Tag Archives: mental health

May12

A Parents And Teacher’s Guide To Teenage Depression

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A Parents And Teacher’s Guide To Teenage Depression

As a parent or teacher, we know that it is normal for teenagers to be moody and sullen. However, it is important to understand when this becomes something more serious. It is a sad fact that the suicide rate in young people is growing, so as a concerned adult you need to recognize the symptoms of depression and understand the pressures your children might be facing.

It may be that you already work in the field of mental health, are considering a career in doing so, or taking one of the masters in clinical mental health counseling programs. Parents, teachers, and counselors are on the front line when it comes to caring for children, and it is vitally important that you know how to help when they are suffering inside. Depression sucks, and here’s a few of the reasons of what might be causing it in your children, students, or friends:

Causes of Depression: Medically speaking, there is still no real evidence as to what causes depression. Genetics may play a part, as is a chemical imbalance in the brain. For the teenager, there are certain factors that can contribute. These include:

Self-Image: Every day, children are bombarded with messages from the media, peers, and social networking on how they should look, feel, and conform. Many young people suffer from body issues when they unrealistically compare themselves to the airbrushed models in magazines and online. If they are not the right weight or don’t have the right clothing, this can be a great source of stress for the teenager, especially when they face bullying because of it.

School: We all know how hard school can be (as if we needed reminding!). It is supposed to be a place of learning and growth, however, for some young people, the only knowledge they are getting is that they are not good enough. Fitting in with peers, broken relationships, dealing with too much homework, studying for tests and exams, and preparing for colleges can add a huge amount of stress into your child’s life.

Bullying is a major issue that can affect children physically and mentally. With the rise of social media, so much bullying is done online, with vile private messages and the posting of personal pictures, which the child has no control over. This can give off the illusion of nowhere being safe for the child.

What can you do? For starters, be there to offer support. They may not tell you how they are feeling, but encourage them to talk when appropriate. Symptoms of depression include moodiness, withdrawal from family and friends, lack of passion in things that they normally enjoyed doing, and mood swings. Some of these are normal for a teenager as their bodies change, but they could also be warning signs.

When you talk to your child or student, be open and listen to what they have to say. Do not judge or say something glib, such as ‘snap out of it’ (smh!!). Share your concerns with a doctor and other mental health professionals to ensure that the child receives the help that they need to get them back on track and smiling again.

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May7

13 Reasons Why I’m Happy Challenge

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13 Reasons Why I’m Happy Challenge

Hey everyone and happy weekend! So my friend Charlie girl over at CharlieeStar tagged me in the 13 Reasons Why I’m Happy Challenge and I love these little awards and tags posts so I figured why not. Charlie is going to be featured during my Salute To Summer guest bloggers series so be on the look out for her! But until then, make sure to check out her wonderful blog! Okay, here we go. 13 Reasons Why I’m Happy in no particular order:

  1. I’m waiting for my pot of coffee to cool down to make some iced coffee and I’m really excited about it because I got a new creamer to try last night.
  2. I just walked my two rescue dogs, Gem and Ollie, with my mom and the weather in Ohio is actually acceptable to walk in, as it’s been raining here ALL WEEK.
  3. I’m talking to this really cute guy who’s coming up from North Carolina at the end of the month for my birthday.
  4. My mental health is finally in check, so that’s nice.
  5. There’s a Taco Bell within a mile of my home so that’s a blessing.
  6. I graduated college in December and I’m still happy about that!!
  7. I have a handful of really good friends who I love dearly. Quality over quantity and whatever.
  8. My family, obvs.
  9. All of the wonderful friends that I’ve made through lifewithlilred. I always get so happy every time I think about that!
  10. Bubble baths, face masks, and moscato.
  11. My background as a competitive figure skater has given me some rock solid legs and a sturdy gait that keeps me away from spine surgeons, which is also a blessing haha.
  12. Whenever I’m writing my talon nails click away on the keyboard and I love that.
  13. My personal style. I have a closet full of beautiful clothes, shoes, and accessories. Wonderful makeup, bright red hair, long acrylic nails, piercings, and tattoos and I love it all.

Well that was fun! I thought that this list would be a bit harder to make but I actually feel like I could have kept going, which is a pleasant surprise. I’m not going to tag anyone in this because it’s more up to you if you want to participate in the 13 Reasons Why I’m Happy Challenge, but it was most enjoyable!

Thanks again to my Charlie girl for the tag, you’re a doll! What makes you happy? What bums you out? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Apr13

To The Man At Oil Change Place

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To The Man At Oil Change Place

Okay, so if you’re following me on Facebook, then I’m sure you have seen some of my posts regarding Man At Oil Change Place – AKA, Don. This guy is awesome. He’s so funny and kind and his first words to me were “you could scratch my back from across the street with those nails” because of my long ass talons, lol. Not only is he someone who makes killing time at the auto body shop enjoyable, but he is also my windshield wiper guardian angel because he gave me free windshield wipers after I told him that my torn and old as dirt wipers were okay. He had them installed without me knowing and it was only when I was driving home in the rain that I realized what he did (and you better believe I called him to thank him!).

Anyways, my dad just got off the phone with the shop to schedule an oil change for my mom and apparently he spoke with Don. Their conversation went as follows:

  • Don: Is this Sarah with an H’s dad?
  • Dad: Yeah.
  • Don: You have some daughter.
  • Dad: Yeah, she’s something!

And I’m not sure why but as soon as my dad told me about this, I started to cry. The thing is, is that this man who works at the shop has literally only seen me looking a hot mess. The three times that I’ve been in the shop have been no makeup days and I essentially look like I’ve just rolled out of bed. So, to me, this means that this employee genuinely enjoys my company and conversation rather than just the way I look.

I know it sounds cocky, but sometimes I feel like the only reason why people even give me the time of day is because of my outer appearance. Sometimes, I feel like no one ever cares to get to know the actual person behind the red hair, red lips, talon nails, and piercings. So, to have someone compliment my father on who his daughter is as a person and not an object felt really good because that’s something that just never happens.

Don took what little information he knows about my life, job, etc. and pieced together that I was somebody worth getting to know even though he has never seen me looking dolled up before. He used our witty banter and chats that had nothing to do with anything, like trading in the waiting room Keurig for a margarita machine as grounds for reason that I’m an okay person. Like I said, this rarely happens and, for once, somebody gave me the time of day without any alterations to my outer appearance and they liked what they saw. I can’t get over how good this made me feel and all I want to do is drive to the shop and hug the guy and he would probably have no idea how happy his remarks made me feel.

Yes, it’s a little thing, but Don remembered me enough to point out to my dad that he has a cool daughter. And after the week that I’ve been having, I really really needed that. So, here’s to you, Don. Can’t wait to see you next time the Little Red Love Machine needs some work done! I LOVE YOU!

Has anyone ever had their day turned around by a kind word? What would you say to the person who helped make you feel better? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Mar22

7 Things That Make YOU Feel Special in 2017

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Hi everyone and happy Hump Day! The following is brought to you by my friend, Eve, at Garage Gym Planner. With almost three months of 2017 solidly behind us, it might be easy to fall into a bit of a mid season slump. So, read this article, take some you time, and come back to tackle the rest of your week with a vengeance!

7 Things That Make YOU Feel Special in 2017

In the modern world, it can be easy to lose sight of the big picture and forget about all of the good things in life. Everyone has periods when they feel unwanted, unneeded, and begin to wonder what they are doing with themselves. Fortunately, there are many things that you can do to make yourself feel special. Sometimes a small switch up or treat is all it takes to change your life for the better, like the following:

  1. Develop Self Care Rituals

Often, this is the simplest way to make you feel good about yourself. It is the small things that you do which count, and developing self care rituals is one of the most important parts of staying mentally healthy and making yourself feel special. Having a small, routine thing in your every day life that is designed to reinforce you and build you up can be extremely beneficial. It doesn’t matter what it involves or how you go about it: what matters is that you use it as a way to look after yourself and stay mentally healthy, no matter what.

  1. Exercise

Exercise is very closely linked to mental health. Beginning a good exercise program and exercising regularly is one of the best ways to make you feel special. One of the simplest exercises is squats. They can be completed almost anywhere, with minimal equipment, and by anyone.

The benefits of squats are huge and can include:

  • Great legs which you had previously only dreamed of having!
  • An increased blood flow to your brain, keeping you more alert and mentally healthy.
  • The generally fitter and healthier look which you have always strived for.

  1. Say No To Negativity

Feeling bad about yourself is the exact opposite of feeling special. Saying no to the things that make you feel bad is a big step on the pathway to self-development and to feeling comfortable with who you are. Unfortunately, one of the most common sources of this kind of degradation is your ‘friends’. Yes, I’m sure that you have some real friends who care about you and want to see you be successful. However, there is a high chance that you also have people around you who put you down and who make you feel like you aren’t good enough, which is a major problem.

  1. Do Something That You’re Good At

Being good at something can make you feel special and build your confidence. One of the best ways to get good at something is to get out there and try! Everyone has talents: if you don’t know what yours are, then you need to find out this year. Participating in an activity that you are good at is one of the best ways to boost your self confidence and self love.

  1. Read A Book

Reading allows you to explore worlds other than your own. You have an imagination, so use it! When you are feeling down, crack open a book and conjure a world in which you are the hero. Immerse yourself in a good book and let yourself become the main character, feeling their emotions, taking pride in their achievements, and letting this boost your morale.

  1. Dare To Be Different

Don’t conform to society’s expectations and become just another mindless business person wandering through their meaningless zombie-like life. Dare to be different and be proud of your differences. Doing so will allow you to feel special about who you are and what you are doing. Get out there and chase your dreams. Don’t get stuck in a life that you don’t enjoy. Do something that you really find fun in 2017 – even if it is a bit different.

  1. Go On An Adventure!

Who says that adventures are for kids! Your adventure can be big or small. From taking a hike on a nearby trail to going on a cross country road trip, let yourself explore. Adventures are all about getting out of your comfort zone and experiencing something new. Where can you go and what can you do to tune in to your adventurous spirit?

Thanks again to Eve at Garage Gym Planner for these seven tricks and tips to get yourself feeling special in 2017! What do you do to increase your self worth? Where is your dream place to have an adventure? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Mar12

I’m NOT Lonely

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I’m NOT Lonely

Hi everyone and happy Sunday! So, I’m not sure if those of you who aren’t my friends on Facebook are aware but my year and a half long relationship ended (by me) a few months ago. And, believe me, I’m fine. Even if I wasn’t the one doing the dumping, I think that I would be fine. But, the absence of someone who you used to talk to every day for the past year and a half is a little bit difficult to deal with.

I was having this conversation over drinks with my sister last night and I swear, I must have emphasized to her that “I’m NOT Lonely” at least five times. Because I’m not. Really. However, a void has definitely now been made in my life from the time that I used to spend hanging out with and talking to my former significant other. It’s not a feeling of loneliness but I’m more left with the feeling of “what do I do now?”.

It’s just freaking annoying. Like, when you have a boy or girlfriend, you have a built in social life from it. Dinners, movies, drinks, or just simply hanging out. But, once the break up happens, you are left to your own devices. I guess this wouldn’t be a problem if I had a buttload of friends but, in all reality, I have like three people that doesn’t include my sister that I like to spend time with.

It’s weird, because everyone thinks I’m this little social butterfly – but I’m so not. I’m actually quite shy when it comes to new people. I’m not the girl who’s going to go strike up a conversation with a stranger and I’m definitely not the girl who’s good at making friends. So, that kind of leaves me floundering around trying to figure out what to do next.

The way I’m feeling right now is really conflicting because I am totally content with my social life. I am able to see my girlfriends at least weekly, which is super nice. I love going to the bar, the mall, movies, or whatever with them and we always end up having a lot of fun. So why do I all of a sudden feel like I need a brand new friend group? After typing this out, I guess I am trying to “fill the void”, so to speak. It seems that now, it’s more of a matter of finding productive things to do to help use up some of this newly gained free time. Blogging, planning my Europe travels, et cetera.

Wow. Okay. Good one sided talk, everyone! Glad we had it. So, to emphasize again, I’M NOT LONELY:

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Lolol, JK. I just need to focus on doing some things that make me happy rather than focusing on such an apparent loss of someone’s company. Yeah? Yeah. How have you dealt with the post break up void? Has anyone ever felt similarly to what was described in this post? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Mar8

How To Improve Your Physical, Mental, And Spiritual Health

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How To Improve Your Physical, Mental, And Spiritual Health

In the hustle and bustle of daily life, it can seem almost impossible to find the time to look out for Number One: Yourself. Creating a healthy lifestyle not only for your physical well being but for your mental and spiritual self, as well, can only benefit you in the long run. In this article, we will explore some simple changes that you can employ for a better, healthier you:

Your Physical Health

Start Eating Well: There’s nothing better for your health than making sure that you eat good food cooked from scratch. Convenience foods may be handy but they often contain more sodium and sugar than you should be eating, which can affect your fitness and moods. Start meal planning so you don’t get stuck for what you should have for lunch or dinner and make sure that you eat breakfast so you aren’t tempted to snack on candy and junk food during the morning at work.

Get Physically Fit: If you don’t feel as though you’re at peak physical condition, now is the time to change that. You don’t necessarily have to go to the gym every day after work – instead, start walking more and make sure that you start to take the stairs instead of the elevator whenever you can. Start a class like yoga or Zumba – you could even take a friend along with you for moral support and a good laugh!

Take Care Of Your Senses: As much as we may rely on them, we often overlook our senses when it comes to making positive changes for our health. Ensure a routine hearing check to get the full scope of your hearing health, and to see whether you might need hearing aids or not. Make appointments for eye tests, as well. As we get older, the chances of changes to these senses increase exponentially, so we have to be proactive in addressing them.

Pain Management: If your aches and pains feel constant, it is not only a huge deterrent to your physical health but mental health too. This is not something that you should simply live with but find a way to improve. Clinics like next pain management roswell (or something similar in your local area) can provide personalized treatment plans to help you get back to feeling your best. With excellent pain management, you will notice a boost in your energy levels and overall sense of well being.

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Namaste!

Deal With Your Chronic Conditions: If you have any chronic conditions, then it’s important that you deal with them carefully and that you get healthy to whatever extent that you can. If you have asthma, make sure that you use a preventative inhaler to stop yourself from getting tight chested and suffering from asthma attacks – Ventolin can be ordered online. If you suffer from chronic pain, make sure that you stay active and do gentle exercises to help ease the tension in stiff joints.

Your Mental Health

mental2Pretty!

Learn Coping Strategies: If you suffer from panic attacks or depression, then it’s important that you try to learn coping strategies that will help get you through every day. Learn to identify issues that will affect you – perhaps you don’t like crowded trains or there are certain things that your boss says that rattles you – and focus on how you can better deal with them. Breathing deeply often works wonders as well as giving yourself plenty of time to deal with anything that might arise.

Go To Your Doctor: If you think that you may be suffering from mental health difficulties, then go to your doctor. It’s an illness like any other and you shouldn’t feel ashamed if you’re affected by a condition like depression or anxiety. They can negatively affect a lot of areas of your life, which means that you need to get them sorted out as quickly as possible. Therapy can help a lot of people, as can medication. Remember, you’d medicate a physical health ailment so why not your mental health, too?

Sleep Better: It’s very difficult to get much done during the day if you aren’t sleeping well. If the light comes into your bedroom in the morning and wakes you up, then why not invest in blackout blinds? You should also make sure that you turn off all of your technology like your laptop and phone before you go to bed, because they can keep you awake. Instead, use the hour before you go to sleep as an excuse to have a lavender scented shower, read a book, or light some candles and meditate.

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Zzzzzz…

Your Spiritual Health

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 Pexels Image

Learn To Be Alone: If you don’t spend much time by yourself, now is the time to start. Learning to love yourself begins with realizing that you’re an interesting person to be around. Make sure that you indulge yourself in your hobbies – you can go to see movies alone, you can go to galleries, to shows, to concerts. Take a solo vacation and luxuriate in the joy of having only your own whims to attend to.

Be Around Good People: One of the battles of everyday life is instantly won when you’re around good people who truly listen and want the best for you. If you have any old friends who don’t make you feel good anymore, it’s okay to gently phase them out of your life. Friends who challenge you and make you think are great but if your friends don’t support you, they might not be a healthy fit for your current lifestyle.

Be Kind To Yourself: Finally, you need to make sure that you treat yourself with as much kindness as you treat others. Cut yourself some slack – make sure that you have a night in by yourself if you feel tired and worn out by other people and don’t beat yourself up too much for any little embarrassing moments. We often tend to treat ourselves a lot less kindly than we would treat others so try to remember how supportive you’d be for someone in your situation and treat yourself the same way. And remember: You’re one hundred and fifty percent totally awesome.

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Take some you time!

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Feb14

Spring Clean Your Way To a Healthy Mind

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Spring Clean Your Way To a Healthy Mind

We’re only going to whisper it, since it’s still pretty chilly out there, but…spring is just around the corner (!!!). And you know what that means: no, not lazy Sunday strolls hand in hand with your loved one, we’re talking spring cleaning! But don’t worry, because we’re going to be talking about it in a different way. Specifically, how you can use your spring cleaning as a way to reach a healthier state of mind – for both yourself and your family. That’s right – we’re suggesting you declutter your home, get rid of the mess, and adopt a minimalist lifestyle, both in your home and in your mind:

A Calm Mind: It is easy, all too easy, to acquire a large number of material items in the 21st century. Things are cheap so we buy them without much of a second thought. We have space and a need to hold on to signs of our success, so we hoard our items. But by hoarding our items, what are we really doing besides clogging up our home and denying ourselves of a pure mind? Take a look around the house, gather everything that hasn’t been used in the last 6 months (unless it’s sentimental), and contact samedayrubbishremoval.com.au to take it all away. We can’t function with stuff piled up around the house. When it’s gone and things look orderly, you’ll find it much easier to adopt a happy, carefree state of mind.

Space for Passions to Grow: Have you ever had to live without a television or the internet? If you did, you’ll remember the feelings of boredom, and then shortly after those feelings were replaced by a burst of creativity. Boredom brings out the best in us, it really does. It’s an opportunity for passions to grow and for us to do things that we never usually do. Getting rid of your junk is the same as getting rid of the television and changing the wireless internet password. With an empty home, where will your imagination take you?

Bringing the Family Together: Decluttering isn’t just good for you, it’s good for your partner and children, too, both on a personal level and as part of the family. With less distractions, you’ll find yourself naturally gravitating towards one another. Instead of living “alone together”, under one roof but decidedly different lives, you’ll be able to enjoy the rich and joyful moments of a calm space together. You’ll find you’re more interested in playing childish games with your kids, and they’ll naturally feel calmed by the serene surroundings you’ve created during the spring clean.

Boosting that Confidence: Maintaining a neat, uncluttered, orderly home also has one more benefit: it will boost your confidence. That’s a certain confidence we can draw from being in control of our surroundings, of knowing that we’re not tied down by the things that we own. Everything in your home has a purpose, you have already decided that. Instead of being owned by your possessions, you own them – and you’ll soon find this control seeping into other areas of your life, too.

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Jan27

Boost Your Body Confidence Now

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Boost Your Body Confidence Now

If you’re the kind of gal who wears baggy sweaters in the blistering heat, just so you don’t have to show off your wobbly bits, you need to boost your body confidence now. There is not a person alive who does not have some kind of issue with at least one aspect of their body, but there is little point in beating oneself up about it, especially when there are so many things that you can do to boost your body confidence immediately.

Here are some simple things you can do to feel more confident, whatever your body issues may be, right now:

Stop With the Negative Self-Talk: Women especially have the knack of torturing themselves with their own thoughts. If you are someone who’s endlessly telling yourself you’re fat; you’re ugly; no one will want you because you have stretch marks… just stop! Instead of engaging in negative self-talk, start focusing on your positive features (and you have tons!), and you will instantly feel better.

Emphasize the Good: If you have great eyes, look up makeup tips that will help you to show them off, or if you in have great arms by a pretty sleeveless dress and let the world see them. You can always camouflage the bits you don’t like, while showing off what’s good about your body, so there’s no need to worry about your appearance at all.

Improve What You Want: If there is a particular area of your body that you would really like to change, then there is no shame in seeking out a plastic surgeon for help. Certain insecurities cannot be improved by simply going to the gym, dressing your body type well, or being skilled with a makeup palette. If this is something you are considering for yourself, simply enter a search for “plastic surgeon nyc” (or your local area). Schedule multiple consultations to find the best fit for you and make your decision wisely. The chances are very high that you will be extremely happy with the outcome.

If there is a specific type of plastic surgery you would like, then it is best to find a specialist in that particular area for optimum results. A surgeon skilled in face lifts might not have all of the know how to perform a breast augmentation, for example. If the latter is what you are interested in, simply enter a search for “breast augmentation Palo Alto” (or your local area). During your consultation, your surgeon will be able to hear your concerns and determine the best size and shape for the improvements you are looking for.

Invest in Good Products: There are lots of products out there which will help you actively improve any of the bits you don’t like. For instance, a good breast lifting cream can help you with boobs that are heading south and an effective eye cream can deal with your crow’s feet, so if you really truly can’t deal with a particular body issue, there’s a good chance there’s a product that can help you.

Granted, products alone are not a cure all and you might want to consider using plastic surgery for your problem areas. That is perfectly okay! Just make sure you are doing your due diligence to find an excellent surgeon to take you on. Start by researching “breast lift surgery in houston” (or your local area), reading reviews, seeking advice from friends and family, and reading into all that your desired surgery entails. When you are armed with knowledge, you can make the best decision for yourself.

Don’t Compare Yourself to Others: Women are great at comparing themselves to other women. We can walk into a room, and within seconds we’re comparing our legs to those of the waitress, or we’re telling ourselves off for not putting in as much effort as the more made up members of our party. This can be so damaging, and it rarely tells the whole story. The waitress may have good legs because she spends all day on her feet and the heavily made up woman may not get out much so she’s making the most of it. You have to do your best and not worry about how you look in comparison to another person on any given day.

Exercise: Whatever your body shape and no matter how much you weigh, taking part in regular exercise can give you a huge body boost just because you are taking the time out to look after it. Exercising, you will also come to realize just how amazing your body is and how much it can do, which can put concerns about trivial cosmetic matters into perspective. However, if you are not achieving your body goals through exercise and diet alone then you are not alone! Stubborn areas like your stomach might feel like it isn’t improving no matter what you do. If this is the case for you and you would like to see it changed, simply enter a search for “tummy tuck atlanta” (or your local area). This can be an excellent option for anyone seeking changes to their body but especially if your workout regimen is not working as it should.

In the end, you just have to accept that your body is your body, do what you can to enhance your appearance and not worry too much if you fall short of your own realistic expectations!

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Jan26

The Holy Grail: Achieving Peace Of Mind

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The Holy Grail: Achieving Peace Of Mind

If you ask ten people what happiness means to them, you’re likely to receive ten different responses. Being happy isn’t necessarily about feeling ecstatic every single day. Many people associate happiness with a sense of calm and being in the world without too many stresses. It’s not possible to remove all stress from your life, but it is possible to take steps to prevent issues from arising and giving you peace of mind:

The Worst Case Scenario: If worrying about what may or may never happen is one of your problems, this directive may seem strange. However, if we think of the thing that we fear the most and accept it, then take the necessary steps to a better outcome, we can go on with our life. At least it may lift the worry a little. In his book, ‘How to Stop Worrying and Start Living’, Dale Carnegie outlines this strategy of trying to accept the worst case scenario.

Sometimes, despite all of our best efforts, things go wrong. Relationships fail and household disasters occur. All we can do is to mitigate the risk as much as possible and act quickly. Putting a plan in place is also helpful. So, if your power goes off at 9 pm on a Friday evening, having an after hours electrician in your address book will provide a quick and simple solution. Or, if you fear being late for work, make a strategy to help yourself to leave early to beat the morning traffic and arrive with time to spare.

Health Woes: We all want to protect our families and those closest to us and this may lead to fears over health. We never know what life is going to throw at us. Even the healthiest people such as marathon runners and surgeons get ill. All we can do is take steps to lead a balanced and healthy life to prevent illness from occurring.

Getting Things Done: Another common source of stress is how to get everything done. This includes work, home, and even getting the kids to school on time. Usually, these fears are at their most active when you’re doing too much. This leads to exhaustion which just exacerbates the problem. The best way to tackle this is to write down all of the tasks you have to complete each day. Next to the items write down the outcome or benefit you receive from these tasks. If it turns out you’re spending all of your time working on projects or items that don’t generate results, it could be time to make some adjustments.

If you’re spending too much time at work and still getting nowhere, you may need to review this with your boss. This could involve receiving extra training or delegating to a colleague. It may involve a tricky conversation about what hours you are prepared to work and where the line is drawn.

Learning To Troubleshoot: Possessing excellent problem solving skills is often an effective way of reducing your anxieties. Once you have learned this technique, you can use it in almost all situations. First, write down your problem. Next, analyze it and look at it from all angles. Be specific and outline exactly what the problem is. Then, provide several solutions for the problem and analyze each one. What are the advantages and what are the disadvantages? Now, decide which solution you’re going to adopt and when you’re going to put it into practice. If you’re good at resolving problems, you’re less likely to worry as you’ll understand that there is nothing that can’t be fixed.

If you’re a natural worrier, finding peace of mind may seem like finding the holy grail. But, with the right mindset and a few simple techniques, this is certainly possible.

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Jan20

Lacking in Self-Confidence? Why Not Make These Changes To Give Yourself a Boost?

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Lacking in Self-Confidence? Why Not Make These Changes To Give Yourself a Boost?

We all have people that we look up to and admire. They might be people that we know or celebrities that we have never met. But the thing that they all seem to have in common is their confidence. People that are self-confident are often admired by others and they can also boost confidence in other people. Self-confident people also tend to have more of a positive outlook on life. They are more inclined to think that they can deal with anything that comes their way. So it is easy to see why confident people are nice to be around. Being confident isn’t always about being the loudest in the room or the chattiest. But it is certainly about being happy with yourself and being more positive. If you think that your self-confidence needs a bit of a boost, then here are some ideas to help:

Avoid Negativity: When you are around people that are negative, it can have more of an impact on you than you think. So it might be time to think about who you associate yourself with. Even the most positive of people are going to be negative when they are constantly brought down by negativity. You should also try to be as positive as you can be. You might not be feeling super positive at the moment but if you think your way to being positive it can really help – there’s no shame in faking it until you make it!

Make Physical Changes: When you want something to change in your life, you need to start off with making some physical changes. It might just be to not slump your shoulders when you’re talking to others, but standing tall and upright instead. People that have positive body language look much more confident than those that don’t. You might also consider some other physical changes like getting a new haircut or even something more extreme like plastic surgery. I am a huge supporter of the latter because I have had a breast reduction before but there is nothing wrong with going bigger with breast implant surgery, either! Being able to change something that made me feel completely awful about myself was empowering and it improved my confidence one million fold.

Use Eye Contact: When you can’t look someone in the eye that you are speaking to, it just shows to them that you are not very confident or even, perhaps, a little aloof. It is important to give the right impression by looking the person that you are speaking to in the eye. You’ll be able to read feelings much easier this way, too. This can help you to be more positive and enthusiastic with the people around you that you are dealing with.

Don’t Accept Failure: This does relate back to the whole positivity thing, but you will feel much more confident in yourself when you are thinking about what you can learn from failure, rather than just focusing on your failure. That is something that will differentiate people with low confidence and those with lots of confidence. So next time you hear a negative thought creeping in to get you down, switch it around and it will give your confidence a boost.

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