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5 Early Warning Signs of A Teenager With Depression

March 18, 2018 by Power of Positivity

A teenager is hardly a child in today’s world. Consider that between 10 to 15 percent of teenagers suffer from clinical depression. A most unpleasant welcome to early adulthood, to say the least.

Meet Elise Jamison

This young woman speaks from the heart about a condition that affects her every day: clinical depression. Elise says as much: “I have worked so hard in the last couple years to overcome this illness and it is still a daily battle.”

16-year-old Elise shares on Huffington Post that today’s teenagers are:

Prone to exaggeration.
Quick to come up with excuses.
Think that they know more than they actually do.

So clearly, Ms. Jamison has a bit of a heads up on her peers in the maturity department. Elise is as eloquent about her condition as she is frustrated with those who are either (a) ignorant about it, or (b) use it only as an excuse.

Ms. Jamison writes, “I was diagnosed at age 14 with depression, and I am so frustrated with the people around me who cannot differentiate between angst, PMS and mental illness.”

The cause of spreading awareness

Besides speaking eloquently about the (“humongous”) differences between “temporary sadness and dissatisfaction with your life” and “the sinking desperation that is depression,” Elise – like so many individuals who suffer from depression and other illnesses – has become an advocate for mental health education and treatment.

Such advocacy is desperately needed, especially considering that both public and private sources of mental health treatment continue to be pared back. Case in point: the President of the United States, despite promising to “tackle the difficult issue of mental health,” proposes a budget that will cut behavioral care by as much as 25 percent.

At its core, depression is a chemical imbalance of the brain – a fact does not change whether you are 16 years old, or 60. A chemical imbalance in the brain may be heavily influenced by both environmental and/or genetic factors.

With regards to displays of depressive behavior, there are both similarities and differences between teenagers and adults.

Here are five common signs of teenage depression:

1. Problems at school

Depression can severely hinder a teenager’s ability to concentrate on his or her studies. Low serotonin levels are known to affect both memory and energy levels: two components that are critical to learning. A drop in grades, frustration with classwork, or poor attendance may indicate a struggle with depression; particularly if they were formerly a good student.

2. Sadness and/or loss of interest

Unless the teenager is incredibly good at masking their condition, he or she will probably display some behavioral changes at some point. Typically, depression causes a persistent feeling of sadness and/or loss of interest. Depression diagnosis requires the demonstration of one or both symptoms “for the majority of the day, on most days of the week, within a span of two weeks.”

3. Substance abuse

While most teenagers will experiment with alcohol or nicotine at some point (perhaps marijuana), excessive use may indicate a substance abuse problem. Both experimenting with stronger drugs and overuse of any substance is indicative of a substance abuse problem. If the teen is not ordinarily one to engage in such, a mental health issue may be present – most likely, depression and/or anxiety.

4. Irritability and Mood swings

Low serotonin levels combine with hormonal changes, peer pressure, and academic expectations. And that combo can both worsen depression and cause mood swings and behavioral outbursts. It’s important to note that irritability, more often than sadness, is the predominant mood in depressed teenagers. As such, they may become more easily frustrated, grumpy, or hostile.

5. Unexplainable aches and pains

Depression almost certainly produces psychosomatic symptoms. Therefore, frequent complaints of physical ailments – especially headache or stomachache – without any medical cause may indicate depression.

Final Thoughts on Teenagers and Signs of Depression

Depression is a severe mental health condition that demands both proper attention and prompt treatment. It is therefore vital for caregivers and anyone else involved in the teenager’s life to take any potential sign of depression seriously.

Depression has a way of creating a seemingly endless narrative of negative self-talk and hopelessness. But this is wrong. Help is available, and there are many effective treatments.

Almost always, clinical depression requires medication – and possibly, cognitive therapy – to correct. The sooner that someone is able and willing to seek help, the sooner that someone can begin the process of healing.

Sources:
http://www.businessinsider.com/trump-mental-health-budget-2018-2
https://www.curejoy.com/content/signs-and-symptoms-of-depression-in-teens/
https://www.helpguide.org/articles/depression/parents-guide-to-teen-depression.htm
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/elise-jamison/teen-depression_b_4518746.html
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/teen-depression/symptoms-causes/syc-20350985

7 Behaviors That Reveal Someone Is Afraid Of Falling In Love

March 18, 2018 by Power of Positivity

We aren’t often afraid of something for no reason. Sure, there’s underlying anxiety some of the time, but we’re usually quite capable of identifying what – or who – scares us.

When it comes to relationships, things aren’t that simple (surprise, surprise!). Fear can play a huge role in relationships – and usually not in a good way. Predictably, individuals who struggle with relationship-related fear often have a hard time finding, maintaining, and cultivating a partnership.

If we were to explain these fears using one word, it’d be vulnerability. Some people, quite simply, don’t handle the idea of being vulnerable very well. If not rectified, this fear can evolve into avoidance behavior, which can evolve into loneliness.

When we hear or say the word ‘love’ in the context of an intimate relationship, another word comes to mind: commitment. Relatedly, many of the fears that people experience in relationships are rooted in fear of commitment.

As you read through this list, you’ll notice that many of the things listed here revert back to the commitment issue.

Here are 7 behaviors of someone who may be afraid of falling in love:

1. Their love life thus far has been a series of short relationships

If they’ve never committed to a long-term (>1-2 years) relationship despite no longer “young,” they may have a fear of falling in love. Having long-term relationships without giving any sort of genuine commitment is another possible sign.

2. They often use modifiers like ‘I might,’ ‘I might not,’ ‘probably,’ and ‘maybe.’

When used often, these modifying words display a type of relational indecisiveness. Although these words and phrases may appear harmless, saying them every other sentence demonstrates a lack of maturity. While what they do may be a notch above what they say, the latter is nonetheless vital, particularly concerning intimacy.

3. They’re uncomfortable with “giving away” your freedom

Let’s start by saying this: there is absolutely nothing wrong with choosing to remain single. Notice the word ‘choosing’ in the sentence. Why do many people choose to remain single? Because of the lifestyle, of course! There is no way around it: single individuals have much more freedom. As a result, some of these folks may be either uncomfortable with or have an innate fear of committing to someone.

4. They have a difficult time with the “L-word”

As with pretty much every other item on this list, there are some caveats. Minus those, finding it hard to express may be indicative of a fear of feeling an emotion – in this case, love.

“Love” is a strong word, and when used during the early phases of an intimate relationship, this invites an analysis of said relationship’s future. “Future” involves planning – in other words, added responsibility – that some people aren’t comfortable with taking on.

5. They don’t like relationship labels

“Boyfriend and girlfriend” isn’t a phrase they’ve used much in the past, if ever. Some individuals who feel anxiety about falling in love tend to sidestep the labels that accompany two people who’ve been ‘seeing each other.’

Once again, something like not wanting to label a relationship totally fine. The problem, as any person who faced a similar situation will attest, is the real or perceived pressure that arises from friends and family to “label” their relationship. (Are you listening, parents?)

6. They aren’t one for committing to dates or nights out

We’re back to the commitment thing. The reason that we’re back is that there’s no way around it! Even casual dating requires a certain amount of planning and evaluation – in other words, commitment.

People who are afraid of falling in love may evade the dating scene, or fail to show up for a scheduled night out. If this should happen, you can probably bet that they won’t be preparing for another date anytime soon.

7. They’re sexually over-active or promiscuous

Love-a-phobes have an innate desire for intimacy like the rest of us. Should they feel that any one person is not capable of providing this need, they may turn to multiple people – often for sex.

Being sexually active can also be a manifestation of avoidance behavior. Casual sex demands nothing more than two willing participants. As such, the fearful one needn’t have to worry about vulnerability.

Sources:
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/kathlyn-and-gay-hendricks/are-you-afraid-of-falling_b_5606326.html
https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-mysteries-love/201503/10-signs-your-lover-is-commitment-phobic

5 Foods That Detox And Heal Your Lungs Naturally

March 18, 2018 by Power of Positivity

The primary function of our lungs is to transport oxygen from the air we breathe to our body’s cells while eliminating harmful carbon dioxide. Healthy lungs make breathing – therefore, life – possible for just about every living creature.

According to the National Institutes of Health, inhalation and exhalation (i.e., ‘breathing’) happen approximately 25,000 times daily. So…we breathe…a lot.

Several lung diseases have been associated with oxidative stress and linked to oxidant insults such as cigarette smoke, air pollutants, and infections. Consequently, dietary factors and nutrients with a protective role in the oxidative process and inflammatory response have been implicated in the genesis or evolution of these diseases. – The International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease

About lung diseases

Asthma, cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and pneumonia negatively affect our body’s inherent ability to deliver needed oxygen to our billions of cells. And while medical professionals continue to warn us against the dangerous effects of carcinogens (e.g. cigarette packaging), pollutants, and infections, dietary effects on lung health are not as well-known.

However, advanced research directly links diet and lung health is being conducted. For example, the journal Annals of the American Thoracic Society recently concluded a study explaining the correlation between a high-fiber diet and a lower risk of COPD. COPD is responsible for the third-highest number of deaths globally, encompassing a wide range of lung conditions.

Health professionals worldwide have advocated for a more aggressive public relations campaign linking lung health and dietary habits. As with almost (every?) organ of the human body, our lungs are directly impacted by the foods we consume.

Here are five foods that help to give us healthier lungs:

In this article, we discuss five of the essential foods to consume to ensure healthy lungs. We discuss the categories of foods (e.g. antioxidants) that each food belongs to, and make some recommendations on how all of us can use our diet to promote lung health.

1. Pumpkin or Sweet Potatoes (beta carotene)

Research shows that diets containing high levels of beta-carotene could benefit lung health. A primary element of plant foods, beta carotene is part of the carotenoid family, which can be found in several fruits and vegetables.

Beta carotene is converted into vitamin A. That nutrient is essential to lung health. Other fruits and veggies include apricots, broccoli, carrots, cantaloupe, mangoes and red peppers.

2. Oranges (vitamin C)

Foods with a high concentration of vitamin C, including oranges, have been linked to better overall lung function. Unsurprisingly, those with diets rich in vitamin C have a lower risk of developing lung cancer and other related ailments. This is particularly true for those who eat plenty of citrus fruits.

Other foods in this category include broccoli, brussels sprouts, green and red peppers, kiwifruit, potatoes, and tomatoes.

3. Dark Leafy Greens (folate)

Not much of a shock that one of the world’s healthiest foods is also the highest in folate. That type of vitamin B. Folate may prevent various forms of COPD, including asthma, chronic bronchitis, and emphysema.

In one study published in the Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition, researchers concluded:

“The COPD patients had significantly lower habitual intake of folate than control subjects. Lung function measures were found to be positively associated with dietary folate level. Reductions in prevalence of COPD and especially breathlessness were observed…”

4. Beans and lentils (hemoglobin-boosters)

Healthy hemoglobin levels are critical to optimizing the oxygen transportation faculties of the lungs. Hemoglobin is a protein molecule in red blood cells that transports oxygen from the lungs to body tissue. Additionally, hemoglobin stimulates the internal processes that return carbon dioxide to the lungs to expel from the body.

Black beans, cowpeas, dried peas, lentils, red kidney beans, garbanzo beans, and soybeans are all foods containing properties that raise hemoglobin levels. As an added benefit, supplement beans and lentils with vitamin-C-rich foods to maximize iron absorption.

5. Dark Chocolate (antioxidants)

Ok – so to this point, we’ve listed a bunch of healthy foods. But none that (really) satisfy the sweet tooth…well, here’s some good news for chocolate lovers. Dark chocolate is a terrific source of antioxidants – essential to counteract the damage created via oxidation of the body’s cells. As confirmed by numerous studies, oxygenation of the cells can be a catalyst of many lung-related diseases and disorders.

Many other good sources of antioxidants include blackberries, blueberries, cranberries, plums, strawberries, artichokes and red kidney beans.

5 Goal Management Tricks That Make You More Successful

March 18, 2018 by Power of Positivity

Achieving your goal doesn’t have to be a scary, daunting process! Sometimes, we don’t do what we really want to do because we’re so afraid of failure. Or, we just don’t know where to start. Winston Churchill once said, “Success is going from failure to failure without a loss of enthusiasm.”

There’s so many people around us that feel the exact same way, but don’t show it. Even if it feels like everyone else has some mystical wisdom on how to achieve their goals, they were just as lost and confused as you at one point in their lives.

That’s why there are a few simple tricks that anyone can follow that can help you achieve your goals – no matter how big or small those goals are. Is your goal to buy a new house before the holiday season? Or maybe your goal is something bigger, like owning your own restaurant, or finishing your master’s degree. Whatever your goal is, these simple tricks will help you achieve it.

Here Are 5 Simple Tricks To Achieve Your Goal In Life

“Happiness does not come from doing easy work but from the afterglow of satisfaction that comes after the achievement of a difficult task that demanded our best.” – Theodore Isaac Rubin

1. Make a list

This is the first step to anything. You have to know what your goals are. Sometimes, those goals consist of smaller goals throughout the way. After all, you can’t own a business without first knowing what to do, and you can finish your master’s degree without first having a bachelor’s.

Clinical hypnotherapist and confidence and intuitive coach Annie Ashdown says, “Mind-map your goals: a) Centre circle: write your specific goal; b) outside circle: chunk down the goal into tasks you will need to accomplish to achieve it; c) spokes: draw spokes radiating out from each mini circle and write out each aspect you want to consider. Leave lots of space to play around and flesh it all out.”

Don’t be overwhelmed by the prospect of making a list. Go on instinct. Let your gut and heart decide what your goals are, and list them out so that you can see them all on paper. After you have the list down, you can go back and see what things about your life you’ll have to change to make your goals a reality.

2. Clean your workspace

Chances are, your goals are going to require a bit of work, no matter what they are. Clutter can be both physically and mentally distracting. If you don’t have a clean space to work at, you won’t be able to work at the things that you need done to achieve your goals. Not only will you be physically unable to do so, but your mind won’t be cleared enough with all of the things surrounding you to make good work.

“People who work with cluttered desks are found to spend an enormous amount of each working day looking for the materials they need among the clutter around them. Psychologically, the sight of a cluttered desk or office provides visual subconscious feedback that reinforces your perception that you are disorganized. It leads to continuous distraction as your eyes and your attention dart from item to item, and back again,” says top sales training and personal success authority Brian Tracy.

Take a few hours to clear out a dedicated space for you to work where you can be both relaxed and focused; not to mention that cleaning is a great way to make you feel motivated and attentive.

3. Keep distractions to a minimum

Having a clean and dedicated workspace is a great step. But that clean and pristine workspace isn’t going to do you much good if you’re distracted by all kinds of things. From your phone, to the radio, to family members, to the television – distractions are all around us, and they can make it just as hard to work on your goals as clutter and mess can. Put your phone on do not disturb, keep the television off, and find a way to keep your family members entertained or busy while you dedicate time to working on your goals.

4. Wake up early

No, earlier. Yes, even earlier than that. Waking up just with enough time to get ready for the day isn’t going to be enough to achieve your goals. You need to wake up with enough time to get ready, as well as some time all to yourself in the early hours of the morning before the rest of your family or household gets up. You need time to yourself to dedicate to your goals without kids, spouses or other family members needing your attention.

“Wake up early everyday so that while others are still dreaming, you can make your dreams come true. There is too much life to be lived for you to hit the snooze button. In fact, I believe it is ‘seize the day’, not ‘snooze the day,’” says famous keynote speaker Hal Elrod.

Waking up early will take some getting used to. Start with 30 extra minutes in the morning and slowly work your way up to having a couple of hours all to yourself with no distractions.

5. Stop procrastinating

When there’s something that needs to get done, we often find all kinds of ways to procrastinate doing it. If a report has to be written, we may instead clean the entire house as a way to put off doing it. The best way to achieve your goals is to just go in, and do it.

“Start with the toughest action that you fear most. This will make the rest of them so much easier to accomplish. The only way to overcome fear is to walk through it,” adds Ashdown.

It may take some getting used to, because procrastination is a bad habit that requires breaking. But once you’re able to get yourself to stop dawdling and start doing, you’ll find that getting steps ahead on your goals can be one of the most rewarding things out there.

Final thoughts

Achieving goals isn’t always easy, but it’s always possible. No matter how big or large, all it takes is a lot of work and a lot of dedication. It may take some extra steps, but figuring out the best way that works for you will be your first goal to achieving your goals! These simple steps should help you get started with achieving your dreams.

https://youtu.be/xDMlO8nc5_4

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

References:
https://www.virtuesforlife.com/5-steps-success-achieving-goals/
https://www.getthegloss.com/behind-the-brand/10-steps-for-achieving-life-goal-success-by-the-end-of-the-year
https://www.briantracy.com/blog/time-management/5-office-organizing-tips-how-to-organize-your-desk/
http://halelrod.com/quotes/

Researchers Explain 5 Reasons to Let Go of Stress Beyond Your Control

March 18, 2018 by Power of Positivity

“Adopting the right attitude can convert a negative stress into a positive one.”- Hans Selye

We are all subject to worrying over the things in life that are too big for us to control. Many of us often worry about the future, our jobs, money, the state of the world, and how we’re going to keep moving forward. Some things can be easily dealt with: we can put a financial plan in place in case of money issues, and we can make plans in case we lose our jobs.

But for other things, we just can’t control them. The way the future is going to look, for example, or our relationships with other people. We can only control ourselves, and any attempt to control things outside of our control often leads to issues with our own minds and bodies.

5 Reasons To Stop Stressing About Things You Can’t Control

1. Stress worsens your health

Worrying too much about things that you can’t control will, inevitably, stress you out. After all, all that worry isn’t going anywhere. There’s nothing productive that you can do to let it out. So, it tends to manifest into stress. Stress is bad for your health, both mentally and physically. Stress is known to weaken your immune system, which can cause you to fall ill easier.

Dr. Joseph Mercola says, “Stress plays a major role in your immune system, and can impact your blood pressure, cholesterol levels, brain chemistry, blood sugar levels, and hormonal balance, for instance. It can even “break” your heart, and is increasingly being viewed as a cardiovascular risk marker.”

So, when you learn to let go of all your stress and worrying, you’ll be able to live a healthier life.

2. Life is short

For a lot of people, worrying can take up all of your attention span. You may think that you’re balancing everything just fine, but it comes to a point where that’s just not happening anymore. Worrying too much can cause you to miss out on the things that are going on around you.

You’re too busy worrying about the bad things rather than allowing yourself to live in the moment and experience all of the good things that this world has to offer. When you stop worrying, you’ll be able to experience life to the fullest, in all of the best ways.

If it helps, here’s what Kai Tracid sang about in his song Life is Too Short, “Life is too short, don’t stress every day, leave your worries behind, go out and play, life is too short, grasp it in your hand, a natural miracle, have fun while you can…” Couldn’t agree more!

3. You won’t be able to focus on what you can control

With all of your attention being devoted to all of the things in your life that you can’t control, you’ll be more likely to let the things you can control fall by the wayside. This is only going to cause you more stress as you struggle to play catch up – when all you have to do is stay focused on the things that you can control!

When you focus on the things that are under your control, you’ll feel a lot less stressed out and better prepared for whatever life has to throw at you and “Before you know it, you’ll be living your best life ever!” says entrepreneur Catherine Goldberg.

4. Your mental health will suffer

Do you ever find that once you start worrying about one thing, it tends to snowball into an apocalyptic daydream that has your heart racing and your brain feeling like it’s about to crawl out of your skull? Well, that’s what worrying will do to you! When you spend too much time worrying about the things that you can’t control, your mental health will also suffer.

Psychiatrist Dr. Justin Ross says, “When we’re stressed, we tend to shine a spotlight on the stressor itself, or on our reaction to that stressor, which only tends to magnify the response.”

You may find that you get anxiety much easier than you used to, or much easier than the people around you. You can also develop depression from spending so much time thinking about the things that are beyond your control. Do your mental health a favor and let some things go.

5. You become a self-fulfilling prophecy

If you become so terrified and worried over messing up at work, you may find that your ability to perform and your concentration will drop drastically … leading to you messing up at work! The more you focus on the bad things, the more likely you’ll be too stressed out and anxious to make the good things in your life happen.

Instead, focus on what you can do. Trust yourself to be competent at your job, and trust yourself to be able to handle any issues that come your way. Letting yourself wallow in anxiety over things that you can’t control will only make it harder for you to handle them when they do happen.

Final thoughts

It’s natural to worry sometimes. We all do it! And we all worry about things that are out of our control. The important thing to know is when to stop worrying, and why it’s important that we worry less. With all of the issues on our mind, body and life that stress can cause, it’s important to know when to let it roll with the punches, and when the appropriate time to worry is.

https://youtu.be/lFdcCXmGpy4

References:
https://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2013/11/07/8-stress-management-tips.aspxv
https://greatist.com/grow/what-you-can-control-for-happiness-success
http://dailyburn.com/life/lifestyle/de-stress-tips-mental-health-experts/

Science Explains What Happens To Your Body When You Control Your Breathing Every Day

March 18, 2018 by Power of Positivity

“Breathing in… breathing out…”

We humans breathe over 20,000 times a day. Unless our air supply is cut off, we don’t pay this mostly automatic process much attention.

But we should.

Every breath we take supplies every one of our body’s trillions of cells with life. It also removes harmful carbon dioxide (CO2) to help keep us alive.

Controlled breathing is a fundamental element in many ancient traditions, including meditation and yoga.

Ancient yogis, for example, believed in the healing power of the breath. Both Buddhists and Yogis taught their students the precise methodology with which they were to inhale and exhale – along with the rationale behind intentionality.

History’s yogis and Buddhists were way beyond their time. As it turns out, proper breathing “counteracts the adverse clinical effects of stress in disorders including hypertension, anxiety, insomnia, and aging.”

Fast-forward thousands of years, and scientists are just now confirming many of the benefits espoused by Buddha and the Yogis. Pretty fascinating stuff, right?

In this article, we’re going to talk about controlled breathing, what science has uncovered, and how to perform three different methods. All three methods and easy, quick, and life-changing!

Let’s get to it!

Here’s what happens when you practice deep breathing:

“Controlled breathing is one way to trigger your relaxation response, as it activates your parasympathetic nervous system, which in turn may slow down your heart rate and digestion which helps you feel calm.” ~ Dr. Joseph Mercola, “Breathe, Exhale and Repeat: What Are the Benefits of Controlled Breathing?”

Diaphragmic Breathing

Breathing, as you probably already know, is both a voluntary and involuntary response. Provided the heart is pumping blood and the brain is functioning, we will breathe automatically.

However, many of us do not breathe ‘correctly.’ Most of us have the innate tendency to chest breathe – or breathe shallowly.

Instead, we should breathe with the belly – something called ‘diaphragmic breathing.’ When we consciously engage in a diaphragmic breathing practice, this is called controlled breathing.

Controlled breathing

Controlled breathing is to be consciously aware – and control – one’s breathing patterns. It is also a practice with some extraordinary potential health benefits, including healthier organs, a better brain, increased energy, cellular health, and much more.

Most of the health gains from following this practice are a direct result of curbing the body’s fight-or-flight response.

As you know, your body has a “fight-or-flight” (FoF) mechanism that activates when it’s under stress. Our distant ancestors had to contend with many-a-threat: wild animals, starvation, disease, etc.

Naturally, as humans evolved, we became more of a “thinking” creature. This fact is evident in the development of the prefrontal cortex (PFC) of the brain, which is responsible for decision-making, attention, and resource management.

Of course, we still have the FoF response too. But we can – to a great extent – overrule many FoF annoyances by using our PFC (more on this later on.)

This includes, of course, controlled breathing.

Controlled breathing and the ‘Relaxation Response’

The Relaxation Response is a term coined by Harvard professor, and pioneer in Mind-Body Medicine at Harvard Medical School, Dr. Herbert Benson.

In simple terms, the Relaxation Response is the opposite of fight-or-flight. The fact that such a response exists should get us super excited. We don’t have to be controlled by stress, fear, and anxiety. The Relaxation Response, accomplished through controlled breathing, can help mitigate FoF.

In science-y terms, the Relaxation Response activates the para-sympathetic (pronounced like ‘parachute’) nervous system or PNS.

The PNS is – you got it – the opposite of the autonomic nervous system (ANS)! The PNS is what enables the Relaxation Response. While the ANS is referred to as the “fight-or-flight” system, the PNS is sometimes referred to as the “rest-and-digest” system.

Controlled breathing = PNS activation = Relaxation Response (= Bliss!)

Here are three ways to activate the body’s PNS through controlled breathing:

The first is called Coherent Breathing, and here’s how to do it:

Sitting upright or lying down, place your hands on your belly.
Slowly breathe in, expanding your belly to the count of five.
Pause Briefly.
Slowly breathe out to the count of six.
Try and work your way up to 10-20 minutes a day.

The second method is Core Breathing:

Sit straight at the edge of your chair or on the floor.
Place your hands on your belly.
As you inhale, lean forward and expand your belly.
As you exhale, squeeze the air out, curling forward. Exhale until you are out of breath.
Repeat 15-20 times.

The third and final method is the ‘HA!’ technique:

Stand up straight, elbows bent at a 90-degree angle, and palms up.
While inhaling fully, draw your elbows back behind you, keeping your palms up.
Exhale quickly, thrusting your palms forward and turning them downward; say (or mouth) the word ‘HA!’
Quickly repeat 15-20 times.
Enjoy your inner peace!

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Meet Elise Jamison

The cause of spreading awareness

Here are five common signs of teenage depression:

1. Problems at school

2. Sadness and/or loss of interest

3. Substance abuse

4. Irritability and Mood swings

5. Unexplainable aches and pains

Final Thoughts on Teenagers and Signs of Depression

Here are 7 behaviors of someone who may be afraid of falling in love:

1. Their love life thus far has been a series of short relationships

2. They often use modifiers like ‘I might,’ ‘I might not,’ ‘probably,’ and ‘maybe.’

3. They’re uncomfortable with “giving away” your freedom

4. They have a difficult time with the “L-word”

5. They don’t like relationship labels

6. They aren’t one for committing to dates or nights out

7. They’re sexually over-active or promiscuous

Sources: https://www.huffingtonpost.com/kathlyn-and-gay-hendricks/are-you-afraid-of-falling_b_5606326.html https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-mysteries-love/201503/10-signs-your-lover-is-commitment-phobic

About lung diseases

Here are five foods that help to give us healthier lungs:

1. Pumpkin or Sweet Potatoes (beta carotene)

2. Oranges (vitamin C)

3. Dark Leafy Greens (folate)

4. Beans and lentils (hemoglobin-boosters)

5. Dark Chocolate (antioxidants)

Here Are 5 Simple Tricks To Achieve Your Goal In Life

1. Make a list

2. Clean your workspace

3. Keep distractions to a minimum

4. Wake up early

5. Stop procrastinating

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

5 Reasons To Stop Stressing About Things You Can’t Control

1. Stress worsens your health

2. Life is short

3. You won’t be able to focus on what you can control

4. Your mental health will suffer

5. You become a self-fulfilling prophecy

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

References: https://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2013/11/07/8-stress-management-tips.aspxv https://greatist.com/grow/what-you-can-control-for-happiness-success http://dailyburn.com/life/lifestyle/de-stress-tips-mental-health-experts/

Here’s what happens when you practice deep breathing:

Controlled breathing and the ‘Relaxation Response’

Here are three ways to activate the body’s PNS through controlled breathing:

The first is called Coherent Breathing, and here’s how to do it:

The second method is Core Breathing:

The third and final method is the ‘HA!’ technique:

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Sources:
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/kathlyn-and-gay-hendricks/are-you-afraid-of-falling_b_5606326.html
https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-mysteries-love/201503/10-signs-your-lover-is-commitment-phobic

References:
https://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2013/11/07/8-stress-management-tips.aspxv
https://greatist.com/grow/what-you-can-control-for-happiness-success
http://dailyburn.com/life/lifestyle/de-stress-tips-mental-health-experts/

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