbits of Earth and Mars best align for a more tranquil interplanetary voyage. Also, a private company will likely oversee this endeavor, not NASA.

8 – Instant Fixes For Mental Health Disorders

In 2013, the United States government announced the BRAIN Initiative. This ambitious program seeks to map out all activity within the human brain.

Similar to how the Genome Project led to (at the time) cutting-edge treatments such as gene therapy, the resultant BRAIN Initiative research may just provide similar breakthroughs. Futurist scientists believe that the outcomes of the BRAIN Initiative will lead to the revolutionary diagnosis and treatment for mental health disorders.

What would this look like? Well, it’s mostly speculation at this point. However, an instant scan and diagnosis for mental health disorders like PTSD and depression are not out of the question.

9 – Resurrection of Extinct Species in the Future

Okay, so who just thought of the movie Jurassic Park? *Raises hand*

Before we get all excited (or terrified) about the resurrection of the T-Rex and Velociraptor, let’s gain some perspective. For a long time, scientists have been pondering the possibility of bringing back extinct creatures. It was only recently, however, that the development of technologies in the fields of cloning and genetic engineering have made it seem like a possibility.

In this decade, we’ll probably see the resurrection of recently extinct animals like the dodo bird. In the more distant future, we could very well see the rebirth of prehistoric creatures.

I still don’t buy into the idea of opening up a real Jurassic Park, however.

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