Enhancing Emotional Intelligence For Better Relationship Dynamics

Emotional intelligence is an often overlooked aspect of human intelligence and covers the ability to understand and manage your emotions. It’s not unusual for emotions to be derided as something to be ignored or pushed aside, but realistically, emotions drive people more than logic. That makes understanding our emotions a critical part of daily living.

It’s not enough to only improve your skills when it comes to personal development. Improving your emotional intelligence fosters a deeper understanding of both yourself and the people around you, which can significantly improve your relationship dynamics.

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Understanding Emotional Intelligence

Emotional intelligence in the context of relationships involves two things: managing your own emotions while being able to understand and respond to the feelings of others. Emotional intelligence enhances our interpersonal skills, which in turn improves our self-confidence and ability to manage stress.

However, the best way to improve your emotional intelligence is by breaking it down into five components.

Self-Awareness

Self-awareness means having a conscious knowledge of your character, feelings, motives, and desires. Having self-awareness means understanding how all these things and your emotions affect you. All your emotions have an effect on your thoughts and behavior, which in turn will influence how you respond to any situation you experience in your life.

Having a strong sense of self-awareness means recognizing why you feel a certain way when something happens: your emotional triggers. It also means knowing your strengths and weaknesses. Self-awareness is inherently introspective and allows people to gauge their emotions accurately and see themselves objectively. It also involves acknowledging how your actions and emotions impact others.

People with a strong sense of self-awareness are typically open to feedback and capable of learning from experiences. They maintain realistic self-confidence and know what they can achieve based on their skills and abilities.

Understanding your emotions helps you maintain your purpose as you go through life and not get sidetracked by how you feel. The awareness of why you feel something can help you decide how you want to respond to something that happens to you.

Self-Regulation

Self-regulation involves controlling and redirecting disruptive emotions and impulses and adapting to changing circumstances. In other words, it’s the skill of managing your emotional reactions healthily.

People capable of self-regulation don’t make impulsive decisions; they think before acting. This aspect of emotional intelligence involves being conscientious, maintaining standards of honesty and integrity, taking responsibility for personal performance, and being adaptable to various situations.

Self-regulation is also about being comfortable with ambiguity and change, not letting a desire for perfection or control dominate your life. It allows individuals to handle change, manage conflict diplomatically, and manage their disruptive emotions and impulses. Practicing self-regulation leads to a more constructive and forward-thinking approach to life.

Motivation

Motivation, in the context of emotional intelligence, refers to the inner drive to achieve for the sake of achievement itself, not just for external rewards.

People with high motivation tend to work for internal reasons. Some of the qualities they exhibit are:

  • Commitment to goals
  • High initiative
  • Readiness to seize opportunities
  • Strong desire for excellence
  • Optimism in the face of failure
  • Resilience despite setbacks

These people tend to look beyond money and status and instead seek fulfillment; rather than being externally motivated by things outside themselves, they have an internal desire to excel. Motivation propels a person to be more productive, effective, and willing to take challenges head-on and may inspire the people around them to do the same.

Empathy

Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of others. Having the capacity to empathize with other people’s emotions means knowing why they feel a certain way, and being able to connect with them regarding their emotions.

Empathetic individuals can sense others’ feelings and perspectives and take an active interest in their concerns. Having empathy is more than being able to respond appropriately in social situations. A truly empathetic person can share in the emotions of others, whether they’re positive or negative feelings.

Empathy doesn’t necessarily mean agreeing with others’ emotions; instead, it means sharing them, understanding them, and knowing where they’re coming from. Understanding another person’s position and feelings helps you connect to other people, which can be beneficial in both personal and professional situations.

Highly empathetic people are often excellent at managing a team, listening, and relating to others. They avoid stereotyping other people, avoid prejudice, and are usually open and honest with other people. Empathy leads to better communication, deeper connections, and a more compassionate approach to interacting with others.

Social Skills

Social skills in emotional intelligence refer to the skills needed to effectively handle and influence other people’s emotions. This component involves many skills, such as effective communication, conflict management, building and maintaining relationships, leadership, and inspiring and influencing others.

People with strong social skills are excellent when it comes to managing teams by creating a comfortable atmosphere of respect. They tend to be adept at fostering communication between people by ensuring that everyone is heard when they want to be. They also know how to manage disputes, are excellent negotiators, and are adept at building and maintaining relationships, making mindful leadership in the workplace a critical element to a successful project or business.

These skills enable them to build networks and navigate social complexities with ease. Their ability to read social cues and respond appropriately makes them excellent collaborators and leaders in personal and professional settings.

Emotional intelligence is particularly important for people in leadership — having high emotional intelligence benefits your ability to handle your teams and collaborate with the people in your workplace.

How Emotional Intelligence Improves Relationship Dynamics

Your level of emotional intelligence will have a significant effect on how you interact and connect with other people. Higher emotional intelligence tends to improve relationship dynamics, while having lower emotional intelligence can harm your relationships.

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Improved Communication

Emotional intelligence elevates communication by promoting a deeper understanding of our emotions and those of others. It enables us to express ourselves clearly and listen actively, leading to more effective and meaningful exchanges.

People with high emotional intelligence can navigate sensitive topics tactfully, ensuring their message reaches the people they talk to without misunderstanding — this clarity and empathy in communication foster trust and openness, which are essential for healthy relationships.

Conflict Resolution

Emotional intelligence is critical to managing and resolving conflicts effectively. Having high emotional intelligence can help you approach a disagreement while maintaining awareness of both sides of the conflict. You’ll be aware of what all parties are thinking and feeling, or have the tact to approach both sides and get an understanding of their position.

Using emotional intelligence to resolve conflicts involves empathetic listening, understanding the root causes of disagreements, and responding thoughtfully. Resolving conflicts this way often strengthens the relationship by demonstrating respect and concern for the other person’s perspective.

Building Stronger Bonds

Emotional intelligence contributes to building stronger, more resilient relationships. Understanding and empathizing with another person helps you connect with them more deeply.

Having high emotional intelligence increases your awareness of what other people need or feel, which helps you respond accordingly. Conversely, you’re also more aware of your own needs, meaning you can set and enforce healthy boundaries when it comes to your relationships with other people.

This emotional depth and understanding pave the way for stronger, more lasting bonds, enriching our interactions and connections.

Developing Emotional Intelligence

Developing emotional intelligence is a transformative journey that involves deliberate practice and introspection. By honing specific skills like self-awareness, empathy, and emotional regulation, we can enhance our emotional intelligence and improve our interactions and understanding of others.

Seeking support from a therapist, joining support groups, or engaging in emotional intelligence training programs can be beneficial. It’s also crucial to be patient with oneself and understand that developing emotional intelligence is a continuous process.

Furthermore, building emotional intelligence isn’t just something you should do solo. It’s a big boost to groups as well, so teams should also increase their emotional intelligence too.

Self-Awareness Strategies

Cultivating self-awareness is foundational in developing emotional intelligence. Some good practices, such as meditating on mindfulness, journaling, and seeking feedback can help people recognize and understand their emotions.

Mindfulness encourages present-moment awareness, journaling offers a reflective space to explore thoughts and feelings, and feedback provides external perspectives on our emotional responses.

Enhancing Empathy 

Empathy development involves actively practicing understanding and sharing the feelings of others. Techniques like active listening, where full attention is given to the speaker, and perspective-taking, where one consciously attempts to view situations from another’s viewpoint, are crucial.

Engaging in diverse experiences and conversations also broadens our understanding of different perspectives, fostering greater empathy.

Emotional Regulation Techniques

Emotional regulation involves managing and responding to our emotions appropriately — techniques like deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, and cognitive reframing help control emotional responses.

Deep breathing and relaxation exercises reduce physiological arousal linked to strong emotions. At the same time, cognitive reframing helps alter negative thought patterns into more positive, constructive ones, leading to healthier emotional responses.

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Emotional Intelligence For Improved Relationship Dynamics

Improving emotional intelligence is a journey of personal growth that gradually transforms how you handle your relationships with others and yourself. Enhancing your ability to understand your emotions also helps you learn to connect with other people, improving your dynamics.

Developing emotional intelligence is, to some extent, a never-ending journey — the diverse range of human experiences means that there’s always something new and exciting to learn about yourself and the people around you.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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The Power Of Mindful Leadership In The Workplace

In today’s fast-paced corporate landscape, the role of leadership is undergoing a profound transformation. Gone are the days when rigid hierarchies and authoritarian styles dictated the workplace atmosphere. Instead, we’re witnessing a significant shift towards a more aware, empathetic, and present style of leadership- mindful leadership.

There is now a growing need for people who can lead with clarity and compassion. Mindful leadership, at its core, is about being fully present and aware in the moment. It’s a leadership style that prioritizes the well-being of employees, fosters a culture of open communication, and encourages a collaborative work environment.

This article delves into the essence of mindful leadership, exploring how it’s reshaping the dynamics of the workplace and why it’s not just beneficial but essential in today’s business world. Join us as we unpack the layers of this transformative leadership style and discover how it’s making a positive impact in workplaces around the globe.

What Does It Mean To Lead With Mindful Leadership?

Mindful leadership is a transformative approach that’s reshaping how leaders guide, inspire, and connect with their teams today. It builds off how we can use emotional intelligence for better relationship dynamics. This concept intertwines the practice of mindfulness with contemporary leadership techniques to address the unique challenges and difficulties many businesses face today.

At its heart, mindful leadership is about cultivating a state of awareness, presence, and authenticity in leadership roles. It’s an approach that encourages leaders to be fully present in the moment and be acutely aware of their thoughts, emotions, and environment. This way, they can choose to lead with a sense of compassion and empathy. It offers a holistic and people-centered approach to guiding teams and organizations.

The Core Principles Of Mindful Leadership

The roots of mindful leadership can be traced back to ancient mindfulness practices. By incorporating mindfulness into leadership, it recognizes the importance of mental well-being, emotional intelligence, and human-centric values in the workplace.

  1. Awareness: The foundation of mindful leadership is self-awareness, understanding one’s own thoughts, feelings, and biases.
  2. Presence: Being fully attentive and engaged in the current moment, not distracted by past events or future worries.
  3. Compassion: Leading with empathy and understanding, considering the well-being and perspectives of others.
  4. Authenticity: Embracing genuine leadership, being true to oneself, and acting with integrity.
  5. Resilience: Maintaining a balanced and calm approach, even in challenging situations, and bouncing back from setbacks.

Traditional Leadership VS Mindful Leadership

Unlike the rigid, hierarchical, and top-down approach of traditional leadership, mindful leadership is more fluid and adaptive. It emphasizes a participative style, where leaders are approachable, open to feedback, and prioritize the mental and emotional well-being of their team members.

While traditional leadership may rely on authority and control, mindful leadership leans into the power of influence and inspiration. It’s not about commanding from a distance but connecting with team members on a human level. This doesn’t mean that mindful leaders are permissive or lax; rather, they are conscious of the impact their leadership style has on the overall morale, creativity, and productivity of their team.

How Mindful Leadership Makes An Impact

The impact of this approach is far-reaching. In a world where stress and burnout are all too common, mindful leaders are the beacon of balance and stability. They create workplaces where employees feel valued, heard, and motivated.

Nowadays, mindful leadership is not just a beneficial approach; it’s a necessary one. The ripple effects of this leadership style touch every aspect of the workplace, creating an environment that nurtures growth, fosters collaboration, and inspires innovation.

Enhancing Communication And Collaboration

Mindful leadership plays a pivotal role in enhancing communication within teams. Leaders who practice mindfulness are better listeners, and more attuned to the needs and ideas of their team members. This openness fosters a culture where everyone feels comfortable sharing their thoughts and feedback. In a mindful environment, communication is not just top-down; it’s a two-way street that values everyone’s input.

Building Trust And Transparency In The Workplace

Trust and transparency are the bedrock of any strong team. Mindful leaders are authentic and consistent, which breeds trust among team members. They lead by example, showing vulnerability and admitting mistakes, which encourages a similar level of honesty and openness from their team. This transparency ensures that everyone is on the same page, reducing misunderstandings and fostering a culture of mutual respect.

Promoting Employee Well-Being And Job Satisfaction

One of the most profound impacts of mindful leadership is on employee well-being and job satisfaction. Mindful leaders recognize the importance of their team’s mental and emotional health. They create a supportive work environment that considers work-life balance and recognizes the individual needs of each team member. This approach not only reduces stress and burnout but also leads to higher job satisfaction, as employees feel valued and understood.

Encouraging Innovation And Creativity

Mindful leadership is a catalyst for innovation and creativity. By fostering an open, collaborative, and non-judgmental atmosphere, leaders encourage their teams to think outside the box and explore new ideas without fear of failure. This environment is conducive to creative thinking and problem-solving, as employees feel empowered to take risks and experiment with new approaches.

Why Mindful Leadership Matters Now More Than Ever

In today’s dynamic and often uncertain business landscape, the need for mindful leadership is more pressing than ever. The workplace is continuously evolving, with remote work, digital transformations, and diverse global teams becoming the norm. These changes, while beneficial, bring their own set of challenges. Mindful leadership provides the tools to navigate these complexities with grace and effectiveness.

 

Mindful leaders are equipped to deal with the stresses and demands of the modern workplace. They can lead with empathy in times of change, maintain calm in the face of challenges, and inspire their teams to adapt and thrive in an ever-changing environment. In essence, mindful leadership is not just about managing teams; it’s about leading a cultural shift toward a more empathetic, resilient, and innovative workplace.

Becoming A Mindful Leader

As a leader, you want to make these positive impacts of mindful leadership in your own workplace. Transitioning into a mindful leader requires a commitment to personal growth and a willingness to embrace new leadership perspectives. It’s about developing certain key attributes and implementing mindful practices into your leadership style, all while navigating the common challenges and misconceptions associated with this approach.

The Key Attributes Of A Mindful Leader

The key attributes of a mindful leader are rooted in the core principles of this leadership style- awareness, presence, compassion, authenticity, and resilience. These attributes are essential for any leader aiming to guide their team with mindfulness and empathy.

  1. Emotional Intelligence: A leader with high emotional intelligence can navigate complex interpersonal dynamics and create an environment of understanding and respect. This skill is crucial for resolving conflicts, providing effective feedback, and maintaining a harmonious and productive workplace.
  2. Presence:  Presence, in the context of mindful leadership, refers to the leader’s ability to be fully engaged and attentive in the moment. This allows leaders to engage deeply with their team, listen actively to concerns and ideas, and make decisions that are informed by the immediate realities of their environment.
  3. Compassion: Compassion in leadership involves understanding and empathizing with the emotional states of others. Compassionate leaders are known for their approachability and empathy, qualities that encourage a supportive, inclusive, and collaborative work environment.
  4. Adaptability: Mindful leaders embrace change, are open to new ideas, and can adjust their strategies and approaches as needed. They understand that rigidity can be a barrier to growth and innovation. Adaptability also means being open to feedback and willing to alter one’s approach in response to new information or changing circumstances.
  5. Decision-Making: Mindful leaders approach decision-making with a clear, focused mind, ensuring that their choices are not clouded by biases or emotional reactions. They also recognize the importance of involving their team in the decision-making process, which empowers team members and fosters a sense of shared responsibility

Implementing Mindful Leadership Practices

Here are some practices you can start implementing in your everyday life at work:

  1. Regular Mindfulness Exercises: Incorporating mindfulness exercises like meditation, deep breathing, or mindful walking into your daily routine can enhance your capacity for mindfulness.
  2. Active Listening: Practice active listening in every interaction. This means fully concentrating on the speaker, understanding their message, and responding thoughtfully.
  3. Reflective Practices: Regularly reflect on your actions and decisions. Journaling or engaging in reflective discussions can provide insights into your leadership style and areas for improvement.
  4. Encourage Open Communication: Create an environment where team members feel comfortable sharing ideas and feedback. This fosters trust and collaboration.
  5. Lead by Example: Demonstrate mindfulness in your actions. This sets a precedent for the team and encourages them to adopt similar practices.

Mindful leadership is a transformative approach that responds to the needs of a rapidly evolving workplace. By embracing qualities like awareness, presence, compassion, authenticity, and resilience, leaders can integrate mindfulness into their leadership. They can create a more harmonious, productive, and innovative work environment where you and your colleagues can work a fulfilling career together.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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How mindfulness impacts the positive forms of leadership and enhances performance at workplace?
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The Benefits Of Insight Therapy

Do you know what insight therapy is? How is this insightful therapy conducted Read on to learn more about it and understand that the first few therapy sessions of insight therapy will be difficult on your part.

You will feel uncomfortable about opening up to insightful therapy experts.

understand that the first few sessions of the insightful therapy will be difficult on your part.
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Insight Therapy

You need to consider many things when it comes to insight therapy, also known as client-centered therapy, psychoanalysis therapy, individual therapy, behavior therapy, or gestalt therapy.

“The benefits of insight therapies extend far beyond periods of crisis,” says Ryan Howes, Ph.D., a California-based psychologist.

Psychologist Leslie Sokol, Ph.D., said, “All that fretting takes you out of the present and prevents you from enjoying what you have. Often if you put away all that meta-analysis, you are in the right situation.”

You’d think that insightful therapy experts would judge your experiences and life choices.

The truth is that all health family counseling and insightful therapy experts care about is helping you recover from the symptoms of mental health conditions.

It can be anywhere from eating disorders, self-esteem issues, substance abuse or addiction, depression, panic attacks, troubled relationships, anxiety, and even events and past experiences of internal conflicts caused by trauma.

Give other mental health counseling or insightful therapy experts a chance to provide proper assistance to improve your conscious awareness and gain insight into your personal strengths.

during counseling sessions, counselors provide proper assistance to improve your conscious awareness
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But you must know how the private practice of insight therapists works.

You need to explore insightful therapy first to get a better understanding of it.

Don’t Miss Your Insight Therapy Session

Mental health treatment and support such as talk therapy, insight therapy, and other different types of therapy are commonly helpful to individuals who struggle to process their negative perceived beliefs about their lives. Insight therapy maintains and involves free association and self-actualization to gain increased self-awareness and build a trusting relationship.

Diagnosis for insight therapy sessions relies on your space environment, comprehension, need for points of improvement, intended outcomes, and mental health value.

counselors will help you develop empowering affirmations and clarity to overcome established dangers in your personal world.
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Through the course of each insight therapy session, the insight therapist will help you develop empowering affirmations and clarity to overcome established dangers in your personal world, health, and life.

Client’s Thoughts Are Essential In Insight Therapy

Take note that patients’ common beliefs and participation, or the client’s thoughts, are essential for the success of the insight therapy.

Do not forget your insight therapy appointment with an amazing insight therapist or professional. Punctuality is an important aspect of every insight therapy appointment.

It is necessary to show up for all insight therapy sessions required. You must now understand that your mental health insight therapy specialist is also seeing other clients.

Trying to schedule your next insight therapy session might be difficult if you miss even one of your group therapy or insight therapy sessions.

Therefore, it is critical to attend to all of your insight therapy sessions and encourage yourself to seek therapists’ advice. Remember that a client’s problems stem from a lack of support from competent people.

Insight Therapy

Practice To Be Honest During Sessions

During your insight therapy sessions, your therapist would ask you several questions.

Some of these inquiries can be too personal for clients.

You might lie and not let the expert know that you’re struggling with life challenges.

A counselor talking to a client, developing expert and client or patient relationships
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But you have to realize that good guidance comes from your ability to contribute something to your health knowledge.

Thus, it is mandatory to answer the questions of your therapist as honestly as possible.

That way you can develop expert and client or patient relationships.

Insight Therapy Treatment

Whether it comes from bad experiences from childhood to adulthood, you have to have the guts to discover the benefit of possible treatment.

Lastly, you might be wondering what happened to you.

You might even be unable to articulate your experience with an insight treatment therapy session for your mental health issues, such as bipolar disorder, anxiety, depression, PTSD, etc.

But rest assured that it will transform your lives as adults.

Never Lie To Your Therapist

Lying to your therapist could also make matters worse.

Lying about your emotions and thoughts to your therapist could adversely affect your mental health.

practice to be honest with your counselor
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Always Bring Your Emotions In During A Session

Take the opportunity to open up about your emotions during your sessions.

Whether your emotions are disgust, fear, anger, sadness, or grief – such feelings must be shared with your therapist.

Talking about what bothers you and expressing your feelings about it are some effective methods to improve yourself.

Remember that the more you deny the truth to yourself and your therapist, the more difficult it is for you to move forward.

therapy using insight
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Form A Genuine Relationship With Your Therapy Expert To Get A Better Result

As much as possible, make an effort to build a relationship with your therapist that is built on trust and respect.

Avoid talking behind your therapist’s back with other people.

If your therapist says something that may have offended you, do not hesitate to call their attention to it.

For sure, your therapist would be willing to make some explanation to you. Most importantly, do not take your therapist’s advice incorrectly.

Note that you have to remind yourself that professionals had undergone a lot of training and educational challenges before being licensed to practice.

Be sure to let your therapist know how thankful you are for gaining and having them in your life.

Insightful Therapy Conclusion And Takeaway

It is just one of the many forms of mental treatment

It may or may not work for you, but one way to find out is to try the therapy yourself.

Learn how to trust your therapist, and everything else will follow. If you need to know more about it, feel free to check out BetterHelp today.

Psychologist Leslie Becker-Phelps, Ph.D., said that people “often come around to supporting treatment once they see that it makes a person happier.”

Working on your repressed feelings and emotions with a trained therapist can be very beneficial.

Be aware that there’s nothing wrong with seeking treatment.

With their profession, therapists counselors can assist you in resolving issues and misunderstandings and moving forward with better mental wellness.

FAQs

  1. What is an example of psychodynamic treatment?
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  3. What is the difference between insight therapy and behavioral therapy?
  4. Is CBT an insight therapy?
  5. Is CBT insight based?
  6. Is insight-oriented therapy psychodynamic?
  7. Which is better CBT or psychotherapy?
  8. What are the three types of therapy?
  9. What do you think is the role of insight in therapy?
  10. What therapy is a type of psychodynamic therapy?

Things You Should Do After Losing A Job

Did you lose your job? What are the things you should do after losing a job?

non-mental-health-ruining-things-you-should-do-after-losing-a-job
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My best friend was one of the most dedicated workers I ever met. He was always the earliest person to reach the office and the last to leave. Even when he had the flu or migraine, he would still go to work, worried that his projects might get delayed because of him. So, when the company started laying off employees, and he became one of them, my best friend took the job loss badly. Nothing and no one could cheer him up or make him leave the house to have fun. After all, losing your job is not easy, and that was exactly the case with him.

When my best friend’s parents called me for help, I instantly knew that things were not getting better after the job loss. I went to their house and kept knocking on his door, but he refused to open it. His mother had to open the door using the master key so that I could see his son.

Once I entered the bedroom, it took seconds for my eyes to adjust to the darkness that surrounded it. There was almost no light in his room! When I saw my best friend, he was sitting on the bed, hugging his knees. He was also rocking back and forth, and his eyes were staring into nothingness. I realized then that his parents had a reason to worry about my best friend’s mental health and well being.

Instead of showing pity, I decided to act angry. I said, “Hey, man! What kind of a mess is this?”

My best friend uttered monotonously, “I don’t have a job anymore.”

“It’s the company’s loss, not yours,” I insisted. “Come on, let’s go out.”

“What will we do?” he asked.

Below are the non-mental-health-ruining things that we did. You can say these are things you should do after losing your job:

non-mental-health-ruining-things-you-should-do-after-losing-a-job
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Go On An Impromptu Trip

As soon as I got my best friend to dress up and leave his room, I dragged him to my car and sped away. I honestly did not have a destination in mind; I just went with my gut and hit the main road. We did not even bring a change of clothes and only had our wallets with us.

At first, my best friend complained about my lack of a definite itinerary and spending plan for our trip. But when we left the city and kept on driving past Nevada, he was already smiling. It was a better turn of events than we all expected, certainly making him feel better after his recently lost job.

Exercise

Since my best friend had pretty much given up on life when he lost his work, he visibly lost a significant amount of muscles after a month of hibernation. The man had always been lean, but now he’s merely thin because of the job loss. While walking out of their house, I prayed that a strong gust of wind wouldn’t knock him over. That was how much the job loss of his old position affected him.

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So, once we returned to the city, I brought my best friend to the gym that we used to go to. In truth, he made me sign up for it when I was dealing with weight-loss issues. I was merely returning the favor and doing something that I knew he would thank me for later.

Three times a week, we would go to the gym together. My best friend acted sluggishly in the beginning, but he eventually picked up the slack.

Meet Friends

We had a little heart-to-heart talk one day, and I asked my best friend why he never asked for my help after the job loss. He said, “I was too ashamed to call you or any of our other friends.” I thought that wasn’t very smart, and I made sure he realized that. Then, I encouraged him to see everyone over dinner. So if you just lost your job, about to lose your job, or on the job market to meet new career goals, ask your friends for help. They will help you after you lose your job and even cheer you on as you explore a new career. Losing your job is a hassle because you won’t be able to reap unemployment benefits at times. And once you’ve lost your job, your mental health can be affected.

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Source: pexels.com

Again, the man tried to protest, claiming he wasn’t ready to meet our new friends because he was still jobless and on a job search. But my best friend listened (thankfully) when I told him that there’s no reason to try to impress anyone, much less the people he had known for three decades. As the night got deeper, we all saw our old, jolly friend return.

So again, your friends will be there for you if you lose your job. So what you became one of those job seekers? Your friends will still cheer on when you go job hunting in time. They are your friends for a reason. Losing your job doesn’t mean they won’t respect you or dislike you.

Job Search: Hop On The Job Market And Look For A New Job

If you lose your job, remember that it is not the end. My best friend called me a few days later. I assumed he wanted to confirm the time and location for our next get-together. Instead, his mind was slipping back into the darkness, which he didn’t like. When I asked what he’s been doing in his free time when he’s not exercising or meeting us, he answered, “Nothing.”

My suggestion was to go on a job search and start looking for a new job. After all, unemployment was the root of my best friend’s problems, so there’s no better way to resolve everything than by breaking the spell and find the next job. And since my best friend had an incredible track record, including his previous job, he got hired soon enough. This can be the same for you! The next job is waiting for you even if you have just lost your job.

Losing your job can be extremely difficult, and it’s okay to feel sad and down. But after some time, you also need to find the strength to go on that job search. Develop new skills, build your LinkedIn profile, maybe even consult a career coach if you’d like, and get a new full time job. A great LinkedIn profile can attract recruiters from the human resources department.

When you go on a job search, look for health insurance options, sufficient salary to pay rent, and other benefits on your new job. On another note, you can also check with your previous employer if they have severance pay.

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Bottom Line

I must say my best friend was still lucky because he only dealt with mental health instability for a month. Many people could have experienced it longer than that, and no one probably noticed or looked long enough to see it.

If you know someone who couldn’t get over the loss of something or someone in their life, teach them the non-mental-health-ruining things you just read above.

FAQs

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How To Restore Your Husband’s Confidence After Your Infidelity

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Infidelity is one of the main reasons why relationships and marriages fail. According to Theresa E DiDonato Ph.D., “Infidelity can wreak havoc on a relationship.” Because of it, the confidence, bond, and trust that was once shared merely shatter into pieces in just one snap. And though how much a couple tries or how many years have passed after the discovery of infidelity, still, the pain brought by that wrongdoing lingers. Even after decades, the lousy moment keeps on recurring and can destroy the harmony at any time.

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Here’s How Your Anxiety Is Lying to You

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Contrary to popular belief, worrying can be somewhat healthy. It keeps us on our toes for possible problems that may arise. “The first step in making anxiety work for you rather than against you is to recognize it when it shows up.  So much of our behavior is driven by anxiety, yet we rarely notice or name it,” says Julian P Humphreys Ph.D., PCC. But if you live with anxiety, you would know the feeling of continually worrying about almost everything in your life. For some, it is so intense that it stops them from doing anything productive.

This amount and intensity of worrying go far beyond what healthy should be. In this world, there are too many triggers for anxiety to peak. Whatever the reason is, do NOT believe it. Your anxiety is lying to you 24/7, and here’s how.

Anxiety Filters Your Thoughts And Your Reality

Anxiety imprisons us in our little world where the worst possible things are always bound to happen (or so we think). It blinds us from seeing that life is not at all black and white and makes us believe that the odds are against us. “Anxiety is characterized by excessive and unrealistic concerns about the future, emotional and physical tension, and patterns of avoidance–avoiding people, responsibilities, or harmless situations,” says Joel Minden, Ph.D.

More often than not, we believe it. Anxiety is so good at diminishing our success to nothing and inflating the smallest setbacks to extreme failures. So if you find that you have a habit of always invalidating your success, then you might want to blame anxiety for that.

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Anxiety Constantly Tells You No

Anxiety can put even the most confident people down. It places you at the center of everything, making you believe your actions (or lack thereof) impact other people negatively. At work, you may think that your co-workers are thinking of how incompetent you are. At school, you may feel like everyone is gossiping about you. Even in your house, you may feel unloved.  All these feelings can happen even when they’re not the case at all. You can be in a healthy environment surrounded by great people but still, feel anxious.

Anxiety Steals From The Future  

While depression borrows from the past, anxiety steals worries from the future even when it’s not happening yet. It feeds off our uncertainty and twists our hope into self-sabotage. Anxiety misleads us by saying that the future is happening now. It plagues us with what-if scenarios we keep making up in our head.

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Controlling Your Anxiety

Now that you know how anxiety lies, you now have a better grasp on what to do next. Like with most things, the first step in overcoming anxiety is to acknowledge its presence and be aware of its lies.

Once you are at peace with it, you need to ground yourself slowly back to the reality that you know. It might mean getting in touch with your inner self, surrounding yourself with good friends, listing down the things you should be thankful for, or whatever your coping mechanism is.  With this comes zooming out and putting things into perspective, reminding yourself that everything is okay as of the moment, contrary to what your brain is telling you.

Most importantly, remember to be more forgiving to yourself. You are human, and you have a vast margin for mistakes. Just as well, celebrate what you need to celebrate. Your success, no matter how small, are valid. It is okay to let in negative emotions, but do not let them linger. “Sometimes, it’s important to step back and examine what type of accommodations you make to avoid anxiety or to consider how anxiety interferes with your everyday life,” says Amy Morin.

While it takes a great deal of emotional maturity and self-understanding to dissect your emotions healthily, it will surely save you in the long run. Take control of your anxiety. Cheers!

Smart Practices of Outstanding and Successful Individuals

Do you ever wonder what the secret to success is? What do other individuals have that you don’t? Is there really such a thing as the chosen few?

 

Instantaneously, when people think of creating and integrating significant changes in their lives, the first thing that one could think of is how distant those dreams are and how treacherous the path can be. Looking at challenges and demands at a pessimistic point-of-view can significantly influence the way people mold their future. As what psychologist Emma Seppälä, PhD, pointed out, “If you want to be happier and more successful in life, it’s important to fight the brain’s natural tendency to focus on the negative. Instead, try looking at the world through a positive, self-compassionate mindset.”

 

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Why Having Unconditional Love Is Healthy For You

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To love and to be loved are what most people desire in their lifetime. In some of our relationships, we tend to become selfish, always asking for more. On the other hand, some seem to lose themselves to gain their loved ones. No matter what happens, always remember to only settle for unconditional love. According to Aaron Ben-Zeév Ph.D., “Love is unconditional when it endures despite unfavorable circumstances.”

Often misunderstood, unconditional love is caring about the one you love without expecting something in return. Some people consider it as a utopian, unrealistic idea since we all have our needs of our own. However, it does exist for both familial and romantic relationships. According to John Amodeo Ph.D., MFT, “The ideal of unconditional love is a noble one. We want to be loved as we are, and perhaps we’d like to see ourselves as capable of selfless love.”

You Expect Less And Love More

There are parts of the brain that light up when we have already found unconditional love. These are related to the brain’s reward system. Therefore, if we give or receive unconditional love, it provides us with a sense of fulfillment and nobility.

In loving unconditionally, you do not expect much. It leads to fewer disappointments, less stress, and fewer frustrations. You feel content and happy with simple things. Having the right amount of selflessness in you will surely take you to places.

You can also discover many things you thought you could not do in the past. You become more open, understanding, and empathic towards the love of your life and others. Eventually, you will realize you are already making the most of everything rather than making a fuss out of small things.

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You Deserve To Be On The Receiving End

It is crucial to note that giving unconditional love does not equate to one-sided love. It does not mean staying in a toxic relationship. That is unhealthy, which contradicts the objective of what we have been talking about. Unconditionally loving someone is caring about them regardless of circumstances, not how they treat you. “Make space in your life to deliberately reconnect with the loving feelings you have for your partner, even if recent interactions have made you feel distant or angry,” says Melanie Greenberg Ph.D.

To love unconditionally does not mean to give everything the other person wants. It may result in resentment by the one on the receiving end. It is why we encourage you to wait for the right person and the right time patiently. There is no guarantee when, where, and how, but it will be worth it. You know you have found unconditional love when the other person does the following:

  • Not shaming or judging you for your failures
  • Encouraging you and understanding your fears when you get vulnerable
  • Telling you the truth and vice versa
  • Forgiving you freely and vice versa
  • Not picking fights about petty things nor holding grudges
  • Respecting you and aiming for a healthy resolution even when you are arguing
  • Not making you feel like you have to prove yourself or your love
  • Inspiring both of you to be selfless and to prioritize each other’s needs genuinely
  • Getting through hard times and celebrating good times with you
  • Accepting and supporting you even on your bad days
  • Bringing out the best in you and vice versa

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You can only begin to love others unconditionally if you have already stopped changing the way you are. It might sound cliché, but you cannot provide others with what you do not have for yourself. Therefore, the first step to having unconditional love (for others and yourself) is self-love.

We acknowledge how difficult it is to love with no conditions. We are all humans and can only take so much after all. However, it is possible to show and find that kind of love. You deserve to love and be loved unconditionally.

7 Post-Pregnancy Hair-Loss Prevention Tips To Keep You From Seeking Mental Help From A Psychologist

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Dealing with excessive hair loss after giving birth is one of the many reasons why new moms go through postpartum depression and require mental help from a psychologist. “Losing your hair — like gaining weight — isn’t some sort of sign of being deformed or inferior,” says John M. Grohol, Psy.D. During the pregnancy stage, after all, the hormones that strengthen the hair are in abundance. Once the baby comes out, the follicles tend to enter the resting phase, which entails that they close for the time being. The result is that you lose strands, and no amount of anti-hair fall products can save you from this problem.

If it’s any consolation, you should realize that it is possible to get thicker hair as soon as your hormones normalize again. Nevertheless, what may give you some peace of mind is the fact that you may now be able to avoid this terrible scenario. Here’s what you can do before giving birth.

1. Know If There Are Pills To Take

Every expectant mother is advised to start taking prenatal vitamins from the moment she learns about the pregnancy. Not only will the supplements allow the unborn child to grow well, but they will also help the pregnant woman feel well during and after the gestation period. Some of the vitamins that doctors offer to mommies are A, B, biotin, C, and E. After all, they allow the blood to circulate better and assist in cell growth. That will strengthen your hair and reduce the chances of it falling off.

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2. Do Not Wash Your Hair Often

During pregnancy, it is common for the mother to want to take a shower once or twice every day because you may get hot quickly. That is especially true when it’s summer. You may feel irritated or unable to relax even with the air conditioning unit on if you cannot douse your whole body with water.

The thing is, no matter how many times you bathe every day, you should avoid shampooing your hair often. Put it in a bun or wear a shower cap instead so that it won’t get wet and make you feel like you have to clean it now. Many non-pregnant women wash their hair several times a week as well, and that is because the chemicals in shampoo can dry the hair and scalp. The drier both elements are, the easier it is for you to lose strands before even giving birth, so stay away from shampooing.

3. Prepare A Hair Mask

Beer cannot be made without brewer’s yeast, which practically kickstarts its fermentation process. What’s good about this type of fungi is that it contains riboflavin, folic acid, and biotin – some of the nutrients that pregnant women need to stay healthy.

Since you are not supposed to drink alcohol at this stage, though, it is best to use the brewer’s yeast as an ingredient for a hair mask. You will not have to ingest the yeast; you will apply it on your hair directly. The straightforward application may genuinely help you prevent hair loss as the fungi do not need to go through a lot of sections in the body to reach the follicles and nourish them.

4. Avoid Too Much Hairstyling

Considering the OB-GYN has already discouraged you from wearing makeup during pregnancy, it is possible that you may want to fix your hair at least to feel good whenever you go out. There are a lot of hairstyles, after all, that do not require the use of hairspray and other chemicals. Some experts may be able to do different styles with only a hair dryer or straightener.

What you should remember, however, is that you should opt for loose hairstyles all the time when you are pregnant. Low ponytails and simple braids are ideal at this point. You don’t want to apply extreme heat on your hair because that will increase its brittleness. You don’t want it in a tight bun or dreadlocks either since such styles will add tension to your scalp and perhaps even pull your precious locks.

5. Don’t Stress Yourself Out At Anytime

Stress is everyone’s enemy #1. Many people tend to pull their hair when they are frustrated or stressed out, but it honestly is not necessary because the strands will fall off anyway due to stress.

“Pregnancy can be a stressful time for many women,” according to Renee Engeln Ph.D. Because you are pregnant, though, stress may aggravate your hair-loss issue. For one, your hormones are always changing throughout the pregnancy to accommodate the baby’s growth in the womb. When stress mingles with the hormonal changes, it can make you lose your locks faster than ever.

The only way to avoid that is by paying no mind to the stressors in your life. “Pregnancy, birth, and becoming a parent is a time of physical, psychological, and social changes which require ongoing adjustment,” says Amy Tuteur M.D.

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6. Eat Foods With Healthy Fats

Omega 3 and omega 6 are a couple of fatty acids that you can only find in non-human species, namely fish and seeds. Despite that, they are the kinds of fats that the body needs to stay healthy, especially during pregnancy. They can reduce inflammation, promote better blood circulation, and prevent hair loss.

Although it is not advisable to take fish oil or eat raw fish for expectant mothers, you can still get omega 3 and omega 6 by cooking tuna, mackerel, salmon, and other fish. In case you are a vegan, the healthy alternatives are flaxseeds and olives.

7. Try Scalp Massages

Massages are not for the body. You can also ask a masseuse or your husband or kids – whoever is massaging you – to pay attention to your scalp. The reason is that the process will stimulate your follicles and keep them from going to sleeping phase after childbirth. You see, that’s when the hair starts to fall off.

While we’re at it, you can also request for coconut or almond oil to be rubbed on your scalp. These products are not only good for nourishing your hair but also for preventing hair loss more effectively.

Final Thoughts

When you give birth, and your hormones go back to normal, it is highly impossible not to see some strands detach from your scalp. The hormones are no longer raging, so the follicles need to rest. However, you may be able to avoid losing chunks after chunks of hair when you follow the tips above.

Good luck!