Page 101

8 Behaviors That Reveal a Hidden Personality Disorder

August 5, 2023 by Kristen Lawrence

A personality disorder (PD) refers to persistent, unhealthy cognitive, emotional, and behavioral patterns that negatively affect one’s life. People suffering from these disorders may have difficulty forming and maintaining relationships. They also usually struggle to hold a regular job and display impulsive, reckless behaviors. Also, someone with this mental disorder often displays an unstable, uncertain sense of self. In other words, their perception of themselves can change drastically from moment to moment.

People with severe psychological conditions may develop maladaptive coping mechanisms such as avoidance, drug use, or codependency. The causes of personality disorders vary, but most health professionals believe a combination of childhood trauma, brain chemistry, and inherent personality traits are to blame. Also, these mental disorders are highly heritable, with some studies estimating genetics contributes 35-60% to a PD diagnosis. Most often, symptoms manifest in adolescence or early adulthood but can emerge in childhood in rare cases.

However, specific therapies such as CBT, psychiatric medications, and lifestyle changes can help with symptom management. Plus, talk therapies can provide valuable coping skills and teach patients self-love and compassion, which can help them reframe negative thoughts. Below, psychologists and mental health experts reveal the behavioral signs that suggest an underlying personality disorder.

Understanding Personality Disorders

As defined above, personality disorders are a group of disorders characterized by unhealthy, abnormal patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving. People with these mental health conditions often have a negative self-image, difficulty maintaining relationships, and struggle to complete daily tasks. They tend to act impulsively based on fluctuating moods, making it challenging to manage adult responsibilities. Psychologists separate psychiatric diagnoses of these disorders into three clusters based on similar traits and behaviors.

Cluster A or odd/eccentric disorders include paranoid, schizoid, and schizotypal mental health conditions. Cluster B or dramatic/impulsive psychiatric conditions are borderline, antisocial, histrionic, and narcissistic PD. Finally, Cluster C or anxious/inhibited illnesses include obsessive-compulsive (OCD), dependent, and avoidant personality disorders.

A Hidden Personality Disorder Means Inconsistent and Unpredictable Behavior

People with undiagnosed personality disorders usually display inconsistent behavior and frequent mood swings. This unpredictability may manifest as reckless or irresponsible behavior, acts of violence or aggression, or even suicidal ideation. Because of their ever-changing emotions and thoughts, people with these mental health conditions may seem different daily. They struggle with self-control due to their intensity and volatility and often act out as a coping mechanism.

Difficulty Maintaining Relationships

Another hallmark of a PD includes relationship difficulties and regular conflict with loved ones. Interpersonal problems affect every relationship, but people with conditions like borderline personality disorder (BPD) experience them more frequently. Since they have an unstable self-image and struggle with codependency, they oscillate between idealizing and devaluing their partner or favorite person. People with avoidant or paranoid personalities may avoid relationships altogether if they intensely fear rejection or believe others want to harm them.

anger

aggr

A Hidden Personality Disorder and Extreme Reactions to Criticism

Someone with a maladaptive personality may display heightened sensitivity and defensiveness when criticized. Childhood trauma often causes these extreme reactions to criticism if the child must protect themselves from neglect or abuse. This response follows them into adulthood if they remain in survival mode and haven’t received proper therapy or treatment. Oversensitivity can occur in all PDs but is most prevalent with narcissistic or borderline personality disorders.

Frequent Lying or Deceptive Behavior

Also, people with abnormal or unstable personalities may begin lying and resort to manipulation as a survival mechanism. They utilize deception because they don’t know how to form healthy, mutually beneficial relationships. Many people with severe mental illnesses resort to these behaviors out of fear or desperation, not necessarily because they lack empathy.

Impulsive and Risky Behavior

As mentioned, someone with a PD will often exhibit impulsivity and risky behavior. Excessive spending, unsafe sex, gambling, alcohol and drug addiction, and breaking the law are typical in people with these conditions. Unfortunately, some may even self-harm to relieve themselves from mental pain or take their life. Dangerous behaviors such as these shouldn’t be overlooked, especially if someone displays suicidal tendencies.

A Hidden Personality Disorder Usually Means Difficulty with Empathy

Another sign of a possible personality disorder includes a lack of empathy and blunted social skills. People with PDs often have difficulties understanding others and may seem cold or distant during conversations. They may desire deep connections with others but lack the skills, experience, and self-awareness to cultivate meaningful relationships.

Persistent Feelings of Emptiness or Boredom

You may also notice feelings of emptiness and chronic boredom in someone with a maladaptive personality. While this behavior can manifest with any mental illness, it’s most common in those with BPD. Because they struggle with emotional regulation, they may rely on unhealthy coping skills such as substance abuse to numb their feelings. People with disordered personalities are at a heightened risk of developing drug and alcohol addictions, according to research.

Outbursts of Anger or Aggression

Finally, an abnormal psychological state can lead to anger and aggression if left unaddressed. Some people with atypical or dysfunctional personalities may have frequent temper tantrums, while others can become violent or dangerous. This behavior is most common in people with antisocial, borderline, narcissistic, obsessive-compulsive, and paranoid personalities. Talk therapy and antipsychotic medications can help patients manage anger and teach them positive coping skills.

Final Thoughts on Knowing the Signs of a Hidden Personality Disorder

Psychologists and mental health experts categorize PDs into three groups or clusters according to similar behaviors. Cluster A disorders are characterized by suspicious or eccentric behaviors, while Cluster B conditions present along with overly dramatic, unpredictable thinking. Finally, Cluster C personalities are revealed by anxious, fearful behavioral patterns. If you notice these behavioral signs of personality disorders in your loved ones, encourage them to seek professional help or practice mindfulness techniques.

Seeking help for personality disorders and engaging in self-care can significantly alleviate symptoms and help patients lead normal, happy lives. People with maladaptive personalities can learn to accept themselves by increasing their self-awareness and loving themselves genuinely. As this becomes a regular habit, positive thoughts and behaviors will feel second nature to them.

5 Differences Between Puppy Love and Mature Love

August 4, 2023 by Sarah Barkley

Understanding the differences between puppy love and mature love can help individuals navigate their romantic relationships with clarity and maturity. Puppy love is often the first stage and involves infatuation that occurs based on attractiveness. It is often what happens when people think they fell in love at first sight.

Everything tends to be exciting during this stage, and there will be little conflict. It doesn’t involve long-term commitment but can lead to rushing into things you’re not ready for as a couple.

Mature love involves stability and a deeper understanding of one another. It often occurs after you get to know each other better and see all aspects of each other’s personality. You’ll know you’ve reached this stage when you love everything about your partner, even their imperfections.

When you’re in a mature relationship, you can overcome change and hardship while remaining respectful to one another. Distinguishing puppy love from mature love is essential for developing a healthy, long-lasting relationship. It can help you identify the status of your romance and ensure you and your partner are on the same page.

5 Key Differences Between Puppy Love and Soulmates

It’s sometimes hard to distinguish between puppy love and soulmates, but doing so can help you understand your relationship better. When you know how to differentiate, you can consider what it will take to move past the early stage. Here are some of the key differences between the two types of love:

#1: Infatuation of Puppy Love vs. Deep Emotional Connection

Puppy love involves intense emotions that lead to infatuation. It is often temporary because your feelings can unexpectedly change without explanation. This type of love is often shallow and centered around superficial attraction.

You can identify this early stage when you can’t stop thinking about a new partner. During this stage, you might not want to be away from them and want to touch them or be close to them constantly. It’s an exciting time in your life, but it doesn’t involve a deep emotional connection because you don’t know one another well yet.

On the other hand, mature love involves a genuine emotional bond because your connection will deepen. It goes beyond physical attraction, allowing you to experience a long-lasting emotional bond based on trust, respect, and shared values. With a deep emotional connection, you and your partner will show self-awareness and gratitude to help you strengthen the relationship.

#2: Idealization vs. Acceptance of Reality

During puppy love, everything about your partner and the relationship will seem perfect. The idealized image will make your life more exciting, and you may overlook compatibility issues, flaws, and shortcomings while forming unrealistic expectations.

You might love the idea of the relationship and being with your partner rather than cherishing the person they truly are. The excitement wears off once reality sets in, and you realize it’s not perfect.

You’re also likely to be on your best behavior and hide your flaws in the beginning stages of a relationship. This stage shows you don’t feel safe enough to let your guard down, but it can change if you’re both willing to deepen your connection.

Mature love differs because you’ll let go of the idealized image and begin embracing imperfections. You’ll accept your partner’s strengths and weaknesses rather than pretending they’re perfect. It also involves open communication, compromise, and understanding.

You’ll know you’ve reached mature love when you can be open with your partner. It involves being comfortable enough to let them see the unperfect parts of yourself, and it’ll likely come with hardship. However, if you’ve developed a healthy relationship, you can overcome anything that happens.

#3: The Dependency of Puppy Love vs. Independence

Puppy love involves dependency with reliance on your partner for self-validation and happiness. You, your partner, or both might experience neediness during this stage.

Mature love overcomes dependency and promotes encouragement of individual growth and self-sufficiency. It involves independence while supporting one another’s dreams and goals. Instead of needing validation from your partner, you’ll want to share your life with them while being true to yourself.

Each of you will be responsible for your happiness and well-being rather than depending on one another to provide it. The relationship becomes fulfilling as a source of joy rather than a reliance on the other.

#4: Passionate vs. Compassionate Love

When your relationship is full of intense passion, excitement, and desire, it might be puppy love. It focuses on the physical aspects and romantic intensity rather than building a deep bond.

Mature love is deeper and has more of an empathetic connection. It develops as couples get to know one another and have a better chance of developing empathy, understanding, and a long-term commitment. You’ll accept and embrace one another’s strengths and be compassionate toward your partner.

Compassionate love develops as you get to know your partner better and learn to appreciate everything about them. It involves a conscious choice to care for your partner and love them. Without this step in your relationship, the passion can quickly and unexpectedly fizzle, potentially causing your romance to end.

#5: Short-Term vs. Long-Term Perspective

Puppy love is an exciting stage in your relationship, but the temporary nature isn’t sustainable. It emphasizes a need for immediate gratifications rather than helping you develop a long-term perspective for mature love.

A long-term perspective involves commitment, future planning, and investment in building a life together. When you reach this future-oriented stage, you’ll know you’ve found mature love that can sustain hardship and change.

Being in a long-term relationship means being transparent and saying things you wouldn’t have early on. You’ll know personal things about one another and feel comfortable discussing health issues, bodily functions, and other intimate details.

Opening up in a long-term relationship can help you strengthen the bond and feel fulfilled by the romance. You’ll feel secure and stop worrying that specific things about you will make your partner want to leave.

Puppy Love Can Turn Into True Soulmates

Puppy love and mature romance differ and describe two separate relationship stages. The evolution of love can lead to true soulmates and a deepening connection. The transformative journey can take you from the idealized aspects to a mature, long-lasting romance.

You must nurture the relationship and foster growth if you want mature love. It will allow the natural progression to occur and deepen your connection as you experience things together and build a solid foundation.

Some of the factors that contribute to the transformation into soulmate love include the following:

Time and shared experiences

As partners spend more time together and go through various life experiences, their connection can deepen and evolve. You might travel together, try new things, experience hardship, and make memories. All of these things contribute to mature love.

Growth

Individual growth is essential for developing a long-lasting connection. Becoming the best version of yourself is good for you and your relationship and shows that you’re committed to deepening your connection. It indicates you’re willing to do what it takes to make the relationship work.

Commitment

Choosing to be committed to your partner is an ongoing effort. You’ll have to decide to stay committed in every situation you experience, thinking long-term about how things can affect your relationship.

Emotional maturity

As individuals grow and mature emotionally, their understanding of love and relationships becomes more profound. You’ll begin to understand each other in a way that builds a bond that’s hard to break. It also involves being sensitive to their needs to find a balance that works for both of you.

Acceptance

During the early stages of your relationship, you’ll likely ignore flaws and shortcomings. Acceptance is essential for developing a soulmate scenario as you get to know each other better.

Building a foundation of trust and respect

Developing trust and mutual respect forms a solid foundation for a deeper soulmate connection. It requires open communication and being honest with yourself and your partner about your needs, desires, and feelings.

Nurturing the relationship

Couples who actively invest in their relationship, communicate openly, and work through challenges have a higher chance of growing into soulmates. Get to know one another by discussing hopes, dreams, and values.

Final Thoughts on Understanding the Key Differences Between Mature Love and Puppy Love

Puppy love involves intense attraction and infatuation, while mature love is based on a deep understanding of one another. Both types can be passionate, but they have differing aspects. Puppy love involves surface-level attraction and intensity, while mature love goes beyond that.

With mature love, you’ll experience a deep connection involving respect and trust. It allows for a long-term commitment and shows that both partners are willing to overcome hardship to make things work.

While puppy love is exciting, nurturing a deep emotional connection in love is the way to go if you want a long-term commitment. Building a mature and lasting relationship requires getting through the infatuation stage and developing a deeper bond. Don’t end your relationship if you’re happy but haven’t reached the mature love stage because it can still happen.

Doctors Explain What Swollen Hands Reveal About Your Health

August 4, 2023 by Kristen Lawrence

Swollen hands occur when water and other bodily fluids accumulate in tissues and cause inflammation. Usually, hand swelling happens due to several factors, including injury, pregnancy, or certain diseases such as arthritis. Your hands can provide essential health indicators such as blood pressure and fluid balance.

For instance, eating excess salt can cause hypertension, leading to swollen, puffy hands and feet. Other causes of may include kidney disease, chemotherapy, exercising or working outside in hot weather, and certain vascular diseases.

However, most of the time, hand swelling shouldn’t alarm you since it usually subsides quickly. Plus, you can treat hand inflammation with home remedies such as taking a warm shower, applying ice packs or heating pads, or doing simple stretches.

But if the symptoms persist, you should visit a doctor for an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan. Medical professionals can often glean insight into your overall health from symptoms like swollen hands, underscoring the importance of recognizing and addressing this issue.

Understanding the Causes of Swollen Hands

Understanding the causes of swollen hands is essential to treat symptoms and helps you know when to schedule a doctor’s appointment. You should consult a health professional immediately if you have a hand injury or underlying medical conditions like high blood pressure or kidney disease. These conditions could seriously impact your health and even become life-threatening if left untreated.

For example, disease symptoms like hand swelling may seem harmless initially, but they may indicate a thyroid condition requiring medication. People with untreated thyroid problems may develop heart disease, infertility, thyroid cancer, and other serious issues.

In most cases, however, hand swelling usually indicates a fluid imbalance in the body due to excess salt consumption. Lifestyle factors like consuming too much processed, salty foods and a sedentary lifestyle can significantly contribute to swollen hands.

What Swollen Hands Can Reveal About Your Health

Physical signs: potential links to conditions such as arthritis, kidney disease, or heart disease

As mentioned, swollen hands can signal underlying conditions such as arthritis, heart problems, kidney disease, and thyroid disorders. According to the National Kidney Foundation, swelling in the extremities is one of the telltale warning signs of both kidney and heart failure. Usually, the kidneys filter waste from the blood and eliminate excess water through the urine. When they malfunction, it leads to fluid retention and the dangerous accumulation of waste products.

Arthritis can also cause swollen hands due to inflammation and joint pain. Finally, thyroid conditions like hypothyroidism may lead to hand swelling because of hormone imbalances caused by a slower metabolism. Certain cancers like liver, breast, and kidney cancers may cause edema (swelling) in addition to chemotherapy medications.

Mental stress signs: How swelling could potentially indicate stress and anxiety disorders

If you experience acute or chronic anxiety, you may notice uncomfortable symptoms such as swollen hands. When you feel stressed, your body produces excess adrenaline and cortisol, redirecting blood flow to the vital organs. Less blood flowing in your extremities can lead to problems like swelling of the hands and fingers, tingling sensations, and weakness. Excess cortisol can also contribute to fluid retention because it increases inflammation. Therefore, having high stress levels and imbalanced hormones can easily cause swelling in the extremities.

Doctors Explain What Swollen Hands Reveal About Your Health

You should discuss your symptoms and concerns with a doctor if you experience frequent stress-related symptoms or physical health issues. It’s imperative to seek medical advice if you’ve had swollen hands for prolonged periods, as this could indicate an underlying condition. However, you probably have nothing to worry about if the problem disappears after several days. Still, it’s better to be safe than sorry about your health, and a doctor’s appointment could help ease your mind.

Effective Management and Treatment of Swollen Hands

Dietary changes: Incorporate a diet consisting of nutritious and fresh foods. This can help reduce inflammation and promote overall health, potentially alleviating hand swelling.
Hand exercises: Engaging in specific exercises that target the muscles and joints of the hands can help improve circulation and reduce swelling. These exercises may include finger stretches, wrist rotations, and squeezing stress balls.
Regular physical activity: Maintaining an active lifestyle promotes blood flow and reduces fluid retention, which can worsen things. Engage in walking, swimming, or cycling to improve overall circulation and minimize swelling.
Increased water intake: Staying hydrated is crucial for maintaining optimal fluid balance. Drinking adequate water can help reduce water retention and minimize hand swelling.
Stress management techniques: Chronic stress can contribute to inflammation in the body. To reduce stress, practice relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, or yoga.
Sufficient sleep: Getting enough restorative sleep is essential for overall health and well-being. Lack of sleep can increase inflammation in the body. As a result, it may worsen the problem. Aim for seven to nine hours of quality sleep each night.
Stretching arms above the head: Simple stretches where you raise your arms above your head can aid in improving circulation and reducing hand swelling. Perform this stretch several times a day to experience potential benefits.
Ice packs: Applying ice packs to the hands can help constrict blood vessels, reduce inflammation, and alleviate swelling. Wrap the ice pack in a cloth or towel before applying it to prevent direct contact with the skin.

It is important to note that if the trouble persists or is accompanied by severe pain, redness, or other concerning symptoms, it is crucial to seek medical attention. For more serious causes of hand swelling, such as kidney or heart disease, specialized care from healthcare professionals may be necessary for an accurate diagnosis and effective treatment. Always follow the guidance of your doctor and adhere to any treatment plans to address underlying conditions contributing to hand swelling.

The Importance of Recognizing Symptoms for Overall Health

Recognizing and understanding symptoms like swollen hands contributes to proactive healthcare because it addresses problems head-on. The best time to get treatment for a potentially serious health problem is when it first arises. That way, your symptoms will be more manageable, and the disease or injury won’t have time to spread. Positive health management can help reduce it since your doctor will give you a comprehensive treatment plan. Or, if you experience mild symptoms from working in the heat or being pregnant, at-home remedies can nip your swelling in the bud.

Final Thoughts on What Swollen Hands Reveal About Your Health

If you see these signs, you must recognize your symptoms before they become serious. By understanding the signs of trouble, you can take preventative measures such as drinking more water or exercising to reduce inflammation. Making a few positive lifestyle changes can improve your physical and mental health, including symptoms of swelling. Usually, many people find that exercising regularly, eating a balanced diet, and reducing salt can drastically reduce inflammation and edema.

However, if the symptoms have persisted for months or years, a health consultation is ordinarily necessary to diagnose the problem. Doctors can pinpoint the exact cause of the swelling and prescribe certain medications and other therapies to manage symptoms. Remember to take your health seriously and put yourself first because you deserve to feel your best.

She Built a Better Life From Her Comfort Zone and Never Looked Back

August 4, 2023 by Lakeisha Ethans

There’s a common belief that growth happens only outside one’s comfort zone. But this is far from the truth.

Many theorists and experts, like Alasdair White, define a comfort zone as a behavioral state where a person maintains a consistent level of performance. Inside this comfort zone, as experts claim, there is little anxiety and stress.

According to them, this discourages people from taking risks and leaving their comfort zones to achieve success. Then again, some studies prove that a certain degree of anxiety and stress can encourage people to achieve their dreams and live their best life. While there are people who work best under pressure, the question is, why should you suffer to succeed?

Since anxiety and stress cannot be measured, you won’t know how much or how little you’re stressing to achieve your goals! When something doesn’t go as planned, we stress. When something goes as planned, we stress! A certain degree of anxiety can help us pave the way forward; too much can be damaging. No conclusive evidence reveals how much anxiety and stress are helpful to us.

No Pain, Yes Gain!

Experts agree that your comfort zone doesn’t expose you to unhealthy stress and anxiety levels. You’ve often heard “no pain, no gain,” but does this apply to everything? Do you have to endure anxiety, stress, and discomfort only to be happy? When you step out of your comfort zone, you expose yourself to extreme anxiety, stress, and discomfort, damaging your mental, emotional, and physical health.

This also disturbs your relationship with your inner child and the connection with your subconscious mind. Growth within the comfort zone is possible, so you don’t have to worry about stepping out into discomfort for personal growth and development. Kristen Butler created a foundation for a fulfilling life and achieved meaningful personal growth by embracing and nurturing her comfort zone.

But life wasn’t always smooth for her. She was constantly criticized, body-shamed, and ridiculed as a young child. From an early age, she was fed with the belief that discomfort is a good thing. Take a moment and reflect on how frequently you have advised the same thing. As a result, some of us believe that discomfort makes us stronger, but that probably applies to physical exercise, not goals and achievements!

Kristen was advised that she had to embrace discomfort to change her circumstances. Her teachers and some family members believed that stepping out of her comfort zone was the only way to achieve anything important.

Redefining the Comfort Zone

First, you must forget everything you’ve learned about stepping out of your comfort zone for personal growth, self-improvement, and positive change. Consider this: How can you achieve positive change in constant discomfort? Many of us are taught to believe comfort means complacency. Comfort and complacency are two different things and two different zones altogether.

When you’re complacent, you feel content with what you have and lack the motivation, focus, and purpose to strive for greater things. People stuck in the Complacent Zone have experienced so much failure that a heavy doubt keeps them from achieving more. In your Comfort Zone, you’re always looking for ways to achieve more while being grateful for what you have. Unfortunately, our comfort zone has acquired a negative reputation due to its misuse over the years.

Many people refer to the Complacent Zone when talking about the Comfort Zone. Comfort Zone is far from being the pause button in your life. If anything, it’s a cushion so you can achieve your goals and ambitions while you’re comfortable and stress and anxiety-free. Staying in your comfort Zone doesn’t stop you from living your best life. It’s a place of security, stability, and growth. You don’t have to be uncomfortable, stressed, or anxious to achieve important things. Remember, you can live a purposeful life only when you’re focused, motivated, and grateful – qualities that naturally arise when you’re stress-free and comfortable.

Building on Personal Strengths Occurred From Her Comfort Zone

At some point in her life, Kristen believed she could polish her strengths, skills, and talents only if she stepped outside her comfort zone. She was continually criticized for following her heart and doing things that felt natural to her. If she talked too much, she was considered loud. She was called a slow learner if she took longer to understand concepts.

In our lives, we’ve constantly been criticized for not being perfect enough. With each passing year, Kristen allowed the world to undermine her self-image and self-worth. She did what we’ve all done at some point in our lives – let people walk all over us. If you resonate with this, it’s important to reflect and return to your comfort zone where you’re welcome, loved, and cherished for being you.

You dream, plan, and achieve more when you feel like yourself. When you leave your comfort zone, the world will force you to suppress your strengths, skills, and talents. This will leave you at the mercy of luck, discomfort, and the crumbs of success you manage you pick on your path. When Kristen stepped out of her comfort zone to achieve her dreams, the world made her forget what she was made of. She soon began questioning if she deserved success in life.

How to Facilitate Growth From Your Comfort Zone

Here’s how to build on strengths and skills while remaining in your comfort zone:

1. Healthy Boundaries

Boundaries are healthy because they shield you from the outside world’s negativity that can shatter everything you’ve done to build a purposeful life. Boundaries help you define and communicate your needs, establish respectful relationships with others, and prevent unnecessary stress and burnout. Boundaries empower you to prioritize self-care and maintain a healthy work-life balance.

2. Practice Self-Care

Everything on this planet needs maintenance for proper function, which also applies to humans. In the same way, your home needs maintenance, your inner state needs attention to feel safe and function at your best. Self-care involves engaging in activities and behaviors that promote self-nurturing, relaxation, and rejuvenation.

For example, you can swim, walk, or cycle for physical self-care.
You can repeat positive affirmations and practice meditation or mindfulness for mental self-care.
For emotional self-care, you can try journaling, practicing gratitude, doing acts of kindness, or listening to uplifting music.
For spiritual self-care, you can reconnect with your inner child by practicing gratitude, connecting with like-minded individuals, or simply taking long walks surrounded by nature.

Investing time and energy to care for yourself can improve your overall well-being, happiness, and quality of life.

3. Express Who You Are

When you express yourself, you improve your self-image, a safety net that filters out negativity, criticism, and ridicule the world throws at you. The way you express yourself gives people an idea about who you are, your worth, and your boundaries. How you express yourself acts like a magnet that draws in the right people and repels the wrong ones. It shows people how you want to be treated, not how they think they should treat you. To improve your self-image, you can:

Practice self-acceptance
Discourage negative self-talk
Set realistic goals
Surround yourself with positive people
Practice gratitude

The idea behind expressing yourself is to help you get to a place where you can be proud of your achievement. All while staying inside your comfort zone.

Setting Achievable Goals

Effective goal setting involves focusing on incremental progress rather than unrealistic long-term goals. This is because small, achievable, and measurable goals increase in value and worth over long-term goals that are too far-fetched.

By staying within your comfort zone, you understand your strengths and weaknesses. With this knowledge, set goals that you can realistically accomplish. Instead of rushing to achieve these goals, adopt a slow and steady approach. This helps prevent burnout and ensures that you maintain your motivation throughout the journey toward achieving them.

Fostering Healthy Habits Happened From Her Comfort Zone

Our daily lives are filled with habits we’ve developed to survive, sustain ourselves, and find satisfaction. Our subconscious mind is aware of the difference between healthy and unhealthy habits and often communicates this through our inner voice. This inner voice is stronger when we’re in our comfort zone than when we step outside of it.

To transform into the person you aspire to be, foster healthy habits that guide you. One example is practicing self-care. Self-care is not a luxury; it’s a way to recharge. By taking the time to recharge, you can increase your endurance and stay committed to achieving your goals, ultimately leading you to a prosperous future.

First, list down all your daily habits, whether healthy or unhealthy, big or small.
Once you have your list look at each habit and see if it aligns with your goals in life.
Put a check mark on habits that directly or indirectly relate to your life’s purpose.
Put a cross beside habits that won’t help you achieve your goals.
Put a question mark next to habits you’re not sure about.
Look at all the habits you’ve crossed out – are there any healthier alternatives?

You’ll need discipline and consistency to change your habits and effectively transform your life.

Cultivating Positive Relationships

Positive relationships, a strong support network, and a sense of connection are crucial to our well-being and happiness. All relationships provide us with an opportunity for growth. Positive relationships and a caring support network propel us to greater heights. Making positive connections makes us feel understood, valued, and deeply linked to others.

It goes beyond surface-level interactions and involves genuine emotional engagement and empathy. When we feel connected to others, we experience greater happiness, reduced stress levels, improved self-esteem, and enhanced mental health. Staying in your comfort zone helps you attract like-minded people who provide value to your life.

Learning from Failures and Setbacks Happened in Her Comfort Zone

When Kristen stepped out of her comfort zone, she continued to convince herself that discomfort was the only way to achieve important things. Blaming her failures on her comfort zone, she ventured into unfamiliar territory for a deeper connection. Although stepping out of her comfort zone didn’t make sense, she could see some progress from her discomfort.

This only meant one thing for Kristen – to become even more uncomfortable. On the outside, Kristen rocked it all, but on the inside, she was battling endless waves of anxiety, stress, and a deep need to stay relevant. Her refusal to address her inner battles manifested as hormonal imbalances, weight gain, and extreme anxiety. It wasn’t long after that an exhausted and overwhelmed Kristen had to drop out of college.

It took Kristen a long time to walk back to her comfort zone to be herself. Kristen realized that the problem wasn’t with her identity but with neglecting her intuition and inner guidance. She understood the importance of resilience, the ability to bounce back and find strength in her comfort zone.

Resilience became her tool to overcome challenges, embrace change, and ultimately achieve success. If this sounds like something you’re going through, you must return to your comfort zone to practice resilience and be who you are while striving to be the best version of yourself.

Final Thoughts on Embracing the Comfort Zone

Your comfort zone can be a positive space for personal growth and development. Kristen learned a valuable lesson about the power of her comfort zone as a foundation for growth. She realized that self-improvement and positive change can happen within the boundaries of her comfort zone. Ultimately, she learned to redefine her comfort zone and embrace it as a source of strength.

If you are in a similar situation, remember you don’t have to sacrifice your well-being and inner voice to achieve success. Embrace your comfort zone as a place of growth and transformation, and practice resilience to overcome obstacles. Your comfort zone is the foundation for a purposeful life where you can be yourself and achieve personal growth and success.

Counselors Reveal 12 Long Term Effects of Stress (and How to Fix It)

August 3, 2023 by Sarah Barkley

Coping with long-term stress is essential to your health and well-being. Understanding the long-term effects and implementing effective stress management techniques can improve your overall well-being and quality of life.

Sometimes feeling stressed is common, but chronic conditions lead to long-term health issues. It also impacts your relationships and career.

Understanding the experience and finding healthy coping methods can improve your life and reduce health issues. You don’t have to let it control your life when you find ways to manage it, allowing you to live peacefully.

Understanding the Long Term Effects of Stress

A stress response occurs when you experience fight, flight, or freeze mode. It’s intended to protect you from danger, but with chronic issues, it sometimes happens at other times. Your hypothalamus alerts your brain and body of a threat, triggering a surge of hormones that prompt a response.

It can be caused by:

trauma
cultural climate
your workload
bills
taking care of your family

While your body can handle small amounts of tension, it has detrimental effects if it becomes long-term. It impacts your physical and mental health, affecting all areas of your life. Individuals respond to stressors through their coping mechanisms and responses. These things differ for everyone, and multiple methods can ease your burden.

Twelve Long Term Effects of Stress

The long-term effects can disrupt your mental and physical health, including leading to the following:

1. Chronic Fatigue

Tension can lead to chronic fatigue, meaning frequent tiredness that disrupts daily life. When depleted energy levels last for an extended time, it negatively disrupts your overall well-being.

It triggers your sympathetic nervous system (SNS), and your parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) takes over once the tension passes. The PNS helps your body recover and allows you to relax.

Long-term tension causes the SNS and PNS to activate continuously, draining your body and causing fatigue. It also triggers your adrenal glands to produce more cortisol, leading to fatigue.

2. Weakened Immune System

Studies show that stress can contribute to a weakened immune system, making you more susceptible to infections and illness. Increased cortisol levels suppress your immune function and limit the circulation of antibodies that help you fight infection. A strong immune system is essential for maintaining good health, and easing tension levels is highly impactful.

3. Anxiety and Depression

Chronic tension can impact your mental health, leading to anxiety and depression. If you experience these disorders, it interferes with your well-being, causing many symptoms and issues. You might notice changes in your mood or increased anxiety and depression.

It triggers hormone release, including cortisol, which can affect brain function and lead to changes in mood and behavior. Over time, it can cause changes in the brain and lead to long-term neurotransmitter imbalances. These imbalances include serotonin and dopamine, which are associated with mood regulation.

It can also exacerbate the symptoms of existing mental health conditions. It can worsen the symptoms and make them harder to manage.

It’s important to note that the relationship between stress, anxiety, and depression is complex. Many factors influence the risk of developing these conditions.

4. Sleep Disturbances

Stress can disrupt your sleep quality, potentially leading to insomnia or restlessness. It triggers the release of cortisol, a hormone that can keep you in a state of alertness. When this happens, it makes it harder to relax and fall asleep.

Additionally, it can cause racing thoughts and anxiety that can interfere with sleep. The link between stress and sleep is bidirectional, meaning poor sleep can also contribute to tension levels.

Lack of sleep can make it harder to cope, leading to a cycle of tension and sleep deprivation. Good sleep hygiene, including a regular sleep schedule and relaxing bedtime routine, can reduce the impact.

5. Weight Gain or Loss

Being stressed can contribute to weight fluctuations and appetite changes. You may eat more or less than usual or consume different foods than usual.

When the body is under chronic tension, it produces high levels of the hormone cortisol. Cortisol can stimulate fat and carbohydrate metabolism, creating a surge of energy in the body. This surge can lead to an increase in appetite, and if you consume more calories than you burn, you may gain weight.

It can cause individuals to engage in unhealthy behaviors like overeating or consuming unhealthy foods, leading to weight gain. In some cases, however, it can also cause weight loss due to decreased appetite and changes in metabolism.

Additionally, cortisol can lead to fat redistribution to the abdominal area. It increases the risk of health issues such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

6. Digestive Problems

Your gut contains neurons communicating with your brain and bacteria affecting health. Tension can disrupt these aspects, leading to pain, bloating, nausea, and other gastrointestinal issues.

When your bowel bloats, it can change the rate of food moving through your body. You might experience diarrhea or constipation, and it can trigger bowel muscle spasms.

It worsens symptoms for people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or inflammatory bowel disease. With these disorders, your gut nerves are more sensitive to changes in bacteria and how quickly food gets digested.

When you have digestion issues, it can negatively impact your daily life and overall well-being. You may struggle with getting comfortable and avoid things because of the problems.

7. Heart Disease

Stress increases your risk of heart disease because it causes long-term problems for your heart and blood vessels. It can increase your heart rate, hormones, and blood pressure, leading to complications.

It can also inflame your circulatory system, including your coronary arteries. Additionally, it can impact your cholesterol levels, further contributing to potential health issues.

These issues can increase your heart attack, stroke, or hypertension risk. You must care for your cardiovascular health problems can lead to death.

8. Memory and Concentration Issues

Stress impacts your memory by disrupting your cognitive function. You might experience concentration problems that affect your daily life and overall well-being.

During a stress response, your brain might become overstimulated. When this happens, you can forget things and have trouble recalling events. It also triggers difficulty focusing, even when you know you should be.

9. Relationship Problems

You might experience problems in your personal and professional relationships. Healthy relationships are essential to your well-being, and this negative effect can impact you long-term.

Sometimes you’ll bottle up your issues within a relationship, showing a lack of communication. It can lead to excessive conflict because none of the problems get addressed until it harms the relationship. Your tension will affect other people, causing them to experience negativity and unease.

10. Substance Abuse

Studies show that stress can increase your risk of substance abuse as a coping mechanism. You might use alcohol, tobacco, or drugs more frequently when experiencing prolonged tension. However, these substances can lead to more tension, creating a toxic cycle.

Addiction sometimes occurs when someone believes it’s a way to ease hardship, especially when dealing with prolonged negativity. It negatively impacts your overall health and well-being by changing your brain and negatively impacting impulse control, pleasure, behavior, and motivation.

11. Accelerated Aging

Chronic tension triggers accelerated aging, impacting your overall health, well-being, and quality of life. Your body will be in a constant battle to overcome tension, draining your body and wearing it out.

It impacts cellular aging because it triggers the release of glucocorticoids, leading to increased mitochondrial activity. This activity leads to damaged telomeres, accelerating aging, making you appear older than you are, and triggering quicker aging within your body.

When your body ages quicker than it could, you’ll experience health issues. It’ll also interfere with your overall well-being and quality of life.

12. Hair Loss and Skin Issues

Stress can lead to hair loss and skin issues, potentially impacting self-confidence and overall well-being. It can cause problems like eczema, acne, and more.

Your brain and skin are linked, and you’ll notice the effects when you experience prolonged tension. Hormones and excessive oil production can make your skin vulnerable to breakouts, itching, inflammation, and infection.

It can limit wound healing and trigger issues like psoriasis and eczema. If you already experience these conditions, it can cause a flare-up that’s hard to tame without healthy coping methods.

Increased hormones can break down collagen and elastin, speeding up cellular aging. It causes fine lines and wrinkles as well as hair thinning and loss.

Strategies for Managing and Reducing Your Stress

Now that you know the long-term impacts, finding ways to reduce it is essential. You can’t always change your situation, but learning effective stress management techniques can help you improve your health and well-being. It can counteract the long-term effects of stress and allow you to live a fulfilling life.

Finding ways to cope can offer peace of mind, improved quality of life, less depression and anxiety, better health, improved relationships, and better self-control and focus. It can also promote a longer, healthier, and more fulfilling life.

Some strategies you can try include:

Self-care routines: Prioritize your well-being, putting yourself first. You can also take self-care time to engage in hobbies, write in a journal, or do things that help you smile.
Mindfulness practices: Cultivating mindfulness techniques can help you manage tension and improve your health. It helps regulate your body and mind and experience relaxation.
Relaxation techniques: Helpful relaxation techniques might include yoga, deep breathing, meditation, or massage. Order disposable carts online if vaping helps you relax.
Exercise: Physical activity triggers anti-inflammatory responses that help improve your overall well-being. You’ll be in a better mood and find better ways to cope.
Having healthy social support: Interacting with positive people helps distract you from your worries. Talking to someone you trust also helps make coping easier.
Talking to a professional: A professional can help you learn healthy coping techniques. They provide unbiased insight that can help you get through.
Eating healthy foods: A healthy diet can help you feel better, have a clear mind, and manage your emotions.
Spending time in nature: Being outdoors can boost your mood and ease tension. Enjoying nature can positively impact your mental health, promote relaxation, and help you reset.

Final Thoughts on Overcoming the Long Term Effects of Stress

The long term effects of stress can include mental and physical health problems. It can cause cognitive issues, mood changes, anxiety, depression, heart problems, and more. Learning to cope is essential to maintaining your health and overall well-being. It’ll help you develop habits that prevent long-term damage. Overcoming the effects can help you lead a more fulfilling life, so start your self-care journey today.

15 Signs Your Partner Values Your Love

August 2, 2023 by Sarah Barkley

Recognizing the signs that your partner values your love can affirm the strength and health of your relationship. It’s essential for both partners to feel valued in a healthy relationship, or things can become toxic.

A valued relationship involves respect and involvement from both partners. It also includes trust, honesty, compromise, and individuality. You’ll communicate well and listen to one another, leading to happiness and fulfillment.

A valued relationship will involve wanting what’s best for one another. When you have a relationship like this, it builds relationship strength and allows you to develop a long-lasting romance.

Understanding the Importance of Being Valued in Love

Being valued in your relationship is essential because it leads to mutual respect. Your partner will respect your boundaries and respect them to ensure your comfort. It boosts your relationship satisfaction, helping you strengthen your bond.

Having a partner who values your love doesn’t mean they cater to your every need or desire. No one can reasonably do that for you other than yourself. However, being valued means you’ll feel appreciation and support from your partner during your relationship.

Benefits of Feeling Valued in a Relationship

Not being valued by your partner can damage your self-esteem and decrease relationship satisfaction. On the other hand, being valued can boost your sense of self-worth and confidence, helping you feel fulfilled. It offers emotional security that allows you to feel safe and secure.

Being valued by your partner leads to feeling secure in the relationship. It promotes effective communication to help you get through hard times. Feeling valued also leads to trust and understanding, promoting effective communication within the relationship.

15 Signs Your Partner Values Your Love

Having a respectful and appreciative partner shows they value your love. They’ll offer support while showing they’re committed to you. You can watch for signs of these things to help you recognize if your partner values your love.

Five signs of respect and appreciation

Studies show that respect and appreciation are essential aspects of a healthy relationship. Here are some of the signs to watch for to identify a partner who values you:

Open communication

Communication is essential in a relationship; a worthwhile romantic partner should want to talk to you about everything. They won’t hide anything, and you’ll feel comfortable discussing issues. A partner who values you won’t criticize or blame you while communicating, showing that they respect your opinions and feelings.

Listening attentively

Your partner will want to hear you talk if they value your love. They’ll listen without interrupting and ask questions to understand better. A partner who appreciates you will also ask about your day, interests, and goals to show that they care.

Accountability

A partner who values you will take responsibility for their actions. They won’t try to downplay mistakes or blame them on something or someone else.

Showing gratitude

You’ll know your partner values you when they express gratitude for what you do. They might do something to show their appreciation or tell you how much they appreciate you. You might also notice that they compliment you on your strengths and accomplishments.

Honoring your boundaries

Setting healthy boundaries helps you maintain personal space and feel safe. They’ll allow you to express your needs without feeling afraid or rejected. It promotes a healthy, meaningful relationship that brings fulfillment to your life.

Five signs of emotional support and understanding

Emotional support and understanding are essential to a healthy relationship. You can look for it by watching for the following signs:

They care about what you want and need

A partner who values you will want to make you happy and care about your needs. Your well-being will be a priority to them because they want what’s best for you. They will do things to make your life easier or better and won’t intentionally do anything to withhold what you need.

Offering comfort in tough times

When you’re upset, a partner who values your love will offer comfort in any way they can. They won’t ignore your struggle or get irritated that you’re going through something. Your partner will also give you space if you aren’t ready to talk.

Solving problems together

Working with you to solve problems shows that your partner values your love. They want to work together to decide on solutions and move forward positively.

Patience

Someone who values your love will be patient and avoid pressuring you. It shows that they understand and accept you for who you are. Their patience will involve overcoming issues, taking the next step in your relationship, or anything else.

Keeping their anger under control

Everyone gets angry sometimes, but it shouldn’t involve lashing out if you’re in a healthy relationship. A partner who values your love will find a way to calm down before communicating about the issue.

Five signs of commitment and trust

When your partner trusts you, it shows that they value your love. It indicates you can rely on one another and maintain a healthy bond.

Talking about having a future with you

Your partner discussing the future with you indicates that they value your love. You’ll know they want you long-term and see you in their future. Making plans is essential for strengthening a relationship and showing commitment. It might involve marriage, moving in together, vacations, or events.

Keeping promises

A partner who values you will follow through on commitments. When they say they’ll do something, you don’t have to question whether it’ll happen.

Encouraging individuality

Your partner won’t expect you to compromise who you are or what you like to do if they value the relationship. They won’t mind when you go places without them and will encourage you to see your friends and engage in hobbies. You won’t feel like you have to give up your individuality to build a healthy relationship with them.

They turn to you during hard times

It shows that your partner values your love when they turn to you during hard times. They depend on you to support and comfort them and want you to know how they feel. If they trust you, they’ll come to you and be open about the situation. They’ll also appreciate your perspective and trust you to help them.

Showing consistent behavior

You’ll always know what to expect from a partner who values you. They won’t unexpectedly switch up their behavior and leave you confused. Instead, they’ll consistently show up, be respectful, and make you feel secure.

Effective Communication of Value in a Relationship

Open communication allows you and your partner to speak honestly and openly. You’ll feel comfortable discussing needs and expressing emotional honesty without insulting one another. It encourages you to discuss your feelings and needs to strengthen your bond and build a fulfilling relationship.

Effective communication allows you to build and maintain a healthy relationship. It involves being clear about what you mean and actively listening to your partner. You should also ensure you share positive feelings instead of only communicating about issues.

Be careful not to blame or criticize your partner while communicating. It can cause your partner to shut down and doesn’t resolve issues.

Open communication requires practice, so don’t give up if you or your partner slip up sometimes. You can build a stronger bond if you’re willing to work on it and build communication skills.

Being Valued and Relationship Longevity

Being valued by your partner promotes relationship longevity and satisfaction. Feeling appreciated, safe, and respected indicates a healthy relationship and helps strengthen your bond.

When you and your partner value one another, it helps maintain positive images. Seeing the best in each other will make you both want to become the best versions of yourselves. It can improve relationship satisfaction as you’ll focus on self-growth that positively impacts your romance.

Being valued promotes longevity because it indicates loyalty and trust. You’ll feel heard, understood, and respected. These positive aspects lead to a strong and healthy relationship.

If you feel unvalued, it doesn’t have to stay that way. Here are some things you can do to encourage your partner to show they value you:

Tell your partner how you feel: Communication is essential, and it can make a difference. Be clear about your feelings while avoiding blaming them.
Show appreciation to your partner: When you show you’re grateful for and value them, they’ll likely return the gesture.
Address underlying issues: Reflect on the situation objectively to determine underlying issues. Once you know the problem, consider how you can address them.
Consider relationship counseling: A professional can help you and your partner learn to value one another. They encourage you to work through your emotions and determine solutions.
Reevaluate the situation: If talking to your partner or modeling healthy behavior doesn’t help, you might consider reevaluating your relationship. You might find that you’re not getting what you need, and your partner isn’t willing to improve the relationship. At that point, you might want to walk away and prioritize yourself.

Final Thoughts on Recognizing if Your Partner Finds Mutual Value in Your Love

Recognizing the signs your partner values your love can deepen your bond and enhance your relationship. Knowing you’re with someone who shows love and appreciation can make you feel good about yourself.

Feeling valued is essential to a healthy, fulfilling relationship. If you don’t have that with your partner, try communicating with them to cultivate mutual value in your relationship.

The Community

Our Free Community of Positively Powerful SuperFans

Every day is a day to shine. Shine on!