bad feelings

Tag Archive for bad feelings

Become a “Turnaround Factory” for Negative Thinking

May 14, 2019 John Uncategorized No comments

Negative images bombard your life. They’re all over the television news and your favorite TV shows.

You see it online, at work and even at home. But, GenuLines suggests some out of the box thinking to turn things around

Become a “Turnaround Factory” for Negative Thinking

What if you could picture your brain as a factory? One that takes in negative thinking and processes it to churn out positive thoughts.

Seems a bit odd since, of course, you’re not a factory. But, if you can think in these terms, you may be able to combat negative thinking.

Switching to factory status means you need to stop overreacting to what people say. When someone says something you don’t agree with, take a moment to consider what they’re saying.

When you get annoyed at others, you stop listening to them and only want to get your point across. You want to prove why they’re wrong.

Instead, after he or she speaks, take a moment and consider what the message is.

The next step is to try and see the other person’s point of view. If you have a difficult time doing this, calmly ask questions of the person making the statement.

You can say that you don’t understand the reason for the statement and would like to know more about why they said it.

You don’t have to agree with the other person, even after you start to process what they say. But, the act of listening and considering their point of view will transform you.

You may start to challenge your belief system. Sometimes you can get so focused on a belief, even when the reason why you feel that way has changed.

When you start to question your beliefs, you’ll be more open in considering what others have to say. The process will help you turn negative thoughts into positive ones.

Negative thoughts seldom lead to believing in oneself. You will end up challenging what everyone says as wrong if they don’t agree with your way of thinking.

You’ll become bitter towards others and at some point towards yourself. You won’t believe that anything is possible because you shoot down every suggestion.

This type of thinking doesn’t make people happy.

When you start to open yourself to others, you will learn more and be accepting of different beliefs. You’ll become enlightened when this happens.

JohnK 5-14-2019

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Overheard: ” Negativity can only feed on negativity”

~ Elisabeth Kübler-Ross

Appreciate The Small Things and Find Contentment

February 26, 2019 John Uncategorized No comments

Appreciate the small stuff and you’ll be happy. You hear it enough.

But what is happiness anyway?

Today GenuLines looks at appreciation and its “kissin’ cousin”, contentment.

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Appreciate The Small Things and Find Contentment

Most emotions are transitional, meaning you’re never in one state for long periods. People who are considered upbeat will have moments of sadness or depression.

Even depressed people aren’t depressed all the time. They have moments of happiness, too.

Think about a major event such as a war. When two countries are fighting, both sides lose lives.

It’s bloody, and it can last for years. But, when the war is over, the countries are euphoric.

There will be no more bloodshed because of the war, and people can return to their homes. But, nothing that has changed in the world except that the war has ended.

In other words, the sun still sets each day. People still have to manage their lives.

The euphoria from the war ending doesn’t last long. Months later, the war is still over, but the euphoria has died down.

Same goes for sickness

The same is true in a smaller way when you have a bad sickness. For instance, suppose you have a stomach bug that leaves you uncomfortable and in pain.

When the bug passes you feel fine. But you don’t feel any better than you did when you weren’t experiencing the bug.

It’s relative to the bad feelings. That’s how emotional states work.

They go from one to the other on a constant basis.

Appreciating the small things in life may lead to happiness. But, it’s likely you’re content more than you are happy.

Contentment can almost be thought of as a neutral state, leaning toward the happy side. There’s nothing wrong when you’re content.

But, there also isn’t anything that is making you overly happy.

Striving for happiness can be stressful. You might want to shoot for contentment instead.

Contentment is likely to find you when you appreciate small aspects of your life.

And it comes without the hassle of working hard toward happiness.

If you spend most of your life being content you’re doing something right. Think about all the people you love and what you have, such as your health and a good job, etc.

If you try to imagine life without them, you will truly appreciate your contentment. That thought may even make you happy for a short period.

JohnK 2-26-2019
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Overheard: “My crown is called content, a crown that seldom kings enjoy”
~William Shakespeare

Photo by Belinda Fewings on Unsplash

6 Life Hacks For Better Aging

October 9, 2018 John Uncategorized No comments

As we age, we look for things we can do to prevent wrinkles, diseases, and cognitive function. The good news is that there are hundreds of things that you can do to help you age

in the best way possible.

GenuLines looks at six life hacks you can apply to your life today to help you age better.

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1 – Stay Active:

It’s no secret that as you age your metabolism slows down. Getting at least thirty minutes of activity a day increases your metabolism. But can also help to increase bone density, putting you at a lower risk of bone injuries as you age.

2 – Invest In Large Sunglasses:

The skin around your eyes is the most delicate and thin skin you own. It’s also the place where wrinkles tend to appear first.

By wearing over-sized sunglasses you’re preventing sun damage from occurring around your eyes. And you’re also squinting less.

You’ll have fewer eye wrinkles as well as fewer forehead wrinkles.

3 – Make Time For Your Friends:

Often your schedule can be so hectic that you neglect to make time for a social life. But having a social life can help you age better in many ways.

Most important is lowering your stress level. Studies have shown that stress damages your skin cells, causing premature lines.

Stress can also lower your immune system, making it more likely you’ll become ill. As a bonus, making time for your friends also means that you’re more active both physically and mentally.

4 – Take Fish Oil:

Fish oil is high in omega-3 fatty acids. An Ohio State University study found Omega 3’s are good for joints, eyesight, and hair growth.

They make skin supple. And they improve your heart and immune functions.

If fish oil isn’t for you, you can also increase your intake of seeds, nuts, sardines, or salmon.

5 – Keep Your Diet Colorful:

There are foods that speed up the aging process. What you may not know is that there are also some foods that can do the opposite.

The list includes kale, broccoli, blueberries, strawberries, oranges, and plums. All are rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that can promote healthy aging.

(***Some of these nutrients include alpha lipoic acid, carotenoids- including vitamin A, ß-carotene, lycopene, astaxanthin, and retinol- CoQ10, glutathione, polyphenols, and vitamins C, D, and E)

6 – Change Your Opinion Of Old:

This one’s my personal favorite. There is no formal definition of what old means.

The word can have many different meanings depending on the context.

Don’t degrade yourself by talking about your “senior moments” or the things you can no longer do. Having a positive attitude and a good mental outlook is half the battle.

When you tell yourself that you’re old and can’t do things, it becomes the truth. Instead, focus on all the things you can do.

And though it’s a cliche’, age IS only a number.

In today’s busy society we tend to forget to take care of ourselves. We ignore our own needs because we’re so busy taking care of everyone else.

Make yourself a priority. For now, begin implementing at least one of the above suggestions.

Practice and stick to these six. Make them part of your normal routine.

Take care of yourself now so you can ensure that you’ll age in a positive way.

JohnK 10-9-2018

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Overheard: “I suppose real old age begins when one looks backward rather than forward.”

~ Mary Sarton

* Photo by Matthew Bennett on Unsplash

You’re Eating Too Much- What Do You Do?

October 4, 2018 John Uncategorized No comments

Eating is a fundamental pillar of life. Most of us enjoy it, especially when we’re having some great tasting food!

But, smart eating is part of a conscious lifestyle. This GenuLines post will help you stay on track with your dietary habits.

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ARTICLE

We don’t always have the best sense of when to stop eating. We have access to not only good-tasting food but food in immense quantities.

It’s easy to poke fun at humorous situations such as Homer Simpson eating until he can’t move a muscle. But in reality, we’re blind to the consequences of eating too much.

These can range from a simple mild stomach ache in the short term to more serious health risks. Think chronic obesity and its connection to cardiovascular disease or diabetes.

Overeating doesn’t have to be as dramatic as eating until our pants are about to burst. It can be eating more than we need in one sitting.

Or eating until we’re full rather than until we get enough nutrients.

We don’t have the natural constraints our ancestors did to prevent us from over-eating. In evolutionary terms, most humans couldn’t over-eat.

Large-scale agriculture and food processing generally weren’t available until more recent times. Today most humans (Americans for sure) have access to more convenience food than ever.

So, what drives us to eat more than we need?

We have lots of information. We can learn to eat only as much as we need.

Why don’t we?

One key insight is the emotional connection to food many people have. Research has shown that overeating follows bouts of sadness, depression.

It can also come during struggles with our issues.

The Journal of Adolescent Health studied the eating habits of young people. The participants developed disorders like binge eating.

The study’s main result: “it’s important to consider depressive symptoms in overeating.”

We can keep track of our reasons for eating. Are we eating because we’re hungry, or because we’re wrestling with emotional issues?

Another consideration is symptoms of hypoglycemia or low blood sugar.

A Medical University of Warsaw article looked at hypoglycemic symptoms. It found that people might eat more as a way of satisfying urges to increase insulin.

So it’s important to eat sweets in moderation as a way of limiting consumption in general.

Finally, there is no better warning system than our own bodies. Excessive constipation, blockage, bloating, vomiting or stomach aches tell us we’ve had enough.

Add to that list our constant need for laxatives or antacids. Our level of energy and mental alertness are signs, too.

We all enjoy a nicely cooked meal or tasty snacks. But in biological terms, food is simply fuel. It’s the fuel our bodies consume and turn into energy.

Just know that we can bog down our systems with excess fuel or fuel of poor quality- aka junk food.

Our energy level drops. We feel sluggish and less alert. These are signs of an overloaded digestion system.

Final Thoughts

It’s a no-brainer to say that we love food, but how much is enough? Our bodies brains and emotions hold up the stop signs.

Being mindful of our current state can help us avoid the pitfalls. The signs are there and our brains and bodies are telling us.

We just have to listen!

JohnK 10-4-2018

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Overheard: “I lurched away from the table after a few hours feeling like Elvis in Vegas – fat, drugged, and completely out of it.”

~Anthony Bourdain

Junk Food: Is It Food or Just Junk?

September 27, 2018 John Uncategorized No comments

We hear the words junk food all the time. What is it, exactly?

Today GenuLines goes beyond the convenience food names and the fast food menu items. We’ll look at content, and what goes into your body when you get that “quick bite to eat.”

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ARTICLE

Here are some things to consider if junk food products are a staple of your diet:

They’re Loaded With Sodium

Much of the sodium we consume each day doesn’t come from real whole food. Instead, it comes from the processed foods that we consume every day.

There are so many foods that contain excessive sodium that you’re unlikely to realize it. For example, you may not have a natural liking for such “salty foods”, but you love sweets.

That soda you’re consuming is also loaded with a sodium derivative, even though you can’t taste it. Such are the hidden dangers of processed food.

They’re Heavy On Simple Sugars

If you rely on processed foods for “nourishment”, you aren’t really getting it. You may notice that while using junk for sustenance, you tend to get constipated.

That’s due to lack of complex carbs and fiber. Simple carbohydrates enter the bloodstream and are quickly absorbed.

This disrupts blood sugar levels. Natural foods consist of more complex carbs.

And the fiber they contain help promote digestive health and regularity.

Processed Foods Contain Trans Fats

If you think all fats are bad, think again. In fact, natural fats are good for us and even essential.

It’s trans fats that get most of the bad rap. Trans fats are a modified variety of an oil that allows it to remain solid at room temperature.

Trans fats are pro-inflammatory. Inflammation speeds up aging and contributes to many of our chronic diseases.

The list includes high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease.

Many Processed Foods Contain Anti-Nutrients

Foods that bring down the nutritional value of a meal are called anti-nutrients. These foods prevent the absorption of nutrients.

Did you know that white potato is considered an anti-nutrient?

And guess what? White potatoes are a favorite ingredient in processed food.

White potatoes are cheap. And you can argue that they’re tastier than sweet potatoes.

This combination leads to more profits for big brand junk food companies.

Junk/ Fast Food Can Be Deadly

Food doesn’t sit on your shelf for months without spoilage or rancidity occurring. So, how does processed food last so long?

You can credit additives and preservatives. These are chemicals for the most part.

And they give food an artificial life extension.

Are they helpful? Sometimes. But more often than not, they’re a hazard to your health.

Many are “safe” in very, very low concentrations and approved for human consumption by the FDA. But, they’re often used in amounts far exceeding their safe limit.

And we consume them much more than once in a while.

Conclusion

Processed foods are the far from natural- regardless of claims by their makers. Many are GMO* produced, which raises another set of ethical questions.

To be sure- eat whole foods, closest to their original source.

(*Genetically Modified Organisms)

JohnK 9-27-2018

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Overheard: ” I don’t eat junk foods and I don’t think junk thoughts”

~Peace Pilgrim

When Grief Becomes More Than “Normal”

September 19, 2018 John Uncategorized No comments

The grief from Hurricane Florence will be felt for a long time to come. Death, destruction, and displacement have affected so many people.

Those in the storm-affected areas now have to deal with that grief in some form or another. This GenuLines post will deal with things we all can do to handle the heaviness known as grief.

First I want to tell you about our next scheduled edition of Chi For Yourself.

Danielle Dulsky will make her second visit to the show. Listen in on the call on Tuesday, Sept. 25th at 4 pm Eastern 1 pm Pacific time at chiforyourself.com

Danielle Dulsky is the author of Holy Wild: A Heathen Bible for the Untamed Woman.

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ARTICLE

Grief touches most everyone at some point in their lives. But, no one grieves in exactly the same way in every case.

And the intensity and duration of grief can vary from one person to the next. This is due to a combination of things.

These include genetics, personality, and previous coping patterns. Add to that any previous history of depression or other mental illness.

It’s also affected by the presence or lack of support networks, and the event leading to the death (ex. sudden, unexpected death vs. expected death). There’s been a lot of debate over when grief becomes something more.

Something that may need medical attention.

But when does grief become something more than “normal?” Clinicians are doing a sort of balancing act.

They want to be careful that they don’t “medicalize” normal grief. But they also want to make sure they don’t exclude those who may be suffering from clinical depression.

This depression could be set off by the recent loss of a loved one. Grief is a process, not an event.

In the early stages of grief (sometimes referred to as “acute” grief), symptoms can pile up.

Think intense sadness, trouble with concentration, and reduced interest in activities and people. There could be crying, sleep issues, changes in appetite, too.

And it would be no surprise to have constant thoughts about the deceased. Now, these are many of the same symptoms as seen in depression. Yet they are considered two distinct entities.

The experience of grief does not necessarily mean that the individual is depressed.

Eventually, grief can become less disabling and intrusive in one’s life. The wounds begin to heal as pleasure is increasingly found in life again.

Furthermore, grief has no set time frame. It can last from weeks to years.

There can still be periods where the acute grief returns for short periods during events. They include the birthday of the deceased, holidays, and other reminders and memories.

But, the acute feelings of grief eventually wane.

Sadly, some people have a very hard time finding pleasure in their lives after the loss of a loved one. Again, the process has no specific length of time.

It varies according to the person and the circumstances. In any case, it’s important to recognize that depression can partner with grief.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is another possibility, especially for violent or unexpected deaths.

To summarize: we experience the process of grief in our own ways. Keep in mind that grief, depression, and PTSD can sometimes work together.

Don’t ignore signs of depression and PTSD. It’s better to seek the opinion of your physician sooner than later.

____________________

It is very important that you consult a physician if, at any point, the grief does not seem to be subsiding. Or if you have any thoughts of self-harm.

Your physician can help determine whether you’re suffering from depression or PTSD.

If so, various forms of treatment can help. These include psychological counseling and/or medications.

JohnK 9-19-2018

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Overheard:

“Those who do not know how to weep with their whole heart don’t know how to laugh either.”

~Golda Meir

Wallowing Over Google Gremlins :-( And a Link to The Tina Gilbertson Interview

September 12, 2014 John Uncategorized No comments

Apologies for problems on the Google Hangouts page that muted the audio for the Tina Gilbertson interview! Tina is the author of Constructive Wallowing: How to Beat Bad Feelings by Letting Yourself Have Them. Tina turned conventional wisdom around with her explanation of how “constructive wallowing” can help in dealing with feelings. A list of talking points follows, and you can hear the interview by clicking on the BlogTalkRadio logo.

CHI FOR YOURSELF guest: Tina Gilbertson talking points:

Isn’t wallowing an oxymoron?
Having a good cry might not be enough
Self-criticism is not healing
Anger, temper, and wallowing
The T.R.U.T.H. Technique
Hatred, and working through it
Self-compassion toward yourself
Trying to replace a feeling with a thought
The benefits of constructive wallowing
Forgiveness- the policy and the emotion
The wallowing end-point

You can hear the CHI FOR YOURSELF interview with Tina Gilbertson by clicking on the BlogTalkRadio logo:

JohnK 9-12-2014

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Today: Wallowing is Good For You!

September 11, 2014 John Uncategorized No comments

Today’s guest on Chi For Yourself is Tina Gilbertson. She says pushing bad feelings away never works, and she’ll offer us a practical approach to the more liberating alternative of allowing yourself to feel them. Chi For Yourself – at 4pm Eastern, 1pm Pacific time. Hear the interview at chiforyourself.com