How To Stop Emotional Eating In 3 Steps

May 4, 2016 by Chris Butler

Emotional eating feels like you’re filling a bottomless hole of what you think will make you feel better. The problem for most emotional eaters is that it is difficult to stop. When you feel low and you want to feel happy, emotional eating is an easy way to feel better quickly. Eating an Oreo cookie might make you feel happy, but eating the whole box will make you feel horrible.

The cycle of indulging your craving to feed your emotions, and then regretting the choice and feeling bad can then lead to emotional eating again. This up and down emotional eating roller coaster leads to weight gain. Weight gain is one major reason to work on controlling emotional eating. Unhealthy nutrition which can lead to diabetes, heart disease, inflammatory illnesses, and cancer risk is another good reason to avoid emotional eating.

Eating to manage negative emotions is not healthy. Ideally, when faced with stress that makes us feel angry/sad/afraid we would take a moment to calm ourselves and find a healthy way to change our emotional state to a positive one.

Why we like “comfort foods”

Dr. Brian Wansink, author of Mindless Eating; Why We Eat More Than We Think and director of Cornell University’s Food and Brand Lab says ‘The fact we like comfort foods is predictable, but it is also somewhat predictable which foods we will like, when and why we like them, and when all of it backfires. For starters, we found that men prefer meal-related comfort foods like steak, pasta, pizza, burgers because they make them feel special and well-taken care of. Women, on the other hand, don’t think of these as comfort foods. These foods reminded them of work – cooking and clean-up. Women much preferred the convenience of the snack foods, like cookies, chocolate, and ice cream. Eating ice cream from the container equals no cooking and no clean-up.’

Dr. Wansink and his team have conducted many experiments since 1997 when the Cornell Food and Brand Lab opened. In this research facility, scientists have created a fake restaurant where members of the public are invited to eat while researchers observe their eating habits.

Although the Cornell Food and Brand Lab has made many food-related discoveries, here are some key findings related to emotional eating during a sad movie:

People eat more while watching sad movies, but they can eat more healthy foods by making healthy snacks available.
When in a bad mood, focus on something other than the present to reduce consumption of indulgent foods.
To make healthier food choices, do something to make you feel happy and positive.
Women felt that they overate and were rushed through their meal when they ate with men due to the need to impress.

Here’s a 3-step process that can help end the process of emotional eating…

Once you know the trigger, then you can make a choice to take different actions in response to the stress.

1. Say ‘I can.’

Believing in yourself and your ability to accomplish anything you set your mind to is very empowering. Even if cravings have seemed irresistible in the past, by saying ‘I can resist those brownies’ we confirm our faith in ourselves.

The power of ‘I can’ is what enables people to finish triathlons at age 60 and it’s what helps many drop 100 or more pounds. Say ‘I can resist emotional eating’ when you feel the urge to indulge.

2. Celebrate your accomplishments, no matter how small.

If you were able to resist the jar of M&Ms at the office, congratulate yourself. Don’t celebrate by rewarding yourself with any food treats, unless it’s excellent nutrition, but praise yourself for making excellent choices.

3. Practice mindfulness.

Emotional eating is brought on by a trigger in your environment. Most likely, something stressful happened and you responded by wanting to self-medicate with food to increase your levels of serotonin.

Being able to recognize the trigger for the emotion is an important step to being aware of what prompts you to binge. Let’s say that every time your boss visits your desk during a day, you reach for candy. The boss coming to your desk is a stressful trigger.

10 Causes of Emotional Eating

1. Stress

Daily stress is a big contributor to emotional eating. Your work, home, family, and other responsibilities stretch you thin. It’s hard to get a break to relax. So, it’s tempting to indulge in something sweet or high-fat for comfort and a bit of relief.

2. Foods addictions

There’s a close relationship between emotional eating fueled by pleasure-seeking and food addictions. Studies found when patients ate what they considered delicious feel-good foods, their bodies released endorphins, causing them to feel happy. Researchers say that repeating this experience over and over leads to food addictions. It’s interesting that the same motivation to use drugs, seeking pleasure, also causes your brain to release endorphins.

3. Depression

Your mental health is a big part of your decisions on what to eat. Anxiety, depression, and even anger cause emotional eating. It’s easy to turn to unhealthy foods to feel better. If you think you’re eating because of a mental health issue, be sure to get help to deal with the root causes and get your body and mind back in shape.

4. Comfort

Who hasn’t eaten a bowl of ice cream for comfort? Although food is within your control, when you need some extra comfort, all your control goes out the window. Maybe you have a hard time coping with difficult situations. So, you turn to food for comfort. It makes everything feel better, at least for a while. Major life events can trigger certain feelings that make you feel a need to gain control and feel secure again. Feelings that can cause emotional eating, and desiring comfort include:

Sadness
Frustration
Guilt
Anger
Fear
Grief

5. Boredom

Sometimes your emotional eating is nothing more than feeling bored. According to one study, some people eat when they have nothing else to do. It’s a way to escape the monotony of their life. People who ate out of boredom say they couldn’t remember what they ate. These individuals also said they didn’t feel genuine hunger, but impulsively ate to fill their day.

6. Reward

Food is often used as an incentive to finish a difficult task, or as a reward when you do a good job. This is reinforced in childhood. Food is used to comfort or motivate kids to do things. As an adult, it’s easy to fall into the same habit of rewarding yourself with emotional eating. When you work hard, you want to go to a coffee shop and get a drink and a muffin as a reward for it.

7. You watch television

It’s suggested that people eat more when distracted. If you’re intensely watching your favorite show on TV, it’s easy to overeat and not even know it. Emotional eating is connected to television ads, too. These ads play on your emotions. They use nostalgic scenes of families eating together, and suddenly you want the food the television family is eating. That’s powerful persuasiveness.

8. A bad habit

Sometimes you create a bad habit that leads to emotional eating. If you eat three cookies with your mug of coffee every morning after you get to work, you’ve created a habit. It may seem harmless, but if you try to break the habit, you feel stressed. And weirdly, this can cause you to stress eat. Creating habits centered on food is never a good idea.

9. Peer pressure

Sometimes your friends or co-workers set you up for emotional eating. It’s easy to fall into a trap of making bad food choices when your coworker suggests getting food and drinks after work every day. Even if you don’t want to go out for drinks, you may give in, so you don’t appear like a bore to everyone else.

10. You feel tired

Feeling tired makes you emotional and hungry. It’s your body’s way of trying to increase your energy. Munching on food becomes mindless as you try to make up for your tiredness throughout the day. A good night’s sleep helps you avoid mindless emotional eating.

Common Foods People Crave During Bouts of Emotional Eating

Many people crave these foods during stressful times.

Chocolate

Chocolate is one of the most popular foods people crave when they’re emotional eating. Some people suggest chocolate cravings is your body craving magnesium, but this hasn’t been proven yet. If you think your chocolate craving is because you’re low in magnesium, snack on magnesium-rich foods such as:

Edamame
Peanuts
Cashews
Almonds
Beans
Spinach

Ice cream

That bowl of ice cream you ate just now might be a calcium craving. Of course, it might have nothing to do with a calcium deficiency. Scientists don’t have any proof either way. If you’re craving dairy, try to avoid high-fat dairy foods. Instead, choose calcium-rich foods such as

Leafy greens
Beans
Milk
Low-fat yogurt

Pasta

Cheesy, warm, and comforting, a bowl of pasta is a common food people crave during bouts of emotional eating. Craving carbs like pasta could mean your brain needs a little boost of serotonin. Carbohydrates increase your blood sugar, which gives you more energy. These foods also encourage the production of serotonin, which makes you feel happier. It’s no wonder carbs are many people’s go-to food craving.

Cookies and sweets

When you crave sweets like cookies during bouts of emotional eating, you want a mini-brain boost that sugar gives you. The glucose boost makes you feel better for a short time, but later you have a sugar crash when your blood sugar quickly goes down. If you’re craving sweets, try to eat some berries, such as:

Raspberries
Blueberries
Strawberries
Blackberries

The berries taste sweet, but they’re lower in sugar than most fruits. Plus, they’re healthy for you to snack on.

Potato chips

Salty and crunchy potato chips rank high on the list of common foods people crave during bouts of emotional eating. When you crave potato chips, you’re really craving salt. Salt cravings could indicate a health problem. So, talk to your doctor about them.

Final Thoughts on Breaking the Cycle of Emotional Eating

Emotional eating is a black hole. But remember, you’re not alone in your struggle to break the cycle of emotional eating. Many people have had emotional eating habits and found ways to break the cycle. Figuring out why you want to eat is your first step, then replacing the urge to eat with something else is next. You can break free from the emotional roller-coaster of emotional eating.

11 Quotes To Remember When You Feel Lost In Life

May 4, 2016 by Power of Positivity

At some point or another, we all feel a little bit lost in life. With so many decisions to make, so many unknowns making us question our existence, and so many responsibilities to juggle, our vision can sometimes become clouded. As humans, we want to know all the answers, but unfortunately, life doesn’t really work that way. We simply have to do the best we can with what we’ve been given, and just try our hardest each day to live life according to our own principles and beliefs.

Any time you feel like you’ve lost your sense of direction, refer to the following quotes below to get back on track.

Here are 11 quotes to remember when you feel lost in life:

Read and reflect on these statements when you need a pick-me-up.

1. Always remember that your present situation is not your final destination. The best is yet to come.

You don’t have to have everything figured out right now. Simply breathe, enjoy the journey, and don’t take life so seriously. As long as you put in the effort and believe in yourself, you’ll get where you want to be.

2. Sometimes the bad things that happen in our lives put us directly on the path to the best things that will ever happen to us.

You can’t always predict how something in your life will affect the future, but most of the time, the hardest things in our lives prepare us for a beautiful new beginning. Trust the process, and count on your friends and family when times get rough. Once you make it through the storm, a rainbow will be awaiting you.

3. If you don’t like where you are, move. You are not a tree.

In life, we get to make choices, but oftentimes, we get mentally paralyzed just thinking about our next move. We stay in jobs we hate in towns we don’t enjoy simply out of familiarity and fear of changing our lives. However, to live the most fulfilling, happiest life possible, change is necessary. You control your life, so you get to decide how it will unfold. Make sure you listen to your heart always.

4. You can’t start the next chapter if you keep rereading the last.

Remember to only look back to see how far you’ve come, not to wish you could turn back time. When you feel lost in life, just remember what you’ve learned from your past, and keep your eyes focused ahead on all the good things awaiting you.

5. If it doesn’t open, it’s not your door.

When you feel lost in life, remember that if you hit a roadblock, you can always turn around and find a different way. There are many paths to take in life, and you might still be looking for the right one for you. Take your time, and don’t rush your destiny.

6. Sometimes you need to step outside, get some air, and remind yourself of who you are and where you want to be.

Sometimes, feeling lost in life just means you haven’t had enough time to connect with yourself. A walk in nature or even a short trip away from the hustle and bustle of the city could provide the clarity you’ve been seeking.

7. Sometimes you need to talk to a three-year-old just so you can understand life again.

Adults tend to feel lost in life because we’ve lived through so much, and have had to endure many hardships. Life tends to harden us a bit and make us feel cynical and closed off. However, talking to a toddler might just make you feel better about life, because oddly enough, children seem to have this whole thing figured out pretty well.

8. Listen and silent are spelled with the same letters. Think about it.

When you feel lost in life, remember to pay attention to what you hear in the silence. Quiet your inner world, and you’ll find exactly what you need.

9. Sometimes, you have to stop thinking so much and just go where your heart takes you.

Maybe feeling lost in life results from overthinking. To find your path, follow your intuition, and never give up. Stay persistent, and don’t allow negative thinking to pull you in too deeply.

10. You don’t have to have it all figured out to move forward.

Sometimes, just taking one step can show you the staircase to the door you’ve been searching for. It doesn’t take some grand plan to live a happy life. It just takes following your heart, and making a decision rather than waiting for the perfect answer to appear.

11. Never stop believing because miracles happen every day.

Above all else, when you feel lost in life, keep your faith in yourself and believe in the universe. Suffering only takes place when we need to learn something from it, and darkness is necessary so that we may appreciate the light. You’ll find your way – just keep going and don’t let false thoughts discourage you.

5 Signs Your Partner Is Becoming Distant

May 4, 2016 by Power of Positivity

Talking to a wall is what it can feel like when your partner is becoming distant in your relationship. You feel like you are lacking a connection that is meaningful in any way. You feel like a balloon adrift in the wind, just waiting to be popped.

A distant partner can feel scary. You worry about what could have happened to cause such a change. Then you wonder if you are imagining things as you two sleepwalk through your lives together doing only the things that need to be done and nothing more.

Let’s look at five troubling signs your partner is becoming distant in your relationship.

5 Signs Your Partner Is Becoming Distant In Your Relationship

There are ways to develop intimacy with your partner that aren’t sexual. But it’s difficult to have any intimacy at all when your partner is distant in your relationship.

You and your partner have created a bond based on trust, happiness, shared experiences, common thoughts and experiences, and a deep loving care for each other. Now things have clearly changed. What once brought you joy now brings you anxiety.

1. You’re experiencing less intimacy.

Basically, the fact that your partner is becoming distant is resulting in a lack of trust, which means less intimacy. Trust is necessary for a couple to have intimacy because you are making yourself vulnerable to your partner during the act of being intimate.

If you feel unsafe with your partner, you do not wan to open yourself physically to them. If there is a lack of physical intimacy, dysfunction, or other intimacy issues, seek the help of a licensed therapist or counselor to help you reconnect intimately with your partner.

There has probably been very little cuddling, touching, massaging, hand-holding, kissing, giggling, or other sharing of closeness in your relationship. This lack of touch and sharing is definitely a sign your partner is becoming distant in your relationship.

2. You don’t know what’s going on

The lack of communication between you is disturbing. You and your partner used to share everything about your day. If you saw someone or talked to them, you would tell your partner and they would do the same for you. Now, the lack of life details that you know about when your partner is away from you is scary.

You used to feel like your partner was your best friend. Now you wish you could talk to someone who understood how you feel about having a distant partner.

3. You are no longer the priority in a distant relationship

Something, or someone, else has taken your place at the top spot on your partner’s priority list that was reserved only for you. What used to be your partner’s favorite pastime (snuggling with you) has now been replaced by an activity that you are excluded from. Ouch.

This one hurts so much that it’s hard to admit that it’s happened to you. When your partner isn’t able to open up to you, they WILL find an outlet for their emotions.

Emotional cheating is real, and even if your partner is not telling you what’s going on, they may have found a sympathetic ear to confide in. Your alarm bells should definitely be going off.

4. Your partner no longer wants to have fun with you

Again, your partner left you out of the fun that they are having with someone else, somewhere else. Did you really choose not to participate, or did your partner wildly hint that you really ought not to come this time and made up a good-sounding reason’ This could be another painful reality check too.

5. You may not be included in your partner’s future plans in a distant relationship

You definitely should be being included in the future plans that your partner is making. If you have been left out of vacation plans for a weekend away with friends once in a while, that’s one thing, but being excluded from plans with their family members is a troubling sign. After all, you’re a member of the family when you’re in a committed partnership.

Another bad sign would be being excluded from plans with a ‘friend’ who could be someone that your partner is emotionally, or physically, cheating with. If any of these other signs is clear to you then your partner may be planning a future where they are physically distant from you as well as being emotionally distant.

Final Thoughts on an Emotionally Distant Partner

It is possible that your partner is a person who needs quite a lot of independent space. Perhaps they are emotionally distant by nature of their personality, not because they have a need to hide feelings from you as they withdraw from the relationship.

Attachment theory in psychology describes a way that people develop secure or insecure relationships with others. Withdrawing from the partnership is a sign that your partner is detaching from the secure partnership.

One other possibility exists for your partner being emotionally distant; it could be all in your head. Researchers say that ‘those who have an avoidant [personality] style typically develop models of themselves as being suspicious, aloof, and skeptical and of significant others as being basically unreliable or overly eager to commit themselves to relationships.’ It’s time for a serious talk with your partner to find out if you are just insecure or if your partner is becoming emotionally distant in your relationship.

5 Things You Can Do In 5 Minutes That You’ll Use Forever

May 3, 2016 by Power of Positivity

Ever meet a “Jack of all trades” whose vast array of knowledge of all things is simply astounding? These folks seem to know “everything about everything.” Change the car brakes? Check. Fix the water heater? Check. (Fill in the blank here)? Check.

Of course, these people don’t know everything…but they probably know a heck of a lot more than most do. The simple reason is that these people have a hunger and thirst for knowledge – practical, useful, even money-saving knowledge. Some of this personal knowledge is complex and time-consuming to master… but many of them are not.

We gathered together 5 quick and useful practices in a variety of areas including life skills, self-care and more. These practices are broken down into basic instructions that can be learned and applied within just a few minutes each day.

Here are 5 things you can learn in 5 minutes that you’ll use forever:

1. Learn how to overcome procrastination

#1: Track your everyday activity

#2: Understand that we procrastinate out of habit.

#3: Understand how we create positive habits.

Charles Duhigg, the author of Power of Habit, notes that positive habits are a circular effect that consists of three parts: cue, routine and reward. Simply understanding procrastination for what it is – a habit – while committing Duhigg’s formula to memory is a fundamental, simple lesson in overcoming procrastination.

2. Reduce stress quickly and effectively

– Disconnect the internet, phone and other tech devices.

– Put on a pair of running shoes and jam a favorite tune. Run at the quickest rate possible for as long as possible.

– Perform ten pushups, ten sit-ups and ten crunches then run in place for one minute.

– Take a hot shower.

– Drink a favorite beverage.

– Do a short meditation or other active things you enjoy.

3. Avoid credit card late fees

These tricks contain something of a caveat, but if financially-able and timely, they can save you a decent amount of money in late fees and associated charges.

Option one: if potential late fees are noticed the day after the bill is due, pay the full amount of the credit card and do not use it until the next billing cycle. Generally, no fees will appear on the next billing statement.

Option two: if this is the first or second time paying late, most credit card companies will forgive late fees if contacted promptly.

4. Learn meditation basics

– Find a quiet place.

– Sit in an upright, non-rigid position.

– Breath in deeply and exhale slowly while concentrating on the breath. It may help to mentally count breaths when performing the exercise.

It is completely normal for the mind to wander from time-to-time. When it does, simply return attention back to the breath.

5. Undo a sent email in Gmail

Ever send an email using Gmail by mistake? Turns out there is a simple way to undo this.

Here are the steps:

– Click on the gear icon in the top right-hand corner of the Gmail window.

– Select Settings option

– Scroll down to “Undo Send”

– Check the box next to “Enable Undo Send”

– Click “Save Changes” at the bottom of the screen

Each time you send an email from now on, you’ll now have an option to “Undo Send,” which should prevent delivery of the message.

If you enjoyed this list of things to try, please pass it on so we can create more!

Why Sensitive People Are Stronger Than You Realize

May 3, 2016 by Power of Positivity

Sensitive people are some of the most compassionate, kind souls today. They will go to the end of the world to make you happy, making all efforts within their power to bring you to the brighter side of life.

Most of the time, sensitive people are seen as weak and doormats. They appear to be introverts and anti-social people. But, there is so much more to their empathy and generosity.

What is a Highly Sensitive Person?

Are you a sensitive person who is emotionally reactive and feels things deeply inside? Do you find being labeled as such a compliment or an insult? It all depends on how you define such characterization.

Some say that being sensitive means you wear your emotions on your sleeve, and this depiction is true for many. However, there’s nothing wrong with being in touch with your emotional side and having heightened sensitivities.

A study published in Comprehensive Psychology defines it as people who tend to process stimuli and information more strongly and deeply than others. As many as one-fifth of the population is believed to have high sensitivity. According to the study, they also notice more subtle stimuli in their environment and have a lower threshold.

If this sounds familiar, you recognize that your senses are finely tuned, and you’ll have a more robust response. Not only are your five senses delicate, but you may have a higher feeling of empathy and intuition. You’re more apt to mirror the emotions of others, especially when they are hurting.

Those who are at times described as being a ‘hot mess’ or having ‘too many issues’ are the very fabric of what keeps the dream alive for a more caring, humane world. Never be ashamed to let your tears shine a light in this world.” ~ Anthon St. Maarten

Challenges of High Sensitivity

It’s beneficial to empathize with people who need someone for emotional support. You probably have excellent communication skills and are an active listener. You’re sensitive to their raw emotions, and you are usually present with them without judgment.

However, your hypersensitivity and compassion may quickly overload your mind, and you become an emotional sponge. Instead of being a pillar of support, you may find yourself in the same emotional state as the troubled person. Soon, you’re losing sleep and noticing other signs of anxiety and depression.

Twenty Reasons Why Highly Sensitive People Are Stronger

While overly sensitive folks tend to be high-strung, nervous, and sometimes vulnerable, don’t forget your strengths. The reason that many hurting people come to you is that you’re genuine and care about them. While others are contemplating in the rain, you’re usually the first to discover the rainbow.

You can often focus on non-verbal cues and intuition. While others might consider you quiet and aloof, you listen and absorb the room’s energy. Here are 20 reasons that sensitive people may be stronger than you think.

Here are some compelling reasons sensitive people are stronger than you realize:

1. Sensitive people feel deeply.

Sensitive people have overcome the challenges that could drive them to have multiple addictions to cover up their emotions and past hurt. Their sensitivity has fueled them to keep moving forward while showing the world they have endured and triumphantly gaining wisdom through the pain. The sensitive person will help without needing acknowledgment. Their egos are not the driving force in their lives. They want to repay society for all that they had to endure positively.

2. They love wholeheartedly.

Even though they have been hurt, sensitive people continue to keep their hearts open to the world. When a soul gets fractured, it heals with such intense energy. Sensitive people use this intensity to continue loving and giving of themselves. They have an empathetic gene that knows no boundaries when it comes to love. They know that they will probably get hurt again, but they also know that they will overcome that event with grace. As Nikolay Karamzin said, “A sensitive heart is a rich source of ideas.”

3. They are insightful.

Sensitive people have endured difficult obstacles that have allowed them to partake in amazing causes. The sensitive soul will find a reason to value and protect. They will put that energy into a radical cause for helping humanity. Whether animals, nature, or humans, the empathetic person will stand up for their beliefs. These causes become their children. They are the quiet souls you see feeding the homeless, fostering children, and saving the whales.

4. Sensitive people take risks.

When you feel that you have nothing to lose, you will risk it all. The sensitive person has overcome many obstacles, so what’s one more? They are risk-takers, leaders, and trailblazers. They move mountains, a spoonful of dirt at a time. When another person perceives a locked door and no way to go through a place, the sensitive person will break open a window. They will do this for everyone, and anything, that they feel is an instrumental part of their lives.

5. They are highly creative.

Creativity is born out of vulnerability and complete openness. The sensitive person thrives on creation. They are the artists, the writers, the musicians, the problem-solvers, and the eccentric ones. They know that by creating, they are also moving through the mystical energies of the unknown. Their creativity shows in different parts of their lives. It isn’t just the arts. It’s about getting creative with ventures while inspiring others to utilize their given talents.

6. They have a dynamic sense of problem-solving.

The word “no” is not part of the sensitive spirit of doing things. They move forward with tenacity. No is not an option. A sensitive person will use past experiences to build on for solving an obstacle like climbing a ladder, one step at a time. These people know that not solving a problem is like failing again at something that always has a solution. It might not be right in front of them, but they can climb higher and rise above the issues using that ladder.

7. Sensitive people are detailed oriented.

There is no rock left unturned when it comes to the sensitive person. They know that you have to look at all angles of the situation to succeed. They notice everything. Although they might never mention it, they are aware of every detail in a room, nature, and a relationship. This ability makes them seem perfectionists. Some are. Others not so much. It’s all in the details. The sensitive person is vital because they are presently aware of everything around them and still choose to use this gift to help others.

8. They are in tune with nature.

Sensitive people are prone to avoid large crowds, loud music, and overstimulating anything. They enjoy being alone and do not apologize for this. The sensitive person requires time in nature and enjoys the solitude of those moments. The grounding elements of the earth refuel them. In nature, there is no rushing, no expectations, and no lies. Things flow with natural ease. Being outside, and understanding the environment, provides a meditative state of awareness and strength. It feels right. This is what allows the sensitive person to continue helping others.

Highly sensitive people are too often perceived as weaklings or damaged goods. To feel intensely is not a symptom of weakness. It is the trademark of the truly alive and compassionate. It’s not the empath who is broken. It is the society that is dysfunctional and emotionally disabled. There is no shame in expressing your authentic feelings.

9. They’re peaceful and non-aggressive

If you’re hypersensitive, you probably object to violence and cruelty. You’ll be the first to help organize a peaceful demonstration against brutality and hatred. Your kind heart also extends to nature and animals, so you’re probably involved in conservation and animal protection programs.

When you read or hear about people or animals suffering, you cry. You despise anything related to violence, such as gory movies and true crime documentaries. The brutality and pain are too much for you, even if it’s fictional.

10. Sensitive people are insatiably curious

You may have a greater sensitivity than others, but it drives you to find answers. It creates an insatiable curiosity about your world. Some of the small details others miss are often obvious to you.

So, you don’t readily accept the patent answers that others may. Think of world-changers like Copernicus, Galileo, and Madame Marie Curie. Their high spirits kept their minds actively seeking more knowledge.

Hypersensitive people are usually voracious readers. No doubt, you probably thrive on researching a variety of subjects. Other people are often fascinated by how you can speak intelligently about many things.

11. They’re energetic

Some people aren’t fully alive in the morning until after their first cup of coffee. On the other hand, you may drink coffee, tea, or cola just because you enjoy the flavor. It’s certainly not because you need the kick of caffeine for energy.

Hypersensitive folks like you are known for high-strung, exuberant energy. According to an article published by UCLA-Berkeley, hypersensitivity is a red flag for conditions such as autism spectrum, ADHD, and ADD. You may have so much energy that you don’t get the rest and sleep you need.

You’re the person who’s nervously tapping your pencil during a boring staff meeting. Instead of a desk job, you often thrive on a career that keeps you on the move. You’re up for a challenge as long as you can do it your way.

12. They’re comfortable with themselves

If your sensitivity is high, you often crave silence and solitude. It doesn’t mean that you’re antisocial because you can be a social butterfly when necessary. You feel comfortable in your own space, where you can relax and reflect.

It’s this attribute that can boost your creative skills. That’s why many great artists and writers are sensitive people. That sensitive nature brings words, colors, sounds, and other creations to life in their minds.

13. Sensitive people understand the sensitivity of other people

According to the law of attraction, you attract whatever affirmations you send into the Universe. The same law often works for attracting friends or potential romantic interest. People are often drawn to like-minded folks, especially those with high sensitivity.

Maybe it’s because they understand each other at a whole different level. Consider your significant other and your circle of family and friends. How many people have the same hypersensitivity as you?

14. They’re more spiritually in tune

You may be more tuned with your spirit if your sensitivity is high. Perhaps you feel deeply rooted in your chosen faith or other spiritual traditions. You are probably more intuitive and trust your sixth sense.

Those with deep spiritual beliefs often describe themselves as one of the sensitive people. You may frequently use “feel” more than you do “think.” Psychic awareness and spirituality seem natural to you, and there are things that you know.

15. They focus on the bigger picture

Sensitive people don’t dabble in the ordinary. Whether in the workplace or at home, you’re probably focused on the bigger picture rather than the more minor aspects. You’re always seeking to find the “why” behind approaches and procedures, and you’re not afraid to ask questions.

Since your focus is on a broader spectrum, it helps keep you grounded. When others are falling apart in the face of uncertainty, you emerge as a leader. You’ve found that you’re very effective at helping others both on the job and with your family. This is especially true since the little unimportant details do not sway you.

16. Sensitive people learn and grow continuously

A sensitive person often has a thirst for knowledge. They have an inner drive to grow and become someone better. Many often admire this person for their personal and professional accomplishments.

However, it should be noted that sensitive folks often have strong emotions, and they feel that they carry a heavy load at times. Thankfully, once you learn to embrace your hyper-sensitive nature, you can learn to focus on all the positives it brings you.

17. They’ve strong intuition

Most sensitive people have an intuitive side that tells them when something is off. Some call it a gut feeling, but others call it intuition. It’s a voice or six senses on the inside that speaks loud and clear to you.

As an empathetic person, you can recognize things that others don’t, like patterns. This helps in your decision-making process. However, you’ve become entirely dependent on the help you get through life from your inner voice.

18. They can boost your morale

A sensitive person can sense the mood in a room before anyone opens their mouth. They are atmosphere changers as they typically like to motivate others. They have a unique talent for being an emotional coach, and if they see someone suffering from burnout or exhaustion, they know just what to say to help them make it through the day.

19. Sensitive people think before they speak

So many people spill the first thing that comes into their minds. However, sensitive people are a little more careful with their words. They don’t want to offend anyone with what they say, so you may think for a few minutes before answering a question.

20. They know how to put other people first

This trait can be both a blessing and a curse. Sensitive folks tend to put everyone else and their needs above their own. It’s like a parent who buys their children things they don’t need, and they haven’t accepted themselves anything in months.

While it’s good to think of others first, you must also realize the importance of self-care and addressing your needs. If you don’t take care of yourself, you will burn out and won’t be good to anyone.

Final Thoughts on the Strength of Sensitive People

Sensitive people have strengths that they may not even realize. If you’re one, maybe some introspection may help you understand yourself better. Soon, you’ll learn to find a better emotional balance and accept yourself just the way you are.

11 Ways To Attract Your Soulmate

May 3, 2016 by Power of Positivity

It seems that it takes a lot of work to find a soulmate. We go through life with a million expectations of what we want in a partner. That’s why we get on sites for online dating or go to Meet-ups to try to meet someone. We go through countless processing and debating to find that one. It doesn’t have to be so difficult. Your soul mate is out there waiting to align with you.

Here are 11 ways to attract your soulmate into your life:

1. Be happy.

Joy is contagious. We gravitate towards laughter. Joy is a high vibration in our bodies. When we take life with this high frequency we get to attract the things we want. No one wants to be in an unhealthy relationship. Happiness is a fantastic road that forces others to travel along with you.

2. Be truthful.

Do you know what you want in a partner? Be honest of the things you want and those you will not tolerate. You cannot attract your soul mate based on misconceptions and lies. You need to be honest and truthful with yourself. Thus, you are the only person who knows what you can live with and those things you cannot.

3. Don’t settle for right now when seeking your soulmate.

You cannot attract your soul mate if you are entertaining someone in the meantime to fill an empty space. You are not required to be alone forever, but the universe cannot provide a life partner while you are holding on to someone that you know is not right for you. Let go of the idea of loneliness.

4. Use visualization.

We all have an ideal persona of what we want in a mate. Use this to attract your soul mate. Make a vision board. Write down in a journal the qualities you want in your partner. Make clear intentions of what you want as a lover, a partner, a friend, and a parent for your children (those you have and those you want in the future).

5. Before you look for your soulmate, heal past wounds.

You cannot attract a healthy relationship when you are carrying the wounds from an old relationship. You cannot feed love into a partnership when you are still hung up on someone else full of resentments and regrets. Those things will not allow for a wonderful person to partake in your life. You might just be attracting the same type of person, repeating the same painful lessons.

6. Make your life a playground.

You must play alone in order to share with another. Enjoy the ability to be with yourself. Get creative. Take classes and pick up a hobby that enriches your soul. Another person is not going to cure you from loneliness. It might even exaggerate those emotions. You have to learn to entertain yourself and enjoy the childlike moments that are fragments of your wholeness.

7. Forgive yourself.

Why is forgiveness important when attracting a soul mate? Because forgiveness sets you free. It allows your vibration to rise and feel no more pain. Forgiveness is never for another. It is an act of letting go of all past emotions and what drama you played in the past. It’s okay. You are okay. Forgiving yourself makes room for true love.

8. Make room in your life for your soulmate.

This is literally and metaphorically. If you want a soul mate you have to make room in all aspects of your life. Clear out a drawer in your bedroom, make room for another person’s clothes in the closet. De-clutter your life mentally and physically. You attract whatever you put out there. If there is no room in your house for someone else how can you expect the universe to align with the right person who will be taking part of your home and your life?

9. Let go of expectations.

No two relationships are the same. Your high expectations of what you will find in a relationship are irrational and will stop the flow of true love. Expectations are dangerous. They are part of a controlling mind. You cannot expect perfection. You can only attract who and what you are. The more loving you are, the more love you attract. Likes attract likes. You cannot be disappointed if you have no expectations.

10. Listen to your intuition.

This is a huge part of your life. Your intuition is an internal GPS guiding you towards the highest good. If you meet someone and it doesn’t feel right or easy, that’s not the person for you. Follow your gut. Your internal guidance will align with the right person. And, when you finally meet that person you will know he/she is your soul mate.

11. Be the love you are wanting to give another.

Love is a seed of hope and grace. When you love and respect yourself to the highest level, another person will love and respect you for it. Do not substitute lust for love. Do not settle for anything less than the way you love yourself. Giving yourself worth attracts another to treat you with utmost love and appreciation. You deserve the acknowledgment, acceptance and unconditional love out there. It all starts with you.

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