Tag: mindfullness

Body Neutrality: What is it and how is it different from Body Positivity?

Body positivity has been around for years now, and it deals with challenging society’s view on the “ideal body type.” It refers to the assertion that all people deserve to have a positive body image, regardless of other’s opinions. 

Body Neutrality is, however, a relatively newer term coined somewhere in 2015 by bloggers, celebrities, etc., to disconnect the relationship between physical appearance and self-worth.

It is a philosophy that one should focus on what their body can do for them rather than what it looks like.

“The body positivity movement urges people to love their bodies no matter what they look like, whereas body neutrality focuses on what your body can do for you rather than what it actually looks like,” said Chelsea Kronengold, the associate director of communications at the National Eating Disorders Association.

While people that practice body positivity might say, “I love my legs, cellulite and all; they are beautiful.”

A person practicing body neutrality might say, “I love my legs because they help me run.”

Body neutrality is difficult to navigate when we have been taught that physical beauty can create happiness. But suppose a person recognizes a more petite physique or nose job won’t instantly make them happier. In that case, they can find body peace both before and after they change their body.

“When people become overly invested in changing their bodies to change their experiences of the world, it becomes a really dangerous sort of thing that perpetuates itself,” Wassenaar said. “Because oftentimes I find that you can’t ever change your body enough to make yourself happy.”

Dr. Wassenaar has also talked about how diet and fitness plans that require restriction or pushing our body past its boundaries are not body neutral. Those plans force a person to hold the diet or fitness plan’s specific rules above their body’s natural hunger or physical activity cues.

Body neutrality helps one recognize and prioritize how they feel in their body. This might mean moving your body because it feels good, and you enjoy the movement, and not to “burn off” the food you’ve eaten. It also means you listen to your body to know when to stop or take a day off.

Body Neutrality doesn’t encourage indulging in unhealthy choices; instead, it means that meals usually feature fresh, whole foods, but you also eat intuitively. That one does not have to resist the urge or suppress their cravings or “make up’ for a heavy meal by limiting yourself to salad the next day.

What Is Hypnotherapy?

Hypnotherapy is an adjunctive technique that utilizes hypnosis to aid in the treatment of specific symptoms or health conditions. Hypnotherapy works by inducing a hypnotic state marked by waking awareness that allows people to experience detached external attention and to focus on inner experiences. It is sometimes used as part of a treatment plan for phobias and other anxiety disorders. It is also sometimes used for pain management, weight loss, smoking cessation, and a variety of other applications. Formal explorations in the therapeutic uses for hypnosis began in the late 1700s but did not gain scientific credibility until much more recently. Modern researchers have further explored how hypnosis can be used, which conditions it can treat, and how effective it may be compared to other treatments.

What Hypnotherapy Can Help With

There are many different reasons why a person might want to try hypnotherapy. Research suggests that some possible applications include:

  • Chronic pain conditions
  • Dementia symptoms
  • Nausea and vomiting related to chemotherapy
  • Pain during childbirth, dental procedures, or surgery
  • Skin conditions, such as psoriasis and warts
  • Symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
  • Symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

Hypnotherapy may also be used by licensed physicians and psychologists in the treatment of conditions like anxiety disorders, depression, eating disorders, and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Benefits of Hypnotherapy

Some people may experience dramatic results with hypnotherapy. In other cases, people may simply feel very relaxed. Some of the benefits of hypnotherapy may include:

  • Awareness: Some people remain fully aware during the entire experience. They recall everything that happens and are even able to have conversations while under hypnosis. Other people may experience states of relaxation that are so deep that they may even feel detached from what is happening.
  • Focus: Most of the time, we are distracted by our surroundings. Whether the TV is blaring, your kids are demanding attention or your spouse wants to talk, it can be difficult to fully focus on yourself. Our conscious minds are also cluttered. You may be worried about paying a bill, concerned about an upcoming project, or planning tonight’s dinner. The therapy session is intended to break through these day-to-day concerns and allow you to focus completely on the problem at hand.
  • Relaxation: In the hypnotic state, you are deeply relaxed. Your conscious mind is quieted, allowing your unconscous mind to deeply focus on your issue. You are also calmer, and therefore more receptive to facing your problems or fears.

Most hypnotherapists utilize a series of calming messages, such as “you are safe” and “no one can harm you” to reassure their clients that during hypnosis they can objectively face their problems without having a panicked reaction.

Effectiveness

The effectiveness and impact of hypnotherapy can vary based on the individual and how the treatment is used. Hypnotherapy has been shown to have some degree of efficacy for certain applications, particularly:

  • Pain reduction and control during dental procedures and childbirth
  • Reduction in nausea and vomiting in individuals being treated for cancer with chemotherapy
  • Reduction in the severity of symptoms associated with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

While it may help people cope with problems related to stress and anxiety, it may be best applied when used in conjunction with first-line treatments such as cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) and medications.

Things to Consider

While hypnotherapy is generally safe and well-tolerated, that does not mean that it doesn’t pose some potential risks, such as: 

  • Hypnotherapy can produce false or distorted memories in some cases.
  • People who are very suggestible may experience a decreased sense of personal control while under hypnosis.
  • Some people can experience side effects such as anxiety, headaches, or dizziness.
  • Hypnotherapy may not be appropriate for people who are experiencing symptoms of psychosis such as hallucinations and delusions

Common Misconceptions

Hypnotherapy is still considered controversial, as many mental health professionals dispute its effectiveness. There are a number of myths and misconceptions about hypnotherapy that can affect how people view this therapeutic tool.

  • Hypnotherapy is often confused with stage hypnosis. Stage hypnotists are performers who are excellent at reading people. They seekextroverts who will put on a great show for the crowd. Whether or not their subjects are truly hypnotized is debatable, but they are willing to go along with the sometimes outrageous suggestions of the stage hypnotist.
  • Hypnotherapy doesn’t cause you to forget what happened. You will remember the things that occur during your hypnotic state, you will not be asleep or unconscious, and you will be able to break the hypnotic trance at any time.
  • Hypnotherapy doesn’t cause you to lose control. During hypnotherapy, you remain in control. It is not possible for anyone to force you to do anything against your will, even under hypnosis. You will be tuned in to the work at hand, and so may not pay attention to your surroundings, but you will always be in charge of your own actions, behaviors, and statements.
  • Being hypnotizable doesn’t mean you are less intelligent. While some people believe that they cannot be hypnotized, research suggests that most people are hypnotizable to a certain degree. Only about 10% of people are difficult or impossible to hypnotize.

All Addictions are Dangerous

Whenever the word ‘addiction’ pops up, people often connect it immediately to drugs, smoking or alcohol and deny to think further more. But getting used to anything beyond a limit, be it a coffee, food or shopping is an addiction and is equally dangerous.

While some of these addictions might appear more harmless on the surface, but in reality all of them limit your life in some way or the other. It’s important to try and quit if you recognize that a habit is taking over your life.

First, start by acknowledging the problem and then believe in yourself that with proper work you can overcome this problem. I am not telling that this would be easy, but surely it would be worth the effort. Take it day at a time. It can be intimidating in the start, but take baby steps to reach goal and don’t quit.

One day at a time….

Be optimistic, reach the root of the problem and take some time to truly understand where this habit comes from and how it is ruining your life and health. Sometimes contemplating on your mistakes can help you get rid of them once and for all.

Stay committed and do not leave mid-way. I promise you that your transformation will help you live a much more enriching, creative, free and empowering life.

Why Silence is So Powerful

“Silence is a source of great strength” – Lao Tzu the founder of Taoism philosophy

Silence nourishes our mind and soul and makes us reflective as it is our internal necessity. Through silence we ingress into the imaginary world where we can expand our creativity beyond our boundaries. Silence makes us physically, mentally, emotionally, and morally strong.

  In today’s increasingly stressful and fast-moving world, we rarely apply wisdom while taking our decisions. Instead, we prefer the mechanics of quick problem-solving to get immediate outcomes. Decisions that are taken without thinking are mostly irrational and random. For making proper decisions, we need to use silence as a tool. It often provides us the opportunity to have sufficient time to think deeply and understand the matter before jumping to a random decision.

 When you are in silence, your mind and soul are deeply connected, and in this phase, your inspirations may bubble-up. You may find solutions suddenly for which you might have been struggling for a long time.

You all might have once heard these famous lines “At times silence can speak louder than voice.” Choosing silence is the best way to enhance conversations and strengthen your bonds as it’s a space between our feelings and response. When you keep silent, naturally, you would listen more in a conversation, and others would have the opportunity to speak and share more. Active listening is the key for trust-worthy and effective relationships. Silence helps us in thinking deeper, wakes us up, and increases our emotional regulation.

“Silence” is an explicit power that can either glorify or destroy your life, depending on your choice. Your engagement to its lighter or darker side would decide your transformation.

Ways To Reduce Stress

Many individuals nowadays have lost sight of their hobbies, interests, and passions as a result of their stressful lives. As a consequence, individuals suffer from stress as a result of overwork and weariness. 

Stress is really intense. It could have a detrimental influence on both your physical and emotional health. Whenever you think, your mind is in continual contact with your body. Your ideas generate feelings and emotions, which can be impacted by environmental stresses. This demonstrates how intimately the mind and body are linked, making it critical to identify the role stress tends to play in your daily lives.

Sadly, despite the evident negative impacts of stress, many individuals continue to ignore it. Nevertheless, properly combating stress requires prioritising your own needs. It’s time for action if you’d like to reclaim your rhythm after being stressed out. 

While it is difficult to escape stress in life, you can learn how to manage it efficiently. There seem to be measures you could do to help you cope with daily pressures more effectively so you can get back into your flow easily.

1. Recognize The Sources Of Stress 

One of the primary causes of stress is a hectic and unhealthy lifestyle, however this varies from person to person. Make a list of the things in your life that are giving you stress. Is it effective? Is it a personal issue? This is the first and most important step in properly combating stress. The more you understand what causes your anxiety or concern, the better you will be able to handle or combat stress.

2. Cultivate Mindfulness

When you are worried, your brain and body’s normal reaction is to fight or flee. Meditation and breathing techniques, on the other hand, have also been shown to perform marvels in terms of stress relief and perhaps even improvement in mental health. Find a few periods of solace each day when you can relax and make some time for yourself to get through your concerns and cleanse your thoughts.

3. Prioritize self-care

Why aren’t you taking care of yourself the same way you take care of your house with regular upgrades or your car with planned maintenance? Among the most essential realisations is that no one can take more care of you than yourself. Ignoring oneself makes you increasingly vulnerable towards the dangers of stress. While scheduling time for self-care, keep the following in mind:

  • While it may seem self-evident, it bears repeating: eat well, exercise frequently, and get enough sleep. Many individuals do not realise this, yet it may have an impact on how you felt during the day. If you eat poorly and don’t get enough sleep, it’s simple to notice indications of stress in your body.
  • Many individuals feel uneasy about investing money on self-care items or services. If you have troublesome skin, arrange for a consultation with an expert who can help you clean your skin. If crystals provide you a burst of mental and physical vitality, purchase that citrine bracelet and make yourself happy

4. Rise Up and Begin Moving

Getting up and moving about is among the best methods to combat stress and feel better. Although it may be tough to find opportunities for proper exercise once you have a career and a home to look after, you should make an attempt if you’d like to regain your flow. Endorphins are hormones that make us feel good while you workout. You will feel much better on the inside if you feel happy about your physique.

5. Align Yourself with Positive People

Understand that you are not alone in your battle against stress. You should surround yourself with individuals who can help you manage your stress levels in check so it doesn’t spiral out of control. Stress may cause feelings of loneliness, so make an effort to spend more time with your loved ones. 

Seek comfort and guidance from reliable loved ones. There are also several support systems available, so if you don’t feel at ease approaching anybody about your stress issues, you can always join any of them just for added help. Spend time around individuals who make you happy and do activities which bring you joy.

It can also be difficult to determine where to start when attempting to combat stress. Although stress is a normal part of life, it may sometimes become excessive and cause physical and mental issues. Joy and comfort are within your grasp—try either of these tactics and you’ll see that you can definitely battle stress and reclaim your flow!

Budding entrepreneurship amidst the youth

For many the word entrepreneurship sounds like an intricate term, which we think that are associated only with people doing large businesses, world wide. But it is the concept of developing, managing and promoting a business platform which could be relevant to the field of interest that one has in line to gain profit. There is a major misconception that a business investment deals with more money. But the young entrepreneurs come up with impalpable investments which can remarkably attribute to the growth of a business like innovation, skills, creative thinking, time management, energy and of course monetary sources also take an integral part but not a major part. Especially in this pandemic many of the young people have made their venture into businesses through the digital platform which turned into a good of source of income for many. Youth entrepreneurship has a huge impact on the social and economic progress of the society. It is regarded as a promising alternative and help sustain growing economies and lead to a viable development. At one point, every individual after the completion of their studies would be striving hard discovering for opportunities to get a job in the government or a corporate sector thinking that their life would be settled and if they don’t acquire so, they would be distressed about their career. So one of the major challenges faced by most of the countries is unemployment. But now the tables have turned and individuals pursuing their studies on one hand have also started framing opportunities for themselves in accordance with the field that fascinates them, which could be on a small scale. Working towards Youth Entrepreneurship programs can aid solving problems that are currently challenged by the countries and could pave way for a better future.

In the mean time the hobbies have evolved into professions. For instance if a person is good at artistic works and drawing portraits he gets into the sphere of vending personalized gifts through online platform. The teenage girls who have been doing henna designs for their set of family for various get togethers are now online providing their work for many brides out for marriages. There are many blooming fashion designers who have been just designing costumes for themselves before, but then through the help of digital platforms and social media have started their own clothing line. Blogging, publishing own books, teaching online courses, launching podcasts, handmade goods, thrift stores, freelancing, web development, baking & selling pastry items and we can just bundle up examples about the several establishments of the budding young entrepreneurs.

Inspiration has nothing to do with the age factor. People who do quality and consistent work can inspire many and here are such inspirational young entrepreneurs who have given rise to very successful and engrossing start ups .

Ritesh Agarwal is a smart young man behind the OYO rooms and he is the founder and the CEO of the same. He is the world’s second youngest billionaire in 2021.

Sreelakshmi Suresh is a web designer holding the titles of World’s Youngest CEO and World’s youngest web designer. She started meddling with computers at the age of 3, started designing at 4, and came up with her first website at the age of 6.

Tilak Mehta , a 15 year old boy founder of Paper n Parcel is the World’s Youngest entrepreneur who made Digital Courier company with the help of ‘Mumbai Dabbawala’ and he was awarded Global Child Prodigy 2020.

Trishneet Arora is the founder and CEO of TAC security, a cyber security company. He has written books on cyber security, ethical hacking and web defence. He started his own company at the age of 19.

Akhilendra Sahu is a young serial entrepreneur form India. He is the founder and CEO of ASTNT technologies Pvt Ltd., He was 17 years old when he started his career as a freelancer. He ranked on India’s top 10 young Indian entrepreneur $ top 10 young digital influencers.

Aditi Gupta is an Indian author and co-founder of Menstrupedia Comic. Menstrupedia provides a user-friendly guide to menstruation, hygiene and puberty and break myths associated to them.

Entrepreneurs are the cluster of individuals who are reluctant to be one among all and frames out some innovative roadmaps to stand out form others, who defy to stick to the conservative thinking and wants to be out of the box. The three important keys that a budding entrepreneur should know are, PROMOTE NEW IDEAS, ACCELERATE ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND INVEST IN STARTUPS USING YOUR INGENUITY. Technology has enabled progress in all fields. The digital platform plays a very pivotal role in the upliftment of the young entrepreneurs and boosts the inner entrepreneurship in us. The world is been swamped with countless possibilities and opportunities. When you become certain about what you need you get a step closer to success and cling on to both hard work and smart work. To become a successful entrepreneur be hungry and ambitious on your goals. To persist in the same domain willpower, assertiveness and perseverance are very vital because every field is indulged with risks. Never halt in the career with the same mindset you started with, evolve with time. Aspire to inspire people!!!