Ever find yourself hopeless thinking about your future? 

On the one hand, there are your ambitions, passions, and objectives whereas, on the other hand, there is your current reality, which is where you are right now.

You want to get to the other side, but something is preventing you from doing so. Isn't that so?

Trust me. Every successful person you know has been there.

But the only thing that pushed them forward is that they didn't let their current reality take control over their minds.

There can be many things that are not letting you reach your desired destination. You may not even be aware of them. However, if you figure out what that one item (or a collection of things) is, you can move on to living the life of your dreams.

Here are some beneficial tips that you must follow in order to get back on track and life the life of your dreams:

• Accept your reality- The first thing you have to do is accept where you are. Admit that you are not where you want to be. Jot it down and, your brain will automatically start working out to find solutions. There is no need to compare yourself to others and feel sad. Thus, accepting your current situation will let you move to the next step swiftly.

• Stop feeling guilty- It's okay if you have not reached your final destination. You don't have to beat yourself up or feel guilty about it. What matters the most is you have become responsible and are willing to change your reality. This itself is a big thing for you. So don't pressurize yourself and start working on your future goals.

• Set small goals- Most people make the mistake of setting bigger goals and hustle towards achieving them. For example, some people may set a goal to lose 10 kg in a month or to earn $1000 in a month, which is a big challenge. When they don't achieve their objectives, they either give up or start berating themselves. Instead, start creating smaller goals for yourself that you can actually attain.

• Change your environment- Often you don't realize that environment plays a big role in your success. The daily habits that you do, the people you meet, the information you consume have a lot of impact on your brain. As a result, if you want to achieve your goals and become a better person, you must modify your environment.

• Regain confidence-  Self-confidence is the root of a happy life. If you have confidence and belief that you can do anything, nobody can stop you! It's more than just getting out of bed and going to work; it's about showing up with a plan for the day. Once you have done all the above steps, it is time to kick off and start working towards improving your life. Whether it is related to fitness, money, relationship or, business, remember you have the power to achieve anything.

Bottom Line

 Do you also sometimes feel burdened by an emotion called- "Guilt"? 

And then you start blaming yourself for the things you've done, and you wonder why you've done them.

Well, let me tell you- "Guilt is the result of overthinking a situation or, more specifically, thinking about how others are feeling about the way you have responded to them!"

If you have done something that made you happy and it gave you a sense of peace at that time, you should not feel bad about doing it.

Guilt is nothing but normal human emotion. It isn't even a negative emotion; it indicates that you are moral and ethical and that you are aware that your decisions have consequences. 

Most of the time we are accused of things for which we should not be guilty. This means that we apologize for the things for which no apology is needed.

So why take the blame on yourself when you only think about your mental health and peace of mind?

Hence you don't have to feel sad or upset about the stuff I'm about to mention!

1.  Saying "NO" to others- If you are compassionate about other people's feelings and sometimes you have to say "No" to them, then it's okay to say so. In fact, it's good if you are considering yourself a priority. Many people do the job they don't want to do because they don't know how to say "NO."

Thus, you should never feel guilty about saying "NO" to others for the things you don't want to do. It is as simple as that!

2.  Declining a social call- Does it happen with you too when your phone rings in front of you and you choose to ignore it and ring it over? Well, that happens with me too and with most of the other people too. Sometimes you don't feel like hanging out with your buddies or talk with others over a phone call. 

If you ignore a friend's call, the relationship will not stop, and your friend will not hold it against you. It is important to set aside time for yourself in order to maintain a healthy lifestyle!

3.  Choosing a different path- Sometimes we don't know what life brings to us. We may have decided earlier that we will choose a path and make it our profession, but something else may influence us and, we choose that instead. You should never feel guilty about choosing something that makes you passionate about doing it, no matter what the folks say.

4.  Acting normal in an intense situation- Your feelings are valid and whatever you are feeling in a particular situation is right. Don't be too hard on yourself if you don't feel the way people want you to.

If you have ever been sexually harassed or bullied or tortured by someone in your childhood or teenage and you are not able to get that thing out of your mind, it's okay. There may be people around you who would say- "It's not a big thing and that you are just overthinking!" Don't let them make you feel guilty about feeling your emotions. After all, that's your life and only you are responsible for your emotions.

5.  Moving on in life- Sometimes in our life, things don't work the way we want them to work. Either it's our professional life or personal. And when there is nothing we can do to make it better, it's better to move on. If you have decided to move on in life from your past relationship or your toxic work life, don't feel guilty about making that decision. You did what you thought was right.

6.  Spending time with yourself- Some days our mind and body are so exhausted that we don't feel like going out. If you want to relax and spend time with yourself, then do it without taking any guilt on yourself. Allow yourself some time during the day to simply bury yourself in a book or relax in a warm bath. 

7.  Not being productive- Everybody can't be their best version at every moment. We feel obligated to do something positive every second of the day because of social media, but keep in mind that social media is only a snapshot of someone's existence. We all function in different ways and at different times, and we are all efficient in different ways.

Conclusion

In 2020 when the pandemic hit the world, we all got stressed, anxious and upset. We had to stay away from our loved ones and isolate ourselves to protect them.

But gradually, we made it through it, and in December 2020, we all wished for a happy new year. We all thought this coming year would bring back our happiness and everything would get better.

But little did we know that this situation was going to be worse. 

Wait, I am not going to make you feel depressed!

A lot is going on right now, be it the shortage of beds, oxygen, or the poor development of our healthcare system. Our social media feeds are flooded with messages from people who need assistance or news outlets broadcasting disturbing images of dead bodies.

When I see such posts on my Instagram account, I feel gloomy about the situation. That feeling of fear and numbness that I experience, I am sure you guys experience it too.

But as it is said that- "Hope is the only thing that can help us get through the darkest of times." It is the only key that will help us get through this terrible situation.

Although it is natural to feel stress and anxiety, it does not mean that we allow our negative emotions to dominate us.

source: google

There are a lot of ways through which we can divert our minds and focus on our mental health. Here's what we can do to keep our mental wellbeing at ease:

1. Take breaks from reading, watching, or listening to the news- After some time, it can become disturbing than informative. While it is beneficial to be aware, hearing about the pandemic regularly can be distressing. Instead, try restricting your news consumption to a few times per day and taking a break from your phone, television, and computer screens for a while. If you get any messages or posts where you can help someone, then go for it. But try to remain as positive as you can be. I know it's difficult not to get emotional when you see other people's messages or tweets, but if you will send a positive thought out to the world, it will surely reach the universe.

 2. Connect with your loved ones- Talking with people about how you feel makes you feel good and comfortable. Although social distancing and lockdowns have made us isolated, on the other hand, technology has made our lives better. Call your friends and loved ones and reminisce the happy times you guys have spent together instead of talking about the current problem. Focus on what you want instead of what you don't want.

3. Take care of your body- Take deep breaths. Deep breathing is a helpful exercise to calm the noise inside your head. When you are surrounded by negative thoughts, take a deep breath and alert your mind. Also, stretching and exercising helps to release positive hormones. So take out some time to take care of your body.

4. Listen to peaceful or soothing music- Music is a powerful tool for emotional wellbeing, daily performance, and better sleep. For years it is being used as healing medicine. We all know the pleasure that we feel when we listen to our favorite song. So to calm the nerves of your mind, turn on the peaceful meditation and see yourself receiving positive vibes.

5. Do activities to reduce anxiety- Create a daily routine to manage your time effectively so that anxiety won't come near you. Add any activity that you like to enjoy to your daily routine to help cope up with anxiety. For example, you could go for a walk with your pet or pick up a paintbrush and paint a canvas. Doing any activity, even journaling your thoughts can help you cope with anxiety.

BOTTOM LINE

The world is surrounded by negativity. Everywhere there is some negative news going on which is disrupting humankind. 

We can somehow protect ourselves from the negativity of the world so that we do not see the news, messages, or videos coming our way, but what about the negative people around us?

How can we shut them off? 

These people are not bad in general, but their behavior, actions, words are so negative that it feels difficult for you to even breathe when you are with them?

 Isn't it?

So how can you overcome such negativity and toxicity that is not letting you live peacefully?

Well, it's easy to say- "Stay away from negativity"! However, in real life, it's as hard as it is easy to say.

So here's what you can do to deal with unnecessary stress, negativity, and all the toxic vibes you are getting either from a specific person or in general:

1. Music- Music has a different kind of vibe that can shift your mood in a second. Whenever someones piss you off or giving your negative energy, don't do anything but listen to good music. One should choose high energetic songs or those songs that calm his/her mind.

2. Reading books-  Reading self-help books provides you natural healing and inspiration to live your life more graciously. When you read an inspirational book every day, your brain is filled with more positivity and you get happy. Make sure to take out some time even if you read a single page.

3. Reminiscing good events-  Thinking about some good nostalgia has a positive effect on our brain which ultimately makes us happy. When you are stressed about something, put that thing aside and remember something very special to you. This technique is also used in relieving anxiety attacks.

4. Call a friend- Friendships are beneficial to one's health.  Good friends accompany you during your rough and tough times. It is advised that calling a friend when you are sad can boost your happiness and help you get out of that stressful situation. So, instead of crying and overthinking, call a friend who has a good sense of humor as he can surely make you laugh.

5. Prayer/meditation- We all know the benefits of prayer or doing meditation. Spending even a few minutes for meditation can impact a lot on your mood. It will help you achieve a sense of calm, harmony, and balance, which can improve your mental well-being as well as your overall health.

6. Self-care- Most of us are always hustling day and night to live a financially able life that we forget to take care of ourselves. When we have negative people around us, thinking about them not only spoils our mental health, but also our physical health. Try to find some alone time for yourself that can help manage your stress. For a few hours, forget about everything and just focus on yourself and your well-being.

7. Journaling- Journaling offers amazing benefits to help combat your stress, worry, or tension. I remember when I was a teenager I used to go to my bedroom and pick up a notebook to write about what happens at school. Although now, I do not publish my thoughts every day, whenever I feel sad I write what bothers me and, it calms me down quickly.
 Even studies show that journaling helps people with anxiety and improves their mental health. 

8. Be thankful- It is said that when you think about your blessings, it's impossible for you to be sad or depressed. I know it is hard to be grateful for something when you are stressed, but gratitude can help us to overcome stress and anxiety. Therefore, the next time you are unhappy, think of 3 blessings for which you are grateful and, you would feel more relaxed and at peace.

9. Spend alone time- It's time to refocus on yourself. Negativity can wear on even the most positive person over time. By keeping your life in balance, you are better equipped to handle the negative comments or situations that come your way. Exercise, meditation, prayer, or other enjoyable activities can help you relax and stay balanced. Start a new hobby, join a new class and you are ready to reach your ultimate goal of happiness.

10. Set boundaries- If the negativity is taking the soul out of you and none of the other suggestions are working for you, it's time to cut off or restrict your interaction with that individual. If you guys work together, limit the amount of time you spend together. This way, you can stay focused on your work and be more positive.

Conclusion

 The moment you wake up, you start surfing your social media to see what your friends or people whom you don't like in real life (but you are still following them over social media) have posted.

If someone is putting a story of them running or working out, your first thought in the morning would be- "They are getting fit and I am still fat or ugly"! 

And from that moment,  you curse or doubt yourself the whole day because you think that you are unable to do things that others are doing.

This was 1 side. 

The other side could be:

You hurry to get ready for work an hour before it begins. Before heading out the door, you shower quickly and grab an energy bar and a cup of coffee. The day has not even started yet and you feel exhausted and by the end of the week, you are all so drained up and burnt. This week again you couldn't reach your weekly goals and the cycle goes on and on...

So what is the exact way to set your life back on track? How can you set a morning routine that will give you an abundance of everything that you always wanted?

Here is the answer: HABITS

Habits create our day-to-day experiences and thus form our lifestyle. To change our lifestyle, we must change our habits.

Why are habits and routines important?

Here are 9 easy and tiny habits that will help set your morning routine:

 1.  Wake up at least 20 mins earlier than usual- You may have heard this phrase a thousand times that- "Early to bed, and early to rise; makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise!" But don't worry, you won't read the same story here again. 

If you are a night owl and it's hard for you to wake up early in the morning, set your alarm prior to 20 minutes than you usually get up. For instance, if you wake up around 10:00am, then set your alarm at 9:40am. In this way, you will start waking up early.

  2.  Be thankful for another day- The moment you get up, say Thank You to god. Be grateful for witnessing another day. Gratitude has the power to make you feel grounded and kind. Shift your focus towards all the things you have right now and be grateful for them.

 3.  Drink a glass of water- Drinking a warm glass of water in the morning is the quickest way to rehydrate yourself. Try drinking a glass of lemon water with honey as it is full of antioxidants which are good for your digestive system.

 4.  Make your bed- According to McCraven: “If you make your bed every morning you will have accomplished the first task of the day. It will give you a small sense of pride and it will encourage you to do another task"!

 5.  Set your morning intention- Setting an intention is different than setting a goal. It will depict how your day will be. Apart from eating, drinking, working, and doing all the other things, you have to create a mindset to do all of these chores. This would be possible by setting a morning intention.

 6.  Move your body for at least 5 mins- Exercising in the morning has many benefits. But if you are unable to work out in the morning, then do stretching or jumping for at least 5 minutes. Morning exercise improves blood flow, releases endorphins, and strengthens the muscle. It helps you get ready for the day ahead, raises your overall energy levels, and keeps you well.

7.  Have a proper breakfast- The food you consume in the morning puts a great impact on your overall day. People who eat a full bowl of breakfast in the morning are less likely to be obese and have stable blood sugar levels. 

8. Plan your day- After having your breakfast and doing all the above-mentioned things, it's time to plan your day. Making a habit of writing the goals for each day makes you more productive and helps in your decision-making power.

9. Stay positive- Finally, the most important habit that will remain with you for a lifetime is the habit of positive thinking.

Conclusion

 Do you often find yourself eating lots of snacks at midnight or even at work?

Watching Netflix and having popcorn is fine but when you eat just because you are bored is not!

People who have a habit of accessing food when stressed or bored are known as "emotional eaters." 

source: freepik

Emotional eating or stress eating refers to running towards either something spicy or a desert to get comfort. Sometimes we are physically full, yet we crave to eat something and, this happens when we are emotionally struggling from something.

 After you satisfy your soul by eating a tub of snacks, you may feel guilty or ashamed of yourself and, as a result, you gain weight.

So, stress eating not only makes you overweight but also suggests that you have something going on in your mind.

Are you an Emotional Eater?

• Do you eat something spicy to reduce your anxiety?
• Do you feel great after having lots of food?
• Do you continue eating after your first burp?
• Do you think food is your friend as you always feel good after having something?
• Do you reward yourself with food after achieving something?

What causes the Emotional Eating Cycle?

Whenever you have any food cravings, you immediately rush to cool it down. But do you know why this happens? Why you have the sudden urge to eat everything?

I often find myself craving something spicy to beat my stress, anxiety, and tension. While others may feel relief having a desert full of sugar and sweet. Everyone is a different type of stress eater. While occasionally picking a snack to eliminate boredom is fine. However, when stress eating becomes your habit, it can cause you more health problems.

This emotional eating cycle starts from your feeling of sadness and, you have this urge to eat something for self-satisfaction but, you end up feeling guilty or ashamed of over-eating.

 

Strategies to Manage Stress Eating 

You can stop being a stress-eater and change your lifestyle into a healthy and positive one by using these simple strategies. They are:

1.  Identify the cause behind emotional eating-

As soon as you find yourself craving for a specific type of food or snack, take a pause and find the root of this situation. Ask yourself- Why do I want to eat this food only? Check if something is bothering you? Are you stressed, worried, facing anxiety? Reflect and think if you are actually hungry or you only need food to calm your negative emotions. 

When you identify your eating habits and become aware, you will start ignoring the unhealthy food and shift towards healthy ones.

2. Shift to the right over comfort-

Before you reach a tub of ice cream or start opening packets of nachos, take a moment and wonder if this is what you want? Consuming junk once in a while is fine, but when you include it in your lifestyle, it causes obesity and other health problems.

Instead of loading yourself with unnecessary carbs and fats, switch towards those food groups that are enriched in vitamins and minerals and also boost our immunity. Such as chickpeas, raw seeds, fruits & vegetables, fish, chicken, etc.

3. Water is a problem-solution-

Keeping yourself hydrated throughout the day is another way of staying far away from stress-eating. Have you ever wondered your mood is off but without any specific reason? Well, this happens when we are not hydrated enough. 

Water is the solution to almost 70% of problems. Be it skin, hair, or any other internal problem, water is the solution for every difficulty. 

If you are bored of drinking plain water, why not add different ingredients to it to make it tasty? You can always go for herbal teas, smoothies, and lemon water to make your drinking habit fun and enjoyable.

4. Deal with your emotions-

Usually, we don't like sitting with our feelings and addressing them. So to avoid being in a negative state, we replace them with emotional eating. 

Dealing with your emotions can be scary, but you can achieve a peaceful state of mind with a guided meditation or breathing technique. You can also find some relaxation techniques that can help you cope up and face the emotions you are going through. 

You can also read this article, this can guide you to remain calm even with a busy schedule.

5. Follow a healthy lifestyle- 

It's easy for someone to grab some snacks out of their kitchen when they have already filled up their home with junk food. In some cases, when people can't resist eating something, they even order online. So to prevent yourself from overeating anything wrong, you should start following a healthy lifestyle. A healthy diet will not allow you to pick up junk when stressed but something healthy.

Usually, people think a healthy lifestyle is hard to maintain because they only have to eat healthy options throughout their life. But when you stock your kitchen with filling foods like whole-grain pasta, whole grain bread, oats, fruits, and other healthy items, you will not binge into unhealthy food items.

6. Distract yourself-

The best way to stop eating unhealthy is by focusing on other things.

The moment you find yourself craving something specific, tap onto other things that can make you feel relaxed and calm.

Distracting yourself on things like listening to music, going for a walk, and even drinking a big glass of water can stop you from eating emotionally.

Final Words

Have you ever felt like a victim? Do you self-pity all the time? 

Do you think the whole world is against you and no one seems to care about you?

Well if you do so or if you know someone who always thinks he is helpless and powerless then it may be because of victim mentality.

Who is a victim?

A victim is someone who has been robbed, attacked, humiliated, tortured physically. But when someone intentionally tries to divert the situation around himself, we might say, "He is playing a victim card!" Why? Because we can easily understand that nothing has happened to him or nobody tortured him, still he is self-pitying himself for no reason.

In general, we all are victims. At one point or other, we all have felt helpless. While some of us ditched our helplessness and stood firm but others couldn't leave their victim mindset. 

Signs of a victim mentality

Not everyone purposely plays a sympathy card, sometimes they don't know how to overcome a situation that leads to them being a victim. To know if you have a victim mindset or not, you must read the signs below:

• You feel everyone is against you.
• You accept your situation as it is.
• You don't do anything to come out of the unwanted situation.
• You blame others for your loss.
• You react annoyingly to negative feedback and criticism.
• You feel good when someone pity you.
• You constantly indulge in pessimistic self-talk and self-pity.
• You try to take sympathy from others.

How to ditch the victim mentality

1.  Be willing to change the situation

2. Stay away from negative people

3. Practice Forgiveness

4. Take a break

5. Empower yourself with positive self-affirmations

Final Words

Ever find yourself hopeless thinking about your future? 

On the one hand, there are your ambitions, passions, and objectives whereas, on the other hand, there is your current reality, which is where you are right now.

You want to get to the other side, but something is preventing you from doing so. Isn't that so?

Trust me. Every successful person you know has been there.

But the only thing that pushed them forward is that they didn't let their current reality take control over their minds.

There can be many things that are not letting you reach your desired destination. You may not even be aware of them. However, if you figure out what that one item (or a collection of things) is, you can move on to living the life of your dreams.

Here are some beneficial tips that you must follow in order to get back on track and life the life of your dreams:

• Accept your reality- The first thing you have to do is accept where you are. Admit that you are not where you want to be. Jot it down and, your brain will automatically start working out to find solutions. There is no need to compare yourself to others and feel sad. Thus, accepting your current situation will let you move to the next step swiftly.

• Stop feeling guilty- It's okay if you have not reached your final destination. You don't have to beat yourself up or feel guilty about it. What matters the most is you have become responsible and are willing to change your reality. This itself is a big thing for you. So don't pressurize yourself and start working on your future goals.

• Set small goals- Most people make the mistake of setting bigger goals and hustle towards achieving them. For example, some people may set a goal to lose 10 kg in a month or to earn $1000 in a month, which is a big challenge. When they don't achieve their objectives, they either give up or start berating themselves. Instead, start creating smaller goals for yourself that you can actually attain.

• Change your environment- Often you don't realize that environment plays a big role in your success. The daily habits that you do, the people you meet, the information you consume have a lot of impact on your brain. As a result, if you want to achieve your goals and become a better person, you must modify your environment.

• Regain confidence-  Self-confidence is the root of a happy life. If you have confidence and belief that you can do anything, nobody can stop you! It's more than just getting out of bed and going to work; it's about showing up with a plan for the day. Once you have done all the above steps, it is time to kick off and start working towards improving your life. Whether it is related to fitness, money, relationship or, business, remember you have the power to achieve anything.

Bottom Line

 Do you also sometimes feel burdened by an emotion called- "Guilt"? 

And then you start blaming yourself for the things you've done, and you wonder why you've done them.

Well, let me tell you- "Guilt is the result of overthinking a situation or, more specifically, thinking about how others are feeling about the way you have responded to them!"

If you have done something that made you happy and it gave you a sense of peace at that time, you should not feel bad about doing it.

Guilt is nothing but normal human emotion. It isn't even a negative emotion; it indicates that you are moral and ethical and that you are aware that your decisions have consequences. 

Most of the time we are accused of things for which we should not be guilty. This means that we apologize for the things for which no apology is needed.

So why take the blame on yourself when you only think about your mental health and peace of mind?

Hence you don't have to feel sad or upset about the stuff I'm about to mention!

1.  Saying "NO" to others- If you are compassionate about other people's feelings and sometimes you have to say "No" to them, then it's okay to say so. In fact, it's good if you are considering yourself a priority. Many people do the job they don't want to do because they don't know how to say "NO."

Thus, you should never feel guilty about saying "NO" to others for the things you don't want to do. It is as simple as that!

2.  Declining a social call- Does it happen with you too when your phone rings in front of you and you choose to ignore it and ring it over? Well, that happens with me too and with most of the other people too. Sometimes you don't feel like hanging out with your buddies or talk with others over a phone call. 

If you ignore a friend's call, the relationship will not stop, and your friend will not hold it against you. It is important to set aside time for yourself in order to maintain a healthy lifestyle!

3.  Choosing a different path- Sometimes we don't know what life brings to us. We may have decided earlier that we will choose a path and make it our profession, but something else may influence us and, we choose that instead. You should never feel guilty about choosing something that makes you passionate about doing it, no matter what the folks say.

4.  Acting normal in an intense situation- Your feelings are valid and whatever you are feeling in a particular situation is right. Don't be too hard on yourself if you don't feel the way people want you to.

If you have ever been sexually harassed or bullied or tortured by someone in your childhood or teenage and you are not able to get that thing out of your mind, it's okay. There may be people around you who would say- "It's not a big thing and that you are just overthinking!" Don't let them make you feel guilty about feeling your emotions. After all, that's your life and only you are responsible for your emotions.

5.  Moving on in life- Sometimes in our life, things don't work the way we want them to work. Either it's our professional life or personal. And when there is nothing we can do to make it better, it's better to move on. If you have decided to move on in life from your past relationship or your toxic work life, don't feel guilty about making that decision. You did what you thought was right.

6.  Spending time with yourself- Some days our mind and body are so exhausted that we don't feel like going out. If you want to relax and spend time with yourself, then do it without taking any guilt on yourself. Allow yourself some time during the day to simply bury yourself in a book or relax in a warm bath. 

7.  Not being productive- Everybody can't be their best version at every moment. We feel obligated to do something positive every second of the day because of social media, but keep in mind that social media is only a snapshot of someone's existence. We all function in different ways and at different times, and we are all efficient in different ways.

Conclusion

In 2020 when the pandemic hit the world, we all got stressed, anxious and upset. We had to stay away from our loved ones and isolate ourselves to protect them.

But gradually, we made it through it, and in December 2020, we all wished for a happy new year. We all thought this coming year would bring back our happiness and everything would get better.

But little did we know that this situation was going to be worse. 

Wait, I am not going to make you feel depressed!

A lot is going on right now, be it the shortage of beds, oxygen, or the poor development of our healthcare system. Our social media feeds are flooded with messages from people who need assistance or news outlets broadcasting disturbing images of dead bodies.

When I see such posts on my Instagram account, I feel gloomy about the situation. That feeling of fear and numbness that I experience, I am sure you guys experience it too.

But as it is said that- "Hope is the only thing that can help us get through the darkest of times." It is the only key that will help us get through this terrible situation.

Although it is natural to feel stress and anxiety, it does not mean that we allow our negative emotions to dominate us.

source: google

There are a lot of ways through which we can divert our minds and focus on our mental health. Here's what we can do to keep our mental wellbeing at ease:

1. Take breaks from reading, watching, or listening to the news- After some time, it can become disturbing than informative. While it is beneficial to be aware, hearing about the pandemic regularly can be distressing. Instead, try restricting your news consumption to a few times per day and taking a break from your phone, television, and computer screens for a while. If you get any messages or posts where you can help someone, then go for it. But try to remain as positive as you can be. I know it's difficult not to get emotional when you see other people's messages or tweets, but if you will send a positive thought out to the world, it will surely reach the universe.

 2. Connect with your loved ones- Talking with people about how you feel makes you feel good and comfortable. Although social distancing and lockdowns have made us isolated, on the other hand, technology has made our lives better. Call your friends and loved ones and reminisce the happy times you guys have spent together instead of talking about the current problem. Focus on what you want instead of what you don't want.

3. Take care of your body- Take deep breaths. Deep breathing is a helpful exercise to calm the noise inside your head. When you are surrounded by negative thoughts, take a deep breath and alert your mind. Also, stretching and exercising helps to release positive hormones. So take out some time to take care of your body.

4. Listen to peaceful or soothing music- Music is a powerful tool for emotional wellbeing, daily performance, and better sleep. For years it is being used as healing medicine. We all know the pleasure that we feel when we listen to our favorite song. So to calm the nerves of your mind, turn on the peaceful meditation and see yourself receiving positive vibes.

5. Do activities to reduce anxiety- Create a daily routine to manage your time effectively so that anxiety won't come near you. Add any activity that you like to enjoy to your daily routine to help cope up with anxiety. For example, you could go for a walk with your pet or pick up a paintbrush and paint a canvas. Doing any activity, even journaling your thoughts can help you cope with anxiety.

BOTTOM LINE

The world is surrounded by negativity. Everywhere there is some negative news going on which is disrupting humankind. 

We can somehow protect ourselves from the negativity of the world so that we do not see the news, messages, or videos coming our way, but what about the negative people around us?

How can we shut them off? 

These people are not bad in general, but their behavior, actions, words are so negative that it feels difficult for you to even breathe when you are with them?

 Isn't it?

So how can you overcome such negativity and toxicity that is not letting you live peacefully?

Well, it's easy to say- "Stay away from negativity"! However, in real life, it's as hard as it is easy to say.

So here's what you can do to deal with unnecessary stress, negativity, and all the toxic vibes you are getting either from a specific person or in general:

1. Music- Music has a different kind of vibe that can shift your mood in a second. Whenever someones piss you off or giving your negative energy, don't do anything but listen to good music. One should choose high energetic songs or those songs that calm his/her mind.

2. Reading books-  Reading self-help books provides you natural healing and inspiration to live your life more graciously. When you read an inspirational book every day, your brain is filled with more positivity and you get happy. Make sure to take out some time even if you read a single page.

3. Reminiscing good events-  Thinking about some good nostalgia has a positive effect on our brain which ultimately makes us happy. When you are stressed about something, put that thing aside and remember something very special to you. This technique is also used in relieving anxiety attacks.

4. Call a friend- Friendships are beneficial to one's health.  Good friends accompany you during your rough and tough times. It is advised that calling a friend when you are sad can boost your happiness and help you get out of that stressful situation. So, instead of crying and overthinking, call a friend who has a good sense of humor as he can surely make you laugh.

5. Prayer/meditation- We all know the benefits of prayer or doing meditation. Spending even a few minutes for meditation can impact a lot on your mood. It will help you achieve a sense of calm, harmony, and balance, which can improve your mental well-being as well as your overall health.

6. Self-care- Most of us are always hustling day and night to live a financially able life that we forget to take care of ourselves. When we have negative people around us, thinking about them not only spoils our mental health, but also our physical health. Try to find some alone time for yourself that can help manage your stress. For a few hours, forget about everything and just focus on yourself and your well-being.

7. Journaling- Journaling offers amazing benefits to help combat your stress, worry, or tension. I remember when I was a teenager I used to go to my bedroom and pick up a notebook to write about what happens at school. Although now, I do not publish my thoughts every day, whenever I feel sad I write what bothers me and, it calms me down quickly.
 Even studies show that journaling helps people with anxiety and improves their mental health. 

8. Be thankful- It is said that when you think about your blessings, it's impossible for you to be sad or depressed. I know it is hard to be grateful for something when you are stressed, but gratitude can help us to overcome stress and anxiety. Therefore, the next time you are unhappy, think of 3 blessings for which you are grateful and, you would feel more relaxed and at peace.

9. Spend alone time- It's time to refocus on yourself. Negativity can wear on even the most positive person over time. By keeping your life in balance, you are better equipped to handle the negative comments or situations that come your way. Exercise, meditation, prayer, or other enjoyable activities can help you relax and stay balanced. Start a new hobby, join a new class and you are ready to reach your ultimate goal of happiness.

10. Set boundaries- If the negativity is taking the soul out of you and none of the other suggestions are working for you, it's time to cut off or restrict your interaction with that individual. If you guys work together, limit the amount of time you spend together. This way, you can stay focused on your work and be more positive.

Conclusion

 The moment you wake up, you start surfing your social media to see what your friends or people whom you don't like in real life (but you are still following them over social media) have posted.

If someone is putting a story of them running or working out, your first thought in the morning would be- "They are getting fit and I am still fat or ugly"! 

And from that moment,  you curse or doubt yourself the whole day because you think that you are unable to do things that others are doing.

This was 1 side. 

The other side could be:

You hurry to get ready for work an hour before it begins. Before heading out the door, you shower quickly and grab an energy bar and a cup of coffee. The day has not even started yet and you feel exhausted and by the end of the week, you are all so drained up and burnt. This week again you couldn't reach your weekly goals and the cycle goes on and on...

So what is the exact way to set your life back on track? How can you set a morning routine that will give you an abundance of everything that you always wanted?

Here is the answer: HABITS

Habits create our day-to-day experiences and thus form our lifestyle. To change our lifestyle, we must change our habits.

Why are habits and routines important?

Here are 9 easy and tiny habits that will help set your morning routine:

 1.  Wake up at least 20 mins earlier than usual- You may have heard this phrase a thousand times that- "Early to bed, and early to rise; makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise!" But don't worry, you won't read the same story here again. 

If you are a night owl and it's hard for you to wake up early in the morning, set your alarm prior to 20 minutes than you usually get up. For instance, if you wake up around 10:00am, then set your alarm at 9:40am. In this way, you will start waking up early.

  2.  Be thankful for another day- The moment you get up, say Thank You to god. Be grateful for witnessing another day. Gratitude has the power to make you feel grounded and kind. Shift your focus towards all the things you have right now and be grateful for them.

 3.  Drink a glass of water- Drinking a warm glass of water in the morning is the quickest way to rehydrate yourself. Try drinking a glass of lemon water with honey as it is full of antioxidants which are good for your digestive system.

 4.  Make your bed- According to McCraven: “If you make your bed every morning you will have accomplished the first task of the day. It will give you a small sense of pride and it will encourage you to do another task"!

 5.  Set your morning intention- Setting an intention is different than setting a goal. It will depict how your day will be. Apart from eating, drinking, working, and doing all the other things, you have to create a mindset to do all of these chores. This would be possible by setting a morning intention.

 6.  Move your body for at least 5 mins- Exercising in the morning has many benefits. But if you are unable to work out in the morning, then do stretching or jumping for at least 5 minutes. Morning exercise improves blood flow, releases endorphins, and strengthens the muscle. It helps you get ready for the day ahead, raises your overall energy levels, and keeps you well.

7.  Have a proper breakfast- The food you consume in the morning puts a great impact on your overall day. People who eat a full bowl of breakfast in the morning are less likely to be obese and have stable blood sugar levels. 

8. Plan your day- After having your breakfast and doing all the above-mentioned things, it's time to plan your day. Making a habit of writing the goals for each day makes you more productive and helps in your decision-making power.

9. Stay positive- Finally, the most important habit that will remain with you for a lifetime is the habit of positive thinking.

Conclusion

 Do you often find yourself eating lots of snacks at midnight or even at work?

Watching Netflix and having popcorn is fine but when you eat just because you are bored is not!

People who have a habit of accessing food when stressed or bored are known as "emotional eaters." 

source: freepik

Emotional eating or stress eating refers to running towards either something spicy or a desert to get comfort. Sometimes we are physically full, yet we crave to eat something and, this happens when we are emotionally struggling from something.

 After you satisfy your soul by eating a tub of snacks, you may feel guilty or ashamed of yourself and, as a result, you gain weight.

So, stress eating not only makes you overweight but also suggests that you have something going on in your mind.

Are you an Emotional Eater?

• Do you eat something spicy to reduce your anxiety?
• Do you feel great after having lots of food?
• Do you continue eating after your first burp?
• Do you think food is your friend as you always feel good after having something?
• Do you reward yourself with food after achieving something?

What causes the Emotional Eating Cycle?

Whenever you have any food cravings, you immediately rush to cool it down. But do you know why this happens? Why you have the sudden urge to eat everything?

I often find myself craving something spicy to beat my stress, anxiety, and tension. While others may feel relief having a desert full of sugar and sweet. Everyone is a different type of stress eater. While occasionally picking a snack to eliminate boredom is fine. However, when stress eating becomes your habit, it can cause you more health problems.

This emotional eating cycle starts from your feeling of sadness and, you have this urge to eat something for self-satisfaction but, you end up feeling guilty or ashamed of over-eating.

 

Strategies to Manage Stress Eating 

You can stop being a stress-eater and change your lifestyle into a healthy and positive one by using these simple strategies. They are:

1.  Identify the cause behind emotional eating-

As soon as you find yourself craving for a specific type of food or snack, take a pause and find the root of this situation. Ask yourself- Why do I want to eat this food only? Check if something is bothering you? Are you stressed, worried, facing anxiety? Reflect and think if you are actually hungry or you only need food to calm your negative emotions. 

When you identify your eating habits and become aware, you will start ignoring the unhealthy food and shift towards healthy ones.

2. Shift to the right over comfort-

Before you reach a tub of ice cream or start opening packets of nachos, take a moment and wonder if this is what you want? Consuming junk once in a while is fine, but when you include it in your lifestyle, it causes obesity and other health problems.

Instead of loading yourself with unnecessary carbs and fats, switch towards those food groups that are enriched in vitamins and minerals and also boost our immunity. Such as chickpeas, raw seeds, fruits & vegetables, fish, chicken, etc.

3. Water is a problem-solution-

Keeping yourself hydrated throughout the day is another way of staying far away from stress-eating. Have you ever wondered your mood is off but without any specific reason? Well, this happens when we are not hydrated enough. 

Water is the solution to almost 70% of problems. Be it skin, hair, or any other internal problem, water is the solution for every difficulty. 

If you are bored of drinking plain water, why not add different ingredients to it to make it tasty? You can always go for herbal teas, smoothies, and lemon water to make your drinking habit fun and enjoyable.

4. Deal with your emotions-

Usually, we don't like sitting with our feelings and addressing them. So to avoid being in a negative state, we replace them with emotional eating. 

Dealing with your emotions can be scary, but you can achieve a peaceful state of mind with a guided meditation or breathing technique. You can also find some relaxation techniques that can help you cope up and face the emotions you are going through. 

You can also read this article, this can guide you to remain calm even with a busy schedule.

5. Follow a healthy lifestyle- 

It's easy for someone to grab some snacks out of their kitchen when they have already filled up their home with junk food. In some cases, when people can't resist eating something, they even order online. So to prevent yourself from overeating anything wrong, you should start following a healthy lifestyle. A healthy diet will not allow you to pick up junk when stressed but something healthy.

Usually, people think a healthy lifestyle is hard to maintain because they only have to eat healthy options throughout their life. But when you stock your kitchen with filling foods like whole-grain pasta, whole grain bread, oats, fruits, and other healthy items, you will not binge into unhealthy food items.

6. Distract yourself-

The best way to stop eating unhealthy is by focusing on other things.

The moment you find yourself craving something specific, tap onto other things that can make you feel relaxed and calm.

Distracting yourself on things like listening to music, going for a walk, and even drinking a big glass of water can stop you from eating emotionally.

Final Words

Have you ever felt like a victim? Do you self-pity all the time? 

Do you think the whole world is against you and no one seems to care about you?

Well if you do so or if you know someone who always thinks he is helpless and powerless then it may be because of victim mentality.

Who is a victim?

A victim is someone who has been robbed, attacked, humiliated, tortured physically. But when someone intentionally tries to divert the situation around himself, we might say, "He is playing a victim card!" Why? Because we can easily understand that nothing has happened to him or nobody tortured him, still he is self-pitying himself for no reason.

In general, we all are victims. At one point or other, we all have felt helpless. While some of us ditched our helplessness and stood firm but others couldn't leave their victim mindset. 

Signs of a victim mentality

Not everyone purposely plays a sympathy card, sometimes they don't know how to overcome a situation that leads to them being a victim. To know if you have a victim mindset or not, you must read the signs below:

• You feel everyone is against you.
• You accept your situation as it is.
• You don't do anything to come out of the unwanted situation.
• You blame others for your loss.
• You react annoyingly to negative feedback and criticism.
• You feel good when someone pity you.
• You constantly indulge in pessimistic self-talk and self-pity.
• You try to take sympathy from others.

How to ditch the victim mentality

1.  Be willing to change the situation

2. Stay away from negative people

3. Practice Forgiveness

4. Take a break

5. Empower yourself with positive self-affirmations

Final Words

Ever find yourself hopeless thinking about your future? 

On the one hand, there are your ambitions, passions, and objectives whereas, on the other hand, there is your current reality, which is where you are right now.

You want to get to the other side, but something is preventing you from doing so. Isn't that so?

Trust me. Every successful person you know has been there.

But the only thing that pushed them forward is that they didn't let their current reality take control over their minds.

There can be many things that are not letting you reach your desired destination. You may not even be aware of them. However, if you figure out what that one item (or a collection of things) is, you can move on to living the life of your dreams.

Here are some beneficial tips that you must follow in order to get back on track and life the life of your dreams:

• Accept your reality- The first thing you have to do is accept where you are. Admit that you are not where you want to be. Jot it down and, your brain will automatically start working out to find solutions. There is no need to compare yourself to others and feel sad. Thus, accepting your current situation will let you move to the next step swiftly.

• Stop feeling guilty- It's okay if you have not reached your final destination. You don't have to beat yourself up or feel guilty about it. What matters the most is you have become responsible and are willing to change your reality. This itself is a big thing for you. So don't pressurize yourself and start working on your future goals.

• Set small goals- Most people make the mistake of setting bigger goals and hustle towards achieving them. For example, some people may set a goal to lose 10 kg in a month or to earn $1000 in a month, which is a big challenge. When they don't achieve their objectives, they either give up or start berating themselves. Instead, start creating smaller goals for yourself that you can actually attain.

• Change your environment- Often you don't realize that environment plays a big role in your success. The daily habits that you do, the people you meet, the information you consume have a lot of impact on your brain. As a result, if you want to achieve your goals and become a better person, you must modify your environment.

• Regain confidence-  Self-confidence is the root of a happy life. If you have confidence and belief that you can do anything, nobody can stop you! It's more than just getting out of bed and going to work; it's about showing up with a plan for the day. Once you have done all the above steps, it is time to kick off and start working towards improving your life. Whether it is related to fitness, money, relationship or, business, remember you have the power to achieve anything.

Bottom Line

 Do you also sometimes feel burdened by an emotion called- "Guilt"? 

And then you start blaming yourself for the things you've done, and you wonder why you've done them.

Well, let me tell you- "Guilt is the result of overthinking a situation or, more specifically, thinking about how others are feeling about the way you have responded to them!"

If you have done something that made you happy and it gave you a sense of peace at that time, you should not feel bad about doing it.

Guilt is nothing but normal human emotion. It isn't even a negative emotion; it indicates that you are moral and ethical and that you are aware that your decisions have consequences. 

Most of the time we are accused of things for which we should not be guilty. This means that we apologize for the things for which no apology is needed.

So why take the blame on yourself when you only think about your mental health and peace of mind?

Hence you don't have to feel sad or upset about the stuff I'm about to mention!

1.  Saying "NO" to others- If you are compassionate about other people's feelings and sometimes you have to say "No" to them, then it's okay to say so. In fact, it's good if you are considering yourself a priority. Many people do the job they don't want to do because they don't know how to say "NO."

Thus, you should never feel guilty about saying "NO" to others for the things you don't want to do. It is as simple as that!

2.  Declining a social call- Does it happen with you too when your phone rings in front of you and you choose to ignore it and ring it over? Well, that happens with me too and with most of the other people too. Sometimes you don't feel like hanging out with your buddies or talk with others over a phone call. 

If you ignore a friend's call, the relationship will not stop, and your friend will not hold it against you. It is important to set aside time for yourself in order to maintain a healthy lifestyle!

3.  Choosing a different path- Sometimes we don't know what life brings to us. We may have decided earlier that we will choose a path and make it our profession, but something else may influence us and, we choose that instead. You should never feel guilty about choosing something that makes you passionate about doing it, no matter what the folks say.

4.  Acting normal in an intense situation- Your feelings are valid and whatever you are feeling in a particular situation is right. Don't be too hard on yourself if you don't feel the way people want you to.

If you have ever been sexually harassed or bullied or tortured by someone in your childhood or teenage and you are not able to get that thing out of your mind, it's okay. There may be people around you who would say- "It's not a big thing and that you are just overthinking!" Don't let them make you feel guilty about feeling your emotions. After all, that's your life and only you are responsible for your emotions.

5.  Moving on in life- Sometimes in our life, things don't work the way we want them to work. Either it's our professional life or personal. And when there is nothing we can do to make it better, it's better to move on. If you have decided to move on in life from your past relationship or your toxic work life, don't feel guilty about making that decision. You did what you thought was right.

6.  Spending time with yourself- Some days our mind and body are so exhausted that we don't feel like going out. If you want to relax and spend time with yourself, then do it without taking any guilt on yourself. Allow yourself some time during the day to simply bury yourself in a book or relax in a warm bath. 

7.  Not being productive- Everybody can't be their best version at every moment. We feel obligated to do something positive every second of the day because of social media, but keep in mind that social media is only a snapshot of someone's existence. We all function in different ways and at different times, and we are all efficient in different ways.

Conclusion

In 2020 when the pandemic hit the world, we all got stressed, anxious and upset. We had to stay away from our loved ones and isolate ourselves to protect them.

But gradually, we made it through it, and in December 2020, we all wished for a happy new year. We all thought this coming year would bring back our happiness and everything would get better.

But little did we know that this situation was going to be worse. 

Wait, I am not going to make you feel depressed!

A lot is going on right now, be it the shortage of beds, oxygen, or the poor development of our healthcare system. Our social media feeds are flooded with messages from people who need assistance or news outlets broadcasting disturbing images of dead bodies.

When I see such posts on my Instagram account, I feel gloomy about the situation. That feeling of fear and numbness that I experience, I am sure you guys experience it too.

But as it is said that- "Hope is the only thing that can help us get through the darkest of times." It is the only key that will help us get through this terrible situation.

Although it is natural to feel stress and anxiety, it does not mean that we allow our negative emotions to dominate us.

source: google

There are a lot of ways through which we can divert our minds and focus on our mental health. Here's what we can do to keep our mental wellbeing at ease:

1. Take breaks from reading, watching, or listening to the news- After some time, it can become disturbing than informative. While it is beneficial to be aware, hearing about the pandemic regularly can be distressing. Instead, try restricting your news consumption to a few times per day and taking a break from your phone, television, and computer screens for a while. If you get any messages or posts where you can help someone, then go for it. But try to remain as positive as you can be. I know it's difficult not to get emotional when you see other people's messages or tweets, but if you will send a positive thought out to the world, it will surely reach the universe.

 2. Connect with your loved ones- Talking with people about how you feel makes you feel good and comfortable. Although social distancing and lockdowns have made us isolated, on the other hand, technology has made our lives better. Call your friends and loved ones and reminisce the happy times you guys have spent together instead of talking about the current problem. Focus on what you want instead of what you don't want.

3. Take care of your body- Take deep breaths. Deep breathing is a helpful exercise to calm the noise inside your head. When you are surrounded by negative thoughts, take a deep breath and alert your mind. Also, stretching and exercising helps to release positive hormones. So take out some time to take care of your body.

4. Listen to peaceful or soothing music- Music is a powerful tool for emotional wellbeing, daily performance, and better sleep. For years it is being used as healing medicine. We all know the pleasure that we feel when we listen to our favorite song. So to calm the nerves of your mind, turn on the peaceful meditation and see yourself receiving positive vibes.

5. Do activities to reduce anxiety- Create a daily routine to manage your time effectively so that anxiety won't come near you. Add any activity that you like to enjoy to your daily routine to help cope up with anxiety. For example, you could go for a walk with your pet or pick up a paintbrush and paint a canvas. Doing any activity, even journaling your thoughts can help you cope with anxiety.

BOTTOM LINE

The world is surrounded by negativity. Everywhere there is some negative news going on which is disrupting humankind. 

We can somehow protect ourselves from the negativity of the world so that we do not see the news, messages, or videos coming our way, but what about the negative people around us?

How can we shut them off? 

These people are not bad in general, but their behavior, actions, words are so negative that it feels difficult for you to even breathe when you are with them?

 Isn't it?

So how can you overcome such negativity and toxicity that is not letting you live peacefully?

Well, it's easy to say- "Stay away from negativity"! However, in real life, it's as hard as it is easy to say.

So here's what you can do to deal with unnecessary stress, negativity, and all the toxic vibes you are getting either from a specific person or in general:

1. Music- Music has a different kind of vibe that can shift your mood in a second. Whenever someones piss you off or giving your negative energy, don't do anything but listen to good music. One should choose high energetic songs or those songs that calm his/her mind.

2. Reading books-  Reading self-help books provides you natural healing and inspiration to live your life more graciously. When you read an inspirational book every day, your brain is filled with more positivity and you get happy. Make sure to take out some time even if you read a single page.

3. Reminiscing good events-  Thinking about some good nostalgia has a positive effect on our brain which ultimately makes us happy. When you are stressed about something, put that thing aside and remember something very special to you. This technique is also used in relieving anxiety attacks.

4. Call a friend- Friendships are beneficial to one's health.  Good friends accompany you during your rough and tough times. It is advised that calling a friend when you are sad can boost your happiness and help you get out of that stressful situation. So, instead of crying and overthinking, call a friend who has a good sense of humor as he can surely make you laugh.

5. Prayer/meditation- We all know the benefits of prayer or doing meditation. Spending even a few minutes for meditation can impact a lot on your mood. It will help you achieve a sense of calm, harmony, and balance, which can improve your mental well-being as well as your overall health.

6. Self-care- Most of us are always hustling day and night to live a financially able life that we forget to take care of ourselves. When we have negative people around us, thinking about them not only spoils our mental health, but also our physical health. Try to find some alone time for yourself that can help manage your stress. For a few hours, forget about everything and just focus on yourself and your well-being.

7. Journaling- Journaling offers amazing benefits to help combat your stress, worry, or tension. I remember when I was a teenager I used to go to my bedroom and pick up a notebook to write about what happens at school. Although now, I do not publish my thoughts every day, whenever I feel sad I write what bothers me and, it calms me down quickly.
 Even studies show that journaling helps people with anxiety and improves their mental health. 

8. Be thankful- It is said that when you think about your blessings, it's impossible for you to be sad or depressed. I know it is hard to be grateful for something when you are stressed, but gratitude can help us to overcome stress and anxiety. Therefore, the next time you are unhappy, think of 3 blessings for which you are grateful and, you would feel more relaxed and at peace.

9. Spend alone time- It's time to refocus on yourself. Negativity can wear on even the most positive person over time. By keeping your life in balance, you are better equipped to handle the negative comments or situations that come your way. Exercise, meditation, prayer, or other enjoyable activities can help you relax and stay balanced. Start a new hobby, join a new class and you are ready to reach your ultimate goal of happiness.

10. Set boundaries- If the negativity is taking the soul out of you and none of the other suggestions are working for you, it's time to cut off or restrict your interaction with that individual. If you guys work together, limit the amount of time you spend together. This way, you can stay focused on your work and be more positive.

Conclusion

 The moment you wake up, you start surfing your social media to see what your friends or people whom you don't like in real life (but you are still following them over social media) have posted.

If someone is putting a story of them running or working out, your first thought in the morning would be- "They are getting fit and I am still fat or ugly"! 

And from that moment,  you curse or doubt yourself the whole day because you think that you are unable to do things that others are doing.

This was 1 side. 

The other side could be:

You hurry to get ready for work an hour before it begins. Before heading out the door, you shower quickly and grab an energy bar and a cup of coffee. The day has not even started yet and you feel exhausted and by the end of the week, you are all so drained up and burnt. This week again you couldn't reach your weekly goals and the cycle goes on and on...

So what is the exact way to set your life back on track? How can you set a morning routine that will give you an abundance of everything that you always wanted?

Here is the answer: HABITS

Habits create our day-to-day experiences and thus form our lifestyle. To change our lifestyle, we must change our habits.

Why are habits and routines important?

Here are 9 easy and tiny habits that will help set your morning routine:

 1.  Wake up at least 20 mins earlier than usual- You may have heard this phrase a thousand times that- "Early to bed, and early to rise; makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise!" But don't worry, you won't read the same story here again. 

If you are a night owl and it's hard for you to wake up early in the morning, set your alarm prior to 20 minutes than you usually get up. For instance, if you wake up around 10:00am, then set your alarm at 9:40am. In this way, you will start waking up early.

  2.  Be thankful for another day- The moment you get up, say Thank You to god. Be grateful for witnessing another day. Gratitude has the power to make you feel grounded and kind. Shift your focus towards all the things you have right now and be grateful for them.

 3.  Drink a glass of water- Drinking a warm glass of water in the morning is the quickest way to rehydrate yourself. Try drinking a glass of lemon water with honey as it is full of antioxidants which are good for your digestive system.

 4.  Make your bed- According to McCraven: “If you make your bed every morning you will have accomplished the first task of the day. It will give you a small sense of pride and it will encourage you to do another task"!

 5.  Set your morning intention- Setting an intention is different than setting a goal. It will depict how your day will be. Apart from eating, drinking, working, and doing all the other things, you have to create a mindset to do all of these chores. This would be possible by setting a morning intention.

 6.  Move your body for at least 5 mins- Exercising in the morning has many benefits. But if you are unable to work out in the morning, then do stretching or jumping for at least 5 minutes. Morning exercise improves blood flow, releases endorphins, and strengthens the muscle. It helps you get ready for the day ahead, raises your overall energy levels, and keeps you well.

7.  Have a proper breakfast- The food you consume in the morning puts a great impact on your overall day. People who eat a full bowl of breakfast in the morning are less likely to be obese and have stable blood sugar levels. 

8. Plan your day- After having your breakfast and doing all the above-mentioned things, it's time to plan your day. Making a habit of writing the goals for each day makes you more productive and helps in your decision-making power.

9. Stay positive- Finally, the most important habit that will remain with you for a lifetime is the habit of positive thinking.

Conclusion

 Do you often find yourself eating lots of snacks at midnight or even at work?

Watching Netflix and having popcorn is fine but when you eat just because you are bored is not!

People who have a habit of accessing food when stressed or bored are known as "emotional eaters." 

source: freepik

Emotional eating or stress eating refers to running towards either something spicy or a desert to get comfort. Sometimes we are physically full, yet we crave to eat something and, this happens when we are emotionally struggling from something.

 After you satisfy your soul by eating a tub of snacks, you may feel guilty or ashamed of yourself and, as a result, you gain weight.

So, stress eating not only makes you overweight but also suggests that you have something going on in your mind.

Are you an Emotional Eater?

• Do you eat something spicy to reduce your anxiety?
• Do you feel great after having lots of food?
• Do you continue eating after your first burp?
• Do you think food is your friend as you always feel good after having something?
• Do you reward yourself with food after achieving something?

What causes the Emotional Eating Cycle?

Whenever you have any food cravings, you immediately rush to cool it down. But do you know why this happens? Why you have the sudden urge to eat everything?

I often find myself craving something spicy to beat my stress, anxiety, and tension. While others may feel relief having a desert full of sugar and sweet. Everyone is a different type of stress eater. While occasionally picking a snack to eliminate boredom is fine. However, when stress eating becomes your habit, it can cause you more health problems.

This emotional eating cycle starts from your feeling of sadness and, you have this urge to eat something for self-satisfaction but, you end up feeling guilty or ashamed of over-eating.

 

Strategies to Manage Stress Eating 

You can stop being a stress-eater and change your lifestyle into a healthy and positive one by using these simple strategies. They are:

1.  Identify the cause behind emotional eating-

As soon as you find yourself craving for a specific type of food or snack, take a pause and find the root of this situation. Ask yourself- Why do I want to eat this food only? Check if something is bothering you? Are you stressed, worried, facing anxiety? Reflect and think if you are actually hungry or you only need food to calm your negative emotions. 

When you identify your eating habits and become aware, you will start ignoring the unhealthy food and shift towards healthy ones.

2. Shift to the right over comfort-

Before you reach a tub of ice cream or start opening packets of nachos, take a moment and wonder if this is what you want? Consuming junk once in a while is fine, but when you include it in your lifestyle, it causes obesity and other health problems.

Instead of loading yourself with unnecessary carbs and fats, switch towards those food groups that are enriched in vitamins and minerals and also boost our immunity. Such as chickpeas, raw seeds, fruits & vegetables, fish, chicken, etc.

3. Water is a problem-solution-

Keeping yourself hydrated throughout the day is another way of staying far away from stress-eating. Have you ever wondered your mood is off but without any specific reason? Well, this happens when we are not hydrated enough. 

Water is the solution to almost 70% of problems. Be it skin, hair, or any other internal problem, water is the solution for every difficulty. 

If you are bored of drinking plain water, why not add different ingredients to it to make it tasty? You can always go for herbal teas, smoothies, and lemon water to make your drinking habit fun and enjoyable.

4. Deal with your emotions-

Usually, we don't like sitting with our feelings and addressing them. So to avoid being in a negative state, we replace them with emotional eating. 

Dealing with your emotions can be scary, but you can achieve a peaceful state of mind with a guided meditation or breathing technique. You can also find some relaxation techniques that can help you cope up and face the emotions you are going through. 

You can also read this article, this can guide you to remain calm even with a busy schedule.

5. Follow a healthy lifestyle- 

It's easy for someone to grab some snacks out of their kitchen when they have already filled up their home with junk food. In some cases, when people can't resist eating something, they even order online. So to prevent yourself from overeating anything wrong, you should start following a healthy lifestyle. A healthy diet will not allow you to pick up junk when stressed but something healthy.

Usually, people think a healthy lifestyle is hard to maintain because they only have to eat healthy options throughout their life. But when you stock your kitchen with filling foods like whole-grain pasta, whole grain bread, oats, fruits, and other healthy items, you will not binge into unhealthy food items.

6. Distract yourself-

The best way to stop eating unhealthy is by focusing on other things.

The moment you find yourself craving something specific, tap onto other things that can make you feel relaxed and calm.

Distracting yourself on things like listening to music, going for a walk, and even drinking a big glass of water can stop you from eating emotionally.

Final Words

Have you ever felt like a victim? Do you self-pity all the time? 

Do you think the whole world is against you and no one seems to care about you?

Well if you do so or if you know someone who always thinks he is helpless and powerless then it may be because of victim mentality.

Who is a victim?

A victim is someone who has been robbed, attacked, humiliated, tortured physically. But when someone intentionally tries to divert the situation around himself, we might say, "He is playing a victim card!" Why? Because we can easily understand that nothing has happened to him or nobody tortured him, still he is self-pitying himself for no reason.

In general, we all are victims. At one point or other, we all have felt helpless. While some of us ditched our helplessness and stood firm but others couldn't leave their victim mindset. 

Signs of a victim mentality

Not everyone purposely plays a sympathy card, sometimes they don't know how to overcome a situation that leads to them being a victim. To know if you have a victim mindset or not, you must read the signs below:

• You feel everyone is against you.
• You accept your situation as it is.
• You don't do anything to come out of the unwanted situation.
• You blame others for your loss.
• You react annoyingly to negative feedback and criticism.
• You feel good when someone pity you.
• You constantly indulge in pessimistic self-talk and self-pity.
• You try to take sympathy from others.

How to ditch the victim mentality

1.  Be willing to change the situation

2. Stay away from negative people

3. Practice Forgiveness

4. Take a break

5. Empower yourself with positive self-affirmations

Final Words