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3 Simple Ways to Gain Get a Healthier Perspective on Life

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Our Lives Move in the Direction of Our Strongest Thought

What are YOUR Strongest Thoughts??

Stress and anxiety are realities of life and, quite frankly they always have been! I think we tend to think of them as new discoveries when, if we’re being honest, they’ve been around as long as humans have.

One of the worst things about feeling stressed and anxious is the fact that the feeling robs you of the beauty of the here and now. But, it goes even beyond this. Feeling stressed and anxious causes you to feel so overwhelmed that you lose, to a certain degree, any interest in tomorrow. It’s as though the overly-taxed mind says, “If today feels this bad, I sure hate to see what tomorrow feels like!”

This is why it is so vitally important to be proactive about dealing with stress. One of the first steps you can take is to decide… “Today is the day!” I will (not may) bring perspective back to my life and into my world. I will (not may) focus more on the people and things that truly matter in my life. My well-being and their well-being are too important to lose sight of!”

When you make up your mind to gain more perspective in your life and bring more focus into your own personal world, even the sun will look a little brighter!

Here are a few questions to ask yourself as you bring everything into perspective:

What are My Strongest Thoughts?

See the polar bear at the top of the page? He carries with him a wonderful quote by Craig Groeschel: Our lives move in the direction of our strongest thoughts.

This is so incredibly true – it sort of fleshes out another great quote – You are what you think you are. Many people believe that, to a very real extent, we create our own destinies within our minds. While there are millions of other contributing factors, our tomorrows are absolutely touched by the things we think about and focus on today.

What thoughts do you return to again and again? If you’re quiet for 5 minutes, in which direction do your thoughts run? Before falling asleep at night, what (generally speaking) are your last thoughts? These are usually your strongest thoughts because you give them strength each time you entertain them.

If these litlte Hercules thoughts are negative or worrisome, they’re feeding negativity in your life and causing small problems to loom large. When you’re able to recognize these toxic thoughts for what they are, you can replace them with productive, positive thoughts. Try focusing on things you are thankful for, happy memories, things you like about yourself, or even things you’re planning to do that give you happiness, purpose, and peace of mind.

Are You Taking Care of Your Health?

When we’re feeling stressed or anxious, we often tend to lean toward unhealthy lifestyles and meals. Ask yourself if you’re making your health a priority. Are you eating too much junk food? Do you get fresh air daily? Do you enjoy nature and rekindle the wonders of feeling sunshine on your skin?

Are you eating plenty of vegetables, fruits, and proteins?

How about your vitamin levels? When is the last time you had a complete checkup from your doctor? Very often, when our vitamins and minerals are off (even just a little off!), it affects every single corner of our life. If you haven’t had bloodwork done in over a year, please consider seeing your doctor. Your stress and anxiety may be attributed more to your body than to your circumstances.

We handle things better when we are better ABLE to handle them.

A nutritious diet is also vital to good health and to feeling like yourself. You need the nutrients that come from eating a healthy diet to fuel your brain and body to do great things.

Also, it’s easy to overlook but be sure you’re getting enough water too. Being even a little dehydrated can make you feel miserable physically and mentally.

Fresh air, daily activity, a balanced and healthy diet, and (when needed) daily supplements can help you more than you could ever realize.

Are You Staying in Contact with Loved Ones?

Stress and anxiety are relationship busters. Not because others avoid the person suffering from them but because, more times than not, the one feeling stressed avoids others. There is a tendency to hide away from others when one feels stressed out. Many people offer up reasons and they may or may not be spot on… but, personally, I think people tend to avoid others when they feel down simply because they feel like they can’t handle “anything else.”

When you feel like you have the weight of the world on your shoulders, you don’t want to put on a happy face or try to make your voice sound like you’re on top of the world when you feel like it’s on top of you.

While it’s easier to hide when you feel this way, it is of the utmost importance NOT to. You need your family and friends more than you may realize. Let them know how you feel – that you’re having a “bad day” (or week or month!). They want to help and, I’ll let you in on a secret, they may be feeling the same way! If that’s the case, you can help them by showing that it’s okay to admit when you need a lift.

Is Your Stress Controlling Your Life or Are You Controlling It?

This last question may seem overly simple but it is so vital. In fact, I want you to ask yourself these three questions routinely for a while until you’re able to HONESTLY give the answers you know you need to be able to give.

Please be proactive and take control of your stress and anxiety. Life is a big, beautiful place and I do not want you to miss a single moment. You deserve happiness and peace of mind and you deserve a healthy perspective on life. I hope and pray you will begin right this very minute creating everything in your world that you deserve. Don’t let stress or anxiety rob you of any more happiness and peace.


Reflect and Reevaluate: How to Find Your True Purpose in Life

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by Delicia Warren

Around the world, 900 million people are unfulfilled with their work.

This results in many people feeling as though they have no purpose which, in some of the worst cases, can lead to feelings of anxiety and depression.

But, does purpose have to come from our work? Not always!

Have you been feeling a bit lost when it comes to figuring out who you are and what you’re meant to do?

In this article, we’ll look at how to find your purpose.

  1. Learn a New Skill 

While feeling low about a lack of purpose in life, it’s easy to go about a daily routine without any enjoyment.

Instead, why not pick up a new skill? Figure out what you’ve always had an interest in but never pursued.

This could be anything from art to pottery to dance or a new sport. Your purpose in life can come from a hobby, so explore interests outside of work as much as possible.

Pursuing a hobby can be expensive, but why not look for free alternatives such as a runners club, a new gallery opening, or a trial dance class?

  1. Socialize with New and Old People

Talking to people around you may help you figure out what your purpose in life is. You may not be able to see what you are most passionate about, but others will likely know what makes you tick.

Are you obsessed with dogs? Perhaps you should work with Guide Dogs. Do you love nature? Why not find a job working outside? Are you a math wiz? Try retraining as a bookkeeper!

Meeting new people can help you find your purpose in life. If you love socializing, perhaps you should start volunteering in a care home. Talking to someone new can also help you bounce ideas around and maybe inspire a new business idea.

  1. Tune Into Yourself

While searching for our purpose, it’s important to reflect inwards. Perhaps this involves journaling our feelings every day.

You may consider asking yourself a series of questions such as:

  1. What gets you riled up?
  2. What injustice do I want to fix?
  3. What am I most effective at?
  4. How would your best friends describe you?

By asking yourself a series of difficult questions, you’ll slowly get to know yourself better which will help you find your own purpose.

Figuring out who you are and what you want requires a lot of effort. But, check out this article for guidance.

  1. Consider Meditation

You may have heard the old saying: “spend five minutes meditating every day unless you’re too busy in which case you should meditate for an hour.”

If you’re in a conundrum in life, then there is no better way to bring mental clarity than to meditate regularly.

Meditation has been practiced for thousands of years in the East and now people in the West are realizing how helpful this practice can be.

Even meditating for a short period every day can help you. Start with an app which will guide you and build up your practice from there. Alternatively, focus on wishing yourself happy and others too.

  1. What If There’s No Purpose?

If you’ve spent a long period of time trying to figure out your purpose in life but have come up with nothing, perhaps it’s time to consider there is no purpose.

For some, this can be extremely daunting and worrying. But, for others, this thought can set you free.

Rather than search for an overall purpose, figure out how you can help yourself and others. In the meantime, you may improve your life and accidentally find purpose!

  1. Seek Out Religion

Were you raised in a religion? Perhaps you can find purpose in your beliefs. If you’re not convinced by your religion, consider looking into others.

Most people stick to the religion that they were born into. But, this doesn’t necessarily work for everyone.

Consider reading about and exploring some of the other religions in the world. After all, religion is one of the greatest ways people find meaning and purpose in their lives.

Speak to others about their beliefs and perhaps they’ll inspire you to follow a different path in life.

  1. What Is Your Ideal?

Figuring out your purpose can be as simple as working out what your ideal day would look like, how about your ideal month, year or life?

Once you’ve worked out exactly what you want your life to look like, don’t stop until this happens.

Surround yourself with people you love, do the activities you enjoy, make your every day as enjoyable as possible.

  1. Make Small Changes

Perhaps you’re worried about your purpose in life because you’re stuck in a rut. Why not change up a few small things?

Don’t simply run away to Paris. Instead, make smaller changes to your diet. Perhaps it’s time to eat a planet-friendly diet?

Why not change up your routine and volunteer at an animal shelter? How about donating more money to charity?

Alternatively, you may want to make small changes to your personal life. Consider cleaning out your home to make it a wonderful place to live or spend more time exercising. Why not dye your hair to be the color you’ve always wanted?

How to Find Your Purpose? Never Stop Looking

If you’re still unclear on how to find your purpose, the answer is to keep improving your life until you’ve found it!

After just a few months, you’ll look back and, even if you haven’t found your purpose, will be amazed by how much your life has improved.

Have you found this article to be helpful? Check out the rest of the website for more ideas on how to find your purpose in life.

Bio: Delicia Warren is a freelance writer, passionate about the environment, organic farming and food production. An advocate for a holistic approach to the world’s problems, she has a particular interest in the small changes individuals can make to their lifestyle to minimize their environmental footprint.

How to Stop Saying Like All the Time (Infographic)

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People can often develop nervous habits when speaking – some will say, “Ummm” frequently (especially when they’re making a speech). Many (MANY!) others pepper their speech with, “like,” which is what the infographic below deals with.

Personally, a trend I’ve noticed that drives me batty is people ending sentences with an inflection, as though they’re questions.  For whatever reason, it drives me up the wall. I have, literally, changed channels and turned off podcasts because of it. In fact there was once a husband and wife team giving an interview on a podcast and as soon as I discovered they BOTH did it, I jumped up from the computer and sped to Starbucks for a Chai Tea Latte to calm my nerves.

THAT’S how batty it drives me.

Frequently saying “like” (as is the case with Ummm and making everything sound like a question) distracts from what you’re actually saying. It causes you to seem less knowledgeable and less confident. Pretty much the last things you want to convey!

The infographic has wonderful tips and advice. Enjoy! ~ Joi (“Joy”)

Courtesy of: QuickQuid

Tracking Mindfulness and Sleep

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Tulip and Huck

by Brooke Faulkner

Last night’s bedtime struggle was no different than any other night. The ritual of of quieting the monkey mind while laying there tossing and turning ensued. I woke up during the middle of the night for an hour or so, which is also typical.

Anyone who can’t go to sleep or wakes up in the wee hours knows how brutal this can be. So, I tried something new:

Mental Massage

I thought about mentally massaging my physical body, starting with the head and working my way down to the toes. I wasn’t thinking about anything but relaxation, even though I wasn’t actually being touched. I felt the gray particles float into the air and dissipate. It was peaceful. Maybe it sounds kind of weird, but it worked.

The mind is a powerful thing. If you have the power to plug in during the day, you have the same ability to unplug at night or any other time for that matter.

In addition to the mental massage technique listed above, here are some other mindful tips to help with swirling, worrying, sleep-inhibiting thoughts.

Feel & Breathe

We fight our feelings all the time. It’s instinctive to resist and push thoughts out of our heads, only to see them resurface over and over. We might as well feel our feelings by identifying the exact feeling, confront it by being honest, acknowledge that feeling, accept it, and then release it! The next time that same thought comes up, you’ll already know what to do and it won’t be such a struggle.

The next thing to try is focusing on your breathing. Feel your chest and stomach rise and fall, and listen to yourself breathe. It doesn’t matter if your mind wanders. There’s no need to worry about whether you’re doing it right or if it’s working. Just go gently back to breathing. You’ll melt into your mattress eventually.

Mindful meditation involving breathing techniques allows you to focus on the present moment instead of worrying about the past or the future. The focus is typically on one area of the body or the movement of breath. Easier said than done, but it’s worth a shot.

Social Media & Technology

Do you find yourself scrolling through Facebook or Instagram while laying there in the dark trying to sleep? Too much technology right before bed decreases quality of sleep and contribute to varying health conditions, including anxiety and heart disease.

Researchers found that internet use was making people delay sleep by more than 100 minutes every day and causing them to wake up 90 minutes later, according to a 2016 study by the Service for Healthy Use of Technology.

In a study about social media and wellbeing, 1700 participants between 19-32 years of age were interviewed. Nearly 30 percent of people showed high levels of sleep disturbance and 25 percent presented strong signs of depression. The higher the engagement on social media, the more sleep was affected.

On the other hand, it’s possible to use technology to help us improve sleep patterns and awareness with the use of apps and wearable devices. Technology in healthcare can save lives and preserve health. The two key elements are self management and data collection. Whether people are tracking blood glucose levels, sleep patterns or even running miles, adjusting behavior based on the results is possible.

At the end of the day, getting restful sleep is just as important as a healthy diet and regular cardiovascular exercise. Add mindfulness to your bedtime routine and you could find a more peaceful and uninterrupted night of Zzzzz’s.


Doing Away With the “Permanence” Mindset at Any Age

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Never Too Late Quote Graphic

Whether you’re green behind the ears, just graduated and eager to begin your new life as a hard-working business person — or maybe you’ve been in the workforce longer than most college grads have even been alive, chances are you’ve felt the weight of mental and physical exhaustion on your back. From being hunched over a textbook in the library, hunched over a computer in the office, or hunched over a hot stove cooking dinner for the family, you can likely pinpoint the moment you first felt “old.”

As we all know, aging is an inevitable fact of life, but it doesn’t have to be an unpredictable, scary one. While aging can indeed be a cruel mistress, there are so many methods of setting her back, of keeping her placated before she turns on you. Rather than punishing you for your advanced years, you can always appease her for longer, more youthful years, despite the changing of months on the calendar. Going back to school as a non-traditional student, making a sudden career change, pursuing new hobbies — nothing scares aging more than change.

First and foremost, there are the obvious side effects of aging, particularly visual ones. Perhaps lately you’re finding that your coworkers suddenly have to raise their voices around you — or maybe you have to address a hearing problem yourself, in a close friend you’ve known since high school who spent her formative years shrieking in glee every night with a drink in her hand. Maybe your memory isn’t quite as good as it used to be, maybe your grip is a little shakier than you remember.

All of these things are to be expected, but they don’t have to be things that hold you back.

Particularly when you’re still an active member of the workforce, age should be the last thing to hold you back. Of course, there are always things you can do to help fight the side effects of growing older; things such as regular exercise and a healthy diet, which has been shown to decrease the prevalence of dementia in older generations, as well as encouraging an overall positive attitude and outlook on life.

For some, retiring at the “suggested” age either isn’t feasible or perhaps isn’t actually a desire for those who love what they do for a living. Whether that be careers in writing, art, mathematics, or engineering, many people were blessed in the career path they wanted, and now get to reap the benefits of enjoying every day at work.

If you aren’t one of those people, though, it’s important to remember that it’s never too late to make a change in your life, either — if you always really wanted to be an artist, or a doctor, or a chef, or an astronaut … what’s stopping you?

Maybe you’ve been working at a desk your entire life, but realize you’d rather go back to school because charity work and other public service roles would better suit your career or life goals. Maybe you’d prefer to be in a sunlit painting studio all day, reminiscing on the trip to took to France in your earlier years. Maybe you’d even prefer the socialization that working in an energetic office space brings.

Whether it’s your age, your finances, or the thought of escaping your comfort zone, the idea of permanence is a dangerous one. Whether you’re 18 or 80, the thought that you only have a few singular choices in life, or that you have to follow a certain timeline in order to be “successful,” is how people end up unhappy with their lives. The sooner people realize that, the sooner they can turn their lives around into something they’d rather have or be, even if that “something” was never on the radar until recently.

The number of non-traditional students seeking higher education in the US continues to grow every year. Whether they be attending in person, or online, there are more adult students signing up for classes every year. More and more adults are realizing the dangers of a mindset revolving around permanence.

Maybe your goals don’t include returning to school — even just applying yourself with a new zeal into your work is certain to boost your mood and your overall self of being. Maybe your productivity has slipped in the past few years — what’s stopping you from tightening your belt, and going after it wholeheartedly again? Even if you don’t seek any promotions, or a raise in pay, simply seeking out what once inspired you to work hard is enough of a rewarding endeavor in itself. Even just simple day to day things, like developing new, positive habits in your work or home life, are certain to boost your mood and self esteem.

So, whether you’re just settling into a new career you hope to be your one and only or you’ve been working hard at it for decades now, there are so many ways to keep the inspiration and the spark alive. Dedicate yourself to the things you love, don’t be afraid to pursue others you expect you’d love, and make sure to put yourself and your own mental health first, before all else. Throw out the mindset of permanence, and you’re destined for a long life full of positive motivation and happy memories.