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10 Tips On How To Keep The Conversation Going To Avoid Awkwardness On Your First Date

July 13, 2018 by Power of Positivity

First dates can be a time of extreme trepidation, complete with sweaty palms and nervous twitches. Let’s call it awkwardness. Whether you’re the guy or the girl on a first date, the main responsibility is to keep the conversation moving, so things don’t start getting awkward.

It can be hard to do that, however, if you feel like any moment, you may pass out. Even worse, once a situation starts feeling socially awkward, it usually operates like a vicious spiral, trapping you in a vortex of awkwardness that can be hard to get out of.

10 Ways to Avoid First Date Awkwardness

To help keep awkwardness from happening, here are ten tips to help you keep the conversation going.

1. Ask Emotional Questions

One of the best things you can do on any date to kill the awkwardness is simply to form an emotional connection with the person you’re talking to. Even though this might not be the right time to talk to them about their favorite pet that died, you can still ask them why they chose their job or why they decided to live where they did.

2. Relax to Mitigate Awkwardness

Breathe. No matter what, you will get out of this first date alive, so remember to relax and enjoy the moment. If you’re tense, it’s a virtual guarantee that your date will feel awkwardness as well, so take a moment, relax, and enjoy your time together. After all, they’re out with you first, so they must have found something they like about you.

3. Avoid Negative Subjects to Avoid Awkwardness

First dates have enough awkwardness with them without talking about naturally contentious subjects, such as politics or death. Avoid the temptation to dip into your rough childhood background simply to make conversation fodder.

4. Repeat What Was Just Said

If you can’t think of anything else to say when your date is talking, simply restate what they just said back to them. Not only will it give you something to say, it will also prove to them that you were listening.

5. Avoid Interview Questions

First dates are a time to get to know one another but remember you’re not interviewing each other for a formal position as your new boyfriend or girlfriend. Avoid “checklist” type questions that do nothing but create a tense atmosphere.

6. Kill Negative Self-Talk

To avoid awkwardness, spend some time reminding yourself that they are out with you in the first place. Telling yourself repeatedly how they’re better than you or how much you’re going to fail will only set you up for failure. To avoid awkwardness, tell yourself how much fun you will have and how great the evening will be before you arrive.

7. Acknowledge Awkwardness With a Smile

At the very least, smile at the person you’re talking to, even if you’re stressed out. Eventually, the personality you show the other person will begin to infiltrate your spirit and cause you to loosen up, freeing up the conversation and helping the date flow smoothly.

8. Be Interested in Them

You must be genuine on a first date, but expect they will also be. Henry Cloud once pointedly said, “Dating is about finding out who you are and others are. If you show up in a masquerade outfit, neither is going to happen.” Be yourself and be genuinely interested in who they are as well.

9. Don’t Over-Plan

It can be easy to spend way too long game planning for your upcoming date, over-engineering what you’re going to wear as well as what you’re going to talk. The problem with that is the moment things begin to deviate off of your planned route, it’ll stress you out and create tension. One of the best ways to avoid awkwardness is to expect the unexpected in any conversation. Who knows, you might even enjoy it!

10. Ask For a Pep Talk

If you are severely stressed about your first date, there’s no shame in calling one of your trusted friends and asking for a quick pick-me-up. A few words of encouragement may just be what you need to get your mind on track.

While this list is by no means exhaustive, it should give you a good starting point on how to move forward with your first dates. It’s best not to try to memorize every single one of them and force them into the situation, but work them in naturally as they’re recalled to your mind.

Take heart in the simple fact that first dates will eventually become less socially awkward the more experience you have with them. The awkwardness will slowly start to drift away, and before you know it, you may just find yourself genuinely enjoying the moment.

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

7 Early Warnings of Disease That Most Women Ignore

July 13, 2018 by Power of Positivity

Engrained in every human being is the ability to adapt to one’s environment. This environment can be internal – our thoughts, feelings, physical condition, etc. Or it can be external – people, places, things, and so on. We’ve developed this incredible gift for one reason and one reason only: survival. But there are times when this ingenious survival mechanism can bite us in the proverbial rear. One example is when we, consciously or unconsciously, look past signs that the body is trying to signal for our own good. We sort of passively accept something’s up and decide to do nothing about it. In the worst-case scenario, these symptoms can be signs of disease.

Today, we’re going to focus on seven warning signs of disease that most women ignore. For clarification, we’ll talk about what each sign could mean, along with how to identify if there’s a possible health issue.

Let’s do this thing!

7 Warning Signs of Disease Most Women Ignore

“We must claim our bodies as our own to love and honor in their infinite shapes and sizes. Fat, think, soft, hard, puckered, smooth, our bodies are our homes.” – Abra Fortune

1. Too Frequent Urination

What it could mean: Having to go pee all of the time could signal a kidney or urinary problem, including urinary tract infection (UTI). It could also be a possible sign of a bacterial or hormonal imbalance.

How to identify it: Urologists, who are doctors that specialize in disorders of the urinary tract, consider having to urinate more than eight times over a 24-hour period abnormal. Of course, consider your daily fluid intake.

2. Heavier periods

What it could mean: The reason for an abnormally heavy period could be as harmless as a bit too much exercise or a change in the weather. Unfortunately, it could also be a sign of disease or some other health disorder, including issues with the uterus or thyroid.

How to identify it: A heavy period (menorrhagia) is defined as a period that lasts longer than seven days. Heavier-than-usual bleeding accompanied by menstrual cramps is another sign, as is the presence of clots on the tampon or pad.

3. Unusual excretions

What it could mean: While no one likes to talk about their, ahem, “bodily excretions,” it is at times necessary to safeguard health. There are many possible causes, among them a disorder of the bowel, such as infection, or some inflammatory condition, including inflammatory bowel disorder (IBD). While such severe conditions stemming from this symptom are rare, they do occur.

How to identify it: If your excretions are abnormally foul-smelling or appear greenish in coloration, it may be wise to seek the advice of your healthcare professional.

4. Changes of the breasts

What it could mean: Any pain or physical alteration of the breast that is not explainable by menstrual cycling or physical injury is nothing to speculate about. One shouldn’t overreact, but breast cancer is relatively common, and any abnormalisties warrant an examination by a qualified professional.

How to identify it: Swelling, irritation, dimpling, breast or nipple pain, redness or thickening of the breast or nipple, and discharge are possible signs of disease.

5. Post-menopausal bleeding

What it could mean: Bleeding after menopause isn’t normal and should be evaluated. While the spotting or bleeding may be completely harmless, it could also be the result of something serious. Per the Mayo Clinic, post-menopausal bleeding could be signs of cancer, infection, or trauma.

How to identify it: As mentioned, normal periods last up to seven days. Recurrently bleeding past this timeframe is a probable sign that something is amiss.

6. Sudden weight loss

What it could mean: A bunch of things. Sudden weight loss can result from bowel diseases, depression, gastroenteritis, bacterial infection, thyroid disorder, and even cancer.

How to identify a possible health issue: “Unexplained weight loss” is considered anything over 10 pounds (4.5 kg) or five percent of your body weight over a six- to 12-month timeframe. Also, pay attention to what others say about your appearance; or if your loved ones express concern.

7. Hair growth in “non-hair” places

What it could mean: More than likely, a hormonal imbalance. The hormones androgen and testosterone can cause the sudden growth of facial hair, for example. If left unchecked, a simple hormonal imbalance – something rather harmless with the right treatment– can manifest into a metabolic disorder, infertility, and even an increased risk of cancer.

How to identify a possible health issue: If you’re female, you likely pay close attention to your body. If you see a sudden growth of hair around the face, shoulders, arms, back, or legs, it’s a good idea to check in with your healthcare professional.

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

Sources:
https://www.everydayhealth.com/hs/heavy-menstrual-bleeding/when-is-menstrual-bleeding-too-much/
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/menopause/expert-answers/bleeding-after-menopause/faq-20058396
https://www.medicinenet.com/weight_loss/symptoms.htm
https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003107.htm

How To Find Your Soulmate Without Even Looking

July 13, 2018 by Power of Positivity

In this generation, one of the rare things to find is true love. More so, a soulmate. Someone having a trail of exes and finding it difficult to trust them is the current trend. To some, love was buried long ago with the ancestors. To others, their perfect person is only in their minds. They are still trying to find them in different people and places. This is the mystery of Love.

This doesn’t entirely mean they don’t exist. In fact, everyone has his/her soulmate somewhere just that you have to recognize them. And here is where most of us fail. When you think you found yours, they do something that automatically alters your conviction and the process of finding begins.
Let’s have a look at how to attract a soulmate (without even looking);

Focus and work on yourself

Vironika Tugaleva once said that a soulmate is not found, they are recognized and I tend to agree with her to a bigger extent. Most of us are all around looking for the right person. Our conviction when we don’t find them is “I’ve been looking in the wrong place”, or, “I have been using the wrong methods.” We get carried away in the business of looking that we even forget ourselves in the process. The secret is simple. Stop finding the ‘one’ and start working on that person within you.
If you are still looking for the right one, trying one relationship to the other, then you need to shift your focus. The missing part of the puzzle is not in the world, it is within you. Take time to heal your wounds, explore, develop and accept yourself. Learn to be whole by yourself. In other words, enjoy being single first before you get to enjoy being with someone else.

Be yourself

Oftenly, people will try to alter who they are to impress others in their quest for finding the right one. There are two possible outcomes in this case. One is that you’re likely to find someone similar to who you are pretending to be or the right person will not recognize you in your pretentious nature. In the process, you might never find your right person.
Just be yourself, do what you love to do and your right one will find you. You are more attractive to your soulmate if you are yourself.

Don’t be too rushy

This sounds too cliché’ right? Yes, it may be, but most of us have been victims of rushing into romantic relationships probably thinking its true love. In most cases, when you feel a connection to someone, you’d try to catch their attention by being seductive. If they are your right one, be sure they’re also into you. If you both pay attention to the signs of true love and allow it to develop then there’s a chance it will be a successful relationship.
If you feel the urge to have them as soon as possible, then you really need to check yourself. It might be lust which will eventually be disappointing.

Cultivate desirable traits in yourself

What traits would you enjoy in your partner? Make a list of those traits and try to develop them in yourself. If you would want to have a humorous person, sports persons or an instrumentalist, try to learn and enjoy these things. In the long run, you will be able to sustain the relationship when that person comes.

Awareness

How can you know that someone is your soulmate? There is a natural attraction that you find in that special person. All you need to do is be sensitive and aware. There are questions you also need to ask yourself. Why do I need a relationship right now? If you were recently in a relationship, then you are just looking for a rebound. Be aware of your situation. Again you know those very sweet and irresistible people who can make you feel like they are the ones? Well, they might be the ones but how would you know? Don’t get carried away too easily.

Basically, keep an open mind, explore, develop your social network, and live life the way you want to. Be aware of any unusual connection, and let things unfold without rushing into conclusions. This way, the right person for you will come and you will be proud of yourself. These are the simple facts on how to attract soulmate without necessarily having to look for them. If you are lucky enough, you will find your twin flame as your soul mate, who knows!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eGPrRQYZ-ms

I Stopped Drinking Coffee For 7 Days And Here is What Happened To My Body

July 13, 2018 by Power of Positivity

Coffee is a beverage that the majority of Americans, and people around the world for that matter, drink everyday, and for obvious reasons. The first being it catches you with is its amazing aroma. It has a delicious and comforting taste. You can even customize its flavor with flavored creamers, adjust the sweetness with sugar, or keep it black. On top of all this, the caffeine wakes you up and brings on a feeling of productivity, even if just temporarily.

I’ve been drinking this amazing drink since I was around 13 years old before I even had anything important enough to do that required that much energy. Whether we’d like to admit it or not, caffeine and all the characteristics of it are indeed addictive. As tempting as all of these things about it can be to have every morning (and a few times throughout the day), it does come with certain side effects that were beginning to make me feel icky. I felt somewhat dependent on it, almost like I was running off it at times.

Everyone’s favorite drink has bitter compounds, such as chlorogenic acids, aliphatic acids. and tannins. These bitter compounds make it highly acidic, which is not very good for your body’s natural pH state, which keeps everything in balance. This high acidity also wears down your tooth enamel, staining your teeth everytime you drink it. This left me feeling sort of insecure with my slightly, but still noticeable yellow tinged teeth.

Whenever I felt lazy or a little tired, I reached for the coffee pot instantly. A study published in the Journal of Sleep Medicine found that caffeine intake even a whole six hours before bedtime can disrupt your sleep cycle that night. Knowing these things, I considered If I could possibly go on a seven-day detox to test the theory that I would feel any better or worse.

This is what happened when I stopped drinking coffee

My Week off of Coffee:

There I was, my first day of going cold turkey, with a newborn baby and a toddler screaming in my face, reminding me why I love the drink so much. I wanted that delicious smelling energy oh so badly. I couldn’t give up now though.

Day 1: The first change I saw in myself was how lethargic and at times downright exhausted I felt, especially by the afternoon. Caffeine works to energize you by blocking an inhibitory neurotransmitter named Adenosine. Caffeine is very similar in structure to Adenosine, which is a chemical that normally binds to brain receptors to make us tired. When we consume foods and drinks with caffeine, the caffeine binds to these brain receptors instead. This blocks Adenosine and makes us alert. Thus, the more you take in, the more Adenosine receptors your brain makes, which then makes you need more caffeine to stay awake and alert.

Day 2: Anything that wasn’t sleep got on my nerves. This could definitely be due to the fact that caffeine excites the adrenal glands, which are the stress regulating glands in the body.

Day 3: I had a mild headache. The reason for this is, when you stop drinking it so suddenly, your body feels deprived of the adrenaline and dopamine hormones it had gotten used to, that act as natural stimulants with the caffeine. Now, all of the Adenosine that was being blocked by caffeine before, floods into your brain. This results in a change in your brain’s chemistry, causing a headache.

Wesley Delbridge, RD, a spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Diabetics told Prevention, “To minimize the pain, don’t quit cold turkey.” ( I wish I would have known this before I started my detox). He says to, instead, cut your intake just a bit every two or three days. By eliminating just a half cup, replacing it with black or green tea, trying decaf, or even mixing decaf with your caffeinated cup, will help you avoid withdrawal symptoms like headaches.

Day 4: One other downside I noticed was a bigger craving for sugar. Coffee temporarily suppresses your appetite, so when you abstain from it for a bit, your body seeks a quick fat or sugar fix. Just adding creamer and sugar can easily put you at over 200 calories per cup. Ironically, drinking it black, without all the extra added stuff, is one of the few substances that is known to mobilize fats in your fat tissues and increases metabolism, so I might try black coffee for weight loss in the future. During this time of cravings, I also noticed I was falling asleep and waking up at healthier times.

After the seven days, I felt better than I would have normally. I had no irritability, cravings for junk food, or exhaustion. What I got from this no coffee experiment was, first and foremost, everything in moderation. It matters less that you drink this stimulative drink and more so how much you are drinking and at what times of the day. Also, I’m definitely going to try drink mine black, or at least with milk and cinnamon instead of creamer and sugar, as often as I can. It’s very much worth noting that coffee has just as many health benefits as it does negative side effects. To name a few, it’s the number one source of antioxidants for the average American.

According to Scranton University’s research, drinking more than three cups a day can decrease your risk of anything from Parkinson’s disease to breast cancer. These health benefits can also come from fruit and veggies though. As mentioned before, studies have shown that you can use coffee for weight loss because it not only mobilizes fats, but it stimulates your nervous system, which then sends a signal directly to your fat cells, telling them to break down fat. A few other biologically active compounds in it help to speed up your metabolism as well.

Weighing the pros and the cons, drinking it black and in smaller quantities seems like the way to go if you’re like me and just can’t seem to let go of your cup of joy completely.

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

REFERENCES:
HTTPS://WWW.WOMENSHEALTHMAG.COM/HEALTH/G19909745/WHAT-HAPPENS-WHEN-YOU-GIVE-UP-COFFEE/
HTTP://WWW.HEALTH.COM/NUTRITION/GAVE-UP-COFFEE-FOR-A-WEEK
HTTPS://WWW.FOREO.COM/MYSA/I-QUIT-COFFEE-FOR-2-WEEKS-AND-HERES-WHAT-HAPPENED/
HTTPS://WWW.RD.COM/HEALTH/HEALTHY-EATING/QUITTING-COFFEE/

10 Easy Ways to Help Gingivitis Naturally

July 13, 2018 by Power of Positivity

“Gingivitis can lead to much more serious gum disease called periodontitis and tooth loss. The most common cause of gingivitis is poor oral hygiene.” ~ The Mayo Clinic

Every tooth is surrounded by gum tissue that connects via cells to those small bones – otherwise known as “teeth” – within the mouth. Gingivitis is the accumulation of bacteria that slowly begins to “eat away” at the flesh around our teeth. It is a severe periodontal disease that can result in tooth loss.

Generally, the first symptoms of gingivitis include bleeding of the mouth, oral discomfort, and irritation. As gingivitis progresses, bacterial contamination may result in oral inflammation of the bone fragments, gums, ligaments, and nerves that surround the teeth. If the condition is allowed to develop without intervention, tooth loss or a severely receded gum line may result.

Poor oral hygiene is by far the most common cause of gingivitis – and it’s entirely preventable. We have at our disposal a variety of relatively inexpensive (and useful) oral care products that can render the oral condition obsolete. Nearly every case of gingivitis stems from the infiltration of bacteria that is allowed to grow into plaque.

There are exceptions to every case, however, and gingivitis is no different. Seemingly non-related conditions, including hypertension, substance abuse, and even pregnancy, can increase the risk of developing gum disease.

Despite the serious nature of the effects of gingivitis, it is a relatively mild condition under most circumstances. Usually, the condition is entirely reversible, provided that the individual takes the necessary steps to improve their oral health and, if necessary, seeks out a dental professional. Once an effective treatment regimen is underway, the condition may begin to regress within a couple of days.

The cool thing is that you needn’t spend a boatload of money to take care of plaque and gingivitis. In this article, we’re going to give you some cheap gum care options that you can make in the comfort of your own home.

Here are 10 ways to heal gingivitis naturally:

Get your daily calcium.

Calcium is a crucial element for healthy bones, cells, nerves, and muscles. Our teeth, of course, are ordinary, shapely bones that protrude from the jaw. Calcium is critical to the formation and maintenance of healthy teeth. It also strengthens the jaw bones and optimizes bone strength.

The best sources of calcium are fat-free dairy, green leafy veggies, soy products, and bread.

Use a peppermint mouthwash.

This remedy is as effective as it is simple. Just drop a few peppermint leaves into some drinking water for a half an hour. It works excellently as a post-brushing mouthwash. Peppermint is incredibly effective because it tames inflammation, kills bacteria, and soothes irritated skin.

Massage your gums.

While this may sound a bit too simple, many people neglect the health of their gums. Massaging your gums helps to increase blood flow around your mouth. Try rubbing your gums for 30 seconds to a minute prior to brushing your teeth!

Use clove oil.

Clove is a fantastic anti-inflammatory and antibacterial agent. It is also an effective pain reliever when you have an achy tooth or gum. Though it serves best as a temporary solution, clove oil may just save the day the next time you’re dealing with a toothache!

Take vitamin C.

We all know that vitamin C is necessary for a healthy immune system, and this certainly helps. But vitamin C may also help to expedite the healing of gingivitis. Many sources of “C” are packed with antioxidants as well, including grapefruit, oranges, lemon, and lime.

Consider a natural herb.

While there are probably a few herbs that could help kick gingivitis to the curb, an herb called Echinacea has proven to be particularly useful. It is a potent antibacterial and anti-inflammatory agent; properties that are crucial to ward off the symptoms of gingivitis.

Try coconut oil or sesame.

Coconut and sesame oil are excellent antibacterial agents. In addition, both have been shown to stem blood loss and heal receding gums. They are also great skin soothers, helping to get rid of the annoying gum irritation and sensitivity that usually accompanies gingivitis.

Eat more veggies.

Fresh raw vegetables are vital – not only to oral health but to our overall health and wellbeing. As far as oral health, vegetables (especially carrots) serve as a natural rinse, while stimulating blood flow to the gums.

Mix in some baking soda.

Baking soda is perhaps the most effective and versatile natural health remedy around. In terms of healing gingivitis, baking soda capitalizes on its super antibacterial properties to neutralize germs around the gums. Interestingly, baking soda meshes these potent cleaning properties with protective qualities. For example, baking soda (a.k.a. “sodium bicarbonate”) has been shown to safeguard uber-sensitive tooth enamel!

Try a water and sage recipe.

Sage effectively whitens teeth, protects gum tissue, and soothes skin irritation. Due to these properties, sage – known as the “Savior herb” in some circles – is often used as an oral treatment. Simply add a tablespoon of naturally powdered sage to some drinking water and bring to a simmer. Cool and then serve … err … rinse for 30 seconds!

https://youtu.be/KKB0jThAfnQ

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

Sources:
http://www.remedyland.com/2013/04/home-remedies-for-gingivitis-home-treatment-remedy.html
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/gingivitis/symptoms-causes/syc-20354453
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vitamins-and-minerals/calcium/

8 Questions To Ask Yourself Before Looking For True Love

July 13, 2018 by Power of Positivity

There are very few things in the world greater than true love. Most others don’t love others the way they should. It’s not about being obsessed with someone or whatever else the media tries to feed you about love. Consider these questions to see if you’re ready for true love and would recognize true love signs.

1. Have I been in a relationship long enough with myself to consider anyone else?

If you can’t be alone for very long, that’s not a good sign. You need to be able to fully be comfortable with yourself and like your own company before seeking anyone else’s. If you haven’t been out of a relationship for very long, you need to make sure you’re healthy, which means healing old pain. It also means learning to love yourself. Spend time taking yourself out and treating yourself the right way. Then, you will know who is good for you because they will treat you the way you treat yourself.

2. Do I love them because of how they make me feel?

Love isn’t necessarily about how someone makes you feel. True love is about making a decision to love someone–to seek their benefit regardless of how they make you feel at any moment. That’s a tall order. True love is somewhat of a sacrifice. It’s maturity. Somewhere down the road, your relationship won’t be 50-50. At times, it’ll be 20-80. If it’s real love, you can face this.

3. Am I healthy enough to love another person?

No one is going to be perfect, but you need to, at least, be honest and comfortable with yourself in order to admit that you have a particular issue. After that, you have to be willing to learn a healthier way of dealing with things. That’s all that’s needed, and there is no shame in that. Being in true love means being able to be vulnerable with your partner. Let them see all of you and what needs to be healed. If your pain and fear cause you to act in unhealthy ways, you are going to hurt your partner, and you should not be in a relationship.

4. Do I love myself?

If you don’t genuinely love and accept yourself, you cannot love someone else. When you treat yourself the right way, you are able to treat someone else the right way. If you do not genuinely love and accept yourself, you will not treat your partner with respect, honesty or anything else because you will naturally hurt them with your selfishness.

5. What do I have that is of benefit to another human being?

You don’t enter a relationship to fulfill your own needs. You enter one with the question of whether you have something to benefit your partner, and it’s not about your body or something materialistic. You need to have an open heart, be caring, understanding and have other attributes that would promote and not inhibit the best in your partner. They must have the same for you.

6. Do I value myself enough to be with a healthy person?

If you don’t value yourself enough to be with a healthy person, you will not have true love. Being with someone who is unhealthy ends up being a one-sided relationship where you give everything, and they take everything. It’s not worth it. Besides selling yourself short and experiencing monumental heartache, you will not be doing your partner any favours keeping them involved in a lie. If you really love someone, you will let them face their own consequences so they can get better.

7. Am I ready to be a couple?

There is a certain amount of time you need to devote to being a couple to thrive, but you also must maintain your individuality. It’s a balancing act that requires honest reflection. You want to grow together by bonding and sharing experiences together, but you can’t forget to be who you are separately because it’s healthy to do so, and you also want to have something new to contribute to the relationship years down the road.

8. Am I enough on my own?

If you feel incomplete on your own, you are not ready for a relationship. Do not be with someone who feels incomplete. You should not have to complete anyone. You should merely complement and add to the relationship because you are enough on your own and so should the other person be enough on their own. You are not less than a person. You are a complete person. You will find others have strengths where you are weak, but this does not make you deficient. It simply makes you different.

Real love doesn’t hurt you. It comforts you. It sets you up for success. It doesn’t break you down. Above all, it is real, but you must love yourself and be able to recognize true love signs to have it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=4&v=tHMUnm-vDNk

How to Learn To Love Yourself With These 10 Self Love Tips

July 13, 2018 by Power of Positivity

We get plenty of unsolicited advice from those in our social circles, such as that we need to make more time for ourselves. Yes, we should strive to find that work-life balance and enjoy more moments alone and with loved ones. We should make time for hobbies and take that vacation we’ve been talking about for years. The sad part is that many of us know what’s good for us, but we never dedicate ourselves to our deepest passions. We are too caught up in the daily grind, and what relaxes us or feeds our soul gets quickly lost in the shuffle.

We are here to say that you are a wonderful person. As a human being with so much goodness inside you, you’re worth so much more than that, and that’s why you can learn to love yourself with these 10 self-love tips:

Learn to Love Yourself with these Self Love Tips

1. Fill yourself with positive energies.

This means try adopting more of an Eastern philosophy than a Western one. Don’t focus so much on raising your self-esteem. Focus on ways of thinking that do not compare you to anything. Kristin Neff explained in Human Development: “Drawing on the writings of Buddhist scholars, I have defined self-compassion as having 3 main components: (a) self-kindness versus self-judgment, (b) a sense of common humanity versus isolation, and (c) mindfulness versus overidentification.”

2. Radiate the light within you.

This means when you have a compliment to share or you see something you love, just say it. If you’re good at loving yourself, you praise yourself for making good choices and giving back to others. At first, doing this without inhibition will take people by surprise. However, the more that people see this trait in you, they will come to expect it.

3. Loving yourself means accepting your own limitations.

Some people describe this as not setting expectations that are too high for yourself or others to fill. In reality, we mean that you put forth your best effort in each situation, but are not afraid to accept failure or achieving less than your goal. Even people with high self-esteem, Neff explains, still do things like cheat or experiment with drugs, alcohol, and promiscuity when they are young. Moving forward, we learn from our mistakes and accept ourselves in spite of them.

4. Spend time alone reflecting on what’s important today.

This doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t establish long-term goals. To love yourself, you need time away from noise and distraction. Sit quietly in a room or lay down on your bed with your eyes closed and just breathe in and out, appreciating the solitude of the moment.

5. Listen to your intuition.

There is an inner voice some people pay more attention to than others. By loving yourself, we don’t mean listening to those negative tapes sometimes playing in your head, especially if you are full of self-doubt. We do mean heeding warnings and removing yourself from situations that feel uncomfortable.

6. Create appropriate boundaries with everyone.

We don’t just mean to do this with loved ones. That’s sometimes easier to do with the people we know well. This advice is crucial for people-pleasers in the workplace (where your boss or colleagues may try to take advantage of you if you have a weaker personality).

7. Give yourself time to deal with emotions.

This advice is important to remember before big events, such as meetings with the boss or breaking up with a romantic partner. Emotions are not positive or negative. They are just notions that the brain communicates to you as important. These ideas must be resolved or they can manifest in other ways, including illness or depression.

8. Do what makes you feel good.

Loving yourself could mean searching for a romantic attachment. If you’re single and crave affection, then be sure to make time to meet people who could be prospective partners and enjoy time with them. You don’t have to sit home and be alone just because you aren’t in a relationship. There are dating apps for every type of relationship we might seek.

9. Take breaks from your schedule.

Loving yourself could involve taking an afternoon off to sit at the beach and watch the waves crash onto the sand. Or, take a walk after dinner with your youngest child. Your body needs to relax each day to avoid getting too stressed out.

**10. Try a Guided Meditation.**

You could easily type this phrase into Google and find millions of videos on the subject. For example, you could try a 15-minute body scan that encourages you to use controlled breathing with your eyes closed and to feel the sensations in specific parts of your body. A guided meditation forces the participant to stay in the moment and relax.

https://youtu.be/ii0G1Cbpk20

Harvard Researchers Reveal The Food You Never Want to Eat If You Have Anxiety

July 13, 2018 by Power of Positivity

The “Standard American Diet” and Anxiety

Americans don’t have the best reputation when it comes to eating healthy. Some of this bashing is deserved, and some is fictitious and overblown. (For example, we’re not the “fattest” country in the world. We’re not even in the Top 20, as a matter of fact.)

But Americans are perhaps the most fervent consumers of sugar in the world. And this habit may be at least partially to blame for spiking stress and anxiety numbers.

Like drugs, sugar provides the brain with a hit of the feel-good chemical dopamine. Also like drugs, sugar is incredibly addictive and, over time, changes the way that the brain functions.

One way that the brain changes is that it appears to impair the body’s ability to cope with stress. Our stress response, of course, originates in the brain – and this response negatively impacts our whole being. Per Harvard Health:

“Over time, repeated activation of the stress response takes a toll on the body. Research suggests that chronic stress contributes to high blood pressure, promotes the formation of artery-clogging deposits, and causes brain changes that may contribute to anxiety, depression, and addiction.”

In other words, sugar may not be the cause of anxiety; but the substance’s effect on the body-brain dynamic may just ultra-sensitize our innate stress response.

Most of us know that eating too much dessert and processed food causes health problems like obesity and diabetes. Less attention has been paid to the mental health problems attributable to a high-sugar diet.

Various studies have demonstrated the adverse impact that refined sugar has on things like learning, memory, and mood. Aside from ballooning the human waistline, sugar and its companion high fructose corn syrup have contributed to a myriad of mental health problems.

One such mental health problem is anxiety – and the problem is massive in scope. Consider the following:

– Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the United States.

– Anxiety disorders affect over 40 million American adults every year.

– Just 37 percent of people with diagnosable anxiety disorders seek and receive appropriate treatment.

Now, here are some sugar factoids for you:

– The average American consumes approximately 66 pounds of sugar per year…

– U.S. adults consume more than 2-3 times the maximum recommended daily intake (RDI) of added sugars.

– According to research, sugar produces characteristics of cravings and withdrawal that are similar to individuals addicted to drugs like cocaine.

Sugar and the Brain

Our brain is packed with nerve cells, or neurons, that send millions and millions of chemical messages every day. This nonstop neural activity requires fuel – and the brain relies on sugar energy for that fuel.

According to the Department of Neurobiology at Harvard University Medical School (HMS), “Brain functions such as thinking, memory, and learning are closely linked to glucose levels and how efficiently the brain uses this fuel source.”

Vera Novak, MD, Ph.D., an associate professor of medicine at an HMS-affiliated hospital, says, “The brain is dependent on sugar as its main fuel. It cannot be without it.”

The problem – and it’s a big one – is that we’re over-consuming the wrong type of sugar. Instead of opting for natural sugars, such as those found in fresh fruits, for example, we’re reaching for a Snickers bar, a pint of ice cream, or an energy drink.

It doesn’t help that upwards of 61 percent of the foods bought in America contain unnatural, processed sugars.

“If you are otherwise healthy and cut back on processed sugar, you may feel your anxiety improving slowly because you may experience fewer ups and downs caused by the excess sugar.” ~ Uma Naidoo, M.D., Harvard Medical School

The Answer: Natural Sugar

In many parts of Asia, including China and Japan, fruit is considered a legit dessert. Strawberries, bananas, apples and other fruits are often sliced and enjoyed as an after-meal treat. On the other hand, give the average Chinese or Japanese person a Pop Tart, and they’ll probably ask for the nearest garbage bin.

Their tastes are completely different. The sugary stuff that’s so readily available in vending machines across the U.S. isn’t nearly as prevalent, so they eat nature’s version of sugar – fruit.

The chemical composition of natural sugar is drastically different from that of the processed variety. In addition to consuming fructose in its natural state, fruits like strawberries, bananas, and pears provide plenty of fiber and lots of vitamins and minerals.

Whole fruits are classified as “good carbs” – and are the healthy choice to supply the brain’s energy. Per Livestrong, here are the richest sources of natural glucose, in order from greatest to least:

– Dried fruits: raisins, prunes, dried apricots, dried figs, etc.
– Fresh fruits: kiwi, plums, papaya, honeydew, tangerines, strawberries, etc.
– Natural honey
– Grains, beans, vegetables, nuts

It isn’t necessary to eliminate all added sugar from your diet; moderation is entirely possible. Given the evidence, however, elimination or minimal intake of sugary stuff may just be one of the best things for our mental health. Just as important is to make a habit of eating fresh, whole fruits.

https://youtu.be/7BNGVmwxoHI

Sources:
http://neuro.hms.harvard.edu/harvard-mahoney-neuroscience-institute/brain-newsletter/and-brain-series/sugar-and-brain
http://sugarscience.ucsf.edu/the-growing-concern-of-overconsumption/#.Wp8CsfO9Pb0
http://time.com/3888102/processed-food-sugar-fat/
https://adaa.org/about-adaa/press-room/facts-statistics
https://www.livestrong.com/article/13709045-the-one-food-i-gave-up-to-relieve-my-anxiety/?crlt.pid=camp.RvtGW7ztwruy
https://www.livestrong.com/article/444241-can-diabetics-eat-cherries/
https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/where-science-meets-the-steps/201309/4-ways-sugar-could-be-harming-your-mental-health
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2015/04/22/youll-never-guess-the-worlds-fattest-country-and-no-its-not-the-u-s/?utm_term=.bba62b5a1f55

Science Explains What Happens to Your Mood When You Use Turmeric Every Day

July 13, 2018 by Power of Positivity

Your mood can be influenced by little things, but you might be surprised by some of these little things. Specifically, check out what science has shown can happen to your mood when you use turmeric every day. Small changes in your diet can have positive health effects for your body. In regards to turmeric, this is due to improvements in brain neurotransmitters, which directly relate to your mental health.

Getting to the root of mood: using turmeric as a nutrient

Turmeric is used in some of the most amazing cooking recipes, like curry dishes. It also gives food a vibrant, mustard-yellow color. One organic variety grown in Okinawa, Japan, provides some of the most potent turmeric available to consumers. You will find spring and autumn varieties of turmeric. Both produce various micronutrients, including curcumin. Curcumin is found in each variety of Japanese ukon or turmeric.

Our diet affects our mood, in part through the gut and digestion. Additionally, the gut modifies our biological response to stressors. In other words, when we are less stressed, we digest food better. When we are better nourished, the body is not stressed and worried about when, where, and what we will eat. A diet rich with turmeric can improve both mental and physical health.

Turmeric’s connection to physical health

Turmeric, a superfood, contains Vitamin C, Vitamin E, B1, B2, B12, folic acid, calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron, zinc, manganese, phosphorus, selenium. It also provides 40 micronutrients that nourish the body. Using organic turmeric daily shows positive thinking put into action. When you nourish your body with it, you reduce the inflammation in your brain and body with antioxidants. A healthy brain is a brain in a happy mood.

Turmeric’s connection to mental health

In a study of turmeric and major depression, science shows that it provides positive healing effects. Its role as an antioxidant and inflammation reducer may help improve mental health. Turmeric’s positive effects on the brain increases levels of dopamine and serotonin. It also aids in hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal regulation, which can all affect your mood.

Other health benefits of organic turmeric include:

Boosts the immune system
Acts as a natural painkiller
Supports anti-cancer properties through cell apoptosis
Helps prevent Alzheimer’s disease
Kills parasites
Antibacterial
Reduces cholesterol
Improves digestion
Fights inflammation comparable to steroidal and non-steroidal drugs
Detoxifies the liver
Antioxidant – exceeding the power of Vitamin C

The research study also showed that it reduced symptoms of anxiety and depression better than a placebo. The participants in the study took 500 mg twice per day every day. They saw positive improvements in depressed and anxious mood symptoms for up to four weeks. Taking it changes your mood, just like exercise. This fact demonstrates that simple holistic methods can achieve better mental health.

Science explains how turmeric changes your mood

One study revealed the science behind what happens to mood when you use it daily. This study showed that it had a positive affect on Gulf War illness symptoms, including cognitive and mood problems. Toxic chemicals used in the Gulf War caused damage to rats’ brains, yet a daily dose of turmeric helped neurons to regrow and repair brain damage. Additionally, it reduced inflammation from the toxic chemicals. Measurements of mood, including motivation to complete a task, positively improved by use of turmeric, while anxiety reduced.

If you choose to increase your intake of organically grown turmeric and turmeric essential oils, you should also experience a positive change. Furthermore, it will impact your physical and mental health. Science shows that it can be as effective as popular pharmaceutical antidepressants. In summary, as a natural and holistic approach to mental health, positive thinking people choose turmeric over the psychiatrist.

Note: Always consult your wellness advocate before starting any new regimen.

https://youtu.be/KKB0jThAfnQ

Sources:
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320732.php
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Bharathi_Hattiangady/publication/323191977_Curcumin_Treatment_Leads_to_Better_Cognitive_and_Mood_Function_in_a_Model_of_Gulf_War_Illness_with_Enhanced_Neurogenesis_and_Alleviation_of_Inflammation_and_Mitochondrial_Dysfunction_in_the_Hippocampu/links/5a8f170e0f7e9ba4296974cc/Curcumin-Treatment-Leads-to-Better-Cognitive-and-Mood-Function-in-a-Model-of-Gulf-War-Illness-with-Enhanced-Neurogenesis-and-Alleviation-of-Inflammation-and-Mitochondrial-Dysfunction-in-the-Hippocamp.pdf
http://researchrepository.murdoch.edu.au/id/eprint/23170/1/Curcumin_for_the_treatment_of_major_depression.pdf