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Research Reveals How Exercising Too Much Can Make You Gain Weight

May 8, 2020 by Power of Positivity

Daily activity is a positive, right? As it turns out, you should strike a healthy balance between a sedentary lifestyle and exercising too much.

According to a study published by U.S. News and World Report, 40 percent of the U.S. population is considered obese. In essence, this means that a significant number of Americans have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher. This BMI puts them at risk of developing a variety of chronic diseases.

Some of these diseases, according to a separate study published by the National Institutes of Health, include fatty liver disease, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, joint disease, kidney disease, and certain cancers.

While these findings may sound grim, there is a bit of good news. Many individuals who are struggling with obesity are making it a point to adopt a healthier lifestyle, which includes regular exercise.

To that point, a study published by statista.com, an online resource for statistical data, market research, and business intelligence, new gym memberships in America increased by over 30 percent between 2000 and 2017.

Indeed, many individuals are starting to recognize just how much of an impact being obese can have on their health. And many are turning to regular exercise to shed unwanted pounds, improve their health, and increase their life expectancy.

Can Too Much Exercise Do More Harm Than Good?

When it comes to exercise, there is such a thing as too much of a good thing. Of course, this is not to dissuade those who have chosen to lead a physically active lifestyle as doing so offers many health benefits. Indeed, you’ll enjoy a reduced risk of developing joint problems and multiple chronic diseases.

That aside, it is worth noting that a surprising number of Americans are addicted to exercising. Indeed, much like illicit substances, some individuals achieve a euphoric high through exercise. And to that end, they develop an addiction that invariably gives way to overtraining syndrome. For those who are not familiar with overtraining syndrome, it comes from a maladaptive response to exercising too much without achieving an adequate amount of rest.

Some of the more common signs of overtraining syndrome, also known as overexercising, include the following:

Irritability
Insomnia
Agitation
High blood pressure
Restlessness
A rapid heartbeat

When Exercise Goes From Being a Healthy Habit to a Life-Altering Addiction

Studies show that an estimated 3 percent of gym-goers admit to having an exercise addiction that leads to them exercising daily and spending hours on end at the gym. Those who do not have a gym membership admit to spending an inordinate amount of time working out at home.

It is worth noting that exercise addiction is not officially included in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), a publication for the classification of various mental disorders.

Nonetheless, if not resolved, it is an addiction that can eventually give way to mental health disorders that do meet the criteria for such a classification, some of which include anorexia, bulimia, anxiety, and depression.

What Drives Some Individuals to Exercise Too Much?

In many cases, the decision to exercise excessively stems from an addictive personality. And those who engage in this type of behavior often view it as a healthier and better way of dealing with stress and negative emotions compared to drinking alcohol or abusing drugs. Many have even gone as far as to say that excessive exercising provides them with a natural euphoric high.

Additionally, some individuals also fall victim to societal pressure. Indeed, they believe that if they exercise enough, they will be rewarded with the perfect body.

Read how poor diet links to poor sleep quality.

Exercise Addiction Among Athletes

In discussing excessive exercising, it is worth noting that exercise addiction is not limited to casual gym-goers and weekend warriors only. Exercise addiction is common among professional and amateur athletes as well.

To further illustrate this point, we need only take a look at another study published by the National Institutes of Health. According to the study, professional and amateur athletes who are exceedingly competitive are at a high risk of developing an exercise addiction. The study goes on to note that exercise addiction is not uncommon among the following athletes:

Marathon runners
Endurance athletes
Triathletes
Crossfit athletes

What Factors Contribute to Exercising Too Much?

The rate of exercise addiction among athletes can be further complicated by technology, with many individuals using smartphone apps to track and document their accomplishments.

Beyond that, many individuals will also post their athletic achievements on social media platforms, such as Facebook and Instagram. This kind of social media sharing not only pushes them to compete harder but also to compare their achievements with others.

As a result, many exercise to exhaustion and allow themselves very little time to rest in-between sporting events. The same applies to the training that they undergo in the days and weeks leading up to those same events.

To put into perspective just how damaging this level of competitiveness is for professional and amateur athletes, it helps to take a look at a study published by the National Institutes of Health. The study noted that between 39 and 48 percent of athletes that consider themselves highly competitive are struggling with anorexia or bulimia. And those who do not have an eating disorder are struggling with body dysmorphia or an obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Learn how to help someone struggling with an eating disorder.

How Exercising Too Much Can Lead to Weight Gain

While exercise, coupled with a healthy diet, is an excellent way to lose weight. However, overexercising can have the opposite effect and lead to weight gain. To say that this an ironic turn of events for those who put health, fitness, and athletic competition at the forefront of everything that they do is unfortunate would be a gross understatement. As far as why this happens, it ultimately comes down to stress.

Whether the goal is to achieve a body shape purported to be ideal on social media, to outperform an opposing team in a sporting event, to lose weight faster, or as a way to deal with personal problems, too much exercise can trigger stress. And for those who already lead a stress-filled life, exercising too much could complicate matters even further. Individuals who exercise too much often experience negative consequences.

Consequences of exercising too much:

Intense hunger
Irritability
Insomnia
High blood pressure
Extreme food cravings
High cortisol levels
Low thyroid hormone levels
Insulin spikes

All of these symptoms can cause weight gain and may even lead some to regret having ever decided to start exercising or participating in sports. While this kind of frustration is understandable, it can be avoided by following a sensible exercise regimen. For example, if your goal for exercising is to lose weight, sometimes less is more.

To help put this into perspective, between 2.5 to 4 hours of exercise per week is more than enough to produce moderate weight loss results, according to a study conducted and published by the American College of Sports Medicine. In short, this equals about 22 to 35 minutes of exercise each day. And that is enough to lose weight without getting into overtraining territory.

Further, people who exercise for 2.5 to 4 hours per day can lose up to 1 pound of body fat weekly. That number can equal as much as to 2 pounds weekly if they also consume a healthy, well-balanced diet. Finally, individuals who lose weight gradually are more likely to keep the weight off long-term compared to those who shed too many pounds too quickly.

Additional Ways to Avoid Overexercising

The road to weight loss is different for everyone as we each have a different body type. These body types, which include ectomorph, endomorph, and mesomorph, each hold on to body fat differently.

Of the three, those with a mesomorph body type tend to lose weight the fastest. So if your body type is ectomorph, attempting to achieve the same rate of weight loss goals in the same amount of time as someone who is a mesomorph is a quick way to develop symptoms typical of overtraining symptoms.

And in many cases, those symptoms include weight gain. As far as professional and amateur athletes, health and overall wellbeing should always come first. After all, it is possible to be competitive without overexerting yourself to the point that your health becomes compromised. The same is true when it comes to exercising too much in preparation for a sporting event. This training can negatively impact your performance when the event gets underway.

Research proves that lack of exercise is more harmful than smoking cigarettes.

Final Thoughts on Exercising Too Much and Weight Gain

Regardless of why you choose to lead a more physically active lifestyle, avoid pushing your body too hard. After all, overtraining can result in weight gain and other unwanted outcomes. Lastly, if you believe that you have an addiction to exercising too much or you’re overly competitive, speak with a mental health professional as soon as possible.

10 Traits That Reveal an Aquarius is in Love

May 8, 2020 by Power of Positivity

The Aquarius is an extremely creative, intelligent, and analytical soul. This person is amiable and likable, making them someone sure to become a fast friend to just about anyone. Aquarians are perpetually curious and like to know the inner workings of both people and things alike.

To an Aquarian, everything is a challenge, and they have a great sense of compassion, empathy, and humor. They are often well-liked among everyone, from friends to acquaintances to coworkers because of all the positive qualities he possesses.

Understanding The Mind of an Aquarius Woman

Aquarian women always have their own minds. They think outside the box and prefer to play by their own rules no matter what the situation. She stands out from the crowd and tends to follow her heart. At the same time, her Aquarius nature is carefree, daring, and spontaneous. Often, she holds onto a few interests and finds new ones that are exciting and thrilling. As someone who quickly grows bored, this is one strong woman who is always seeking new adventures and new people.

Her relationships often fall victim to this trait, which is something that can lead to problems. She has a long list of acquaintances and very few close, long-lasting friendships. Her love life is often similar, but there may be some exceptions.

Know First: Aquarius is Often Commitment-Phobic

The typical Aquarian woman is difficult to pin down, which means she might have difficulty committing to one man. As a person who is always growing bored and looking for new experiences, she may begin to look elsewhere before committing for a lifetime.

As a result, a man who enters into a romantic relationship with an Aquarian woman may feel as though he is on a constant rollercoaster. It’s fair to expect a revolving circle of friends, adventures galore, and, unfortunately, plenty of arguments as well.

A man who is involved with an Aquarius woman may also go through a confusing array of emotions. One minute, he might feel as though he is his woman’s whole world, sun, and moon at once. And then, in the next, he may feel unimportant and as if he is merely an afterthought. It’s not uncommon for this woman to lose interest quickly in their significant other and end up hurting them.

She has shifting mood swings that can be confusing for her love interest. Indeed, she’ll seem up and happy one day and then dark and depressed the very next day. Aquarians’ hearts can be complicated to win over ultimately. Still, if you are lucky enough to find yourself loving an Aquarius, you will have a woman who is forever faithful and loyal.

Overall, there are ten traits that an Aquarian will exhibit when genuinely in love. If you are dating an Aquarius woman, these are the signs to look out for, and that should make you feel fortunate to have found true love.

10 Traits of an Aquarius Woman in Love

1 – She Can Be a Lot of Fun

Although Aquarian women can often be all thumbs when it comes to effectively communicating their feelings in verbal ways, they can show their love in other ways. For example, she has a wonderful sense of humor and can be very funny and exciting. Plus, she will often go out of her way to make you laugh.

2 – She’ll Try to Speak to You More

The Aquarius woman is more into intellectual conversations and relies on her intelligence often. However, if she is in love with you, she will speak to you even more. Not only will she communicate more often, but she will talk with you about pretty much everything under the sun.

So if she genuinely loves you, she’ll find it easier to speak openly with you and will go out of her way to do just that.

3 – She Will Plan Adventurous Trips

The water-bearer woman is not typical when it comes to revealing her love. She may not be one for romantic dinners at candlelight or a stroll on the beach under a fantastic sunset.

However, she is an adventurous spirit who will enjoy planning incredible trips with you. She wants to make sure you have a fun, exciting time you will never forget and wants to be your best friend as well as your lover. She truly believes that being in love means having fun together.

4 – An Aquarius Will Take Care of Her Finances

Aquarian women are wise with their money and will not freely spend no matter how deeply invested he is in you. She keeps records of her spending and is careful. If she doesn’t buy you the flashiest gifts, you might feel offended. However, she will show you her love in other, more critical ways. She is a smart investor and will assure you that when you’re with her, you will have financial security.

5 – You Need Some Patience to Know if She Loves You

The Aquarius woman is never one who immediately reveals her true feelings to you. You will have to be with her for a long time and have a great deal of patience before she eventually reveals her love for you. This is one woman who never quickly reveals her true feelings until she feels completely comfortable.

6 – An Aquarius in Love is Kind, Sensitive, and Caring

Aquarians are often perceived as emotionally distant and even cold. They are the type who can have seemingly endless acquaintances but very few actual friends. She is never one who quickly reveals her true feelings toward anyone.

However, when she is genuinely in love, she can show that he is compassionate and caring. When she begins to show sincere concern for you and what you like and don’t like, it is a sure sign that she is in love with you.

7 – He Is Better at Expressing Himself in Writing

Loving an Aquarius means you can expect plenty of written messages of love from your woman. Generally, she is better at expressing himself through writing. When you are in a relationship with a woman who is the sign of the water bearer, you can expect to receive many text messages, letters, emails, or even instant messages, letting you know just how she feels.

This signal is a sure sign of their sincere love for you. While she finds it difficult to express her true feelings verbally, she has no trouble conveying just how she feels in written form.

8 – He is Vulnerable When He’s In love

An Aquarian woman typically seems to be very strong and in control of herself at all times. However, when she is in love, it’s a whole different ballgame. When she is truly in love with you, she can appear quite vulnerable.

So if she has already said those three little words, she needs constant reassuring that you reciprocate her feelings both verbally and physically.

9 – He Will Spend More Time with You

An Aquarian woman is usually a flirt by nature, which can make it difficult to discern whether she is serious about you or whether she’s merely casually flirtatious. However, when you are with her, it’s easier to tell if those feelings are genuine.

Of course, if she is genuinely in love with you, she will want to spend as much time as possible with you and will invite you to go out places, including her home, and visit you at home often. You should take this as a sure sign that she is in love with you.

10 – She Will Share Her Deepest Thoughts with You

An Aquarian woman is willing to open up and share their innermost thoughts with you when she is madly in love. In some rare instances, she may even show her deepest emotions and cry in front of you. This is proof that she has deep feelings for you and loves you.

As a whole, an Aquarius woman is often complex when it comes to relationships. She is vulnerable about many issues and can often take things too personally. If she feels hurt by you, she can become cold and detached. Her shifting emotions can hurt the man involved with her unintentionally.

Final Thoughts on Traits That Reveal an Aquarius is in Love

The water bearer has many talents and is steadfast in her convictions, believing that she is always right. She dislikes superficiality and prejudice and prefers to be content. Although she is often viewed as being distant and unavailable, she will always be there for others and give everything to her real friends. Especially, she’ll give her all to the man she loves.

Loving an Aquarius woman is easier than it sounds thanks to her caring, loyal, and dependable nature. Once you are in her heart, you are there to stay.

How to Drain Your Lymphatic System (And 7 Ways to Make It Strong)

May 7, 2020 by Power of Positivity

Your lymphatic system, though independent, is one of the most vital components of keeping you healthy. The primary purpose of this system is to transport a fluid called lympha towards the heart. In Latin, lympha means “freshwater,” which is essential for your entire body.

To understand the benefits of this vital system, you must recognize its function and purpose. It’s a tissue network, not an independent organ like the heart or liver. It comprises vertebrates, which are also part of the immune and circulatory systems.

You will find organs, tissues, and lymphatic vessels within this network. The one you are probably most familiar with is the lymph nodes. These little bean-shaped forms are a vital part of your immunity.

The nodes contain white blood cells that help to fight off disease and infection that enters your body. You will become aware of their presence as they become large, inflamed, and painful when battling an illness. The most sensitive ones are in the back of the neck and the armpits.

Though you may quickly notice the ones around your head, hundreds of these nodes are throughout your body, each of which has a vital role in your immunity.

Why Lymph Fluid Collects?

Lymph fluid is vital to water that must reach the bloodstream. Your lymphatic system will collect any excess of this fluid to put it back where it belongs. This process is imperative because your body has protein and other substances that ooze out of your capillaries, and if it’s not removed, it can cause inflammation.

When the extra fluid pools in an area, it causes swelling. An example you can probably relate to is swollen feet or ankles from sitting at a desk all day. Do you ever experience this common form of edema?

Though the lymph fluid dumps into the bloodstream, it doesn’t use the stream to get where it needs to be in the body. Instead, it depends on the muscles to contract and push it through the proper channels. When you sit in a stagnated position for several hours, the lymph has difficulty getting disbursed.

However, once you get up, your body instantly pushes the fluid to the appropriate destination. Thus, you are draining an area and helping the pooling lymph to move on.

Draining Your Lymph System

Keeping bodily fluids in balance is a difficult job. Consequently, you can help to boost your lymphatic system when pooling occurs by assisting the drainage process. For instance, if your neck is swollen and the lymph nodes are tender, they can be eased with a gentle massage.

The muscles in the area constrict, but they don’t release. The excessive fluid is trapped in this region because the body’s defense system has indicated a foreign invader. By rubbing this area with a soothing motion, you can promote drainage.

Once the fluid starts moving again, you will feel some of the swelling released and the pain. You can also promote drainage by exercise. As you sit at your desk, your feet begin to collect lymph fluid. When you get up and start moving again, the fluid disburses.

So when you move, it helps push your lymph fluid in the right direction. If you’re on a plane or a car ride for several hours, you should get up or out of the car and stretch. A simple walk into a gas station can help to prevent swelling.

Understanding Lymphedema

Have you ever seen someone with one leg dramatically more substantial than the other? It’s often caused by a common problem called lymphedema. You will often see this condition in overweight people or suffer from morbid obesity, though it can happen for other reasons.

Lymphedema is where the fluid collects in a particular area and becomes trapped. Your skin has three layers. Just as you can get clogged skin cells on the surface, you can also get them under the surface. These dead skin cells can clog your lymphatic system and cause the fluid to be unable to drain.

Though lymphedema is often seen in the legs, it can also be seen in the arms. Though skin cells are a common cause of the breakage, it can also be caused by cancer, medication, injury, or an infection. It can become quite severe and requires prompt medical attention.

When you first notice fluid pooling, the skin will be soft and pliable. However, as the liquid collects, the area will become dense and fibrous. You may notice pitting, and the limb will be hard to move as it gains more weight from fluid retention.

The Danger of Lymphoma

Another problem that can occur in the lymphatic system is lymphoma. This system contains the spleen, thymus gland, bone marrow, and your nodes. Since this part of your body is vital for removing impurities, sometimes a malfunction can cause grave danger.

Lymphoma is blood cancer, and it’s divided into two categories, Hodgkin’s or non-Hodgkin’s. Damaged cells begin to mutate and crowd out healthy cells. Since the lymphatic system drains into the bloodstream, it sends cancer throughout the body.

Lymphoma means “water tumor” in Latin, and it was named after Thomas Hodgkin, who discovered this condition in 1832.

Illnesses that Hurt the Lymphatic Structure

Like any other body part, your lymphatic system can feel stress. If this area is feeling angst, you may experience some of the following things:

Aches and pains of the muscles and joints
Sore throat
Having more frequent infections of viruses
Chronic fatigue
General malaise
Arthritis or other symptoms that mimic fibromyalgia
Swollen lymph nodes

Walking through your daily life, you will pick up bacteria from your environment. The bacterium becomes trapped in your body, and the lymph system immediately starts to destroy them.

Unfortunately, sometimes the system does all it can, becoming overloaded and not functioning as it should. During these times, you will experience overload symptoms, as listed above.

7 Ways to Boost Your Lymphatic System

It’s easy to see that keeping your lymphatic system operating fully is imperative. However, you may not know what you need to do. Properly draining it during times of inflammation is a big help, but more things are needed. Here are seven things that can help keep this vital system in shape.

1. Eat an Anti-Inflammatory Diet

There are hundreds of diets, but have you heard of the anti-inflammatory diet? It’s cutting out foods that put any stress on your system. Rather, you need to eat a diet that is rich in the following:

Salmon and other Omega-3 foods
Pumpkin, chia and other varieties of seeds
Olive, coconut, and other unrefined oils
Cruciferous vegetables like cauliflower and broccoli
Add garlic, ginger, and turmeric to your foods
All leafy green vegetables

2. Exercise Often

You need to get that lymph fluid flowing, and it’s hugely beneficial when you exercise for this system. Even if you only have time to do a brisk walk in the evening, it can help you.

3. Self-Myofascial Release

After a workout, you need to try self-myofascial release. This is where you use a foam roller to go over areas of your body to stimulate lymph movement. It helps to repair any tissues hurt during exercise by promoting blood flow to the area needing repair.

4. Lymphatic Drainage Massage

This type of massage therapy helps the body ease lymph congestion. It helps your body flush excess fluid and eases inflamed nodes, muscles, and joints.

5. Get Enough Rest

Your body needs at least seven hours of sleep each night to heal and restore. Your systems won’t work as efficiently if you’re not getting enough sleep. Sleep deprivation is a real problem that has serious consequences.

6. Incorporate the Use of Infrared Saunas

When you sweat, you expel impurities from within the body. An infrared sauna helps to stimulate sweating to detox the body naturally. Now, it can even be done in your home. It’s very healing and beneficial to chronic pain conditions too.

7. Quit Smoking

If you smoke cigarettes, then you are putting your body under oxidative stress. All the carcinogens that you inhale are toxic to your entire system. While smoking is just one bad habit, many other things can cause stress to your structure.

Final Thoughts on Caring for Your Lymphatic System

Your immunity depends on the lymph system and its proper function. If there is a breakdown within this structure, you will experience things like swelling, chronic fatigue, and even cancer. You must do whatever you can to ensure your lymph health.

Eating right and avoiding harmful habits like smoking cigarettes is just the start. You can be proactive about your lymph health; your entire body will reap the benefits.

Psychologists Explain What Causes Children to Become Narcissists

May 7, 2020 by Power of Positivity

Many people believe narcissists aren’t born that way. Psychologists aren’t sure of the exact cause but think children become this way due to their environment. We have a more in-depth look into what causes children to become narcissists.

What Is Narcissistic Personality Disorder?

Let’s look at the clinical definition of Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD). This is a diagnosed mental health condition, not just a term to toss around lightly.

Mental health professionals look for signs like the following: arrogance, chronic attention-seeking, manipulation, entitlement, fascination for wealth and power, and hate for criticism.

Narcissistic Personality Disorder is hard to diagnose in children or teenagers. At younger ages, humans are constantly growing and changing. The personality traits of a narcissist usually worsen with age.

So just because a person feels the need always to be right or is selfish, those actions do not necessarily mean they have a mental illness.

The Study Of Narcissism In Children

There was a study in Psychological and Cognitive Sciences done by the University of Amsterdam on narcissism in children. This study helped determine children’s self-esteem levels due to parental involvement. The researchers concluded that parental overvaluation predicted narcissism more than the lack of parental warmth.

Psychologists’ View of What Triggers Children to Become Narcissists

Psychologists do agree parental behavior is a contribution to the development a narcissistic child. This doesn’t mean all narcissists are created by their parents. We’ll also examine some people are just born with that personality. Some psychologists believe children are likelier to show these traits when parents praise them. Others think they show these traits because they don’t shower them with love and affection. We’ll dive into both of these views.

1 – Narcissists Have a Need For Approval

There are a few things that can cause children to become narcissistic. It’s normal for children to want their parent’s approval and attention. Sometimes when a child cannot get that attention because the family is very competitive and only values high achievement, the child gets left behind. Sometimes the child only feels loved when they win. If they don’t get recognition for second place, they feel disappointed.

If a child grows up in a narcissistic family, they only see these values. They set up a lifelong pattern of chasing happiness. Other times the child feels defeated as they’re told over and over again that they aren’t good enough. They decide to love themselves and make the world like them since their parents don’t show them enough love.

Sometimes they go as far as to do outlandish things because they crave attention. When they don’t get approval, they push the bar further and further until someone has to “see” them and approve them. It becomes a vicious cycle.

2 – Striving To Be Perfect

When children believe they are only loved and praised when they “win,” they feel insecure. They think they’re only valued when they are unique. The child begins to try to be “perfect” to be seen. They strive for perfection to prove they don’t have flaws. The parent continues to put them down when they don’t get all A’s or score goals in a game.

If the child isn’t good enough in their eyes, they are set in a hypothetical corner of the room. The problem with this is the child loses touch with themselves. They don’t even know who they are at the root. They spend their time trying to perfect every activity instead of concentrating on their development. A child should be able to be imperfect at times.

They cannot always score the winning goal. If a parent doesn’t tell them it’s okay to miss a goal, they’ll always feel defeated.

3 – Parents Who Make Kids the Center Of The Universe

Many parents make their children the center of their universe. This doesn’t mean the child will suddenly become a narcissist. Toddlers go through a stage that many call “The Terrible Twos.” If a toddler is neglected through this stage, they sometimes leave the stage without completing it. This scenario may sound like a dream to a parent, but it’s a negative thing.

They will mature into adults with this same perception of the world. During this stage, they should realize other people are in their world. They understand they need other people, but they want to be independent. This is just a normal stage. Young children need boundaries.

They grow up without expectations if they aren’t allowed to fail and know their limits. They learn these limits by throwing tantrums, screaming, manipulating, and making up emotions. But they might become narcissists if they don’t learn any of these things. They expect the world does revolve around them, and they should get what they want.

The scary part is that this toddler becomes an adult having a tantrum. They think they deserve attention.

4 – Parents Heap on Too Much Praise

Many parents overly praise their children. It’s the world of participation trophies we live in. You can work with your child to ensure they don’t go down this path.

As a parent, you have to help them realize they will fail. It’s okay to fail. Teach them empathy and kindness to others. Show them with your actions. Set boundaries for them daily. There are a million different “rules” on parenting in the world. Some say you praise too much. Some say you don’t praise enough.

The most important thing is to work with your child so they understand you love them, but you must also set boundaries for them.

5 – Child Narcissists Are Often a Parental Mirror Image

Many times narcissists as children learn from their parents. When the parents treat the child as if they are perfect, the child starts to believe it. Praise is lovely to a child, but praising their every move can harm their development. When the parent shows narcissistic tendencies, the child might start to act the same way.

They see the parent showing off, living like the rules don’t matter, and disrespecting people. Children often mirror what they see in their parents. They start to do these same things without realizing it.

6 – Nature Vs. Nurture

Some children are born with a tendency to fell less emotional empathy than others. By nature, they are not as empathetic as other people. They don’t feel much emotion. This doesn’t mean they are a narcissist. It just means they don’t have this emotion as much as others.

Nurture is a learned habit. If narcissists have a mental illness of this sort, they usually are taught relationships aren’t as meaningful. They see people as objects at times because it is learned. They were born with the ability to love, yet don’t feel it because they aren’t shown enough love. This does not mean no child nurtured with love will become a narcissist.

Noticing Narcissistic Traits In Children

It’s important to watch out for ways the child shows narcissistic tendencies.

When they start to act entitled, it’s time to step in and show them who’s boss.
They also may become aggressive.
When they don’t get their way, watch out. Often, the worst parts of a narcissist will show when threatened. Their ego is their protection.
Once you push it, they sometimes crumble under stress.
They do not like it when their self-esteem is damaged. W
hen they feel failure, they often lash out.

The Tough Truth About Narcissists

It can be tough to see these traits in children. Narcissists don’t seem contrary to the exterior. They act how you think they should. A person might seem to have all of the right intentions but always has an angle.

They often deflect blame onto anyone around them. Furthermore, they charm you with their angelic actions, only to show their true selves later. Children and teenagers often show all sorts of these traits because of their age. They might not have a mental health issue but are just everyday kids. It’s important to watch them closely to see if their personality changes positively.

Help For A Children Who Are Narcissists

The problem with narcissistic people is that there is rarely a cure for their behavior. If it’s changed and worked within childhood, they can hopefully let the other positive parts of their personality shine. They have to want to change. Adults must work with children with these tendencies to protect their future social relationships. Many claim it’s almost impossible for them to have intimate relationships because they see affection as a means to an end.

Final Thoughts on Why Children Grow Up to Become Narcissists

Overall, a narcissistic child can change if they get intervention at a young age. Changing an adult’s perspective is much more complicated. Children grow and learn by those that guide them through life. It’s great to praise their strange artwork, but only if you do it to an extent. There’s a balance between neglecting your children and overpraising them.

Narcissists create an unfavorable environment for anyone in their path. Therefore, working with children is essential to ensure their positive and healthy futures.

How to Speak Your Opinion (Without Starting An Argument)

May 7, 2020 by Power of Positivity

Speaking one’s opinion is one of the hardest things to do for many people. Defenses often start to rise when you speak up. It can be tough to speak your mind without arguing, but it’s crucial for any type of relationship to practice a few ways that should calm a brewing storm.

Know The Difference Of An Argument And A Fight

It’s essential to know the difference between an argument vs. a fight.

In a fight, one person usually just wants to win. It’s all about convincing the other person they’re wrong. You don’t want to deal with the issue, but want to get the last word. It’s often all about intending to hurt the other person by presenting your side only.

In an argument, you tend to be fairer. You positively express yourself. You listen to the other person. You try as hard as possible to solve the problem. You try to understand the other person’s perspective. If you only fight, you don’t get to listen to an argument that includes both sides.

13 Tips to Speak Your Opinion With Kindness

1 – Focus On Behavior

It’s so easy when you’re trying to speak your mind to focus on the person’s personality. It’s better to focus on their behavior. If you start throwing around all of their negative tendencies instead of focusing on the action at hand, you have a whole new basket of snakes to handle.

Don’t attack the other person’s perspectives on life or their personality tendencies. If you’re upset, the person is spending too much money, tell them you’re not happy with this exact behavior. Don’t call them lazy and fake. This does nothing but put them on the defense.

2 – Own Up to Your Emotions

Feelings are important, but if you don’t up to them, they mean nothing. Express these feelings in words like “I” rather than “You.” If you state your opinion beginning with wagging your finger, it goes nowhere.

It’s best to let the other person be responsible for their actions while you stay in your lane. You can be accountable for your reactions. You have to own up to your feelings. It’s essential to learn to express these feelings in a positive way instead of pointing fingers.

3 – “I Feel” Statements

Use “I feel” statements instead of flying off the handle with blame. If you start spouting out all of the things that anger you without justification, the other person feels targeted. Explain, “I feel upset that this is happening.”

This communication lets the other person take their guard down because you’re showing vulnerability. Additionally, this helps the other person feel they are not at fault.

When you tell your feelings, the other person is going to open their ears and want to hear more about why you’re hurt. If you just throw daggers at them with all they’ve done wrong, they probably don’t want to listen to it.

4 – Use Concrete Words

The more concrete your words, the better your point gets across without anger. If you use words like “always” or “never,” you’re stating an absolute. These are confusing because you don’t always know the absolute truth.

For example, you can’t make a blanket statement like, “You never listen to me.”

Instead, point out an exact time you felt the person didn’t listen to you. They will be less defensive when you don’t say they always do something or never do something if you’re able to point out an exact time.

5 – Control Your Temper

If you lose your temper when you are trying to speak your opinion, you’ve done nothing. Heated arguments lead to loud words, but not action. People get emotional when they’re angry, but it’s crucial to maintain a calm temper.

Express yourself without losing your cool. State your opinions in a calm way. You might feel your temper flaring, but take it down a notch. Pause and take a timeout if you need to regroup your feelings.

6 – Stick To One Issue

It can be tough to stick to one issue when you’re arguing, but it’s important not to jump around to different topics. If you’re angry about one thing the person is doing, don’t start yelling at them about everything else they do wrong in life. This emotion only puts the person on defense.

Give examples of the one thing on a topic that is upsetting you. You don’t want the other person stuck in a vacuum of all of the things you just told them. Tackle one issue at a time, so no one feels overwhelmed or attacked personally.

7 – Look To Finding a Point of Agreement

The goal of any argument is to get to a conclusion. You need to build an understanding with the other person. You need to learn the way they think. It’s best to find the ideas you agree with in your disagreement. This outcome means there is no real winner.

Look for the things you agree on in the issue, and go from there. If you feel the person is making sense in some areas, start from that area. If you start in the negative space, odds are you will end on a negative note.

8 – Think Of Your Outcome

Remember when you are trying to speak your opinion that you have a goal in mind. Don’t lose sight of this goal. Ask yourself if you just want to be heard, or do you have a specific outcome in mind. You’ll get off track if you just start spouting words.

It’s easier to stick to the issue at hand if you remember your outcome. Remember why you put up this fight. If you just want to be heard with words flowing from your mouth, you’re going to get nowhere with your argument.

9 – Listen Carefully

One of the best things you can do in an argument is to listen to the other person. It’s essential to be quiet and hear what the other person is stating so you can better understand their side. This habit is called active listening. You aren’t just listening to them spout words, you’re hearing what they have to say.

Still, you might not agree with their points. But you’re able to reason when you open your ears and mind. This behavior also creates a positive environment where you can take down all of your defenses and just talk.

10 – Take Turns Speaking

Take turns when you speak your opinion. It’s all about giving and taking in an argument. If you just fight your side, you don’t give the other person a voice. They have the right to express their opinion as much as you. It’s essential to respect the other person on the topic.

Say what you need to say, then let them speak their mind. Don’t interrupt or dominate the conversation. You can agree in areas where you understand their viewpoint, then take the time to give your response. Take a breath after the person speaks so you have a little break to get your thoughts together to speak your opinion.

11 – Show Respect, Get Respect as You Speak Your Opinion

Remember to respect the other person you’re speaking to when you speak your opinion. Even if you don’t like the other person’s actions or beliefs, remain respectful of them. You have to let them talk and sit back to listen. If you want a better response out of them, be reverent in the way you handle them. If you don’t want to argue, you have to let them understand you’re willing to listen to their side. They may not be respectful of your opinion, but take the higher road and listen to theirs.

12 – Ask Yourself: Is It Worth It to Share?

Before you open your mouth to have a discussion, decide if it is worth it. If you need to have a serious talk, go ahead. If you just need to vent and get everyone angry, stop yourself. If you know the conversation is going to go nowhere, stop yourself.

Ask yourself why you want to argue. Ask yourself if you can move in a positive direction. If the argument isn’t worth it, just step away. You cannot always change someone else’s perspective. If you’re only getting into a discussion to create havoc, it isn’t worth the fight.

13 – Understand It Is Normal to Want to Speak Your Opinion

Remember that being able to speak your opinion is reasonable. You need to have discussions about maintaining any healthy relationship. You don’t need to fight, but you need to speak up to keep things in balance. This doesn’t mean anything is “wrong” in your relationship or with the other person. It means you’re trying to keep things on track in the correct way. If you never argue, you never express yourself. Things bottle up, and one day you explode with emotion.

Final Thoughts on How to Speak Your Opinion Without Arguing with Others

You don’t have to cause a fight when you try to speak your opinion. You can be heard without shouting. All relationships of all types need maintenance. The only way you can thrive as a person, a couple or a business is to have healthy arguments. Practice these tips regularly to keep your relationships healthy.

75 Things to Do When You Can’t Leave The House

May 7, 2020 by Power of Positivity

When you can’t leave the house, it can be quite dull. Some people will even develop cabin fever or say they’re going stir crazy. You must think outside the box to find innovative things to do.

If you unleash your creative side, as well as the part of you that craves organization and cleanliness, then you will find that you don’t have nearly enough time to get it all done. Here are 75 things that can keep you busy when you can’t leave the house.

Inside the House Tasks

1. Catch up on Laundry

If you want to stay productive, then catching up on laundry is the way to go. There probably isn’t a household in America that doesn’t have an abundance of laundry that needs to be washed, folded, and put away. Since you can’t leave the house, now is your time to tackle this mound.

2. Clean Behind the Stove and Refrigerator

Most people tend to ignore the dust bunnies accumulating behind the stove and fridge. However, take this time to clean that hidden dirt.

3. Clean Out the Closets

Your closest might have clothes from decades ago just waiting to be pitched. One of the best odd jobs is to clean out your old clothes.

4. Pair Down and Donate to Charity

Since you’re already cleaning out closets and doing some deep cleaning, then why not gather things to take to your local charity. You could even have a yard sale if you wanted.

5. Wash all the Curtains and Blinds

Curtains and blinds get dusty over the winter months. Take them down and wash them to help improve the air quality in your home.

6. Clean the Windows

While you’re taking down those curtains and blinds, it’s time to wash the windows too. Use coffee filters for a streak-free shine.

7. Shampoo the Carpets

Carpet cleaning is the last on most people’s list. However, it’s one of the odd jobs that will have the most significant impact. Rent a cleaner from the store or hire Steam Pros Carpet cleaning irvine to come to do it for you.

8. Deep Clean Tile and Grout

Tile and grout cleaning is a thankless job. However, with some bleach and elbow grease, you can have it looking as good as new.

9. Scrub the Tub

Why is it that bathtubs are always so hard to clean? Did you know that the best way to clean a tub is with an oven cleaner? It sounds strange, but this cleaner does most of the work for you.

10. Flip the Mattresses

Who has the time or remembers to flip their mattresses? Now is the perfect time for this mundane task.

11. Rearrange Your Furniture

Are you tired of the flow of a particular room in your home? Why not rearrange the furniture and change everything?

12. Clean the Hidden Lint from the Dryer

Even if you clean out your lint trap after each load, there’s still a ton of lint that you cannot see. Use your sweeper with a special attachment to get rid of hard to reach lint.

13. Organize Under the Sinks

If you’re like most people, then you just throw trash bags and cleaners under your sinks. Take the time to organize these hot spots.

14. Sell Things on Online Auction Sites

If you don’t want to have a yard sale, then you can sell things on online auction sites. You can make some serious cash without leaving your home.

15. Paint a Room

Have you put off painting a room? Now you have the time since you can’t leave the house. Choose a vibrant hue to create a feel-good mood.

16. Give the Bathroom a Deep Cleaning

After you clean the tub, there are still many other parts of the bathroom that need a deep cleaning. Start with the loo and work yourself around the room.

17. Organize your Kitchen Cabinets

Do you have dishes that fall out on your when you open your kitchen cabinets? Why not stay productive and organize this chaos.

18. File Those Important Documents and Shred the Rest

Everyone has a pile of papers that needs to be filed in a safe place. File what you need to keep and invest in a shredder to take care of the rest.

19. Clean the Oven and Refrigerator

You’ve already tackled behind them; now it’s time to get at what lurks inside. Schedule an afternoon off for this necessary task.

20. Dust Ceiling Fans

Who has time to dust ceiling fans? Since AC season is upon us, it’s time to get that dust down before it spreads all over the house.

21. Change Furnace Filter and Clean Return Vents

Other places that dust likes to linger is the return vents on your finance and the filter. Get those taken care of too.

22. Tear up Old Carpet and Replace It With New

Do you have an old stained carpet that’s been bugging you? It’s time to change it out. Even the bare floor is worse than that allergen producing rug.

23. Clean out Basements and Attic Spaces

Though you may need to wear protective gear from years of clutter, it’s time to tackle the basement and attics.

24. Clean and Toss Things in the Garage

Wouldn’t you love to be able to pull into your garage without being afraid of hitting bodes of clutter? Gather some stuff for the trash pile and put others on online auctions sites.

Outside the House Tasks

25. Weed and Mulch Flower Beds

Gather your gardening tools and get to work. You have a month’s worth of weed that needs to be gone. Once you’re done, you can mulch those beds for flowers.

26. Plant New Flowers for Spring

If you don’t have any perennial plants that are going to come back this year, then head to your local nursery and make your garden spectacular this year.

27. Dig up any Dead Bushes

Do you have any dead bushes lingering in your yard? Even if there is a little bit of life left, it’s probably best to let them go.

28. Prune Trees

Any tree overgrowth that is near electric lines should be pruned for the season.

29. Sharpen the Blades and Change the Oil in Lawnmower

Doing some routine maintenance on your lawnmower is essential. You want it to go strong all summer long.

30. Add New String to the Weed Eater

It’s time to restring your weed eater so that it can help you take care of your garden all year long.

31. Turn Your Outside into Additional Living Space

Why not bring the inside-outside? How can you extend your living space to the great outdoors?

32. Clean the Barbeque Grill

Get some oven cleaned and scraper as it’s time to tackle one of the dirtiest jobs around the home. However, you will need that grill for summer fun.

33. Inspect and Change Water Hose if Necessary

Make sure your water hose doesn’t have any cracks or holes in it. To have a gorgeous garden, you need to be able to water your flowers.

34. Add Some Decorative Elements to your Garden

Why not add a gazing ball or a gnome to your flower garden? It will surely spice things up a bit.

35. Weed Eat and Mow Grass Often

Since you can’t leave the house, you might as well make sure your grass and weed eating is done promptly. About once a week is a required frequency.

36. Put Out a Bird Feeder or Two

There’s something spectacular about watching the birds. Why not let nature entertain you during this downtime?

37. Power Wash House and Decks

Pull out the power washer and bring new life to your siding and decks. Wash the algae and mold of the wet season from your abode.

38. Bring out Summer Furniture and Dust it Off

While you’re cleaning out the garage, get out your patio furniture and dust it off. It’s time for some backyard fun.

39. Install a Water Feature Outdoors

Have you always wanted a koi pond or waterfall? Since you can’t leave the house, this tranquil addition will help with anxiety.

40. Paint the house or Add Siding

If you’ve always wanted to put siding on your home or paint it, now is your chance. Consider a trusted and reliable service like siding contractors union city pa, to ensure a high-quality and professional upgrade. You can also get some friends and ask them to help with this significant undertaking. For the best results, consider using siding from Amazing Exteriors in Dallas. Their high-quality materials and professional service will ensure your home looks fantastic and stands the test of time.

41. Refresh Paint on the Shutters

Would you like to change the paint on your shutters? Get rid of dark colors and opt for a vibrant blue, red, or even orange.

42. Give Your Front Door a New Hue

While you’re painting your shutters, give your door a new color too. Finish off the touch with a decorative wreath to make it pop.

43. Rake Leaves and Debris from Winter Winds

The winter wind blows fall’s leaves around. You should take some time since you can’t leave the home and clean up all those piles under porches and such.

44. Remove Straw and Clean Animal Pins

If you have any outside animals, then you’ve probably got plenty of straw in their beds. It’s time to change and remove some of that to prepare for the hot season. Plus, you want to give those pens a good cleaning too.

45. Clean and Repaint Your Mailbox

It’s the little touches that make a difference. Why not clean up your mailbox and give it a fresh coat of paint?

46. Sweep and Power Wash Porches

While you have that power washer out, you need to go ahead and get the porches too. They seem to be less of an issue since most are covered but still need to be cleaned.

47. Fill up Gas Cans for Machinery

Since gas prices are so low, you should fill up a couple of cans to keep on hand.

48. Sort and Organize Gardening Tools

Clean, organize and sort all your gardening tools. You’re going to need to replace some and pitch others.

49. Clean the Gutters and Install Gutter Caps

The rainy days of spring and summer bring leaves and debris to your gutters. Clean these out to prevent an issue in the fall months.

50. Wash Windows from Outside

Wash the outside of your windows. You can easily attach a cleaner to your garden hose to make this task easy.

Tasks to Treat Yourself After All That Hard Work

51. Do Some Online Discount Shopping

Some serious sales are going on right now. Take advantage of these offers.

52. Get Your Wardrobe Ready for Summer

Do you need some new clothes? While you’re shopping, stock your closet for summer fun.

53. Read a Good Book

Get a blanket and curl up with a good book. Since you can’t leave the house, why not enjoy every inch of your couch?

54. Rest

It’s okay if you don’t get out of your pajamas. You can sleep the day away. It’s okay to sleep in till 10. You’ve earned it.

55. Catch Up on A Television Series

Is there a television show that you want to watch but never had the time? Well, now is your chance.

56. Give Yourself a Facial

Grab the tweezers and a mud mask as now is the perfect time to give yourself a quality facial at home.

57. Do a Home Version of a Manicure and Pedicure

Since you’re in the spa mode, you don’t want to forget about those overgrown nails on your hands and feet. Trim and shape your nails as sandal season is upon you.

58. Have Your Partner Give You a Massage

The only thing better than a massage is not having to pay for it. Why not take turns giving massages to you and your partner?

59. Take a Bubble Bath with Candles and Champagne

Run the hottest water you can stand, fill it with bubbles, light some candles, and put the bubbly on ice. You deserve it.

60. Netflix and Chill

For all those times you’ve heard people say they were going to Netflix and chill and you didn’t have time. It’s your chance to relax.

61. Connect with Loved Ones and Friends Far Away

Connect with friends and family both near and far through Zoom, Skype, or Facebook messenger.

62. Make a TikTok Video

If you think you have a unique talent or gift, then you can make a TikTok or YouTube video. Who knows;. You may go viral?

63. Enhance Your Culinary Skills

There are thousands of online tutorials that can help you to learn some new makeup tricks. Now is the time to experiment.

64. Cook Some Goodies for Elderly or Needy

Many people are struggling with being stuck at home, but you can help those less fortunate or the elderly by making them some goodies.

65. Join an Online Support Group

If you feel that the four walls are caving in on you, then you may want to join an online support group.

66. Catch up on Social Media

Whether you Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Pinterest, take your downtime to catch up on friends and family.

67. Learn to Sew

Have you always wanted to learn to sew? Why not get a machine and learn. Sewing is becoming increasingly popular again.

68. Make Protection Masks for People

Since you’re learning to sew, why not make some protection masks for people? It’s a simple project that even a novice can do.

69. Build Blanket Forts with the Kids

There’s nothing better than forts made from blankets. Your children will love the time you spend with them to do it.

70. Play Lots of Board Games

Pull out Monopoly, Scrabble, and Candy Land. It’s time for an old fashioned board game night.

71. Paint Your Nails a Vibrant Hue

Why not walk on the wild side and give your nails a stunning splash of color? You can change it as often as you like.

72. Take a Nap as Often as Possible

Give yourself permission to take a daily nap. Since you can’t leave the house, staying in bed is the next best thing.

73. Make Sure To do Plenty of Porch Sitting

Grab your lemonade, a good book, and head to the porch swing. You’ve earned this downtime.

74. Dust Off Your Bike and Get Riding

Bike riding is excellent for every muscle group in your body. Air up those tires and head down the road. Your body will thank you.

75. Try Some Crazy Makeup Hacks

Have you always wanted to be adventurous in your makeup? Now is a great time to practice some new techniques. Who knows, you may develop a new style.

Final Thoughts: Tackle the Tasks Around the House You Never Take Time to Complete

When you can’t leave the house, you can find many things to do to occupy your time. Make a list of the items you want to tackle and get cracking. You will feel like this social distancing thing was a blessing to be able to accomplish so much.

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