With the holidays in mind, I am sure that many of you must be very excited. But why exactly do we get so excited?Dopamine is a chemical messenger made in the brain which is released when expecting a reward. In other words, whenever experiencing an activity that is pleasurable, dopamine is released. When dopamine is released, you end up feeling more happy than you did in the moments prior. While you're opening your Christmas presents, the dopamine levels in your body increase in anticipation of getting the present inside. With that being said, enjoy the rest of your holidays!

How does Dopamine Work?

Dopamine is strongly associated with pleasure and reward. It's also involved in motor function, mood, and even our decision making. Learn about symptoms of too much or too little dopamine and how it interacts with drugs and hormones.

personaldevelopment

Personal Development

health

Health

mentalhealth

Mental Health

scienceandnature

Science & Nature

Turn your bedroom into one. Get a kettlebell and some resistance bands. You’re good to go. There are a million YouTube videos about working out from home.

1. Working out — Don’t have a home gym? 

It’s not like you have to be anywhere. If you can’t get 8-9 hours of sleep at night, squeeze in some naps during the day. It’s good for your immune system and you’ll feel better. But you must adjust your mindset: Instead of grabbing your phone, grab a pillow.

2. Sleeping (a lot)

I’m spending this time together with my close family. It’s more about being around people you genuinely care about. That will lift your spirits and give you energy.

3. Spending time with people you love

Everybody should know how their body functions. I also like to read about the latest scientific research about health and fitness.

It’s always nice to sit down at the end of a day and reflect. What did I do today? What did I learn? What am I going to do tomorrow? Answering those questions is the best time you’ll spend every day.

5. Journaling

Always be learning a new skill. I started practicing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu a year and a half ago. But I can’t go to classes now. I also picked up archery a while back. Fortunately, I have enough space at my office so I built a small indoor archery set up. I always want to learn a new skill because it reminds me that I’m always a student.

6. Learning a skill

— I like to read and hear about investing strategies of different people. Even though I consider myself a value investor, I still look at what day traders do. I’m interested in finance because I don’t want to waste my hard-earned money. This will come in handy when the coronavirus crisis is over.

7. Making a financial strategy

I start and close my day with reading. And I never miss a day.

8. Reading

It’s nice to have a good conversation with someone who has the same mindset as you. I’ve grown to hate shallow conversations. So I don’t waste my time anymore on people who I don’t have a deep connection with.

Yes, I’m not totally shutting myself off from the news. I still want to know what’s going on. But I limit my consumption to 3/4 times a day. Last few days, I’m only watching the evening news. That’s it.

10. Skimming the news

I can spend hours browsing books that I want to read. But I try to not overdo it. Otherwise, you’re reading more ABOUT books than reading actual books.

11. 

I love some good banter. Life is hard and if you don’t laugh about yourself, you only make it harder. This is very important during difficult times. If you don’t know how to laugh, listen to a podcast by your favorite comedian. You’ll find out what I mean.

12. 

By simply observing your mind, you can learn a lot about how you operate during a crisis. How do you respond to fear? What do you think about all day? Simply observe and learn. That brings you more inner calm.

13. Meditating

Every minute you spend on advancing your life is time you don’t regret spending.

14. Working on your goals

Everyone should create something now they are at home. Think about what you can do with what you already have. I’m currently working on two new books and an online course. You can create digital products or services. But you can also create something physical if you have the resources. Be creative.

15. Creating something

We're wasting more of our time than usual now. Ask yourself: Are the things that I’m doing while I'm quarantined worth my extra time?

habits

Habits

problemsolving

Problem Solving

15 Ways To Make Use Of The Extra Time On Your Hands 

We feel stress when something we care about—something we value—is threatenedWe might feel stress over money because we value money. We might feel stress over a big presentation to our CEO because we care about what the CEO thinks of us (we care about our career)Knowing this, highly successful people realize they are feeling stress and pause to ask: what is my body telling me? What is it that I care about, that I think is threatened? When you have that answer, it’s easier to thank yourself for the warning sign and focus on taking action within our scope of control

Stress as a Spotlight on our Values

Successful people control their breathing, to control their physiology<ol><li>INHALE through your nose, counting to four very slowly. Let the air fill your lungs completely.</li><li>HOLD your breath to another count of four.</li><li>EXHALE through your mouth, to a count of four.</li><li>HOLD your breath again for the same count of four.</li><li>Repeat from step 1.</li></ol>

Control your physiology

Highly successful people reframe negative experiences into growth experiences (but, first calm yourself with BOX BREATHING)Focus on reflecting on what went wrong or is going wrongArticulate on what can be done to solve the problem or what can I learn from the experience<a href="https://biglifejournal.com/blogs/blog/fixed-mindset-vs-growth-mindset-examples">Fixed vs Growth Mindset</a>

Reframe With a Growth Mindset 

<ul><li>Find time to exercise</li><li>Get sufficient sleep (doesn't need to be 8 hours)</li><li>Take time to meditate regularly to improve our ability to be in the MOMENT especially during stressful situations</li></ul>

Take care of Body and Mind on a regular basis

Keeping calm under stressful environments

meditation

Meditation

7 Ways Successful People Stay Calm At Work

Sure, everyone says they're ready for a total reset every Jan. 1, but there are indeed many personal habits that you can improve easily. These range from the basics such as exercising more and eating better to finding easier ways to save money. When combined, they just might add up to a new you in the new year.

KICKSTART 2022

Set aside time every morning — even 5 minutes — to simply close your eyes, breathe deeply, and focus on what the day will (and won't) bring. Savor the sense of calm.

1. Visualize your day

People may joke about constantly jotting down what you need to do, as opposed to actually doing it, but a list can help keep you on track, whether it's the morning's errands, a shopping list, or even books you want to read.

2. Make lists

Speaking of books, decide that you will finally read that book you've always wanted to pick up. It might be a classic. It might be a bestseller. Sit down with it and set a timer on your phone for a few minutes each day. You may find yourself unwilling to put it down.

3. Read

Whenever you find yourself with coins in your wallet or pocket, put them in a jar or some other container. With contactless payment preferred these days, you probably won't miss the change, and it can add up to "found" dollars for a guilt-free splurge.

4. Save your coins

Sometimes recycling seems like such a chore that it's tempting to skip it. Figuring out what belongs in which bin may be even more complicated now that recycling needs are in flux around the world. Find out what your community's guidelines are and commit to following them. Mother Earth will thank you.

5. Recycle

Even if you don't feel like you have time for regular jogging or biking, you can fit more movement into your life. Whenever you find yourself standing in line or waiting for a pot to boil or even watching TV, try doing some toe raises or squats or running in place.

6. Incorporate exercise

How good do you feel when someone admires your outfit or praises something you did at work? Try to spread goodwill by complimenting those around you. You'll find it makes you feel pretty good too.

7. Offer compliments

It seems like you have to be tuned in 24/7 to keep up on every last nuance of the news of the day, but that can be a daunting and draining effort. Allot time to keep up on only the basics, and try not to become overwhelmed. Focus on what you need — and want — to know.

8. Follow the news selectively

We all can be our own worst enemy. If you make a mistake, think about what you could've done differently and move on. Stop dwelling on the negative.

9. Think positively

For most of us, the bulk of every day is spent inside. Sometimes a simple walk in the park or around the neighborhood can change your perspective. Make it a point to enjoy nature more.

10. Get outside

Whether it's on your work Slack or at school pickup, it's tempting to join in the gossip. It might be fun in the moment — but when it's negative, you can easily get swept up in drama that you don't need. Break free.

11. Nix the gossip

Maybe it doesn't seem like there's a lot to laugh about these days. Even in the best of times, belly laughs are not an everyday occurrence. So when you find yourself truly laughing out loud, savor the moment.

12. Laugh more

As the new year proceeds, keep checking in on the goals you've set for the year. There's nothing wrong with starting anew on something you've let slide. As long as you don't give up completely — no matter what habit you're cultivating — it just may stick after all.

13. Revisit goals

It's frustrating to be talking to someone who's checking their phone, looking across the room, or otherwise acting distracted. Decide to be the one person who actually listens — and, who knows, you may start to get that same respect.

14. Listen closely

During trying times, it's important to know you have a refuge. Whether it's with your family, close friends, or a community group, make sure you do all you can to keep the bonds strong.

15. Cultivate community

15 Good Habits you should inculcate this NEW YEAR 🌟

It's time to ramp up your pull-up. Pauses will help you gain strength in parts of the pull where you're weak instead of relying on momentum. Also, it'll stop you from swinging during the movement, forcing you to stay super strict. Just pause each rep in the middle on the way up, at the top, and in the middle on the negative.

Controlled Reps

Strict for is very important to me in my training. 

Get stronger by adding pauses to your pull-ups. Pause halfway up, at the top, and again halfway down.

exerciseandfitness

Exercise & Fitness

Strict Pause Pull-Ups

One of the key symptoms and struggles in PTSD is flashbacks. A type of flashback unique to Complex PTSD (C-PTSD) are emotional flashbacks. Emotional flashbacks are sudden regressions to feelings of the past, such as severe fear or a sense of abandonment. When flashbacks go unmanaged, the survivor can be lost in their emotions and memories, dissociate, panic, and otherwise become limited or dysfunctional. When you’re having a flashback, try the steps below.

Flashback Management

The starting point is to identify the flashback for what it is. What you’re experiencing is remanence of the past. You are no longer in that situation and you have new tools to manage these sensations.

1. Say to yourself: “I’m having a flashback.”

You are no longer in the past or in that situation. You are safely in the present.

2. Remind yourself: “I feel afraid but I am not in danger.”

Remind yourself that you have the right to have boundaries, to speak up when someone mistreats you, and to leave dangerous situations.

3. Reenforce your boundaries.

In this moment, it may be helpful to envision speaking to your younger self. Reassure them that you love them unconditionally and that they can come to you for comfort and protection.

4. Speak reassuringly to yourself.

The pain and emotions you experienced in the past might’ve felt endless, especially in this moment, but remember that it will past.

5. Deconstruct eternity thinking.

Remind yourself that you’re in an older body with new allies, skills, tools, and resources to protect and support you. What happened to you won’t happen again.

6. Remind yourself of your present.

Fear can launch us into a numb, spaced out state. It’s time to ease back into your body by:<ol><li>Gently asking your body to relax;</li><li>Breathing deeply and slowly;</li><li>Finding a quiet safe place to relax. Items like a blanket or stuffed animal can be soothing and grounding;</li><li>Feeling the fear without reacting to it. Fear is just another energy in your body when it’s not ignored or acted upon.</li></ol>

7. Ease back into your body.

When faced with bouts of negative emotion, it’s easy for the mind to exaggerate the feelings of abandonment and danger. It may begin to spiral down a path of negative thinking or react to danger that isn’t there. Refuse to shame, hate, or abandon yourself. Combat unfair self-criticism by saying no or refuting. Replace negative thinking with a list of your positive qualities and achievements.

8. Resist exaggerated thinking.

Flashbacks reveal old wounds; feelings of hurt and fear that might’ve gone unnoticed all these years. Allow yourself to grieve, to feel these feelings and validate them as they come. Healthy grieving can turn anguish into self compassion and anger into self protection.

9. Allow yourself to grieve.

Build healthy and safe relationships. Inform trusted people in your life about your flashbacks and what they can do to help you. Take some time alone if you need it, but don’t let shame isolate you.

10. Build a support system.

What prompts your flashbacks? Is it a specific smell, sound, taste, texture, or object? Is it a specific person or character trait people may have? Whatever the case may be, it’s important to identify these triggers and avoid them whenever possible.

11. Learn to identify triggers.

Despite having flashbacks, people with C-PTSD may not remember their trauma. Flashbacks are a chance to discover old wounds, unmet needs, and unaddressed damages. Take some time to explore what you’re flashing back to, what it means, and how it makes you feel.

12. Discover what you’re flashing back to.

Don’t beat yourself up for having a flashback. Recovery from a flashback is a slow process that requires a level of self compassion and patience that may initially be hard to cultivate. Take your time and let yourself be slowly pulled out of it.

13. Be patient with yourself.

As the year draws to a close, one of the most useful things I’ve learned this year is how to manage my flashbacks. I wanted to share these here in case anyone else might need them!

Pete Walker M.A., MFT Therapy for and recovery from childhood trauma, abuse and/or neglect, in the East Bay

Understand yourself and those around you.

psychology

Psychology

Pete Walker, M.A. Psychotherapy

"Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible." -- The Dalai Lama"Unexpected kindness is the most powerful, least costly, and most underrated agent of human change." -- Bob KerreyKindness begins with the understanding that we all struggle." -- Charles Glassman

Kindness Counts

"There is no such thing as a small act of kindness. Every act creates a ripple with no logical end." -- Scott Adams"Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around." -- Leo Buscaglia"Do things for people not because of who they are or what they do in return, but because of who you are." -- Harold S. Kushner

Kindness Counts Cont.

"Compassion bring us to a stop, and for a moment we rise about ourselves." -- Mason Cooley"If compassion does not include yourself, it is incomplete." -- Jack Kornfield"Learning to stand in somebody else's shoes, to see through their eyes, that's how peace begins." -- Barack Obama

Compassion Is A Virtue

"To the world you may be one person, but to one person you may be the world." -- Dr. Seuss

Value Of Self

A new year is an excellent time for self-care and development.

These words will help you make it a practice not just to think about kindness, but to practice it year-round

moneyandinvestments

Money & Investments

10 Simple Quotes to Inspire Kindness in the New Year & Help You Build Realistic Resolutions

"Henry Ford said it best: “Thinking is the hardest work there is, which is probably the reason why so few engage in it.” Thinking is not only hard—it’s the single most important thing in life. Remember: The quality of our thoughts determines the quality of our lives. And our decisions are a result of our thoughts."

Thinking 

Quality of our thoughts determines the quality of our lives. 

I know something about you without knowing you. I bet you spend A LOT of time in your head. You know, thinking, worrying, stressing, freaking out -- call it whatever you want. I call it a preoccupied mind. And with what? 99% of your thoughts are useless. William James, once the leading psychologist in America, and one of the founders of the philosophical school of pragmatism, put it best: "A great many people think they are thinking when they are merely rearranging their prejudices." Pragmatism believes that the mind is a tool. Your mind should work for you, not against you. People who don't master their mind, don't believe it's possible. They say: "I can't help but thinking these things." Well, you can TAKE CONTROL of your mind with enough practice. I've done it. And in THINK STRAIGHT, I share exactly how. It's a quick read and you can use it to immediately to improve your thinking. You have the ability to decide what you think. Or, you can choose NOT to think. And that is one of the most important and most practical things you can learn in life. Before I learned that skill, I would spend hours and hours inside my head. Just think about how much you think. - "I wonder what my boss thinks?" - "What happens if I screw up and lose my job?" - "What if my business never takes off?" - "Does she love me?" - "Why does my life suck?" - "What if I get cancer?" - "I can't finish anything. What's wrong with me? And the list goes on. THINK STRAIGHT reveals the recipe for taking control of your mind so you can improve your life, career, relationships, business. I wrote this little book in a way that you can read it more than once. And I hope that this book serves as an anchor to you--especially during trying times. The mind is the most powerful tool on earth. Change the way you think. And you'll change your life.

philosophy

Philosophy

motivationandinspiration

Motivation & Inspiration

books

Books

I know something about you without knowing you. I bet you spend A LOT of time in your head. You know, thinking, worrying, stressing, freaking out -- call it whatever you want. I call it a preoccupied mind. And with what?99% of your thoughts are useless. William James, once the leading psychologist in America, and one of the founders of the philosophical school of pragmatism, put it best:"A great many people think they are thinking when they are merely rearranging their prejudices."Pragmatism believes that the mind is a tool. Your mind should work for you, not against you. People who don't master their mind, don't believe it's possible.They say: "I can't help but thinking these things."Well, you can TAKE CONTROL of your mind with enough practice. I've done it. And in THINK STRAIGHT, I share exactly how. It's a quick read and you can use it to immediately to improve your thinking.You have the ability to decide what you think. Or, you can choose NOT to think.And that is one of the most important and most practical things you can learn in life. Before I learned that skill, I would spend hours and hours inside my head.Just think about how much you think.- "I wonder what my boss thinks?"- "What happens if I screw up and lose my job?"- "What if my business never takes off?"- "Does she love me?"- "Why does my life suck?"- "What if I get cancer?"- "I can't finish anything. What's wrong with me?And the list goes on.THINK STRAIGHT reveals the recipe for taking control of your mind so you can improve your life, career, relationships, business.I wrote this little book in a way that you can read it more than once. And I hope that this book serves as an anchor to you--especially during trying times.The mind is the most powerful tool on earth. Change the way you think. And you'll change your life.

Darius Foroux (pronounced as Da-reeus Fo-roo) is the author of 7 books, and the creator of 6 online courses. He writes about productivity, business, and wealth building. His ideas and work have been featured in TIME, NBC, Fast Company, Inc., Observer, and many more publications. Until now, more than 30 million people have read his articles.

Darius Foroux

THINK STRAIGHT: Change Your Thoughts, Change Your Life

Think Straight

It was only when I came across the disease in a #nasdaily video with #billgates which talks about the disease, which although not preventable, has very limited medical treatment available.The disease is the second most common causes of blindness after Trachoma. Affected patients can develop eye lesions (tumour or wound) which can lead to visual impairment and permanent blindness.

Introduction

The disease is caused in huge numbers in tropical countries where there is vegetation and high density.The disease is prevalent in Kenya The carriers of the infection are the black flies in areas where there is rich combination of agricultural soil and water bodies.In lesser developed areas of the world, especially the remote places, are the biggest victims of this dangerous disease.Symptoms include severe itching, disfiguring skin conditions, and visual impairment, including permanent blindness.

Causes

When the infected black flies repeatedly bite humans, it leaves larvae of the worms which grow on to be adult worms and spread the disease in the body.These worms then migrate to different parts of the organs like the eyes and can cause visual impairment or permanent blindness.

Development of the Disease

Although no proper cure or vaccine exists for the disease, WHO recommends using ivermectin to treat the disease for 10-15 years. The antibiotic doxycycline weakens the worms by killing an associated bacterium called Wolbachia, and is recommended by some as well.The only measures of prevention can be proper clothing to avoid bites, sanitation, spreading of insecticides and medical check ups to detect the disease early on.Source of information- https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/onchocerciasis

Cure and Prevention

More than 99% of infected people live in 31 African countries. The disease also exists in some foci in Latin America and Yemen.The Global Burden of Disease Study estimated in 2017 that there were 20.9 million prevalent O. volvulus infections worldwide: 14.6 million of the infected people had skin disease and 1.15 million had vision loss.

How prevalent is the disease?

Diseases like this are lesser known in bigger countries and thus creates ignorance. Having known these details helps us to identify any such real life cases and to treat them as well.

I gave Bill Gates a dead fly as a "gift". 

See, this will never make it to the world news, but did you know that we just beat a disease in a country in... 53 comments on LinkedIn

Do you know about River Blindness (Onchocerciasis)?

At the end of Autumn and start Winter, I suffered quite a bad bout of depression. I still have My moments, but now I am back to feeling quite motivated and I will tell You how I achieved that systematically, without Anyone else’s help.Fck Other People and The Advice that is never there, Friends that are always missing, Lovers that never show up at Your Home, People that know You that don’t give You what You really want. Sorry, but I don’t have time for any of those People. I’m just going to move on to the Person Who DOES give Me attention and Who I can have reciprocal Love with.

Planning Your Time And How It Attacks Depression! 

So I made up a DAILY PLAN for the next THREE WEEKS…It generally went like this…<ul><li>Alarm, Meds, Feed Cat, Breakfast, Reading</li><li>Put washing on, start work </li><li>Shower, get ready, iron outfit</li><li>Hang out washing, tidy up kitchen, laundry, bathrooms </li><li>Lunch, Social Media </li><li>Work </li><li>Exercise </li><li>Feed Cat, Cook Dinner </li><li>Eat Dinner, Social Media </li><li>Work </li><li>Meds, Feed Cat </li><li>Something fun and different every night </li><li>Bedtime, Social Media, Reading </li></ul>

The Ensuing Schedule...

You know, it’s People that are RICH AND FAMOUS that convinced Me to do things like this. Maybe not the washing – that’s a personal obsession that no Other fcker can wash clothes as well as I can (except MUM ❤). I am very particular with My clothes. I can’t pay People to look after them as well as I would like them to, so I have to do it. That’s the way My Life is atm. OK. I am accepting of it. I will work to fit it in My day because I don’t want to get around in daggy-arse clothes.

Qveen comin' back with a brand new style...

<ul><li>Clearer thinking allows more accurate functional processes</li><li>Helps with success</li><li>Achieves more</li><li>Expends less energy</li><li>Expends less will power</li><li>Preparation is thrifty</li><li>Preparation means You are provided for</li><li>Less stress</li><li>More involvement</li><li>The project can be on a grander scale</li><li>In sync with nature</li><li>You’ll remember more</li><li>You’ll free up thinking room for ideas</li><li>You’ll become more organised</li><li>More can be considered</li><li>Different thinking processes are used</li><li>Perhaps more resources can be accessed as You have more forethought.</li><li>Perhaps more knowledge can be applied and research done</li><li>As success grows it effects happiness</li></ul>

Reasons For Wanting Scheduling 📅 

THREE WEEKS LATER…I am feeling not too bad! I am lacking emotional support, so in the end, that is something that really matter I do believe. We are not on this planet to be floating Alone.The individual cannot become Human by Himself. Self-being is only real in communion with another Self-being. Alone I sink into isolation.

Personal Results...

Great ideas on why organising Your time works!

At the end of Autumn and start Winter, I suffered quite a bad bout of depression. I still have My moments, but now I am back to feeling quite motivated and I will tell You how I achieved that systematically, without Anyone else's help. Fuck Other People and The Advice that is never there, The…

timemanagement

Time Management

Success with Planning Your Time

Find 100+ Facts about Health - Curated from popular Videos, Podcasts, Books, Guides & Articles - Genuine Insights from like-minded Users like You!