Tag Archive for depression

5 Ways To Sharpen Your Motivation Skills

April 22, 2024 John Uncategorized No comments

banner to help stir motivation

5 Ways To Sharpen Your Motivation Skills

Motivation is a very useful tool . And GenuLines will help you produce it on your own by using physical and mental techniques.

It can come from a thought process that encourages positive energy.

You can do this in many different ways. But motivation can be a difficult thing to muster up if your physical body and mind are not in the right place.

picture inspiring motivation

We’ll start by looking at ways to sharpen motivational skills.

Get Your Mind In The Right Place

Your mind has a lot to do with how you feel about any situation. And you can think your way into a motivational mindset. So here are a few tips for getting your mind on the right path::

Write down your negative thoughts and the things that you need to improve

If you experience depression or anxiety, get it under control by seeking help

Feed your mind on a daily basis by reading or listening to positive content

Take Action!

You’ve got to take action if you expect to feel motivated to do anything.

Why, you ask?

In your body dopamine triggers feelings of motivation to do something. When you feel pleasurable sensations it kicks up your energy.

This means that when you do things, you feel a certain way about them. And you have this release of dopamine that contributes to your actions.

This can cause problems from motivation and energy to addiction to a feeling.

Know What You Really Want

Sometimes you feel as though you have to do something. But things change when your focus is on what you feel you must do.

This is the thinking that can power your life with more energy.

It’s crucial for motivation. You’ll motivate yourself and those around you.

Take Care Of Your Body

Without a healthy body, you’ll find it very difficult to have a healthy mind. Your actions and energy will determine whether your motivational habits will be sustainable.

A healthy diet and enough exercise are very important. Body and mind health work together to promote general health.

Find Someone Who Has The Same Goals

You can feed off of the energy of others. And it works both ways.

You can provide them with the tools to motivate themselves.

Are You Ready To Get Motivated?

Take action today. Be in control of your motivation.

Remember “perfect practice makes perfect.”

You won’t always feel motivated. But habits are the deciding factor in whether you can get things done even when you’re not motivated.

Motivation is something that we learn to develop over time. And over time you’ll see the benefits of sharpening your motivational skills.

JohnK 4-22-2024
chiforyourself.com

stick man hears about motivationOverheard:  If you must have motivation, think of your paycheck on Friday.

                                                   ~Noel Coward

Article photo by Ihsan Adityawarman: https://www.pexels.com/photo/multicolored-bontainer-2045600/

disclaimer for motivation

What Is Information Overload?

November 6, 2023 John Uncategorized No comments

banner for information overload

Information is an indispensable part of life. The problems show up when there’s way too much of it.

If it’s time to lighten up a bit then think about these GenuLines pointers and do some offloading.

What Is Information Overload?

Have you ever started something new – a new job, a new sport, even a new game and you’re trying to learn the information and it feels like your brain might explode? That’s an exaggerated symptom of information overload.

But, most people are experiencing it daily from normal life due to fast access to information via the internet.

information overload books

 

Information overload can cause the following symptoms:
Headache
Stress
Moodiness
Overweight
Cardiovascular issues
And more…

 

 

Plus, often it can cause problems in interpersonal relationships and work relationships. The reason is that most information overload is a choice you make.

You choose to be on social media all day; you choose to watch every single news station and every single pundit on TV talk about whatever is the topic of the day.

It’s Like Drinking Water from a Fire Hydrant

Anytime you want to learn something, it’s tempting to start gathering tons of information. And due to the net, it’s easy to get drawn down into the rabbit hole of unending information.

It becomes hard to determine what information is good and what information is bad.

It Leads to Poor Information Filtering

When you’re bombarded with so much information, your brain can’t filter it properly. Your brain does something called twigging, which means that instead of filtering information in terms of importance it just generalizes all information as being the same.

This is terrible for decision making.

It Leads to Bad Choices

If you can’t properly filter information to determine what is true, what is right and what is wrong, you’ll have a hard time making the right choices. The information overload causes you to choose wrongly on any number of issues, because with so much noise going on you can’t determine what is right.

It Harms Your Relationships

Information overload can harm your relationships. If you’re always reading your smartphone, looking at social media and not being present in your life, it can hurt intimacy.

If your partner and friends are complaining, take heed.

It Leads to Black and White Thinking

The world is not black and white. The world is colorful, black, white, gray and everything in between and more.

The same can be said for a lot of issues. There are very few issues that are either right or wrong, black or white.

If you have too much information at your fingertips and are rating everything the same, it’s easy to see things as black and white, which can make it hard to negotiate a happy life and successful business.

It Can Lead to Mental Issues Like Depression

When you get to the point of information overload, a lot of people experience mental problems such as short-term memory issues and even depression. If you find that you’re just feeling mixed up a lot, forget appointments and aren’t doing your best at home or work, consider information overload as a potential culprit.

Information overload can even lead to tragedy when texting mixes with driving.

Who knows how much money is lost in overall productivity due to information overload.. You can do your part by trying to limit information overload for yourself and your family.

You can also encourage co-workers and employees to avoid multitasking and focus training on smaller topics rather than broad ones.

JohnK 11-6-2023
chiforyourself.com

stick man hears about information Overheard:  “…a wealth of information creates a poverty of attention…”

~Herbert A. Simon
 

 

disclaimer for inforrmaton

6 Tips To Make Fear Your Friend

January 16, 2023 John Uncategorized No comments
In life it seems that fear takes time outs yet never really leaves the game. But you can put fear on your team. 
 
This GenuLines game plan aims to do just that. 

6 Tips To Make Fear Your Friend

What makes you afraid? Is it losing someone close to you? A trip to the dentist?
 
Thunder and lightning?
 
hiding in fear
 
Whatever it is, keep in mind that fear is normal. It’s how our body warns us of dangerous situations and that we should be careful.
 
Yet, sometimes, our fears can become so great that they hold us back from living up to our full potential. We’re stressed and anxious over the smallest things.
 
Then again fear, in its positive form, can actually be good for us. It can inspire innovative ideas and motivate us to reach new heights.
 
Today GenuLines helps you make fear your friend. Follow the six tips below, and you’ll know how to turn what was once your foe into an ally.
 
Let’s get started.
 
1. Identify the Source
This could be the hardest step, though it’s very much worth it. But first, you need to come to terms with the source of your fear.
 
Being aware of the root cause will be difficult in the beginning, but it’ll make you stronger. You’ll no longer live in the shadow of that big, insurmountable fear.

2. Own It

You’ve come face-to-face with your fear. Now, it’s time to own it.
 
But before you do that, you have to actually admit that such-and-such scares you. There are several ways to do this.
 
First, you can either say it out loud. Do this with someone else in a comfortable setting.
 
You can also write it down in a journal or diary. The point is to get it out of your head and into a way to deal with it.
 
That’s when your fear loses its control over you.
 
It also feels better to get it off your chest and share it with the world. It might surprise you to know that many other people are as afraid as you are.

3. Think Rationally

Fear makes us panic, and panic makes us do stupid things. In fact, studies show that when we panic, our prefrontal cortex shuts down.
 
This is the region of our brain responsible for rational thinking.
 
Learn how to think rationally despite your worries and panic. Make fear your friend, and you’ll be able to go a lot farther in life.
 
4. Take Stock
People deal with fear, stress, and anxiety in different ways. Some people like challenges and the pressure they bring.
 
Others find it better to work at their own pace without any tight deadlines looming overhead.
 
Whichever way you prefer, the important thing is not to let fear get the better of you. For example, say you’re afraid to speak in public.
 
A colleague gets sick and asks you to take over their presentation. In this scenario, you have to pick whether you’ll let your fear overpower you or whether you’ll rise to the challenge.
 
The latter won’t be easy, but it’ll definitely be worth it in the long run. Tell yourself that others have held presentations before and have lived to tell about it.
 
So, what’s the big deal?
 
Remember, your mind tends to blow things out of proportion. So, find a way to deal with the stress and take stock.
 
It’s the only way you’ll be able to harness your fear and get the job done.

5. Find Support

No one ever failed by having a strong support system. Surround yourself with people who encourage you to do better.
 
These are the people who listen to you when you’re venting about your fears and anxiety.
 
There’s research to back the benefits of having a support system. This helps your coping skills. your self-esteem. and your well-being.
 
Moreover, a sound support system can lower stress, anxiety, and depression rates. 
 
6. Be Positive
Whenever you’re afraid, you’ll tend to focus on negative thoughts and emotions. But then, they fester in your mind and transform into this big, ugly thing that you can no longer control.
 
Why not try some positivity for a change? Remember, the mind is quite powerful; it only needs a small push in the right direction.
 
Stay in this mindset and expect things to fall into place.
 
JohnK 1-16-2023
Stick figure hears about fearOverheard: “Fears are educated into us, and can, if we wish, be educated out”
                                   ~Karl Augustus Menninger
 
 
 
 
disclaimer for fear
 

What to Do When You Feel Stuck or Trapped in Life

September 26, 2022 John Uncategorized No comments

You’ve heard the saying “life is tough, then you die.” It’s like you’ve been bound and gagged all your life.

Let GenuLines help you get un-stuck with this look at some countermeasures.

What to Do When You Feel Stuck or Trapped in Life

When you feel stuck or trapped in your life, it becomes almost impossible to be happy. You tend to feel depressed, frustrated and dissatisfied.
 
man trapped by life
 
 
The truth is life is full of ups and downs. There will be times of great change, and times where nothing changes at all.
 
Feeling stuck at some point in your life is normal, but that doesn’t mean you have to stay that way. Here, we’ll look at some of the best things you can do when you feel stuck or trapped in life.

 

 

 

 

Make That Tough Choice

There’s a reason why you feel stuck or trapped in life, and it’s often down to avoiding making a tough decision. For example, if you feel trapped in a job you hate, the tough choice would be to leave that job.
 
If you’re in a relationship that isn’t working, the hard choice would be to walk away.
 
What choice are you avoiding changing? Sometimes, the only way to move forward and be happy is to have the courage to make the difficult decisions.
 
You deserve to be happy, so never be afraid to do what’s right for you, no matter how hard it is.

Begin With Small Changes

Making changes in your life can be overwhelming. So if you want to get out of your current situation, start with small changes. Do this until you feel comfortable and confident that you’re making good decisions.
 
Think about the things you want to change and then figure out the steps you’ll need to get there. Working on change one step at a time prevents it from becoming overwhelming.
 
You’ll see steady progress as you make smaller changes. And you’ll gain the motivation to carry on making bigger ones.

Work On Self-Improvement

How you feel about yourself can hold you back. If you do feel stuck or trapped, could it be due to a lack of confidence or self-belief?
 
Working on self-improvement can help you to view your life in a more positive way. You’ll be able to recognize opportunities.
 
You’ll be more likely to work through any challenges keeping you from your dream life.
 
Think about your current flaws. What can you improve about yourself to be a better person?

Commit To Being Yourself

The problem could be that you aren’t being yourself in life. Many people find they struggle to be themselves around other people.
 
If you’re trying to present a fake version of yourself to others, you’ll never be happy. Only by being your true self will you be able to live a fulfilled and happy life.
 
Feeling stuck or trapped in life is common, but it doesn’t mean you need to stay stuck. The above tips and advice can help you to start moving forward and living the life you deserve.
 
You may feel trapped, but this is an illusion. You know what you need to do.
 
Now build up the courage to do it.
 
JohnK 9-26-2022
 
Stick figure hears about lifeOverheard: “Life isn’t a matter of milestones, but of moments”
                                     ~Rose Kennedy
 
 
 
 
Article image by Zachary DeBottis: https://www.pexels.com/photo/silhuoette-of-a-person-2953863/
 
 
disclaimer for life

Get Back on Track If You’ve Lost Your Enthusiasm For Life

August 8, 2022 John Uncategorized No comments

When you lose your enthusiasm for living your life sucks. Simple as that.

But it’s not too late to get it back, and GenuLines is here to partner with you in the recovery. 

Get Back on Track If You’ve Lost Your Enthusiasm For Life

Feel like you’ve lost your enthusiasm for life? Does it seem like it’s not worth caring anymore?
 
You’ve got plenty of company.
 
Many people lose their enthusiasm for life somewhere along the way. Whether it’s mental or emotional , or because they’re stuck in a rut.
boy shows enthusiasm
 
But there are ways you can get back on track and regain your enjoyment of life. Let’s look at some of the things you can do right now to take back your enthusiasm for life…
 
 
 
What Is Holding You Back?
It’s a good idea to figure out exactly what it is that’s holding you back. Is it self-doubt?
 
Could be that you had unrealistic expectations that led to you giving up on what you wanted? Figuring out the causes can be the start of working your way back toward enthusiasm.
Get Into A Healthy Routine
Keeping a healthy and positive routine is important. The things we do each day give power to our outlook.
 
If you feel as though you’re going through the motions in life, switch things up.
Start with your morning routine.
 
Does it leave you feeling energized, positive, and inspired? If not, change it up so it better serves you.
 
Avoid checking your phone and the news as soon as you wake up. Do things the night before that will make your mornings easier.
 
When you start the day right, it can leave you feeling a lot more positive all day.
 
Surround Yourself With Positivity
As you’ve no doubt guessed by now, staying positive is key to regaining your enthusiasm. The people you surround yourself with make a huge difference in how you feel.
 
Keep negative companions and your outlook will head south, too.
 
The reverse is also true. Be around positive people and you’ll be more positive.
 
You’ll see opportunities and start to enjoy each day.
 
Your inner circle should consist of people who build you up and support you. When you have encouragement and support, it helps you to feel like you can take on anything.
 
Know When To Seek Help
At times depression may be the cause of a low enthusiasm for life. If you suffer with mild depression, the above tips may help you to overcome your current low state.
 
But, if you have moderate to severe depression, you may need professional help. Getting this help can prove invaluable for getting back your passion and joy for life.
 
Many of us go through times when we lose interest in life. Yet, the key thing to remember is that you’re not stuck.
 
There are things you can do right now to regain your enthusiasm and live a happier and fulfilled life.
 
JohnK 8-8-2022
chiforyourself.com
 
stick figure hears about enthusiasmOverheard: “It’s faith in something and enthusiasm for something that makes a life worth living.”
                                    ~Oliver Wendell Holmes
 
 
 
 
 
disclaimer for enthusiasm

Stop Letting Fear Control Your Life

November 1, 2021 John Uncategorized No comments

Fear is something that, at times, can help you in life. But when it takes control of your life it’s a whole different story. 

Never fear, GenuLines is here to get you back in the driver’s seat. 

 

Stop Letting Fear Control Your Life

The number one thing that holds many of us from going after our dreams is fear. If left unchecked, it can keep you locked up inside your own mental prison.
 
picture of fear ride
 
The trouble is, confronting your fears isn’t easy. And changing it is going to be uncomfortable.
 
While they may keep you comfortable, they can also cause frustration and depression. If you’re honest about wanting to live your best life, you need to stop letting fear rule it.
 
Here, we’ll look at how you can stop letting it control your life.
 
 
 
 
Explore the cause of your fear
If you want to stand any chance of getting over your fear, you’re going to need to know its cause. Write down all your fears.
 
Then, circle the fears that are most palpable. Once you’ve identified your main fears, start to think of ways you can prevent them from happening.
 
This can help you to feel like you have more control over them.
 
You won’t always be able to prevent your fears from coming true. But most of them are nothing more than a defense mechanism.
 
By facing our fears, we often find that they weren’t as bad as we thought they’d be. Once you have an idea of what’s causing them, you can then look at ways to combat them.
 
Practice mindfulness
Fear tends to generate a lot of anxiety. By practicing mindfulness, it can help to bring a sense of calm into the mind.
 
Lowering your anxiety levels will in turn give your fear less control over you. When you’re in a calmer state, you’re going to feel a lot stronger and better able to face your fear.
 
Meditation and deep breathing exercises are great for calming anxiety. They also deliver a lot of other great benefits for the mind and body.
 
Start with short, guided meditations if you’re a beginner. They’re free on sites such as YouTube.
 
Focus on the consequences if you don’t change
If you’re struggling to face your fears, focus on what will happen if you don’t make the needed changes. That is, how will your life be a year from now if you don’t change anything now?
 
Most likely, you’ll still be stuck feeling dissatisfied with your life. You’ll be unable to move forward.
 
The reason you’re reading this is that you’re already feeling fed up and wanting to make a change. So, if you don’t start facing your fear, you’ll only start to feel more frustrated, resentful, and lost.
 
Summary
Focusing on what will happen if you don’t face your fear can provide you with the motivation you need to do it.
 
These are the best ways you can stop letting fear control your life. Only by recognizing and facing up to this can you get past it.
 
Fear is also linked to how you feel about yourself. So work on your self-improvement and boost your confidence.
 
You’ll be in a much better position to face your fears.
 
JohnK 11-1-2021
chiforyourself.com home
 
 
stick man hears about fearOverheard: “Courage is knowing what not to fear.”
                          ~Plato
 
 
 
 
Fear disclaimer
 

5 Consequences of Chronic Boredom

May 27, 2020 John Uncategorized No comments
 
Medical experts call boredom the ‘disease of our time”. This is especially true during times of pandemic and quarantine.
 
microphone for lifting boredom
 
It can manifest into serious problems so GenuLines looks at some ways that can happen.
 
 

 

5 Consequences of Chronic Boredom

It’s not just for children anymore. Everyone suffers from it.
 
It used to be temporary for the most part. You couldn’t wait for the lecture to be over.
 
Or for your turn to see the doctor. It’s boredom, and it can turn serious.
 
banner to counter boredom
 
Boredom is a chronic disease, and why not? You’re bombarded with an endless array of stimuli every waking moment.
 
We’re used to constant information flow when we awake. We’re expected to take it all in, Television Boredomand we do.
 
We’ve stopped interacting and engaging. So, we get bored.  
 
 
 
 
German psychologist, Theodor Lipps, described boredom as ” a feeling of unpleasant arising out of a conflict between a need for intense mental activity and lack of incitement to it, or inability to be incited.”
 
This can mean different things to different people. An introvert, might find pleasure between the pages of a book or any other type of solitary activity.
 
But an extrovert may want more excitement as well as more social encounters.
 

You Do You

No matter the personality type, there’s a correlation between boredom and self-awareness. Let’s say you have a clear idea of your strengths, weaknesses, motivations and beliefs.
 
And you’re comfortable in your own skin. You’re now better prepared with the tools required to make yourself less bored.
 
You can gauge your moods and feelings, and understand what it is you want out of life. It also better prepares you to deal with others, and respond accordingly.
 
But having a clear understanding of your personality can be a real problem. The world is at our fingertips 24/7.
 
The idea that we can turn off the noise for a few seconds is now a foreign concept.
 
No one wants to sit there and do nothing! Adults fixate on playing games or browsing through their social media.

Downtime can be scary!

 
But it’s in those moments where we really feel our presence, tune in to our thoughts, and get in touch with our feelings. It’s also when we are at our most imaginative and creative.
 
It’s how we evolve, discover and invent.
 
Chronic boredom can make it easy to leave you in a rut of negative habits. You feel powerless to finish tasks.
 
This puts a damper on the quality of your life, and exacerbates physical pain. It comes with a slew of negative ramifications, the 5 most common are:
 

• Obesity

 
Constant snacking minus real hunger could be a case of boredom. This often involves foods high in processed fats and sugars.
 
These make you feel calmer and happier. Dieticians refer to this as emotional eating, which is often brought on by boredom.
 

• Depression

 
Boredom can be a symptom of depression, and it can also trigger it.
Working long hours. Stressful work or home environments. Less than challenging jobs.
 
These can ramp up stress and lead to deep bouts of depression.
 
 

• Stress and anxiety

 
Living day to day in an environment that doesn’t give you what you need can lead to emotional exhaustion. Top that with a helping of work responsibilities and financial strain.
 
This is the perfect recipe for chronic stress triggered by boredom and redundancy.
 

• Alcohol and drug abuse

 
In an attempt to break through the boredom spells, it’s common to find people reaching for alcohol and drugs. Of course these can have an addictive effect.
 
But in the moment, all people see is how they allow them to forget. They’re forgetting the aggravating effects boredom has on their lives.
 

• Heart disease

 
When boredom is the rule, your brain releases toxic hormones into your bloodstream. These hormones create problems for your heart.
 
Moreover, chronic boredom sufferers tend to skip exercise and eating right. In fact, they’re more likely to turn to bad habits, like smoking and drinking.
 
These can take their toll on the cardiovascular system, resulting in premature death.
 
A great way to break the boredom cycle is to step back and look at the big picture. Make lists of all the good in your life. as well as all the things you’ve wanted to try but never found the time and start from there.
 
Take control of your life and try to work your way around the things you cannot change. Form new, healthier habits.
 
Try something different each day. Volunteer your time to helping others who are in need.
 
And, above all, find something that piques your interest.
 
JohnK 5-27-2020
 

Stick figure hears about boredomOverheard: “The two enemies of human happiness are pain and boredom”

                                ~Arthur Schopenhauer
 
 
 
 

 

 

disclaimer for bordom

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

Don’t Let Anxiety Weigh You Down

February 5, 2020 John Uncategorized No comments

Anxiety is kind of like money. It’s a good servant but a terrible master. 

GenuLines is here to help you take charge when anxious moments crop up.

(you can listen to the article by clicking on the “radio” or scroll down to read)

Radio tuned to anxiety

____________________

 

banner to help anxiety

Don’t Let Anxiety Weigh You Down

Your quality of life takes a bit of a hit when anxiety is the order of your day. It puts your body on high alert.
 
You feel like you’re in danger, and that spikes your heart rate and gives you more stress and sweaty palms. Now, anxiety isn’t all bad.
 
It can motivate you, say, for a test or an interview. But in the workaday world, it’s pretty much useless.
 
picture of anxietyIf you think about them you could get anxious about things that are out of your control. The result is a terrible feeling that can cause you to lose sleep.
 
That loss of sleep often turns into a bad day. Too many of those and you start to see the effects on your body.
 
 

Upping the stakes

During times of unusual stress, our body releases a hormone called Cortisol. This, in turn, has been linked to weight gain.
 
When you’re stressed out you might reach for comfort foods. Things like chocolate or salty snacks. 
 
Those will cause you to pack on the pounds.
 
Now, combine that with the added stress and lack of sleep and you risk heart disease. It takes some time for the physical debilitation to manifest itself.
 
But the mental effects of anxiety are immediate. A severe case can make each day a grind.
 
You constantly seem stressed out and fearful.
 
As anxiety starts to spiral out of control, you may come up with coping mechanisms. For instance, you might start avoiding people and stressful situations.
 
You find yourself only able to grocery shop during off-hours. Or you won’t feel like leaving the house at all.
 
Your high anxiety can morph into depression.
 
It gets hard to find the energy to get out of bed in the morning and face life. Operating on high alert and pumped full of adrenalin is exhausting.
 
Staying in bed seems like a much better alternative.
 
If you find your anxiety is weighing your life down get professional help. Anxiety can be debilitating.
 
But there’s help to be had and plenty of tools that can help you get back to where you want to be.
 
JohnK 2-5-2020
 
stick figure talking about anxietyOverheard: “My anxiety doesn’t come from thinking about the future but from wanting to control it.”
                                                ~Hugh Prather, Notes to Myself
 
 
 
 
 
 
Article Photo by Aarón Blanco Tejedor on Unsplash
 
 
disclaimer about anxiety

Is True Happiness Possible?

December 26, 2019 John Uncategorized No comments

Happiness has a reputation for being elusive. Some would say it’s not even possible.

GenuLines offers you some points to consider as you do your own evaluation. 

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Is True Happiness Possible?

When your struggles get to be too much it’s easy to think that happiness is not even possible. The truth is there are different levels of happiness that you can experience in your life.
 
The process doesn’t move in a straight line. Your attitude is the difference maker.
 
Look Around You
happy personIt’s one thing to say that people can’t be happy unless they have their basic needs met. But there are people all around you who don’t have their needs met yet are very happy.
 
 
 
Studies of affluent people tend to show find they’re not happier than poor people in general.
 
It’s Not About Stuff
If you look at a list of the happiest countries in the world, you tend to find that being happy isn’t about owning things. Often the happiest people live in the poorest countries.
 
It’s common to find that the USA ranks in the teens on these lists. Stuff doesn’t guarantee happiness.
 
It’s Not Even About Goals
You may insist that it’s all about about reaching your goals. If you often say things like “I’ll be happy when…” then happiness may elude you.
 
You can be happy now, before you reach your goals.
 
It’s Not About Your Circumstances
Now, of course, some things in life can really get you down. But a happy disposition can serve you well.
 
You’ll be better able to navigate the murky water.
 
*Dr. Gillian Mandich is a well known name in this area. She believes that our circumstances account for only 10 percent of our happiness.
 
Happiness is about accepting that you can experience it and understanding it’s meaning. A happy person isn’t going to be the same level of happy 24/7, 365 days a year.
 
Think about cancer sufferers who manage to have a happy attitude. Or children around the world who don’t get enough to eat.
 
Be in that state of mind and you can be happy, too.
 
JohnK 12-26-2019
 
stick figure talking about happinessOverheard: “It’s a helluva start, being able to recognize what makes you happy.”
                                             ~Lucille Ball
 
 
 
 
 
 
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