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20 Quotes About Self Love to Remember When You’re Depressed

February 8, 2020 by Power of Positivity

Sometimes, the person we see in the mirror isn’t exactly the person we want to see. We may be upset about things we’ve done in the past, hold onto insecurities from mental illness or trauma, or not like how we look. Whatever the case, these negative thoughts will only hold us back from success and enjoying life to the fullest. It can be hard to lift ourselves, and we can all use some help sometimes. Here are 20 quotes about self love to remember when you’re depressed.

20 Self Love Quotes to Read When You Feel Depressed

1. “The most terrifying thing is to accept oneself completely.” C.G. Jung

People have the wrong idea about confidence. Many people think that it means loving yourself completely. However, that’s not the case. You need to accept the fact that there are times when you won’t like your actions or appearance. That’s okay. Only after you like yourself can you work on recovering from depression.

2. “If you have the ability to love, love yourself first.” Charles Bukowski

This quote, like many quotes about self love, teaches us to love ourselves first. When we give ourselves enough love, it will spill over onto the other people in our lives. You can’t help or love others if you don’t take care of yourself. You will spread positivity and might rise above depression.

3. “I want to be the best version of myself for anyone who is going to someday walk into my life and need someone to love them beyond reason.” Jennifer Elisabeth

You can’t love someone until you love yourself. When you are down on yourself, you need to think about the other people in your life who need your love. Love yourself for them on days when you are depressed to put yourself first.

4. “Wildflower; pick up your pretty little head, It will get easier, your dreams are not dead.” Nikki Rowe

When we have a day filling with insecurity and depression, it can be hard to remember that the feeling is only temporary. This poem reminds us that it will get better soon. We all have to fight through the rain to get to the sunnier days.

5. “Self-love is a good thing, but self-awareness is more important. You need to once in a while go ‘Uh, I’m kind of an asshole.” Louis C.K.

You can’t love yourself all of the time. At times, you will make mistakes, and you need to be able to tell yourself when you make those mistakes. If you don’t, you won’t grow as a human being. When you grow, it will make it much easier for you to love yourself in the future.

6.“You are not what others think you are. You are what God knows you are.” Shannon Alder

There is only one person out there who can look into your heart and soul. That’s the only person you need to worry about. And if God made you, you can’t be that bad, right? The perception of other people doesn’t matter.

7. “Sometimes, you need to take a break from everyone and spend time alone, to experience, appreciate and love yourself.” Robert Tew

Sometimes self-care involves taking some time for yourself. While you want to plan your alone time around your biggest social commitments, it’s okay to step back from people for a little bit to work on yourself.

8. “Stay true to yourself. An original is worth more than a copy.” Suzy Kassem

Authenticity is a large part of self-care according to most quotes about self love. You need to be true to yourself on your journey of self-discovery and self-love. When you are true to yourself, you can help yourself escape your sadness.

9. “When you are truly stunning, gorgeous, and beautiful, you won’t have to prove that to anyone visually.” Alexandra Elle

Your appearance should never have anything to do with your self-love. Period. If you’re depressed because of your looks, remind yourself that there are more important things to think about.

10. “Self-care has become a new priority – the revelation that it’s perfectly permissible to listen to your body and do what it needs.” Frances Ryan

Listen to your body and your emotions. They know what you need. Luckily, this is becoming better understood. In past eras, many people would feel guilty about taking a little bit of time for themselves. However, treating yourself is (fortunately) well-accepted today.

11. “Loving oneself is the most primal of all survival mechanisms” Karen Hackel

You need to love yourself to survive. If you don’t love yourself, you will leave yourself vulnerable to attacks by yourself and others. This is one of the quotes about self love that teaches us that accepting ourselves equals strength. The world requires emotional strength, and that includes self love.

12. “Tonight I’ll dance, I’ll be alive, and ain’t that worth the party?” Yesika Salgado

Life is a gift. Being alive and well is more than enough of a reason to smile when you look in the mirror and let go of the small things. Go live your life. The ride will be over before you know it, and you don’t want to miss out because you were too busy feeling depressed and insecure.

13. “What others think of you is none of your business.” Deepak Chopra

There’s a certain amount of arrogance that comes from being preoccupied with what other people think of you. Plus, people are allowed to have private thoughts. You don’t like absolutely everyone you meet. Why does everyone need to love you? Let people have their opinions, and don’t worry about it.

14. “Anyone who indulges only in self-love remains devoid of true love.” Ehsan Sehgal

It’s not enough to love yourself. You need to love others, too. When you love others, you are bringing even more love into your heart. Some people feel depressed and lonely, but once you like yourself, you’ll attract the one who is meant for you.

15. “The cure of pain is the pain.” Rumi

Many quotes about self love remind us that we need to go through the pain to come out of it. If you only put a band-aid over the problem, the problem is still there. You need to deal with the actual problem if you want to heal for genuine recovery from feeling depressed.

16.“Whatever paths you choose, someone will hate you. Only be certain that someone is not you.” S.D. Simper

You cannot please absolutely everybody on the planet. At times, you will make some decisions that some people don’t approve of. However, you can’t live for other people.. You need to live for you and do what makes you feel authentic and happy.

17. “Low self-esteem is like a natural and beautiful garden that’s been invaded by weeds from unhealthy relationships. In recovery, we pull the weeds, fertilize the soil, sow new seeds, and nourish our garden with water and sunlight.” Darlene Lancer

The insecurities that make us depressed come from past pain. You may have been hurt by a parent, an ex-lover, peers, or multiple people. However, that doesn’t mean that you can’t nurture yourself and weed out all of the pain and insecurity you feel until you are fresh and sunny again. However, this, like gardening, requires a lot of effort.

18. “You are divine. Accept it.” Deborah Bravandt

Some of us don’t like to admit to ourselves that we are amazing for some silly reason. You are a creation of your maker, a human with feeling and who makes a mistake, and you are amazing. To err is to be human, and to be human is to be a part of all of creation. Show yourself love instead of resisting your love.

19. “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

We may not be able to stop ourselves from getting a little down on ourselves sometimes. We can’t control our thoughts. However, we can do our best to control how we deal with those thoughts. We can let it destroy us, or we can try to curb those thoughts and think more positively.

20. “Do I contradict myself? Very well then I contradict myself, (I am large, I contain multitudes.) I too am not a bit tamed, I too am untranslatable, I sound my barbaric yawp over the roofs of the world. I celebrate myself, and sing myself.” – Walt Whitman

This Walt Whitman verse reminds us that we are complex creatures. Sometimes we may love ourselves. Other times, we may hate ourselves. It’s okay to feel our emotions and embrace them. In the end, this is a part of the human experience. When we celebrate the human experience, we are celebrating and loving ourselves.

Final Thoughts on Quotes on Self Love and Overcoming Feeling Depressed

When you read these quotes about self love, the goal is to feel better about yourself enough to face the day. Hopefully, you can find some joy in the process. If you still struggle to find confidence and strength, you should at least muster the strength to get yourself the right help. Call a therapist to talk and find other ways to increase your inner love.

15 Motivational Quotes to Offer Hope to a Recovering Alcoholic

February 8, 2020 by Power of Positivity

A recovering alcoholic is someone who has admitted that their relationship with alcohol is out of hand. This person has also made the decision to put an end to the power that alcohol once had on them. This is a long, difficult road, but it’s a road that leads to a much better life for the person in recovery and all of the people around them. Here are 15 motivational quotes to offer hope during your journey to a whole new you.

15 Motivational Quotes for the Recovering Alcoholic

1. “If you can quit for a day, you can quit for a lifetime.” ~ Benjamin Alire Sáenz

Starting is the hardest part of your new life as a recovering alcoholic. However, if you can get started, you are on the right track. If you can make it one day without alcohol, you can do it the next day, too. Take it day by day until it becomes your new normal. Remind yourself that the first step is the hardest part. If you managed to remain sober for a day or two, you might as well keep going.

2. “Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will.” ~ Mahatma Gandhi

Many of us think that strength means someone with big muscles, which can lift heavy things. However, Gandhi reminds us that true strength comes from within the mind and the spirit. You need to do your best to demonstrate this same kind of strength when it comes to your sobriety. No matter how hard you work out, this will be the biggest test of strength you’ve experienced yet.

3. “The world breaks everyone, and afterward many are strong at the broken places.” ~ Ernest Hemingway

You may think that your sobriety demonstrates a weak part of your personality. On the contrary, you are demonstrating the strongest side of your personality. You are showing people that you are strong enough to admit your mistakes and face your problems. This is a strength you will be able to take with you throughout your recovery and the rest of your life.

4. “Change must start from the individual. And the individual must want and feel ready to make such change.” ~ Efrat Cybulkiewicz

If you aren’t ready for a change, no one can force you to make that change. If you aren’t ready, your efforts will be superficial and insincere. When you get the chance, you will go back to the bottle. Make sure that you are ready for sobriety, and you will be successful. If you aren’t ready, you shouldn’t bother going into recovery at all.

5. “Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out.” ~ Robert Collier

You can’t expect to be a changed person with a changed life right away. You need to be patient. This process takes time. However, as long as you make small efforts toward your larger goal every day, you will get closer and closer until one day you are finally there.

6. “Whether you think you can or you think you can’t, you’re right.” ~ Henry Ford

Your mentality and attitude play a large role in your sobriety. Some people have a negative attitude going into it. They think they can’t do it or that sobriety will be dead boring. With this mentality, the recovering alcoholic is prone to relapse. Other people have a better mentality and feel ready to make a change. The outcome is up to the person. If you have a better attitude, you are more likely to generate positive results.

7. “The best way out is always through.” ~ Robert Frost

Many people want to skip the hard work and walk out on the other side of sobriety. Unfortunately, it doesn’t work that way. If you want to get out of a situation, you have to go through it. You have to face your demons and go through the struggle. This is such a vital part of the process. That is because it forces you to grow in a way to arrive at the end.

8. “Your best days are ahead of you. The movie starts when the guy gets sober and puts his life back together; it doesn’t end there.” ~ Bucky Sinister

This is not the end of your story. In fact, your story is only beginning. Many people wasted a large portion of their lives in a drunken haze, which prohibited them from accomplishing their goals in life. Now that you are sober and your days of being an alcoholic are over, you can focus on the things you didn’t get to accomplish. You will make yourself a better person and create a better life for yourself.

9. “The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don’t have any.” ~ Alice Walker

You may feel that the alcohol has power over you. It can feel that way when you go to the liquor store, and you can’t seem to stop yourself. To take power away from a person or item, you need to acknowledge your power. You can create the life you want, and that includes saying no to alcohol. When you aren’t feeling powerful, you should read these motivational quotes to help build you back up.

10. “The man who moves a mountain begins by carrying away small stones.” ~ Confucius

A recovering alcoholic faces a lifelong process that requires a lot of dedication. Unfortunately, you aren’t able to make huge changes overnight. You need to work for days, weeks, months, and years. The longer you fight for your sobriety, the closer you will be toward your ultimate goal. It takes a lot of time since every day you move toward your goal, but the daily efforts are small.

11. “Your addiction is not you, but it feels like you because you’ve spent so much intimate time together.” ~ Toni Sorenson

When you get sober, you might not recognize yourself. You are used to seeing yourself as an alcoholic. You’ve spent so much time with the addict version of yourself that a new image can be quite jarring at first. However, you will get used to seeing yourself differently. Soon, you’ll see what a better person you are when sober. The person you expect to see in the mirror will eventually be the sober version of yourself. It will just take time.

12. “Nobody stays recovered unless the life they have created is more rewarding and satisfying than the one they left behind.” ~ Anne Fletcher

These motivational quotes remind us that we need a reason to stay sober. One of the best motivations could be a better life. Think of the things you may lose if you don’t change your life. You should also think of the things you could accomplish if you were only sober. Think of the benefits of these things. If you want a nice place to live and money for vacation and a happy family to enjoy these things with, it might be time to dedicate yourself to recover.

13. “Recovery is an acceptance that your life is in shambles, and you have to change.” Jamie Lee Curtis

Alcohol can destroy your life. It can ruin your job, ruin your relationships, and ruin your self-esteem. When this happens, you need to be able to recognize that you have a problem that is ruining your life. Admit that your life isn’t going well. You also need to admit that alcohol is the reason that your life isn’t going well. Finally, commit to change. The easiest way to get support to do this is through a recovery program.

14. “Addiction denied is recovery delayed.” ~ Mokokoma Mokhonoana

Most people don’t want to admit that they have a problem. It makes them feel like a failure if they admit they need help. Maybe people are too proud or honestly don’t see the problem. The longer the person chooses to deny the problem, the longer it will take them to get help. If you are the one with an alcohol problem, follow these motivational quotes, and realize that it’s in your best interest to admit what is happening. Now that you’ve admitted the problem, you can take the necessary steps to help yourself.

15. “You feel your strength in the experience of pain.” ~ Jim Morrison

We’re going to end these motivational quotes with the idea that we find strength in our lowest points. You should see these as learning and growing moments. Admit your mistakes and face your demons to really get to the bottom of the problem. You will see just how strong you can be by facing your pain.

Final Thoughts: A Recovering Alcoholic Faces Struggles, But You Can Conquer the Addiction

These 15 motivational quotes can help anyone recovering alcoholic during recovery to build their spirit and continue fighting for a better life. If you were burdened with the fight for sobriety, you need to stay as positive as possible.

20 Inspirational Quotes to Overcome Feelings of Envy

February 7, 2020 by Power of Positivity

When you’re having feelings of envy, you’ll feel resentful or discontent because of what someone else has. This feeling could arise over something someone else physically possesses, qualities they have, or even their luck.

The feeling can take over your thoughts and cause you to lose track of your own goals. Even knowing this, it can be hard to shake the feeling.

You can find relief through some of the many inspirational quotes about being envious, and you may even find some ideas for how to avoid those feelings altogether. If you like these inspirational quotes, you can find many more, or you can even try to write your own.

20 Inspirational Quotes to Overcome Feelings of Envy

1. “The envious die not once, but as oft as the envied win applause.”

– Baltasar Gracián

The envious feelings you are experiencing won’t just go away after that first experience. If you let them continue, you’ll feel that awful feeling each time someone does something you haven’t done yet. You can’t allow yourself to feel inferior every time someone has an accomplishment or your own dreams may pass you by.

2. “Comparison is a very foolish attitude because each person is unique and incomparable. Once this understanding settles in you, jealousy disappears.”

-Osho

By comparing yourself to others, you are unfair to yourself. You are unique in your own way, and your talents and attributes should be compared to no one else. Just live your life and remind yourself that when someone else succeeds, it doesn’t mean that you have failed.

3. “The envious person grows lean with the fatness of their neighbor.”

– Socrates

When you spend your time feeling envious of others, you are depriving yourself. This is because when your attention is focused elsewhere, you aren’t giving your full attention to your own goals and desires. So, while the person you are envious of continues growing, you are still just watching their success and not working on your own.

4. “Jealousy is an awkward homage which inferiority renders to merit.”

– de Puixieux

In other words, each time you feel envious or jealous, you’re making yourself inferior to others. In order to teach yourself and engrain in your mind that you are good enough, you must try to avoid feeling this way.

5. “Our envy always lasts longer than the happiness of those we envy.”

– François de La Rochefoucauld

Realistically, the things you are feeling envious about may only keep that person happy for a few minutes. If your harmful feelings last longer than their happiness, your peace of mind was wasted even more.

6. “Jealousy is simply and clearly the fear that you do not have value. Jealousy scans for evidence to prove the point – that others will be preferred and rewarded more than you. There is only one alternative – self-value. If you cannot love yourself, you will not believe that you are loved. You will always think it’s a mistake or luck.”

– Jennifer James

Remember, you do have value. By loving yourself, you can eliminate the feelings of jealousy, and your opinion of yourself will become more positive. This will lead to meeting your own goals and succeeding in what you set your mind on.

7. “You can be the moon and still be jealous of the stars.”

-Gary Allan

Anyone can become jealous or envious. Even if you seem to have the world, you may still be jealous of someone else. There will always be someone who has something you desire; all you can do is stop it from turning into an envious feeling.

8. “Jealousy is never satisfied with anything short of an omniscience that would detect the subtlest fold of the heart.”

– George Eliot

Omniscience is when a person knows everything. This is rarely accomplished, meaning that your jealousy will never be satisfied.

9. “If we trace the evolutionary history of humankind, we find that part of the reason we suffer from jealous thoughts and emotions about the past and (the present) is because it has been hardwired into us since the dawn of time to do so.” –

Jeff Billings

Just like with any illness or mental problems that run in the family, you work to minimize the likelihood that the problem affects you. You can do the same with jealousy, even if it has been hardwired into you. Learn to avoid those feelings and how to get them in check when they creep up.

10. “Envy is a symptom of lack of appreciation of our own uniqueness and self-worth. Each of us has something to give that no one else has.”

– Elizabeth O’Connor

Since everyone has something that no one else has, that means everyone will excel in different areas and may reach goals before others. This does not mean that you are any less; this just means that it isn’t your time to shine yet.

11. “Don’t waste time on jealousy. Sometimes you’re ahead, sometimes you’re behind.”

– Mary Schmich

If you aren’t ahead this time, there will be other chances. Wasting time being jealous isn’t going to change it either way. It will, however, cause you to miss out on time you could have used to get ahead.

12. “Jealousy injures us with the dagger of self-doubt.”

– Terri Guillemets

Each time you feel that pang of jealousy, you inflict yourself with more self-doubt. This self-doubt only slows you down, and eventually, you’ll begin thinking you aren’t capable.

13. “Envy is the art of counting the other fellow’s blessings instead of your own.”

– Harold Coffin

Even if you don’t have everything, you are still blessed in other ways. By being jealous of what someone else has, you forget about the blessings you do have.

14. “Jealousy is no more than feeling alone against smiling enemies.”

– Elizabeth Bowen

You shouldn’t spend time feeling bad or alone when everyone else is smiling and happy. Don’t let the fact that someone else has left you feeling alone and like everyone is against you.

15. “Jealousy is one of the wickedest of all the passions. It is that which has been the most fruitful mother of tragedies, murders, and wars. But reprehensible though it is, jealousy is almost rather to be pitied than blamed–its first victims are those who harbour the feeling.”

–Arthur Lynch

By feeling jealous, you are the first victim of your feelings. Honestly, your jealousy won’t even affect others unless it leads to those tragedies mentioned in the inspirational quotes. When it gets to that point, it can come out in angry, tragic ways.

16. “Men are so constituted that every one undertakes what he sees another successful in, whether he has aptitude for it or not.”

– Johann Von Goethe

Sometimes you have to be willing to admit that you just don’t have the talent for something. Rather than feel jealous that another is successful, find something different that you are truly talented in and can find success in.

17. “Whoever envies another confesses his superiority.”

– Samuel Johnson

Each time you experience envious feelings, you’re admitting that the other person is more superior than you are. Unless you believe this to be true, stop beating yourself up in this way.

18. “Jealousy—Tormenting yourself, for fear you should be tormented by another.”

– Paul Chatfield

In this scenario, the outcomes are the same; you feel tormented. Whereas, if you avoid feeling jealous, there may end up being no feelings of torment at all. Don’t force terrible feelings on yourself out of fear that someone else will do it to you.

19. “If you’re suffering from problems of self-esteem or from constant bouts of jealousy, it didn’t happen overnight.” Bailey Jackson

These are problems that get worse over time, so when it’s constantly happening, it means that you have been building up to that point for a while. If you haven’t reached this point yet, find a way to get it under control before it does happen.

20. “Oh, what a bitter thing it is to look into happiness through another man’s eyes.”

– William Shakespeare

In order to truly feel happy, you have to experience it through your own eyes. Being jealous and experiencing envious feelings means that you are viewing the world through someone else’s eyes and assuming that it’s better for them.

Here’s advice on how to cope with feeling envious of your friends.

Final Thoughts on Learning From These 20 Inspirational Quotes to Overcome Feelings of Envy

It may be hard to avoid feeling envy, but it is important to try. After a while, you’ll find that it isn’t an issue for you anymore.

Just like with most things in life, if you make it a habit, you’ll find it becomes commonplace. Find a way to ward off the envious feelings, and life will get much better.

Through the reading of inspirational quotes, you may find a way to overcome the feeling more easily.

11 Proven Ways to Keep Your Mind Sharp as You Age

February 7, 2020 by Sarah Barkley

Your brain is a powerful organ that can do many things but, over time, the structure and function can change. As you age, you might notice that you can’t remember things as well as before. Figuring out how to keep your mind sharp is essential so you can use it to its full ability throughout your life.

The memory problems that you experience as you get older are common. They can slow your cognitive processes, though, making it hard to learn new things and ignore distractions. These changes can be frustrating, but you can learn to keep your mind sharp and work around them.

Figuring out how to keep your mind sharp improves your memory and thinking skills and strengthens your mind. The best part is that you are never too old to start exercising your brain. People of any age can implement ways to keep your mind sharp, helping you maintain your brain strength.

Since your brain is involved in every part of your life, you must take care of it. This organ is responsible for all of your thoughts and actions, so brain exercises are essential. Once you learn how to keep your brain sharp, utilize the tips so that the functionality doesn’t go to waste.

How to Keep Your Mind Sharp

Do you want to know how to keep your mind sharp for life? Keeping your brain healthy and sharp for longer starts with these eleven good habits.

1. Keep Learning

Keeping your mind sharp begins with learning new information can help with maintaining brain cells. It also stimulates communication. Pick up a new skill or begin learning something new so that you can keep your mind sharp as you age.

Does reading keep your brain sharp? You bet!

Consider expanding your vocabulary because research shows that it involves the auditory and visual processing centers. You can do this exercise by reading complicated words and keeping a log of the ones you aren’t familiar with. Then, every day, pick a few words from the list to use in conversation throughout the day.

Another beneficial way to keep your mind sharp is by learning a new language. Bilingual people have better visual-spatial skills, increased creativity levels, and better memory. Learning a new language can also help you switch between tasks without becoming distracted, and it can delay cognitive degeneration.

2. Use All Your Senses

Studies show that when you engage all of your senses, it can strengthen your brain. Look for activities that involve using all five of your senses. As you do these activities, focus on hearing, seeing, tasting, touching, and smelling all at once.

When you do activities that engage all of your senses, it helps maintain brain strength. Plus, it helps you stay grounded and mindful in each moment. It encourages you to pay attention to the world around you, allowing you to understand and interact better.

Many activities involve all of your senses, but some ideas include:

baking cookies
visiting a farmer’s market
trying a new restaurant
going on a picnic

3. Repeat What You Learned

Anytime you learn something new, repeat it to reinforce memorization and connection. When you hear, read, or think something you want to remember, repeat it or write it down. As you do this, your mind processes the changes, helping you recall them later.

4. Make A Mnemonic

A mnemonic is a way creative way to remember things that follow a particular order. Mnemonics can be acronyms or sentences, depending on what it is you’re trying to remember.

For lists, acronyms typically help best. On the other hand, sentences can help with memorizing musical notes or letter patterns.

Using mnemonics to help remember something can help keep your mind sharp. You can quickly recall things you have learned, and you will have an easier time coming up with quick memory tricks later on.

5. Space Out Learning Sessions

Repetition is a beneficial learning tool, but you must time it properly. If you repeat something many times in a short period, you likely won’t remember it any better. However, if you repeat something and then wait a while before doing it again, your memory of the topic will increase.

If you’re studying for a test, avoid cramming just before you take it. Instead, repeat the information once an hour initially, then increase the time to every few hours. From there, repeat it every day instead.

As you space out learning sessions, you can master complicated information and keep your brain sharp. It helps with recall in people of any age, so implement this learning technique right away.

6. Exercise Regularly

Physical exercise is another way to keep your mind sharp as you age. Since your body and brain are connected, regular exercise improves your memory and cognitive skills. Even going on a walk can offer many benefits to your brain health.

Studies show that the impact on your foot during a walk sends pressure waves through the arteries. These pressure waves increase blood flow, promoting a healthy mind. There are some other ways to boost blood flow to your brain, too, including:

hiking
playing tennis
walking your dog
water aerobics
yoga

Tai-chi is a form of exercise that research shows can alter your brain structure and processing. As it changes your brain, it allows your brain to reach its full ability. Tai-chi also helps reduce stress, promotes sleep quality, and improves memory.

7. Follow A Healthy Diet

If your body doesn’t have all of its essential vitamins and nutrients, your brain health suffers. Following a healthy diet helps you keep your mind sharp as you age, and there are plenty of food options to choose from.

Experts recommend eating a nutritious diet rich in whole grains, vegetables, and fruits. Additionally, avoid foods that are full of saturated fat and sugar.

Aim for foods that have Omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon, which are the building blocks of your brain. Green tea contains polyphenols and antioxidants that help improve alertness and focus. Plus, blueberries also contain antioxidants, which promote brain cell communication, delay short-term memory loss, and reduce inflammation.

Eating eggs will give you a sufficient number of vitamins B6, B12, folate, and choline. These nutrients help regulate mood and memory through a neurotransmitter called acetylcholine.

8. Get Enough Sleep

If you don’t get enough sleep, you will struggle with memory, concentration, and other essential cognitive functions. Plus, you won’t learn new skills as easily when you suffer from a lack of sleep. Aim for around eight hours of sleep each night, and try to stick to a consistent routine.

Choose a bedtime that works for you and stick to it, even on the weekends. Additionally, avoid heavy food before bed because it can irritate your stomach and make you lose sleep. Choose a light and healthy snack instead if you feel hungry at night.

Limit stimulants such as coffee, soda, cigarettes, or chocolate for at least four hours before bedtime. Plus, while alcohol might make you feel tired or help you fall asleep, it disrupts your REM and slow-wave sleep. Avoid drinking alcohol before bed to aid in a restful sleep cycle and improved cognition.

9. Listen to Music

Music is entertaining and enjoyable, but it also improves memory function. Listen to your favorite songs, or choose an entirely new playlist to enjoy. As you do, your brain experiences increased cognitive function.

Listening to music can help you come up with innovative solutions, promoting creativity and brainpower. If you’re feeling up to it, get up and dance to the music, too. Studies show that dancing boosts your memory, speed, and cognitive processing ability.

10. Share Your Knowledge with Someone

Teaching someone what you already know is a great way to keep your mind sharp. It expands your knowledge, allows you to practice, and reaffirms the skill in your mind. As you share your knowledge, it forces you to explain your concept and gives you a chance to correct your mistakes.

When you’re learning something new, sharing your new knowledge will help solidify the concepts. If you’re new to tennis, show someone else how to swing the racket, and explain the steps as you go. You might identify something you’re doing wrong, too, and can fix it right away.

11. Meditate

Meditation is the last, but not least, of these tips on how to increase mental sharpness.

With a clear mind and positive thinking, your mind can stay sharp as you age. Meditation increases your brain’s abilities and promotes processing and memory. Just ten minutes a day is enough to help your brain restore itself, but you can extend that time.

As meditation calms your body, slows your breathing, and reduces stress, it enhances your cognitive ability. When you are at peace, your brain doesn’t have to focus on stressors as much, allowing you to use it to its full potential.

Final Thoughts on How to Keep Your Mind Sharp as You Age

The power of your mind is incredible, but you must figure out how to keep your mind sharp as you age. If you don’t continually exercise your brain, you miss out on much potential and functionality. Focusing on keeping your mind sharper allows you to experience improved concentration, focus, memory, and overall cognitive function.

Plus, along with all of those benefits, you might learn something new or exciting along the way. Even if you haven’t noticed a change in your cognitive function, start implementing some of these changes right away.

7 Ways Past Life Karma Affects You (And How to Heal it)

February 7, 2020 by Power of Positivity

In religions such as Buddhism and Hinduism, the concept of karma comes up quite frequently. They believe that our past actions influence situations in our current lives and that we must correct our thinking and behaviors to balance this karma. Also, the steps we take now will affect our lives in the future.

What is karma?

The translation of karma from Sanskrit is action. However, in Buddhism, karma means intention.

Intention, one can assert, is karma. Intending, one does karma by way of body, speech, and intellect. (AN 6.63)

So, the intentions behind our actions matter just as much as our actions. For example, if we give money to a homeless person to look good on social media or for our gratification, the act becomes tainted by bad karma. If we offer without love, these actions may lead to karmic debt in the future.

Having good intentions means acting in such a way that goes along with our core beliefs. We first must establish the expectations that we will live by and then go out and practice them in the real world.

6 Intentions Drive Behaviors

The Buddha listed six intentions that make up the force behind our actions:

good-will (or kindness)
compassion
generosity
ill-will (or anger)
cruelty
greed

As you can see, the first three intentions are direct opposites of the last three. We can all agree that in our world, we have too much bad karma and not enough good karma. Many people act out of anger, cruelty, and greed, which has gotten us to the place we’re in today. However, plenty of good people out there are loving, kind, and generous, bringing some much-needed karmic balance.

Reversing bad karma from a past life

Returning to the Buddha quote, we see that karma builds from our actions, thoughts, and speech. If we want to foster good karma, we must pay attention to our predominant thoughts first and foremost. Try this on yourself now. Do you notice your ideas come from a loving place, wishing others and yourself well in life? Or do you feel angry toward yourself and others?

If we want to reverse bad karma, we must pay attention to our thoughts, as everything in existence stems from our thinking. After we correct evil thoughts, our speech will reflect this. Then, this will trickle down to our actions because good thoughts and positive speech can only inevitably lead to a desirable outcome.

For example, if we think about loving humanity and doing deeds that uplift those around us, we will speak kindly toward our family and peers. Our actions will become more selfless and giving as we increase feelings of love and compassion toward others.

Why does karma matter?

If we spread good karma and act in a non-violent, calm manner, we positively build our character. By doing this, we can increase the vibration and frequency of the planet. Positive feelings and intentions usually lead to more of the same, as the law of attraction states. Habits become things. We become what we think about the most, so if we think about love, we will become it.

On the other end of the spectrum, if we think in an angry, lower-vibrational way, our reality will look different based on our intent and actions. We can live in a way where everyone around us matters or where no one except ourselves. We must embrace others as ourselves and learn that only love and a good karma can heal our planet.

This is what Buddha had to say about our thoughts:

Whatever a person frequently thinks and ponders upon becomes the inclination of his mind…If a person’s thinking is frequently imbued with ill-will… his mind is bent by that thinking imbued with ill-will… (MN19)

This is another way of saying that our thoughts become a reality. Whatever we think about most will show up in one form or another in our lives. For example, if we constantly dwell on how little money we have, we will only see a lack of everything around us, including relationships, health, etc. However, if we focus on all the good in our lives and express gratitude daily, more good stuff will show up for us. So, we must focus on having good thoughts so that our natural inclination is to express love and kindness toward ourselves and others.

By thinking positively, we healthily shape our character. We become more loving and kind, which will manifest in our outer reality. Our relationships will improve because we will want to give more than we take. We will want to respond instead of react, love instead of hate, etc.

Of course, paying attention to our minds can seem scary at first. Because most of our thoughts run on autopilot, we may not even know whether our beliefs are detrimental or helpful most of the time. How can we interrupt our endless stream of thoughts and become more mindful? Meditation works wonders in many ways, including in quieting our minds and even rewiring our brains! Many studies have shown the life-changing benefits of meditation, so much so that schools, jails, and employers are utilizing it.

The Importance of Fixing Your Bad Karma

So, no matter how much of ourselves has been built off thoughts of anger, self-hate, guilt, and shame, we can turn this around and choose more loving, compassionate thoughts instead. Fixing our karma begins with how we treat ourselves, so we must do the inner work to see results in the outer world.

Now that you know all about karma and why it matters so much in your life, let’s go over how past life karma affects you.

7 Ways Karma Impacts Your Life

1. You get what you give.

If you were stingy in a past life, except that in this life, you might feel lacking in certain areas. This means that you need to correct that imbalance by giving more to others because then you can receive far more than you imagine. People who give more feel better, anyway, so you can’t go wrong with opening your heart to others more.

2. It can manifest as painful experiences in childhood.

You may have gone through traumatic experiences in your early childhood, and while no one can prove that past life karma has anything to do with it, it’s worth considering. This isn’t to say that your parents aren’t to blame for their actions, but if you acted similarly in a past life, this could be karma coming back around.

3. Karma is a never-ending process.

If you haven’t confronted past life karma, it will keep manifesting in your life in various ways. If you didn’t learn self-love and acceptance, you might keep attracting partners who don’t love or accept you. You might not think you’re worthy of success or financial abundance, so you keep settling for jobs that feel safe and familiar. In other words, by choosing to ignore repeat patterns, you’re setting yourself up for recycled experiences.

4. Everyone comes into your life for a reason.

Many people in your life have probably crossed your path in previous lives. They all have lessons to teach you, so pay attention to the knowledge and wisdom they share. Your family, friends, and significant others are not coincidences. They are all there due to past life karma, so if you’ve had positive relationships with them for the most part, then you may not have any karma to heal. However, if you’ve had significant challenges with them, there is probably unresolved karmic debt.

5. Roles are often reversed.

In past lives, your mom or dad could’ve been your child. Did you feel you had to parent them from a young age? Perhaps they were children in a past life and didn’t learn their lessons. Whatever dynamic is needed to heal past karma will show up in this life.

6. The circumstances in your life today are because of past incarnations.

Of course, many factors in our current lives influence our situation, but we can also look to our past lives for clues. If we stole in a past life, we’d have things stolen from us. If we were greedy, we might have challenges with money.

7. Past life karma can influence our emotions

For example, if we committed violent acts and caused chaos in the past, this will show up in situations in our current lives. If we were peaceful and loving, perhaps we won’t have much turmoil in this life. Every situation can provide clues into who we were and what we did in our past lives.

Final thoughts about ways past life karma affects you

Karma is taught in religions such as Buddhism and Hinduism to explain how our thoughts and action impact our lives and others. Past life karma can show up in certain situations to teach us a lesson that we didn’t learn in the past. Pay attention to the people and events happening around you; they can serve as valuable clues to unhealed karma.

Science Reveals 15 Berries Useful for Liver Detox

February 7, 2020 by Power of Positivity

Did you read this title and wonder how berries could aid in liver detox? The truth is, consuming these brightly-colored fruits can make an enormous impact in flushing toxins from your liver.

Statistically speaking, very few people fully understand the role the liver plays in the human body; if you’re in this camp, this article might interest you. As far as its location, the liver sits on the right side of the stomach. And it is responsible for detoxifying chemicals and metabolizing drugs in the body. In accomplishing both of these tasks, the liver secretes an alkaline fluid known as bile, which eventually makes its way into the intestines. The acids in bile help the intestines digest and absorb fats and fat-soluble vitamins.

The liver is also instrumental in removing waste from the body. In short, the liver keeps the body running like a fine-tuned machine. However, if too many toxins build up in this meaty organ, they can prevent it from functioning correctly. Fortunately, consuming certain foods can go a long way toward preventing and even preventing this problem, some of which include berries.

HOW BERRIES CAN HELP WITH LIVER DETOX

In carrying out its many complex functions, the liver relies on Kupffer cells. These are star-shaped cells found in the linings of the liver’s sinusoids. Wild berries, particularly raspberries, blackberries, and blueberries, which are rich in antioxidants, can help these cells and the liver as a whole perform better. However, there are many more that offer the same benefits when it comes to improving liver function.

WHAT ARE ANTIOXIDANTS?

Having established that wild berries are a great source of antioxidants, let’s take a moment to go over what they do and, more importantly, why you need them. According to an article published by Medical News Today, an online resource for medical information aimed at physicians as well as the general public, antioxidants are chemical substances that aid in preventing or slowing down damage to cells caused by free radicals. For those who are unfamiliar with free radicals, they are a byproduct of oxidative stress. Free radicals are known to contribute to a wide range of illnesses and can also cause premature aging.

Along with compromising liver function, free radicals have also been linked to the following:

Certain cancers
Senile dementia
Degenerative eye disease
Asthma
Inflammatory joint disease
Diabetes
Atherosclerosis (plaque build-up in the artery walls)

While the human body is more than capable of producing antioxidants on its own to help lower the risk of developing these chronic health problems, it is not always able to produce enough of them. And this is where consuming foods antioxidant-rich foods into the picture.

WHAT BERRIES SHOULD YOU EAT TO IMPROVE LIVER FUNCTION?

If you’re experiencing any of the tell-tale signs of liver problems, such as dark-colored urine, nausea, vomiting, or chronic fatigue, adding antioxidant-rich berries to your diet might be worth considering. After all, they can help improve liver function and also strengthen the immune system. That said, let’s take an in-depth look at 15 berries that you should start eating today:

1. RASPBERRIES

Along with being an excellent source of polyphenol antioxidants, raspberries contain vitamin C and ellagic acid, an oxygen-containing heterocyclic compound with even more antioxidant properties. All of the nutrients in raspberries are effective in detoxifying the liver. Raspberries also contain ketones, which, structurally speaking, are nearly identical to the capsaicin in red peppers and the synephrine in citrus peels. These ketones can significantly reduce fat build-up in the liver, which, in turn, allows it to function better.

2. GOJI BERRY

Although native to China, the goji berry can be found in most supermarkets across America. Like raspberries, they are rich in antioxidants that can detoxify the liver. However, they offer much more. The goji berry, which is a dark red and mildly tart fruit, contains vitamin A as well as zeaxanthin, which have both been shown to improve eye health.

3. BLUEBERRIES

Blueberries contain unique polyphenol antioxidants known as anthocyanins. Along with liver detox, anthocyanins can reduce oxidative stress in the body, which would otherwise lead to the development of free radicals. So it stands to reason that the more blueberries you eat, the less likely you are to develop the chronic health problems commonly associated with free radicals.

4. STRAWBERRIES

Antioxidant-rich strawberries are good for both the liver and the heart. In a study published by ScienceDaily, individuals who consumed at least three servings of strawberries each day reduced their chances of suffering a heart attack by as much as 30 percent by the end of the study.

5. BILBERRIES

Although more common in Europe, bilberries can be found at select supermarkets in America as well. Like strawberries, a diet that includes bilberries can improve liver and heart health. Along with antioxidants, they also contain vitamin C and E, both of which can help with liver detox and reducing inflammation.

6. ACAI BERRY

Although grown natively in the Amazon region of Brazil, the acai berry is just as plentiful in America. It also contains an above-average antioxidant content, which makes it the ideal fruit for those who are interested in embarking on a liver detox journey. It is also an excellent source of fiber, which can improve digestive health while keeping you regular.

7. CRANBERRIES

The anthocyanins, vitamin C, glutathione, and chelation found in cranberries are all equally effective when it comes to improving liver function. According to one article published online, vitamin C helps remove fat deposits from the liver, glutathione speeds up the detox process, and chelation allows the liver to rid itself of even more harmful contaminants, including metals.

8. RED GRAPES

While we may not always think of them as such, grapes are part of the berry family. And they offer their fair share of health benefits. According to one study, grapes (especially grape juice) can help reduce fat build-up in the liver, which not only helps with the detox process but also keeps the organ healthy. Also, the skin of red grapes is rich in resveratrol, which helps with inflammation.

9. CAMU CAMU

The Camu Camu berry is a sour and dark red berry that is native to the Amazon rainforest. Although this particular berry is not always readily available in America, it does offer numerous health benefits, including liver detox. Along with antioxidants and vitamin C, this dark red berry contains properties that support eye, gum, and skin health.

10. GOLDENBERRIES

Goldenberries have a yellow-orange color that allows them to stand out from many other fruits in the berry family. And they are chock-full B vitamins, protein, and fiber, all of which can help regulate metabolism and boost energy. They also contain antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties.

11. MAQUI BERRY

The maqui is a small purple berry that is native to Chile. Along with antioxidants that support a healthy liver, they contain heart-healthy flavonoids that have been shown to fend off cardiovascular disease. According to an article published by U.S. News and World Report, this small purple berry can minimize inflammation in blood vessels and also prevent arteries from hardening. The same article also states that the maqui berry can help regulate blood glucose levels.

Elderberries are an additional beneficial source of flavonoids.

12. MULBERRIES

Mulberries can do more than improve the health and function of your liver. With a taste similar to Mulberries can do more than improve the health and function of your liver. With a taste similar to that of blackberries, mulberries contain a high percentage of vitamin C, iron, and magnesium. They are also rich in polyphenol antioxidants and potassium. As far as health benefits, mulberries can help lower high blood pressure, protect against cardiovascular disease, improve liver function, and much more.

13. SEA BUCKTHORN BERRY

The sea buckthorn berry is about as close as you can come to a multivitamin if you’re not already taking one. This yellow-orange berry is packed with vitamins A, C, E, and K, not to mention B-complex vitamins for good measure. Along with liver detox, consuming this particular berry helps strengthen the immune system, protect against cancer, and speed up wound healing. The flavonoids and carotenoids in this tart-tasting berry may also reduce your risk of developing cardiovascular disease, according to several credible studies.

14. BAYBERRIES

Native to China, bayberries support all-around good health, which includes a healthy liver, by offering ample amounts of vitamins A, C, and E. This dark red and slightly acidic berry is also an excellent source of folate.

15. CHOKEBERRIES

Often grown in swamps and wet woods throughout North America, chokeberries are rich in antioxidants as well as manganese and vitamins A, E, C, and K. They also contain iron and folate. And because of their distinct and delicious taste, chokeberries are often used to make wine, tea, and syrups. Of course, the health benefits that come with consuming any of these offerings makes them that much more enticing.

FINAL THOUGHTS ON THE CONNECTION BETWEEN EATING BERRIES AND LIVER DETOX

All in all, the liver plays a critical role when it comes to keeping the body healthy. That said, eating berries, perhaps even a handful, each day is a great way to make sure it continues to function correctly.

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