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

Join Now
Twt-img.png
burger-icon.svg
Main Menu

5 Behaviors A Control Freak Displays Before Revealing Themselves

by

Control freak: a person who feels an obsessive need to exercise control over themselves and others and to take command of any situation. ~ Oxford English Dictionaries

Have you ever known a “control freak?” If so, the odds are that you remember their name and face. These folks leave an imprint on the brain that’s hard to ignore.

Some control freaks are borderline narcissistic. Not only are they unaware of how they’re perceived, but they probably wouldn’t care if you told them.

Some control freaks suffer from diagnosable mental health conditions. Amy Morin, the author of What Mentally Strong People Don’t Do, says, “Many people who enter my therapy office with depression, anxiety, and stress-related issues have one thing in common: They spend a lot of time focusing on things they can’t control.”

Regardless of the rationale behind their behavior, control freaks share another thing in common: they drive pretty much everyone nuts.

Now, time for an uncomfortable truth: there’s a bit of control freak in every one of us. Don’t think so? How many times have you irrationally engaged in self-torture over something you couldn’t control?

That’s being a control freak. It’s also called being human. This is acceptable – to a certain extent.

There is, however, one big difference between you and the folks we’ll be discussing next: you stop with your thoughts. Control freaks leave a toxic impression wherever they go. Besides that, they will obnoxiously voice their illogical discontent without a second thought.

Here are five other signs that someone is a control freak … and tips on how to avoid them:

Watch for these red flags.

1. They can’t work in a team

To be part of a team means giving up some semblance of control. Predictably, control freaks don’t handle this situation very well. Control freaks possess an irrationally strong desire (obsession) to “orchestrate” their own outcome.

Indeed, many control freaks are loners. So when they’re forced to be part of a team (which they have to be), they’ll quickly turn into overbearing, fussy teammates.

2. They try and convince people to change

Control freaks have a firm belief that they know what’s best for everyone. A ridiculous notion, but part of the psyche of a control freak nonetheless.

Control freaks can’t resist the urge to lecture others about “the right way” to do, well, pretty much anything. More devious control freaks will spew inaccuracies and untruths to try and change someone for their sole benefit.

how to deal with control freaks

3. They can’t maintain relationships

Control freaks repel rational people like DEET repels mosquitos.

Who the heck wants to be involved – in any capacity – with someone who concerns themselves with everything you do? Not only will they try to defeat any sense of autonomy you have, but they’ll “correct” you on a near-constant basis.

Thanks, but no thanks.

4. They have little compassion for honest mistakes

While control freaks are all-too-willing to overlook their errors, you can forget about receiving any sympathy for yours.

Control freaks have a problematic view of success, believing it to be the sole result of work ethic and ability. That’s because they believe someone else’s mistakes are “obvious” indications of their laziness or stupidity.

Speaking of which, control freaks believe that success is achievable in every circumstance. (Just don’t point out their glaring failures under those very same conditions.)

5. They’re always correcting people

Unsurprisingly, control freaks cannot resist the opportunity to correct someone else. From voicing their objection to someone’s point of view to “improving” someone’s choice of words, their insatiable desire to always be right is perpetually on display.

Moreover, control freaks don’t take counterarguments too well, especially those with logic, as their need to be right will always supersede the truth.

Avoiding control freaks

Of course, you may not be able to avoid these toxic people completely. However, there is a way of responding to them that will significantly make things easier.

Preston Ni, M.S.B.A., recommends the following seven tips for dealing with controlling people:

  1. Keep your cool and maintain composure: “One of the most common characteristics about aggressive, intimidating, and controlling individuals is that they like to deliberately upset you.”
  2. Keep your distance: “Unless there’s something important at stake, don’t expend yourself by trying to grapple with a person who’s negatively entrenched.”
  3. Shift from reactive to proactive: “Being mindful about the nature of aggressive, intimidating, and controlling people can help us de-personalize the situation, and turn from being reactive to proactive.”
  4. Stand up for your rights: “Aggressive, intimidating, and controlling individuals, in particular, want to deprive you of your rights so they can control and take advantage of you.”
  5. Reclaim your power: “A common pattern with aggressive, intimidating, and controlling people is that they like to place attention on you to make you feel uncomfortable or inadequate … A simple and powerful way to change this dynamic is to put the spotlight back on (them).”
  6. In mild situations, use appropriate humor: “When appropriately used, humor can shine light on the truth, disarm difficult behavior, and show that you have superior composure.”
  7. In serious situations, set consequences: “The ability to identify and assert consequence(s) is one of the most important skills you can use to “stand down” a difficult person. Effectively articulated, consequence gives pause to the offending individual.”

(C)Power of Positivity, LLC. All rights reserved
Sources
https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/control_freak 
https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/insight-is-2020/201604/5-signs-you-are-dealing-control-freak
https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/what-mentally-strong-people-dont-do/201705/7-things-control-freak-does

Researchers Explain 5 Things That Never Impress A Woman

by

Trying too hard to impress a woman can be harmful because it can appear insincere or disingenuous. When someone puts on a show or tries to be someone they’re not to impress another person, it can be easy to see through the facade. This can lead to distrust or disappointment in the other person, ultimately harming the relationship. Additionally, suppose someone is constantly performing to impress their partner. In that case, they may become exhausted or feel like they’re not living authentically, which can also affect their mental health and well-being.

Trying too hard to impress a woman can also be harmful because it can put much pressure on the relationship. If someone is constantly trying to be perfect or live up to an unrealistic standard, it can be difficult to maintain that level of performance over time. This can lead to feelings of stress or anxiety, which can further harm the relationship. Additionally, suppose someone is constantly trying to impress their partner. In that case, it can create a power dynamic in which one person feels more control or influence over the other. This can lead to feelings of resentment or distrust, which can ultimately harm the relationship.

Finally, trying too hard to impress a woman can be harmful because it can prevent someone from getting to know their partner. If someone constantly tries to put their best foot forward or impress their partner, they may feel uncomfortable being vulnerable or sharing their true selves. This can prevent them from building a deep, meaningful connection with their partner, ultimately harming the relationship. Additionally, if someone constantly tries to impress their partner, they may not pay enough attention to their needs, desires, or interests. This can make building a relationship based on mutual respect and understanding complex, ultimately harming the relationship.

NOTE: If you want to learn the behavior that will never impress a man, we cover that topic separately.

Never Try These Five Things; They Will Not Impress a Woman

Some dating tactics we’ve heard of are legendary failure scenarios, but these are five more common ways we agree should never be used to impress a woman.

honesty quote

1. Send pictures of your anatomy

Many women report getting unwanted nude pictures from men trying to impress them with their bodies.

We are happy that you love your physical body, but your particular anatomy should never be how to impress a woman you are interested in. Bragging about your stamina, physical attributes, or sexual activities will also not impress a woman.

2. Be inauthentic

Being your real authentic self is attractive. so trying to be different will not work to impress a woman. Researchers at Cornell University studying online dating profiles found that the lower online daters felt about their own attractiveness, the more likely they were to enhance their profile photographs and lie about their physical descriptors (height, weight, age).

The fact that physical attractiveness was what the dater lied about, not their income or occupation, suggests that their deceptions were intentional.

3. Reject emotions

The male gender is commonly less outwardly emotional than the woman he tries to impress. But ironically, it’s your emotions that she wants to see. Women connect to and relate to others through communication and expressing feelings. If you want to impress her, occasionally talk about things that sadden you, even if you aren’t a crier. In turn, she knows you are capable of emoting and understanding her emotions.

4. Boast about your income

Although a steady income and your ability to handle your bills are going to impress her, outright bragging about your income is tacky. The woman you’re trying to impress knows that dollars in the bank don’t equal a happy relationship.

Money is not everything when it comes to impressing a woman. Researchers at Chapman University studying dating preferences found that both men and women were least interested in their partner “having a steady income, and were generally less interested in qualities like making an equal amount of money, or even making a lot of money.”

The researchers say that although appearance is essential for men and women ages 18-25 in dating, “appearance and income aren’t going to hold your hand when you are in the hospital or sick or when you are playing board games together at night.”

5. Lack future goals

While a great first impression was your initial goal, she will also want to know your plans. If you make the right impression, she is likely wondering what you plan for your future and what role she might play while working toward her goals.

This is important to her in deciding if you might be the right fit, and so it should also be important to you.

impress a woman

Final Thoughts: Stop Trying So Hard to Impress a Woman

Making a good, not bad, impression is what you are going for with the woman you desire. Hopefully, our article has helped you avoid a possible disaster. Impressions can be challenging, and although you want to be yourself, you also want to put your best foot forward.

Meeting her needs is the best way to impress a woman. So take some time to discover what is important to her before you show her all your impressive features and benefits.

Sources:
http://www.thelist.com/47250/things-never-impress-woman/
Cornell University study online dating physical attractiveness deception
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Jeffrey_Hancock/publication/238429913_Looks_and_Lies_The_Role_of_Physical_Attractiveness_in_Online_Dating_Self-Presentation_and_Deception/links/5418af0b0cf203f155adb4df/Looks-and-Lies-The-Role-of-Physical-Attractiveness-in-Online-Dating-Self-Presentation-and-Deception.pdf

6 Unattractive Traits That Turn People Off

by

While you may believe that cataloging what makes a man or woman unattractive is a never-ending task – not to mention entirely subjective – there’s some commonality to be found.

Truth #1: Personality traits exist that are nearly universally unattractive.

Truth #2: Nearly every undesirable trait can broken down to a more fundamental nature.

This brings us to this article.

The exciting thing about the personality characteristics on this list is that they are nearly all-encompassing. In other words, they may carry different meanings for different people in different situations.

To quickly illustrate this point, consider “disorganization,” one of the traits on this list. One can be disorganized mentally, physically, emotionally, and even spiritually. One can be personally disorganized or haphazardly approach their relationships.

With that said!

Here are six traits that most people find unattractive:

unattractive

1. Arrogance

It’s common to mistake arrogance for confidence – at least in the beginning. The person may act as if they’ve got everything figured out, usually communicated by acting (unnaturally) confident, never showing insecurity or vulnerability, and bragging non-stop.

It’s quickly discovered, however, that there’s little substance behind this arrogant mask. Arrogance is unattractive for a number one reason; one of them being that it can morph into so many other undesirables: cattiness, egotism, self-aggrandizement, and rudeness, among others.

“An arrogant person considers himself perfect. This is the chief harm of arrogance. It interferes with a person’s main task in life – becoming a better person.” Leo Tolstoy

2. Controlling or Jealous Behavior

Control is jealousy’s close cousin. The two traits are pretty much inseparable.

Think about it: if a person is jealous, how will they compensate for – what is perceived as – some personal loss? Oftentimes, they’ll try and right the ship by seizing control. Worse yet, the situation can be dangerous if the controlling behaviors become emotionally or physically abusive.

The truth is that being in (any kind) of a relationship with a jealous, controlling person rarely works. It’s best to walk away before things get uglier.

3. Disorganization

If you’re a person who (rightfully) takes pride in having your affairs in order, a close relationship with someone incompetent in this area may be difficult.

To be reasonable, we’re all a bit disorganized at times – we’ll forget about a bill, run late, or look a bit disheveled once in a while. That’s not what we’re talking about.

We’re talking about people whose lives are perpetually disorganized. These folks are always late, never pay their bills, forget to call, never seen an iron, and whose home looks like a natural disaster hit it.

Unless they’re a 20-year-old living in a dorm, there’s no excuse.

4. Inattentiveness/Inability to listen

There’s not paying attention because you’re anxious or tired, and then there’s not paying attention because you don’t give a crap.

If you’re a good listener, you certainly understand the frustrations of trying to converse with someone with the attention span of a fruit fly. (It’s one of the most annoyingly rude things ever.)

People who are deserving of your attention should receive it unless they’ve given you a good reason. Another frustrating variation of inattentiveness/inability to listen is interrupting or walking away when someone’s speaking.

5. Irresponsibility

Once again, a caveat: none of us deserve a responsibility halo beaming from atop our heads. We’ve all screwed up on our responsibilities (it happens to the best of us!).

But is that irresponsibility coming from a lack of effort? If so, there’s no rational excuse. If you’ve been fair – say, reminded the person to do “X” or else “Y” on many-an-occasion – their flat-out inability to take responsibility is to blame.

Irresponsibility is indicative of one’s maturity level. If one is lacking, so is the other.

unattractive

6. Gossiping

Ugh. Definitely one of the worst personality traits there is. (Pardon if the rest of the article gets a bit testy as a result.)

High school is over! (Unless you’re reading this and still in high school. If so, welcome!)

In all sincerity, gossiping behavior is something that should’ve disappeared the moment you stepped out into the real world on your lonesome.

It’s still astonishing just how much grown adults gossip and what they chatter about. It’s still far too commonplace to walk into some breakroom at work and hear “He said (x)” “She said (y)” “I heard (z).”

Unattractive isn’t a harsh enough word. This is, indeed, an ugly personality trait.

Please, just stop. Whoever you are.

5 Signs of Depression That Are Rarely Ever Talked About

by

Usually, people associate depression with symptoms such as chronic fatigue, increased or decreased appetite, isolation, feelings of hopelessness or despair, sadness, and an overall difficulty in living a normal life. In commercials for antidepressants, they normally show a person unable to get out of bed or partake in activities with their family members, isolating themselves from everyone around them. They show someone who can’t concentrate at work, or who stares off blankly into the distance. We know what depression LOOKS like from the outside, but some people present with other symptoms that we may not think about.

Depression affects people differently, but if someone had the following symptoms, others may not even recognize it as depression.

In this article, we’re going to discuss symptoms of depression that are often overlooked, so you or someone else may get the help you need.

Here are 5 signs of depression that are rarely talked about:

depressed

1. Feelings of loneliness

Sure, we already know that depression makes people withdraw from daily activities, but we don’t think about the fact that they actually WANT people around them. They just can’t muster up the energy to get up out of bed, engage in conversation, and connect with others. People with depression have very little energy to do much of anything, which leaves socializing as an unnecessary burden.

However, those with depression actually benefit from social engagement, according to studies. In one study published in the Journal of Affective Disorders, psychologist Dr. Alexander Haslam found “clear evidence that joining groups, and coming to identify with them, can alleviate depression.”

In the study, patients diagnosed with either anxiety or depression were split into two groups: one with activities such as sewing, yoga, or art and sports. Another offered group therapy at a mental hospital. In both groups, of those who felt a stronger connection to the participants and who came to see the members as “us” rather than “them,” less than a third still met the criteria for clinical depression.

So, feeling a part of a group is essential for mental health, and isolation seems to only deepen depressive feelings.

2. Anger or irritability

According to an answer to the question “What are some less common somatic symptoms of depression?” on Quora, Mike Leary, a psychotherapist in private practice, responded:

‘It may be harder for most people to recognize anger as a depressed state. When people are at the end of their rope, the phrase: “I have one nerve left and you’re standing on it” becomes more understandable. They become touchy about one more perceived loss. At that point, any little injustice can set them off. They definitely are not to be reasoned with. Sometimes, they “cash in” their mental “guilt-free” retribution, because after all, they’ve earned it with all the collected misery. Then they can do something drastic even to the point of killing themselves or others and sometimes both.’

Many people have anger issues, but few actually associate this symptom with depression. However, a volatile temper could simply serve as a mask for a more vulnerable state.

3. Overworking

Back to Dr. Leary again, he says that some people with depression lose themselves in work in order to have something to focus on.

“They are discouraged about something they believe they cannot change about their life or in themselves so instead they immerse themselves in something they can do something about: work. It becomes a type of drug to distract oneself in the hopes that the despair will dissipate and they’ll eventually pull out of it.”

Working long hours seems to be the norm in today’s world, but if a person uses work as an excuse to avoid their problems or as an outlet for their feelings, that’s when it becomes an issue.

depression

4. Physical pain

Especially in older adults, certain symptoms such as pain can often mask depression. If we have sore, tense muscles, we might just think of this as “getting older” or relate it to recent manual labor we’ve done, but if it persists, it could point to something more. How we feel on the inside often manifests into physical symptoms, and feelings of depression can trigger a very real pain response in the body.

Headaches, joint pain, and other aches can sometimes signal depression.

5. Memory lapses

We know that depression causes the brain to essentially slow down, creating brain fog, but most people don’t realize that a loss of memory can also point to depression. In a depressive state, the brain doesn’t function optimally, which can lead to cognitive impairment.

“Research has suggested that processing speed — the ability to take in information quickly and efficiently — is impaired in individuals who are depressed,” according to Natascha Santos, PsyD, a psychologist and behavior therapist in Great Neck, N.Y.

The brain becomes overwhelmed with pervasive thoughts of sadness and despair, which leaves little energy for the brain to focus on anything else.

Final thoughts

Depression can wreak havoc on one’s body and mind, and can even lead to other health problems. Fortunately, many treatment options exist, and getting help does not make you weak or incapable of figuring it out yourself. Depression is a complex disorder, and getting professional treatment is not something to be ashamed of. Take care of yourself, because you’re the only “you” you’ve got.

Sources:
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/the-symptom-of-depression-we-dont-talk-about_us_59f837f8e4b094db8e76f83e?section=us_healthy-living&utm_campaign=hp_fb_pages&utm_source=women_fb&utm_medium=facebook&ncid=fcbklnkushpmg00000046
https://www.forbes.com/sites/quora/2016/05/05/12-uncommon-symptoms-of-depression-you-may-be-overlooking/#602956f2c4b4
https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/recognizing-the-unusual-signs-of-depression-201302275938
https://psychcentral.com/news/2014/03/20/social-connections-can-help-to-reduce-depression/67371.html
https://www.everydayhealth.com/hs/major-depression/depression-memory-loss-and-concentration/
(C)Power of Positivity, LLC. All rights reserved

Researchers Reveal 4 Things Most People Think About When They Wake Up

by

What is the first thing you think about when you wake up in the morning?

For a lot of people, the answer varies. Most people might think that a lot of people wake up thinking about certain intimate situations – but that’s not true! In fact, researchers have long been trying to find an answer to this, and multiple studies have been conducted.

“If it has to happen, then it has to happen first.” – Laura Vanderkam

The answer isn’t always the same for everyone, but researchers have finally pinpointed the first few things that many people think of first thing in the morning. Is your “first thing” on this list? Or maybe you have something completely different on your mind when you wake up in the morning? Check out what researchers have discovered and find out.

Here Are 4 Things People Think About When They Wake Up

1. Your phone

Yep. In this day and age, researchers have discovered that most people think about their phone upon waking up. And this isn’t really all that surprising. With the long way that technology has come these days, waking up and thinking of your phone is pretty normal.

According to a study conducted by the Bank of America termed ‘Trends in Consumer Mobility Report’, “This year’s results demonstrate the notable impact that mobile devices increasingly have on our daily lives. For many, it’s the first and last interaction of the day.”

Most people own some kind of smart phone device, no matter the brand or operating system. With that little computer in your pocket, of course it’s going to be one of the first things that you think about. All of your emails, dates, messages, and events are going to be organized easily in your phone. The first thing most people do when they start the day is open up their phone and check and see what’s going on before they get out of bed.

2. Money and work

If you work a 9 to 5 job, five days a week, you’re probably thinking about money or work upon first waking up. After all, there’s very little time between when you wake up and when you have to start your day and get ready to go to work. It’s where you spend a majority of your day, and do a majority of your socializing.

A survey showed that 56 percent of men and 48 percent of women were thinking of their jobs or money upon first waking up in the morning. Not only that, but people who woke up and thought of their job or money first thing, were more likely to hit the snooze button a couple of times before actually motivating themselves to get out of bed.

3. Significant other

Whether the relationship is new, old, long-term, casual, or married for 10 years, one of the first things that people think of in the morning is their significant other. This almost goes hand-in-hand with people who think of their phones the first thing in the morning – a lot of people are rolling over to find their phone so they can check their messages for something from their significant other! If you share a bed with your significant other, the first thing that most people notice is whether or not they’re still in bed with them, which brings them to the forefront of their mind in the morning.

4. To-do list

Not a real to-do list, of course, but rather, a mental one. Most women wake up and the first thing that they think about is all of the things that they have to do for the day, including chores around the house, things they have to do for their families, children or significant others, and errands that need to be run. Or, they think of things they have to do to get ready for work, or what they have to do at work. Most men don’t report having a mental to-do list in their heads first thing upon waking up, but many women have.

Final thoughts

Sound familiar? Are you a person who wakes up thinking about their phone, or maybe you’re the type of person who wakes up thinking about how many minutes to the second you have until you have to be at work? Or, perhaps you’re the type of person to think about your significant other. Many people think about many different things upon waking up, and a lot of people don’t even have something on this list that they think about in the mornings. It just goes to show the interesting trends and familiar thoughts that a lot of people have and share.

References:
http://c-6rtwjumjzx7877x24sjbx78wttrx2egfsptkfrjwnhfx2ehtr.g00.medicaldaily.com/g00/3_c-6bbb.rjinhfqifnqd.htr_/c-6RTWJUMJZX77x24myyux3ax2fx2fsjbx78wttr.gfsptkfrjwnhf.htrx2fknqjx78x2fith_qngwfwdx2ffiinyntsfqx2f7560_GFH_Ywjsix78_ns_Htsx78zrjw_Rtgnqnyd_Wjutwy.uik_$/$/$/$/$
http://www.sleepjunkie.org/rise-and-shine/

Experts Explain 7 Warning Signs of A Nervous Breakdown to Never Ignore

by

When life gets challenging and stressful, we often push those feelings away. We are just keeping moving on with the things that need to get done. Many people have a mentality of pushing themselves through hard times. But that behavior can backfire. Sometimes, when stress gets too much, we risk putting ourselves through a nervous breakdown.

What is a nervous breakdown exactly?

According to Mayo Clinic, a nervous breakdown is “a stressful situation in which someone becomes temporarily unable to function normally in day-to-day life. It’s commonly understood to occur when life’s demands become physically and emotionally overwhelming. The term was frequently used in the past to cover a variety of mental disorders, but it’s used less often today.”

Remember to take care of yourself. You can’t pour from an empty cup.

Here Are 7 Warning Signs Of A Nervous Breakdown To Never Ignore

nervous breakdown

There are several early warning signs that people need to look out for when they’re at risk of a nervous breakdown. These signs should never be ignored, and help or support should be sought out as soon as you notice the symptoms.

1. Ill-managed mental health issues

If you have anxiety disorder, depression, bipolar, or personality disorders, you may be at greater risk for a nervous breakdown. That’s especially true if you don’t take charge of your mental health. While anyone can have a nervous breakdown, it’s more likely for people who have underlying mental health issues that aren’t under control. The first step to avoiding a nervous breakdown is to make sure that any underlying mental health issue is well-managed so that it doesn’t exacerbate the nervous breakdown.

2. Abuse of drugs or alcohol

Substance abuse is one of the significant signs of someone heading for a nervous breakdown. Much like the underlying mental health issue, substance abuse only makes the likelihood of a nervous breakdown that much more. If you find that you drink more than you should or use prescription drugs more often than your doctor recommends, you may need to seek out help before the use of the substances drives you to a nervous breakdown.

3. Extra stress that you can’t handle

Another early warning sign that points to a nervous breakdown is that your life has been extra stressful. Everyone has to deal with stress in their life, but perhaps your life has been full of extra stress lately – your job, your family, your relationship. When life throws us more than we can handle, it can be a precursor to having a nervous breakdown.

“In these cases, even someone who does not usually suffer from anxiety or depression can become overwhelmed to the point that they experience a mental health crisis,” says Heather Senior Monroe, MSW, LCSW, a social worker and director of program development at Newport Academy.

If you feel as if your life has been getting more stressful than you can handle, you’ll want to seek out a support system, or even maybe a therapist, who can help keep you in check.

4. Consistent panic attacks

If life is too much that you might have consistent or daily panic attacks. Indeed, this is a huge warning sign of a nervous breakdown. This is a result of your nervous system going into constant fight-or-flight mode because of all of the stress that you’re dealing with in your day-to-day life.

Psychotherapist Sally Brown says that, “When anxiety is left untreated, it can trigger panic attacks, overwhelming feelings of fear and danger that seem to come out of the blue. Once you’ve had an attack, worry about having another one can be more undermining to mental wellbeing than the attacks themselves.”

When this starts to happen, you need to make sure you have a support system that you can turn to who can help you. Or, find healthy coping mechanisms to make your stressful life easier. You may even want to seek out a therapist.

5. Numbness

When stress gets too much, we often no longer can feel the amount of stress that we’re going through. Instead of feeling panicky, anxious, stressed or upset, you may find that your feelings go away completely, and you start feeling numb instead. You may lose interest in your job, your family, your friends, or anything that you once enjoyed in your day-to-day life. This is a huge red flag that a nervous breakdown is on the horizon. So if you find you’re suddenly no longer interested in things, it’s time to seek help.

avoid nervous breakdown

6. Normal life becomes too much

Of course, a stressful life can become unmanageable quickly. But when a nervous breakdown is on the horizon, even your everyday day-to-day life feels like it’s too much for you to manage. You can’t get up in the morning, taking a shower is hard, even getting to work feels impossible. You’re overstimulated by even the most mundane things, and it all feels like it’s too much for you to handle, “and social situations seem overwhelming,” states Monroe.

7. Suicidal thoughts

A big warning sign of a nervous breakdown is when you begin to have thoughts of suicide. That’s because it seems easier than dealing with all of the stress that life has thrown at you.

“Mental breakdowns are often preceded by ongoing feelings of doom and worry, perhaps even suicidal thoughts, or by what’s known as ‘hyperarousal,’—feeling tense and overstimulated as a result of the nervous system going into ‘fight or flight mode,” adds Monroe.

When you begin to contemplate suicide, you need to seek out a support system or a professional as soon as possible. They will help you with coping mechanisms, and your support system will be able to help you manage the stress in your life.

10 Self-Care Habits To Avoid Nervous Breakdown

1. Lower your stress

Stress is part of life. But sometimes it feels like everything comes crashing down at once, causing you to feel anxious and stressed out to the point of feeling like you’re going to have a nervous breakdown. It’s essential to come up with some strategies to help you lower your everyday stress levels. You can’t prevent all stress, but some things you do may add unnecessary stress to your life. Here are two simple things to incorporate into your daily life to lower your stress levels.

  • Routine-Keep a working routine of when you get up, eat meals and go to bed. Having a routine brings peace so you can focus on more important things.
  • Take breaks-It’s helpful to take breaks throughout the day to catch your breath and relax. Go outdoors to walk around or chat with a co-worker about something besides work.

2. Get enough sleep

Sleep has many significant benefits.

  • Sleep helps you maintain your weight better-When you’re tired, you’re more likely to overeat for extra energy.
  • Sleep strengthens your immune system- If you’re not getting enough sleep, you’ll get sick more.
  • Reduces stress
  • Improves your mood
  • You can focus better

3. Exercise

Regular exercise is a self-care strategy to stave off an emotional breakdown. Exercise reduces stress, elevates your energy levels, and releases chemicals that make you feel happier and less anxious.

4. Focus on diet

Choose to eat healthy, nutritious foods to improve your mood. Choose whole foods such as fresh, healthy produce and lean meats. Eat less sugar, salt, and fat.

5. Mindfulness

Practicing mindfulness techniques helps you reduce your anxiety and stress. Focus on breathing, slow down your thoughts to release your worries.

6. Talk to a therapist

Find a reliable therapist to talk with about your feelings, concerns, and anxieties.

7. Believe

Extreme stress can trigger nervous breakdown symptoms like psychiatric disorders like a nervous breakdown. Researchers suggest that having faith in God acts as a buffer against stress. Individuals who practice religion are resilient. Having faith in God doesn’t mean you won’t feel depressed at times, but faith can help you as you walk through difficult situations less apt to have a nervous breakdown.

8. Get outside

Being outdoors lifts your mood. There’s something calming about being in nature, hearing birds, and enjoying the warmth of the sun. Interacting with nature lowers your stress, anxiety, and depression. Whether you like to garden or go for hikes, try to schedule some time outside every week.

9. Get into a community

Humans, by nature, are social creatures. Being in a community can help those who struggle with mental health issues. A community gives you

  • A sense of belonging-Being with a group of people can help you feel included and accepted.
  • Feeling supported-Communities support one another during difficult times. When you’re part of a community, you have people you can talk to about your problems. You’ll feel safe knowing they support you.
  • A purpose-Being part of a community gives you a sense of purpose. Whether it’s making meals for one another, doing a community project together, or just hanging out together, community makes you feel like you’re part of something bigger than you.

10. Laugh more

A good belly laugh could be what you need to avoid a nervous breakdown. Laughter has short-term and long-term benefits. Laughing out loud creates physical and emotional changes in your body. Laughter can achieve the following:

  • Increases your oxygen intake
  • Stimulates your lungs, muscles, heart
  • Increases endorphins which make you feel happier
  • Relieves stress
  • Lowers your blood pressure
  • Relieves tension
  • Increases relaxation

nervous breakdown

Final thoughts on Knowing the Signs of a Nervous Breakdown

No one should have to go through a nervous breakdown. If it can be avoided, learning the signs of when a nervous breakdown is near can help anyone deal with the stress in their lives that makes it unmanageable. Friends, family, and therapists can all be of great help when dealing with a nervous breakdown or making sure that you don’t ever have to go through one.

(C)Power of Positivity, LLC. All rights reserved
References:
https://www.prevention.com/mind-body/signs-of-a-nervous-breakdown
https://www.healthista.com/8-signs-that-you-are-having-a-breakdown/

6 Habits Unhealthy People Often Share

by

Being unhealthy doesn’t always have to do with our weight; we can be unhealthy in mind and spirit, as well. We can carry excess baggage not only in our thighs and stomachs, but in our hearts and emotions, too. Ultimately, though, our habits make or break us – we can either choose something that will make us healthier or make us sicker. We have the freedom to decide who we will date, who we will hang out with in our precious spare time, and if we will cook dinner or take out.

After a while, our habits become our lifestyle, so it’s important to try to make healthy choices as much as possible. You wouldn’t put the wrong type of gas in your car, so why fuel yourself with unhealthy habits that will only make you half-full anyway?

In this article, we’d like to point out a few common habits of unhealthy people so that you can recognize these in yourself perhaps, and have a chance to start doing things differently.

Here are 6 habits that unhealthy people usually have:

Do you have healthy habits? Or do you follow these practices?

1. A negative attitude

Having a bad attitude can set us up for a slew of problems, both mental and physical. Unhealthy people tend to have a more negative outlook on the world, and this can carry over into thoughts about themselves and lead to health issues.

For example, a 2014 study published in the journal Neurology linked high levels of cynicism later in life to an increased risk of dementia compared to more trusting, open people, even when accounting for other variables such as heart condition, age, sex, smoking habits, etc.

Let’s take a look at another attitude type: hostility. According to a 2014 study published in the journal Stroke, people who scored higher on unfriendliness, chronic stress and depressive symptoms had a higher risk of stroke than the nicer participants.

Our thoughts really do become reality, and unhealthy people tend to create a negative reality based on pre-existing thoughts about the world around them.

2. Escaping via addictions

Sure, we all need an escape from reality – that’s totally understandable. However, taking out your negative feelings on your mind and body will only lead to destruction and a decline in your health. Unhealthy people often feed into their addictions, however, because they know no other way out. Either they haven’t been shown the proper tools to deal with stress and negative emotions, or they simply cannot bear to face their feelings.

We don’t mean to pass judgment on those suffering from addiction, because it is a disease, and not an easy one to beat. However, addictions tend to be unhealthy, such as an addiction to food, cigarettes, drugs, sex, or alcohol. Some of these things are fine in moderation, but unhealthy people usually take it to the extreme.

3. Constant complaining

With a negative disposition comes the habit of complaining about any and everything. Unhealthy people, instead of focusing on all the good in their lives, tend to put too much emphasis on the bad. Even something small, such as a person getting their order wrong at a restaurant, could be enough to set them off. Unhealthy people don’t know how to stop once they start, which is why it’s a very dangerous habit to have.

unhealthy habits

4. Making excuses

While unhealthy people aren’t just those who are overweight, a common excuse that these type of people make is that they have no time to work out, or are too tired. The “I don’t have time” excuse is among the most popular, and could be used in many situations. Excuses spill out of their mouths left and right, because unhealthy people also have adopted the habit of laziness. This gets them out of doing many things, such as working out, cooking, doing any extra chores, or taking on extra responsibilities at work.

Unhealthy people often make excuses simply because they’d rather continue doing things their way than push themselves out of their comfort zone to see what they could really accomplish.

5. Being too critical of themselves and others

Believe it or not, negative people tend to be perfectionists, which makes them overly critical of themselves and others. They either do everything right, or get nothing done, hence the tendency toward laziness. Sometimes negative, unhealthy people won’t even attempt to try something because of fear of failure, which holds them back in life. In addition to perfectionism, many unhealthy people also have low self-esteem, which in turn leads to being too judgmental of themselves and others.

6. Living in either the past or future

While everyone is guilty of doing this every so often, unhealthy people tend to practice this habit the most. They barely know what’s going on in their own lives because their minds are either ruminating over the past or fretting about the future. Unhealthy people don’t know how to stay grounded and quiet their minds enough to stay focused on their surroundings, and this makes their minds wander. This habit can easily be broken, however, with mindfulness meditation.

Simply sit down in a quiet place and focus on nothing but your breath for at least 30 minutes a day. It will do wonders for your mental health, trust us.

Related Article: Eating Habits That Shorten Your Lifespan

eating habits

Final thoughts

Unhealthy people don’t do these things on purpose, but nonetheless, harmful habits destroy lives after a while. Just like we learn bad habits, we can pick up on good habits as well. All it takes is a commitment to practicing them, and after a short time, they will feel second-nature!

If you recognize any of these habits in your life, take time to write down some healthier habits that you’d like to adopt, and figure out how you can implement them in your life. For example, if you want to start exercising, maybe figure out how you can start small with a couple workouts a week. Figure out what activity you enjoy doing, and just get out there and start! Remember, the only people who fail are those who never take the first step.

Sources:
https://www.powerofpositivity.com/10-habits-unhappy-people-have-and-how-to-avoid-having-them/
http://www.neurology.org/content/82/24/2205
https://www.mindful.org/science-practice-staying-present-difficult-times/
http://www.health.com/heart-disease/can-negative-thinking-make-you-sick

10 Warning Signs Your Kidneys Aren’t Functioning Properly

by

Kidney disease is the 9th leading cause of death in the United States. An estimated 31 million people in the United States (10% of the adult population) have chronic kidney disease (CKD). – American Kidney Fund

Why Are the Kidneys So Important?

Our kidneys are always at work, and they have numerous life-sustaining responsibilities. The size of a large fist, their primary function is to filter and cycle blood, which it does at a rate of 200 quarts every 24 hours.

Here are some their other bodily functions:

– remove waste products from the body

– remove drugs from the body

– balance the body’s fluids

– release hormones that regulate blood pressure

– produce an active form of vitamin D that promotes strong, healthy bones

– control the production of red blood cells

They also ensure the body’s proper utilization of minerals by balancing the body’s acid, potassium, and salt levels. Other organs, including the liver, rely on them to produce and transport vital hormones.

Kidney Disorders

Most medical conditions that affect the kidney target the organ’s structures. These structures include the renal artery and renal veins (vessels that transport blood to and from the kidneys), its tissues, and the ureter, which moves urine from the kidney to the bladder.

Here, we’ll discuss ten potential warning signs that your kidneys aren’t working correctly. If you identify with one or more of the following symptoms, please consider seeking the advice of a medical professional.

10 Signs Your Kidneys Might Be Damaged

1. Blood In The Urine

When the filtering apparatuses are damaged, blood cells may permeate into the bladder. Blood in the urine is a severe symptom and may indicate the presence of an infection, kidney stone, or tumors.

2. Pain In Abdomen

As kidneys are situated in the rear of the abdominal cavity, where our digestive organs also rest, it’s challenging to differentiate kidney pain from common stomach pains. Generally, kidney pain concentrates around the edges of the abdomen and back.

3. Urine Irregularity

Poor conditions may lead to peeing too often or too rarely. Oliguria is the medical term used to describe when a person produces less than 16 ounces of water. Polyuria is when a person expels more than 100 ounces in a day. Sudden changes in urine frequency, especially with no changes to fluid intake, is a cause for concern.

4. Nausea Or Vomiting

Uremia or uremic syndrome is when waste products build up in the body because they are unable to eliminate them. Excess toxins must be removed from the body, which in this case, happens through vomiting. As vomiting may surface from a vast number of conditions, the best advice is to wait things out for a few days. If your symptoms worsen over time, it’s advisable to seek medical care.

5. Swelling Or Shortness of Breath

Swelling of the legs occurs when the body can not produce enough urine. Shortness of breath is due to the erraticism of the blood’s pH levels, which places an undue burden on the respiratory system. Any illness that suppresses the respiratory system is highly precarious and should always be considered a medical emergency.

6. Rashes or Itching

The accumulation of uric acid and waste products may produce itchy red patches on the skin. As the root cause of the symptom extends below the surface of the skin, over-the-counter (OTC) medications and other treatments are ineffective. Should such skin problems persist, seek the advice of your family doctor or dermatologist.

7. High Blood Pressure

These also serve as regulators of blood pressure. When they’re not functioning properly, they can not control high blood pressure. The rapid influx of blood stretches the blood vessels, which may cause further damage by scarring blood vessels in and around the kidneys.

8. Changes in Color

A healthy person who hydrates regularly will expel pale yellowish urine. Typically, urine coloration appears clearer the more water we consume. Dehydration, which can cause serious health complications, will produce urine of a dark yellow color. Brown, black, orange, pink, or red colored urine is highly abnormal and should be investigated by a doctor. Blood in the urine (hematuria) produces a red to pink-colored urine; which is a dangerous condition requiring immediate medical care.

9. Urine Odor

Most people produce urine of a musky, almost ammonia-like scent. That said, urine odor is highly variable, and is dependent on one’s diet, activity levels, and environmental temperature. A malfunctioning kidney may produce a fishy, sweet smell – and may be indicative of an underlying medical condition such as diabetes or liver disease. Certain supplements may also produce this odor.

10. Miscellaneous Symptoms

The kidney, as with many other vital organs, can produce seemingly unrelated symptoms. Some symptoms reported by medical professionals upon the diagnosis of a kidney condition include confusion, headaches, fatigue, muscle cramps, seizure, and skin discoloration.

Kidney Health 

Per kidney.org, here are the top ways to promote and maintain organ health:

– regular physical activity

– lose weight, if you need to

– eat less fat

– keep your blood pressure, blood sugar, and blood fats under control

– stop smoking

– reduce stress

At-risk demographics for chronic kidney disease, according to kidney.org:

– the elderly

– diabetes patients

– those with high blood pressure (hypertension)

– having a family history of chronic kidney disease

– are of African American, Hispanic American, Asian, Pacific Islander, or American Indian descent.

Most of these conditions can be treated successfully. Per kidneyfund.org, diabetes and high blood pressure are the first and second leading causes of kidney failure, respectively. Prevention, treatment, and monitoring of the two conditions are paramount.

Sources:
https://www.kidney.org/kidneydisease/howkidneyswrk
http://kidney.org.au/your-kidneys/detect/kidney-disease/symptoms
www.kidneyfund.org/assets/pdf/kidney-disease-statistics.pdf
http://www.1mhealthtips.com/10-warning-signs-your-kidneys-are-not-working-properly/

8 Signs It’s Time To Walk Away From A Love That’s Too Toxic

by

It’s never easy to admit that a relationship has turned toxic. It’s never an easy thing to walk away from an unhealthy relationship – even if it’s rife with problems. After all, we may still be in love with the person.

The truth is that many of us in a harmful relationship would rather live in denial.

The problem is, of course, that this is very unhealthy. In essence, we’re trying – in vain – to ignore a toxic relationship. But what we’re actually doing is unknowingly permitting the relationship’s negativity to seep further into our subconscious.

Is the relationship toxic?

First, we must be open to the idea that a relationship may be harmful. If we don’t acknowledge this vital truth, nothing else we do will matter much.

Here are some fundamental questions to ask:

– “Am I excited to be in this relationship?”

– “Am I happy and content?”

– “How’s my mood on most days?”

– “Do I get angry more often than I used to?”

– “Am I truly happy?”

Think about how you’re treated, and whether or not you’re proud to be around your partner. Do they lift your spirits or drag you down?

8 Signs of an Unhealthy Relationship

“I can’t control your behavior; nor do I want that burden … but I will not apologize for refusing to be disrespected, to be lied to, or to be mistreated. I have standards; step up or step out.” ~ Steve Maraboli

As you probably know by now, toxic relationships can harm your mental health. In turn, these effects can potentially diminish your ability to enter into another intimate relationship, if so desired.

Thus, it is essential to identify the signs of a noxious partnership and find the exit.

1. You’re more insecure in an unhealthy relationship.

Toxic relationships are turbulent and unpredictable. As a result, you may find yourself questioning whether or not you’re good enough, smart enough, or whether you’re even worthy of love.

Don’t fall into the trap of negative self-talk. Understand that what your brain is telling you is a lie. You are worthy of a fruitful relationship – and the faster you get away from the relationship you’re in, the faster you can recover your sense of self.

2. You have trust issues.

If you find yourself unable to trust anyone anymore, it may be a sign that it’s time to move on. Poisonous relationships are notorious for giving birth to a sense of distrust.

Depending on the degree of toxicity involved in the relationship, it may take some time to learn to trust another potential mate again. But you’ve already followed through on the hard part: walking away.

3. Your productivity suffers.

Our relationships take precedence over everything. When our relationships are in disarray, so is our life. Unsurprisingly, the psychological effects of a distressing relationship alter our brain’s ability to produce constructive thoughts.

Your bright future isn’t worth sacrificing for a relationship that likely won’t last.

4. During an unhealthy relationship, you become anxious.

Toxic relationships cause a lot of anxiety. You may be worried about being criticized, upsetting your partner, or something else. Regardless of the cause, prolonged anxiety can be extremely damaging to mental health and well-being.

Anxiety is already the most common mental health problem in the United States. One reason is that the human brain is very susceptible due to its natural chemistry. No reason to put yourself even more at risk.

unhealthy relationship

5. You become sick more often.

When we’re under mental duress, it’s common to experience physical effects. One prominent target of psychological stress is our immune system.

The immune system is responsible, of course, for fighting off infections, viruses, and other harmful agents. To ensure it’s health, we must understand it’s inseparable association with mental stress.

6. You become more negative.

We’ve said this numerous times: negativity is contagious. If you stick around it long enough, it’ll permeate into your being. Simply put, we can not continually subject ourselves to a toxic environment and not expect it to affect us in some way.

7. Your friends and family are concerned.

Listen, your inner circle will almost surely point out any apparent changes to your behavior. In extremely toxic relationships, a social “intervention” is very common. It may be, in fact, the norm.

While you may not want to listen, it’s important that you do – not only for your health and well-being but for that of who you love.

8. You know something’s wrong.

Intuitively, you understand the harm that the relationship is causing.

It’s crucial that you: (a) accept the fact that the relationship is causing you harm, and (b) muster up the courage to call it quits.

Final Thoughts

If you take away nothing else from this article, let it be this: your mental and physical health are the most important things in your life.

You can not possibly progress in any other area of life if either fails. Nothing and no one is worth jeopardizing them over. Reach out to your support system, seek professional help – whatever is needed to help you move on from an unhealthy relationship.

Sources:
http://www.lovepanky.com/love-couch/broken-heart/toxic-love
https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/1182255-i-can-t-control-your-behavior-nor-do-i-want-that
footer-logo.svg

Every day is a day to shine. Shine on!

  • Copyright Power of Positivity 2025

Quote Remedy — Positive Energy+ — Faith Remedy

Like-img.png
Twt-img.png
Skip to content