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Scientists Explain 5 Ways to Get More Done (Without Extra Work)

June 4, 2018 by Power of Positivity

For better or for worse, emotions are a fundamental part of why human beings do what they do. One reason for this is that feelings are impossible to ignore, as evolution dictates that we auto-direct our focus onto whatever it is pulling at us. Emotions also have plenty to do with our productivity – or lack thereof. When motivated, we’ll get more done and crush our to-do list. When bored, we may revert to our not-so-good habits (YouTube binge, anyone?)…

How many times have you made a sweet to-do list, only to put it off until tomorrow? Or resolved to get your butt to the gym just to sit around because you didn’t manage your time well? How many times have you made a schedule only to abandon it soon after? In each case, you allowed your emotions to supersede your logic.

Don’t fret – we have all done this. Why do you think there are a bazillion “productivity” books out there? How much money do you think publishers make off of indecisiveness? Check out the self-help section of your local bookstore if you want to be floored.

The Science of Getting Things Done

Enter the scientists. While it is easy to get frustrated with their monotonous ways, a scientist’s methodical and uber-logical brain is a perfect example for those who want to be more productive. One reason is that scientists are trained to minimize (ideally, eliminate) emotional subjectivity.

Scientists also have a lot to teach us about getting more done. For one, they are a resilient bunch. You have to be perseverant to trudge through an experimental study despite having failed umpteen times before. While they may be “nerds,” research scientists must also have thick skin; this is often needed to take the criticism that accompanies their work.

Let’s shift our attention to what these same scientists have to say about how to get more done in your work and at home.

5 Ways to Get More Done in a Day

1. Get rid of distractions

Our brain is not only wired for distraction – it rewards itself for it! How many times per day do you drop what you’re doing and check your emails and text messages? Each time you do, your brain produces a bit of dopamine – its primary “feel-good” chemical. Absolutely unfair!

Action Step: It’s time to muster up some self-discipline and put your cell phone away. Designate specific times to check your email and stick with these times. Clear away all visual clutter (this includes digital stuff) while working.

2. Work During Peak Hours

Research shows that we are at our most alert 2.5 to 4 hours after waking up. We can attribute this increased alertness and productivity to the brain’s natural circadian rhythms – natural cycles it goes through as the day progresses.

Action Step: Save your most demanding work for periods when you’re most alert. When full of energy, plow through your tedious tasks and get them out of the way. As your workday comes to a close, save this time for easy, routine tasks (catching up on email, cleaning your desk, checking voicemails, etc.)

3. Optimize Your Breaks

Breaking away from work is critical to recharging your physical and cognitive energy. A study conducted by the US Army Research Institute found that people work better when taking 15- to 20-minute breaks every 90 minutes. This time frame also happens to match your body’s natural rhythm for alertness and rest.

Action Step: Most companies do a poor job of managing their employee’s break times. Do not settle for a 15-minute break every four hours. If you’re unable to rearrange your break schedule to accommodate for 15 minutes every hour and a half, try a “mini-break” of five minutes every hour. (You have to go to the bathroom, don’t you?)

4. Track Your Time

Robin Sharma, a world-renown writer and motivational speaker, said “Whatever gets measured gets improved.” He’s right. When it comes to productivity, tracking your time can be a godsend. The harsh truth is that many (most?) of us aren’t good at tracking our time. This difficulty in keeping tabs on those swiftly-passing moments can lead to frustration and even burnout.

Action Step: Use a reputable desktop program to track your computer usage. If you don’t like that idea, go old school and use a paper and pencil. Write down when you get distracted and find yourself doing something other than what you should be working on. Review your notes at the end of the week and make necessary adjustments to help you get more done next week.

5. Review Your Daily “Wins”

Listen, it’s not easy to get what needs to be done among the daily din of distractions. So celebrate what you’ve accomplished! You maintained personal discipline while mustering the grit required to get through a long, tough day. How does it feel? Pretty darn good, right?!

Action Step: Go through your “to do’s” and celebrate what you accomplished today! Self-motivation is part of staying disciplined, and the best way to acquire this is by giving yourself props when you deserve them. Honor your wins and inspire yourself to get more done. Then keep it going!

https://youtu.be/vRnJsClMHU0

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

Sources:
http://time.com/2933971/how-to-motivate-yourself-3-steps-backed-by-science/
https://www.businessnewsdaily.com/7951-increase-productivity-science-tips.html
https://www.meistertask.com/blog/thinking-like-a-scientist-more-productive/
https://www.njlifehacks.com/productivity-tips-backed-by-science/
https://www.scienceofpeople.com/productivity/

9 Couples That Prove Soulmates Really Do Exist

June 4, 2018 by Power of Positivity

Soulmates have been a topic of debate and discussion for centuries; do we all really have one person meant for us on this planet whose soul makes up half of ours? Or, could we have many soulmates who come into our lives to teach us different lessons?

No matter your stance on soulmates, these couples show us that maybe we do have a Mr. or Mrs. Right after all.

“People think a soul mate is your perfect fit, and that’s what everyone wants. But a true soulmate is a mirror, the person who shows you everything that is holding you back, the person who brings you to your own attention so you can change your life.” – Elizabeth Gilbert

Here are 9 real life couples who prove that soulmates do exist:

1. They make the Cliffs of Moher in Ireland look so romantic.

IG: @amielynn_fit

Who wouldn’t want to kiss and cuddle with their soulmate at this beautiful spot?

2. These soulmates make a great couple, don’t you think?

IG: @rockbottom_fit

You can definitely see their connection by the way they look at each other.

3. Aww, what a beautiful photo!

IG: @madesann

If this isn’t proof of soulmates, then we don’t know what is.

4. Soulmates + beach = true paradise.

IG: @samantha_mariette

Nothing says romantic like a day at the beach!

5. You can’t help but smile at the love these two clearly have for one another.

IG: @peternguyenstudio

The genuine smile on his face could make anyone believe in love again!

Soulmates help each other improve and have fun no matter what they’re doing.

6. The love this couple shares is written all over their faces.

IG: @love_pic____

You can’t fake a smile like these! Pure love is a beautiful thing indeed.

7. A power nap from time to time helps keep the love alive!

IG: @drunk_off_your_love

We all know that commitment takes a lot of hard work and dedication, so a nap is sometimes just what the doctor ordered.

8. These two ambassadors for love bring that unconditional love into their relationship, too.

IG: @prestonsmiles

The true love soulmates share can help heal the world, like this power couple does.

9. A relationship with the right person can bring pure joy to your heart.

IG: @date_relationships_

We wish them a lifetime of happiness as soulmates!

We hope that these pictures show you that finding your soulmate is possible and that everyone deserves love and happiness. Even if it hasn’t happened for you yet, don’t give up; the one meant for you could be just around the corner. Maybe meeting your lifelong love means stepping out of a toxic relationship or getting involved in more hobbies that you enjoy so you can cross paths with the one.

No matter what, just keep doing you and the right person will come into your life when you least expect it.

Have you met your soulmate? Let us know in the comments!

https://youtu.be/eGPrRQYZ-ms

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

7 Telling Signs Someone Is Suffering From Chronic Stress (But Is Trying to Hide it)

June 2, 2018 by Power of Positivity

With some people it is almost impossible to sense that anything is wrong. Many folks just refuse to complain about anything. Others wear their emotions – and their chronic stress – on their well-worn sleeves.

The truth is, stress is normal, and sometimes, helpful. Moderate levels of stress enable us to act with urgency, perform under pressure, and make timely decisions. Stress can boost our concentration, encourage productivity, and even save our lives. On the other hand, chronic stress – a prolonged stress response to real or perceived pressures – can create a variety of problems. The stress response (or, to be more accurate, the fight-or-flight response) can be our best friend or our worst enemy.

What happens during ‘fight-or-flight’?

When our brain senses danger, it signals the body to release a stream of stress hormones mostly consisting of adrenaline and cortisol. Physically, our body “revs up.” Blood pressure rises, muscles tighten, breathing hastens, and senses heighten. As a result, our focus is boosted, reaction time shortened, and our stamina and strength are amplified.

Mental and Physical Effects

The human body, resilient as it is, isn’t designed to withstand constant stress. Physically, heart and lung conditions can arise, as can chronic pain, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), damage to reproductive organs, and others. Mentally, the brain can remain in a heightened state of arousal, stimulating the release of stress hormones in otherwise unthreatening situations. This can result in diminished cognitive performance and potential shrinkage to some regions of the brain.

7 Signs Someone is Dealing with Chronic Stress (And Doesn’t Realize it)

1. Pain and tension

The first thing that happens to our body when exposed to stress is that our muscles tense up. The reason for this is that the body is bracing itself for a shock of some sort. When this automatic response remains “switched on,” over time it can lead to headaches, migraines, and other musculoskeletal problems.

2. Digestive problems

Our gastrointestinal (GI) tract, or gut, is super-sensitive to any changes in the body. We’ve all experienced that knot in the stomach when anxious or stressed, and in many ways chronic stress is the same. However long-term exposure to stress can lead to symptoms that resemble irritable bowel syndrome, such as constipation, diarrhea, nausea, and stomach cramps.

3. Reproductive issues

Chronic stress has the effect of suppressing sex drive. Women may experience irregular and painful periods, while men may produce an abnormally low amount of sperm. It may be more challenging to conceive during periods of chronic stress.

4. Elevated heart rate and blood pressure

The fight-or-flight response is a “shock” to the system. When experiencing the stress response, our heart will pump more blood faster. This results in an elevated heart rate (HR) and blood pressure (BP).

5. Insomnia

For sleep to take place, our body and mind must be in a state of relative relaxation. Someone who is chronically stressed may find it much more difficult to fall asleep and stay asleep; additionally, they may notice that sleep doesn’t have a revitalizing effect on their mind and body.

6. Mental and Emotional Problems

As mentioned during the introduction, the human body – and the brain – is not equipped to deal with prolonged bouts of stress. The brain requires periods of downtime to replenish its energy reserves, something that constant stress makes hard. As our hormones are thrown through a loop during stressful times, it’s typical to experience mood swings such as emotional outbursts.

7. Fatigue

This last sign is kind of a no-brainer. The chronically stressed are exposed to considerably more worry than the rest of us. Fatigue during periods of stress is not a weakness or shortcoming, but a natural response to an underlying problem.

Help for Chronic Stress

Listen, we are all stressed out from time to time. Regardless of the degree and frequency to which stress affects you, learning how to manage and prevent chronic stress effectively is a wise idea. On this note, here are a few approaches:

Exercise: Physical activity can boost your mood and vastly improve your physical health. When it comes to stress-busting, nothing else that you can do comes close to a good sweat session.
Talk to someone: A good conversation can boost “feel-good” chemicals of the brain and relieve pent-up stress. On a related note, don’t pay attention to the “keep it all inside” garbage advice. Talk to someone trustworthy and empathetic.
Use your senses: Mindfully engaging one or more of your five senses – touch, sight, sound, smell, or taste – can quickly relieve stress. How you go about this is up to you. Ideas: light a scented candle, pet an animal, or eat a snack.
Relaxation techniques: Just as there’s an embedded stress response, there is an inherent relaxation response. This is described as a state of deep relaxation and restfulness brought about through activities such as deep breathing, meditation, and yoga.

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

Sources:
http://www.apa.org/helpcenter/stress-body.aspx
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chronic_stress
https://www.choosehelp.com/topics/anxiety/the-physical-signs-of-chronic-stress
https://www.helpguide.org/articles/stress/stress-symptoms-signs-and-causes.htm
https://www.webmd.com/balance/stress-management/stress-symptoms-effects_of-stress-on-the-body#2

10 Signs Someone May Be Schizophrenic

June 2, 2018 by Power of Positivity

What is schizophrenia?

Affecting around one percent of the American population, schizophrenia is a serious mental illness that interferes with a person’s ability to think clearly. A person diagnosed as schizophrenic often has difficulty managing emotions and relating to other people.

Schizophrenia is usually diagnosed between the ages of 13 and 40. The peak ages for male diagnosis are between the late teens and early 20s. Females are frequently diagnosed between their late 20s and early 30s.

Schizophrenia is notoriously difficult to diagnose. Certain mind-altering drugs like meth and LSD can trigger similar symptoms. Some doctors may confuse the underlying cause. This is especially true if the patient is not forthright about past drug use. People with schizophrenia rarely realize they’re developing a mental illness. This lack of self-awareness can further complicate diagnosis and delay treatment.

“The schizophrenic mind is not so much split as shattered. I like to say schizophrenia is like a waking nightmare.” ~ Dr. Elyn Saks, diagnosed schizophrenic, Associate Dean and Professor of Law at the University of Southern California

Causes of schizophrenia

Let’s quickly discuss the potential causes of schizophrenia, of which there are several.

Brain Chemistry: Imbalances of brain chemicals, including dopamine, may increase the risk of schizophrenia. Problems with neural networks may also be a factor.
Environmental Influences: Exposure to toxins or malnutrition before birth increases the risk of chemical imbalances in the brain. In some studies, this increases the risk of schizophrenia. A compromised immune system, along with one or more of these conditions, can also increase risk.
Genetic Predisposition: While just 1% of the population will develop schizophrenia, this percentage increases considerably for first-degree relatives of someone with the condition.
Substance Abuse: Some research suggests that substance abuse between late teens and early adulthood increases the risk of schizophrenia onset. Some studies conclude that marijuana may increase the frequency of psychotic incidents. Importantly, this potentially leads to an earlier onset of symptoms.

10 Signs Someone Might Be Schizophrenic

Here are ten potential indicators of schizophrenia:

1. Agitation:

People with schizophrenia may feel agitated. Treatment becomes more difficult because of the agitation, which often worsens due to high levels of inner tension.

2. Apathy:

Apathy is a hallmark symptom of schizophrenia, and is characterized by a lack of motivation, low energy, and detachment.

3. Delusions:

Tragically, most people with schizophrenia suffer from delusions – strongly-held beliefs that lack a basis in reality. The most common type of delusion is a belief that they are being followed, tormented, spied on, or ridiculed.

4. Depression-like symptoms:

Also called “negative symptoms,” people with schizophrenia often act or speak in a detached way. They may express hopelessness or sorrow. They may also lose interest in life or show little initiative.

5. Disorganized thinking:

Disorganized thinking is the trademark sign of schizophrenia. “Word salad” is a real psychological term describing a confused or meaningless mix of random words and phrases. This is, at times, characteristic behavior of someone with this condition.

6. Emotional detachment:

As mentioned, depressive symptoms and schizophrenia overlap at times. This may be due to the chemical imbalance in the brain as the disease progresses. In this case, the individual appears aloof and disinterested.

7. Hallucinations:

Though not as frequent a symptom as delusions, hallucinations are a serious sign. At times, the person sees things that are not there. Sometimes, these hallucinations can be extremely disturbing and upsetting to a person with schizophrenia.

8. Isolation and social withdrawal:

As the disease progresses, people with schizophrenia are more apt to isolate themselves from others. Social withdrawal may be both a symptom of the disease and a conscious decision by someone suffering from the disease. Those with schizophrenia are often embarrassed by their behavior when cognizant. Therefore, they choose to limit their interactions with other people.

9. Loss of drive/focus:

Schizophrenia often leaves someone feeling apathetic towards meaningful work. While stories of successful schizophrenics are not rare, they are the exception to the rule. Once again, this lack of drive and focus can be related to depression and withdrawal.

10. Out of place behavior/mannerisms:

Schizophrenia may cause someone to act in a way that is inappropriate to the situation. For example, laughing aloud for no reason, or acting with an unmistakable child-like “silliness.” It’s common for someone with schizophrenia to resist simple instructions and act with defiance.

Final thoughts: Getting past the stigma

Stories abound of individuals who have schizophrenia attempting to hide their condition from others. Despite research and mental health outreach efforts, the ignorance surrounding mental health issues is prevalent. This has led to a shameful social stigma attached to conditions like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and others.

As global citizens, we must do better. When people who are suffering feel support and encouragement, they are far more likely to seek potentially life-changing treatment.

If you or someone you love is suffering from a serious mental health disorder, please reach out for support. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Hotline can be reached at 1-800-662-HELP.

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

Sources:
https://www.brainyquote.com/topics/schizophrenia
https://www.nami.org/Learn-More/Mental-Health-Conditions/Schizophrenia
https://psychcentral.com/lib/top-10-signs-of-schizophrenia/
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0896627306007227
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delusion

Science Explains How Stress Damages Your Memory (And 5 Ways to Get It Back)

June 2, 2018 by Power of Positivity

Our brain is a pretty amazing thing, no doubt. Weighing in at just over three pounds, the brain generates so much energy that it could power a low-voltage light bulb. It is capable of cellular growth throughout life, This almost superhuman ability is known as neuroplasticity. Stretched out, the number of blood vessels in your brain would extend over 100,000 miles – a distance capable of circling the earth four times! Amazing organ. But not without some flaws. Take for example the stress response. The stress response is vital to human survival. Without it, we wouldn’t bother safeguarding ourselves in life. It doesn’t take much brainstorming (unintentional pun) to think of ways this would be problematic. “Oh, an oncoming bus? No problem…” The End.

While our natural stress response – sometimes known as the fight-or-flight response – has been good to us throughout evolution, it has some kinks. For one, we’re not jumping away from every moving bush, fearing it may be a leopard or tiger. Despite the disappearance of predators, our brain is still capable of reaching “high alert” lickity-split.

All of that intelligence, all of those remarkable neurons, all of those years of evolution, and our brain still can’t tell the difference between real and perceived threats! But don’t worry, because it gets worse (before it gets better!).

Stress and Brain Function

Our brain and body are not designed to sustain a constant state of alert. When in a state of high alert, nearly all of your energy is redirected to your brain and muscles, which is fueled by the stress hormone cortisol. In turn, too much cortisol can damage a vital part of the brain called the hippocampus (pronounced “hippo-camp-us”).

Cortisol has been shown to damage and kill cells in the hippocampus, the brain area responsible for the creation of new memories and retrieval of long-term memories. There is also considerable evidence that chronic stress causes premature brain aging.

Granted, it’s not good news that stress can affect the memory, but keep reading. It’s not all bad!

Clearing the Air

We must make an important distinction between types of stress, because not all stress is negative. There seems to be a proliferation of articles denouncing stress in all of its forms. Here’s an example: did you know some people are claiming to know how to make your life “stress-free?” (Hint, hint: You can’t. And you wouldn’t want to if you could.)

Such information is misleading, misguided, and irresponsible. It’s nothing more than click bait with no reputable evidence or research to back up its wayward claims.

The truth is that moderate stress can benefit both physical and mental health. Mentally, proper stress can ward off boredom and depression. The “right” amount of stress can also fine-tune the brain’s neural networks, helping to improve cognitive performance. Proper stress levels also allow us to exert ourselves physically when necessary.

The “answer” to stress isn’t avoiding or abolishing it, but making efforts to strengthen our cognitive abilities in spite of the stress we face.

How to Improve Memory and Cognition

Here are a few tips for regaining and improving your memory and cognitive abilities:

1. Eat “brain-boosting” foods

Eat foods high in omega-3 fatty acids (e.g., walnuts and salmon). Other foods shown to improve cognition include legumes, blueberries, cruciferous veggies (broccoli, cauliflower, etc.), and whole-grains.

2. Learn How to Meditate

Our brain has an entrenched negativity bias, meaning that we direct more of our attention onto what’s bad than good. Meditation demonstrates that it is possible to rewire our brain into a more positive state. World-renowned universities such as Harvard and Stanford have built mindfulness meditation centers on campus because of the benefits involved in learning to meditate.

3. Use Repetition

Repetition is the mother of all learning. Studies have repeatedly shown that repeating something over and over again is the most effective method of encoding information into the brain. When you have problems remembering a phone number, for example, try breaking the digits down into 3-digit chunks and repeating them back to yourself.

4. Sharpen Your Focus

Make it a habit to focus your attention on one task (no matter how small) at a time. When washing the dishes, just be thinking about washing the dishes. When talking on the phone, just be thinking about talking on the phone. These practices that can aid your memory power go by another name: mindfulness.

5. Exercise

Exercise is pure magic. Sure, it can be tough to get our collective butts moving, but the benefits are incredible! You won’t be surprised that exercise brings some serious brain benefits. Moderate physical activity increases the blood flow to the brain, enhances overall mood, and protects brain cells. Evidence exists that exercise stimulates the growth of neurons – a phenomenon known as neurogenesis!

Final Thoughts

The sad truth is that we are too often on “auto-pilot.” Frequently, we are not paying conscious attention to what we’re doing, where we are, and so forth. Unfortunately, this “default” mode of the brain often causes us pain; we’re carried away by negative thoughts and lose our concentration. When this happens, it is more difficult to remember anything.

The best way to improve our memory is by making lifestyle changes. Start exercising, stop smoking, practice meditation, learn to single-task, be mindful, eat right, and engage your brain. Doing just one of these things will drastically improve your ability to store and retrieve more precious memories!

5 Ways to Be Intimate (Without Being Physical)

June 2, 2018 by Power of Positivity

Intimacy can be a terrifying experience. Whether it’s emotional, or spiritual, being intimate with someone can make you feel extremely vulnerable. We all crave acceptance. As such, opening yourself to someone is scary, especially if you’re worried that they might not be receptive or may even react poorly. This article will give you an insight on how to allow yourself to become more intimate, both with yourself and with your loved ones.

Here Are 5 Ways to Teach Yourself to be More Intimate

“Intimacy is not a happy medium. It is a way of being in which the tension between distance and closeness is dissolved and a new horizon appears. Intimacy is beyond fear.” – Henri Nouwen

1. Make Time for Emotional Conversations

Having these crucial conversations can be anxiety-inducing, especially if you lack practice. Love Life Solved has a three-step formula for helping yourself get better at having emotional conversations in a way that allows your partner to respond with emotion. It takes time to grow comfortable with participating in emotional conversations. Psychology Today suggests that setting a time limit, making a list of things to talk about, and acknowledging your partner’s willingness to talk all help to make emotional conversations easier.

2. Actively Listen to Your Partner

Listen to learn from your partner. Active listening is hearing your partner’s meaning instead of just their words. Try to understand the emotions behind what they’re saying to you. If you can’t do that without more context, ask questions. Phrases like, “To me, it sounds like … , is that how you see it?” are clarifying and helpful. Such open questions also show that you’re trying to understand where your partner is coming from.

3. Become More Intimate with Yourself

Understanding your meaning is as important as understanding your partner’s. In fact, it’s possibly even more important. It isn’t easy to become more open with someone when you don’t know what you’re trying to achieve. There are three types of intimacy: self-intimacy, conflict intimacy, and affection intimacy.

Self-Intimacy is about understanding yourself and the reasons behind your feelings. This is an ongoing process for everyone. It’s one thing to understand that you’re upset, but another to unpack why you’re upset. It’s also important to understand how your feelings influence your behavior and how it can affect those around you.
Conflict Intimacy is about learning to have important and difficult interactions without becoming defensive or aggressive. It is crucial that you make the environment between you and your partner a safe place for discussions. Authors Joseph Grenny and Kerry Patterson wrote the book Crucial Conversations about this particular subject. Focusing on the facts, recognizing emotion but not letting it take over, and understanding each other’s points of view are critical for having constructive, intimate conversations.
Affection Intimacy is the typical intimacy connotation; words of affirmation, expressions of love, and sexual intimacy. Though this is an important part of being intimate with your partner, it shouldn’t be your main focus. Once you begin to be more open emotionally, this form of intimacy will become even more meaningful to you and your partner.

4. Touch Your Partner While You’re Talking

Touch creates a physical connection during conversations. It doesn’t have to be a conversation of heightened emotion; it could be a gentle touch to their hand as you tell them about something exciting or a kiss on the forehead as you say goodbye for work. Touch is one of the first connections we make as infants, and it sticks with us throughout our lives.

Nonverbal communication makes up more of our interactions than verbal communication, so touching is a critical part of our relationships. Making more eye contact and smiling also increases the intimacy of communication nonverbally.

5. End Things on a Good Note

There’s nothing worse than walking away from an interaction still upset. For starters, it’s not constructive. Moreover, unresolved, negative emotions can cause you and your partner to let things build up. This could lead to more hatred and even decrease your intimacy level. Emotional upset leads to a lack of physical connection, which will only harm your connection.

Huffington Posts suggests starting a new ritual of ending things with a kiss or another form of physical affection. This should start with small, positive interactions daily so that during conflicts or heightened emotional states, you won’t forget about it.

Final Thoughts on Ways to Be Intimate

Intimacy can be hard, but it doesn’t have to be. Letting your partner know that you’re working on how you communicate and show affection is one of the first steps to enhancing your relationship. Working on intimacy together can become a couple of activities as well. Sometimes, the scariest and hardest things are the most important to do.

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The Science of Getting Things Done

5 Ways to Get More Done in a Day

1. Get rid of distractions

2. Work During Peak Hours

3. Optimize Your Breaks

4. Track Your Time

5. Review Your Daily “Wins”

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

Here are 9 real life couples who prove that soulmates do exist:

Have you met your soulmate? Let us know in the comments!

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

What happens during ‘fight-or-flight’?

Mental and Physical Effects

7 Signs Someone is Dealing with Chronic Stress (And Doesn’t Realize it)

1. Pain and tension

2. Digestive problems

3. Reproductive issues

4. Elevated heart rate and blood pressure

5. Insomnia

6. Mental and Emotional Problems

7. Fatigue

Help for Chronic Stress

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

What is schizophrenia?

Causes of schizophrenia

10 Signs Someone Might Be Schizophrenic

1. Agitation:

2. Apathy:

3. Delusions:

4. Depression-like symptoms:

5. Disorganized thinking:

6. Emotional detachment:

7. Hallucinations:

8. Isolation and social withdrawal:

9. Loss of drive/focus:

10. Out of place behavior/mannerisms:

Final thoughts: Getting past the stigma

Sources: https://www.brainyquote.com/topics/schizophrenia https://www.nami.org/Learn-More/Mental-Health-Conditions/Schizophrenia https://psychcentral.com/lib/top-10-signs-of-schizophrenia/ https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0896627306007227 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delusion

Stress and Brain Function

Clearing the Air

How to Improve Memory and Cognition

1. Eat “brain-boosting” foods

2. Learn How to Meditate

3. Use Repetition

4. Sharpen Your Focus

5. Exercise

Final Thoughts

Here Are 5 Ways to Teach Yourself to be More Intimate

1. Make Time for Emotional Conversations

2. Actively Listen to Your Partner

3. Become More Intimate with Yourself

4. Touch Your Partner While You’re Talking

5. End Things on a Good Note

Final Thoughts on Ways to Be Intimate

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

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Stay Connected With

Us

Every day is a day to shine. Shine on!

Sources:
https://www.brainyquote.com/topics/schizophrenia
https://www.nami.org/Learn-More/Mental-Health-Conditions/Schizophrenia
https://psychcentral.com/lib/top-10-signs-of-schizophrenia/
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0896627306007227
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delusion

Rise and Shine On!
Master Your Day with the Ultimate Positive Morning Guide + Checklist