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How to Drain Your Lymphatic System (And 7 Ways to Make It Strong)

May 7, 2020 by Power of Positivity

Your lymphatic system, though independent, is one of the most vital components of keeping you healthy. The primary purpose of this system is to transport a fluid called lympha towards the heart. In Latin, lympha means “freshwater,” which is essential for your entire body.

To understand the benefits of this vital system, you must recognize its function and purpose. It’s a tissue network, not an independent organ like the heart or liver. It comprises vertebrates, which are also part of the immune and circulatory systems.

You will find organs, tissues, and lymphatic vessels within this network. The one you are probably most familiar with is the lymph nodes. These little bean-shaped forms are a vital part of your immunity.

The nodes contain white blood cells that help to fight off disease and infection that enters your body. You will become aware of their presence as they become large, inflamed, and painful when battling an illness. The most sensitive ones are in the back of the neck and the armpits.

Though you may quickly notice the ones around your head, hundreds of these nodes are throughout your body, each of which has a vital role in your immunity.

Why Lymph Fluid Collects?

Lymph fluid is vital to water that must reach the bloodstream. Your lymphatic system will collect any excess of this fluid to put it back where it belongs. This process is imperative because your body has protein and other substances that ooze out of your capillaries, and if it’s not removed, it can cause inflammation.

When the extra fluid pools in an area, it causes swelling. An example you can probably relate to is swollen feet or ankles from sitting at a desk all day. Do you ever experience this common form of edema?

Though the lymph fluid dumps into the bloodstream, it doesn’t use the stream to get where it needs to be in the body. Instead, it depends on the muscles to contract and push it through the proper channels. When you sit in a stagnated position for several hours, the lymph has difficulty getting disbursed.

However, once you get up, your body instantly pushes the fluid to the appropriate destination. Thus, you are draining an area and helping the pooling lymph to move on.

Draining Your Lymph System

Keeping bodily fluids in balance is a difficult job. Consequently, you can help to boost your lymphatic system when pooling occurs by assisting the drainage process. For instance, if your neck is swollen and the lymph nodes are tender, they can be eased with a gentle massage.

The muscles in the area constrict, but they don’t release. The excessive fluid is trapped in this region because the body’s defense system has indicated a foreign invader. By rubbing this area with a soothing motion, you can promote drainage.

Once the fluid starts moving again, you will feel some of the swelling released and the pain. You can also promote drainage by exercise. As you sit at your desk, your feet begin to collect lymph fluid. When you get up and start moving again, the fluid disburses.

So when you move, it helps push your lymph fluid in the right direction. If you’re on a plane or a car ride for several hours, you should get up or out of the car and stretch. A simple walk into a gas station can help to prevent swelling.

Understanding Lymphedema

Have you ever seen someone with one leg dramatically more substantial than the other? It’s often caused by a common problem called lymphedema. You will often see this condition in overweight people or suffer from morbid obesity, though it can happen for other reasons.

Lymphedema is where the fluid collects in a particular area and becomes trapped. Your skin has three layers. Just as you can get clogged skin cells on the surface, you can also get them under the surface. These dead skin cells can clog your lymphatic system and cause the fluid to be unable to drain.

Though lymphedema is often seen in the legs, it can also be seen in the arms. Though skin cells are a common cause of the breakage, it can also be caused by cancer, medication, injury, or an infection. It can become quite severe and requires prompt medical attention.

When you first notice fluid pooling, the skin will be soft and pliable. However, as the liquid collects, the area will become dense and fibrous. You may notice pitting, and the limb will be hard to move as it gains more weight from fluid retention.

The Danger of Lymphoma

Another problem that can occur in the lymphatic system is lymphoma. This system contains the spleen, thymus gland, bone marrow, and your nodes. Since this part of your body is vital for removing impurities, sometimes a malfunction can cause grave danger.

Lymphoma is blood cancer, and it’s divided into two categories, Hodgkin’s or non-Hodgkin’s. Damaged cells begin to mutate and crowd out healthy cells. Since the lymphatic system drains into the bloodstream, it sends cancer throughout the body.

Lymphoma means “water tumor” in Latin, and it was named after Thomas Hodgkin, who discovered this condition in 1832.

Illnesses that Hurt the Lymphatic Structure

Like any other body part, your lymphatic system can feel stress. If this area is feeling angst, you may experience some of the following things:

Aches and pains of the muscles and joints
Sore throat
Having more frequent infections of viruses
Chronic fatigue
General malaise
Arthritis or other symptoms that mimic fibromyalgia
Swollen lymph nodes

Walking through your daily life, you will pick up bacteria from your environment. The bacterium becomes trapped in your body, and the lymph system immediately starts to destroy them.

Unfortunately, sometimes the system does all it can, becoming overloaded and not functioning as it should. During these times, you will experience overload symptoms, as listed above.

7 Ways to Boost Your Lymphatic System

It’s easy to see that keeping your lymphatic system operating fully is imperative. However, you may not know what you need to do. Properly draining it during times of inflammation is a big help, but more things are needed. Here are seven things that can help keep this vital system in shape.

1. Eat an Anti-Inflammatory Diet

There are hundreds of diets, but have you heard of the anti-inflammatory diet? It’s cutting out foods that put any stress on your system. Rather, you need to eat a diet that is rich in the following:

Salmon and other Omega-3 foods
Pumpkin, chia and other varieties of seeds
Olive, coconut, and other unrefined oils
Cruciferous vegetables like cauliflower and broccoli
Add garlic, ginger, and turmeric to your foods
All leafy green vegetables

2. Exercise Often

You need to get that lymph fluid flowing, and it’s hugely beneficial when you exercise for this system. Even if you only have time to do a brisk walk in the evening, it can help you.

3. Self-Myofascial Release

After a workout, you need to try self-myofascial release. This is where you use a foam roller to go over areas of your body to stimulate lymph movement. It helps to repair any tissues hurt during exercise by promoting blood flow to the area needing repair.

4. Lymphatic Drainage Massage

This type of massage therapy helps the body ease lymph congestion. It helps your body flush excess fluid and eases inflamed nodes, muscles, and joints.

5. Get Enough Rest

Your body needs at least seven hours of sleep each night to heal and restore. Your systems won’t work as efficiently if you’re not getting enough sleep. Sleep deprivation is a real problem that has serious consequences.

6. Incorporate the Use of Infrared Saunas

When you sweat, you expel impurities from within the body. An infrared sauna helps to stimulate sweating to detox the body naturally. Now, it can even be done in your home. It’s very healing and beneficial to chronic pain conditions too.

7. Quit Smoking

If you smoke cigarettes, then you are putting your body under oxidative stress. All the carcinogens that you inhale are toxic to your entire system. While smoking is just one bad habit, many other things can cause stress to your structure.

Final Thoughts on Caring for Your Lymphatic System

Your immunity depends on the lymph system and its proper function. If there is a breakdown within this structure, you will experience things like swelling, chronic fatigue, and even cancer. You must do whatever you can to ensure your lymph health.

Eating right and avoiding harmful habits like smoking cigarettes is just the start. You can be proactive about your lymph health; your entire body will reap the benefits.

Psychologists Explain What Causes Children to Become Narcissists

May 7, 2020 by Power of Positivity

Many people believe narcissists aren’t born that way. Psychologists aren’t sure of the exact cause but think children become this way due to their environment. We have a more in-depth look into what causes children to become narcissists.

What Is Narcissistic Personality Disorder?

Let’s look at the clinical definition of Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD). This is a diagnosed mental health condition, not just a term to toss around lightly.

Mental health professionals look for signs like the following: arrogance, chronic attention-seeking, manipulation, entitlement, fascination for wealth and power, and hate for criticism.

Narcissistic Personality Disorder is hard to diagnose in children or teenagers. At younger ages, humans are constantly growing and changing. The personality traits of a narcissist usually worsen with age.

So just because a person feels the need always to be right or is selfish, those actions do not necessarily mean they have a mental illness.

The Study Of Narcissism In Children

There was a study in Psychological and Cognitive Sciences done by the University of Amsterdam on narcissism in children. This study helped determine children’s self-esteem levels due to parental involvement. The researchers concluded that parental overvaluation predicted narcissism more than the lack of parental warmth.

Psychologists’ View of What Triggers Children to Become Narcissists

Psychologists do agree parental behavior is a contribution to the development a narcissistic child. This doesn’t mean all narcissists are created by their parents. We’ll also examine some people are just born with that personality. Some psychologists believe children are likelier to show these traits when parents praise them. Others think they show these traits because they don’t shower them with love and affection. We’ll dive into both of these views.

1 – Narcissists Have a Need For Approval

There are a few things that can cause children to become narcissistic. It’s normal for children to want their parent’s approval and attention. Sometimes when a child cannot get that attention because the family is very competitive and only values high achievement, the child gets left behind. Sometimes the child only feels loved when they win. If they don’t get recognition for second place, they feel disappointed.

If a child grows up in a narcissistic family, they only see these values. They set up a lifelong pattern of chasing happiness. Other times the child feels defeated as they’re told over and over again that they aren’t good enough. They decide to love themselves and make the world like them since their parents don’t show them enough love.

Sometimes they go as far as to do outlandish things because they crave attention. When they don’t get approval, they push the bar further and further until someone has to “see” them and approve them. It becomes a vicious cycle.

2 – Striving To Be Perfect

When children believe they are only loved and praised when they “win,” they feel insecure. They think they’re only valued when they are unique. The child begins to try to be “perfect” to be seen. They strive for perfection to prove they don’t have flaws. The parent continues to put them down when they don’t get all A’s or score goals in a game.

If the child isn’t good enough in their eyes, they are set in a hypothetical corner of the room. The problem with this is the child loses touch with themselves. They don’t even know who they are at the root. They spend their time trying to perfect every activity instead of concentrating on their development. A child should be able to be imperfect at times.

They cannot always score the winning goal. If a parent doesn’t tell them it’s okay to miss a goal, they’ll always feel defeated.

3 – Parents Who Make Kids the Center Of The Universe

Many parents make their children the center of their universe. This doesn’t mean the child will suddenly become a narcissist. Toddlers go through a stage that many call “The Terrible Twos.” If a toddler is neglected through this stage, they sometimes leave the stage without completing it. This scenario may sound like a dream to a parent, but it’s a negative thing.

They will mature into adults with this same perception of the world. During this stage, they should realize other people are in their world. They understand they need other people, but they want to be independent. This is just a normal stage. Young children need boundaries.

They grow up without expectations if they aren’t allowed to fail and know their limits. They learn these limits by throwing tantrums, screaming, manipulating, and making up emotions. But they might become narcissists if they don’t learn any of these things. They expect the world does revolve around them, and they should get what they want.

The scary part is that this toddler becomes an adult having a tantrum. They think they deserve attention.

4 – Parents Heap on Too Much Praise

Many parents overly praise their children. It’s the world of participation trophies we live in. You can work with your child to ensure they don’t go down this path.

As a parent, you have to help them realize they will fail. It’s okay to fail. Teach them empathy and kindness to others. Show them with your actions. Set boundaries for them daily. There are a million different “rules” on parenting in the world. Some say you praise too much. Some say you don’t praise enough.

The most important thing is to work with your child so they understand you love them, but you must also set boundaries for them.

5 – Child Narcissists Are Often a Parental Mirror Image

Many times narcissists as children learn from their parents. When the parents treat the child as if they are perfect, the child starts to believe it. Praise is lovely to a child, but praising their every move can harm their development. When the parent shows narcissistic tendencies, the child might start to act the same way.

They see the parent showing off, living like the rules don’t matter, and disrespecting people. Children often mirror what they see in their parents. They start to do these same things without realizing it.

6 – Nature Vs. Nurture

Some children are born with a tendency to fell less emotional empathy than others. By nature, they are not as empathetic as other people. They don’t feel much emotion. This doesn’t mean they are a narcissist. It just means they don’t have this emotion as much as others.

Nurture is a learned habit. If narcissists have a mental illness of this sort, they usually are taught relationships aren’t as meaningful. They see people as objects at times because it is learned. They were born with the ability to love, yet don’t feel it because they aren’t shown enough love. This does not mean no child nurtured with love will become a narcissist.

Noticing Narcissistic Traits In Children

It’s important to watch out for ways the child shows narcissistic tendencies.

When they start to act entitled, it’s time to step in and show them who’s boss.
They also may become aggressive.
When they don’t get their way, watch out. Often, the worst parts of a narcissist will show when threatened. Their ego is their protection.
Once you push it, they sometimes crumble under stress.
They do not like it when their self-esteem is damaged. W
hen they feel failure, they often lash out.

The Tough Truth About Narcissists

It can be tough to see these traits in children. Narcissists don’t seem contrary to the exterior. They act how you think they should. A person might seem to have all of the right intentions but always has an angle.

They often deflect blame onto anyone around them. Furthermore, they charm you with their angelic actions, only to show their true selves later. Children and teenagers often show all sorts of these traits because of their age. They might not have a mental health issue but are just everyday kids. It’s important to watch them closely to see if their personality changes positively.

Help For A Children Who Are Narcissists

The problem with narcissistic people is that there is rarely a cure for their behavior. If it’s changed and worked within childhood, they can hopefully let the other positive parts of their personality shine. They have to want to change. Adults must work with children with these tendencies to protect their future social relationships. Many claim it’s almost impossible for them to have intimate relationships because they see affection as a means to an end.

Final Thoughts on Why Children Grow Up to Become Narcissists

Overall, a narcissistic child can change if they get intervention at a young age. Changing an adult’s perspective is much more complicated. Children grow and learn by those that guide them through life. It’s great to praise their strange artwork, but only if you do it to an extent. There’s a balance between neglecting your children and overpraising them.

Narcissists create an unfavorable environment for anyone in their path. Therefore, working with children is essential to ensure their positive and healthy futures.

How to Speak Your Opinion (Without Starting An Argument)

May 7, 2020 by Power of Positivity

Speaking one’s opinion is one of the hardest things to do for many people. Defenses often start to rise when you speak up. It can be tough to speak your mind without arguing, but it’s crucial for any type of relationship to practice a few ways that should calm a brewing storm.

Know The Difference Of An Argument And A Fight

It’s essential to know the difference between an argument vs. a fight.

In a fight, one person usually just wants to win. It’s all about convincing the other person they’re wrong. You don’t want to deal with the issue, but want to get the last word. It’s often all about intending to hurt the other person by presenting your side only.

In an argument, you tend to be fairer. You positively express yourself. You listen to the other person. You try as hard as possible to solve the problem. You try to understand the other person’s perspective. If you only fight, you don’t get to listen to an argument that includes both sides.

13 Tips to Speak Your Opinion With Kindness

1 – Focus On Behavior

It’s so easy when you’re trying to speak your mind to focus on the person’s personality. It’s better to focus on their behavior. If you start throwing around all of their negative tendencies instead of focusing on the action at hand, you have a whole new basket of snakes to handle.

Don’t attack the other person’s perspectives on life or their personality tendencies. If you’re upset, the person is spending too much money, tell them you’re not happy with this exact behavior. Don’t call them lazy and fake. This does nothing but put them on the defense.

2 – Own Up to Your Emotions

Feelings are important, but if you don’t up to them, they mean nothing. Express these feelings in words like “I” rather than “You.” If you state your opinion beginning with wagging your finger, it goes nowhere.

It’s best to let the other person be responsible for their actions while you stay in your lane. You can be accountable for your reactions. You have to own up to your feelings. It’s essential to learn to express these feelings in a positive way instead of pointing fingers.

3 – “I Feel” Statements

Use “I feel” statements instead of flying off the handle with blame. If you start spouting out all of the things that anger you without justification, the other person feels targeted. Explain, “I feel upset that this is happening.”

This communication lets the other person take their guard down because you’re showing vulnerability. Additionally, this helps the other person feel they are not at fault.

When you tell your feelings, the other person is going to open their ears and want to hear more about why you’re hurt. If you just throw daggers at them with all they’ve done wrong, they probably don’t want to listen to it.

4 – Use Concrete Words

The more concrete your words, the better your point gets across without anger. If you use words like “always” or “never,” you’re stating an absolute. These are confusing because you don’t always know the absolute truth.

For example, you can’t make a blanket statement like, “You never listen to me.”

Instead, point out an exact time you felt the person didn’t listen to you. They will be less defensive when you don’t say they always do something or never do something if you’re able to point out an exact time.

5 – Control Your Temper

If you lose your temper when you are trying to speak your opinion, you’ve done nothing. Heated arguments lead to loud words, but not action. People get emotional when they’re angry, but it’s crucial to maintain a calm temper.

Express yourself without losing your cool. State your opinions in a calm way. You might feel your temper flaring, but take it down a notch. Pause and take a timeout if you need to regroup your feelings.

6 – Stick To One Issue

It can be tough to stick to one issue when you’re arguing, but it’s important not to jump around to different topics. If you’re angry about one thing the person is doing, don’t start yelling at them about everything else they do wrong in life. This emotion only puts the person on defense.

Give examples of the one thing on a topic that is upsetting you. You don’t want the other person stuck in a vacuum of all of the things you just told them. Tackle one issue at a time, so no one feels overwhelmed or attacked personally.

7 – Look To Finding a Point of Agreement

The goal of any argument is to get to a conclusion. You need to build an understanding with the other person. You need to learn the way they think. It’s best to find the ideas you agree with in your disagreement. This outcome means there is no real winner.

Look for the things you agree on in the issue, and go from there. If you feel the person is making sense in some areas, start from that area. If you start in the negative space, odds are you will end on a negative note.

8 – Think Of Your Outcome

Remember when you are trying to speak your opinion that you have a goal in mind. Don’t lose sight of this goal. Ask yourself if you just want to be heard, or do you have a specific outcome in mind. You’ll get off track if you just start spouting words.

It’s easier to stick to the issue at hand if you remember your outcome. Remember why you put up this fight. If you just want to be heard with words flowing from your mouth, you’re going to get nowhere with your argument.

9 – Listen Carefully

One of the best things you can do in an argument is to listen to the other person. It’s essential to be quiet and hear what the other person is stating so you can better understand their side. This habit is called active listening. You aren’t just listening to them spout words, you’re hearing what they have to say.

Still, you might not agree with their points. But you’re able to reason when you open your ears and mind. This behavior also creates a positive environment where you can take down all of your defenses and just talk.

10 – Take Turns Speaking

Take turns when you speak your opinion. It’s all about giving and taking in an argument. If you just fight your side, you don’t give the other person a voice. They have the right to express their opinion as much as you. It’s essential to respect the other person on the topic.

Say what you need to say, then let them speak their mind. Don’t interrupt or dominate the conversation. You can agree in areas where you understand their viewpoint, then take the time to give your response. Take a breath after the person speaks so you have a little break to get your thoughts together to speak your opinion.

11 – Show Respect, Get Respect as You Speak Your Opinion

Remember to respect the other person you’re speaking to when you speak your opinion. Even if you don’t like the other person’s actions or beliefs, remain respectful of them. You have to let them talk and sit back to listen. If you want a better response out of them, be reverent in the way you handle them. If you don’t want to argue, you have to let them understand you’re willing to listen to their side. They may not be respectful of your opinion, but take the higher road and listen to theirs.

12 – Ask Yourself: Is It Worth It to Share?

Before you open your mouth to have a discussion, decide if it is worth it. If you need to have a serious talk, go ahead. If you just need to vent and get everyone angry, stop yourself. If you know the conversation is going to go nowhere, stop yourself.

Ask yourself why you want to argue. Ask yourself if you can move in a positive direction. If the argument isn’t worth it, just step away. You cannot always change someone else’s perspective. If you’re only getting into a discussion to create havoc, it isn’t worth the fight.

13 – Understand It Is Normal to Want to Speak Your Opinion

Remember that being able to speak your opinion is reasonable. You need to have discussions about maintaining any healthy relationship. You don’t need to fight, but you need to speak up to keep things in balance. This doesn’t mean anything is “wrong” in your relationship or with the other person. It means you’re trying to keep things on track in the correct way. If you never argue, you never express yourself. Things bottle up, and one day you explode with emotion.

Final Thoughts on How to Speak Your Opinion Without Arguing with Others

You don’t have to cause a fight when you try to speak your opinion. You can be heard without shouting. All relationships of all types need maintenance. The only way you can thrive as a person, a couple or a business is to have healthy arguments. Practice these tips regularly to keep your relationships healthy.

75 Things to Do When You Can’t Leave The House

May 7, 2020 by Power of Positivity

When you can’t leave the house, it can be quite dull. Some people will even develop cabin fever or say they’re going stir crazy. You must think outside the box to find innovative things to do.

If you unleash your creative side, as well as the part of you that craves organization and cleanliness, then you will find that you don’t have nearly enough time to get it all done. Here are 75 things that can keep you busy when you can’t leave the house.

Inside the House Tasks

1. Catch up on Laundry

If you want to stay productive, then catching up on laundry is the way to go. There probably isn’t a household in America that doesn’t have an abundance of laundry that needs to be washed, folded, and put away. Since you can’t leave the house, now is your time to tackle this mound.

2. Clean Behind the Stove and Refrigerator

Most people tend to ignore the dust bunnies accumulating behind the stove and fridge. However, take this time to clean that hidden dirt.

3. Clean Out the Closets

Your closest might have clothes from decades ago just waiting to be pitched. One of the best odd jobs is to clean out your old clothes.

4. Pair Down and Donate to Charity

Since you’re already cleaning out closets and doing some deep cleaning, then why not gather things to take to your local charity. You could even have a yard sale if you wanted.

5. Wash all the Curtains and Blinds

Curtains and blinds get dusty over the winter months. Take them down and wash them to help improve the air quality in your home.

6. Clean the Windows

While you’re taking down those curtains and blinds, it’s time to wash the windows too. Use coffee filters for a streak-free shine.

7. Shampoo the Carpets

Carpet cleaning is the last on most people’s list. However, it’s one of the odd jobs that will have the most significant impact. Rent a cleaner from the store or hire Steam Pros Carpet cleaning irvine to come to do it for you.

8. Deep Clean Tile and Grout

Tile and grout cleaning is a thankless job. However, with some bleach and elbow grease, you can have it looking as good as new.

9. Scrub the Tub

Why is it that bathtubs are always so hard to clean? Did you know that the best way to clean a tub is with an oven cleaner? It sounds strange, but this cleaner does most of the work for you.

10. Flip the Mattresses

Who has the time or remembers to flip their mattresses? Now is the perfect time for this mundane task.

11. Rearrange Your Furniture

Are you tired of the flow of a particular room in your home? Why not rearrange the furniture and change everything?

12. Clean the Hidden Lint from the Dryer

Even if you clean out your lint trap after each load, there’s still a ton of lint that you cannot see. Use your sweeper with a special attachment to get rid of hard to reach lint.

13. Organize Under the Sinks

If you’re like most people, then you just throw trash bags and cleaners under your sinks. Take the time to organize these hot spots.

14. Sell Things on Online Auction Sites

If you don’t want to have a yard sale, then you can sell things on online auction sites. You can make some serious cash without leaving your home.

15. Paint a Room

Have you put off painting a room? Now you have the time since you can’t leave the house. Choose a vibrant hue to create a feel-good mood.

16. Give the Bathroom a Deep Cleaning

After you clean the tub, there are still many other parts of the bathroom that need a deep cleaning. Start with the loo and work yourself around the room.

17. Organize your Kitchen Cabinets

Do you have dishes that fall out on your when you open your kitchen cabinets? Why not stay productive and organize this chaos.

18. File Those Important Documents and Shred the Rest

Everyone has a pile of papers that needs to be filed in a safe place. File what you need to keep and invest in a shredder to take care of the rest.

19. Clean the Oven and Refrigerator

You’ve already tackled behind them; now it’s time to get at what lurks inside. Schedule an afternoon off for this necessary task.

20. Dust Ceiling Fans

Who has time to dust ceiling fans? Since AC season is upon us, it’s time to get that dust down before it spreads all over the house.

21. Change Furnace Filter and Clean Return Vents

Other places that dust likes to linger is the return vents on your finance and the filter. Get those taken care of too.

22. Tear up Old Carpet and Replace It With New

Do you have an old stained carpet that’s been bugging you? It’s time to change it out. Even the bare floor is worse than that allergen producing rug.

23. Clean out Basements and Attic Spaces

Though you may need to wear protective gear from years of clutter, it’s time to tackle the basement and attics.

24. Clean and Toss Things in the Garage

Wouldn’t you love to be able to pull into your garage without being afraid of hitting bodes of clutter? Gather some stuff for the trash pile and put others on online auctions sites.

Outside the House Tasks

25. Weed and Mulch Flower Beds

Gather your gardening tools and get to work. You have a month’s worth of weed that needs to be gone. Once you’re done, you can mulch those beds for flowers.

26. Plant New Flowers for Spring

If you don’t have any perennial plants that are going to come back this year, then head to your local nursery and make your garden spectacular this year.

27. Dig up any Dead Bushes

Do you have any dead bushes lingering in your yard? Even if there is a little bit of life left, it’s probably best to let them go.

28. Prune Trees

Any tree overgrowth that is near electric lines should be pruned for the season.

29. Sharpen the Blades and Change the Oil in Lawnmower

Doing some routine maintenance on your lawnmower is essential. You want it to go strong all summer long.

30. Add New String to the Weed Eater

It’s time to restring your weed eater so that it can help you take care of your garden all year long.

31. Turn Your Outside into Additional Living Space

Why not bring the inside-outside? How can you extend your living space to the great outdoors?

32. Clean the Barbeque Grill

Get some oven cleaned and scraper as it’s time to tackle one of the dirtiest jobs around the home. However, you will need that grill for summer fun.

33. Inspect and Change Water Hose if Necessary

Make sure your water hose doesn’t have any cracks or holes in it. To have a gorgeous garden, you need to be able to water your flowers.

34. Add Some Decorative Elements to your Garden

Why not add a gazing ball or a gnome to your flower garden? It will surely spice things up a bit.

35. Weed Eat and Mow Grass Often

Since you can’t leave the house, you might as well make sure your grass and weed eating is done promptly. About once a week is a required frequency.

36. Put Out a Bird Feeder or Two

There’s something spectacular about watching the birds. Why not let nature entertain you during this downtime?

37. Power Wash House and Decks

Pull out the power washer and bring new life to your siding and decks. Wash the algae and mold of the wet season from your abode.

38. Bring out Summer Furniture and Dust it Off

While you’re cleaning out the garage, get out your patio furniture and dust it off. It’s time for some backyard fun.

39. Install a Water Feature Outdoors

Have you always wanted a koi pond or waterfall? Since you can’t leave the house, this tranquil addition will help with anxiety.

40. Paint the house or Add Siding

If you’ve always wanted to put siding on your home or paint it, now is your chance. Consider a trusted and reliable service like siding contractors union city pa, to ensure a high-quality and professional upgrade. You can also get some friends and ask them to help with this significant undertaking. For the best results, consider using siding from Amazing Exteriors in Dallas. Their high-quality materials and professional service will ensure your home looks fantastic and stands the test of time.

41. Refresh Paint on the Shutters

Would you like to change the paint on your shutters? Get rid of dark colors and opt for a vibrant blue, red, or even orange.

42. Give Your Front Door a New Hue

While you’re painting your shutters, give your door a new color too. Finish off the touch with a decorative wreath to make it pop.

43. Rake Leaves and Debris from Winter Winds

The winter wind blows fall’s leaves around. You should take some time since you can’t leave the home and clean up all those piles under porches and such.

44. Remove Straw and Clean Animal Pins

If you have any outside animals, then you’ve probably got plenty of straw in their beds. It’s time to change and remove some of that to prepare for the hot season. Plus, you want to give those pens a good cleaning too.

45. Clean and Repaint Your Mailbox

It’s the little touches that make a difference. Why not clean up your mailbox and give it a fresh coat of paint?

46. Sweep and Power Wash Porches

While you have that power washer out, you need to go ahead and get the porches too. They seem to be less of an issue since most are covered but still need to be cleaned.

47. Fill up Gas Cans for Machinery

Since gas prices are so low, you should fill up a couple of cans to keep on hand.

48. Sort and Organize Gardening Tools

Clean, organize and sort all your gardening tools. You’re going to need to replace some and pitch others.

49. Clean the Gutters and Install Gutter Caps

The rainy days of spring and summer bring leaves and debris to your gutters. Clean these out to prevent an issue in the fall months.

50. Wash Windows from Outside

Wash the outside of your windows. You can easily attach a cleaner to your garden hose to make this task easy.

Tasks to Treat Yourself After All That Hard Work

51. Do Some Online Discount Shopping

Some serious sales are going on right now. Take advantage of these offers.

52. Get Your Wardrobe Ready for Summer

Do you need some new clothes? While you’re shopping, stock your closet for summer fun.

53. Read a Good Book

Get a blanket and curl up with a good book. Since you can’t leave the house, why not enjoy every inch of your couch?

54. Rest

It’s okay if you don’t get out of your pajamas. You can sleep the day away. It’s okay to sleep in till 10. You’ve earned it.

55. Catch Up on A Television Series

Is there a television show that you want to watch but never had the time? Well, now is your chance.

56. Give Yourself a Facial

Grab the tweezers and a mud mask as now is the perfect time to give yourself a quality facial at home.

57. Do a Home Version of a Manicure and Pedicure

Since you’re in the spa mode, you don’t want to forget about those overgrown nails on your hands and feet. Trim and shape your nails as sandal season is upon you.

58. Have Your Partner Give You a Massage

The only thing better than a massage is not having to pay for it. Why not take turns giving massages to you and your partner?

59. Take a Bubble Bath with Candles and Champagne

Run the hottest water you can stand, fill it with bubbles, light some candles, and put the bubbly on ice. You deserve it.

60. Netflix and Chill

For all those times you’ve heard people say they were going to Netflix and chill and you didn’t have time. It’s your chance to relax.

61. Connect with Loved Ones and Friends Far Away

Connect with friends and family both near and far through Zoom, Skype, or Facebook messenger.

62. Make a TikTok Video

If you think you have a unique talent or gift, then you can make a TikTok or YouTube video. Who knows;. You may go viral?

63. Enhance Your Culinary Skills

There are thousands of online tutorials that can help you to learn some new makeup tricks. Now is the time to experiment.

64. Cook Some Goodies for Elderly or Needy

Many people are struggling with being stuck at home, but you can help those less fortunate or the elderly by making them some goodies.

65. Join an Online Support Group

If you feel that the four walls are caving in on you, then you may want to join an online support group.

66. Catch up on Social Media

Whether you Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Pinterest, take your downtime to catch up on friends and family.

67. Learn to Sew

Have you always wanted to learn to sew? Why not get a machine and learn. Sewing is becoming increasingly popular again.

68. Make Protection Masks for People

Since you’re learning to sew, why not make some protection masks for people? It’s a simple project that even a novice can do.

69. Build Blanket Forts with the Kids

There’s nothing better than forts made from blankets. Your children will love the time you spend with them to do it.

70. Play Lots of Board Games

Pull out Monopoly, Scrabble, and Candy Land. It’s time for an old fashioned board game night.

71. Paint Your Nails a Vibrant Hue

Why not walk on the wild side and give your nails a stunning splash of color? You can change it as often as you like.

72. Take a Nap as Often as Possible

Give yourself permission to take a daily nap. Since you can’t leave the house, staying in bed is the next best thing.

73. Make Sure To do Plenty of Porch Sitting

Grab your lemonade, a good book, and head to the porch swing. You’ve earned this downtime.

74. Dust Off Your Bike and Get Riding

Bike riding is excellent for every muscle group in your body. Air up those tires and head down the road. Your body will thank you.

75. Try Some Crazy Makeup Hacks

Have you always wanted to be adventurous in your makeup? Now is a great time to practice some new techniques. Who knows, you may develop a new style.

Final Thoughts: Tackle the Tasks Around the House You Never Take Time to Complete

When you can’t leave the house, you can find many things to do to occupy your time. Make a list of the items you want to tackle and get cracking. You will feel like this social distancing thing was a blessing to be able to accomplish so much.

8 Signs You Have a Wheat Intolerance

May 7, 2020 by Deborah Tayloe

Wheat and wheat proteins are in many different foods, so it can be highly inconvenient when you have a wheat intolerance. This intolerance can cause many different health problems if it isn’t controlled. In fact, a wheat intolerance could be so severe that it may be fatal. The key to managing this debilitating allergy – aka gluten allergy – is knowing the symptoms and how to live with them so you don’t trigger them.

Keep reading to find out more about wheat intolerance and the symptoms that it causes.

What is a Wheat Intolerance?

A wheat intolerance (wheat allergy or non-celiac gluten sensitivity) is a condition in which a person has adverse reactions to eating wheat or wheat components. Wheat allergies may sound relatively straightforward, and it generally is. However, there tends to be a bit of confusion that can blur the definition.

First, a wheat allergy is not the same as a gluten intolerance. Many people use the terms interchangeably, but this is incorrect. It’s possible to tolerate gluten in other foods, such as rye or barley. However, if you can’t tolerate gluten, you probably can’t tolerate wheat.

Another mix-up is that a wheat allergy is Celiac Disease, or it causes Celiac Disease (CD). The CD is related more to gluten intolerance, not wheat allergies. This means you can have wheat allergies and not have CD. However, if you have CD, you may not be able to tolerate wheat.

Wheat allergy is a condition that is still under medical and scientific investigation. Several speculations exist about why people have wheat allergies or what causes it. Even the way foods are processed is a theory behind wheat allergies.

One thing is sure about wheat allergies – it’s obvious when a person has this condition. There are quite a few signs that can’t be ignored. In the next section are eight signs of a wheat allergy.

Eight Signs of a Wheat Intolerance

1. Joint Pain

Joint pain is commonly reported in people with a wheat allergy, especially when that intolerance is due to gluten. In wheat-intolerant people, eating wheat proteins can trigger an autoimmune response. This response causes a person’s immune system to attack the allergens. Unfortunately, the attack causes inflammation around the joints. This attack and the subsequent inflammation are what causes joint pain.

2. Mental or Emotional Issues

Specific proteins in wheat have been scientifically shown to affect your mood and cognitive functioning negatively. Gluten is one of the biggest culprits. Remember that we’ve told you that if you have gluten intolerance, you have a wheat allergy (but not vice-versa). These adverse effects include but are not limited to mood swings, depression, anxiety, and mental disorders.

In the study of wheat allergies, there are many theories about why wheat proteins can put you in a bad mood. Some scientists believe that it’s an autoimmune response issue. Some say it’s because exorphines (polypeptides) bind with morphine receptors in the brain.

No matter which theory you come across, there is one common consensus – wheat allergies, or rather the lack of control of wheat allergies, cause mental and emotional issues.

3. Digestive Problems

Digestive problems are the most noticeable symptoms of wheat allergies. They can also be the most problematic symptoms. Some of the more common digestive problems are:

Nausea
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Abdominal cramps
Bloating
Gas

Many of these issues stem from the fact that a body with wheat intolerance can’t process some or all the proteins in wheat. These other issues aren’t usually painful except for abdominal cramping, but they can wreak havoc on your body if you continue to have them.

4. Neurological Problems

One of the most common neurological problems that stem from wheat allergies is headaches. These headaches can range from mild to full-on migraines. Extreme headaches from wheat allergies can be debilitating, keeping you from completing your daily activities.

Other neurological issues include brain fog, insomnia, vertigo, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Work and school performance can suffer and people suffering from uncontrolled wheat allergies may even begin to feel stupid or clumsy.

5. Fatigue

Fatigue can be one of the most debilitating symptoms of wheat allergies. It’s could be considered a secondary or sub-symptom because mental or physical issues can cause it. Of course, the underlying problem would be the wheat allergy, but other symptoms or a collection of symptoms often cause fatigue.

Many studies on fatigue indicate that, in many cases, it results from psychosocial issues. From this, it’s safe to say that many neurological and mood symptoms contribute to fatigue due to wheat allergies. It’s been proven that depression can cause feelings of fatigue, so deducing this theory isn’t a far stretch.

Psychological issues don’t eliminate physical issues as contributing factor to fatigue. Your body can deal with so many problems that all your energy is used to combat the different issues. It could even be that the wheat allergy is preventing your body from processing the energy from the fuel you’re ingesting (food).

6. Skin Problems

When thinking about skin problems from food allergies, the first thing that comes to mind is a rash. It can be confusing why something you ingest affects your skin on the outside so here is a quick explanation.

First, a rash indicates that your body is fighting the allergy. Your body will consider the wheat proteins as invading substances. Histamines are then released to “get rid of” the wheat proteins. These chemicals cause your capillaries to leak, which collects under the skin, causing a rash.

A rash from food allergies is a good sign in a particular light. It means your body is strong enough to eliminate the “invaders.” However, rashes don’t feel good and don’t look good, so the bad outweighs the good.

7. Respiratory Problems

Wheat intolerance is a type of allergy and, like other allergies, can cause several respiratory issues.

One example of this is a condition known as Baker’s Asthma. A study done on bakery workers showed that wheat stimulates epithelial cells that release inflammatory cytokines called Transforming Growth Factors-?1 (TGF-?1). These cytokines peak after just six hours of exposure which is concerning since a typical bakery worker works an eight-hour shift or more.

Inflamed airways can cause secondary symptoms such as:

Coughing
Wheezing
Shortness of breath
Mucus

As you can see, the respiratory problems from wheat allergies can be severe. They can be so severe that they lead to the following symptom on the list, anaphylaxis.

8. Anaphylaxis

Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction from food allergies like wheat. It’s a life-threatening condition that requires you to seek medical attention immediately.

Anaphylaxis occurs when your body “overreacts” to the histamine that’s released in your body. You may have multiple areas of your body that are affected all at once and it could be too much for your body to handle alone. Other acute problems that can occur with anaphylaxis include:

Hives
Tongue swelling/inability to swallow
Closed throat/throat swelling
Loss of consciousness
Death

As you can see from the symptoms above, the biggest problem with anaphylaxis is that you won’t be able to breathe. That’s why you must seek immediate care for anaphylaxis.

Living With Wheat Allergies

Once you’ve confirmed your wheat allergy, you must change your diet to avoid eating wheat protein. The most obvious change is to avoid anything with wheat in it. You can also look for gluten-free foods, but remember that they may still have other wheat proteins. Make sure you read labels thoroughly.

There are a lot of foods that have ingredients with alternative names to wheat as well as pre-processed foods that contain ingredients that secretly have wheat proteins. You should become familiar with them and avoid them also.

Here are a few more common foods that might contain wheat:

Barley
Chicken broth
Salad dressings
Veggie burgers
Couscous
Semolina
Kamut

As you can see, many foods/ingredients aren’t even grains. Living with a wheat allergy requires a good bit of research and dedication. You should also keep an Epinephrine pen (EpiPen) in case of an anaphylactic emergency. Of course, you should consult your doctor before getting an EpiPen.

Final Thoughts on Wheat Intolerance

Sometimes wheat allergies won’t be noticeable, mainly because the eight symptoms above can occur from so many other issues. However, the key is paying attention to when the symptoms occur.

Symptoms from wheat allergies often happen in a time range of a few minutes to a few hours after eating the offending foods. The good news is that by knowing the symptoms and how to live a wheat-intolerant lifestyle, you can prepare for anything that wheat allergies throws at you.

Psychology Explains 4 Phrases Women Tell Their Partner If They Truly Care

May 6, 2020 by Power of Positivity

Words have a lot of power. They can be used to bring people together or keep people apart. They can also be used to express feelings, especially in relationships. There are certain things that women might say when they are genuinely feeling somebody.

Knowing these phrases can be helpful when you aren’t entirely sure how the woman in your life feels about you. Here are four sentences women tell their partner if they genuinely care.

4 Phrases Women Use to Express Love

1. “This made me think of you.”

Women can tell their partner one of the most uncomplicated phrases to let them know they care “this made me think of you.”

When a woman starts to fall for a partner, she will always think about this person. This thinking includes while listening to music, reading articles online, watching television, and shopping. While going about her day, she will likely see things that remind her of her beau. Letting them know about what made you think of them is a way to initiate conversation and develop even more of a connection.

Phrases women tell their partner should be used as effectively as possible. To make this phrase useful, a woman should make a point to get to know their partner. If the person enjoys cooking, send a picture of a new gourmet meal you found online that would interest them. If the person likes music, send them new music you found in a genre they enjoy.

You can also send a picture or buy a gift of something that reminded you of an experience you once shared, such as a movie or vacation. Do not post something that doesn’t apply to your partner in other ways, or it can make it appear as if you don’t know that person.

These little messages and reminders will make someone feel adored and appreciated. They will know that you think about them regularly. Everyone is busy throughout the day, and you are letting them know how you feel, even though you are working. These reminders will make the person smile. It may also help encourage stronger feelings for you. They may even return similar sentiments while they go throughout their day. Ideally, you can use these messages as a way to hang out with each other.

2. “How’s your family doing?”

When a woman cares for her partner, she will also care about the people and things going on in their world. One of the most important things for people is their family. These are the people who helped develop them into who they are. Family members are also the people who offer love and support when necessary. They were also there through certain things that you couldn’t be there for.

Phrases women tell their partner when they will make it clear that they know how important these people are to you.

Many women who care will not only want to know about how their partner’s family is doing but also want to develop a relationship with them themselves. Of course, this doesn’t happen right away. However, a woman who cares will want to eventually meet the family and be present for important events and holidays.

Family isn’t always comfortable for a partner to get along with. At times, families can be intimidating, invasive, or downright rude. A woman who cares will make a point to take it all in stride and deal with it for you, even if it’s not always easy.

Learning about and getting to know a partner’s family can also help explain a lot of things about the person and why they are the way they are. A person may bring what they witnessed in their household into the relationship.

Hopefully, your partner had good role models in their parents. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case. It can become apparent why a partner may have trouble expressing themselves or certain beliefs they have. Seeing how their family affected them can help a woman relate to their partner better.

Finally, a significant other’s family will eventually become their own family in time. This saying is one of the phrases women tell their partner when they want to be a part of the family and take the relationship to another level one day. IF things go well, you may even have your own family in time.

3. “Talk to me.”

Many people assume women talk more than men. Due to this social training, many men may not express their feelings as much as they would like to. Whether they show it or not, men have emotions and problems, too. They may have family problems, problems at work, or personal issues bothering them. If a woman truly cares, she will sit down and ask her partner to talk to her.

When a woman truly cares about someone, they can tell when something is weighing on them. Some people get quiet, some start drinking, and others get irritable. Instead of being angry about the behavior, a woman who cares will ask their partner to open up. They will offer an open ear without judgment or talking over the person with their problems.

It’s essential for someone in a relationship to be able to speak to their partner about what’s happening. Some women may be so busy that they don’t notice the signs of a problem or have time to talk. If a woman cares, they will slow down for a bit to listen.

When there is a problem, their partner will be able to relax and go over what’s bothering them in a safe place. However, they need to feel they are in a safe place first. Women can do this by talking in a gentle tone and smiling when appropriate.

Hopefully, the partner will start talking and expressing what’s going on. When this happens, you know a woman cares when she listens instead of talking. Venting can be the best medicine at times. Just letting things out can help someone feel better about everything. It’s just the fact that someone cares and is willing to listen.

Some people aren’t so keen on opening up and talking. In these cases, offering up an ear is still nice anyway. When your partner doesn’t take you up on the offer, you don’t want to push the matter any further. A happy and comforting presence can be the best solution in this case. Just be there.

4. “I love you.”

Ultimately, a woman will let a man know how they feel by just saying the words “I love you.” These three little words can be so meaningful. Of course, it can be challenging to determine when to say this all-important phrase.

You don’t want to say “I love you,” too soon. It can cause someone to run off instead of feeling cared for. However, when you say it at the right time, it can be a very powerful phrase.

Some people jump in too quickly and say the phrase right off the bat. However, it’s best to say it between 3 months to 6 months if things are going well, and both people want to move forward in the relationship. At this point, you have gotten to know each other better. You should be exclusive at this point, too. The phrase “I love you” can help take you to the next step in the relationship without taking drastic measures so soon. It’s a sign of future intentions.

A woman who wants to show that she cares will continue to use this phrase throughout the relationship to help reassure her partner about her feelings for them. It can help get a couple through the hard parts of a relationship, too. This is one of the phrases women tell their partner to help smooth things over after a fight and get things back on track.

It’s also important not to use this phrase frivolously. You shouldn’t say it on a first date. You also shouldn’t say it so much that it loses meaning. The phrase should be heartfelt to your partner every time you say it. You also don’t want to use it every single time you make a mistake. It can become a way for someone to get out of trouble when used in this way.

Final Thoughts on the Phrases Women Use to Show They Care

Women are usually expressive creatures, but you need to listen to what they say. These phrases women tell their partner to indicate a real sense of caring and love. If you hear these phrases, you’re probably on the right path.

But be careful–it’s crucial not to get things confused. A woman may say something, demonstrating that they care. However, they may not care for you in that way. Look for other signs that your partner is falling in love as well. If the person does care for you, you should make a point to say the same things back to her.

10 Hidden Signs Of Mental Abuse To Never Ignore

May 6, 2020 by Power of Positivity

Do you feel insulted, or perhaps your self-esteem has been reduced to flakes? Sometimes it’s the constant downplaying of your independence and dignity from your spouse that keeps your eyes wet most of the night. For a majority of people, emotional and mental abuse persists for extended periods as it doesn’t leave physical marks.

Mental abuse is often insidious, easy to cover, and can go undetected by close friends, family members, and even with the victim themselves. Unlike physical and sexual abuse, emotional abuse can be confusing. In this piece, we will discuss some of the commonly hidden signs of emotional abuse that should be clear tell-tales that you need to run.

10 Hidden Signs of Mental Abuse

If these sound like you, it could be time to make some hard decisions.

1 – Over-protectiveness

At the beginning of the relationship, when your spouse consistently communicates and checks-in to see how you are fairing, it may seem caring. The genuine concern could sweep your feet away, especially if you had been craving for an emotionally invested partner. Nonetheless, it’s easy for your partner to cross the line and turn these behaviors into harassment.

As time goes by, you may notice that your spouse intrudes on your personal space, threatens you when you don’t pick up your phone or text back immediately. A toxic partner will demand an ongoing account of your daily whereabouts and could even limit where you go and who you spend your time with. The relentless suffocation and harassment shouldn’t be confused for being concerned and caring.

2 – Negative criticizing and humiliation

The abuser may have mastered the art of undermining your self-esteem and confidence in several ways. At first, it begins as “jokes” that shouldn’t move or anger you in any way. They continue manifesting into unrelenting and harsh criticisms that could break you into pieces. How do you spot this?

Toxic partners will ridicule your appearance, lifestyle choices, spending habits, and personal decisions. Your spouse may say out-rightly hurtful things about you and sugarcoat them as “jokes.” Sarcastic remarks have boundaries and shouldn’t make you feel bad about yourself.

You may also notice that your toxic partner turns down all efforts that go into pointing out these harsh criticisms and humiliation. Your spouse may bring up earlier incidences where they made these jokes, and you didn’t confront them, he or she could make you second-guess yourself or shut you off by saying that you are overreacting. You aren’t crazy: if you feel humiliated about a partner’s comment, it’s time to table your emotions and thoughts.

3 – Hot and cold affection

Do you find yourself in the middle of cold wars always? While it’s common to argue with your partner about various things throughout your relationship, it’s not healthy for them to withhold affection, sex, or finances when you don’t comply with them. You’ve probably noticed that your spouse becomes hostile, cold, and irritated based on their emotions.

Their love is selfish and relies on your willingness to bend your thoughts on a specific subject. This kind of affection is typically manipulative and aims at controlling you. You will often walk on eggshells to avoid disappointing or enraging them.

If you find yourself always self-editing or second-guessing yourself around them, it means you’ve recognized the mental abuse in your unhealthy relationship. Nonetheless, you have taken up the job to comfort their emotions first, all the time, equating to emotional abuse.

4 – Unfair blame game

Take a few minutes to recall how your arguments resolve. Are you always taking the blame for everything that goes wrong in your relationship? How many times have you received an apology for a wrong done to you?

In emotionally abusive cases, you are probably taking all the blame, and your partner hardly takes the blame mantle; it’s always your fault. In some cases, when the blame entirely falls on your spouse, he or she becomes manipulative, turns down the responsibility of accepting the mistake, and puts it on others. You are continually arguing and settling down arguments with a toxic partner who will never admit they made a mistake.

Over time, this form of emotional abuse gradually grows, and you may start to think that there’s something wrong with you. You may begin to reason that you aren’t good enough to keep your spouse calm and that their behaviors are justified. You eventually view yourself as an imperfect party while they take the perfect mantle.

5 – Your partner makes you feel small

It takes years of building confidence in yourself, and no one should belittle you into thinking otherwise. Unfortunately, mentally abusive partners usually are into the habit of downgrading and putting down their partners, which can be less apparent in the relationship’s initial stages. According to therapists, this is a tactic used by the abuser to garner control and power in a relationship.

Pay attention to how your spouse reacts to your achievements and strengths. Most abusers will show little or no interest in your progress. However, they will exploit every weakness or vulnerability.

You may also note many disturbing comments that belittle you and your accomplishments. They may also compare you and your strengths to other people to make you feel inadequate. With more passing time, your self-esteem can slowly diminish to become a shadow of itself.

6 – Placing ultimatums

As earlier discussed, a toxic partner is naturally manipulative and gets to reveal himself or herself within the course of the relationship. A threat doesn’t necessarily mean that you will have a gun to your head. On the contrary, you will be forced to do something against your will despite knowing that the decision or move doesn’t make you happy.

Have you found yourself doing things that don’t make you happy so that you can maintain the smile on your toxic partner’s face? Does your spouse threaten to leave you if you fail to adhere to their desires and wants? Placing ultimatums in your relationship is a clear indication that you are in an emotionally abusive commitment where everything that matters depends on your partner’s wants and needs entirely.

7 – What’s in the past doesn’t remain in the past

As it should be, once you’ve discussed an argument and forgiven each other, the incidence should be buried. Easier said than done with most mental abuse cases. Emotional abusive people are always in the habit of holding and reviving grudges to maintain some control and power in an unhealthy relationship.

You may notice that your spouse becomes defensive when they are in the wrong. They will quickly overturn facts through reviving past mistakes and incidences to defend their behavior and regard themselves as “good and justified.”

Eventually, you will find yourself arguing about the same thing repeatedly, and nothing resolves completely. High chances are you will always take the blame to avoid dragging the argument.

8 – One-sided relationship

A one-sided relationship is a dangerous relationship. It mainly involves one party putting all the effort, time, and energy into making it work and keeping the other happy. It’s never reciprocated. In many cases, the one putting in all the effort often is the victim of mental abuse.

Look at it more like a bully forcing you to make them happy and satisfied while they do nothing to make you happy in return. This manipulative tactic is common among people who get comfortable in a relationship once they know their spouse is already engaged in it. In the end, the victim loses a lot more, including themselves, into the one-sided relationship.

9 – You find yourself apologizing for things you haven’t done

Do you find yourself apologizing for things your toxic partner forcefully accuses you of? Mental abusers can get into your head, manipulate you, and coerce you into apologizing for something you haven’t done.

Here’s an example. You decide to catch up with a friend or workmate and fail to pick his or her call. Therefore, your spouse may conclude you are cheating.

With receipts and accusations all geared at forcing you to confess that you cheated, you could end up apologizing for something your toxic partner framed and made-up. If you find yourself in a situation where you must bend your truth to accommodate your partner’s accusations, things need to change. These continued habits could force you into isolation and self-doubt.

10 – Putting on an act

Mental abuse can seemingly last for ages, mainly because the abuser acts personable, attractive, and charming in public. This makes it hard to explain the real picture to friends and family who have a different perspective on the individual. This is the same reason why victims fall into their abusers’ arms as the abuser initially sweeps off their feet before revealing his or her true identity.

Would you describe your spouse as the same person both in public and when they are with you? If your answer is confusing, you probably have an abuser for a partner. Mental abusers are willing to put on an act for as long as the victim plays along.

Here are signs you partner is manipulating you. It could be time to move on.

Final thoughts on mental abuse

Unlike verbal, physical, and sexual abuse, mental abuse typically lasts longer. The abuse is silent, and victims are unsuspecting. If not rectified immediately, the violence often culminates into physical abuse after significantly affecting your mental health. Recognize these signs of a mentally abusive relationship. Indeed, you could help yourself or a loved one to leave a dangerous and disastrous relationship.

8 Causes of Eye Twitching and How to Fix It

May 6, 2020 by Power of Positivity

Twitching eye muscles can be a persistent annoyance throughout the day. It can make it even harder to concentrate and also interfere with your vision. Eye twitching refers to uncontrollable eyelid spasms and has a variety of causes.

Eye spasms usually only last for a few minutes. However, eye twitching can persist up to days at a time in more severe cases. Fixing your eye twitch depends on the cause of the twitching. So here are the eight most common causes of eye twitching and how best to fix it.

8 Common Causes of Eye Twitching (and the fixes!)

1 – Stress

Stress is undoubtedly the most common cause of eye twitching. The extra adrenaline caused by the fight or flight response of being under prolonged stress primes your muscles to deal with a situation your body perceives as dangerous. This excess adrenaline can also prime the muscles in your eyelids, and with too much built up adrenaline will cause your eyelid muscles to spasm.

The best way to alleviate the eyelid spasm caused by stress is to find ways to destress and take some downtime during your day. Doing yoga exercises or socializing with friends and family can be a great way to help reduce stress and cure your eye twitching.

2 – Caffeine

Having too much caffeine can trigger eyelid spasms the same way that stress does. Caffeine acts as a stimulant to help jolt your body into action, providing a rush of adrenaline and other chemicals to keep you going. Too much caffeine can overstimulate the eye muscles, causing uncontrollable spasms and twitching.

The best way to alleviate spasming caused by caffeine is to cut back on it. Don’t drink as much coffee as you usually do and avoid sugary energy drinks or energy boosters. You can replace those high caffeine drinks with water and natural energy boosters like whole grains. That way, you’ll keep your body fueled and ready to go without overstimulating yourself with caffeine and then burning out, giving you more of a slow burn of energy throughout the day instead of a massive short term burst.

3 – Fatigue

Eye twitching can be caused by not having enough energy as well. This scenario can lead to your body struggling to keep your eyes open. Or, you might not have enough energy to keep your eyelid muscles in the open position.

Making sure you are getting enough rest is essential, but also having a consistent sleep schedule. Reducing muscle twitching isn’t the only reason you should try to get more sleep, though. Getting adequate rest can provide many overall health benefits as well.

4 – Eye Strain

Eye strain, specifically from screens and digital devices, can lead to muscle spasms and twitching of your eyelids. The digital light can overstimulate the brain and eyes, leading to a dull ache as well as your eyelids spasming to help cut down on the harsh light penetrating the eyes.

One of the best ways to cut back on this source of eye strain is to follow the 20/20/20 rule whenever you’re using a screen or phone for an extended time.

For every 20 minutes you spend looking at a screen, take about 20 seconds to focus on an object at a distance away (about 20 feet if possible). This habit helps give your eyes a break and cuts down on eye strain caused by staring at a screen for extended periods.

5 – Drinking Alcohol

Alcohol can cause a lot of muscle problems, including muscle weakness as well as spasms. These spasms can also include the muscles in your eyelids. The chemicals in alcohol can interfere with the neurological signals sent from the brain to the motor nerves in your muscles, causing the spasming and twitching.

If you are suffering from muscle spasms due to alcohol, cut back on how much you drink each day, limiting yourself one drink per night, or simply take a break from alcohol altogether.

6 – Dry Eyes

Dry eyes can be another frequent cause of twitching eyelid muscles, especially in people who are over 50. Other factors can make dry eyes more common, such as excessive use of computers, certain medications, the use of contacts, and the consumption of caffeine and alcohol.

Twitching from dry eyes is your body’s reaction to trying to rehydrate your eyes, as your eyelids help distribute moisture from your tear ducts across the surface of your eyes. You’ll almost feel a gritty texture under your eyelid as if you had something stuck in your eye if you are suffering from dry eyes.

If your twitching is, in fact, from dry eyes, you may want to consult your eye doctor. After an examination, your doctor will be able to either advise lifestyle changes to help reduce the frequency of your dry eyes or prescribe moisturizing drops to help hydrate your eyes.

Read about natural methods to relieve red, dry eyes.

7 – Nutritional Problems

Not getting enough essential vitamins and minerals such as magnesium can lead to eyelid spasms and other muscular problems. Try to stick to a reasonably balanced diet and eat more whole foods like fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and avoid processed foods. Not only will this help with the twitching, but it will lead to an overall more healthy lifestyle too.

8 – Allergies

People who suffer from allergies can end up with a variety of symptoms, which ultimately lead to eyelid twitching. Allergens can irritate the eye, leading to dryness, swelling, and watery eyes.

Additionally, our first reaction is to usually rub at our eyes, causing histamines to be released into the eyelid tissues and resulting in spasming of the muscles.

Sometimes over the counter medicine can help reduce allergy symptoms, but these eye drops and allergy medications can also lead to dry eyes (see #6). Your eye doctor may be able to make recommendations of specific drugs or eye drops to use to help alleviate your allergy symptoms.

Most importantly, if you feel your eyes start to itch from allergies, don’t rub them. Instead, run them under water or apply a damp washcloth over your eyes to help hydrate them. This action will also clear any allergens that may have come in contact with your eyes.

When Eye Twitching Might Indicate a Looming Concern

While many of the common causes of eye spasms are relatively mundane and can resolve themselves on their own, sometimes eye twitching can be a sign of a more serious condition, especially if it lingers for days at a time.

Specific types of eye spasms can also be a sign of a more severe condition. If you have a sudden change in appearance and movement over half of your face, or if your eyelids spasm to the point where they clamp shut and can’t be opened, it may be a sign of a severe neurological condition such as blepharospasm or hemifacial spasm.

These kinds of spasms can also be a sign of other neurological disorders and are almost always accompanied by other symptoms associated with these disorders. Neurological conditions that have eye spasms as a symptom include:

Bell’s Palsy
Cervical Dystonia
Dystonia
Multiple Sclerosis
Oromandibular dystonia and facial dystonia
Parkinson’s Disease
Tourette’s Syndrome

You shouldn’t rush to see an eye doctor over every little eye twitch. If it persists for more than a day, though, you should see a doctor. You should also seek help if it’s accompanied by other symptoms like a loss of facial motor control, being unable to open your eyes, or numbness and tingling sensations.

If you sense something is seriously wrong or if the twitching feels like any of the common causes above is not causing it, seek medical attention.

Ophthalmologists explain why your eyes twitch.

Final Thoughts on Managing Eye Twitching

Eye twitching can be extremely annoying and distracting. But luckily, its causes are relatively mundane, and the twitching usually resolves itself after a few minutes. Depending on what is causing your eye to twitch, you can help alleviate the spasms faster. You can also reduce the frequency of the contractions by counteracting the causes.

These actions include the following:

Having less caffeine if you are overstimulating your nervous system with coffee and energy drinks.
Try new stress relief tactics if you are under a lot of pressure and constant stress.
Taking breaks from using screens or devices which could be causing eye fatigue, especially if you need to use these devices most of your day for work.
Consult your eye doctor for eye drops or anti-allergen medications to help with dry eyes and allergies.

Lastly, if you suffer severe symptoms or your eye twitching is accompanied by other symptoms like numbness, which leads you to believe something might be seriously wrong, contact your doctor immediately or go for emergency medical services. In rare cases, the eyelid spasms can be a symptom of neurological problems. And those issues may cause other complications if not adequately treated.

Psychologists Expain Why Mental Illness Makes People Feel Tired

May 6, 2020 by Power of Positivity

If you have one or more mental illnesses, then you might battle a plethora of symptoms. Have you noticed that you have more exhaustion than usual? It could be another health issue, or it may be stemming from a psychiatric disorder.

We live in a society that is blessed with more technology and convenience than any other time in history. Yet, we seem more tired than ever. Talk to just about anyone you know, and they will probably complain of how exhausted they are these days.

Is this fatigue a product of a work-obsessed culture, or could it have something to do with brain chemistry? After countless scientific studies, psychologists believe that mental illness can be a significant contributor to fatigue. Struggling to find answers to your chronic lack of energy has probably exhausted you.

Have you been shaming yourself for not being as energetic as you would like? Treat yourself with compassion and realize that you are neither lazy nor unambitious. Here are some reasons why your mental disorder can be making you tired.

It’s Ok Not to Be Ok

We live in the 21st century with astronomical advances in science and medicine. Unfortunately, the shadows of mental illness stigma still linger. Remnants of Victorian-era prejudice continue to influence our attitudes about these conditions and those who have them.

Does that sound painfully familiar to you? After being diagnosed with a mental disorder, did you feel a tinge of guilt or shame? You may even feel guilty for stigmatizing yourself. To cope with your inner turmoil, you may try to mask it.

Trying to maintain a façade of happiness is a never-ending chore. Perhaps you are tired of well-meaning people continually asking if you are ok. To end their curiosity, you keep a happy smile glued to your face, regardless of the pain on the inside.

Repressing your feelings can be quite exhausting. You are always careful not to let your guard down, so people see the true you. Realize that it’s ok not to be ok every second of the day.

Your Story is in a Perpetual Loop

Nobody feels like explaining or defending themselves at every turn. When you have a mental health issue, everyone becomes an expert in the field. One of the reasons why you may hide your diagnosis and feelings is to detour prying noses.

Do you feel like an exhausted fish in a glass bowl for everybody to scrutinize? Regardless of your diagnosis, somebody seems to know all about it. It is frustrating to hear ignorant people trying to compare you to movies they’ve seen or books they’ve read.

For many people, being admitted to a mental health facility for inpatient care can be especially embarrassing. If you have, realize that your mental health was a stake, and you made the best decision. There is no shame to receive intense therapy, and you needn’t feel obligated to share your business.

Staying in a defense mode chronically stresses your body into the fight, flight, or freeze mode, which is an adrenal response. The excess adrenaline and cortisone can result in serious health issues and relentless fatigue. While you have every right to advocate for yourself, you don’t owe anyone an explanation or defense.

You Never Feel Rested After Sleeping

You know that smothering haze you have in the mornings when you didn’t get a good night’s sleep? These feelings can be exacerbated if you battle mental illness. Additionally, brain chemical imbalances are notorious for causing sleep disturbances.

Do you lie in bed and anxiously watch your alarm clock for hours? If you’re not getting quality sleep, your body can’t recharge itself, and you will continue to feel lethargic. Severe drowsiness is a side effect of many psychiatric medications, too.

Before you chalk up your sleepless nights to medicine or a symptom of your mental illness diagnosis, consult your doctor. She may prescribe a sleep study to diagnose an underlying sleep disorder or other health issues.

Can’t Stop the Chatter

When most people sleep, the brain temporarily shuts down all but vital functions. It is the brain’s time to recharge and allow the body to rejuvenate after a long day. For the most part, internal dialogue is silent.

For those with mental illnesses, the mind’s chatter rarely stops. It is as if you are in a crowd of people, and everyone is trying to talk to you at once. No matter how much you try to drown out the nagging voices, they may persist day and night. The lack of peace can cause exhaustion.

For some, like those with schizophrenia, the internal dialog can be perceived as the voices of other people. These voices can be irritating or dark and menacing. People with anxiety or depression may hear their internal voice encouraging their fears or suggesting other ones.

Hearing an endless, one-sided conversation in your mind can rob you of rest and precious energy. Medication and therapy have successfully treated people with this debilitating symptom, so there’s hope. Silencing the voices can help you re-energize.

Riding on a Mood Roller Coaster

It’s a false and unhealthy belief that people can be on “Cloud Nine” all the time. All your body’s systems experience an ebb and flow pattern. So likewise, your moods will slightly fluctuate from internal and external stimuli.

When these fluctuations increase dramatically across the emotional spectrum, a mental disorder may be the culprit. Mood swings are a common symptom in many mental illnesses, especially bipolar disorders. Instead of the gentle babbling of a brook, your moods may come crashing in like tidal waves.

Who wouldn’t be exhausted with such an internal noise? If your malaise comes from a bi-polar disorder, you may also be facing the consequences of severe manic episodes. Your mental health professional can discuss how therapy can reduce the symptoms of your mental illnesses.

You Don’t Feel Like Getting Out of Bed

When you are juggling a family, career, and other obligations, it stands to reason that you’ll have days you want to stay in bed. Rather than face the world, you just want to pull the covers over your head and forget it all. For the average person, these feelings are occasional.

If you have a mental disorder, reluctance to leave your bed may be the norm. Symptoms may bombard you that exhaust you, and your body refuses to cooperate. As a mode of defense, you may want to stay in bed indefinitely, but it’s just the mental illnesses that are affecting you.

Have you been diagnosed with depression? Severe fatigue, lack of interest, and self-isolation are tell-tale signs. Those with anxiety disorders, panic, and agoraphobia are also prone to locking themselves in the bedroom.

Hypersomnia, or oversleeping, can cause problems of its own. Lack of exercise can be harmful to your body and mind. Plus, you may not get the socialization you need if you are always hiding under the blankets, which is what your mental illnesses want you to do.

Restoring your life and joining the world again is possible with the right treatment. Has a mental disorder threatened to turn you into a hermit? Consult your doctor or therapist as soon as possible.

Mental Illnesses Can Be Treated, Not Cured

Psychiatric disorders are not like having the flu. You can’t just go home from work one day with an anxiety disorder, recoup a couple of days, and get over it. However, therapy and lifestyle changes can significantly reduce the reoccurrence and severity of symptoms.

Even with the best treatment plan, you can experience a relapse. These relapses of mental disorders can be devastating to your energy levels. It also requires a lot of momentum to rebuild your way back to health.

Talk with your mental health professional if you are experiencing more bad days than good. Your medications may need to be changed or tweaked, or another therapy can be explored. A setback doesn’t mean that you’ve failed.

Final Thoughts on Feeling Better When You Have a Mental Illness

As you have already discovered, diagnosing, and treating a mental disorder takes time, energy, and resources. Scheduling and attending doctor and therapy appointments can make anyone feel weary. Ongoing treatment means that you may have conflicts in family scheduling that need to be resolved.

Don’t be afraid to ask for help if you need it. If going to the doctor or counselor wears you out physically and mentally, ask a trusted family member or friend to take you. Many mental health facilities also offer in-home and video conference options. Your pharmacy may also provide home deliveries in your area.

If you feel overwhelmed with your treatment plan, talk to your therapist, if you are progressing well, maybe your visits can be less frequent. While you may get tired of running to appointments, they are ultimately worth your while.

Your fatigue may be a result of a mental illness diagnosis, and you may feel discouraged and hopeless. Consider talking to your mental health professional about your treatment options. You can have more energy and feel like doing things again that you’ve always enjoyed, but you must get your mental health in top shape.

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

Every day is a day to shine. Shine on!