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7 Habits Of Highly Stressed People

November 13, 2015 by Sarah Barkley

It seems like everyone feels stressed out these days for various reasons.

According to the American Psychological Association, more than half of working adults feel concerned with the amount of stress they experience in their lives. Stress takes a toll on our mental health and can wreak havoc on our physical well-being. The survey found that people who experience a high level of stress have a greater risk of developing anxiety, depression, obesity, and hypertension.

The growing evidence about how deeply stress can affect our lives should make us reflect on our own lives and figure out what we can do to alleviate the stress we experience.

Here are seven habits of highly stressed people (and how to avoid them):

1. Drinking excessive amounts of caffeinated beverages

We hear conflicting reports all the time about coffee. Some people say we should avoid it like the plague. On the other hand, some researchers think it’s practically the elixir of life. Most people would never dream of giving up coffee, but drinking it excessively can negatively affect your health since caffeine is a stimulant. So drinking too much of it can make you feel overly anxious and contribute to insomnia, irritability, and digestive issues.

Try to limit your intake of caffeinated beverages to 400 mg per day, as this amount seems safe for most adults, according to the Mayo Clinic.

2. Seeing the negative in everything

If you always see the glass as half-empty, you probably have a high stress level. Pessimistic people tend to dwell on problems, and this fixation on negativity can ramp up your stress level.

When the world starts to look dark and depressing, remember to take a step back, breathe, and feel grateful for everything and everyone in your life. Putting things into perspective can help you find the beauty in life, even in adverse situations.

3. Obsessing over every detail of their lives

Highly stressed people tend to have a Type A personality, wanting to control every aspect of their lives and work hard to ensure that every little hair falls perfectly into place. However, this obsessive behavior can lead to unnecessary stress and anxiety and make you unable to adapt to new situations. Remember that you can’t control everything, so don’t try.

Only focus on things that you can change, and let the rest of the issues work themselves out.

4. Expecting perfection

Counting on perfection usually leaves us sorely disappointed as an extension of the last point. Perfection doesn’t exist, and trying to live within these parameters will surely leave you chronically stressed, unhappy, and bitter. Having unrealistic expectations of people and life, in general, doesn’t usually end well because mistakes happen. The sooner you accept this, the less stressed and anxious you will feel.

Instead of attempting to control everything and set impossible standards for yourself and others, do the best you can and accept everyone else’s best effort. In other words, choose to see the beauty in the imperfections.

5. Eating their feelings

Stress eating has practically become an epidemic, as people use food to deal with negative emotions. However, there’s a scientific reason why people choose to eat unhealthy foods to cope with stress. According to Harvard Health Publications at Harvard Medical School, our bodies release cortisol when we feel stressed, which can ramp up our appetite and lead us to make unhealthy choices. Not surprisingly, most people choose foods heavy in fats and sugars, which inevitably lead to weight gain if eaten in excess.

If you feel overly stressed, try to get to the root cause of the stress first, instead of reaching for unhealthy foods. The foods may seem comforting, but they only mask the real problem.

6. Overworking themselves

Work stress is also another growing problem, with 8 in 10 Americans stressed about their jobs, according to the third annual Work Stress Survey by Harris Interactive. Poor pay and increasing work hours topped the list of concerns for those surveyed, which should make us think about our chosen place of employment.

If you work at a job you don’t enjoy, plus you have to work long hours, you might think about getting a different job that suits your interests more and offers a better work-life balance. On the other hand, if you actually like your job but still work long hours, you should talk to your boss about cutting back your hours or have a conversation with yourself if you can’t seem to pull yourself away from work at a reasonable hour.

7. Thinking too much

Above all else, this one might take the cake for reasons people feel stressed. Our world runs on thinking, in our jobs, home lives, school, and everything else. We have to think to get virtually everything accomplished, but overthinking can lead to many issues later on. Our thoughts become things, and they become a reality. Thus, we must take care of them if we want to lead a happy, fulfilling life.

Try meditation or yoga if you find your thoughts spiraling out of control, so you can once again find your center and eliminate unneeded stress from your consciousness.

20 Positive Affirmations for Stressed People

If you’re a highly stressed person, you must learn to overcome the detrimental lifestyle. One way to do that is by using positive affirmations to overcome negative thought patterns. Affirmations can help you move forward with a fresh perspective, allowing you to release some tension and stress.

1. I take breaks and focus on self-care when necessary.

You’ll feel much better when you focus on taking care of yourself. Self-care is essential to living a healthy and fulfilling life. Don’t miss out by putting yourself last or overloading each day.

Take breaks before you start feeling overwhelmed or stressed. If you get ahead of the problem, you’ll learn to prevent it while enjoying your life much more. Care for yourself mentally and physically, and make time to do things you like to do.

2. I am relaxed, and my mind is calm.

By telling yourself that you are relaxed and calm, you’ll feel the tension slip away. Repeat this affirmation each morning to start your day on a positive note. You can also use it before bed after a particularly stressful day.

It might help if you use visualization along with the affirmation. As you speak, envision the stress flowing out of your body. It’ll help you release the tension and refocus your thoughts.

3. I get through the tough times in my life.

Life isn’t always perfect, and you’ll always run into tough times. It can be hard to see that you’ll get through it when dealing with hardship. If that’s the case for you, repeat this affirmation each morning.

This affirmation will help you notice your progress each day, no matter how minimal. When you know that things will get better, you’re more likely to look for positivity around you.

4. I look forward to the opportunities of tomorrow.

Tomorrow is a new day and another chance for positive progress. This affirmation is good to use during your bedtime routine because it helps release your negative thoughts. Acknowledging that tomorrow is a fresh start allows you to feel better tonight and stay focused in the morning.

Even if yesterday and today were hard, you never know what tomorrow holds. Please don’t go into it with a negative mindset when it could bring fulfilling or meaningful moments.

5. I feel the tension leaving my body.

Look at yourself in the mirror and repeat this affirmation when you feel stressed. It will help you eliminate your negative thinking and relax your body. Telling yourself that something is happening can convince your mind that it truly is, making this affirmation powerful.

6. I release those things I can’t control.

You can’t control everything, and you must acknowledge it. This positive affirmation for stress can help you let go of things when necessary. It’ll also save you from disappointment because you already know that you can’t always control things.

Life is unexpected, and you never know what to expect. While you can hope things will go your way, there will be times when you can’t make it happen. It’s okay, and letting go will ease your stress.

7. I know that this situation will pass, and I am okay.

When you experience hardship, remind yourself that it’ll pass. Things change in life, and you’ll soon find that life gets better. When you remember that the situation will ease, you’ll feel okay and ready to face the problem.

If you have the hardship to deal with that day, use this affirmation during your morning routine. However, if you struggle during the day, you can use this phrase at night. Either way, it’ll help you refocus and take a relaxing breath.

8. I am focusing on positivity in my life.

Positive things are happening all around you, even when you’re stressed. If you can focus on those aspects, you’ll feel the tension leave your body. As you repeat this affirmation, think about the good things in your life.

If it helps you remember, consider making a list of good things in your life. Start with the most important things, and then move on to other things that bring joy. When you list all the positive things in life, it helps you remember how fulfilling your life is.

Plus, making a list helps you recall positive aspects while you repeat the positive phrase. Before you know it, you’ll feel less stressed.

9. I am pushing through and staying strong.

When you feel stressed, the best thing you can do is give yourself props for dealing with it. Every day you wake up and try again is a victory.

Use this affirmation to remind yourself that you’re doing a great job pushing through. It might take work to stay strong, but you’re making progress each day.

10. I trust myself and my intuition.

You can become stressed if you worry about your decisions and life choices. If that’s the case, then this affirmation is for you.

When you tell yourself that you trust your intuition, your mind will process it as the truth. If you say it enough, you’ll believe it and feel better about your choices. You’ll also feel better about upcoming decisions, knowing you have a positive intuition.

11. I deserve peace and happiness in my life.

If you don’t feel like you deserve peace and happiness, you’ll frequently feel stressed. However, you deserve those things, and you must acknowledge them. No matter what happened in the past, you can and should find peace. This affirmation allows you to be open to positivity in your life.

12. I am making positive changes in my life.

Sometimes the best way to relieve and prevent stress is to make positive changes. As you repeat this affirmation, think about the areas of your life that cause the most stress. It’ll help you recognize what you must do to make things better.

With the positive change, everything about your life will improve. You’ll feel better, and life will seem more meaningful and fulfilling.

13. I can handle any situation effectively.

You can handle anything that comes your way, and you shouldn’t doubt your abilities. Repeat this affirmation each morning until you believe it. Then, when obstacles or hardships occur, you’ll have a positive mindset to overcome the situation.

14. I am doing the best that I can right now.

No one is perfect, and striving for perfection can cause constant stress. This affirmation reminds you that you don’t always have to perform better than others.

When you’re in a difficult position, it only matters that you do the best you can at any moment. Doing your best is something to celebrate, so don’t let it cause stress.

15. I am the only person who can control my life.

If you are unhappy with your life, you must make a change. No one else can change your life because you are the only person in control. Use this affirmation as a reminder that you can make changes. You can’t wait around for anyone else to do it for you, or you’ll continue feeling stuck in this position.

16. I am releasing all stress and focusing on relaxation.

This affirmation will help you let go of stress and tension, leaving space for relaxation. When you focus on relaxing, you’ll prioritize self-care and taking breaks. Even with a busy lifestyle, you must take the time to let loose and destress.

17. I recognize the small moments of peace each day.

When you look for moments of peace, you’re more likely to embrace them. These moments can come while sitting in traffic or waiting for a meeting to begin. Anytime you have a few minutes with nothing to do, you can use it for positivity.

It’s sometimes difficult to accept these moments and easy to fill them with negative thoughts. However, using this affirmation each morning can beneficially help you utilize each moment.

18. I am prioritizing the things that make me feel at ease.

This affirmation will help you think of the things that bring meaning to your life. It’ll allow you to focus on things that bring peace and happiness, eliminating stress.

The things you prioritize could include spending time with your kids or spouse, or it could involve your hobbies. Whatever it is that makes you feel less stressed are the things you should prioritize each day.

19. I am overcoming every hardship and obstacle.

You might not realize it, but you get one step closer to overcoming obstacles each day. When you wake up and start your day, you’re closer to getting through the hardship. This affirmation reminds you of your progress and allows you to embrace the journey.

20. I know there is more to my life than stress.

When you frequently experience stress, it’s hard to see beyond it. However, remembering that there’s more to your life can help with peace and happiness. Even when things don’t go as planned, you still have good things in your life.

Final Thoughts On Moving From Stressed To Blessed In Life

Highly stressed people often have specific habits that contribute to their stress. Learning about these habits can help you make a beneficial change in your life. With less stress, you’ll realize how fulfilling and meaningful your life is right now.

Using affirmation to overcome stress can also help you form better habits. The phrases promote a positive mindset, helping you handle and prevent stress better than before. You don’t have to feel stressed all of the time, and following this advice can make a difference.

15 Foods That Look Like The Body Part They’re Good For

November 12, 2015 by Power of Positivity

Have you ever watched children play with their food? Their imaginations turn broccoli into a tiny forest of trees.

Well, give yourself permission to imagine that the food that you eat is actually good for the body parts that it resembles, because in many cases, it is. Nourish yourself with this list of 15 tasty foods that happen to look like parts of your body, both inside and out.

15 Foods That Look Like The Body Part They’re Good For:

1. Kidney beans (for the kidneys)

In addition to giving you a great source of fiber, kidney beans may actually be an ancient remedy for kidney stones. Dr. Edward Group recommends drinking kidney bean water throughout the day to reduce pain from kidney stones.

2. Olives (for the ovaries)

Oval olives could be good for their oval body counterparts, the ovaries. Vitamins E and A are found in the healthy unsaturated fats of olives. These vitamins are important for a healthy reproductive system.

3. Ginger (for the stomach)

When you have an upset stomach, a glass of ginger ale is just the trick to ease your nausea. According to Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Megan Ware, ‘The phenolic compounds in ginger are known to help relieve gastrointestinal irritation, stimulate saliva and bile production and suppress gastric contractions and movement of food and fluids through the GI tract.’

4. Walnut (for the brain)

These wrinkly nuts both in and out of the shell look like our complex brains. An animal study showed that walnuts can help protect an aging brain. Walnuts provide polyunsaturated fatty acids, nutrients and polyphenols which helps the brain function.

5. Tomato (for the heart)

Inside the tomato, you’ll find chambers just like inside our hearts. Tomato juice daily was shown to reduce the risk of heart disease in diabetics.

6. Figs (for the testes)

You may never look at figs the same way again, but those hanging pairs of fruit contain zinc which is important for male sexual health and virility. Even the numerous tiny white seeds found inside fresh figs resemble sperm.

7. Citrus (for the breasts)

Those round grapefruit and oranges with their dimples skin contain citrus flavonoids. According to a study, two citrus flavonoids ‘are effective inhibitors of human breast cancer cell proliferation.; Hooray for citrus as a potential help for breast cancer!

8. Avocado (for the uterus)

Slice open an avocado and you’ll see the seed inside, like a baby in the uterus. Avocados contain folic acid which is definitely important for women who are tying to conceive.

9. Sweet potato (for the pancreas)

The pancreas helps digest nutrients and it sort of resembles a sweet potato. Diabetics in particular suffer when their disease attacks the insulin secreting cells of the pancreas. Keeping blood sugar at optimal levels is important for both diabetics and those without the disease. Sweet potatoes have a low glycemic index which benefits the pancreas.

10. Grapes (for the lungs)

Bunches of grapes look like the alveoli found inside our bodies in our lungs. A study suggests that the resveratrol in red gapes and wine may protect help reduce inflammation in the lungs by protecting the ‘enzymes that kill off precancerous cells in the process of keeping lung tissue healthy.’

11. Mushrooms (for the ears)

Hold a mushroom sideways or slice into it and it looks just your ear. Mushrooms provide a good source of Vitamin D which helps with our sense of hearing. According to Dr. Keri Peterson, mushrooms that have been treated with light are especially high in Vitamin D. Vitamin D helps with bone strength and the tiny bones of the ear are necessary for good hearing.

12. Carrot (for the eyes)

Slice a carrot and you’ll see lines radiating out from the center like the iris of your eye. The Vitamin A from Beta-carotene in carrots helps protect the surface of the eye. Vitamin A may also help decrease the risk of macular degeneration as we age.

13. Celery (for the bones)

Celery stalks are long and thin like our bones. Celery’s gift to the body is in the form of Vitamin K. Vitamin K helps bones absorb calcium. Celery also contains manganese which helps the connective tissue in bone.

14. Wine (for the blood)

A glass of red wine has a deep red color of the blood in our bodies, especially the dark red blood of the liver. Red wine raises the level of Omega-3 fatty acids in red blood cells. Omega-3s are important for helping to prevent coronary artery disease.

Wine also contains Procyanidins which help with the health of our blood vessels. A study found that people from Sardinia and southwestern France who drank wine with higher levels of procyandins lived longer than the general population.

15. Onions (for the cells)

Slice an onion and you’ll see the round shape within a membrane looks like the cells in the body. Onions benefit the body with Vitamin B-6. The body uses B-6 to metabolize glucose which is needed by your nerve cells. Onions also contain Vitamin C which produces norepinephrine to help the nerve cells communicate.

This Is What Happens When You Place An Ice Cube At This Point On Your Head

November 12, 2015 by Power of Positivity

Get ready to open your freezer and crack your ice cube trays. Ice therapy is a simple self-help treatment that you can do at home to ease many different aches and pains.

Putting ice on a specific point in your head won’t cure what ails you, but it could make you feel a whole lot better in just a short amount of time, and without the doctor’s office. Here’s what you need to know about helping yourself with this treatment.

What’s the Point?

There are four hundred acupuncture points on the human body, and twenty meridians connecting those points, according to The Standard Acupuncture Nomenclature published by the World Health Organization (WHO). The one we are looking closely at is called Feng Fu.

Feng Fu is the name of just one of the 400 pressure points in our bodies. Feng Fu is located at the skull’s base and the spine’s top. This vital area contains our brain stem, spinal column, muscles and tendons that support our heavy brains, as well as our major arteries and windpipe.

The name Feng Fu translates to ‘Wind Mansion’ in English. In acupuncture theory, a ‘pathogenic wind’ is responsible for certain symptoms. The Feng Fu point is where the practitioner will apply tiny acupuncture needles to relieve the cause of the problem.

The Feng Fu point is number GV 16 (GV stands for Governor Vessel) and in the technique of acupuncture, and it is also called a Ghost Pillow point. In the ancient origin of acupuncture, mental illness was originally thought to be caused by angry spirits. The Ghost Pillow point was treated when the spirit had gained access into the brain.

According to acupuncture, Feng Fu is also a Window of the Sky Point. This means it is a crucial communication point between the mind and the rest of the body. Any issues with the extremities of the body could be related to a restriction in this center.

Although acupuncture is best left to a professional, knowledge of the body’s pressure points can be a useful tool for self-healing. If you would like to consult with a Certified Acupuncturist, you can find one through this link.

Why Ice?

When tissues are inflamed by injury, illness, or environmental factors, they swell and pressure the surrounding area. Like a puffer fish that inflates itself in defense when attacked by a predator, our tissues inflate with blood to fight disease.

Inflammation is our body’s way of mobilizing the immune system to fight illness. Blood rushes to damaged internal tissues so that white blood cells can get to work healing our bodies. But inflammation is also painful when tissues become red, hot, and swollen.

Applying cold to the area of the inflammation reduces the swelling and helps relieve the pressure on surrounding tissue. Ice is a cheap, drug-free way of treating the pain associated with inflammation.

Placing ice at this point on your head is not a cure for the cause of the inflammation, but it treats the symptoms and discomfort. Consult a physician if pain becomes severe or lasts for several days. Although icing this point on your head is believed to help with breathing problems like asthma, you should also talk to a doctor if breathing or swallowing are difficult.

Brain Freeze

Icing the base of your head is all about relieving pain. The time needed to see relief from symptoms can vary but start by trying ice for ten minutes. After the initial ten minute trial, check your symptoms to see if you have noticed any decreased pain. Try varying the amount of time, up to twenty minutes.

To avoid dripping ice water down your neck and back, try putting ice in a freezer bag and wrap a thin washcloth or clean rag around the bag. Applying ice directly to the skin can cause frostbite, so always use a cloth between your skin and the ice.

Treatment for frostbite is similar to treatment for burns. Ice applied directly to the skin can cause blisters and skin damage that, when severe, can require surgery. Never ice any injury for more than twenty minutes at a time.

Final Thoughts on Understanding What Happens You Place an Ice Cube at This Point on Your Head

You’ll reduce pain due to the following:

Headache and migraine relief
Dizziness, numbness, twitching, tremors
Chronic neck and shoulder pain
Throat swelling
Earache
Nosebleeds
Eye pain
Aphasia (trouble speaking, as in laryngitis)
Spinal cord problems
Tooth pain
Lockjaw

According to acupuncture theory, icing the Feng Fu point on your head may also help with mental health concerns such as fear, suicidal thoughts or manic behavior.
Please call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 800-273-8255 if you have suicidal thoughts.

Although seeing a licensed psychological therapist might be more helpful for these types of mental disorders in the long run, people who suffer from minor mental distress can certainly benefit from applying ice to their heads for quick relief.

Whether you seek relief from anything from a minor headache to the twitching associated with restless leg syndrome, placing an ice cube on your head is an easy home remedy. So head to the kitchen, open your freezer and give yourself a very quick and inexpensive ice therapy session.

6 Things An Empath Does Differently

November 12, 2015 by Power of Positivity

By definition, an empath can understand and share the feelings of another, and it seems to be on everyone’s mind these days. From business leaders to front-line salespeople, from medical doctors to school officials, everyone is trying to become more empathic to better serve their community.

Highly empathic people know they are different from the people around them. They are highly sensitive and overly emotional beings that feel what other people feel. While they thrive on the loving and positive feelings, they are unable to escape feeling negative emotions that can be somewhat daunting. Feeling so deeply makes it difficult to adjust to new situations and forces the empathic person to proceed slowly when meeting new people or taking on new projects.

Empaths can sometimes feel as if they are cursed, but being in tune with the energy of the world is a blessing. Sure it’s difficult to live in the world where the majority of people are less sensitive, but there are many good things to being an empath.

Dr. Judith Orloff, the best-selling author of Emotional Freedom: Liberate Yourself from Negative Emotions and Transform Your Life, says, “Empaths are naturally giving, spiritually attuned, and good listeners. If you want heart, empaths have got it. Through thick and thin, they’re there for you, world-class nurturers.”

Here are 6 Things That Make an Empath Unique

1. An empath will look at the world with wonder and curiosity.

Empathic people are learners by nature. They maintain their sense of wonder and curiosity from childhood that most of us grow out of when we become adults. They are naturally inquisitive and ask questions without judgment purely to learn and feel the experiences of others.

2. They act on their strong intuition.

While most of us may pay attention to our feelings of intuition, we often require more information before we know what to do with them. That’s not the case for an empathic person. They not only pay attention to their intuition, but will take action solely based on it. They know their intuition is their inner guide and will not lead them astray.

3. They can put themselves in someone else’s shoes.

It is easy for an empathic person to put themselves in other people’s shoes because they can feel what they feel. This connection to feelings makes an empathic person someone who makes decisions carefully and thoughtfully, knowing the impact it will have on the people around them.

4. The emapth manages their environment.

Being highly intuitive and sensitive to the world around them, an empathic person creates their environment to support this heightened awareness. They are selective in the work they do, the commitments they agree to take on and the people they allow into their inner circle.

5. They are fully present.

Empathic people can see and understand things beyond what is on the surface. This ability paired with their natural curiosity keeps them in the present moment. They feel it’s their obligation to learn, and share what they learn from their observations with the people that will benefit. This sense of duty keeps them tuned into what is happening around them at any given time.

6. The empath inspires others.

Empathic people are inspiring. They commit to the things they believe in, and that belief becomes contagious to the people around them. They feel the need to take up the causes that address human inequalities because they feel their pain. In doing so, they are fully capable of leading a movement.

Here is an amazing quote by Anthon St. Maarten:

“Highly sensitive people are too often perceived as weaklings or damaged goods. To feel intensely is not a symptom of weakness, it is the trademark of the truly alive and compassionate. It is not the empath who is broken; it is a society that has become dysfunctional and emotionally disabled. There is no shame in expressing your authentic feelings. Those who are at times described as being a ‘hot mess’ or having ‘too many issues’ are the very fabric of what keeps the dream alive for a more caring, humane world. Never be ashamed to let your tears shine a light in this world.”

Empathy is an important skill today and plays a role in all aspects of life, including business. Many people believe feelings and emotions don’t belong in the workplace, but the contrary seems to be true. The Center for Creatively Leadership conducted a study that revealed that empathy can contribute to positive job performance. So it seems any business would benefit from inviting empathic people into their offices.

Everyone is born with natural empathy, but somehow loses it as they grow. That doesn’t mean we have to live the rest of our lives without it. Empathy is something we can develop and foster within ourselves. One of the best ways to do that is to become curious about the world. Ask questions, be interested, commit to learning and start to form new connections that will develop the empathic person within.

Why Laughing At Yourself Is Healthy For You

November 11, 2015 by Power of Positivity

Ever heard the saying “laughter is the best medicine?” More and more studies have come out showing the importance of laughter, despite living in a seemingly serious world. According to research, the average child laughs 300 to 500 times a day, while the average adult laughs only 15 times per day. Obviously, we could use more laughter in this world, because no harm comes from too much laughing. People who laugh more often have been shown to have better health overall, and display a more upbeat, carefree mood.

In the unprecedented study referenced above, Ursula Beermann of the University of California, Berkeley, and Willibald Ruch of the University of Zurich studied 70 psychology students to measure their tendency to laugh at themselves or not. The findings of this study lend further evidence to the fact that having the ability to laugh at oneself can create the foundation for a good sense of humor, optimistic, energetic personality, and even better overall health.

The volunteers in the study had to rate their ability to see the humor in the problems they faced in daily life. The researchers also asked one or two friends to rate each person on the same characteristic. While the students filled our the questionnaires, a camera mounted on the wall secretly took photos of each participant’s face. The researchers then distorted the pictures using Mac PhotoBooth software, in order to make them look like the faces you’d see in a funhouse mirror.

This is where the experiment really gets good: the volunteers then had to rate the images of people they didn’t know. Their own pictures were part of the sequence, as well. The participants were videotaped as they looked at their own images, in order to see whether they laughed at themselves. Afterwards, researchers analyzed the data using a highly rated system of emotional expression, in order to gauge the authenticity of the volunteer’s expressions.

The results came in with 80% of the participants genuinely laughing or smiling at themselves when they saw their picture. Also, the volunteers who claimed to have the ability to laugh at themselves – and whose friends vouched for this statement – laughed and smiled more frequently and intensely than the others.

Additionally, people’s perspective about how easily they could laugh at themselves didn’t quite match up with their friends’ ratings, which implies that people overestimate their tendency to laugh at themselves, or that they would like people to think they laugh at themselves easily.

Interestingly, the study found no link between how much people laughed at their own images and how often and hard they laughed at the distorted images of others, which means that the ability to laugh at oneself is an inborn, distinct characteristic. It depends on one’s own personality, rather than just people’s ability to laugh at silly pictures.

The participants in the study who laughed at themselves more also had a more cheerful, upbeat personality, and seemed less serious. Also, researchers observed that they seemed in a better mood on the day of the experiment compared to others who didn’t laugh at themselves as often.

Although this study might not seem to indicate much or serve as a particularly vital piece of history, it actually sheds a light on the link between personality and health. People who have a more light-hearted, optimistic approach to life have been proven to be healthier overall, as laughter and a positive outlook can lower blood pressure, prevent heart disease, and keep depression at bay, among many other important health benefits.

Also, understanding certain jokes requires a particular set of social skills that people with certain conditions, such as autism and schizophrenia, often don’t develop. Studying the ins and outs of humor can therefore help scientists better understand how the brains work of people with mental and physical handicaps, which can help all of us communicate better in the end.

More than anything, this study should remind us to laugh more often, and not get caught up in the seriousness of life that brings so many of us down. While situations and events can seem like life or death in the moment, you will likely look back on your day and think how much energy you wasted worrying about certain things. So, if you haven’t yet laughed today, hopefully this will remind you to get your daily dose(s) of laughter, and encourage you to adopt a more carefree approach to life. I will leave you with one of my favorite quotes that seems simple enough, but holds so much truth:

“Don’t take life too seriously; no one makes it out alive anyway.” – Van Wilder

25 Things You’ll Never Regret Doing

November 11, 2015 by Power of Positivity

We can’t control how life plays out; we might have plans, but usually, destiny sweeps in and changes all of the nicely packaged and perfectly ordered blueprints of our life, leaving us wondering if we’ve made a wrong turn somewhere. Truthfully, we can’t ever really know, so why worry or feel regret? Why spend any amount of time pondering what could or should’ve been when all we have is the present moment?

We don’t know how much time we have on this planet, in this existence, so do regrets have a purpose? They only make us speculate and second-guess ourselves when we could experience the ultimate freedom of living life to the fullest with no intention of looking back.

Here are 25 things you’ll never regret:

“Accept everything about yourself – I mean everything, You are you and that is the beginning and the end – no apologies, no regrets.” – Henry A. Kissinger

1. Saying those three little words that can change everything.

If you feel it in your heart, tell someone you love them. Life’s too short to hide your true feelings.

2. Taking silly pictures with your friends and family.

You might regret them in the moment, but later, you’ll find that those are some of your best memories, and you get to look at them whenever you want.

3. Going on a spontaneous road trip with no particular destination in mind.

Why have plans? Just go, and see where life takes you.

4. Chasing your dreams.

What else are we here for, anyway, except to follow our hearts and become the best versions of ourselves?

5. Seeing the beauty in everything.

Look around you, look within you, and breathe. Slow down and notice the little things, because those will be the big things later on.

6. Loving with all of your heart.

This includes loving yourself unconditionally, too. Give and receive love fully; it’s scary, but there’s no other way to truly experience life in all its glory.

7. Not holding back an ounce of your being.

Just because some people can’t handle you, doesn’t mean you should ever stop being yourself.

8. Being yourself, even when the world tries to tame you.

Run free and wild; the right people will run right along with you.

9. Acting before thinking.

This world thinks far too much; go with your instincts and don’t look back.

10. Smiling at strangers.

Smiling never hurt anyone, and you might make someone’s day with your beautiful smile.

11. Giving people compliments.

Lift people up, make them happy, and never stop doing it.

12. Quitting a job you hate.

Why work somewhere that doesn’t make you 100% happy? Quit, and find something you can’t wait to do each day.

13. Choosing happiness every single day of your life.

No matter what happens, see the silver lining in every situation. It will make life much easier.

14. Facing your biggest fears.

Fear doesn’t exist; we make it up in our heads. Let this empower you to go beyond yourself.

15. Taking time for you.

Self-care is vital to one’s health; don’t ever feel selfish–or regret–for taking care of you.

16. Acting like a kid when everyone tells you to grow up.

We take our lives far too seriously, so play in the sand, roll around in the grass, get a little lost, and never stop exploring.

17. Opening up to people despite the walls you’ve built around your heart.

After a while, we tend to close ourselves off to new people in fear of getting hurt. But, when you shut out people, you shut out love. Try leaving a tiny crack in those walls so someone worthy of your love can find a way into your heart.

18. Giving people a second chance.

Everyone makes mistakes sometimes, so don’t write them off entirely. Give them another try.

19. Becoming your own best friend.

Love yourself like you’ve never loved anyone else before; your relationship with yourself sets the stage for every other relationship in your life.

20. Being able to laugh at yourself.

No one’s perfect, so stop expecting that from yourself. Laugh at your flaws and mistakes; others will probably laugh with you.

21. Going to all the concerts you possibly can.

Music sets the soul on fire, so spend your money to see your favorite people in concert. What do you have to lose?

22. Learning new things.

If we aren’t learning, we aren’t living. Keep an open mind, and stay curious.

23. Eating junk food every once in a while.

A healthy diet (most of the time) is wonderful. Restricting yourself from foods you really love is painful. Find a balance.

24. Stargazing with your favorite people.

We live in such a vast, complex, fascinating universe. When you look up at the stars, you will remember just how small and big you are at the same time.

25. Living while you can.

Life’s too short to worry it away. Just set your soul free of regret, and watch the miracles that happen.

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