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UK Study Warns That Even Light Drinking Decreases Health

March 11, 2022 by Kristen Lawrence

A new UK study reveals that even light drinking can lead to adverse health outcomes. UK health guidelines recommend a limit of 14 alcoholic drinks per week. However, the research team found that even drinking less increased cardiovascular disease risk.

The journal Clinical Nutrition first published these findings.

Researchers from Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) investigated hospitalizations related to cardiovascular events among UK citizens. They obtained data on over 350,000 UK residents between the ages of 40 and 69 from the UK Biobank study.

Among the sample population, 333,259 people consumed alcohol. Before the study, researchers asked participants about their weekly alcohol consumption. They also asked questions about the intake of specific types of alcohol, such as beer, wine, and spirits. Afterward, they followed up with the study volunteers for a median of seven years, recording all hospitalizations for cardiovascular events.

They excluded anyone who had previously suffered a cardiovascular event, former drinkers, and those who didn’t complete the questionnaire.

UK Study Warns That Even Light Drinking Decreases Health

Keep in mind that the UK’s Chief Medical Officers recommend a limit of 14 units of alcohol per week. The comprehensive analysis revealed that each additional 1.5 pints of beer at 4% strength increased cardiovascular event risk by 23% for participants who engaged in light drinking.

Biases Regarding Light Drinking and Overall Alcohol Consumption

The authors say that biases in existing research have led to a public misconception about safe alcohol consumption. Many studies imply that low to moderate alcohol consumption may benefit cardiovascular health and health in general. However, the authors argue that these studies have one or more of the following biases:

Using non-drinkers as a reference group, even when many don’t drink due to pre-existing health problems
Lumping all drink types together when measuring alcohol intake of study participants
Considering the lower risk of coronary artery disease among wine drinkers, distorting overall cardiovascular risk.

Lead author Dr. Rudolph Schutte, course leader for the BSc Hons Medical Science program and Associate Professor at ARU, said: “The so-called J-shaped curve of the cardiovascular disease-alcohol consumption relationship suggesting health benefit from low to moderate alcohol consumption is the biggest myth since we were told smoking was good for us.

“Among drinkers of beer, cider, and spirits in particular, even those consuming under 14 units a week had an increased risk of ending up in hospital through a cardiovascular event involving the heart or the blood vessels. While we hear much about wine drinkers having a lower risk of coronary artery disease, our data shows their risk of other cardiovascular events is not reduced.

“Biases embedded in epidemiological evidence mask or underestimate the hazards associated with alcohol consumption. When these biases are accounted for, the adverse effects of even low-level alcohol consumption are revealed.

“Avoiding these biases in future research would mitigate current confusion and hopefully lead to a strengthening of the guidelines, seeing the current alcohol guidance reduced.”

Other Health Risks of Light Drinking

The UK study wasn’t the first to report the dangers of even light drinking. A 2018 study by researchers from the Washington University School of Medicine found a 20% increased risk of premature death among light drinkers.

The authors analyzed data from over 400,000 people between 18 and 85. They discovered that consuming 1-2 drinks four or more times per week increased the risk of death, despite current guidelines deeming this amount of alcohol healthy. The increased risk of premature death remained steady across all age groups, even more troubling.

The journal Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research published these findings.

“It used to seem like having one or two drinks per day was no big deal, and there even have been some studies suggesting it can improve health,” said first author Sarah M. Hartz, MD, Ph.D., an assistant professor of psychiatry. “But now we know that even the lightest daily drinkers have an increased mortality risk.”

Some previous studies have found that drinking in moderation enhances cardiovascular health. However, Hartz said that their research revealed these potential health benefits come at a cost. Her team evaluated heart disease risk and cancer risk among the study participants.

They did find that light drinking could reduce heart problems, but daily drinking also increased cancer risk. Therefore, you’re simply trading one health concern for another, even if you drink infrequently.

What the Experts Said

Dr. Hartz said:

“Consuming one or two drinks about four days per week seemed to protect against cardiovascular disease, but drinking every day eliminated those benefits. With regard to cancer risk, any drinking at all was detrimental.”

She added that in the future, doctors might recommend that people with a family history of cancer abstain from drinking. For those with heart problems in the family, a physician may recommend only light drinking. However, the latest UK study found that light drinking could still pose a risk to cardiovascular health.

“If you tailor medical recommendations to a person, there may be situations under which you would think that occasional drinking potentially could be helpful,” she said. “But overall, I do think people should no longer consider a glass of wine a day to be somehow healthy,” Hartz concluded.

Even if prior studies have linked light drinking to better health, it’s better to be safe than sorry. You can improve your health in many ways, such as eating a healthy diet, exercising, meditating, and engaging in positive thinking.

Final Thoughts on Study Linking Light Drinking to Reduced Health

Many people believe drinking a glass of wine or beer daily won’t cause any harm. However, a new UK study proves that even light drinking can increase cardiovascular disease risk. They found that each additional 1.5 pints of 4% strength beer consumed increased cardiovascular disease risk by 23%. This means even light drinking carries a significant health risk.

A prior study from Washington University researchers linked light drinking with a 20% increase in premature death. So, to any beer drinkers or wine enthusiasts out there, you might want to think twice before cracking open another bottle. It may help you unwind, but it’s not worth the health risks.

These 10 Habits Can Help You Stop Procrastination

March 11, 2022 by Deborah Tayloe

Today’s society strongly emphasizes multitasking and doubling your assignments to get things done. If you’re one to put things off, it can make your workload heavier and heighten your stress level. How can you break this procrastination cycle and learn how to balance work and pleasure?

Benjamin Franklin advised that you should never put off until tomorrow the things you can do today. It’s excellent advice, but it can sometimes be challenging to follow. You may have been stuck in a procrastination rut for years, no matter how hard you try.

An article published by The New York Times explains that “procrastination” derives from Latin words meaning to “put things off until tomorrow.” Even some Ancient Romans were tempted to skip a few tasks that could wait.

The article further states that it’s not a character flaw, but it’s more of a way to cope and handle stressful situations. You must be realistic about how much you can do in a day; if you pile on too many things, you become overwhelmed.

Work quality will be sacrificed if you try to cram too many tasks into a short period. Often you may have an overwhelming schedule because you keep putting things off.

Ten Habits to Help Break the Harmful Procrastination Cycle

Nobody starts procrastinating out of nowhere. It’s a vicious vortex that begins in childhood. Here are ten habits to help you break that destructive procrastination cycle today.

1. Realize Procrastination is Normal, and Stop Beating Yourself Up

Along with the doubled-up hassle of putting things off is the guilt and self-loathing. When you’re cramming for yet another deadline, you get frustrated with yourself. Still, you can always find excuses for waiting until tomorrow to finish things.

The first step toward changing your habits is acknowledging them and giving yourself a break. Many people procrastinate–you’re not alone. Be self-compassionate and realize that you’re now doing something about the issue.

2. Discover The Reasons Behind This Behavior

Have you ever wondered what started your procrastination? What are the reasons behind this aggravating habit? You’ll be happy to know that it isn’t just laziness on your part, as it may have a more profound psychological link.

In an interview published by the American Psychological Association, Dr. Joseph Ferrari discusses possible psychological issues behind procrastination. He states that issues like passive aggression, ADHD, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and even revenge may be an impetus. These are personality disorders that many people develop early in life.

Some honest introspection can help you discover why you procrastinate. Do you put off doing specific tasks because they are emotional triggers? Do fear and perfectionism hold you back from what you need to accomplish?

3. Use the Pomodoro Technique

What does a tomato have to do with learning how to break your procrastination cycle? Remember those cute little kitchen timers that your mother or grandmother had shaped like a tomato? You may even have a vintage one sitting on your kitchen counter.

It inspired the Pomodoro Technique, using the Italian word Pomodoro for tomato. According to an article published by the National Library of Medicine, Dr. Amrita Mandal says Francesco Cirillo developed the technique in the 80s. He named his innovative idea after the iconic timer he used as an Italian university student.

The Pomodoro Technique has become a globally popular tool to overcome procrastination. Its effective time management means that it’s easy to implement in your home or office. Here are the basics, according to the article:

Choose a task
Set your timer to 25 minutes
Focus on working until the timer rings
Take a five-minute break and do what you want
Continue these work/rest intervals to complete your day’s duties
For every four tasks that you complete, you’ll extend your breaks from fifteen to thirty minutes

4. Implement Deadlines to Make Yourself Accountable

Everybody has deadlines, whether for school, work, or home. The consequences may be severe when you miss one. You could face overdue bills, possible job loss, or failing grades. Unfortunately, many people wait until the last minute to complete a task when it’s due.

If deadlines are your Achilles tendon and you’re prone to procrastination, be proactive. Break the task into smaller tasks and give each one a time frame. When you meet the deadline of each minor assignment, you’ll finish on time.

5. Set Up a Rewards System

Of course, a job well done is its incentive. But until you finish the task, the reward may seem far from reach. Another way to halt the procrastination cycle is to devise an incentive system during and afterward. It can give you a positive mindset to get your tasks done.

For example, say you’ve been procrastinating weight loss. You keep saying you’ll start on Monday, but Monday never comes. Maybe the results are too far away for you to perceive the rewards.

Instead, break your big goal into smaller goals and reward yourself for each step. Say you treat yourself to a movie or a weekend away for every ten pounds you lose. The rewards will be immediately enjoyed, and you’ll soon have the big bonus of a new wardrobe and a new you.

6. Work on Enhancing Your Focus

Focusing on the task at hand doesn’t come naturally to everyone. Mental issues like ADHD or anxiety disorders can keep your mind in chaos. You try to finish a job, get distracted, and end up in a procrastination cycle.

It takes practice to enhance your focus. Try to minimize distractions around your workspace. Identify things that rob your direction, such as constantly checking email or social media.

If noise distracts you, consider wearing earphones while you’re working. Put your emails and social media on hold and check them only on a break. Meditation and visualization are excellent tools for boosting your focus.

7. Practice the Two-minute Rule

Another valuable tool for effective time management is the two-minute rule. You jump into the task and do part of it for at least two minutes. Those minutes may be all you need to get past the avoidance.

For example, do you hate to tackle your inbox at work? Try the two-minute rule instead of finishing the task until things are late. Take a deep breath and immediately begin sorting your paperwork.

You may see that it’s not that bad, and you continue to work for another few minutes. The goal is to get used to doing the task instead of avoiding it. You might be surprised you can complete these dreaded tasks on time.

8. Use Chunking to Manage Your Expectations

Remember the example of using smaller goals for weight loss? The concept of dividing tasks into smaller ones is called chunking. It can be used for your most minor chores to achieve your life’s dreams.

It follows the mantra of “one day at a time.” However, you can break that down further into one hour or even a few minutes at a time. The most significant tasks aren’t so overwhelming when taken step by step.

Have you dreamed about a vacation to Europe? Why not create a vision board that lists each step necessary, such as creating a budget? Decide a date and write down each smaller goal you need to accomplish before your dream getaway.

9. Uncover Your Triggers

One of the components of the procrastination cycle is emotional triggers and avoidance. Perhaps an incident in your past brings up unpleasant emotions, so you avoid specific tasks. Your only way to break the cycle is to identify and learn how to deal with your triggers.

You’ve put off visiting family for the holidays because you can’t deal with a toxic family member. Or maybe you procrastinate talking to your boss about a raise because you fear rejection. Putting these essential things off only keeps you a hostage of your past.

Refuse to allow a toxic person or past hurts to stand in your way of joy and fulfillment. The worst thing you can procrastinate is joy. Learning to identify and get past your emotional triggers makes you more apt to delay tasks.

10. Make Your To-Do List More Manageable

One of the hallmarks of an organized person is the to-do list. It can be a little scribbled note or an elaborate spreadsheet or calendar. These lists help keep you focused and minimize your chances of forgetting something important.

Take an honest look at your to-do list and ask yourself if it’s realistic. Have you piled so much on your plate that you can’t finish anything? Maybe your planning needs to be tweaked by chunking and prioritization.

Making your list more reasonable allows you to get more done. You’ll be less likely to procrastinate and have a feeling of accomplishment. Don’t forget to make time for yourself and your family and friends.

Final Thoughts on Habits to Help Break the Harmful Procrastination Cycle

Managing your time can be easier when you learn to prioritize, focus, and complete each task. Use these and other helpful hacks and determine to break the procrastination cycle for good, and you can have a sense of accomplishment about getting things done. There’s no better time than the present to start.

Study Explains How the First Born Child Is Often the Most Intelligent

March 11, 2022 by Kristen Lawrence

A study by German researchers reveals that the firstborn child tends to have higher intelligence. Of course, being the oldest doesn’t always equate to having more wisdom, but the eldest sibling does have some advantages.

For example, when parents have their first child, they spend more time with them. The undivided attention they give to their first born may influence their IQ. Since the parents only have one child to look after, they can invest more energy and effort into raising them. They may have more time to teach the child vital reading, writing, and other educational topics.

However, the parents probably have other obligations when the second or third child comes along. Demanding careers and busier schedules make it challenging to devote as much time to later-born children. This doesn’t mean the parents love them any less; it’s just the harsh reality of trying to juggle family life with other responsibilities.

Also, parents are still learning the ropes of child-rearing with the firstborn child. In this “experimental” phase, the parents want to get everything right, so they indulge their child. After they feel more comfortable with parenting, they may loosen their grip and have a more relaxed approach.

Children born later may enjoy having more freedom and fewer rules to follow. However, they don’t benefit from their parents’ uninterrupted attention as the first born child did.

Study Explains How the First-Born Child Is Often the Most Intelligent

Birth order doesn’t always determine intelligence, but this study found that first-born children had slightly higher IQs. Researchers from the University of Leipzig studied the birth order of 20,000 people from the United States, the United Kingdom, and Germany.

They assessed intelligence based on verbal ability and general IQ tests. Researchers also gave personality tests to the participants in adulthood, which measured the “Big Five” personality traits. These include extroversion, emotional stability, agreeableness, conscientiousness, and openness.

The researchers determined that first-born children had, on average, an IQ of 1.5 points higher than second-born children. So, being the oldest child seems to have only a slight impact on intelligence. The results determined that the eldest child had a higher IQ 60% of the time. Also, birth order seemed not to influence personality traits.

The findings have been published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Other studies confirm the theory that the oldest child possesses higher intelligence. A study published in the Journal of Human Resources found that firstborn children exhibit more academic prowess. Their parents tend to invest more in their education, which gives them an advantage over their siblings. Researchers found that they scored better on cognitive tests than their younger siblings at the same age.

The findings were based on the Children of the National Longitudinal Survey of the Youth, which includes data on thousands of young adults between 14 and 21.

The survey began in 1979 and asked questions on employment, income, education, family life, and other background information. Researchers interviewed the respondents at the beginning of the study and every two years since 2014.

Co-author Jee-Yeon K. Lehmann, an economist at the Analysis Group in Boston, said she was astounded that parenting styles affected a child’s cognitive abilities early in life. She added that new parents tend to be more aware of how their actions affect their firstborn. However, they’re not as rigid with each subsequent child since it’s not their first rodeo.

Being the First Born Offers Several Advantages

While the study found that parents give equal love and affection to all their children, the oldest still receives more mental stimulation. Families can’t offer the same engagement in educational activities such as reading, teaching the alphabet, and playing with second or third-born children.

As families face time constraints, they consciously or unconsciously adjust their behavior and attitudes about parenting. However, like the previous study, the authors found that parenting styles did not impact children’s personalities. First-born children displayed more confidence, especially regarding their intelligence and academic performance.

In addition, the mother’s behavior became more relaxed with each subsequent pregnancy. For example, the study found that women started prenatal care later if they’d already had a child. They also didn’t breastfeed as often and drank more alcohol than first-time moms. Studies reveal that breastfed babies have better cognitive performance as they get older.

So, it’s clear that parental behaviors and habits profoundly influence children. Firstborn children may have the advantage, but parents should try to give each subsequent child the same love and attention. Early life experiences have a lasting impact on a child and can significantly influence their academic success.

Of course, you can also count on your eldest child to help with some responsibilities. Many parents rely on older children to babysit, read, change diapers, feed, and play with their younger siblings. Raising a family is no easy task; it truly takes a village to accomplish.

As life becomes more demanding, parents often ask the older child to step up and help around the house. This can reduce the burden on parents and instill a sense of responsibility in the eldest child.

Final Thoughts on Studies Showing Oldest Child Has Higher IQ

Being the oldest child in the family comes with greater responsibility and numerous benefits. Your parents probably spent more time with you as a child, helping you develop essential skills such as reading. They also had fewer responsibilities and more energy to invest in their academic success and emotional health.

So, if you’re the firstborn in your family, you should consider yourself lucky. Your parents may have been harder on you, but it’s only because they devoted so much time to ensure your success. Plus, wisdom comes with age, so you can share what you’ve learned with younger siblings.

Scientist Explains How Long It Takes to Get Over a Breakup

March 11, 2022 by Sarah Barkley

The end of a relationship can be challenging for anyone, no matter how long the relationship lasted. It’s a source of pain, and you’ll likely experience lingering grief as you work to get over a breakup. You might wonder how long the heartbreak will last and, while there’s no definitive answer, there are a few guidelines.

Sometimes it only takes someone a few weeks to get over a breakup. For others, it could take months or years to heal fully. Everyone recovers at a different pace, and many factors contribute to the speed of the healing process.

While there is no definitive answer, scientists have researched how long it takes to get over a breakup. Their guidelines can help you understand your timeframe, and then you can use the tips below to help you get through it.

How Long It Takes to Get Over a Breakup

Many people have tried to figure out how long it takes to get over a breakup. However, there is still no concrete answer for the average time it takes.

Some people say that a breakup recovery takes half the time you were in the relationship, but it isn’t accurate. The length of your relationship is only one determining factor.

People together for a decade can move on within months of breaking up. On the other hand, people who were together for a few months could take a year to get over it. As researchers worked to find answers, they utilized a few research methods.

Scientific Research on How to Get Over a Breakup

Scientists have researched the average time it takes to get over a breakup. In one study, researchers surveyed college students that had recently gone through a breakup. The results showed that people who, on average, experienced the loss of love 11 weeks before felt empowered, confident, and happy.

Another study focused on people who went through a breakup within the past six months. The participants filled out a questionnaire every two weeks, rating their levels of distress. Their levels declined steadily; on average, they felt better around ten weeks after the breakup.

The results of these two studies were based on the average timeframe, so remember that it might be different for you. What you can take away from the information is that you can start feeling better quickly.

Market Research

Market researchers used online polls to ask individuals how long it took them to heal from a breakup. The results showed that it took unmarried people an average of three and a half months to get over a relationship. Those going through a divorce took about one and a half years to move on.

Although this information provided an average timeframe, yours could vary significantly. It all depends on other determining factors, as explained below.

The Factors That Contribute to the Timeframe it Takes to Get Over a Breakup

You must consider many things before estimating a timeline for your healing process. Everyone heals at a different rate, and the timeframe varies because of these factors.

Your Level of Commitment

The more invested you were in the relationship, the harder it’ll be to get over. If you are heavily committed, you’ll experience more distress, and the grief will likely last longer than it would for someone else. However, it’ll be more manageable if you both decide you don’t see a future together and want to look for something else.

Your Living Arrangement

If you lived with your ex, it might be harder to separate your lives, prolonging your healing time. Not only will you have connected your lives, but you might also have combined your finances. Plus, if you had shared friendships because of living together, that could also shorten the healing process.

Betrayal

When a partner cheats, the recovery time might be more difficult. You’ll have to process more than the breakup; you’ll have to overcome the infidelity. An unfaithful partner breaks your trust, making your healing process much different.

The Quality of Your Relationship

Healthy relationships are beneficial to your overall well-being. When they end, you’ll likely take longer to get over it than if you were in an unhealthy relationship.

You might feel differently if you were in an unhealthy relationship involving communication problems or other issues. In these cases, you might feel more relieved once you have time to reflect. Your healing process might be a little quicker in this situation.

Who Initiated the Breakup

You might be sad when you choose to end a relationship, but it won’t be as bad as it would be if you got dumped. Deciding to end things might even bring a sense of relief that feels fulfilling. However, this isn’t always the case because you might have to leave a relationship you didn’t want to.

Even if you weren’t overly committed, getting dumped hurts a bit. It can make you feel inadequate and diminish your sense of self-worth.

Your Childhood Experiences

You might take longer to get over a breakup if you experienced losses and trauma as a child. Likewise, if you didn’t have stability or independence in your childhood, it could cause a lack of self-confidence now. You might feel like you’ll never heal and move on, but remember that you will.

Six Tips to Help Get Over a Breakup

You will get through this time in your life, even if it takes longer than you expected. You might have trouble sleeping, have no appetite, or see constant reminders of your ex.

When it seems like your pain will never disappear, you might want to know how long this feeling will last. However, you can’t control the timeframe as you work to get over a breakup, but there are things you can do to help.

1 – Give Yourself Time to Grieve

Accepting the end of your relationship and allowing yourself to grieve is essential to getting over it. You can’t recover from losing love if you suppress your feelings. Experiencing all the feelings might be hard at first, but it’ll make it easier to get through it.

2 – Spend Time with People You Love

Social support is one of the best ways to get over a breakup. Your loved ones can give emotional support, help distract you, and offer company when you feel lonely. Not only will your time with your loved ones make you happier, but it’ll also remind you of all the love you still have.

3 – Prioritize Self-Care When You Must Get Over a Breakup

When you go through a breakup, you might not feel like taking care of yourself. The easier option is to stay in bed and avoid doing anything. However, getting out of bed, showering, and leaving the house can make all the difference.

Giving yourself some time is okay, but you must return to your routine as soon as possible. Make sure you eat healthy meals and drink plenty of water to take care of yourself. Plus, do things to make you feel good about yourself throughout the day.

4 – Give Yourself a Clean Break

You likely won’t get a clean break if you have kids together or share assets. However, if possible, give yourself a clean break from your ex. Talking to them regularly won’t help you get over them and will make you question what went wrong. It’ll also decrease your self-esteem and make you feel inadequate.

5 – Work On Finding Yourself Again

If you get out there and rediscover who you are and what you like, you’ll have an easier time getting over a breakup. You can rethink what you want for your life and chase your goals without worrying about anyone.

6 – Spend Time Volunteering

When you aren’t feeling great emotionally, you can help yourself heal by helping others. When you help people who are less privileged than you, it’ll give you a sense of life satisfaction. It’ll also boost your self-confidence, empowering you to move on.

How to Know When You’re Over a Breakup

There’s no sure indication that you’re over a breakup, but there are signs you can watch for. You are likely over it when you:

No longer feel pain thinking back on the good times with your ex
Feel complete on your own
Stop avoiding shared activities or favorite places
Feel ready to date again

Final Thoughts on Scientist Explains How Long It Takes to Get Over a Breakup

While experts have tried to pinpoint a specific time frame for getting over a breakup, there is no way to know for sure. One thing is for sure, though, that you will heal from your loss of love. The recovery process differs for everyone, so be patient as you work to overcome the heartache.

It might seem like it’ll never go away when you are in pain, but it will. Follow the tips discussed above to help yourself heal; you’ll be there before you know it. Remember that the process is different for everyone, so give yourself all the time you need.

Where to Start on the Journey of Self-Discovery

March 11, 2022 by Lakeisha Ethans

Do you want to find yourself? Many people do, and the subject has a wealth of fictional and nonfictional content. The goal of self-discovery could be humankind’s great purpose. To get deeply in touch with oneself and know oneself so intimately seems simple and yet remains quite elusive.

If you’ve wanted to start your self-discovery experience, you may be confused about where you should begin. It’s a huge ordeal and a very overwhelming one, and its daunting nature can cause many people to simply never start it at all. Luckily, there are a few precise places where you can saddle up for the ride. Here’s where to start on the journey of self-discovery!

1. Get To Know Yourself Deeply and Enjoy Your Self-Discovery

The first place you must begin to start on your journey of self-discovery is, perhaps obviously, with yourself. You have to know your true identity, what’s most meaningful to you, and who you genuinely are beneath the surface.

Of course, this is a challenging process. It’s not easy to get deeply in touch with yourself, and it takes an honest effort. Here are some ways to get started.

· Identify Natural Passions

There are a lot of things in the world that you may enjoy. But some things are even closer to your heart than that! Find out what you’re naturally in tune with. What are things that make you feel expressive? And what are things you’ve always loved?

What moves you, pulls you, and makes you feel like you have a purpose. These are the things that you can use in your self-discovery. Please pay attention to your subconscious and what it gravitates towards. These preferences may be built on your experiences, past, or even natural temperament. You’ll want to pay extra attention to things that feel like second nature to you!

· Separate Yourself From Others

This sounds like a simple concept, but it’s harder than it seems. When you go through life, you subconsciously pick up on the ideas and thoughts of those around you. It’s easy to go with the flow and not think about what that entails. Indeed, you might easily muddle the opinions of others with yours.

The status quo has a pretty strong pull, so you have to actively take the time to separate yourself from those norms to achieve self-discovery. What do you truly want in life? What are your honest opinions on specific concepts? How about even the most controversial ones? What do you think about the world? What beliefs or values do you have that may differ from the norm?

· Do Some Backward Planning

As its name suggests, backward planning is the act of planning your life in reverse. You start by thinking about yourself as an old, retired individual. Then, you fill in the blanks. What would that future you be most proud of? What do you want them to be able to reminisce on? Once you have your answer, you can determine what you can do to achieve those results. Research shows that this is an excellent trick to plan and stick to goals throughout your life properly!

It is worth keeping in mind that self-discovery is a process and getting to know yourself deeply will also be a process. You’re unlikely to unearth every truth about yourself from the get-go. It’s okay to take time to discover yourself, to get things wrong sometimes, and to make changes as you develop, grow, and change yourself. That’s all part of the process of profoundly getting in touch with who you are!

2. Find Your Ways To Claim Space

Many people who have yet to begin their self-discovery journey fear taking up space. If you’ve ever felt like you needed to quiet yourself or make yourself smaller so you’re less of an annoyance, then you know what that feels like. You also know what that feels like if you’ve ever felt like you didn’t fit in anywhere or that you had to bend over backward to feel like you belonged.

Self-discovery requires that you break free from this fear of taking up space. You need to have that space so you can perform all your discovery-related tasks! This is also an essential part of living a purposeful life. It would help if you found places to fit in and claim the space you deserve. This will let you stretch out and live up to your potential.

There are plenty of different ways to claim space, but here are a few ideas!

· Find Communities You’re Comfortable In

Support systems are crucial to human happiness. After all, we’re all social creatures by nature! Different people have different social needs. But the bottom line is that you need at least one place where you feel that you belong. Seek out communities that have similar goals, passions, or interests to you. A good society has people who lift each other and are kind and respect each other. Having a sound support system like that will facilitate your self-discovery through helpful encouragement!

· Make Time For Yourself, and You Embark on Self-Discovery

With all the obligations you have in your day-to-day life, it’s hard to set aside real quality time for just you. Don’t make the mistake of neglecting this need. Taking that time for self-care can be crucial for physical and mental health, according to studies. Spending time with yourself, loving your own company, and falling in love with yourself is a critical step of self-discovery. It gives you the chance to have the right energy and motivation to pursue your goals and what you want in life properly.

· Make Your Mark On The World

Not everyone’s self-discovery necessarily includes their impact on other people, but it’s a significant factor in many people’s journeys. Making your mark on the world is a powerful way to claim space, and even a small mark can be a massive thing in the grand scheme of things.

One great way to do this is by performing acts of kindness, volunteering with causes you believe in, and just being good to others. Studies show that these acts will improve your mental health and make you feel more satisfied in life. Making your mark will also increase your ability to have self-efficacy, which is the motivation, resilience, and regulation necessary to put your goal-related plans into action.

· Let Go Of The Need For External Validation

Getting praise from others is nice, but it’s not the main thing that should be driving your journey of self-discovery. If you do everything to receive validation from others, that means your motivation is entirely conditional. Your self-discovery requires that you’re the main person driving it. A mix of external and internal motivation is needed, but the latter is certainly much more crucial.

3. Keep An Open Mind During Your Time of Self-Discovery

We’ve already talked about self-discovery as a process that takes time and how you might sometimes be wrong or need to change your track. That’s a hugely important part of this journey: maintaining an open mind and being okay with the possibilities that may one day come to fruition.

But how can you maintain an open mind? Here are some tips for moving forward in that way:

· Learn And Try New Things

You’re never too old to learn something new. If something interests you, don’t shy away from it because you don’t know anything about it. If you stifle the number of things you explore, that means you’re limiting the potential for discovery that you have. Trying and learning new things will keep you sharp and set the stage for further open-mindedness down the line. It can be intimidating at first, but the more you practice trying novel things, the more you’ll enjoy the process!

· Question Yourself

Like all other human beings, you have shortcomings, points of weakness, and various past experiences you’re still learning from. This means that you can’t lose sight of the fact that, as valid and valuable as you are, you’re not immune from making new mistakes. This means you need to retain an open mind about yourself, too. You must question your thoughts, re-examine your values, and consider your perspectives, prejudices, and errors.

Of course, this doesn’t mean you should become your own worst critic. It just means that you need to remain aware that your thoughts aren’t always perfectly accurate. That’s how you continue your self-discovery journey and don’t get lost along the way!

· Request Feedback From Others as a Tool of Self-Discovery

If you have a sound social support system, their feedback and advice can be invaluable when you need it. While other people shouldn’t dictate everything about your life, the people you trust can see some blind spots you may have missed and offer new insights and perspectives. It’s a great idea to have diverse groups of trusted individuals to ask for advice, as this will give you many different ideas to pull thoughts out of. Widening your horizons comes more easily when you’re around people who can already guide you to new roads!

· Use An Abundance Mindset

An abundance mindset involves a lot of positivity and gratitude. It means that you understand that your unique journey of self-discovery is entirely your own and that you’re not in a rush to compete with others. It allows you to let go of the fear of missing out or falling behind.

You understand that life is not a race and are grateful for your unique experiences and the roads that you take along the way on the trip. In other words, you trust that you’ll end up at your goals eventually, as you’re committed to them. So instead of worrying about whether you’ll ever get there, you focus on enjoying the journey on the way!

Final Thoughts On Where To Start On The Journey Of Self-Discovery

Everyone’s self-discovery journey is unique, so it’s hard to give specific advice for your beautiful, one-of-a-kind experience. But there are some great ways to get started on that journey. By getting to know yourself, finding ways to claim space, and maintaining an open mind, you’ll be starting off your trip on the right foot!

Science Explains What It Means When You See Eye Floaters

March 11, 2022 by Lakeisha Ethans

You are probably used to having a clear vision. Even if you suffer from vision impairments, like myopia or hypermetropia, at least you don’t have dots in your vision. But, some people don’t have the luxury of seeing clearly. Some people have to deal with seeing spots and eye floaters that drift around and that you can never seem to focus on.

And these spots are more likely to develop in older people. Sometimes, they can even appear as flashes. Not many people have to deal with them, at least not when they are young. So, if you wake up one day and you suddenly have then, it’s normal to be confused. This condition is not an issue that people often discuss or even know about–until it happens to them.

And, because they are not common knowledge, they catch many people off guard. But you need to check them as soon as they appear because sometimes they indicate that you’re dealing with something worse. And you need to be aware that they become more common as you get older.

What Are Eye Floaters?

Eye floaters are the little shapes you notice floating in front of you. They are never clear, and you can’t focus on them. It can seem like you are looking at a photo taken with a camera that has dust on its lens. And, no matter how hard you try to blink them away, they won’t disappear. Even when you look at something else, eye floaters move around with your vision.

They appear when your vitreous humor gets more liquid, but some parts of it get harder. The vitreous is a gel-like substance in the middle of the eye. As people get older, this gelatinous substance shrinks, creating particles. These particles detach from the mass and start floating through the vitreous. As they move through the mass, they pass in front of the macula, which is the center of the retina. Because of this, they can obstruct your vision.

Eye floaters have been described in many different ways by different people. Some people even get creative with it and say they see spiders, amoebas, or clouds. But usually, they are spots, squiggly lines, strands, dark spots, or shadowy shapes. These shapes are most noticeable when looking at a plain background, like a white wall.

Why Do Eye Floaters Form?

1. Aging Can Cause Eye Floaters

The eye is one part of the body that is especially vulnerable to change when you age. As you get older, the muscles that control your eyes get weaker, and you start losing your eyesight. And the part that takes an immense toll is the vitreous. When you are young, it has a gelatinous texture. It can keep its round shape, which keeps the round shape of the eye.

This substance fills the space between the lens and the retina, taking up 80% of the eye. The vitreous allows you to see clearly. It’s a transparent substance, allowing the light to pass through it and reach the retina. But the vitreous doesn’t stay bouncy forever. As you get older, the vitreous liquefies, which causes it to shrink, sag, clump, and get stringy. These particles harden, and they start floating through the liquid.

Initially, they will be all over your eye, but they will settle and sink towards the bottom of your eye in time. Once they are there, you won’t notice them anymore. However, it would be best to visit a doctor when you started seeing these floaters. While they aren’t usually concerned about it, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

2. Torn Retina

Because the vitreous sags as you get older, it pulls away from the back of the eye, tugging on the retina. In some cases, the force of the pull can be strong enough to tear the retina. And if the tear isn’t discovered, fluid can pass through the incision until it detaches the retina. A simple tear will only lead to eye floaters or might cause you to see flashes. But it’s still an emergency that you must take seriously.

When your retina gets partially detached, you will see a lot of new floaters or even a dark shadow obstructing your vision. But if the retina gets detached, it can lead to vision loss or even total blindness.

3. Inflammation in the Posterior Part of the Eye

This is an inflammation of the uvea, a layer of fibrous tissue that surrounds and protects the eye. It contains blood vessels, which is why it can cause inflammation in other structures of the eye. It can affect the iris, the ciliary body, or the choroid. When this inflammation affects the retina or the optic nerve, it can even lead to permanent vision loss.

Posterior uveitis is the rarest form of uvea inflammation. Still, it can affect both eyes, and its victims can be old or young people. This condition can cause inflammatory debris to be released into the vitreous, thus causing floaters.

4. Bleeding In the Eye

There are many reasons why bleeding might occur inside the eye. Because the eye has many veins, most of them very thin, there is a high likelihood that one might burst. And this bleeding can be caused by diabetes, hypertension, and injuries. When blood cells are released into the eye, they are perceived as floaters.

One way to make sure that this will not be a problem is by treating the underlying conditions. If you have diabetes or hypertension, make sure you keep them under control if you don’t also want your eyes to get affected.

5. Surgeries and Medication Can Cause Eye Floaters

The vitreous is very sensitive. Some eye medication is injected straight into the vitreous. Because of this, it can cause air bubbles to form. And certain vitreous surgeries add silicone oil bubbles into the eye.

Either one of these bubbles can be seen as a floater. If you can avoid any intrusive intervention in the vitreous, it would be best. Otherwise, you have to deal with the risk of getting floaters, or your existing condition might worsen.

How to Handle Eye Floaters

1. Pretend The Eye Floaters Are Not There

Eye floaters are usually nothing to worry about. They aren’t an emergency, and as long as you get regular eye check-ups, you should be fine. So, in most cases, the best way to deal with floaters is to straight-up ignore them.

In most cases, eye floaters will fade, disappear, or you will get used to them. Floaters sink to the bottom of the eye if you give them some time. And, even if they don’t fade, your vision will begin to adapt. This is the only non-invasive way through which you can deal with floaters. But, if they become a nuisance or they obstruct your vision, you might have to consider other options.

2. Laser Therapy

Laser therapy is a procedure that aims to break up eye floaters. It can reduce their presence, but there are low chances that it will remove them altogether. This procedure is still experimental, so it’s not recommended as the preferred treatment. In some cases, it can increase the number of floaters. And, if the lasers aren’t pointed correctly, they can damage your retina.

But this procedure is still being developed. And, if the details can be perfected, it might turn out to be the best way to deal with floaters. It’s much less intrusive than surgeries, and it’s better than ignoring the issue.

3. Vitrectomy

A vitrectomy is the most invasive procedure that you can use to deal with the eye floaters situation. To perform this, a doctor will remove the vitreous and replace it with a solution meant to replicate it. This solution will have the gelatinous texture it needs to have, and it will maintain the shape of the eye. In time, the body will produce more vitreous, replacing the artificial one.

There is no guarantee that this procedure will remove all eye floaters. Additionally, more floaters can be formed in time. So, even though this is the best method to get rid of floaters, it’s not permanent. And you might even need to perform this procedure again. But you should never consider this unless you have a severe case of eye floaters.

Final Thoughts On What It Means When You See Things Floating In Your Eyes

Eye health is a topic that many overlook and the average person doesn’t know much about how to take care of their eyes. Not only that, but when something’s off with their vision, most people brush it off. They think that it’s not a big deal their vision is a little blurry today. Tomorrow will surely be better.

But because of this, many people start needing glasses or even get so bad as to risk going blind. But when you add eye floaters to this whole equation, it all gets that much more confusing. Eye floaters are the little shapes and spots that you get in your field of vision. The feeling is like looking at something through a dirty window. But you can’t clean this dust off. These floaters are, unfortunately, here to stay.

Eye floaters aren’t common among young people. But as soon as you pass 60, the risk of getting them goes through the roof. And you need to learn what they are if you want to deal with them. They are usually parts of the vitreous that have hardened, detached through the mass, and floated through the mass. But other things, like blood cells and air bubbles, can be seen as floaters. They float around, and when they get over the retina, they will partially obstruct your vision.

They mostly go with aging, but a torn retina, inflammations, bleeding, and even surgeries and meds can cause it. It’s usually nothing to be worried about. It can be annoying for a little while, but after some time, the floaters sink to the bottom of the eye, and you can ignore them. But it would help if you still did routine check-ups, as they can signal that something worse is going on. If the eye floaters become unbearable, you can consider an invasive procedure, like laser therapy or a vitrectomy.

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1. Get To Know Yourself Deeply and Enjoy Your Self-Discovery

· Identify Natural Passions

· Separate Yourself From Others

· Do Some Backward Planning

2. Find Your Ways To Claim Space

· Find Communities You’re Comfortable In

· Make Time For Yourself, and You Embark on Self-Discovery

· Make Your Mark On The World

· Let Go Of The Need For External Validation

3. Keep An Open Mind During Your Time of Self-Discovery

· Learn And Try New Things

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What Are Eye Floaters?

Why Do Eye Floaters Form?

1. Aging Can Cause Eye Floaters

2. Torn Retina

3. Inflammation in the Posterior Part of the Eye

4. Bleeding In the Eye

5. Surgeries and Medication Can Cause Eye Floaters

How to Handle Eye Floaters

1. Pretend The Eye Floaters Are Not There

2. Laser Therapy

3. Vitrectomy

Final Thoughts On What It Means When You See Things Floating In Your Eyes

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