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What Causes Body Acne (And How to Fix It)

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The best part of leaving your teenage years behind, for most people, is also leaving behind the annoying acne. For some people, though, acne doesn’t always go away once puberty has finished. Acne can follow us well into adulthood, and once it does, it’s time to start looking for solutions on how to deal with it. As if facial acne wasn’t hard enough to deal with, some people are also faced body acne, which usually spreads across the back of the shoulders, the chest, arms and yes, even the buttocks.

This can be both frustrating and a little embarrassing. Don’t worry, it’s something many adults deal with, and it doesn’t always have to feel hopeless. If you’re struggling with figuring out how to deal with your body acne, dermatologists have come up with an answer that might benefit you.

“Anytime you rub acne-prone skin, you push debris and dirt into the pores, and you also thicken the skin, both of which contribute to acne breakouts…” – Dr. Neal Schultz

Here’s How To Fix Body Acne

body acne

Clothes. Yep, your clothes maybe the culprit to some of your body acne. At the very least, your clothes may be responsible for an increased number of breakouts. Now, this isn’t particularly about the fabric or the types of clothes that you wear, but rather how those clothes interact with your body. More importantly, how they rub. Clothes that rub continuously against areas of your body that are prone to acne can trigger a breakout. The cause?

Dr. Neal Schultz mentions, “Sweat may or may not contribute to the breakout, but it’s the rubbing that drives the breakouts… The bottom line is acne in any acne-prone area will be worse if clothing or anything else rubs against the area.”

When clothes rub against an acne prone area, it pushes dirt and other debris into your pores, which then trigger a breakout of acne. Clothes that fit your body tighter, like work out gear, can cause bacteria to grow while you’re sweating and be oil starts to build up in these spandex clothes that aren’t very breathable.

So How Are We Supposed To Fix The Issue Of Clothes?

The best solution is to avoid tight fighting clothes, and instead opt for something lighter and looser, especially in the problem areas. If your workout pants cause your legs or buttock to break out in acne, you may want to opt for a more breathable option, like gym shorts. Dermatologist experts agree that tight-fitting clothes coupled with a good, hardy workout can make your acne worse, and can be one of the major causes to your breakouts.

If most of your wardrobe doesn’t leave much room for this solution, you can also try certain cleaners with your skin that maybe help alleviate some of the breakouts. Cleaners that have salicylic acid can be used along with a body brush to help exfoliate your skin after a workout. The goal is to keep body clean and free of sweat and debris that can cause unpleasant build up in your pores. If you have back acne, you may need to try a solution that’s a little bit stronger.

The skin on different areas of our body have different thicknesses, and react to exfoliation differently. For example, the skin on your face is thinner and more sensitive to things like salicylic acid than the skin on your back, so you may need to use a slightly stronger cleanser when focusing on breakouts on your back.

If you’re prone to breakouts on your back, you may also want to forgo wearing a backpack. The straps can cause all of that unpleasant rubbing that gets debris into your pores. It can make the issue worse, so if you’re the type that deals with acne along the back of your shoulders, opt for another type of bag. You may find some relief with a messenger bag that goes over one shoulder and doesn’t rub or irritate the skin on the back of your shoulders and your back.

Final Thoughts on Body Acne

Not all body acne reacts the same, nor are all breakouts caused by our clothes. However, oftentimes we think of clothes as a neutral part of our bodies, rather than fabrics, materials and chemicals that interact with our skin each day. If you suspect that your clothes may be giving you a bit more grief when it comes to your body acne, try switching it up for a few weeks to see if it gets better. If a change in your clothes and over-the-counter solutions just aren’t cutting it, it may be time to make an appointment with your dermatologist and see if there isn’t something else to try.

What Is Your Weakest Trait, According To Your Zodiac Sign?

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Before we begin this article, we’d like to say that we aren’t trying to make anyone feel bad about their shortcomings. We simply want to help each and every person blossom and grow into the best version of themselves, and that takes learning about your weaknesses as well as your strengths. With that said, we want to talk about each zodiac sign’s main weaknesses, so that you may become aware of them and learn to nurture them. Once you know about your weaknesses, they might just turn into strengths if you can use this knowledge to your advantage.

What Is Your Weakness, According to Your Zodiac Sign?

Aries 3/21-4/19

Aries the Ram doesn’t really enjoy anyone else being in charge except for them, because they like to take the reins whenever possible. While Aries are natural-born leaders, they can sometimes get carried away and not really listen to the input of others. When Aries doesn’t get their way, you might want to get OUT of their way, as they have very short fuses. Aries also tend to make decisions without thinking them through all the way and can seem overly aggressive and irritated easily.

Taurus Zodiac Sign 4/20-5/20

Taurus, a very stable and reliable sign, can also become set in their ways and not willing to change or grow when necessary. They love sticking to what they excel at, and don’t really try new things in life for fear of failure. A Taurus has quite a bit of pride, so this is partially why they enjoy staying in their comfort zone. They find something they do well at, get into a routine, and may not see other options or opportunities that come their way. Taurus the Bull can be very bullheaded, indeed, so if you want to persuade them into something, you’ll have to exercise extreme patient.

Gemini 5/21-6/20

Gemini, you confuse us and excite us all at the same time. It does appear as though you have split personalities, and you never can seem to make up your mind. Though, that makes you interesting and keeps us guessing, which keeps us coming back for more. You always have something to talk about, though sometimes it seems as though you don’t listen. Gemini will flit from one thing to another, much like a butterfly, but can’t seem to stick with one thing, idea, or belief. You constantly change your mind, and that makes it hard to keep up with you. You’re ever-changing, like a chameleon, but you stand out rather than blend in. You’re a mystery to us, Gemini, and maybe even to yourself. Geminis tend to never feel quite “settled” in life, probably because they can’t make up their minds as to what they’re even after.

Cancer 6/21-7/22

Cancers have beautiful, sensitive, gentle souls, but their powerful emotions often take hold of them so much that they paralyze them completely. These folks have a lot of problems with self-esteem, and many times look to others for approval or recognition. Cancers need a lot of nurturing and coddling, and this can feel overwhelming for partners, close friends, and family. Cancers have a lot of love to give,. But sometimes, they put others’ needs before their own. Cancers can also change moods at the drop of a hat and are very prone to anxiety and depression. They also tend to be pessimists and idealists at the same time. They don’t have much faith in the world, because it doesn’t look like the imaginary one they’ve created in their minds. Cancers also are prone to laziness and procrastination.

Leo 7/23-8/22

As a fire sign, Leo is constantly on the go. Leo loves to have the spotlight, but sometimes they forget to let others have their time to shine. Leos have a lot of pride, and this arrogance can rub people the wrong way. Leo the Lion also tends to get stuck in their own way of doing things, which makes them seem inflexible and rigid. They don’t really like listening to others’ input, because they know best. Leos’ self-centered nature can also make it hard for them to form lasting relationships with others.

Virgo Zodiac Sign 8/23-9/22

Virgos have overly analytical minds, which can serve as either a strength or a weakness. They love to crunch numbers and figure out the ‘why’ behind everything, but mulling over the same problems trying to find solutions makes them prone to worry and anxiety. They also are prone to OCD, as they need to have everything a certain way and get thrown off balance when things go awry. Virgos also have very old souls, and this makes them liable to work too much and play too little. They also tend to criticize themselves and others very harshly, which makes it difficult to form bonds with others.

Libra 9/23-10/22

Libra, a naturally calm and peaceful sign, can turn on you just like that if you do or say something they don’t like. Although, rather than actually confront you about a problem, they give you the silent treatment or show passive aggressiveness because they hate conflict. However, people don’t always like being the peacemaker, which means if Libra doesn’t learn to face problems rather than avoiding them, they could lose friendships. Libras also tend to carry grudges, which further complicates their problem of writing people off and avoiding conflict whenever possible. They can focus too much on the bad in their life instead of putting their energy into all the good happening.

Scorpio 10/23-11/21

Scorpios can be very loving and spontaneous, but at the same time, their jealousy and distrusting nature can put a damper on romantic relationships and friendships. And don’t ever get on their bad side, because they WILL plot revenge to teach you a lesson and attempt to “get even.” Scorpios often keep to themselves because of their trust issues, and have a hard time getting close to others because of this. They have very deep emotions, but really don’t show them much due to not wanting to feel vulnerable.

Sagittarius 11/22-12/21

Sagittarius are natural-born explorers. They get bored easily, which makes it hard to complete any project. They hate authority and being told what to do, and often make up their own rules in life. This can get them into trouble quite easily if they don’t learn some middle ground. Sagittarius also has no filter, and can come across as rude or tactless depending on who they’re with. Sagittarius is very impatient as well and will leave a project if it isn’t going their way. They need lots of freedom and space to roam, which can make them seem aloof and flighty at times.

Capricorn Zodiac Sign 12/22-1/19

Capricorns can work themselves to death and forget how to take care of themselves and just play sometimes. They have an obsession with status and money because these two things represent stability and success in life, two things they greatly desire and work hard to maintain. Capricorns tend to brag a lot about their jobs or accomplishments, which can drive people away from them. They have problems opening up to others and tend to think of themselves as superior to most people. However, they have deep-seated insecurities, and actually fear the opinions and thoughts of others. Therefore, they have a bad habit of talking over other people and only discussing facts rather than opinions. They also are pessimistic and expect the worst-case scenario in any situation.

emotion zodiac

Related Article: How do you express emotion according to your zodiac sign?

Aquarius 1/20-2/18

Aquarians are another difficult sign to understand. On one hand, they make great friends due to their conversational skills and diverse interests. However, they have a hard time expressing emotions, which can make it hard to keep friends or partners around. They deeply despise anything too boring or conventional and have an absolute thirst for adventure and travel. However, this makes it hard to stay grounded and focus on responsibilities and chores that are simply part of life in today’s world. Aquarius can seem aloof because they stay in their own little world rather than joining the one happening all around them.

Pisces 2/19-3/20

Last but not least, we have Pisces, the emotional, sensitive, whimsical water sign that loves creative expression and helping others. Pisces, like Cancers, can let their strong emotions get the best of them, however. Pisces can also go out of their way to help someone, but forget to nurture and pay attention to themselves. They also have problems facing reality and wish to escape from it in any way possible. If they can’t find a creative outlet, this desire to escape can lead them down a dark path if they aren’t careful. Due to their turbulent emotions, this makes them prone to anxiety and depression if they can’t learn to even out their feelings a bit.

Researchers Explain 10 Things That Make You Feel Attracted to Someone

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Attraction is more than just gut feelings. While that’s part of it, the reasons why we find ourselves attracted tend to be much more scientific than we give ourselves credit for. When we see someone who we find attractive, we may not be thinking of all the reasons why, and especially not the scientific reasons.

However, researchers have found that there are plenty of reasons that we find some people more physically attractive than others. If you’ve ever had a hard time putting into words why you find someone so attractive, this list of science-based reasons might be of use to you.

Here Are A Few Things That Make You Feel Attracted To Someone

“Every single second is an opportunity to change your life, because in any moment you can change the way you feel.” – Rhonda Byrne

1. FACIAL SYMMETRY

Multiple studies have found that how attractive someone is to you can often depend on how symmetrical they are. This means that people who are more attractive tend to have both sides of their faces or their bodies closely matching. Of course, no one has a perfectly symmetrical face or body. But the closer that one side of their body and faces matches the other, means that they tend to be more attractive. The next time you look at someone’s face and can’t seem to place why they’re so attractive, consider their symmetry!

2. LONGER LEGS IN WOMEN, SHORTER LEGS IN MEN

Funnily enough, the perception of leg length is different between men and women. Women with longer legs are perceived as more attractive, while men with legs that are roughly the same length as their torso are considered more attractive. The reason for men’s ideal leg length, is that shorter legs tend to make men look more muscular, which some women find themselves attracted to.

3. THE SHAPE OF SOMEONE’S FACE

Estrogen and testosterone, the hormones found in more abundance in women and men, respectively, are responsible for forming our bone structures in our faces. The shape of someone’s face can be very indicative of their hormone levels, and thus their fertility and virility. Women with smaller chins and brows, coupled with wider eyes, are perceived as more fertile, while the same goes for men with stronger jaws and brows. These features are a perfect cocktail for physical attraction.

4. “SEXY” VOICES

The sound of someone’s voice is determined by hormones, and this can really affect how attractive you find another person. For men, a lower voice is seen as more attractive, which means that they have a high amount of testosterone. For women, a higher voice is associated with femininity. The quality of the voice affects attractiveness as well. In fact, having a breathy voice is considered attractive in both men and women, while a monotone voice is found to be more attractive in men.

5. SELFLESS BEHAVIOR

Finding someone physically attractive is, more often than not, based on more than just their physical appearance. Science has shown that people with kind and compassionate personalities are found to be much more attractive. Altruism is something that shows that a potential partner will be invested in your well-being. It also shows that potential partners will be good parents, which is something that people often subconsciously think about when assessing the attractiveness of a potential partner.

6. COMPLEMENTARY GENETICS

Couples who look alike are much more common than one might think. Science explains that you’re often drawn to features that are much like your own because people are drawn towards things that are familiar. This means that you and your partner may have a similarity in genetics, from skin tone, to hair color, to even your height! As well, complementary genetics are beneficial for potential children. When picking a partner, you may find that your “type” tends to be someone who looks a lot like you.

7. SOME PEOPLE ARE ATTRACTED TO FACIAL SCARS

This one is a bit tricky. For short-term partners, men are found to be more attractive if they have facial scars, but women are not. However, when looking for a long-term partner, women are more likely to pass up men with facial scars, as they’re often seen as less aggressive and more caring, which is found to be more attractive for potential long-term partnerships.

8. SOMEONE WHO IS INTERESTING

Science says that someone who you find interesting is bound to be much more attractive to you. Our brains need constant, new stimulation, and we often get bored by things that aren’t that interesting to us – be it movies, books, or even people. If a partner isn’t keeping our attention, we’re much less likely to find them attractive. This is why you may find people with personalities that match your own to be much more attractive.

9. BODY MASS INDEX

This might not be true for everyone, but according to research, body mass index (BMI) plays in attraction. Your BMI is the correspondence between their height and weight. BMI calculators assess your height and your weight and turn it into a score, and that is your BMI. The more closely someone’s BMI is to a ratio of 20.85, the more attractive you tend to find them. Of course, you can’t know someone’s BMI on sight, but your brain is able to see how proportional someone is in weight and height.

power of positivity

10. FAITHFULNESS (WHO ISN’T ATTRACTED TO A TRUE PARTNER)

This may seem like a big no-brainer. But science has spoken. Attraction is increased in people who are more faithful and trustworthy. This is because people who have higher fidelity are proving themselves to be both good partners as well as good parents. Sexual fidelity is something that most people say they’re looking for in potential partners across the board, men and women alike.

Attraction is personal, and everyone has different tastes! But, these are some scientific reasons why you may find the same type of people attractive over and over. There’s nothing wrong with that! Now, you can just pull out some scientific facts to impress your potential partner (to be interesting!).

Reference:
The scientific rules of attraction http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/the-scientific-rules-of-attraction-2115495.html
(C)Power of Positivity, LLC. All rights reserved

11 Signs of Poor Health (Even If You Think You’re Healthy)

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Do you know the hidden signs of poor health? You might believe your body is perfectly healthy and miss subtle signs that indicate otherwise. Even when you focus on eating well, exercising, and getting plenty of sleep, you can still have health issues.

Paying attention to your body and watching for abnormal changes can make a difference in maintaining your health. If you know what to look for, you can address any signs of poor health right away before they cause further issues. Your body gives plenty of warning signs leading up to illnesses and diseases, but it is up to you to listen.

There will be times when your body gives signs of poor health, but other times it will be more subtle. Symptoms that you tend to ignore could indicate something much more.

Eleven Signs Of Poor Health

“Virtually every aspect of human physiology has regulatory elements, feedback loops, and developmental components that require thousands of interacting genes …the human body represents an irreducibly complex system on a cellular and organ/system basis.” – Dr. Joseph Kuhn

signs of poor health1. Bloating

Everyone gets bloated sometimes, but if it happens regularly, it’s a sign of poor health. Being bloated after a meal is common because it is a buildup of gas in your digestive tract. When the gas buildup is the issue, you can use home remedies to help speed up digestion.

If speeding up your digestion doesn’t help, though, it could indicate a health problem. Researchers at Harvard Health found that consistent bloating can signal colon, ovarian, stomach, and pancreatic cancers. While your bloating could be unrelated to cancer, it is still best to make sure and seek answers.

How to Fix a Bloated Belly

Start by consuming ginger to speed up your digestion. You can add ginger to your meals, mix it into a beverage, or enjoy some chamomile tea to ease gas buildup.

2. Chronic Fatigue

Fatigue is often one of the first signs you will experience when you have health issues. While short-term fatigue could result from a lack of sleep, stress, or working too hard, chronic fatigue means more.

If you are getting eight hours of sleep each night and still experience a lack of energy, it could signal poor health. Fatigue could be a sign of cancer, diabetes, or heart disease. Addressing the issue right away is essential to finding the cause and maintaining your health.

How to Fix Chronic Fatigue

Reflect on your lifestyle and sleeping habits before assuming you have a serious health condition. Think about the amount of sleep you are getting and if anything could be interfering with your sleep quality. Maintain a regular sleep schedule, including time to wind down 30 minutes before going to bed.

Avoid drinking alcohol or using nicotine before bed, as well. According to research, alcohol and nicotine are stimulants and can result in disrupted sleep quality. If none of these things help, consider visiting your doctor for a professional opinion.

3. Insomnia

When you struggle to fall or stay asleep, and the problem persists for more than one month, you are experiencing insomnia. Your cortisol levels, a stress hormone, should drop at night to allow you to rest and recharge. Researchers believe cortisol levels might play a role in sleeplessness. When that hormone cycle doesn’t happen, it causes insomnia because your body experiences a stress response instead.

While this might not seem like a big deal, it causes your problems than you might think. When you have a stress response, your body’s self-repair process stops, hindering your body’s ability to fight off illnesses. Plus, your body can’t replenish its resources without adequate sleep.

 How to Fix Chronic Sleeplessness

Try some home remedies for insomnia before seeking professional help. Doing things like turning down the lights, sleeping in a cool room, and using white noise can help. You can also try meditating or doing yoga during your wind-down time before bed.

4. Bad Breath

Many things can cause bad breath, and poor health is one of them. Not only is bad breath unpleasant, but experts say that it can indicate concerning health conditions. Some of the health issues it signals include:

  • diabetes
  • liver disease
  • kidney disease

 How to Fix Bad Breath

Consider the other potential causes of bad breath and whether those things could be the problem. Smoking, eating onions or garlic, drinking coffee, and bad dental hygiene are things to consider. If any of those are a problem for you, address the issue and implement better habits.

Once you have considered the other potential causes and made the necessary changes, see if bad breath is still an issue. If it is, then it could indicate a more serious health condition that requires professional help.

5. Headaches

Headaches are common in adults, with research showing that almost half experience them. Since they are so common, they are often ignored and thought of as a normal discomfort to push through. Frequent headaches could indicate other issues, however, including stress or dehydration.

A headache is also a sign of a stroke. If you also experience vomiting, nausea, or vision changes along with the headache, seek medical attention immediately. It is always better to be safe and get help than wait it out and cause further damage.

How to Fix the Common Headache

As long as you aren’t experiencing other symptoms along with your headache, you can try to eliminate the discomfort at home. Start by drinking plenty of water and getting some rest to see if dehydration, stress, or lack of sleep is the problem.

stress headaches6. Weird-looking Nails

Nails are an added layer of protection to your body, and they are an extension of your skin. They require nutrients to stay healthy, and any abnormalities indicate a health issue. Some of the unusual things you might notice about unhealthy nails include:

  • yellow or other abnormal colors
  • they are brittle
  • growing down
  • curving upward
  • anything but pink nail beds
  • nails that flake or break easily

If you notice these changes in your finger or toenails, don’t ignore them. These abnormalities could indicate kidney dysfunction, anemia, or a vitamin deficiency.

 How to Fix Abnormal Finger or Toenails

Focus on eating nutritious foods and drinking plenty of water each day. As your body replenishes its vitamins and nutrients, your nails will likely return to their natural color.

7. Low Sex Drive

Low libido, another sign of poor health, can indicate a disruption in your emotional or physical well-being. Stress, anxiety, depression, and exhaustion are all-consuming and can drastically impact your sex drive. Hormonal problems such as an underactive thyroid can also suppress your sex drive.

Other factors that can suppress your sex drive include drugs, alcohol, contraception, and medication. If you use any of those, look into the side effects and consider how they could be harming your sex life.

 How to Fix a Reduced Sexual Drive

Fixing your low sex drive depends on the cause. If you consume too much alcohol or use drugs, start by eliminating those and seeing if it helps. Otherwise, look into the side effects of any medications you take and ask your doctor how they could be affecting you.

8. Irregular Bowel Movements

Having regular bowel movements is essential to your overall health. What is normal for others might not be for you, but if your bowel movements have become irregular, it is a sure sign of a problem. Additionally, if you have to push or strain to have a bowel movement, it could be because of a health issue.

Every time you eat, your digestive tract should move to eliminate waste. It also opens up space for new nutrition. If you aren’t having regular bowel movements, the toxins from your waste can seep into your bloodstream, causing inflammation and serious health conditions.

 How to Fix Irregularity

Consider your diet and whether you are consuming enough essential nutrients and plenty of water. Make any changes that you see fit, and ensure adequate fiber intake.

While digestive issues happen occasionally, frequent problems are signs of poor health. If your problems don’t clear up with better nutrition and hydration habits, see a health professional for further advice.

9. Rapid Hair Loss

Hair loss is normal, but rapid hair loss is an alarming sign of an underlying medical issue. Rapid hair loss can indicate many things, including:

  • hormonal imbalance
  • reaction to a medication
  • scalp infections
  • alopecia
  • poor dietary habits
  • lupus
  • diabetes
  • overwhelming stress

 How to Fix Hair Breakage or Loss

If you think your hair loss is stress-related, try spending time resting and relaxing. Consider your dietary habits, as well, and make changes to improve your nutritional intake.

10. Muscle Cramping

Muscle cramping is indicative of many health concerns. They can be a sign of nutrient deficiencies, overextension, inadequate blood supply, or straining. If you notice frequent muscle twitches or cramps, pay attention to them.

 How to Fix Muscle Cramps

Start by addressing your dietary habits and making beneficial changes. Also, consider if you are overusing your muscles, and take a break if necessary.

11. Fluctuating Weight

Excessive weight gain or loss are signs of poor health. If you haven’t changed your eating habits or exercise routine but continue to lose or gain weight, look into the problem.

The American Cancer Society explains that unexplained weight loss is a leading sign of stomach, lung, esophagus, and pancreas cancer. On the other hand, unexplained weight gain is a sign of poor nutrition.

Other factors that play into fluctuating weight, however, including:

  • stress
  • thyroid issues
  • depression
  • insulin resistance
  • hormonal imbalance
  • digestive problems
  • genetics

 How to Fix Unusual Weight Gain or Loss

Make sure you are drinking plenty of water and consuming adequate vitamins and nutrients. You should follow a healthy diet with plenty of nutritional benefits to replenish your body. If this doesn’t help, a visit to your doctor might be necessary.

busy stressFinal Thoughts on Knowing the Eleven Signs of Poor Health

Even when you think you are healthy, there are signs of poor health that you might be ignoring. Don’t let these symptoms continue without addressing the cause, or you can cause further complications for yourself.

Watch for these signs of poor health and make a note of when you experience them. You can often address them by changing your dietary habits, but you might have to do more. Figure out the problem and take care of it so that you can focus on maintaining your health.

Researchers Explain 5 Ways To Get Someone To Trust You

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“If people like you, they’ll listen to you, but if they trust you, they’ll do business with you.” – Zig Ziglar

Although this isn’t a business-related article, Zig’s quote testifies to the power of trust. Any relationship – personal and professional – depends on mutual trust.

Human psychology has a lot to do with it. Behavioral and cognitive scientists have studied the trust/behavior phenomenon for a long time. Again and again, researchers and scientists conclude that one’s willingness to trust another is strongly influenced by what the other person says and does.

In this article, we’ll take a look at five such behaviors. Of course, we back up each point with scientific evidence. Genuine displays of these behaviors can help you gain the trust of friends, co-workers, and even strangers.

5 Ways To Get People To Trust You

1. Having a pleasant smell

Ok, we all know that being smelly isn’t conducive to earning someone’s trust. On the other hand, our olfactory nerve (which affects smell) does influence trust to some degree.

University of Arizona professor Joyce Berg developed the Trust Game (aka, “the investment game”) to measure interpersonal trust. Dutch researchers wanted to test whether or not certain scents would influence trust.

90 participants were split into three groups; one group was exposed to no smell, the second group to peppermint, and the third to lavender. People in the lavender-smelling group were “significantly more willing” to entrust money to others than participants in other groups.

Researchers explained this phenomenon in simple terms: lavender has a calming effect. Apparently, this calming effect may invoke feelings of trust in others.

2. Mirroring body language

One group of MBA students were asked to mimic their colleagues in a business transaction negotiation subtly. Another group was used as a control, and were advised not to mirror. None of their colleagues knew of the experiment.

The simple act of resting an elbow on the table when their partner did drastically affected the outcome.

A negotiation was reached 67 percent within the mirroring group, and just 12 percent in the control group. Researchers have previously shown that we mirror those we admire; adding another exciting dimension to interpersonal relationships.

3. Having mutual friends

Triadic closure is the social tendency to include a third person (hence, a triad) if the person ‘(a)’ or ‘(b)’ has already has a friendship with that person. Think of the friend that brings someone along to a party; others are more likely to approach and bond with the guest.

University of British Columbia students wanted to examine the Triadic closure effect on social media. Researchers had student participants randomly “friend” people on Facebook.

80 percent of individuals who sent a friend request approved the invite when mutual “friends” (something Facebook makes visible) was seen. Just 20 percent accepted the request when there were no mutual friends.

Guess there’s a reason why we’re always told to “network.”

4. Apologize with empathy

This one is kind of interesting.

Some of us detest having to apologize; especially for something that is not our fault. We may want to rethink our mindset on this matter, however, as doing so may very well improve our relationships; even with strangers.

Researchers from Harvard demonstrate that apologizing, even unnecessarily or superfluously, earns someone’s empathy and trust.

In one study, a young man was asked to approach 65 strangers in a large train station while raining outside and ask to use their cell phone. When preceding his request to borrow the cell with a (somewhat weird) “I’m so sorry about the rain!” 47 percent gave him the phone. When he didn’t? 9 percent.

5. Don’t be embarrassed!

In a study at the University of California at Berkeley, a young man was told by beaming professors that he’d gotten “a perfect score” on a test. Behind the scenes, of course, were researchers videotaping the reactions of people around him. In the first experiment, the man responded pridefully. In the second, he was relatively shy and embarrassed.

After witnessing the man’s response, researchers set up a series of games with the man and some participants. Classmates who saw the man “respond with pride” were less likely to trust him as a partner. However, when the man responded with a bit of shyness and embarrassment, classmates were more willing to have some faith in the guy.

Social scientists and researchers correlate embarrassment with pro-social behavior. Pride, on the other hand, appears to have the exact opposite effect.

References:
http://www.rd.com/advice/relationships/habits-make-people-trust/
https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/z/zigziglar617767.html?src=t_trust
https://www.cs.cornell.edu/home/kleinber/networks-book/networks-book-ch03.pdf

5 Healthy Reasons To Be In A Relationship

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The question to ask: “If I want to be in a relationship, why do I want it?”

Odds are you’re a good person who wishes to share your life with another. Some people, however, seek out a relationship for the wrong reasons. When it comes down to it, being in a relationship is a huge commitment – and it’s beneficial to examine your motivations carefully.

Dr. Margaret Paul, a renowned relationship expert, emphasizes the importance of self-love before committing to someone. According to Paul, the most common unhealthy reason why people get into relationships: not receiving enough love, and needing a partner to give it to them; somehow feeling that a partner will make them feel worthy and complete.

“People who want a relationship for this reason are generally very disappointed, because if they are not loving themselves, their partner’s love cannot fill the empty place within.”

That said, what are the HEALTHY reasons for wanting a relationship?

“A healthy relationship, whether it’s romantic, brotherly, or friendly, is when each person is allowed room to grow, unjudged, and still loved.” ~ Mama Zara

1. Giving and receiving love and care

There is a vast difference between desiring to share love and wanting to receive love. Resolving deep-seeded issues prior to finding a romantic partner is probably best.

It’s when you love and care for yourself that should determine when you’re ready to meet someone. When you love yourself, it’s much easier for a potential mate to love you back.

A relationship wherein two people love and value themselves opens the possibility for experiencing the joy that encompasses the sharing of love and passion.

2. Mutual support

As social beings, most of us want someone reliable and trustworthy to see us through life. Support, in the context of a relationship, is multi-faceted. We need emotional and spiritual support from our partner.

Having a loving partner who also supports your dreams and passions is crucial to relationship happiness. When someone is “all in” on what you want to accomplish in life, things are that much easier and that much more enjoyable.

Financial support is also an important part of living a comfortable life together.

love

3. Growth

The truth is we are transformed, to some degree, by who we allow into our lives. Our partners are huge influences on our life and our life’s outlook. Many people have changed for the better by a conscientious partner who, lovingly and firmly, points out both our strengths and our weaknesses. We also learn by observing our partner. We “mirror” the things we admire about them – a fact proven by science.

(we mimic the actions of those we respect.)

The cool thing is that each person has different things to offer. The intimate nature of a loving relationship, combined with these differences, is enough for us to become a better partner and individual.

4. Family and children

For people who want a family and children, this is a major factor in a happy relationship. Fortunately, we discover whether a person wants children early in the dating process. In fact, most online dating sites have a questionnaire that asks if children are in the cards (a “Yes/No/Maybe” sort of thing.)

Anyways, having a family is a beautiful thing. Having children while remaining with your partner is deeply satisfying for a couple of reasons. First, parenting can be a challenging endeavor, and having a partner who shares these challenges makes things a bit easier.

Studies show that children raised in partnerships are generally better off. For instance, there is a direct correlation between a stable family environment and the development of personal and psychological problems.

5. Friendship and fun

You hear people all the time say, “My spouse/partner is also my best friend.” Of course! You’re intimately involved with a man or woman who knows you better than most friends ever could. So, the “My spouse/partner is also my best friend” thing, while on the surface a bit cheesy, is nonetheless true.

Anyways, it is generally much more fun to do things with a partner, especially if you share mutual interests. Being “besties” and remembering to have fun is an important part of a healthy relationship.

(Readers: What do you think are the keys to a healthy relationship? Do you have any personal insight to share? Please do!)

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