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5 Ways Being Vulnerable Actually Means You’re Strong

January 7, 2016 by Power of Positivity

“Owning our story can be hard but not nearly as difficult as spending our lives running from it. Embracing our vulnerabilities is risky but not nearly as dangerous as giving up on love and belonging and joy—the experiences that make us the most vulnerable.” – Brené Brown

A true, genuine bond with someone. In our society that runs on connections and interactions, it seems many people feel desperate for just that. However, many of these same people internally fear getting close to someone, either because they haven’t accepted love within themselves or because they haven’t experienced healthy relationships in the past.

Life requires a certain degree of vulnerability to experience all of its splendors. But in order to get to that point, you have to accept all of yourself first. You have to feel confident with every part of you, the beautiful, the broken, the lost, the found, the wild, everything. For those who have found this sense of inner peace and acceptance, you might still believe somewhere inside you that vulnerability weakens you. However, it does just the opposite, and we want to show you why.

Here are five ways being vulnerable means you’re strong:

If you exhibit these behaviors, you might be stronger than you realize. Do these traits sound like you?

1. You don’t care whether others like you or not.

If you have accepted yourself in totality, it won’t matter so much what other people think of you. Being vulnerable first requires you to unearth the parts of you that you closed off long ago to walk into a room of people unshaken and unaffected by the opinions they give. Vulnerability requires bravery because you no longer hide parts of yourself that you think are too ugly or complicated for others to see.

It doesn’t matter to you how other people see you because you have seen the pure, unfiltered beauty that lies within your soul. You’ve cracked yourself open and let the wounds bleed so that only love exists. Because you love yourself, you don’t need to seek it from others. Of course, this calls for enormous strength that most people don’t even try to muster.

2. You have learned to love yourself so that you may offer it freely to others.

As emotional beings, we absolutely need love to survive. However, most people look everywhere but within themselves to find it. A truly vulnerable person only seeks love within, which already makes them a courageous, resilient person. Because they have opened up all the closed doors within themselves and accepted that they are indeed worthy of self-love and love from others, they can offer it openly and genuinely to other people.

Giving and receiving love is the most vulnerable thing you can do on this Earth because there’s a possibility you will get hurt. And that also makes you a robust and beautiful individual.

3. You wear your heart on your sleeve.

Vulnerable people don’t hide their emotions; whatever they feel, they just let it flow uninhibited through them. They don’t care what others have to say or fear judgment from others. We live in an age where showing emotion seems very rare, as most people have learned to repress their feelings for one reason or another. However, vulnerable people don’t care about societal norms; they know that showing emotion and offering compassion to themselves and others is their birthright, and they exercise it as much as possible.

4. You can show others the darkest parts of yourself.

Vulnerable people have accepted every part of themselves – the darkness, the light, and everything in between. You don’t fear your darkness; you embrace it. Furthermore, you could care less if others run away because they can’t handle your truth. That’s because you realize that they haven’t opened themselves up to actual vulnerability yet. You can find the beauty, the wisdom, and the strength in darkness, so you welcome it. Instead, you share it with others because you feel no shame about any part of yourself, and this kind of honesty shows immense strength.

5. You have opened yourself up to experience all emotions.

Vulnerability requires you to embrace all emotions, whether good or bad. Actually, you have realized that no feeling, in particular, should be labeled as negative or positive; emotions just exist, and it’s how we handle them that truly matters. You don’t fear sadness, anger, pain, or fear; you welcome them because you know that darkness can quickly transform into the light if you simply shower your shadow self with love. Being vulnerable means accepting yourself thoroughly and being honest about how you feel. You don’t close yourself off to any emotion, because vulnerability means taking whatever may come and expressing that openly.

Strength and vulnerability go hand-in-hand because you can’t be vulnerable without going to battle with the parts of yourself that you once felt ashamed to show.

Here’s Why You Need To Stop Using Hand Sanitizer

January 7, 2016 by Power of Positivity

Hand sanitizer is quite literally everywhere. If the pumps of clear gel fastened to nearly every other wall in America isn’t enough to convince us, maybe the fact that we see many people carrying mini-bottles of it everywhere is.

On the surface, it makes sense. We see the “Kills 99.99-whatever% of germs” label, and it sounds good. Nobody wants germs anywhere near them. The product is usually relatively cheap, we stay healthy, and all is good. Well, that’s not entirely accurate.

In fact, the ultra-clean image that hand sanitizer companies wanted to convey was enough to grab the attention of America’s most prominent public health organization – the Food and Drug Administration (or FDA). The FDA is solely responsible for regulating a multitude of products that affect public health. This organization also approves or denies all kinds of consumable products, from animal feed to tobacco. In other words, companies don’t want to be flagged by these guys.

FDA requirements for hand sanitizer

In April of 2015, the FDA required companies that produced hand soap and alcohol-based sanitizers to produce many safety data. Here are some of the requirements specified by the FDA of sanitizer producers:

Proof that the product does not adversely affect pregnant women.
Evidence that the product does not aid the development of antibacterial resistance.
Proof that the product does not have significant hormonal effects.

All three of these demands from the FDA are severe causes for concern. Understandably, many pregnant women are concerned, although there is insufficient evidence that hand sanitizer is particularly harmful to this demographic.

The FDA is concerned that triclosan – an ingredient in some hand sanitizers – may have hormonal effects. Specifically, that it may alter the thyroid and reproductive systems of newborns. Needless to say, these requirements from the FDA may make one cast a cautious eye upon the multi-billion dollar industry.

It turns out that there are other (and less serious) ways that hand sanitizer may be harmful.

Here are five reasons why you need to stop using hand sanitizer:

These compelling reasons explain why you should reconsider using these sanitizing products.

1. It harms our skin

Sanitizing products contain mostly alcohol, which is known for having a drying effect. Since alcohol increases the skin’s absorption ability, it also allows for chemicals to penetrate – effectively “de-fatting” the skin or disrupting oil production. Aside from the harmful effects created by alcohol, sanitizers also contain glycerin, which can irritate the skin and enhance the sanitizer’s drying effect. There are other ingredients, such as glycol and acetate, that can further damage our skin.

2. It can create resistant bacteria

First of all, don’t get images of “The Walking Dead” here. Bacterial resistance may sound awfully frightening, but it’s certainly not that frightening. Here’s the deal: overuse of antibiotics can potentially lead to the development of bacteria that is resistant to the element. In other words, bacteria can evolve just like everything else. So the more we expose certain bacteria to the same components, the higher the chance that the element will have a diminished effect.

The Center for Disease Control (or CDC) estimates that in 2013, these “superbugs” were responsible for about 23,000 deaths. While indeed not a mind-boggling number compared to the overall population of the United States, the CDC, and other interested groups want to counteract this trend by minimizing any unnecessary risk. This approach includes allowing bacteria to develop resistant qualities.

3. It contains unknown and potentially dangerous chemicals

As stated, sanitizers contain mostly alcohol or triclosan, but other chemicals are also included in the product. Most scented sanitizers use some preservative to prolong the product’s shelf life. However, these preservatives are absorbed into our skin each time that we use the product.

We mention scented sanitizers because they’re far more likely to have these preservatives. Two preservatives – phthalates and parabens – can potentially disrupt hormonal production. Not to mention, some companies do not detail what ingredients are contained.

4. It can increase the absorption of harmful chemicals

We’ve already mentioned that sanitizers increase the skin’s absorption. In doing so, the skin becomes vulnerable to potentially damaging chemicals. One such chemical is called Bisphenol A, which can cause damage to the endocrine system. Studies have linked BPA to cancer, heart disease, infertility, and diabetes.

In a study at the University of Missouri, researchers used thermal receipt paper – the kind many cash registers use – to demonstrate the threat. Thermal receipt paper also contains high levels of BPA. Researchers discovered that in subjects that used sanitizer before touching the form, the absorption of BPA increased by over a hundred times.

The government issued a warning about toxic hand sanitizer ingredients on the market.

5. Soap and water work almost as well

Yes, regular soap and water may work as well in many cases. In fact, most experts recommend using soap and water unless it is more beneficial to use sanitizer, such as in a healthcare setting. The FDA even takes this recommendation further, advising people to use regular rather than antibacterial soap, claiming there is no difference. Additionally, antibacterial soap can aid in the bacteria developing resistance.

Bottom line: if we have access to soap and water, we should use them. When we shop for soap, we can avoid the antibacterial type. And we should continue to do the best thing for humanity and not allow bacteria to develop resistance to our defenses! Stay healthy, fellow readers!

5 Signs You’re In A Relationship With A Narcissist

January 7, 2016 by Power of Positivity

After reading the definition below, I think most of us could agree that being in a relationship with a narcissist is no fun.

Narcissistic personality disorder: a mental disorder in which people have an inflated sense of their own importance; a deep need for admiration and a lack of empathy for others…Behind this mask of ultra-confidence lies a fragile self-esteem that’s vulnerable to the slightest criticism. – Mayo Clinic

Yeah, we wouldn’t think so either. Because we all know for a relationship to be fruitful, it has to be a true partnership – can we agree on this as well?

Exactly – and the problem is that in being in a relationship with a narcissist, there will only be one person that matters: themselves.

Here’s another thing that’s interesting: narcissism isn’t all that rare! In a study that includes a representative sample of 35,000 Americans, it was found that 1 in 16 had experienced narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) at some point in their lives. By comparison, about 1 in 100 has developed symptoms of psychosis (break with reality). About 6% of Americans experience depression, which is at about the same rate as those that are narcissistic.

Before we get into the signs that you’re in a relationship with a narcissist, it’s important to understand that we’ve all likely displayed some of these traits at one time or another. The key word in that last sentence is one time or another. Those that are textbook narcissists display this type of behavior regularly and without regret.

With that said, here are 5 signs that you’re in a relationship with a narcissist:

1. They project a false image

If you’re in a relationship with a narcissistic, you’ll notice they will use external things to display their superiority. For them, this is a necessary facade and one that is designed to cover up their “true self” – the one that feels profoundly inferior. One psychologist calls this the “trophy complex,” in which the narcissist often uses objects, people, status or accomplishments to represent the self; again substituting these things for their inadequate, “real” self. If you’re in a relationship with a narcissist, here’s a few things they might say:

“My accomplishments are my life.”

“I got plastic surgery because it’s the best way to get a rich man’s attention and make other women jealous.”

“Poor people are to be avoided. I certainly don’t want to look poor, which is why I drive a luxury car.”

2. They have a grandiose personality

Ever heard the song ‘You’re So Vain’? Carly Simon sang this hit song by back in ’88 – and is a perfect song for narcissists. A couple lines:

Well I heard you went up to Saratoga and your horse naturally won

Then you flew your Lear Jet up to Nova Scotia

To see total eclipse of the sun

She’s singing (albeit, fictionally) about a man that talks about going to see his horses race, who of course won. He then supposedly flies his private jet out of country, simply to watch an eclipse. While certainly exaggeratory (funny even) for most of us, it’s not out of the realm of possibility to someone with narcissism to at least lie about doing these things in order to feel superior.

3. They only want to discuss themselves

Most conversations are a two-way street and go back and forth naturally. If you’re in a relationship with a narcissist, the conversation will go quite differently. They only want to talk about themselves; and if the other person begins discussing things going on in their life, the narcissist is quick to interrupt. Those in a relationship with a narcissist will usually just let them talk, as what they have to personally say wouldn’t matter to them much anyways; either that or they’ll just ignore the narcissist completely.

Here’s what one person had to say:

“Communicating with a narcissist usually goes one of two ways. He is either doing all the talking or he isn’t responding at all. You see, either way he controls the conversation.”

4. They use manipulation to suit themselves

If you’re in a relationship with a narcissist, you’ll notice that they will make unreasonable demands from those that are close to them in order to satisfy some kind of self-serving need. They will do this with parents, friends, spouses, and even children. They usually do this out of inadequacy – they feel flawed and need someone else to fill the resulting void.

In a relationship with a narcissist, your partner will often use guilt to get what they want. Guilt-tripping is a useful tool for the narcissist, as it can – often, effectively – replace any emotions that the other person has and scheme them into taking action that services their own needs.

To find out if your partner is trying to manipulate you, read more here.

5. They feel entitled to everything

In a relationship with a narcissist, your partner will often feel as if they “deserve” something that they haven’t earned. Instead of pulling up their pants and getting to work, they’ll feel that’s beneath them and insist on someone else doing it. We often see this in relationships where one person will refuse to get a job, even if they’re in a tight financial situation.

Also, if you’re in a relationship with a narcissist, he or she will often seem like a child that throws tantrums to get attention. If they’re not feeling like they’re getting enough attention, money, support, love, etc. they’ll display eccentric and selfish behavior in the attempt of getting what they want.

As a side note, it is important to understand that NPD is sometimes (sadly) not correctable. Specifically, if this disorder is a result of childhood deprivation of some sort, as this is due to developmental short-circuiting that has occurred. For the others, they will rarely seek treatment as it is more of an “I’m okay, it’s everyone else” attitude.

Either way, don’t suffer the headache and heartache that is sure to come when in a relationship with a narcissist.

9 Tips For Creating A Sacred Space

January 6, 2016 by Power of Positivity

When we come home after a long day at work, we want to feel like we can truly relax and unwind. In each home, we should all have one sacred space – a place we can run to when life seems like too much to handle. Our space should make us feel welcomed and comforted like we can totally unravel ourselves and shake away all the stresses of the day behind us. It should feel like our ultimate sanctuary and reflect our true selves.

However, many people don’t spend time creating this space within their houses, so it just feels like a pit stop before the next day at work. If you want to make your house feel like a home, a place where you can relax and connect more to your inner self, read our tips below to get started.

Here are 9 tips for creating a sacred space:

1. Buy plants to put around your home.

Not only will bringing nature into your home help you relax, but house plants have other health benefits as well. A multitude of studies have shown that they can fight pollution, ward off allergies and colds, boost your mood, and even help your concentration and cognitive function. If you truly want to cultivate a sacred space, adding plants to your home will help you achieve this goal, plus, they add a nice touch of natural color to the space.

2. Keep your house clean and organized.

A sacred space can’t exist without cleanliness and organization; after all, a cluttered space will only make your mind feel more cluttered, too. Try to make your bed each day, and keep up other household chores regularly. Not only will this help you combat laziness, but it also makes you more productive and mindful of your space. A messy home only reflects the messes inside of ourselves, so keeping things tidy will help you keep your mind clear and balanced.

3. Turn off your electronic devices a few hours before bed.

Multiple studies have proven how electronic devices can hinder sleep if you use them right before bed. The bright light from phone and tablet screens actually signals to our brains to wake up, and suppresses melatonin levels in our brains. This means it will take much longer to actually fall asleep than we may have intended, resulting in feeling very tired the next day for work or school.

Not to mention, using your phone or tablet for hours on end poses other health ramifications, including back and neck problems, anxiety, depression, and dangerous exposure to electromagnetic radiation. Being on electronic devices for too many hours a day can simply make us feel frazzled and disconnected, so make sure to turn off your electronics a few hours before bed, and pick up a good ol’ book instead. Also remember, you will create a much more sacred environment by tuning more into yourself than into the virtual world on your phone.

4. Create an altar with items that make you feel more connected to yourself.

Everyone connects to themselves and the universe differently, so use whatever feels right for you. Whether you feel more spiritually connected using candles, incense, crystals, or a Buddha sculpture, just make the space representative of what speaks to your soul the most. You can place the altar anywhere in your home, but make sure you choose a quiet, secluded place so you can focus on connecting with your higher self.

5. Light candles or burn your favorite incense.

Aromatherapy can help a variety of conditions, from anxiety to insomnia to physical pain. You can include candles and incense as part of your altar, or just have them separate somewhere in your room. Relaxing smells can help you feel more peaceful mentally, emotionally, and physically, and just the sight of burning candles can bring a sense of calmness to you. If you don’t want to burn candles or light incense, you can use a diffuser instead, which will give you all the benefits of the fragrances without the carcinogens.

6. Play relaxing music when you get home from work.

A surefire way to create a more mindful environment is by playing calming music throughout your home. Relaxing is relative, so just choose whatever sends you into a state of pure bliss. This will help you to slow down your thoughts, and find the sanctuary within your mind. Music can certainly heal, so find whatever resonates with your soul, and allow the sounds to permeate your home and remove any negative energy.

7. Allow plenty of sunlight into your home.

Humans need sunlight to survive – it gives us Vitamin D, boosts our mood, keeps us warm, and so much more. Many people don’t get near enough sun exposure, and of course, getting it directly is best, but simply opening the blinds to allow more light in can do wonders for the energy inside your home. The sun gives us life, so naturally, you’ll feel more alive by allowing more natural light inside.

8. Paint your walls calming colors.

Try light blue, cream, light gray, pale yellow, deep red, or a soft yellow-green. In general, the colors in nature work best to create a relaxing, sacred space in the home, so you can never go wrong with choosing earthy colors for your wall color.

9. Set aside a space for yoga or meditation.

Yoga and meditation have countless health benefits, so doing some sort of exercise that promotes both inner and outer wellness can raise both your energy as well as the energy of the space you occupy. Choose a space that has enough room for you to move comfortably, but also, make sure you can get enough quiet time here so that you can fully immerse yourself in the practice.

Study Proves Experiences, Not Things, Make People Happy

January 6, 2016 by Power of Positivity

Happiness – does it come from the memories you make or the possessions you accumulate? While many people already know the answer to this, a surprising number still run out to buy the latest and greatest gadgets and clothing. They hope these purchases will make them happy.

Study Proves Experiences, Not Things, Bring Satisfaction to People

Economists believe that people spend their disposable income on things rather than experiences because they view the objects as having a higher perceived value since they will last longer. Logically, this makes sense – an experience lasts a relatively short amount of time compared to the object, so of course, most people would instead put their hard-earned dollars into something that will give them value for a more extended period.

However, a new study published in the Journal of Positive Psychology finally proves that experiences make people happy rather than things, which throws all of that flawed logic out the window. While we might perceive the material object as having more value since it’s tangible and usable, we will inevitably adapt to the possession over time. Therefore, its value decreases.

On the other hand, we might not immediately recognize the value of an experience we have. But upon looking back on it and reminiscing over the memories we made, it becomes a part of us. We can relate more to others who have similar experiences than a similar car or flatscreen TV.

In the study referenced above, San Francisco State Associate Professor of Psychology Ryan Howell surveyed people before and after purchasing. He came to this conclusion:

“Prior to the purchase, respondents said they believed a life experience would make them happier but a material item would be a better use of their money. After the purchase, however, respondents reported that life experiences not only made them happier but were also the better value.”

When you think about the conversations you have with people, what do you remember bonding over? The new iPhone you just bought or the trips you have been on in your lives built your character and changed your whole outlook on life?

Dr. Thomas Gilovich, a psychology professor at Cornell University, explains why we feel happy about having experiences rather than purchasing more things we don’t need:

“Our experiences are a bigger part of ourselves than our material goods.You can really like your material stuff. You can even think that part of your identity is connected to those things, but nonetheless they remain separate from you. In contrast, your experiences really are part of you. We are the sum total of our experiences.”

At the end of our lives, we won’t look back on how many cars or homes we purchased, how much money we had left in our bank, or what size TV we had. Instead, we will think back on the people who touched our hearts, who we got to share invaluable experiences with that changed us forever, and the beautiful places on this Earth we got to explore with them.

It might seem tempting to compare yourself to others who seem to have more material items than you and feel jealous of them. But remember that you don’t own the stuff. In fact, it ends up owning you. Furthermore, any big-ticket item you buy means lots of debt you’ll have to pay back, which equates to added stress and strained finances. Finally, of course, an experience can cost a lot if you choose, but at least you will have made memories and possibly new friends in the process.

Final Thoughts on Being Happy With Fewer Things

In short, material objects build our egos, but experiences develop our character. So which one sounds more critical and more likely to make you happy?

The next time you get paid, consciously think about where you’d like your money to go before you blow it all on a big-ticket item that will sit in your house and lose value. Instead, an experience will sit in your heart for years to come, making you feel more connected to yourself and others. Most importantly, you will feel happy. We all deserve happiness, and now that we can prove where it comes from, hopefully, more people will rush out to buy a skydiving session or excursions in foreign countries or an art class they’ve always wanted to take.

Remember, you don’t get to go back in time and redo the choices you made. So commit to living in the present and doing things that genuinely make you happy.

8 Signs Your Partner Is Trying to Control You

January 6, 2016 by Power of Positivity

When did this relationship go from being a loving romance to an emotionally draining combat zone? If you’re wondering how to escape from the toxic partner that you’re with, it could be a sign that your partner is trying to control and maybe even command your relationship. Here are some red flags to look out for.

8 Warning Signs Your Partner Is Trying to Control You

Do you spot any of these signs of a controlling loved one? If so, it might be time to examine the relationship more carefully.

1. They put conditions on their love.

Your partner should give love effortlessly without making rules about whether or not you deserve their affection. When someone uses language like “If you’d only act differently, I could love you,” they are putting a limit on their love.

In a healthy relationship, your partner would recognize that we are all working on becoming better people, and although you may have things that you want to change about yourself, they love you just the same.

2. They restrict your interactions with others.

When your partner limits who, when, or where you can talk to other people, they are trying to control you in an unhealthy way. You should have the freedom to have an active social life without being made to feel guilty for talking to others, whether they be of the same or opposite sex.

Healthy partnerships allow each person the freedom to grow and develop within the boundaries of a supportive relationship. Restricting your social interaction is a sign of an insecure partner who wants to control you.

3. They manipulate your emotions.

Your partner is trying to control you if they try to make you feel guilty, anxious, jealous, afraid, or depressed. Although you control your emotions and how you respond to someone’s actions or words, a manipulative person will act in ways that attempt to elicit these negative emotions from you.

A manipulator can be very good at hiding their tactics. You can read more about how to recognize a manipulator here.

4. They have trust issues.

In a study of couples who experienced a significant conflict, those who felt less secure in their relationships perceived more conflict with their dating partners and reported a tendency for conflicts to escalate in severity. An insecure partner can quickly make an argument go from a minor one to an intense one.

If you haven’t given your partner any reason to not trust you, but they spy on you or check your phone and computer when you aren’t looking, they are attempting to control your level of privacy.

Your partner may make assumptions about who you spend time with and make accusations about your unfaithful behavior, even if they do not have any reason to suspect it. The only way this type of controlling person feels comfortable is when they know what you are doing at all times.

Don’t let someone control your actions. A healthy partnership has a foundation of trust and honesty. If you or your partner cannot trust each other, the relationship may be unable to survive.

5. They put you down.

There are healthy ways to disagree with your partner. Use of language that is belittling or insulting is uncalled for, even during an argument. The use of hurtful language to each other is a sign that your partner wants to control you by keeping you in a negative emotional state.

6. They are hostile toward you.

Signs of extreme anger, violent actions, threats of violence, threats of punishment, or violent sex are all very concerning signs in a relationship. For the sake of your safety, get to a safe location immediately. A person who uses physical violence to control another person is dangerous to themselves and others.

According to the National Violence Against Women Survey, the lifetime prevalence of physical assault by a partner was 22.1% for women and 7.4% for men. You can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-SAFE (7233) and speak confidentially to someone 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

7. You feel emotionally drained.

When you notice that feelings of sadness, depression, or thoughts of being trapped in this controlling relationship have been happening to you, it’s time to seek help or exit the relationship.

A healthy partnership should make you feel safe, secure, happy, and emotionally fulfilled most of the time. All couples will experience conflict and times of sadness, but those should be less frequent.

8. You have low self-esteem.

Suppose you take your partner’s actions or words personally and have begun to feel like you are less critical as a person than you were before the relationship started. In that case, that is a sign that you’re in a controlling relationship.

When you notice that you have changed, but it’s not for the better, your mental well-being is at stake. If this is the wrong relationship for you, make a change now for your health and happiness.

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Here are five ways being vulnerable means you’re strong:

1. You don’t care whether others like you or not.

2. You have learned to love yourself so that you may offer it freely to others.

3. You wear your heart on your sleeve.

4. You can show others the darkest parts of yourself.

5. You have opened yourself up to experience all emotions.

FDA requirements for hand sanitizer

Here are five reasons why you need to stop using hand sanitizer:

1. It harms our skin

2. It can create resistant bacteria

3. It contains unknown and potentially dangerous chemicals

4. It can increase the absorption of harmful chemicals

5. Soap and water work almost as well

With that said, here are 5 signs that you’re in a relationship with a narcissist:

1. They project a false image

2. They have a grandiose personality

3. They only want to discuss themselves

4. They use manipulation to suit themselves

5. They feel entitled to everything

Here are 9 tips for creating a sacred space:

1. Buy plants to put around your home.

2. Keep your house clean and organized.

3. Turn off your electronic devices a few hours before bed.

4. Create an altar with items that make you feel more connected to yourself.

5. Light candles or burn your favorite incense.

6. Play relaxing music when you get home from work.

7. Allow plenty of sunlight into your home.

8. Paint your walls calming colors.

9. Set aside a space for yoga or meditation.

Study Proves Experiences, Not Things, Bring Satisfaction to People

“Prior to the purchase, respondents said they believed a life experience would make them happier but a material item would be a better use of their money. After the purchase, however, respondents reported that life experiences not only made them happier but were also the better value.”

Final Thoughts on Being Happy With Fewer Things

8 Warning Signs Your Partner Is Trying to Control You

1. They put conditions on their love.

2. They restrict your interactions with others.

3. They manipulate your emotions.

4. They have trust issues.

5. They put you down.

6. They are hostile toward you.

7. You feel emotionally drained.

8. You have low self-esteem.

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