Page 760

Experts Explain 7 Things People Think Boost Your Immune System (That Really Don’t)

March 22, 2019 by Power of Positivity

There are countless food products that are hailed to be amazing boosters for the immune system. Everyone has their favorite go-to remedy, and even more, people have special foods they take just to help cure sickness. But is there any truth to remedies handed down through the generations?

Surprisingly, a lot of myths and sayings about the best foods for sickness aren’t entirely false. There are a lot of ways you can boost your immunity through food. But some of the commonly spread information regarding foods for immunity are less than accurate.

So which foods have you been eating that aren’t actually doing anything for your immune system? The answers may surprise you. Here’s how experts explain some things people think boost your immunity that really don’t do anything at all.

7 Things People Think Boost Your Immune System, That Really Don’t

1. Green Tea

Many people believe that green tea is close to a miracle in how it works. Specifically, it’s a commonly held belief that if you drink green tea, your immune system is getting a lot stronger and helping you prevent diseases. But is that statement really the truth?

It’s not that green tea isn’t a great way to boost health and help your body as a whole. It has loads of helpful components that make it pretty close to a superfood. But here’s the kicker – it isn’t better for your immunity than any other tea. All teas are virtually similar in immunity-boosting qualities.

A lot of the hype around green tea is actually based on commercial marketing. Many companies want you to believe that green tea is inherently the best kind of drink for you over all others, but that simply isn’t true. Sure, it’s a great, healthy option, but it’s no better than other teas if your goal is a stronger immune system.

If you’re looking to improve your immunity, instead, of spending cash on expensive green teas, opt for something much cheaper – water. It has the same immunity benefits, it’s something your body actively needs, and you know for certain that it helps your immunity.

2. Apples

We don’t blame you for believing that apples are the best possible things for your health. After all, we all grew up hearing that an apple a day keeps the doctor away. But how true is that statement, really?

As it turns out, like most proverbs, this isn’t meant to be taken literally. It refers to the fact that regular fruit and vegetable intake can boost your immunity and make you stronger, not just apples. But what if you decide to take it literally? Can you load up on apples and expect to be resilient to disease?

Well, there’s no denying that apples are a healthy kind of food that taste nice and sweet, providing a good craving curber without health detriment. The fact that they’re packed with water makes them low-calorie and allows you to eat a few of them as a snack without dealing with weight gain.

But the downside to eating too many apples in hopes of more positive immunity is that of all the fruits in the world, they apparently are among the top of the list when it comes to pesticide content. Yikes!

Apples provide great vitamins, and if you eat apples with the skins on them, your digestion and teeth can benefit. But according to medical doctor Dr. Mike Finkelstein, this is the full extent of an apple’s ability. Apples don’t actually have any immunity benefits at all, especially not on their own.

3. Honey

Honey is undisputed as one of the best natural forms of medicine that nature has to offer. It’s known for being good for keeping wounds clean and promoting healing. It’s good for the throat and prevents coughs from being too painful and constant. Honey is also full of antioxidants and it even has positive effects on the heart.

But is it good for immunity? Unfortunately, it’s not exactly as good as you may have been led to believe. There aren’t any studies that suggest honey does anything for the immunity at all, in fact. So if you’re adding honey to everything to prevent illness, it’s probably not serving that role in the slightest.

To make matters worse, honey may be better than refined, highly processed sugar, but at its core, honey is still a form of sugar. Sugar, on the whole, can actually weaken your immunity overall, meaning you can’t rely on honey to boost your immunity; it might do just the opposite!

Unfortunately, honey is also a common contributor to weight gain. Its sugar content and high-calorie levels – 64 calories in just one tablespoon – makes it a tough food to stay fit with. Gaining weight leads to many issues, including a higher risk for multiple diseases, decreased positive thinking, and, unfortunately, lower immunity. You’re better off leaving honey as a “healthy” sweetener or a cough remedy.

4. Echinacea

If you’ve never taken echinacea before, there’s a good chance that it sounds like gibberish to you. But a lot of people swear by this root. Echinacea is a type of flower, which goes by a few other names, including purple coneflower and black-eyed Susan. The root and dried leaves of this flower are used and taken to boost one’s immunity.

However, there isn’t a lot of research on this vegetation and its ability to boost immunity, so most doctors and medical professionals don’t consider it a valid preventative method. Some have even had patients come in sick explaining they’ve been taking the plant product; the fact that they are sick speaks volumes of its ineffectiveness.

With that being said, while echinacea cannot be reliably used for preventative care, it can be used as cold treatment. If you take it while ill, it can help to lessen the overall severity of the condition. It has also been found to have positive results for upper respiratory conditions and infections.

In short, while you can’t take echinacea to prevent colds from taking root, you can take it to help a cold heal. It’s an option to consider for sure, but you should always speak to a doctor before taking any new supplements.

5. Bouillon Chicken Soup

Chicken soup is the go-to remedy for countless people. It’s warm, it tastes good, and it’s soothing to the stomach and body when you have a cold. The fact that chicken soup is rooted in nostalgia for many individuals makes an even bigger favorite.

The good news is that, yes, chicken soup can, indeed, boost your immune system! But there’s a catch – it has to be real chicken, not those bouillon cubes many people use in their place. This means vegetarian or vegan versions of chicken soup won’t work nearly the same way.

Why does this happen? Well, it’s the skin and fat of the chicken meat that actually provide antiviral function. That’s why you need real chicken to enjoy its positive effects on the body. Without real chicken, you’re getting the good taste and comfort with none of the “medicinal” effects.

The good news is that you can make warm, vegan soups during times of the flu. You just can’t make imitation chicken soup. Opt instead for ones with healthy vegetables. There are plenty of delicious, animal-product-free varieties of sick meals out there!

6. Probiotics

We all know that yogurt contains probiotics. Other fermented foods have this type of bacterium too, but yogurt is definitely the most famous. There’s no denying that probiotics – and plain, healthy yogurt – are good for you. They help your gut health, ease skin issues, and are low in calories for those watching their weight.

You’ve also probably heard that yogurt is extremely good for the immune system. Unfortunately, this is far from the case. There has, as of now, been no conclusive evidence whatsoever that suggests probiotics can boost the immune system’s strength or prowess. It seems to have zero effect, and as such, shouldn’t be counted on if you happen to need preventative care in a pinch.

7. Vitamin D

Vitamin D is good for a lot of things. The old myth – which does have some truth to it – states that being outside in the sun will make you big, tough, and strong. This implies it has some benefit for your immune system. Unfortunately, if it does have benefits, no research has revealed that yet.

This isn’t to say that vitamin D isn’t good for other things. It prevents migraines and head pain, it helps the muscles and reduces pain, and it’s even good for promoting positive thinking. But there isn’t enough conclusive evidence to suggest that it can strengthen immunity.

With that being said, vitamin D has been found to contain benefits for some diseases. It is known to prevent the onset of flu, and it can reduce heart disease and multiple sclerosis risk significantly. But for overall immune function, its positive sides are limited; it’s just better suited to other roles.

It is also worth noting that you shouldn’t eat too much vitamin D, as this can lead to vitamin D toxicity. This will cause calcium to slowly collect in your bloodstream, leading to severe complications that will hurt you more than help you. As a rule, you should only aim to get around 1,000 mg of the vitamin daily in the warmer months to keep your levels up – not much more.

Final Thoughts On Things People Think Boost Immune System, That Really Don’t

There are plenty of foods that do boost one’s immune system, but these 7 are not a part of them. To be quite honest, even foods that do boost immunity to some degree may not do so at a sufficient level to have a large effect. This means that even foods proven to boost immunity might not be as effective as you think.

With that being said, plenty of so-called old wives’ tales about surefire immune system boosters are not entirely fabricated. Many still have merit to this day, and you can use them for mild to moderate positive effects on your overall immunity.

If you’re really looking to strengthen your immunity, consider expanding beyond just food. Exercise, mental healthcare, and a healthy overall diet all give you a better chance of increasing the strength of your immune system than any one particular kind of food. You can also speak to a doctor about your options.

Science Explains 6 Benefits Of Jogging

March 22, 2019 by Power of Positivity

Jogging is a fairly simple exercise. It requires no special equipment, you don’t have to go to the gym to do it, and you can burn around 398 calories in a single hour from this workout!

But not everyone is a fan of jogging. For some, it can feel tedious and tiring, especially if you don’t have access to a large enough space to run around in. But jogging has tons of health benefits that can make those hassles all the more worth it.

With obesity levels increasing all around the world, it’s more important than ever that you add some form of exercise routine to your daily schedule. Jogging might just be the perfect exercise for you, and its positive sides definitely make it a great option.

Still not sold on the idea of jogging? After reading this, you just might be.

Here’s How Science Explains 6 Benefits Of Jogging

1. It Improves Joint and Bone Health

There is a misconception that jogging is automatically extremely bad for the lower half of the body, putting unnecessary pressure on joints and bones that can lead to the development of arthritis. However, this is actually completely false!

The Harvard Medical School found that most forms of standard physical exercise, including walking, running, and jogging, do not actually negatively impact the risk of developing arthritis. As a matter of fact, jogging has more benefits for the joints and bones and can make them stronger, reducing arthritis risk!

Studies have found that jogging has positive effects on bone density. This is because regular jogging activities put more pressure on the bones than they are used to, so bone tissue starts to prepare for and adapt to the additional load, protecting bones and tissue from damage and making them strong.

In addition, jogging has also been found to create positive results for the joints. This is because it strengthens cartilage and is actually able to boost the biochemistry and composition of joint cartilage. So not only does moderate running make healthy joints healthier, but it also is a good way to prevent the onset of knee osteoarthritis in those vulnerable to the disease.

With that being said, jogging is one of the most bottom-stressful of the trifecta of standard physical exercise: walking, jogging and running.
As such, if you already have bad knees or already have arthritis, the extra lower-body stress of jogging may not be suitable for you.
Speak to your doctor before starting to jog if you have joint pain in your legs.
You should also speak to a doctor if your legs or knees hurt after jogging.

2. Weight Loss

If you’re trying to lose some weight, jogging could be the exercise that helps you burn off the calories you need. Of course, this depends on how intensely you jog, your speed, your current weight, the terrain, and the frequency of your exercise. But you could get rid of some serious weight by adding jogging to your regimen or making it your main workout.

On top of that, jogging is a great way to help the metabolism increase significantly. This is because a lack of activity can cause the metabolism to slowly deteriorate, causing much slower calorie burning. This can be why you find yourself gaining more weight. Getting back into the habit of exercising can lead to a smoother, faster metabolism.

But how much, exactly, can a run burn?

Running a 9-minute mile can burn between 290 calories and 365 calories within thirty minutes.
A slightly slower 5-mile-per-hour jog run can burn between 240 and 355 calories within that time, too.
All in all, jogging will provide highly positive results when it comes to calorie-burning for weight loss.

90% of people who lose weight successfully consider exercise the main reason behind that success. But it must be done properly, and you should be exercising moderately, not overdoing it or doing it too little. Really looking to burn those calories? Jog uphill at a relatively moderate to fast pace for up to an hour several times a week.

3. Improving The Cardiovascular System

The cardiac system is extremely crucial to health. Running can help build strength within the left ventricle of the heart. After all, the heart is a muscle, and jogging can cause it to pump blood more efficiently.

When the pulse rate drops during running to keep you strong and ablr to carry on without suffering a too-fast, dangerous pulse, your body takes up a bit more oxygen than normal. This causes blood circulation to become more stable.

If you’ve eaten carbs recently, jogging will help to burn off the excess energy before it is turned into fat stores, allowing your body to efficiently use up the calories you consume. Those who run or jog are found to have much healthier cardiovascular systems than those who do not exercise – just one of the many benefits of jogging.

Jogging is an aerobic exercise, so it brings down the risk of developing an ischaemic heart disease significantly for even more positive effects. If that wasn’t enough, jogging can also help regulate blood pressure, which helps keep your heart healthy. Studies have found that daily exercise, whether walking or jogging, brings blood pressure of the systolic kind down by a significant amount, reducing hypertension across all ages.

Those who have diabetes or already have a heart condition should speak to their doctor before beginning jogging. The same goes for those who are already overweight.

4. Improving The Respiratory System

Jogging puts a lot of strain on the respiratory system. Did you know that you use a whopping 10 times more oxygen up when you go through even light or gentle exercise as compared to when you’re sitting at rest?

This is why jogging can help the respiratory system. It strengthens the lungs, enabling more efficient work through larger lung capacity. This lets air travel and exchange within the lungs and the whole respiratory system at a much faster and easier rate.

Plus, jogging allows the body to use oxygen more efficiently when done over time. It trains the muscles and bodily tissues to stretch out available oxygen to provide as much energy as possible to them.

Of course, do note that this strengthening action happens over time, not all at once.
Regular jogging will slowly allow for more air space within the lungs so you can enjoy longer jogs without feeling tired.
You’ll notice that your stamina increases the more you work out!
Do keep in mind that if you have asthma, you should speak to your doctor before attempting jogging as an exercise.
That said, it is possible for those with asthma in controlled conditions to enjoy jogging.

5. Boosting Mental Health

Jogging isn’t just good for physical health – it’s great for mental health, too. It helps keep your brain sharp and fresh, allowing for better cognitive function. A more active body can help boost creativity, improving your concentration, performance at work, and even memory.

Why does this happen? Well, when jogging, you breathe in more oxygen, which travels to the brain and provides additional oxygen that helps it function more efficiently. It can help relieve stress and anxiety due to this fact, allowing for clearer thought and more opportunity to think creatively and innovatively.

Studies have also found that regular exercise in general, including jogging, can reduce brain inflammation. This helps new blood vessels to grow within, allowing for new brain cells to be produced at a healthy rate. This enable the brain to continue to develop and stay healthy.

Aside from physical brain health, psychological health is also improved through jogging. It can make you feel happier through an increased production of endorphins, which are essentially feel-good hormones that help your positive thinking. Although this can just be a short-term kick at first, with regular exercise, you can enjoy more long-term mental health benefits.

Finally, jogging can be great for individuals living in their golden years. Its mental benefits can reduce the chances of developing dementia and other mental degenerative disorders. It’s a great, positive habit for older individuals to incorporate into their daily routines.

6. Increasing Lifespan

Jogging can help you to live longer. Just jogging for around one hour per week can significantly increase life expectancy, even by 6 years when jogging slowly, according to Dr. Peter Schnohr, a heart expert of Danish nationality. His research has supported the idea that even mild, calm exercise can provide many benefits.

This is supported by the fact that jogging, and other kinds of physical exercise, can reduce the chances of developing certain potentially life-threatening diseases. This is due in part to how it helps your health. Jogging can also make sleeping easier, and good sleep puts you at lower risk of developing dangerous diseases.

One of the most compelling benefits of jogging is how it can reduce the risk of developing cancer.
One of the reasons behind the development of cancer is the decreased strength of the immune system. This is often compounded by a history of cancer.
Even if it’s in your genetics, jogging and engaging in physical activity can reduce cancer risk.

According to a recent study, higher physical activity is directly related to a lower chance of developing cancer entirely. It’s a benefit of jogging that is difficult to ignore. Of course, the most interesting part about research and science in relation to exercise and a long life is that it seems like jogging is a great way to reduce all-cause mortality. So no matter what you’re trying to avoid, jogging should be able to prevent it.

Final Thoughts On The Benefits Of Jogging, According To Science

Jogging is a great exercise habit to incorporate no matter your age. You can be old or young and still enjoy countless benefits, from a stronger heart to more positive thinking, to better immunity.

As an easy form of exercise, jogging is a very simple form of exercise. Additionally, it doesn’t require a high expense to carry out. Just wear the right gear and go to a park, get on a treadmill, or jog around your neighborhood!

Talk to a doctor or relevant medical health professional before embarking on your new exercise regimen. This ensures that you exercise at the right rate for your current state of health and well-being.

20 Phrases to Repeat That Attract More Money In Your Life

March 21, 2019 by Power of Positivity

While hard work is required to obtain money, creating wealth is as much about your work ethic as it is your mindset. If you hope to attract more money into your life, you must start by willing it into existence.

Positive Affirmations for Attracting Wealth

Hope to improve your net worth? Tired of having to pinch pennies? Keep reading for 21 incredible financial affirmations that will change your life.

1. Money will find me; I walk in prosperity.

It’s time to start operating from a prosperity mindset rather than one of scarcity. You are already in the process of attracting all the money you need.

2. There are many ways to make money; the right amount of money will come to you when you expect it and often when you do not.

Whether it’s the bonus you’ve accepted at work, an unexpected commission that you’ve been awarded, or a freelancing position that’s fallen into your lap, new opportunities to make more will come to fruition when you least expect them.

3. I am inherently valuable. I deserve to make more money.

Never believe the lie that you shouldn’t be making a certain amount of money.

Wealth is yours, if you want it. You are valuable and worthy of making the money you want to make.

4. I gladly accept all that life has to offer.

Opportunities to make money may come in many forms. If you aren’t willing to accept these opportunities and make the most of them, you will miss out on the best chances to make more money.

Many of these opportunities come with a fair share of risk, so it’s important to carefully weigh each decision to see which ones will benefit you the most.

5. I’m welcoming unlimited income into my life.

It isn’t uncommon to be dissatisfied with the type of income you’re earning.

Whether you’d like to do a new line of work or you’d rather be making more money, if you want to see an increase in your finances, the change has to start with you.

Decide today to welcome unlimited income into your life. Though this is easy to say and harder to accomplish, believing that you will one day have access to an unlimited stream of money is the first step to actually making this goal a reality.

6. There is no room for negative energy about money in my life.

If you want positive things to happen in life, you must send out positive thoughts.

Oftentimes, our fears and anxiety over our finances take over our lives and cause us to feel negative about money.

This negativity will be reflected in everything we do and will impact how money comes into our lives.

If you want to feel positive about your finances, you need to change your money mindset.

7. Money flows into my life effortlessly and easily.

Work is work, but the better you feel about how you make money, the easier it will be.

Affirmations like this one force you to look at your life and ask yourself the hard questions.

Are you happy with your job? Do you want more out of life? What will it take to get there? Start working now to answer these questions so that when you repeat this affirmation, you’ll truly believe it.

8. I use my money to change my life for the better.

Many people view making money as a means to an end without acknowledging that while money is essential, it is also a vehicle of change in life.

How will you ensure you’re using it to better your life when you start making more money? Use affirmations like this to start planning how you will use money to improve your life.

9. Money is a constant in my life.

Whether you have a standard 9-5 or a more unconventional career, affirmations like this one encourage you to stop worrying about money.

While the specific way you make your money may change over time, the fact that you are bringing money into your life will not.

As you work to grow your net worth, never stop believing that money is always flowing into your life.

10. My actions will lead to prosperity.

When things don’t always go the way we expect them to, it’s not uncommon to wonder if all our efforts are really worth it.

Working from day to night, day in and day out can be very discouraging, but don’t lose hope.

Every hour you work, every assignment you complete is leading you closer to prosperity. While it won’t happen overnight, you must keep believing in your goals to grow your wealth.

11. I radiate abundant energy in everything I do.

You will get back what you put out into the world.

If you want to earn more, you must live as you believe in the abundance mindset that many positive affirmations encourage.

Living life with abundant energy means no longer being afraid to talk about, spend, budget, or earn money. This abundant energy can be expressed through every other aspect of your life—in your relationships, hobbies, studies, and lifestyle. Live like you deserve more, because you do.

12. My finances are already improving beyond what I imagined.

We all have our financial hopes and dreams. Whatever these may be for you, these positive affirmations encourage you to give in to the idea that you’ve already achieved your goals.

Your finances, whatever they may be, are already on the rise. You’re already making more money and making significant steps towards your future.

13. I create my own money-making opportunities.

There’s a reason that so many people are taking on side jobs and “side hustles”.

Whatever your qualifications are, if you want to start bringing in more money, it may be time to diversify your income. Whether it’s a part-time job or a few hours here and there making extra cash, creating your money-making opportunities plays a big role in increasing your wealth.

14. Spirituality and money aren’t enemies of one another.

Many people feel that their spirituality can’t coexist with wealth. While these beliefs come about for various reasons, it’s time to start unlearning them.

Your religious ideals and financial status can coexist. One does not cancel out the other. Oftentimes, you can let one belief influence the other. As you progress in your spirituality, you’ll see that your financial mindset will also deepen.

15. My partner and I have positive discussions about money.

Finances can be a major issue in love relationships. Partners with different money mindsets often find themselves fighting over money-related problems.

Use these types of affirmations to change how you and your partner handle money. Even if you both don’t see eye to eye on everything, nothing is stopping you from having positive communication on the subject.

16. I put my money to work for me.

Growing your income means finding a way to generate a passive income. Whether you’re investing in the stock market or you have an online store that generates money, putting your money to work for you is an essential part of becoming wealthy.

17. I am my money’s master.

Never feel like you aren’t in control of your finances. Losing sight of this fact can lead to feeling lost and hopeless in the face of a financial struggle. Whatever your situation may be, start saying these affirmations today to change your thought process.

18. I trust myself with large sums of money.

A tell-tale sign of financial anxiety is fear of dealing with large sums of cash.

Whether you believe you’ll spend all of it on frivolous things or you’re not sure how best to save your money, letting this sort of stress overtake you isn’t conducive to a healthy financial mindset.

Choose today to believe that you can and should feel comfortable with your funds. This will allow you to make smarter choices financially.

19. Wealth is not wrong.

Some people may feel uncomfortable with having a lot of money or be afraid to prioritize their wealth. Though various people have different reasons for this, some believe that wealth means living excessively.

However, the amount you earn and your lifestyle choices are completely up to you.

20. Money opens up the doors to more opportunities.

Money isn’t everything in life but is a gateway to many opportunities. The more assets you have, the easier it will be to pursue your goals.

Once you identify the link between making money and reaching your goals, you’ll have a renewed drive that will keep pushing you to succeed.

21. Money has a positive impact on my life.

The more we understand how money can positively affect our lives, the more our mindsets about making more money will also change. Believing that increasing your income will create positive change will alter how you view each financial opportunity that comes your way.

attract more money

Final Thoughts on Positive Affirmations for Wealth

Though some people view wealth through the perspective of the “haves” and “have-nots”, the truth is that anyone can tap into the financial prosperity that wealthy individuals enjoy. While every individual’s financial journey is unique, each person should learn to cultivate a positive financial mindset.

With these 21 affirmations, you’ll completely transform your financial beliefs as you build wealth. Being financially successful is possible—just keep working towards your goals.

These 30 Fitness Quotes Will Inspire You to Lose Weight and Stay Fit

March 21, 2019 by Power of Positivity

If you want to get the ideal physique within the shortest time possible, you have to read fitness quotes. Working out is not easy, and it can sometimes take a toll on your body. You may feel like you want to give up because you are not used to such pain. But what happens when you do so? You remain where you were without any progress.

You need fitness quotes to motivate yourself and make you realize that what you are doing is worth it.

30 Fitness Quotes that can Really Inspire You

Fitness Quotes #1: Do Not Limit your Challenges, Challenge your Limits

As you work out, you have to be ready to push yourself beyond your comfort zone. It is only by doing this that you’ll be able to reach new heights with your training. If you want to get better-looking abs, be ready to do hundreds of sit-ups per day. If today, you did 100, tomorrow you can do 150 and keep increasing.

Quote #2: Go the Extra Mile, it’s Never Crowded

If you take the literal meaning of this quote, you will realize that it’s actually true. Most people will run until a certain point because they prefer a short distance. If you decide to run further than everybody else, you’ll realize that there are very few of you. In fact, the path may be very clear. The same goes for your workout routine, if you want to stand out from the rest, go beyond with your routine.

Quote #3: The Only Bad Workout is the One that Didn’t Happen

There’s no such thing as a bad workout. As long as you’re doing something to get in shape, you’ll eventually get there. Sure you might make a few mistakes as you are starting out, but that shouldn’t discourage you. You only regret if you don’t do anything.

Quote #4: The Future Depends on what you do Today

Stop procrastinating about whether or not you should try that new diet or start a regular exercise routine. When you do that, you’ll never do it since your body is hard wired to attempt to avoid things that tend to be laborious. (1) Take a leap of faith and act now because time doesn’t wait for you to be ready.

Quote #5: Never Let the Fear of Striking Out Keep you from Playing the Game

Failure is part of the success journey. Therefore, don’t be afraid to work out because you cannot lift certain weights or do more than 50 press-ups. You may fail at first, but the more you do it, the better you become. So play the game!

Quote #6: You Earn your Trophies at Practice. You Just Pick them up at Competitions

This is especially true if you’re working out to compete in a body building contest. You have to constantly work on your core muscles if you want to stand a chance at winning. If you’ve done what is required, you are likely to win since you already did most of the work during practice.

Quote #7: If it’s Important to You, You’ll Find a Way. If it’s Not, You’ll Find an Excuse

You have to want to work out if you want to succeed. Therefore, make exercising a priority and do your best to achieve your fitness goals. There should be no room for excuses.

Quote #8: Discipline is Just Choosing between what you Want Now and What you Want the Most

This quote is related to the previous one. Always remind yourself that the reason you began working out is because that’s the thing you want the most in your life. Furthermore, reaching your ultimate goal will give you happiness.

Quote #9: Never Give Up on a Dream Just Because of the Time it will take to Accomplish it. The Time will Pass Anyway

So your trainer tells you that it may take roughly three to six months for you to notice the changes from your workout. You might be thinking that this is such a long time, and you aren’t ready to wait. However, if it’s really what you want, go for it. Time will pass by so fast that you won’t notice.

Quote #10: You Body can Stand Almost Anything, it’s your Mind that you have to Convince

You have to remember that your limitations are only self-imposed. Your body can handle most of the strenuous exercises that are required to make you fit. It’s up to you to discipline your mind. You have to remove any sort of limitations from your thoughts if you want to meet your workout goals.

Quote #11: Dreams Don’t Work Unless You Do So

Don’t expect to get what you want without breaking a sweat. Learn to have self control over your thoughts and do what is required. (2) Read this fitness quote whenever you feel too lazy to hit the gym. It’s bound to get you on your feet and focused on your goals.

Quote #12: Whenever you Eat or Drink, You’re Either Feeding Disease or Fighting it

This is one of those fitness quotes that helps you stay disciplined and focus on the healthy diet needed for a successful workout routine. You can write this quote somewhere and stick it in the kitchen area. That way, you’ll always be cautious of anything you eat.

Quote #13: Motivation is what gets you Started. Habit is what Keeps you Going

Take a look at this quote every time you get up from bed. It will help you remember why you started working out in the first place. This quote reminds you to keep going every day and make exercising a habit.

Quote #14: Everyone Starts Somewhere

You might not be the buffest guy around or the fittest girl at work, but you can attain the perfect physique if you commit to a workout routine. Remind yourself that you have to start from somewhere to get to where you want. The choice is yours.

Quote #15: Some Give Up because the Progress is too Slow; never really considering the fact that slow progress is still progress

Read this quote whenever you feel as if the workout isn’t helping you get to where you want. This quote reminds you of how far you’ve come to get to where you are. Therefore, it would be a waste to give up when you’re almost close to achieving your fitness goals.

Quote #16: Wake up with Determination. Go to Bed with Satisfaction

This is another fitness quote that needs to be hanged on your bedroom wall or ceiling. It will give you the confidence that you need to go to the gym and work on your fitness goals.

Quote #17: If You’re Tired of Starting Over, Stop Giving Up

This is one of those fitness quotes that’s meant to make you reconsider giving up if you were thinking about it. If you’re one of those people that quits the gym after every one or two months, this quote is for you. Starting over every time can make you feel as if you’re going in circles. Therefore, don’t do it.

Quote #18: Never Say the Sky is the limit when there are Footprints on the Moon

This quote reminds us that fitness goals vary from one individual to another; therefore, you shouldn’t copy someone else’s goal because you think that’s the limit. Focus on your goal and see how far it takes you.

Quote #19: Don’t Quit since You’re Already in Pain, Get a Reward for it

As you perform different sets of your workout exercises, make sure that you finish them. Don’t leave a set midway because it hurts, push yourself to complete it since that’s the ultimate reward.

Quote #20: You don’t have to be Good at Something to Start. However, you have to Start if you want to be Great

If you want to attain the perfect physique, you have to get on a healthy diet, come up with a feasible workout routine, and make sure that you follow it. There are no shortcuts.

Quote #21: Better Sore than Sorry

You have to be willing to go the extra mile with your exercise routine. If you said that you are going to go for 3 reps of a 15 count bench press, make sure that you do it even if your fingers become sore in the process. In the end, it is better to accomplish something than to be sorry for not achieving it because you gave up too soon.

Quote #22: You can either stay Average or Become Great

Anytime you think about giving up, remind yourself of this quote. Greatness requires hard work and perseverance. Therefore, do whatever it takes to stick to your workout routine.

Quote #23: Don’t Stop when You’re Tired, Stop when You’re Done

As you do the final rep on any exercise, remind yourself of this quote. The most important thing about a workout session is completing it. Therefore, don’t allow yourself to quit whenever you feel signs of fatigue.

Quote #24: It’s not About Having Time, it’s About Making Time

Despite your busy schedule, you have to make time for your workout routine. You can either exercise before you go to sleep or do it very early before you start anything else.

Quote #25: Fitness is a Lifestyle without a Finish Line

This is one of those fitness quotes that remind us of the importance of maintaining your body physique. The hard work comes after you’ve achieved your fitness goals. You have to stick to the same exercise and diet routine if you want your body to remain the same.

Quote #26: The Results will do Most of the Talking

At the end of the day, people will notice the changes on your body without you telling them that you’ve been working out.

Quote #27: Train Together, Stay Together

Sometimes you need a training partner to motivate one another. The situation gets even better when your training partner is your spouse.

Quote #28: Commitment means sticking to what you said you were going to do long after the mood you said it in has left You

You might have been a bit excited when you said that you are going to put in the work to make sure that you lose weight. As a reminder, make sure that you see it through even after the happiness fades away.

Quote #29: You Create your Destiny

Always remember that if you want to achieve your destiny of becoming skinny and muscular, you have to do it yourself. Nobody is going to push you or make you do what you don’t want since the decision is entirely up to you.

Quote #30: Good Things Take Time

As you go about your daily exercise routine, remember that achieving your fitness goals will take time. Therefore, be patient.

Final Thoughts on Fitness Quotes

Use the above quotes to get motivation for your workout sessions. Remember that nothing great comes easy, and you have to earn what you think you deserve.

If you enjoyed this article, tell your friends about it or send them a link to this page. You can also tell us what you thought about the topic by dropping us an email.

Doctor Explains 5 Reasons Coconut Oil Is Good For Your Health

March 21, 2019 by Power of Positivity

Coconut oil is one of the healthiest oils to consume, apply to the skin, and use on the hair. Many people already use it for hair to get rid of dandruff, but what many don’t know is its ability to repair damaged hair and assist in its regrowth.

Another great use of the oil involves the management of diabetes, treatment of seizures, maintenance of a healthy heart, and more. Dozens of studies prove consuming coconut oil for health works.

Five Reasons to Give Coconut Oil a Chance

Here are five reasons coconut oil is excellent for your health.

1. Skin Care

Coconut oil works well for skin. According to a study carried out in 2018 by Dr. Lily Zhong of California State University regarding the impacts of plant oils on the skin, it was discovered that oil from coconut has anti-inflammatory, wound healing, antibacterial, antioxidant, and anti-aging properties. It can also assist in treating many skin conditions like:• Eczema & psoriasis: Topical application of virgin oil from coconut minimizes the severity of this problem.

• UV radiation:

According to research by R. R. Korac, K. M. Khambholja shows that the use of oil from coconut safeguards the skin against the dangerous impacts of UV radiation.

• Dermatitis:

According to a study by Peter A. Lio and Allison L. Goddard, coconut oil is more effective in relieving symptoms of atopic dermatitis than mineral oil. Another research discovered that virgin oil from coconut could be utilized as an efficient way of managing this condition.

• Skin Wound:

The oil can assist in speeding up the healing of wounds.

• Dry Skin or Xerosis:

Agero, AL and Vermen M. Verallo-Rowell M.D conducted a research that concluded oil from coconut to be an effective and safe moisturizer for your skin. Pure, non-GMO, cold-pressed, and organic oil from coconut is an exceptional massage oil that can be utilized for all skin types, including dry skin.

• Antimicrobial activity:

Monolaurin is an active ingredient of coconut oil that is antifungal, antiviral, and antibacterial. It safeguards against the harmful impacts of bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus that leads to pimples and other skin conditions.

• Burns:

Use of oil from coconut aids in offering relief to patients with burns.

• Other:

It also assists in repairing the skin barrier.

Unlike mineral oil, the application of oil from coconut does not have any adverse side effects. For this reason, it has been used for centuries to prevent flaking and dryness of the skin. Hence, it is a primary ingredient in various body care products such as soaps, creams, and lotions for skin care.

Additionally, the oil can make you look younger by delaying the skin sagging and the appearance of wrinkles.

2. Hair Care

Because of coconut oil, females in tropical coastal regions have bright and long hair. Women in tropical coastal areas use the oil for their hair almost daily. The oil is thick and butter-like and aids in healthy hair growth, and offers shine to the strands.

According to the Journal of Cosmetic Science, a study by R. B. Mohile and Aarti S. Rele discovered that oil from coconut is very efficient in minimizing loss of protein, which, if not monitored, can result in numerous unhealthy hair qualities. As a result of low molecular weight, the oil can penetrate the hair shaft and safeguard against hair damage.

For this reason, it is utilized as a hair care oil and produces numerous dandruff relief creams and conditioners. The best variety of oil from coconut that is perfect for healthy hair is organic and extra virgin. You can use a coconut oil hair mask or apply it topically to the hair.

Coconut oil for the health of your hair is perfect for treating damaged hair. It is an excellent conditioner and aids in the regrowth process of ruined hair. It also offers the critical proteins needed for nourishing and healing damaged hair.

According to research by Ruetsch SB et al., TRI/Princeton states that oil from coconut offers more excellent protection to hair from damage resulting from hygral fatigue. Using the oil to massage your head regularly will enable your scalp to be free from dandruff, even when it is chronically dry. It also aids in keeping your scalp and hair free from lice infestation.

3. Improved Heart Health

According to a review study by Lauren Boateng et al., it was discovered that 50 percent of fats present in coconut oil are MCTs like lauric acid. These acids are easily absorbed in the intestines and can be utilized by the body to produce energy. Additionally, the MCTs fail to participate in the biosynthesis or transport of cholesterol.

According to a study carried out on 116 patients of coronary artery disease, it was found out that a diet rich in extra virgin oil from coconuts resulted in improved good cholesterol levels and decreased bad cholesterol levels. Another study by Dr. Alan Feranil et al., of the University of San Carlos, shows that consumption of this oil can assist in the maintenance of healthy lipid profiles in pre-menopausal women.

If you are utilizing the oil for consumption purposes, be sure to monitor your cholesterol levels regularly. It is best to stop consuming it extensively if you detect an increase.

4. Better Brain Function and Fewer Seizures

Alzheimer’s disease is the most typical cause of dementia worldwide, mainly in older people. In patients of Alzheimer’s disease, there seems to be a minimal ability to utilize glucose for energy in particular brain parts.

According to research, ketones can offer an alternative energy source for malfunctioning brain cells and minimize symptoms of Alzheimer’s. In a particular 2006 study, intake of medium chain triglycerides resulted in improvement of brain function in individuals who had mild Alzheimer’s disease. But research is still early, and there is no evidence to show that the oil itself assists with the condition.

Research is being conducted to find out the ability of very high fat and very low carb diet to treat various diseases. The most popular therapeutic application of the diet is to treat children for drug-resistant epilepsy. The diet involves consuming a few carbohydrates and massive amounts of fat resulting in high levels of ketones in your blood.

For an unknown reason, the diet greatly minimizes the seizure rate in epileptic children, including those who have failed in the use of various drugs that treat the condition. Since coconut oil’s fatty acids convert into ketones in the liver, they can help epileptic patients induce ketosis while giving room for some carbs in the diet.

5. Other Benefits

The Coconut Research Center states that consuming coconut oil for health will kill the viruses that lead to measles, herpes, influenza, hepatitis, SARS, and other severe conditions. Also, it kills bacteria that lead to ulcers, urinary tract infections, gonorrhea, pneumonia, and throat infections. Additionally, the oil can assist in eliminating yeast and fungi that lead to ringworm, thrush, diaper rash, and athlete’s foot.

The oil has fatty acids and medium-chain triglycerides that assist in preventing gallbladder, liver, and kidney diseases. The oil is also essential in maintaining the health of the pancreas by offering relief from pancreatitis. But further research is needed in this area.

The saturated fats like monolaurin and lauric acid in coconut oil have antiviral, antibacterial, and antimicrobial properties. These properties can assist in dealing with numerous parasites, fungi, and bacteria that lead to various health problems.

Pure coconut carrier oil used for aromatherapy is extra soothing and aids in removing stress. Apply it to your head before massaging it gently to assist in eliminating mental fatigue. A study by Dr. Swee Keong Yeap et al. states that virgin oil from coconut offers relief from stress and gives antioxidant properties.

When you consume coconut oil for health, it will assist in controlling blood sugar and boosting insulin secretion. Also, it aids in the promotion of effective utilization of blood glucose. Hence, it assists in preventing and managing diabetes.

Oil from coconut boosts the body’s ability to absorb vital minerals. These minerals include magnesium and calcium, which are essential for bone development. Hence, the oil can be handy for females susceptible to osteoporosis after middle age.

Athletes, dieters, and bodybuilders usually utilize oil from coconut because it has fewer calories than other oils. Its fat content converts to energy quickly. Thus, it fails to accumulate fat in the arteries and heart. Additionally, it aids in boosting endurance and energy and enhancing athletes’ performance.

coconut oil infographic

Final Thoughts on Coconut Oil

The use of oil from coconut will offer dozens of benefits for you. All these benefits will work to manage a child’s epilepsy, keep your parent’s Alzheimer’s disease in check, keep your hair and skin in fantastic condition…and more!

Applying the oil is easy since you only have to use it on your skin and hair like any other lotion or hair conditioner. When it comes to consumption, use it to cook in place of the normal cooking oil. Using it to cook food will help you to avoid the unhealthy fats that put your heart at risk of heart conditions.

12 Foods To Eat If You Need To Poop

March 20, 2019 by Power of Positivity

An estimated twenty percent of the population experiences constipation. One of the prevalent causes of constipation is the decreased movement of foods through the gut. Other causes are old age, physical activity, and a low-fiber diet.

If you don t poop, treatment can include laxatives, fiber supplements, and stool softeners. But you can add some regularity-boosting foods into your meals for an effective and safe option. These can include apples, lentils, pears, kefir, flaxseeds, prunes, and more.

Here are the twelve foods to eat if you need to poop:

1. Lentils

Lentils are edible pulses filled with fiber, which makes them an excellent addition to the diet for relieving constipation. In fact, 99 grams of boiled lentils have an excellent eight grams of fiber.

Moreover, consumption of lentils can boost the production of butyric acid, a short-chain fatty acid in the colon. It improves the movement of the gut to enhance bowel movements. According to an animal study, the impacts of butyrate on the gut were studied to discover that it aided in speeding up intestinal transit, making it ideal if you don t poop often.

Lentils add a hearty, rich flavor to salads and soups, while also offering plenty of health benefits and added fiber.

2. Sweet Potatoes

In addition to offering numerous minerals and vitamins, sweet potatoes also have a lot of fiber that aids you to poop regularly. A medium sweet potato of 114 grams has 4 grams of fiber. The fiber present in sweet potatoes is usually insoluble and has a few particular types, like pectin, lignin, and cellulose.

According to research, sweet potatoes can aid in promoting bowel movements. A study in 2016 studied the impacts of sweet potato consumption on constipation in 57 patients of leukemia who were receiving chemotherapy treatment. Four days in the study, most of the constipation markers had improved, and the participants experienced less discomfort and strain when compared to the control group.

You can roast, sautée, mash, or bake sweet potatoes to replace white potatoes in any dish.

3. Figs

Figs are a great way to obtain more fiber and promote regularity. Dried figs, particularly, can offer a rich fiber meal. Dried figs weighing 75 grams have fiber weighing 7.5 grams, which is thirty percent of the daily requirement.

According to a 2011 animal study, the impacts of fig paste on constipation were studied over three weeks. It was discovered that fig paste improved the weight of the stool and minimized intestinal transit time, which makes it a natural treatment for constipation.

Another research on humans discovered that offering fig paste to forty participants with constipation assisted in speeding up colonic transit, improving stool consistency and alleviating abdominal discomfort. While you can eat figs independently, you can also boil them into a delicious jam that goes well with sandwiches, pizzas, and bruschetta.

4. Kefir

If you don t poop regularly, kefir is perfect for you. It is a fermented milk beverage that has probiotics, which are a form of healthy bacteria for the gut.

Probiotics have been proven to boost stool consistency, increase stool frequency, and minimize intestinal transit time for speeding up bowel movements. Many studies have shown that kefir can promote regularity.

In a particular study, 20 participants consumed kefir in four weeks. The food was discovered to minimize laxative use, improve consistency, increase stool frequency, and speed up intestinal transit. Another animal study found kefir to have increased bulk and moisture of stool to minimize constipation.

Kefir makes the ideal base for salad dressings and smoothies.

5. Artichokes

Research reveals that artichokes contain a prebiotic that can benefit digestive tract health and help maintain regularity. Prebiotics are a unique type of fiber, which feeds the healthy bacteria in the colon, assisting in optimizing your gut health. Consuming prebiotics can aid in relieving constipation.

According to a 2017 review of five studies, it was concluded that prebiotics improved stool frequency and increased consistency. One study included 32 participants who consumed fiber removed from globe artichokes. Three weeks later, they noted high levels of healthy bacteria in the colon, while harmful gut bacteria were minimal.

Artichokes have been shown to minimize irritable bowel syndrome and assist in normalizing bowel patterns. Artichokes are available in both jarred and fresh form and can be utilized in everything from savory tarts to creamy dips.

6. Rhubarb

Both natural laxative properties and fiber content of rhubarb assist you to poop regularly. A stalk of rhubarb, which is 51 grams in weight has one gram of fiber. This is mostly insoluble fiber that promotes the bulk of the stool.

Rhubarb also has a compound called sennoside A, which promotes a laxative effect in your body. Sennoside A functions by minimizing levels of AQP3, which is a protein that curbs water transit in the intestines. Lower levels of AQP3 leads to an increased level of water absorption, which makes stool soft and enhances bowel movement.

You can add rhubarb to various baked goods, yogurt, or oatmeal.

7. Beans

The majority of beans are rich in fiber and can aid in helping you poop regularly. For instance, black beans have 7.5 grams of fiber per 86 grams serving, while 91 grams of navy beans have 9.5 grams of fiber. Beans also have significant amounts of insoluble and soluble fiber, both of which assist in easing constipation.

Soluble fiber absorbs water to create a gel-like consistency, which softens stool and makes it easier to pass. Insoluble fiber, on the other hand, passes via the digestive tract intact to add bulk to the stool.

According to research, including both insoluble and soluble fiber in your diet can effectively minimize constipation and reduce gas and bloating. If you are searching for an excellent way to boost your intake of fiber, beans are perfect. Add them to soups, side dishes, and dips for a delicious fiber snack.

8. Pears

Pears can aid in alleviating constipation in various ways. They are rich in fiber, and one medium pear weighing 178 grams has six grams of fiber, which is 24 percent of the daily requirement.

Pears are also rich in sorbitol, which is a sugar alcohol that acts as an osmotic agent to attract water to the intestines and trigger bowel movement. Additionally, pears have fructose, a sugar type that can only be absorbed in limited amounts. Hence, unabsorbed amounts of fructose act as a natural laxative by pulling water to the intestines.

9. Flaxseeds

Flaxseeds have numerous health benefits, including helping you to poop regularly due to high fiber content. A serving of ten grams has three grams of fiber, which is a mix of both insoluble and soluble fiber.

Flaxseeds are great for speeding up intestinal transit, increasing stool frequency, and improving stool weight. According to research, this food can assist in treating diarrhea and constipation. Due to its ability to increase stool frequency and have an anti-diarrheal effect, it minimizes diarrhea by up to 84 percent.

10. Kiwifruit

Kiwifruit is particularly rich in fiber, which makes it an excellent food for helping you poop regularly. A kiwifruit serving of 76 grams has 2.3 grams of fiber.

Kiwifruit has been revealed to boost movement in the gut, assisting in triggering a bowel movement. According to research, kiwifruit assists in speeding up intestinal transit time, decreasing laxative use, and reducing constipation. You can add it to your smoothie for a treat rich in fiber.

11. Prunes

Prunes are typically utilized as a natural laxative. They are an excellent source of sorbitol, and a 28-gram serving has two grams of fiber.

Sorbitol is a sugar alcohol type that is poorly digested in the body. It aids in alleviating constipation by pulling water into the intestines, which induces a bowel movement. Research shows that prunes can assist in softening stool, improving consistency, and increasing stool frequency.

A particular study revealed that 40 participants who had constipation before eating prunes faced improvements in both stool consistency and frequency, compared to a control group that consumed psyllium fiber supplements.

Prunes will make your pilafs and salads sweet. You can also drink a glass of prune juice with no added sugar to minimize constipation.

12. Apples

Apples are excellent fiber sources, with 149 grams offering four grams of fiber. Fiber goes through your intestines without being digested, which assists in forming stool and promoting regular bowel movements. Apples also have a particular type of soluble fiber referred to as pectin, which is popular for its laxative effect.

According to research, pectin assists in speeding up transit time in the large intestines, which minimizes constipation and improves gut health by boosting the levels of healthy bacteria in the digestive tract. You can eat apples as toppings for foods like oatmeal and yogurt. You can also enjoy them on their own.

Final Thoughts on 12 Foods to Help You Poop

If you want to poop frequently, the ultimate cure is fiber-rich foods. Soluble and insoluble fibers will work together to ensure your stool is soft and bulky enough to pass. These foods will aid in boosting the consistency and frequency of your stool as well as reduce the colonic transit time, which is perfect for you if you don t poop.

These foods are easy and convenient for eating. Contrary to most foods that you must cook for up to an hour, you can serve these foods in under five minutes. Some of them are ready to eat like apples, while others like flax seeds need to be added to foods like yogurt.

4 Things Narcissists Do Often to Stay At The Center of Attention

March 20, 2019 by Power of Positivity

At some point in your life, you have probably met a few narcissists. They demand the spotlight and somehow find a way to make everything only about them, no matter what. It’s a frustrating behavior to have to deal with.

But many narcissists aren’t so transparent about what they are doing. They use manipulation tactics in order to get you and everyone else on their side so that they can take center stage. Worse still, the smartest narcissists will make it look like they deserve to be revolved around 24/7, and you may just fall victim to their tactics.

How can you deal with a narcissist, and how can you protect yourself from them and their troubling ways? The answer lies in awareness. You need to be able to recognize toxic behaviors from those around you and identify narcissistic patterns so you can stay far away from them – or, at least, know not to give in to them.

For a narcissist, nothing is more important than ensuring all eyes are on them. You, however, can learn to take your eyes off of their manipulation.

4 Things Narcissists Do Often To Stay At The Center Of Attention

1. Narcissists Are Experts At Playing The Victim

There are many narcissists out there who don’t quite have the ability to empathize with others due to their self-centered nature. But this doesn’t mean that they don’t possess a cognitive understanding of the fact that other people can have a strong sense of empathy. This allows them to take advantage of other people easily.

This is why a narcissist knows how to place themselves in a positive light in every situation, even when they are at fault: by playing the victim. But it isn’t just avoiding the trouble that causes them to play the victim. They want to play the victim all the time, no matter what, and even when it’s not relevant.

A narcissist wants everything to be about them. The second someone else has sympathy, they quickly try to turn the situation around by farming for pity. They portray themselves as martyrs through manipulation, generating a wave of sympathy that they simply do not deserve.

It’s a deceitful tactic, but it’s also a classic and sadly very common one that many people use, not just narcissists. The saddest part is that by taking the center of attention, a narcissist is directing that attention away from the person who really, truly needs it. It can damage lives and rob someone of the assistance they need.

But how can you deal with something like this when it happens?

After all, many experts believe that narcissists do not experience feelings of guilt, but instead feel shame. But that’s actually something you can take into account when you fight against a narcissist.

Don’t get angry when a narcissist plays the victim.
Focus on aspects like disappointment, community, and shame.
If you are in a position to do so, don’t react negatively; instead, imply that other people may think badly of them.
A narcissist doesn’t always think of the feelings of others, so you reminding them that this may happen can be a wake-up call – or at least a deterrent.

You can also turn this into something positive. Instead of using direct encouragement, ask questions or start conversations that hold suggestions of ways they can gain the attention they crave in a positive way. Remember to frame them as casual questions, not suggestions, as narcissists are more likely to follow through when they believe they are the ones who came up with a certain idea.

2. Twisting Situations Through Reverse Projection

This works somewhat similarly to playing the victim, but often with even worse results. A narcissist knows how to use manipulation to get what they want, uplifting themselves in a positive light while bringing others down.

While this seems like a mild annoyance at worst, keep in mind that this means a narcissist knows the easiest and quickest way to rise to the top is by stepping on everyone else, including you. And they’re very good at it because of how well they can shift a conversation to suit their whims.

A narcissist is capable of taking a situation and turning it on its head. They can perform an intricate routine where they, the wrongdoers, look innocent while you, the victim, look like the bad guy. And if you’re not a master manipulator yourself – which we hope you aren’t – you may have trouble getting out of that spot.

What to do about it

How can you deal with someone twisting everything to make themselves look good – or worse, make others look bad? Many narcissists enjoy seeing other people suffer from the pain they inflict through manipulation. So practice positive thinking and smile. Don’t let them see that they have annoyed you.

It’s kind of like playground teasing.
If you react negatively to it, bullies laugh and enjoy themselves and do it more.
But if you act nonchalant and unaffected, they are likely to lose interest in you.
So if you keep smiling, a narcissist will eventually get bored of trying to get to you.

It’s even better if you can maintain a positive sense of humor about it. Sure, ignoring a narcissist works, but you can also show that you call your bluff while laughing. If you’re good at tactful humor, you can lightheartedly call out the inappropriate nature of a narcissist’s actions without being mean. Pass it off as a joke, and certain types of narcissists may actually find this funny – or they’ll just know you are not to be messed with.

3. Narcissists Always Play The Blame Game

Narcissists want to look good all the time. So the second they receive even the slightest criticism, all sense of positive thinking goes out the window. They crumble, lash out, and become highly defensive – and this often involves shifting blame around.

The strangest part is that a lot of times, a narcissist may not even be getting any blame in a situation. But if they even perceive that they may be on the receiving end of some flack, you can be sure they’ll find a way to make someone else take the fall. Due to how sensitive they are, this can happen a lot, even when they’re not the target of anything.

Even if a narcissist does something so horrible it’s impossible to justify, they’ll make sure someone else shares their blame.
They’ll say someone else did something that made them act that way.
They’ll blame other people for their problems.
They might simply switch the topic and talk about something sensitive or difficult, just to distract you from their wrongs.

Defending yourself in this situation can definitely feel like a lost cause. Often, your valid points will be ignored in favor of their manipulative words. They’ll point their fingers at everyone but themselves, and it’s exhausting to deal with.

In dealing with this situation, you need to understand why many narcissists do such things. They have low self-esteem that demands they try to make themselves feel better through any means, even by shifting blame to others.

Take note of context to figure out what could be causing this insecurity. With some narcissists with insecurity issues, just a little positive reassurance – not too much to inflate their egos and not too little to go unnoticed – can help them shed the shame that is causing them to lash out.

4. Interruption

One of the things narcissists do often to stay at the center of attention is control conversations so they are always the central focus. When you’re talking in a group with them, they will quickly interject and cut in when the conversation shifts to not surround them.

You might attempt to bring the discussion back to the matter at hand, but a narcissist will soon derail that attempt again, often by causing you to go quiet by any means possible. If you don’t let them get to you, they may then go on to consider you a threat to their quest for the spotlight.

During conversations, narcissists also tend not to ask questions. They aren’t interested in emotional or mental investments in other people, so they don’t typically care to know what you think, how you feel, or what’s going on with you.

If a narcissist can’t force a conversation back to them, they may shoot out unwanted advice for things they’re not actually qualified for. They’ll make up stories about why they have the experience to give this advice and insist it is followed, even if they’re making it all up.

How do you manage this? Well, there’s a balance to be struck here, but the most important part is not allowing them to derail your train of thought, your conversations, and your life. Focus on your own goals. Don’t give in to a narcissist’s constant bid for attention.

Where’s the balance?

There’s nothing wrong with paying a little attention to a narcissist, the same way you would treat anyone else.
Treat them like you would another normal person.
Acknowledge feelings, then move on. Reassure, then press forward.
Don’t let yourself be pushed around, but give them the same acknowledgment you would afford anyone else.

Final Thoughts On Things Narcissists Do Often To Stay At The Center Of Attention

There’s no denying that narcissists are difficult to deal with, but it’s important to understand why they behave this way. A narcissistic personality disorder is a genuine cluster B personality disorder that affects about 1% of the population.

Do note that just because someone has a narcissistic personality disorder, this does not mean that they are inherently bad people. However, many people who have this disorder or are on its spectrum may display these negative traits we talked about, especially if they have not undergone therapy or treatment.

While it is a serious mental health condition often caused by trauma, this does not mean that negative behavior is excusable and poor treatment of others is justifiable. You deserve the knowledge to arm yourself against a toxic, harmful narcissist, and it is not your responsibility to help them find treatment.

If you find yourself having to deal with a narcissist, it is important that you understand and are aware of common behaviors that mean they are trying to take hold of the spotlight. This way, you can react accordingly, keep yourself safe from potential emotional harm, and distance yourself from them if necessary.

This Man Supports His Girlfriend With Depression And Anxiety In The Most Perfect Way

March 20, 2019 by Power of Positivity

For people who suffer from both depression and anxiety, simply getting out of bed and facing the day can seem like an insurmountable task. Though the stigma surrounding mental illness has begun to fade in recent years, some people still don’t understand how debilitating mental disorders can be. Because of society’s views on mental illness coupled with actually dealing with it, those suffering may feel like they have nowhere to turn.

People respond differently to various coping mechanisms, but one man found something unique that seems to work for his girlfriend. Reddit user bovadeez shared with the Internet his creative idea for helping his girlfriend with her depression and anxiety, and everyone seems to love it.

How Popsicle Sticks and a Jar Can Combat Depression

Using a jar, Popsicle sticks, colored markers, and some paper, he created a positive affirmation jar for his girlfriend to help lift her spirits and get her through the tough times. Simple reminders in a jar can really help when someone’s mind goes to a dark place; it helps to snap them out of their challenging state and focus on something else.

He color-coded the Popsicle sticks based on different categories. For example, the orange sticks have inspirational quotes from poets, political figures, philosophers, and other historical people. Yellow sticks have positive sentences and mantras such as “You’re beautiful” and “It’s okay to ask for help.” Purple symbolizes relaxation, and the sticks say things such as “take a break” or “listen to your favorite song.”

He also included some blank Popsicle sticks for his girlfriend to write down moments during her day when she felt happy so she can refer to them later for a mood boost. He hopes that the reminders and quotes on the Popsicle sticks can help his girlfriend manage her depression and anxiety and aid in self-care.

This simple, yet awesome idea could help plenty of people out there who suffer from mental illness. Even if you don’t have a mental disorder, having these Popsicle sticks available when you need a dose of positivity can really help you get through your day. The kindness this man showed to his girlfriend lets her know she is loved and cared for. Someone suffering from depression and anxiety would definitely appreciate this kind gesture.

Here’s how this man helps his girlfriend with her depression and anxiety:

[Image] My girlfriend suffers from, at times, crippling depression and anxiety. I saw this idea somewhere online and decided to make her something like it.

If you know someone who suffers from mental illness, please share this idea with them! Maybe they have a loved one who could make these Popsicle sticks for them, or they could even make it themselves. Having art and craft projects to do can also help someone suffering from depression or anxiety.

When you’re having a bad day, reading something like “You’re worth it” or “You’re awesome” can definitely help brighten it up. It doesn’t take much to get started, and probably only takes a few hours to complete. If you decide to do this art project, let us know how it went!

Scientists Explain How Holding Hands Can Relieve Pain and Discomfort

March 20, 2019 by Power of Positivity

Pain is a part of the human experience. It’s safe to say that there isn’t a single person in the world who will go through life without experiencing pain. Unfortunately, this unpleasant sensation doesn’t have a lot of cures, especially for those with prolonged negative stimuli.

But there may be a way to relieve pain and discomfort according to recent studies. If you’re in a romantic relationship, chances are good that your partner can be a great help to pain issues. In fact, in this article we’ll discuss the way scientists explain how holding hands can relieve pain and discomfort.

Scientists Explain How Holding Hands Can Relieve Pain And Discomfort

1. The Pain Problem

Chronic pain is a highly overlooked and underestimated condition. In America alone, approximately 100 million people suffer from this issue – and that’s just the adults. This chronic pain is debilitating and exhausting to deal with, and it can carry on hurting for weeks, months, and even years. It’s not something that positive thinking and ignoring the issue will fix.

Because of the unpredictable and widely ranging nature of chronic pain, many make the mistake of believing it is non-serious or easy to treat – just take painkillers, right? But this is far from the truth. In fact, the total cost to manage such pain on a yearly basis exceeds the cost of treating diabetes, heart diseases, and even cancer!

But that’s not all. Those who suffer from chronic pain conditions are likely to be less productive and contribute less to the workforce due to their invisible disabilities. This costs the American economy hundreds of billions of dollars. Unfortunately, it’s not just the economy – and the wallets of patients – that suffers from the worldwide pain problem.

Chronic pain can lead to further issues, especially mental health disorders.

Depression, the main mental health culprit, often leads to additional chronic pain. Worst of all, painkillers and antidepressants play huge roles in the opioid addiction epidemic.

This is why research has been frequently and repeatedly conducted to find better ways to manage and treat pain. But most of the studies conducted tend to focus on specific individuals, usually single persons who are kept isolated over the course of the study. Of course, this is useful as researchers can better simplify their data and analyses regarding pain and pain relief.

However, this causes less-than-accurate views as those who experience chronic pain are rarely isolated in real life. Most of them have jobs, take part in social interactions, and participate in real-world activities. Social interactions, especially, may have a higher effect on pain than researchers can determine from their limited reach inside a laboratory. Up until recently, no studies compiled information on pain in relation to social communication.

2. New Research Techniques

As science and technology continue to advance, we are able to enjoy new scientific research techniques that have a more accurate scope. Now, scientists are able to track and monitor multiple individuals at once and collect data on their physiological activities at the same time.

Although this doesn’t sound like a lot of help, it significantly improves research conditions. It allows scientists to study their participants while they engage in social interactions and situations, ranging from mild to physically extreme. Slowly but surely, this has revealed something that serves as the foundation for scientists explaining how holding hands can relieve pain and discomfort.

So what, exactly, is this foundation? Well, numerous studies have shown that people who interact with each other even on a vaguely intimate level experience something called interpersonal synchrony. This means these people have parts of their bodies that sync up. It sounds complex, but it is actually fairly simple. Here are some studies that had these findings.

a) Group members

Choir singers who performed with each other would experience synced heartbeats when singing.

b) Fellow activity participants

A group of people performing a cultural ritual, known simply as a fire-walking ritual, were found to have heartbeats that synced up.

c) Couples

Partners who looked at each other with a prolonged gaze would experience matching heartbeats.

d) Participating in similar events

Platonically involved individuals who watched emotional movies with one another would have synced heartbeats.

These findings raised new questions. Could they be applied to pain relief? Could this synchrony allow for people, especially couples or others with intimate connections, to help each other with certain medical conditions?

All signs pointed to yes. But how could it be done? As it turns out, the answers to these questions lay in something very simple and very human: the sense of touch.

3. Study Details

As we’ve discussed, chronic pain is a serious condition and an expensive and potentially detrimental one to treat. But as it turns out, through touch, chronic pain can reduce greatly, according to this study.

Pavel Goldstein, Irit Weissman Fogel, Guillaume Dumas, and Simone Shamay-Tsoory conducted the study. Three of these researchers hail from the University of Haifa in Israel, and one (Dumas) hails from Institut Pasteur International Network. They published their findings in February of 2018 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The article shows that touch has a positive effect on chronic pain.

The study was conducted through the recruitment of 23 couples in heterosexual romantic relationships. These couples all ranged between ages 23 and 32 and were instructed to go through a series of pain stimuli tests. These tests were meant to mimic the scene that one may experience in a delivery room when a woman is undergoing labor.

The women within these relationships were set up to receive certain levels of pain through four different conditions and stages. This pain was a mild variety and heat based, administered to the forearm over the course of two minutes. Their pain levels were recorded via EEG. Here are the different tests they went through.

a) Alone

Women would face the examination alone, without their partners, and receive pain stimuli.

b) Without touch

Participants would be subject to this pain testing, but this time with their partners in the room, though they did so without physically touching their partners.

c) With touch

While holding hands with their partners, who were dubbed pain observers, study participants would receive pain stimuli again.

d) With a stranger

Finally, women would hold hands with a complete stranger they had never met before and receive the same level of pain stimuli.

The same study looked not only at pain reception, however; it also studied synchrony. Researchers accomplished this through the study of 22 completely different couples, also in heterosexual romantic relationships. Both partners were hooked up to devices that recorded their respiration as well as their heart rates.

Once again, women received the pain stimulus. There were, as prior, four study conditions to cycle through, and they are listed here:

a) With touch

Women held hands with their partners and received pain stimuli.

b) No pain

Women held hands with their partners but did not receive any form of painful stimulus.

c) No touch

Women received pain stimuli but did not touch their partners, though those partners remained in the same room.

d) Neither

Rates were recorded when neither partner touched the other or received any pain, though they remained in the same room.

But the researchers still were not done. They studied specific synchrony between the brains of these partners to determine if there was a relationship between touch, empathy, and the resulting analgesic effect. This was crucial for the sake of possible implications for those with severe pain-related conditions, or those experiencing pain.

4. Study Findings

The first section of findings deal with direct pain relief and pain perception changes in women based on touch. Findings showed that, when holding hands with their partner, women experienced significantly lower levels of pain.

Under these test conditions, the pain was felt the least. It is believed that this is due to a phenomenon called hyperscanning, whereby brains are coupled through the act of physical touch, causing a soothing, positive effect.

Synchrony and How It Can Relieve Pain

Now, let’s talk about findings from the respiration portion of the study, which studied the synchrony between partners during different test conditions. When not receiving any pain, partners achieved higher levels of synchrony when they touched. This synchrony existed in both respiration and heart rates.

Interestingly, for women who received pain stimuli in the same room as their partners but lacked physical touch, synchrony completely vanished. This surprising finding indicates the necessity of touch in order for synchrony to work during difficult times.

Essentially, women who received pain stimuli but did not touch their partners needed to use their brains to focus on handling and dealing with the stimuli. This caused them to disconnect from their partners through this coping strategy.

Finally, let’s talk about empathy. When receiving both their partner’s touch and pain stimuli, some women felt less pain than others. In these situations, this was accompanied by higher levels of physiological syncing, and in all these situations, their partners displayed more empathy towards them. This suggests that empathy improves synchrony, which in turn improves pain relief.

All-in-all, these study findings show that skin-to-skin touch and interpersonal interaction is highly beneficial to a number of things. Not only does it relieve pain, but it can be said that stress, mood, trust, and positive thinking are all improved by skin-to-skin contact.

5. What Do These Results Mean?

Simply put, the results of these studies emphasize the importance of skin-to-skin contact and social interactions for a variety of reasons. Mainly, it opens up the possibility of pain relief in a much more affordable – if not entirely free – way for long-term chronic pain sufferers.

Touch also seems to have links to empathy. More empathetic partners may improve synchrony between themselves; perhaps increased levels of physical touch can also boost empathy in romantic relationships.

But how, exactly, does touch from a romantic partner bring positive results to pain? This remains to be seen. Even researchers on a variety of studies of this kind have indicated that there is much more that must be discovered before we can truly understand the link between touch – specifically, touch from a romantic partner – and pain and synchrony.

Final Thoughts On How Holding Hands Can Relieve Pain And Discomfort

Research regarding touch, synchrony, and pain is still in its early stages, so not much is known about these fascinating findings. For now, though, if you or your partner experience chronic pain or have pain issues, perhaps putting these study findings into practice can be of use to you. Try it out for yourself and see if you can reap some benefits!

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

Positive Affirmations for Attracting Wealth

1. Money will find me; I walk in prosperity.

2. There are many ways to make money; the right amount of money will come to you when you expect it and often when you do not.

3. I am inherently valuable. I deserve to make more money.

4. I gladly accept all that life has to offer.

5. I’m welcoming unlimited income into my life.

6. There is no room for negative energy about money in my life.

7. Money flows into my life effortlessly and easily.

8. I use my money to change my life for the better.

9. Money is a constant in my life.

10. My actions will lead to prosperity.

11. I radiate abundant energy in everything I do.

12. My finances are already improving beyond what I imagined.

13. I create my own money-making opportunities.

14. Spirituality and money aren’t enemies of one another.

15. My partner and I have positive discussions about money.

16. I put my money to work for me.

17. I am my money’s master.

18. I trust myself with large sums of money.

19. Wealth is not wrong.

20. Money opens up the doors to more opportunities.

21. Money has a positive impact on my life.

Final Thoughts on Positive Affirmations for Wealth

Five Reasons to Give Coconut Oil a Chance

1. Skin Care

• UV radiation:

• Dermatitis:

• Skin Wound:

• Dry Skin or Xerosis:

• Antimicrobial activity:

• Burns:

• Other:

2. Hair Care

3. Improved Heart Health

4. Better Brain Function and Fewer Seizures

5. Other Benefits

Final Thoughts on Coconut Oil

Every day is a day to shine. Shine on!