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10 Habits That Reveal Someone Displays Too Much Vanity

June 22, 2020 by Power of Positivity

Society defines vanity as excessive pride in or admiration of one’s appearance or accomplishments. Other words for it include egotism, arrogance, or even narcissism, depending on how bad it is.

Being vain is often viewed as a bad trait in today’s society. Although it’s not bad for someone to believe in themselves, too much pride can cause quite a few social problems.

How much vanity is too much?

This article will point out ten habits of excessively vain people. If you’re guilty of some of these habits, recognizing that you are is the first step to a solution, so keep reading to find out more.

Confidence or Vanity?

Before diving into the ten habits, it’s worth noting that there is a difference between being confident and being arrogant. There is nothing wrong with being confident in your looks, capabilities, or other aspects of yourself. Being confident is critical to success in life.

However, you might know you crossed the line if you notice others around you, reacting negatively to your displays of confidence. There may be a jealous person – you can ignore that person. However, if you often see a significant number of people being uncomfortable while you’re patting yourself on the back, it’s likely because you’ve crossed over into arrogance. This knowledge can be applied to other people so you can spot them as well.

10 Annoying Habits That Reveal a Person Who is Too Vain

Here’s how you can identify an overconfident person who displays too much vanity.

1. A person with excessive vanity can’t admit their faults.

Ironically, this is close to the behavior of a narcissistic person. Extremely vain people feel like they can do no wrong. They have it all figured out. They’re a regular Einstein, and no one can even come close to their level of knowledge. Faults are something for the lesser degrees of society.

Indeed, a narcissistic person may be aware of their faults but simply won’t admit them. A vain person honestly thinks they don’t have any. It’s hard to figure out which one of these is worse, but if you encounter a person who thinks they’re always right, chances are they’re incredibly vain.

2. A vain person may think they are the best-looking person on the planet.

There is nothing wrong with knowing you’re hot, but an excessively vain person will take it to the extreme. Arrogant people think they are the definition by which beauty standards are set. Every single one of their features is perfect, and they’re flawless.

It might even be true that they look fantastic. A vain person would make sure everything about them is perfect and in place. However, a vain person would spend a lot of time obsessing over how perfect they look and, in the process, make others feel like they don’t compare.

3. They ignore people’s advice.

Why would such a perfect person need to follow someone else’s advice? They’re perfect, so what advice could you possibly give them? This is the mentality of an excessively vain person. They may not even be fully aware that they think this way.

What’s worse is that they’ll not only ignore advice, but they’ll make others feel awkward for attempting to give it. They have no qualms about making it evident that they don’t care for or need your advice. They may even do this in a passive-aggressive manner, but you’ll know when your opinion is not wanted.

4. A vain person won’t think about the consequences of their actions.

This ties into their idea of themselves being perfect. It’s not just that they’re confident in their actions. A confident person is someone who has weighed the consequences and determined the best outcome. However, someone who is excessively vain simply thinks their choices are gold no matter what.

Their unwillingness to consider the consequences before acting can land them or their team in a lot of hot water. Unfortunately, they’ll probably find a way to blame someone else for the misfortune instead of taking responsibility for it.

5. They tend to be loud and noticeable.

Overly vain people tend to desire to be the center of attention, so they participate in attention-seeking activities such as being the loudest person in the room. They want everyone to notice them and listen to what they’re saying because, well, why wouldn’t people what to listen to them?

People who have too much vanity find other ways of sticking out, such as unique and distracting clothing or hair choices, annoying laughs, or even bizarre behavior. When they enter a room, people are going to look at them (not always in the right way). They’ll do whatever it takes to get people’s attention.

6. TA vain person always compliments themselves.

Vain people simply have no etiquette when it comes to accepting compliments. Before you can even compliment them, they’ve likely already complimented themselves in front of you and everyone else.

They’ll point out how great they look since losing weight–for example–not that they weren’t a goddess before. They make it a point to let everyone know that they got a raise and a promotion because they’re just so awesome. They want you to know that they have the best dentist in town and a perfect smile which may have cost them a fortune, but it’s okay because they just got a promotion and a raise so they can easily afford it now. Overly vain people have no qualms about self-promotion.

7. A person with excessive vanity always advises others on how to be as perfect as they are.

Receiving advice from someone good at something can be helpful and appreciated. However, when the person is always giving unwanted advice and making themselves seem like the world’s leading expert at everything, that can quickly get annoying.

Vain, arrogant people, seem to think that everyone around wants to be exactly like they are. They also believe that no one will ever be exactly as good as they are. This overconfidence is why they don’t mind advising the first place – they don’t think you have a chance at reaching their level.

8. A vain person could be rude or just plain old mean.

People who are vain and conceited rub people the wrong way. They think they’re better than everyone else, so they don’t feel a need to be liked by the “lesser” people of the world. They may insult and belittle people with no apologies. It’s often just a mask they wear to hide their insecurities, but they’d rather die than admit this (remember the first habit – not admitting to faults).

An excessively vain person can also be vindictive, manipulating, and a master at sabotaging people. If you’ve ever been treated like a peasant by someone, you can be sure that this person has vanity issues. They’ll continue to treat you this way as long as you allow the behavior to continue.

9. They associate with other vain people.

One of them is tough enough to handle, but unfortunately, these types of people run in groups. There will usually be one dominating personality in the bunch who becomes the leader, but don’t let that fool you – they’re all just as bad.

This group of people will be the cause of a lot of conflicts. They may constantly try to bully people, and they’ll take up for each other if someone retaliates. If you notice a group who is constantly getting into altercations with others, you’ve spotted a whole group of excessively vain people.

10. A person with too much vanity lives in a fantasy world.

A person with excessive vanity has grandiose views of their life, whether those views are real or not. If they aren’t real, they’ll make up stories about fame, wealth, adoration, love, or more. Depending on how deep their narcissism runs, they may not even care if everyone knows they’re lying. They’ll stick to the illusions no matter what.

If you call the person out for lying, they’ll simply lie their way out of the trap and likely belittle or attempt to embarrass you in the process. They’ll simply tell a story to kill your credibility and keep going like nothing ever happened. That, ladies and gentlemen, is an excessively vain person.

Here is advice on how to look confident–even when you don’t feel it!

Final Thoughts on Habits that Reveal Too Much Vanity

People with an inflated sense of vanity are easy to spot if you’re around them for a little while. They are the person that just can’t help but brag on themselves constantly. They’re also the person that seems to be in the center of many problems.

The ten habits above reveal a lot about excessively vain people, but they also serve as a red flag system so you can stay away from this type of person. Their behavior isn’t controlled by a switch that they can turn off. They often have deep-rooted issues that cause them to behave the way they do. In other words, unless you’re a therapist of some type, you probably won’t be able to help them.

On the other hand, if you happen to be the excessively vain person, hopefully, reading these signs can help you reevaluate your behavior for the better.

Research Reveals How Pink Noise Promotes Better Sleep

June 22, 2020 by Power of Positivity

We’ve all heard of white noise and how it helps people fall asleep, but now scientists have discovered how pink noise can lull us into a restful sleep as well. Unfortunately, insomnia and other sleep disorders have increased dramatically over the last decade, likely due to the prevalence of technology and a faster pace of living.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 30 percent of American adults don’t get the recommended amount of sleep each night.

Here are just a few health consequences of sleep deprivation:

Memory problems
Trouble concentrating and thinking clearly
Weakened immune system
Higher risk of developing diabetes
Risk of heart disease increases
Poor balance and coordination
High blood pressure
Risk of gaining weight and obesity
Accident risk increases
Anxiety and depression, along with other mental illnesses, can develop.
Disruption of hormone production

As you can see, a lack of sleep can affect many aspects of health, and today, people seem to have more sleep troubles than ever. Many doctors recommend white noise to help people get better sleep, but now, pink noise appears to show some promise as well.

Below, we’ll explain what pink noise is and how you can incorporate it into your sleep routine to get a restful night’s sleep.

Research reveals how pink noise promotes better sleep:

First of all, what the heck is pink noise anyway? It operates on the lower range of frequencies compared to white noise, so this results in deeper sounds with more bass.

Humans can hear frequencies ranging from 20 hertz to 20,000 kHz. Frequency means the number of times per second a sound wave repeats itself, which determines the pitch of the sound. When we look at the scale of frequencies, 20 hertz is the lowest, so it will have a shallow pitch. On the opposite end, 20,000 kHz is the highest pitch and frequency we can hear.

Here are some common examples of pink noise that you probably hear at some point:

steady rainfall
the wind rustling through leaves
gentle ocean waves
low rumbling thunder
a low roaring waterfall
a fan on a low setting

Experts now believe that pink noise may even outperform white noise in its ability to help people get better sleep, but they still need to do more studies comparing the two. However, in one 2012 study, participants who listened to pink noise while sleeping got more deep sleep than those two slept without any noise. This outcome occurred because it slowed the brain waves of participants, which allowed them to fall into a deep sleep for a more extended period.

Pink noise may also positively impact memory. In a 2017 study, researchers played pink noise in sync with people’s delta brain waves (corresponding with deep sleep) and discovered that people improved on memory tests by 26% the following day. Also, a small study done in 2019 found that pink noise improved deep sleep and memory recall in people with mild dementia.

Plus, pink noise can mask other noise that can make it difficult to fall asleep, such as cars or loud music. Not to mention, hearing nature sounds will automatically lower your stress levels and put you into a much more relaxed state, which will help you fall asleep faster.

Here’s a description of the different types of noise, classified by colors:

Pink noise

To recap, pink noise is like white noise except much more deep-seated. It operates at lower frequencies and has a deep, rumbly sound.

White noise

White noise is comprised of all frequencies. It is equally distributed along the frequency scale, unlike pink noise, and creates an even, humming sound.

White noise examples include:

whirring fan
radio or television static
hissing radiator
humming air conditioner

Since white noise operates along with all frequencies equally, sleep therapists often recommend it for their patients to get better sleep since it will easily mask other sounds.

Brown noise

Brown noise is even more profound than pink noise, operating at lower frequencies.

Examples of brown noise include:

anything with a low roaring sound
strong waterfalls
thunder

Brown noise sounds similar to white noise to the human ear, but you can differentiate it because brown noise will have a deeper frequency. No studies exist on the effectiveness of brown noise for better sleep, but waterfalls and thunder can have a relaxing impact on some people.

Black noise

Black noise simply means a lack of sound. If you’ve ever been inside a sensory deprivation tank, you’ll know exactly what this feels like. We don’t typically get a chance to experience this in daily life, however, because even at night, we may hear the air conditioner or bugs outside. However, if you have a soundproof room, you might just get to experience the peacefulness of no sound at all.

If you frequently have trouble falling asleep at night and you don’t like noise at bedtime, we have some other suggestions for you. Experts have found that relaxation techniques such as breathing exercises can promote better sleep and lower the stress response.

Here are a few to try out if you frequently experience insomnia or other sleep problems:

THE 2-TO-1 EXERCISE

Here’s how to do this breathing technique: Exhale for double the time you inhale on the same breath. This breathing exercise benefits both the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system. The sympathetic nervous system gets less stimulated during this breathing exercise, which increases activity in the parasympathetic nervous system. In turn, this slows the heart rate and relaxes the body.

Breathe in for as long as you feel comfortable; for most people, it’s three to four seconds. Do this exercise while sitting up straight in a chair with your spine in alignment, or while lying down in bed with your arms at your sides and your palms facing up. After you inhale, exhale for double that amount of time. Count each breath out loud, not in your head, because you want to put all your attention on your breaths.

Contract your ab muscles and deepen your exhalations to push out excess carbon dioxide, which will increase blood flow to the heart and lungs.

THE 4-7-8 BREATHING EXERCISE

Known otherwise as the relaxing breath, this breathing technique helps some people fall asleep in just one minute. Creator Dr. Andrew Weil says this technique is “a natural tranquilizer for the nervous system.” As a practitioner of holistic medicine and health, Dr. Weil developed the 4-7-8 breathing method to help people get better sleep and also lessen feelings of stress and anxiety.

This breathing technique helps ground the mind and body into the present moment, which can greatly aid those suffering from anxiety and panic attacks. People with anxiety disorders have trouble relaxing their minds, but breathing deeply helps us reconnect to our bodies. This breathing exercise also helps expel excess carbon so that the body feels lighter and more relaxed for sleep.

To do the 4-7-8 breathing technique, inhale through your nose for four seconds, hold for seven and exhale with your mouth open for eight seconds. While you do the exercise, touch the tip of your tongue to the roof of your mouth on the area right behind your front teeth. Make sure you concentrate on regulating your breaths and try to perform the exercise at least twice per day.

ALTERNATE NOSTRIL BREATHING

This technique comes from a yogic exercise called pranayama. When you perform this exercise, you’ll feel a deep sense of peace and calm come over you, as it helps balance each side of the brain for better sleep and relaxation.

First, place your right thumb over the right nostril and then inhale deeply through the left. When you’ve inhaled completely, remove your thumb and place your ring finger on your left nostril and exhale slowly and evenly. Repeat this exercise several times. Afterward, you will feel more tranquility and be able to fall asleep easier.

Remember not to focus on counting the seconds, but simply put your awareness on your breath. Focus on how it feels to breathe in deeply through each nostril, and how feelings of relaxation start to wash over you. Do not put your attention on anything except your breath, because this grounds you to your mind and body.

Final thoughts on how pink noise promotes better sleep

While more studies must be done on this topic, small preliminary studies have shown promise about how pink noise can promote better sleep. Many people throughout the world struggle with insomnia and other sleep disorders. However, relaxing noises such as waterfalls and rain can greatly aid with easing a troubled mind.

If you often have racing thoughts and difficulty getting restful sleep, try apps on your phone or pink noise machines to promote better sleep. A lot of people find that listening to peaceful noises before bed helps them fall asleep faster and get deeper sleep throughout the night.

Researchers Explain How the BRCA Gene Increases Breast Cancer Risk

June 22, 2020 by Power of Positivity

Several genes increase the risk of breast cancer, most commonly BRCA mutations (BRCA1 and BRCA2). These genes do not cause breast cancer, however. In fact, they actually help suppress tumors and repair DNA.

But in some people, these genes begin to mutate, which can lead to breast cancer. Around .25% of the population has mutated BRCA genes, which makes them more likely to develop breast cancer.

According to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, about one in eight women, or 12%, will get a breast cancer diagnosis in her lifetime. However, women with specific genetic mutations have a higher risk of developing the disease. Researchers estimate that 55 – 65% of women with the BRCA1 mutation will develop breast cancer before turning 70. Approximately 45% of women with the BRCA2 mutation will receive a diagnosis of breast cancer before turning 70.

Women with the BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation who have a successful treatment for breast cancer have a higher risk of recurrence. Diseases related to a BRCA1 variation have a higher likelihood of being triple-negative breast cancer, which is often more challenging to treat. While these statistics are concerning, remember that less than 10% of women diagnosed with breast cancer have a BRCA mutation.

Plus, most cancers can be treated, even for women with mutations of the BRCA gene. Since it carries such a high risk, however, women who have a family history of breast cancer should get genetic testing done to see if they have it. Below, we’ll talk about exactly why this gene increases breast cancer risk, and how to treat it if you develop it.

Read the connection between eating oranges and fighting cancer.

Here’s how the BRCA gene increases breast cancer risk:

First of all, let’s talk about what BRCA genes do in the body. In general, genes synthesize from DNA molecules that reside in each cell of the body. They create codes for the proteins that your body makes. BRCA genes help suppress tumors, and each cell carries two copies of each BRCA gene – one from each parent. When they function normally, they help prevent tumors such as breast cancer. However, when a mutation occurs, this increases the risk of developing breast cancer as well as other types of cancer, such as ovarian.

Mutations happen when an error in genetics occurs. While there are many different BRCA gene mutations, they most commonly occur in the BRCA1 and two genes. BRCA gene mutators are autosomal recessive, which means that both copies of the gene have to show abnormalities for a person to have a risk of developing cancer.

Most commonly, a person will have just one mutated BRCA gene, which will give them a predisposition to cancer, but they cannot actually get it. In order for cancer to develop, the other copy of the gene must become mutated, which means your DNA cannot correctly repair the cells. However, you can have two abnormal copies of the BRCA gene if you have an inherited mutation and develop an acquired mutation or a mutation occurring after conception.

Inherited (germline) BRCA mutations get passed from the mother or father to a child upon conception.
Acquired mutations stem from DNA damage associated with the environment, lifestyle factors such as smoking or poor eating habits, or even normal metabolic processes in cells. These can happen at any point during a person’s lifetime.

Breast Cancer Risk

BRCA mutations have a strong link to breast cancer, but not all hereditary breast cancers occur because of BRCA mutations. Overall, BRCA mutations make up 20% to 25% of hereditary breast cancers and 5% to 10% of other breast cancers. On average, the risk of developing breast cancer if you have a BRCA mutation is about 70%.

Science refers to hereditary breast cancers that don’t occur because of BRCA mutations as non-BRCA familial breast cancer or BRCAX. Gene mutations associated with breast cancer have been found in the ATM, CDH1, CHEK2, PALB2, PTKN, STK11, and TP53 genes. There are probably more, but research is still in the early stages.

In those under age 40, about 10% of breast cancers occur because of BRCA gene mutations. Around 5% of older women with breast cancer have BRCA-positive genes.

How the BRCA gene mutations can impact treatment

BRCA mutations usually occur in cancers that have a higher tumor grade, meaning the disease is more aggressive. While it makes it more challenging to treat, the success rate is still very high. Also, in women with mutations of the BRCA gene, they tend to not have estrogen or progesterone receptors, which are proteins on the surface of breast cancer cells that cause cancer growth when they bind with these hormones. This might sound like a good thing. However, this means that medicines that treat breast cancers occurring due to hormone receptor malfunctions will likely not work for BRCA mutations.

However, breast cancers in women with BRCA mutations usually respond better to neoadjuvant chemotherapy, which is given before surgery, than in women without these mutations.

Genetic Testing for BRCA Mutations

Most people do not get genetic testing for breast cancer. However, women who had breast cancer before or have a family history of it might prefer to test for the BRCA gene. Before you decide to get tested for BRCA genes, you should discuss it with your doctor should you get a positive result. He or she can talk about treatment options with you after you’ve received your results.

Also, you may want to talk with loved ones if you’re having a hard time making the decision to go through with a test. While it can feel scary to think about the possibility of testing positive for the genes, it’s ultimately better to know so you can begin treatment. Oftentimes, the support of friends and family can help when it comes to matters about our health and well-being.

Even if you decide not to go through with the test, make sure to get recommended mammograms. Keep in mind that health insurance may not cover genetic tests if you are not high risk for breast cancer, but paying out of pocket is worth it if you want the peace of mind. Also, remember that testing negative doesn’t completely rule out breast cancer while testing positive does not mean you’ll absolutely get cancer.

If You’re Positive

Having a positive result for breast cancer genes may mean you need to have mammograms before the usual age of 40. If you do test positive, the decision to go through with treatment is ultimately up to you. Many women who test positive don’t end up developing cancer. Talk it over with your doctor to decide on the best course of action.

Preventing Breast Cancer

Lifestyle can play a significant factor in increasing the risk of developing breast cancer. Make sure you eat a well-balanced diet full of plenty of fresh fruits and veggies, avoid eating too many processed foods, don’t smoke, and get lots of exercise.

You can also discuss hormone therapy with your doctor; some women with the BRCA gene decide to use hormone therapy customarily used to treat breast cancer. However, this type of treatment comes with some risks that you should consider before undergoing it.

If you carry a heightened risk of breast cancer, your doctor may recommend surgery to remove the breasts, called prophylactic mastectomy. You will undergo reconstructive surgery afterward, in most cases.

BRCA Gene and Association with Other Cancers

Ovarian cancer occurs in about 1.3% of women. For those with BRCA1 mutations, 39% end up developing ovarian cancer, while 11% to 17% of those with a BRCA2 mutation will get it. Other diseases, such as prostate, pancreatic, and lung cancers, have been linked to the BRCA gene mutations as well.

Final thoughts about how the BRCA gene increases cancer risk

While only a tiny portion of the population carries the BRCA gene mutation, women who do have it are at a higher risk of developing breast cancer. If you have a history of breast cancer in your family or have had it before yourself, you may want to get tested for the gene mutation. Of course, this is a big decision that you must make with your doctor and loved ones, and if your result is positive, you’ll have to figure out what course of action you want to take.

However, keep in mind that getting a positive doesn’t mean you’ll absolutely get breast cancer. It just means you have the gene mutation for breast cancer, and that you have a higher likelihood than the average population of developing it. However, you can possibly prevent the disease from developing by following healthy lifestyle practices:

drink plenty of water
eat antioxidants in fruits and veggies
get quality sleep
take daily exercise
distress with yoga or meditation
take in enough sunshine

Of course, adopting these healthful habits does not mean cancer can’t develop. But it will have a harder time growing in an oxygenated environment.

Researchers Reveal What Teens Who Self Harm Are Really Trying to Say

June 22, 2020 by Power of Positivity

Mental health issues among teenagers are on the increase. Alarmingly, new research shows that young people are turning to self-harming behaviors to ease their mental anguish. Sadly, this cry for help is a way to deal with the emotional pain they often hide.

Here’s a realistic example…

Karen was 11 years old when she first started harming herself, and her parents didn’t even know until the problem was out of hand. They thought it was odd that she was always wearing hoodies and wrapped in blankets. When the season changed from winter to spring, she still dressed for the cold weather.

Her mother found the cuts one day when she asked her to change her shirt to short-sleeves. It didn’t make sense why she would want to wear long sleeves when it was 80 degrees outside. Her family soon learned that she was covering up the deep wounds she inflicted on her small arms.

What makes a child take a knife, razor blade, or other sharp object and slice into their skin?

All parents should know the five signs of depression in teenagers.

Karen found that the physical pain made her forget about her mental distress, even if just for a little while. See, the family adopted this little girl, and she had a vast history that her parents could not fathom.

Even though they had done everything to ease the trauma from her past, she needed to process her grief. She was trapped inside a mental turmoil filled with rejection and fear. The anxiety became overwhelming, and Karen found that cutting was the only way she could deal with the pain.

Karen continued this terrible habit throughout her teen years. She would use whatever she could get her hands on to pierce the skin and bring a sense of relief. If she got a bad grade on a test, disappointed the family by being disobedient, or thought about her past, she would cut. Cutting became the security blanket that helped her feel better about her life.

Self-Harming Behaviors are Increasing

Karen’s story is not uncommon. Sadly, the National Center for PTSD states that around 35 percent of teens have cut or purposely injured themselves at some point. Though cutting is the most common, they can also pull their hair, pick at their skin, or scratch themselves.

Headbanging is another self-soothing method to punish themselves for things they’ve done, and it makes them feel better. A study was conducted regarding self-harming behaviors and emergency room visits. Researchers found that about 1.6 of all hospital visits are due to self-harming actions from kids ages 13-18.

Cutting or piercing the skin seems to be the most common method used by girls, while boys tend to use knives.

Parents don’t often understand that self-harming is not the same as suicidal tendencies. Generally, these children don’t want to kill themselves; they only want to make the pain stop the only way they know. It’s a coping skill that they find useful for their angst.

Now, some children are suicidal that will experiment with self-harming initially. Their behaviors will escalate as they become more comfortable with the pain. These children may try to poison themselves, use suffocation methods, or even fall down a flight of stairs on purpose.

If you find that your child is cutting, then there is a cause for alarm. Studies show that teens who self harm are at an increased risk of future suicide attempts, but it doesn’t mean they are trying to kill themselves if they make cuts in their arms.

Understanding the Emotional Release

When Karen began cutting, her parents believed she was merely seeking attention. However, it didn’t make sense. Why would she hide the cuts under a long-sleeved shirt? It was after talking to a specialist that her parents found that she was trying to self-soothe.

She didn’t want anyone to see it; instead, she was hiding the marks because she was ashamed. When wearing short sleeves shirt and checking her arms daily became commonplace, she began cutting in more inconspicuous areas. Her parents discovered that it’s common for these teens to self harm on the upper chest, thighs, and the upper arms.

However, you can’t be too careful as they can cut anywhere. The sad part is that you can’t take your child to the emergency room every time they make a mark on their body. Only the very severe cases are treated. Since the issues have profound roots, it’s not always easy for parents to know to handle the situation.

There’s no magic pill that they can take, and it will all go away. Plus, your child must want help for counseling to be successful. Before you can help your child break the habit of self-harming, you must get to the root issue.

Uncovering the Causes of Self-harm

It was easy to identify the trigger for our example, Karen, as she was adopted with a horrible past full of abuse. Unfortunately, many parents struggle to get to the crux of the matter with their child. Self harm is a deeply entrenched issue, and teens may hide the real reasons behind their behaviors.

Teens will often cut to rebel against authority, they may be risk-takers, or they may do it because they know of a friend who does it. Let’s suppose that Karen became friends with another adopted child who cut.

Her friend showed her how she released her anxiety and stress, and then Karen, too, found relief this way. It’s difficult for parents to understand that this was the only way they can deal with all the emotions teenagers have, and they don’t know how to cope healthily.

When Karen’s parents asked her why she did this to her body, her answer was haunting. She told them that the physical pain felt better to her than the emotional discomfort. She couldn’t see what was bothering her mentally, but she could relate to the physical pain.

After talking with a therapist and doing much research on the subject, they found that the body can’t feel two things at once. So when Karen cut her skin, her body temporarily forgot about the emotional turmoil as it focused on the pain. Her pain receptors overpowered her mental anguish.

The counselor diagnosed Karen with depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. Though, some of these teens will develop issues such as anxiety and bipolar also.

The real problem is that most pediatricians don’t document mental health issues or symptoms when parents complain. Additionally, they don’t ask if anyone in the family has such conditions and make a note of that either. Genetics play a huge role in mental health.

There’s a whole generation out there that needs help, and we adults are brushing them under the rug.

Here are 50 interesting psychology facts everyone should know.

Breaking the Cycle

The key to treating this issue is seeking help from a mental health professional specializing in self harm in teens. Even with counseling, Karen continued to cut for years. She didn’t want to stop, and no one could make her.

Sadly, she cut all through high school. Most kids don’t want to stop because the act makes them feel better and gives them the release that they crave. It’s emotional medication, and they don’t mind the marks because the effect it gives them is worth it.

They must shift their outlook for there to be change. These children need tools to cope with their anxiety. They won’t stop cutting until they have something to replace the calming effect that they crave.

Sadly, many teens don’t have insurance and access to mental health services, so they may not get the counseling or help they need. It’s a difficult subject to talk about. Karen once told her parents that “no one gets it, and no one understands.”

Parents often trivialize their child’s pain because it can’t be as bad as what they as adults face. Honestly, they’re not paying bills or providing for a large family. However, it’s crucial that you learn that your child’s problems are just as significant as that of a 40-year-old.

You must become more sensitive to their needs, both physically and mentally, to help them get through this struggle. All the help in the world didn’t make Karen stop until she wanted to do so. Though she still feels tempted sometimes, she no longer cuts herself.

Her parents were lucky that she didn’t end up in the emergency room from going too deep or attempting suicide. Raising kids is difficult, and you must always be on guard. Keep your eyes open for any signs that there’s an inner turmoil you can’t see.

Psychologists explain what causes children to grow into narcissists as adults.

Final Thoughts on The Cry for Help That is Self Harm

If your child uses self harm to cope, it doesn’t mean you’re a terrible parent or that you have a bad child. It means there is an underlying issue that needs immediate attention. It’s a cry for help that must be investigated.

Don’t ever think the situation is something you can handle on your own. Self harm comes from a deep place and requires professional counseling and prompt intervention.

Study Reveals Too Much Cleaning As Dangerous As Smoking a Pack of Cigarettes Per Day

June 21, 2020 by Power of Positivity

Most people want to maintain a clean environment. But did you know cleaning too much poses the same threat as smoking a pack of cigarettes per day? It shocked us to hear that, too, because we associate cleaning with health. However, studies have shown that cleaning the house too often can lower your immune system.

Of course, it’s part of our nature to want to keep our surroundings clean. But perhaps the media and advertising industry have given us the wrong impression. Especially in times when sickness increases in the world, we worry about sterilizing our environment. However, some cleaners can do more harm than good because our immune systems need exposure to germs and bacteria. Cleaning too much weakens our immune response because of the harsh chemicals and lack of bacteria in the environment.

Much of the danger comes from the types of products that most people use to clean their homes and workspaces. Products such as household bleach, aerosol spray disinfectants, and other name-brand cleaning products have toxic ingredients that can harm your health with too much exposure. We will go over the dangers of these cleaning products below, as well as healthy alternatives for cleaning your home.

Here’s how cleaning products can destroy your health as much as cigarettes:

Read about fifteen things you can do to clean and organize your house.

Scientists investigated home cleaning products to see how they impacted lung function and published their findings in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. Norwegian researchers discovered some essential facts in this unprecedented study about home cleaning products, listed below:

The study followed 6,000 women over 20 years.
It looked into how cleaning products can impact respiratory health over a long period, including airway obstruction and the decline of lung function.
Scientists studied both professional cleaners as well as homeowners.
The study measured forced expiratory volume, or how much air the participants could blow out of their lungs in one second.
They also looked at forced vital capacity, or how much air they could blow out after inhaling deeply.
While people start seeing a decline in their mid-20s of both breathing factors, the study found that regular use of toxic cleaning products worsened lung capacity.
Cleaning just once per week over 20 years led to significant lung damage.
People who cleaned professionally for work experienced similar lung damage as someone smoking a pack of cigarettes a day for 10 to 20 years.

The researchers believe that some of the ingredients in the cleaning products can lead to the following negative results in the body:

Immune system impairment
Mucous membranes become inflamed.
Damage to cells and tissues in the airways

What to do?

Environmental Working Group reviewed the study and offered the following tips:

Buy fewer cleaning products to cut down on exposure and save money. When you buy cleaners at the store, the manufacturers legally do not have to list all the ingredients in their products. Because of this, you have no idea what effect it will have on your health in the long term.
Try not to use spray cleaners. If you do use them, spray them onto a cloth first to minimize the droplets you ingest.
Use microfiber cloths to dust your home instead of cleaning wipes.

Here’s how to clean your essential oil diffuser.

Other Harmful Effects of Home Cleaning Products

If the study above doesn’t make you want to give up store-bought cleaners forever, we have a few more studies for you. Since we don’t know the long-term effects of these chemicals on our bodies, we should certainly use them cautiously. Let’s look at other ways home cleaning products can damage your health.

Impairs your immune system

An animal study published in Science in 2012 showed how living in an overly sterile environment can harm one’s health. Researchers placed mice into two groups: the first group didn’t get exposed to any bacteria, raised in a “germ-free” environment; the second group got exposed to both good and bad bacteria. When researchers tested them, they found that the germ-free mice had much higher levels of inflammation in the colon and lungs than those with healthy immune systems.

Furthermore, mice with impaired immune systems also showed symptoms similar to asthma and ulcerative colitis. However, once researchers exposed them to healthy bacteria levels two weeks after birth, their immune systems got stronger, and the inflammation disappeared.

Increases air pollution in the home

A 2006 study published in the journal Indoor Air found store-bought cleaning products often contain high levels of volatile organic compounds or VOCs. Additionally, these cleaners often have other toxic chemicals, such as glycol ethers and terpenes, which can react with formaldehyde and other particles to create ozone, which damages the lungs. Citrus-scented products specifically contain synthetic fragrance terpene chemicals called limonene and linalool.

Learn four ways to protect yourself from the harmful impacts of pollution.

Increases inflammation in the sinuses

Researchers did a study of nearly 2300 Chinese students from 21 different schools. They found that children whose parents frequently used cleaning products showed increased symptoms of rhinitis, an inflammation of the nose lining, by 29 to 97 percent. Researchers measured kids’ “total chemical burden” by adding up their total exposure time to 14 different cleaning products. As their chemical burden increased, the rhinitis symptoms worsened.

Higher likelihood of developing asthma

Professional cleaners, as well as homeowners, have an increased risk of developing asthma from chemicals in the products. A 2010 review study published in the Current Opinion in Allergy and Clinical Immunology found evidence linking cleaning products to work-related and new-onset asthma. Researchers believe the irritating ingredients or sensitivity to certain ingredients may cause symptoms. The study author noted that these products specifically could worsen asthma:

Spray cleaners
Chlorine bleach
Other disinfectants

Worsens skin conditions

Many cleaners and laundry powders contain ingredients that aggravate skin conditions, such as dermatitis, eczema, and psoriasis. Preservatives such as methylisothiazolinone have been known to irritate the skin, and because of this, it’s been removed from many cosmetic products. However, make sure to read labels when you buy regular or even natural cleaners or laundry detergent, as it’s still used in many rinse-off products.

Accidentally mixing toxic chemicals to create poisonous gases.

Many household cleaners we use have dangerous chemicals, but mixing them with other cleaners could have disastrous results. For instance, many people accidentally mix bleach with ammonia, such as glass or floor cleaners. This creates chloramine gas, which can create the following symptoms in just 24 hours:

Eye, nose, throat, and airway irritation
Teary eyes
Runny nose
Sore throat
Coughing
Chest congestion

Other Harmful Mixtures

The American Lung Association says that even natural fragrances such as citrus can decrease indoor air quality, especially if ozone levels are high. With these conditions, using natural and synthetic forms of citrus can react to form formaldehyde, which is carcinogenic to humans. It also creates toxic microparticles that can get lodged in your lungs.

According to the American Lung Association, fine particles in the air can worsen asthma and increase heart attack and stroke risk as well. At the same time, ozone can make asthma and other lung diseases worse.

Safer Alternatives for Cleaning Products

For weekly cleaning, you don’t need to sterilize your home with chemicals completely. Simple ingredients you probably already have, such as white vinegar, baking soda, and castile soap, can get the job done. If you need to do some deep cleaning, add in a few drops of essential oils to kill germs.
Always go for unscented products when possible.
On high ozone days, don’t use anything with citrus scents, and avoid air filters that increase ozone.
Avoid antibacterial soap, especially triclosan, a known hormone disruptor.
Beware of green or natural cleaners as well. A 2015 study found many contained carcinogens, added fragrances, and VOCs similar to regular cleaners.

Final thoughts on how cleaning too much poses the same risk as smoking cigarettes

While most people don’t think twice about their cleaning products, the studies cited above show that we should pay more attention to how we clean our homes. Not only can cleaning with toxic chemicals cause the same damage to our lungs as smoking a pack of cigarettes per day, but it can also weaken our immune systems. Cleaning our homes just once a week can cause this effect over a long time, and for those who clean professionally, the risk increases exponentially.

Inflammation and a weakened immune system caused by cleaning products can lead to autoimmune diseases, cancer, and even heart attacks and strokes.

If you want to clean your home, always go for natural products. Consider these safer cleansers:

Vinegar
Lemon
Essential oils
Castile soap
Baking soda

When you go shopping for cleaners, make sure to check out the Environmental Working Group’s app or articles that list healthy cleaners and alternatives to harmful ones.

15 Quotes to Stop Self-Criticism and be Happy Again

June 19, 2020 by Power of Positivity

Self-criticism can be detrimental to your mind and your goals. Overly criticizing yourself can cause you to hinder your progress, making your goals further away. It’s crucial to stop self-criticism so you can experience full happiness.

While criticizing yourself is inevitable at times, you have to be able to stop it before it becomes a problem. This negative way of thinking or speaking about yourself will do more harm than good.

On the other hand, stopping those thoughts and thinking positively or taking action will help you reach your goals. You can’t let negative criticism of yourself hold you back, and you can’t make it interfere with your happiness.

Quotes to Stop Self-Criticism and be Happy Again

1. “You have been criticizing yourself for years, and it hasn’t worked. Try approving of yourself and see what happens.” – Louise Hay

Think back on all the times you have criticized yourself and consider whether it has worked or not. More often than not, you’ll realize that it didn’t work. Next time you find yourself wallowing in criticism of yourself, approve of yourself, instead, and see the difference.

2. “Ours is the one ever-present voice in our lives. Therefore, it is crucial that our self-talk instill confidence within us and is supportive, not submerging, and that our attitudes toward ourselves help keep our spirits afloat through acceptance and trust. We are our own most important and influential buoy.” – Sue Thoele

Since your mind is the only one you hear at all times, make it a positive one. Support yourself and praise your attempts. When you do this, you’ll find yourself achieving more and feeling happier.

This mindset will also help you ignore the negative voices of others. When the sound you hear the most often is positive, the negative ones won’t affect you as much.

3. “We all have the tendency to believe self-doubt and self-criticism, but listening to this voice never gets us closer to our goals. Instead, try on the point of view of a mentor or good friend who believes in you, wants the best for you, and will encourage you when you feel discouraged.” – Kelly McGonigal

Criticizing yourself doesn’t get you anywhere closer to where you want to be. Think of how you would want your best friend to speak to you in awkward moments. Then, talk to yourself that way.

4. “Turn down the volume of your negative inner voice and create a nurturing inner voice to take its place. When you make a mistake, forgive yourself, learn from it, and move on instead of obsessing about it. Equally important, don’t allow anyone else to dwell on your mistakes or shortcomings or to expect perfection from you.” – Beverly Enge

To stop overly criticizing yourself, you have to start thinking positively about yourself. Give yourself some grace and grow from your mistakes. Expect the same of those around you, because mistakes do happen and no one will ever be perfect.

When you create these boundaries for yourself and those around you, positive thoughts will be more natural. Make an effort to change your thoughts or the way you are speaking when it becomes harmful.

5. “One should never criticize his own work except in a fresh and hopeful mood. The self-criticism of a tired mind is suicide.” – Charles Horton Cooley

When you’re in a bad mood or have been working hard for a long time, it’s important to take a break. Only when you’re feeling good should you criticize something you’ve worked on. A positive mindset will allow you to evaluate positively.

When you remember to do this, you’ll find yourself being more positive. Everyone has to make changes in life, and negatively criticizing yourself won’t make it any better.

6. “Start listening to what you say. Are your comments and ideas negative? You aren’t going to become positive if you always say negative things. Do you hear yourself say, “I could never do that,” “I never have any luck,” “I never get things right”? Wow – that’s negative self-talk! Try saying, “I am going to do that,” “I am so lucky,” “I always try to get things right.” Can you hear how much better that sounds?” – James Arthur

Take notice of the things you are saying to yourself. Positivity will not come from negativity, so consciously change your negative thoughts. Encourage yourself and remind yourself that you can do anything.

Take the advice of Arthur and change the things you are saying to yourself. The negative thoughts and comments will only hold you back and interfere with your happiness.

7. “As there must be moderation in other things, so there must be moderation in self-criticism. Perpetual contemplation of our own actions produces a morbid consciousness, quite unlike that normal consciousness accompanying right actions spontaneously done, and from a state of unstable equilibrium long maintained by effort, there is apt to be a fall towards a stable equilibrium, in which the primitive nature reasserts itself. Retrogression rather than progression may hence result.” – Herbert Spencer

In short, taking care of yourself is more than just moderating physical things, it’s also moderating your negative thoughts. Overthinking things and criticizing yourself can cause you to get further away from your goals. Positive thinking, on the other hand, results in making progress.

8. “Let ‘action’ replace your negative self-chatter and self-doubt. What is the first action step to move you forward?” – Jackie Cantoni

There is nothing to quiet your thoughts like doing something. So, when you find yourself self-criticizing, get up, and do something productive instead. If you don’t know what to do, think of your ultimate goal and take the first step.

9. “Self-criticism, like self-administered brain surgery, is perhaps not a good idea. Can the ‘self’ see the ‘self’ with any objectivity?” – Joyce Carol Oates

You can’t diagnose or cure yourself, so you shouldn’t criticize yourself, either. You can’t see yourself objectively, so you’ll never be able to make a full conclusion about yourself.

10. “Our reaction to self-criticism is more important than the self-criticism itself. Paying attention to our reactions is very important because the only thing we have control over is how we react.” – Yong Kang Chan

No matter how much you practice positive thinking, criticizing yourself still happens. When it does, you have to react positively. This is where taking the first step toward your goal comes in handy.

11. “Every experience, no matter how bad it seems, holds within it a blessing of some kind. The goal is to find it.” – Gautama Buddha

No matter how bad something seems, there is some good in the situation. No matter how seemingly insignificant the blessing is, take note of it, and you’ll become happier. When you do this instead of criticizing yourself, you’ll feel better.

12. “If babies held the same tendency toward self-criticism as adults, they might never learn to walk or talk. Can you imagine infants stomping, ‘Aargh! Screwed up again!’ Fortunately, babies are free of self-criticism. They just keep practicing.” – Dan Millman

You can do anything you set your mind to if you allow yourself to fail a few times first. No one does anything perfectly the first time, so keep trying until you get it. The practice is the only way to be better while criticizing yourself could lead to never learning.

13. “If we judge ourselves only by our aspirations and everyone else only by their conduct, we shall soon reach a very false conclusion.” – Calvin Coolidge

Don’t judge yourself by the dreams you haven’t reached yet, but everyone else by how they are handling life now. Judge yourself in the same way you think of others because they aren’t perfect either. Everyone is working on something, and judging in this way doesn’t help or make you feel better.

14. “Bring acceptance and compassionate self-talk. Say nice things to yourself – you’re the only one listening. Tell yourself. I am doing the best I can.” – Gabrielle Bernstein

When you continually hear positivity, you’ll begin showing yourself more compassion. As Bernstein says, remind yourself that you are doing your best. Sometimes that’s all you need to hear to keep working toward something better.

15. “A final word on self-criticism: Do not beat up on yourself. Even if you think you know your flaws, there is no need to advertise them. Most people won’t have noticed.” – Philip Toshio Sudo

Don’t say negative things about yourself because everyone has flaws. Speaking or over-thinking about it doesn’t do any good. Plus, others likely wouldn’t have noticed if you hadn’t pointed it out.

Final Thoughts on Quotes to Stop Self-Criticism and be Happy Again

Self-criticism is normal, and you’ll never fully be able to avoid it, but you can stop the severity. You can stop doing it so often, and you can learn when to take action instead. Instead of letting it ruin your happiness, learn to stop instead.

As these quotes explain, everyone experiences this type of criticism at times. Don’t let it hold you back from your goals. Learn to stop criticizing yourself and be happy again.

THE 2-TO-1 EXERCISE

THE 4-7-8 BREATHING EXERCISE

ALTERNATE NOSTRIL BREATHING

Impairs your immune system

Increases air pollution in the home

Increases inflammation in the sinuses

Higher likelihood of developing asthma

Worsens skin conditions

Accidentally mixing toxic chemicals to create poisonous gases.

The Community

Our Free Community of Positively Powerful SuperFans

Every day is a day to shine. Shine on!

Confidence or Vanity?

10 Annoying Habits That Reveal a Person Who is Too Vain

1. A person with excessive vanity can’t admit their faults.

2. A vain person may think they are the best-looking person on the planet.

3. They ignore people’s advice.

4. A vain person won’t think about the consequences of their actions.

5. They tend to be loud and noticeable.

6. TA vain person always compliments themselves.

7. A person with excessive vanity always advises others on how to be as perfect as they are.

8. A vain person could be rude or just plain old mean.

9. They associate with other vain people.

10. A person with too much vanity lives in a fantasy world.

Final Thoughts on Habits that Reveal Too Much Vanity

Research reveals how pink noise promotes better sleep:

Here are some common examples of pink noise that you probably hear at some point:

Pink noise

White noise

Brown noise

Black noise

THE 2-TO-1 EXERCISE

THE 4-7-8 BREATHING EXERCISE

ALTERNATE NOSTRIL BREATHING

Final thoughts on how pink noise promotes better sleep

Here’s how the BRCA gene increases breast cancer risk:

Breast Cancer Risk

How the BRCA gene mutations can impact treatment

Genetic Testing for BRCA Mutations

If You’re Positive

Preventing Breast Cancer

BRCA Gene and Association with Other Cancers

Final thoughts about how the BRCA gene increases cancer risk

Here’s a realistic example…

What makes a child take a knife, razor blade, or other sharp object and slice into their skin?

Self-Harming Behaviors are Increasing

Understanding the Emotional Release

Uncovering the Causes of Self-harm

Breaking the Cycle

Final Thoughts on The Cry for Help That is Self Harm

Here’s how cleaning products can destroy your health as much as cigarettes:

What to do?

Other Harmful Effects of Home Cleaning Products

Impairs your immune system

Increases air pollution in the home

Increases inflammation in the sinuses

Higher likelihood of developing asthma

Worsens skin conditions

Accidentally mixing toxic chemicals to create poisonous gases.

Other Harmful Mixtures

Safer Alternatives for Cleaning Products

Final thoughts on how cleaning too much poses the same risk as smoking cigarettes

Quotes to Stop Self-Criticism and be Happy Again

1. “You have been criticizing yourself for years, and it hasn’t worked. Try approving of yourself and see what happens.” – Louise Hay

5. “One should never criticize his own work except in a fresh and hopeful mood. The self-criticism of a tired mind is suicide.” – Charles Horton Cooley

8. “Let ‘action’ replace your negative self-chatter and self-doubt. What is the first action step to move you forward?” – Jackie Cantoni

9. “Self-criticism, like self-administered brain surgery, is perhaps not a good idea. Can the ‘self’ see the ‘self’ with any objectivity?” – Joyce Carol Oates

10. “Our reaction to self-criticism is more important than the self-criticism itself. Paying attention to our reactions is very important because the only thing we have control over is how we react.” – Yong Kang Chan

11. “Every experience, no matter how bad it seems, holds within it a blessing of some kind. The goal is to find it.” – Gautama Buddha

12. “If babies held the same tendency toward self-criticism as adults, they might never learn to walk or talk. Can you imagine infants stomping, ‘Aargh! Screwed up again!’ Fortunately, babies are free of self-criticism. They just keep practicing.” – Dan Millman

13. “If we judge ourselves only by our aspirations and everyone else only by their conduct, we shall soon reach a very false conclusion.” – Calvin Coolidge

14. “Bring acceptance and compassionate self-talk. Say nice things to yourself – you’re the only one listening. Tell yourself. I am doing the best I can.” – Gabrielle Bernstein

15. “A final word on self-criticism: Do not beat up on yourself. Even if you think you know your flaws, there is no need to advertise them. Most people won’t have noticed.” – Philip Toshio Sudo

Final Thoughts on Quotes to Stop Self-Criticism and be Happy Again

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