by admin | Jan 7, 2022 | Mind
How Does Appearance Affect Your self esteem?
You’ve heard the phrase “Appearances can be deceiving”, right? Not only is that absolutely true, but it can also have a big influence on your self-esteem.
Self-esteem is linked with self-confidence which, like most things, is set to be formed by how the outside world sees us.
This does not mean that the way you feel is dictated by what people think of you, but on some level, it really does make a difference.
what is self esteem
What is self-esteem, and how does it develop?
Self-esteem is the value and worth we subjectively evaluate ourselves with as a whole. With this definition, we can easily say that the part of ours that we evaluate the hardest is our body image.
It is linked with how we perceive the world and how we think the world perceives us. This means that every little thing that we do regarding boosting our self-esteem is to better our approach to different situations in life.
It’s important to remember that people are not born with any gained level of self-esteem. It’s something that develops with time as a result of our upbringing and social contacts.
A thing that can affect our body image and self-esteem is being raised in an abusive environment, physically or mentally, or being born with a distinct disfigurement or some kind of visible difference from others.
The early years
If a person is subjected to different types of public or domestic psychological or physical assault, it most probably will affect one’s self-esteem. Even small things like a kid in preschool or kindergarten making fun of another can cause doubt in that young mind. Our surroundings and the opinion of our social circle, even If we think we don’t get bothered by it, play a huge role in establishing healthy confidence in us. If a person starts to acknowledge a flaw in the way you look, it is likely that you will start questioning your appearance.
That’s the way we are built, and even if we sometimes say we don’t care about what people think of us, we still soak in that remark. If we give in to the idea that society and people form the way we feel about ourselves, we have a much harder time accepting who we are and what we look like in a healthy concept.
On the other hand, If we listened to family and friends that wanted to help us when the doubt was only forming, there is a pretty big chance we would know how to handle this kind of dismissive behavior towards us better.
What our appearance says about us
The way we perceive ourselves is the way we want the world to see us. It’s as simple as that.
We go the extra mile to have a more pleasant effect when we look at ourselves in the mirror most of the time.
But in reality, the thing that matters most for building steady self-esteem is accepting that we are what we are, and we’re perfect like this.
It’s easier said than done, but it’s a simple philosophy to live your life without the stress and pressure of social evaluation.
Things like comparing yourself to other people or not quite seeing your good sides can be dealt with andshould be.
Recognizing your own qualities, talents, and abilities is the way to build a stronger relationship with yourself and create stable self-esteem and self-confidence.
by admin | Jan 7, 2022 | Mind
why are habits important
Habits – What They Are And Why They Matter
- Origin, Explanation And Why They’re So Important
- Throughout evolution, many different factors have been responsible for our development.
- Everything from our geological position, surrounding species, and the weather have played a huge part in how we now function and think.
- However, a lot has changed since then, and that is not something to ignore.
- Today a big part of what forms our way of thinking stems from our childhood.
- Ever since our birth, we learn through repetition, and this is precisely how habits are formed and strengthened.
- In this article series we explain in detail everything about them – from how they started to how to make them work in our favour.
So, What Are Habits?
A habit is a learned behavior or sequence that has become reflexive overtime and therefore does not need a conscious command or intent.
What’s important about habits is that they are learned through time and can be made into completely automatic processes.
However, maybe their most distinctive feature is that they’re mainly dependent on previous repetition, and that’s why doing them often, is the easiest way to make them a part of our brain.
The part of our brain that’s active when we’re doing something out of habit is called the basal ganglia.
It’s interesting to note that this is not the same part responsible for decision-making (the prefrontal cortex).
Within the basal ganglia of the brain, there are two different pathways through which we reach our habits- associative and automatic.
The associative pathway is connected to actions leading to food, warmth, shelter etc. – it’s basically everything from habits to instincts.
The automatic pathway is where often repeated actions are stored like brushing teeth, putting on shoes etc. – this is for the habits we learn through repetition and positive reinforcement.
This is the most basic explanation of how habits are formed, and it consists of three steps – a cue, a routine, and a reward.
The cue is the trigger for the behavior itself, and it’s mainly connected with location, time, previous action, or emotion.
Think of it like walking past the bathroom in the morning and brushing your teeth – this can be because of your place in the apartment, the morning hour, the fact that you just got out of bed, or that you still feel sleepy and want to wake up.
Next is the routine – this is the initially conscious actions that turned into habits.
We can use drinking coffee as an example – a lot of people start drinking coffee because they’re tired or bored at the beginning (completely aware of the reasons and their actions) and end up forming a habit out of it through repeating the same thought process every day.
The final thing is the reward – this is pretty self-explanatory.
Habits are easily made through because of the rewarding feeling afterward.
For example, when you cook for yourself every night, you receive some free time throughout the next day and make this into a habit.
Why They Matter So Much
Taking your meds, exercising, keeping a healthy diet and regular sleep schedule are all thanks to the formation of habits.
Positive actions and thoughts tend to avalanche and the same is true for repeating behavior – once you start it’s much easier to keep going and this leads to a better physical and mental state.
Healthy habits also lead to a better perspective on life – once you start taking care of your body, it’s much easier to boost your confidence and start working on your goals.
It’s also worth mentioning that habits improve your day-to-day life because they’re essentially little boosts of serotonin, which are always welcome.
From an evolutionary standpoint, this is why habits were formed.
When you do something automatically you can keep your active focus on something else and still be successful in both.
By forming the habits you need and want, you will have the energy to achieve more complicated actions.
It’s also important to mention that they save up time – once you’ve turned habits into automatic processes, you can do two or more things at the same time without it being detrimental to the results.
So, Think Of It This Way
Habits have been a part of our brain processes forever and for a good reason.
They help with survival, and they make many actions less taxing on the brain.
Habits also promote a healthier lifestyle and an easier and more enjoyable experience both from day to day and long term.
In the second part of this series, we explain how to improve the habits we already have, get rid of negative ones and even build some we’ve always wanted to.
Stay tuned!
by admin | Jan 7, 2022 | Mind
Habits – How To Build Them
- Tips And tricks On Making New Habits And Improving Old Ones
- As we explained in the previous article, habits are completely or semi-automatic actions that are learned through repetition.
- We have always relied on habits up to a certain extent, both for ensuring survival and predisposing advancement.
- Habits now however are so important because they affect our daily lives – in fact for some people they’re pretty much the building blocks of their lives.
- This is why it’s crucial for them to be beneficial for us and to provide the right kind of push in the direction we want.
- Here’s why we believe it’s important to know how to manage your habits and why we created this list.
- It holds three different categories of actions that are sure to help in bettering your habitual behavior.
- Firstly you need to choose an action you would like to improve. We suggest spending a little bit of time every month thinking of your habits in general and separating them into the three categories listed.
Improving Already Existing Habits
- Once you have chosen one thing you want to improve for the month, try searching for ways in which this can be done and start writing some ideas down.
- They should fit your lifestyle and ideology and be focused on small actions.
- It’s easy to get overwhelmed by shifting everything you do regarding the habit, and the idea here isn’t for it to be difficult but rather enjoyable.
- Once you have decided the method that will positively affect you, try it for two weeks to see if it works and track your process and progress.
- This means to pay attention to how much time the new way takes, how it makes you feel and how much resources it uses compared to the past one.
- If everything looks good, you can keep enforcing this new way of doing things by rewarding yourself with something little every time you do so.
- Soon enough, you will be straight on your way to habitual improvement!
Getting Rid Of Old Habits
Firstly we should clarify that you never simply remove a habit. You replace it with a different one.
With this in mind, the first step to changing behavior you don’t like is to think of what you would like to do instead and work in that direction.
Now that we have set a goal, the next very important thing is to get rid of as many triggers as possible.
As we explained in the previous article, triggers, or cues, are the initial connection we have made with the action (for instance, getting coffee each time on your way to work because you always pass by one exact coffee shop).
It’s much easier to fight bad habits if you’re not in the environment that sets them off.
Another thing you can do is visualize your desired behavior and search for cues that can lead to it, as well as an environment in which it can flourish.
Surrounding yourself with people that have the habits you want and finding those that want to improve in the same way you do is also very useful mainly because one group leads by example while the other one supports you throughout your journey.
Finally, it’s imperative to accept that you will slip up some time but that that doesn’t mean you should stop trying or haven’t changed – these things take a lot of time and effort and if you put in the work, you will reap the rewards,
Making New And Better Habits
It’s never too late to start doing something you want, and this category is just for that.
When forming a new habit, it’s essential to know why it brings you happiness and how it improves your life. Once you have these answers, you can start to change your behavior.
It’s effortless to connect new habits to ones you already have because this builds on an already-existing pathway.
It’s important to note that in order to make a new habit fast, you should consciously clear any obstacles that stand in your way before you start – that way, you won’t be taken by surprise with a negative aspect of your actions and you’ll have already put in some effort so it will be easier to find the motivation to keep it up.
The final mandatory aspect is to reward yourself for each time you have worked in favor of your desired behavior.
This one simple step is a real game-changer and should never be neglected because it helps your brain in solidifying the connections you want and keep working in the direction in which you want it to.
Habits are a huge part of us, and that’s a great advantage.
We are in charge of something powerful and can make our lives much easier and happier overall.
Although some people don’t like to be responsible for such big things, they’re the easiest and smartest way to become what we would like to be.
Habits are not easy to break or to build, but the effort is always worth it in the end because they can improve every aspect of your life you want, and if they’re sustained, they last forever.
With all of this in mind, we know it’s crucial and helpful to try and improve your habits, and you can do so while having fun and finding out new great parts of the world and yourself.
by admin | Jan 7, 2022 | Mind
Getting Back On Track After The Holidays
The holidays are a time for celebration. It’s also a time to indulge in all of the delicious food and drink that we’ve been waiting all year long to enjoy!
The holidays can be hard on your waistline, though.
Luckily, a short slip won’t ruin everything for years ahead, so in this article, we will tell you exactly how you can get back in shape after the holidays if they took their toll on your body!
But first…
How Can You Prevent Gaining Weight?
It is a common belief that gaining weight around the holidays is inevitable…
But really, if you re-frame the whole thing, you may actually reap benefits from all this extra food you’re getting.
Read our article “How to avoid weight gain” to get more insight on how to:
- Prevent weight gain around the holidays
- Control binging
And well, if that didn’t help or it’s too late, follow these 5 tips to get back in shape after the holidays!
Post-Holiday Rebound Tips
#1 Calm Down!
Holidays have the ability to relax the body and mind so much that we become overly indulged in consumable goods.
Don’t let that translate into your day-to-day eating habits, though!
Get back on track with your nutrition and focus on:
- Animal products
- Grains and root crops
- Vegetables
- Fruits
Eat just enough to feel properly satiated and avoid binging and overeating.
#2 Use That Energy
Once you’re back on track with a consistent meal plan, you should also consider putting the nutrients from that food to work!
Get more active, lift some weights, run some miles, stretch and mobilize!
Eating good food and spending time in the gym is an investment in your body composition.
#3 Increase Protein & Quality Fat
As we mentioned in the previously referenced article, you have to feel satiated in order to avoid overeating and stay on track with your plan.
To be satiated, consider adding quality protein and fats from animal products, or, if you are plant-based, a combination of grains, legumes, and other plant sources of protein.
These are the most satiating nutrients, so don’t miss them out!
#4 Focus On The Long Term
One of the most important factors is to remember that a little slip during the holidays won’t have a big impact on long-term progress if you don’t let it.
Swipe away the feeling of guilt from your mind and focus on the important things for your shape and performance – Training well, eating well, and sleeping well.
#5 Stay Disciplined
Focusing on the long-term, bigger picture of your physical development, you may come to realize that motivation is usually short-lived.
Especially after the holidays are over, people start setting goals like “new years resolutions”.
Those are generally accompanied by a spike of motivation that doesn’t really last long.
Instead of seeking motivation to do what you have to do, develop discipline and accept that fitness is about establishing a consistent set of body-nurturing habits.
Take-Home Message
The holidays are over and it’s time to get back on track with your diet.
You can do this by making small changes, like following a meal plan or starting an exercise program.
If you need some help coming up with these plans, we have resources that will guide you through the process of getting into shape after holiday binging.
We also offer nutrition coaching services as well as fitness training for those who want professional guidance from experts in the field.
For more information about what we have to offer contact us at ____@_____com today!
by admin | Jan 7, 2022 | Mind
How to find the right career path for yourself
Have you ever stopped to wonder whether you’re on the right career path?
Yes, I know you have and you’re not the only one – All of us have been there at one point after our teenage years.
A 2020 Deloitte survey found that 31% of millennials and about 50% of those from Generation Z are planning to leave their jobs within two years.
This statistic shows how rocky the younger generation’s psyche is towards snatching a stable and fulfilling job.
So then what is the alternative – we stick with the mundane job that doesn’t make us happy, but still pays the bills, or we leave everything in the search of something better?
Let’s find out.
Why is this happening to me?
If you think you’re the only one that struggles with getting a grip on your professional life, you are highly mistaken.
The social factor in this case plays the biggest role. A lot of young people tend to rush into sudden decisions regarding their career choices.
This happens mainly due to expectations from the social and family circles. You have to find a paying job and you have to like it, there is no other way you can succeed.
Alternatively, there is always the chance that you just want to make easy money with less work, which, believe me, doesn’t work like that.
So, let’s look at some possible tips for changing all of this.
Let’s go back to high school
Remember when in high school the guidance chancellor gave you a career personality test.
You didn’t pay much attention to it then, right? But It actually could have been pretty useful.
Tests that calculate the ideal job for you can establish the working ground for your potential profession to be.
There are some pretty spot-on tests and quizzes online that can get you focused on a certain qualification that matches your personality and good traits.
While we’re on the subject of personality traits, let’s talk about…
Making a list, and checking it twice!
It really does help to write down the thing you want out of your dream job. It doesn’t even have to ideally be your dream job, but the one you feel you will be good at.
The list may include things you are good at, things you are bad at, things you want to do as a hobby, and things you want to work.
It could even include traits that you have that are suitable for different companies. That way you will arrange your strong sides when you need to point them out to the person that will interview you.
Do not underestimate the power of making a list, because we usually tend to undermine the process of carefully sorting out all these personality traits.
Always be in touch with the times
It’s important to know what is out there, as well as what job pays how much.
It sounds a little capitalistic as an approach, but you always have to remember that if you’re good at something, you should avoid doing it for free!
Meet new people and don’t be afraid to ask for advice.
The connections that you make with a diverse crowd will form a steady know-how approach to the job you want.
Never stop trying
It is thought and sometimes it gets even harder, but you should never fall under the pressure of caving in.
Never stop trying to reach your goals and always ask yourself why you are doing what you’re doing.
You need to be very aware of the goals you want to achieve and what you’re willing to give to reach them.
Final Thoughts
Finding the right career path isn’t really easy – It takes a lot of trial and error, going through different positions, meeting different people and being in different communities.
At the end of the day, you should answer 2 questions for yourself:
- What is it that I’m really good at and know a lot about?
- What is it that I’d really enjoy doing for a big part of my life?
These are the two core questions that can take you a step closer to finding your career path.
How did YOU find your career path?
by admin | Jan 7, 2022 | Mind
Finding Peace In Adventure
The Mindset Of A Traveler
There are many different ways one can choose to live their lives in terms of ideologies, aspirations, and goals.
These things tend to vary from place to place and from decade to decade, and they all have their reasons as well as good and bad sides.
Throughout our history, we can see that some people find their comfort in traveling.
Although most of the people that adopt this mindset don’t take it to the extreme, some very impressive records have been set in terms of traveling.
The longest walk without stopping for instance took 2 425 days and was done by George Meegan between 1977 and 1983.
Another impressive feat is that of Bertrand Piccard and Briton Brian Jones, who were the first people to travel around the world by a hot-air balloon in just 15 days.
Here we give some more interesting facts about traveling as a way of life so if the above sounded exciting, keep reading!
We also explain how people like them think and why this is a wonderful mindset, albeit a little weird at first sight.
The Basics
- So, Why Do People Travel?
Travelling is connected with many different aspects of life.
People travel a lot because of work or in order to rest, one because of the different conditions foreign countries offer, the other in order to take a break from their everyday life and return home refreshed.
Different reasons can be for fun (going to specific destinations, events etc.), to visit friends that live far away, or to understand themselves better by exploring what the world has to offer.
People with the traveler mindset usually fall in the last category.
They see adventure as a mix between all the other reasons and therefore use it as a source of inspiration and a resolution for their problems.
- How Often Does It Happen?
More than 1.4 billion people are international tourists each year.
And this does not account for the people that move to live in different countries.
Today around 1 in every 30 people lives in a different place from where they were born, which shows how easy moving has become thanks to modern technology and the ability to work from anywhere.
Another interesting fact is that northern Europeans travel the most, with Finland taking the first position in international travel with 7.5 trips a year.
- What Are The Most Visited Places?
France is the most visited country by tourists in the world today.
The most popular tourist attractions are different each year, but the Eiffel Tower, Times Square, the Wall of China, the Colosseum, and the Taj Mahal are pretty much always in the top 10.
The situation is very different, however, concerning where most people move to live.
The most popular places here include Canada, Germany, Switzerland, Spain, Japan, and Qatar, mainly because of their high quality of life and good conditions both for people born there and for foreigners.
The Mindset
- What Is The Traveler’s Mindset?
This is the way of thinking that predisposes curiosity, open-mindedness, and appreciation for the moment.
It’s important to mention that this mindset needs a fair dose of bravery and can put some aspects of life to the test.
However, if you’re the type of creative-thinker these people usually are, you will have no trouble
figuring out flexible ways to deal with similar issues.
Having a sense of adventure leads you to new places and experiences, teaching you a lot about the world and yourself, and the people with this mindset put these values at the top of the list.
The traveler’s mindset is based on exploration and living in the present, opposing the more common idea of always looking in the future.
- What Are The Main Reasons Behind It?
Adventurers feel a deep connection between themselves and the world and want to build their way of life based on it.
Challenging themselves in order to learn but at the same time being appreciative of everything they have and are surrounded by, are the main reasons most people adopt this mindset.
A different but also crucial aspect of it is being more understanding and feeling more connected to yourself and others as well as enjoying different points of view, habits, and ideas.
People with this mindset find it relaxing to travel and nurture their creativity and resilience, having different places be a source of inspiration both for ways of rest and hard work.
Most people with this mindset believe that the most important part of it is learning to be in the moment.
Once you have that down, taking the actions you want is much easier, and it always leads to more curious situations and places.
Learning to be okay with the ever-changing surroundings is also very important, and it teaches you compassion and resolution.
While that isn’t simple if you start by appreciating the differences between each one you’ll be better in no time.
Another aspect is understanding and treating yourself as well as you can – you are the master of your own journey, and it can only be as good as you make it.
Self-acceptance is one of the core reasons for this mindset to be so positive both in the sense of being good for you and making your outlook on life a better one.
With these ingredients, becoming a true adventurer is just a matter of time.
Traveling as a way of living is not for everyone.
It takes time and effort, and most of the time, it changes your life completely.
However, if you find yourself imagining living this way it’s never too late or too difficult to start.
Having a traveler’s mindset will inevitably broaden your horizons and teach you things both about the world and yourself you otherwise will not be able to experience.
Although it can be hard to imagine at first, adopting this way of thinking and living is proven to be one of the best and most positive decisions a person can make.
With all this being said, we hope to see you in different countries, trying different things, and exploring new horizons very soon!
Explore the world to truly understand it.
