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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.

10 Behaviors That Reveal Someone Grew Up With Chronic Loneliness

May 6, 2020 by Power of Positivity

Lonely children often become lonely adults. Before you get into a relationship or even a friendship with someone, you should look for warning signs that the person may have issues from their past. Chronic loneliness can cause all kinds of problems emotionally.

When you reach adulthood, it’s hard to have friends because everyone is so busy with their jobs and families. Connecting for Thursday night poker may not be doable. How do you know if someone suffered as a child from chronic loneliness, even though they might not have been alone? Here are some signs that a person was lonesome as a child.

10 Signs of Chronic Loneliness

1. Mindless Chatter

Have you ever heard someone talk just to hear themselves speak? When a person has a lot of sadness, they may try to make friends by chattering about nothing. The only problem is that their attempts to be recognized often turn people off rather than making them want to converse.

It’s socially awkward when someone is continually talking, and you can’t get a word in edgewise. If you have a friend or you use mindless chatter a lot, perhaps you had a lot of sadness as a child.

2. Redirects Conversations To Themselves

One of the worst types of conversations to have is those where the other party continually directs the issues back to their life. Friendships must be a two-way street where you listen to their life problems, and they hear yours.

However, one of the biggest complaints about someone who is chronically lonely is that they will often talk right over the top of you and bring it back to their issues. Though they genuinely care about you, they cannot hear what you are saying because nothing is as essential or as trivial as the battles they are fighting.

These are signs that this person doesn’t show empathy, and they have a hard time relating to others. They need to find happiness inside.

3. “Poor Me” Mentality

Someone with low self-worth needs validation from others. If you tell them they made a good meal, they will give you 100 reasons why the meal was horrible, and they could have done a better job. They so desire for you to pat them on the back that they will practically beg for your praise by making themselves appear insignificant.

First, this person relies too much on the opinions of others, and second, they are desperate for someone to compliment them because their low morale needs a boost. These are the kind of people that try to make their life appear perfect on social media sites too. However, behind closed doors, it’s much different than the fairy tale they portray.

4. Utilizes Attention Seeking Behaviors

Attention seeking behaviors can range vastly. When someone does an action, either positive or negative, to gain the attention of others, then they are trying to redirect the focus towards themselves. In childhood years, this chronic loneliness can make people use destructive tactics.

Consequently, as a person with these sadness issues becomes an adult, they will use more manipulative behaviors to get people to take notice.

5. Poor Social Skills

People who have poor social skills stand out in a crowd. They are awkward and don’t know how to have friendships. They were the child that couldn’t make connections with their peers and may have had few friends, which resulted in chronic loneliness.

Children who were bullied often grow up into adults with social skill issues. They may miss those little social cues or nuances that are a part of socializing. They’ve never felt like they were a part of anything, so they cannot fit in.

Others might declare lonely children to be weird, odd, eccentric, or marching to the beat of their drum. They just don’t fit in with society’s norms, and they worry about the opinion of others more than they should.

6. Problems with Anxiety and Depression

Chronic loneliness causes depression and anxiety. Anyone shy, withdrawn, or lacks self-confidence can develop these mental illnesses. It’s hard to fit into a world that they seem to be removed from, though they may try.

Many times, these mental problems creep in because of a horrible childhood. Take, for instance, Oprah Winfrey. She is one of the most influential women of today, but she grew up as a poor girl from Mississippi. She has produced one of the most beloved talk shows of all time, plus she created a billion-dollar company that is thriving.

Yet, what many people don’t know is that Winfrey struggles from anxiety and depression. At one point, she said that her depression got so bad she had a complete breakdown. Every day is stressful, no matter her wealth.

As a victim of sexual abuse, Winfrey felt isolated and alone as she had a horrible secret to hide. Frequently, loneliness can come from the darkest places, and it has a hold throughout life. Money couldn’t solve these problems for the megastar. However, she overcame a lot of her issues by learning to vocalize her pain to help others.

7. Low Self-Esteem

A person with low self-esteem sees themselves very differently than the world sees them. They may be a beautiful woman with the perfect figure, yet they feel they are overweight and unattractive. Their poor self-image can be caused by chronic loneliness they felt as a child.

As in the case of Winfrey, abuse can often alter one’s perception of their body. They cannot see past the nature of the violation. Thus, they allow it to scar their attitude. If they could only see themselves the way others see them, then they would know their true worth.

8. Has a Vivid Imagination

Have you ever met someone with a vivid imagination?

Here is a hypothetical example A little girl went to summer camp. When the counselor asked her about her mother and father, she told them she lived with her mother, but a shark killed her father.

The counselor was horrified that the child had experienced such a traumatic loss. The ironic thing was the child’s father was not in her life. A single mother was raising her. Her mind couldn’t rationalize the fact that her dad didn’t want her, so she had to make up a horrible story to justify why he was gone.

A vivid imagination can be used either positively or negatively. In this instance, the little girl’s imagination was used to help her gain closure to a painful situation. She also craved the attention and pity from the counselor who was almost in tears as she told the story.

The little girl grew up to be incredibly sad and lonely. Her vivid imagination caused her to tell other tales through the years, and soon people knew she had a problem with chronic lying.

Having a highly active imagination can be great for the artistic person and those that enter into creative careers. But for the person who is sad and lonely, it can get them into trouble.

9. Constantly Interrupts Conversations with Others

There is nothing ruder than someone who constantly interrupts you during a conversation. It can be accidental, or they can be so eager to burst out what they have to say that they talk over you.

People with ADHD or even bipolar disorder often use mindless chatter and have difficulty with interrupting a conversation. It’s usually because they finally have someone’s attention and their mind is racing with all the things they want to tell you.

10. They Openly Talk About the Chronic Loneliness

Some people try to appear in sync with social norms even though they feel broken on the inside. However, others are very vocal about their pain. They may tell anyone who will listen to their problems.

Chronic loneliness can be challenging for an adult to deal with, and they may ruminate about their issues. They may call family members and go on for long periods about how horrible life is for them.

They have become quite skilled at vocalizing their loneliness and other problems. For the person on the listening side, it’s not a fun conversation. These are the relatives and friends that you avoid answering the phone when they call, though you do feel sorry for them.

Final Thoughts on Letting Go of Chronic Loneliness

When you feel sad and alone constantly, it can cause a mental imbalance that leads to illness. It’s essential to find healthy outlets of expression and people to call friends.

Sadly, the world has gone to a state of virtual reality where people chat online, but they have no face-to-face interaction. You can even date via the web these days. Though a person may be quite busy and bustling about networking in cyberland, they lack the comfort that having dinner and a movie can bring.

Consequently, society feels that stars like Oprah Winfrey have it all. However, there are some things money cannot buy. Lastly, you can be surrounded by family and friends and still feel empty and lonely on the inside.

All these things can be signs that there is an underlying mental illness caused by a childhood of problems. Everyone needs friends, and there’s nothing worse than loneliness.

10 Things Couples Can Do To Change A Bad Relationship

May 6, 2020 by Power of Positivity

Many people wish for the fairy tale romance where they all live happily ever after. Isn’t that everyone’s romantic goal in life? When you find your soulmate, everything should be sunshine and roses for the rest of your life.

Unfortunately, couples living happily ever after only happens in fairy tales and movies. You’ve lived and experienced enough to realize that nobody has a perfect relationship or marriage, and anyone can have a toxic partner. It can happen to anyone.

Are you a person struggling in a bad relationship? Even though we all have disagreements and may want to call it quits, the good usually outweighs the bad. What if your relationship is more tumultuous than fulfilling?

How do you realize when your relationship is worth saving or not? Do you continue to your partner in your future, or do you feel doubtful or unnerved about it? Life is too short to stay miserable.

Is it possible to salvage a bad relationship? If you both have committed to making it work, there’s hope. Consider these ten tips for reconnecting with your lover.

1. Go Back to the Start

When you are playing classic board games, getting sent back to start is a bad thing. In a faltering relationship, starting from the beginning, maybe your saving grace. It brings you back to the things that connected you in the first place.

Sit down together and have a heartfelt conversation about when you first met. You can write down some points to share with your partner. What attracted you to the other person and made you stand out from the rest?

In revisiting roads of the past, you may discover where you lost your love along the way. The things that formed a bond then have the power to recreate one now. Perhaps you can retrace your steps to reverse a bad relationship.

2. Offer and Receive Forgiveness

Since no human is perfect, an ideal relationship is impossible. No matter how much you are in love, you both are bound to make mistakes that hurt one other. However, when a toxic partner keeps making the same mistakes, it makes them a life habit.

There will always be thorns on the roses, and there will be many times when you are angry at each other. In a healthy relationship, couples can usually wait out the storms and find healing. Some grievous trespasses are not so easy to forgive.

One of the worst casualties in a committed relationship is cheating. It’s a betrayal that rends your heart and crushes your spirit. Frequent disagreements can also fester and create unreconcilable differences that can destroy a couple.

If you both have decided to move beyond whatever rift you had, it can only be done with forgiveness. It is a chance to offer the offending partner the opportunity to change. It’s in no way excusing or forgetting the offense.

Are you the offender? Ask for forgiveness, but you must also learn to forgive yourself. Now, you must also learn to trust again as a couple, and you should learn from previous mistakes.

3. Learn How to Connect Again to Improve a Bad Relationship

When you first fell in love, you probably wanted to spend every waking moment talking and being with your person. As time passes, some couples get used to the relationship and take the other for granted. You may have said a million times in the beginning that you can’t even breathe without talking with each other, but you soon realize you can.

In a healthy relationship, both people learn to connect on a physical and spiritual level. It goes beyond the superficiality of sex. When you are genuinely in love, you are still interested in what your partner says and feels.

When’s the last time you put down the phone or stepped away from the computer to have a meaningful conversation? Do you know what is happening in your partner’s life at this moment? A relationship can’t survive unless you stay in constant, loving communication.

4. Go Out on a Date

Married couples often get in a rut and lose the excitement they once had. Loss of interest can quickly lead to a bad relationship. Even if you must move some things around on your schedules, making time for each other is crucial.

Set aside a day or an afternoon each week just to go on a date. Go for a walk in the park or make dinner reservations at your favorite restaurant. Bring back the fun and spontaneity in your love life.

5. Become a Toxicity Detective

While you review the internal reasons, your relationship may be going south. You should look for external ones that are toxic. Many marriages and love relationships have been ruined because of outside forces. It’s up to you to identify and eliminate them as much as possible.

Do you have friends or family members who offer nothing but negativity? Perhaps, these people are continually playing you against one another. Until these toxic folks follow reasonable boundaries, it’s best to stay clear of them.

6. Set the Game Rules

Nothing succeeds in this life without rules and boundaries, including relationships. If you and your lover haven’t set healthy boundaries, then the relationship can’t last. How can either of you be upset with a broken rule if the rule hasn’t been established?

For your relationship to flourish, set clear expectations and guidelines with each other. Don’t expect your partner to be a mind reader. When you outline and understand reasonable boundaries, you are more likely to enjoy mutual respect.

If your partner feels uncomfortable spending time with you, then they should voice their feelings. Are there issues that are non-negotiable in the relationship, such as substance abuse and how you define cheating? Remember not to expect anything from your lover that you are not willing to do yourself.

7. Learn to Color Outside of the Lines

Just because you have established mutual boundaries doesn’t mean the relationship should be static and boring. Einstein once observed that the meaning of insanity is to keep doing the same thing over and over while expecting different results. People in a relationship crave variety and the element of surprise.

Break out of your rut and do something different with your partner. Take a spontaneous trip or start a fascinating hobby together. Spice up your romance and do something totally out of character for you.

8. Leave the Past in the Past to Avoid a Bad Relationship

The demise of many relationships is an unrelenting memory. As you work on forgiveness and empathy together, discuss ways to acknowledge the past and leave it there. Otherwise, past transgressions will still hold a death grip on you.

When re-evaluating the rules and boundaries, set one for arguments. Make a pact not to use the past as ammunition. If past grievances are still lethal weapons, a bad relationship is inevitable. If you both can’t go beyond the hurt, your connection will suffer.

9. Be Each Other’s Best Friend Again

Everyone needs a circle of friends beyond their love relationship. It is normal to have a girl’s night out or a weekly guy’s poker game. Isolating yourself as a couple can be just as damaging to a relationship than neglecting each other.

Yes, you probably have people you consider your best friends. However, conflict can arise if your mate isn’t at the top of your list. Nobody wants to take second place to another, especially if it’s a person of the opposite sex.

You must include time to have fun with your besties, and don’t be afraid to spend some time alone because it’s healthy. Consequently, you must try to spend just as much quality time with your lover, who should be your best friend. Like a flower, a relationship will die without proper care and attention.

10. Seek Professional Help

Some bad relationships have so many variables, and it makes it difficult for couples to reconcile. If you and your mate have decided that your relationship is on the rocks and it’s worth saving, you may need professional counseling. Just admitting there is a problem is a giant step in the right direction.

It’s not a sign of weakness to seek couples counseling. Venting to a neutral party can be helpful, and the counselor may draw out solutions you never considered. For some couples, the relationship may be beyond repair.

If your partner is toxic or abusive in any way, then it’s time to leave. You deserve someone to love and care for you ultimately. An experienced couple’s counselor can help you sort through these issues in a safe, non-judgmental atmosphere. If your partner is unwilling to seek counseling as a last resort, you may need to re-evaluate your relationship.

Final Thoughts: Know When to End a Bad Relationship

You don’t have to stay in an unhealthy, bad relationship just to feel needed and loved. Discuss these suggestions with your partner if you feel like you’re drifting apart. If you’ve done all you can do and things are still unbearable, then it’s probably a cue that it’s time to move on with your life.

How to Make Okra Water to Reduce Stress and Fatigue

May 6, 2020 by Power of Positivity

Has the day-to-day life of taking care of your household, your family, and office work left you feeling drained and in a state of exhaustion? If so, okra water may be just what you need.

Research published in the journal Nutrients has shown that the seeds found in okra pods help reduce fatigue and stress.

Within the study, antioxidant assays were used to show the seeds of okra pods had significant anti-fatigue and antioxidant outcomes. Polyphenols and flavonoids were found to be more active in the seeds as well.

There are multiple health benefits for consuming this water and utilizing this vegetable in your cooking. It has even been shown to lower cholesterol and improve blood sugar levels in diabetes.

The Health Benefits of Okra

The main health benefits of the okra vegetable include the following:

Diabetes management
Dietary fiber
Stress reduction
Anti-fatigue elements
Cholesterol reduction

We will delve more deeply into each health benefit of okra. Then we’ll discuss how to make water out of this vegetable to reduce stress and exhaustion.

Okra and Diabetes Management

Researchers from the University of Ahvaz published a study in the Cell Journal showing how an okra supplement improved diabetes management in diabetic rat models. Okra supplements reduced the high levels of fasting blood sugar, total cholesterol, and triglycerides in diabetic rats. Besides, okra decreased the homeostasis model assessment of basal insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) index.

The pancreatic damages and islet structures among diabetic rats were also improved. This research shows how you can use okra to boost diabetes management.

More studies will need to be done to see how this vegetable affects diabetes in humans. In the meantime, you should ask your doctor if adding okra to your diet is a good idea.

One study did find that okra may stop the absorption of metformin in the bloodstream. Metformin is a medication that diabetes patients may use to manage their blood sugar levels. If you’re taking metformin, you should not have too much okra. Otherwise, ask your doctor about holistic treatments like okra.

Dietary Fiber and Okra Pods

Okra pods are low-calorie vegetables full of dietary fiber as well as good sources of vitamins and minerals. More specifically, okra has potassium, calcium, carbohydrates, and unsaturated fatty acids (linolenic and oleic acids), according to a study published last year in the journal Molecules.

Dietary fiber has a variety of health benefits, such as reducing hunger and improving digestion. A high-fiber diet can help people feel full for longer. Therefore, those who are overweight or obese could benefit from okra pods and its dietary fiber.

Dietary fiber is helpful for diabetic patients. It boosts insulin sensitivity and glycemic control. One study from Japan and published in the Nutrition journal uncovered how dietary fiber improves glycemic control among Type 2 diabetes patients.

Okra Water and Stress Reduction

So far, research has found that the seed extracts of the okra vegetable create a stress-reducing effect in mice. There is an antioxidant and anti-stress impact on the mice’s bloodstream.

Researchers from India and Malaysia studied the antioxidant and in vivo protective effect of okra seed extracts, which was published in the Scientific World Journal. The scientists used the elevated plus maze (EPM) and forced swimming test (FST) among mouse models to study stress-based behavioral and biochemical deviations.

The results from the research bolster the idea that okra seed extracts contain anti-stress, antioxidant, and nootropic capabilities. Using seed extracts in okra water will help reduce stress on those particularly hard days.

Decreasing Fatigue via Okra

We all know that exercising regularly is hugely important for our health, but when we leave it off until the end of the day, we rarely have the energy to get up off the couch. However, with the use of okra, you may find yourself with more energy to go for a run or a long walk around the neighborhood.

A 2015 research study from China published in Nutrients found that consuming okra can help people exercise for more extended periods and even recover more quickly after working out without feeling a state of exhaustion.

So be sure to add okra to your diet if you want to exercise more after a long day at work. The cardiovascular benefits of exercise will help you live a longer and more active life.

Reducing Cholesterol through Okra

If you’re looking to lower your cholesterol, you’ll need to change up your diet. You’ll want to add some healthy and nutritious foods to the mix. Harvard Health Publishing reports that both okra and eggplant are low-calorie vegetables that are excellent foods for your soluble fiber intake. Oats and barley are also advised.

Reducing your LDL or low-density lipoproteins can be essential for keeping your cardiovascular system strong and healthy. You can reduce your cholesterol and LDL levels by adding foods like okra, nuts, beans, apples, grapes, strawberries, and fatty fish to your diet.

Now that we understand the importance of okra and its health benefits, it is time to discuss how to make okra water. If you want to lower your stress levels and reduce your fatigue, you’ll want to read the following information.

How to Make Okra Water

Some people may not like the texture of okra when added to salads, soups, stews, or a grilled veggie platter. However, okra water is a way to retain many of the nutrients of okra without having too much of the taste.

Drinking this kind of water will give you a simple way to get the nutrients without having to make a meal out of okra.

This water has become more popular and common in recent years. The nutrients in the skin of the pods and the seeds can be absorbed into the water by letting it soak overnight.

When making this water, you’ll need anywhere from three to five okra pods along with a glass of water or a mason jar. Clean the seeds before use. You can either slice the pods into strips or put them into the liquid as is.

You’ll need about eight ounces of water. The pods need to be soaked in the glass of water overnight. Then, you only have to remove the okra pods once morning comes and drink up!

If you sliced the pods into thin pieces, your glass of water would likely taste more bitter. However, you’ll get more nutrients from the okra pods!

You don’t want to pass up this vegetable. It has plenty of nutrients, and there are multiple ways to prepare it.

Other Okra Uses

Besides adding it into a glass of water, you can make all kinds of recipes with okra. For instance, a tomato and okra stew makes a great side dish to any meal! All you need is some celery, onions, okra, tomatoes, and bacon and simmer it in a Dutch oven before serving.

A roasted sweet potato and okra salad is an excellent addition to your Thanksgiving meal or a weekend dinner. You’ll need to cook red potatoes, yams, and okra as well as sautée some spinach before tossing the salad in a vinaigrette dressing.

You can even make a gumbo using okra. There are both shrimp or chicken gumbo recipes that include okra to thicken the stew. You won’t regret trying one out!

You can roast it, make a succotash, or throw it in a stew or soup. There are plenty of ways to cook okra to get its health benefits. On top of this, you’ll enjoy the delicious taste of gumbo or stew.

Others may want to consume okra by shredding the okra peel and ingesting it. You can use a kitchen grater to make this type of addition to your daily activities. Usually, you won’t need more than half a teaspoon of this peel.

You can also grind the seeds into a powder and add it to a smoothie or a glass of juice. Additionally, powdered okra can be easily bought at health food stores if you can’t grind the seeds at home.

Final Thoughts on Making Okra Water to Beat Fatigue and Stress

If you’re looking to reduce stress and eliminate fatigue from your life, you’ll want to consider adding okra to your diet. Many adults today have felt more fatigued than ever before due to demanding schedules for work, handling childcare, and managing their households. However, you’ll find that okra boosts your energy levels and even allows you to exercise for longer.

Adding okra to your water is a simple process that won’t take you more than five minutes. Just be sure to soak it overnight!

Also, you can reduce the stress you feel on those charged-up days with too many things on your to-do list. By adding okra water to your morning routine, you’ll recharge your batteries and feel ready to start the day feeling refreshed.

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