Tag Archive for emotional well-being

Are Emotional Vampires Draining You Dry?

November 15, 2021 John Uncategorized No comments

Those emotional vampires make you want to turn around and run the other way. And their effect can stay with you after they’re gone.

Today GenuLines helps you educate yourself to keep the vampires at bay. 

Are Emotional Vampires Draining You Dry?

The people around us affect our view of the world. And there are plenty of reasons why some people may drain your energy more than others.

An emotional vampire

You could be dealing with a narcissist or someone who complains most of the time.

If an emotional vampire is draining you dry, it’s time to start protecting your energy. Today we look at how to recognize the signs of an emotional vampire, and the best ways to protect your energy.
 

Understanding The Different Types of Emotional Vampires Emotional vampires come in a variety of forms.

They include:

 Victims Narcissists Constant talkers Controllers Drama queens
 
Each type of emotional vampire can leave an effect on you. You feel tired and deflated after being in their company.
 
The victim emotional vampire plays the victim, even when they’re the perpetrator. Narcissists are only interested in their own thoughts and feelings.
 
Constant talkers drain your mental energy.
 
They’re in your midst
Most of us know at least one type of emotional vampire in our lives. Not sure how to identify them?
 
There are a few signs to watch out for…
Tell-Tale Signs You Are Dealing with An Emotional Vampire
The main signs to watch out for include:
 
You feel mentally exhausted after spending time with them. Your depression or anxiety ratchet up.
 
You feel like they’re putting you down. You turn to comfort eating or drinking alcohol after being around them.
Protecting Your Energy
If you are dealing with an emotional vampire, how can you stop them from draining your energy? The good news is there are strategies you can use to deal with them.
 
First, if you can, you should distance yourself from the person. Avoid being around an emotional vampire.
 
Now, this isn’t always possible.
 

To thine own self

If you can’t distance yourself, make sure you’re practicing self-care. Taking care of yourself will allow you to feel more confident to set healthy boundaries.

 You’ll be more assertive and protective of your time.
 
So, if you don’t already, set aside time every day to focus on yourself. Take care of your own needs first.
 
Then watch how your energy and tolerance changes for negative people.
 
Getting help
If you’re struggling to handle an emotional vampire in your life, you can also turn to therapy. Seeking help from a professional will enable you to understand why you can’t deal with the problem.
 
And you’ll learn about solutions that can help.
 
Emotional vampires are everywhere today. It isn’t always possible to get away from them immediately.
 
But there are things you can do in the meantime to protect yourself and your energy.
 
JohnK 11-15-2021
 
stick figure hears emotional messageOverheard: “Genius is the ability to renew one’s emotions in daily experience”. 
                             ~Paul Cezanne
 
 
 
 
 
disclaimer for emotional vampires

Depression And The Use of Natural Remedies

May 13, 2020 John Uncategorized No comments

Is it depression? I mean, I’m sad, feeling out of sorts, a bit blue, kind of detached.

When these are persistent rather than passing moods there’s a problem. GenuLines looks at some ways to deal with those feelings before they reach the problem stage.

microphone speaking against depression

 

 

 

 

Depression And The Use of Natural Remedies

Clinical depression. It can affect your physical health.
 
And your ability to perform regular daily activities.
 
It can lead to suicidal thoughts, and if untreated to self-destructive tendencies.
 
 
Depression help list
 
There are lots of possible lead-ups to depression. It can be a nutritional deficiency. Or, with seasonal pattern depression, it’s lack of sunlight.
 
A doctor or therapist may suggest things like lifestyle changes or dietary adjustments.
 
Extreme cases may call for prescription medications.
 
Of course, you want to follow doctors’ orders. But you can be proactive in your treatment. That means using various natural remedies on a day-to-day basis.

Your Options In Natural Remedies For Depression

• Increase physical activity. Exercise relieves symptoms of depression. And it eases stress, which can contribute to depression.
 
Exercise releases the body’s endorphins. These diminish the perception of pain and act as a sedative.
 
Exercise is a natural mood elevator.
 
• Eat well. Poor nutrition can trigger depressive symptoms in some people.
 
Lab testing can check for hormonal imbalances and nutritional deficiencies. Especially in one or more of the B-Vitamins, Calcium, Magnesium, and Vitamin D.
 
Thyroid imbalance is important. The thyroid releases hormones, which regulate the whole metabolism.

Consider:

• Asking your doctor about herbal supplements. An herb commonly recommended for the treatment of depression is St. John’s Wort.
 
It seems to be most effective when used to treat mild to moderate cases. Saffron also shows promise as a treatment.
 
But saffron can cause notable side effects in high doses.
 
Herbal supplements are best used under the supervision of a health care practitioner.
 
They can interact with other medications. And they may have negative side effects for some people.
 
To ward off symptoms of depression 
• Establish healthy sleep patterns. The quantity and quality of your sleep impacts your health and mental state.
 
Get enough sleep and complete a full sleep cycle. (sleep without interruption)
 
• Stay engaged in daily activities and set goals. Depression has physical components, though it’s considered a mental illness.
 
Engage your mind. Stick to a daily routine of activities and set small goals.
 
This counters the negative self-talk and helps keep you from “getting down on yourself.”
 
• Consider mind-body connection practices. Yoga, Tai Chi, Meditation, Biofeedback, Aromatherapy, Acupuncture, and other alternative therapies.
 
They can relieve depression symptoms. They also help with fatigue, anxiety and scattered thinking.

Conclusion

Many people live with mild to severe depression without seeking medical help. People in depressive states no longer need to suffer with the illness.
 
There are many treatment options. Depression can be managed and in some cases alleviated.
 
Early diagnosis and treatment can have a positive impact on your physical health. The same goes for your relationships.
 

To Learn More: Call the NDMDA (National Depressive Manic-Depressive Association) Depression Hotline – Support Group (800) 826-3632 for help.

JohnK 5-13-2020
 
stick figure man hears about depressionOverheard: “If you are depressed, you are living in the past. If you are anxious, you are living in the future. If you are at peace you are living in the present.”
                                                         ~Lao Tzu
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
disclaimer for depression

Possessions: Do They Have a Hold On Your Life?

October 29, 2019 John Uncategorized No comments
Collecting possessions is a part of life. It’s hard to deny.
 
Or, avoid for that matter.
 
GenuLines invites you to read on and to gauge the importance of your possessions.
 
 
Banner about possessions
 

Possessions: Do They Have a Hold On Your Life?

You spend a good chunk of your time protecting your possessions. You worked hard for them, so you want to make sure no one takes them from you.
 
picture of possessionsThe problem is, you may be putting too much emphasis on them.
 
Consider that when you take your last breath those articles are no longer yours.
 
 
 
So you could say they never really belonged to you anyway.
 
You may be thinking of passing on your possessions to your offspring. But consider the cost of acquiring those material items.
 
And I’m not just talking about financial costs.
 
Ask yourself if you’re stepping on other peoples’ toes while chasing those things. Your relationships are much more important than your possessions.
 
Suppose you somehow lost some material item you valued.
 
Let’s say you misplaced it, or it was stolen. Most likely you can replace it.
 
Inconvenient? Yes. But it’s not the end of the world.
 
The death of a family member is something else again. Don’t take loved ones for granted.
 
The memories they give you are possessions of the priceless type.
 
There are other ways to lose those close to you. Your busy work schedule can alienate family members.
 
Your spouse may decide to move on. And your kids may grow to resent you.
 
Focusing on material possessions can affect your friendships, too. Many of these friendships took a long time to develop.
 
But, you can lose them in no time if you prioritize your possessions.
 
Your attitude about money calls for the same kind of mindfulness. But, you don’t want to make it your life’s purpose
 
You can always make money somehow.
 
Friendships? Not always the case.
 
If you find you’re too focused on obtaining money and possessions, take a step back. Think about what your family and friends mean to you.
 
You’ll find they’re priceless.
 
JohnK 10-29-2019
 
stick figure talking about possessionsOverheard:  “An object in possession seldom retains the same charms which it had when it was longed for”

                                            ~Pliny The Younger

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Image by C.M. Zijderveld from Pixabay

 
 
 
 
 
disclaimer to describe possessions

Adversity And Life Coaches: Should You Buy In?

October 22, 2019 John Uncategorized No comments
At certain times in your life, you find yourself weighed down by adversity. You wouldn’t mind having another “hand on the wheel.”
 
GenuLines looks at life coaches and whether one is right for you.
 
Banner to face adversity
 

Adversity And Life Coaches: Should You Buy In?

Good life coaches work to help you with various aspects of your life. They can show you the parts that are holding you back.
 
fighting adversityThey can also help you when you face adversity. And they can give you the guidance you need to help you pick up the pieces and get back on track.
 
They may start by teaching you to be positive. Techniques can include affirmations to retrain your brain to think positive thoughts.
 
 
 
That’s one of the biggest means to deal with adverse situations. Positivity won’t shield you from hard times, but it will help you focus on what’s important.
 
You need to practice these affirmations for them to be effective. It’s not a casual exercise that you do whenever the mood strikes.
 
Make it a daily habit. Your mentor will know if you’re not practicing them.
Prepare for the truth
The truth hurts, but it may be what you need to get through your situation. You’ll hear it when you get caught up in blaming others and not taking responsibility.
 
A good coach will present it in such a way that you’ll come to the conclusions yourself. And that makes it easier for you to accept and counter the action.
 
Don’t be quick to blame the life coach if things don’t work out (This assumes you chose a qualified coach)
 
It’s not difficult to find a good coach if you take the right steps. Check the internet.
 
Do a bit of digging to learn about each coach’s background. Coaches are going to encourage you to step outside your comfort zone.
 
Most coaches will use this to help clients break away from bad habits and form new ones.
 
It’s called a comfort zone for a reason. It will be awkward, and at times, you may get angry at their suggestions.
 
One thing to keep in mind. If your adversity was born out of trauma a life coach may not be a good idea.
 
If this is the case, seek out a qualified professional.
 
Your life coach is still an option for working with with other aspects of your development.
 
JohnK 10-22-2019
 
stick man working through adversityOverheard: “There is no education like adversity”
                                 ~Benjamin Disraeli
 
 
 
 
 
 

Image by mohamed Hassan from Pixabay

 
 
disclaimer to help you through adversity
 
 

Let Your Daily Routine Move You Toward Success

May 28, 2019 John Uncategorized No comments
Spontaneity is a lot more fun than routine. It helps to mix things up and keeps life interesting.
 
But too much spontaneity can lead to an unstructured way of life. Some people love that, but most find would find that difficult to maintain.
 
Today GenuLines asks you to take a look at or set up your daily routine.
 
 
call to action for routine

 

Setting Your Daily Routine

For starters, enough sleep is important for proper function. If you don’t have a routine, it’s not likely you will get the right amount of sleep every night.
 
a boy's sleeping routine

Your body needs to have its internal clock set to the same sleep habits.
 
What if you don’t have those things in place? You might find it difficult to go to sleep at night.
 
Or you’ll wake up from time to time during the night.
 
 
 
To help you get to sleep faster, make sure you go to bed at the same time every night and get up at the same time in the morning. Try to avoid drinking too much alcohol as this will disrupt your sleep.
 
You may fall asleep easier, but you will not go into a deep sleep. That deep sleep interrupts your internal rhythm, and you may not be able to fall back to sleep.
 
Snoozing over screening
Try to limit the use of electronic devices before you go to bed. Studies tell us devices such as laptops and tablets stimulate your visual senses. This makes it tougher to sleep.
 
You should have a routine for your diet, too. If you don’t set up the right diet and eat at the same time daily, you will likely have digestion issues.
 
Your erratic schedule has a downside, too. That’s because your body’s inability to regulate can cause weight gain issues.
 
An article about routines would be incomplete if it didn’t cover getting exercise. Exercise is also the one element where many people have a problem being consistent.
 
But a routine here can be a stress-buster. And it can bring better sleep.
 
You don’t have to incorporate intense exercise. Take a daily or every other day walk.
 
Then you can check off a big part of your exercise need.
 
Find the routines that work for you, and work hard to stick with them. Routines are habits, and it takes some effort to develop habits to the point where you don’t even think about them.
 
There’s room for some spontaneous activity, which everyone needs once-in-a-while. Don’t try to make major changes all at once.
 
Small changes are best since it’s easier to succeed with them.
 
JohnK 5-28-2019
 
 
stickman looking for routineOverheard: “The only routine with me is no routine at all”:   
                                      ~Jackie Kennedy
 
 
 
 
disclaimer for routine
 
 
 

Stop Relying Too Much on Others

May 21, 2019 John Uncategorized No comments

If you have difficulty trusting yourself, you may be too dependent on others. The situation can grow and you become dependent on more and more people.

GenuLines knows that can present problems when called upon to handle situations on your own, so read for some helpful ideas. 

call to action for others

Stop Relying Too Much on Others

Have you ever let someone else take over a part of your job? You may feel relief when this happens.

But you could be setting yourself up for future failure. The reason this happens is that you didn’t trust that you could do the job yourself.

 

character explaining to others

 

In the above scenario, you’re taking on something outside of your comfort zone. It may be that your boss wants to test how you will handle a new situation.

He or she gives you an assignment knowing that you have never dealt with it before.

It’s natural to ask others for help when you find yourself in unfamiliar territory. There’s nothing wrong with doing this.

But there’s little growth in letting others solve problems for you. You won’t develop the self-trust for handling new situations.

And your manager will see that you, for the most part, passed the assignment to someone else.

Positivity helps
Face your new challenges with positivity. Be willing to make an attempt even if you make mistakes.

The mistakes are the tools for you to learn. When you do make those mistakes, ask what you did wrong.

Over time, those mistakes will get less and less, and you’ll begin to trust that you can handle the situations.

There’s a subtle result of trying something new. You’ll prove that you can handle new tasks and develop new skills.

That’s enlightening and it’s a big factor in developing trust in yourself.

Every skill you are now good at and find easy you probably struggled with at the start. If you keep this in mind, you will give yourself over to trusting that you can handle anything that comes your way.

You’ll need less reliance on others. But you still should ask questions when you are unsure about something.

That’s another part of learning.

Some people may give you a hard time because it’s inconvenient. But, you’ll find most people want to help you succeed.

It helps them when you get up to speed with new skills.

JohnK 5-21-2019
chiforyourself.com home

stickman listening to othersOverheard: “Trust but verify”
                           ~Ronald Reagan

 

 

 

 

disclaimer for others

 

 

Show Others How to Appreciate the Small Things

May 7, 2019 John Uncategorized No comments
Life gives us lots to appreciate. People who forget that can become bitter over time.
 
But you can set an example for them. Today GenuLines looks at some ways to do it.
 
call to content you'll appreciate
 

Show Others How to Appreciate the Small Things

Your gratitude for life’s gifts can help you show others how to do the same. You don’t have to go overboard.
 
sign you can appreciateYou can make occasional references to how you enjoy your life and give reasons why. Relate experiences about your weekend to your colleagues.
 
Then tell why you appreciate them.
 
Stay as positive as you can, even if the bitter people are negative. That’s not easy since negative people can sour the moods of the people around them.
 
 
***
 

 

But, your positive outlook can cancel out that negative behavior.
 
People appreciate listeners
They haven’t been able to get their problems off their chest. These problems often build, which stokes their bitterness.
 
They feel as though no one is listening and no one cares about them. But playing the role of advisor can be the wrong tactic to use.
 
Be a listener. It’ll make a world of difference.
 
Invite them to events after work. Understand that it may take some time before they say yes to your invitations.
 
Bitter people often become reclusive. Keep inviting them, and over time you may break down their barriers.
 
Don’t pressure them. That will make them more reclusive.
 
Talk activities
Get them talking about their hobbies or their favorite sports. Even if they aren’t active in these events, ask about past experiences.
 
When they start talking it may re-ignite a spark. That can be a great starting point in helping them get through their issues.
 
Some people will never let down their guard, and that’s unfortunate. They’ve stopped living life, and they don’t appreciate any aspect of it.
 
But there’s hope for some. Even changing one life is a force for good.
 
They’ll become more pleasant to be around. And they may get to the point where they’ll help others who’ve lost their way.
 
JohnK 5-7-2019
 
 
stickman who apreciatesOverheard: When the crowd appreciates you, it encourages you to be a little more daring, I think.
                               ~ Julius Erving
 
 
 
 
 
***Photo by MARK ADRIANE on Unsplash
 
 
 
 
disclaimer for adversity
 
 

Complainers Can Learn to Appreciate Small Things

April 2, 2019 John Uncategorized No comments
Complainers complain. It’s what they do. Are you dealing with such a person? If you are, consider the points in this GenuLines post and apply them to your situation.
 
banner helps complainers
 

Complainers Can Learn to Appreciate Small Things

 
woman complainingDo you know a chronic complainer? Someone who never seems to be happy about anything.
 
They find everything wrong with what others do. If there’s a new idea, they’ll knock it down.
 
They’re also the type of person who will interrupt others to make their point. They’ll do that because they know best.
 
 
 
But at some point, people start to ignore them. And they’re high on the list if cutbacks should ever hit the company, too.
 
Complainers have forgotten how to appreciate the small things in life.
 
They don’t realize that it’s difficult to get a new job and it takes much more time than it used to.
 
They don’t appreciate that they have a job.
 
Sometimes, chronic complaining can be a result of complacency. Since no one is listening to what the person says, it’s just easier to complain.
 
No company or situation is perfect, and sometimes it’s best when problems are out in the open. But there is a time and place for complaints and a correct way to air them.
 
If you have to complain offer up several solutions to the problem. That’s a productive use of complaining energy.
 
Call it problem recognition with applicable solutions.
 
There’s a critical difference between you and a chronic complainer. You appreciate your job or your situation.
Help the complainer
If you want to help a chronic complainer, point out the problem using a subtle approach. Instead of telling the person they complain too much, show them how to be grateful for the little things in life.
 
Remind them that you feel appreciative of the fact you have a job, etc.
 
Relate a story- may be about how your last job search was difficult. It took you months, and it made you realize that jobs are not easy to find.
 
Also, talk about how you appreciate your home life and your family and what it means to you. That’s a subtle approach.
 
The person may start to understand there is much to appreciate in everyday life. You can show that complaining is ineffective and may lead to problems down the road.
 
Aim to get friends and colleagues to relate to the same gratitude for work and family.
 
The chronic complainer may start to see it pays to be appreciative.
 
JohnK 4-2-2019
 
 
stick figure hears complainersOverheard: “Instead of complaining that the rosebush is full of thorns, be happy that the thorn bush has roses.”
                               ~Proverb
 
 
 
 
 
disclaimer for complainers
 
 
 
 

Your Routine: Good, Bad, or In Need of a Tuneup?

March 19, 2019 John Uncategorized No comments
We’re talking routine today. If yours is working for you, way to go!
 
If not, GenuLines is here to help you power up your routine 
 
 
call for a routine
 

Your Routine: Good, Bad, or In Need of a Tuneup?

Routines are neither good nor bad. It all depends on the context by which you apply them.
 
symbol for routineIf your routines are making you crazy, or have you in a rut, it may be time for you to break away from them, at least temporarily. Then again, if you don’t have some structure in your life, routines may be what you need.
 
If you’re feeling like you’re in a rut, consider going on a vacation. This can be a great way to reset the ordinary.
 
 
It can also lead to meeting new people or opening up opportunities. How many stories have you heard of people going on vacation and falling in love with the place they visited?
 
But keep in mind that making the new place your home can result in still more routine. Another way to shake things up is to join a club that you wouldn’t otherwise join.
 
For instance, if you never tried a certain type of craft, join a local club where you can learn all about that craft. Or, join a group that plays music together.
 
You may have to learn an instrument or try out with the group as the singer. No matter what the activity, try doing it in a different way.
 
If your life is a bit unstructured, and this isn’t working for you, try to introduce some routine into your days. This could be as simple as creating a to-do list.
 
And you might want to find someone who can hold you accountable to the routine. People form accountability partnerships for this purpose.
 
You can hold your partner accountable for reaching their outcomes.
 
Many people find having a mix of routine and spontaneity works best for them. Doing something spontaneous helps to break up the routine before the people get into a rut.
 
Getting back to those routines after taking a break will restore order in their lives. This isn’t necessarily the way everyone will work best, though it’s worth a try.
 
Make sure you give yourself some time before writing this off.
 
Only you can decide whether you need to incorporate a routine or if you have too much routine in your life.
 
Remember, you’re the only one who can determine if you need to do a mix of routine and spontaneous action.
 
JohnK 3-19-2019
 
 
 
stick figure shows routineOverheard: “It’s a hard thing to leave any deeply routine life, even if you hate it”
                                 ~John Steinbeck
 

 

 

disclaimer for routine

Self-Doubt And What You Can Do About It

March 5, 2019 John Uncategorized No comments
Have you ever wrestled with self-doubt? That might seem like a silly question.
 
Most people doubt themselves at some point in their lives. Scroll down for some good words from GenuLines on dealing with self-doubt.
 
Call to self-doubt action
 

Self-Doubt And What You Can Do About It

 
Why do people engage in self-doubt? The reason is that it’s easier to doubt yourself than it is to believe that something is possible.
 
ape with self-doubtYou may believe in your concept, but it’s something that hasn’t materialized yet. It’s unfamiliar territory for you.
 
Our protection mechanisms tell us to reach for something that’s familiar. We use this as a reason to quit.
 
The unknown also helps us to come up with excuses. It’s easy to say it won’t work because, and then insert whatever reason can set your mind at ease.
 
 
You can even find help from others in coming up with excuses. They have plenty of them for you to choose from.
 
If they didn’t, they would be succeeding at their goals.
 
A survival mechanism
Sometimes self-doubt can help us survive. For instance, someone tells you that you can jump off a cliff and survive.
 
Your self-doubt probably jumps in and tells you this is a bad idea. Self-doubt can sometimes keep you from making bad financial decisions.
 
This might be an opportunity that sounds too good to be true.
 
In most cases, self-doubt is not something that will advance your life. It will hold you back, and you need always to be aware of that.
 
Don’t take the easy way out. Do prepare yourself as much as possible for unfamiliar situations.
 
But, go forward with a strong belief that you can complete what you set out to do.
 
Try to structure your life so that you have more positive than negative energy. Flush out as much negative energy as possible.
 
Use affirmations, support groups, or whatever works for you.
 
Negative energy is what self-doubt is all about. Two forces are opposing each other.
 
If you have 100% negative energy that means you have 0% positive energy. Try to tip the scale toward as much positivity as possible and push away the negativity.
 
No shortage of negative energy
It’s unlikely that you can ever have 100% positive energy. But, you can work towards exposing yourself to positive energy.
 
You can stop listening to or reading the news, and you can reduce your exposure to negative people. Positive people do exist.
 
You just need to find them.
 
JohnK 3-5-2019
 
 
 
stickman with self-doubtOverheard: “Every time I start a picture I feel the same fear, the same self-doubts, and I have only one source on which I can draw. Because it comes from within me”
                                                  ~ Federico Fellini
 
 
 
Photo by Paolo Nicolello on Unsplash
 
 
disclaimer for SELF-DOUBT
 
 
 
 
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