Psychology Explains How Curiosity Helps You Achieve Goals

Many people have big dreams and goals in life, but not everyone has the traits necessary to achieve them. If you’re trying to build some of those characteristics to heighten your chances of success, begin with curiosity.

Curiosity is a fascinating trait. It refers to a desire to find truth or secrets in everyday activities and live life. It makes you curious, interested, and easily engaged. It’s no wonder, then, that it may also be the key to your goals being fulfilled!

Here are six ways curiosity helps you achieve highly-ambitious goals.

1.    It Gives You A Sense Of Purpose

Curiosity makes you explore the world around you, allowing you to learn more about your opportunities, life possibilities, and general future. As a result, you’ll develop new hobbies and interests that may give you a sense of meaning and purpose in life.

Curiosity and purpose go hand-in-hand, and in an ideal situation, they’d be a never-ending cycle of positive thinking and forward momentum. When you’re passionate about something or feel like something gives you purpose, you’re more likely to become even more curious about it, and that builds your passion even further. It’s, for once, a positive form of a cycle!

Studies show that having a sense of purpose is incredibly good for your wellbeing, as it helps with your self-control and self-regulation, which are vital components of goal achievement. The more curious you are, the more compelling the world becomes, and the more meaning you may find in your endeavors and interests.

2.    It Makes You Work Better With Others

Achieving highly-ambitious goals is usually something you can’t do entirely alone. While the main effort and the responsibility for achievement are yours, you’ll often need many other elements to get to success. You’ll have to work with like-minded people, collaborate with others, and seek knowledge and wisdom from experts.

Many people with big dreams become very proud of them, which is fair, but they may take it to a weak point. Believing that you have to “go it alone” for the achievement to matter is simply untrue and very stubborn. By nature, human beings want to support and help each other, and everyone needs a little assistance sometimes!

Curiosity makes you a better team-player, thus allowing you to achieve your goals thanks to the support and aid from the people around you. Here’s how:

·         You’re Better At Collaborating

Have you ever heard of the rules of improv comedy? When responding to others, you have to say “yes, and” to keep up the flow of the collaborative improvisation, always building off the other person instead of shutting down their ideas. That’s what collaboration is all about. Curiosity makes it, so you naturally want to say “yes, and.” You want to explore new possibilities and build off others’ novel thoughts, making you a better team-player overall.

·         You’re Better At Forming Dialogue

When you’re curious, you are less likely to be judgmental or accusatory when you see someone doing something in a way you think is incorrect. You would, instead, be curious about how the other person thinks, and you can ask them about it politely and with genuine interest. Those people will be happy to engage in productive, positive, and meaningful dialogue with you to give you new ideas and open your mind while showing your trust in the other person’s process.

·         You’re A Better Leader

Working with others sometimes means working in a positive above them, as a leader or manager. When you have very ambitious goals, it’s only natural that at some point, you’ll wind up in such a position. The best leaders are those who don’t fool themselves into thinking they’re intellectually above their team. They’re curious! They’re interested, eager to understand their team, and are very welcoming and flexible when introducing new thoughts and ideas. This encourages a team to be more creative, so your curiosity drives them!

3.    It Boosts Performance

Curiosity has been known to boost performance in many different fields. No matter where your goals lie, it’s likely that being curious may be able to help. On the surface, here are some areas of performance that being naturally curious can boost:

·         Academic Achievement

When you’re curious, you’re likely to put more effort into learning about different subjects. Of your own volition, you’ll be more willing to study, remember lessons, and do projects for academic success. This carries forward into other areas of your life, too, according to studies.

·         Improved Participation

Curiosity can help you participate in activities in a learning environment with higher enjoyment and positive thinking. It increases your desire to learn, so you’re more eager to join things you may have previously found tedious or boring. Alternatively, that curiosity may make you want to participate to see what will happen or try it out.

·         Work Performance

Many people’s goals lie in their career paths. When you’re curious, you’ll be more interested in progressing in that career. According to research, you’ll be more involved, work harder, and engage more with your work, leading to improved performance.

4.    It Opens Your Mind

Few goals can be met without an open mind. The world’s reality is that it’s so much broader than a single human brain can comprehend without seeking to expand itself. The sooner you realize that the faster you’ll arrive at your goals. Curiosity can help significantly with that, and here’s how:

·         It Makes You Find Innovative Solutions

Being curious means, you’re willing to look everywhere to solve problems, which is a crucial skill for achieving goals. You’re able to find methods to overcome hurdles in unexpected but effective ways, and you’re willing to try new and surprising things to achieve that solution.

·         It Shows You Opportunities

The world is full of unlimited chances and doors, but most people ignore a good portion of them in favor of more conventional opportunities. The ability to see all the possibilities that others don’t deem worth pursuing is precious when you have highly-ambitious goals. Curiosity can open your mind to a world of doors to open, and you’ll be happy to try each one, even if it seems strange!

·         It Expands Your Bubble

No one naturally knows about everything, and most people’s knowledge is limited to their personal experiences or the experiences of those they’re closest to. This can hinder progress towards goals, as the most extensive plans often involve a need to be cultured. To learn about things foreign to you, curiosity helps to expand your bubble. You’ll want to explore other cultures, mindsets, and ideas that you’ve never had access to before. Instead of shunning the unfamiliar, you will heartily welcome it.

·         It Helps You Face Your Fears

Everyone has some fears in life, but these fears can stop you from moving forward towards highly-ambitious goals. Curiosity helps you face these fears by making you intrigued by the unknown wonders that may lie beyond your apprehension. You’ll feel spurred to take action, even if it’s difficult, all because you’re curious about what will happen if you do!

5.    It Makes You A Better Person Through Improvement

Highly-ambitious goals don’t need you to be the best person you can be, but it certainly does help. When you experience personal growth, you learn to tackle problems better and prevent predictable issues that may arise when you chase your dreams. Being a better person means that your old hang-ups can’t hold power over you as you progress.

Curiosity can help you become a better person by pushing you to chase down self-improvement. Here are some ways that it does this:

·         It Increases Your Self-Awareness

Being self-aware is a crucial part of positive social interaction and everyday lifestyle choices. If you’re not in tune with yourself and your behavior, you’re more likely to do things that harm others and yourself. Curiosity helps self-awareness because it forces you to keep asking questions. You’ll challenge yourself and your actions, always seeking to discover the truth behind them.

·         It Keeps You Humble

To improve, you have to recognize your weaknesses and know how much you have left to grow. Curiosity can help foster this humility, as you have to put aside your pride if you genuinely want to find out more about a subject or discover how you can be better.

·         It Makes You Mindful

Curious people are more in touch with the world around them. They are drawn in by seemingly innocuous or unimportant features in the present. Being curious means knowing how to stop and smell the roses, as those roses could hold all sorts of secrets that you desperately want to explore and uncover! This is a crucial feature of mindfulness, which is an important trait that allows you to live your best life in the current moment.

6.    It Boosts Positive Thinking

Few people can successfully meet highly-ambitious goals with pessimism. Positive thinking and grounded optimism are often crucial to making good progress. When you’re always thinking negatively, you can form self-fulfilling prophecies. It’s like that saying goes: whether you think you can or can’t, you’re right.

Research has long indicated that individuals with high levels of curiosity tend to be happier, more positive people. This is likely because:

They have lower levels of anxiety thanks to years of just going for itThey’re more satisfied with life as they tend to have fewer regretsHaving more novel experiences that make them feel better and happierThey learn more things and feel more accomplished as a resultThey have better social relationships and therefore have more social support

In other words, curiosity feeds positive thinking, which feeds curiosity again! The power of interest is such that it can form numerous healthy cycles that are easy to perpetuate, and optimism is just one way that it achieves this.

Final Thoughts On Some Ways Curiosity Helps You Achieve Highly-Ambitious Goals

They say that curiosity killed the cat, but few realize that this famous saying finishes with “but satisfaction brought it back.” As it turns out, curiosity is more likely to bring you back than metaphorically kill you. So go ahead and chase after your goals with zeal! You’ll find that your chances of success are heightened when you dare to ask questions and experiment.

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10 Things That Happen When You Spend More Quality Time Together

One of the things that most couples complain about is not having enough quality time together. Life is chaotic on a good day, so how do you make time for the one who stole your heart when there’s so much chaos all around? Relationships are much like flowers, and if you don’t water a flower, it will die.

If you don’t nurture your relationship, then it can’t bloom into something beautiful. Rather, think about what happens to your plants if you forget to water them for one week, two, or even three.

Eventually, a plant that isn’t given the water it needs will wither up and die, and the same thing will happen to your relationship when there is no time for nourishment.

Ten Positive Things That Happen When You Spend More Quality Time Together

There’s a saying that people have time for the things that they want to do in life. How many times have you moved heaven and earth to do something important to you? When it comes to your spouse, it’s just as vital that you make time for them.

Thankfully, spending quality time does come with many benefits you may not realize, and here are the top ten positive outcomes.

1. Your Connection Deepens

When you carve out a particular time for you and your partner, your connection with one another will deepen. The more time you spend together, the freer you feel to share your soul. You don’t always have time to talk about your day or all the things going on in your life when the kids need to be fed and the dog needs walked.

Make time for each other and watch and see how it enhances your relationship. Try having dates, once a week, for a month. At the end of this time frame, your connection with each other will grow, and it will be better than when you started this trial.

2. You Remain Best Friends

When you first become a couple, most people are more interested in the physical aspects than the friendship part. However, friendship is the basis for making it for the long haul. If you’re not friends, then you won’t go far in your union.

Your best friend is the one you run to and share all your secrets, and your spouse or partner should be that person. Sure, it’s okay to have other friends, but your partner gets you on a level that others cannot. The more time you spend together, the more your friendship will deepen.

3. Communication Skills Grow

Communication is a huge issue when there’s not enough quality time. You want to share your life, but something is always in the way. Sometimes, it just seems easier to hold everything inside rather than troubling them with your problems or feelings.

When you don’t get enough time together, then you’re more apt to keep things from them that they should know about. When you make a point to spend time with each other, then your communication skills enhance naturally.

4. Intimacy Improves

When a couple grows apart, often the first place that you will notice it is in your intimacy. Sure, sexual relationships are an essential part of any union, but intimacy involves many facets. For instance, holding hands, kissing, hugging each other, and just being close is all something that can wain when you don’t have enough quality time.

5. You Have Fun Together

When it the last time that you and your spouse sat down and belly laughed at a joke or meme? Your union needs this type of fun because your life cannot be all about work and responsibilities. When you belly laugh, you release endorphins that help calm and relax you, and according to National Health Institute, you can also improve your mental and physical health.

6. It Builds Trust

If you’ve been together for many years, you may find it hard to trust this person. Sometimes other people get involved in your relationship, and it destroys the foundation that you started on. When you spend time cultivating your connection, it will improve or build better trust between you two.

Consider the gardening process. Many people believe that plants only need water, and they don’t bother feeding them. However, a plant is given special nutrients, and food will always outgrow the one that is just relying on water and sunshine.

While both plants may live, the one given those extra nutrients will thrive because it’s being enhanced. What are you doing to strengthen your relationship so that you can build trust and reinforce your bond?

7. Leads to Fewer Disagreements

There will always be disagreements in life, but there’s no reason for a couple to have serious arguments. When couples get into verbal disputes that escalate to calling names and even throwing things, it can destroy your relationship. Thankfully, when you have quality time with each other, it will lead to fewer disagreements, as you will both be on the same page.

8. It Allows Growth

Progress occurs in many areas of any relationship. Any couple who has been together for any length of time should be growing and not stuck in the same place. You become wiser as you gain wisdom from experiences, and your dreams and plans alter and shift over the years.

It’s essential that you grow together as a couple and that your visions and dreams for the future align, and spending quality time is one way to accomplish this goal.

9. Increases Awareness of Each Other’s Lives

Your spouse should be the first person you run to with anything going on in your life. If a coworker upsets you or a lady at the supermarket takes your parking spot, they should be the one you tell all the things that happen in your life. When you’re spending more time together, you’re naturally developing an increased awareness of each other and the occurrences in your daily grind.

10. Enhances Loyalty

You may say that you’re already loyal to the one you love but try spending more time together and see how that loyalty deepens. If someone says anything about them, you’re ready to defend them. Additionally, the old saying that you would take a bullet for someone is also the type of loyalty that develops with more time.

Ten Ways to Spend More Time in Sync

Now that you know all the reasons you need to spend more time with each other, you may wonder how and what you can do. Time is limited if you’re doing a weeknight date, so you want to plan carefully. Here are some great ways that you can spend time together and enhance your connection.

Try couples yoga classesJoin the gymTake cooking classesJoin a book clubFind a support group with others in similar situations in your areaMake a date night at least one night per weekTry something adventurous like ziplining or white-water raftingTake weekend getaways without the kidsTry a new sportInvest in a boat, four-wheeler, or some other recreational vehicle

You can do other things to strengthen your union, such as buying flowers, candy, and gifts just because. You don’t need a special occasion to make the one you love feel special. Additionally, don’t let birthdays, holidays, anniversaries, or other special events pass you by without a gift, card, or acknowledgment.

While it’s essential to include your children and other family members in some things, you and your partner need private time that’s meant for only you. Remember, before there were children and all these responsibilities, two people fell in love and had fun together.

Final Thoughts on Why Quality Time Matters

You probably read through this list and thought it all sounded great, but you didn’t know how in the world you would be able to fit this all into your schedule. The good news is that you don’t have to do anything spectacular that costs tons of money to spend time together.

Did you know that sometimes it’s the little things that mean the most? Why not take a walk outside in the brisk of the evening holding hands? You could invest in an excellent porch swing to sit outside and talk the night away. Neither of these things will break the bank, but they will undoubtedly do wonders for your relationship.

If you’ve been going through a rough time, then it’s, even more a reason to spend quality time together. If you get down to your issues’ crux, you will likely find that it’s because you don’t have enough time for each other. When it comes to your date night, you need to remember that laundry, dishes, and all these other cares of life will be there in the morning.

However, if you neglect the one that loves and cares about you for too long, it can cause an irreparable rift. Make sure you grow together and not apart, and you can be one of the couples that makes it to a 25th or even 50th anniversary.

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University at Buffalo Study Links Some Medications to Increased Fall Risk in Seniors

A new study from the University of Buffalo researchers found that certain medications heighten fall risk in seniors. They discovered that in 2017, doctors prescribed almost every older adult a drug that increased their risk of falling.

Shockingly, the study found that seniors prescribed fall-risk-increasing drugs climbed from 57% in 1999 to 94% in 2017. The investigation also revealed that deaths due to falls in older adults more than doubled during this period.

Recently published in Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safetythe study investigated data on deaths from falling and filled prescriptions for seniors. The research included adults 65 and older. The team obtained the data from the National Vital Statistics System and the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey.

The researchers say that older adults can still suffer injuries from even minor falls. Non-fatal falls can result in injuries such as hip fractures, head trauma, or broken bones. This can significantly diminish the quality of life for seniors. According to the CDC, almost $50 billion is spent on medical treatments related to falls among seniors each year.

This alarming data confirms the necessity for doctors to de-prescribe medications that increase fall risk in older adults. In this study, the research team wanted to investigate what kinds of drugs seemed to correlate with more falls. Amy Shaver, PharmD, a postdoctoral associate in the UB School of Public Health and Health Professions, led the study.

Dr. Shaver said the following:

“Our study indicates two trends increasing concurrently at a population level that should be examined at the individual level. Our hope is it will start more conversations on health care teams about the pros and cons of medications prescribed for vulnerable populations.”

Other investigators from the UB School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences also took part in the study. They include Collin Clark, PharmD, clinical assistant professor; David Jacobs, PharmD, Ph.D., assistant professor; Robert Wahler Jr., PharmD, clinical associate professor; and Mary Hejna, PharmD, pharmacy resident at Kaleida Health.

Types of medications that increase fall risk for seniors

From their research, the team found that the following drugs heightened fall risk in seniors:

antidepressantsanticonvulsantsantipsychoticsantihypertensives (for high blood pressure)opioidssedative-hypnoticsbenzodiazepines (tranquilizers such as Valium and Xanax)certain nonprescription medications rise in fall risk

From 1999-2017, seniors in the United States filled over 7.8 billion prescriptions that increased fall risk. Antihypertensives made up the majority of the prescriptions filled. However, antidepressant use climbed steeply, from 12 million prescriptions in 1999 to over 52 million in 2017.

“The rise in the use of antidepressant medications seen in this study is likely related to the use of these agents as safer alternatives to older medications for conditions such as depression and anxiety,” says Shaver. “However, it is important to note that these medications are still associated with increased risks of falls and fractures among older adults.”

Researchers found that women had a higher fall risk due to these medications than men. In particular, Black women, who had more prescriptions filled than women of other races, had the highest fall risk. The most significant increase in deaths from falls occurred in white women aged 85 and older, climbing 160% between 1999 and 2017.

The study’s research team takes part in multidisciplinary de-prescribing initiatives conducted through Team Alice and the UB Center for Successful Aging. These efforts encourage and assess de-prescribing conversations between patients and caregivers with health care providers. They also promote interprofessional education on de-prescribing processes and advocate for changes to policies in the healthcare system.

The National Cancer Institute partially funded this study.

In general, older adults take more medications, which compounds the risk of falling or other adverse drug reactions. According to the National Institute of Health, bad reactions to drugs hospitalize twice as many seniors as younger people. This can happen because the medication reacts with another drug or due to prescription drugs’ side effects. However, health care providers work with seniors to try to avoid ill effects from taking multiple medications.

Even so, medications react differently in an older person’s body than in a young adult. Older adults usually have lower body weight and larger body fat percentages than younger people. Many drugs concentrate on fat tissues so that medications may stay in older adults’ systems longer.

Also, the kidneys and liver, two organs that help process medications, don’t work well in seniors. This, combined with having more body fat, can lead to dangerously high medicines in the body. The drugs can accumulate because the body can’t remove them on time, thus causing adverse reactions. Since the drugs remain in their bodies for a more extended period, seniors can have more sensitivity to medications.

So what do doctors do next?

Doctors should take all of these factors into account when prescribing medications. Also, they should not prescribe medicines that increase fall risk in seniors, leading to severe injuries. Make sure to talk with your health care provider if you have concerns about the prescriptions you take. Often, there are safer alternatives that have fewer dangerous side effects.

As always, make sure to eat a balanced diet, drink plenty of water, get adequate sleep, and exercise. Also, go outside for at least 20-30 minutes a day for a brief walk if you can. All of these natural remedies will boost your health and immune system and perhaps lessen the need for medications.

Final Thoughts: study finds that certain medications increase fall risk for seniors

A new study from the University of Buffalo found that many medications heighten fall risk for seniors. Specifically, antidepressants, anticonvulsants, antipsychotics, antihypertensives, opioids, sedative-hypnotics, and benzodiazepines significantly increase the risk of falling in older adults. The research team discovered that in 2017, nearly every older adult was prescribed a medication that increased their fall risk.

They hope that these findings will encourage patients and health care providers to talk about alternative options. While medications do save lives, their side effects shouldn’t create more problems for vulnerable populations. Until drugs become safer, however, doctors should help to lower the risk for their patients.

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The Best Home Workouts, According to Body Type

You’ve likely discovered by now that there’s nothing you can do to change your genes. However, you can learn your genetic makeup and practice an exercise routine that works best for you. A tailored home workout program will help you work with your body type instead of against it, so you’ll see the results you want in a reasonable amount of time.

Unfortunately, an astounding number of people aren’t getting enough exercise regularly. The CDC asserts that a shocking 80% of people in the US aren’t meeting the guidelines for training set forth by the federal government. This means that only 20% of American adults are receiving the consistent benefits of working out. Yes, life can get hectic. In fact, you may be tempted to put off your exercise routine until “tomorrow.”

However, when you delay working out, you may never get the chance to go to the gym or wake up early for a morning jog. After all, not exercising often seems much more manageable than pushing yourself to work out when you’re tired or busy.

Most of us have a list of obligations we have to fulfill throughout the day, making it challenging to find time for exercising. One of the factors that will motivate us to work out is looking forward to it. This indicates that most people haven’t found workouts that they enjoy. Your body type can show which exercises work for you. When you’re working out based on the kind of body you have, you’ll be more likely to see results and stick to your exercise routine.

Choosing the proper workout for your body

Ayurveda, the traditional Hindu philosophy of medicine, indicates three physical types, also known as doshas: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. Knowing which category you fall into will let you know which workouts are ideal for you and how long you should spend working out every day. Here are some details about each category that will help you customize your exercise regimen.

Vata

Vatas often do well playing high-intensity sports that require agility and athletic skill. If you’re a Vata, you likely have a short attention span, which means you enjoy sports and athletic games that require speed, and adrenaline. You’re probably also a fan of competitive sports since you get an adrenaline rush from being competitive and being victorious in the sport of your choice. You need physical activity to process your pent-up energy so you won’t become burnt out. While you enjoy and prefer intense exercises, you naturally have low stamina, so you need a workout that will change you while quickly giving you a change of pace.

Recommended Vata exercises include games like baseball, ballet, bowling, or canoeing. You would probably also enjoy going to a dance class as part of your workout and may find that yoga or weight training is beneficial. If you have to engage in moderate exercise to build up your stamina or because of previous health issues, try swimming, water aerobics, or walking.

Pitta

If you are a Pitta, you likely have a very independent personality, which means you prefer workouts that you can do by yourself. Like the Vatta types, you also need adrenaline and speed to stay motivated. As a Pitta, you are determined and passionate, which means you’ll do all you can to accomplish your fitness goals. You play to win, so you won’t feel like your workout is complete unless you’ve received acknowledgment or achievement for your hard work.

Pittas are naturally athletic, and since you likely dominate in athletics, you often assume the team leader’s role when you’re not exercising by yourself. However, it can be difficult for you to have fun while playing instead of focusing solely on winning.

It is also essential that you pay attention to your physical state when exercising or playing sports. Take a break when your body tires to avoid extreme exhaustion or injury.

Some of the best exercises for Pitta types include basketball, diving, hockey, ice skating, kayaking, and golf. You may also excel at martial arts or mountain biking since you can complete these workouts solo or with a small group.

Kapha

Kapha are great at endurance exercises and excel in workouts that allow them to use the minds and bodies simultaneously. If you’re a Kapha, you likely have a calm disposition and can work well under pressure. However, you may find that your gifts and talents may not be evident to you until you’re a little older. You enjoy team sports, but you tend to do best with individual exercises because solo workouts give you the mind-body connection you crave. You may also want to consider private sessions with a personal trainer since you need to work out alone but need the motivation of others to function at your best.

Some of the best Kapha exercises include cross-country running, basketball, aerobics, or bodybuilding. You may also want to try cycling or skiing during the cooler months of the year; in-line skating, rocking climbing, and short-distance running are ideal exercises for the warmer part of the year.

Customizing your workout

You’ll also have to determine your visual body type to create the most effective workout program for you. These descriptions could be helpful.

Pear

If this describes your body type, you carry excess weight in your body’s bottom half, particularly in the hip and thigh area. Celebrities such as Beyonce and Jennifer Lopez have this type of body and are often photographed showing off their curvy physiques, so you’re in good company. Cardio exercises that work the legs and buttocks are best for you. You could benefit from running on the treadmill or elliptical machine or incorporating running or jogging into your fitness routine.

pple

If you’re an apple, you likely have around the midsection and a full waist compared to your shoulders and hips. Think Drew Barrymore or Oprah. You’ll need to engage in high-intensity cardio that gets melts fat away from a rounder stomach and weight training that will strengthen your core.

Boyish or Athletic

If you’re not curvy at all, your body type is likely athletic or boyish, and you’re naturally slender. Celebrities such as Cameron Diaz and Gwyneth Paltrow have this body type. Weight training that adds definition and tone to your slender frame is best for you since working your core and strengthening your legs and arms can give you the illusion of a voluptuous physique.

Hourglass

If you have curves on the bottom and top of your body and have a small waist compared to your hips and thighs like Sofia Vergara or Scarlett Johansson, you have an hourglass body type. A weight training program that tones you all over is best for your body, which means you can try everything from bench pressing to curls to add definition to your frame.

Getting Rid of Fat

No matter what your body type, one of the main areas people tend to focus on is the abdominal area. Exercising your stomach muscles should be a regular part of your workout regimen. It is essential to work your trunk since this is the center of your body and connects your head, arms, and legs. The muscles that comprise your abdomen, chest, and back should be as strong as possible to strengthen your respiratory system and enhance your mobility.

Fat distribution according to gender

An article by the Current Opinion in Clinical Nutrition and Metabolic Care asserts that men and women naturally deposit fat different. Women often carry more fat around the hips while men carry most of their fat in their stomach area. Choose workouts with this in mind so you’ll work the right muscles to achieve the body shape you desire.

Rectus Abdominis

One of the most well-known muscles in the abdomen is the rectus abdominis, often referred to as a six-pack—this muscle interwines with the protective coating that shields your waist. The upper part of the rectus abdominis connects to your chest and ends in the pelvic area. The lower region of the muscle are more pronounced and form six squares of muscles at the base of your stomach. This is why exercises like sit-ups cut the fat in your stomach and make your six-pack more defined.

Understanding BMI

Your BMI, or body mass index, is calculate according to your weight divided by the square root of your height, according to the CDC. Your BMI lets you know how much fat your body is carrying.

The CDC asserts that you are considered overweight if your BMI is between 25 and 29.9. A BMI of 30 or more is deemed to be obese. Keep in mind that your BMI and weight include the index for your entire body, but some or most of your weight could be concentrated in your midsection.

Excess fat anywhere on the body can be a health hazard, but too much fat in the could can raise your risk of inflammation, blood sugar issues, and heart disease. This means you’ll need to work to make sure your stomach muscles are as lean as possible, particularly if you have a family history of heart disease or diabetes.

Final Thoughts on How Body Type and Tailoring a More Effective Workout

When you know how fat is distributed in your body, understanding your exercise personality type, and know how your body is shaped, you can create a workout regimen that will enrich your mind and body while helping you maintain good health.

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15 Quotes About Family to Build Stronger Bonds

Your life begins with family and ends with family, as many quotes about family explain. They are the most important people in your life, and your relationship with them outlasts all others. Even when you disagree with a family member or get angry with them, you still love them just the same.

Family can hold you together when times are tough, and they are there for joyful moments, too. You create your best memories with them and share life experiences. Most of your important moments in life are with your family, so it is best to make the most of it and embrace them.

Fifteen Quotes About the Bonds of Family

These quotes about family will remind you that your loved ones are the most important thing in your life. Family is first, and they should time priority over anything else. If you spend your time showing love for your family, you will build stronger bonds that last forever.

1. “Family means putting your arms around each other and being there.” – Barbara Bush

If you want to build stronger bonds, then be there for your family. Please support them in all that they do, and be there to help them along the way. Put your arms around them often, and the bond will strengthen continually.

2. “The bonds of family bind us up, support us, help us. And they are also a bond from which it is difficult, perhaps impossible to extricate oneself.” – Neil Gaiman

Your family is a part of you no matter what. A person can rarely separate themselves from where they came from. With this being the case, embrace it and allow the familial bond to be a blessing in your life.

3. “At the end of the day, a loving family should find everything forgivable.” – Mark V. Olsen

Don’t hold grudges, and show compassion and understanding when someone makes a mistake. Family should forgive and love unconditionally. If you can be this way, you are sure to build stronger bonds with your loved ones.

4. “If the family were a fruit, it would be an orange, a circle of sections, held together but separable — each segment distinct.” – Letty Cottin Pogrebin

Pogrebin uses the perfect metaphor to describe the bond of a family. Even though every member is different, they are all part of the same unit. They are held together, just like all of the sections of an orange are held together.

Remember this quote to help you build stronger bonds with your family. It will help you connect with them and think of yourselves as one unit made up of individuals. If you remember this quote, it will help keep you together and help you grow as a family because if one section is missing, the circle is incomplete.

5. “Family. We may not have it all together, but together we have it all.” – Unknown

There are no perfect families, even if they appear that way from the outside. If your family has issues and imperfections, you can still count your blessings if you are together. Don’t look at the flaws but instead, look for the happiness and joy that your family brings.

6. “Our family is like the branches of a tree. We may grow in different directions, yet our roots remain as one.” – Unknown

Everyone who comes from the same place branches off in a different direction, but sticking together is still essential. You might not always agree with their choices or opinions, and it is okay if you are different from one another. Your roots are the same, so keep loving and supporting each other no matter what you are going through.

7. “Our family is a circle of strength and love, with every birth and union it grows. Every crisis faced together makes the circle stronger.” – Unknown

When a baby is born, or a family member gets married, your family circle grows. It becomes stronger when you go through things together, especially tough situations. During these important times, your bond strengthens the most because you share the same pain, fears, and experience.

No one else can understand you better than those who were by your side through the hard times. As your circle grows, remember that it is getting stronger, too.

8. “A man travels the world over in search of what he needs, and returns home to find it.” – George Moore

No matter how far you venture from your home, you always return. When you return, you will find what you have been looking for. It is a safe space full of love, support, and memories, and you will feel complete again.

When you feel like something is missing in your life, consider whether it has been a while since you went back home. If it has, your family is likely what is missing from your life. Make it home whenever you can to build stronger bonds and spend time with the people you love.

9. “No family is perfect… we argue, we fight. We even stop talking to each other at times. But in the end, family is family… The love will always be there.” – Unknown

You are going to have disagreements with your loved ones. When you are so close to someone, it is easy to clash over topics and events.

Even still, you must be there for one another when it is needed. The love is still there, even when anger seems to be more powerful.

10. “There’s nothing that makes you more insane than family. Or more happy. Or more exasperated. Or more… secure.” – Jim Butcher

Your family knows the intimate details of your life. They know what you have been through, and they likely went through the same experiences. Because of this, those are the relationships that last the longest and cause the most emotion.

Your family will make you angry and drive you crazy, but they will also make you happier than anyone else. They will also make you feel secure. So, even when you feel fed up, you should work on building stronger bonds like these quotes about family explain.

11. “Family is the best thing you could ever wish for. They are there for you during the ups and downs and love you no matter what.” – Unknown

The people who are there for you through the good and bad times are the ones that matter the most. Your family is by your side no matter what you are going through, and they love you despite anything. Remember that, and you will have an easy time building stronger bonds.

12. “What greater thing is there for human souls than to feel that they are joined for life – to be with each other in silent unspeakable memories.” – George Eliot

Being a part of something can make you feel valued, worthy, and loved. When you have family, you are a part of something great, and it is something to be cherished. They are the people in your most intimate memories, and it creates an unbreakable bond that doesn’t need discussing.

13. “Other things may change us, but we start and end with the family.” – Anthony Brandt

When you begin your life, it is with your family surrounding you. As you grow, develop, and learn, they are still the ones by your side. There comes a time when other things like friends, partners, jobs, or life events change you, but it all comes back to the same thing.

It started with family, and it will come back to that, too. At the end of your life, you will once again see your family there with you. Remember these words from Brandt as you go through life, and it will strengthen your bond with those who are there for it all.

14. “Love your family. Spend time, be kind and serve one another. Make no room for regrets. Tomorrow is not promised, and today is short.” – Unknown

You might think you have all of the time in the world, but you never know what can happen. Treat your family with love, and show them how much they mean to you. This way, when time runs out, there won’t be any regrets of missed time.

If you live with this thought, you will make the most of each moment you have together. You will create unforgettable memories and build unbreakable bonds with those you love the most. Focus on the small moments because those are the ones that will matter the most.

15. “If you are too busy to enjoy quality time with your family, then you need to re-evaluate your priorities.” – Dave Willis

Nothing is more important than time spent with your family. If you find that other things are coming first, then you need to re-evaluate your life. Make your family a priority, even overwork, because quality time is essential to build stronger bonds.

Final Thoughts on Quotes About Family to Build Stronger Bonds

As you go through life, your family is there for it all. They are the ones who stick around when things get hard and support you through everything. These quotes about family can help you build stronger bonds as you begin to appreciate your loved ones more.

Let these quotes about family remind you to spend quality time with your family. Show them how much you love and appreciate them. This is the best way to build stronger bonds with those you love the most.

The post 15 Quotes About Family to Build Stronger Bonds appeared first on Power of Positivity: Positive Thinking & Attitude.

What To Do When You Start Feeling Overwhelmed By Life

We all start feeling overwhelmed by life sometimes. Whether one big event pushes us over the edge into feeling flooded or it's simply that we reach our tolerance for lots of smaller stressors, it feels awful to be overwhelmed.

We can lose confidence in ourselves, struggle with low mood, and begin to think of ourselves as helpless victims.

In this article, we'll give you concrete steps to take when life is overwhelming. We'll start out by helping you to better understand what causes you to become overwhelmed, and by assisting you in spotting the key signs.

From there, we'll move on to six techniques to calm yourself down when you're feeling overwhelmed, ranging from methods of influencing your subconscious mind to ways of letting your body know that there's no need to be afraid.

Our goal is to empower you to deal with feeling overwhelmed when it happens so that you no longer have to panic or feel helpless.

What Causes You To Start Feeling Overwhelmed

There are so many different things that can contribute to feeling overwhelmed.

Here are some of the most common triggers:

Social and relationship issues: For example, conflict with a loved one, or feeling isolated.Health issues: For example, struggling with your mental health, receiving a new medical diagnosis (or struggling to get one), feeling poorly because of a bad diet, or accepting the aging process.Career issues: For example, having a demanding job, lacking job security, being passed over for promotion, or knowing your job doesn't reflect your true purpose.Loss issues: For example, grieving the loss of a loved one, adjusting to the end of a relationship, being made redundant at work.Financial issues: For example, coping with debt, trying to secure a mortgage, not receiving money back from someone who owes you, or not having enough money to take care of yourself in the ways you'd like to can all bring up feelings of overwhelmingness.

Define ‘Becoming Overwhelmed’

How do we define overwhelming experiences, however?

What does it mean to be overwhelmed?

The key thing to know is that becoming overwhelmed is about being more than stressed.

All the examples in the above section can also trigger stress, but stress is at a lower pitch than feeling overwhelmed.

When something is overwhelming to us, we get completely lost in it – all of our thoughts and feelings begin to revolve around whatever problems are troubling us.

This intrudes regularly during our daily life and stops us from being able to generate productive solutions to our difficulties.

Signs Of Feeling Overwhelmed

When feeling overwhelmed, you can respond in a variety of ways. What's common to all of these responses, however, is that you feel flooded by an emotion – often, anger, guilt, fear – or a mix of emotions.

The following signs of becoming overwhelmed will help you pick up that it's starting to happen to you:

Mood swingsFeeling tearfulPhysical anxiety systems (e.g., fast heartbeat, breathlessness)IrritabilityTrouble sleepingA desire to self-medicate with food, drugs, alcohol, or sexPessimism about the futureA sense of disempowerment or lack of controlDifficulty concentratingLack of enjoyment in previously enjoyed activities.

If you notice several of these signs, it's possible that something – or more than one thing – in your life is overwhelming you. And once you realize this about yourself, the next step is to generate an effective response that helps you calm down and take control.

How To Calm Yourself Down When You’re Triggered

At this point, you have a better self of what emotional overwhelm actually is, and we can move on to key strategies you can use to regulate your feelings.

Here are five actionable techniques that you can try the next time you're overwhelmed.

For each, we’ll give some indication of the specific sorts of cases in which the suggestion might be especially useful. You can try one at a time, or pair several effective exercises together.

All of them are designed to calm you down and help you get a clearer sense of what you think, what you feel, and what you need to happen.

dmit To Your Worries And Anxiety

Quite often, we become overwhelmed in part because we've tried to push certain emotions down – which only makes them stronger.

For example, if we're stressed out about a relationship, we might try to distract ourselves and deny our discomfort, until eventually, it builds to a level where we become flooded.

To stop anxiety and not be overwhelmed by anxiety, then, we actually have to learn to let anxiety in before it gets too unmanageable levels.

Try, then, to develop a practice of admitting to yourself when you feel worried or anxious.

You might write it down, or say it loud, along with a matter-of-fact explanation.

Breathing Exercises

Meditation is suggested for almost any type of emotional difficulty, and for good reason.

However, research shows that less elaborate mindfulness exercises are just as powerful, and can be easier to do when you're feeling overwhelmed.

In particular, breathing exercises can assist you in calming down, getting your body back to a relaxed state where you can get a realistic perspective on your situation.

Breathing techniques come in all different flavors.

Among the most effective is simply breathing in for a slow count of five, then out to a slow count of seven.

Notice how your heart slows, and so does your mind.

Change Your Mind’s Focus

When you're overwhelmed, your focus narrows down to just your specific problem, and it can feel like that's all that exists.

To gain perspective on the true importance of this difficulty, you need to become “unfocused”, broadening out your perspective. The simplest way to do this is to start doing something physical.

This might be exercise, fidgeting with a comforting object, or doing a repetitive activity like knitting.

Try to connect with the simple, calming bodily sensations associated with your simple task, and you'll begin to notice that you feel less flooded.

Mental activities can also work, such as doing a puzzle or reading a book.

Leave The Area When Feeling Overwhelmed

Sometimes, in order to move past feeling trapped and panicked by whatever you're dealing with, all you need is a change of scenery.

Getting out in the fresh air is especially powerful – walk with nature, notice its beauty, and get some distance between you and your overwhelming feelings.

If it's cold outside, even 5-10 minutes can make all the difference.

When you return home, you should have replenished some of your resources and gained some objectivity.

In contrast, starting at the same four walls while you wait to hear back from an angry friend or a potential new employer is enough to make you feel utterly miserable.

Use Affirmations

When we're overwhelmed, we tend to get stuck in a negative loop, viewing ourselves in a critical light.

Using affirmations – positive sentences you repeat to yourself – can help to counteract this.

According to the Law of Attraction, for example, we can take more control of our self-image and also of how others see us by using affirmations to support our goals.

Think about what would help you get out of the situation that's overwhelming you – whether it's spiritually connecting to someone, having more time to yourself, or feeling physically better.

Then say an affirmation that reflects this – “I feel healthier every day” or “I give and receive love freely.”

Using Self-Hypnosis For Stress & Relief

Hopefully, you now feel like you're in a position to do something positive when feeling overwhelmed.

Anxiety can be incredibly difficult to overcome, however, and so it pays to have extra, especially powerful technique up your sleeve.

This is where self-hypnosis can come in, helping you to dig deep into your subconscious and change the outdated, limiting beliefs you have about yourself and your power.

With our stress and anxiety-busting self-hypnosis program, we aim to get you to a calmer, more balanced place than ever before – a place where you feel ready to tackle problems head-on and feel confident in doing so.

Self-hypnosis can work quickly, as long as you share the goals described on the recording – hypnosis can never make you do something you don't want to do.

So, if you want to feel better about yourself and have more control over your feelings, this could be the extra step that you need to support longer-term happiness.

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15 Daily Affirmations to Overcome Emotional Pain and Feel Better

Overcoming emotional pain can be hard, but daily affirmations can help you along the way. The affirmations will help you change your mindset, contributing to healing from emotional turmoil. As you say these positive phrases, you will shift your way of thinking for good.

It can be hard to forgive and move on, but doing so will benefit you in many ways. You must learn to forgive those who have wronged you, including yourself. Accept what has happened, use it as a learning opportunity, and move forward in life.

If you don’t find a way to overcome the pain, it will hold you back from fulfilling your goals and dreams. You might struggle to love yourself, find peace, or find the motivation to work toward your goals. Don’t let this happen to you, as you can easily overcome emotional pain by changing your mindset.

Fifteen Affirmations to Overcome Emotional Pain

Use these positive daily affirmations each day as you go through the healing process. The phrases will help you overcome the emotional pain and find joy and happiness in your life again. Find the ones that work best for you and use them as often as you need to.

1. I forgive myself and anyone else that has done me wrong.

Forgiveness is one of the essential steps in overcoming emotional turmoil. By forgiving someone (even yourself), it doesn’t mean that you are excusing their behavior. Instead, it means you are accepting what happened and deciding not to let it hold you back.

People make mistakes and they may intentionally or unintentionally hurt you. When this happens, you are likely to experience an emotional wound that is hard to heal. You can heal, though, as long as you work toward forgiveness.

2. I listen to my mind and body and take care of myself.

By taking care of yourself, you can heal emotionally much quicker. Pay attention to what your body and mind need, and it will help you overcome any challenges you are handling. With the proper self-care, you will be stronger, more resilient, and hopeful for the future.

Without self-care, though, you won’t be able to heal from the pain. You will find yourself stuck in the same place without growth opportunities. Remember to listen to what your body and mind need so that you can move on for a better future.

3. I permit myself to heal and move forward.

Sometimes you have to give yourself permission to heal and move forward. Guilt, regret, or obligation might make you feel like you can’t begin to move on, causing you to stay in that mindset. No matter what is causing your pain, though, you deserve to move on and find happiness.

Moving forward doesn’t mean you forget about the person or thing you cared about. It simply means that you are permitting yourself to continue your life positively. Use this daily affirmation to remind yourself of that.

4. I am grateful for everything and everyone that I have.

When you are experiencing emotional pain, think of all the things you still have in your life. Your loved ones and the things that you have are enough to help you overcome your pain. When you think of your blessings instead of things that bring pain, you will notice yourself healing more quickly.

When things go wrong, it is easy to think that your life is terrible and nothing ever works out. If this happens to you, sit back and think about all the great things and people you have. This easy trick can help bring you positivity in hard times and remind you of how great life can be.

5. I know that no one can take away my power or control my life.

You are in control of your life, and you hold the power that no one can take from you. Use this daily affirmation to remember that you have the power to overcome your pain. When you know that you are in control, you will be more likely to feel better going forward.

6. I love myself and take care of my needs.

When you practice self-love and take care of yourself, it will be easier to overcome emotional turmoil. Love yourself like you love those around you, and put your needs first when necessary. If you aren’t taking care of yourself, you will struggle to overcome the pain you’re experiencing.

7. I recognize the lessons in every situation, no matter how hard.

Every moment of your day is a learning opportunity. You can learn even more from the hard times than you can from the good times, too. If you can recognize the lesson in what you are going through, it will be easier for you to overcome.

8. I choose happiness and joy over sadness.

If you decide to be happy, then you will find more happiness creep into your life. Likewise, if you tell yourself that you are sad, then you will feel sad. You can decide on your feelings and, while it might not always work perfectly, it will help you overcome your sadness.

9. I am at peace with my life and know that things will work out.

Life always seems to work out for the best, even if you can’t see it at the time. Find peace with what has happened in your life so far, and trust that things will be okay. Finding peace will help you feel hope and positivity, which will then help you overcome the pain.

10. I am patient with myself as I work to heal from the pain.

You can’t expect to heal overnight, so be patient with yourself as you work through the pain. If you can be patient and show yourself compassion and understanding, you will have an easier time. When you don’t try to force or scold yourself to heal, it will happen quicker.

11. I get stronger as I work to overcome my emotional turmoil.

Each day that you experience emotional turmoil, you are becoming stronger. Remember the strength you are gaining and recognize it as a good thing because you’re becoming more resilient. With the increased strength and resiliency, you will find that it becomes easier to overcome the pain.

12. I feel healing energy flowing through my body.

When you use this affirmation with an open mind, you will start to feel a little better. You will notice improvements throughout your day that signify you are on the path to healing.

Once this affirmation becomes a habit, you will be able to identify the different energies coursing through your body. Healing energy will help you overcome any emotional pain that you are experiencing. All that you have to do is convince your brain that you feel healing energy flowing.

13. I get better every day as long as I keep trying.

If you keep trying every day, even when you don’t feel like it, you can overcome anything. When you find yourself feeling like giving up on the day and going to bed, repeat this affirmation to yourself. To overcome the pain, you must keep trying.

Keep working toward your goals and happiness. If you keep moving forward, the emotional pain will ease a little more each day.

14. I will focus on the present rather than lingering on the past.

The past can’t be changed, so focusing your thoughts on it will only worsen your pain. Accept the past for what it is, and then work on improving your present and future. When you focus your thoughts on what is going on right now in your life, the pain will ease.

It might take some time, but healing will come. Allow yourself to accept what happened, learn from it, and move forward by focusing your thoughts elsewhere.

15. I am loved and give love to those that are important to me.

With love, you can overcome anything, including emotional turmoil and pain. When you struggle to heal from the pain, recall those who love you and that you love in return. Your loved ones are enough to pull you through anything.

Final Thoughts on Daily Affirmations to Overcome Emotional Pain

While emotional pain is never easy to deal with, you can overcome it with the right mindset. Overcoming the pain is essential to moving forward and finding joy, so you must find a way to do so.

Focusing on the past only dredges up bad memories and regrets, so it is best to avoid doing that. Instead, focus on what is going on around you right now. When you do, you will temporarily forget the thing causing your pain and will make happy memories at the moment.

Once you have worked to overcome the pain, you can find happiness and peace in life. Keep moving forward, even on the tough days, because that is the only way you can get through it. Remember these daily positive affirmations to help change your mindset to overcome emotional pain.

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15 Quotes on Being Happy Will Explain the Importance of Positivity

Positivity is essential to being happy, although that fact might not always be obvious. It isn’t always easy to be positive, but you can make it a habit by practicing it. These quotes on being happy explain why being positive is so important, helping you correct your mindset in hard moments.

These quotes on being happy will remind you to check your thoughts often and correct them when necessary. After a while, positivity will become natural for you, which will only make you happier.

When you are happy, you will be more successful, have better relationships, and be healthier. There are no downfalls to being happy, and you can quickly achieve it if you set your mind to it. Use these quotes on being happy to explain the importance of being positive to help you achieve the right mindset.

Fifteen Quotes on Being Happy

1. “If being happy is important to you, try this: instead of regretting all you lack, celebrate all you’ve got.” – Brian Vaszily

Don’t think negatively about the things you don’t have, and don’t spend your time yearning for them. Instead, celebrate what you already have because it is enough. When you live this way and are joyful about the things you have, you will find that happiness soon follows.

2. “It isn’t what you have, or who you are, or where you are, or what you are doing that makes you happy or unhappy. It is what you think about.” – Dale Carnegie

Your mindset is the most influential thing when it comes to your happiness. If you think positively, you will be happy no matter what else is going on, as Carnegie explains. Be happy with the person that you are, what you are doing, and what you have, and everything will fall into place.

3. “The art of being happy lies in the power of extracting happiness from common things.” – Henry Ward Beecher

There doesn’t have to be anything special going on for you to be happy. You can find joy in the small, everyday experiences you go through.

Look around, and you are sure to find something that makes you happy. Notice the birds chirping, or the sun shining, or even be happy about rain to nourish the plants. It doesn’t matter what it is, as long as it brings you happiness.

4. “Optimism is a happiness magnet. If you stay positive, good things and good people will be drawn to you.” – Mary Lou Retton

If you radiate positivity, good things will come, including happiness. The things that you think and feel are what will be drawn to you. If you want happiness, stay positive so that you can have positive things come to you.

Look around you and pay attention to the attitudes of others since happiness is about your mindset. Those who are pessimists likely seem to have bad luck and are unhappy, while the opposite is true for optimists. Remember this every day, and you can allow your positivity to bring happiness into your life.

5. “Being happy is something that each of us determines. It is not something that we find outside of yourself, it is within us and our choice.” – Catherine Pulsifer

The only person that can determine your happiness is you, and nothing can change that. No situation, event, or setting can cause your unhappiness, either. As Pulsifer explains, happiness is inside of you, and it is up to you to find it and bring it out.

6. “There is only one cause of unhappiness: the false beliefs you have in your head, beliefs so widespread, so commonly held, that it never occurs to you to question them.” – Anthony de Mello

When you believe negative things about yourself, it begins to seem like the truth, as de Mello explains. Change your thought process, though, because it will make all of the difference. If you believe in yourself, the things that didn’t seem possible will become achievable.

Likewise, if you tell yourself that you are happy, you will believe it and start to feel it. You are what you tell yourself you are. So, fill your brain with positivity so that it can lead you to happiness.

7. “The reason people find it so hard to be happy is that they always see the past better than it was, the present worse than it is, and the future less resolved than it will be.” – Marcel Pagnol

Looking back with nostalgia won’t change the way things worked out, as Pagnol explains. Likewise, have anxiety that the future won’t work out won’t help, either.

The only thing that will help you be happy is to think positively about the past, present, and future. Trust that everything will work out, and you will feel happiness more often.

8. “The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts.” – Marcus Aurelius

As explained in other quotes on being happy, your mindset plays a role in your happiness. For happiness, your thoughts must be positive so that your life can be, too. Your thoughts shape your life, and it is up to if they will be positive or negative.

Make it a priority to check your thoughts often. If you notice negative thinking, shift your focus to something else and replace the thought with a positive one. After a while, positivity will become a natural habit that will help you be happy.

9. “Think of all the beauty still left around you and be happy.” – Anne Frank

Even amid hardship, there is beauty around you if you look for it. On hard days, remember this quote on being happy to remind you to look for the good. By staying positive and looking for things to find joy in, you will naturally be a happier person.

10. “Everyone wants to live on top of the mountain, but all the happiness and growth occurs while you’re climbing it.” – Andy Rooney

You can’t plan on only being happy when you reach your goals. Most of the excitement and happiness comes from the journey and the memories of your experiences. Enjoy the hard work you are putting in now because it will mean the most when you get to the top.

If you spend the journey to success dreading each day, it won’t ever bring happiness. You will spend most of your time waiting to be happy instead of embracing life right now. If you can appreciate and find positivity in your daily tasks, you will find purpose and happiness, too.

11. “Happiness is not something ready-made. It comes from your own actions.” – Dalai Lama

You can’t expect happiness to fall into your lap. You must think and act positively so that you can live a positive life. Only then will you find true happiness.

12. “Stay positive and happy. Work hard and don’t give up hope. Be open to criticism and keep learning. Surround yourself with happy, warm, and genuine people.” – Tena Desae

With positivity, hard work, hope, and learning, you can find and maintain happiness. The people you surround yourself with can influence your mood, too, even if you try not to let it. Choose to do things and spend time with those who make you happy.

Keep learning because growth is essential to being happy. If you can do all of these things that Desae mentions, you will find happiness.

13. “The secret of being happy is accepting where you are in life and making the most out of every day.” – Unknown

No matter where you are or what you are doing, accept your life as it is. Make the most out of what you have and appreciate everything. If you can stay positive, you will have found the secret to happiness.

14. “Being happy doesn’t mean everything is perfect. It means you’ve decided to look beyond the imperfections.” – Unknown

Life isn’t perfect, so you can’t wait for perfection. Learn to be happy right now and in every moment, despite what you are going through. There is always more to be positive about, so look to those aspects of your life instead.

15. “You can never be really happy if you keep holding to those bad memories which makes you sad.” – Anurag Prakash

Let go of the memories that bring you negativity and sadness. Accept what happened and then release it because you can’t change it. Focusing on those memories will prevent you from being happy, so try to replace them with something positive.

Final Thoughts on How These Quotes on Being Happy Will Perfectly Explain the Importance of Positivity

As these quotes on being happy show, being positive is essential. With positivity, you will feel better about yourself, your life, and the world around you. It will help you figure out your priorities and make changes for the better.

Positivity will also help you learn and grow as you go through life, and you will become more resilient. With those benefits, it is clear why positivity is so important for being happy.

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25 Toxic Traits That Reveal Someone Might be a Narcissist

Have you ever encountered a selfish person who is manipulative and has many toxic traits that drive you mad? There are many different people in the sea of life, and some of the folks you encounter tend to be more dangerous than others. Perhaps you have some narcissistic traits of your own that you would like to work on.

Narcissists are considered to have a toxic personality because they use others for their gain. They often lack viable relationships because they’re so caught up in their life that they can’t help anyone else. Getting entangled with this person in the dating world or otherwise can be troublesome.

25 Toxic Traits of the Narcissist

Maybe you think the person you’re dating is a bit manipulative and possibly toxic, or you may have a friend or family member that you consider a narcissist. Here are the top 25 signs that you’re dealing with someone who is narcissistic, manipulative, and selfish.

1. They Nitpick and Criticize Others

Narcissists will do anything they can to tear others down. If they feel someone is looking better than them or accomplishing more, they will try to destroy their esteem one blow.

2. They Have Bouts of Excessive Rage

When things don’t go the way the manipulative person thinks they should, or if they’re about to get caught in their schemes, then lookout. These individuals have toxic traits, like excessive rage, and can blow at a moment’s notice. They can become quite scary when they’re about to be uncovered, and you don’t want to be in the path of their wrath.

3. They Never Say They’re Sorry

Even if they are in the wrong, don’t even think that they will apologize to you. In fact, if you do get an apology out of them, they will only turn things around to use it further to manipulate you more.

4. They Don’t Take Accountability for Their Actions

Even if you caught them red-handed doing something wrong, don’t ever think that they will take accountability for their actions. They would much rather blame someone else than take the fall.

5. They Have an Inflated Self-Worth

The toxic personality comes across to others as if there is no one greater who makes more money, is more intelligent, or is more accomplished than themselves. However, deep down, there are feelings of inadequacy that they don’t share, and they really have low self-worth.

6. They Sabotage Those Who Are Flourishing

If you have a narcissist at your place of employment, then you need to steer clear of them. If they see that you’re doing better than they are, then they will do anything to sabotage your success. They will lie, cheat, steal, and blame it on you, to make you look bad.

7. They’re Verbally Abusive

If everything is going their way, the manipulative person is okay. However, if things start becoming rocky for them, they can become quite verbally abusive. Some will resort to physical violence as well.

8. They Expect You to Drop Everything When They’re in Need

Should they have a need, or their life is in crisis mode, they expect you to drop everything you have going on to assist them. Just don’t expect the same courtesy in return as their needs always trump yours, and they don’t have time for your drama.

9. They Gaslight Others

They can make you question your sanity, especially if they feel that it will benefit them. According to Medical News Today, gaslighting is a common form of psychological abuse, whereas the manipulator can make another individual doubt their sanity.

10. They’re Often Pathologically Liars

These individuals are such good liars that they often believe what they’re telling you. They can convince almost anyone that what they’re saying is the truth. Don’t trust one word of what they’re saying.

11. They Sabotage Most Relationships

One of the hallmark toxic traits of someone selfish is that they’re unable to keep relationships. It’s always a red flag when a person doesn’t have any family or friends in their life. If they don’t even have one friend or family member in their life, you need to do some detective work.

12. They Exaggerate Your Flaws

Since this person suffers from low self-esteem, they want to overcompensate by making you feel bad. Even the slightest imperfection in you will become a significant point to focus on for them.

13. Their Behavior Runs How and Cold

This personality type is often confused with someone who has bipolar. According to the National Institute of Health, bipolar disorder has marked periods of mania and depression. When someone runs hot and cold, you never know what the day will bring.

14. They Show No Empathy

Empathy is not their strong suit, so don’t expect the manipulator to try to comfort you in your times of sorrow. However, they will expect you to comfort them.

15. They Use Manipulative Tactics Like the Silent Treatment

The selfish personality’s toxic traits will often use manipulative tactics to get you to do what they want. When you don’t cave to their commands, they will use silent treatment or withholding sex.

16. They Love to Name Drop and Piggyback on Someone Success

If you listen to how they talk, you will think that they run with Hollywood’s elite. They name drop as they belong to a group of the up and coming, and they will step on anyone’s toes to climb the corporate ladder.

17. Their Often Loud Wanting to Be the Center of Attention

At a party or other group setting, this person makes their presence known. They often talk louder so that everyone hears them, and they often have a commanding presence that’s hard to ignore.

18. They Love to Gossip

Gossip is a strong suit of selfish people because they love this method to get information. If gossiping isn’t enough, they use the information they learn to further their agenda.

19. They Engage in Relational Aggression

One of the toxic traits of a manipulator is that they often engage in relational aggression. If you don’t do what they want when they want it, you will face their fury.

20. They Interrupt Conversations to Talk About Themselves

If you try to talk to this person about what’s going on in your life, they will often interrupt you with the happenings of their day. Their problems are always greater and more important than yours.

21. They Stonewall Others Giving Them No Voice

Don’t expect the manipulator to be a good communicator or to try to work things out. They give you no voice in the relationship, so they will stonewall you whenever they can. Essentially, they’re unreachable to you.

22. Sex is A Powerplay

They use intimacy as a powerplay to get what they want. They can withhold their attention, or they can use it to manipulate you. Since sex triggers powerful emotions, they use it to their advantage.

23. They Play the Puppeteer with Your Emotions

The classic manipulator often plays with your emotions like you’re a puppet on a string. They will withdrawal from you, hold things over your head, or even blackmail you into getting what they want.

24. They’re Overtly Insulting

While this person might have been very charming when you first met them, they have suddenly changed and morphed into someone you don’t know. What once was all praise and compliments has now become nothing more than insults. The switch can happen overnight and make you wonder why you ever got involved with them.

25. They Recruit Allies

When they’re caught or trying to pull off a master plan, they will recruit as many allies as possible. Even if you disagree with what they’re saying, they will throw you under the bus to make themselves look better.

Remember in the movie the Wizard of Oz when the wicked witch had flying monkeys. She got the monkeys to join alongside her to do her dirty work, and the manipulator acts quite similarly.

Final Thoughts on Traits of the Narcissist

It’s never easy to deal with a manipulative person. The narcissistic personality is often one that is very troubled from the past. If you peel back all the layers that protect their heart, you will see a broken individual that has likely experience significant issues in their childhood.

People who have suffered from trauma or abuse often become more assertive by taking control of their life and the situations around them. What you see as toxic traits are nothing more than coping mechanisms. Though they appear strong and determined, inside, they’re broken and damaged.

If you believe that a person you’re with is a narcissist, then you should encourage them to get help. The key is to deal with the situations under the surface and learn new and improved coping skills for their pain. While it’s not impossible, it can be quite a daunting task to live with someone who has these toxic tendencies, as it will make your life miserable.

The post 25 Toxic Traits That Reveal Someone Might be a Narcissist appeared first on Power of Positivity: Positive Thinking & Attitude.

California Employer Teaches Former Inmates the Craft of Furniture Making

Formr, a recycled furniture company in California, gives everyone a fair chance at employment, including former inmates. Owner Sasha Plotista launched the business just nine months ago. Since then, he hired six ex-convicts and developed ten unconventional furniture pieces made entirely of repurposed products. From the beginning, Plotista wanted to launch a company that tackled two significant issues: waste and employment for ex-offenders.

His inspiration for creating the business came from many firsthand experiences throughout his career. Growing up, Plotista spent a lot of time with his dad, who worked as a contractor. While at different job sites, he noticed the shocking amount of waste produced. When he went to college, he decided to major in industrial design at San Jose State.

From there, he got hired to design the MediThrive cannabis dispensary in San Francisco. However, the federal government shut it down in 2009. While working with the cannabis industry, Plotista became aware of the massive number of people incarcerated for drug-related offenses. He also realized the difficulties non-violent drug offenders face finding employment after getting out of prison.

“I saw for myself what the failed war on drugs looked like,” he told Elizabeth Segran at Fast Company “When someone comes out of prison, they have to check the box on a job application that says they have a record. That makes it very hard for them to get their life back on track.”

With the combined experience Plotista gained in the contracting and cannabis industries, he decided to create Formr. He had enjoyed a fruitful career as a commercial, industrial designer but wanted to try something new. His passion for combating waste and recidivism led him to create a socially responsible furniture company. However, he met many challenges when trying to get his business up and running.

CA Employer Hires Former Inmates, Teaches Them Craft of Furniture Making

Photo credit: Facebook

While gathering materials for his furniture, Plotista learned that construction sites produce a whopping 600 million tons of waste yearly. This includes materials such as broken bricks, new concrete slabs, and rusted metal pipes. Around 75% of these materials get recycled; unfortunately, about 145 million tons of material still end up in landfills. Plotista wanted to get his hands on these materials, but this presented many roadblocks.

For one, no established system exists to find out what contractors will allow access to their job sites. Therefore, Plotista realized he had to call contractors individually to ask if he can sift through their trash. Over the years, he has amassed an extensive contact list for gathering recycled materials. However, many contractors still don’t feel comfortable with outsiders visiting their job sites due to the liability.

He told Fast Company:

“Many contractors are set in their own ways and don’t want someone messing with their system. They have never diverted or recycled materials before, and they don’t see any reason to start doing so now. They call someone to haul it away, and they never have to think about it again.”

However, he has formed a relationship with several contractors who support his mission and give him access to their materials. While searching the sites, he looks for materials such as blocks of wood. Back at his workshop, he keeps a metal detector to scan materials he gathers for stray nails. He then cleans and sanitizes any recycled materials for use in production.

Finding employees for his business also comes with many challenges. Plotista utilizes various organizations that help him connect with people recently released from prison. He focuses on prisons with woodshops to find workers with experience making furniture. So far, he’s hired six formerly incarcerated people, but Plotista says retaining them proves difficult.

The owner of Formr speaks about experiences hiring former inmates.

It can take years for people to get accustomed to life after prison. One of Plotista’s employees had to quit due to a health issue overlooked during his sentence. Others have met challenges with housing or managing drug/alcohol addictions. Plotista says that communicating with them about how he can help makes a world of difference.

Despite the hiring challenges, Plotista says there have been success stories. His fourth employee, Gary Harrell, spent 45 years of his life in jail. After being hired by Formr, he discovered his love for creating furniture. He then started to work on his own pieces, and within months, he found wild success. Galleries like the Smithsonian, the Library of Congress, and MoMA PS1 in New York featured his art.

Formr creates unique pieces such as tables with tech features and laptop desks for your couch. Using only salvaged materials like plasterboard, rusted pipes, and old wood, the company turns trash into a masterpiece. Sasha says that their customers don’t just want beautiful or functional products. Their primary audience of design enthusiasts want pieces that add meaning and value to their homes.

“I think people are looking for meaning in their life,” he says. “This applies to their furniture as much as it does to their careers.”

The quirky furniture costs between $89 and $569; you can shop for yourself on the Formr website.

Final thoughts: former inmates get a chance to rebuild their life at Formr

Unfair drug laws send millions to prison each year; many do not have a violent background. However, these charges severely inhibit their ability to gain employment after reentering society. One man decided to do something about the growing problem and hire former inmates. While this poses many challenges, Plotista, the owner of Formr, believes everyone deserves a fair chance.

People like him give those struggling a shot at rebuilding their lives. Hopefully, more employers will start to ease up on background checks because employment chances dramatically reduce recidivism. After living in prison, these people want stability, and a regular job provides that for them. The former inmates working at Formr prove that life can always get better with the support of others.

The post California Employer Teaches Former Inmates the Craft of Furniture Making appeared first on Power of Positivity: Positive Thinking & Attitude.