How to Lead a Happy Life

Appreciation, Love, Acceptance and Happiness

According to Psychology Today, there are four essential elements that are needed to produce a happy life.  The four important traits needed for happiness are self-esteem, optimism, personal control, and extroversion.  These four traits can help psychologists predict an individual’s happiness level.

One of the best ways to lead a happy life is to relax.  Stress can wreak both psychological and physical havoc on the body.  Stress produces a chemical in the body called Interleukin-6.  In large doses, interleukin-6 can lead to diabetes, arthritis, osteoporosis and even some cancers.  Stress management can benefit a person’s overall health and make them feel more relaxed which leads to a happier life.

According to the book Authentic Happiness, by Martin Seligman, a person can raise their level of happiness on a daily basis.  To do this, an individual should make sure that their day is filled with humor, authenticity, and generosity.  By leading a generous, fun, and authentic life, people connect better with others and themselves. 

Developing a non-materialistic attitude is also vital to leading a happy life.  An article in USA Today featured psychologist, Ed Diener who explained that materialistic people have a difficult time leading a happy life.  Materialism often breeds an attitude of more work, less relaxation and less personal enjoyment.  People who care less about spending and getting things are more likely to be happy.

Oxford University Psychologist, Michael Argyle discovered that people who don’t manage their time effectively are generally less happy.  Unhappy people don’t properly manage their time and usually postpone things and procrastinate.  A person who manages their time is able to feel more in control and empowered which is a step towards leading a happy life.

One thing is for certain, depression is becoming epidemic and the overall happiness people experience continues to decline.  The National Opinion Research Center surveyed thousands of Americas in 1957 and 35% of them claimed to be very happy.  When the center surveyed Americans again in 1991, 31% claimed to be happy. 

Social psychologists Jennifer Crocker and Brenda Major found that the following things have little or no impact on a person’s happiness level - gender, age, race, or income.  Although people have debated for decades whether or not money could buy more happiness, individuals are slowly learning that rich people almost equally suffer from depression, addiction, and other mental health problems that make them as miserable as the less fortunate.

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The Power of Concentrative Meditation and How to Start Meditating

Fight Stress and Empower the Mind with Meditation

The nature of employment today, the economy, and life in general is such that every person tends to get stressed out over a period of time. It is necessary to relieve your body from all the negative energy that is holding you from being your normal self and one of the best ways to relieve the hyper-stress is to opt for concentrative meditation.

 
What is Concentrative Meditation?

Concentrative meditation is something that requires your mind to concentrate on a particular thought or even an object. That particular thing can be anything ranging from a physically existing object to some unique music. No matter what the focus of your concentration is going to be, you provide your entire concentration on just that object.
Some experienced practitioners of mediation opt for reciting a word over and over again to get them focused.

The constant repetition of the word gives them something to concentrate on. In addition, some people prefer to concentrate on their own breathing, through slowly inhaling and exhaling, rather than concentrating on a particular thought or object. The fact is that you can begin by concentrating on anything that you feel most comfortable with. The actual concentration and focus are the keys here, not the actual image, object or sound you choose to focus on.

 
Techniques for Relaxation

There are several techniques that ensure complete relaxation and also hypnosis. It is found that all these techniques have something in common to concentrative meditation. Irrespective of how tensed or stressed out you are, the peace that follows after a meditation session is simply amazing and something that often cannot be found through anything else.

 
In order to carry out this concentrative meditation, it is not always necessary to lie flat on the floor and shut your eyes, or even get into a praying position. In fact, some people find it easier to just concentrate their mind on simple things such as a candle flame and the way the flame keeps dancing on and on. You can also concentrate on how much heat is liberated from the flame. As you can see this is just an example of how simple it can be to begin concentrative meditation and calm the mind.

 
You could take anything for that matter. If a particular music appeals to you, listen to it intently. Imagine that you are in some fairytale land all alone. Imagine that you are listening to the music while you are treading a beautiful pathway that is leading to an elegantly decorated home. Again, this is all left to your imagination and pertains to personal preference and whatever keeps you calm.

 
The Power of Concentrative Mediation

We have seen some people do some unbelievable things through the power of concentration, such as lying on a bed of nails, bending a spoon by just looking at it, walking through fire, and several other things that are unreal to our naked eyes.

 
How can they manage to do those acts so skilfully while we just remain mere onlookers? It is the unlimited concentration that they have developed over years of practice? The power of concentration can control your mind, the way you see the world and empower you to do things you never thought imaginable. 

 
In a nutshell, concentrative meditation can do wonders for all of us. If you are a student and are suffering with poor memory, then you could try a form meditation that helps in strengthening your memory. If you are a professional who is prone to stress and tension on a regular basis, this could be the only way out to achieve balance in your life. Too much stress can change the person you are, change your relationships with people, and change the way you look at life.

 
Meditation is no longer seen as a “hippie” ritual, a religious act for Buddhist monks, or an uncommon practice. It can truly unleash the power of your mind, bring calm into your life, negate anxiety and stress and lead you to a better life, mentally, physically and spiritually.

 
The best part is that it doesn’t take years of practice or a major shift in your lifestyle to utilize. Start slow, open your mind and get ready for the change that concentrative meditation can make in your life.

The Five “B’s” for Finding True Happiness: Compassion, Generosity, Insight, Freedom and Being Content

I watched a video today that did more than inspire me. I can’t even put into words the emotions that came over me when watching this video. I was inspired, felt driven, and even had small tears well up inside of me. All of this from a 56 second video taken on the streets of India and words spoken by a man who is open about his lack of knowledge and literacy.

 
There are so many experts, psychiatrists, and doctors try to discuss the search for happiness and how one can truly be happy. Even they cannot describe it or explain happiness the way this man did with one sentence. One powerful, inspiring, and truthful message. So what was it and what did he say?

 
“The Key to Happiness is to Choose Happiness”

 
That was it. That was all he said, and that is all that is needed. Too many people go too far in depth when analyzing and deconstructing spirituality and the pursuit of happiness. Sometimes our happiness and well being simply is not as complicated as we make it. If you truly want to be happy then you have to be open minded and willing to choose the path of happiness. Let it into your life, be open to opportunities, and be accepting and positive every day of your life. Choose happiness and it will all start from the inside.

 
We all want to be happy. We all strive to be happy. We all crave happiness. However, being happy doesn’t always appear to be that simple. So here are the 5 “B’s” for finding happiness and bringing bliss into your life.

 
When I first began to write this article I really assumed that it would be an easy topic to write about. Talk about things that make me happy, easy enough right? Then I realized that what makes me happy would not necessarily make you happy. Happiness isn’t always a universal thing, so how can there be any universal tips when it comes to embracing pleasure? I was stuck in a rut. Sure everyone strives for health, fun, friends and family, but what about the people that enjoy being alone or have other desires? I was lost as to how to approach this topic, and then I stumbled upon Buddhist Philosophy. 

 
Buddhist Philosophy

 
Buddhism recognizes and appreciates the fact that true happiness can only be found within oneself. What this means is that happiness has to be brought about via a choice and a change in your own mind. Too many of us focus on changing everything around us, helping others before we help ourselves, and over reaching for pleasure. If we do not appreciate ourselves and understand that our own happiness comes from the inside, how can we expect to be able to help others?

 
Many of the external things that we find ourselves chasing will not actually bring us happiness. If a new car and more friends manage to bring you happiness it often only turns out to be a fleeting happiness. Finding true, internal happiness takes dedication and is a far reaching goal, but is incredibly attainable. Find happiness from the inside out. Fix yourself form the inside before shaping the outside world. Follow these five tips and make a change towards true happiness.

 
How to Find Happiness “B” #1- Be Able to Look Inside Yourself

 
It is paramount to face your demons. Take responsibility of your actions, your thoughts, and your opinions. Many people are infested with self doubt and have even hidden themselves from their own mind. So many people sit there and gossip about other people, how confused they are, how rude they are, and how many problems they cause. You often have to face your demons and realize that if everyone around you “has problems”, you might be the common denominator.

 
Happiness is not something that is out in the world to find or something we always need to search for. It is in here. It is in your heart. It is in your mind. It is easy to say this, but much harder to actually live it. Your first step is to recognize the source of your individual happiness. Once you understand that you are responsible for finding your own pleasure, it is then that you can take steps towards finding more fulfillment.

 
How to Find Happiness “B” #2- Be Truly Free

 
The definition that we have come to believe when it comes to the word freedom is not truly freedom. It has become known as a sort of “I do what I like when I like” type attitude and method of living. That sort of freedom often does not lead to happiness. While we often feel like we are doing what we want to do, we are tied down by our true desires as well as the things that the media and society are telling us.

 
In today’s world consumerism has forced us to always want things. I want this. I want that. If I get that then I will be happy. It is these fabricated desires that actually eat away at our freedom. In order to achieve true happiness we have to each find a way to break free from our desires and understand what we really need to be happy, not what we want.

How to Find Happiness “B” #3- Be Compassionate

 
Everyone feels that friends and family are important. We would do anything for the people who are close to us and the ones we love. However, that love and kindness rarely seems to transfer over to strangers. Why is it that we are so compassionate to some people but completely disregard others? We are compassionate with the ones we love because we have a deeper connection with them. What if there was a way to find that same connection with complete strangers or even the rest of the world? What if we just realized that we all do have something in common? We all do share at least one goal; we all want to be happy. 

 
The desire to be happy is behind every major decision or move that we make in life. Every minute of every day our minds are geared towards finding happiness and fulfilling internal desires. Understanding that everyone shares this same desire to be happy can help us understand that we are just like everyone else. We all want to be happy. So be compassionate and accepting of everyone around you, no matter what their faults or opinions may be. In the end, they just want to be happy, and so do you.

 
How to Find Happiness “B” #4- Be Generous and Giving

 
We are instinctively hardwired to be selfish. We cherish ourselves and we want what is best for us. We talk about ourselves, we talk about our problems, and we want the focus to be on us. Stop it. Just stop. The truth is that nobody really wants to hear it. Instead, find a way to give. Connect with others through giving and realize that the more time you take to think about others and give, the less time you will have to dwell on yourself.

 
Compassion and generosity. Cherish those ideas, use them, and connect with others. There is so much happiness that can be spread through connecting and sharing with others. Happiness doesn’t have to be about a brand new house or a bigger TV; it can simply be about conversation and caring for others.

 
How to Find Happiness “B” #5- Be Content

 
Sometimes it is our lack of understanding of what happiness is that prevents us from actually finding it. Instead of focusing on being happy, try to focus on being content. Happiness has been associated with running around, playing on the beach, and laughing and smiling all day long. For many people that may not even be what makes them truly happy.

 
We all have what we need in our lives already to be happy. I will go out on a limb and say that is true. Some of you may call me out on that but the fact remains that we do not need very much to be happy, and most of us already have it all.

So why does finding happiness still seem to be so hard?

 
In most cases we tell ourselves we are happy. We even take the time to count our blessings, appreciate what we have, and even feel grateful for the things in our lives. However, that feeling and those emotions do not last for long. It only lasts until something goes wrong, someone cuts us off while driving, or until we see another material good that we want. These other emotions swoop in and steal our happiness.

 
We need to stop that wanting emotion and that craving for more. Be content. Be content with what you have, be proud of what you have already achieved, and you will be that much closer to being happy on a consistent basis.

The Key to Happiness is to Choose Happiness. Think about it. Really. Please.

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How Self Defense Training Can Help Us Feel Better

Gain Peace and a Sense of Security with Self Defense

Be Prepared in an Unpredictable World
 
It may seem like a no-brainer to think that self defense training can help us feel better, but the benefits go even further than you might think. Beyond the obvious confidence that we can enjoy once we know that we’re prepared for emergencies that might turn violent, there are other contributions that solid self defense training can offer to anyone who cares to pursue this path of education.

A Sense of Security with Self Defense
 
One crucial benefit of increased confidence is that we share that sense of security with those that we are around. We inherently know that we will have an edge in a dangerous situation. Those around us will be able to relax a little bit more, but their confidence will be boosted, as well. It’s the same general feeling that you might have in the presence of a police officer. Their training helps us all be a little bit safer in a society that isn’t always as safe and predictable as we might like.
 
Whether you are practicing martial arts or another form of self defense, it is almost always going to be a physical activity. That means you are going to be conditioning your body and strengthening yourself. This leads to a healthier body, but it also has the side benefit of expanding our minds to think more in terms of physical situations, and how we want to react to them. Knowing more can help us get more out of life, whether it’s in terms of physical skills or knowledge.

Extending Personal Discipline
 
Any form of self defense preparedness training is going to require some level of personal discipline. We can all benefit from an increase in self discipline and that also helps build healthier emotional conditions within ourselves. We can expand as we learn that we are more capable than we may have believed ourselves to be at first. It is definitely a skill that extends past what we use when we are in a dangerous situation because personal discipline helps us at work, in our every day interactions, with others, and in obtaining our personal goals.
 
As you can see, self defense training can help us in a variety of ways that go beyond saving our own lives. In the very least we know that we are capable of defending our friends and family should that unfortunate need ever arise in our lives. At the same time, we stand to gain a deeper understanding of the always complex chemistry of human behaviour. We learn how to use what we have to offer in a way that betters our lives and the lives of those around us.

Self Defense brings peace of mind and even stability to a life that is unpredictable and at times quite unforgiving.

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Delving Deeper into Musical Therapy: Change your Mood and Health With More Than Classical Music

Soothing Music Can Calm the Most Stressed of People

Who Needs a Therapist or Deep Pockets When you can Use Music Therapy?

Music as Therapy We Can Give Ourselves

It’s been known for a long time that music can be therapeutic, but did you know that the benefits can be found in more than just traditional classical music? Yes, Beethoven and Mozart are supposed to help babies progress and our minds grow, but music as therapy stems from much more than that. Maybe you already knew this, but sometimes we forget about the benefits of what we listen to. By actually focusing in on the available options for personal healing, we can fine tune our selections. We can get in touch with our inner mood, being, and personality in order to fit certain goals we have when we choose music. This can almost instantly help us out of situations or improve our moods, and without even having to leave the house or open our wallets. Ah, free therapy. Does it get much better than that?
 
There are as many different types and genres of music and songs as there are moods in people and situations in life. Let’s look at a three basic styles and determine how they can help us:
 
Therapeutic Benefits of Upbeat Dance Music

This form of music is all about energy. The energy and pep in a great dance track can do more than improve your mood towards a more positive tone, and can get your body in motion as well. That means you’re going to see an attitude improvement and get a little bit of physical exercise right along with it. Even if you’re not tearing it up on the dance floor, the extra fidgeting is going to burn a few extra calories for you. This is a great choice for when you want to expend a little bit of extra energy, and twitch around a bit when you are getting stir crazy. 
 

You Don't Have to Grow your Hair Out to Feel Good

Therapeutic Benefits of Loud Angry Music

 

Some people may not understand that angry music can help you feel better. It’s not about the negativity of the situation or lyrics expressed within the music. It’s about getting that negative energy out in a positive way. By releasing the tension and expressing yourself you free up your mind and body for more positive moments. The process of catharsis induced by angry music can be very therapeutic, particularly if you are frustrated or already angry yourself. It seems that too many people focus on the negative aspect of the music. However, you may find that it is a lot easier to let positive thoughts and positive moments enter your life once you have shed the negative thoughts via some loud, angry and even hardcore music. Otherwise it can just get bottled up and hold you back from that happy vibe you are after. Sometimes people focus too much on being positive that they bury their negativity. This can actually have an adverse effect on your mentality and mood. So rock out and let it out. Doesn’t that feel good?

Therapeutic Benefits of Soothing Music

You may want to relax yourself and when you are having a stressed out day, soothing music that was created to help you chill out can go a long way towards helping you feel better. Many times you can also derive a sense of inspiration from this style of music because it also tends towards more mental and emotional exploration through sound. That gives you the mind expanding benefits that not all other forms of music offer. If you are stuck at work, in a rut, or dealing with writer’s block, this type of music can really get your thoughts flowing, your mental juices running, and inspire you.

Dance Like Nobody's Watching

Just the Type of the Musical Therapy Iceberg

Now, there are many more forms of music other than these three, but this gives you a starting point for your own personal journey through the power of music. When it comes right down to it, you can benefit from any music that you choose to. By actually thinking about the benefits you can prepare your mind to retain the benefits that you would like to get from your favorite tunes. This doesn’t have to be a difficult process or a major lifestyle change. Instead take simple, easy steps. Really listen to your music when you are in your car. Bop your head alongside to the beat, feel the words, and let the notes soothe and melt away your stress and worries. Whether your choice of music is Metallica, Beethoven, U2, or even Britney Spears, use it to your advantage and feel the effects of music therapy as a positive healing treatment.

Mix together your R and R’s. A little bit of Rest and Relaxation combined with Rock and Roll can help you get through the day, week, month, or even year.

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Overcome Economic Struggles, the Current Recession and your Personal Finance Struggles with a Positive Outlook

Appreciate What you Have and Good Things will Happen

Think about the Things you HAVE, NOT the Things you HAD

This is not a finance site or a place where we gloat about our wealth of knowledge when it comes to money or financial decisions. Clearly this is a health site. The thing is, whether you want to admit or not, finance and wealth are often directly tied to health and happiness. This is not to say that you need money to be happy by any means, but we do need to discuss the connection between positive thinking, finances, and overall happiness.

Sticking with the tradition over the past few days in terms of the power of positive thinking and daily affirmations, we have to discuss the power of the mind when it comes to finances. It seems that during this period of recession everyone is stressed out, anxious and even angry when it comes to their financial situation. People are being laid off, retirement savings are going down the drain, and everyone seems a lot more tense than usual. There is nothing we can do, right? Less money means more problems, doesn’t it? Anger and stress have to come with a lay off, don’t they?

It is time to kick that way of thinking. That does not need to be the way it has to be, and taking on financial problems in the opposite way can provide a number of benefits, body and mind.

Live in the Now

This cannot be stressed enough. If there is one thing you take away from this article today, it has to be this. By focusing on the positive things that are present in your life, and shunning negative thoughts of what you used to have, you will be opening yourself up for future blessings to enter your life. Focus on what you have, not what you had. Negative thoughts and anger over your lost job, failed promotion, or depletion of savings will essentially shut the door and prevent positive changes from entering. Negativity breeds and thrives on itself. On the other hand, a positive attitude and a positive outlook can attract happier moments and financial rewards.

Life is About More Than Just Money

Affecting Financial Security with Positive Thought

It is not a thought or opinion that many financial analysts will live by, or even support, but it really is becoming clearer that anger and negativity have an immediate impact on financial security. Faith and trust in yourself and the people that surround you is infectious. If you believe in yourself and feel that positive changes are on their way, so will other people, including potential employers or your current boss.

This thought cannot be stressed enough. There are many things in your life that you should be grateful for, even if you are struggling to pay the bills. Family, friends and current possessions should be valued and appreciated every single day. Angry that your retirement savings have been severely diminished? Upset that you were unjustly laid off? Stressing and worrying about it is not going to fix the situation. The past is in the past. It is time to turn a new leaf, focus on the future, set goals and get determined.

Be Driven, Get Inspired and Journey Forward

When times get tough it is easy to let go and almost give up. Always keep in mind that negativity blocks blessings. When you focus on the good things in life, and appreciate the things you have now, you can unlock blessings and more opportunities will flow into your life.

Friends, family, a positive outlook, and love are a stabilizing force, especially in the worst of times. Be prudent, be accepting, and be positive. Who would you be more willing to hire? Someone who is sulking about a lost job or an empty bank account, or someone who is goal oriented, possesses a positive outlook, and has an appreciation for life?

Love yourself. Love your friends. Love your family. Love what you have now, forget what you used to have, and reset your priorities. Your mind, body, and bank account will thank you later.

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Making Positive Changes with Daily Affirmations: The Power of “I Am” for Reaching your Goals

“I live my life like it is a day at the beach! I love my life.”

You may have heard that part of the “Positive Thinking Philosophy” is the use of what are called daily affirmations. The word affirmation means, in this sense, ‘to state that something exists or is true’. This can be anything that you want to be true about yourself or your situation in life, such as feeling upbeat, growing stronger, losing weight or even having a clearer complexion. So when you say an affirmation each day, you are stating to yourself that what you are saying is true. It’s really as simple as that.

Yet, how do you know what you should be affirming? There are a few conditions that you are advised to meet in order for your daily affirmation to have maximum effectiveness. Let’s cover the basics characteristics of a powerful daily affirmation so that you can construct your own:

Basic Steps for Daily Affirmations

Positive - You want your affirmation to be positive, of course. This is the core of the concept due to the fact that we have already been trained, in most cases, to criticise ourselves. This is an inherent part of growing up. We’re taught to question things in school and we’re taught what not to do by our parents. This is all supposedly for our own safety, and to help us be able to understand how we need to behave in different social situations. This is natural and, as a child, necessary, but once you are an adult you want to focus on what you are ABLE to do. This is why your affirmation needs to be positive, to push you forward in a direction that you have chosen to go. A positive daily affirmation builds mental and emotional momentum.

Personal - Your affirmation needs to be about something personally meaningful to you. In order for the affirmations to work, they need to tap into your emotions so that’s why you need to be personal with yourself when you are coming up with them. The key is to choose things that you actually care about. For example, if you want to become a better athlete then choose a star you would like to be better than. If you want to earn more money then choose a person or company that you would like to earn more than. By choosing subjects that are personal to you, you enable yourself to bring the full force of your emotions to bear on your thinking process. That will make your changes much more powerful.

Particular - Be particular about the goal of your affirmation. It isn’t good to simply tell yourself you will have a new car. That can work, but you should be more specific and name the model of car that you want. That way you are drawing very specific imagery from your mind and reinforcing a vision of what you want to happen. This also helps pull your emotions in line with your thoughts and provides more force behind your affirmation.

Present Tense - When you word your affirmation, it is crucial that you word it using the present tense. You won’t want to say ‘I will run faster’ because that suggests that you can’t now but you plan to in the future. Don’t delay yourself any more than reality itself may end up slowing you down. Speak to yourself in terms of the here and now, don’t talk about the past you have behind you, and don’t let yourself think that it’s okay to delay the actions that are needed to obtain your goal.

Making Changes with Positive Daily Affirmations

This is the power of ‘I am’ in a daily affirmation. By utilizing this potent present tense wording, you are telling yourself that you are already there. That’s like putting a treat in front of a dog to get it to move to where you’d like it to go, or focus on what you are doing since you hold that treat. If you begin telling yourself ‘I am losing fat each day’ then you are programming your subconscious to begin working. Not tomorrow and not next year, but right this very minute. If you tell yourself, ‘I am rising up from depression’ then you are enabling your mind, giving it permission and the encouragement it needs to start solving the problems that exist in the now.

This technique can work for many situations and by starting right now you keep the momentum that you have at this moment, and you build on it. Through persistent action at every opportunity you have, you will experience the success that you want. Set goals, take action, reward yourself and get in tune with your desires. Success and inspiration can appear when you need it the most, you just need to open your mind and give it enough space to enter your life.

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5 Tips on How to Cut Down on Stress During the Recession

Stop Counting Pennies and Start Counting your Blessings

As if we all didn’t have enough to stress about in life, now our minds and our wallets have to deal with the recession and the economic problems that have come about. It is no surprise that recent studies and surveys have shown that thousands of people throughout North America are reporting that their stress levels are much higher than they were last year. The stress they are feeling has led to interrupted sleep, an increase in irritability, and a whole lot more fatigue than usual. While stress has been associated with good cholesterol and a longer life in some instances, this recession induced stress is making it extremely hard to cope with everyday life for many people.

Whether you have lost your job, worry about your retirement funds or lack thereof or simply can’t make your monthly mortgage payments, stress can be a killer. The good news is that it doesn’t have to be. Here are 5 tips on how you can cut down on stress and learn to cope with the emotional roller coaster that you may be experiencing.

1-Consider Volunteer Work

While this may sound a little off the wall at the moment, it can actually prove to be an excellent strategy. While you may think that there isn’t enough time in the day, or that you would be better of looking for a new job, volunteering can open doors and ease your mind. Whether you decide to serve food at a soup kitchen, work with underprivileged children, or help set up an event at your community center, the volunteer work can help take your mind off of your current problems and make you feel better about yourself. One of the main problems with stress is that too much of it can shut down your emotions and in a way, close off your heart. Volunteering can make you feel good and help you keep in touch with your emotions. Plus, if you are looking for a new job ,volunteering is a great way to make new connections and network yourself towards a new career.

2-Be Thankful for what you Have

Look around you and realize that things may not be as bad as your mind is making it seem. Your mother may have lectured you about this as a child, but it is something we often forget. Instead of worrying about monthly payments or stressing about the fact that you cannot afford a new car, appreciate what you already have. Whether it is a loving family, a cozy apartment, or even just a part-time job, absorb the gratitude. There are millions of people far worse off in the world. Not that you should take solace in their misfortunes but remember not to forget how fortunate you are. Instead of stressing about your mortgage payments, appreciate the roof over your head. Instead of being bummed out that you missed that last job promotion, be thankful you have a job. No matter how bad things may look at times, your mind has a tendency to make things seem worse.

3-De-Stress with Traditional Avenues

Traditional methods for cutting down on stress still apply. For years we have been told that eating right, exercising, and even breathing techniques can help us out in stressful times. The key here is to realize that not everything will work for everybody. If you really want to calm down and get the stress out of your life you have to figure out what works for you. Whether it is meditation, jogging, yoga, or other muscle relaxation techniques, consider giving everything a try and seeing what works for you. It may seem boring, dull, or even pointless at first, but finding what works for you could benefit you ten fold in the long run.

4-Cut Down on the Drama and Stop Complaining

It is a normal reaction for people to sit around, complain, and feel bad for themselves when times are hard. However while it may feel good at the time to get it off your chest, it just ups the drama and stress over time. Instead of dwelling on the negative and past decisions, switch it up. If you find yourself stuck in a negative conversation or griping, change the topic and try to move onto something else. Surround conversations around future positive changes and ways to improve your life, not around complaining about the past.

5-Comparison Shopping is Great, Comparison Thinking is Not.

When people feel stressed or are upset about what is going on in their lives they often compare the present to the past. This is the attitude that can leave you feeling stuck with no way out. Instead of comparing how much money you used to make to how much money you make now, think ahead to the future. If your bank account is dwindling, don’t compare your balance with your balance for years past. Instead shift your focus on how to improve things. Consider ways to keep saving money and earning more rather than feeling sorry about how much you have lost.

Stress is a natural part of life but it doesn’t have to weigh you down. Yes times are tough right now and things may not be looking up, but dwelling on it does nothing. A positive attitude and positive thoughts can go a long way towards getting you back on track. Don’t compare yourself to others, don’t feel sorry for yourself, and don’t surround yourself with negative people or negative situations.

Life isn’t as tough as your mind makes it seem sometimes. Don’t let stress stand in the way of your goals or aspirations. Keep your head up and your hopes high and things are sure to turn around.

Living Life in Moderation; 10 Bad Foods, Activities, And Choices That Are Actually Good For You

Wine, Chocolate and.....We'll Leave the Rest Up to You

Life is full of tough choices and sacrifices. It seems that every food and every exercise comes with some sort of pitfall. It is more stressful than ever to try and fit the perfect nutrition into your diet, avoid certain foods, and ensure you are keeping on the right track, mentally and physically. With all the depressing news out there, such as possible causes for cancer, side effects of certain products, and the thousands of calories that come with your favorite foods, wouldn’t it be nice to read something positive for a change? Find ways to benefit your health without having to tie chains around the refrigerator or give up all of your favorite foods? Get out from under the negative and see some things in a positive light? Well that is exactly what we are going to do. Lets spice things up a bit, pump up the positive vibes, and look at some foods, choices, and activities that you might be surprised to find out are actually good for you. Read along, relax, and enjoy 10 bad things that are actually good for you.

1- Dark Chocolate

Sure your taste buds may jump at the sight of milk chocolate, but you know that the scale will jump too. The good news is that you can still enjoy chocolate as long as you stick to small portions and dark varieties. The higher the cocoa content is, the more likely it is that the chocolate is full of antioxidants. Better yet, a few pieces of high quality dark chocolate can curb your cravings when it comes to other fattening foods, and even act as an antidepressant. So next time you feel tempted to break from the confines of your diet, reach for a few pieces of this tempting, little treat. Savor it and enjoy it without that feeling of guilt you get after eating a number of other foods.

2- Exposure to the Sun

Skin cancer, wrinkles, global warming, and everything in between have forced us to fear the sun. To be fair, who wouldn’t want to stay inside after reading all the facts, figures, and statistics stating that exposure to the sun can cause melanoma, saggy skin, and pigmentation problems? However we shouldn’t forget the positives that can come from a little bit of time outside. The sun helps your body produce vitamin D, a much needed vitamin, and can cheer you up even in the worst of moods. The key here is to enjoy the sun in proper doses. We definitely aren’t saying you need to head to the tanning bed everyday or that you can leave your sunscreen at home. Just know that through all the bad stuff, the sun can still be your friend.

3- Jolt from Java

As mentioned in an earlier article, which can be seen HERE, studies are coming out all the time in relation to the positive effects of drinking coffee. Regular consumption of coffee can prevent kidney stones, lower your risk for diabetes, and help with memory loss. If you are feeling down, coffee has an ability to elevate serotonin levels in your body as well and give you a quick cheer up in the middle of the day. So stop feeling guilty because you need that kick of caffeine in the morning, just avoid consuming more than 3 cups a day. None only will it leave you shaking like a leaf, but excessive amounts of coffee can wreak havoc on the lining in your stomach.

4- Day Dream Like a Kindergartener

Just because your pre-school teachers screamed at you, gave you detention, and called your parents because you were daydreaming doesn’t mean it is all that bad. The general thought is that if you have time to be dreaming of something else, you are being unproductive and are not focused on the task at hand. It is time to cast this type of thought aside. It is more important than ever to take the time out of your hectic day, dream, and get away, even if it is just for a moment. Need another plus? Many people find that their best ideas come when they least expect it, and when they aren’t really trying to come up with something. So next time you are stuck with a business proposal, get hit with writer’s block, or can’t solve a problem, sit back, breathe and let your mind go somewhere else. There is a good chance that your mind is just craving a break, and the picture of you sitting on the beach doing nothing can give you the rejuvenation you need.

5- Multi-Tasking

Comparable to thoughts about daydreaming, our parents and teachers have hammered it into our heads that multitasking dilutes focus, and is blamed for ADD in many children, and adults. (Admit it, you are watching TV or checking Facebook as we speak) However there are a number of positives that we should come to recognize. Not only can doing two things at once increase overall productivity, but it can also stimulate the brain and energize the mind. So the next time you are working on a project and you get stuck, put it to the side and move onto something else. You don’t always have complete one thing fully before you switch it up. Multitask, give your brain a workout, and feel free to listen to music while crunching numbers.

6- Sipping Wine Like You Are in Paris

We all already know what happens when we mix wine and email. However, before you cast wine aside as a social plague listen to the health benefits it can provide. The nutrients found in red wine actually contain more antioxidants than antioxidant vitamins. Certain types of wine can even keep the heart healthy and contribute to a longer, healthier life. The next time you are picking out wine for a special get together search for one made from the tannat grape. Such wine contains the most procyanidins, which is responsible for preventing heart disease. Just make sure you turn off your phone and put a lock on your email before you get bottle deep.

7- Letting Out Your Inner Geek

Video games have been blamed as being solely responsible for the weight issues in children and teenagers these days. Other games are said to put your brain into snooze mode and even suck out your energy. Truth be told, this is no longer the case. With the creation of remote controlled sensors, motion detectors, and the popularity of the Nintendo Wii, it is getting harder to sit still and play your favorite game. Now not only are video games more fun than watching TV, but they are a lot more active and stimulating. Even the games that require no physical exercise still provide brain stimulation that you can’t get from the boob tube. So pick up your sticks, bond with your children, and get off the couch with an interactive game of baseball, bowling or even boxing.

8- Chomping on Chewing Gum

 
Are you sitting down for this? Recent studies and surveys filled out by dentists are stating that chewing gum actually prevents cavities. This article is singlehandedly dispelling a number of things your mother probably screamed at you while growing up. Xylitol, a sugar substitute that is found in certain gums, can reduce bad bacteria in your mouth and the chewing motion actually stimulates production of saliva in your mouth. More saliva and less bad bacteria mean fewer cavities. Stay away from Bubblelicious and Bubble Tape though and, for the sake of the rest of us, stop blowing bubbles and cracking your gum.

 
9- Having Competitive Enemies

 
This may be something on this list that those with a competitive streak will really enjoy. Expert therapists and psychologists are stating that having enemies and coworkers that compete with you can be beneficial for your health and mind. You no longer have to impress everybody around you or bend over backwards to be everyone’s friend. Speaking your mind, pissing people off, and even getting in small arguments can energize the mind and stimulate your brain. On top of that, a little healthy competition between you and that evil witch you are battling for a promotion with can keep you in tip top shape. If you are competing and trying to one up someone, chances are better you will pound the pavement for an early morning jog or leave the mayonnaise off your salad at lunch.

 
10- Stressing Out

 
From self help books to the intrusive opinions of therapists all around the world, we are constantly told to get rid of stress, relax, and let everything go. However, as long as you do not let stress build up and consume your entire being, a little bit can actually give you a boost. Stress can be a very powerful motivator and spring you into action. A little bit of stress has led some athletes to gold medal performances and probably helped you to meet a few tight deadlines. If you find yourself getting too worked up, take the time to relax and breathe it out. However, be willing to take advantage of the energy boost that you can get during a particularly stressful time.

 
The main thing to remember about all of these 10 bad things that are actually good for you is moderation. Dark chocolate, wine, stress, and everything else mentioned can provide benefits, as long as you do not go overboard. If there is one thing in life that remains true and consistent, it is that too much of anything can be bad. With that said, it is ok to enjoy the things that you love, without all of the guilt. While these are just 10 ideas, the point is that you should be able to get out there and enjoy your life. If you love ice cream, have a scoopful now and then. If your favorite TV show is on Monday nights, lay back, kick your feet up, and enjoy it. Many people get stuck and overwork and over think the process of getting and staying healthy. While a healthy lifestyle is beneficial and does not take a lot of time and effort, it doesn’t have to consume your entire life. We all know at least one life long smoker that has lived past the age of 90, or someone else that has beaten all the odds, even though they didn’t follow a particularly positive lifestyle.

 
Take care of yourself, eat healthy, exercise, but enjoy the little things in moderation. Savor that glass of red wine, take a bite out of a chocolate bar, and most importantly, give yourself a little “me” time.

 
That isn’t too much to ask, is it?

Coffee Could Be the Key for Reversing Memory Loss and Preventing Alzheimer’s

Are you an avid coffee drinker that just cannot seem to get enough caffeine throughout the day? If so you are going to love this bit of news. Scientists and a few recent studies are indicating that drinking five cups of coffee every day may in fact reverse a number of memory problems that coincide with Alzheimer’s disease. While the study was carried out on mice and there isn’t 100 percent certainty, there is quite a lot of hope being put into the research that has recently surfaced.  There have also been some previous studies that proved the protective ability of caffeine, and this study has built upon that and taken the hope to the next level.

Now, slow down. This does not mean that you should start chugging mochas like it is your day job or that dementia patients should instantly get started on caffeine pills. The major difference was that the mice used in the study were bred to develop Alzheimer like symptoms, which could make a big difference when compared to true patients of dementia.

How Did the Results Come About?

Essentially the study was done by taking mice that were experiencing memory loss and giving half of them 500 milligrams of caffeine, as the other half were fed plain drinking water. The mice that were given caffeine for two months showed significant improvement during memory tests while the other mice showed an increase in memory loss. On top of this the mice that were fed caffeine had about half as much beta amyloid protein in their brains. Beta amyloid is the type of protein that causes clumps in the brain that can initially lead to severe memory loss.

What Does This Mean for Dementia Patients

These results are not only exciting because of the link to a decrease in memory loss, but also because caffeine can be used as a safe drug. Unlike many of the other medications for Alzheimer’s on the market, caffeine is very easy on the body and comes with little to no side effects at all. This is exceptional news especially during the current times and our often overmedicated society. Any time we can move from dangerous prescription drugs to a more natural treatment it is good news for all of us. There is still no word on the effectiveness of caffeine supplements, or true results or the effectiveness of caffeine, but this is sure to be the first step in a long and helpful process.

Truth be told, every coffee lover loves to hear good news or potential benefits for coffee. While there are often rumors about possible benefits, and some stories about possible side effects, this could be the biggest news regarding caffeine in quite some time. Stay tuned for now more news, but for now it is definitely safe to say that you just may be getting some added benefit from that coffee that keeps you going throughout your work day.

Enjoy that latte, sip on that mocha, and cheers to lasting memories.