Category Archives: Mental Health

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Identifying And Coping With Hearing Loss

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Hearing loss has a way of sneaking up on you. While it’s something that we traditionally write off as an inevitable part of aging, there are numerous causes of hearing loss although many are degenerative and in many cases we don’t realize the extent of our hearing loss until it’s gotten pretty bad. If you find yourself asking people to repeat themselves over and over again. If people accuse you of not listening to them or you have trouble realizing that people are talking to you half way through a conversation then these can be telling signs that you have hearing loss that you may not even be fully aware of.

 

Hearing loss can be a cause of embarrassment and anxiety to sufferers that is only exacerbated when it is left ignored and untreated. As people get more impatient with having to repeat themselves and the world around them feels more remote and alienating, sufferers of hearing loss can find themselves suffering severely damaging psychological effects. Here we’ll look at spotting the signs of hearing loss, the psychological and emotional impact that sufferers may undergo and the importance of identifying the cause and the effects that it may have on treatment as well as how people with hearing loss can help themselves and others around them better understand their condition.

 

Spotting the signs

 

Hearing loss in adults doesn’t just happen overnight. It often takes place over a period of years in increments so small that sufferers don’t even notice it day by day. While we may associate hearing loss with advanced age, it can be experienced at virtually any age, regardless of our general health and fitness. If you notice any of the following occurring on a daily basis then there’s a good chance that you’re experiencing hearing loss.

 

  • You struggle to hear people talking to you on the phone
  • You frequently feel that others are mumbling and often need them to repeat themselves
  • You struggle to be part of conversations in busy places like malls, cafes, bars and restaurants.
  • Your partner and friends accuse you of not listening.
  • Your family often says that you have the TV or radio on too loud.
  • You can’t tell where sound is coming from.
  • Conversations require a great deal of conversations and become exhausting.

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The psychological effects of hearing loss

 

The psychological impact of gradual hearing loss cannot be underestimated. It can alienate you from your partner and friends and leave you feeling isolated. It can cause people to become frustrated and irritated with you, negatively impacting your self-esteem. Moreover, coming to the realization that you are in fact losing your hearing is a genuine bereavement that requires emotional and psychological adjustment. As with any loss you can expect to feel anger, resentment and you may well be in denial of the existence or extent of your hearing loss. Once you’ve come to accept it as a reality of your life, however, you must not suffer in silence but seek help in identifying the cause of your hearing loss as this will be the first step to treating it.

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Identifying the cause

 

Hearing loss can have a seriously detrimental effect on not only your ability to live your day to day life but on your mental health if left untreated. Thus, it’s important to seek the advice of an audiologist to correctly identify the cause of your hearing loss. In some cases it may even be something that can be reversed. Most common cases of hearing loss are attributed to either nerve damage (sensorineural hearing loss) or obstructions in the ear canal (conductive hearing loss). Many cases of hearing loss can be reversed by removing waxy buildup in the ear or removing lodged foreign objects from the ear canal. Likewise infections or pus buildup in the ear canal can be treated with an antibiotic. Some obstructions, however like perforation of the eardrums or Otosclerosis (an abnormal bone growth in the middle ear) cannot be reversed. Hearing loss caused by nerve damage, however, has a more diverse range of causes. It can be caused by aging, regular exposure to loud noises, viral infections, hereditary conditions like Meniere’s disease (which also affects your balance) and even lifestyle related conditions like obesity or excessive smoking can cause sensorineural hearing loss.This kind of hearing loss requires more comprehensive treatment that will likely remain with you for the rest of your life.

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Treatment and tech

 

An audiologist will likely want to prescribe you a hearing aid. There was a time when hearing aids were ugly, bulky inefficient things but the advent of digital technology has made hearing aids much more discreet and effective. Whether you opt for a hearing aid that clips behind the ear or one that sits discreetly in the ear canal, most digital hearing aids are hard to detect, though it’s important to note that hearing aids require a period of adjustment. When you first start wearing a hearing aid you’ll likely experience a tinny buzzing in your ears. Over time your brain (which has gotten used to compensating for your hearing loss) will start to recognize these vibrations as sounds and adjust to the hearing aid over a period of weeks. It’s important to allow yourself this period of adjustment and stick with your hearing aids as frustrating as the transitional period may be. If your hearing loss makes phone conversations difficult the good news is that there are many phones for the hearing impaired available. They have hardware and software built-in that can not only elevate the volume but clarify speech by reducing background noise and even slow down talk speed to make speech easier to understand.

 

Openness and honesty

 

When you hearing loss has been diagnosed it’s important to take ownership of it and not to feel embarrassed. Being open and honest about it with friends and family will prevent them from getting impatient and irritated with you when they have to repeat themselves. They’ll also know that your hearing loss is outside of your control and that you’re not deliberately ignoring them.

Those around you can help by being patient and trying to speak more slowly and clearly in your presence.

 

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Alone Ranger: Quality Ways To Make The Most Of “Me Time”

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There is a little stigma attached to spending time on your own. A lot of people view it as being some sort of social pariah, yet some people love their own company and would prefer it to be that way more often. But if you are one of those people who struggle to enjoy your own company, there are many benefits of being on your own for a short period of time. The one main positive is developing resilience and relying on your own resources, so how can we find more suitable methods to enjoy your own time?

Traveling By Yourself

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The most clichéd of methods to spend alone time is actually one of the most beneficial. By travelling alone and seeing other parts of your country or the world (depending on your budget) you can broaden your mind and get a unique sense of perspective on things. A lot of people get in a car and go, and a lot of people are now taking to obtaining a motorcycle license, getting on a Harley and heading down that open road until they find what they’re looking for. This is an extremely romantic idea, but there are plenty of people that do it as an alternative to meditating or mindfulness. So if this is an option for you, you can find out from American Motorcycle Trading Company on what types of motorcycles are suitable. The open road is a great way to clear your mind in whatever form, be it hiking, spending time in a foreign land, or just getting on your trusty hog and finding out what you’re all about in the great wide open.

Creating A Journal

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For a lot of us, we don’t really know what makes us tick. By creating a journal that is for the purposes of your own thoughts and feelings, that no one will ever have access to, means that you can spend a lot of time getting to know yourself better. It’s also been shown that getting our thoughts onto paper is a very suitable method of beating stress and gaining a unique perspective on our problems. So even if you aren’t physically able to spend time alone, this could be a suitable pastime to be engrossed in your thoughts and make you feel like you have had some quality alone time. A lot of people swear by writing a diary because it acts as a very effective “brain dump” too.

Get Into Gaming

You don’t have to do anything particularly adventurous to enjoy a bit of “me time”. Often, just doing a spot of gaming can totally make your day. 

Sites like https://winiota.com/ explain how it works. Some games are free to play, while others require a subscription. There are many games that will actually pay out money under the right circumstances. 

Find a game that’s right for you. Choose something that you naturally find compelling. Don’t feel like you have to choose all the most popular games, like PUBG. Any will do.

Take A Nap

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Even if you don’t go to sleep, having a bit of quality alone time during the day to muse over the more pressing thoughts in your mind will give you that breathing space from your day to day life that you didn’t even know you needed. A lot of us are worried about spending time on our lonesome, but it may be just what the doctor ordered for you to go through the thought of the day and to reduce stress and anxiety. But also you may realize that life isn’t always as stressful as you’ve built it up in your head. If you can afford yourself the luxury of 10 minutes a day where you are doing something for your own benefit, this could be the rejuvenation process you need.

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Stuck In A Rut? Give Yourself a New Lease Of Life!

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Life can get busy, and before you know it; you’ve been stuck in a routine that you don’t particularly enjoy. Repetitive tasks, jobs, and behavior can have a negative impact on your mood if you find them unfulfilling and if you’re growing tired or feeling stressed and fatigued. Therefore, you might need to shake things up a little and make some vital changes. Change and new experiences is often a positive thing, and you’ll give yourself a new lease of life and the boost you need to continue feeling motivated. The following are some ideas for those who feel their stuck in a lifestyle rut that’s no longer making them happy.

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It’s Time To Travel

 

A break from you’re used to doing or seeing will enrich your mind and help to give you a boost; especially when you’re enjoying new things in another country. Backpacking, or booking a vacation can seem a little intimidating, so book your first trip for a short time, and you’ll see (and feel) what a positive impact it’s had on your life. Check out sites like Shape.com and discover where you should be heading to clear your head and soak up a different way of life. You’ll return from your trip inspired and full of ideas; it could have the butterfly effect that you life needs and you’ll begin to make more changes as a result. Many say that nothing good comes out of your comfort zone; keep this saying in mind when you’re off on your travels and step out of your routine with vigor and enthusiasm for the best results possible.

 

A Career Upgrade Or Change

 

Being stuck in a job you hate will impact your mind and health badly; you spend a large majority of your time at work, so you should be somewhat happy with your situation. You may well return from your travels inspired to do something new or develop your skills further in your current field. Take a look at websites like DontPayFull.com for some vouchers or deals on retraining and qualifications; focusing on developing the new you will bring you happiness every day, and you’ll be able to enjoy the challenges of life, rather than dread them. If you’re determined to stay in your chosen career path; ask your boss about your options and future in their company so that you’ll be able to decide whether to move on to a new role somewhere else. There’s nothing less motivating at work than no prospects, so it’s time to create your own.

 

Do More Of What You Love

 

Sometimes the simplest things in life will make you the most happy and can help to beat stress; so take a step back and think about what, who, or where makes you the happiest. Once you’ve figured out your happy places; spend more time in them. Learn to say no to things you’re not going to enjoy; life is short and you’re not being selfish by putting your health and wellbeing first. The sooner you prioritize getting out of our rut; the quicker you’ll feel a new zest for life.

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I Can’t Stress The Importance Of Beating Stress Enough…

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Stress is something that all of us will encounter at one stage or another. Unfortunately, though, many of us find ourselves coming up against it on an increasingly frequency basis.   

 

Knowing how to fight stress is essential if you want to lead an enriched life. After all, those mental strains will take their toll on virtually every aspect and activity. Here are five ways to reduce the damage caused by your next bout while also reducing the likelihood of it coming back anytime soon.

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#1. Pay Attention To Your Needs

 

In this fast-paced modern world, it’s very easy to get our priorities in a muddle. Overlooking the importance of self-care and attention is one of the most common issues. This guide to giving your mind and soul the TLC it deserves can have a huge impact on your mental state of mind. Furthermore, it should go a long way to boosting physical health as well as the way you are received by others. Perfect.

 

#2. Spend Time With Loved Ones

 

People are the central focus for happiness in this life. Many people go through their adult lives without seeing their nearest and nearest nearly enough. Of course, social media and video chats are a great substitute. However, there’s nothing like human interaction to relieve the sense of stress. Family hikes and bike rides can be particularly good as the exercise releases endorphins too. Meanwhile, making time for seeing friends is vital too. If nothing else, it gives you a chance to open up about those fears.

 

#3. Build A Happier Home Environment

 

Home is the foundation of your lifestyle, and it has a huge impact on daily activities. If those four walls are making you unhappy, it will quickly become a major source of stress. Even if funds are tight, you can easily transform your home with a few coats of paint. A decluttering session will also make the property look and feel far bigger. Add a few house plants, and everything will start to feel more relaxed.

 

#4. Don’t Become A Victim

 

Life is hard enough without mistakes. Personal errors are a great source of frustration. In truth, though, nothing will harm your mental state quite like being the victim of mistreatment. There is help out there to fight those moral and financial injustices. Whether it’s contacting car accident lawyers or the local workers union, the expert touch can be hugely helpful. You don’t have to fight those battles alone. The sooner you realize it, the better.

 

#5. Avoid The Unknown   

 

There’s no greater stress than worrying about the unknown. Worse still, there are many occasions where you’ll be fearing things that are solely in your head. This is most common when dealing with health aspects. Speaking to a medical expert is the only solution. Meanwhile, prescription discount cards can remove the financial fears. Getting into the habit of self-diagnosis is only going to harm your emotional health as you’ll never have concrete answers. Besides, if there is an issue, it’s better to fight it early.

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Your Family & Their Health: Making Those Vital Changes

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Everyone has the desire to ensure that they and their family ar as healthy as possible for as long as possible. But knowing how to make this a reality is often something of a challenge. If you have come to realise you could probably be doing more towards this end, then you might want to know what it is that you can do. In this post, we are going to take a look at some of the major changes you can make which are going to dramatically change how you approach the issue of health and happiness in your family forever. You might not have considered some of these changes, and they are not all for everyone – but each one of them is a powerful way to make your family much healthier effectively and swiftly.

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Prioritize It

 

Put simply, one of the best ways to ensure that your family remain as healthy as possible is to make it a priority within the family unit. Only then can you really be sure that your family are going to feel as looked after as possible, so it is essential that you get this right. Knowing how to make health a priority in the family is tricky in itself – but most of all it is just a matter of rearranging how you do things in order to place health at the top. If you find that you probably don’t eat as well as you could, then you could set up a plan to improve that fast. Or if nobody in your family really exercises very much, you might want to set that up as a priority by penciling in some workout sessions in your diary. However you do it, it is only by changing your approach to health that you can hope to make it work better for you.

 

Get Some Education

 

You don’t need to work in healthcare to benefit from some medicinal education; those who are concerned about their families might also find that there is much to be gained from taking a masters in nursing education or something similar. When you have at least a basic understanding of medicine and healthcare, you are much more likely to be able to properly look after your family in terms of their health, so this could be an extremely powerful thing to do here. Or it could just be a case of being trained in First Aid; that alone will make you and your family feel much more relaxed around the whole issue of health emergencies, which in turn leads to better practices. Consider getting a little education soon if you are serious about your family keeping strong and healthy.

 

Talk It Through

 

The best way to enact any real changes in a family unit is to talk about it as thoroughly as you possibly can. Getting it out in the open is always a powerful way to do this, and it just might be the best things that you do for your family this year. Start to talk about health and how to improve it, and everyone will get on board and change their ways for the better in no time.

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The Holistic Approach To Beating Depression And Anxiety

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Depression and anxiety are terrible conditions that affect around 80% of the population at some point during their lives. Indeed, experts believe they probably affect everyone at some point, even if they don’t recognize the symptoms. Most folks end up going to see their doctor and taking prescribed SSRI antidepressants. While that medication tends to alleviate some of the worst parts of depression and anxiety, they don’t solve the problem. That is why it’s often sensible to avoid drugs altogether and look for a natural approach to recovery. With that in mind, people who are suffering at the moment should try some of the ideas in this article. If they do that, individuals should notice an improvement in their mood and outlook on life.

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Spend time with friends

 

Communication is often an excellent method for alleviating the symptoms of depression and anxiety. Many people spend their days over thinking things, and that can lead to lots of unnecessary stress and worry. Telling some friends about the way they feel can often help sufferers to gain a better perspective. Also, just being around people who care is going to make the situation seem a little better. So, take the time to get in touch with the people who matter most and arrange some time together. Maybe it’s sensible to:

 

  • Organize a coffee date
  • Book some theater tickets
  • Plan a night out on the town
  • Go for a road trip together

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Eat healthy foods

 

Doctors and medical professionals always tell depressed and anxious people to improve their diets. In most instances, individuals just need to ensure they’re getting the correct amount of vitamins and minerals. That often involves eating more fruits and vegetables than ever before. It’s possible to make the process easier by following a planned diet. There are many different programs out there, and some are more suitable than others. Just perform some research and ensure the diet provides everything a person might require. Here’s everything you can eat on Cruise Control, one of the most popular diets around today. As readers should notice, there is often a fresh fruit and vegetable theme. Whatever happens, just be sure to avoid:

 

  • Pizza
  • Fast Food
  • Chocolate (it messes with your mood)
  • Chips
  • Anything with a high-fat content

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Get some exercise

 

Everyone should try to get more exercise whether people are depressed or not. Still, physical activity can cause a massive release of dopamine in the brain. It also encourages the body to produce adrenalin, which is excellent for depressed and anxious people. So, sufferers just need to create a plan or design a program that suits them. For example, some people love playing team sports. So, those folks could search for local groups online and go along for training. That’s a fantastic idea because it also encourages social interaction. Other people enjoy spending time away from others. In that instance, jogging around the streets in the local area seems appropriate. Just use some common sense.

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Travel

 

As the old saying goes, travel broadens the mind. However, it also helps people to relax and reduce their anxiety levels. That is often the case if they go to places with beautiful scenery and lots of interesting sights. Whether sufferers decide to travel alone or with friends is their decision. The important thing is just to get as far away from home as possible. Maybe book a couple of nights in a hotel somewhere near the coast? People who don’t have a driving license have no reason to worry. There is an excellent public transport system in the US that should enable individuals to reach any destination. Just use Google when planning the trip to discover the most appropriate route.

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Read self-help books

 

Hundreds of different self-help books reach the market every single year. Some of them are better than others, and so it makes sense to read some online reviews before spending money. Subjects people might like to consider include:

 

 

Sites like Amazon and eBay are excellent places to look for the most recent titles. Of course, anyone with an e-reader can save themselves a lot of time and hassle. Indeed, there are even many books people with digital devices can download for free if they search in the right places. Try to implement some of the tips and advice from those books into a daily routine. If they don’t create an improvement, just try something else.

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Do something exciting

 

The word “exciting” can mean various things to different people. So, it’s wise for the individual to consider how they represent the term. However, the list below will highlight some activities that should fit the bill for most people. Arranging any of these pastimes with friends could help people with depression and anxiety to forget about their issues. Still, it’s a personal choice, and one people should make for themselves.

 

  • Rock climbing
  • Canoeing
  • Archery
  • White water rafting
  • Bungee jumping
  • Parachuting

 

Smart people will notice a theme running through all of those suggestions. That’s right; all of those activities tend to take place outdoors! The fresh air should help to lift the mood and make individuals feel better than they did before. However, the adventurous nature of those ideas will also increase adrenaline levels and get the heart pumping.

 

Whatever happens during the next few weeks, it’s essential that people try to help themselves. As mentioned at the start of this post, medication can reduce the impact of some symptoms. However, it is not going to solve any problems or make individuals feel happy. Anyone who wants to achieve that goal has to think outside of the box and try some of the ideas from this article.

 

Final depression and anxiety facts:

 

  1. Anxiety has many variations including social anxiety, panic disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

 

  1. Depression affects more than fifteen-million adults in the US at any one time.

 

  1. Anxiety disorders cost the U.S. more than forty-two-billion dollars per year.

 

Nobody wants to feel down in the dumps all the time, so put this information to good use and turn things around. If there doesn’t seem to be any improvement, book an appointment to see the doctor. Just be sure to ask them about holistic therapies rather than drugs, and they should offer some assistance. Thanks for reading!

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Easy Ways You Can Practice Self-Love and Be Kinder to Yourself

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“The most important relationship in your life is the relationship you have with yourself. Because no matter what happens.. you will ALWAYS be with yourself.”

– Dianne Von Furstenberg

 

While it’s no question that relationships, whether it’s one we have with our significant other, our family or friends, are to be cherished, the most important and by far the longest relationship we will ever have in our life is actually one we have with ourselves.

After all, by learning to give love, acceptance, and compassion to ourselves, the more we feel whole and worthy and the more we have and are willing to offer to the world.

That said, I know firsthand that it can be extremely difficult to believe that we are worthy. Ever since we were kids, we have been told otherwise by our loved ones, bosses, colleagues, clients – and even strangers. Nevertheless, this is precisely why it’s crucial for us to become our very own best friend. With so much vying ‘against’ us, we’ve got enough on our plate that we need all the support and love we can get.

Here, I’ll be sharing with you some simple yet effective ways that have personally helped me to cultivate and strengthen self-love. May these tips help you to become kinder and gentler to yourself too!

 

1. Make Time for Self-Care

 

 

Has fear of missing out or being disliked prevented you from being able to set some time for yourself?

Well, it’s time to start learning to say ‘no’ to things that you think do not add any value to your life. By passing on events or added responsibilities that are not so important, it becomes much easier for you to make the time to do things that you actually enjoy.

Whether you choose to spend it by getting more sleep, going to an invigorating  yoga class, or picking up a new hobby, it’s all up to you! Practice self-care regularly by committing the time and effort you need to become the best version of yourself – because you’re truly worth it.

 

2. Connect with Your Inner Self

 

Image credit: Huffingtonpost.com

 

We may not want to admit it but most of us live our lives basing our values on our successes and failures. Deep down, however, we know that these ‘things’ do not illustrate the whole picture of who we really are. So, let’s ingrain it into our heads that our self-worth does not equate to our net worth – and act accordingly.

One way we can effectively do this is to learn to connect with our inner self (the soul) through activities that quiet the mind and bring it to a state of peace and stillness such as meditation or journaling. As Ma Jaya Sati Bhagavati, a renowned spiritual leader, beautifully said “quiet the mind and the soul will speak”. 

 

3. Apply Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT)

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IWu3rSEddZI – action=share

Video credit: Mercola YouTube account

 

Several years ago, a life coach who happens to be an EFT practitioner introduced me to Emotional Freedom Technique as a way to calm myself whenever I’m feeling stressed, anxious, or critical of myself. Though its name may appear rather scientific, it’s actually a pretty simple healing tool where we tap ourselves on specific parts of the body (acupressure) while repeating an affirmation. 

The great thing about this technique is that it can be done just about anywhere as it only requires a bit of time, our fingers, and a ‘mantra’ or affirmation. I’ve personally found it to be quick and effective in helping me to release negative energy when I’m feeling extreme emotions and to regain a sense of calm and balance. 

 

4. Stop Playing the Comparison Game

 

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We’re all familiar with the comparison game, it’s that dreadful yet addictive game where we compare ourselves with practically everyone we know and even those we don’t! 

The truth is, each and every single one of us is special and we all have our own unique purpose and path in life. Comparison is the ‘thief’ of joy and it prevents us from counting our blessings and embracing our already beautiful lives. Instead of comparing our journey to the journey of others, we should focus on being grateful for who we are and what we already have. 

Energy flows where attention goes. The more you recognize who you are and what you already have, the more abundance and blessings you will manifest in your life.

 

5. Give Up the Need for Approval from Others

 

 

“Old habits die hard,” they say, and from my own experience, I admit that it’s not that easy to let go of our need of approval  –  but it’s certainly not impossible.

We can start to do this by choosing to consistently speak our truth. When you believe in an idea or have an opinion that differs from those around you – stand by it. Be aware when you are tempted to conform to someone’s else’s opinion just for the sake of having them on your side or obtain their approval and consciously choose to resist it.

In order for us to live our very best lives, we must learn to be independent of the good opinion of others. This means that we need to learn to make choices and take actions that are unapologetically true to who we are. After all, the only validation we truly need is one that we give to ourselves so stop living your life trying to impress others. Live your life trying to impress yourself instead!

 

Contributed by Lystia Putranto

 About

Lystia Putranto

Lystia is a personal & professional development blogger who seeks to inspire and to motivate people to create and to live out their best lives. A proponent of meditation, she actively encourages those who seek to become their best selves to integrate meditation as part of their daily routine.

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Kick-start Huge Life Improvements with These Major Changes

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Are you happy with your life right now? Sometimes you can get this feeling that it’s time for a change, but you don’t know what it is yet. You want to improve your life in some way, and it might not matter yet just how you might do it. However, if you think a major change is in order, you should probably spend some time considering the best way to make an adjustment in your life. While making small changes slowly is one way to change your life, sometimes it’s a big and sweeping change that works best. If you’re not sure what that change might be yet, try the following options.

Credit: Pixabay

 

Change Jobs (or Even Careers)

 

Your job (or your career if you think you have one) is a huge part of your life. Even if you don’t want to be defined by what you do for money, it is what you spend a lot of your time doing. Looking for a new job or maybe even changing your career path altogether can give your life a proper shake up. Doing the same thing day-in and day-out can get you down, but changing employers or trying something different can really improve things. If you’re not ready to move on, though, consider whether you can make any improvements in your current job.

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Find Somewhere New to Live

 

Moving into a new home is a major change which can take you on a few different paths. You could stay relatively close to your own home, so you live in a similar environment. But maybe you want to move further out of town, to the suburbs or even into a more rural area. Some people even think about making a major move to start a new life. The choice to buy a new home could have a significant effect on your life. Perhaps your current one is too small, or it’s not in a convenient location. Maybe it’s time for you and your partner to have your first real home together. There are many reasons to buy a home and improve your life.

Credit: Pexels

 

Get Back to Education

 

Going back to school isn’t something that appeals to everyone. Many people have nightmarish memories of school, from elementary all the way to college. Subjecting yourself to structured education again might be the last thing you want to do. But experiencing education as an adult can be very different, and there are lots of options. You can choose to do anything from a short diploma course to a degree. And you can study many things online so you can do them in your own time.

 

Start a New Hobby

 

It might not seem like a major change, but picking up a new hobby can change your life a lot. It can lead to new friends and relationships, new skills, and new experiences. The most life-changing hobbies are often the ones that get you out and meeting people, as well as trying exciting things you’ve never tried before.

 

If you feel like your life might be stagnant, a major change could help to kick-start it again.

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Unwelcome Thoughts: Are You Worried About Your Mental Health?

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We all go through low periods, that’s just something that every adult has to get used to every now and then. However, there’s a big difference between going through a low period and being able to pull yourself out of that period for an incredibly long time. If it seems as though you’re feeling down more often than not, then that could be a sign that something a little more serious is going on. It’s a sad fact that most people are pretty uninformed about mental health because of the stigma that often surrounds it. However, mental health is important and should be considered in the same vein as physical health instead of something that people are ashamed of. With that in mind, here are some things that you should do if you’re worried about your mental health.

 

Speak to the people in your life

 

One of the hardest things about mental illness like depression or anxiety is how alone it can often make you feel. It’s easy to feel as though you’re totally unable to connect with the people around you because of any issues that you’re having with your mental health but in reality, you probably have a lot more people in your life you care about you and want to support you than you might think. The most important thing is that you actually reach out to these people and try to connect with them. If you don’t communicate that you’re worried about something to your friends and family, then they’re never going to be able to support you in the way that you really need. It’s not always easy to tell people that you’re struggling, but it’s often the first step on the path to getting the help that you need.

 

Do some research

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When you feel as though there is something wrong with your mental health it can often be an incredibly confusing and upsetting experience. Because of this, a lot of people aren’t sure what it is that they’re feeling or what they should do about it. As much as people always tell you not to google your symptoms, doing so can help you much more easily identify what it is that’s wrong. You can often find the symptoms of things everything from depression and anxiety on sites like WebMD to these signs of residual schizophrenia from schizlife.com. Of course, you should rely solely on the internet and your own research for the kind of diagnoses that you really need, but it’s a good place to start.

 

Speak to a professional

Of course, if you feel as though you have an idea of what is wrong, or you just feel as though you really need help, then you need to speak to a professional. Make an appointment to speak to your doctor and explain the way that you’re feeling. Your doctor will likely have far more resources than you have access to and will be able to guide you in the right direction. Whether that takes the form of medication, therapy, or anything else, it’s important that you are as informed as possible as to the kinds of treatments options that are available to you.

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Anxiety Disorders: What Exactly Are They?

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Anxiety is a health problem that we hear a lot about these days but people often don’t understand what it is. The online world is full of people discussing their anxiety disorders and an equal number of people that dispute them. The reason there is so much argument around the issue is that people are trying to simplify it too much because they don’t fully understand what anxiety disorders are. Most people tend to make the mistake of thinking that having an anxiety disorder just means being nervous all of the time about everything but the reality is, there are a lot of different types of anxiety disorders, often caused by high stress levels. They affect everybody in their own way. The best way to understand the problem is to educate yourself about the different types of anxiety disorder. This can be followed up by researching possible treatments and remedies, such as kratom, but be sure to consult your doctor first before trying any treatments or remedies as the doctor can help with pinpointing the problem and treating it safely. Information on kratom can be found at https://kratom.org/guides/. Other remedies can also be researched online as well. 

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General Anxiety Disorder

This is what most people are thinking of when they hear about people with an anxiety condition. People that have experienced extended periods of feeling anxious are likely to have general anxiety disorder. These feelings aren’t caused by anything in particular so people that have this condition often feel helpless because it seems as though there is no way to stop them. If you are diagnosed with general anxiety disorder, your symptoms can cover a wide range of things and all patients react in their own way so you should never discount somebody’s experience or claim that they are exaggerating their symptoms.

Panic Disorder

Panic disorder is a more obvious anxiety condition and the symptoms are usually the same in most people. As its name suggests, panic disorder primarily manifests itself in the form of panic attacks. As feelings of anxiety build and build, they eventually come to a head during a panic attack. They aren’t triggered by specific events and can happen at any time. This means that if you have panic disorder you will be constantly on edge about having an attack and this fear in itself can lead to more attacks so if you don’t see a doctor for treatment it can quickly spiral out of control.

PTSD

PTSD is more well-known but people don’t usually consider it an anxiety disorder. There are plenty of veterans PTSD resources out there because most of us recognize PTSD as an issue that affects the military. However, it can affect anybody that has witnessed or been a part of a traumatic event. The effects of PTSD can be very damaging as they cause you to experience flashbacks and nightmares that seem incredibly real.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorders

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is another condition that people might not necessarily think of as an anxiety disorder. You often hear people saying that they’re a bit OCD. It’s a throwaway comment and they might not mean anything by it but keeping a tidy house doesn’t mean that you have OCD. It’s a serious medical condition that can completely rule people’s lives. The obsessive aspect usually comes in the form of negative thoughts or urges that you cannot stop from coming. The compulsive aspect is what most people are familiar with; OCD sufferers will often find that there are actions that they feel that they must repeat over and over and if they don’t it causes them serious distress.

Now that you know a bit more about anxiety disorders, you can be more understanding around people that have them.  

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