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7 Signs You Need To Chill Out

December 6, 2015 by Power of Positivity

Unfortunately, most people feel an enormous amount of stress in today’s world, with mounting responsibilities and not enough time in the day to take care of them all. According to the American Psychological Association, more than half of working adults in America feel that they cannot manage their stress levels effectively. Not only do stress and anxiety take a toll on one’s mental health, but they can also make their presence known in the body.

The stress epidemic in this country, and all around the globe, seems to only keep growing as time wears on. Some people feel stressed the majority of the time, but don’t even realize it because they now run on an operating system of fear and anxiety. Because it seems normal to them now, they don’t recognize the warning signals that their body and mind need a break. If this sounds like you, read on for the most common warning signs of excess stress.

Here are 7 signs you need to chill out:

1. You have nightmares often.

Having an occasional nightmare is a normal part of being human; however, having bad dreams most nights of the week can signal a serious imbalance in your nervous system. Some people believe that our dreams mirror our dominant thoughts in our everyday lives, so if your dreams consist of mostly darkness and negativity, this means that your thought processes need some tending to. Stress presents itself in our lives in a variety of ways, but most people don’t think about stress interfering with our dreams.

Nightmares can wake us up in the middle of the night, making it difficult to go back to sleep. Try to spend some time each day in meditation or some other form of relaxation to counteract excess stress. This will help you have a more restful night’s sleep.

2. You have trouble falling asleep at night.

Even if you don’t have nightmares, you might just have a lot of difficulties getting to sleep at night. Maybe you lie awake for hours, thinking about all the bills you have to pay or the speech you have to give for school or why and how the universe came about and what we have to do with it all. It seems many people’s brains become most active at night, maybe because they can finally have some alone time with their thoughts after a long day of work or school.

However, if your thoughts inhibit your sleep too often, the lack of sufficient rest can take a serious toll on your health.

3. Your mind constantly feels clouded and foggy.

Brain fog occurs when we don’t give our minds the rest they deserve. With all the responsibilities, noise, and chaos in everyday life, our brains seem to absorb it all and make our mental clarity fade. However, the noise in the outside world doesn’t have to replicate itself within your mind; you can control the state of your brain by taking time for self-care and relaxation. If you find it hard to focus or think clearly, this is a clear sign you need to chill out.

4. You get sick a lot.

Getting sick frequently means your immune system is overwhelmed and cannot do its job to eliminate harmful toxins and bacteria. Many people attribute sickness to just “something going around,” but often don’t think about how their mental state plays a part in contracting a cold or flu. If you experience stress for prolonged periods of time, it can weaken your immune system, inhibiting the function of cortisol in the human body. Cortisol helps to regulate immune cells during a stressful situation, but if the stress continues, it loses its effectiveness over time.

5. You use food to drown out your problems.

So many people eat food not when they’re actually hungry, but when they feel too many negative emotions that they cannot process or deal with. Emotional eating can become a very detrimental habit, and using food as a crutch will only exacerbate the real problem at hand. Feeling full acts as a way to temporarily forget about emotions and problems in life, and gives us a quick dose of dopamine to make us feel relaxed and happy. However, many foods people reach for to appease their emotions are highly addictive and harmful to the human body in large quantities.

Next time you feel stressed, make some hot tea, take a bubble bath, meditate, or do something to truly relax your mind and nourish your soul.

6. When you actually have time to relax, you don’t know how.

With cell phones constantly beeping and buzzing, and hundreds of shows we can binge-watch on Netflix, many people don’t even know what it means to relax anymore. To truly clear the mind, surrender to the nothingness when the mind is quiet, and just breathe. Relaxing doesn’t mean drowning out your thoughts and emotions in food, shows, social media, or other distractions; it means giving in to the now and enjoying your own company. If you don’t enjoy alone time, and instead feel stressed or anxious when you have time alone with your own thoughts, this might mean that you have too much stress in your life.

7. You have frequent skin flare-ups.

Like we said before, stress can show up anywhere in the body, including on the skin. According to WebMD, stress causes your body to produce excess cortisol and other stress hormones, which in turn, signal to your sebaceous glands to produce more oil. Excess oil can lead to acne and other skin rashes, so if you feel stressed, make sure to exercise regularly, eat a balanced diet, practice mindfulness, and relaxation techniques, and remember to always make time for yourself!

5 Ways To Stop Binge Eating

December 5, 2015 by Power of Positivity

Binge eating is far too common, and is actually one of the foremost eating problems, affecting thousands of adults yearly. What’s worse it is thought that of those people on a diet, up to 30% of them can be considered binge eaters.

“When you’re bingeing, you’re out of control,” says Dori Winchell, Ph.D., a psychologist in private practice in Encinitas, California. “It’s not so much the amount or what you eat, but what it feels like. Is the food in control? After the first bite, can you stop?” If you can’t stop eating even when you know you should, then you may be on an eating binge.

The signs of binge eating may include:

Eating an extremely great amount of food within a brief period
Doing it frequently, at the very least once every week
Feeling a lack of control, meaning you can’t manage to stop what you are eating, or the quantity
Hiding your eating behaviors

Here are 5 ways to stop the habit of binge eating

Try these tips to help interrupt your urge to eat.

1. Eat enough to remain satisfied.

Dieting enhances your chances of bingeing. Individuals with binge eating problems are likely to seek food because they are not eating enough to sustain their energy levels.

While extreme calorie restrictions can help shed weight quicker over the short term, in the long run, massive calorie deficits could force us into a process of restrictive or binge eating to keep our body functioning.

Eat enough calories to eliminate the hunger pains and make the calories count. Sugar is addictive, so if you are eating a lot of processed foods, then you might develop cravings based on your addiction, not on nutritional needs.

Instead of going on a diet, we should focus on eating nutritious foods that are not processed, are low in sugar, and that support our goals. When we focus on our well-being instead of the weight we are trying to lose, we develop healthier habits that support our overall objectives.

2. Remove as many limitations from your diet as possible.

When we are overly restrictive on our food choices, we tend to binge on those foods. Completely removing a food group, unless there is a medical reason, is many times more harmful to us because we compensate by resorting to unhealthy eating choices.

Become a versatile eater. Let’s enjoy our preferred foods moderately throughout our nutrition plan to stop cravings from becoming binges. An eating plan that comes from nature, rather than a box and is full of variety will satisfy our hunger, provide essential nutrients and help eliminate the need to binge.

3. Love yourself enough to stay in action.

It’s easy to eat the whole carton of ice cream when we are sitting on the couch watching an entire season of Game of Thrones. Stay busy and do things that keep your hands and your mind engaged. Something as simple as reading a book, taking a walk, dancing around your apartment, writing letters or chatting with friends on Facebook will keep your mind off the need to eat when you aren’t really hungry.

Make a to-do list of things that you like to do that don’t involve food. Whenever you feel like binge eating, ask yourself if you are really hungry and if the answer is no, then open your to-do list and get to work.

4. Exercise.

Not everybody loves to exercise, but getting your heart rate up can curb your appetite. The journal Metabolism recently published a study where participants indicated a higher level of perceived fullness after participating in aerobic training.

Of course, there are many other benefits to exercising, including an increase in energy plus the natural tendency of our bodies to want healthy, natural foods as fuel. Eating better, drinking more water and an increase in energy is a good recipe to help stop binge eating.

Begin with just ten minutes of aerobic exercise a day and aim to do the exercise about thirty minutes before the time of day when you typically head for the refrigerator. Be consistent, and you will see a difference in just a few short weeks.

5. Keep a food journal.

As mentioned earlier, binge eating is often associated with elevated emotions and mood swings. Understanding why you are eating and watching for triggers can help us make better food decisions.

The best way to get a good understanding of why you eat and when is to log your food activity. Make sure and include the good, the bad, and the ugly and any triggers that may have set off a food binge. Patterns will begin to emerge, and it’s this awareness that can help you stop future binges.

Binge eating can become dangerous to your health. If you feel out of control or that you can’t stop the behavior, it might be necessary to seek professional help for binge eating disorders.

17 Ways To Attract the Right People

December 5, 2015 by Power of Positivity

You might wonder how certain people seem to attract the right people so easily; maybe they have some magic spells they perform each night to make people like them, or perhaps they have a likable personality.

Even though some people naturally have a more outgoing, friendly personality, that doesn’t mean you need to become the loudest, funniest, most transparent person in the room to make friends.

People gravitate toward others they perceive as good listeners, attentive, kind, and understanding. Also, being genuine and open will make others feel as though they can trust you because you don’t try too hard or put on a mask. In our world today, many of us still hide our faces due to fear of judgment or ridicule or because we don’t know how to act around others, but getting people to like you doesn’t have to feel like learning a new language.

Presenting yourself to the right people in a way that will make them attracted to you may seem complicated, but it doesn’t have to be.

Here are seventeen ways to attract the right people:

1. You Feel Free to be Vulnerable Around the Right People.

Many people feel vulnerable because they fear what other people might think or say about them. However, you can’t get to know someone or let someone know you without opening up a little. Present yourself proudly and confidently, and don’t try to hide certain aspects of yourself or pretend to be someone else. People love realness in a world of insincerity, so put yourself out there. Honesty goes a long way in getting people to like you, so don’t put up your walls to fear what others may think.

2. Call the Person by Their Name to Attract the Right People.

One surefire way to lose someone’s interest and trust is to forget their name. When someone tells you their name, remember it, and call them by it throughout your conversation with them. This might not seem significant, but people love hearing their name; it makes them feel important, unique, and cared for. If you can make someone feel that way, you can quickly gain friends and get them to stick around.

3. Smile! You’ll Attract the Right People.

No one likes to talk with someone who seems too serious, uncomfortable, or stressed. Smiling will quickly dispel any awkwardness or anxiety about meeting someone new because it signals to other people that you have good energy. Smiles act as magnets, drawing people in and attracting others who (hopefully) share similar energy. Frowns do precisely the opposite; they repel people, blocking out potential friends and conversations.

People will notice your smile before they even hear you speak, so emitting positive vibes and good energy will make you appear more open and receptive to people. According to a survey by Delta Dental, a smile is a person’s most important physical feature, so make sure you share it with people when you meet them.

4. Ask More Questions.

People like to feel important. You grant this wish by really listening to their thoughts and ideas. Clarifying what they’ve said to make sure you understand correctly will make the speaker feel valued, so asking some questions makes a conversation go smoothly. This behavior will show that you’re interested and engaged in the discussion, and your exceptional listening skills will not go unnoticed by others. Too many people today check their phones in the middle of a conversation or think so much about what they will say next that they miss the meaning behind another person’s words.

Active listening involves asking questions for greater understanding, and doing so will instantly make you more likable.

5. Laugh at Yourself.

People relate more with those who have a sense of humor and can laugh at themselves despite any shortcomings or mistakes. Laughter temporarily takes the heaviness out of life and allows people to forget about the problems at work, arguments they just had, or anything else that weighs them down. If you can make someone laugh, you’ve made a friend for life. People gravitate towards those who don’t take themselves too seriously because laughing at yourself means you know how to take things in stride and not allow them to control you or your emotions.

6. Give people your full attention.

Most importantly, treat people as if they matter more than anything else in the world while you speak to them. Turn toward them, nod to show them that you’re listening, and put your phone away. Attracting the right people comes down to treating people like human beings, not like objects with no feelings. People want to feel like their voice is being heard, and if you can give them undivided attention, it will go a long way in increasing your likeability.

7. Set a High Standard

Everyone has standards for their life and the pursuit of love. No, it’s not that you look down on others or think poorly of them, but you know your limits. Have firm boundaries because they protect you from getting hurt.

If you want to attract the right people, you will stand by your convictions and limitations. You want someone that does the same and has the power to stand against the crowd when it infringes on their morals—having someone who also has high standards makes for a relationship where you understand and respect one another.

8. Have The Characteristics You Desire

If you want a wonderful life, the ball is in your court. You get to decide your destiny, which requires hard work and dedication. So many people think their life won’t begin until they find the right person, but this is problematic thinking.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, many folks live in codependent relationships as they become dependent on others for their happiness and survival. One party can take on the role of caretaker too, which imbalances the power in the relationship.

Anyone of caliber will look for someone who makes them a better person and not someone they need to survive. So, if you don’t have your life together, they may see you as troubled and wishy-washy. However, if you’re happy, healthy, have a good job, a little nest egg, and have much to offer, you’re not dependent on anyone for your security.

9. Don’t Try to Impress

So many folks try to be something they’re not to attract the perfect person. You often see this with online dating sites and on social media. Sure, you want to come across as a good catch, but it will haunt you later if you’ve been untruthful. Don’t brag, fib, or exaggerate about your accomplishments, as you’re creating a false persona that isn’t the real you.

10. Take Care of Your Emotional and Physical Wellbeing

When you take care of yourself, it’s only natural that people notice. Your emotional and physical well-being is essential to you and how others perceive you. Toxic individuals will know that they can’t neglect themselves and keep someone like you.

Self-love is essential to both you and the person you want to attract. Sure, you can attract all kinds of people that are all wrong for you, but you want someone who is a good partner.

11. Don’t Act Lonely or Desperate

You’ll have moments when you’re lonely and even desperate throughout your life. However, these are not two qualities you want to bring to the table in a relationship. Never date or seek friendships out of desperation, as you’re only bound to make foolish mistakes.

Additionally, it’s only natural to seek social interaction when you’re lonely, but never let it be the basis for a relationship. People want folks who aren’t lonely or desperate, as they come across as clingy or needy. To attract the right people, you need to come across as someone who has their life together.

12. Realize You’re Good Alone Too

You need to realize that you don’t need a partner to live a good life. When you’re trying to attract the right person, you want to come across that you can make it alone. You become more attractive to potential suitors because people always want individuals who have their lives together.

13. The Right People Understand That You Must Complete Yourself First

So many people look for a partner to complete them. The problem is that once they find such a person, something is still missing. Don’t be an individual who needs a relationship to thrive.

Those folks bounce from partner to partner, looking for the missing piece that only they can provide. When you’re already complete on the inside, having someone else who equally has it together makes you a fantastic pair.

14. See the Best in Others

There’s nothing worse than a person who is negative all the time. If you want to impress someone, why not be optimistic? Look for the positive qualities in a person rather than all the bad ones. You don’t want to ignore obvious red flags, but don’t always be so defensive and look for faults.

Don’t deny the dark side of people and try to make them better than they are either. You need someone in your life who lifts you and sees the good in you just like you see in them.

15. Live with Zest

To get the right people in your life, you need to learn to live a life of zest. You know you need some humor and compassion to have a relationship, but you also need to have fun. Why not step out of your comfort zone to explore new places, broaden your horizons, and go on an adventure?

You will attract the right people to your side when you have a zest for life and have an outstanding work/life balance. According to the Mayo Clinic, people who are workaholics and have no time for fun have more illnesses, and there’s so much lost time with friends and loved ones. It would be best if you had time to spend with people or it’s effortless to attract them.

16. Radiate Warmth to Find the Right People in Life

Have you ever stood over a register in the winter and let the heat penetrate every cold part of your body? It’s refreshing to feel that heat radiating and warming your inner being. This energy is the same way you need to be to attract the right people.

When your life fills with the warmth and love from happiness, you’ll never be lonely. People will be drawn to you like a moth to a flame because the warmth you radiate is refreshing.

17. Love Yourself

Before you can love anyone else, you must first learn to love yourself. What is it about you that makes you unique, and what are the things that you do well? Fall in love with you, and the rest will fall into place.

Final Thoughts on Attracting the Right People into Your Life

If you want to be a good friend or partner, you must start by loving yourself and getting your ducks in a row. Surround yourself with the right people who elevate your thinking and overall quality of life.

Always strive to look for the positive in others, but never ignore those red flags. When you take control of your inner circle, you set boundaries to enhance your overall well-being.

7 Things Couples Need to Do Everyday

December 5, 2015 by Power of Positivity

You and your partner are already committed to each other and you love doing things together that help you feel even more connected. Strengthening your bond to each other can only help you to grow as a couple. With that in mind, here are seven things that couples need to be doing more.

Seven Things Couples Need To Be Doing More

Do you and your love exhibit these seven behaviors?

1. Kissing

Of course, you enjoy a nice smooch with your partner. Kissing is a wonderful way to connect with each other or even start something more. Andrea Demirjian, author of Kissing: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know about One of Life’s Sweetest Pleasures, names a few benefits of kissing that will make you want to do it even more.

Demirjian says that kissing can reduce blood pressure. Although heart rate often increases with kissing, blood vessels dilate, reducing the blood pressure. Kissing can help prevent cavities by getting your saliva flowing as well as giving you a mini facelift by working your facial muscles, especially through deep kissing.

Kissing also increases your self-esteem by making you feel loved. This ego boost was studied by Dr. Arthur Szabo, a German researcher who found that men whose wives kissed them before they left for work made more money than those whose wives did not kiss them. A kiss before leaving the house was also correlated with fewer car accidents.

2. Hugging longer than twenty seconds

Hugging comes naturally to couples who are in love, but it gives us many benefits as well. An embrace gives a sense of security and reduces stress. When we hug, we encircle our partner in our arms, which gives them a feeling of protection. This reduction in stress helps our physical health and mental well-being.

Hugging stimulates the release of several neurotransmitters in our brains; serotonin, dopamine, and oxytocin. Dopamine is a pleasure hormone that gives us a good feeling. Serotonin is another naturally produced drug that makes us feel good, reduces pain, and increases feelings of happiness. Oxytocin helps us feel trust and a sense of safety.

3. Listening

We have two ears and only one mouth so we should listen twice as much as we speak, but we rarely do. More often, when our partner is speaking, we are only waiting for our turn to speak rather than listening to what they have to say. Good communication is very important for couples and improving our understanding of each other begins with listening.

Listening is more than just hearing the words that your partner says. When you listen, try to understand your partner. When they have finished speaking, ask yourself, what was the meaning that they were trying to get across? What were they feeling as they spoke? What is important to them? Then ask any questions that you need to that will help clarify their meaning.

4. Cuddling

Both males and females release the “cuddle hormone” oxytocin, in response to cuddling. Oxytocin is linked to positive aspects of pair bonding and it has other fascinating connections as well. Oxytocin is linked to increased trust in strangers, increased eye contact, and also improved ability to accurately interpret subtle facial expressions.

Unlike hugging, cuddling is not defined by arms and bodies connecting in a specific way. Cuddling could be anything from touching foreheads together, leaning against each other, or sitting side by side with an arm around your partner.

The physical closeness of your partner to you is what makes this important to your relationship. Touching is physically intimate. Allowing your partner into your personal space is an act of trust.

5. Forgiving

Mistakes happen and when your partner says “I’m sorry,” harboring resentment will only make you unhappy. Punishing your spouse by withholding forgiveness will eventually eat away at your own inner peace.

Forgiveness releases the tension between you and allows you to start over. You may need a period of rebuilding trust, which can be painful, but you’re starting by accepting that your partner is a human being. Forgiveness is what you would want if you made a mistake, so give your partner this gift.

6. Laughing

They say that laughter is the best medicine and whether or not we need it for healing, we should definitely be laughing more often. You don’t need to perform a comedy routine for your partner, but if you already know how to make them giggle, see if you can increase how often you do it.

Find humor in daily situations and share it with your partner. If you put on two mismatched socks, show your partner your silly mistake and have a laugh at your own expense. Laughter relieves tension and creates an emotional bond of joy with your partner.

7. Saying “I love you”

How often you tell your partner that you love them doesn’t equate to how much you love them, but doing it more will strengthen your bond. Expressing your love out loud is a way of confirming that you care.

More often, you demonstrate your love through your actions, like preparing meals with love or buying your partner’s favorite brand of soap. Actions speak louder than words but don’t forget that words have tremendous power also.

Final Thoughts on Small Signs of Affection Couples Must Show Every Day

These seven things are small actions that loving couples can take to strengthen their relationships. These activities don’t take much time, so see how many you can fit in today. Your partner will love the change and your relationship will enjoy the benefits.

Are You A Type A Or Type B Personality?

December 5, 2015 by Power of Positivity

Are you ambitious, driven, impatient, or more relaxed about life? Your disposition and personality traits can reveal whether you have a Type A or Type B personality, a theory discovered in the 1950s by cardiologists Meyer Friedman and Ray Rosenman.

They believed that having a Type A personality put individuals at a greater risk of developing coronary heart disease, and while many scientists disagree with this correlation, the discovery played a significant role in the health psychology field later on.

Research on the personality types remains ongoing. But the implications of having a Type A or Type B personality are distinct. This article should help you figure out which personality type you have. Read on to learn more about each one.

Are you a Type A or Type B personality?

Type A

As you might have guessed from the earlier association of the Type A personality with the risk of heart disease, people with this personality have a great competitive drive and don’t take well to losing. They play to win, and when they don’t achieve the desired results, they usually beat themselves up mentally for it.

Type A’s have a detailed schedule planned out for each day, and when something happens unexpectedly, they tend to freak out about it. Extremely organized and conscientious, they enjoy routine and structure and get anxious when their day doesn’t go as planned. Type A’s also have a tendency to develop anxiety disorders due to their rigid mindset and high expectations of themselves and others.

Type A people have a serious disposition, and because of this, they make great leaders and politicians. They have no problem telling others what to do and will go to almost any lengths to achieve their goals. Type A personalities spend most of their time at work because setting and meeting goals make them the happiest. Their self-worth comes largely from their achievements, so they immerse themselves in anything dealing with winning.

Type A’s usually take on more work than they can reasonably manage. But that makes them prone to a slew of illnesses related to stress and exhaustion. Type A’s also tend to let their anger get the best of them. If you couple extreme impatience and addiction to achievement, this can spell out disaster for people with this personality.

If you believe you have a Type A personality, try to take some time for yourself each day. Please remember that your worth doesn’t come from just your achievements, status, or the money in your bank. Allow yourself to have fun and enjoy life at the moment sometimes because at the end of the day, you will hang on to the memories you make, not the awards you win or goals you achieve.

Type B

As you can imagine, people with a Type B personality fall on the totally opposite end of the spectrum. They have a more relaxed, carefree disposition, and could care less if they win or lose. They live life at the moment and don’t always need to reach a milestone to feel satisfied with their life.

Because they aren’t goal-oriented and achievement-driven, people with a Type B personality enjoy careers that require creativity and can be performed at a slower pace. Many people with a Type B personality choose a career as a writer, artist, musician, therapist, or actor.

They tend to reflect inwardly more than people with a Type A personality and have an abstract mind. They don’t see things in black and white. Instead, they notice all the aspects of life that fall into the grey areas. Because of their ability to slow down and notice the details, they usually shy away from anything that involves a significant amount of stress or pressure.

They prefer to just go with the flow and see where life takes them without getting caught up in knowing all the answers.

Most people fall somewhere in between a Type A and Type B personality; most people do enjoy reaching goals and achieving something in life. But not everyone lets their aspirations and accomplishments totally consume them. If you’d like to know which personality you have, you can take a quiz here to find out.

8 Signs You’re Becoming Depressed

December 5, 2015 by Power of Positivity

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), an estimated 280 million people worldwide become depressed, making it the leading cause of disability. Approximately 10 million Americans suffer from seasonal affective disorder during the winter months. That condition comes from a lack of sun exposure, which can reduce circadian rhythms. With winter fast approaching, depression can set in without much warning. So, getting out of that mindset can sometimes seem virtually impossible at times.

Here are eight signs you’re becoming depressed:

Depression can seem debilitating and suffocating. But if you know the signs to look out for, you can take steps to prevent it. At the very least, you’ll understand how to treat yourself well.

1. You’ve lost interest in activities you used to enjoy.

Many people with depression find that they have no interest in doing much of anything. Indeed, just getting out of bed can seem like an insurmountable task most days. People who are depressed try to engage in things they once found enjoyable. However, they don’t find these activities pleasurable anymore. For example, if you once loved to dance, but just the thought of getting up and moving seems like torture, you might be depressed.

If you find you’ve lost interest in almost everything, including friendships, social outings, exercise, food, and sex, consider using positive affirmations, meditation, yoga, and natural remedies to help you regain control of your mental health.

2. You have lost your appetite or overeat regularly.

Another common symptom of depression is either overeating or losing interest in food altogether. Gary Kennedy, MD, director of geriatric psychiatry at Montefiore Medical Center in Bronx, New York, says, “A sudden change in weight, either gaining or losing, can be a warning of depression, especially in someone who has other symptoms of depression or a history of depression.”

Both scenarios can lead to severe complications, so if you notice yourself having no appetite or eating to appease your emotions, you could be depressed.

3. You’ve developed insomnia.

Many adults with depression have trouble falling or staying asleep. Patients who have chronic insomnia have triple the chance of developing depression compared to those who don’t suffer from insomnia. Many doctors believe that by treating insomnia, most patients would see a drastic decrease in their depression symptoms. While a couple of nights of tossing and turning don’t signal depression, being unable to fall and stay asleep over weeks or months could point to a deeper issue.

If you find that you have trouble sleeping most nights, and you’ve noticed this happening consistently over a long period, you might suffer from depression.

4. You feel tired all the time.

One of the most significant warning signs of depression is a lack of energy, which stems from the inability to sleep at night or the constant feelings of hopelessness and despair that plague the mind. Both of these can cause severe exhaustion, which makes it difficult for those with depression to get out of bed most days. However, you can combat these feelings by eating a healthy diet, drinking plenty of water, exercising, and socializing even if you don’t feel like it. Also, make sure you don’t schedule too much in one day so that you don’t become overwhelmed.

5. You isolate yourself more often than not.

Many people with depression find that they don’t feel like being around friends and family as much. In fact, socializing with anyone can seem almost painful. That’s because the patient feels as though they cannot connect with anyone anymore. However, isolating yourself will only make the depression worse. So try to go out with a small group of friends fairly regularly, and tell them how you’re feeling.

Most of all, don’t feel ashamed of being depressed. Indeed, many people go through it from time to time in their life. So even if you have chronic depression, you have options for treatment.

Being alone with your thoughts all the time will only perpetuate the illness, so try to socialize even if it feels uncomfortable. Humans are social creatures, and cannot survive without some interaction, so don’t deprive yourself of these experiences.

You should also consider joining a support group for depression, as talking about it can help you to discover new thinking patterns and ways of coping with the illness.

6. You have difficulty focusing and listening to others.

Depression can make you feel like you have a constant fog inundating your brain, making it hard to concentrate or remember important facts and events. You might also find yourself tuning in and out of conversations, and having trouble formulating responses.

“Research has suggested that processing speed — the ability to take in information quickly and efficiently — is impaired in individuals who are depressed,” said Natascha Santos, PsyD, a psychologist and behavior therapist in Great Neck, N.Y.

Without proper treatment, serious cognitive impairments can occur over time. Meditation and relaxation techniques can help greatly with mental clarity and focus, so make sure to give yourself time each day for self-care and mindfulness training.

7. You feel sad, hopeless, and worthless.

Everyone feels these emotions occasionally, but those who are depressed feel them much more frequently. People with depression can get sucked into a vortex of negativity. So finding their way out can seem overwhelming and impossible. Getting a grip on these feelings doesn’t happen overnight. But you can shift into a more positive mindset with proper affirmations, relaxation, and mindfulness meditation.

Also, don’t hesitate to talk about your feelings with loved ones. They can support you through difficult times, and offer advice when you need it the most.

8. You have regular headaches and digestive issues.

According to Everyday Health, 40% of people with migraines also suffer from depression. Many people don’t attribute chronic headaches to depression, but the two go hand in hand in many cases.

“Migraines and depression have common underpinnings in the brain, which can develop due to environmental factors, genetic causes, or a combination of both,” Dr. Lipton, a professor and vice chairman of neurology and a professor of epidemiology and population health at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, says. “Migraine pain and depression are also linked because both conditions respond to some of the same medications.”

Also, your brain and gut are connected, and linked together by the vagus nerve. This nerve sends signals from your stomach to your brain, affecting hunger cues and overall appetite. Your emotions have a profound effect on your digestive health. For instance, have you ever noticed that when you feel anxious, your stomach feels tied up in knots, and you might have an upset stomach? This clearly shows that our emotions powerfully affect our mental health. So, by calming our minds and regaining mental clarity, we can control what sort of signals our gut sends to our brain.

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Here are 7 signs you need to chill out:

1. You have nightmares often.

2. You have trouble falling asleep at night.

3. Your mind constantly feels clouded and foggy.

4. You get sick a lot.

5. You use food to drown out your problems.

6. When you actually have time to relax, you don’t know how.

7. You have frequent skin flare-ups.

The signs of binge eating may include:

Here are 5 ways to stop the habit of binge eating

1. Eat enough to remain satisfied.

2. Remove as many limitations from your diet as possible.

3. Love yourself enough to stay in action.

4. Exercise.

5. Keep a food journal.

Here are seventeen ways to attract the right people:

1. You Feel Free to be Vulnerable Around the Right People.

2. Call the Person by Their Name to Attract the Right People.

3. Smile! You’ll Attract the Right People.

4. Ask More Questions.

5. Laugh at Yourself.

6. Give people your full attention.

7. Set a High Standard

8. Have The Characteristics You Desire

9. Don’t Try to Impress

10. Take Care of Your Emotional and Physical Wellbeing

11. Don’t Act Lonely or Desperate

12. Realize You’re Good Alone Too

13. The Right People Understand That You Must Complete Yourself First

14. See the Best in Others

15. Live with Zest

16. Radiate Warmth to Find the Right People in Life

17. Love Yourself

Final Thoughts on Attracting the Right People into Your Life

Seven Things Couples Need To Be Doing More

1. Kissing

2. Hugging longer than twenty seconds

3. Listening

4. Cuddling

5. Forgiving

6. Laughing

7. Saying “I love you”

Final Thoughts on Small Signs of Affection Couples Must Show Every Day

Are you a Type A or Type B personality?

Type A

Type B

Here are eight signs you’re becoming depressed:

1. You’ve lost interest in activities you used to enjoy.

2. You have lost your appetite or overeat regularly.

3. You’ve developed insomnia.

4. You feel tired all the time.

5. You isolate yourself more often than not.

6. You have difficulty focusing and listening to others.

7. You feel sad, hopeless, and worthless.

8. You have regular headaches and digestive issues.

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

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