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How to Balance Your Yin and Yang

September 22, 2015 by Power of Positivity

We all have a strong and sensitive side. For some of us, one is much stronger than the other. But, it’s very possible to balance the two and still stay true to who you are.

This idea of the strong and sensitive, often referred to as Yin and Yang energies or Male and Female, that we possess dates back to ancient civilizations, such as the Mayan, as well as eastern ideologies like Buddhism. These opposing characteristics encompass our predominant thoughts, feelings, and attitudes about life.

Keeping these energies in balance is vital to our happiness and success; otherwise, disparity will manifest in the form of physical illnesses, depression and/or anxiety, and general unfulfillment in one’s journey. To get a better idea of how to balance our energies, let’s first look at the different characteristics associated with each energy:

Yang/ Strong/Male Energy– Logic/analysis, confidence, dominant, action, protect, discipline, firmness, speaking, thinking, air/fire elements, warmth.

Yin/Female/Sensitive Energy – Emotional, apprehensive, passive, feeling, nurture, understand, compassion, softness, listening, earth/water elements, coolness.

To dive in deeper, our Yang energy is associated with the mind, while the Yin energy is linked to the heart.

To keep your overall energy balanced, you have to learn to merge the mind and the heart so they work in tandem, not against one another.

If you live too much in your mind, you may develop anxiety as you try to control and dominate your life, while living too much in your heart can result in depression and lethargy.

Our Yang side brings logic and momentum, while the Yin side must carry emotion and aid in the action.

We all have this Ying and Yang energy within, but unfortunately, many people walk around in a state of imbalance, not realizing their true potential. We must keep these energies properly stabilized in order to live our best lives, but how do you keep these energies balanced, exactly?

Here are a few ways to keep your Yin and Yang Energies balanced:

Develop a regular yoga practice. Yoga does more than just help you stay in shape and keep your body working; it literally connects your mind and body to Spirit, aligning the mental, emotional and physical aspects of yourself. It takes you beyond yourself, providing a direct gateway to the purest form of your Soul, allowing you to merge the mind, heart and body into one.
If you don’t care for yoga, meditation works just as well. In fact, meditation might be the most important practice you will ever do in order to balance your energies, because it allows you to quiet your mind and see yourself for who you really are. When you go past the confines of your mind and reach into your heart, you will understand that you have both the courage and power associated with the male energy, as well as the nurturing and understanding associated with female energy.
Other wonderful ways to balance your energies include: Reiki, Chakra balancing, and other forms of Energy Work.

10 Ways To Protect Your Energy

September 22, 2015 by Power of Positivity

Let’s face it. Life can be draining. From the moment we rise to the minute we fall back into bed, life is a series of demands on our time, our attention, our motivations and ultimately, our energy.

It’s sad to say, we don’t have to seek negativity, it finds us; remember, opposites attract! If we find ourselves drained, there are a few simple steps we can take to regain our positive energy and keep it for good.

Here are Ten Ways to Protect Your Energy:

Stop and listen.

It’s up to us to try to figure out what’s draining our energy.

Find some quiet space and time without the demands of daily life to just observe what is going on around you. Set aside a few minutes each day where it is just you, no coffee, no magazines, no phone, no book, no distractions. Give yourself time to hear your thoughts. You may even want to create a daily meditation practice. Meditation is so beneficial in helping us maintain balance.

Get out and get some fresh air.

Walk, run, jog, swim! It doesn’t matter what it is. Do it every day – fill your lungs with air, it’s a free, natural anti-depressant that’s abundantly available and will add joy and years to your life.

Make a list.

Lists help keep you focused on your goals and keep you from straying too far. Break your day down into bite-sized chunks and organize them a little bit better. For example, those bites you hate to take, the bitter, boring jobs – tackle them first. Do the jobs you like least early in the day when your energy and motivation is highest; that leaves the rest of the day for the stuff you enjoy, which feeds your energy levels when they tend to dip.

Get a hobby.

As strange as it may seem, doing nothing will wear you out. Empty space and empty time are draining on the body and soul. Fill your time with something you like to do. It’s rewarding, and at bedtime you’ll feel fulfilled and looking forward to doing it again tomorrow.

Find positivity.

Negative energy is draining and sadly, it’s all around us: negative people, places, and environments.

Find positive people and positive places to be. Positive people provide positive energy, and they will get the same from you, a classic win-win scenario. That hobby you started, is there a club or are there others who share your interests? Find them!

Learn to say No!

We often agree on things we don’t want to do because it has become a pattern in our lives. Saying no is not hard to do, and it’s even easier if you practice. It’s not unusual to feel awkward and pretty awful right before you say “no.” But those feelings won’t last long because after, it’s not that a load will suddenly lift from your shoulders, it’s that a load won’t land on them; and that feels good. Think of it as ‘positive negativity.’

Declutter.

A clean and tidy space is a peaceful space, where you will better find the time for real relaxation. It has one or two other, less obvious benefits too. When we declutter, we often come across photographs and objects from happy times we had or spent with others – they always bring a smile to the face. That list you made earlier? Incorporate a decluttering schedule into it.

Take a bath.

And not just any bath. Add some Epsom salts and essential oils. Not only will it help remove toxins from your body, but the process will help remove toxic energy and thoughts as well.

Eat better!

How we nourish our bodies has a direct impact on our energy. Adding whole foods and water while eliminating processed and sugary foods will help promote positive energy. It will affect our mood, how we move and how we feel.

Here’s a simple test, does your ‘crash’ come after lunch? It does for many people. As an experiment, change the type of food you eat for lunch. For example, if lunch is traditionally a sandwich, change to a salad. Experiment with your food choices and see how your body reacts.

Go to bed.

You can’t maintain constant energy without some form of routine and your bedtime is a part of this. Create a night-time routine that includes a full night of sleep and stick with it. Make sure and go to bed early enough so you can get up without having to set an alarm. Waking up naturally is a great way to protect your natural energy.

Like everything in life—it’s baby steps. Try one, just one at a time. Make one tiny change in your life starting today. These things are quickly habit forming and they simply feel good.

10 Signs Your Home Is Making You Unhealthy

September 20, 2015 by Power of Positivity

There has been increasing awareness over the last few years about the phenomenon known as ‘sick house syndrome.’ People have reported symptoms such as headaches, nausea, sneezing, runny noses, skin rashes, and asthma attacks in some cases.

It’s hard to know if your sickness is due to conditions in your home or if something more serious is at work. If your symptoms persist, you might want to start by checking around your home for the following things that may be contributing to what you are experiencing. The good news is the solutions to the many things mentioned that may cause sickness are very straightforward.

Here are ten signs your home may be making you sick:

Read these 11 tips to help prevent mold

Too Much Moisture

Moisture in the home, especially during winter, can lead to mold. In the damper months, the heat runs longer, and the windows remain closed. These are ideal conditions for mold and bacterial growth.

While it is impossible to completely remove mold spores from your home, preventing dampness will deprive them of a place to grow. If you have mold, you must deal with mold and moisture to get to the source of the problem.

When it comes to mold removal in Atlanta, we always recommend Moldman Atlanta North. Their team of experts is highly skilled in identifying and safely eliminating mold, ensuring a healthier environment for your home or business.

Dirty Vents

Vents collect dust in the air, and when heat or air conditioning is used, it disperses the dust throughout the home, leaving us to breathe it in. The movement of warm and cold air through your vents causes moisture to form, which makes another perfect breeding ground for mold spores. Keep your vents free and clear and have them cleaned every couple of years by a professional.

An Aging Bathroom

In the bathroom, old and loose caulk around tubs and tiles is an easy path for water to flow onto floors and woodwork; again, ideal bacterial growth conditions. The removal and replacement of caulk is a fairly straightforward DIY task. Otherwise, a professional will be easy to find.

Poor Bathroom Ventilation

Make sure your bathroom ventilation fan is working properly and be sure to run it at every bath or shower. Also, is it ventilating correctly to the outside? Check for damp patches in the attic to see if it is ventilating inside or outside. It’s important that vents are properly designed to release moisture and avoid collecting dust.

Excessive Dust

On the subject of dust, excessive dust can cause physical problems. Believe it or not, there is a right and wrong way to dust a home. The right way is to start high, with a damp cloth. The damp cloth gathers dust instead of sending particles into the air with a feather duster. Dust from high to low so you can gather the dust as it falls.

A Musty Bedroom

Sheets, pillows, and mattresses are ideal breeding grounds for dust mites, common triggers of asthma. Cleaning sheets and pillowcases is an easy task and should regularly be done. With the mattress, a little more work is required. First, flip it every couple of months. Ideally, it should be aired outside if that is manageable, if not, whenever you change the sheets, allow the mattress some time to breathe – the longer, the better. Also, vacuum the mattress frequently. Pay particular attention to the seams. Using a good mattress protector is a must to help keep things clean.

Chimneys & Flues

Many homes have fireplaces and wood stoves. Proper ventilation of smokey air and ash is a must. It is essential that chimneys and flues are regularly cleaned by a certified professional.

Asbestos

While difficult to detect, having your home inspected by a good asbestos removal specialist can create peace of mind. While asbestos has been banned in most countries for many years, many older buildings still have asbestos lingering in insulation materials, caulk, floor tiles, and more.

Radon

Another difficult but not uncommon item to have your home tested for, radon is an odorless, colorless, deadly naturally occurring gas. Certain areas are radon hotspots, and exposure to this gas is estimated to cause 20,000 lung cancer deaths in the United States every year. A map of US hotspots can be viewed on the EPA website. Regardless of what the map indicates, every home should undergo radon testing. Testing kits are inexpensive and widely available (visit the EPA for more information), offering many years of peace of mind.

Common Household Chemicals

From the moment we shower in the morning until we go to bed at night, we are exposed to chemicals all around us. Bath and shower products, deodorants, chlorine in the water, dishwasher tablets, etc. While it is almost impossible to avoid chemicals, we can certainly reduce our exposure in our home. Many sources offer information on ways to use more natural alternatives for cleaning tasks around the home, with baking soda, lemon juice, and vinegar being very effective.

Final Thoughts on Having a Healthier Home

Most of these steps are not complicated and require little more than good cleaning practices, a little maintenance and a little vigilance too. Of course, when any symptom becomes chronic in nature, it is wise to see your doctor. That doesn’t mean you can’t take some preventive measures of your own, though.

10 Habits That Can Improve The Quality of Your Life

September 20, 2015 by Power of Positivity

Most of us have habits we’d like to change in our lives – one little thing that might bring us a tiny measure of satisfaction or just a bit more joy to our day. Here’s the great news–it is within your power to make those changes; it takes a small investment of time, but you can do it!

“Forget inspiration. Habit is more dependable. Habit will sustain you whether you’re inspired or not.” –Octavia Butler

Here are ten habits that will improve the quality of your life:

(Don’t worry, you don’t have to squeeze them all into your life today or tomorrow. Start small and start with one. Remember, life’ is a marathon, and it starts with that first step.)

1. Get up early.

One of the most common habits of successful people is getting up early. It’s the time of day when they can brainstorm, create and get stuff done because they aren’t interrupted.

2. Visualize success.

Want to reach a goal? Think towards the finish line. A sprinter’s mental image is of crossing the finish line first, seeing their competitors coming in at a very distant second. Before a putt is taken, the golfer has already drawn a mental picture of the path the ball will take and visualizes it going into the hole. These are the habits of people at the top of their game, and it’s not just in sports. To be happy and successful, do the work while visualizing the result.

3. Eat better.

It’s hard to be happy when your body isn’t feeling its best. If you want to start feeling better immediately, all you have to do is make small changes to the type of fuel you use. The advice is simple: to eat more natural, whole foods and less processed ones. Drink water and green tea and fewer sodas and energy drinks. Creating new habits doesn’t have to be hard or an all-or-nothing proposition. Start by adding one good food and eliminating one bad.

4. Exercise regularly.

Now that you’re getting up early and eating better, what will you do with the extra time? Move. Adding more movement into our day is an important part of being happy. Keeping the body active as it goes through life helps ensure your life is active well into its golden years. As with any habit, start small and then continue to add activities you enjoy that also help you break a sweat.

5. Sleep more.

There is no doubt that sleep affects our happiness. We are fooling ourselves when we think surviving on four hours of sleep a night is what we need to do to achieve our big goals. Good sleep helps us be more productive and make better decisions, which are things to be happy about.

6. Accept that which you can’t control.

Happiness can’t exist amid worry and regret. Let go of the things you can’t control while saving your energy for the things you can. There’s no point in getting upset at the traffic that makes you late. Adopting habits such as leaving the house ten minutes earlier, though, is something you can control. Focus on the solution, not the problem and watch your attitude shift.

7. Evaluate your routines.

There is a love-hate relationship with the routines of our day. Some routines are necessary for efficiency, but too many may prevent us from living in the moment. It’s well-known that one of the best ways to increase our happiness is to be more mindful. The goal is to create a balance between habits/routines and embracing the moment. Wake-up and bedtime routines help our body shift from one state to another, so those are helpful. But the routine of driving to work may prevent us from an opportunity to learn, observe and establish our mood for the day. Let’s evaluate our habits and routines and see where we can bring more mindfulness into the day.

8. Keep good company.

They say that we are the average of the five people we spend the most time with. Are the people around us happy, or are they complainers? It’s very hard to be happy when we spend most of our time around people with bad attitudes and habits. Choose your inner circle wisely.

9. Have a relationship with your money.

It’s impossible to be truly happy when you don’t clearly understand your financial picture and spending habits. We can remain in denial, but eventually, it will catch up to us. We should learn how we spend our money, recognize our debts and find ways to set ourselves up for a future that includes a happy financial forecast.

10. Forgive yourself.

We all make mistakes; it is part of life. Happy people forgive themselves for the mistakes they made yesterday and vow to try harder today. They don’t dwell, and they don’t punish themselves. They simply try to be a better version of themselves today and cultivate helpful habits that will make them a better person.

Developing new habits need not be complicated. Just take one step at a time. The time it takes to cultivate new habits will vary depending on how difficult it is and our willingness to make it happen. Our job is to pick one thing and take action. Just taking the action will make us happier.

Final Thoughts on Creating New Habits to Improve Your Quality of Life

As you read these new habits, you might feel overwhelmed. Stop and take a deep breath. Making one or two small adjustments at a time is perfectly acceptable. Perform the new action until you adopt it into your routine, and then add one or two more. It takes time and repetition for these changes to become second nature–but they will with your dedication and investment of time. So have patience–don’t expect overnight miracles. The quality of your life will begin to increase a little at a time as you add each of these new behaviors.

5 Ways To Starve The Ego

September 20, 2015 by Power of Positivity

While the definition of ‘ego’ can vary a little from source to source, the Latin origin of ‘ego’ means ‘I’. From this, we can try to figure out the ego as it relates to questions like:

Who am I?

What am I like?

How do others perceive me?

Our perception of ourselves as we relate to these things is thought of as our ego. Now, some people have a well-developed, healthy sense of ego. Such people are confident and assured in their dealings with themselves and others, and this is how most would like to present themselves and to be perceived by others.

It also happens that many suffer from an unhealthy ego. They perceive themselves to be less than others, less smart, less able, or less cool. It’s fair to say they we have all come across people of both categories and we have likely fallen into both categories ourselves at some point in our lives. Is there a balance to be struck?

“What do others think of me?” This question is important because our perception of what others think can often come to form our mental impression of ourselves. It may be that a person believes that everybody else thinks they are wonderful, or maybe they think the opposite. If that’s the case, then external influences (perceived or real) run the risk of becoming our internal monologue.

Do any of these sound familiar: “I did a bad job,” “I’m not smart enough,” or “I’m not pretty enough?” It can become an obsession, and though deep down we tell ourselves that “this is not me,” the voice will persist.

In truth, these are merely perceptions that need to be altered. It is these elements of the ego that need to be starved.

Here are five ways to starve the ego:

1. Listen to your ego.

Nowadays, we don’t stop for many things, not properly. From the minute we awaken, our lives are filled with constant demands, sounds and sensations of alarm clocks, ringtones, beeps, vibrations, televisions, traffic and so on.

Find twenty minutes to sit in quiet, with no demands. If you can find a few minutes to stop and calm your mind, you may hear the truth your inner voice speaks and begin to figure out what it is trying to tell you.

2. Fill your space with something positive.

We all have at least some happy memories: good days, good weeks and good years; good times with good friends, times when nothing could go wrong. Bring them into focus with photographs of your good friends, or of good times spent with people you love. Fill your living and work spaces with images and souvenirs that showcase happy times, so your energy is spent in positive space.

3. Do something for charity.

There is nothing that feeds the soul more than doing something for others who genuinely need our help. Fortunately or unfortunately, in today’s world we don’t have to look far for reminders of how good we have it in comparison to others. Clean out your closet, donate clothes or visit with an elderly neighbour in order to give to someone else so you don’t fixate so much on yourself.

4. Change the company you keep.

It’s pretty common knowledge that we are the average of the five people we spend the most time with. What mental picture does that create?

Here are a few interesting historical friendships:

Henry Ford and Thomas Edison

Marilyn Monroe and Ella Fitzgerald

Harry Houdini and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

And more recently:

George Clooney and Brad Pitt

Tina Fey and Amy Poehler

What have they all got in common? They were or still are friends. Which means they discuss ideas, inspire and cheer each other on, and most importantly, are honest with each other. Can you say the same for your friends and colleagues? Do they genuinely want to hear what you have to say? It may be time to make a change if this is not the case in your current friendships.

5. Create a legacy.

If you had a week to live, what would you want to leave behind? How will people remember you? Is it a painting or a poem, a book or a short story; or will it be a bunch of payslips from your job?

Write the story you want others to read; don’t let your surrounding circumstances create it. Find the thing that lights your soul and establish a legacy around it, so people remember you in a way that will continue to inspire.

Everyone has a mental image of themselves. And that picture can change based on what is happening around them.

The important thing to remember is our internal monologue, our ego, isn’t always painting an accurate view. It’s up to us to listen to it, question it and then change the voice in our head, so it serves us in the best way possible.

5 Warning Signs Your Body Has A Vitamin Deficiency

September 19, 2015 by Power of Positivity

We see a plethora of quickly made, nutrient-poor fast foods on the market today. So, it comes as no surprise that most adults have a vitamin deficiency. According to a study completed by researchers at the University of Illinois, only 11.3 percent of people meet the daily recommended requirement for fiber, and only 4.7% of adults get the suggested amounts of potassium. Thus, it becomes crystal clear that we need a serious food revolution in the world so that people can make healthy choices and get the proper vitamins in the foods they consume.

Vitamin Deficiency Warning Signs

1. You have red, rough rashes on your skin combined with hair loss.

This vitamin deficiency symptom usually means you need more B vitamins in your diet. If you have ever noticed shampoos in stores, many contain biotin, or Vitamin B7. This helps stimulate hair and nail growth, and reacts with cell enzymes to produce amino acids.

Since hair is largely made up of keratin, a protein, consuming foods high in biotin contributes to healthy hair growth. Foods rich in biotin include nuts and seeds, avocados, legumes, bananas, raspberries, strawberries, grapefruit, and sweet potatoes.

If you have a red rash on your skin, you might be deficient in niacin. This nutrient helps the organs to function properly. Plus, it helps to repair the DNA. Foods rich in niacin include bananas, peanuts, avocados, and pumpkin or sunflower seeds.

2. You have dry lips, especially at the corners.

If you experience a sore tongue as well, this could point to a vitamin deficiency in iron, zinc, and B vitamins. If you don’t eat a lot of fruit, vegetables, or whole grains, try to incorporate more of them into your diet. Specifically, go for bananas, dark green leafy vegetables (especially spinach and kale), peas, lentils, nuts, seeds, and potatoes.

3. You have very low energy levels.

Feeling lethargic or depressed frequently could point to a vitamin deficiency. Many people who suffer from depression simply don’t get the recommended amount of nutrients in their daily diets, especially in regard to Vitamin D and the B vitamins. Iron, magnesium, B12, and folic acid help give our bodies energy, so if you have been feeling tired lately, you might have a vitamin deficiency in these nutrients.

Foods rich in iron include tofu, almonds, dates, beans, lentils, and in particular, leafy green vegetables. For magnesium, you will want to eat dark, leafy greens, nuts, avocados, beans, bananas, whole grains, and even chocolate. While B12 is only found naturally in animal products, you can choose to eat foods fortified with B12 such as nutritional yeast and plant-based milks or yoghurts. Finally, foods rich in folic acid include broccoli, beets, asparagus, and leafy greens.

4. You experience numbness or tingling in the hands and feet.

This vitamin deficiency symptom is linked to problems with the nervous system, which is regulated by B vitamins. If you experience this, you need to up your intake of foods rich in B vitamins, which we have included for you in the above points. Numbness of the feet and hands is usually accompanied by mood swings and inability to think clearly. All of this is linked to the nervous system, so in order to keep it functioning properly, make sure to either eat more whole, raw plants, or take a Vitamin B complex if you have trouble getting in all the essential nutrients.

5. You have regular, debilitating muscle cramps, particularly in the calves and feet.

Muscle cramps mean that you lack magnesium, calcium, and potassium, in particular. Many people who work out heavily experience this, because they sweat out more vitamins and minerals than other people.

Do you train or exercise regularly? If so, you need to make sure you restore your magnesium, calcium and potassium levels so you don’t have a vitamin deficiency. We have already mentioned some magnesium sources in point #3, but for calcium sources, you can go for dark, leafy greens, nuts and seeds, plant-based milk, figs and oranges. As far as potassium goes, bananas are the absolute best source, as well as squash, potatoes, avocado, tomatoes, kidney beans, apples, and plant-based milks.

Conquer Those Vitamin Deficiencies

If you want to get all your essential vitamins and minerals, consider your diet. Meaning, try to get all your nutrients from whole, plant-based foods first. Then go to other fortified sources afterward if you still need other vitamins and minerals.

Finally, a note for vegetarians. Because of your plant-based diet, take B12 supplements regularly, take B12 injections, or eat foods fortified with B12.

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Every day is a day to shine. Shine on!

Here are a few ways to keep your Yin and Yang Energies balanced:

Here are Ten Ways to Protect Your Energy:

Stop and listen.

Get out and get some fresh air.

Make a list.

Get a hobby.

Find positivity.

Learn to say No!

Declutter.

Take a bath.

Eat better!

Go to bed.

Here are ten signs your home may be making you sick:

Too Much Moisture

Dirty Vents

An Aging Bathroom

Poor Bathroom Ventilation

Excessive Dust

A Musty Bedroom

Chimneys & Flues

Asbestos

Radon

Common Household Chemicals

Final Thoughts on Having a Healthier Home

Here are ten habits that will improve the quality of your life:

1. Get up early.

2. Visualize success.

3. Eat better.

4. Exercise regularly.

5. Sleep more.

6. Accept that which you can’t control.

7. Evaluate your routines.

8. Keep good company.

9. Have a relationship with your money.

10. Forgive yourself.

Final Thoughts on Creating New Habits to Improve Your Quality of Life

Here are five ways to starve the ego:

1. Listen to your ego.

2. Fill your space with something positive.

3. Do something for charity.

4. Change the company you keep.

5. Create a legacy.

Vitamin Deficiency Warning Signs

1. You have red, rough rashes on your skin combined with hair loss.

2. You have dry lips, especially at the corners.

3. You have very low energy levels.

4. You experience numbness or tingling in the hands and feet.

5. You have regular, debilitating muscle cramps, particularly in the calves and feet.

Conquer Those Vitamin Deficiencies

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