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15 Behaviors to Increase Positive Thinking

September 18, 2022 by Kristen Butler

Positive thinking isn’t just a trendy term that people use. Instead, positivity is a lifestyle that makes you a better person. With a positive mindset, you’re better equipped with ways to handle things in your life. The world around you is geared toward a negative mindset, so positive thinking and an optimistic attitude go against the grain.

If you want to embrace positivity, you must learn activities that can push you from the negative mindset that’s become common in life to a more positive one. Though it’s challenging, it can be done. Optimism is the key to living a happy life; those who master this feat will find joy and contentment.

Four Common Causes of Negativity

It’s easy to be negative, as misery loves company. The people around you will join in and sing their woes right along with you. However, do you ever stop and wonder where all these toxic thoughts come from inside you? Here are the most common places:

1. Fear

At the helm of your negativity is a powerful emotion called fear. It will inhibit your positive thinking and paralyze you from being all you can be.

2. Poor Self-Image

Having low self-esteem and an overall view of yourself inhibits positive thoughts. Rather than seeing all your beautiful qualities, you tend to dwell on the negative ones.

3. Your Inner Critic

The voice in your head can be pretty destructive, so you need to combat it with constructive activities. The key is to train your inner critic to criticize constructively, and it will help you generate more positive thoughts.

4. Toxic Relationships

Have you heard the adage that birds of a feather flock together? If you’re hanging around individuals with a negative mindset, it’s safe to say that you will also be pessimistic. Find people who increase the positivity in your life and not the negative.

Fifteen Activities That Increase Positive Thinking

What are the fifteen best activities to enhance your positive thinking? We have gathered them for you below. You will find that incorporating these things into your life will elevate your mood and make you feel happier in general.

1. Don’t Live According to a Label

Labeling people is a toxic trait that others do; you also do it to yourself. Putting yourself in a class can empower you to have feelings that aren’t always healthy. Stop telling yourself all the negative stuff, and ensure your self-talk is optimistic.

The first positivity-boosting behavior involves speaking kindly to yourself. Start saying things like “I am a survivor.” “I can accomplish anything I set my mind to do.” “I am a happy person.” Proverbs 23:7 says that as you think in your heart, so shall you be, so it’s time to start having more positive thoughts.

2. Reframe Negative Situations

How’s your mental power? Some folks crumble when anything unpleasant comes their way, but it’s all a matter of perception. It would help if you learned to reframe situations to see the optimistic side rather than dwelling on the negativity.

Too often, folks like to wallow in their overwhelming feelings of disappointment and sadness, but the key is learning to shift your perspective. Remember, every cloud has a silver lining; you can find the positive in the most negative situations.

3. Embrace Positive Thinking by Embracing Change

Humans are creatures of habit, and change can be hard to experience. However, life isn’t going to stay the same, as things constantly evolve. Learning to embrace changes in your life rather than fighting them can be the key to having more optimism, positive thoughts, and less negativity.

4. Try Meditation to Boost Positivity

Meditation is a powerful tool that can help enhance your positive thinking. This ancient art works so well because it allows you to silence your thoughts, slow your brain down, and enhance your focus. Too many times, people concentrate on things that are not even relevant, and thus it creates chaos and noise that they can’t ignore.

You don’t need much time to devote to meditation, as just a few minutes will do. Many find that it helps them to be more clear-headed, so they use it at work, on lunch break, or anywhere they need to silence the noise by turning the focus inward.

5. Settle Unfinished Business

Do you have unfinished business that’s inhibiting your positive thoughts? Maybe you need to apologize to someone for saying or doing something wrong. It’s challenging to turn over a new leaf with positive thinking if negativity is holding you back.

If there’s any business you need to settle, now is the time to let go of these ties that bind. It may be holding you back from keeping positive thoughts rather than ones based on negativity.

6. Don’t Fight Your Emotions

You’re hardwired with many different emotions, and if you’re trying to fight these emotions, it can make you miserable. Wouldn’t it be terrible if you couldn’t have a refreshing cry? Embrace the ebbs and flows of your feelings, and you must allow yourself to be angry and sad if the situation warrants it.

7. Laugh Often to Increase Positive Thinking

A good belly laugh can boost your optimism and encourage positive thinking. You’ve likely heard laughter is the best medicine, but a National Library of Medicine study shows that it’s true. Additionally, the study found that being happy and laughing more can keep dementia at bay, and everyone needs some positivity.

8. Open Your Mind to Positivity

Having close-minded and rigid thinking can make you miserable. You must open yourself to different thoughts and opinions to engage in more positive thinking. You’ll find positivity when you learn to accept and experience diversity, as you will realize there’s so much out there than just your way of thinking and living.

9. Travel and Experience New Things

Getting stuck in a rut that can inhibit your positive thinking is effortless. Getting away for a few days can be refreshing and boost your optimism. Meeting new people and doing new things can be just what you need to increase the positivity in your life.

10. Giving Back Increases Positive Thinking

Giving back to those less fortunate can give you an endorphin rush. When you help people, you put positive energy into the atmosphere, and the Universe adds to your karmic bank. Assisting others from a selfless place where you don’t want anything in return helps you become more authentic and positive.

11. Take Care of Yourself to Boost Positive Thinking

It’s hard to think positively when your body is sick and run down. Did you know you can enhance positive energy by caring for your body?

Committing to healthy eating and exercise is the key to increasing positive energy. Since your mental and physical health is closely linked, caring for both is imperative for good overall well-being.

12. Take a Positive Thinking Break

Most folks equate failure as being less than or not good enough. However, it would help if you view these things as learning experiences.

Even a baby stumbles and falls before they learn to walk, so you should know that these bumps and bruises along life’s highways are there to teach you lessons. See the positivity in the situation instead of dwelling on the negative aspects.

13. To Increase Positive Thinking, Let Go of the Past

If anything will drag you down and destroy your optimism, it’s living in the past. Yesterday is a closed door, and you must remind yourself that you no longer live there. If you want more positivity in your life, say goodbye to where you’ve been and hello to a promising future.

14. Improve Positivity by Keeping a Daily Gratitude Journal

Do you journal? Many people started this activity as a child with their diaries, but the gratitude journal takes things one step further. Each day, write five to ten items for which you’re thankful. It’s hard to be negative when counting all the blessings you have in your life. By doing this activity for a few days, you will notice a shift in your mindset, and it will be geared towards positivity.

15. Take Control of Your Life

Do you accept that there are things in your life you cannot change? Wouldn’t controlling the weather or how others feel about you would be nice? Since you can control those things, it’s best to work on the things you can manage.

When you realize that you can only control how you feel about things, you can learn to stop dwelling on all the toxic chaos around you and work on having more positive thoughts.

Final Thoughts on Increasing Positive Thinking

Starting this journey towards more positive thoughts and glowing with optimism is overwhelming, but you must remember that practice makes perfect. The ideas listed above are just a few things you can do to help create more positive thoughts, but there are many others. If you pick just one of these ideas and implement it into your life, it won’t be long before you see a significant difference.

FDA Makes Hearing Aids Available Over the Counter

September 18, 2022 by Kristen Lawrence

The FDA recently finalized a historical rule to authorize access to over-the-counter hearing aids for millions of Americans. The move created a new category of hearing aids, allowing people with hearing loss to purchase them directly in stores or online. They won’t require an exam, prescription, or fitting adjustment to buy hearing aids.

The ruling aims to make hearing aids more affordable for the general public. It builds on the Biden-Harris Administration’s promise to create high-quality, inexpensive healthcare that is more inclusive. This initiative is designed to promote innovation and competition in the hearing aid industry, ultimately benefiting consumers by providing access to better hearing solutions. As a result, places like Hearing Aid Studio will play a crucial role in helping individuals find the perfect hearing aids tailored to their needs.

The move comes on the heels of Biden’s Executive Order on Promoting Competition in the American Economy. The order mandated that the FDA take action to make hearing aids available for sale over the counter. In 2017, Congress passed a law requiring the FDA to create a category of OTC hearing aids. However, they didn’t fully enforce it until recently.

The OTC devices specified in the ruling apply to people aged eighteen and older with mild to moderate hearing loss. The type of hearing aids listed includes air-conduction devices, which sit behind or inside the ear. They amplify sound by delivering external noise picked up by the device into the ear canal.

Hearing aids for people younger than 18 or with severe hearing impairment will still require a prescription. The ruling also won’t cover “personal sound amplification products,” which magnify sounds for those who hear well. Eligible consumers could see OTC devices available in stores by mid-October 2022 when the rule takes effect.

“Reducing health care costs in America has been a priority of mine since Day One, and this rule is expected to help us achieve quality, affordable health care access for millions of Americans in need,” said Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra in a statement. “Today’s action by the FDA represents a significant milestone in making hearing aids more cost-effective and accessible.”

OTC Hearing Aids Could Benefit Millions of People

Hearing impairment can make communication difficult and even result in social withdrawal. Researchers have also linked hearing loss to dementia, walking problems, and depression. According to the FDA, hearing aid use could improve the lives of nearly 30 million Americans.

However, only about 16% of adults aged 20 to 69 with hearing loss have ever used them. Fewer than 30% of adults aged 70 and older who could benefit from hearing aids use them.

“Hearing loss is a critical public health issue that affects the ability of millions of Americans to effectively communicate in their daily social interactions,” said FDA Commissioner Robert M. Califf, M.D. “Establishing this new regulatory category will allow people with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss to have convenient access to an array of safe, effective, and affordable hearing aids from their neighborhood store or online.”

Hard-of-hearing individuals can benefit from hearing aids in several ways. For one, they amplify speech and sounds, making communication much more accessible. Hearing aid devices can also reduce loneliness, depression, and the risk of dementia. They can substantially improve the quality of life for millions, but until now, they have been cost-prohibitive.

However, the Biden administration estimates that the FDA’s new rule will reduce device costs by hundreds or even thousands of dollars. Until now, the high price of hearing aids and exams made them inaccessible to millions.

The devices can range anywhere from $1,000 to $6,000 per ear, and exams may cost up to $250. Basic Medicare and regular insurance plans usually don’t cover these medical needs.

Hearing aids will inevitably decline in price since eliminating monopolies will make the market less concentrated. Currently, just five hearing aid manufacturers dominate 90% of the market, driving out competition. Some companies have even attempted to thwart efforts to make in-store hearing aids available. However, the new FDA ruling will finally break the monopoly and give consumers more control over their health.

Four Tips on Preventing Hearing Loss

While genetics may cause some cases of hearing loss, environmental factors typically play a more significant role. Below, we’ll give you a few tips on maintaining optimal hearing.

Get regular checkups.

The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) recommends that healthy adults under 49 years old with no history of hearing problems get hearing tests at least once per decade. At 50, they recommend getting tests once every three years.

Keep the volume down.

Unfortunately, you can’t avoid every noise in life, especially if you live in a city. However, you can control the sounds in your home and immediate environment. The EPA and WHO recommend keeping noises below 70-75 decibels to prevent hearing loss. Many urban sounds produce harmful noise levels, such as city traffic, which measures 80-85 dBA. The maximum volume of personal listening devices measures 105-100 dBA, while ambulance sirens measure 120 dBA.

Invest in noise-canceling headphones.

These headphones can drown out commotion if you find yourself in a noisy environment. They work by using microphones on the inside of the ear cups to pick up low-frequency noise. Then, the headset generates a sound to create “anti-noise,” effectively neutralizing the unwanted sounds.

Avoid smoking and secondhand smoke.

The chemicals in smoke lower blood oxygen levels and constrict blood vessels in your inner ears, causing cell damage. Also, smoking cigarettes can interfere with neurotransmitters in the auditory nerve, which helps transfer auditory information to the brain.

Final Thoughts on the FDA Making Hearing Aids Available Over the Counter

Recently, the FDA finalized a new rule that will make over-the-counter hearing aids available. The organization created a new category of hearing aids so that people can purchase them directly from stores or online retailers. Consumers don’t need a prescription, exam, or fitting to buy in-store hearing aids.

The ruling aims to reduce the costs of hearing aids by breaking up monopolies in the industry. The Biden administration estimates that the FDA action will lower prices by hundreds or thousands of dollars. Hopefully, many people who previously couldn’t afford these devices will now have access to them.

Experts Say to Set These 4 Rules in a Casual Relationship

September 17, 2022 by Lakeisha Ethans

Have you been interested in trying out a casual relationship? These flings allow for low-commitment, low-stress fun where you can explore the playing field of the dating world while still enjoying connections with others. But these types of dynamics are notorious for going south fast. Are they worth it?

The truth is that, just like with any relationship, a casual relationship will have its ups and downs, and the people involved have to be willing to cooperate to make the dynamic work.

4 Rules For A Casual Relationship

To do so, here are four rules you should set in a casual relationship.

1. Be Honest And Communicative With Your Casual Relationship Partner

You’ve likely heard plenty of times that communication is crucial to serious romantic and platonic relationships. But did you know that it’s also essential for casual relationships? All healthy dynamics must include some degree of healthy communication, and your honesty is paramount in ensuring drama-free casual dates. So here are some rules to keep in mind:

Disclose Intentions Upfront

If you only want casual relationships, you should be clear and upfront when meeting new people. It can be hard to find people who agree to go out with you if you only want a casual relationship. But it’s much better to connect with those who want the same things as you – it’s kinder, ethically sound, and a much more authentic way to live your life.

Get Everyone Involved In The Loop

A casual relationship usually means you continue to date other people – and that’s something the new person should know. However, once you have an established, mutual no-strings-attached arrangement, everyone you want to go out with after that should know that you’re seeing someone else currently, too.

Set Clear Ground Rules

Be sure everyone’s on the same page by setting some ground rules and always abide by them. Someone who wants a casual relationship with you but won’t take the time to lay out rules isn’t someone you want to get involved with.

Don’t Ghost

Ghosting is already far too common in serious dating, and you shouldn’t become a part of the problem. While casual relationships aren’t as close or essential to either of you as a serious, committed partnership, they’re also not entirely insignificant. Ghosting is plain rude, and studies show that it can have serious long-term effects on the people being ghosted. Worse still, other research shows that the act of ghosting reflects poorly on you, indicating negative personality traits such as narcissism. So if you want to end a casual relationship, either tell them in person, call them up, or send them a text. Don’t just disappear.

2. Don’t Go Above What Is Expected in the Casual Relationship

One of the biggest pitfalls of casual relationships is how easy it is to start participating in habits and behaviors that are only really suitable for committed partnerships. In other words, to use a vague analogy, you shouldn’t be doing committed relationship things while on a casual relationship’s “salary.” As such, keep the following rules in mind:

Don’t Compromise And Don’t Be Controlled

In serious relationships, it’s all about compromising and cooperating with a partner. In a casual relationship, your flings should be for fun and low-stress, no-strings benefits. Do whatever you want, and if your fling partner doesn’t like it, go your separate ways in peace. This goes the other way, too – don’t attempt to control the person you’re in a casual relationship with. If you’re unhappy with something they do, you must either deal with it or break things off.

Don’t Bring Them Into Your Circle

Please don’t take a casual relationship any further than it has to. Unless you were already friends or met through family, there’s no reason for a fling to have to meet the people in your life. This means not asking them to be your plus one at events and not introducing each other to friends or family.

Don’t Do Favors

There should be no favors, expectations, and “debts” in a casual relationship. Please rely on your friends for favors and have them depend on theirs. This arrangement also means you should always be splitting checks with them. Don’t allow anything that causes the dynamic to become unbalanced.

Make No Future Plans

Don’t talk about the distant future in a casual relationship. Even talking about doing something together a few weeks in advance can push it. Stick to talking about meeting in three days and make no further plans. It’s just a casual arrangement, and for all you know, it could be over by tomorrow.

Don’t Spend Too Much Time Together

Remember, this is a casual relationship. Your lives should not be intertwined. It would be best if you were not spending whole days with this person, especially not at a regular rate. If people could easily mistake you for a loving couple, then it’s time to distance yourself.

3. During a Casual Relationship You Must Take Care Of Yourself

You shouldn’t lose yourself in any relationship, but you especially should stay independent in casual relationships. Maintain your individuality and put yourself before the fling.

If this is your first casual relationship, you’ll be entering new territory, which can be overwhelming and confusing at first. Make sure you’re taking care of yourself so you’re not exhausted from keeping up with casual flings. Here are some personal rules to lay for yourself – and, if it seems relevant, to advise your casual partner to use for themself, too:

Maintain Other Relationships

It can be exciting to enter a new casual arrangement with someone but don’t forget about the people who were there first. Spend time with family, friends, and loved ones, and don’t get too wrapped up in meeting new people 24/7.

Make Sure You Have Me-Time

Don’t get so lost in flings and casual interactions that you forget to get some quality alone time just for yourself. Dating casually should never limit your time to do what you genuinely want to, like engaging in hobbies, relaxing at home, and going on solo dates.

Be Aware Of Your Health

Casual relationships often involve much time spent in the bedroom. There’s no shame, but you must stay aware of the potential health risks. Get tested for commonly transmitted diseases often, especially after meeting someone new, and insist that you and your partners use protection.

If You Develop Feelings, Call Things Off

If you start to fall for the person you see casually, don’t just brush the feelings aside or ignore them. You will likely need to call the whole relationship off for your health, happiness, and self-respect. It would help if you did not pretend not to have feelings for someone while messing around with them. It just doesn’t work! Remember that you cannot expect your casual fling to have feelings for you, too. Most of the time, you’ll have to go your separate ways – and that’s for the best, especially for you.

Be Honest With Yourself

Sometimes, people convince themselves that they can be in casual relationships, even when it’s not a dynamic that works for them. But unfortunately, the desire for human connection can cause you to lose sight of what you want. Don’t choose to enter casual dating as a temporary balm for your passion for a long-term commitment.

Don’t push yourself to be cool with a fling dynamic just because you’re hoping someone will fall in love with you instead. Likewise, don’t maintain a casual relationship when struggling with possessiveness and jealousy. You have to be honest with yourself first and foremost. If you can’t handle the dynamic of a casual relationship, there is no shame in that.

4. Never Compromise On Respect With A Casual Relationship Partner

Casual relationships may not require much commitment on either side, but they still need respect. You are two (or more) individual human beings with thoughts, feelings, and vibrant lives. It is imperative that you respect each other and never compromise on that. This rule should apply to all relationships, but it’s even more critical for potentially complex ones like this. Respect must be central. Here are some things to keep in mind:

Never Cross the Boundaries

Casual relationships only work if boundaries are fully respected. If someone crosses a line or breaks a rule at any point, it may be time to drop the connection. Of course, you can provide a second chance as long as the offending party is quick to course-correct, but in a casual relationship, you might find that second chances aren’t worth the effort involved. Neither person should test boundaries, and if you do, you must be ready to be broken up with!

Do Not Tolerate Disrespect

This goes without saying for all relationships. If your casual partner disrespects you or devalues you because of your simple connection to them, do not tolerate it. Be liberal with cutting ties with casual flings.

Keeping Commitments Is Common Decency

Casual relationships are often a lower priority for many, but that doesn’t mean you can forgo basic respect and decency. If you’ve agreed to meet for a date, don’t cancel unless something serious arises. The plans you make casually should still be respected. If you’re not interested in making plans with a casual fling, you should reconsider whether you enjoy spending time with them.

Regular Check-Ins Keep You On The Same Page

If a casual relationship will continue for a relatively long period, it’s a good idea to check in regularly with each other. Always be open and accepting of communication of any kind so you both feel happy and comfortable with the current dynamic. You should also be willing to re-examine your dynamic if things aren’t working, making changes as you go.

Final Thoughts On Some Rules To Set In A Casual Relationship

Casual relationships can be much fun if you know what rules to set! Honest communication, maintaining the proper casual dynamic, mutual respect, and self-care are all essential. These types of relationships shouldn’t cause you grief. Dating should be enjoyable first and foremost. When done right, casual relationships can be exciting, provide learning experiences, and be fun.

10 Ways to Increase Positive Self-Talk

September 17, 2022 by Kristen Butler

Everyone engages in self-talk. Sometimes this internal conversation happens aloud. But frequently it occurs within the confines of your mind. This dialogue can be good or bad, but these things you tell yourself can encourage and motivate you. Conversely, they can destroy your positivity, self-esteem, and self-worth.

For example, a coworker invited you to lunch. Several of your fellow workers were sitting around a table, and you thought some appropriate jokes would be well received. However, you had to force the jokes, and the laughter was equally pushed.

You embarrassed yourself in front of everyone, and the self-talk on the way home was brutal. Things were going through your mind like:

“Why did I say that?”
“I made an absolute fool of myself.”
“Why am I such an idiot?”

Some folks have mastered letting things roll off their back. They can channel healthy self-talk and say, “Oh, well, at least I tried.” Positive thinking has benefits, but most people are geared towards harmful speech rather than optimistic ideas. The real issue is that you will remember this dialogue at the next outing, and you may be afraid to tell a joke that people will love.

Some folks will go as far as developing anxiety in social situations as they feel awkward and insecure. When you fill your head with negativity, it inhibits you from trying again. Even the best comedians aren’t always going to get the crowd rolling, so you must understand that practice makes perfect.

Ten Tips to Engage in Kinder Self-Talk and Restore Your Positivity

You must develop good, healthy self-talk to help you push yourself to greatness. The Bible says that the power of life and death is within the tongue in Proverbs 18:21, so you can decide whether you will speak blessings or curses over your life. Here are some tips to help you increase your positive self-talk.

1. Cut Overly Negative People Out of Life Whenever Possible

Down days are commonplace, and it’s only normal to have a bad mood on occasion. Consequently, your good days should outweigh the bad. It’s imperative to keep negativity to a minimum, so you must monitor your inner circle.

Every minute of your life counts, and you don’t want to waste any of them dealing with chronically negative folks. Putting proper distance between those who drag you down can help you to be happier and have good inner dialogue. Remember that one bad apple will spoil the whole bunch, and no one likes any decayed fruit hanging around in their “friend basket.”

2. Develop an Attitude of Gratitude in Your Self-Talk

The best way that you can create positive self-talk is to be thankful. Thanksgiving isn’t the only time of the year when you can give thanks. When you develop an attitude of gratitude, it will change your whole outlook on things.

There’s one way that you can enhance your journey towards being a new and positive you; you need to start a gratitude journal. Make a goal to list five or six things you’re thankful for daily. More goodness will come your way when you start showing the universe how grateful you are for your blessings. Additionally, you will notice that your inner dialogue takes a more optimistic turn.

Many people in this life are homeless and wonder where their next meal will come from, so if you have a home and food, you’re blessed. It’s hard to be negative when you realize your blessings.

3. Visualize Your Success to Increase Positivity

Do you want success so bad you can taste it? Manifesting is quite popular these days, and if you can see it in your mind’s eye, you can do it. Stop settling for less than when you can have all you ever dream of when you learn how to change your self-talk and start visualizing accomplishment.

4. Use Positive Self-Talk Words

If you tend to dwell on the side of negativity, it’s time to make a change. Watch the words that come out of your mouth. That’s because if you speak negatively, you will think that way, also.

The benefits of positive thinking are immense, but you must retrain your brain to see the glass as half-full rather than half-empty. If you want your inner voice to spread sunshine and radiate into your soul, you must use this language when speaking to others. Remember that optimism breeds positivity, and pessimism breeds negativity.

5. Use Positive Affirmations

Do you start your day with positive affirmations or roll out of bed grumpy and ready to tackle someone who speaks to you? Using positive affirmations before you start the day can be life-altering. According to a study conducted by The Dominican University of California, using positive affirmations for just two weeks increased the esteem and attitude of 37 participants.

The subjects took the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale at the beginning and end of the study. The marked improvements show that ingesting positivity each day can be very beneficial to your overall well-being.

6. Don’t Dwell in the Past

Do you think that you’re the only one with a past? Every person in this world has done things they’re not proud of, but some people have learned not to beat themselves up. Use your past as a learning curve and nothing more. No need to shame yourself over those things you cannot change.

7. Don’t Compare Yourself to Others in Your Self-Talk

One of the worst things you can do for your esteem is to compare yourself to others. Stop looking in the window of your neighbors’ houses and making assumptions.

Things are not always as they seem, and you never know what goes on in someone else’s life unless you walk a mile in their shoes. You will notice a significant change in your attitude when you learn to accept yourself and not compare your life to that of others.

8. Control Your Intake of News and Media to Increase Positivity

The news rarely reports anything positive, so you must watch how much of this toxicity you ingest. You need to be in the know, but you don’t want to get so wrapped up in the doom and gloom that it changes your inner voice to a negative one.

9. Dream and Set Goals

Do you have a dream? Where do you see yourself in the next year, five years, or even ten? Every great accomplishment starts with a plan and positive self-talk.

You can be and do anything you want in this world, but you’re your own harshest critic. It would help if you learned to be kind to yourself. If your inner voice starts to take you down a path of self-doubt and negativity, only you have the power to change the rhetoric.

10. Don’t Fear Failure

Many people don’t cultivate positivity in their minds because they’re afraid they will fail. Did you know that some of the greatest success stories in the history of this country come from people who refused to give up? Failure isn’t always bad, as it teaches you lessons you can use to do better the next time.

People who live in fear avoid positive self-talk, as they don’t see themselves as successful. You should proceed if you’re satisfied with living the status quo. However, if you want to do great things and be all you can be, you need to learn to change your inner dialogue to something more positive to compel yourself to greatness.

Have you ever heard about the restaurant Raising Canes? This eatery is in Baton Rouge, Louisiana–the idea of two college students from Louisiana State University.

The teacher challenged the boys to create a business plan for a company. The guys put so much effort into their project that it soon became a dream they wanted to fulfill. They started slowly, with one restaurant near campus. their motto was to find one thing they did well and only do that one thing.

They found chicken fingers were their calling. It wasn’t long before word of their success started to travel, and they opened stores all over the country. The ironic thing is that the project received a failing grade, and the bank agreed with the professor that a restaurant selling only chicken would never work.

Regardless of who told these men no and how many times they were rejected, their inner voice kept motivating them and telling them to keep going. The rest is history.

Final Thoughts on Positive Self-Talk

You know that the benefits of positive thinking are immense, and you want to be more optimistic, but it’s challenging. In a world of negativity and despair, it’s easy to become overwhelmed by these toxic emotions. If you want more positive self-talk in your life, it’s time to change your mindset.

With just a little effort each day, you can change your attitude for today and your outlook for tomorrow. Optimistic people radiate joy and happiness in the middle of the storm, and they become a beacon for many. Don’t you want to spread positivity to yourself and others?

7 Techniques to Find Your Flow State

September 17, 2022 by Kristen Butler

A flow state describes a mental state of complete immersion in an activity or task. Being in the flow allows you to perform tasks fluidly and without resistance. High-performing athletes, musicians, and creative writers effortlessly reach this state of elevated concentration often. To get “in the flow,” you must have a deep passion and love for what you do.

For example, someone who works at a fast food restaurant to cover a few extra bills probably doesn’t feel very enthused about their occupation. So, it becomes challenging to find the flow state when the mind doesn’t enjoy something. However, people who feel excited about an activity will naturally perform at a higher rate.

Those who achieve the flow state feel a blissful union between mind and body. The mental chatter begins to dissipate, and the goal at hand becomes crystal clear. In summary, life feels much easier, as if you’re floating rather than trudging through it.

What are the Characteristics of a Flow State?

Psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi introduced flow theory in the 1970s after observing people who performed pleasurable activities. He described eight main traits of a flow state:

Confidence and proficiency in the task
Deep concentration and involvement with the activity
The task has clearly defined goals
The activity provides instant feedback
The task feels effortless and causes daily stresses to melt away
A sense of control over the task
The sense of self disappears yet comes back stronger following the flow experience
The sense of time becomes altered

7 Tricks to Finding Your Flow State

So, the flow state requires two main ingredients: desire and intense concentration. Luckily, anyone can reach this joyous mental state with practice.

1 – Clearly Define Your Goals.

To get into a flow state, you must have a clear vision of what you wish to accomplish. If you’re scatterbrained and don’t set defined goals, experiencing effortless activity becomes much more complicated. Having a clear outcome in mind gives you direction and purpose in life. So, do some soul-searching and think about what you’d like to achieve.

You don’t have to set a significant goal to complete this step, either. Even a smaller objective can help you become disciplined and motivated to complete a task. For instance, if you want to lose weight, you wouldn’t try to lose fifty pounds in one month. You’d set milestones to achieve along the way to the finish line.

2 – Eliminate All Distractions.

Research shows that being distracted or handling too many tasks at once can lead to burnout. It also interrupts concentration and makes it difficult to reenter the flow state. So, before you start working on a task, remove all external distractions from your environment. These may include smartphones, TVs, and other types of technology.

You should attempt to eliminate internal distractions such as mental chatter as well. Your thoughts create a barrier between you and the world, causing you to lose focus quickly. Meditation, yoga, and other mindfulness practices can help prime you for periods of intense activity.

Ideally, you want to sustain the flow state for several hours, so having a quiet, dedicated workspace is crucial.

3 – Follow Your Passions.

Perhaps most importantly, you should only choose activities that pique your interest. You have more energy and drive to complete the task when you do something you love.

Finding your passion in life unlocks an abundance of untapped willpower and potential, allowing you to complete activities effortlessly. Whether washing dishes in a restaurant or performing heart surgery, anyone can achieve this flow state.

You want to choose a task that challenges you but isn’t beyond your current abilities. Finding that happy medium will ensure you’re neither bored nor overly stressed while working.

4 – Avoid Multitasking.

Another key to finding your flow involves working on one task at a time. Studies show that multitasking can reduce productivity by as much as 40%. Because your brain can’t do two things at once, it must switch rapidly between the activities. Multitasking drains mental energy and can lead to burnout eventually.

5 – Identify When You Feel Most Productive.

Some people feel more creative and energized in the morning, while others prefer working at night. To reach the flow state, you should utilize windows of peak performance to complete challenging tasks. If you identify as a night owl, you probably have the most stamina during the afternoon and evening. On the other hand, early birds like to tackle the most demanding tasks before lunchtime.

Work with your natural preferences to enhance your concentration and productivity.

6 – Create a Daily Routine.

Engaging in a ritual before you start working can help you enter the flow state more easily. For instance, stretching, listening to motivational music, or meditating can help your mind prepare for periods of intense concentration. Most people can’t get into a flow on command – the brain needs time to recharge between tasks. So, create a ritual that helps center your consciousness and calmly guides you to the next job.

7 – Focus on the Process Instead of the Outcome.

Since the flow state alters your perception of time, it allows you to remain rooted in the present. You won’t worry much about the destination because the journey feels so enjoyable and invigorating. It takes time to enter this state of consciousness, so don’t get discouraged if you feel distracted at first. To practice mindfulness, surrender to what’s happening around you and allow yourself to appreciate the present moment.

Final Thoughts on How to Achieve a Flow State

Most people want to experience the flow state but don’t know how to achieve this heightened state of being. For many, it seems like a distant dream to flow from one task to another effortlessly. However, anyone can enter this fluid state with some practice.

Try it for yourself by choosing an activity that brings you immense joy. Eliminate any distractions, and don’t focus on the outcome or destination. Allow your consciousness to rest in the present moment and surrender to the universal flow of energy. We all can experience uninterrupted focus and inspiration if we only listen to our heart’s deepest desires.

3 Ways to Release Negativity and Be Happy Again

September 17, 2022 by Lakeisha Ethans

Do you feel that negative thoughts often overwhelm you? Not knowing how to release negativity can end up causing you to feel trapped, leading to decreased mental health and an inability to perform everyday tasks. In excess, this negativity can also be dangerous to your physical health.

Negative thoughts can crowd your mind during tough times and tire you out. So how can you get rid of these terrible emotional states and finally find the happiness you deserve? Here are three ways to release negativity and be happy again.

1 – Release Negativity By Getting Rid Of Things That Bring You Down

There are a lot of things that can affect everyday mood and bring you down. Unfortunately, most people choose to ignore or bear with these things, not feeling interested in taking the initiative to reduce their severity proactively. In a world filled with things outside your control, why aren’t you taking steps to control what you can – especially if those things bring you down?

Release negativity by releasing these bad things in your life. On top of that, taking the first step to take your world into your own hands can be a powerful way to reclaim your life. This can further help you to release negativity as you rediscover your capabilities, strength, and potential. Here are some ways that you can get rid of what brings you down:

Clear Clutter to Release Negativity

One of the most poetic ways to release negativity is by clearing clutter. As you tidy up a messy space, you’ll also feel your mind begin to clear up. For example, have you ever noticed that entering an overly cluttered room can make you feel exhausted? By making your living and working environments a little bit clearer, you’ll be able to improve your well-being, according to studies.

Cut Out Toxic People

Toxic relationships can be an incredible drain on your life. If there are people who always make you feel fatigued, bring down your mood, and make you feel awful, you can release negativity by cutting them loose. Your dynamics with friends, family, and loved ones should be stable, positive, and enjoyable instead of stressful and barely tolerable. Unfortunately, negative people also tend to rub off on you, causing you to become more harmful to match their energy.

Determine And Remove Tolerations

As their name suggests, tolerations are things that you merely tolerate in life. Some tolerations are harmless, but many add little stress to your everyday experience. Unfortunately, these things add up, and multiple minor tolerations can cause heaping negativity on you. Some may even be the straws that break the camel’s back!

Drop Toxic, Negative Thoughts From Your Self-Talk

There are all sorts of ways that you perpetuate your negative thinking. You may constantly judge others or complain nonstop. You may have a strong inner critic who continually talks down on you. Maybe you diminish your successes, amplify your flaws, and even resent others because of your insecurity. When you commit to improving how you think of yourself, your life, and others, you drop the most toxic elements of day-to-day negativity to be free and happy.

2 – Practice Relaxing Techniques and Routines That Release Negativity

It can seem somewhat cliche to practice standard techniques for relaxation, but there’s a reason that they’re common – they work well for releasing negativity! They’re not cure-alls, but they can help to take the edge off your worst emotional states. Here are some techniques to try and use so you can see what works for you:

Breathing Techniques to Release Negativity

There are loads of breathing techniques that you can use to relieve stress. A lot of them center around the idea of imagining that you release negativity with each exhalation. You can find many examples of breathing exercises online, including those based on yoga practices and those commonly used by those with anxiety. Even just stopping to breathe in general during a stressful time can release negativity!

Release Negativity By Establishing Positive Morning Routines

Starting the day right can set the tone for yourself and the rest of the day. You can release negativity from the previous day and remind yourself that today is a brand new day. Get a filling, nourishing breakfast, make some time for some exercise, do something you love, dress up nicely, or listen to good music to get yourself going. If doing chores in the morning tends to stress you out, do them the night before so you can start each day on the right foot.

Mindfulness Can Overcome Negative Thoughts

Mindfulness means living in the present moment by fully experiencing it in its entirety. You do this by engaging your senses to notice and appreciate all the little details in the world around you, including the things you interact with daily. In addition, it allows you to get deeper in touch with yourself during different emotional states, teaching you to be a nonjudgmental witness to your feelings instead of a thrall of them. Research shows that this can help to improve mental health – and physical health, too!

Get Moving

People often discount the effectiveness of exercise on overall happiness and the release of negativity. Moving your body to get your heart rate up can burn off stress effectively and help relieve tension. Again, it’s not a cure-all, but it can certainly help! You can go for a walk, turn on some music and dance, do yoga, hit the gym, or go out to do some gardening. If it gets you moving, it’ll get the job done.

3 – Actively Seek Out Good Things to Displace Your Negative Thoughts

Our brains naturally notice negative thoughts and things first and foremost. It’s easy to pick out everything wrong instead of seeing the good things. Most people take good things for granted and don’t notice them, so they fade into the background, and you don’t notice them until they’re gone. And that’s quite a shame, as these things can greatly increase your happiness!

If you’re looking to release negativity, looking for good things is a great way to start. It replaces negative thoughts with positive ones! This doesn’t mean forcing toxic positivity – it means not wasting your energy on excessive pessimism to the point that you lose sight of the good parts of reality. Here are some tips for actively seeking out good things in life:

Point Out Lessons

There isn’t a single moment of life that you can’t use as a teachable moment. Sure, you probably don’t want lectures all the time, but in tough times, you can release negativity by turning that negativity into something to learn from. Ask yourself what you can learn from each situation. How can you prepare for or avoid this in the future? What can you do differently? How can you help the situation now? If you can’t help the situation, how can you allow yourself to feel better?

Fill Your Life With Positive People

You can always count on a sound support system to uplift you or be there for you when the going gets tough. When you’re having trouble finding positivity in your life, the people who love and care about you can help you to release negativity. Whether they offer you a listening ear, show you the good side of life, or make you feel less alone, having a secure and positive social circle is an incredible tool for happiness.

Find The Silver Lining

You can overturn negative thoughts by seeking out even the smallest silver linings. This gives you something to hold onto that keeps you going, like a small beacon in an otherwise dark world. It’s nice to know that, even in your worst moments, there is a little silver lining – and this is a reality you can always rely on if you need it.

Use Positive Affirmations

Using repetitive phrases and mantras to psych yourself up and get yourself in the right headspace can initially seem silly. But positive affirmations are research-backed ways to improve happiness and release negativity. You can make them as straightforward or as complex as you like, as long as they’re in the present tense and inspire you. For example, you can say, “I am a confident and capable person,” or “I find happiness in the world around me.”

Use Humor

In difficult times, humor can be an effective coping mechanism, and studies show that it can reduce stress levels when used mindfully. In addition, it can help you better process negative emotions, and laughing can release negativity and tension quickly.

Express Gratitude

Verbalizing the positive things around you is a positive way to internalize happiness. Studies show that the more you practice and express gratitude, the easier it will be for you to find more reasons to be grateful. Start by expressing appreciation for those you love and thank the people who do things for you every day, even if you’re paying them – baristas, servers, and cashiers, for example. You can also keep a gratitude journal where you list things you’re grateful for daily – a common means of improving positive thinking!

Create Positivity

If you have trouble finding positivity in the world around you, you can release negativity by creating it yourself. For example, do random acts of kindness, put on music or shows that make you happy, and engage in hobbies you love. The more opportunities you create for positive moments, the happier you’ll be.

Final Thoughts On Some Ways To Release Negativity And Be Happy Again

Everyone deals with negativity sometimes. However, knowing how to manage these experiences in a healthy, positive, and realistic way is essential to your overall well-being. So get rid of what brings you down, practice calming techniques, and seek positivity in the world around you to bring yourself back up again!

If you need help releasing negativity and negative thoughts, don’t be afraid to seek help from counselors, therapists, or other mental health professionals. They can teach you great techniques that will help to encourage positive thinking, allowing you to find happiness once more. There is no shame in needing this additional perspective; you deserve to be happy.

Disclose Intentions Upfront

Get Everyone Involved In The Loop

Set Clear Ground Rules

Don’t Ghost

Don’t Compromise And Don’t Be Controlled

Don’t Bring Them Into Your Circle

Don’t Do Favors

Make No Future Plans

Don’t Spend Too Much Time Together

Maintain Other Relationships

Make Sure You Have Me-Time

Be Aware Of Your Health

If You Develop Feelings, Call Things Off

Be Honest With Yourself

Never Cross the Boundaries

Do Not Tolerate Disrespect

Keeping Commitments Is Common Decency

Regular Check-Ins Keep You On The Same Page

Clear Clutter to Release Negativity

Cut Out Toxic People

Determine And Remove Tolerations

Drop Toxic, Negative Thoughts From Your Self-Talk

Breathing Techniques to Release Negativity

Release Negativity By Establishing Positive Morning Routines

Mindfulness Can Overcome Negative Thoughts

Get Moving

Point Out Lessons

Fill Your Life With Positive People

Find The Silver Lining

Use Positive Affirmations

Use Humor

Express Gratitude

Create Positivity

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