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Read These Amazing Wisdom Quotes About Life And Happiness

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Sometimes, life can be overwhelming. The good news is that you can be sure someone, somewhere has faced the same challenges you do today. The situation may be new to you, but ultimately, there’s nothing new under the sun. Wisdom quotes from across time and cultures prove that someone, somewhere has already been through whatever you’re dealing with today.

We all need a little bit of good advice from time to time. Luckily, people have been sharing their advice and insights about their own journeys through life. Read on for some of the best wisdom quotes from writers, intellectuals and anonymous thinkers.

These wisdom quotes will give you the strength to keep going, no matter what challenges you face.

wisdom quotes

The Journey Of A Thousand Miles Begins With One Step

This famous quote from Lao Tzu reminds us that big things are just a combination of all the little actions you take from day to day. Journey metaphors are a great way to think about life. Many advice-givers, and even organizations like AA, have made use of these. It’s a great way to look at life, because it’s true. Any marathon is made up of a series of strides. Making a list, stating your goal, or dialing a phone number are all small things you can do to work toward something big. Don’t write off the small steps you take as being insignificant. Each small step is bringing you closer to achieving your goal.

Nothing Will Work Unless You Do

Award-winning poet Maya Angelou is the source of this thoughtful statement. It’s one of the great wisdom quotes to keep in mind when you feel overwhelmed and at the end of your rope. You make your own luck, and the way you work will determine the luck you have. Working, even in jobs that seem silly, can help you make effective connections and refine your skill set. Working also typically feels better than standing or sitting still. And, hey, when you’re working, at least life moves by a little faster. You won’t feel time hanging on your hands.

Life Rewards Action

Punk icon Henry Rollins uses wisdom quotes like this one almost as a mantra. A role model for many people, Rollins toiled in working class service jobs before making it big as a musician, actor and writer. His story and work ethic have inspired thousands of people, many of them working class men like himself. This is one of the best wisdom quotes because it reminds you that you always have options. You can stay still, or you can take a step in a direction. You always have a choice, even when things seem really bleak, and your choices will ultimately determine what successes you see.

wisdom quotes

Strive For Progress Not Perfection

Perfectionism can be a big problem for some people, and this is one of the best wisdom quotes to address that issue. The steps you take along the journey of life won’t be perfect. Perfect is just an ideal that doesn’t exist in the real world. If you expect that, it can be a recipe for disappointment. Reframing your goals and making it a point to do a little bit better each day is a much healthier option. Tracking your progress, whether it’s toward a weight loss goal or a new career, is so satisfying, so don’t use black-and-white thinking. Don’t look at things as either success or failure. Most of life happens in the middle ground while we work, and ultimately, it’s a great place to be.

Any fool can know. The point is to understand.

Famed scientist and thinker Albert Einstein is the source of this little nugget. It’s one of the sharpest wisdom quotes out there. This statement deals with the formation of wisdom itself. Understanding is, at the end of the day, the source of all wisdom. Being able to rattle off facts, figures, names and dates can be meaningless. Sometimes, it can be tempting to hide behind an avalanche of information and data points. Don’t let yourself fool yourself. It’s important to always try to find the meaning behind the information. That’s where real wisdom lies.

This Might Be The Most Inexpensive Low Cholesterol Diet Plan To Lose Weight Fast

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Lowering levels of harmful cholesterol in your body is no longer as simple as avoiding foods that have high cholesterol content. To get the best results, you need a proper and well-laid out low cholesterol diet plan.

Research shows that the quantity of saturated fat in your meal plan and what you replace it with are more important. Instead of eating foods that lower cholesterol, you should have health goals for your diet. Below is a simple diet plan to help you lose weight fast and live a healthy lifestyle.

Here are foods that lower cholesterol:

reduce high cholesterol

1. Eat Foods that Minimize Blood Cholesterol

Science has shown that foods rich in fiber help lower the amount of cholesterol in the bloodstream.

How Soluble Fiber Works

It creates a gel that holds together cholesterol in the stomach and prevents the body from re-absorbing it. That way, less cholesterol ends up in the blood.

You Can’t Do Without It

Beans are the best and most available soluble fiber source. Beans are ‘super fibers’ – imagine that eating just one cup of beans (any kind) per day can reduce your cholesterol levels by as much as 10% in 6 weeks.

Keep It Balanced

Although beans are good for lowering cholesterol, they shouldn’t be the only food in your low cholesterol diet. Mix things up a bit and eat a variety of foods that lower cholesterol. The options include yams, Brussels sprouts, berries, barley, oats, fruits, and vegetables.

2. Reduce Your Intake of Foods that Increase Blood Cholesterol

Your diet plan needs to avoid saturated fat-rich foods such as coconut oil, butter, fatty meats, egg yolks, organ meat, and dairy foods like cheese and whole or low-fat milk.

You should also avoid cooking with partially hydrogenated vegetable oils because it results in the formation of trans fatty acids, which raise the levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and lower high-density lipoproteins (HDL) in the body.

3. Always Go For Plant Proteins Instead of Meat

If your goal is to lower the amount of bad cholesterol in your blood as much as possible and reverse the build-up of fats in your arteries, you should give up on meat.

Why Meat is Bad

Even the most lean cut meat such as skinless chicken contains a small amount of saturated fat and dietary cholesterol. However, if you must eat meat, limit your intake to once a week and a 3.5 ounce serving.

Alternatively, you can go for fish rich in omega-3 since they can reduce blood clotting and triglyceride levels. In case you miss fresh fish and decide to choose canned fish, select something with low-sodium and without added salt varieties.

Why Plant Proteins Are Better

Plant proteins such as beans and tofu contain soluble fiber to stop cholesterol from getting into the blood stream and are free from saturated fat.

4. Reduce Your Intake of Sugar, Industrialized Foods, and Salt

Salt

The main reason why you should eat foods that lower cholesterol is because it’s safe for your heart. Minimizing salt intake also has the same effects – taking too much salt increases your blood pressure and heart attack risk.

Industrialized Foods

Industrialized foods and drinks such as potato chips and soft drinks can raise the triglyceride fat levels which are harmful to the heart.

foods that lower cholesterol

Sugar

Eating foods with high amounts of sugar can increase your risk of getting diabetes and heart attacks.

These items have been included in the diet plan because they tend to be used with foods that lower cholesterol. Try to minimize their consumption by finding alternatives; for example, instead of having soda with tofu, try drinking water.

5. Treat Yourself

Having a low cholesterol diet plan doesn’t mean that you should stop having a few treats. Doing so minimizes your chances of falling back into old unhealthy eating habits.

Below are a few healthy snack choices to help you deal with your cravings:

  • Baked sweet potato with greek yogurt
  • Celery sticks with pineapple serrano hummus
  • Chocolate nonfat frozen yogurt
  • Fruits

Conclusion

It’s not going to be easy for you to follow this diet plan, but you have to persevere. Try and try again until you get things right. Foods that lower cholesterol can also be tasty once you get the hang of things and start experimenting with ingredients.

6 Telling Signs Your Soul Is Trapped

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We all know just how important the connection is between body and spirit. In fact, the disciplines of psychology and spirituality are much closer connected than you may think. A very important aspect of any spiritual person’s thoughts is the belief in the existence of the immortal soul. It’s an idea with a very long history and one that has brought much comfort to people who are struggling for one reason or another. But what does it feel like when your soul is trapped?

When talking about a trapped soul, we mean when a person feels older than they actually are. (And being wise beyond your years is very hip these days, really.) There is a maturity that drives your actions and words, as well as a feeling of a greater belonging with the world, a strong conviction that you do what you do precisely because you want to do it, not because you have to. Mature souls may face many more difficulties in life due to their depth of awareness and heightened sensitivity, but their challenges also bring a great reward. They are normally very creative and produce art that is years ahead of its time. Living with a trapped soul can be painful, but there are things you can do to free your soul a bit more.

Do you think you may be a mature soul trapped in a young body? Here are some signs to look out for.

Here Are 6 Signs Your Soul Is Trapped (and How to Free It)

“Free yourself. You are the only one that knows what will make you happy.” – Anonymous

1. You’re not dating anybody

When you feel like you’re older than your years, you don’t want to just have one-night stands and move on to the next one. You crave a mature, long-lasting relationship – maybe even marriage. While this isn’t necessarily a bad thing, it might mean that you’re missing out on living your best life. Try to convince yourself that your time will come and that you don’t need to rush things. Remember that you have your whole life ahead of you. Maybe try online dating or going out to a club – you will feel like you’re living for the day and it might bring an exciting change to your life.

2. You’re on the outside looking in

Do you feel like you don’t fit in with the “popular” crowd at your college or in your workplace? That might be because you expect a maturity from them that you’re not receiving. It can be a lonely place, likely because you feel you can’t relate to any of the people in your circle. To overcome this, try to befriend people one by one and this may help you relax around them. Feel around for their personality and recognize the good things about it. That way, you’ll find it much easier to fit in.

3. You’re lonely

People whose souls are trapped often find themselves at home on a Friday night with nothing to do. That’s because, again, you feel out of place with the people around you. You prefer the peace and quiet of your own home – as well as its safety. There’s nothing wrong with peace and quiet, but try not to spend your best years trapped indoors. Make sure you go out and get a feel for the place you live and the people around you. If you venture out of your shell, you may find enjoyment of a new kind.

4. Social media isn’t for you

You only check your Facebook once in a while and don’t think about it most of the time. You might have Instagram too because your friend recommended it, but you don’t even know or care about Twitter in the least. That’s because you feel like you’re too adult for these things and you don’t want to waste your time on social media. That’s fine – however, consider the option that maybe your social contacts are suffering because of it. Perhaps you have insights and observations that the world needs (including the millions of people on social media.) Find the healthy balance between your life online and your real life and you’ll be much happier.

5. You’re tired a lot

Having an old soul can exhaust you, and positive thinking alone won’t cut it. Sometimes you physically feel like you’re much older than you should be, which means you get tired, you have muscle aches, and you like spending a lot of your time in bed. There’s nothing necessarily bad in that, but consider that it may also indicate that your soul is trapped and needs a release. Try changing your diet, or pick up a sport and see how it makes you feel. Nothing makes a body and soul feel younger than energy and movement.

old soul

6. You’re often misunderstood

Whether it’s by your family, your peers or your significant others, you always feel like no one understands you. It’s easy to think that you’re the only person in the world with an old soul, but it’s not always the case. If you can, open up to someone you trust. It can even be a therapist or a spiritual guru who will be able to guide you to embrace the younger aspects of your soul. Learn how to talk to other people about where your soul is right now and feel the space outside of your own mind. It won’t only help you with your social contacts, but it will also expand your worldview. This type of communication can show you the benefits of being wiser, as other people will no doubt be impressed by your knowledge and maturity.

Final thoughts

For people who have old souls trapped in young bodies, life can be quite hard and lonely. But don’t despair, you can still be positive and even youthful toward life. Find more ways to be involved with the world around you and with your peers. Even if you need to force yourself to integrate into a certain environment, you will often end up feeling enriched by the end. Remember, having an old soul is no flaw; it’s just the way you are. People who love you and understand you will accept you for you, not for who you pretend to be. But it will benefit you massively if you try to free your soul from the trap of weariness by embracing the fullness that this life has to offer.

https://youtu.be/JMmqt9iTnbg

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

I Ate These 6 Foods Daily And Lost 10 Pounds In A Month And This Is The Best Way To Lose Weight

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The best way to lose weight is to eat foods that you actually enjoy. Instead of depriving yourself with a fat-free, gluten-free, sugar-free and taste-free diet, you should take delight in planning fun, nutritious meals that will satisfy your appetite and help you slim down.

But what if you aren’t sure where to get started? What should you be piling in your basket during your next trip to the grocery store?

Here is the best way to lose weight:

protein shakes

1. Chili Peppers 

Some like it hot! Chili peppers are full of capsaicin, a spicy compound that will encourage weight loss by boosting your metabolism and burning through fat more quickly than usual. Chili peppers can also act as an anti-binging tool if you have a problem with cravings; you’re less likely to feel hungry with a tingling mouth. The sensation acts as a natural appetite suppressant. Whether you’re throwing them in a stew, putting them on a burger or mixing them with some stir-fry, chili peppers are the best way to lose weight without having to down capsaicin tablets by themselves. Don’t be afraid of the burn!

2. Almonds 

The only bad thing about almonds is that they can pack on the calories if you eat too many at once. If you know how to limit yourself, however, they’re great sources of fiber, protein and healthy fats. They’re also easy to work into even the strictest of meal plans; if you don’t like snacking on them as raw nuts, you can add them to butters, ciders, smoothies, cereals and salads. Sometimes, the best way to lose weight isn’t with a crazy diet plan. It’s with small, subtle changes like adding some almonds to your dinner casseroles.

3. Eggs 

Eggs are tiny foods that pack a big punch. For starters, they offer seven grams of protein, six grams of fat and almost two grams of carbohydrates. They’re also low-calorie if you keep them out of frying oils; a large egg will only run you between 70-90 calories, so you’d have to eat the whole carton before you even approached the levels of a Big Mac or Starbucks coffee. Last but not least, there have been actual scientific studies about the way that eggs can help you lose weight. Two groups followed a meal plan, and the people who ate eggs with every breakfast dropped more weight than the people who didn’t. The results speak for themselves!

4. Salmon 

You’ve probably heard people gushing about omega-3 fatty acids, but do you understand what they actually do? In addition to improving heart health and boosting brain function, omega-3 fatty acids have also been shown to help with weight loss. They can suppress your appetite and improve your digestion so that your metabolism always operates at full efficiency. Salmon isn’t the only source of these compounds, but it contains some of the highest levels out there, so it’s worth considering a trip to the seafood aisle if you’re trying to slim down. Salmon is the best way to lose weight with omega-3 fatty acids. It’s also much tastier than just taking a fish oil supplement every day!

5. Bananas 

Rich in everything from fiber to potassium, bananas will be a great addition to your diet. They’re packed with the vitamins and minerals that you need to kick-start a good workout at the gym, and they can also regulate your appetite, lower your blood pressure and decrease your risk for certain types of cancers. They’re also an extremely versatile food! You can eat them plain, blend them into smoothies, chop them up for oatmeal or even bake them into brownies. Having different options is important if you don’t want to get sick of eating the same foods every day. Variety is definitely the best way to lose weight.

6. Sweet Potatoes 

Potatoes get a bad reputation for being starches, but sweet potatoes are in a league of their own. They contain so much Vitamin A that a single serving will give you 438 percent of your daily recommended value, and they’re chock-full of fiber, manganese, and potassium to boot. They’re also good for controlling your blood sugar, and a steady glycemic index will keep you from snacking too much or feeling too hungry between meals. If you want to lose weight, consider sweet potatoes. They aren’t the boogeyman. They’re a secret weapon for a great body!

These are just a few foods that you might want to have in your pantry as you aim for a slimmer, trimmer waistline. At the end of the day, the best way to lose weight is by feeling confident about what you’re putting into your body. Throw out the junk food and unhealthy snacks. Clean eating starts in your own kitchen!

10 Quick & Easy Healthy Recipes For Fast Weight Loss

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When you have a wedding or a reunion coming up, or when beach season is just around the corner, sometimes you want to cut that weight fast!

As busy as you are, and with so many unhealthy options at arm’s length, it’s important to have a few go-to, healthy recipes in the bag that will turbo-charge your weight-loss goals.

These 10 easy healthy recipes will do the trick.

Deconstructed Egg-rolls

Toss a pound of ground chicken into a large skillet with chopped onions and mushrooms. Add two teaspoons of minced garlic and a few tablespoons of pickled ginger. Add chopped cabbage and simmer it on medium heat until the chicken is cooked through. Season with pepper and soy sauce and serve. This could become one of your favorite easy healthy recipes!

Strawberry Quinoa Salad

Quinoa has earned its place in popular cuisine with proven health benefits. Prepare your quinoa overnight. Bring it to a boil in water, and simmer for fifteen minutes. Add two tablespoons of chopped basil, olive oil, a splash of lemon and orange juice and a tablespoon of ground flax seeds. Add a dash of apple cider vinegar, a bit of honey and serve with chopped strawberries and crumbled goat cheese!

Turkey Burger Wraps

After you make your favorite turkey burger patties (ground turkey, shredded provolone, cumin, garlic powder, pepper, salt and green onions make a great mix) cook them on a skillet with a little olive oil. Serve them over a lettuce leaf topped with red onion, mayo, tomato, feta cheese and avocado slices.

Spaghetti Squash Bolognese

This might become one of your favorite easy healthy recipes. Start by piercing several holes around your squash and putting it in your microwave for five minutes. Rotate it and repeat two more times. Take it out, cut it in half and scoop out the stringy goodness. Mix in a little olive oil and salt and pepper to taste. This is one of the best easy healthy recipes for a replacement pasta to serve with your favorite Bolognese sauce!

Shrimp and Pesto Tortilla Pizza

Start by sauteing some shrimp in garlic and olive oil and season to taste. In a food processor, combine garlic, fresh basil, chopped pine nuts and grated Parmesan with olive oil and a pinch of salt. Spread your pesto sauce on a large tortilla and distribute the shrimp on top. Broil it in your oven for a few minutes, then take it out and sprinkle with lime juice. Enjoy one of the most delicious healthy recipes!

Chick-pea Coconut Curry Over Yams

Sauté chopped onions and carrots in a saucepan with olive oil. Add half a chopped bell pepper, a can of soaked chickpeas, a tablespoon of your favorite curry powder and a chopped Serrano pepper. Simmer with a can of chopped tomatoes and a can of coconut milk until reduced. Cook a large yam in the microwave. Mash the potato and serve with a healthy scoop of your coconut curry on top!

Avocado Salad With Baked Chicken

Avocados are one of the healthiest things you can eat. Set your oven to 400 degrees. Season and oil your chicken breast with olive oil. Wrap it in tinfoil and bake it for ten minutes. Serve it over a bed of chopped spinach with avocado slices, feta cheese and balsamic vinaigrette.

easy healthy recipes

Baked Salmon With Zucchini Noodles

Toss a shredded zucchini with olive oil and season. Mix it with two teaspoons of minced garlic, two tablespoons of pine nuts, a tablespoon of butter, lemon juice, chopped parsley and a third of a cup of chicken broth. Stir fry the zucchini for five minutes on medium heat and then slide it to one side of the pan. Season your salmon fillet, and place it in the empty side of the pan and cook for about three and a half minutes on each side until brown. Serve the salmon over the zucchini and enjoy!

Pesto Chicken With Cauliflower Rice

Chop a head of cauliflower in a food processor until it has the consistency of rice. Toast it in a pan until it’s hot, seasoning to taste. Bake your chicken breast as above, and cover it in your new delicious pesto sauce. Serve your chicken breast over a bed of cauliflower rice!

Lentil Veggie Stew Masala

Pan sauté an onion and a chopped carrot in oil with two tablespoons of Garam Masala. Add minced garlic and a can of lentils with an additional can of water. Bring it to a rolling boil and simmer until reduced. Add a chopped tomato and a handful of chopped spinach. Simmer for an additional fifteen minutes and season to taste.

Remember that cooking, even in a hurry, can be a lot of fun. Experiment, try new things, and soon you’ll have an exciting repertoire of easy healthy recipes!

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

10 Behaviors That Reveal Someone With Hidden Alcoholism

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“The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) reports that about 17 percent of men and 8 percent of women will develop an alcohol use disorder at some point in their lives.” – American Addiction Centers (source)

Alcoholism is defined as “the most serious form of problem drinking, [describing] a strong, often uncontrollable, desire to drink.” People with alcoholism will place the need to drink above all other priorities, including loved ones. An estimated 15.1 million people have a condition relating to alcoholism.

Alcohol is addictive because of its effects on the brain’s primary inhibitory transmitter, GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid). Inhibitory transmitters effectively suppress the firing of neurons in the brain, producing a relaxing effect. GABA is popular as a supplement for its anxiety-relief properties (though current research claims that GABA supplements do not cross the blood-brain barrier.)

Alcoholism varies by degree. Alcohol use disorders (AUD), or alcohol abuse, may include those who are not yet physically dependent on alcohol but continue to drink despite the resultant negative consequences.

There are five types of alcoholics:

(1) Young Adult: Binge drink on the occasions that alcohol is consumed; begins around 20 years of age.

(2) Young Antisocial: Starting at around age 15, young antisocial drinkers are those who have an antisocial personality disorder.

(3) Functional: Highly-educated individuals with stable relationships and more disposable income. Binge drinking occurs about once every couple of days.

(4) Family-influenced: Beginning around age 17, family-influenced drinkers imbibe because of immediate family stressors. Specifically, family members who abuse alcohol.

(5) Long-term Severe: Often males with high divorce rates, they are more likely to abuse more than one drug.

Health Effects and Consequences

Long-term alcohol abuse can lead to various health problems, including those that are life-threatening. Alcohol abuse, whether long-term or a single event, may either contribute to or result in:

  • Brain disorders
  • Cancer
  • Heart damage
  • Immune system disorders
  • Liver problems
  • Pancreatitis

10 Behaviors of Hidden Alcoholism

It isn’t always obvious when someone has an alcohol problem. A good example is functional alcoholics, who seem to get by in everyday life just fine – at least on the surface. But alcohol use inevitably shows up in one’s behavior. It’s merely a matter of whether such behaviors are observable.

Here are ten behaviors that may reveal someone with hidden alcoholism:

1. Inexplicable absences:

– Extended time away from family or work.

– Calling in sick and showing up “fine” the next day.

– Forgetting important dates, either personally or professionally.

2. Stubborn denial:

– Refusal to acknowledge that anything is wrong.

– If confronted with evidence of alcohol use, the abuser will not admit fault.

– Uses accomplishments and successes as “proof” that no problem exists.

3. Social binging:

– Consuming alcohol in excess at a social or professional event

– Drinking servings of alcohol rapidly and with little rest between drinks.

– Inability to consume one drink without getting another.

4. Relationship problems:

– Changes in personality that lead to emotional and/or physical separation between the alcoholic and family members.

– The sudden decline of professional relationships.

– Only showing up to ask for favors, including to borrow money.

5. Sudden impulsiveness:

– Judgment begins to slip, resulting in poor decision-making.

– May spend more money, max out credit cards, or take out loans.

– More willing to take unnecessary risks.

6. Frequent accidents:

– As the degree of alcohol abuse increases, the alcoholic may hurt themselves by accident.

– Falling, tripping, and passing out considerably increase the odds of physical injury.

– Showing up with new bumps, bruises, and other signs of injury on a regular basis.

7. Anger and irritation:

– Chemical changes in the brain make it more likely that the alcoholic will respond abruptly and inappropriately.

– As a functional alcoholic’s condition worsens, the “typical” sense of calmness shown prior may diminish.

– Sudden outbursts of emotion may surface for seemingly no reason.

8. Anxiety and depression:

– New or worsening anxiety and depression may surface.

– Changes in mood do not coincide with any life event.

– Lack of enthusiasm or drive; this is particularly evident in people who are “accomplished” by any other measure.

alcoholism

9. Changes in appearance:

– Going without showering or changing clothes for an unusual length of time, especially at home.

– Maintaining a professional appearance may lose its importance.

– Sudden weight gain or loss.

10. Loss of interest:

– Most unfortunately, alcohol (along with other drugs, at times) may ultimately deprive a person of their willpower.

– Activities that the person used to find engaging suddenly get little to no attention. (This is usually a side effect of depression.)

– Loss of interest also extends to numerous aspects of the alcoholic’s life, including personal and professional interests.

Getting Help

Alcoholism is a disease that puts the person’s life and health at risk. Most crucially, actions of the alcoholic (e.g., drunk driving) may put the lives of innocent people in jeopardy.

Alcoholism is best – and most effectively – dealt with in the early stages of development. Various resources exist that can help the alcoholic get their life back on track, many of which are free and easy to access. Help 4 Addiction, however, requires the person’s willpower, in addition to proper support, care, and efficient training by experts.

If you or someone you care for is having problems with alcohol, please contact the American Recovery Center at 1-888-319-2606 or visit www.recovery.org.

For those who live outside of the United States, a simple internet search with the words “drug abuse hotlines” will provide a phone number or website. You may also call your local hospital for information about treatment.

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

10 Behaviors That Reveal Someone Has A Mental Health Problem

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Mental “Health”

Why the quotes around the word “health” in regards to mental health? Well, put simply, we all suffer from some degree of mental illness. If we didn’t, we wouldn’t be in the mental state that most of us are accustomed to. The mental state where:

  • we’re thinking tens of thousands of useless thoughts every day.
  • over 80 percent of our thoughts are negative.
  • 95 percent of our thoughts are likewise repetitive.
  • anti-depressants are being prescribed at record numbers.

And, collectively, the mental state in which:

  • the powers that be think it’s okay to poison our only habitat.
  • similarly, we haphazardly start wars with no plan.
  • we prioritize insurance profits over individual health.

Certainly, you get the idea.

Humanity has a real problem with thinking in general, and above all doing so from a healthy state of mind.

Clinical Mental Health & Behaviors

“Most people believe that mental disorders are rare. In fact, mental disorders are common and widespread. An estimated 54 million American suffer from some form of mental disorder in a given year.” – Mental Health America (source)

Of course, there is such a thing as “mental illness” in the clinical (read: medical) sense, which is what we’re going to discuss. Let’s look at some of the most common mental illnesses:

  • Depression
  • Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
  • Obsessive-compulsive Disorder (OCD)
  • Panic Disorder
  • Phobias (e.g., agoraphobia, claustrophobia, mysophobia.)
  • Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
  • Social Anxiety Disorder

Now, let’s take a look at ten signs that may disclose someone has a mental health disorder.

“Identification with your mind [causes] thought to become compulsive. Not to be able to stop thinking is a dreadful affliction, but we don’t realize this because almost everybody is suffering from it, so it is considered normal.” – Eckhart Tolle, The Power of Now (source)

  1. Confusion

Confusion varies in severity depending on the disorder. Confusing thoughts may arise from everyday brain fog; or they may indicate anxiety, depression, or even schizophrenia or mania. Confused thinking becomes debilitating if it causes a “break” with reality, such as that which is seen in mental breakdowns or psychosis.

Any long-term disturbance that disrupts everyday life should be taken seriously. If symptoms do not go away with proper rest and nutrition, seek the advice of a medical professional.

  1. Delusions

Delusions are strong beliefs one holds that have no basis in reality. A common symptom of schizophrenia, delusions may cause a person to misinterpret everyday experiences.

Delusions are comprised of two types: “bizarre” and “non-bizarre.” Non-bizarre delusions are those that could conceivably happen: poisoning, being followed, lied to, etc.). Bizarre delusions are those that the medical community has deemed impossible: alien abduction, thought broadcasting, etc. (With that definition, there are a lot of “delusional” people out there.)

  1. Inability to concentrate

While most of us have difficulty concentrating in today’s world, most of us can nonetheless focus when needed. People who are unable to concentrate for any significant period, no matter the task, may suffer from a mental health issue.

Conditions known to affect the ability to concentrate:

  • Attention-Deficit Disorder (ADD)/Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
  • Anxiety and Depression
  • Emotional Shock
  • Trauma

  1. Low or “No” Energy

Plummeting energy levels is yet another condition with which people can identify. Chronic low energy is rare, however, and may signify an underlying disorder including:

  • Chronic fatigue
  • Depression and anxiety
  • Insomnia

  1. Emotional Numbness

Emotional numbness typically results from some sort of traumatic experience. Human beings have the ability to compartmentalize emotions that would otherwise prove debilitating. While the survival mechanism allows us to cope, prolonged emotional numbness from trauma will manifest in everyday life – and make it extremely difficult to fulfill one’s potential.

  1. Hallucinations

Per WebMD, hallucinations – seeing things that are not real – can affect any one of the five senses: hearing, touching, tasting, smelling, and seeing. The reasons for hallucinations may be physical or psychological, and include:

  • Brain tumors
  • Brain infections
  • Charles Bonnet syndrome (hallucinations caused by vision problems, such as cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degeneration.)
  • Epilepsy
  • Parkinson’s Disease
  • Schizophrenia

  1. Insomnia

Insomnia, or “sleeplessness,” is defined as “a sleep disorder where people have trouble…falling asleep or staying asleep as long as desired.” The lack of sleep from insomnia frequently manifests into daytime sleepiness, depressed mood, and irritability. Insomnia can be either a short- or long-term condition.

 

Most mental health disorders that produce stress can cause some degree of sleeplessness.

  1. Suicidal thoughts

Thoughts of suicide are the result of dealing with too much pain for too long. Per the National Alliance on Mental Illness, around 90 percent of people who commit suicide have a psychological illness at the time of death. Strikingly, suicide rates have climbed over 30 percent since 1999.

Mental illnesses that may produce suicidal ideations include:

  • Bipolar disomenrder
  • Major depressive disorder
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder
  • Schizophrenia

depression - mental health

  1. Social withdrawal

Withdrawal from social life is most frequently linked to depression or traumatic experience. Reasons for people wishing to remain isolated are widespread. They range from fear of embarrassment (e.g., social anxiety and phobia) to antisocial disorders and PTSD. Additionally, people with a history of trauma often fear losing control of themselves in public.

  1. Substance abuse

Abuse of drugs and alcohol is common among those with mental illness. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, drug addicts and alcoholics are twice as likely to have a mental health problem. Drug use can also be the cause of mental health issues, including anxiety and depression, aggression, irritation, paranoia, and hallucinations.

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8 Foods to Never Eat If You Have an Autoimmune Disorder

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There are no fewer than eighty types of autoimmune disorders. While the name by which they are known may vary, the symptoms of an autoimmune disorder (or disease) remain relatively constant. These include:

  • Chest pain
  • Fever
  • Fatigue
  • Hair loss
  • Mouth ulcers
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swollen and painful joints
  • Red rashes on the body and face

Autoimmune diseases compromise the immune system, causing it to damage the affected area(s) and reducing the body’s ability to protect itself from infection is compromised. Thus, immune system cells attach to various body areas, such as the joints, tissues, nerves, organs, and glands, damaging the area(s).

Common autoimmune diseases include lupus, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, and multiple sclerosis. Besides those, inflammatory bowel disease, Graves’ disease, celiac disease, and type 1 diabetes are also autoimmune diseases. An estimated 24 million Americans (or seven percent of the United States population) suffer from an autoimmune disorder. The disease begins during adulthood, and women are more likely to receive this diagnosis than men.

Diet and Autoimmune Disorder (AD)

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A heightened inflammatory response is a common symptom of an autoimmune disorder. The overproduction of cytokines causes the inflammation of body tissue. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) provides an example of this effect. Excess cytokines in the joints causes pain and inflammation.

Thus, dietary management is an important aspect of treating ADs. Of course, you also want to know which foods to avoid. With this in mind, let’s get to the main point of this article.

Here are eight foods to never eat if you have an autoimmune disorder:

Avoid eating these things, as they may worsen your condition.

Fried Food:

Although the crunchy batter that makes up the top layer of fried food is unhealthy, the high temperature stokes the inflammation response. Fried foods are cooked at between 350 to 375 degrees. As a result, this produces a neurotoxic chemical called acrylamide forms along with the batter. According to a study published in Toxicology Letters, neurotoxin causes oxidative stress (which causes cellular damage) via the inflammatory response.

Refined Carbohydrates:

White flour products, otherwise known as “refined carbohydrates,” break down quickly during digestion and cause blood sugar spikes. A sudden rise in blood sugar stimulates an aggressive inflammatory response. This often causes the symptoms of swelling, joint pain, and muscle aches common in autoimmune diseases.

Trans Fats:

You can often find trans fats in cookies, crackers, donuts, processed snack foods, fried foods, and fast foods. (Look for the words “partially hydrogenated” on the label.) Numerous studies have linked trans fats and systematic, prolonged inflammation.

Alcohol:

While a drink or two may be healthy, scientists state that heavy consumption of alcohol causes systematic inflammation. Moreover, per a study published in the World Journal of Gastroenterology, “chronic inflammation is often associated with alcohol-related medical conditions.” Alcohol is believed to cause inflammation via interactions with bacteria (“microflora”) in the gut.

Vegetable Oils:

The polyunsaturated fatty acid structure of vegetable oils promotes oxidative cell damage. That’s because vegetable oil promotes an exacerbated inflammatory response due to high omega-6 fatty acid content levels. So eat vegetable oils, including corn, canola (rapeseed), peanut, safflower, sesame, sunflower, and soybean, in extreme moderation.

autoimmune disorder

Processed Meat:

Processed meat includes all meat cooked at a high temperature, including bacon, beef jerky, ham, smoked meat, and sausage. All processed meat contains high levels of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and other inflammatory compounds. Evidence suggests that AGEs link to the development of Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, heart disease, and kidney failure.

MSG:

In a study published in the Journal of Autoimmunity, Japanese researchers discovered that mice injected with monosodium glutamate (MSG) developed liver lesions. Moreover, the research suggests that the conditions produced by the MSG-treated mice are similar to two known disease pathways in humans: nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). In fact, the findings were alarming enough for the scientists to recommend a potential elimination of MSG from the food chain.

Aspartame:

Aspartame is an artificial sweetener found in beverages, medications, and food (though it is mainly associated with diet soda.) Researchers continue to question its safety despite gaining approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1981. After examining research papers published over 16 years (2000-2016), a study published in the journal Nutrition Reviews cites numerous potential side effects of aspartame. These include cellular damage, impaired cellular function, and systematic inflammation. Furthermore, some research claims that aspartame may qualify as a neurotoxin.

Bonus: 5 Foods that Help Avoid Painful Inflammation

Per the latest scientific research, here are five of the best foods for fighting inflammation and reducing this symptom of an autoimmune disorder!

  • Broccoli: Broccoli contains the potent antioxidant glutathione, a potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant.
  • Curcumin: The active ingredient in turmeric, curcumin, is a favorite of the Arthritis Foundation. The organization cites the active suppression of arthritis symptoms, including inflammation, joint pain, and stiffness.
  • Flaxseed: Omega-3s have powerful immune system regulation properties. Indeed, flaxseed provides one of the best sources of this fatty acid.
  • Green tea: Preliminary research suggests that the high concentration of the compound EGCG in green tea may help prevent – and even potentially help treat – autoimmune disorders.
  • Halibut: Just one regular serving of halibut contains an entire day’s worth of vitamin D, which can help with lupus, multiple sclerosis, and rheumatoid arthritis.

Final Thoughts on Avoiding the Foods That Can Worsen an Autoimmune Disorder

If you believe you have an autoimmune disorder, please seek guidance from your family doctor. You can manage the symptoms with a healthy lifestyle. However, the absence of a diagnosis does not mean the absence of inflammation that can cause painful joints and lethargy–eating these foods without a diagnosis may also improve your quality of life.

I Tried This 7 Days Low Cholesterol Diet Meal Plan : Here Is What Happened

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Eating a healthy diet isn’t always enough to combat high cholesterol. If you’re not already consuming foods that lower cholesterol, you might find the idea daunting. You will need to make some major changes, but you won’t sacrifice quality or flavor. Your only sacrifice will be your high cholesterol.

Multiple diets aim to tackle cholesterol, like DASH, TLC, Mediterranean, and others. Common components in them are low cholesterol foods, heart-healthy fats, and little to no meat.

Naturally Lower Your Cholesterol

Balance is necessary when you choose any diet, but variety is just as important to make sure your body receives enough nutrients. Filling your plate with vegetables, for example, is a good practice to start and maintain. Not only will you receive the proper nutrients, but you’ll also increase your fiber intake too. You might even lose weight and see a reduction in inflammation.

reduce high cholesterol

Meal Plan Ideas for Lowering Cholesterol

Breakfast Ideas: 
• 1/2c of unsweetened quinoa or oatmeal; cooked or unsweetened flake cereal with skim milk.
• Whole grain toast topped with almond butter, cinnamon, and chopped almonds.
• Egg white omelet loaded with sautéed vegetables

Serve with a ripe plantain or favorite fruit and unsweetened green tea with fresh lemon.

Lunch: 
• 2 cups of romaine and baby spinach
• ½ c chickpeas, diced chicken breast, or tuna
• ¼ sliced avocado
• Fresh vegetables of your choice
• 2 tablespoons of low fat cheese

Dress your salad with a heart healthy dressing that includes olive, sunflower, or another plant-based oil. Balsamic and red wine vinegars make excellent additions to homemade dressings too.

Would you rather have a more portable lunch? Try a vegetable wrap by spreading a whole-wheat tortilla with 2 tablespoons of hummus. Mix your chosen vegetables and greens in a bowl before spreading it on your tortilla. Simply wrap it up and you’re ready to go.

Dinner: 
• 3 ounces of salmon, tuna, cod, tofu, or lean chicken breast*
• 1 c steamed vegetable of choice dressed with olive oil and lemon
• ½ c cooked brown rice, quinoa, or soba noodles
• Green salad

*Avoid organ meats that contain large amounts of cholesterol.

Snacks:
• Roasted chickpeas
• Kale chips
• Reduced sodium nuts and seeds
• Whole grain crackers
• Fresh fruit like apples, oranges, or berries
• Fresh vegetables like baby carrots, bell peppers, broccoli, and cauliflower

Snacks help tide you over until mealtimes and stabilize blood sugar levels, which can lead you to overeat. You can also introduce proteins like 1 ounce of reduced fat cheese.

Meal Tips

Aside from deep-frying, any cooking method works well in preparing your meals. Pan-frying should be kept to a minimum, and be sure to choose heart-healthy oils.

These seasonings contain no cholesterol and will add variety to your meals, and you’re encouraged to use them liberally. However, you should limit your salt intake and seek alternatives to salt, such as lemon juice, which enhances the flavor without increasing sodium.

Other Options

Is a total diet overhaul too much? Perhaps you already consume a well-rounded diet, but want more ideas to maintain or lower cholesterol. You can opt for these foods that lower cholesterol and unclog arteries in place of your unhealthy favorites.

Foods That Lower Cholesterol:

• Olive, avocado, and sunflower oils instead of vegetable oils, margarines, or butter
• Parsnips instead of carrots
• Almond butter instead of peanut butter
• Soba or whole wheat noodles instead of standard white pasta
• Brown rice instead of white rice
• Quinoa instead of white rice
• Lean meats trimmed of visible fat instead of cooking with fat or skin on
• Egg whites instead of whole eggs
• Hummus instead of sour cream dips
• Vegetable chips instead of potato chips

These little changes can have a huge impact on your cholesterol without lowering your good cholesterol or having you make large sacrifices. The meat changes might be the hardest for some people, but it’s not impossible to reduce your intake or give it up.

Factors Associated With High Cholesterol

Diet is the leading contributor of high cholesterol. Foods you eat should nourish your body. If you’re one of many people suffering from high cholesterol, worried about cholesterol, or have heart disease, you might be surprised at the role your daily diet plays. Simple changes like including foods that lower cholesterol can help you achieve optimal health and cholesterol levels.

Other causes:
• Smoking
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Heredity
• Age
• Race
• Weight

A low cholesterol diet consists of foods naturally lower in cholesterol. You should aim for no more than 200mg of dietary cholesterol a day if you’re at high risk or currently have heart disease. Speak with your doctor to determine a daily cholesterol intake right for you.

Common Mistakes

One mistake people can make is to remove cholesterol from their diets completely. Your body needs cholesterol. Side effects can include anxiety, depression, and a possible increase in cancer risk.

A second mistake is ignoring soluble fiber. It prevents your body from absorbing cholesterol.

Foods that lower cholesterol don’t need to be bland or boring. Instead of concentrating on what you can’t eat, focus on all the fun ways you can enjoy food. Experiment with new flavors, foods, and vegetables. Keep your mindset positive because you’re eating for more than your cholesterol, you’re eating for your heart.

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