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

Best Quotes About Love That Will Make You Fall In Love All Over Again

“Love is the ultimate and the highest goal to which man can aspire … The salvation of man is through love and in love.”

Viktor E. Frankl penned these quotes about love in his best-selling book, Man’s Search for Meaning, which has sold over 12 million copies worldwide and remains one of the most influential books of our time.

You may wonder how life’s meaning and purpose, often associated with wealth, fame, and fortune, have anything to do with love. After all, isn’t love all about romance and chocolate and date nights?

On some level, yes. Yet on a deeper level, it can be all of those things … and more. After all, as you may know, Frankl’s book includes his experience in a concentration camp. Not an obvious place to be singing the praises of love.

And yet sing he does, just as many of the best love quotes do. Because no matter how you look at it, love, the thought of love, and the pursuit of love, always seems to bring you through a journey of happiness. What is more, they inspire people to pen more quotes about love. Love may begin with the flutter of butterflies in your stomach and then grow into a fullness of your soul.

Enjoy some of the best love quotes for every type of love.

Love quotes can include the romantic kind of love such as these:

“Once in a while, right in the middle of an ordinary life, Love gives us a fairytale.” ~ Unknown

“It’s like, in that moment the whole universe existed just to bring us together.” ~ From Serendipity

“Our love is like the wind. I can’t see it, but I can feel it.” ~ From A Walk to Remember

“He’s more myself than I am. Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same.” ~ From Wuthering Heights

“It was always you.” ~ Unknown

“The best thing to hold onto in life is each other.” ~ Audrey Hepburn

The best thing in life is finding someone who knows all your flaws, mistakes, and weaknesses and still thinks you’re completely amazing.

Love quotes can address the deeper commitment of marriage:

“A strong marriage isn’t two people being strong at the same time. It’s two people taking turns being strong for each other.” ~ Unknown

“The successful marriage is not when you can live in peace with your wife, but when you can’t live in peace without her.” ~ Yasir Qadhi

“Marriage: Love is the reason. Lifelong friendship is the gift. Kindness is the cause. Til’ death do us part is the length.” ~ Fawn Weaver

“Marriage is a mosaic you build with your spouse. Millions of tiny moments that create your love story.” ~ Jennifer Smith

“Love is an ideal thing, marriage is a real thing.” ~ Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

“There are few things in life more beautiful than a couple in love and a marriage in full bloom.” ~ Fawn Weaver

“Marriage, like a submarine, is only safe if you get all the way inside.” ~ Frank Pittman

Quotes about love can be real, and funny:

“It’s the most maddening, beautiful, magical, horrible, painful, wonderful, joyous thing in the world, Love.” ~ Taylor Swift

“Love is like a virus. It can happen to anybody at any time.” ~ Maya Angelou

quotes about love

“I hate men. Never mind … He just texted back. False alarm.” ~ Unknown

“I think making love is the best form of exercise.” ~ Cary Grant

“We are all a little weird and life’s a little weird, and when we find someone whose weirdness is compatible with ours, we join up with them and fall in mutual weirdness and call it love.” ~ Unknown

“We simply can’t abandon ship every time we encounter a storm. Real love is about weathering the terms of life together.” ~ Seth Adam Smith

Love quotes can be bigger than two people:

“Love is the beauty of the soul.” ~ Unknown

“If you judge people, you have no time to love them.” ~ Mother Teresa

“Love is patient. Love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast. Love is not proud. It is not rude. It is not easily angered. Love keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.” ~ Corinthians 13:4-8

“When someone else’s happiness is your happiness, that is love.” ~ Unknown

“When you love what you have, you have everything you need.” ~ Unknown

“Loving someone is accepting them for who they were, who they are, and who they will be.” ~ Unknown

The best love quotes inspire your own love story. Take the love quotes that speak to your soul off the page and live them. When you look for signs of love, you will see it everywhere.

What are your favorite quotes about love?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=LCiUY7nnVxo

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

Why Affirmations May Not Work (And What to Do If They Don’t)

One of the biggest current trends in goal accomplishment is the practice of something called affirmations. A positive affirmation is a word or phrase repeated daily to help train the mind to think positively by directly influencing the sub-conscious part of the brain. This, in turn, is supposed to increase the likeliness of a person succeeding. Why? Because they begin to attract their desires to them without having to struggle as much as they normally would.

For the most part, research has shown that daily affirmations are highly effective when they are used correctly. But, for one reason or another, some people simply can’t get them to work. So it doesn’t take long for them to feel so defeated that they give up on trying to include them as part of their goal-accomplishment process. This only further delays their progress, though. If you have encountered this difficulty, you’ll want to read on.

Here, we share why daily affirmations don’t work for everyone (and what you should be doing instead)

Setting Too Many Goals at Once

Some people, when they begin to use affirmations, make a long list of all the things they want to accomplish. Then, they come up with a word or phrase to match each of them. In the morning, and throughout the day, they try to keep repeating the affirmations for all of these goals. The problem? There are just too many to focus on. They don’t have enough energy left to direct the sub-conscious mind towards accomplishing any of them.

It is recommended to start out with focusing on only a few goals at a time. Once you accomplish those, you can begin to work towards more of the things that you want in life.

create new goals - deal with mid life crisis

High Expectations of Perfection

No one is perfect. And it is impossible to do everything perfectly all the time. Those who have set incredibly high standards for themselves struggle to see this though. So even though they are making small strides towards their goals, all they can see is what they didn’t manage to accomplish.

To combat this type of negative thinking, start making a list of what steps have already been taken towards each of the goals. Take note of how many goals you have already completed. You may be surprised (and impressed) by the results.

Keeping Dated Goals

It is important that a person’s daily affirmations match their goals. That is why most experts recommend that people go through their personal goal-setting list every few months or so to create a new set of affirmations to match those goals. This will ensure that the sub-conscious mind stays focused on achieving the desired results.

Forgetting to Visualize

A person can’t just repeat affirmations and expect the magic to start happening right away. They have to see themselves already accomplishing it successfully. Connecting the imagination to the words that are being spoken activates more parts of the brain to work together to accomplish the desired results.

If you want to do this, you will find it helps to include pictures to go with each mantra.

affirmations

Not Acting

Some people claim that all a person has to do to accomplish their goals is think about them as if they have already been achieved. But you will never reach a goal or bring success into your life if you aren’t doing anything towards attaining it. For example, a person who wants to have their dream job can’t just think about it day after day. They have to fill out applications and go to job interviews too.

As you can see, to get a positive affirmation to work for you, you have to be willing to narrow down your goal list, not expect perfection, keep your goal list current, and use visualization along with your affirmations. Most importantly though, you have to apply actionable steps towards achieving your goals. It is also important to remember that it takes time to attract all the wonderful things that you want. So don’t get discouraged if a few weeks pass by with no results.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apVYj7spM1I

References:
https://www.cmu.edu/homepage/health/2013/summer/benefits-of-self-affirmation.shtml
https://www.psychologicalscience.org/news/releases/self-affirmation-enhances-performance-makes-us-receptive-to-our-mistakes.html
(C)Power of Positivity, LLC. All rights reserved

Amazing Quotes On Happiness That Can Change Your Mood Instantly

These quotes on happiness can uplift your mood on a terrible day.

It is easy to be happy when things are going your way. When your child makes good grades, it is easy to be happy. When you get the promotion at work, it is easy to be happy. Once you reach a goal you have been working on for a long time, it is easy to be happy. It is when things don’t go your way that being happy is harder to achieve.

Happiness is a decision made daily. Studies show that 40% of happiness is from life circumstances that affect your emotions. Through it all you can choose your reaction. Choosing to be happy through difficult times takes a mental decision to see the good within the bad. It takes determination to choose happiness over other negative emotional choices.

Here are some quotes on happiness that will boost your mood:

Happiness quote

Best Happiness Quotes on Love

“There is only one happiness in this life, to love and be loved.”
– George Sand

“Love is when the other person’s happiness is more important than your own.”
– H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

“If you want to have a happy life, tie it to a goal, not to people or things.”
– Albert Einstein

Quotes on Happiness in Daily Life

“Happiness is not something you postpone for the future; it is something you design for the present.”
– Jim Rohn

“It is the ultimate luxury to combine passion and contribution. It’s also a very clear path to happiness.”
– Sheryl Sandberg

“Be happy for this moment. This moment is your life.”
– Omar Khayyam

“I wish you joy and happiness. But above all of this, I wish you love.”
– Dolly Parton

“Happiness cannot be traveled to, owned, earned, worn or consumed. Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace, and gratitude.”
– Denis Waitley

“Some days are just bad days, that’s all. You have to experience sadness to know happiness, and I remind myself that not every day is going to be a good day, that’s just the way it is!”
– Dita Von Teese

The Best Happiness Quotes on Friendship

“Friends show their love in times of trouble, not in happiness.”
– Euripides

“A friend is someone who gives you total freedom to be yourself.”
– Jim Morrison

“The most important thing is to enjoy life – to be happy – it’s all that matters.”
– Audrey Hepburn

“A true friend knows your weaknesses but shows you your strengths; feels your fears but fortifies your faith; sees your anxieties but frees your spirit; recognizes your disabilities but emphasizes your possibilities.”
– William Arthur Ward

Quotes on Happiness and Wisdom

“Our happiness depends on wisdom all the way.”
– Sophocles

“If you want to be happy, be.”
– Leo Tolstoy

“If your happiness is contingent on someone else changing their behavior, then you are playin yo’self, henny.”
– RuPaul Charles

“The secret to happiness is freedom…And the secret to freedom is courage.”
-Thycydides

Happiness Quotes on Making the Decision

“Happiness doesn’t depend on any external conditions; it is governed by our mental attitude.”
– Dale Carnegie

“I do believe that if you haven’t learnt about sadness, you cannot appreciate happiness.”
– Nana Mouskouri

Quotes on Happiness and Being Grateful

“A grateful heart is a beginning of greatness. It is an expression of humility. It is a foundation for the development of such virtues as prayer, faith, courage, contentment, happiness, love, and well-being.”
– James E. Faust

“Remember that the happiest people are not those getting more, but those giving more.”
– J. Jackson Brown, Jr.

struggles in life

Final Thoughts

These quotes on happiness will fortify you to choose to be happy. It is truly a choice, a decision we make daily. Through ups and downs, our emotions emerge instinctively. It is when our mind thinks through the situation that we can choose our emotions that will remain. This choice is powerful.

Reading happiness quotes reminds us that we are not alone in our struggles. They remind us that others before us have faced the same situations in life. These quotes on happiness from well-known figures help you understand that life happens. Choosing to be happy won’t happen unless you actually choose it.

How Healthy Self Criticism Can Make You Strong

Self-perception is a tricky ship. Too much positivity can mask underlying issues, while too much negativity can crater your self-confidence and make you feel like you’re not worthy of success. When making criticisms of your own work or accomplishments, it’s important to do so objectively and fairly.

A healthy dose of self criticism is important for personal development, however, since it allows you to grow in ways you may not have thought of before. Most people are too scared of criticism – either self criticism or otherwise – but if you can stand up to the heat, you’ll gain a variety of benefits that will make you a stronger person in the process.

Here’s why self-criticism can make you stronger:

1. It Makes You a Better Listener.

People who are always critical of themselves (within reason) generally are better listeners, since they’re always on the lookout for feedback as to how they’re doing. They invite other people to examine them, ask questions, and build on the feedback that they have received. In turn, this makes them better leaders, since they’re open to accepting criticism from people that they work over.

2. It Lets You Constantly Improve.

We all have areas that we can improve upon, but most of us never find them because we tend to avoid criticism. Allowing yourself to be open to what other people see inside of you can help you get better in ways you may not be aware of directly, such as in your casual conversations or in the way you carry yourself. People will begin to perceive you as someone who is easy to talk to and open to suggestions, which will make them more willing to help you.

positive-quote

3. It Keeps Your Ego in Check.

Nothing helps keep pride at a reasonable level like a healthy dose of criticism. People who embrace suggestions and critiques on their life and work are generally aware of the fact that they have areas they need to improve on anyway, so they don’t overly exalt themselves to a position that they can never be pushed from. They’re constantly evolving and constantly growing because they realize there’s always someone better than them out there.

4. It Helps You Be Adventurous.

People who invite criticism into their lives already live in worlds of uncertainty. Everything about their life is more or less a risk, so what do they have to lose if they go after something more daring and fail? They already accept that they probably won’t be the best right out of the gate, but they try anyways because they realize that growth is a process. People who avoid criticism tend not to do that; they have their own lives and areas of expertise, and they see no reason to step outside of that.

5. It Helps You Enjoy the Process.

If you’re goal-oriented, it can be easy to look at life as a pass-fail proposition: you either succeed or you don’t and there’s very little (if any) room in between. People who are critical of their lives realize that there are a lot of gray areas – some things are better, while some things aren’t, so they learn to enjoy the process of growing more than simply attaining a prize.

6. It Helps You Stay Inspired.

The people who succeed are the ones who are able to look back on their life and be inspired by the progress that they’ve made. The ability to constantly grow and constantly improve your situation comes only after a realistic understanding of who you are and where you’ve been, which should be inspiring to you as you reflect. Change is a part of life, and the sooner we embrace that the sooner we begin to inspire ourselves by what we’ve done. As Steve Jobs famously said in his 2005 Commencement address at Stanford: “Stay hungry. Stay foolish.” Are you willing to be foolish?

7. It Keeps Hateful People at Bay.

Negative people are everywhere, and all of us will experience a dose of hatefulness by people at various points in our life. But whether what they’re pointing out is true or not, being critical of your own life allows you to more fully see where they’re right, and more importantly, where they’re wrong. Hate won’t affect you as much as long as you’re already aware of the fact that you need to improve, and being objective about your own weaknesses will help you sift through the criticism of others.

Closing Thoughts

It’s tempting to simply believe the best about yourself and avoid any kind of criticism whatsoever, but keep in mind that the strongest people choose to admit their faults honestly and openly, allowing themselves to grow in the process.

Those that don’t never last long. After all, if they’re perfect already, what else is there to do?

Are You A Hopeless Romantic? Here’s Why It’s Perfectly Okay

You believe in love boldly and fearlessly. Daydreaming of your perfect love, there’s no second option for you when it comes to your dream lover. While the more pragmatic among us may look at hopeless romantics and laugh, the truth is that if any of us hope to make our love work, it’s the hopeless romantics that will win the day.

Love and the Hopeless Romantic: Why it Works

“People don’t write songs about being compatible or novels about shared life goals and stimulating conversation. The great loves are the crazy ones.” – Gossip Girl

Don’t let the others get you down: you’re a hopeless romantic, and that’s okay. You have high expectations for love and you really enjoy believing in it. While others may warn you that no one will be able to meet your expectations, don’t stop believing. Here are six reasons why you should keep the faith:

Signs you are a hopeless romantic

girlfriend

1. Hopeless Romantics Celebrate All of the Little Things

Hopeless romantics are likely the most hopeful people on this planet. You get excited at all of the possibilities that could happen in life and in love. Whether it’s a smile from a kind stranger on the street or a text from your significant other, taking the time to revel in little joys each day is a sign of positivity and strength.

2. Stronger Romantic Beliefs Lead to a More Fulfilled Love Life

Hopeless romantics tend to go big when it comes to their idea of romantic love. While cynics may call this wishful thinking, for hopeless romantics, strong romantic beliefs are more likely to lead to a more fulfilled relationship and love life.

The Journal of Social and Personal Relationships conducted a study to explore the effects of partners’ romantic beliefs on their relationships. The study found that though unmet expectations could be attributed to lower satisfaction in a relationship, the partners who held strong romantic beliefs were more likely to be satisfied with their expectations as well as their partner’s actions and behavior.

romantic quotes

3. Being a Romantic Means You Know What They Want

“I think the perfection of love is that it’s not perfect.” – Taylor Swift

There’s nothing wrong with daydreaming about your ideal partner or relationship. In fact, fantasizing about exactly what you hope for in life will allow you to determine what you truly want in a partner.

While you’ll never find a “perfect” person, you can still be hopelessly romantic and find someone that is perfect for you. Of course, there will be flaws and setbacks in any relationship, but don’t let that stop you from dreaming for and going after what you really want.

4. As a Hopeless Romantic, You Don’t Settle

A hopeless romantic knows the difference between settling for the next opportunity that comes your way and holding out hope for the great love of your life. Hopeless romantics wait for what they want. They know what it looks like and what it should feel like, so they fight to find that special love.

Of course, it can be tempting to go the easy route and settle into another average relationship. While this may abate temporary feelings of loneliness, in the end, you’ll realize that your soul longs for more.

5. Hopeless Romantics are Some of the Most Honest People You’ll Meet

Hopeless romantics believe in love so strongly that they are honest to a fault and have nothing to hide, especially their true feelings. They are always open and ready to be vulnerable, even if it means getting hurt. While this can be aggravating, it also means that you’ll never stop looking for your own hopeless romantic partner until you feel whole and complete.

6. There’s No Holding Back for a Hopeless Romantic

While others may tell you that the reason you always get hurt is that you fall too fast or too hard, the truth is that loving strongly is your superpower. When you find the right hopeless romantic partner, all the love you’ve longed to give will be well received and will make all the heartache and waiting worth it.

Final Thoughts: A Love for the Ages

“The greatest thing you’ll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return.” – Moulin Rouge

Being a hopeless romantic is all about embracing your true self and sharing that freely with the world. Being a lover at heart is as much about loving yourself as it is about loving another, so don’t let anyone dim your light or tell you that you’re too much.

Let these words of loving wisdom inspire to keep pushing and holding on to hope. Love has the ability to transform you. Why would you settle for anything less than extraordinary?

7 Foods to Avoid If You’re Suffering From Inflammation

A lot of the foods you enjoy eating have been salted, sweetened, processed, and refined in different ways. While this might help food taste better and last longer, it could also be the reason you’re suffering from inflammation constantly. Inflammation, which manifests as body pain or swelling, can limit your ability to physically function. And when your body isn’t in the best shape, you can’t also muster a positive outlook. You can, however, make a conscious choice of staying away from unhealthy foods to lessen those negative symptoms.

Here Are 7 Foods You Should Avoid If You’re Suffering from Inflammation

“Lower your body’s burden of toxic chemicals, and you’ll turn down the flame another notch.” – Dr. Kellyann Petrucci

1. Fried foods

Yummy fried chicken and French fries are easy to prepare. These food choices are also always on the menu at most restaurants and fast food chains, so you can have it anytime. Fried foods are also comfort foods for some, but surely, you’ve heard how many doctors and health experts say these aren’t healthy.  Fried foods contain advanced glycation end products (AGEs) that trigger inflammation and accelerate the aging of the cells. Most fried foods are also cooked in trans fats (hydrogenated oils) like butter, lard, or palm oil that cause major inflammation.

A study from 2009 at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine proved that inflammation significantly decreased among a group of people who limited their intake of processed and fried foods for four months. They also experienced the restoration of their body’s immune system. If you can’t help eating fried foods, some experts suggest using healthy fat for frying these foods, such as peanut oil or olive oil. You might also want to switch to an air fryer instead of a deep fryer to cut down on the fat content.

2. White bread

Regular white bread contains refined carbohydrates and sugar. These are two food components that trigger inflammation. Our bodies apparently break down white bread faster than the whole-wheat variety, which sets off the blood sugar levels. This, then, causes an insulin spike that leads to inflammation.

If you like eating bread, experts recommend switching to the wheat and gluten-free kinds because these have no sugar and/or flour. These types of bread are also rich in fiber, which aids in your body’s digestion. In the same way, it’s also best to avoid pizza, tortillas, pretzels, pasta, and bagels made with refined flours.

3. Dairy

Milk might be good for the bones because it is rich in calcium. Yogurt, on the other hand, supposedly helps with inflammation because of its probiotic component. But milk and yogurt, as well as other dairy products like cream cheese and processed cheese, contain saturated fats that can cause inflammation. An excessive intake of these foods could worsen your swelling and pain. The key, therefore, is to consume dairy products in moderation.

If you feel a headache or other symptoms of inflammation kicking in after eating dairy foods, then it might be good to cut down on these for a while. If you’re worried about losing a calcium source because you have to reduce your milk intake, then take heart in this research from the British Medical Journal. It cited that there is no direct correlation between decreased milk consumption to bone fractures, especially in women.

4. Soda

While technically a drink, most people love to have a can or glass of ice-cold soda with their meals or snacks. But did you know that one can of a soft drink is enough to cause inflammation? Even soda filled with artificial sweeteners or “diet” drinks aren’t healthy, according to a study in the journal Nature. Soda, including the kind with artificial sweeteners, apparently raises the body’s glucose intolerance. When the body cannot properly digest and metabolize glucose, it releases more inflammatory substances that the cells secrete.

5. Fatty meat

Fatty meat has all the flavors and could be rich in protein but these types of food are also major inflammation triggers. Consuming burgers, ribs, hotdogs, and bacon regularly can lead to chronic health concerns like diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. For a healthier choice, enjoy omega-3-rich meats instead – such as mackerel, salmon, sardines, and tuna. You can also acquire protein in a healthy way from beans, nuts, and soya.

6. Canned soup

Stocking up on canned soup in the kitchen might be convenient because you can use them in meal preparation at any time. But canned goods contain a lot of preservatives, including the flavor enhancer monosodium glutamate (MSG). Homemade soup is much better than canned soup, but if it takes you too much time to prepare every meal, why not cook a batch and store it in the freezer? Store your frozen, homemade soup in smaller containers so you can heat a few cups when needed.

Similarly, avoid pretty much any type of canned foods if you want to limit symptoms of inflammation. Processed foods are filled with chemicals that trigger the cells to always be on “attack,” and this is why your body starts to pain and swell.

7. Alcohol

A glass of wine might be helpful because it contains flavonoids. This is an antioxidant that has an anti-inflammatory effect. Too much alcohol intake, however, will bring about the opposite effect. Alcoholic drinks have toxic ingredients that promote inflammation, lower your body’s immunity, and damage your organs. Experts always advise to drink moderately. According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, moderate drinking is one glass for women and two glasses for men per day.inflammation

Final thoughts

Inflammation can lead to allergies, asthma, sinusitis, arthritis, and other types of joint pains. Consider changing your diet if you’re prone to develop these conditions. A little positive thinking and a change in diet is all you need to lead a healthier lifestyle!

https://youtu.be/yG-G9_LOkLA

(C)Power of Positivity, LLC. All rights reserved
References:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3704564/
https://www.mountsinai.org/about/newsroom/2009/study-shows-that-reducing-processed-and-fried-food-intake-lowers-related-health-risks-and-restores-bodys-defenses
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25619624
https://www.bmj.com/content/349/bmj.g6015
https://dx.doi.org/10.3389%2Ffphys.2017.00487
https://health.gov/dietaryguidelines/2015/guidelines/appendix-9/

10 Signs You’re Truly Happy In A Relationship

So many people look for answers when they want to learn how to be happy in a relationship. Exactly how can you be happy in a relationship? Having a partner and being in a relationship should add something to your life. It should make your life better, happier, and more fulfilled. In other words, there should be happiness in a relationship. However, media, movies, books, and songs often show us a wrong idea of what it is to be truly happy in a relationship. Additionally, they can make us doubt if what we have is really what makes us happy. Here are some of the signs that you are really, truly in a relationship that makes you happy.

Here Are 10 Signs You’re Truly Happy in A Relationship

“There is always some madness in love. But there is also always some reason in madness.” – Friedrich Nietzsche

1. You will feel content most of the time.

Constant butterflies and extreme happiness in seeing your partner is not only impossible, it would also be exhausting. Once the first three months or so of a relationship pass, the “in love” feeling transforms into a feeling of contentment and happiness that is more calm and lasting. That is not to say that you won’t still have the butterflies and excitement. They are still there. They just show up less often, and what you have in between is a calm type of happiness … true happiness in a relationship.

2. You enjoy watching shows and movies together.

Although at the beginning of a relationship you often go out, if you only go out and be around other people all the time, it can be a sign that you are not that happy in your relationship. If, however you feel like you can also be together, just the two of you and share enjoyments like a series or movie together, you have a better chance of staying together and creating a happy fulfilling relationship.

3. You fight productively.

A relationship without fighting is impossible. Having strong discussions or arguments about things that you are passionate about is important and even healthy. The difference between a healthy fight and an unhealthy one is what you want to accomplish. If you just want to be right and have your partner be wrong, that is a sign you are more into yourself and not as much the relationship. If you and your partner have an outlook of both of you against the problem, it is much more likely that the issue will get resolved and you will not have to deal with it over and over again.

4. You make each other want to be and do better.

It is never your job to change someone else or to be changed by someone else. However, in any healthy relationship, being close to another person helps you bring out the best of yourself. Not via force, or manipulation. But in a healthy and productive and almost natural way.

5. Your intimate relationship is good and getting better.

The way you are intimately together does not always mean you are in a happy relationship. However, poor intimate relationships that neither of you is willing to work on is a sign that you are not happy in your current relationship. Sexual compatibility is also important. You can work on techniques on how to make your partner weak in the knees but you cannot keep pretending to like things you don’t. A little bit of adjusting is okay, but if you have to change your entire sexual identity to please the other person, you may want to keep on looking.

6. You like them.

Of course, you love them, but it is more than that. You actually enjoy spending time with them. You like it when they talk to you, and you have fun together. Additionally, you like who they are as a person, not only when they are with you but also when you are with others. Your partner might have some habits that annoy you, but as a person, they do not.

7. You share happiness and laughter.

Not everything in life is joy, and sometimes you must navigate difficult waters together. However, what is most important in a happy and fulfilling relationship is knowing that you can share your happiness and laughter with your partner and that you do so. This reinforces happy feelings associated with your partner and makes you want to spend more time together. Also, shared joy is double the joy that, in turn, brings more happiness in a relationship.

8. They may not always make you feel better, but they never make you feel worse.

It is not always possible to feel better about a certain situation, especially not if it has nothing to do with your partner. However, if you often feel worse about yourself or a situation after you have talked it over with your partner, that is not a good sign. Even if they cannot help you feel better about the situation, they will still be there for you, even if it is just to listen or give you a hug, or whatever you need at that moment.

9. You really communicate together.

Too often conversations follow a pattern of person “A” saying something, person “B” saying something of their own related to what person “A” is saying, etc. In a healthy and happy relationship, communication does not work that way. When a relationship is happy, you actively listen to your partner, ask questions about their experience, and are present in the moment that they are talking, instead of thinking of the next thing you might want to say. In healthy, mutually beneficial relationships, you are also aware that your partner does the same for you. Maybe that means sometimes you do not get to tell that interesting anecdote. Instead, you make sure your partner feels heard, understood, and listened to.relationship quote

10. Let the small things stay small.

There are so many things that can create annoyances in daily life if we let them. If we want to have a happy partnership and relationship with a significant other, we should make sure to keep the small things small. That means that if it annoys your partner that you leave socks all over the place, you make an effort to pick them up. And if you are the partner who is annoyed when you find socks all over the place, you recognize that they are making an effort and simply pick them up and put them away. You choose not to hold onto resentment about socks (or anything else).

Final thoughts

Happiness and healthy relationships are not like the movies. They are not fireworks and grand gestures all the time. It is in the little things that long-term happiness lies. It’s very easy to attain happiness in a relationship; all you need is positive thinking and a positive attitude towards your partner. This is truly how to be happy in a relationship.

How To Deal With A Stubborn Partner In A Relationship (1)

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References:
https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/signs-happy-relationship-according-to-science_uk_591c06a8e4b0ed14cddaab98?guccounter=1
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/fulfillment-any-age/201506/may-be-the-secret-happiness-in-relationships
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/emotional-fitness/201306/ten-actions-create-relationship-happiness

11 Signs You Have Estrogen Dominance

What is Estrogen dominance?

Our hormones control nearly every function within the body. As such, we need a balanced hormonal system if we want good health. Simply, you can think of hormones as tiny chemical messengers that relay bits of information between cells, organs, and system.  Hormones also influence how we interpret and experience emotions. So they significantly impact our behavior. A normal hormonal system aids in brain health and cognitive functioning.

Both sexes possess these three hormones: estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. Here’s a bit of info on each type of hormone:

Estrogen: With much higher concentrations in women, this hormone is responsible for the development and growth of “female secondary sexual characteristics.” These include the breasts, and also the hair that grows in the armpits and pubic region. Estrogen enables ovulation and fertilization, as well as regulates period cycles and the reproductive system. At abnormal levels, estrogen can be the catalyst for a variety of health conditions.

Progesterone: Considered a female sex hormone, progesterone prepares the body for conception and pregnancy. It also influences female sex drive and is considered a precursor to the sex hormones testosterone and estrogen. This hormone regulates the menstrual cycle and is thought to help protect against breast cancer.

Testosterone: The dominant male sex hormone, females produce about 90 percent less testosterone than men. This hormone is vital to bone and muscle strength, sex drive, and overall energy levels. It also influences cognitive functioning and mood.

Estrogen Dominance and Signs

“Benign breast disease, breast cancer and pre-cancerous conditions have been found to be associated with a progesterone deficiency and estrogen excess.” – Ray Peat, Ph.D.

To accurately transcribe what estrogen dominance is, a bit of background knowledge should help. Female hormones work in a beautiful, intelligent synchrony that permits the body to function optimally. This synchronization requires a delicate balancing act between all hormones, especially that of estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone.

estrogen

When the ratio of hormones involved in this “balancing act” is disturbed – by poor diet or too much stress, for example – it can carry serious health implications. One such instance is estrogen dominance, which occurs when estrogen levels are disproportionately high (to progesterone levels, usually.)

11 Signs of Estrogen Dominance

1. Breast sensitivity

The presence of estrogen causes the ducts of the breast to swell. This sign is prevalent during menopause and may manifest as symptoms of swelling and tenderness.

2. Edema

Edema is the abnormal accumulation of fluid in tissues of the body. It is most apparent when present in the legs – a condition called peripheral edema.

3. Abnormal blood flow during periods

As mentioned, estrogen – as a primary role – regulates the body’s processes during menstruation. When the hormone is out of whack, a woman may experience irregular blood flow. Sometimes this imbalance may lead to a “missed” period.

4. Sleep disturbances

Estrogen dominance is thought to make women more susceptible and sensitive to internal and external stressors. As a result, sleep disturbance and even insomnia may surface.

5. Infertility

Estrogen is responsible for fertilization and ovulation, and when present in excess can prevent both. In many cases, estrogen dominance must be rectified to allow conception.

6. Depression and/or mood swings

Estrogen, a key hormone, has effects that extend to the brain. The dominance of any primary hormone affects mood and cognition – and may lead to anxious or depressive feelings.

7. Irregular period onset and skipped cycles

We’ve covered this point: normal estrogen levels encourages reproductive health, and this also includes menstruation. Estrogen dominance suppresses the vital functions of progesterone during periods.

8. Vaginal dryness and itchiness

Among its numerous duties, estrogen also lubricates the vaginal wall and promotes health in this region.

9. Varicose veins

Both estrogen and progesterone expand the female blood vessels. When deficient in either hormone, veins may constrict and expand, producing varicose (or “spider”) veins.

10. Weight gain

A specific type of estrogen, estradiol, assists in the regulation of metabolism. Consequently, an excess of this can lead to weight gain. Weight gain is one of the most apparent signs of estrogen dominance, especially during menopause.

11. Breast cancer and breast disease

Sadly, estrogen dominance has a relationship with breast cancer. The breast contains cells that act as receptors to estrogen (and progesterone). Excess estrogen levels may link to at least one type of breast cancer.

Prevention and Treatment

Natural treatment of low estrogen levels may be the best option. The plan described below also serves as a preventative measure.

Here are a few ways that you can treat and prevent estrogen dominance:

1) Address any mineral deficiencies, particularly calcium, copper, magnesium, potassium, and zinc.

2) Cut back on saturated fats.

3) Take an Epsom salt bath because Epsom salt contains a bunch of magnesium (great for the hormones).

4) Eliminate any and all unnecessary stressors.

5) Support your liver by consuming more protein (to 20 to 25 percent of your total calorie intake).

6) Cut back on processed foods.

7) Leave the sugar ALONE.(!)

8) Drink a minimum of 64 ounces of water per day.

9) Get at least 30 minutes of regular exercise daily.

10) Eat more carrots – because they have been found to lower estrogen levels and relieve premenstrual symptoms.

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 (C)Power of Positivity, LLC. All rights reserved
Sources:
https://alliedhealthif.com/importance-hormone-balance/
https://www.emedicinehealth.com/edema/article_em.htm

https://www.everydayhealth.com/vaginal-dryness/guide/
https://www.healthline.com/health/benefits-testosterone
http://www.healthywomen.org/condition/progesterone
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/277177.php
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321837.php
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11136910
https://www.sharecare.com/health/endocrine-system/what-difference-male-female-hormones

Five Hobbies Proven to Improve Your Health

It’s fun to embrace healthy habits at any age, but when you are older, keeping a hobby also brings great benefits to your health. Regularly doing something that you love helps your mind and body stay active and occupied. Experts have proven in countless studies how hobbies boost your well-being. So, here are the some of the most recommended hobbies to pursue that can improve your health naturally.

Here Are 5 Hobbies Proven to Improve Your Health

“Hobbies are apt to run away with us, you know; it doesn’t do to be run away with. We must keep the reins.” – George Eliot

1. Dancing

Dancing is a fun way to exercise. It boosts not just your physical wellbeing and strength, but it also helps with your mental wellness. According to experts who wrote a study in the journal Human Neuroscience, dancing helps slow down the aging process in the brain. Changing choreography or following and executing dance movements apparently keep the hippocampus active. The hippocampus is the part of the brain responsible for balance, learning, and memory retention.

Some forms of dancing lessons, such as Ballroom or Latin dance, have also been proven to improve body strength and heart health. A Tango class, on the other hand, can improve symptoms of anxiety and other mood disorders. You do feel more energized after a dance class because your brain releases more endorphins when you exercise. Hence, you’re inclined to carry on the day with more positive thoughts.

If you’re worried about movements that could hurt your back, weaken your legs, or trigger a fall, then why not sign up for low-impact dance classes? Dancing at least three times a week can actually prevent instances of falling, according to a study published in the Cochrane Library, therefore giving you a greater chance to live a healthy lifestyle.

2. Gardening

Being around a green space with lots of trees and plants serves as a natural mood booster. Many experts agree that older people can greatly benefit from gardening as a hobby. Gardening reportedly reduces the risk of dementia development in men or women above 60 years old, according to experts from the Lipid Research Department at the St. Vincent’s Hospital in Australia.  Gardening also helps your body get natural vitamin D nutrients, especially when vitamin D deficiency becomes more common with age.

You’ll notice signs of health improvement from regular gardening because toiling with soil can do wonders for your immune system. Another study from the Karolinska Institute in Sweden suggests that gardening lessens the risks of stroke or heart attack. There’s one other perk to gardening, too, because you can wake up each morning to a beautiful home with gorgeous flesh flowers or enjoy meals with delicious homegrown vegetables from your backyard.

3. Journaling

This is one of the few healthy habits that will improve your health and help you lead a healthy lifestyle. Do you remember keeping a diary when you were 12 years old, or 16? Wasn’t that fun to do? It can be just as fun when you’re older. According to University of Texas psychologist James Pennebaker, journaling is an effective form of therapy because it is a self-expression tool. Writing can help you process your thoughts and feelings, thus enabling you to come to terms with the good or bad events in your life. You will also be able to manage your stress levels when you make journaling a habit.

A study in the JAMA Network stated that not only does keeping a diary improve your mental health, but it can also diminish some physical symptoms of pain, such as rheumatoid arthritis or asthma. It might seem strange but writing down your thoughts and chronicling your life also helps heal physical wounds faster, according to New Zealand experts.

These days, most people take their journal online via a blogging platform. This has added benefits as well because you can grow a community around your blog and develop new friendships and interests with other people.

4. Coloring

Coloring is not just an activity for children; it also works as a stress buster for busy adults. It promotes mindfulness similar to meditation, as it keeps you focused on a specific task for one or two hours a day. According to art therapist Marygrace Berberian, coloring reduces one’s anxiety levels. Just like journaling, coloring is an expression of creativity and the process promotes inner peace and tranquility that trigger positive thoughts.

coloring

Click here for free printable coloring pages!

5. Crafting

Knitting, quilting, and scrapbooking are just some of the crafting hobbies that have been resurging in recent years. Many have gone back to these basic activities as a way to cope with the fast-paced digital world. Crafting allows hobbyists to produce something they can proudly display or give as gifts, but many indulge in these activities for their psychological benefits too.

According to expert Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi in a TED Talk, these creative hobbies promote flow. In psychology, flow is that moment when you’re so absorbed in an activity that you lose the sense of time and forget your worries for a moment. Perfect hobbies for health, wouldn’t you agree?!

positive mindset

Final thoughts

You can pursue any of these recommendations either by yourself or with a group of people. You should take pleasure from doing a hobby, especially if it could be the best thing you can do to lead a healthy lifestyle. There really is no right or wrong time to start indulging in new hobbies for health and for encouraging positive thinking. There’s also no rush to complete a class or create something right away, as the most important thing is to love what you are doing. Remember, healthy habits and hobbies will lead to a healthy lifestyle.

References:
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnhum.2017.00305/full
http://cochranelibrary-wiley.com/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD004963.pub3/abstract;jsessionid=FD78BBA06376412F310D7389D2D93C6A.f02t04
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16411871
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/268014.php
https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/brain-babble/201208/turning-trauma-story-the-benefits-journaling
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/189437
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/writing-can-help-injuries-heal-faster/
https://edition.cnn.com/2016/01/06/health/adult-coloring-books-popularity-mental-health/index.html
https://edition.cnn.com/2014/03/25/health/brain-crafting-benefits/
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