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10 Ways to Make Fingernails Healthier and Stronger at Home

May 14, 2020 by Power of Positivity

Properly caring for your fingernails is a simple thing you can do to improve your appearance. You don’t have to go to a nail shop to maintain healthy nails. Proper nail care at home can enhance the look of your nails and support cuticle health, too.

Nails are made of keratin, which is a fibrous protein. You can improve nail and hand health by eating healthier and keeping nails neat and clean.

This article will focus on practical things you can do at home to optimize cuticle health. You will also learn some tips for obtaining healthier hands.

Ten Ways for Healthier, Stronger Fingernails (from the comfort of home)

You can skip the time and money you spend at the salon by caring for your nails at home. Here are some tips.

1. Trim Nails Neatly for Healthy Hands

Neatly trimmed nails are attractive. They also show others that you care enough about your appearance to stay well-groomed.

However, according to the Centers for Disease Control, it’s essential to keep nails trimmed for health reasons, too. Your fingernails can house germs, dirt, and bacteria.

If you wear your nails too long, you run the risk of spreading diseases from your nails to your mouth whenever you eat or touch your face or mouth. Long nails can also spread germs from one person to another.

2. Avoid Synthetic Nails

Gel manicures make nails look shiny and pretty. If you are choosing between acrylics or gel, gel manicure is long-lasting and doesn’t require much maintenance.

However, according to the American Academy of Dermatologists, gel nails can cause long-term damage to your nails. Constant use of gel nails could raise your risk of skin cancer and cause your hands to age prematurely.

Other side effects of gel nails are as follows:

Nails become brittle
Nails may split or crack.
Peeling nails

Also, allow periods of rest for your nails in between gel manicures. You should also perform essential maintenance on your nails, especially when you’re getting gel manicures.

Here are a few tips if you still choose to wear gel nails from the salon:

Request that your manicurist sterilizes all equipment.
Do not allow your manicurist to cut or push your cuticles back aggressively. Light pushing of the tissue is okay, but if you feel pain or discomfort, ask your nail tech to stop. Damaged or cut cuticles makes you susceptible to infection.
Apply sunscreen to your hands before your manicure. SPF 30 or higher helps prevent premature aging, and it reduces the risk of skin cancer.
Do not peel off your gel polish. Instead, ask your nail technician to have the polish professionally removed.
While removing gel nail polish, soak just your fingertips in the acetone. Placing your whole hand or entire fingers in acetone can irritate the skin.
You could use cotton balls dipped in acetone to remove the polish. Press the cotton to the nail only, and then wrap each fingertip in aluminum foil. This wrap ensures that only the nailbed soaks in acetone. Wait about fifteen minutes, then peel off the foil.

What doe your fingernails reveal about your personality?

3. Take a Break from Nail Polish

The right nail color can brighten up any outfit or fit perfectly with a particular season of the year. However, wearing nail polish all of the time can weaken your nails and jeopardize your healthy hands.

When changing your nail color, you should choose an acetone-free polish remover. You should also go through periods of several weeks in which you don’t use nail polish. This break gives your nails time to heal and strengthen.

4. Don’t Abuse Your Nails

Some people make a habit of doing difficult tasks with their nails. They may use their fingernails to pry open bottles. Some people also use their fingernails to scrape food off of plates when washing dishes.

Doing these tasks with your nails can cause them to become weak and brittle. When nails are weak, they split and sometimes crack. Rather than using your nails to pry into something, either use your hands or use a tool designed for the task.

5. Don’t Neglect Your Cuticle Health

The tissue of your cuticles can become dry and flaky, just like the skin on other areas of your body. Dry skin is especially common in cold climates. Still, regardless of where you live, you should be mindful of your cuticles. Do the following:

Rub a regular skin moisturizer on your cuticles daily
Do not cut your cuticles off. Doing so can damage your nails or allow harmful bacteria to infect nails.
Use an acetone-free nail polish remover on your fingernails.

You should also wear gloves when doing household chores. For instance, exposing your nails and cuticles to water while washing dishes can dry out your hands. This habit makes your nails and cuticles more susceptible to breaking and flaking.

6. Eat a Diet Rich in Vitamins and Minerals

A diet rich in healthy fat, calcium, and protein can help support healthy nails. Lean proteins you to try include the following:

Turkey
Chicken
Salmon
Fish
Shrimp
Beans
Soy products
Plant-based proteins

To increase your calcium intake healthily, eat the following:

Greek yogurt
Milk
Cottage cheese

To get healthier fingernails, you could also try increasing your intake of healthy fats. Healthy sources of fat include almonds, canola oil, and olive oil.

7. Don’t Bite Your Nails

According to the American Academy of Dermatologists, there are several side effects of nail-biting. For instance, constant nail biting can damage nail tissue and cause nail soreness. Nail-biting also makes nails look unsightly and ragged.

When you put your fingers in your mouth, you can also transfer viruses and bacteria from your fingers into your mouth. This habit makes you more susceptible to illness.

8. Inspect Your Nails for Signs of Infection

Nail fungus is a common problem. It’s more common on toenails because fungus lives better in warm, dark places. However, some people get nail fungus on fingernails, too. To properly care for your nails, be aware of the signs of nail fungus:

Yellow or white spots underneath the nails.
Your nail(s) turn green, black, white, or yellow.
Nails become thicker, making them harder to cut or trim.
Nails curl upward or downward.
Nails crumble when you touch them.
Nails become brittle and break easily.

If you have nail fungus, over time, you may notice soreness in your nails. In severe cases, a person may wince when walking due to nail fungus pain. Some people are disgusted by the sight of fungus.

Here are some ways to protect yourself from germs when you go out.

There are several things you can do to reduce your risk of getting nail fungus. Consider the following guidelines:

Only have your nails done at state-certified nail shops. Always ask what the nail salon does to sterilize the equipment.
Change your socks daily, especially if you sweat a lot.
Do not cut or tear away cuticles. Doing so can let germs into your skin.
Do not share towels or nail equipment with anyone who has nail fungus. This practice may spread the infection.

If you do develop nail fungus, you can often treat it at home. Ask your pharmacist to recommend a fungal cream or lotion.

9. Keep Your Nails Clean

Whenever you wash your hands, you should also be sure to clean your nails. Scrub underneath the fingernails to remove dirt and grime. Dry your hands and nails carefully. Be aware that soaking your hands in water causes nails to become brittle.

10. Don’t Bite Your Nails

Nail-biting is considered a nasty habit for some people. It spreads germs to your mouth. Nail-biting also allows you to spread bacteria from your mouth to others when you touch them.

Aside from being an unpleasant habit, nail-biting comes across as a nervous habit. Some people will judge you as being anxious or dishonest based on fidgeting or biting the nails. Constant nail-biting may send the wrong message when you’re being watched closely, such as during a job interview.

Aside from making you appear nervous, nail-biting also makes your nails look ragged and ugly. You can damage your nail bed, too. Your fingertips might even become sore if you bite your nails too close to the skin.

While experts at the Mayo Clinic do not think nail biting can cause long-term nail damage, it can have short-term effects. For instance, it can damage the skin around the nail, which increases your risk of getting an infection. If your nails are hard and you bite heavily on them, you can also run the risk of damaging tooth enamel.

Final Thoughts on Maintaining Healthy Fingernails at Home

Healthy nails are considered attractive. If you want to make yours as beautiful as possible, keep them clean and neatly trimmed. Do not bite your nails. To prevent nails from chipping, do not use them to pry into items or scrape them across surfaces. Doing these basic maintenance tasks can help you maintain neat and healthy nails.

Inspiration: My five simple wishes for you . . .

May 14, 2020 by Kristen Butler

My five simple wishes for you . . .

1. I wish you happiness.

You’ve been through a lot this year. Even though life may not have gone as planned, I hope you are being gentle with yourself. May positive thoughts come in waves stronger than negative ones. Remember, happiness is already within you.

May you find moments where you give yourself permission to be happy, no matter what is happening. Right now, you deserve to show up for you. Choose to see the silver lining.

May happiness be with you.

2. I wish you peace of mind.

For many right now, the world feels crazy and uncertain. When we look around we see and hear of sadness, chaos, and misfortune.

It’s more challenging than ever to train our mind to relax and stop worrying. It’s more important than ever to find peace. Breath in peace, and exhale worry and stress.

May peace be with you.

3. I wish you unwavering faith.

With all the negative news out there, we can easily become cynical and worry. These are the times we need to cling to faith and trust in the process. Things will get better if we stay positive in thought and feel the blessings of our belief.

Allow the light to shine into the darkness and illuminate it so brightly we cannot miss the solution when it arrives. You can only choose one, faith or fear. Faith will take you anywhere.

May faith be with you.

4. I wish you abundance.

It’s okay to be more and want more. It’s your divine right. Allow yourself to be open and receptive to new opportunities. Become a magnet for prosperity.

Feel grateful for the good you already have in your life, and worthy of more. You deserve to live comfortable and receive all the good things that you desire. Abundance can flow into your life in new and exciting ways.

May abundance be with you.

5. I wish you Love.

No matter where your heart may be now, remember, you are worthy of all the love that you are seeking. Love is the greatest healer. You are love expressed in physical form.

Honor who you are by loving yourself unconditionally. Let love guide all of your relationships. Love is our greatest power. I hope it wells up within you, overflowing into the lives of others.

May love always be with you.

May these wishes give you all that you need… please pass this on.

20 Things That Reveal You Might Be Clairvoyant

May 14, 2020 by Power of Positivity

Have you always felt like a square peg in a world of round ones? How many times have you had a gut feeling about something, and it turned out to be true? The phone rings, and you often know who it is before you look at the caller ID. Do you chalk it up as a series of coincidences, or is there more to it? Maybe you have a special gift from the psychic realm. Have you ever considered that you could be clairvoyant?

Understanding Psychic Gifts

Clairvoyance is a French word that means to see clearly. People who claim to be clairvoyant have misty glimpses into the future, also called premonitions. They claim to see people, places, and events in the past and the ability to foretell the future.

Occult experts label psychic gifts in a bundle called Extra Sensory Perception, or ESP. According to them, some people have a heightened awareness that can affect one or more of their five senses. For this reason, ESP is often called the sixth sense.

In addition to clairvoyance, you may have clairaudience, which means you hear clearly into another realm. If you are psychically empathetic, you may tune into smells and tastes from the past, called clairscent and clairgustance. A heightened sense of touch is known as clairtangency.

A person can have one or all these clairsenses, but the most common is clairvoyance. Perhaps you have the gift of mediumship and can channel your energy into the spirit realm for answers about the future. If you do have a special gift, you are among millions of people who have claimed to have one in the past and present.

For the spiritually intuitive, feelings about others and situations go beyond what they seem. As you explain things, you may often use the words feel and see rather than think. It’s not that you aren’t intellectual. Instead, it means that your brain and spirit are in sync.

Am I Clairvoyant? (20 Questions That Reveal Your Gift)

If you want to probe further into your psychic abilities, there are simple ways to confirm them. Instead of hiding your special gift, perhaps it’s time to embrace it. Here are twenty things that reveal you could be clairvoyant.

1. Have You Always Felt Different?

Clairvoyant people usually say that they never fit into their family or community as a youth. Maybe it’s because they could see and hear things other people couldn’t. If you’ve always felt like an outsider and someone born out of your time, you might have the gift of clairvoyance.

2. Do You Have an Affinity for Animals and Nature?

Are you most comfortable when you are surrounded by your loving pets or in the great outdoors? Can you look into an animal’s eyes and feel a psychic bond? In many ancient and modern cultures, animals are deemed to have a unique connection to the spirit world.

3. Do You Have Vivid Dreams That Often Come True?

Perhaps family and friends have always called you a dreamer. If you have clairvoyance, you often have vivid dreams and can recall them with ease. Some of your dreams may be so lucid, and you may feel like you are awake.

While some dreams can be the result of creative imagination or overeating at night, others may be too realistic to disregard. Furthermore, many of your dreams often become a reality. It’s a hallmark of clairvoyance.

4. Do You Often Experience Déjà vu?

You visit a town that you’ve never been in, and the whole layout seems strangely familiar. Have you ever been introduced to a new person and felt you have always known her? The French call it déjà vu, a feeling that you’ve been somewhere or known someone in the past.

5. Have You Seen Spirits of The Departed?

If you are clairvoyant, you may have had your share of supernatural visitors. Some of these spirits may be dearly departed loved ones or people that you’ve never met. Often, these spirits convey messages to you from beyond the grave.

6. Do You Often Hear Disembodied Voices?

Clairvoyance is usually accompanied by clairaudience, and you may hear voices that other people can’t. If these voices are menacing and encouraging you to harm yourself or others, you may be battling mental illness and need medical attention. However, clairvoyants can see and hear people who have passed and usually have positive interactions.

7. Do You Have a Paranormal Pedigree?

Psychic gifts are usually passed from one generation to the next. As you talked to your parents, grandparents, and other loved ones over the years, did they ever share stories about their psychic abilities? You can claim your rightful heritage of clairvoyance.

8. Are There Energy Surges When You Walk into a Room?

Clairvoyance and other psychic gifts are energy forces, just like electricity. If you are psychically charged, it may affect appliances and lightbulbs when you enter a room. It’s a sure sign that you’re in tune with your clairvoyance and other psychic abilities.

9. Have You Always been a Daydreamer?

You’ve admitted that you are a lucid dreamer at night, but do you also have vivid daydreams? Some people call them visions or premonitions. Do you often see events playing like a movie even before they happen? You may be experiencing a second sight.

10. Have You Always Had an Affinity for the Paranormal?

You’ve heard of the law of attraction, that like calls to like. Maybe the reason you’ve always been drawn to the paranormal phenomenon and psychic abilities is that you are gifted. Your clairvoyant nature resonates with the supernatural world around you.

11. Did You Have Imaginary Friends as a Child?

Children often create imaginary friends as their creativity blossoms. Sometimes, their make-believe playmates are products of loneliness. However, the kids whom only you could see as a child may not have been imagination, but the spirits of departed children.

12. Do You Have a Unique Eye for Beauty?

If you have clairvoyance, your natural eyes are usually as keen as your spiritual ones. Supernaturally gifted people often excel in the arts and have an exceptional appreciation for all things beautiful. You may feel most comfortable when you are surrounded by the splendor that mirrors those in your mind.

13. Are You Drawn to Certain People?

As a spiritual empath, you have probably been attracted to certain people through the years without understanding why. In your psychic eyes, maybe you identify with a person because of her psychic abilities, or you have a warning about her. Either way, your clairvoyance is a life-long magnet for these things.

14. Do You Often See Strange Flashes of Light?

Before you claim this as a spiritual sign, be sure that a medical condition isn’t the reason. However, those with clairvoyance often see brief flashes of light or strange orbs floating around the corner of their eyes. If you experience this, you may have a heightened sense of a presence in the room.

15. Do You Often Feel Like Someone is Watching You?

As unnerving as it sounds, clairvoyants often sense that others from another dimension are watching them. You may sense this too, as well as chills going up and down your spine and getting goosebumps. Perhaps the spirit world is trying to communicate with you.

16. Are You a Psychic Sensory Gage?

Those who are spiritually sensitive are often blasted by sensory impulses as soon as they enter a spiritually charged room. You may feel temperature changes or feel an unexplained heaviness in your soul. Light flashes or orbs usually accompany these impulses.

17. Do You Have a Keen Sense of Direction?

Maybe one of the reasons that women often have a better sense of direction than men is because they are more apt to be clairvoyantly gifted. Your sixth sense often guides you with confidence in places you’ve never been to. You may instinctively know directions without technical guidance.

18. Are You Often A Good Judge of Character?

While we all can be fooled sometimes by a clever chameleon, you may often size people up accurately. Have you ever met someone who seems genuine and pleasant, but your inner voice sends up red flags? Your clairvoyance could be warning you to stay away.

19. Do You Think You Have a Spiritual Gift?

If you are clairvoyantly gifted, some of the things you have shared with people over the years rang true to them. Do you ever have an overwhelming urge to share a warning about a friend with him, and not know why? Perhaps you’ve been told more than once that your foresight was right on target.

20. Do You Believe You’ve Lived Before?

Many people with psychic abilities attribute them to past lives. If you have lived before, maybe your mind remembers details and stores them in your collective memory banks. Your visions could be in part from the scenes and experiences from another incarnation.

Final Thoughts on Embracing Your Clairvoyant Gifts

Just by wondering if you have clairvoyance suggests you already know the answer. Of course, you do, because it’s your destined gift. If you can answer yes to some or all these questions, you may consider ways to enhance your gifts to help others on their paths.

5 Red Flags That Reveal a Malignant Narcissist

May 14, 2020 by Power of Positivity

A malignant narcissist is a term applied to the most severe form of narcissistic personality disorder. This person feels an absolute need for full power. Couple that compulsive need to control others with a demand to be the center of attention. The combination makes this person intolerable to those around him or her.

The Meaning Behind the Term “Narcissism”

For those who are curious about where the term narcissism comes from, it is derived from Greek mythology. Furthermore, it is an interpolation of the name Narkissos, a young Greek man who was quite enamored with himself.

According to the mythical tale, Narkissos was the object of affection for Echo, a nymph who repeatedly professed her love. He rejected her adorations. Narkissos was so taken with himself that he would often spend hours and even days admiring his handsome reflection in various lakes. He believed that nobody, including Echo, was worthy of him.

While this is a fascinating story in Greek mythology, narcissism is, in fact, a real personality disorder. More than that, it is one that can quickly spiral out of control if an individual doesn’t seek treatment from a licensed mental health professional.

What Is a Narcissistic Personality Disorder?

Now that we have a little more background relative to where the term narcissism came from let’s take a moment to learn more about what it means to have a narcissistic personality disorder. First and foremost, narcissism is classified as a cluster B personality disorder.

Individuals with this disorder often seek admiration from others but will seldom offer it in return. Further, they tend to prioritize self-importance above the needs and wants of others, including their friends and family.

Another hallmark of those with this particular disorder is a lack of empathy. Something else to note when it comes to narcissistic personality disorders is that they are surprisingly common in America, according to a study published by the National Institutes of Health, a part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

The same study published by the National Institutes of Health also revealed that narcissistic personality disorders account for 20.2 percent of all mental health disorders in America.

The Primary Signs of Narcissistic Personality Disorder

That said, it is abundantly clear that there is a significant difference between having high self-esteem and equally high self-confidence and having a narcissistic personality disorder. Along with a preoccupation with one’s self and a constant need for admiration and validation, individuals with a narcissistic personality disorder will also exhibit behaviors that are in line with the diagnostic criteria 301.81 per the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, Fifth Edition (DSM-5). These behaviors often include the following:

Jealousy
Arrogance
A tendency to exaggerate one’s talents, achievements, or both
Remaining in a perpetual state of fantasy in terms of achieving or maintaining success and power
A tendency to be interpersonally exploitative

Indeed, narcissism, as a mental health disorder, can quickly push away friends and family while turning an individual’s life on its head. Fortunately, it is possible to prevent these things from happening if one can recognize the signs of the disorder and also seek treatment from a licensed therapist.

The Different Types of Narcissistic Personality Disorders

Studies show that there are three subtypes when it comes to narcissistic personality disorders. And they include overt, covert, and exhibitionist. To better understand how each of these subtypes can impact an individual’s life, it helps to take a look at each of them individually:

The Overt or Malignant Narcissist

Also known as a “malignant narcissist,” this type of narcissistic personality disorder is one that often coexists with other psychological comorbidities, such as avoidant, dependent, and obsessive-compulsive disorders.

It is important to note that overt narcissistic personality disorders are also quite common among those who engage in substance abuse. While there are many others, constant feelings of anger and hostility are two of the more notable signs that an individual might be struggling with an overt narcissistic personality disorder.

You may also hear this described as “grandiose” narcissism.

Covert Narcissism

Individuals with an overt narcissistic personality disorder are also struggling with comorbidities that make matters worse, some of which include anxiety and depression. Further, many also have low self-esteem. And to combat these feelings of depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem, they are often very critical of others. In essence, they build themselves up while subtly berating and tearing others down.

Exhibitionist

An exhibitionist narcissistic personality disorder is generally not accompanied by psychological comorbidities.

However, there is one exception. In times of crisis, such as a failed relationship or losing a job, for example, individuals with an exhibitionist narcissistic personality disorder may display signs of entitlement issues. It is also not uncommon for them to become self-centered and less empathetic toward others as they go through these crises.

What Is the Worst Type of Narcissism?

Any variation of a narcissistic personality disorder can have a profound impact on one’s life. The NPD diagnosis also impacts to mention the lives of those around them. Some are worse than others. And this is especially the case when it comes to malignant narcissists in that they are very anti-social and extremely paranoid.

What’s more, they derive a perverse pleasure in acting out aggressively and engaging in acts of sadism, especially when it comes to sexual gratification, according to a study published in the American Journal of Psychiatry, one of the oldest monthly peer-reviewed medical journals. That said, most psychologists and psychiatrists will agree that malignant narcissists are not only a danger to themselves but also to other people in their life.

How to Tell If You’re Dealing With a Malignant Narcissist

Having established that malignant narcissism is the worst out of the three narcissistic personality disorders, let’s take a moment to recap the five signs that could reveal someone you know might have such a disorder:

1. Extreme Anti-Social Behavior

Although anti-social behavior is often associated with shyness, malignant narcissists are known to take things a step further. Their behavior is a peculiar mix of anti-social and narcissistic traits.

They will often isolate themselves because they believe that others are not worthy of their time, friendship, or attention. And in those rare instances when they do allow others into their life, they will try to manipulate or exploit them for their own gratification, according to Dr. Daniel Fox, a licensed psychologist, international speaker, and author located in Texas.

2. Sadism

Arguably one of the most identifiable signs of a malignant narcissist is sadism. Most people will feel and display some degree of empathy when someone they know is depressed or going through a difficult time in their life. On the other hand, a malignant narcissist is the opposite in that they feel more powerful when others struggle. And this is especially true if they played a role in the person’s misery.

Undoubtedly, most people will perceive this type of behavior as mean-spirited. It is akin to kicking someone while they are down. However, it is part and parcel when it comes to malignant narcissism, according to a study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law, a quarterly academic journal providing information on topics related to psychiatry in America.

3. Malicious Plotting Against Friends and Family

Malicious plotting against an enemy is not unusual. Let’s be honest. A large percentage of people will look for ways to get back at someone who has wronged them.

However, those who engage in malignant narcissism will adopt the same mindset when it comes to friends and family. This behavior occurs even if the loved one didn’t do anything to justify such actions. Some of the more common forms of malicious plotting include lying and manipulation, which are both carried out with a high degree of sophistication.

4. Aggressive Behavior

Although aggressive behavior, for some people, commonly associates with anger. However, it is also another telling sign that you might be dealing with a malignant narcissist. Along with verbal altercations, individuals with this disorder will also engage in acts of physical violence without provocation. This behavior further explains why most psychiatrists consider this variation of narcissistic personality disorder the worst.

According to Craig Malkin, a clinical psychologist and lecturer at the famed Harvard University in Cambridge, MA, the aggressive behavior of individuals with a malignant-based narcissistic personality disorder is often a blend of the following:

Sadism
Psychopathy
Machiavellianism

5. Psychopathy

In some cases, a malignant narcissist might behave in such a way that blends seemingly innocuous narcissism with dangerous psychopathy. And this unique combination removes the guilt that they would otherwise feel when they harm or manipulate others.

This same combination of psychopathy and narcissism can also give way to verbal and physical altercations. And when things get to this point, most individuals with this disorder tend to be very cold and calculating when it comes to their verbal or physical attacks.

Final Thoughts on Malignant Narcissists

In summary, there is a world of difference between having a healthy, positive self-image and having a narcissistic personality disorder. Of course, any variation of the mental disorder is troubling. However, it is reasonably safe to say that the malignant narcissist is the most dangerous type. After all, it is as close as someone can get to being a psychopath without officially being diagnosed as one.

15 Quotes to Help You Love Your Body

May 14, 2020 by Power of Positivity

Learning how to love your body can be one of the hardest things in life to achieve. If you tend to your harshest critic, you probably struggle with self-love.

It seems that the harder you are on yourself, the further you get from being able to love your body. It’s essential to learn to love the way you look, however. The negative self-criticism doesn’t do any good, and you have to love yourself before you can expect anyone else to.

One way to learn to love your image is by reading quotes to help you love your body. These quotes come from those who have had the same struggles as you and learned to overcome it. These quotes can help you embrace your differences and what makes you unique.

15 Quotes to Help You Love Your Body

1. “True beauty comes from the soul. To change yourself and to conform to anyone else’s standards of beauty is to change your essence. Own who you are, and you become a truly powerful woman.” – Ali Tate

If you aren’t true to yourself, you’ll never be happy with yourself. You have to be who you are and be proud of it. Only then will you recognize and appreciate yourself and your body.

2. “I’m proud of my body, and you should be proud of yours too. No matter who you are or what you do. I could give a million reasons why you don’t need to cater to anyone or anything to succeed. Be you, and be relentlessly you. That’s the stuff of champions.” – Lady Gaga

The opinion or desires of others should not affect you in any way. If your body doesn’t meet someone else’s standards, ignore it. The only person who needs to love the way you look is you, and you should be proud to embrace it.

3. “I keep telling myself that I’m a human being, an imperfect human who’s not made to look like a doll, and that who I am as a person is more important than whether at that moment, I have a nice figure.” – Emma Watson

Your body isn’t supposed to be flawless. It’s supposed to be unique and special, and that’s what it is. What’s most important is the kind of person you are, and loving yourself will only contribute to your positive qualities.

4. “You have been criticizing yourself for years, and it hasn’t worked. Try approving of yourself and see what happens.” – Louise Hay

Since self-criticism didn’t work, maybe it’s time to consider a different tactic. As Louise Hay suggested, accepting yourself might be what changes things.

5. “Girls of all kinds can be beautiful – from the thin, plus-sized, short, very tall, ebony to porcelain-skinned; the quirky, clumsy, shy, outgoing and all in between. It’s not easy, though, because many people still put beauty into a confining, narrow box. Think outside of the box. Pledge that you will look in the mirror and find the unique beauty in you.” – Tyra Banks

Each person looks different, and there are infinite categories when it comes to body features. You can’t expect to look like someone else. Instead, you have to embrace what you do have. When you learn to love yourself, you’ll have the confidence that makes others see your beauty.

6. “If we make self-love or body acceptance conditional, the truth is, we will never be happy with ourselves. The reality is that our bodies are constantly changing, and they will never remain the same. If we base our self-worth on something as ever-changing as our bodies, we will forever be on the emotional roller coaster of body obsession and shame.” – Chrissy King

You have to love yourself no matter what, even when your body isn’t exactly how you want it to be. Learn to embrace the body you’re in, and appreciate the way your body can change and adapt.

7. “Your body is awesome. Curvy, big boobs, small ones, thin, athletic, voluptuous, J-Lo booty, or no booty at all – what you got is workin’ for you. Don’t let anyone tell you differently.” – Lindsay Tigar

When you love yourself, other people will love you too. Since you’re the only person who looks like you, show everyone else how amazing it is.

8. “I definitely have body issues, but everybody does. When you come to the realization that everybody does that—even the people that I consider flawless—then you can start to live with the way you are.” – Taylor Swift

Everyone has something about their body that they would change. You may hate the things about yourself that other people love or don’t notice about you. Instead of nitpicking and comparing yourself to everyone else, learn to love what makes you different.

9. “For young women, I would say, don’t worry so much about your weight. Girls spend way too much time thinking about that, and there are better things. For young men, and women, too, what makes you different or weird, that’s your strength. Everyone tries to look a cookie-cutter kind of way, and actually, the people who look different are the ones who get picked up. I used to hate my nose. Now, I don’t.” – Meryl Streep

Instead of obsessing over what you don’t like about your body, think of it as a strength. It’s what makes you different and what will set you apart from everyone else.

If you try to hide those differences, you’re only hiding what makes you unique. Doing that won’t get you where you want to be, and it’ll end up being the biggest obstacle of all.

10. “There’s only one of you, so why would you want to look like everyone else?” – Adele

No one can be you, and you shouldn’t want to be anyone else. Enjoy the fact that you’re different, and you’ll feel better about yourself.

11. “You can’t hate yourself happy. You can’t criticize yourself thin, you can’t shame yourself worthy. Real change begins with self-love and self-care.” – Jessica Ortner

No matter what negative thoughts you’re having about yourself, they won’t change the way you look or feel. Take care of yourself, and you’ll feel better.

12. “I refuse to let something as insignificant as a size or number on a scale determine how I feel about myself. I am grateful for my body, my health, and the life that I have, and no arbitrary number should have any impact on that.” – Iskra Lawrence

Stop beating yourself up about your weight. Embrace your body and love yourself. A number on the scale shouldn’t determine your self-love.

13. “There’s no need to glamorize one body type and slam another. We need to stop this absurd hatred towards bodies for being different sizes. It doesn’t help anyone, and it’s getting old. Just focus on being the best possible version of yourself and quit worrying about your thighs, there’s nothing wrong with them.” – Jennie Runk

There is no perfect body type, and it’s more glamorous that everyone is so different. Avoid shaming a particular body type, even if it’s your own.

Embrace the differences and love yourself as you are. The opinions of others don’t matter. The only thing that does matter is how you feel about yourself, and it’s crucial to find self-love.

14. “To be beautiful means to be yourself. You don’t need to be accepted by others. You need to accept yourself.” – Thich Nhat Hanh

No one except yourself can determine your beauty. Take the advice of Thich Nhat Hanh Accept yourself since you’re the one who matters.

15. “Fat is a trigger word. But if you use it often enough, it simply describes another one of your qualities. I think what helps me is taking the hurt out of the word. In the beginning, I called myself curvy, and all bodies have curves. So, I would always call myself curvy and get upset when people called me fat. Owning it gives me strength: yeah, I’m fat—but I’m also all the good things that I am.” – Tess Holliday

The word fat can be immediately painful if you allow it to have that effect on you. Stop thinking of it as a negative thing and just accept it. Remind yourself of your excellent qualities instead of fixating on something negative.

Final Thoughts on Quotes to Help You Love Your Body

Self-love can be difficult, and a large part of that issue stems from not being able to love your body. You can overcome this, however. Overcoming it is vital because you need to be able to enjoy who you are and the way you look.

Your opinion of yourself is the most important, and the way you feel about yourself reflects onto others. If you are confident in your body, other people will recognize what makes it so unique, too. These quotes to help you love the way you look should help you get on the right path.

12 Behaviors of People With High Emotional Intelligence

May 14, 2020 by Power of Positivity

Many people view IQ as the most important indicator of intelligence. But, is it?

Studies are finding that emotional intelligence is even more critical. Emotional intelligence means perceiving, controlling, and assessing your emotions and others’. This type of knowledge means knowing how to respond to someone without letting your emotions get the best of you. And it also means remembering you can’t control other people’s feelings.

“It is very important to understand that emotional intelligence is not the opposite of intelligence; it is not the triumph of heart over head—it is the unique intersection of both.” –David Caruso

People with high emotional intelligence contribute a lot of essential skills to society and may not even know it. Sensitive, emotional people are often considered weak or unproductive in society, but they possess different characteristics than their less sensitive counterparts. They have a way of seeing into the heart of people and smoothing out disagreements that may occur between more logical types. So, to sum it up, emotional intelligence gets downplayed a lot in society, but without empathy, our world would not function.

Psychologist and one of the pioneers of emotional intelligence, Daniel Goleman, wrote a book about how information doesn’t have much value if you lack empathy. In Dr. Goleman’s book, Emotional Intelligence – Why It Can Matter More Than IQ, he talks about five main components that make up emotional intelligence.

We will go over what he outlined in his book below and other behaviors of people with high emotional intelligence.

Here are 12 behaviors of people with high emotional intelligence:

1 – People with high emotional intelligence have high self-awareness.

According to Dr. Goleman, the first sign someone possesses high emotional intelligence is their level of self-awareness. Those with high emotional intelligence can keep close tabs on their emotions and control their reactions to other people. They never allow their feelings to get the best of them.

They don’t stuff their feelings away but don’t let their emotions steer the wheel. People with emotional intelligence pay attention to their feelings, so they don’t overreact or make bad decisions based on emotions. They also know themselves very well and set boundaries with people to maintain a sense of peace and autonomy at all times. People who are emotionally smart use this thoughtful gift to keep in touch with their inner selves and always gain insight into their feelings.

2 – They have a remarkable ability to control their emotions.

The emotionally intelligent ride the waves of their emotions and don’t attach themselves to them. They allow the feelings to come and go without labeling them good or bad. As humans, we all have fluctuating emotions, so if we feel sad today, then tomorrow, we might feel happy again. Knowing this, emotionally intelligent people keep a calm, even demeanor despite how they feel inside.

Emotional regulation is a crucial trait of the emotionally smart because you will always fall victim to the chaos around you without the ability to control emotions. However, if you can view your feelings as merely passing thought waves, you can ride the stormy seas and keep your ship afloat rather than letting the currents drag you under.

3 – They are motivated.

People with high EQ don’t allow themselves to play the victim. Indeed, they take full responsibility for their situation and life. They don’t let passing feelings get in the way of their goals, so they can focus on one task for long periods without fatigue. Many people feel tired just because their minds won’t shut off, but the emotionally intelligent know how to remain mindful, so they have higher productivity.

This doesn’t mean that possessing emotional intelligence keeps you from having bad days, but you’ll bounce back much quicker than those who don’t have a handle on their emotions.

4 – People with high emotional intelligence have a lot of empathy.

Emotionally intelligent people are some of the most empathetic people you’ll meet. Empathy means recognizing how someone feels and being able to relate to them. Those with a high EQ deeply care for how other people feel and always strive to make others feel better. They often get approached by others who feel comfortable sharing their problems and concerns because they give off such a caring, sensitive vibe.

Being empathetic means, you can usually tell how someone feels without them even having to say a word. However, if the person chooses to divulge details about their life, they will listen with open hearts and ears. They typically have excellent observational skills, and their intuition allows them to anticipate other people’s needs.

5 – They have excellent conversational skills

Despite the stereotype of emotional, empathic people being introverted and antisocial, emotionally intelligent people have excellent conversational skills. They can get to the heart of the matter quickly and easily because they don’t shy away from in-depth topics. They help lift and motivate others, making them appealing to hang around. Emotionally intelligent people have excellent leadership skills because they can observe problems and develop compassionate solutions.

6 – They adapt quickly to their environment.

Those with high emotional intelligence have a chameleon-like ability to blend in with anyone, anywhere. Whether they’ve just gotten a new job or have moved to a new city, people with emotional awareness can keep a positive mindset anywhere they go. Since they know that everything in life reflects their inner emotional state, they always try their best to maintain a positive one.

7 – They don’t try to be perfect.

People who are keenly aware of their emotions know that trying to attain perfection will lead to burnout and unhappiness. They realize that failing at something means more than never trying at all. That’s because they can learn many lessons in the process. However, shying away from new opportunities leaves no room for growth. Since they care more about improving themselves, they don’t let a fear of failure stand in their way.

8 – They understand how a healthy lifestyle benefits their emotions.

Emotionally intelligent people typically follow a healthy lifestyle. That’, because they know they can’t have a balanced mindset without caring for themselves. They go to bed early, meditate, manage stress, work out, eat healthily, and treat others kindly.

Their vibration radiates out to others because they care for their health on the inside and outside. These practices allow their emotions to remain in check, as well.

9 – They express gratitude.

High EQ’s have a glass-half-full kind of attitude about life. They don’t see the point in dwelling on what goes wrong because that only lowers their vibration. They know that to attract good things in life, you must focus on all the positives. These types feel thankful for what they’ve been given and try to give their share to others as well.

10 – They can remain focused on one task for long periods.

Even if they have a lot going on in their heads, they can cut through the chatter and focus on the task right in front of them. Since they can manage and control their emotions, they don’t allow boredom or fatigue to keep them from their goals. If they feel stressed, they get up and work out, stretch or do something else to release it. Then, they get back to work. They know when to take breaks but stay the course and always finish whatever they start.

11 – Those with high emotional intelligence are highly creative.

They may not have a typical creative job. But they always use their innate abilities in whatever field they work in. They typically think outside the box and can view a problem from a bigger perspective.

This creative juice allows them to come up with a solid solution to an issue because they use their natural curiosity for life and creativity to tackle problems. This also relates to being a good leader because these skills can be helpful in business.

12 – They don’t get offended easily.

Since they have a good idea of themselves and set boundaries with people, those with high emotional intelligence don’t get offended easily. They know that whatever others think and feel about them only reflects their inner emotional state. Thus, nothing outside themselves can hurt them. Therefore, they listen to others with an open mind. However, they never allow their inner state to become upset by turbulence or strife from others.

Learn how meditating can help you gain control over your emotional responses.

Final thoughts about people with high emotional intelligence

Overall, having high emotional intelligence means being aware of your emotions and others’. Tap into your inner emotions. You will access a whole new world of knowledge that will open up many doors. Of course, you can acquire these skills even if you don’t have them. Mindfulness and showing compassion for others can help increase emotional intelligence.

We would love to hear from you! What do you think is more important IQ or EQ?

15 Natural Treatments That Put an End to Sleepless Nights

May 14, 2020 by Power of Positivity

Sleep is both a necessary function and a mystical experience shared by humans and the animal kingdom alike. When you have sleepless nights, your whole body pays the consequence.

A natural phenomenon in the brain controls our waking and sleeping modes called the circadian rhythm. This vital function is influenced by light, as observed by the first humans. Our early ancestors rose with the sun and slept when darkness fell. With the discovery of fire and much later electricity, we found that we could manipulate our brains to work longer hours and sleep less.

While it’s normal to have an occasional sleepless night, chronic insomnia affects your body and your mental health. Have you been plagued with restless nights, waiting for the Sand Man to come? Perhaps you are weary with lying in bed, watching the clock, and counting sheep.

Medical experts recommend that we need at least 7-8 full hours of sleep each night. The older you get, usually the less sleep you need. However, your body requires enough rest to recharge your system and to replenish millions of depleted cells.

When you are sleep deprived, it’s difficult to function. People who work third shift and swing shifts often battle insomnia because of their erratic sleep schedule. A plethora of medical and psychological disorders can also rob you of good z’s.

15 Natural Remedies to End Your Sleepless Nights

You may be reading this article in the wee hours of the night, hoping to fall into a restful slumber. Here are fifteen natural remedies for you to try that can induce sleepiness. If your bouts of insomnia become chronic, consider talking to your professional healthcare provider.

1. Meditation

In our fast-paced society, it’s no wonder our brains stay over-drive. How often have you tried to fall asleep, only to be annoyed by the constant chatter in your mind? You replay events and fret over things that haven’t even happened.

When your brain can’t be silent, it is nearly impossible to sleep or stay asleep for any time. Is it possible to bring the tranquility you desperately need? While you may not be able to quiet your mind’s conversations, you can change the voice.

For thousands of years, ancient cultures have practiced meditation for physical, mental, and spiritual health. You can use these same techniques to improve your sleepless nights. Learning to be present in the moment, acknowledging your thoughts, and releasing them, can induce rest.

2. Visualization

As you lie comfortably in your bed, purposely relax your body from head to toe. Let your thoughts float away like clouds and be aware of your breathing. Visualize yourself in your happy place, such as the beach or in a magical garden.

3. Comfortable Massage

Sometimes, your muscles won’t cooperate and relax on command. There’s nothing like a gentle massage to do the trick. Once your tight, sore muscles are smooth and relaxed, drifting off into dreamland is easier.

The next time you feel a restless night is imminent, ask your mate to massage you. Gentle touching and rubbing make the brain produce more endorphins that help you to relax. You can also massage your tired muscles if you are alone.

Give your temples and the back of your head a light rub to ease tension. Some people find comfort by gently massaging their closed eyes. If you have been on your feet all day, give your feet and legs some attention so they can relax and won’t ache during the night.

Here are six things to consider before you go to sleep.

4. Turn Out the Lights

Just as our ancestors used the sun as an alarm clock, our brains are still hardwired into wakefulness from light sources. Glance around your bedroom, and you may see some blinking culprits. You may be so used to them that you don’t notice them anymore.

Nothing steals your slumber like the electronics that you keep in your bedroom. Sleep research warn that the radiant blue lights from television and computer screens stimulate the brain. To sleep better, keep the electronics turned off or, better yet, out of your room.

5. Dim the Clock & Phone

Consider turning it away from your face during the night if you have a light-up alarm clock. Even a small blinking power light can affect your brain. While you are finding ways to darken your room, be sure to flip your smartphone over so its glare isn’t keeping you awake.

6. Set the Scene for Relaxation

Consider looking at your bedroom as if it was the first time. Is it a luxurious sanctuary, or does it look like a cluttered office cubicle with a bed? Clear out the clutter and decorate your room with soft colors, light, and textures that beckon you to enjoy a restful sleep.

7. Limit Caffeine Intake

Most people fail to realize that caffeine is more than a naturally occurring ingredient. It is a drug that stimulates your mind and body and discourages sleepless nights. When you aren’t resting well at night, pay attention to your caffeinated drinks during the day.

Coffee, colas, energy drinks, and some teas are loaded with it. While a hot cup of coffee may get you through the morning, the extra caffeine in the evening may be your downfall. Limit caffeine intake, especially at bedtime, and see how you rest.

8. Drink Less Booze and Snooze

You may drink more alcohol in the evenings because it helps you fall asleep quickly. However, alcohol inhibits certain brain chemicals responsible for continual sleep, and your rest will be sporadic. Lack of sleep is a common symptom of alcoholism, so go easy on the liquor.

9. Get Moving

Exercising to induce sleep sounds counter-intuitive, but countless studies suggest otherwise. Perhaps the reason that you are tossing and turning all night is that your muscles have pent-up energy. A little evening exercise is just what you may need.

A couple of hours before bedtime, take the dog for a walk or go for a short hike through the woods. Avoid strenuous workouts that may pep you up rather than relax you. Lack of exercise can contribute to your restlessness

10. Try Yoga or Tai Chi

Gentle stretching exercises like yoga and Tai Chi work wonders on your muscles and provide pleasant tiredness. You don’t have to be an experienced yogi to enjoy the benefits. You can find easy video tutorials online that are made especially for inducing sleep.

11. Take Melatonin or Other Herbal Treatments

Decreased light and your circadian rhythm signal your brain that it’s time for sleep. As it powers down to sleep mode, your mind produces a chemical called melatonin that prepares your body to rest. Your sleep will be affected if your body doesn’t produce enough melatonin.

Talk to your doctor about taking over-the-counter melatonin supplements. The doctor can suggest the dosage that would be right for you. These supplements are relatively inexpensive and are available in most pharmacies and grocery stores.

12. Follow Your Nose to Sweet Slumber

Did you know that your sense of smell can affect your moods and energy levels? Aromatherapy has been used for years as an effective way to brighten people’s spirits and help with anxiety and depression. It has also been a successful tool for those who don’t sleep well at night.

Lavender is the quintessential herb used as a calming agent. Its familiar scent calms your mind and relaxes your muscles. Use the whole herb or its essential oil and rub some on your sheets and pillows for a sensational night’s sleep.

13. Magnesium

Without this vital mineral, we couldn’t survive. Magnesium does everything from strengthening your heart and bones to keeping your energy and blood sugar stabilized. Many people are deficient and don’t realize it.

Did you also know that magnesium supplements can support proper rest? It works with the chemicals in your brain to induce the deep, healing sleep that you need. Before you take any supplements, talk to your professional healthcare provider first.

14. Drink Some Soothing Tea

Did you ever wonder why Grandma always insisted on a warm cup of tea before she retired to bed? She and ancestors before her discovered that certain herbs made delicious teas that calmed the nerves. The scent, taste, and warmth of an herbal tea can take you to your happy place.

Chamomile tea is one of the most popular drinks recommended for sleepless nights. You might also try passionflower, valerian, or lemon balm. To make sure that these natural herbs don’t clash with any medications you take, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

15. Get Lost in the Music

If music can calm the savage beast, then it can do a number on sleeplessness, too. It doesn’t include loud, headbanging music that urges you to dance. Instead, choose quiet, soothing instrumentals that relax your mind and speak to your spirit.

Countless studies indicate that music therapy can promote a restful night’s sleep. Be sure your volume is low and use an earbud if it disturbs your partner. Play a CD or regular hours of tranquil music you can download free from the Internet.

Final Thoughts on Ending Sleepless Nights

Sleep lulls us away from the world’s harsh realities into the land of dreams. If sleepless nights keep you from traveling there, these suggestions may be your passport. Remember that chronic sleepless nights can be a symptom of a severe medical or psychological condition and should be reported to your doctor.

15 Quotes for the Broken Hearted to Heal the Pain

May 14, 2020 by Power of Positivity

There aren’t many other feelings that compare to being broken hearted. It’s a feeling that is indescribable and different for each person. While it may be different for everyone, the emotion is something that everyone can relate to.

With that being the case, there have been many who have spoken on the topic. Those who have experienced a heartbreak know the struggle of returning to normal afterward. Luckily, they also know how to get through it and how you can try to feel better.

Many quotes for the broken hearted have come from those people speaking about the topic. Even if the quotes can’t help you feel better, they’ll at least allow the comfort of knowing you aren’t alone.

Quotes for the Broken Hearted

1. “As for lovers, well, they’ll come and go too. And baby, I hate to say it, most of them – actually pretty much all of them are going to break your heart, but you can’t give up because if you give up, you’ll never find your soulmate. You’ll never find that half who makes you whole and that goes for everything.” – Marilyn Monroe

Love oftentimes leads to heartbreak, unfortunately. You have to keep trying, though, because otherwise, you’ll never find your person.

Eventually, someone will come along who won’t break your heart. You just have to be patient and be willing to try again when the time is right.

2. “Pain has a crucial role in our lives because it acts as a learning lesson which makes us wiser and more adequate in dealing with life’s idiosyncrasies. When we engage with our suffering completely, we reach a place where pain transforms into acceptance and love.” – Unknown

Without heartache, you wouldn’t grow wiser as you get older. You have to experience it to truly be able to handle life’s unexpected changes.

Instead of pushing the pain away, accept it, and work through it. If you can do that, the bad feelings of heartache will fade. In their place, you’ll experience full acceptance of what happened and the ability to love again.

3. “When it comes to love and loss, acceptance is never easy. We can’t make someone see all we have to give, make them love us, or make them change. All we can do is move on and stop wasting time.” – April Mae Monterrosa

It’s a hard part of life, losing someone you love. Unfortunately, you can’t force someone to feel something that they don’t feel.

Work on moving forward and stop wasting time on someone who isn’t meant to be in your life. Love yourself instead, and happiness will soon follow.

4. “The cure for a broken heart is simple, my lady. A hot bath and a good night’s sleep.” – Margaret George

Sometimes self-care is all you need to start the moving on process. The hot bath will help you relax and detox while taking time for yourself. Then, the good night’s sleep will allow your mind and body to rest and be refreshed the next day.

5. “Don’t cry when the sun is gone, because the tears won’t let you see the stars.”
Violeta Parra

You’ll inevitably cry when you get a broken heart. The thing is, you have to stop crying eventually.
If you don’t, you won’t be able to see all of the good through your tears. You could also miss what the future might hold.

6. “Let’s hope that for every time that we get hurt or break our heart, there is something somewhere being written to make up for it, to make the happiness due even bigger and laughter even merrier, for after all good things must happen to good people.” – Mansi Soni

Things will get better, and you will be happy again. Think of all the opportunities and experiences that you will have in the future. Good things will happen again, and they’ll be better than you ever imagined.

7. “And anything that might hurt me would just make me stronger in the end.” – Elizabeth Eulberg

You’ll get through the pain of heartbreak, and you’ll be stronger because of it. Live in the moment and focus on feeling better each day. It’ll happen sooner than you think.

8. “The saddest thing about love is that not only that it cannot last forever, but that heartbreak is soon forgotten.” – William Faulkner

While Faulkner views this as a sad moment, it should give you some hope. While the love didn’t last and you’re feeling sad now, you’ll soon forget the heartache.

9. “Sometimes it takes a heartbreak to shake us awake and help us see we are worth so much more than we’re settling for.” – Mandy Hale

When things don’t work out, it’s because there is something better in the future. As Hale said, this is a sign that you are worth more than you’ve been experiencing.

10. “If you want to forget something or someone, never hate it, or never hate him/her. Everything and everyone that you hate is engraved upon your heart; if you want to let go of something, if you want to forget, you cannot hate.” – C. JoyBell C.

Hate sticks with you. It’s a feeling that can be all-consuming, and one that doesn’t leave your mind. If you’re feeling that way about something or someone that has hurt you, it won’t get easier.

Instead, you have to let go of the hate. By doing so, you are allowing yourself to forget about what hurt you. Only then can you move on and get past the pain.

11. “A broken heart is just the growing pains necessary so that you can love more completely when the real thing comes along.” – J.S.B. Morse

When you have your heartbroken, it’s a learning opportunity. You’re learning more about what you want in a partner and more about yourself. With this, you’re growing into a person who can love more fully.

12. “There are many ways of breaking a heart. Stories were full of hearts broken by love, but what really broke a heart was taking away its dream – whatever that dream might be.” – Pearl S. Buck

While most of these heartbreak quotes are about love, there are still many other causes. No matter what has caused your broken heart, the pain isn’t any easier. It will get better, though, and you’ll be happy again.

13. “When you are standing in a forest of sorrow, you cannot imagine that you could ever find your way to a better place. But if someone can assure you that they themselves have stood in that same place, and now have moved on, sometimes this will bring hope.” – Elizabeth Gilbert

It’s hard to see to the other side when you are engulfed in heartache. You may think that you can’t get through it and that you’ll never be happy again.

When others tell their heartbreak experiences, you may realize that you will feel like yourself again. If other people can do it, so can you.

14. “Someday you’re gonna look back on this moment of your life as such a sweet time of grieving. You’ll see that you were in mourning and your heart was broken, but your life was changing.” – Elizabeth Gilbert

You’ll look back on this sad time of your life with fondness. Once you’re at a good place in life, you’ll realize that you wouldn’t be there if you hadn’t had your heartbroken. While change may be hard, it’s always leading you somewhere better.

15. “To be rejected by someone doesn’t mean you should also reject yourself or that you should think of yourself as a lesser person. It doesn’t mean that nobody will ever love you anymore. Remember that only ONE person has rejected you at the moment, and it only hurt so much because to you, that person’s opinion symbolized the opinion of the whole world, of God.” – Jocelyn Soriano, in Mend My Broken Heart

Just because someone else didn’t want you doesn’t mean you aren’t worthy of love. It doesn’t mean that you are any less or need to change who you are. You’ll find true love and be happy again one day with someone who loves you for who you are.

Final Thoughts on Learning from Quotes for the Broken Hearted

Being broken hearted is hard, no matter the cause of the heartbreak. It can seem impossible to get over it and move on, but you’ll feel so much better when you do. Moving on won’t happen overnight, rather it’s a process that gets easier with time.

While quotes for the broken hearted cannot completely heal the pain, they can still help. Just knowing you aren’t alone in this feeling can help. Plus, others who have been through it can offer advice, motivation, and sympathy through their quotes.

Remember that heartbreak doesn’t last forever. It gets easier with time, and eventually, you won’t think about it every single day. You will feel happier again.

10 Mantras to Remember When You Feel Hopeless

May 14, 2020 by Power of Positivity

We’ve all been to a point where the frustrations of daily life can put us in a sour mood. Occasionally, it may be challenging to pull yourself out of that mood. When this happens, it’s easy for your spirit to turn to hopelessness. Your attitude doesn’t have to stay that way, but you might need a little help getting out of it. That’s where positive thinking comes in.

Scientific research shows that positive thinking can be a great tool to boost your cognitive health. Saying inspirational messages to yourself can change your emotions by redirecting your brain activity away from negative thoughts and feelings to positive ones. Even if you aren’t the type to meditate, merely saying them can be enough to enact a significant mood change. Here are ten powerful and inspirational mantras to remember when you’re bogged down with a feeling of hopelessness.

10 Mantras to Overcome the Feeling of Being Hopeless

1. “I will get better.”

Telling yourself that you will get better can bring you the strength that you need to make it through the next minute or the following year. Even if you don’t believe it, saying it to yourself can push away your hopeless feeling long enough to get you to the next moment. Say it once or say it one hundred times. Say it to yourself or say it out loud. Just say it and say it often.

One of the worst parts of feeling hopeless is feeling like there is no end to your suffering. This is often just a feeling – albeit a strong one – and it’s usually not reality. Telling yourself you will get better helps you to see that you’ll get past the suffering. There is light at the end of the tunnel.

2. “I’m putting me first.”

There is something very noble about putting others first, but you can’t do that at the expense of sacrificing yourself. Remember that you are just as important as everyone around you. You need to embrace your self-worth. Your goals, dreams, and desires matter, and they are only going to happen if you pursue them.

That means putting yourself first.

Many people feel selfish when they put themselves first. The truth is that you’ve probably put others first for a long time. You’ve given them every opportunity to pull themselves up while you supported them from falling. You’ve done your part, so you have nothing to feel selfish about.

3. “You said tomorrow yesterday.”

Procrastination is a common symptom of hopelessness. It’s easy to say, “tomorrow.” It’s hard to say, “right now.” However, you have to say “right now” because you told yourself “tomorrow” yesterday.

Yesterday is now today.

Even if you don’t feel like it and also if you don’t have the motivation, do it anyway. Push yourself harder than you’ve ever pushed before.

It’s hard to overcome your inertia. Inertia is the tendency to do nothing to change your situation. However, inertia is usually the hardest part of the journey. Once you’ve overcome that inactivity, the rest will come easy. Suddenly, your hopelessness begins to turn into hope, followed by motivation, followed by success.

4. “You didn’t come this far to stop now.”

If your hopelessness stems from obstacles you’re facing, this is an excellent message for you. It reminds you of where you started and all that you had to face to get where you are right now. When things seem harsh, don’t give up. You’ve been facing and navigating so many obstacles with success. There is no reason to think you can’t have the same results with more barriers.

Sure, this obstacle might be the toughest of all so far, but that just means the reward will be even higher once you pass it. You’ve heard the saying, “no pain, no gain.” That applies here, so don’t give up. Keep pushing, whether you have to go over, under, around, or through the obstacle that you’re facing.

5. “Let it go.”

Too often, people get caught up in things that happened in the past. The past is just that – it can’t be changed. You must let it go and move on with your life. You must begin a new chapter. It’s okay to start a new chapter. You must permit yourself to forgive yourself and others for the things that happened. You have to be willing to embrace the idea that a new future can exist.

Letting go of the past can be hard, especially if you’re still in the same environment from your past. This environment can be toxic if you don’t have people who are willing to support your growth. Trust that your self-worth is excellent enough to pursue a better future and turn your focus toward that. Even the most successful people in the world have had to let go of some things from the past.

6. “I am enough.”

Reminding yourself that you are enough is one of the most important messages you can tell yourself often. Life can be tough, and at times you may feel like you just can’t. However, it’s not impossible. You can do it. You’re strong enough. You’re a fighter, and you have all the tools you need to succeed inside of you. You are enough to conquer your hopes and dreams.

Hopeless feelings can sometimes stem from being overwhelmed – feeling like you’re in over your head. After all, life doesn’t stop and give you time to catch up. At these moments, you need to give yourself a break. Stop, take a breath, and remind yourself that you are enough. Think positive thoughts. Think about what it will be like to succeed, and you’ll find yourself much more motivated than before. Say it over and over, as many times as you need to until you can center yourself and focus.

7. “Things don’t happen to me, they just happen.”

When you’re feeling hopeless, it can be easy to take things personally. Remember, things happen. It’s not your fault, and it’s not a bad luck streak. It’s just life doing what life does – giving you lemons. When things happen, take some time to think about what happened honestly. Is something that happened to you? Or is it some random event that could happen to anyone? You’ll usually see that it’s the latter.

When things happen, it’s not the end of the world. There are more opportunities around the corner. Just remember, when you’re feeling the weight of the world on your shoulders, remind yourself that things don’t happen to you. These things just happen, and it’s time to make lemonade.

8. “No one can take my joy.”

Your joy is something that you own. It doesn’t belong to anyone else unless you give it away. You get to be as joyous as you allow yourself to be. It doesn’t matter what your situation is. There is always something to be joyful about.

It can indeed be challenging to be joyous when you feel hopeless. This is the time to remind yourself of everything you have to be joyous about. Writing down all the reasons you have to be joyful can be a powerful tool. For one thing, it will take your mind off whatever has you feeling hopeless. For another, it can help you focus on things that make you feel good. You’d be surprised how writing these reasons down can shift your focus and suddenly open your eyes to a plan for a happier life.

9. “I choose to be happy.”

Life is full of choices. Happiness is one of them. You can choose to stay in your current, sad, hopeless state of mind, or you can simply choose to be happy. This doesn’t mean that all the hurt and pain in your life will suddenly disappear. This means that you don’t have to be weighed down by them. It’s a lot easier to work through your issues when you’re happy.

Being happy may not be easy at first. You may have to fake it until you make it. Smile even when you don’t feel like it. Spend time with friends, also if you just want to crawl into a ball under your bed covers. Choose happiness. Just like that, with the snap of two fingers, you can only be happy. You deserve it.

10. “I am loved and cared for.”

Love can conquer anything. You are loved. Sometimes feelings of hopelessness can close your heart so you can’t feel the love coming from others. If you aren’t feeling the love, repeating this mantra is more important than all the others. Tell yourself every day, several times a day that you are loved and cared for. Spend time with people who love and care for you so you can have proof that you are loved and cared for.

When you tell yourself, you are loved and cared for. You’ll slowly begin to open your heart. You’ll give yourself permission to be loved. It may be scary at first but keep going. Love can heal whatever is causing your hopelessness.

Final Thoughts on Using Mantras to Overcome Feeling Hopeless

Positive thinking goes a long way when you feel hopeless. You may not even realize how much mantras are improving your mood until you realize how good you feel. However, if you’re saying mantras often and you still can’t shake the feeling, don’t be afraid to reach out to someone for help.

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