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Here’s What Your Sleep Position Says About Your Relationship

Here’s What Your Sleep Position Says About Your Relationship

Snuggling up to your partner at the end of a long day feels great, but it might also be a great way to build a lasting relationship. Sure, both of you need to get enough sleep. But how you share the bed with your other half could reflect how well you share in other areas of your relationship.

Sleeping with your partner is an intimate part of your relationship and you spend a good portion of your time together asleep. The nature of your relationship, whether good or bad, can be reflected by your sleeping positions.

Good sleep hygiene

We have a physical need for sleep to maintain good health and be able to function fully in our daily lives. Although scientists are still learning about the functions of sleep, they believe that sleep helps restore bodily systems, builds memories, and provides a release from stress experienced while awake.

Finding the right posture in bed can Be important for your overall level of comfort. No one wants to wake up with pain from a kink in their neck. Whether you sleep on your side, back, stomach or curled up, the position you’re in will affect your body differently.

Sleeping on your back may be the most comfortable if you’re dealing with neck or back pain. But if you’re prone to snoring, sleeping on your stomach may help open your airways a bit more. Some postures are also better for our appearance. For example, avoiding prolonged contact with your face with the pillow can reduce wrinkles.

Intimacy

The bed is where a lot of intimate activity takes place for couples. This makes it the stage for potential conflict due to miscommunication. One partner may interpret a signal by his lover to come to bed as a sign that they will have sex, while the other simply means that it is time to sleep.

Both partners need to have clear communication about signals for sex. Whether these are nonverbal cues like a deep passionate kiss or a verbal one like, “Honey, let’s go heat up the sheets,” both people need to know what is expected when they head to the bed.

Troubles in bed

Finding comfort for both partners can be a problem that makes couples resort to sleeping separately. Sleeping separately may not be the right solution, whether the disturbance is due to noise from snoring or conflict over the perfect sleeping temperature.

When partners cannot compromise on the environment they share in the bedroom, they are also likely to be experiencing conflict in other areas of the relationship. According to Dr. Laura Berman, sleeping apart means that couples miss opportunities to connect emotionally and intimately.

Solving sleeping problems

Dr. Berman suggests that it is worth solving sleep problems so that couples can reap the benefits that sleeping together provides. Couples who are able to sleep together sleep more soundly and may have lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol. High cortisol levels may cause serious health problems and lower life expectancy overall.

What your unconscious mind is trying to tell you

Your unconscious mind is awake while the rest of you sleeps. It’s the part of your mind that brings you vivid dreams and works out problems that you had during your waking hours. It also regulates your body functions and controls involuntary movements during the night.

If you fought with your partner during the day, you might not be surprised to find yourself turning your back on them while you sleep. Your body’s posture will still reflect your anger earlier in the day.

Or perhaps you were at fault for something that upset your partner earlier. This might be reflected in your lying facing your partner while he turns his back to you. Your waking attitudes toward each other are reflected in your sleeping positions.

sleepHere’s what your sleep position says about your relationship:

1. Face to face

Partners are connected intimately, and may want to drift off to sleep while talking

2. Back to back

Separate sleepers who respect each other’s need to be independent. This could indicate a lack of intimacy.

3. Facing the same direction

Often called spooning, the person on the inside is regarded as being protected by the outer partner. This can mean that the “big spoon” is the dominant partner in the relationship. Often this is an indicator of intimacy and could also be a way to initiate sex.

4. Entwined limbs

Partners are comfortable being literally and emotionally entangled. They are an intimate, honest power couple.

moving in with your partnerChanging positions throughout the night

We all move in our sleep, so don’t worry about always staying in the same position with your partner. As we sleep, we rarely stay in one position. We may move two to four times an hour.

If you wake up and find that you are no longer in the position you were in when you fell asleep, it’s not a problem. According to a survey of 1000 couples, the happiest were those who had some physical contact with their partner. Try to focus on maintaining at least some physical contact with your partner and then drift back to sleep.

Finding a sleeping position that meets your needs and your partner’s needs will make both of you happier and well-rested. Compromising in your relationship can build lasting happiness for your future together.

10 Ways To Clean Your Lymphatic System

You might not know it, but your lymphatic system is one of the most overlooked parts of your anatomy. It works hard to remove bacteria and fight infection. Instead of ignoring this import part of your body, here are some tips to clean your lymphatic system and get your body functioning at it’s best.

What is Lymph, Exactly?

Of course, you know about your immune system. It’s producing white blood cells to keep you healthy when a virus, bacteria or foreign body enters yours. But we rarely hear about the lymphatic system. Lymph is a clear or whitish fluid in your lymphatic system, which is a major part of your immune system. You have more lymph in your body than you do blood.

Lymph nodes produce white blood cells and filter lymph fluid. You can sometimes feel the bean-shaped lymph nodes when they are swollen. You will feel them in your armpits and neck. When you are sick and your doctor is feeling around your throat, this swelling of the lymph nodes is part of what she is feeling for.

Why Your Lymphatic System Needs Cleansing

The most well-known disease of the lymphatic system is lymphoma. Certain risk factors can contribute to non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Some of these are genetic risks that are beyond our control but some are environmental exposures that we can avoid.

Helping your lymphatic system run optimally means that it is better able to fight disease. Since the lymphatic system is going to see anything foreign as something to be removed, avoiding overworking the system will make your lymph work better for you. Instead of working to remove chemicals that we ingest, it can remove disease instead.

Exposure to certain chemicals, infections and viruses, chronic immune system stimulation, and poor diet can all contribute to an increased risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Again, reducing the amount of stuff that your lymph system has to work to filter out can help it to be healthy to fight off major illnesses.

Here are 10 ways to clean the lymphatic system at home:

lymphatic-system

1. Eat clean

Cleaning your diet can also clean your lymph system. Since the system wants to remove anything that is not supposed to be there, avoiding processed foods helps it to run more efficiently. This includes avoiding chemicals, refined sugar, artificial flavorings, colors, additives, preservatives, etc.

2. Add water

Lymph fluid is mostly water, as is the human body. Dehydration only stresses the lymphatic system more and makes it less efficient. Drinking your full fluid intake as clean, clear water will help your lymphatic system flow well. Flush your system with a gallon of water per day.

3. Castor oil packs

Castor oil packs are used by applying castor oil to a piece of clean cotton fabric and placing them on the body in an area that needs cleansing. The area is wrapped in plastic and left in place for 1 to 1 1/2 hours. You can read about how to make an effective and mess-free castor oil pack here. Most often the pack is applied to the abdomen for aiding the lymphatic system.

4. Get Bouncy

Rebounding, or trampoline jumping, for 10 to 30 minutes gets your lymph fluid moving. Moving the lymphatic fluid through the body gets it to the lymph nodes where it can be cleaned.

5. Practice Yoga

Yoga poses such as legs up the wall (lying with legs elevated), half shoulder stand (legs and chest elevated, arms supporting the back) and downward dog (body in a upside down V) all move blood and lymph toward the heart. This speeds up the rate of filtering and cleaning of the lymphatic fluid.

6. Relax in a Sauna

Sweating with sauna therapy is another way to increase circulation, sweat out toxins and improve lymphatic flow for cleaning.

7. Massage

Lymphatic drainage massage is used to manually flush and detoxify the body. Lymphatic massage also works to treat lymphedema, which is an accumulation of lymphatic fluid in the body after lymph nodes during surgery, often for breast cancer surgery.

8. Exercise

Getting the blood flowing through exercise also helps the lymphatic system to flow. Simply walking is a good way to raise your heart rate and pump lymphatic fluid to where it can be cleaned in the lymph nodes.

9. Deep breathing

Concentrating on deeply inhaling so that you can feel the contraction in your diaphragm. The change in pressure in your chest forces lymphatic fluid upward from the extremities, where it can then be filtered and cleaned.

10. Herbal Tea

Certain herbs are best for lymph cleansing and a relaxing herbal tea can do the trick. Mix calendula, cleavers and mullein in a tea to help remove lymphatic toxins.

Safely detoxifying your lymphatic system will allow it to perform optimally and give you the best possible immune health. This way, your body will be ready for battle the next time it faces any internal opponent.

What Does Your Life Path Number Reveal About You?

Numerology can tell us in-depth information about our unique life paths which will enable us to realize our purpose and live it on a daily basis. All numbers carry with them a certain vibration that affects everything from your perception of life to your personality to what kinds of clothes you like to wear.

Your life path number is no different. It can assist you in knowing your strengths and weaknesses and ultimately guide you to make choices in your life that align with your best interests.

Here’s how to calculate your life path number

If your birthday (the day life began outside the womb) lands on July 18, 1991; to calculate the life path number, you would add up all the digits until I end up with a single digit.

For example:

7 + 18 +1991 = 2,016

2 + 0 + 1 + 6 = 36

3 + 6 = 9

So, your life path number would be a 9. There will be more explanation as to what that means, along with all other life numbers, below.

Here’s What Your Life Path Number Reveals About You:

 

1. The Purposeful

1’s are the type of people who love coming up with new inventions and ways of doing things, and ideas just seem to come to them effortlessly. However, they like to do things their way, and they can have trouble tolerating other people’s lifestyles and decisions.

Well-Known 1’s: Tom Hanks, Hulk Hogan, and Wynona Judd

2. The Helper

2’s might identify with the term “empath” because they often put other’s needs above their own, and care deeply about the well-being of others. They can’t stand isolation, and probably have a tight-knit circle of friends to keep them company. While they might not warm up to others easily, their shyness melts away when they find friends who really understand them.

Well-Known 2’s: President Bill Clinton, Madonna, Mozart, and Whoopi Goldberg

3. The Spiritual

Also known as the life of the party, 3’s love any chance to have the spotlight on them and enjoy the attention from others. They have a certain charm about them, and they know how to carry a conversation. They often talk more than they listen, though, and can seem a bit insensitive at times, although they can. Finally, they have a big heart but are frequently misunderstood.

Well-Known 3’s: Melanie Griffith and Jodi Foster

4. The Balanced

4’s have been known to stick to balanced routines, and rarely step outside their comfort zone or adopt new principles of living. They often have conservative values, and believe in the idea of hard work to earn their place on this Earth. 4’s enjoy time spent in nature, and tend to shy away from modern entertainment. Their weakness is that they can sometimes be stubborn and closed off to new ideas.

Well-Known 4’s: Oprah Winfrey, Neil Diamond, and Arnold Schwarzenegger

5. The Fighter

They don’t like anyone telling them what to do, and steer clear of anything encouraged by the mainstream. They have a fierce independence about them, and have a hard time understanding modern society. 5’s are drawn to the arts, as creative expression serves as an outlet for them. They may have been called “problem children” in the past due to their adamant opposition to authority and rules.

6. The Optimist

An eternal optimist, the romantic lives with their head in the clouds, dreaming of a perfect world and wanting to offer a positive contribution somehow. They sometimes focus too much on what they can’t change, though, and the state of affairs in the world can bring them down if they don’t divert their attention. Moreover, they have a close relationship with their family, and make a very loyal friend or partner.

They might consider becoming a teacher to share their wisdom about the world and help them feel like they’re making an impact on society.

Well-Known 6’s: Albert Einstein, Christopher Columbus, and Meryl Streep

7. The Realist

A natural-born intellectual, 7’s are highly analytical and logical. They make decisions based on their thoughts, not emotions. These folks love doing research and learning about exciting new topics. They might seem cold and unfeeling to others, but they just don’t wear their heart on their sleeve. However, they still care underneath the surface.

Well-Known 7’s: William Shakespeare, Lucille Ball, and Michael Jackson

8. The Leader

Always wanting to accomplish more, go one step further, and reach a higher rung on the ladder, 8’s are definitely Type A people. They have great ambition and willpower, and don’t like leaving a job unfinished. They like to tackle big challenges and solve problems, and would do well in a leadership role. However, they need to take heed not to let their power go to their head.

Well-Known 8’s: Barbara Streisand, Picasso, and Aretha Franklin

9. The Entertainer

Very gregarious and sociable, 9’s love to make people laugh and show them a good time. They make friends easily, and have an irresistible charm about them. They would do well as a comedian or some sort of performer, as they enjoy entertaining others.

Well-Known 9’s: Jimmy Carter, Elvis Presley, and Harrison Ford

Let us know your number and please share with your friends to find out their life number!

How To Detox From A Junk Food Addiction

Junk food has infiltrated our homes, schools and offices. We can’t run an errand without standing next to a counter full of candy, we can’t buy a coffee without being tempted with biscotti and pastries, and we can’t walk down the hallway without the temptation of a vending machine or a colleague’s birthday treats.

So why does junk food have so much power over us? Because it’s designed to. The sugar, salt, fat and all of the other ingredients of junk food are designed to make us want more. In fact, sugar has been proven to be eight times more addictive than cocaine. Yes, eight! We don’t stand a chance, and it’s no wonder we can’t say no.

Many experts believe the sugar and chemicals used in processed foods are at the heart of the obesity epidemic and the root of many diseases. Knowing this, makes paying attention to what we eat more important than ever. We have to stop thinking of nutrition as a way of fueling our bodies for right now and start thinking of how we can fuel it for long-term health and well-being.

So, how exactly do we kick our junk-food addiction? You have to make the choice to do it and then take action. It sounds simple, but like most change, it can be a challenge.

Here Are 6 Ways to Detox From a Junk-Food Addiction

1. Allow For Three Days

Realize that an addiction to junk-food will likely result in withdrawal symptoms and cravings. The first three days are going to be tough as our bodies work to get rid of the toxins and realize we are not giving into the addiction anymore.

We can do anything for three days, right? Do these things to help get through it:

  • Remove as much temptation from your daily routine as possible during the first few days
  • Drink more water than usual and add lemon when possible
  • Take frequent walks outside
  • Have nuts, veggies and other easy snacks on hand
  • Don’t starve yourself, just choose better options

2. Stick to Three

Keeping on the three theme, apparently three is the magic number. A study out of Cornell University found that we prefer multi-colored food on our plate. The recommendation is to choose three different types of food in three different colors when creating your meals.

3. Read Labels

The longer the ingredient list usually means the more processed it is. Food companies are required to list the ingredients in order of the amount in the product, with the ingredient with highest amount being listed first. Try to stay away from foods that have sugar, white flour and unfamiliar ingredients near the top of the list. The best way to tackle the grocery store is to spend time on the outside aisles, the produce section, and the organic aisles.

4. Learn Your Triggers

Everyone has certain triggers that lead to making poor choices. It might be a certain kind of food, a certain time of day, or a specific activity. Knowing what it is that triggers us can help us avoid it by eliminating foods, keeping busy during specific times, or avoiding the activities that trigger the desire for junk food.

5. Change Things Up

Our routines may be a big reason we reach for junk food instead of healthier, more nutritious options. Much like our triggers, changing our routine can play an important role in helping us to detox from a junk food addiction.

Create a morning routine where you pack lunch and snacks, create an afternoon routine of taking a walk when your energy is low, and create a nighttime routine that supports your desire to eat healthily. Include your nutrition goals when establishing routines, and they’ll be more likely to stick.

6. Take it One Day at a Time

Detoxing from anything is hard work, and we have to be forgiving of ourselves. Oftentimes we are so hard on ourselves and set unrealistic expectations, that we set ourselves up for failure. Take it one day at a time and let every day be a new day. If you fall off the wagon, don’t wait to get back on – just get back on. You are trying to create a lifestyle change, and there is no perfect. Just try to do better tomorrow than you did today.

It might be easy to walk away from the vending machine and reach for some grapes instead. And then again, it might be really hard. Choosing better nutritional options is easier than ever, but it’s still a challenge unless you have the intention and motivation to make it happen. Even though it can be hard at times, the benefits are immeasurable and definitely worth the effort.

What Does Your Birth Month Zodiac Reveal About You?

While you have probably heard that zodiac signs can reveal a lot about a person’s personality and characteristics, did you know that the month you were born can also tell many things about you?

Your birth month can offer insight into your overall demeanor. You can also discover how other people see you and understand more deeply your feelings toward life in general. These astrological descriptions base character traits on the alignment and placement of the stars during your birth month.

Read on to see what your birth month zodiac reveals about you:

birth month

January

People born in January have a strong work ethic, and will not hesitate to voice their opinions. They can portray a headstrong attitude. In other words, they don’t take well to people telling them what to do. They make good leaders because of their persistence and drive to succeed, but listening to others is not a strong point. If you were born in January, you have a natural ability to teach other people. What is more, others tend to listen to you with a willingness to learn.

February

If you were born in February, you probably have a strong creative streak. Likely, you enjoy working on new projects. You love getting into intellectual discussions and avoid conversation with others who seem shallow. You have probably been called a free spirit more than once or twice. Living within the confines of society’s rigid rules is not your favorite choice. You love to travel. Adventure and exploration excite you and make you feel alive. You operate best in the company of other dreamers. February-born free-spirits make loyal, honest friends and partners.

March

People born in March tend toward creativity and imagination, but they can also be introspective and quiet. They live inside their own heads a lot, creating masterpieces within their minds. They turn to the arts for expressing themselves and enjoy quiet time alone. If you were born in March, you have a kind, gentle demeanor toward others, yet tend to hide many aspects of yourself from them. You crave peaceful, serene environments, and avoid noisy, crowded places when you can.

April

Those born in April crave attention and love every second they can spend in the spotlight. They don’t take orders well, instead preferring to do things their way and lead others. April-born individuals seek new adventures and seek out ways to experience an adrenaline rush. They act first and think later, living life day to day, seeing where it takes them. Although sometimes known to be loud and obnoxious, they speak their minds and have no problem telling other people how they feel.

May

People born in the month of May tend to be fickle, wanting one thing today, and something totally different tomorrow. Those of this zodiac sign express themselves well and love talking to people from all walks of life. They tend to have an active social life and don’t like to spend a lot of time alone. If you were born in May, you probably love stimulating, intelligent conversations, yet need an equal amount of fun and excitement. You may get bored easily, and seek new ways to entertain yourself.

June

If you were born in June, you are sensitive and caring toward other people and their feelings. You can be shy and soft-spoken, but people admire that about you. A creative spirit helps you think far into the future about what you can create. You spend time considering how you can bring your ideas into the world. Though you don’t always express your feeling, you have a whole world living inside you, and you hope to figure out how to realize your many dreams.

zodiac

July

People born in July have many of the same traits as those born in June, except they are often more spontaneous and extroverted. They live for adventures, and love to have a good time. Outwardly, they appear confident and cheerful, but inside, they harbor a lot of dark secrets. If you were born in July, you might tend to hide your pain from others. You have lots of energy, and people love to hang out with you because of this.

August

Those born under the August zodiac are natural leaders, not afraid to stand on their own with their opinions. They can be bossy and opinionated, but they have big hearts. If you were born in August, you might tend to overthink matters and find difficulty considering other approaches. People born in August do well in careers that involve critical thinking and analysis because they see life in a logical manner. They find it challenging to express their emotions, so understanding the deeper side of them can seem difficult at times.

September

People born in this zodiac sign have high expectations of others and can tend to get disappointed easily. They have a stubborn streak and hold grudges if you get on their bad side. If you were born in September, you are probably a perfectionist, holding yourself and others to high ideals. You are likely sensual, creative, and kind, always wanting to help others when you can.

October

People born in October crave balance and stability in everything they do and have a positive outlook on life. They don’t like confrontation and avoid it whenever possible. If born in October, you likely have an active social life and love your friends to death. You’re charming and talkative. Though you love being around people, you’re fiercely independent as well.

November

People born in the November zodiac are very secretive, and often hide their true feelings from others. They don’t like others telling them what to do, and tend to carve their own path in life. November-born people don’t have too many fears and will jump into a situation headfirst, no matter the consequences. They don’t let anything in life stop them, and have a headstrong, passionate approach to life.

December

December babies are very adventurous, generous people. They can let their pride get in the way sometimes, and tend to have a short fuse with people. They like to be on-the-go, and can’t stand to sit still too long. If you were born in December, you might be feisty and like entertaining people. Your free-spirited attitude perfectly balances your more conservative side.

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5 Signs It’s Time to Rethink Your Relationship

When we find someone we truly admire and adore, we sometimes overlook or ignore warning signs of certain behaviors and personality traits that can actually harm us emotionally and even physically. Most everyone in a relationship just wants a happy, healthy, thriving union between themselves and their partner, but when something doesn’t feel right, they sometimes choose to look past these feelings and pretend like everything’s fine.

Of course, no one is perfect, but you should never have to put up with any sort of behavior that makes you feel small, unimportant, or even fearful of your partner. Certain things should make any of us rethink our relationships, and where we want it to go vs. where it’s actually going…

Here are 5 Signs It’s Time to Rethink Your Relationship:

single

1. Your partner doesn’t listen to you anymore

Your thoughts matter, and they deserve to be heard by your partner especially, the one person who you should always be able to count on to listen to you. However, sometimes these insensitive and self-absorbed behaviors don’t surface until months into a relationship, so don’t feel bad if you didn’t spot this right away.

People who talk over others and don’t want to listen to what they have to say usually have low self-esteem and feel they must control their partner to feel validated. They can’t control themselves, so they must look around them for ways to remain significant.

You should never tolerate someone who doesn’t know how to communicate with you, and a huge part of communication in a relationship actually involves listening. If your partner can’t give you that respect, they don’t deserve you. Period.

2. There is a lack of support for dreams and goals

If you are in a relationship with someone who doesn’t believe in your goals and dreams, then you probably feel pretty unsupported and alone. And is that how you think you should feel in a relationship? Ask yourself this next time your partner tears you down or mocks you for your career or life goals. A relationship should make you feel fulfilled and supported, not the opposite. Someone who belittles you and makes you feel incapable of achieving your goals is simply jealous and insecure. They don’t want to watch you rise above obstacles and achieve greatness, because they don’t have the courage to do the same for themselves.

You should never tolerate a relationship with someone who doesn’t believe in you and doesn’t want to see you advance your life. Choose a relationship with someone who uplifts you and will stand behind your dreams and goals 150%.

3. There is a withdrawal from communication

Realizing that all relationships require honest, uninhibited communication; relationships don’t last very long if there is an ongoing behavior pattern of keeping secrets and being closed off from having real conversations. Relationships can quickly take a turn for the worse if people start distancing themselves, and won’t admit when the other person did or said something to upset them.

People can be rational when confronting someone, and have a mature conversation that doesn’t end in name-calling and yelling at one another. A healthy relationship is built on trust and effective communication, so strive to cultivate these in all of your close relationships if you want to avoid damaging it.

4. The relationship has difficulty dealing with problems.

In both relationships and life, problems inevitably happen, and knowing how to deal with them and figure out solutions together can strengthen your relationship – and keep it running smoothly. If you or your partner are having a hard time tackling problems as a team and talking things through to solve the problem, it may mean that there’s a happier and longer-lasting relationship elsewhere.

A couple married for 75 years said that the key to making a relationship work long-term is communication, even if that means arguing in order to solve a problem. Whatever your style of problem-solving may be, if you are your partner can resolve things quickly and easily without too much conflict, chances are you have the ability to make things work in the future. According to Dr. Preston Ni, “Successful couples have the ability to solve problems and let [them] go.”

relationship

5. Someone is withholding the truth.

When asked about the most important quality a person can possess, most people quickly say “trust.” If two people don’t have that, the foundation of the relationship will quickly crumble once the truth finally comes to the surface. Healthy relationships require two people committed to sharing their darkest secrets and most authentic self no matter what.

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