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Ponder. Sounds like u r a good man with a lot of responsibility and stress. I am not if ubwant advice about your predicament since u shared so such and I am not qualified to give it. But I would say that your family should pull together (not saying they dont) and allow you time to have outside time. If you fall ill whose going to be there for them etc. Thanks for your advice I agree resigning to one's predicament does give u a feeling of equanimity but it is hard to stay there because humans are social animals. I wish u all the best and send u positive thoughts thank u for sharing.
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I do hope i have added this in correct area of the forum If Admin feel it is in wrong thread it is of course ok to move this thread Brief Introduction to Falun Dafa Falun Dafa (also called Falun Gong) is an advanced practice of Buddha school self-cultivation, founded by Mr. Li Hongzhi, the practice’s master. It is a discipline in which “assimilation to the highest qualities of the universe—Zhen, Shan, Ren (Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance)—is the foundation of practice. Practice is guided by these supreme qualities, and based on the very laws which underlie the development of the cosmos.” Master Li’s teachings are set forth in a number of texts, among which are included Falun Gong, Zhuan Falun, The Great Perfection Way of Falun Dafa, Essentials for Further Advancement, and Hong Yin (The Grand Verses). These and other works have been translated into over forty languages, and are published and distributed worldwide. The focus of Falun Dafa practice is the mind, with the cultivation of one’s mind and thoughts, or “Xinxing,” being singled out as the key to increasing Gong energy. The height of a person’s Gong is directly proportionate to that of his Xinxing. The concept of “Xinxing” encompasses the transformation of virtue (a white form of matter) and karma (a black form of matter). It also includes forbearance, discernment, and abandonment—that is, forsaking ordinary human desires and attachments, and managing to endure the most trying of ordeals. Much is encompassed by the concept. Falun Dafa also includes the cultivation of the body, which is accomplished by performing specific exercises. One purpose of the exercises is to strengthen the practitioner’s supernatural abilities and energy mechanisms by means of his or her powerful Gong force. Another purpose is to develop many living entities in the practitioner’s body. In advanced practice, the Immortal Infant will come into being and many abilities will be developed. The exercises of Falun Dafa are necessary for the transformation and cultivation of such things. A comprehensive mind-body cultivation system such as this requires both self-cultivation and physical exercises, with cultivation taking priority over exercises. A person’s Gong simply will not increase if he or she merely does exercises while failing to cultivate Xinxing. The exercises are thus a supplemental means to achieving spiritual perfection. Falun Dafa involves the cultivation of a Falun, or “law wheel.” The Falun is an intelligent, rotating entity composed of high-energy matter. The Falun that Master Li Hongzhi plants in a practitioner’s lower abdomen from other dimensions rotates constantly, twenty-four hours a day. (True cultivators can acquire a Falun by reading Master Li’s books, watching his 9-session lectures on video, listening to recordings of his 9-session lectures, or studying together with students of Falun Dafa.) The Falun helps practitioners to practice automatically. That is, the Falun refines the practitioner at all times, even though he or she isn’t performing the exercises at every moment. Of all practices made public in the world today, only Falun Dafa has managed to achieve a state in which, “the Fa refines the person.” The rotating Falun has the same qualities as the universe, and is the universe’s miniature. The Buddhist Falun, the Daoist Yin-Yang, and everything of the Ten-Directional World are reflected in the Falun. The Falun provides salvation to the practitioner when it rotates inward (clockwise), since it absorbs a great amount of energy from the universe and transforms it into Gong energy. The Falun provides salvation to others when rotating outward (counter-clockwise), for it releases energy that can save any being and rectify any abnormal condition. Being in the presence of someone who practices thus benefits a person. Falun Dafa “brings a person to a state of wisdom and harmonious existence. The movements of the practice are concise, as a great way is extremely simple and easy.” Falun Dafa is unique in eight ways: 1. A Falun is cultivated, rather than an energy elixir. 2. The Falun refines the person even when he or she is not doing the practice’s exercises. 3. One’s primary consciousness is cultivated, such that it is the person him or herself who obtains Gong energy. 4. Both mind and body are cultivated. 5. The practice consists of five exercises, which are simple and easy to learn. 6. The mind is not used to direct anything, there are no associated risks, and Gong energy increases quickly. 7. Location, time, and direction are not of concern when exercising, nor is how one concludes one’s exercise session. 8. Protection is provided by the master's Fashen, so one needn’t fear harm from malevolent entities. The teachings of Falun Dafa are thus completely unlike those of conventional practice methods or those that are based on the development of an internal elixir, or Dan. Falun Dafa practice begins at a high plane right from the outset, thus providing the most expedient, fast, ideal, and precious means of practice for those with a predestined connection or who have been practicing for years using other means but failed to develop Gong. When a practitioner’s Xinxing and the strength of his Gong reach a certain height, he or she can attain an imperishable, adamantine body while still in the secular world. A person can also achieve the “unlocking of Gong,” enlightenment, and ascension of the whole person to higher planes. Those with great determination should study this upright teaching, strive to achieve their ultimate rank, elevate their Xinxing, and forsake their attachments. Only then is spiritual perfection possible. May you cherish it—the Buddha Fa is right before you. Since I, Amanaki adding this info that come from the Falun Gong official site, this thread is not my own Words. and when questions is asked, it would be good if they are asked in a respectful manner, and letting me be able to answer Your question in a respectful manner back to you There are many rummors out there about Falun Gong, But if you want more true answer about this form of practice i would advie to read about Falun Gong or Falun dafa as it is also know as. on this two sites (hope it is ok to add website links here, if not Admin can remove the links) https://en.falundafa.org/index.html https://en.minghui.org/
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Corey Harnish shares his idea of what kindness is, and how you can practise it every day to improve your life and the lives of others. Let’s start this journey with a little self-talk. Do you want to be happy? Yes, right? Do you want others to be happy? Probably yes too, right? Do others want you to be happy? A little hesitation on that one, huh? Maybe even a 'no'? Well, it’s not true! Just like you want others to be happy, they want the same for you. After you read this article, you’ll hopefully be motivated to create a small shift to bring more kindness into your life, and the lives of others. Kindness: it's already within you Over the last 20 years, researchers have been studying what has been termed 'positive psychology,' an analysis of how uplifting emotions like gratitude, love, joy, and inspiration affect our well-being and literally improve our lives. What’s incredible is these emotions are already within us; it’s just a matter of whether or not we take intentional action to express them. One of the easiest ways to do this is through choosing kindness and performing kind acts. Kindness is contagious © Freepik So, what is kindness, anyway? Kindness, put simply, is a positive action that leaves someone in a better situation than before. It doesn’t have to be as extravagant as paying for someone’s surgery or spending hours and hours volunteering. Literally, it can be anything. A smile. Holding the door open for another person. Bringing food to someone. Paying for the person in line behind you. Connecting with a stranger. Saying ‘I love you’ to someone close. RELATED: Random acts of kindness: 22 ideas to spread happiness! Even treating yourself to a night out, getting a pedicure, or a massage are all acts of kindness. Yes, that’s right, you can, and should, be kind to yourself, too! So often we hold back from being kind because we don’t know what to do or we don’t think our actions will make an impact, but they do. The research proves this. What’s important is to just take action, no matter how small. To get you started on practicing kindness, take a look at some awesome ideas from Kindness.org and the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation. Give and receive: practice kindness and you'll benefit too Wow! Kindness is easier than I thought, but what’s the benefit to me? I’m glad you asked. Kindness not only benefits others, but it also improves your life as much or more! The science shows that some of the benefits of kindness are: Improved immune system functioning Decreased stress levels Feelings of meaning and purpose A sense of connectedness RELATED: the power of kindness Super cool, right? Check out these awesome cases of kindness in practice: The Good Cards The Good Cards is a modern-day version of the Pay it Forward movement that uses technology for good. With a mobile app and a physical Good Card, users are able to do good deeds, share their positive stories, and inspire others to join in the action all while being able to track the ripple effect of kindness that happens around the world in a fun and meaningful way. Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Nowadays in schools, a shift in our standardized education has started to incorporate more curricula that addresses emotional intelligence, mindfulness, and positive psychology. By doing this, we are creating micro-habits of kindness with our youth; empowering them to not only be the leaders of tomorrow but to be the ‘Kindness Leaders of tomorrow.’ Rotary International: In over 35,000 communities around the world, Rotary has created a space for neighbours to come together and help their communities flourish. Whether it’s raising funds for a local not-for-profit, doing an environmental cleanup, or engaging students in service learning, Rotary is empowering people globally to be a force for good. OK, I’m ready to put kindness into action! You’re all set. Now you can see how powerful kindness actually is and how simple it is to do. Once you start, you’ll create a ripple effect that’ll inspire people all around you to spread kindness too. Remember with The Good Cards you’ll be able to track that impact as it inspires kindness around the world. Don’t be shy, share with us, what’s one kind act you plan to do today? ● This article from Corey Harnish was originally posted on Linkedin Written by Corey Harnish The poster child of community. Corey is a great listener and huge believer in humanity. Currently the CEO of Better World International a 501c3 tech nonprofit, Corey is leading The Good Cards development; an innovative online-gaming platform and app that engages people worldwide in doing good deeds for happiness and global sustainability. Corey is an AmeriCorps VISTA Alumni, an Honorary Rotarian of Rotary International, as well as a volunteer of Defy Ventures, providing business coaching to EITs (entrepreneurs-in-training), and an active personal life coach. Corey empowers individuals and communities and help them to flourish through personal development coaching and community service involvement. An aspiring Social Justice activist with a passion for community/sustainable development, service learning, juvenile justice rehabilitation, and brain-based coaching.
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Vorteile von Meditation: 9 wissenschaftliche Belege
Nika commented on Veronika 's Artikel in Gesundheit
Als erstes muss ich mich als Gelegenheitsmeditierer outen - wobei mir die Vorteile von Meditation absolut klar und bewusst sind. Und ich auch aus eigener Erfahrung sagen kann, dass jede Meditation sofortige Wirkung zeigte. Warum ich trotzdem nicht regelmäßiger meditiere? Kurioserweise hat mich bisher am meisten Terminstress und meine innere Unruhe davon abgehalten, tägliche Meditation zu lernen und zu praktizieren. Kurios deswegen, weil Meditation mir erfahrungsgemäß großartig dabei hilft, Stress und innere Unruhe abzumildern und gut in den Griff zu bekommen. Nun habe ich vor einigen Tagen damit begonnen, direkt nach dem Aufwachen einige Minuten im Bett sitzend bei geöffnetem Fenster Meditationsmusik oder eine geführte Meditation zu hören. Das bietet sich in meinem Falle an, weil ich ein sehr früher Vogel bin und so die morgendliche Stille, die frische Luft und die langsam schwindende Dunkelheit geniessen kann. Für mich die perfekten Voraussetzungen für eine energetische Aufladung und damit für einen frischen Start in den Tag! Und direkt nach dem Aufwachen haben Unruhe und Stress noch keine Gelegenheit von mir Besitz zu ergreifen. Und nach meiner morgendlichen Meditation bin ich ausreichend gewappnet. ihnen auch den Tag hindurch Paroli zu bieten. Ich kann also allen, denen es ähnlich geht, die sich meistens zu hibbelig fühlen, um die Ruhe in der Meditation zu finden, nur raten: Sucht euch die zu euch passende Umgebung, Zeit, Dauer und Form der Meditation. Ein Setting, das sich natürlich für euch anfühlt und ohne Aufwand geschaffen werden kann. Dann geht's euch vielleicht wie mir und Meditation wird so normal wie Zähneputzen... -
When a friendship dissolves it can be hard to adjust, so how exactly do you get over a friendship breakup? Psychologist Stanislava Puač Jovanović explains seven steps to move on and then make new friends. Friends are, as a rule, among the most important people that we have in our lives. Since our childhood, apart from our families, our friends shape who we are and how we spend our time. I know people whose friends are THE most significant persons in their lives. So, how to get over a friendship breakup when things go bad? I was in a situation like that three years ago. I broke up a friendship that had lasted for 27 years because I felt hurt by my friend’s lack of recognition of how much I was suffering. We became friends when I was six. We met when my family moved from another country, running away from war. We had been inseparable since. A few years ago, nearly all my family members passed away within 2.5 years. To my grave disappointment, she repeatedly made insensitive comments about the material things I was inheriting. My friend was too emotionally selfish to notice how much pain I was going through. Her lack of empathy was too much for me at that point… so I had to initiate a friendship breakup. Friendship breakups are common in life shutterstock/Dean Drobot Living without her after decades of closeness was strange (to say the least). It took quite some time to get over the change. And, whatever the reason for breaking up a friendship, your life changes. So, you need to learn to overcome the hurt and thrive from that experience. This article will help you design strategies on how to get over a friendship breakup and rebound. Why do friendships dissolve? Sometimes, a part of learning how to get over a friendship breakup is understanding why it has dissolved. There are as many causes as there are friendships. Nonetheless, it is possible to categorise common reasons into these four categories: Selfishness. As in the example of my friendship breakup, selfishness (and jealousy) can often play a part. Selfish friends will often expect you to be there for them when they are going through a bad patch, but won’t reciprocate when you need it. Or they my simply not put the same amount of energy into the friendship as you do. Betrayal. Friendships are built on trust. So, when a friend discloses confidential information or when they are being disloyal or dishonest, it is only natural to be shocked and angry. According to research, betrayal can produce life-altering changes. In the first place, it can result in a friendship breakup. Negativity. We all know a Debbie Downer. Friendship means being empathetic and supportive. However, sometimes, the constant negativity and pessimism have a way of breaking friendships up. Growing apart. Finally, one common reason for a friendship to dissolve is when you grow apart spontaneously. You could be developing as individuals in different directions. Or, significant life events such as marriage, moving to another city, having children, or similar can cause you to drift apart. I have had friendships fall apart for each of those reasons. In every case, getting over a friendship breakup was a challenge. Friends are people we love and rely on throughout our lifespan. So, how to get over a friendship breakup? How to get over a friendship breakup Getting over a friendship breakup may be quick and rather easy, but it can also take you years to heal. Although psychology and sociology recognize the importance of friendships in times of distress as well as peace, there is little research on how we mourn a friendship breakup. A recent doctoral dissertation revealed that we undergo a grieving process that can be life-changing and transform us into someone new. It is a loss we need to make meaning of and overcome the ambiguity of ending a friendship. “Getting over a friendship breakup may be quick and rather easy, but it can also take you years to heal... we undergo a grieving process that can be life-changing and transform us into someone new.” Therefore, when you ask how to get over a friendship breakup, you need to recognize the potentially immense impact the experience will have on you. Here are some strategies you can use to cope with the breakup and grow as a person in the process. 1. Acknowledge the grieving The grief following a friendship rupture is often disenfranchised. Not only do others fail to recognize our pain, but oftentimes, we do too. So, the first step towards healing is to acknowledge that you, indeed, suffered a loss. Expect different phases of the grieving process to pass by as you recover. 2. Get support The study we mentioned above revealed that getting over a friendship breakup, same as with any other loss, requires you to have a support system. Let your family and other friends know what is going on and express your needs clearly. MORE LIKE THIS: The 8 Types Of Friends We All Need Why Friendship Goals Matter No Friends? Here's How To Make New Ones As An Adult 3. Take good care of yourself As with any crisis, in order to rise up to the challenge of getting over a friendship breakup, you need to engage in self-care. Mind the content you consume, respond to your emotional needs, and be self-compassionate. Take care of your body, too — exercise, eat healthily and sleep well. It may not be at the top of your priorities when finding out how to get over a friendship breakup, but proper self-care was found to help emotional recovery tremendously. 4. Maintain routine One of the main outcomes of a friendship breakup is the disruption of habits and routines. Precisely because of that fact, one of the chief coping strategies is to maintain the routine as much as you can. Try to design ways to keep, for example, visiting theatres, camping, and socialising as you used to. It will help you stay in touch with the things you enjoy and limit the loss. Getting over a friendship breakup can take time 5. Prepare for awkward situations Chances are, you are going to still meet your ex-friend here and there. You probably share social circles, at least some of them. Whatever the cause of the separation between you may be, when you are thinking about how to get over a friendship breakup, you ought to get ready for the occasional awkwardness. Think of ways to minimise the uneasiness, such as how you will greet the ex-friend, how you might interact with others, where you will sit, and such. 6. Investigate what happened When you start figuring out how to get over a friendship breakup, you might be ruminating over what went wrong. However, it is best that you leave this phase of getting over a friendship breakup for when you feel more level-headed. Once some time passes, and you reclaim your stability and centredness, you can start exploring the causes of the breakup. “Whatever the cause of the separation between you may be, when you are thinking about how to get over a friendship breakup, you ought to get ready for the occasional awkwardness.” Try to aim for an impartial stance. Acknowledge both your and your ex-friend’s perspectives. Chances are, they will have their version and might feel equally hurt. The reason why it is important to understand exactly what triggered the rupture is this — you need the insight so that you can forgive and self-forgive. It is a crucial step towards the final phase of getting over a friendship breakup. 7. Make peace One of the final stages of thinking about how to get over a friendship breakup is to make peace with what had happened. Psychologically speaking, you need to integrate the loss into your psyche. Learn who you are now after you have lost a friend. See how you have grown. What did you learn about yourself? Accept the new reality and the new You — and new paths will open. Making new friends Making new friends may not be the first thing that comes to your mind when you are trying to get over a friendship breakup. Especially considering the science-backed fact that we peak at making friends at the age of 25, after which our social circles tend to decrease. However, humans are social creatures. We need others for bonding, support, and a sense of belongingness. Loneliness can lead to a decline in physical and psychological health. So, how to make new (quality) friendships after your friendship has dissolved? You can explore whether your existing contacts bear the potential of a deeper connection. Invite a co-worker or someone you knew from school to the movies or for a drink and see if you will click. Also, make sure to use the possibilities opened up by modern technology and seek out people who share your worldview. Apart from social media, you can create a profile here on happiness.com and reach out to people around the world who have the same interests as you do. In the happiness forums, you can start conversations and engage in discussions with people you may want to connect with more deeply. Takeaway: friendship breakup In my case, things went back to normal after two years of no contact. My friend and I started exchanging messages again when she was pregnant with her second child. I felt I had to be there and support her. After that, she took the initiative to help me find my way out of some serious problems I was experiencing. I feel that she has truly given some thought to how she so indifferently expressed a complete lack of regard three years ago. She stepped up as a friend. However, many of my past friendships never recovered. Getting over a friendship breakup was always a challenging experience. In the end, I can say that I ended up a slightly different person after each ruptured friendship. So, use the experience, no matter how painful or confusing it may be, to learn. To get to know yourself (the good and the bad). To understand others better. In this way, you can give meaning to what has happened and turn it into an incentive for growth. • Main image: shutterstock/lightwavemedia happiness.com | The fine art of being: learn, practise, share Are you a happiness.com member? Sign up for free to enjoy: ■ our happiness magazine with practical life tips ■ sharing and supporting others in our happiness forum ■ developing with free online classes in our Academy Resilience | Authenticity Written by Stanislava Puač Jovanović Stanislava Puač Jovanović has a master’s degree in psychology and works as a freelance writer and researcher in this area. Her primary focus is on questions relating to mental health, stress-management, self-development and well-being.
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In one of the mindfulness courses I took, there was a exercise to identify and bucket your thoughts vs sensations vs emotions (feelings). I am having difficulty differentiating thoughts vs. emotions as they're so tightly intertwined. Any tips or suggestions?
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Health and Happiness during the pandemic
patricksheets replied to happyhuman 's topic in Happiness & Life Advice Forum
Thank you for the kind words and I'm glad to inform you that I have a new self-help book coming up for 2023, which is a compilation of research-based knowledge on live a healthy and happy life with the help of a chiropractor. And thanks for the offer to share your book, I have added it to my reading list. -
This year the mainstream media has been full of stories about climate emergency, political scandal, crime increases, and other less-than-positive events. But, if you scratched below the surface, there were plenty of great feel-good news items to feel excited about. Ed Gould shares his top 19 positive news stories of 2019 to inspire and uplift you! 1. Over half of millennials eat in an environmentally-friendly way According to the New York Post, a large survey conducted in the United States found that millennials have made significant changes to their diets in order to benefit the environment. The August poll, commissioned by Sweet Earth Foods, found that nearly 60 per cent of millennials had a low carbon footprint diet, including veganism and eating less red meat. Of these, most said they were motivated by climate change. RELATED: Eat these 8 good mood foods 2. Eating greens really is good for you Continuing the food theme, research published in May suggested that certain greens – in particular, broccoli and kale – contain compounds that are great at suppressing the growth of tumours and other cancerous cells. A team from Harvard Medical School in Boston spent time researching prostate tumours and their reaction to compound indole-3-carbinol (which appears naturally in green vegetables). Known as a suppressor protein, the compound could be used as a way to treat tumours and even prevent them from occurring in the first place, according to Medical News Today. Mother always said “eat your greens”... and she was right! shutterstock/RossHelen 3. Breakthrough technology allows blind people to perceive light In September, a novel technology was demonstrated in the US which allows blind people to gain more visual perception. A research team from UCLA Health used surgical implants in four blind patients to allow them to perceive light and dark. A wireless device 'looks' at objects which then sends signals to the implant. The brain is then able to perceive the implant's stimulation as patches of light and dark. In some cases, blind people have been able to sense individual objects and even movement. 4. Kayak across Europe for free In May, a scheme was announced whereby tourists can kayak the great waterways of Europe without charge. Rather than paying to rent a kayak for a day or two during their stay, people will now be able to obtain them without cost. The catch? You have to collect rubbish from the canals in urban centres. The initiative is up and running in Denmark thanks to an organisation called GreenKayak but it's hoped the scheme will spread to other big cities with man-made waterways. Seems like a win-win situation! Paddle power: clean up by kayaking 5. Free sanitary products for schools Back in March, a pilot scheme offering free sanitary products for children and teens in England's secondary schools was announced, hoping to provide support for the 10 per cent of young women who cannot afford to buy menstrual products each month. This follows Scotland's lead. In 2017 the country became the first globally to provide free sanitary products to all females in schools, colleges and universities. UK activists hope the new scheme will be equally expanded. 6. The world is getting greener If you think the planet is becoming more and more deforested you’re not alone. However, NASA brought a little happiness to this gloomy view. Its satellite imagery has shown that there are actually more trees, not fewer, than a few years ago. As reported by CNN in February, the US space agency has noted that both India and China have been planting trees and agricultural crops that have created more vegetation overall. Since 2000, it’s estimated that leaf-covered spaces of the planet have risen by some 2,000,000 square miles. Green is go: there are more trees than ever before shutterstock/DugDax 7. A healthy gut can lower anxiety The benefits of healthy gut bacteria have long been known to medical science as helping with digestion and all-round physical health. According to several reports back in May, Chinese researchers found that a healthy gut may also lead to better mental well-being. A team at the Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine discovered that consumption of foodstuffs containing probiotics – which help to promote a healthy gut – could lead to lower anxiety levels. In fact, the researchers said their work demonstrated that it was a good idea to treat anxiety symptoms by regulating a patient's intestinal microbiota. RELATED: Panic attacks – 12 tips on what to do when anxiety hits hard 8. Hugging is great for mental health You may have known it all along but hugging really is good for you – and a group of researchers believe they've proved it. In a study of over 400 individuals, people who hugged were shown to feel less negative responses throughout their entire day after they'd received one. People who had been hugged showed lower blood pressure as well as augmented levels of happiness hormone oxytocin. Interestingly, single people and those in partnerships were found to demonstrate the same sorts of responses within this study from November. A hug a day keeps the demons away! shutterstock/sebra 9. Playing games helps thinking, study finds Scientific research conducted over decades found that playing board games which involve memory and problem solving can help you to retain thinking skills in old age. Psychologists from the University of Edinburgh studied over 1,000 people in their 70s to come up with the findings which focussed on non-digital games such as bingo, chess, cards and crosswords. In November, University of Edinburgh's Dr Drew Altschul said: “These latest findings add to evidence that being more engaged in activities during life might be associated with better thinking skills in later life.” RELATED: Cognitive impairment - 5 key ways to reduce the risk as you age 10. Saunas may help reduce heart disease risk According to The Independent, a study found that regularly taking saunas can help to prevent heart disease. The work, published in the BMC Medicine journal in September, claimed that cardiovascular disease is less common among the over-50s age group if they enjoy saunas on a frequent basis. The research was conducted in Finland over the course of a 15-year period. It's not yet known why saunas seem to be so beneficial for heart health in older age. However, one researcher said that it could be tied up with the fact that taking saunas is a relaxing activity that may help to lower blood pressure. Saunas could reduce heart disease shutterstock/Med Photo Studio 11. Wind energy study states Europe could power the world In reports made in The Independent in August, an academic study calculated that Europe has sufficient space and the right meteorological conditions to supply enough electrical energy to meet the whole world's needs. By 2050, 497 exajoules of power could be derived from wind in the continent, which is more than enough to go around. The study said that a mixture of both onshore and offshore would be needed to meet this, especially as global demand rises. Turkey and Norway were singled out as countries which were particularly suited to wind energy. 12. Liver transplants could be revolutionised According to a report on the BBC, scientists have developed a new procedure for conducting liver transplants. This, it's hoped, will help to speed up the rate at which they can be transplanted, helping to slash waiting times. Donated livers are normally chilled, which mean they can degrade. The new idea is to use perfusion machines in order to keep livers in good condition for longer, offering greater flexibility for finding suitable recipients. 13. The tiger population is on the up In July, The Daily Telegraph reported that the numbers of tigers roaming around India may have risen by as much as 30 per cent since 2014. Back then, new measures were brought in to protect these big cats. This means that well over two-thirds of the wild tiger population now lives within India's borders. The country is now on track to meet its internationally agreed commitments to improve global tiger numbers by creating safer habitats for these impressive creatures. The cat's back: there are more tigers in Nepal than previously thought 14. Paper recycling receives a boost In September, The Week reported that a clever new technique for 'unprinting' paper had been developed at Rutgers University in the USA. Scientists there have created a way of erasing black, blue, red and green ink from printed pages, meaning already-printed documents can be erased and then reused (up to five times). As its done locally, this eliminates the costs and energy consumption associated with transporting office paper to reprocessing centres. 15. Survey revealed what really makes us happy A study reported in the Metro revealed the keys to happiness in June. The survey, commissioned by private healthcare group Bupa, showed that having a loving relationship and being close to family was most important when it came to what make us feel happy. Other things that made the Top Ten included getting at least eight hours of sleep, regular exercise, owning a pet, connecting with nature, and – crucially, perhaps – laughing frequently. The study asked 2,000 UK-based adults aged 55 what they though the secrets to a long and happy life were. Interestingly, the average age respondents said they finally realised what the secrets to happiness were was 49! A giggle is good: laughter is a key happiness provider 16. New technique could make chemotherapy more bearable In January, a team of American medical researchers revealed how chemotherapy can be made more effective by concentrating it in the parts of the body. The idea is to insert tiny sponge-like materials into the patient's bloodstream so that the chemicals used in the therapies cannot pass through. The technique has been referred to as a 'chemofilter' and is something that could potentially improve the lives of many cancer sufferers. The study was conducted by Professor Nitash Balsara from the University of California at Berkley. 17. Marijuana may be more potent than aspirin According to Sky News in July, a scientific study into anti-inflammatories found that certain molecules in cannabis plants could be up to 30 times stronger than common drugs like aspirin. The work, undertaken in Canada, builds an even stronger case for the use of certain therapies derived from cannabis plants. According to the lead researcher, Professor Tariq Akhtar, the molecule in question has no psychoactive effect, potentially making it ideal for a new medicine. 18. Poaching of African elephants in decline Thanks to successful anti-poaching initiatives in much of central and southern Africa, the number of elephants there falling prey to ivory hunters has fallen over the last six years by up to 50 per cent. In fact, CBS reported that one reserve in Mozambique had seen no elephants lost to poachers over the course of an entire 12-month period – remarkable given the number of animals that used to be hunted. Specialists claim the real driver in this success has been lowering global demand for ivory which, in turn, disincentives the practices of poachers in the first place. Tusk luck: poaching of African elephants is in decline 19. Breakthrough found in the fight against Parkinson's disease Scientists at the University of Ontario in Canada found a way to restore movement to patients with advanced stages of this debilitating condition. According to reports from the BBC in April, the team's brain implantation method has produced results which exceeded all expectations. They hope to turn their approach into a full treatment which will restore both mobility and confidence to sufferers. ● Written by Ed Gould Ed Gould is a UK-based journalist and practitioner of Reiki.
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Things that really make me happy Things that make me laugh Which helps me to forget the stress I am doing things that give me a reason to live…. listening just my inner voice rather than thinking about society and negative thoughts.
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Gratulations! Becoming aware of the monkey mind is such a huge and important lesson. Another one is that thoughts are real but they are not necessarily true. I find that the louder my thoughts claim to tell the truth the more they are based on assumtions which are based on nothing...
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The loss of a friend is challenging and will affect you differently depending on your stage of life. From journaling to scrapbooking, Dee Marques offers up five ways to cope with the grief. Here’s one of the many paradoxes of the human experience: we all experience loss, so we should know how to cope with it. But, instead, for the vast majority of us, losing a loved one is both devastating and traumatic. The loss of a friend can be a harrowing experience, since it triggers deep feelings of grief. Although there’s no single recipe that can magically help us overcome the pain of loss, there are things that can ease the process. In this article, I’ll discuss how you can expect to feel when you lose a friend, and I’ll offer some suggestions on how to cope with the loss of a friend. Losing a friend: possible feelings Psychologists believe that the experience of loss is so hard to cope with because it temporarily changes the way our brains and bodies work. Here are some common reactions to the loss of a friend: Confusion. When faced with a traumatic event like losing a friend, the brain responds to stress by creating new connections between neurons, or by weakening existing ones. This is usually why people feel confused and mentally exhausted – something that has been described as brain fog. Anger. This is a common reaction that sets in when the initial shock wears off. After losing a friend, you may feel angry at them or at anyone you deem responsible (for example, doctors who couldn’t save them, or an employer if it was a work accident). Guilt. Some people develop a feeling of guilt after the loss of a friend. Here we may see reactions like survivor’s guilt, or blaming yourself for all the times you weren’t there to support your friend. You may also feel trapped by constantly thinking about things you should have or shouldn’t have done. Physical pain. Some people also experience loss at physical level, through changes in sleep habits, appetite, or a weakened immune system. After losing a friend, you may experience one or more of these feelings, at different points in time or as a whirlwind of mixed emotions. Just remember that everyone’s grief process is different. Seek support from others after losing a friend Having said that, there are some losses that could especially complicated to handle. For example, losing a family member may feel different from losing a friend. And the reactions described above may be even more intense or prolonged if you lose a friend to suicide. This type of loss is particularly difficult to process due to the stigma that still surrounds suicide. Losing a friend: timing matters You should also keep in mind that may react differently, depending on how old you are when facing the loss of a friend. Losing a friend when you're a child can leave a painful scar in your emotional self. If adults struggle coping with such a traumatic experience, you can imagine how much harder this is for children, who haven’t yet develop the ability to understand concepts like loss or death. Kids may develop feelings of abandonment, withdrawal, or the temporary regression of certain behaviours, like bed wetting or crawling instead of walking. “Some people develop a feeling of guilt after the loss of a friend. Here we may see reactions like survivor’s guilt, or blaming yourself for all the times you weren’t there to support your friend.” The death of a friend in mid-life could trigger a crisis, as the early loss of friends can make us re-evaluate our own lives and what we’re doing with them. Moreover, during this stage of life, it’s common to lose friends to friendship break-ups, either due to divorce, relocation, or simply because you’ve chosen different paths in life. This situation can also cause similar feelings of grief. How to help a grieving friend: 7 ways to be there The 8 types of grief explained 7 healing quotes on grief to inspire And, as people get older, they begin to realise that they only have a limited amount of time ahead of them, and that this time may be filled with experiences of loss. As a dear neighbour once told me, “when you’re in your 20s, you’re busy attending your friends’ weddings, but when you’re in your 80s, you’re busy attending your friends’ funerals”. A fact of life. How to cope with losing a friend Losing a friend can trigger such intense grief that the first reaction may even be denial. Denial is a defence mechanism, which we hold onto believing it will help us avoid the pain. This may work in the short term, but suppressing your feelings isn’t a coping strategy and eventually you may feel overwhelmed. If you’re experiencing grief after losing a friend, do not try to deny yourself the possibility of processing this experience in the healthiest possible way. Instead of resorting to denial, here are a few things you may find helpful. 1. Celebrate the person you lost You may have lost a friend, but that doesn’t mean that they're “gone” from your life. Sometimes, you may think it’s easier to stop thinking about the person altogether, hoping that will ease the pain. But it doesn’t always work that way, and in fact, treasuring the memories you shared with your friend can help you overcome the loss. But that doesn’t mean ruminating about the loss, but rather finding ways to remember and celebrate the person you lost, for example by visiting places they liked on special occasions, reading their favourite books, or taking part in a charity challenge on their behalf. 2. Find a way to express your feelings When coping with emotionally intense experiences, there is some truth to cliches like “this too shall pass” or “we must get on with it”, but we still need a way to express our feelings instead of dismissing them. Unfortunately, we aren’t always taught how to express our emotions, whether it's because we were raised in a family where feelings were not discussed or because of certain cultural narratives that equate emotionality with weakness. Journaling may be helpful in helping you express your emotions and the full extent of your grief in a private and safe way. Keeping a journal after losing a friend can help put some order to your thoughts, celebrate your friend, and discover some coping resources that you didn’t know you have. RELATED: Journaling techniques for travel to our interior 3. Make a scrapbook Creating a scrapbook is an interesting alternative (or a complement) to journaling. Scrapbooks can serve the same function of memorials, but are much more personal. Some studies have found that scrapbooking has a healing power for people who are going through loss and grief, and especially for those who find it hard to express their emotions with words. Make a scrapbook or look at photos of a lost friend shutterstock/Dragon Images 4. Spend time with others who are also grieving We all play different roles in our life, so death and loss can affect large numbers of people. The person you have lost may have been a friend to you, but also a father, a spouse or co-worker. During painful times, you may feel the need to retreat to your inner world, and it’s important to honour that. However, getting together with people who were also close to your friend can be helpful, both for you and for them. “Studies have found that scrapbooking has a healing power for people who are going through loss and grief, and especially for those who find it hard to express their emotions with words.” Chances are that others will also be going through a similar grieving process, and you can support each other through it beyond the funeral, when everyone tries to be as supportive as possible. Having said that, keep in mind that people process loss differently, so be ready to give them time and space if needed. 5. Seek help if you need to When processing the loss of a friend, you may feel discouraged at your own state of mind and wonder how long will it take until the feelings subside. Because everyone’s process is different, there’s no standard answer to that question, but mental health professionals believe that you should seek help if there hasn’t been any improvement after 6 months. If this is your case, you can start by talking to your GP, who may refer you to a psychologist or to a grief counsellor. Takeaway: coping with loss is possible Loss is always hard to handle, and the intense emotions this experience triggers may stay with you for a while. In difficult times like this, you should be patient with yourself and understand that grieving is a process – difficult but possible to navigate. If you’ve recently lost a friend, try some of the practical steps outlined in this guide and feel free to comment on any other suggestions you may have. • Main image: shutterstock/Antonio Guillem happiness.com | The fine art of being: learn, practise, share Are you a happiness.com member? Join free now and: ■ enjoy our happiness magazine ■ share and support in our happiness forum ■ Develop with free online Academy classes Letting go | Courage | Learning | Self-care Written by Dee Marques A social sciences graduate with a keen interest in languages, communication, and personal development strategies. Dee loves exercising, being out in nature, and discovering warm and sunny places where she can escape the winter.
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I disagree... AND I agree ? Short term stress is energizing and even healthy as it gets the organism going. The problem is when, after a stressful phase, there is no matching recovery phase. Chronic stress is dangerous. As so often drilling deeper, we get a more nuanced picture.
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Nicht glücklich sein können? Studien aus der Glücksforschung zeigen, dass es bei der Cherophobie - der Angst vor dem Glücklich sein - genau dazu kommt. Was ist Cherophobie? Warum haben manche Menschen Angst vor dem Glücklichsein und wie kann das geändert werden? Die Mehrheit der Menschen möchte ihr Leben lang das Glück finden: Glück in der Liebe, im Beruf, Glück als wiederkehrender Begleiter in unterschiedlichen Lebenslagen. Doch es gibt auch Menschen, die Glücksgefühle meiden oder sogar Angst vor ihnen bzw. ihren Konsequenzen haben. Im Fachjargon [1] wird von "Fear of Happiness" oder "Cherophobie" gesprochen. Was bedeutet Angst vor dem Glücklichsein haben? Es sind nicht die angenehmen Glücksgefühle an sich, die den Betroffenen Angst einflößen, sondern vielmehr fürchten sie mögliche negative Folgen (Enttäuschung, Traurigkeit, Einsamkeit...) nach einem schönen Erlebnis. Zum Teil verspüren sie auch die Angst, das gerade erlebte Glück zu schnell zu verlieren und anschließend in ein emotionales Loch zu fallen. Einige Menschen haben Probleme damit, sich selbst Freude und Genuss überhaupt zuzugestehen, sie gleuben sie seien "es nicht wert" glücklich zu sein. Das liegt zum Teil an verinnerlichten Glaubenssätzen wie: "Lobe den Tag nicht vor dem Abend", "nach Sonnenschein kommt Regen" oder "Glück und Glas, wie leicht bricht das". Hunderte Male gehört, manifestiert sich so der Glaube, dass auf Gutes stets Böses folgen müsse, dass sich das (Glücks-)Blatt immer wieder zum Schlechten wenden kann und nichts beständig ist. Auf Glück folgt Pech, so die Annahme. All diese Sorgen stehen einer gesunden Lebensführung im Wege, denn wir brauchen positive Erlebnisse, um Energie zu tanken und uns zu stärken, sowohl mental als auch physisch. Auch die Produktion sogenannter Glückshormone wie Serotonin, Noradrenalin, Dopamin und weiterer, ist wichtig für unser Wohlbefinden. Wer zu wenig Glückshormone bildet, wird möglicherweise depressiv. Glück zeigt sich oft in den kleinen Momenten. Sie anzunehmen, kann geübt werden Der Versuch Glücksgefühle gezielt zu vermeiden bzw. zu unterdrücken wirkt auf den menschlichen Körper kontraproduktiv. Es kostet sogar ein hohes Maß an Anstrengung gegen die Natur zu arbeiten und verursacht Stress, der wiederum Stresshormone freisetzt, statt der positiven Glückshormone. Menschen, die mit Cherophobie leben, haben nicht immer Angst vor den angenehmen Gefühlen, die Glück mit sich bringen kann, sind aber besorgt über die möglichen negativen Auswirkungen. Auch ein niedriges Selbstwertgefühl kann zur "Fear of Happiness" führen, zum irrtümlichen Glauben, das Glück "nicht verdient zu haben". Die Angst vor dem Nachlassen der Glücksgefühle und dem in der Folge erwartenden Tiefs kann Vermeidungsstrategien ins Leben rufen, die in eine ungesunde Richtung führen. Wer sich seiner Person und seines Selbstwertes nicht sicher ist, kann Angst vor Neid entwickeln, der durch das eigene Glück bei Menschen aus dem Umfeld ausgelöst werden kann. Aus Angst, nicht mit dem Neid der anderen umgehen zu können, wird das eigene Glück abgeschwächt oder gar vermieden [2]. Ein anderere verbreiteter Grund für die Angst vorm Glücklichsein ist die Annahme "man sei es nicht wert glücklich zu sein". Der oft tief sitzende Glaubenssatz, dass etwas mit einem nicht stimmt und man daher kein Glück verdient hätte. Den Wurzeln dieses Irrglaubens auf den Grund zu gehen und ihn zu heilen ist ein langwirige aber umso lohnendere Aufgabe. Alleine schon sich die frage "warum kann ich nicht glücklich sein?" zu stellen, ist oft der erste Schritt einer bewussten Auseinandersetzung mit dem Thema und damit der erste Schritt zu einer Lösung. Gibt es einen Zusammenhang zwischen der Angst vor dem Glücklichsein und Depressionen? Wissenschaftler*innen gehen von einem engen Zusammenhang zwischen der Cherophobie und Depressionen aus. Bis heute ist allerdings nicht erwiesen, ob die Angst vor dem Glücklichsein Ursache, Folge, oder Begleiterscheinung einer Depression ist. Der "Neue-Deutsche-Welle-Sänger" Hubert Kah sagte nach überstandener Depression in einer Talkshow: "Ich hatte das Gefühl: Bei mir darf es nicht gut werden. Ich darf nicht glücklich sein, bei mir darf die Rechnung nicht aufgehen, ich muss leiden." Die Angst vor dem Glücklichsein wird nicht einer Krankheit gleichgesetzt, sie gilt vielmehr als Phänomen, welches in den vergangenen 10 Jahren verstärkt beobachtet werden konnte und das Interesse der Wissenschaft weckte. Im Hamsterrad des Alltags: Ein weiteres Phänomen unserer Zeit Glück ist auch kulturabhängig Der Begriff des "Glücks" wird je nach kulturellem Hintergrund völlig anders bewertet. In einer Studie sollten US-Amerikaner*innen und Chines*innen den voraussichtlichen Verlauf ihrer Glückskurve über die ganze Lebensspanne voraussagen. Während die Amerikaner*innen eher an einen kontinuierlichen Glücksverlauf glaubten, verlief derjenige der Chines*innen mehr in Wellen, auf und ab. Mit anderen Worten: Chines*innen rechnen mit mehr Schwankungen im Leben. Begründet kann dies unter anderem im Taoismus sein, denn laut der taoistischen Philosophie ist davon auszugehen, dass alles im Wandel ist. Das Streben nach Glück ist in taoistisch geprägten Ländern weniger verbreitet, als in westlichen Ländern. Der Forscher Mohsen Joshanloo von der Chungbuk National University von Südkorea, führte 2013 eine weltweite Studie zur Angst vorm Glück durch und befragte 2700 Student*innen unterschiedlicher Herkunft: Aus dem Iran, Russland, Japan, US-Amerika, den Niederlanden und 10 weiteren Staaten. Das Ergebnis der Studie: Außer in Kenia und Indien spürten die Menschen in allen anderen Ländern die Angst vor dem Glück, mit keinen großen Unterschieden zwischen den Ländern und keinen dramatischen Werten. Es stellte sich jedoch heraus, dass in Kulturen, die mehr auf Konformität ausgerichtet sind, die Angst vor Neid grösser als in den Vergleichsstaaten ist. So haben Menschen in Ostasien mehr Hemmungen ihr Glück zu zeigen, als beispielsweise in Amerika. [2] Auch interessant: Was Menschen überall auf der Welt glücklich macht: Glück in verschiedenen Kulturen Spannend: Jede Kultur hat ein anderes Verständnis von Glücklichsein Was hilft gegen die Angst vor dem Glücklichsein? In dieser Frage sind sich die Wissenschaftler*innen noch nicht einig und es fehlen langfristige Studien an diesem noch sehr jungen Phänomen das Menschen am glücklich werden hindert. [3] Studien zeigen, dass die Fähigkeit zum Glücklichsein zum Großteil angeboren ist. Während es Menschen gibt, die an Schicksalsschlägen zu zerbrechen drohen, meistern andere sie wiederum mit erstaunlicher Stärke. Doch nicht jeder Mensch, der weniger "Glücksgene" mit auf seinen Lebensweg bekommen hat, muss sich diesem Schicksal ergeben. In der Fachwelt wird von den sogenannten "Happy habits", den glücklich machenden Gewohnheiten gesprochen, welche man wiederum erlernen und somit sein Glücksempfinden schulen und erweitern kann. Was kann man bei Cherophobie tun? Achtsamkeit heißt das Zauberwort in diesem Zusammenhang. Es sind nicht die großen Glücksgefühle, wie man sie beispielsweise beim ersten Verliebtsein oder der Geburt eines Kindes erlebt, sondern es sind die kleinen Dinge im Alltag, die uns nachhaltig psychisch nähren und fröhlich machen: Die ersten warmen Sonnenstrahlen nach einem langen Winter auf der Haut, der Duft frischen Kaffees am Morgen, ein freundliches Lächeln auf der Strasse, die überschwängliche Begrüßung eines Hundes oder der Klang des Lieblingsliedes im Radio. All das kann uns be-glücken, wenn wir es nur zulassen. Die Lernerfahrung aus diesen kleinen Glücksmomenten wird sein, dass sie einfach nur gut tun, ohne negative Folgen, ohne Bestrafung, Neid oder Unglücksfälle. Einige Therapeut*innen gehen davon aus, dass man die Angst vor dem Glücklichsein wie andere Phobien und Angstzuständen behandeln sollte: Mit einer schrittweisen Annäherung an das angstauslösende Moment. Die Psycholog*innen sprechen in diesem Fall von der "Exposition", wie sie beispielsweise bei Flugangst angewandt wird. Schrittweise stellen sich die Patient*innen ihrer Angst, bis sie zum Schluss im besten Fall sogar einen ganzen Flug angstfrei meistern können. Andere Therapeut*innen sehen die Lösung des Problems eher in der Umstellung einiger Lebensgewohnheiten wie der Motivation oder bisherigen Lebensführung. Aus Glücksquellen schöpfen Es gibt kein Patentrezept, das für alle Betroffenen gleichermaßen zutrifft. Aber es gibt Quellen für Glück, Zufriendenheit und Fröhlichkeit, aus denen jeder schöpfen kann. Zunächst steht die Selbsterkenntnis im Vordergrund: Was will ich und wie kann ich es erreichen? Während der eine Mensch froh und glücklich ist, wenn er mit vielen Menschen am Feiern ist, genießt ein anderer lieber traute Zweisamkeit. Auch die Dankbarkeit spielt eine große Rolle für unser Wohlbefinden. Wer zu schätzen weiß was er hat, lebt zufriedener, darin sind sich die Forscher*innen einig. Wer immer wieder aus sich herausgeht, eigene Grenzen überschreitet und offen für Neues ist, gelangt zu höherer Lebensqualität. Zum glücklich werden gehören auch Freundschaften, ein gutes Netzwerk. Wer in einer Lebensphase keine Freunde mehr hat, kann sich gezielt um neue Freundschaften bemühen. Wer von Menschen umgeben ist, die ihm wohlgesonnen sind, fühlt sich getragen und weniger auf sich selbst gestellt. Eine gute Partnerschaft kann ebenfalls sehr zum Glück beitragen. Als "Königsweg zum Glück" ist Altruismus: die Fähigkeit, andere Menschen glücklich zu machen. Auch interessant: Glücklich sein. Was heißt das eigentlich genau? Formbar: Auch die Fähigkeit zum Glück ist nicht starr vorgegeben Tipp: Wenn auch du das Gefühl hast, das Glück nicht verdient zu haben, zu wenig Glücksmomente zu erleben, oder generell Schwierigkeiten damit dein Glück zu finden, dann hab den Mut darüber mit einer Therapeutin oder einem Therapeuten zu sprechen. Es lohnt sich in jedem Fall das eigene Glücksempfinden einmal genauer zu betrachten und sich verschiedene Fragen zum Glück zu stellen. Was bedeutet Glück für mich? Wer oder was verhilft mir zum Glücklichsein? Wo kann ich mein Glück finden? Wie gehe ich mit Glücksgefühlen um? Wie könnte ich mir mehr Glücksmomente verschaffen? Wie willst du dein Glück finden? Das sind alles spannende Fragen, deren Beantwortung dich auf deinem persönlichen Lebensweg weiter bringen können und dabei wünschen wir dir viel GLÜCK - jeder darf glücklich werden! ● Ausschau halten nach dem Glück Quellen: [1] https://www.spektrum.de/news/die-angst-vor-dem-gluecklichsein/1348921 [2] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0191886916308157 [3] https://www.researchgate.net/publication/305001540_Conceptions_of_happiness_and_life_satisfaction_An_exploratory_study_in_14_national_groups Main image: shutterstock/ESB Professional Dieser Artikel wurde im englischen Original von Calvin Holbrook geschrieben Calvin ist Journalist und der Redakteur des englischen happiness Magazins und damit ein echter Experte in der Glücksforschung. Es ist als Collagekünstler tätig, liebt Yoga, zu schwimmen, zu House oder Technomusik zu tanzen und alles was man unter "vintage" versteht.
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34 "You experience regular stress sometimes maybe even to an unhealthy degree." This was not always the case at my job. I love what I do and that played a big factor in my stress factor. However, with new management and the pandemic this has changed a lot of things. Now I feel like I am feeling stressed out on a regular basis. I have had to figure out how to not bring it home and let it rule my life outside of my work hours.
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Hi @Maltija85, I noticed your other post on IBS and thought about the correlation to fibromyalgia regarding the disbiosys of your gut microbiome. A quick research lead me to believe that both issues are related: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/325535.php#1 https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/06/190620100043.htm https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31219947 I dont wanna sound overly excited, but having had issues with mild IBS for a long time, I know that the composition of your gut bacteria aka gut microbiome is not a fixed thing, but can change over time. Many scientific papers are indicating that your smyptoms are most likely are result of composition of your gut bacteria. This composition is by no means a fixed thing, but change every hour and day based on your lifestyle and dietary choices. To certain degree, you have been set up for life based on the way you were born (c-section/natural). whether you were fed with breastmilk, where you grew up (country-side/ city), or whether you had a traumatizing childhood or received lots of antibiotics in the last years, but even with many such disturbances to your microbiome, it still has the ability to recover and return to a healthy and normal state with proper care. I would highly encourage you to buy a book or two on the gut microbiome and start reading online to learn what you can do to improve it. It is possible to restore a healthy level. I am quite optimistic that you can achieve a life where your symptoms are drastically decreased to a level that wont inhibit you from taking part in an active social life If you are interested I will write a bit more on my journey and some tips here later? Julius
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My understanding of Qi Gong (chee gong) is that it's a Chinese medicinal therapy based on breathing control, and it helps eliminate tension, stress, and brings health and vitality. I suppose they could be categorised into the same healing therapies like tai chi or reiki? They all come from Eastern traditions and support the importance of properly channelling the qi - or vital energy - through the body's meridians. According to these principles, the good state of one's health will depend on our ability to achieve the correct balance between body and mind; thus achieving wellbeing, mainly through meditation and breathing control. Has anyone tried? What are the benefits and how often would one have to practice? Please comment and share your experiences :)
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Hi there, Nice list! Hope you'll consider The Language of Mindfulness podcast as well ! https://anchor.fm/languageofmindfulness Best to you.
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Share a weird thing you like to do that makes you happy :)
flybutterfly replied to Candy 's topic in Happiness & Life Advice Forum
Almost every morning I dance it out around my apartment to my favorite joyful and empowering songs! It creates so much Seratonin-the feel good chemicals- and it is a really freeing feeling, a great way to “let go” of stress and tension built up in your body, and start the day feeling better. I had almost majored in Dance Therapy in college years back, so I guess that’s what made me start this fun way to create my own joy at home. Also, I recently read and saw YouTube videos that this is also related to what is called “Conscious Movement” or “Conscious Dance”: “Conscious Dance is a movement-based process which leads participants on a journey of physical and emotional transformation. There is no structured choreography. It is lightly guided and free style. It is not about learning steps; it’s about revealing, recovering, and re-discovering of yourself and your natural intuitive flow.“ -
Research suggests that awe can make you happier, healthier, more humble, and more connected to the people around you. Starting 15 years ago, scientists have been studying the complex and mysterious emotion called awe — one you might have felt if you’ve stood in front of the Taj Mahal, hiked among towering redwoods, or had your mind blown at a concert, play, or ballet. Inducing goosebumps and dropped jaws, awe experiences are remarkable in their own right. Moreover, a growing body of research suggests that experiencing awe may lead to a wide range of benefits, from happiness and health to perhaps more unexpected benefits such as generosity, humility, and critical thinking. In our busy lives, seeking awe may be low on our list of priorities. But we might be underestimating its power. “One simple prescription can have transformative effects: look for more daily experiences of awe,” writes the GGSC’s Dacher Keltner. The latest research suggests that taking the time to experience awe — whether through engaging with nature, enjoying great art or music, or even bingeing on breathtaking YouTube videos — may be a pathway to improving your life and relationships. 1. Awe may improve your mood and make you more satisfied with your life Need a mood boost or a stress slayer? Some studies suggest that experiencing awe may help. And you don’t have to take a trip to the Grand Canyon to get the job done. Just watching awe-inducing slideshows and videos can improve your mood and well-being, according to a few studies. Another study found that people who read a short, awe-evoking story about seeing Paris from the top of the Eiffel Tower reported greater life satisfaction in that moment than people who read a story about seeing a plain landscape from up high. World of wonder: the awe-inspiring Taj Mahal Of course, it’s tough to beat real-world experiences — so in a recent study, researchers took military veterans and youth from underserved communities whitewater rafting. They found that the more awe the participants experienced, the more improvement they saw in their well-being and symptoms of stress one week later. According to a different survey the researchers conducted, undergraduate students reported greater life satisfaction and well-being on days when they spent time in nature, which was attributable to the higher level of awe they felt on those days. This suggests that awe just might be a crucial ingredient in nature’s restorative powers. 2. Awe may be good for your health Experiencing awe over time could potentially have long-term health benefits, at least according to one study. People with a greater general tendency to experience awe — but not any of the other seven positive emotions studied — had lower levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), a marker of inflammation (too much inflammation can lead to a host of chronic diseases). “A growing body of research suggests that experiencing awe may lead to a wide range of benefits, from happiness and health to perhaps more unexpected benefits such as generosity, humility, and critical thinking.” A second part of the study found that participants who reported feeling more “awe, wonder, and amazement that day” had lower levels of IL-6; this was true even after accounting for people’s general tendency to experience awe and be open to new experiences. In other words, all of us — not just people who are prone to experiencing awe frequently — may be able to reap the health benefits of a particularly wondrous day. However, this study can’t tell us whether awe decreases inflammation or whether people with more inflammation are less likely to experience awe — a question for future research. 3. Awe may help you think more critically Some studies suggest that awe may be able to sharpen our brains. One study found that when people were induced to feel awe, they were less persuaded by weak arguments than people who did a neutral activity (imagining doing their laundry). In contrast, some other positive emotions — like anticipatory enthusiasm or amusement — made people more susceptible to weak arguments. Intriguingly, a recent theoretical paper argues that awe may help facilitate scientific learning and reasoning in children. For example, when a child sees an anvil and a feather drop at the same rate in a vacuum, this experience likely violates their intuitive understanding of how gravity works, evoking feelings of awe that lead them to develop a new theory about the relationships between weight, gravity, and motion. Peak condition: experiencing awe may have long-term health benefits Similarly, a recent study found that people who have a greater disposition to experience awe had a more accurate understanding of the nature of science and were more likely to reject creationism and other scientifically questionable explanations about the world. Importantly, these people didn’t have greater “faith” in science; they just understood better how science works. 4. Awe may decrease materialism A few studies suggest that experiencing awe may dampen feelings of materialism. The experiment with the Eiffel Tower story also found that, when given a hypothetical choice between a material good (such as a $50 backpack) or an experiential product (such as a $50 iTunes gift card), people who read the awe-inspiring story chose the experiential product more often than people in the other group did. In another study, participants who recalled an awe experience placed less value on money than did participants who recalled a happy or neutral experience, and viewing awe-inducing images reduced the effort people were willing to put into getting money (where effort was measured by tolerance for listening to an unpleasant sound). “The latest research suggests that taking the time to experience awe — whether through engaging with nature, enjoying great art or music, or even bingeing on breathtaking YouTube videos — may be a pathway to improving your life and relationships.” Why might awe decrease materialism? According to the researchers, the answer may lie in the self-transcendence that awe can inspire. “People in awe start to appreciate their sense of selfhood as less separate and more interrelated to the larger existence,” they write. “The experience of awe elevates people from their mundane concerns, which are bounded by daily experiences such as the desire for money.” Further evidence for this idea comes from a recent study, suggesting that awe can function as a buffer against negative emotion when you lose material possessions. After time spent marveling at the world around you, misplacing your new sunglasses might not feel so bad. 5. Awe makes you feel smaller and more humble One of the most profound effects of awe is how it can change our perception of ourselves relative to the larger world. In particular, multiple studies have shown that awe can make us feel small, diminished, or insignificant what researchers call the “small self” effect. In one particularly interesting study, researchers asked visitors to Yosemite National Park and Fisherman’s Wharf (a tourist area in San Francisco) about their feelings of awe and other emotions, as well as their sense of self. Tourists at Yosemite reported experiencing significantly more awe, represented their current self with smaller circles (when given a choice of sizes), and drew self-portraits that were nearly 33 per cent smaller than tourists at Fisherman’s Wharf. World of wonder: awe makes us appreciate our place in larger existence Besides making people feel physically smaller, awe may also make people more humble. One recent study found that people who are more naturally prone to experiencing awe felt more humility and were rated as more humble by their friends. Experimentally inducing participants to feel awe led them to acknowledge their strengths and weaknesses in a more balanced way and to better recognize how outside forces contributed to their successes. 6. Awe can make you feel like you have more time Awe may also expand our perception of time. One study found that people induced to feel awe felt less impatient and agreed more strongly with statements suggesting that time is plentiful and expansive than people induced to feel happiness. The researchers speculate that by immersing us in the moment, awe may allow us to savor the here and now. “Awe-eliciting experiences might offer one effective way of alleviating the feeling of time starvation that plagues so many people in modern life,” the researchers write. With more time on their hands, people feeling awe reported a greater willingness to offer that time to others — to volunteer their time, but not their money, to help a charity — compared to people feeling happy. 7. Awe can make you more generous and cooperative In fact, multiple studies have found that experiencing awe may make people more kind and generous. For example, one study found that people with a greater tendency for awe were more generous in laboratory tasks like distributing raffle tickets between themselves and an unknown participant. And people who stood among awe-inspiring eucalyptus trees picked up more pens for an experimenter who had “accidentally” dropped them than people who stared up at a not-so-inspiring large building. “Why might awe decrease materialism? According to the researchers, the answer may lie in the self-transcendence that awe can inspire. 'People in awe start to appreciate their sense of selfhood as less separate and more interrelated to the larger existence.'” Together, these studies suggest that awe may prompt us to help others and to be more generous, perhaps because of the way it encourages us to focus less on ourselves and expands our perception of available time. 8. Awe can make you feel more connected to other people and humanity Awe has an amazing capacity to bring people together. Research suggests that awe helps us feel more connected to the people in our lives and to humanity as a whole. In one study, participants spent time near an awe-inducing Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton or in a regular hallway. When asked to describe themselves, the dinosaur viewers were more likely use universal descriptors (such as “a person” or “an inhabitant of the Earth”) rather than more specific descriptors (such as “tall,” “friendly,” or “a student”) than the other people, suggesting that awe increases our sense that we are part of a greater whole. Water works: wonder and awe connect you to humanity Another study found that people experiencing awe reported feeling more one with their community compared with people feeling neutral (an effect that may only hold for people with high self-esteem). Interestingly, another part of this study found evidence that culture may also influence awe’s effects, leading people from individualistic cultures to feel as if their social network has expanded (they feel closer to more people) and people from collectivistic cultures to feel closer to those already in their network. As a 15-year-old science, awe research is literally in its adolescence. This means that many of the findings discussed in this article are based on very few studies (and thus should be taken with a grain of salt). What researchers don’t know about awe far eclipses what they do know. For example, we don’t know much about how awe affects children throughout development, how awe is related to religious and spiritual experiences, and how awe can be used therapeutically. And researchers are just beginning to explore the neuroscience of awe. But with increasing interest among psychologists and the public in the topic, the future of this research looks bright — maybe even awesome. ● Written by Greater Good Science Center This article originally appeared on Greater Good, the online magazine of the Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkeley. happiness.com is honoured to republish them with the kind permission of the Greater Good Science Center. greatergood.berkeley.edu
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Wow, thanks Joh. I am learning mindfulness and Practicing letting go, and I do meditate. I am much calmer now than I was 8 months ago. I think it's just a build up of emotions and stress, plus regressing back to how I was before I met my wife. I did live with my mum and late stepfather then, due to a lot of factors. Mental health being one of them. I did have many negative influences in my life then, and they started to resurface in the last 18 months as my happiness deteriorated. I think I may need more counseling sessions and to really Express and have a conversation with my mother.
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In connection to my last topic, "To be not neurotypical" I will give you an update. I wrote a blog with over 5000 words and won't translate it manually. This was my first topic: Diagnosis - Dysthymia and APD: what now? sorting and enlightening Important NOTE: I have researched everything to the best of my knowledge and belief and, above all, my own experience has been incorporated. Mental illnesses are as individual as people themselves. I ask you to bear that in mind when reading. I've been reluctant to write a blog about my diagnostic situation lately. The last status for you was that I was looking for a diagnostician. I've written countless emails and also came close to shelling out a lot of money for a private practice. But then a friend came up with “Hey. Look there. Maybe they still have room.” And I also wrote an e-mail there and then waited. A week and I was written to, they called and waited again. Another phone call and then it happened in quick succession. I was immediately given an appointment for the screening and one for the diagnosis and then it was time to wait. I was a total bundle of nerves. As usual for me, I thought everything out. I imagined the worst scenarios. Not about the diagnosis. At least not the actual diagnosis itself. But rather …. that they find nothing and that I remain ignorant. The thought was hell. And at some point the appointment came and unfortunately I had to go there alone, using public transport and was nervous as fuck. And in the end it was all very exhausting. the screening I had to look for the building first. The clinic was huge and the direct route to psychiatric diagnostics was blocked by a construction site (Welcome to Berlin). So I spent 30 minutes looking for it. Luckily I'm so paranoid that I always plan a lot more time for first-time visits. So in the end I was half an hour early. When it was finally my turn, I had to tell almost an hour. And tell. I talked about my childhood, my life, my relationships, jumping back and forth with nervousness. While I lost the thread umpteen times, I watched the psychologist write and write and write and listen. She asked exactly one intermediate question. Then she enlightened me on a thing or two, raised a suspicion that I forgot when I left the room, and basically handed me a laptop on which I had to answer hundreds of questions. The actual screening has started. The questions were strange. Mainly because at first they didn't really match the questions I asked myself. I tried to answer them patiently and then left after three quarters of an hour, totally exhausted. The wait It took 1.5 weeks from the screening to the result. And with each passing day it became somehow harder for me, who is already impatient, to stay patient and strong. Every day I was more exhausted. tired. perplexed? I threw myself into a game, got the job done as best I could, indulged in some beef again. But I wasn't really happy with my overall situation. My husband had to constantly listen to what was going through my head. My friends. Many other people. It helped deflate the head a bit. But the pressure sometimes came back faster than I could talk/write about it. But in the end, and I had to admit it to myself, I had to wait. Whether I like it or not. And then the day came. The diagnosis ... I went with a suspicion (which I will continue to investigate, but only after the move) and this suspicion was ... completely ruled out (I'll get a second opinion there) and I was after I had a few more questions who gave the diagnosis. I suffer from dysthymia (more on that in a moment) and anxious-avoidant personality disorder (AVPD). She tried to explain to me in a very scientific way what it is and my only question was "And this since my earliest childhood?" And she said yes to the dysthymia. My head refused to accept this at first. As I said before, I approached the whole thing with different expectations. After the conversation I went home and talked to my husband. I've exchanged ideas with people a lot and, above all, collected a great deal of information and, now that I've endured the acceptance, I want to start clarifying things immediately. Mainly because I find that important and it also helps me to process things. So let's start with something that hasn't existed since my childhood and that I can even define quite precisely for myself. Avoidant Personality Disorder (APD) Anxious-avoidant personality disorder is characterized primarily by the fact that one feels very inhibited, unattractive and inferior and avoids social contacts for fear of (especially negative) criticism or being ridiculed. They often feel incapable of representing their opinion and very often (as with dysthymia) have the problem that they lose themselves even more in these feelings of incompetence because they feel misunderstood. People with AVPD tend to be quiet and withdrawn, even within groups, and they find it very difficult to say no because it could be interpreted negatively. For people with this diagnosis, social contact is very uncomfortable and eye contact is avoided as much as possible in many cases. When social contacts arise, those affected are usually very careful to keep their distance and tend to torment themselves through the conversation. Above all, they often hold back on the flow of speech in (group) discussions. For me it really depends on the topic. The rest I would say, and I have to admit it to myself, actually fits … like Hati's fist on my eye. Self-assessment APD The origin of an APDcannot be fully deduced. There is a lot of speculation that it can also have genetic causes (which would not surprise me at all). In addition, negative influences play a very important role. But I don't want to rattle down Wikipedia or scientific writings. But one thing in advance: APDoccurs in perhaps one percent of the world population and therefore there is very little therapy evidence. Most therapies manage to bring improvement, but do not really reach a normal level of social skills. Now let's really get to the self-assessment. As a child I liked B. still hugs and physical contact. But that decreased slightly early on because I often felt rejected by my own family. So feelings that I have developed. In the course of my youth, that has already changed. I am still “liked” to go away, e.g. E.g. discos, clubs and such, but with as much freedom as possible for me. In the end I would say that many negative experiences have ensured that the APDhas continued to worsen. It has apparently always been there and would probably be easier to treat if I had been diagnosed as a child. I actually still feel the need to go to a club again. But I hate the crowds that are common in Berlin clubs and I would have to get there drunk to have any "fun". Or I would like to go to a pub or bar again. But the discomfort that this disease brings is like an impassable wall. Movie theater. Cinema always works. I'm someone who distances himself because of this illness. This makes people think I'm arrogant or that I'm talking down to them. Mainly because I often avoid eye contact. But there are other reasons for that. If I do something, I want to do it well. I want to prove to myself and (primarily to others) that I can do things. It's a bit... like a compulsion that you can't escape. Especially at work I was often told (after projects or presentations) that I came across as being condescending. But that is never (!) my intention. And I have often tried to work on it. And now I also know why it never really worked out to work on it. While you can at least try to maintain a certain social level in a normal conversation, it's more difficult (for me) with lectures, because you want to present your work, which you've put a lot of time and effort into, and something switches on in the head around. You get more outspoken and often adopt a tone you don't intend and end up being... the arrogant asshole without even realizing it. I've also forced myself to maintain eye contact for years, no matter how uncomfortable it made me. You know that: "Look at me when I'm talking to you!" And so. In addition, society considers it very impolite not to look the other person in the eye. I don't know why, but Corona made me stop forcing myself. I look at someone for a few seconds and then either look past them or pretend to look for something. Or I would do something “important”. Just so people don't see it as rude. I... just don't like it. In the end, the APDexplains a lot in my life. But how do you explain it to other people? And especially those who come up with sentences like “Just socialize more. You'll get used to it." Corrosive. I hate that. And that in combination with what's coming now, it's like winning the lottery. Only … without a payout. Dysthymia - high-functioning depression Similar to APD, this diagnosis is not very common. Around 1.5% of the world's population are diagnosed with it each year. Approximately 3-15% of this is in the USA alone. Depending on when it is recognized, dysthymia is a largely treatment-resistant psychological disorder. Therapy and medication can bring about an improvement, but this is rarely the case and unfortunately a cure is almost impossible (depending on whether you ask a medical specialist or a homeopath). And the most tragic thing about it: it is chronic. But more on that in a moment. In addition, improvement also depends on when it is diagnosed. It's more successful when it's a kid than it is... my age or even later. The symptoms of dysthymia are seen by those affected as "I'm just like that" and also internalized. Correspondingly, pathways are created in the brain that also store this feeling permanently...? There is also evidence (which unfortunately only takes women into account because the disease occurs more frequently in women than in men) that patients with dysthymia have a different form of certain brain structures than mentally healthy people. In the end that means: an improvement is possible, for a cure I would need a new brain. Exaggerated of course. In the end it's something you live with and have to come to terms with, and you have to appeal to your fellow human beings to accept it. do you know that Especially the bad mood question and that with the smile ensures that at some point it occurs reflexively. You smile because you see someone. You smile because it's expected in certain situations. Similar to eye contact. You force yourself to do it. Dysthymia is... persistent depression. Although it is weaker than most other depressions, the duration is often several years or, in my case... forever. People with dysthymia have very low self-esteem, are often exhausted, have very poor sleep, and very little energy and happiness. Even everyday activities don't make you cheer up or anything. It's like a permanent state of sadness. That would be to put it very simply. Those affected with dysthymia often have the following characteristics (thanks to Psych2Go DE on YT for a simplified explanation in a video) and unfortunately all of them apply to me. I will also explain my behavior on the individual points: Worries about time My husband can sing a song about how often I complain about not having time and how everything I do ends up being a waste of time. This is very pronounced for me and there is very little that I don't see as a waste of time. This blog e.g. B. I claim that with this content I can contribute to the enlightenment of many people. But in general, no matter what I do, I see it as a waste of time. Even sleeping is a waste of time for me. If not the biggest. Self-criticism Affected people criticize EVERYTHING they do. I'm z. B. a person who tries things out. Again and again. But I criticize myself so harshly that I hardly get anything done. Or even finish it. It comes from the feeling of not being good enough. Not being what you hope/expect of yourself. This drives many of those affected to unhealthy limits. I'm actually one of those people who just drop things (fortunately, let me say this). Thinking everything through . I've been told this so many times and I often say it to others. But in my case it is very, very good: I think about something for so long, no matter how useful it is, or not that it robs me of my sleep. For example, when Hati first came here, I panicked myself so much that I imagined myself barricaded in the bedroom even before he arrived. “What if… and then if…”. These are trains of thought that create a vortex that is almost impossible to get out of. Feelings of misunderstanding In the video by Psych2Go DE, this is broken down very much into the illness. But it is actually a general problem for those affected. One often and quickly feels misunderstood or misunderstood. Be it in conversations or in actions. I have that e.g. B. more often at work. I explain my view of something and run into blocks or I am made to understand (perhaps unintentionally) that my thinking is wrong. That makes you withdraw even further at some point. Especially in connection with the APD. But more on that later. The Sea of Sadness As a dysthymic sufferer, you are sad most of the time, or almost always in severe cases. While with most other types of depression you can say "The last time I was sad was every now and then" it's more like saying "I don't remember being happy" with people with dysthymia. For me, since I can't remember either, it's like "The last time I was happy was on ... because." It is a never-ending sadness, sometimes weaker, sometimes stronger. A .. grumpy mood that won't go away no matter what you do. Unhealthy coping Sick people naturally try to come to terms with their lives and their (often still unconscious) illness. Nevertheless, those affected try to switch off their heads somehow. As a result, many sufferers become addicted to alcohol or drugs. I have a disturbed (but not pathologically disturbed) eating behavior during worse phases. So-called overappetite. I want greasy food and that's what I do. Also in the knowledge that I have a bad conscience afterwards because I ate greasy food again. It has become less. But unfortunately I can't turn it off completely. But the opposite can also be the case. underappetite. Some sick people stop eating. This over a long period of time, which can also be very unhealthy and even lead to worse diseases. Of course, there are more unhealthy coping methods. However, I have limited myself to those that are most common or concern me. Unhealthy pastimes For sufferers, activities such as watching series, burying themselves in games seem perfectly normal. Just like all the other points mentioned. After all, they live their lives like everyone else. It is their flight from reality that makes life so difficult for them. And most importantly, they try to escape the disease a little. It may seem unhealthy to others. For those affected, however, it is a means of not falling into even deeper depressions. It was well described in the video: Sick people often feel numb and sometimes as if they don't fit into the world because others don't. Others laugh, rejoice, fall in love. And in the end, only the veil remains for those affected, which makes us sad. Associated with dysthymia, as previously mentioned, are (everything in my case) increased appetite, trouble sleeping, fatigue and low energy, decreased self-confidence, reduced ability to concentrate (which in my case gets worse the less interested I am), and difficulty making decisions and last but not least often long-lasting hopelessness or pessimism. This is normal … I thought. I really thought what I am was normal. My whole life. And so it is with many sufferers. When it comes to depression, people always thought of these classic descriptions. death unhappy. Often with a tendency to suicide. I hadn't expected that my permanently depressed mood would really be a clinical picture. "I am so." I always thought so, and in the end it is. I am like this and in the end I will stay like this. In the end, Roswitha turned out to be a really existing disease without knowing it beforehand. I also found a few sufferers of dysthymia and I wanted to quote you something that I find very … appropriate in retrospect, especially related to Roswitha. “Yeah, absolutely right…. Dysthymia is a real bitch. Because it's always there, but lets you "Somehow, just about, but never fulfilling or even happy." Additionally, this quote also pretty aptly describes what dysthymia is all about. never to be happy. But what is all this together? I tell you. double depression Dysthymia rarely comes alone. It often occurs together with another psychological clinical picture. The interesting thing is, it can be anything. And that's why every dysthymia is somehow unique. There are days in a year when I can't get up. And even if I make it, I'm then e.g. B. glued to the couch. Nothing could make me do anything these days. I feel weak, useless, unable to do anything. Then one speaks of a double depression. The APDcan indeed be episodic and at the end and in connection with the dysthymia can cause a total knockout. There are years when this happens more often and then there are years when it only happens once or maybe twice. This is also a time when one feels infinitely empty. Not the emptiness I usually wish for because my head is overloaded. But an uncomfortable emptiness. Helplessness hits me pretty well, I think. Rarely, at least for me, does it happen that it takes a longer period of time. My husband also struggles a bit with me because I'm generally listless. And I'm always particularly sorry when we then e.g. B. do something, and I'm rather unsympathetic. And I'm always afraid that this will change something. job loss e.g. B., or that my partner(s) turn away from me. It ends up being a flood of all the fears I've talked about before. I also took the trouble once and created a graphic, which was also shown to me in a less beautiful way, to clarify the whole thing for you: thegreen: The line represents the mood of a mentally healthy person. Sometimes you're in a good mood, sometimes you're not. An up and down with no significant peaks down. theRedLine is the average depression, as it is often described. You have a course like that of a mentally healthy person, but it goes down episodically. As mentioned above, these people can often pinpoint when they have been depressed. theblue-turquoiseLine would be a dysthymia sufferer. A permanent gloomy mood with no upward improvement. And thepurpleLine is... Gerry. This is then a double depression as described above. You always move in the depression and fall into a hole episodically, only to end up in the permanent depression again at the end. There's no way straight up. while e.g. B. Jokes ensure that people can be amused by them for a while, it is a little different with dysthymia sufferers (especially from my own experience): I z. B. can laugh me to death. I can find things hilarious. But that doesn't cheer me up at all. I'm back in my gloom within moments of laughter. And from experience I can say... it's hell. This combination also ensures that small changes in familiar situations throw me off track. I have a small example for this: At work, we work with so-called backends. So desktops where we can do many things. Once an input window was moved. To the right edge of the screen. It blew my mind one day (and I tried my best not to show it). And it took me over a week to get used to it. And it was exhausting. And in the end there is no way out. My combination in particular is really … bad (personal feeling). Both are difficult to treat and cannot be cured. This means …. oh I'll get to that later. But please believe me when I say I hit the jackpot. But I'm sure others fare even worse. But there is more. The samples I once got a funny saying in a different context. But I convert it a bit and pass it on to you. “It's like this with the special issues: It's like being in a perfumery. You buy your depression illnesses and get other little problems as samples in the bag.” At the end, the following flows into the dysthymia. I have increased impulsiveness compared to the average human. This ensures, among other things, that I quickly get upset and mentally get up to 180 very quickly. This is (for me) very difficult to control. In addition, it also takes a lot of strength to keep this impulsiveness in check. Especially when I feel misunderstood and people don't make an effort to understand me. I think I've philosophized enough about my fears and even made huge projects out of them, so I'll just skip that part. A great deal of insecurity in social contact is also one of these little tests. There are actually moments for me where I think, “Are you really texting this person? Would she even be interested in a conversation?”. And only digitally. In real life it's even worse. Other problems such as B. understanding other people (especially facial expressions and gestures) are also present. Or the rendering of one's own inner being to third parties. This also applies to communicating in an understandable way. I'm often bold, forward-thinking and, at least I'm often given the feeling, ambiguous. In the end... I could have done without these samples. How does it go from here? After the diagnosis I was advised to see a therapist. With emphasis on the fact that this / r has a license to practice medicine. Funny. I almost had to laugh. It's hard to find therapists at all. Finding a therapist is more like looking for a needle... in 20 haystacks. At least in Berlin. But I know that I won't do that again in Berlin. We have decided to move this year. And I don't want to put myself through the stress of searching and any therapy per se and having to move with me. Afterwards the boys have to do everything themselves because I can't get up. I'm so scared of this exact situation. In addition, it would be pointless to start therapy here and then start all over again in six months. It's already... very stressful. If it was up to me, I would take some time off. Sleep in (although it's a waste of time, I seem to need it). My energy balance is currently absolutely in the basement. It all cost a lot. The dysthymia is already very energy gluttonous (she is an energy whore). The last few weeks have been exhausting. And the last few days have sucked me dry. And I also dedicated myself to the beef and now this blog with thousands of words. I'm just done. But I'll see if I'm more motivated to draw. Because when I was actively drawing, everything was a little better. I'm trying to optimize my setting a bit to counteract the displeasure and my own laziness. I'll definitely see a therapist at some point, but I've planned other paths for now. The positive side of the coin Much of what is bad often comes with a positive side, which comes to light when you network with people who have similar or even deeper problems. Especially with diagnoses. I have a very strong sense of justice (which sometimes kicks a little...too intensely). Discrimination, disadvantage and such are a red rag for me, which I jump at in 99% of all cases. Like an angry bull. I no longer have to be ashamed of being "ungrateful," "rude," or "antisocial." In the end (and while that sounds like a cheap excuse), it's not my fault. And I've now taken two days to understand that. Of course, the shame will never end. But it doesn't have to make me feel any worse than I already feel. I had given the monster a name in my head. Roswitha. And now the monster has a shape too. And that's reassuring. I finally have a tool to educate people who have issues with me. I can say “Hey. This is due to the following reason…”. Of course, that doesn't make things any easier. I will have the same problems and challenges in the future as I do now. But I can work better with it now. And I solidified other choices. Met new ones and I hope my own urge to drift off into doing nothing doesn't get in the way. It has been very… present in recent years. And what is perhaps also important … Due to the illness, of course I (was) the perfect victim of bullying. I was also able to recognize a lot for myself. However, that does not justify bullying. And never will. But... let's be honest: I was easy prey. But still … past contacts First of all: You don't need to have a guilty conscience. You didn't know. I did not know it. Nobody knew. But I can close some "files" now. I've often asked myself why people left my life. Especially the APDexplains a lot. There are two subtypes in the APD. And I've done both. I used to be pliable-exploitable. I felt taken advantage of by others or was even taken advantage of, which explains the current problem. Because I was blind to those signs. I think it has accompanied me for 25 years to belong to exactly this type. By now I would say I've become the "cool-aloof" subtype. I've become very suspicious. Especially if you want things from me. I don't know if it's common to iterate over both subtypes. That's the way it is with me. People (including very important people who I somehow even still miss) have often turned their backs on me because I'm always so negative. Because I tend to look at everything grey-black instead of white. Because I push forward with my negative thoughts. Because people couldn't accept that dark spot called Gerry in their lives anymore. I even understand that now. Although I continue to believe that toxic positivity is a big problem. There are one or two contacts that I think it would be nice to re-establish and maybe people understand that that's who I am and that can't be changed in the blink of an eye, and maybe never. But I don't believe in it. In addition, the wrong people will also feel addressed by it. So if I don't answer you... you don't belong. What doesn't help? Now how do we deal with this? "I'm sorry for you" ... It's allowed. But... it doesn't help. Expressing sympathy when you don't understand something only serves to make you feel better. It doesn't help those affected at all and in the end you feel bad (in my case at least) because you might have even made someone sad. Also, trying to impose things like positivity or hope is totally unhelpful. This combination of diseases almost does not allow you to absorb hope and positivity. Or even perceive. And no matter how hard a person tries to instill confidence in a hopeful future, it's more likely to result in... reducing and ending the conversation, or in the case of sustained PA, the contact. I've always tried to avoid that. So cut off contact. This often took care of itself (see last section). As hard as it sounds: In view of the facts regarding treatability, let alone a cure, there is no hope. Or I don't see them and I can't either. You're welcome to have hope. Nobody forbids you that. But don't force it on me (and possibly other sufferers you meet). This is a waste of time and energy. Mutually. Also, forcing someone to do something (for example, saying that you should seek treatment immediately) is counterproductive. I have my pace. I want to set my own pace. The "readiness" to do something has to come from me. I have to make the decision to start therapy. to practice a sport. to find a hobby. And and and. I must not be denied the right to make my own decisions on this particular issue. And now? I've done a lot now. In recent years I have tackled many things that were put off for years. I've built up a small but fine group of friends. I changed my name. Official with certificate. And now I have a diagnosis. But now... I'm tired. And somehow I have to manage to gather enough energy in my head for what's still to come. The move first. I would like to let myself rest for now. Spending time with my family and friends. The subject itself will come up many more times in these contacts. And I hope that you all understand that. But I don't want to press any further for changes. i need a break I will read more about the two diseases. Educate myself to maybe find ways to explain it more easily. I'll learn to deal with it. And above all, I will try to approach those around me in a reasonable manner in order to explain and clarify this. I have two diseases that cannot be seen. Externally I am healthy (perhaps a bit too fat). Oh well. Except for little things like my acne or my eczema. But you'll never see my head. The chaos. The fears. The perpetual darkness. I will keep getting up. Carry on doing my steps. No matter how many times I fall. I will live with the diseases and continue to fight my life until maybe one day I can't anymore. And I should be aware of that, and so should my family: it can happen at some point. And it's up to my family and friends if they want to continue with me. You see a Gerry who is grumpy. You like (or hate) him. And now you also know that I'm sick. In the head. With ailments that many people think a little sunshine could cure. Or even refuse to accept them. If you have questions: ask. If you want to talk to me about it, talk to me. Thanks. Thank you to everyone who has been there for me so much over the past few weeks. Gerry
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Practicing gratitude is a simple way to deal with bad situations and is scientifically proven to have a positive pay off on your health. Arlo Laibowitz examines the ways to be thankful and the benefits. The benefits of practicing gratitude are many. When we're going through tough times, or don’t feel satisfied with life, it's natural to focus on what we lack and take the things that we do have for granted. That's a missed opportunity. Many studies have shown that one of the keys to living a happy and fulfilled life is gratitude. So, how can we develop a gratitude practice? And what are the advantages of being grateful? What is gratitude? Gratitude is the affirmation of goodness in the world, of the gifts and benefits we receive, and the recognition that the source of this goodness is outside of us. Gratitude allows us to: Celebrate the present. Handle toxic or negative emotions better. Be more resistant to stress. And have a higher sense of self-worth. .embed-container { position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%; height: 0; overflow: hidden; max-width: 100%; } .embed-container iframe, .embed-container object, .embed-container embed { position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; } Gratitude practices and programs One of the leading researchers on gratitude is Robert Emmons. He's developed gratitude programs and practices that centre around: Keeping a gratitude journal of three or five things you're grateful for, and thereby developing a daily gratitude practice. Remembering the bad. To be grateful in the now, it helps to remember hardships you've overcome. Asking yourself three questions. “What have I received from __?”, “What have I given to __?”, and “What troubles and difficulty have I caused?” Learning prayers of gratitude, or looking for secular alternatives to express gratitude for existence on a regular basis. Coming to your senses. Appreciate everything you can see, smell, taste, and hear. Using visual reminders, to help you appreciate what you have. Making a vow to practice gratitude, which could be as simple as a piece of paper saying “I vow to count my blessings each day.” Minding your language. Use words like 'blessing', 'fortune', 'abundance', and so on. Focus on your speech on others instead of yourself. Going through the motions. Doing grateful actions will make you more grateful; smile, say thank you, and write letters of gratitude. Thinking outside the box. Look for new situations and circumstances to feel grateful. On a practical level, your gratitude practice can consist of many things, from writing a handwritten ‘thank you’-letter, to creating an appreciation calendar, saying “I’m grateful” for everything you touch on a given day, calling your parents or children and expressing your appreciation, sharing a positive post of gratitude on social media, or giving your time or money to a cause or charity. Good stuff: be grateful, feel better! What are the benefits of a gratitude practice? The benefits of gratitude practices range from physical benefits, like having a stronger immune system, lower blood pressure, and better sleep, to psychological benefits like higher levels of positivity, more alertness, joy, and pleasure, to social benefits like being more helpful, generous, compassionate, forgiving, and more connected. People who experience the most gratitude (and therefore the positive effects) tend to: Feel a sense of abundance in their lives. Appreciate the contributions of others to their well-being. Recognise and enjoy life's small pleasures. Acknowledge the importance of experiencing and expressing gratitude. In short, developing and maintaining gratitude practices radically transforms your outlook and experience of life. Practice gratitude on a regular basis, and start reaping these benefits for yourself! ● happiness.com | The fine art of being: learn, practise, share Are you a happiness.com member yet? Sign up for free now to enjoy: ■ our happiness magazine with practical life tips ■ share and support in our happiness forum Stress management | Mindfulness | Burnout Written by Arlo Laibowitz Arlo is a filmmaker, artist, lecturer, and intermittent practitioner of metta meditation and morning yoga. When not dreaming about impossible projects and making them happen in the most impractical ways possible, he journals, listens to jazz, or cuddles with his better half.
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For me, this music is a yoga. Music is really the best way to relieve stress, and yoga is a great skill but it's hard to find the right video, but you can easily find it on your mobile so you can try it too.
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I used to be a strong boy who could broke coconut by punch. When I turn 20 (in 2018) from then misery in life started. Middle of 2018 Just finished my diploma engineering degree and it was time for me to start a new life, a new career. But in that time I fell sick so bad for 6 months I couldn't do a thing. Went to few doctors they couldn't help much. Finally found a doctor who could really diagnosed my problem, and it is a bad DNA related rare disease. No I won't die quick but will suffer for rest of my life. Last quarter of 2018 I was getting a little better and felt the same young energy again, I decided to go Russia for higher studies. Did as thought, February 2019 I went to Russia, things were good but for only a little while. I got sick again but this time problem was much worse because I wasn't good at Russian language to explain what was really going on with me and couldn't understand words from my doctor basically lost in translation. I was taking too much pain killer everyday that my condition was getting more bad. Took a leave from university and flee back home for treatment. Good thing I did that if not I could've risk my life. Get treated, get good and get back to Russia again in February 2020. And not long after that corona virus pandemic broke out. I was studying on self finance, but during that time my father's business was at stop, I have a big family so things were little out of control. And things kept getting worse, my father had a brain stroke and got half paralyzed. I was so depressed at that moment I couldn't even came back to see him because of flight restrictions. In August 2020 I quit my studies and came back for good. I stayed almost 18 months in Russia, went to study but couldn't study at all because of all the hardships I was having, wasted time and money. As of today I not fully healthy as I said I'll suffer rest of life, I can't do stressful works, I'm educated enough to do high salary desk jobs either. I'm enduring the pain, the stress but don't know how long I can take it all.
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Im Nisha, I have been part of this forum for a while but never posted. I have just completed my Global Certificate in Happiness Coaching and I thought perfect time to get active on this group. I am an International education consultant, I love travelling and Education so its perfect fit. I also trained in Mindfulness and Happiness ... another of my callings I guess. I feel i am happy and content and love mingling with people all over the world. We have such a rich resources that we should share. Love to chat and let's spread a bit of happiness in this world!