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Mood Boosting Foods: 7 Foods That Make You Feel Happier

November 8, 2018 by Power of Positivity

Everyone’s heard the old saying, “You are what you eat.” Yet, people who should know better continue to turn to foods that just aren’t good for them when they’re feeling down. Scientists say one of the real reasons some depressed people may crave candy, ice cream and other sweet and creamy foods is because the chemical composition of these sugary, fatty treats is akin to human breast milk. By eating these high-caloric goodies, these people may be trying to rekindle that sense of peace and sense of absolute security they felt in their mothers’ arms.

It takes determination to break bad eating habits. For many of us, this process may entail not only retraining our taste buds, but also reprogramming the touch receptors on our tongues that prefer smooth, custardy textures. The good news is that this can be accomplished. There are plenty of different types of healthy foods that can lift your mood when you’re down in the dumps.

Read on to discover seven of those mood boosting foods.

Bananas

Bananas are rich in vitamins A, C and B6 as well as the essential amino acid tryptophan, which is a precursor to the neurotransmitter serotonin. Serotonin boosts your overall sense of well-being and contentment. In fact, many pharmacological antidepressants work by raising your body’s serotonin levels. The B6 in your banana helps catalyze the physiological reaction by which tryptophan is converted into serotonin, so you might say bananas deliver a double whammy in the “C’mon, get happy” department.

Berries

Specific flavor molecules called flavonoids in blueberries, blackberries, raspberries and strawberries bear a striking resemblance to the chemical structure of valproic acid, which is a pharmacological medication that’s often prescribed for mood enhancement. Berries also contain the flavonoid anthocyanidin, which is an anti-inflammatory agent. Many medical scientists believe that low levels of body inflammation may play a pivotal role in reducing chronic depression.

Dark Chocolate

Dark chocolate also contains anti-inflammatory flavonoids. Additionally, individuals who regularly eat dark chocolate show a marked decrease in cortisol levels. Cortisol is one of the stress hormones that’s responsible for the “fight or flight” response that takes over when we’re feeling anxious. Note that eating milk chocolate can also help lower cortisol levels; although, since it is a considerably more processed food, milk chocolate has far fewer flavonoids and is not as effective in controlling inflammation.

Tomatoes

Tomatoes are loaded with folic acid and alpha-lipoic acid. According to a study published in the March 2007 issue of “The Journal of Psychiatry and Neuroscience,” folic acid deficiencies are commonly found in patients who’ve been diagnosed with depression. Although scientists have not yet been able to identify the exact connection, decreased folic acid levels are often correlated with decreased serotonin levels. As we have seen above, serotonin is the “happy-making” neurotransmitter.

Turmeric

The spice turmeric, which is a staple of southern Asian cuisines, is packed with a bioactive compound called curcumin. Curcumin is a powerful oxidant whose cancer-preventative properties medical scientists are exploring. Early research that’s been carried out on curcumin’s purported anti-depressive properties also looks promising.

Spinach

Leafy green vegetables like spinach and kale are another great source of folic acid. Note that some of the folic acid in spinach can be lost when it’s cooked. Spinach also contains high concentrations of the mineral zinc. Zinc supplementation has been demonstrated to have a beneficial effect upon individuals who’ve been diagnosed with depression.

Mushrooms

Vitamin D deficiencies have been linked to depression. Unfortunately, Vitamin D is not found in many types of food. There’s one food, though, that’s just bursting with Vitamin D, and that is the humble mushroom. Your body typically manufactures its own Vitamin D from the reaction of sunlight against your skin. If you’re looking for a way to boost Vitamin D during the long winter months when there’s not much sun around, try sautéing up some mushrooms.

The Challenge of Healthy Eating

Healthy eating can be a challenge, and the manufacturers of all those packaged foods that beckon to you from the supermarket shelves are not going out of their way to make it any easier. Keep in mind you’re going with the processed food industry, which is a Goliath that reaps in billions and billions of dollars annually.

There’s no need to deny yourself the treats you love; just keep this thought in mind: “All things in moderation.” By eating a variety of foods every day, limiting your fat intake and trying to make sure your caloric intake equals your caloric output, you can make sure your eating is a happy balance.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yG-G9_LOkLA

(C)Power of Positivity, LLC. All rights reserved

Why Yoga Is Great For Type A Personality Type, Backed By Science

November 8, 2018 by Power of Positivity

I slipped into the yoga studio and everyone was already in a seated position on his or her mat. There wasn’t quite enough room, so the instructor asked two people in the back of the class to make room for me. The three of us were a little bit too close together, and the dirty looks from the woman next to me let me know she thought so too. So much for that unconditional love we’re supposed to be practicing. I hate being late to the studio, but there’s no way I could get there any earlier from my last class of the day. Vinyasa yoga was on my schedule for the day and I wasn’t going to let anything stop me.

I settled onto my mat and the instructor announced that we’d be trying something a little bit different. Halfway through class, Vinyasa was going to turn in to Yin yoga. Her reasoning was that so many of us showed her our type a personality traits in class, and she wanted to slow us down. I swear she looked right at me when she said it. Following a deep heart opening sequence, the yin yoga started. I found myself lying on my back, holding a pose that wasn’t physically very demanding. That’s when it happened. I burst into tears. That right; this is exactly why people with type a personalities need yoga.

Here’s why yoga is great for people with a Type A Personality:

1. Mindfulness

Like my type a personality brothers and sisters, I have an almost compulsive need to use every minute of my time productively. That includes a lot of multitasking and brings us to the first reason yoga is so great for type a personalities. Multitasking increases stress hormones in people. Over time, people become addicted to high levels of stress. If that wasn’t bad enough, multitasking causes dips in our IQs. You might feel like a rock star while you’re finishing that proposal for your boss at the same time as you’re on a conference call. The truth is, you’re sabotaging your own performance and you need mindfulness.

Mindfulness is a core concept of yoga, focusing on the here and now. The instructor slowing that class down forced all of the students to sit with their thoughts. Even more than that, she did it after a deeply emotional series of poses. I had spent so much time filling my days from sunrise to sunset that I hadn’t allowed myself to feel. There on that mat was the first time I had fully felt the pain of ending a four-year relationship. Don’t get me wrong, the middle of yoga class wasn’t the place I wanted to have that cathartic experience, but that’s where it happened – which brings us to the second reason yoga is made for people with type a personality traits.

2. Self-Compassion

I should have been mortified about breaking into tears in front of so many people. Maybe in the days before I practiced yoga, I would have been. But I wasn’t. Yoga teaches you that it’s okay not to have a perfect handstand practice, or to fall out of a simple balancing pose. Yoga is about getting on your mat and practicing. This is one of the lessons from yoga that translates directly to life. People’s brains are programmed to identify mistakes so they can learn from them. For many people, specifically those with a type a personality, that quickly changes from a healthy survival skill to an unhealthy obsession. Dr. Kristin Neff, an associate professor of psychology at the University of Texas at Austin says, “Research shows the no. 1 barrier to self-compassion is fear…of losing your edge.” Just like in yoga, jump into life and practice.

3. Self-care

Even though forcing myself to go to a yoga class that barely fit into my schedule showed my type a personality, it also showed the positive effect yoga has had on me over the years. Much like multitasking, and overscheduling, neglecting self-care is common among people with a type a personality. So often, they put the wants and needs of others ahead of their own. In the years before yoga, I would never have considered something that was as much for my mind and spirit as it was for my body to be mandatory in an already busy schedule, especially if it was only for me. The truth is, it isn’t just for me. Going to yoga calms my mind and my chronic back pain. It recharges me so that I can help others.

Do you have a type a personality? Do you know an alpha dog that could benefit from some down dog? Share this blog with them, and remind yourself or them that being alive and doing yoga at the same time is technically multitasking.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lFdcCXmGpy4

(C)Power of Positivity, LLC. All rights reserved

I Struggle With Depression. 10 Things I Wish People Knew About It

November 8, 2018 by Power of Positivity

It is hard to describe what feeling depressed is like. It varies so much for different people. For me, there are days I feel like I have a heavy weight on me and I cannot move. The simple act of getting up is overwhelming, as is anything else I might try to do. Other days it is just a pervasive sadness. I might put on a happy face for the sake of those around me, but inside, I feel a physical weight of sadness.

I did not want to admit that I might be dealing with depression for a long time. There is such a stigma surrounding being depressed. I didn’t want people to think I was broken or that something was wrong with me. Even once I was willing to take on the fact I was depressed, it took time to find the right combination of medications so that I finally began feeling some semblance of normalcy and stopped dreading getting through each day.

Ten Things I Want You to Know About Depression

There are many things I would like to tell you about being depressed, but that could take a whole book. Here are the top ten things I want you to understand about my personal experience with being depressed.

1. Your problems will not cause me to be depressed

Many people feel like they should not share their problems with a friend who suffers from being depressed. This is absolutely not the case! Being depressed is not caused by feeling sad about something going on, and your willingness to include me and confide in me will actually be a pick-me-up. I want to be a loving and caring friend, too!

2. Depression is very complex

There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to who suffers from depression or how to treat it. It does not care if you are rich or poor, black, white, or purple. It can affect anyone. Adding to the complexity is that there is no one cure-all for it. Every person is different and needs different combinations of therapy and medicines to deal with it.

3. I need you

Even on days where I act like I do not want anyone near me, or where I do not even want to get out of bed, I need you. A text, phone call, or even a meal can mean the world to me, even if I cannot properly express that it does. So please, never feel like I don’t need you, because I do.

4. No one is an expert

Even if you have been around people who are depressed, you are not an expert. How it manifests is vastly different from person to person, so how your Aunt Milly reacted and what worked for her may not be how I react or what works for me. I know you are well-meaning, but understand that even doctors don’t fully understand what causes people to suffer from being depressed yet.

5. There are no magical fixes

Being depressed cannot magically be cured by getting outside more and going for a run. While these activities may help, there is no magical fix that suddenly will cause a person to overcome depression. It is important that I be in touch with myself and sometimes force myself to do activities I do not feel like doing to keep myself physically and mentally healthy, but this will not fix everything.

6. Depression is an illness

You know the compassion and empathy you give your friends who suffer from cancer, lupus, or fibromyalgia? I need the same empathy and compassion. While you may not see my illness manifest physically, it is there every day and I have to treat it every day.

7. I can appear happy

Being depressed does not mean I walk around sad all the time. It does not mean I have a cloud of darkness always surrounding me. I can laugh, joke, and have fun while still being depressed. I also can be grateful for my life and my circumstances despite being depressed.

8. There is no permanent cure

While I might overcome depression for a day, or a week, or a month, it comes in waves at times. There is a natural ebb and flow with being depressed. I can take medicines and get help to reduce those ebbs and flows, but there is not a permanent cure yet.

9. It isn’t just in my head

Just like you could never fully explain the pain of childbirth to someone who has never had the experience, you cannot fully explain being depressed to someone who has not experienced it for themselves. There are no words that would fully bring you into what I am experiencing. Nonetheless, my experience is real and not just in my head.

10. Do not walk on eggshells around me

Laugh with me, cry with me, share your secrets and your sorrows. I want to be a part of your life, and I cannot do that if you are always walking on eggshells around me.

Conclusion

I hope this gives you a glimpse into what depression is and isn’t, and how you can better interact with those who are struggling with being depressed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CU2LlJxEdJ4

(C)Power of Positivity, LLC. All rights reserved

21 Apple Cider Vinegar Home Recipes

November 8, 2018 by Power of Positivity

Apple cider vinegar is made of fermented apples and has many health benefits. It is used to clean your home, as a hair rinse, and to preserve food. People drink it to help them lose weight, decrease blood sugar levels, and lower cholesterol.

When mixed with ingredients for homemade cakes and candy, it adds to the aroma and texture. If you want to know more about this amazing ingredient, here are 21 apple cider vinegar recipes for you to try. Just add the vinegar to the ingredients listed below:

21 Apple Cider Vinegar Home Recipes

Salad Vinaigrette

1/4 cup of ACV
One garlic clove
One tablespoon of dijon mustard
Two tablespoons lemon juice
1-2 tablespoons of honey
Add a pinch of salt and pepper

Hot Drink

Heat a cup of hot water
Add two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar
One teaspoon of cinnamon
One tablespoon of honey
Two tablespoons of lemon juice

Apple Pie Cider Drink

Two tablespoons apple cider vinegar
Two tablespoons apple juice
6 ounces cold water
Four drops of liquid vanilla
A dash of cinnamon

Apple Cider Vinegar Detox

1 cup warm water
Two tablespoons of ACV
Two tablespoons lemon juice
One tablespoon raw honey
One teaspoon cinnamon
A dash of cayenne

Ketchup

Make healthier ketchup by mixing tomato paste, apple cider, onion powder, oregano and sea salt.

Sweet and Salty Chicken

Add flavor to your chicken by blending tamari, maple syrup, and black pepper with ACV. Once done, mix it with the chicken before cooking it thoroughly.

Salt and Vinegar Potatoes

Before placing sliced potatoes in the oven, mix olive oil with vinegar to make an alternative to potato chips.

Carrot Beet and Apple Salad with Mint and Cumin Vinaigrette

Two large carrots
One crisp apple
Two medium-sized beets
1 cup mint

Salad dressing:

¼ cup ACV
¼ cup olive oil
One tablespoon honey
¾ teaspoon ground cumin

Pineapple Turmeric Sauerkraut

1 cabbage head
½ pineapple
One tablespoon ground turmeric
One tablespoon fresh ginger
1 tablespoon sea salt

Brine

One tablespoon sea salt
One tablespoon ACV
4 cups purified water

Morning Elixir

One tablespoon chia seeds
½ lemon
1 tablespoon ACV
1 ½ cups of warm water

Hawaiian Drink

1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger
Three freshly squeezed lemon
3 tablespoons of ACV
One tablespoon raw honey or maple syrup
1 cup coconut water
One small sliced starfruit

Roasted Vegetables with Chicken

This marinade includes ACV, oil, rosemary, thyme and honey. You can add some of your herbs if you want. Simply cut up the desired chicken breasts and add vegetables to your cooking pan. Pour the marinated veggies and chicken into the oven and allow it to bake and soak up the flavor.

Cabbage Lentil Soup

½ tablespoon coconut oil
1 cup chopped onion
½ tablespoon minced garlic
One tablespoon ACV
1 teaspoon basil
One bay leaf
4 cups vegetable stock
One teaspoon
1 28 ounce can of whole peeled tomatoes
½ head of green cabbage
½ teaspoon sriracha
1 ? cup cooked green lentils
A dash of sea salt and pepper

Summer Smoothie

½ medium apple
½ medium ripe pear
1 medium cucumber
¾ chopped kale
1 ½ lemon
½ avocado
Two tablespoons of ACV

Watermelon, Mint and ACV Tonic

3 cups water
¼ teaspoon sea salt
1 cup honey
6 cups chopped watermelon
1 cup fresh spearmint
1 cup ACV
Ice cubes

Cranberry Juice Detox Drink

1 tablespoon ACV
¾ cup water
½ cup cranberry juice
A splash of lime juice

Spicy Cinnamon Smoothie

1 ½ ounce of baby spinach
1 chopped apple
One tablespoon ACV
1 cup water
One green zucchini
One teaspoon cinnamon
Three tablespoons of walnuts
1 cup ice

Spicy Squash Soup

3 butternut squashes
2 celery sticks
One carrot
One small jalapeno
1 tablespoon of ACV
3 to 4 sticks of thyme
3 to 4 sticks of rosemary
A pinch of salt
Optional pumpkin seeds

Gluten Free Oatmeal Cookies with Dried Blueberries and Pecan

1 ½ cup gluten-free old fashioned rolled oats
½ cup dried blueberries
½ cup chopped pecans
? cup unsweetened dried coconut
½ teaspoon salt
2 bananas
One teaspoon vanilla
One tablespoon ACV
2 tablespoons unrefined coconut oil
2 tablespoons honey

Green Tea Detox Drink

1 cup green tea
1 tablespoon ACV
Honey
Mint

Limeade Detox Drink

1 cup water
Two tablespoon ACV
Six tablespoon frozen limeade concentrate
One lime wedge
Mint leaves

These are some of the apple cider vinegar recipes you can make at home. The apple cider vinegar delivers a tangy sensation to soups and sauces and brings food to life.
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10 Reasons You Should Exercise Everyday (Weight Loss Is One Of Them)

November 8, 2018 by Power of Positivity

Everywhere you go, you see ads, videos and posters promoting health and fitness. Instagram, Facebook and other sources of social media advertise fitness and health gurus. These professionals demonstrate and explain in detail about the benefits of exercise. Doctors seem to agree that regular exercise is one of the best things you can do for yourself.

There are many types of ways to be physically active. A simple walk is perhaps the easiest way to increase your activity level and the most recognized exercise for weight loss. It is low impact and works well for all fitness levels. Studies show an easy two-mile walk each day can do wonders for your health. Weight lifting helps build muscle and burn fat. Yoga helps to strengthen your mind and body. Intense cardio such as H.I.I.T. training shreds fat while it builds muscle. The following is a list of reasons you should exercise every day.

10 Reasons You Should Exercise Every Day

1. Losing Weight

Losing weight is the most notable reason someone would want to be active. The act of exercising will increase your heart rate and make you burn more calories. It will also help you tone parts of your body that have become soft or flabby by building muscle. Exercising is the ultimate winning move.

2. Improve Your Mood

Another reason you should move more is to improve your mental stability. Tests have proven light to moderate physical activity releases hormones called endorphins. This hormone improves your mood and lessens depression. A session of yoga each morning, for example, could be more beneficial to your body than a cup of coffee. It would get your blood flowing as well as leave you feeling relaxed and ready to face the day.

3. Increase Your Endurance

Moderate levels of physical activity would increase your aerobic strength. This is important because it allows your body to work hard for longer periods of time. Under physically stressful situations, our bodies get tired. This is mostly due to a lack of oxygen fueling our muscles. With a greater aerobic strength, your muscles will get the fuel they need to work for longer periods of time.

4. Improve Your Heart Health

Your heart health is a very good reason to become physically active or increase your activity. Being active increases the amount of HDL, or good cholesterol, in your body. This will decrease any unhealthy triglycerides and help prevent many cardiovascular problems from making an appearance.

5. Better Quality of Sleep

The ability to sleep more soundly is a great side effect of increasing your level of physical activity. It helps you fall asleep faster as well as sleep deeper. Be sure you do not workout close to bedtime. That could be counteractive and prevent you from falling asleep because your adrenaline levels may be too high so soon after a workout.

6. Workout and Be Social

Working out is a great way to meet friends and workout buddies. Going to a gym is a good way to be social. If you can not make it to the gym, there are many social groups that will meet at churches, schools or parks a few times a week. They come together to jog or do high-intensity interval training. Being social and physically active can help you feel better and look better, too.

7. Improve Your Sex Life

The ability to be more sexually active, believe it or not, is another thing that can improve with physical activity. Being active will make you more attractive to potential mates or your partner. It also has other effects on men and women. Women may be more easily aroused if they are physically active. Men may find erectile function is no problem for them if they are more active.

8. Cut Risk of Type 2 Diabetes

If you’re at risk of developing type 2 diabetes, you should consider becoming more physically active. Moving and working out improves your body’s ability to metabolize glucose. This is the key to killing the risk factor for diabetes.

9. Stronger Lungs

Improve your lung’s ability to take in air and get rid of carbon dioxide by working out. Our lungs weaken as a normal part of aging. You can workout to make sure the muscles that open your lungs stay strong. This will help get plenty of oxygen to your body.

10. Increase Brain Function

Boost your brain’s power and memory by working out. New studies show working out helps to boost your ability to remember things. This is due to having more healthy neurons and a better functioning hippocampus.

Exercising is a very good thing. It improves your mind and body in so many special ways. You do not have to lift weights to build muscles like a bodybuilder if you do not want to. You can do a light to moderate exercise for weight loss like walking. Just remember, no matter your physical shape, there is a workout that is perfect for you.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yG-G9_LOkLA

(C)Power of Positivity, LLC. All rights reserved

5 Habits That Make You Live Longer

November 8, 2018 by Power of Positivity

Not everyone wants to live a long life, of course, but most people wouldn’t turn it down if someone offered it to them. In our modern society, we live longer than ever, but do we live a good, happy life? In general, most people can expect to live to age 60 and beyond, according to the World Health Organization. The report explained that the rates of mild to moderate disability have remained the same over the last 30 years, while rates of severe disability have decreased in high-income countries.

What’s more, a study by The Lancet journal reported that the wealthiest 1% of Americans now live about 10-15 years longer than the poorest 1%. Life expectancy in the U.S. is actually far lower than other developed nations, largely due to health inequality between the rich and poor. Obviously, the more money you have, the more you can spend on your well-being.

Unfortunately, living longer in the future might mean needing to be wealthy enough to afford the rising costs of healthcare. In other words, it seems that living longer doesn’t really make a difference if we can’t do so in good health. For example, if you lived to age 100 but couldn’t walk or take care of your basic needs for those last 20 years, would you want to live that long?

Our population is aging faster than ever, so how can we slow down aging while still living a long, happy life? We have the answers that you seek and will discuss some of the secrets to a positive, long life below.

Here are 5 habits that make you live longer:

“It’s paradoxical that the idea of living a long life appeals to everyone, but the idea of getting old doesn’t appeal to anyone.” – Andy Rooney

1. Avoid smoking or drinking too much alcohol.

According to the American Cancer Society, the life expectancy for smokers is at least 10 years less than it is for non-smokers. However, quitting smoking before the age of 40 cuts the risk of dying from a smoking-related disease by about 90%. Out of all the habits that help you live longer, some scientists believe that quitting smoking makes the biggest impact on your life expectancy.

Smoking can cause a wide range of health problems, some of them fatal. It is currently the leading cause of preventable death in the U.S. Here are some diseases and issues associated with smoking:

Lung cancer (along with many others)
COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
Heart disease
High blood pressure
Strokes
Asthma
Reproductive issues
Diabetes
Eye diseases
Higher chance of preterm births

There are many other diseases linked to smoking; however, the above list includes the more common or severe ones. Obviously, not smoking is the best preventive measure. According to research, however, after 5-15 years of abstaining from smoking, your health will compare to a non-smoker.

As far as alcohol, drinking in moderation isn’t the problem; it’s drinking heavily that causes major health problems. Some of the diseases associated with heavy drinking include:

High blood pressure
Heart disease
Stroke
Liver disease
Digestive problems
Cancer of the breast, mouth, throat, esophagus, liver, and colon
Cognitive problems, including learning difficulties and dementia
Increased risk of mental illnesses, including depression and anxiety
Social problems including decreased productivity and difficulty attending work or school
Alcoholism

Heavy drinking is defined as having 8 or more drinks per week for women and 15 or more drinks for men. Moderate drinking, on the other hand, is defined as up to one drink per day for women and up to two drinks a day for men. In fact, a study in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology found that men and women who drink moderately have a lower risk of all-cause mortality and cardiovascular disease.

So, quitting smoking and drinking in moderation will help you live longer and enjoy a healthy, happy life.

2. Prioritize sleep.

Our modern society doesn’t seem to recognize the importance of restful sleep. Our “always on” world might have something to do with this. We check our phones constantly for notifications (including in the middle of the night sometimes!), stay up past our bedtimes watching Netflix or browsing social media, and don’t really provide a relaxing environment for sleep. For example, many people stay on technology until right before bed and don’t have a bedtime routine in place.

People who live longer make sure their sleep remains a priority, because getting a good night’s sleep is essential for optimal health. To ensure you get a restful sleep each night, adopt some good sleep practices.

Don’t use technology two hours before bed.
Go to bed and wake up at the same time each day.
Have a sleep routine. Take a hot bath, make tea, meditate, or do anything that makes you feel relaxed before bed.
Don’t eat big meals before bed. If you’re hungry, eat a protein-rich snack such as peanut butter toast or a cheese stick at night.
Use sleep technology such as a white noise machine, tabletop fountain, or a CD with nature sounds if you have trouble falling asleep.

3. Exercise.

This is one of the most important things you can do to live longer and improve your health. Exercise can ward off diseases, improve your mental health, and boost your physical fitness. Here are a few specific ways that exercise can help you live longer, according to Harvard Health Publishing:

Improves heart health.Regular physical activity lowers unhealthy LDL cholesterol and raises healthy HDL cholesterol. It also lowers blood pressure, blood sugar, and triglycerides. Finally, it burns body fat, all of which help to protect your heart. Exercise is so important to heart health that an exercise-based rehabilitation program after a heart attack can lower the risk of dying from a heart attack by one-third.
Keeps your brain healthy.Exercise keeps blood vessels healthy and reduces the risk of blood clots and strokes. Some studies have shown that exercise might even help to prevent cognitive diseases such as Alzheimer’s and dementia.
Balances blood sugar levels. Keeping physically active helps you to maintain a healthy weight and raise your sensitivity to insulin, which can help prevent diabetes. In fact, one study found that just 5 hours of brisk walking a week lowered diabetes risk by 30%.
Keeps you strong and mobile.Working out, specifically with weights, can help slow bone loss and prevent bone-related diseases such as osteoporosis. Regular weightlifting helps promote new bone growth and improves your strength. In general, keeping active throughout your life will decrease chances of becoming immobile due to disease.

4. Eat mostly whole foods.

It’s no secret that diet plays a huge role in longevity. Each day, you make a choice to either feed your body disease or feed it health. You can look at diets throughout the world and see how healthy foods correlate with a longer life. For instance, some of the longest-living people reside in Costa Rica, Greece, and Japan, and what do those people have in common? They eat a lot of uncooked, whole foods such as fruits, vegetables, olive oil, nuts, seeds, and fresh fish.

In the U.S., however, we eat a lot of processed foods, which is reflected in our rates of preventable diseases. In general, make sure you eat mostly whole foods. Eat processed foods and red meats in moderation. Add a wide variety of fruits and vegetables to your diet to ensure you get all the nutrients you need.

If you eat mostly whole foods and move your body daily, you’ll have a better chance at keeping a healthy body weight, which is another habit of people who live longer.

5. Nurture your relationships.

Loneliness is becoming an epidemic in this world, despite our increased ability to connect with each other. According to psychologist Amy Sullivan, loneliness makes cortisol levels in the body go up. Cortisol is linked to increased risk of inflammation, heart disease, cardiovascular problems, and even mental illness.

To combat loneliness, she suggests taking time to talk to people in person instead of via text or social media. If you don’t have friends, try to join groups or activities in your community that you’re interested in. One of the best ways to make friends is through a shared interest in something. Make sure to keep in contact with family as well. If you’re really struggling, don’t be afraid to reach out to a therapist or psychologist who can help you work through difficult feelings or experiences.

Final thoughts on habits that help you live longer

If you want to live longer, it’s important to look after your health by refraining from smoking or excessive drinking. Eating healthy foods, exercising regularly, maintaining relationships, and getting enough sleep also provide a good start toward living a long and healthy life.

Bonus tip: Don’t overwork yourself. We’re working longer hours than ever in today’s world, but rarely making enough time for ourselves and our families. Try to cut your hours at work so you can focus on your well-being and spending time with family and friends. Don’t forget positive thinking, either! It can do wonders for your health.

5 Effective Ways to Avoid Feeling Jealous With Your Friends

November 7, 2018 by Chris Butler

Jealousy is a monster that lives within all of us, desperate to claw its way out. The more we try to suppress it, the worse it becomes. When your friends have positive changes in their lives, it can be difficult to keep jealousy at bay. These situations could include professional development, relationship success, or making other friends.

Feelings of jealousy exist for a reason. One typically fears that something will be taken away from them, such as a friendship. Rather than trying to deny its existence, you can use these strategies to help you avoid feeling jealous of your friends.

Here are five tips to avoid being jealous:

1. Acknowledge your jealous feelings

You can’t expect just to smile and tell yourself everything is okay. When jealousy first strikes, the immediate reaction might be to try to shoo it away. The first step is to take no immediate action. Just sit down and tell yourself that you’re jealous. Should this lead to anger or sadness, you can also reflect on these feelings. This can be your introduction to the concepts of mindfulness and meditation. Your thoughts have less power over you than you realize. Being jealous is something that happens to everyone. The problems arise when people believe that they need to surrender to their negative thoughts. With consistent mindfulness, you can see your thoughts as separate from who you are.

2. Focus on yourself

Jealousy typically stems not from what your friends are doing but from what you’re not doing. If you’re feeling frustrated about a friend’s success, it’s probably because you’re mainly frustrated with yourself. For instance, a friend getting a promotion at work might make you feel jealous because you haven’t seen much success at work yourself. The solution is not to become overwhelmed with jealousy but to examine what you can do. You might enroll in classes or work on improving your dating life. Ultimately, you need to remember that you have the final say in your life.

3. Count your blessings

When you’re feeling jealous, you can easily forget how much there is to appreciate about your life. Take a moment to think of all there is to cherish in your life. You even have friends in the first place is something to treasure. Jealousy can overshadow positivity briefly, but it doesn’t need to be a permanent presence. Write down all your accomplishments and things that make you happy. It might not eliminate your jealousy entirely, but it can help reduce it. Regularly counting your blessings can help you stop feelings of jealousy early on.

4. Talk to someone

Keeping your jealousy bottled up will only make it worse. It might be difficult for you to talk to your friend about it, but you should have at least one other person you can talk to. Consider speaking to a therapist if you want strategies to deconstruct your thought patterns. They can help you understand how your jealousy manifests and what you can do to keep it in check. Eventually, you might want to speak to the friend you’re jealous of. Tell them about how you’ve been feeling without becoming accusatory or saying anything demeaning. This is a brave undertaking, and your friend should be willing to listen.

5. Find distractions

You can reflect on your jealousy for hours and not get anywhere in progress. There’s more to life than dwelling on what others are doing. Look for any sort of distraction that will lead to positive results. If your home is in disarray, take a moment to straighten things out. You can also unwind with a book or some of your favorite music. If you want to blow off steam, consider going for a walk or a bike ride. The jealousy might still exist, but it will be much easier for you to manage.

Being jealous is just an emotion, which isn’t good or bad. It’s what you do with the emotion that’s good or bad. Using these strategies, you can keep your jealousy in check and be happy.

Want To Be Happy And Successful? Make These Changes In Your Home

November 7, 2018 by Power of Positivity

Before you read any further, ask yourself this question? Where do you want to go after having a long day at work? If you are like me, you prefer going home and relaxing over a hot cup of cocoa or coffee.

Why does this happen?

It happens for one simple reason – our homes are stress-free places. We feel more at ease there than at any other place. However, you can improve yourself even more by making this one change in your home – alternate your daily routines.

Ways You Can Change Your Home to be More Happy and Successful

1. Display Your Experiences

Have a wall of experiences in your stress-free home, where you can hang pictures, souvenirs, and other sentimental items that you may receive from your escapades. Having such a wall motivates you to plan another adventure during your free time and live your life the way you want it.

2. Make Your Bed

When you wake up, before you do anything else, make your bed. That way, you start your day on a high note. You’ll feel happy and motivated because you have accomplished the day’s first task. Making your bed also motivates you to keep the rest of your room tidy and organized.

3. Have a Gratitude Journal

We often forget about the good things that happen in our lives and allow the bad experiences to take over everything that we do. The best way that you can avoid this outcome is to start writing down your good experiences in a journal. Before you go to sleep, think about your day and write down at least one good thing that happened to you.

4. Set a Goal for the Day

If you want your day to go well, create a positive mindset before leaving your bed. You can do this by saying your goal while sitting on your bed. It can be something like ‘be productive’ or ‘enjoy today’s weather’ or ‘be alive’ or any other motivational word. Just remember to keep it short and easy to remember. Then, live the rest of the day like that. Setting goals can be transformative and life-changing.

5. Don’t Postpone the Chores Around the Home

It’s easy to forget to wash the dishes because we only use them once – to store our meals. Once we’re done eating, we just place them on the sink and lie to ourselves that we’ll wash them the following day. When we wake up the next day, we use another dish for breakfast, and the dirty utensils just keep on piling. Avoid such habits and wash your dishes after you use them. Trust me – you’ll feel much happier looking at a clean kitchen sink.

6. Talk to a Loved One Everyday

By loved one, I mean a close friend or relative. Always make time for a loved one in your life. It doesn’t matter what you’re doing; you can be vacuuming the house or even baking a cake. Just take your phone and call them to catch up and find out how they’re doing. Socializing generally helps you to stay happy and successful.

7. Do Small Favors for Those that Live with You

It doesn’t matter whether you’re living with your spouse, parents, or friends; you can perform a good deed for anyone. For example, you can take your clothes and your housemate’s to the laundry if they are not around without expecting anything in return. The basic principle is that performing good deeds out of your heart generally makes you feel better about yourself.

8. Purchase Things that will Make Your Home Livelier

Buying things that enhance your home experience can make you happier and more successful. For example, you can buy a grill and invite your friends over for a cookout or renovate your backyard for summer parties. When your home has guests, it feels more settled and friendly. If you have a loft property that you want to renovate, you may need to hire experts from AES Britain loft conversions.

Final Thoughts on Making Your Home a Happier Space

In case you want to be happy and successful, make some changes to your daily home routines. Learn to appreciate experiences and the people around you, and make your stress-free home lively and welcoming.

If you loved this article, why don’t you spread the word? Let your family and close friends know about it.

How to Care For your Skin, According To Your Zodiac Sign

November 7, 2018 by Power of Positivity

Whether we want to admit it or not, our zodiac signs and astrology do influence who we are and what we do. For thousands of years, human beings have looked to the skies for inspiration, guidance, and influence on actions that we need to take in our lives.

Your sign can give you valuable insight into your life, love, and career choices, but did you know that it can also give you valuable insight into how to care for yourself and your skin? No matter what your sign, it is best to use all natural, organic products in caring for your skin.

Here are some of our favorite skin products according to your unique zodiac sign:

Aries (March 21-April 19)

This is a strong and fiery zodiac sign; Aries is all things passionate and tumultuous. With this unique combination of personality characteristics, the skin of an Aries can be prone to redness, rashes, and even breakouts. One way to combat your skin’s wild ride is to keep an assortment of soothing toners on hand. Keeping them in the refrigerator is a surefire way to cool down irritated skin in a snap. Using ingredients such as aloe vera, rosewater, chamomile, lavender, and cucumber will ensure that your skin will be soft, smooth and stress-free in no time.

Taurus (April 20-May 20)

The sign of the bull signifies Taurus, and with it comes the traits of kindness, steadfastness, and even stubbornness. Taurus sometimes has a problem with changing routines, but it is essential that you and your skin switch things up from time to time to renew and refresh your complexion. If you are not seeing the results that you want from your current skincare regime, feel free to try new products and experiment with different ways to care for your skin. Ingredients such as sweet almond oil, sesame, argan oil, and coconut oil will give you that dewy, fresh complexion you long for.

Gemini (May 21-June 20)

For all of the variety that Gemini provides in relationships, they are also known to be a bit indecisive at times. For the sake of consistency and results, stick to a regime that you find longer than a few weeks. You need to provide your skin the opportunity to get maximum benefit from the products you choose; use as directed and you will see results. Products containing ingredients such as rose water, aloe, almond oil, and jojoba will calm and soothe your skin and satisfy your desire to see results in a relatively short time.

Cancer (June 21-July 22)

Cancer is a water sign, known to be the most unpredictable of all signs in the zodiac. Caring and compassionate one minute, temperamental and biting the very next, you never know what mood you’re going to encounter in a Cancer. Time for balance, dear Cancer. Your skin is as temperamental as you are, so you need products to sooth and provide balance. Macadamia, jojoba, and sesame oils provide a delicate balance of moisture and are soothing to your skin. Geranium oil can also aid in reducing water retention, which seems to be a pervading issue for Cancer as well. Using these ingredients in your skincare regime will reduce irritation and swelling and provide you with a glowing complexion.

Leo (July 23-August 22)

Leo is strong and fiery, but at times a Leo can be rather vain. Leo can fall victim to the lofty claims of youth and beauty that many products promise, but fail to deliver. Don’t get caught up in all the hype that media presents to you when choosing products; pick a skincare line that will go the distance with you. Ingredients such as buckthorn, jojoba oil, and rose water will bring out your best complexion yet.

Virgo (August 23-September 22)

Virgo is intelligent, practical, and tends to be a bit of a perfectionist. Beware of this perfectionist tendency, however, as it can cause undue stress to you and your skin if you fall victim to it. Pamper your skin as you practice compassion on yourself, and you will shine brighter than ever before. Choosing ingredients such as chamomile, lavender, rose, and orange will calm your skin and provide you with some much-needed stress relief.

Libra (September 23-October 22)

The sign of the Libra is all about balance and justice. At times your need for balance leaves you in a state of indecision and limbo, and this translates to your skincare routine as well. Sticking with a routine for more than a few weeks is guaranteed to provide you the stability you need to start seeing changes in your skin. Ingredients such as argon, prickly pear, macadamia, and pomegranate satisfy your taste for the romantic while nourishing your skin and bringing it into balance.

Scorpio (October 23-November 21)

Scorpio can be many things rolled into one—passionate, loyal, subdued, intense—-and your self-care habits reflect the stormy nature of your soul. Learn to embrace all facets of your personality as you learn to care for yourself and your skin. Ingredients such as patchouli, sandalwood, and lavender bring everything into harmony and provide you with an inner sense of peace while caring for your skin.

Sagittarius ( November 22-December 21)

Sagittarius is a very strong personality—you bring excitement and flavor to every situation, but you can also be a bit impatient when it comes to waiting for things to happen. Learning to follow a simple skin care routine will be instrumental to you seeing long term results over time, so learn some patience when caring for yourself. It’ll be worth it in the long run. Ingredients such as argon, coconut, olive, and grapeseed oils will provide you the most bang for your buck when striving to improve your skin and your complexion.

Capricorn (December 22-January 19)

Capricorn is very driven to succeed and can be quite successful. You are sympathetic and loyal to others, and you have a fiery drive to see things through to the very end. No matter what your skin care regime choice is, you are bound to use it to the fullest. Making time for yourself is an essential piece in maximizing the effectiveness of your self-care. Ingredients such as lavender, geranium, and peppermint reduce your anxiety and bring out your best, glowing complexion.

No matter what your sign, you must recognize the importance of taking care of your skin as part of total health and wellness. Your skin is the largest organ on your body and it deserves care and protection, as it serves as a barrier between you and the rest of the world. Show off your best skin as you follow these skin care tips and uncover your healthiest skin yet!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YeKgaiwOtXo

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

Here are five tips to avoid being jealous:

1. Acknowledge your jealous feelings

2. Focus on yourself

3. Count your blessings

4. Talk to someone

5. Find distractions

Every day is a day to shine. Shine on!