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Category: A Better Way

Why Not Try These? Some Are Safer, Some Are More Beneficial.

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Published on 1 Comment on How Simply Humming Can Reactivate A Crucial Part Of Your Nervous System

While it may not be a miracle cure, recent studies have suggested that simply humming can completely rewire your nervous system by activating the Vagus Nerve, the same nerve often targeted by many different meditation practices

Humming to a song you love is a universally shared joy. Did you know that there’s a scientifically backed reason why humming makes you feel better. Research suggests that three key receptors are at play when you start humming, mainly due to the effect it has on a nerve called the vagus nerve in your internal system.

Generally, the vagus nerve is responsible for regulating your body’s stress response, by lowering your heart rate, improving digestion and promoting feelings of calm. Since chronic stress can dampen the vagus nerve’s ability to do perform this task, we often feel on edge and unable to cope in stressful situations.

One of the ways humming counteracts this is by increasing the amount of nitric oxide being produced in your nasal passages, which acts as a gas transmitter that improves blood flow in your body. As a result, it can lower your blood pressure while sterilizing the air you’re inhaling.…

Published on Leave a comment on 8 Situations In Life Where The Best Thing To Do Is Remain Silent, According To Psychology

Lachlan Brown - Writer and Psychologist

Navigating life is a bit like dancing—it’s all about knowing when to step forward and when to take a step back. Or in some cases, when to stay completely still.

And by ‘still’, I mean silent.

Hi there, I’m Lachlan Brown, a mindfulness enthusiast. I’m here to tell you that sometimes, silence is the most powerful statement you can make.

Psychology says there are certain situations where the wisest course of action is to simply hold your tongue and let silence speak volumes.

Let’s delve into these 8 situations where it’s best to remain silent. 

1) When emotions are running high

We’ve all been there. Tensions are rising, voices escalating, and the air is practically humming with emotion. It’s in these instances that psychology urges us to zip it.

Why, you ask? Well, because as per research, emotional arousal impairs our ability to process information and make balanced decisions.

You see, when we’re heated up, our brain goes into fight or flight mode. We’re more likely to say things we don’t mean or make decisions that we later regret. It’s a primal instinct that doesn’t serve us well in most modern-day scenarios.…

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Published on 3 Comments on Use These 10 Phrases to Disarm a Narcissist – These Should Help

By Sanjana Gupta from Very Well Mind

THIS IS A TRICKY ONE TO DEAL WITH, HOW TO MANAGE WITH THESE PEOPLE, AND THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST POSITIVE and HELPFUL ARTICLES I HAVE FOUND ABOUT THIS NEED, SO I THOUGHT I WOULD POST IT FOR YOU. IT’S ALSO IMPORTANT TO LET YOU KNOW THAT MOST TIMES, A PERSON WHO IS NARCISSISTIC HAS HAD A DIFFICULT UPBRINGING WITH PARENTS WHO WERE ABUSIVE or WHO DID NOT GIVE THEM MUCH ATTENTION; SELDOM SHOWED AFFECTION ETC AND THEY FELT UNIMPORTANT; NOT VALUED and UNLOVED. NARCISSISM IS A DISTORTED WAY THEY COPE WITH BAGGAGE THAT IS LEFT FROM THEIR UPBRINGING. AND IT’S KIND OF LIKE THEIR UNMET NEEDS and  ISSUES WITH THEIR PARENTS ARE DIRECTED TOWARDS YOU. IT'S KIND OF A PERMANENT REACTION TO BAD PARENTING.

RELATING WITH SUCH A PERSON CAN MEAN A VERY STRESSFUL LIFE OR RELATIONSHIP FOR YOU IF YOU DON’T LEARN APPROPRIATE WAYS OF HANDLING THAT. YOU MAY FIND THE STRATEGIES IN THIS ARTICLE BENEFICIAL TO YOUR CAUSE. I HOPE SO!

Interacting with a narcissist can leave you feeling confused, frustrated, angry, upset, and used.1 Whether it’s a friend, family member, colleague, or neighbour, dealing with them can be difficult and leave you drained.…

Published on Leave a comment on How to Stop Negative Thoughts – These Strategies Are Really Helpful

By Arlin Cuncic, MA from Very Well Mind

Negative thoughts can contribute to problems such as social anxiety, depression, stress, and low self-esteem. The key to changing your negative thoughts is to understand how you think now (and the problems that result), then use strategies to change these thoughts or make them have less of an effect.

"Our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors are all linked, so our thoughts impact how we feel and act. So, although we all have unhelpful thoughts from time to time, it’s important to know what to do when they appear so we don’t let them change the course of our day," explains Rachel Goldman, PhD, a psychologist and clinical assistant professor at the NYU School of Medicine.

Therapy can often be helpful for changing negative thoughts, but you can also learn how to change your thought patterns. This article discusses some of the steps you can take to change your negative thoughts. Some of the ways that you can get rid of negative thoughts include:

  1. Using mindfulness to build self-awareness
  2. Identifying negative thoughts
  3. Replacing negative thoughts with more realistic, positive ones
  4. Practicing acceptance rather than trying to avoid or deny negative thoughts
  5. Learning to cope with feedback and criticism
  6. Using a diary to track your thoughts

Combat Negative Thoughts With Mindfulness

Mindfulness has its roots in meditation.…

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Published on 2 Comments on How Clutter Affects Our Health and Is Best Avoided – Some Ways To Improve

THIS POST HAS A BALANCE OF HOW CLUTTER AFFECTS US and POSITIVE APPROACHES AGAINST NEGATIVE MINDSETS THAT CAN HINDER US FROM DECLUTTERING and MAKING PROGRESS WITH THIS STRATEGY.
BE SURE TO SEE THE TWO REALLY HELPFUL VIDEOS ON THIS PAGE. THEY WILL HELP YOU CONSIDERABLY.

How Clutter Can Affect Your Health

Barbara Brody from WebMD

Too Much Stuff

If your closets are bursting or your desk is topped with piles of disorganized papers, you may want to take some steps toward a neater home or workspace. While a bit of chaos might have some upsides -- at least one study suggests that a messy room spurs creativity -- it has many more downsides. It can even be damaging for your physical and mental health.

Mess Equals Stress

When everything is in order, you know exactly where you put your glasses and keys so you can grab them and go on with your day. That saves time and a whole lot of hassle. In one study, women who saw their homes as cluttered had high levels of the stress hormone cortisol throughout the day, while those who described their abode as a well-organized, restful space had lower levels.…

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Published on 3 Comments on Good Healthy Wholesome Oats OR Cheapskate Rip-Off Cereals? What’s Your Choice?

By Janet Vargas - Independent Natural Health Research 30+ Yrs

Like someone so rightly said: Oats are Naturally Processed, Oats are OATS. 100% No Preservatives, No Additives, No Colourings. They are Uncomplicated REAL Food that Nourishes with “NO Extras” Frugal Food, Cheap to Buy!

And you can add whatever you like – you know what’s in there.

So if you’re going to “Cut things on the Budget” don’t downsize on Healthy Nutritious Meals, cut out those Sugar Laden and Artificially Coloured Ultra-Processed devitalised “Cereals” those Con Artists charge you the Earth for instead.

What an Absolute RIP-OFF and you’re taking them home, one after the other, Friends? And half the time, it’s because you weren’t brought up with OATS wonderful Oats OR your Kids have been Targeted by the Cunning guise of those Shrewd Manufacturers. Yes, they deliberately target your Kids with those endless Ads (so many rounds a day/evening) because they Know they will “Nag You” until they get what they want!

Don’t these Cereals cost a fortune Now? And there’s all manner of Packets for the Grown Ups to be irresistibly drawn to as well – specialty lines with “Nut Clusters” in them, and all the rest of it:)

With a Price to Match.…

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Published on 2 Comments on Ways to Fight Sugar Cravings AND Tips To Win Some Victories Over Weight Gain

WHY DO WE CRAVE SUGAR?
There are many reasons why we go for sweet things.

That appetite may be hardwired. "Sweet is the first taste humans prefer from birth," says Christine Gerbstadt, MD. Carbohydrates stimulate the release of the feel-good brain chemical serotonin. Sugar is a carbohydrate, but carbohydrates come in other forms, too, such as whole grains, fruits, and vegetables, which have fiber and nutrients your body needs.

The taste of sugar also releases endorphins that calm and relax us, and offer a natural "high," says Susan Moores, a registered dietitian and nutrition consultant in St. Paul, MN.

Sweets just taste good, too. And that preference gets reinforced when you reward yourself with sweet treats, which can make you crave it even more.

How to Stop Sugar Cravings: Tips to Use Right Now
If you're craving sugar, here are some ways to tame those cravings.

Reach for fruit. Keep fruit handy for when sugar cravings hit. You'll get fiber and nutrients along with some sweetness. And stock up on foods like nuts, seeds, and dried fruits, says certified addiction specialist Judy Chambers. "Have them handy so you reach for them instead of reaching for the old [sugary] something."…

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Published on 2 Comments on The Unexpected Ways Free Outdoor Play Sets Your Child Up for Success

MANY PEOPLE WANT THEIR KIDS TO BE BRAINY OR SUCCESSFUL WHEN THEY GROW UP.
THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE WILL SHOW YOU A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT WAY TO HELP YOUR KIDS THAT HAS BEEN COMPLETELY OVERLOOKED OR EVEN UNDISCOVERED BY MOST PARENTS IN THIS DAY and GENERATION.
I HOPE YOU GIVE IT SOME THOUGHT - IT COULD MAKE A LOT OF DIFFERENCE FOR YOUR CHILDREN. SO MANY PARENTS THESE DAYS, HAVE BEEN BROUGHT UP ON HOURS OF TV ETC AND AN ABSCENCE OF NATURE. IT HAS NOT EVEN BEEN CONSIDERED BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE THAT EXPERIENCE. IF WE DON'T HAVE THAT BACKGROUND TO PASS ON, WE NEED TO LEARN FROM THOSE WHO DO and BRING THEIR KIDS UP THAT WAY. SHALL WE GO?

From Rain Or Shine Mamma

When we think of learning, our mind immediately tends to conjure up images of classrooms, desks and text books. After all, school is the epitome of learning and an institution that most of us send our kids to in order to gain essential skills. But historically speaking, schools are a new phenomenon.

For hundreds of thousands of years, in hunter-gatherer societies, children learned the skills they needed to survive and thrive by playing and exploring on their own.…

Published on Leave a comment on 10 Reasons To Make Reading a Habit For Your Brain And Other Benefits

THIS KEEPS COMING UP IN RESEARCH OVER RECENT MONTHS AND THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST ARTICLES, FROM Jim Kwik - A Brain Trainer to Top Performers. HE IS THE 2rd BRAIN TRAINING GUY WHO HIGHLY RECOMMENDS IT. THE OTHER GUY SAID IT'S THE BEST EXERCISE WE CAN DO FOR OUR BRAIN. IT HAS BEEN REPORTED THAT WALKING BENEFITS OUR BRAIN TOO and SO DOES HANDWRITING!

The digital era has changed the way we read. According to a study from the Pew Research Center, the average American is reading fewer books than they were forty years ago, with only 31% of the population reading at least one book a year. This is a 10% decline in overall reading habits. So, why are people reading less?

It may seem simplistic to say technology, but the availability of social media, streaming apps, and access to the Internet has provided a welcome distraction to many people who are overworked and overwhelmed. And there are plenty of digital resources for anyone to access news, stories, and other reading material that condense the content into bite-sized pieces. Studies show that the average reading time online is approximately 55 seconds, which isn’t nearly long enough to see the amazing brain benefits reading can provide.…

Published on Leave a comment on Morning Exercise Can Improve Decision-Making Across The Day In Over 50s

By Science Daily

Study shows how simple changes to your daily routine is key to good brain health.

A study of older Australians has found a morning bout of moderate-intensity exercise improves cognitive performance like decision-making across the day compared to extended sitting without exercise.

Furthermore, the study showed that a morning bout of exercise combined with brief light-intensity walking breaks to frequently disrupt sitting throughout an 8-hour day can boost your short-term memory compared to uninterrupted sitting, according to the study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.

The 'Brain Breaks' study, led by the Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute and The University of Western Australia, also shows that the distinct responses in cognitive performance to exercise versus exercise and sitting breaks point to different patterns of physical activity being able to enhance distinct aspects of cognition.

The study of more than 65 males and females aged 55 -- 80 years examined the effects of acute morning exercise on a treadmill with and without brief 3 minute walking breaks during an 8-hour day of extended sitting, and assessed aspects of cognition and concentration including psychomotor function; attention; executive function such as decision-making; visual learning and working memory.…