5 Things That Can Hurt Your Mental Health

December 12, 2015 by Power of Positivity

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, 1 in 5 Americans suffer from mental health issues in any given year. However, most people keep their problems to themselves, either embarrassed about their symptoms, or just unsure of what to do. Many feel ashamed or angry at themselves once they determine they have a mental illness, unfortunately. Also, they fear what others might think of them after finding out about their mental health. They worry they might lose friends, disappoint family members, or ruin their reputation.

Even though more people have become aware of mental health problems, a stigma still surrounds mental illnesses in general. Because so much falsity exists in regards to mental health, we hope to provide some clarity and continue to spread awareness about mental health with the information below.

Here are 5 things that can hurt your mental health:

1. Thinking in terms of absolutes.

Oftentimes, people with anxiety and/or depression will think in black and white. They don’t consider any areas in between, believing that they can either be mentally well, or mentally ill. However, just because you don’t feel your best mentally at the moment, doesn’t mean you should totally identify with mental illness. Remember, what you think about, comes about, so the more you dwell on having anxiety, depression, or other mental health problems, the more they will take over your life.

Start challenging your thoughts. Ask yourself “Is this really true?” before you wholeheartedly believe your thoughts. Many times, our thoughts take on a life of their own, and run on autopilot. Start questioning your thoughts, and remember that most people fall somewhere on the spectrum between mental wellness and illness. In fact, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, only 17% of American adults are considered to have optimal mental health.

2. Assuming you are losing, or will never achieve good mental health

Many people with a mental illness believe they will remain stuck in an abyss forever, never able to climb out and see the light again. This black and white thinking can really set a person back, so don’t allow yourself to think this way. While it takes a lot of effort and dedication to become mentally stable and healthy again, that doesn’t mean you can’t find your way back to the light. You can recover completely, but you have to want it first. You have to desire to take control of your life again before any improvements can be made.

Remember, believing is seeing, so if you can picture yourself living a happy, healthy life, you can get there. Just don’t give up on yourself, because you are worth every ounce of effort it takes to get where you want to be.

3. Believing you can’t improve your state of mind on your own.

While medication can improve one’s mental state, most prescription pills have a long list of harmful ingredients and side effects that can do more damage than good. Many of them also are highly addictive, so most people who take them have a very hard time getting off of them. However, many studies have found that meditation and mindfulness have just as much effectiveness as medication in treating anxiety and depression. Also, a clean, balanced diet, exercise, healthy relationships, a fulfilling job, and self-care can do wonders for one’s mental health. You have all the power you need inside of you, so before you reach for pharmaceutical drugs and other quick fixes, simply make a few lifestyle changes and see if your mental health improves.

4. Not asking for help when you need it.

Because of the stigma attached to mental health problems, most sufferers feel embarrassed to ask for help. They would rather suffer in silence than go to someone and admit they have a problem, simply because they see this as weak and humiliating. However, you should never feel ashamed of anxiety or depression, because most adults experience these illnesses throughout their lives. You have to understand, though, that you don’t have to fight every battle on your own. Your friends, family, and even a therapist can only help you if you speak up about how you feel, so to get the ball rolling on curing your mental illnesses, don’t hesitate to ask someone else for their support.

5. Feeling inferior to others.

The bottom line is that you do not have less value than other people. Every human on this Earth deserves love and acceptance, especially from themselves. Love yourself unconditionally, because this self-love will help you heal. Anxiety, depression, and other mental health problems affect people for a variety of reasons, but mindfulness, acceptance, and love can go a long way in treating them.

Remember that other people may have problems underneath the surface too; everyone fights a different battle in this life, and no one sits higher on the totem pole than anyone else. We all play the same game, and we all share the same playing field. Don’t discount yourself because of your mental problems; rather, embrace yourself.

You have just as much right as anyone else to occupy this planet, so don’t ever beat yourself up over mental issues. Most people deal with them at some point in their lives, and it doesn’t make you a bad person. In fact, it makes you an incredibly strong, beautiful, and multi-faceted person. It makes you a warrior, better able to cope with anything life throws at you, because you’ve been to hell and back. You know both darkness and light, and you’ve stared fear right in the face.

This war inside you that most know nothing about makes you incredibly worthy, adequate, and courageous. It makes you a fighter, so don’t let anyone, especially yourself, make you believe you’re not enough. Don’t let yourself feel so small when you have the whole universe inside you.

5 Things Happy People Do Right Before Bed

December 11, 2015 by Power of Positivity

How you define an epic life for yourself may be different from what someone else would. We all wish to live a happy life, whether in our careers, finances, or personal goals.

To really help accomplish this, a strategy for your valuable downtime in the evening helps you to focus time and energy on what’s important during your uptime. Sleep is important to function successfully, but before you head off to bed, check out these things that can put you in a positive frame of mind.

Here Are Five Things Happy People Do Right Before Bed

1. Plan For Tomorrow

People who live happy lives know that they have an important event, project, or presentation tomorrow, so take time before bed to rehearse it in their minds or aloud with the help of family. For example, lay out the clothes that you will wear tomorrow. Visualize yourself wearing that outfit and having people praise you for how successful you were and how great you sounded and looked.

Planning and preparing before bed set the scene for success. There is a fine line here that could cross over into worrying about the future, but these people focus on the positive. They know they have prepared enough and will shine in the morning.

This is not last-minute cramming to complete a project because people living their dreams don’t procrastinate. This is a time to put the finishing flourish on things so they run smoothly in the morning.

2. Bond With Family

Before settling into bed for the night, this group of people realizes that spending quality time with family and friends makes life the happiest. This could be simply some pillow talk with their partner, allowing them to share their thoughts in an intimate environment. Or it might be reading a bedtime story to the kids at night.

Setting aside time for those most important to you show that you care. It strengthens relationships with those whose support is important to your success. Like the Oscar winners who thank spouses and family members during acceptance speeches, you need to thank your support system by giving them your valuable time. You couldn’t do it all without them.

Time, once spent, can never be regained. This is one motto that these people take seriously. They prioritize everything and spend time wisely, even before bed. No one in their old age wishes that they had watched more TV. Make time for the family now.

3. Read

Reading before bed gets your mind into a thoughtful, relaxed state and has been a longstanding habit for many reasons; pleasure, information, inspiration and distraction. Looking to live as big as a top CEO? Here’s a suggested reading list from several of them.

Relaxation is the most common reason that successful people read before bed. According to a study by the University of Sussex, subjects could reduce stress levels by 68% by reading. Only six minutes of silent reading were needed to reduce heart rate and muscle tension.

4. Write Down What’s On Their Minds

Some people have difficulty falling asleep due to the day’s stress. Things play out over and over again in their minds. They try to solve the day’s problems and often lose sleep.

Happy people know that tomorrow is another day, and those problems will remain. Having a good night’s rest will only make them better able to tackle those problems tomorrow.

But sometimes, the most well-rested minds can forget by the following morning. By quickly jotting down the list of thoughts in their mind, they relieve the memory function of their brain. Now they don’t have to worry about remembering something in the morning.

Make it a practice to keep a notebook and pen by your bed so you can quickly jot down your to-do list, grocery list, project list, a journal entry and get it out of your valuable brain space. Now you have more room for sweet dreams.

5. Think Happy Thoughts

Even something as simple as being thankful for the warm blanket and comfy bed you’re snuggling into at night puts you in a positive mindset. Happy people look back at what they accomplished for the day with pride. They reflect with gratitude on all that they have learned and accomplished.

Several studies seem to show that making a list of things people are grateful for before bed leads to longer, more restful sleep and less worry at bedtime. Positive thoughts replace negative ones and set the tone for a relaxed sleep.

An optimistic mindset is a great way to drift off to sleep. Instead of worrying about what needs to be done, you’re focused on the great things that have already happened. Knowing that great things have already come to you helps set the expectation for more of the same.

People do more when more is expected of them. This is known as the Pygmalion Effect. When we reflect on our past success before bed, we expect great things of ourselves. We create a self-fulfilling prophecy of our greatness.

With these five things accomplished before bed, you will unburden your mind, spend time with the important people in your life, and fall asleep with positive thoughts. You’ll successfully achieve blissful rest, and you’ll awake ready to conquer the world.

15 Quotes That Will Make You Feel Grateful Again

December 11, 2015 by Kristen Butler

Often in life, we get so caught up in the rat race that we forget to slow down, breathe, and express our thanks for everything we’ve been blessed with. No matter if your life looks a little bleak at times, remember that the culmination of events during your existence on this planet led you to this very moment, and therefore, you should feel grateful for both the hardships and the triumphs you’ve faced. Gratitude helps us keep our heads above the water, and keep things in perspective when our lives spiral out of control.

Not to mention, being grateful comes with perks. It keeps our health in check, according to the NIH. Expressing gratitude can lower stress levels, boost the immune system, make us more resilient, and even contribute to a more positive mindset.

When life begins to test you and the last thing you feel like doing is showing gratitude, you might want to keep these quotes in mind.

Here are 15 quotes that will make you grateful again:

1. “Cultivate the habit of being grateful for every good thing that comes to you, and to give thanks continuously. And because all things have contributed to your advancement, you should include all things in your gratitude.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

2. “Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for.” – Epicurus

3. “As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words but to live by them.” – John F. Kennedy

4. “Acknowledging the good that you already have in your life is the foundation for all abundance.” – Eckhart Tolle

5. “The world has enough beautiful mountains and meadows, spectacular skies and serene lakes. It has enough lush forests, flowered fields, and sandy beaches. It has plenty of stars and the promise of a new sunrise and sunset every day. What the world needs more of is people to appreciate and enjoy it.” – Michael Josephson

6. “Let us rise up and be thankful, for if we didn’t learn a lot today, at least we learned a little, and if we didn’t learn a little, at least we didn’t get sick, and if we got sick, at least we didn’t die; so, let us all be thankful.” – Buddha

7. “This a wonderful day. I’ve never seen this one before.” – Maya Angelou

8. “Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend.” – Melody Beattie

9. “Gratitude is the healthiest of all human emotions. The more you express gratitude for what you have, the more likely you will have even more to express gratitude for.” – Zig Ziglar

10. “We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures.” – Thornton Wilder

11. “Be thankful for what you have; you’ll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don’t have, you will never, ever have enough.” – Oprah Winfrey

12. “In the end, though, maybe we must all give up trying to pay back the people in this world who sustain our lives. In the end, maybe it’s wiser to surrender before the miraculous scope of human generosity and to just keep saying thank you, forever and sincerely, for as long as we have voices.” – Elizabeth Gilbert

13. “Gratitude goes beyond the ‘mine’ and ‘thine’ and claims the truth that all of life is a pure gift. In the past I always thought of gratitude as a spontaneous response to the awareness of gifts received, but now I realize that gratitude can also be lived as a discipline. The discipline of gratitude is the explicit effort to acknowledge that all I am and have is given to me as a gift of love, a gift to be celebrated with joy.” – Henri J.M. Nouwen

14. “Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all others.” – Cicero

15. “With everything that has happened to you, you can either feel sorry for yourself or treat what has happened as a gift. Everything is either an opportunity to grow or an obstacle to keep you from growing. You get to choose.” – Wayne Dyer

Which of these quotes are your favorite? Share in the comments below and pass it on!

7 Things You Need To Do While You’re Still Young

December 11, 2015 by Power of Positivity

Being young comes with a lot of perks. You probably don’t have a spouse, kids, and a full-blown career to worry about yet, so you have a lot of freedom to do things you really enjoy. You might regret some of those things later, but part of living is just letting the wind carry you, not worrying about the next step or the consequences of your decisions.

While people will inevitably have different ideas of how they should spend their youth, the suggestions on this list might strike a chord in many of your hearts. We’ve all heard the cliche things to do before you turn 30, like traveling around the world solo or taking art classes or learning a new language, but these might just surprise you.

Here are 7 things you need to try while you’re still young:

1. Travel for free.

Most young people have a hard time finding the extra cash to spend on plane tickets, food, accommodations, and all the expenses that come along with travel, but what if you could travel for free? Luckily, an organization called WWOOF makes this possible for anyone willing to put in some work on a farm in exchange for food and a place to lay your head at night. You also get the chance to learn about organic farming, and volunteer for a good cause. Of course, if you want to volunteer in a foreign country, you will still have to pay for airfare, but at least food and lodging will be covered!

2. Play around with your look.

Not to say that older people can’t experiment with their style, but young people seem to have less of a need or desire to identify with a certain look or identity. When you’re young, getting piercings and dyeing your hair blue just seem more appealing than when you get older, so why not give it a go? Not only will this help you find out more about yourself and boost your self-confidence, but changing up your look will encourage you to look at yourself from a totally new perspective.

3. Take different jobs while still young.

Trying out different occupations can help you learn how to connect with a variety of people, plus, you get to test your skills in new environments. Staying in just one field can get pretty dull after a while, so why not spice things up and take a job as a flight attendant, or a tour guide, or maybe a bartender? This will allow you to see the world through different lenses, and will make you a more diverse, interesting person overall.

4. Learn how to enjoy your own company.

Most people have no idea how to spend time alone. They get anxious, bored, or lonely in solitude, and usually distract themselves with TV, video games, or shopping to pass the time. However, in your youth, you may have more time to yourself, which gives you more opportunities to learn how to love yourself, and actually look forward to alone time. Meditation and solo travel are great methods of getting better acquainted with yourself, which will help you in all aspects of life. Loving and understanding yourself are essential tools for not just surviving, but thriving, in this world, so take advantage of your youth and dive into the wonders of your own being.

5. Learn how to love your body while you are young.

Even the most fit people can have insecurities about their bodies – our outer appearance is the first thing people notice about us, so naturally, we can get a little critical of ourselves sometimes. However, part of loving yourself is learning to appreciate everything about your body; after all, it allows you to move around, pick things up, enjoy outdoor activities, and so much more. Our bodies are incredible machines, so we should treat them as such.

To feel comfortable in your skin, try checking out a nudist or clothing-optional beach sometime. Not only will the sunshine and water feel great on your skin, but you will get the chance to meet other people who love themselves enough to show off their bodies and feel confident about themselves. Most people at nude beaches just want to experience feeling totally liberated, so it’s a great opportunity to release old fears and thinking patterns.

6. Experiment with new foods.

Most older people have certain foods they enjoy, and tend to shy away from anything too adventurous. However, in your youth, you might have more of an open mind, which means that you can go to town with food adventures. Even if you hate certain foods, at least you can say you’ve tried them.

7. Get up on stage.

A surprising number of people have stage fright – even seasoned performers experience this occasionally. However, getting up on a stage and performing, whether you sing, dance, act, or play an instrument, can really help you gain self-confidence and even uncover your true passion in life.

Plus, if you can perform in front of hundreds or thousands of people, you can do pretty much anything. And nothing feels better than invincibility.

Have you ever done, or still need to do any of these things? Share with us in the comments!

This Is What Happens When You Drink Coffee Every Day

December 10, 2015 by Power of Positivity

Many people around the world wouldn’t dream of starting their day without a piping hot cup of joe. Sure, coffee does taste great. However, it gives us a burst of much-needed energy first thing in the morning, and the heat from the coffee gives us comfort and warmth as well.

So, to all the coffee aficionados in the world, please feel free to raise your mugs and toast all of your coffee drinking friends after reading this article.

Editor’s note: We recommend (in moderation of course) selecting fair trade, sustainably sourced organic coffee.

Here are 5 things that happen when you drink coffee every day:

1. You will increase your metabolism.

This is good news for anyone thinking of starting a workout routine. Conversely, it’s perfect for others who have an exercise regimen in place already. The caffeine from the coffee will naturally boost your energy levels, revving up your metabolism so you can kickstart your day. While the effects are short-lived, you can still take advantage of the extra energy while it lasts.

Also, drinking coffee after a workout can even increase the metabolism. A study published in the Journal of Applied Physiology found that endurance athletes who had a cup of coffee after exercise had a 66 percent increase in muscle glycogen, which helped them to quickly replace energy stores used during exercise.

2. Drinking coffee will make your brain healthier.

Coffee offers a bevy of benefits for you brain – studies have found that drinking 3-5 cups of coffee per day can decrease the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and dementia by as much as 65% in middle-aged men and women. Other studies have found that drinking coffee daily can lower the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease, a neurodegenerative disorder, by as much as 32-60%.

Secondly, drinking coffee can block a particular nucleoside in the brain known as adenosine. Adenosine decreases the firing of neurons and the release of beneficial neurotransmitters within the brain. Because caffeine inhibits adenosine, it increases the production of beneficial chemicals such as dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine.

Additionally, other studies have found that coffee increases cognitive performance, mood, reaction time, memory, and alertness.

3. It will make you happier to drink coffee daily.

A groundbreaking study performed by researchers at the Harvard Public School of Health found that adult men and women who drank two to four cups of caffeinated coffee each day had a 50% lower risk of suicide compared to those who drank decaf coffee or no coffee at all.

In addition, coffee contains many antioxidants, even more so than fruits and vegetables combined. It also contains beneficial nutrients such as Vitamins B1, B2, B3, and B5, as well as potassium and manganese.

All of these factors contribute to the major happiness boost you will feel from indulging in a cup or three of warm coffee each day

4. Drinking coffee will reduce your risk of developing skin cancer.

A study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute found that older adults who consumed four or more cups of coffee per day had a 20% lower risk of developing malignant melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer in the U.S. Researchers believe that coffee protects against certain types of skin cancer due to the high amount of antioxidants and phytochemicals present.

5. You’ll have a lower risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.

Finally, according to another study led by researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health, people who increased their coffee consumption by one cup per day over the course of four years had an 11% lower risk of developing Type 2 diabetes compared with those who made no changes to how much coffee they drank. What’s more, the study discovered that those who decreased their coffee consumption by more than one cup per day increased their risk of Type 2 diabetes by 17%.

Now that you know about all the incredible health benefits of drinking coffee, you have all the more reason to enjoy a few cups per day. Or, go ahead and start drinking it if you’ve been skeptical.

“We want to do a lot of stuff; we’re not in great shape. We didn’t get a good night’s sleep. We’re a little depressed. Coffee solves all these problems in one delightful little cup.” – Jerry Seinfeld

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What Does Your Aura Reveal About Your Personality?

December 10, 2015 by Power of Positivity

An aura is an emanation of energy surrounding one’s body, and it changes depending on the experiences the person has and the emotions they feel. In short, it’s basically one’s energy, and can supposedly be captured using something called Kirlian photography, or electrophotography. While many people regard the study of auras as pseudo-scientific and unsubstantiated, people get their auras read all the time, and some feel that this knowledge helps them along their journey.

Your aura can also tell you a lot of information about your personality and characteristics, so read on to find out what your aura says about you.

What does your aura reveal about your personality?

Yellow

The main traits of those with a predominantly yellow aura are intelligence, logic, and a quick wit. They think with their heads, not their hearts, and can quickly put their emotions aside to deal with problems that arise. They can sometimes work too hard, however, as they are Type A’s who thrive on reaching their goals. People with a yellow aura crave highly intelligent conversations; they don’t do well with small talk. They think with their heads, not with their hearts. The main weakness of these people, however, is that they can sometimes be too judgmental of themselves and others.

Red

As you might have guessed, people with a red aura have a fiery, feisty nature, and cannot be tamed easily. They love freedom, adventure, and excitement, and get bored quickly. People with a red aura have a high level of confidence in all areas of life, and don’t normally suffer from mental or physical illnesses. This is probably because they don’t live in their heads much; they thrive on action, and don’t mull over decisions too long. They are highly competitive, strong-willed, and courageous. They are very honest, blunt people, and won’t keep anything from you. The only downside to people with a red aura is that their need to rise to the top may burn some bridges on their path.

Pink

People with a pink aura have a very generous, sweet, approachable energy. They give love freely, and are a hopeless romantic. They also are empaths, with an uncanny psychic ability and creative talents. People with this color aura are idealists, which makes it hard for them to see the world as it is. They want to change it somehow, and feel like it’s their mission in life to do so. They have a bubbly, charismatic personality, and have many friends because of it. People with pink auras are also very honest people, although, they can sometimes bite their tongue to avoid hurting someone’s feelings. They need to learn to stand up for themselves, because people tend to walk all over them due to their gentle nature.

Green

If you have a green aura, then you have an unwavering love for the outdoors, and consider yourself a true nature lover. You also care a great deal about health, and strive to eat nutritious, wholesome foods the majority of the time. You’re very grounded and logical, and people come to you all the time for advice because of your no-nonsense approach to life. Your home and car are spotless, which reflects the way you look after yourself. You enjoy safety and stability, and don’t deal well with changes. However, sometimes you can be too rigid in your approach to life, so try going with the flow more.

Orange

People with an orange aura love the spotlight, and enjoy activities with many people around them. They are charismatic, funny, loud people, and are usually the life of the party. However, they have an innate ability to sense other’s emotions, and care deeply for how people feel. Due to their passionate nature, they can sometimes lose their temper, but will quickly apologize if they’ve been out of line. People with an orange aura are confident, approachable, and amiable, but can sometimes make rash decisions and let their impatience get the best of them. They have big hearts, and just want what’s best for their close friends and family.

Purple

This color signifies great psychic abilities, and high sensitivity to emotions and energies. People with a purple aura have a mysterious, quiet, contemplative nature. They are considered empaths due to their ability to feel things deeply. They live a lot inside their own minds, but have a beautiful soul. People with this color aura tend to spend a lot of time alone in nature, as they feel misunderstood by most humans. They don’t have many friends, but they adore and cherish the ones they do have. Sometimes, people take advantage of their open, loving nature, so people with this aura need to do a lot of self-care to protect their energy.

Blue

This color aura is the rarest of them all, but it symbolizes strength in communication and a balanced persona. As you might have guessed, this aura represents a calm, soothing nature, and so these people make wonderful peacemakers and solvers of problems. They can smooth things over quickly in an argument, and have an honest, highly eloquent way of talking with people. These people seem to have the perfect balance of thinking and feeling, and always say the right thing at the right time. They are very intelligent, and have a gift of communicating in any means necessary.

Gold

People with a gold aura have a love for the finer things in life. They thrive on being the center of attention, and have a very colorful social life. They love to entertain people and show others a good time. They have a strong independent streak, and don’t usually ask anyone for help. These people can sometimes come across as superficial due to their extravagant tastes, but they simply enjoy giving people nice things, and decorating their living space with them as well.

White/Silver

Highly talented and versatile, people with this aura can adapt perfectly to any situation. They are a chameleon, able to change quickly based on their environment, and excel in many different areas of life. They attract success easily, and usually make very good leaders and teachers. People are drawn to them because of both their inner and outer beauty, but people with this aura need to take care to keep their egos in check.

Brown

People with a light or dark brown aura tend to be lost souls, wandering around aimlessly searching for a place to call home. They might fall back into bad habits, and have a negative self-image. They tend to focus so much on other people’s flaws, that they forget to address and fix their own.

Black

Black points to blockages in the energetic field. It can also signify deep, unresolved issues, depression, anger, rage, stagnation, discontentment, or any other negative emotion. People with this color aura need to make time for self-care, and not be so hard on themselves.

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