Dreaming of the day when I can create my own safe haven called “HOME”.
Latha Prakash
Be grateful for what you have. Only the homeless know the value of a home.
Sherry Greene
Some imagine a roof over their head. Others imagine a nice warm bed, Some dream of food for their belly instead. Oh, there’s so many trying to just get ahead.
Shruti Jammula
For somebody, having a normal home could be a dream.
Wayne Kelley
Some people take a home for granted, while others can only dream of a place to live.
Akanksha Agrawal
Dream of no luxury, But of a basic necessity, One roof which can give, The shelter of safety.
Charlie Prince
Where other’s see a house, children see a home; and what happens inside those walls, will influence them when they’re grown.
Charmaine Anstey
Home is a place that makes you feel safe.
Debra Pry
A house is just brick and mortar, But a home is any where your heart is.
Suman Singh
“Provide your child their dream home, where they ‘bloom’ not ‘wither’ “.
Ramya Vivek
Comfort offered by a home is unparalleled. Home is where we feel loved and welcomed.
Nidhi Dargar
My home is not just walls and ceiling. It has my memories, emotions and feeling!
Jay Cee Camacho
Home can be anywhere where your soul is at peace.
Efflin Fernandes
To a child, a home is where dreams and hopes are nurtured…
Shamaine Mutsindikwa
Create loving and nurturing homes for children, as toxic environments take a huge toll on their innocence.
Lou Angelique
No child should be left to roam, for every heart deserves a home.
Rinku Shah
The high walls are meant for safety… Not to build up anxiety. Relax my dear! You are at home, there’s nothing to fear.
Eilif Brakvatne
All children deserve the safety and security of a “real” home.
Dipanweeta Das
A loving home, I yearn for and dream of.
Rose George
Every child yearns for Love, safety and security Of a home
Anji Babu Vanka
Comfort of Home, Warmth of Love Yearning for both, With eyes full of Hope.
REM sleep is prioritized by the body because a heightened wave of brain activity occurs during REM sleep. The most active parts of the brain during this sleep stage are those that facilitate memory and that is why REM cycles serve a vital function in achieving healthy and refreshing sleep.
What Is REM Sleep?
Rapid eye movement (REM) sleep is one of the four stages that the brain goes through during the sleep cycle. This period of the sleep cycle usually takes place about 90 minutes after a person first falls asleep. It is marked by a number of physiological changes that include muscle relaxation, eye movement, faster respiration, and increased brain activity.1
Signs Of REM Sleep
The brain and body go through a number of changes that are characteristic of this stage of sleep. Some key signs of REM sleep include:
Body temperature changes
Body twitching, particularly in the face, arms, and legs
Increased blood pressure
Increased brain activity that is similar to awake states
Increased heart rate
Increased oxygen use by the brain
Rapid eye movements
Rapid, irregular breathing
Sexual arousal
Most people also experience a state of temporary paralysis known as atonia.
This sleep stage plays an important role in brain development as well as other functions including mood, dreaming, and memory.
1. Dreams
Dreams happen during the rapid eye movement (REM) stage of sleep. In a typical night, you dream for a total of two hours, broken up by the sleep cycle.2
Researchers do not fully understand the exact reasons why we sleep. They do know that newborns dream and that depriving rats of REM sleep greatly shortens their lives. Other mammals and birds also have REM sleep stages, but cold-blooded animals such as turtles, lizards, and fish do not.
Dreams can take place during any of the stages of sleep, but those that occur during REM sleep tend to be the most frequent and vivid.3
Research suggests that Rapid Eye Movement sleep serves an important role in the development of the central nervous system (CNS) during infancy.4 The high activity levels in the brain during this stage of sleep may play a role in developing and strengthening neural connections.
Dreams may be one way that the brain consolidates memories. The dream time could be a period when the brain can reorganize and review the day’s events and connect new experiences to older ones. Because the body is shut down, the brain can do this without additional input coming in or risking the body “acting out” the day’s memories.
Some researchers believe that dreams are more like a background “noise” that is interpreted and organized. This activation-synthesis theory suggests that dreams are merely the brain’s attempt to make sense of random signals occurring during sleep.5
Some people have more control over their dreams than others. For these people, the last thoughts before going to bed may influence the content of a dream.
Challenges
REM sleep plays an important role in a number of functions, including learning and memory. Interruptions to REM sleep can sometimes result in problems. As a result, the lack of REM sleep is linked to several health concerns, including the following.
1. Increased Weight
Reduced REM sleep is associated with changes in leptin levels and may be associated with increased appetite and weight.6
The pons also sends signals to the cerebral cortex by way of the thalamus (which is a filter and relay for sensory information and motor control functions deep in the brain). The cerebral cortex is the part of the brain involved with processing information (learning, thinking, and organizing).
The areas of the brain that are “turned on” during REM sleep seem to help learning and memory. Infants spend almost 50% of their sleep time in REM sleep (compared to 20% for adults), which may be explained by the tremendous amount of learning in infancy.7
If people are taught various skills and then deprived of REM sleep, they often cannot remember what they were taught.
3. Movement
REM sleep usually begins after a period of deep sleep known as stage 3 sleep. An area of the brain called the pons—where signals for this sleep stage originate—shuts off signals to the spinal cord. That causes the body to be immobile during REM sleep.
When the pons doesn’t shut down the spinal cord’s signals, people will act out their dreams. This can be dangerous because acting out dreams without input from the senses can lead to accidents and physical harm such as running into walls and falling downstairs. This condition is rare and different from more common sleepwalking and is known as REM sleep behavior disorder.8
Tips For Supporting Healthy REM Sleep
There are things that you can do to make the most of this sleep stage each night.
1. Follow a Sleep Schedule
Go to bed at the same time each night and wake at the same time each morning. Following a sleep schedule can help maximize the amount of quality sleep, including REM sleep, that you get each night.
Keep your alcohol intake light before going to bed. Research has found that even moderate alcohol intake in the evening can interfere with REM sleep.9 Light alcohol intake doesn’t seem to have the same impact, but moderate to heavy consumption delayed the onset of this sleep stage and led to fewer REM sleep phases during the night.
3. Remember Your Dreams
You can develop your ability to remember your dreams by keeping a journal near your bed and writing down everything you can about your dreams when you first wake up. After a few weeks, your ability to remember your dreams will improve.
Some people claim that they have lucid dreams, which are dreams in which they can participate and change the dream as it develops. Lucid dreaming can be triggered through a number of techniques, though little research has been done on it.10
Article sources:
Cleveland Clinic. Sleep basics. Updated July 20, 2012.
Dumoulin bridi MC, Aton SJ, Seibt J, Renouard L, Coleman T, Frank MG. Rapid eye movement sleep promotes cortical plasticity in the developing brain. Sci Adv. 2015;1(6):e1500105. doi:10.1126/sciadv.1500105
Mutz J, Javadi AH. Exploring the neural correlates of dream phenomenology and altered states of consciousness during sleep. Neurosci Conscious. 2017;2017(1):nix009. doi:10.1093/nc/nix009
Olson CA, Hamilton NA, Somers VK. Percentage of REM sleep is associated with overnight change in leptin. J Sleep Res. 2016;25(4):419-425. doi:10.1111/jsr.12394
Boeve BF. REM sleep behavior disorder: Updated review of the core features, the REM sleep behavior disorder-neurodegenerative disease association, evolving concepts, controversies, and future directions. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2010;1184:15–54. doi:10.1111/j.1749-6632.2009.05115.x
Ebrahim IO, Shapiro CM, Williams AJ, Fenwick PB. Alcohol and sleep I: Effects on normal sleep. Alcohol Clin Exp Res. 2013;37(4):539-49. doi:10.1111/acer.12006
Voss U, Holzmann R, Tuin I, Hobson JA. Lucid dreaming: a state of consciousness with features of both waking and non-lucid dreaming. Sleep. 2009;32(9):1191–1200. doi:10.1093/sleep/32.9.1191
Our unique personality traits are governed by the phase of the moon during the time of our birth.
People belonging to the same moon phase at the time of their births usually share some attributes of their personality. The phase of the moon, when you were born in this world, provides valuable information about your personality, life motivation, emotions and behavior.
It can give deep insights about your fundamental drives, the primary purpose of your life, and how you’ll contribute to society over the course of your life. Equipped with such vital knowledge about your life and personality, you will begin to understand yourself much better.
First of all, you need to find your lunar birth phase, which is the moon’s stage at the time of your birth.
The diagram given above shows the eight different phases of the moon. The lunar phase cycle, i.e., from one new moon to the next new moon, is around 29 days. To an observer on earth, each phase lasts for approximately three and a half days.
Since a lunar cycle lasts for 29 days but a month has 30/31 days, it will be a complicated process to calculate your moon phase from the chart above. Moreover, if your birthdate falls on the day the moon is transitioning from one phase to another, it makes it even more difficult to identify your moon phase.
Find out the moon phase you were born in, by clicking on the below Moon Phase Calculator link and once you know your Moon phase , read how it impacts your personality below:
Just click on the link, fill out the details and get the Moon Phase your were born in. You just need to have two things handy:
Your full date of birth (dd/mm/yyyy)
Your time of birth.
Once you’re done finding out your moon phase, come back here to read about all the interesting information your Moon Phase gives about your overall personality, fundamental traits and course of life.
There are eight personality types corresponding to eight lunar phases:
New Moon
First/Waxing Crescent
First Quarter (the half-moon in waxing phase)
Waxing Gibbous Moon (a three-fourth stage of the moon, the final stage before the full moon arrives)
Full Moon
Disseminating Moon/Waning Gibbous (the three-fourth stage of the moon just after the full moon)
Last Quarter (the half-moon in the waning phase)
Balsamic Moon/Waning Crescent
Waxing or Waning
The Waxing cycle of the moon, from New Moon to Full Moon, symbolizes growth, development and establishing new things. This is in sync with the changes in the moon during the first half of the cycle, when it grows in size and radiates more light. People born during the Waxing cycle of the moon are usually the ones to establish new ideas and ways of thinking.
The Waning phase of the moon, when the moon changes from full size to New Moon (invisible stage of the moon), is associated with return, renewal and change. Hence people born under this phase act as agents of renewal and change.
Moon Phase Personality Types:
1. New Moon
You’re full of energy and excitement and have a childlike attitude. You’re impulsive and take decisions based on your instincts. You’ve many hobbies and interests. You start new things with a lot of enthusiasm, but may fail to keep it up. You’re likely to achieve success at a young age.
People born under the New Moon phase, have a bubbly personality and childish outlook on life- full of wonderment and trill. You are open and communicative, you take decisions and act on the spur of the moment. You have a lively, cheerful demeanor and bring in a lot of energy and enthusiasm in your work life. You feel the best when there’s a new project at hand that requires your creative skills and fresh ideas; you feel hopeful and excited about the outcome. Your enthusiasm pushes you to work with great intensity and speed, but the fear is that you may get exhausted before you complete your mission.
On the downside, you have a purely subjective perspective of life. Generally, people born under new moon phase achieve success at a young age. But they need to sustain that intensity and mindset throughout their life.
2. First Crescent
You’re energetic but focused- you know what you want out of life and direct your energy towards your goals. You have high determination and ambition. You’re quite creative and interested to explore things in depth. Twenties and thirties are the years when you can achieve exponential growth.
As a person born under the First Crescent moon phase, you have a confident and strong-willed personality, you are ambitious and look at life with curiosity and controlled excitement. Your innate creativity urges you to get a deeper understanding and expand your thinking. It also helps you to comprehend problem situations with a new perspective. This need often results in an internal conflict where you’re torn between tackling something conventionally or in an new and abstract way- a fight between traditional and unorthodox methods. You may also face many restrictions against your life plans. You’ll need to find solutions to overcome these hurdles and achieve your dreams. Twenties and early thirties is the time span during which your productivity and success will be at it’s peak.
3. The First Quarter
This moon phase is a critical one in the lunar cycle, hence there’s some apprehension and nervous energy associated with this phase. You’re restless, risk-taking, passionate and inquisitive. You like to take up challenges and question the status quo. Thirties and forties are your unstoppable years.
People born under the First Quarter moon phase have a positive and determined personality. You show interest in everything that comes your way, you’re active and communicative. You have an inquisitive, curious mind and the willingness to alter the status quo. The drawback of this is that you are perceived as an argumentative and difficult person. However, when you use your skills in a balanced manner, you can create new solutions to longstanding problems. You’re a creator. You feel the need to fight against existing social patterns because you know you can bring in something that’s modern and an advancement on the past in every aspect. Your thirties and forties are your time to shine! You’ll do some of your best works during this phase of your life.
4. Gibbous Moon
You’re compassionate, nurturing and humanitarian, and try to help the society as much as possible. You understand the value of self-development and constantly strive to enhance the quality of your life and relationships. Middle age is the time you’ll thrive and find success.
People born under the Gibbous moon phase have a compassionate and encouraging nature, a soothing influence and a strong need to be helpful to others. You see your work and life as means to contribute to the society and the betterment of the world. Even if you don’t do it consciously, this aim to improve the word can become your “life mission”. In the face of troubles and obstacles, be persistent and keep going- this will make you more matured and also lead to enlightenment and contentment in life. Keep in mind that there’s no need to follow ideologies blindly in your urge to meet your end goals. Expect your endeavors to be recognized during your middle age.
5. Full Moon
You’re likely to lead a fulfilling life with a variety of experiences. You grow and learn through your relationships- whether personal or professional, relationships boost your self-development. You’re very emotional and intuitive.
People born under the Full moon phase, which is the middle of the cycle, are skilled in bringing things to fruition. You’re aware of your life’s purpose at a young age and spend the rest of your life fulfilling it. You are talented in mixing instinct with logic and creativity within practicality. People born under this moon phase, which acts like a bridge between the past and the present, they are connected to their past but also bring new ideas to the future. The downside is that, in your personal relationships, you may experience unexplained fears and guilt. You are advised to take charge of your emotions, and not seek emotional suggestions from your partner– this will ensure that both of you enjoy more fulfilling intimate relationships. Your lifelong efforts will be recognized after you cross middle age.
You’re a hopeful person, with a forward-looking view and feel a deep need to give back. You are involved in teaching and spreading important messages in some way or the other. You go on your own way even if that’s not the conventional route.
People born under the Disseminating moon phase, have the urge to “disseminate” the seeds of their ideas and wisdom among others so that they can learn from your personal knowledge and experience. You will shine in the fields of communication and teaching. You stand by your ideals. There may be a strain of revolutionary in your personality, but that’s simply your strong desire to bring positive reformations in the world. You are passionate to improve the lives of people, but you need find the middle ground between your personal vision and the actual needs of the people. In your early fifties, your lifelong efforts will bring a sense of satisfaction and contentment within you.
7. Last Quarter
You are matured, intuitive and very understanding. You’re opinionated. Some of you will go through dramatic changes in your mid-life period. You’re constantly evaluating your life.
People born under the Last Quarter moon phase are matured beyond their years. Their maturity, depth of understanding, empathy and poise ensure that they excel in fields related to advisory and counselling. With your help and guidance, people are able to organize their lives, collect their thoughts together, mitigate their problems and develop more awareness. The downside is that your idealistic mindset may be considered as an inflexibility by many. You are inclined to melancholia and nostalgia, so you should try to focus on the future, leaving the past behind. Later fifties will bring contentment and a sense of fulfilment in your life.
You’re a deep thinker and spiritualist. You’re often in deep contemplation about existential thoughts, and other ideas. The more you are in tune with your spiritual side, the more peaceful you will be. Alone time to reflect is essential for you. You’re a solitary person who enjoys the company of a few selected people. You may experience short and intense karmic relationships.(Related: Karmic Relationships And Shit: 5 Lessons To Know)
People born under the Balsamic moon phase have a dreamy and meditative personality. This moon phase signifies a transition, where one journeys inwards, contemplates the past, fixes their mistakes, if any, and gets ready for fresh beginnings ahead. People born under this moon phase inherit the introspective and contemplative nature characteristic of this phase. They are blessed with an inborn understanding of the world and a mystical connection with nature. They are intuitive and visionary. You believe in spiritual and intellectual activities rather than physical ones. Your experiences include changes, and coping with endings and passing phases. Your later years will bring more success and happiness compared to your youthful years.
Many of us practice yoga for mental and physical well-being. But did you know some yoga poses can also help to build trust and intimacy between couples? Partner yoga and its poses can be very effective if you are looking to build intimacy with your partner. Partner yoga poses may not be the most intimate and romantic thing to do together, but it can be significantly beneficial for your relationship in the long run!
Our partners are mirrors of our true selves. By embracing a partner yoga practice with one another, we not only lean on each other for support – literally and metaphorically – but we also exercise our vulnerability with one another.
Science has found that by doing so, we’re strengthening our social connections and relationships, which leads to longer lives, healthier habits, reduced stress, and a deeper sense of life meaning.[1]
So how does yoga help with this exactly? In Sanskrit, “yoga” comes from the word yuj, meaning “to yoke” or “to unite”.[2] It’s only appropriate to mirror that definition with a partner, and in essence, begin to unite two people as a whole. Partner yoga also has its roots in building trust and communication, which are cornerstones of a healthy, intimate, and successful relationship.
International yoga day is near so, let’s break down some poses for a deeper dive.
Here Are 11 Partner Yoga Poses For Couples To Build Intimacy
1. Breathing Together
A great yoga practice begins with the breath. It’s a simple yet powerful way of connecting to your own body and noticing any sensations that arise.
Find a seated position with your partner, your backs touching. With eyes closed, tune into your breathing, and begin to deepen the inhales and the exhales.
You will feel the rise and fall of your partner’s breathing, as you tune in to each other’s rhythms. See if you can still maintain your own breath, even when it becomes tempting to mirror the breathing of your partner; allow this rhythm to lull you deeper into becoming present and aware of each other’s space.
Even in unity, you honor your own body and breath, and that honor extends outward to your partner. With this life force – prana [3] – you’re able to find a richer connection to each other with a simple act of breathing.
Do this exercise for 3-5 minutes, or as long as it is comfortable.
A twist is a great natural detox for the body. When the torso is twisted in the opposite direction, the movement acts as a wringing action for the internal organs, and via an exhale, built-up toxicity can be eliminated from the body.[4]
With your backs touching, take a deep breath in. As you exhale, gently twist, going in the opposite direction of each other. Take one hand and place it on your opposite knee, with the other hand reaching back for your partner’s. Use a yoga strap if this is not available.
Allow the breathing to once again sync you with your partner’s rhythm, and notice what it’s like to have the support of your partner’s hand to help ease a little deeper into the twist. Stay in the twist for 5 full breaths, and then switch sides.
3. Backbend/Forward Fold
While your backs are still touching, communicate who will fold forward and who will come into a backbend. You’ll have a chance to switch sides.
The person folding forward will reach their hands forward and either rest their forehead down on the mat, or place it on a block for support. The person doing a backbend will lean back on their partner’s back and open the front of their heart and chest. Breathe deeply here, and see if you can feel each other’s breaths again.
In yoga, the heart is thought of as the place in front and back of your chest, as it’s the same area opening. So in this pose, even though you’re doing the opposite move, your hearts are still connected. Think about how that translates to your relationship off the mat. Stay in this pose for 5 full breaths, and switch when you’re both ready.
4. Soul Gazing
This exercise is deeply personal and nourishing, as you sit facing your partner, gently gazing into their eyes.
Rest your hands on their knees or in their hands, and allow them to do the same. This will further connect you with the power of touch. Once you’re settled (and the giggles have subsided from direct eye contact), begin to truly see your partner.
In the chaos of our days and weeks, we don’t often get the chance to sit down and take in the person with whom we share our life. Gently gaze and take in your partner’s features, uniqueness, and energy, and allow them to see you in return.
Not only is this centering for the rest of your practice, but it’s also deeply loving and compassionate.
Stay in this exercise for 5 minutes or longer, if you both feel tuned in.
5. Seated And Supported Cat/Cow
From a seated position, reach for your partner’s forearms and interlace. As you inhale, arch your back and lift your heart to the sky, maybe even lifting the gaze to expose and open the throat. As you exhale, round the spine and pull back, using the resistance of each other’s arms as support, bringing the gaze inward toward your chest.
Repeat the movements 3-5 times, or as long as you feel comfortable.
Allow this support from your partner to begin to build trust and surrender, as well as communication. Speak out about what feels good in this pose, and ask your partner the same.
While the pose is done in tandem, your experience of it in your own body is going to vary. Take this time to share those sensations, and become curious of your partner’s.
In relationships, we know that we don’t have to do everything on our own. We have our best ally in our corner to help us out.
Likewise in this pose, come into a wide-legged seat with the soles of your feet touching. Reach the arms forward and interlace, and then take turns gently pulling one another closer past the middle, using each other as resistance in this Forward Fold. Stay here for 5 full breaths each.
While this pose is a deep stretch, maybe opt for more of a playful approach! If laughter comes naturally or someone cracks a joke, go along!
Find fun in working out and being with one another. It’s a surefire way to relieve any stress or tension and remind each other of the simpler things that bring you both some more smiles.
7. Partner Boat Pose
When it comes to postures that are challenging, having a partner mirroring and supporting you can go a long way to giving you that extra boost of confidence and energy. And because they’re doing it with you, too, you can both share in the achievement of rocking this core-engaging posture.
Start in a seated position, facing one another, a little further away to give enough room for extending the legs. When you’re ready, come into Boat pose one leg at a time, until the soles of your feet are touching.
Use them as resistance to further stabilize this pose. If available, reach for each other’s hands, and find each other’s gaze. Smile and breathe. Communicate how you’re feeling and root each other on for 5 full breaths.
8. Double Downward Dog
Speaking of building trust, this pose will give you and your partner a chance to work together toward a common goal. This pose is also all about communication and speaking your mind when you’re ready to come down or are feeling a sensation that you’d like to share with your significant other.
With your partner in traditional Downward Dog, set yourself up by coming into a Forward Fold at the top of the mat. Lifting one foot at a time, place your feet at the base of your partner’s spine. You may need to adjust your feet or walk your hands back once you get into this, to readjust.
Once in the pose, breathe there for 5 full breaths, before you switch. After you come out, touch base on how it felt and what you experienced. Share in the pose together by bringing in your specific perspective.
9. Reverse Warrior Partner Pose
If it’s not evident from the photo above, this pose is all about creating love – literally and symbolically.
Begin in Warrior Two facing away from each other, with the outside of your back foot touching. Allow this back foot connection to unite you together in the pose, building a shared foundation from which you can stabilize.
Take a deep breath in, and on an exhale, come into your Reverse Warrior by lifting one arm overhead and reaching back for your partner’s grasp, creating a heart shape in the middle of your joined pose. Use a yoga strap if catching your partner’s hand is not available.
Take your other hand and wrap it behind your waist. Settle your attention on your breathing and press into your partner’s foot as they do the same. Likewise, mirror the support of their hand in yours.
The love you create in your relationship is a two-way street. Remind yourself of all the wonderful ways in which you give and take to build that love. Take 5 full breaths here, and then release when you’re both ready.
10. Double Tree Pose
No man is an island, and likewise, no tree thrives without support.
In this partner pose, begin in your own Tree, by lifting one leg and pressing the sole of the foot into the thigh or down lower on the calf.
When you’ve caught your balance, extend one hand to your partner’s and meet them, palms touching, in the center between your respective Tree postures. Take your other hand and reach it back behind your partner, giving them a loving embrace. Stay here for 5 full breaths before switching sides.
Even though your Tree pose is your own, find the center connection that brings you both together in unity.Allow yourself to feel and appreciate the support you get from your partner, on and especially off the mat.
Opening our hearts to each other is the rawest way of showing our vulnerability. That’s why this pose is so powerful in tandem. By using each other for support, you’re reassuring your partner that anything is possible (and better) when you have each other.
Start standing and facing each other, as you interlace each other’s forearms. Take a deep breath in as you hold each other’s gaze, and on an exhale, lean back to open your heart to the sky, using each other’s arms as resistance. Stay here for 5 full breaths, or as long as it’s comfortable for you both. Release and end with a hug, honoring the space you’ve created for each other and yourself.
Final Thoughts
Partner yoga asks for vulnerability. Through the power of touch and synced breathing, we forge deeper and richer connections in our relationship with our partner.
The experiences we share together and individually in these yoga postures become topics of communication that can help us learn more about each other and ourselves, further growing our intimacy to heights never felt before.
Practice these poses with your partner whenever you are craving that bough of connection or intimacy. This yoga day 2023 challenge each other with postures that are both energizing and restorative, and tune in to each other’s unique experiences for more wholesomeness in your relationship.
Try out these partner yoga poses together, and see for yourself how much they actually help when it comes to building a deep connection and intimacy between you and your significant other. These partner yoga poses are actually very effective in fostering trust, vulnerability, and wholesomeness in your relationship.
An intuitive person is really a gifted soul who sees the world differently and feels every emotion very deeply. Their perception of life is what separates them from the crowd. The traits of an intuitive mind are somewhat subtle and covert, yet these very signs of highly intuitive people make them misunderstood by others.
These are the people who take interest in theories, abstractions, and exploration of things, almost non-existent in the real world. They tend to incline towards finding deeper meaning and understanding of any given expression or thought and have more inclination towards what isn’t said or even considered than what is actually being expressed.
10 Traits Of Highly Intuitive People
These 10 traits of an intuitive mind, at times, make them feel misunderstood by others, even by people who are close to them.
1. Sparking Debates
One of the traits of an intuitive is they frequently get into debates. Intuitives need to examine an issue from all perspectives which allows them to comprehend the actual meaning of any situation or a topic. The reason they jump into debates is only because of their own personal need to improve their understanding of the topic. By no means, they act impolite or challenge others with their knowledge. They just want to inspect the legitimacy of the topic and check it from every angle to discover any shortcomings. Debating helps them to understand things in depth.
2. They Live For The Future
More than the present, they love to live for the future. They are always thinking about the options and opportunities that might appear to them in 20 years. They plan ahead their goals and predict a possible life for themselves for another twenty to thirty years from the present.
Since it is not at all possible to chalk out a plan down to every detail, it is obvious that the plan will get readjusted several times. This is one of the most visible traits of an intuitive person and can be seen through the different personality types of intuitive individuals. Extroverted Intuitives (xNFPs and xNTPs) make readjustments every day, and introverted intuitives (xNFPs and xNTPs) do this as and when needed, although the need arises quite frequently.
An intuitive always has a clear conception of every self-imposed rule and strongly abides by them. But if they raise questions, they don’t mean to be rebellious; it’s just that they want to know why those rules have been framed and if the reasons are sound enough. They cannot accept illogical action, so if a rule appears to be useless or obsolete, they won’t hesitate to ditch it and do things as per their wish.
4. Over-Analyzing Every Matter
To an intuitive, it is not enough to merely analyze an issue but to understand the extent of its effects on the surroundings. They must understand the underlying theory that has led to its development. Intuitives won’t stop until they have understood the intangible explanation for any tangible problem that appears before them. This can really drive others around them, insane.
5. Cannot Accept Authority
Intuitives don’t always rely on qualification, rather they believe in a person’s competence. Their judgments are always based on how competent others are. Intuitives know very well how inclined the human mind is towards prestige and convenience than on analysis. But that cannot deter them from questioning the established system which is accepted for decades, sometimes centuries.
An intuitive is naturally attracted to the unconventional, abnormal, and uncouth. Throughout their lives, they keep on attempting to form an elaborate worldview, which explains why they make such great efforts to understand as many strange and peculiar things as possible. They are always looking for new perspectives, whether it is their studies, their lifestyle, or anything else, and this is why the new lenses can give them a completely different view than what they still know
7. Obscure Interests
What is already known is of no interest to the intuitive personality and that is why they would always explore the areas which most people cannot think to exist. The intuitive’s area of interest or study would always be on niche theories or topics that no one else has ever thought of venturing.
Conspiracy theories may arouse curiosity in many of the intuitive and they would take a keen interest in exploring them. They would always try to find out the methods of reasoning that are still unknown, and that shouldn’t surprise anyone given their innate ability to enjoy ‘mental gymnastics’ that is involved in linking apparently two unrelated subjects. Ironically, they don’t believe in the actual theories themselves in the end.
8. Socialize With Their Type
Extroverted intuitives (mainly ENFPs and ENTPs) are known to be the most introverted of the extroverted types. Introverted intuitives (mainly INFJs and INTJs) are habitually more introverted, but if they get each other’s company they can easily talk for hours, if not endlessly.
Intuitive-dominants get drained keeping up with their physical environment, but the quality conversation never tires them, rather it energizes them greatly. They call themselves ‘selectively social’ as they can’t connect with people who are not on the same mental plane. That is why they prefer to be alone unless they get the opportunity to mix with other intuitive types.
9. They Pose As Devil’s Advocate
They can’t stand it when someone insists that a matter in question is black or white. They wouldn’t mind playing devil’s advocate if they sense that the opposition is trying to thrust an opinion without considering the alternative views. These personalities are inclined to argue fervently on those points which they themselves don’t believe. They would do it just to prove that an issue is more complicated than what others believe it to be.
Intuitives are born with a penchant for everything that is strange, unconventional, and provocative. They are different because their love for uncommon things doesn’t translate into entrepreneurial ventures but to relationship structures that are non-traditional or make lifestyle choices that are not as per social norms.
Rebel Without A Cause
Intuitives are not repulsive to the thoughts and ideas which are easily dismissed by others. They would include such things in their lives and come to be viewed as rebellious by society even though they have no intention to be labeled as such. They don’t aim to do things in stark contrast to what is prevalent in society, but an intuitive’s way of life reflects just that. Their mindset is reflected through their lifestyle, and undoubtedly an intuitive’s mind is very peculiar.
What do you feel about these traits of an intuitive mind? Do you find them common in yourself or others near you? Let us know in the comments box below.
Do you intensely feel the emotions of other people evenwithout any verbal communication? Do you experience their emotions and energy in their bodies all around you? Does this lead to emotional turbulence or anxiety? If yes, then you are not just an empath but a psychic empath.
What is psychic empath?
Often people confuse ‘Psychic Empathy’ with Empathy – which is the ability to sense (and imagine) what other people are (or might be) thinking or feeling.
Psychic empaths stand out from other types of empaths because of the ability to pick up on non-visual and non-verbal cues like sadness, joy, fear, pain, anxiety that other people are feeling without any clues to that effect. They can also sense auras or energy fields surrounding them and energies of plants and animals.
Unlike empaths without psychic abilities, psychic empaths feel drained or exhausted as they absorb the energies of other people (both positive and negative). Therefore, they require shielding techniques to protect themselves emotionally.
How to know if you are a psychic empath?
If you want to be sure that you are a psychic empath then check out the following signs.
Here are 13 signs of being a psychic empath:
1. You see
Having a heightened sensation, psychic empaths sometimes tend to see certain –
Lights
Ccolors
Flashes of spirit orbs or different spiritual objects.
These things tend to spontaneously pop up in their field of vision.
They have the power to “see” psychic images or visions as mental flashes which can also include pictures of places, objects, people, symbols, and events. If you have such clairvoyance, then you are a clairvoyant psychic empath.
2. You hear
Psychic empaths have extra keen senses, so they can hear certain –
Tones
Pitches and
Ringing in their ears.
They may hear a non-descript voice or mix of voices or messages that are transmitted from the spiritual realm as psychic empaths are known to be highly advanced souls.
If you have such clairaudience, then you are a psychic empath.
3. You feel
People with psychic empath traits can literally feel the energy and emotions of other people as if they were their own. They cannot distinguish someone else’s emotions from their own. They can sense other people’s –
Anger
Anxiety
Pride
Happiness, and
Excitement.
Psychic empaths are highly sensitive and can read people’s minds as well as feel the touch of a spirit. Also, feel vibrations when touching or holding an object in their hands. Do you have such psychic empathic feelings?
Psychic empaths tend to just “know” something, without any intuition, gut feeling, clue, or awareness of where that knowledge came from. What you know can be a deeper universal truth or something common and mundane.
If you have such a strong sense of knowing and tend to experience déjà vu and synchronicities, then take it as a sign you are a psychic empath.
5. You believe
Psychic empaths seem to have a sense of universal connectedness to all things and the eternal nature of the human spirit. They have a naive optimism and even when the whole world is turned upside down, they “know” all is ALWAYS well.
6. You smell
Having highly tuned senses, psychic empaths can smell fragrances and odors that other people around cannot usually smell. They can smell cigarettes or perfumes that can be messages sent by a spirit to them for someone who smoked or a person’s favorite perfume.
7. You are overwhelmed by intimacy
People with psychic empath traits struggle to maintain intimate relationships because they are overwhelmed with closeness and intimacy. Spending time with their partner makes them absorb his or her energy, hence they need solitude.
So, it is not uncommon for psychic empaths to stay single or childless.
However, if you establish healthy boundaries being a psychic empath and know how to take breaks to clear your mind, relationships can be less challenging for you. Else, you may lose your identity in the relationship.
8. You need a lot of alone time
As a psychic empath you need alone time to feel relaxed and at ease with your feelings and senses. Exposing yourself to a large crowd or even a small group can turn out to be risky for you. Because you feel different sorts of emotions and easily absorb the energies of other people. It’s common for psychic empaths to have unstable moods and that’s why they love solitude.
Positive energies can make you happy. But, If you are absorbing negative energies, it can be hard to handle and you may fall sick both physically and mentally. You tend to isolate yourself to protect your energy and maintain peace of mind. Over time, you can develop immunity and be defensive to negative forces surrounding you.
Psychic empaths seek comfort and peace in nature, it helps them clear their mental confusion and overcome physical discomfort. To enjoy the solitude, they commonly indulge in activities like
Hiking
Walking on the beach
Meditating in the woods
Listening to nature’s music
Traveling to remote areas
Animals are attracted to psychic empaths like magnets. If you can absorb the energies of animals and also sense that they have been mistreated or are in need of your care and love, then it’s a sign you are a psychic empath.
10. You are intuitive
Everybody has intuition but the gut feelings of empaths are quite literal. — Colette Davenport
Psychic empaths can sense a feeling in their gut, which can help them to do some good deeds or avoid energy vampires. You can be a healing tonic for hearts in need as you can pick up verbal and non-verbal cues that give you insight into what is on a person’s mind.
So, if you can filter the world through your intuition it’s a surefire sign that you are a psychic empath.
You can intensely feel the emotions of people and animals so it is hard for you not to care. Seeing others in distress gives you pain. As you are naturally giving and spiritually open, you will always go out of the way to help them.
If you believe that you are supposed to help others live better lives and create a better environment for the world, then you are a psychic empath.
However, a psychic empath is also a master at self-care and self-love. Even if they are mentally consumed and put others’ feelings first, they don’t stop valuing their own emotions.
12. Your sense of emotion is receptive
You can absorb both positive and negative energies as well as distinguish between both energies. You have psychic empath abilities and that helps you decipher and deal with a sticky situation.
Around positive energies like peace, love – you feel high, energized, and excited. Around negative energies like some malicious or dark or harmful intentions – you tend to feel cautious, anxious, and exhausted.
Once you have realized you are a psychic empath, you will surely learn to set up a healthy emotional barrier so that others’ emotions do not upset you. However, it may take a lot of time for you to learn and practice how to process your (and others) thoughts and emotions on a whole-body level and how to solve negative situations. Over time you will know when to help and when not to bother a person.
13. You can feel sick any time
Certain types of loud noises, strong odors, or places like graveyards, hospitals, or other dramatic environments can make you sick both physically and mentally. It is not uncommon for psychic empaths to experience anxiety, nausea, dizziness or stomach upset out of nowhere.
Because they not only absorb all sorts of high levels of energy but internalize it. If you frequently feel overwhelmed or mentally exhausted or pass out in some social environments, then it’s one of the signs you are a psychic empath.
So, what do you think? Are you a psychic empath? Let us know in the comments below.
References
1. Tudor, K., 2011. Understanding empathy. Transactional Analysis Journal, 41(1), pp.39-57.
2. Northrup, C., 2018. Dodging Energy Vampires: An Empath's Guide to Evading Relationships that Drain You and Restoring Your Health and Power. Hay House, Inc.
3. Digitalis, R., 2019. The Everyday Empath: Achieve Energetic Balance in Your Life. Llewellyn Worldwide.
4. Wuirch, K., 2016. Waking up an Empath: A Year in the Life of an Empath from Awakening to Spiritual Healer. Balboa Press.
5. Orloff, J., 2017. The Empath's Survival Guide: Life Strategies for Sensitive People. Sounds True.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What are the different types of psychic empaths?
The different types of psychic empaths are – Clairvoyant, Clairaudient, Clairsentient, Claircognizant, Telepathic, Psychometric, Precognitive, Geomantic, and the Medium Empath.
What is a dark empath?
Dark empaths are those who seem to have a pleasing attitude at first sight but can possess dark traits such as narcissism. They understand other people’s emotions but can get dangerous.
What is the difference between a psychic and an empath?
A psychic can pick up information from spirits within the spirit realm and from people because they see with the mind’s eye. Whereas an empath doesn’t deal with information-based communication, but emotional communication. Empaths tend to feel what others are feeling through energy transference.
How to develop psychic empath abilities?
You can develop psychic empath abilities by practicing meditation, nurturing your intuition, and building positive emotions within your heart.
Do empaths have psychic abilities?
Everyone including empaths has some degree of psychic abilities and it can take different forms. However, the psychic form of empathy is different from having empathy or empathetic nature.
INFP is the four-letter code of the Myers-Briggs Personality Type Indicator. The INFP (The Mediator) personality type includes the traits, Introversion (I), iNtuitive (N), Feeling (F), and Perceiving (P). To help distinguish your personality type, here are 10 signs you are an INFP.
What does INFP mean?
Whoever has the INFP personality type tends to enjoy their alone time (Introverted), is inclined towards concepts and ideas, rather than details and facts (iNtuitive), gravitate towards making decisions based on values, ethics, and feelings (Feeling), and prefer to do things spontaneously instead of having a planned approach (Perceiving).
They are known as the Mediators, as well as Healers sometimes, due to their compassionate, gentle, and idealistic nature. People with the INFP personality type tend to be very open-minded, caring, imaginative, and quiet, and exhibit a very innovative and creative approach to whatever they do.
10 Signs Of An INFP Personality Type
1. Benevolent and considerate.
INFPs are known for their generous and thoughtful nature, and they never like to be happy at someone else’s expense. They love sharing everything well with the people they love and being selfish or self-centered is not really in their DNA.
They will go to any lengths to compromise and adjust if it means making someone else happy. Treating everyone kindly and equally is something an INFP firmly believes in.
INFPs are experts when it comes to seeing something from an unconventional and non-traditional perspective. They are never stuck in their own opinions and perceptions and are always willing to learn something new and different. INFPs are tolerant of everyone and always give everyone a chance to make their point.
Because they are open-minded people, they never judge others, as long as they are not doing anything harmful, and morally wrong.
3. Unrealistic and excessively self-critical.
Because INFPs are very passionate about whatever they do, they sometimes end up letting it consume them. They get so obsessed with their ideas, that they even forget to eat and sleep properly; drawing the line can be a massive task for them.
And in case, they are unable to fulfill their own expectations, they will beat themselves very hard. INFPs will constantly doubt themselves and think that they are simply not good enough.
4. Fiery and dependable.
When an INFP sets their heart to something, they give it their all. They can be reserved and shy most of the time, but that never stops them from going out of their way and doing something that matches their ideals and beliefs. Added to this, the INFP personality type is also known for being very dependable and loyal.
No matter what happens, and what the situation might be, they will go out of their way to support their loved ones and the causes they believe in.
5. Over-emotional and too idealistic.
When it comes to the INFP personality type, being emotional and idealistic are the cornerstones of their personality. But the problem arises when they become too emotional and too idealistic. Their over-emotional nature sometimes makes them lose track of everything and blinds them to the truth.
And sometimes, they can be so idealistic, that they end up getting hurt more often than not, as reality turns out to be quite different from what they initially thought.
INFPs are very reserved, quiet, and self-conscious by nature, and sometimes that can make it tough for others to know them properly. Because they need a lot of personal space to function properly, it can give off the wrong impression to others.
They are also quite submissive and soft-hearted on the inside and try to stay away from conflicts as much as they can, which is why the smallest things can end up hurting them, including constructive criticism.
7. Honorable and devoted.
INFPs have a lot of integrity within themselves, be it moral integrity or intellectual integrity. Their sense of honor makes them try to find a deeper meaning in everything they come across. They never judge a book by its cover, and always try to know more about something or someone before reaching a conclusion.
Their compassionate and open-minded nature makes them some of the most dedicated people out there, who truly want to improve themselves and the world for the better.
8. Too vulnerable and overly selfless.
Two of the best things about the INFP personality type are their ability to be vulnerable and selfless. INFPs always follow their hearts more than their minds, and this can sometimes end up causing problems. Toxic and manipulative people always take advantage of their sweet and gullible nature and exploit them every chance they get.
Their overly selfless nature also doesn’t help, as they end up doing a lot for people who don’t deserve it. They get hurt over and over again, and despite this, they choose to keep their mouth shut, just so someone else doesn’t feel bad.
9. Procrastinating and inattentive.
INFPs are distracted very easily and add to that a procrastinating nature, and you have got a recipe for disaster. They hate investing time in something they are not interested in, even though it might be very important, and keep everything for the last moment. This results in them feeling overwhelmed since everything has piled up. Their tendency to procrastinate and get distracted very easily creates many problems for them.
10. Compromising and sacrificing.
The empathy and idealism that they harbor in themselves, makes them capable of great compromises and sacrifices. INFP is known as The Mediator, because of its ability to take into account everyone’s viewpoints and then come to the ideal solution that serves everyone’s interests. They believe in the spirit of cooperation and are even willing to sacrifice their own happiness and priorities if needed.
As far as the ideal INFP careers are concerned, they tend to flourish in careers where they get to express their morals and individuality to the fullest. Because of their empathetic and compassionate nature, it’s not a wonder that most of them end up in professions where they get to help and aid people. Artistic and creative careers are also good choices for them.
Here Are Some Of The Best Career Choices For The INFP Personalities
Writer
Fashion Designer
Midwife
Physical Therapist
Psychologist
Social Worker
Mental Health Counselor
Librarian
Elementary School Teacher
Fundraiser
Massage Therapist
Famous INFP Personalities
Here Are Some Of The Most Famous People Who Have INFP Personality Type
William Shakespeare
Virginia Wolfe
George Orwell
J.R.R. Tolkien
Vincent Van Gogh
Helen Keller
Fred Rogers
Bob Marley
Chris Martin
John Mayer
Lisa Kudrow
Emily Blunt
Jude Law
Tom Hiddleston
Mia Farrow
Richard Gere
Fiona Appple
So, are you an INFP? Let us know in the comments down below!
In life, it is very important that you be kind to yourself, stay true to your spirit, cherish your soul, and never doubt yourself. With the kindness you show to others, you deserve the same for yourself too.
You may be having a difficult day or a difficult week. It can feel like an uphill climb to get out of that emotional and mental rut and be kind to yourself, but there are, fortunately, many tools at our disposal for resetting our attitude.
When we show ourselves kindness, we start to create new habit patterns and neuron pathways in the brain [1]. These new “mentalities” take us from seeing everything as negative and grim to joyful, positive, and full of opportunity.
We understand kindness from the perspective of how we treat our family and friends. What if we were to take that same approach to how we treat ourselves? How would our health improve if we listened to our body’s signals and responded with care and compassion? These are profound questions to ask.
While having a bad day and feeling down is another part of life, we can start to implement tools into our routine that grow our self-compassion muscle even more.
Here Are 15 Ways You Can Be Kind to Yourself
1. Forgive yourself often.
This may be the best and hardest tool to implement in your life, but it is so potent! We are so hard on ourselves, and we are often our own worst critics. We can easily forgive our friends and family, but we have a harder time taking that forgiveness within.
Today, practice self-forgiveness. When you get caught up in self-blame, pause and think about how you would react to the same situation with a friend. Often, we need the same kind of forgiveness.
At the end of the day, we’re doing the best that we can. When we know better, we can do better. In the meantime, forgiveness is key.
2. Write yourself a love letter.
This is a simple yet precious way of writing your thoughts and feelings down on a piece of paper. If you really want to add a touch of extra love and be kind to yourself, pull out your fanciest stationery [2]! If you’re having a hard time with writing, imagine you’re writing to your younger self. What would you want to say? Often, it’s words of encouragement.
We hold a lot of compassion for ourselves in hindsight afterlife has tested and blessed us. Writing love letters offers us a perspective in which to find gratitude! If you want, you can also mail it to yourself, or save it and open it in a few months or even years.
3. Take care of your physical health.
This may look like going out for a walk every day in your neighborhood or favorite park; it may also look like taking a yoga class on a Saturday morning or joining a favorite gym or fitness club.
When we’re feeling down, our physical body hangs on to all of that pent-up energy and emotion. We need to clear that energy in order to maintain physical health, as well as emotional and mental health[3].
Whatever you choose is up to you! Just make sure it feels good and you’re having fun while you’re at it.
This may look like taking yourself out to dinner or cooking a delicious meal for yourself at home! Often, in times of despair, one of the first things that start to lack is our nutrition. We either don’t eat enough or we overeat, and never the right kinds of food.
Schedule a time on your calendar for treating yourself! It may be ordering food from your favorite restaurant or spoiling yourself with something that you would never order regularly. Whatever it is, make sure it feels special, something out of the ordinary, and bonus points if it’s healthy!
5. Seek out a therapist.
When it comes to emotional and mental health, seeking out professional health is a major win and a great way to be kind to yourself. We can’t always help ourselves. We need someone to hold space for us, listen and hear us out, and offer perspectives that we wouldn’t have on our own[4]. There is no shame in asking for help.
Therapists will often challenge you to confront the way you think about various situations and experiences, so if you have a problem with negative thinking, therapy can be particularly useful. Just make sure you’re ready to go into it with an open mind and lots of self-compassion.
6. Buy yourself flowers.
This may seem like a cliché approach to self-kindness but think about the last time you bought flowers for yourself. How long has it really been? There is great power in treating yourself in the same manner as you would treat someone you loved.
Small gestures, such as buying yourself flowers, are breadcrumbs towards those new habit patterns. When put together, they create a new outlook of joy, happiness, peace, and contentment. To go a step further, take yourself out on a date! You may be surprised how much you enjoy your own company.
7. When you’re in a rut, ask questions.
We reflexively jump to outside stimuli when we’re facing a challenge or are in a rut. You may turn to food, drugs, or alcohol; or you may keep yourself mindlessly busy, distracted, or running headfirst into emotional restlessness and poor decisions.
Instead, we can ask ourselves questions to start to dig deeper into our current situation. For example, asking “What do I need right now?” can be a powerful moment of introspection. It not only brings us back to the present, but it also cuts through the noise of mental and emotional chatter.
8. Surround yourself with like-minded people.
Our loved ones have a beautiful way of pulling you out of your own funk when you don’t know how to be kind to yourself. Just by being around other people, our energy can lift and shift in ways that promote a new, fresh start to our day.
Make sure you find friends who will be patient with you and make space for you to be heard and loved. If you feel like your friends aren’t capable of this, it may be the moment to limit the amount of time you spend with them. Remember to surround yourself with people who can lift you up versus people who can only bring you down!
9. Hydrate!
This also may seem like a simple tool, but it is an incredibly important one! Just like food, hydration is also something we toss to the back burner when we’re feeling down. It just doesn’t seem to be that important until we have a headache and don’t know where it’s coming from.
Drinking water not only regulates our body’s innate functioning systems but it also heavily impacts our mood[5]. Remember to stick to water and avoid high-sugar drinks, such as sodas. If you’re not sure, water is your best bet!
This doesn’t have to be fancy. You can draw yourself a bath, have a picnic outside, or choose to snuggle in for a movie night. A “Self-Care” day is all about being present with yourself and enjoying the little things with more appreciation.
There are many ways of enjoying the day that won’t cost you a lot of money, and all with tools already at your disposal in your home or community.
11. Make time for meditation.
This is a wonderful practice of tuning into your mental state and works to teach you how to be kind to yourself. With so many meditation applications out there, you can find teacher-guided sessions or timers with gentle background music to ease you into meditation.
Meditation teachers often say that all of our answers reside within us, so starting this practice in a time when we’re struggling can provide powerful insight.
12. Give yourself recognition.
There are many successes we simply don’t take the time to celebrate. Instead, we wait for others to celebrate or recognize our accomplishments. Today, think about something you’d like to be recognized for. It could be a project you’ve been working on or something you’ve devoted time and effort to in your life. Then, celebrate it!
Share it with your friends and family, and give yourself a pat on the back! Another fun way of giving yourself recognition is to create a “Brag Bucket.” Each time you accomplish something, drop a note with what you did. At the end of the year, take a look at everything you’ve done and celebrate yourself!
13. Give yourself a massage.
We already mentioned how the body holds on to emotional and mental baggage. This can show up in tension, tightness, aches, or pains. While it is certainly rewarding to go get a massage, you can also give yourself one.
Ayurveda, the sister science of Yoga, highlights a particularly healing massage practice called abhyanga, which is an oil massage that you can do from the comfort of your own home[6].
14. Stop tolerating what/who doesn’t serve you well.
Sometimes practicing self-kindness is about cutting the cords of what no longer brings you joy in life. This may be an idea, a routine, or a person.
It’s OK to walk away from something that brings you down. When you can let go and distance yourself in such a way, more space opens up for you to fill that void with what actually makes you happy!
15. Rest and recharge.
We live in a society that worships productivity. While that may be needed in some instances, it also creates the assumption that a lack of productivity makes you worthless as an employee and a person and makes it very difficult to find time to be kind to yourself.
We need to get back to the flow of nature, which shows us that while much may not be going on, life is still thriving and growing. Likewise, so are we.
We are not designed to thrive in a “grind” society. We don’t always need to work, move, create, and do. More often than not, we need to rest! We need to simply be, and we need to know that this is more than OK.
Final Thoughts
We all have days where we feel down and out. In these moments, we can either wallow in our despair and let it consume us, or we can practice simple yet effective tools to nourish ourselves. At the core of self-kindness and compassion is the fact that we’re all just doing our very best, day in and day out.
As the old Buddhist saying goes, “You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserves your love and affection.”
When you choose to be kind and compassionate towards yourself, you forge a path of becoming the very best and happiest version of yourself. Practice self love and be compassionate to yourself, the world is already quite a cruel place, so be kind to yourself every day.
The way you start your morning sets the tone for the rest of your day, so in a way, it can make or break your day. The habits or rituals that you practice when you wake up in the morning, can help decide whether you are going to have a positive, uplifting day or a sad and dreadful one. It’s all up to you, really.
If you are waking up with negative feelings in your heart every day of your life, then you need to establish a few positive, but effective morning rituals. These morning rituals will help you start your day on a positive and productive note. And the more you practice these, you will work towards changing your life for the better.
Here Are 11 Morning Rituals That Can Change Your Life
1. Have warm lemon water first thing in the morning.
Consuming a full glass of warm lemon water after waking up in the morning on an empty stomach, is an amazing way to kick start your day. One glass of this activates all your internal organs and gets your body going.
Make sure that the water is lukewarm, and not scalding hot, as you might not want to cause a shock to your system. Lemon helps in preparing your digestive system for the upcoming meals and adds flavor to the water. If you find it too tart, you can add a dash of honey to sweeten it a bit.
The re-hydration process
When you sleep through the night, your body doesn’t get any water for around 8 hours. So it’s vital that you change that by starting your day with a healthy amount of it. Don’t leave drinking water for later, and have other drinks and breakfast first; always start your day with a tall glass of water.
If you are a nyctophile, because of how quiet and peaceful it is at night, then be rest assured that you will also enjoy the peace that comes with early mornings. Staying up very late at night might feel amazing, but it’s not really a very healthy thing to practice. So, try to shift your personal time to the early hours of the morning, and see the changes it does to your body and health.
The best time for waking up
Wake up in conjunction with circadian rhythms if possible. Civil twilight is the ideal time to wake up since you will be able to see light outside, take in the sunrise, and even hear the birds singing. Before going out the door for your work and chores, make sure that you give your body at least an hour and a half to prepare itself for the day ahead.
Once you start cleaning/scraping your tongue after waking up every morning, be rest assured that you won’t be able to stop it. Scraping your tongue every day helps you to steer clear of morning breath, and also helps in making you feel rejuvenated, as you transition from sleep to wakefulness every day.
Want to know another interesting thing about scraping your tongue? After you get rid of the film on your tongue after scraping it, you will be able to taste your food better!
Using the correct tongue scraper
Many toothbrushes come with a scraper on their backs, but in case you don’t have one, you might want to buy a scraper separately. You can get the conventional triangle-shaped one or the one that has distinctive bristles that thoroughly cleans the tongue. You can also go for a stainless steel one and a U-shaped one.
4. Stretch for a few minutes.
Stretching in the morning is one of the best morning rituals you can practice. Stretching your body after getting up wakes your muscles up and prepares them for the upcoming day. Stretch for 5-10 minutes every morning and see how invigorated and relaxed you feel.
You can incorporate your stretches into a yoga or exercise routine if you are looking to lose some weight. But make sure that you do at least a few stretches, and not skimp on it at all.
How long should you stretch?
When you initially start stretching, it won’t really matter for how long you will do it, and will mostly depend on how much time you have. If you have just 5 minutes, then stretch for just 5 minutes. The more you develop the habit and get used to it, you will find yourself stretching for a longer period of time. Go with the flow, and listen to your body.
5. Jump a hundred times.
Rebounding or jumping on a trampoline after waking up in the morning, is one of the best morning exercises out there. It doesn’t put a lot of pressure on your bones and joints and is ideal for any fitness level. Simply bounce on it lightly, as this helps in lymphatic drainage, as well as keeps your thyroid healthy.
Jumping on a trampoline energizes you in the morning, and keeps you feeling refreshed all throughout the day.
It tones your body and makes it firmer
When you jump on the trampoline regularly, with time, you will feel your body get tighter and firmer. This is because jumping works every muscle in your body, be it the lower body muscles, core muscles, and upper body muscles. This is one of the best ways of getting your juices flowing.
Dry brushing is an ancient, Ayurvedic practice, that gets rid of your dead skin cells, and helps in blood circulation. It also makes your skin smoother, softer, and more even-toned.
Start brushing from your extremities in circular motions, and gradually cover your whole body. Make sure that you brush towards your heart, and that should be the last step. After you are done, have your shower and apply some moisturizer to make your skin feel softer.
What kind of brush to use for dry brushing?
Go for a brush that will exfoliate your skin properly, but make sure that it’s not an extremely rough one. A dry loofah will be good for this purpose, or any brush that can scrub the skin properly. Don’t go for very soft brushes, as it will end up not doing anything at all.
7. Listening to calming music, or an audiobook.
One of the best morning rituals you can practice is listening to calming and uplifting music or a motivational audiobook. When you start your day with inspiration and a successful mindset, you are bound to have a good day. It helps you get in the right mind space to begin your day.
Your mind is always hungry for new information which it can feed on, so feed it good things every day, the same way you feed your body. Taking care of your mind is equally important as taking care of your body.
Opting for the right songs and the right audiobooks
Which songs and audiobooks you choose to listen to is up to you. But try to choose inspiring, motivating, and uplifting things so that you don’t feel restless and stressed out throughout the day.
Now that you have woken up early in the morning, cleaned your tongue and brushed your teeth, had enough water, jumped, stretched, dry brushed your body, and showered while listening to calming music, it’s time that you provide nourishment to your body with a healthy, green smoothie.
A green smoothie is full of leafy vegetables such as kale, spinach, etc which are full of minerals, vitamins, fiber, and phytonutrients, that work wonders for your body. Green smoothies also give you a much-needed boost of energy.
Choosing the right green smoothie recipe
When you decide to have a green smoothie, make sure that you choose a recipe that will be pleasant for your morning palate. There’s no point in choosing a recipe that will taste horrible to your tastebuds. Interestingly, any non-green smoothie can be transformed into a green one, just by adding kale or spinach or any other green veggies, for that matter of fact.
9. Meditate.
Meditation is again another great thing you can do after getting up in the morning. Meditating for a few minutes after waking up, clears your mind, keeps you grounded, and makes you feel calm and peaceful.
When you meditate, sit in a position in which you feel the most comfortable, and put on some relaxing music. If you don’t want music, that’s fine too. Just relax, focus on your breathing, and take in the silence around you.
Just a few minutes is enough
You don’t need to be a yogi or go in a trance to effectively meditate; doing it for a few minutes is enough for you to reap its benefits. After a few days, you will start seeing just how better, clearer. and calmer your mind feels. Stick with this habit, and see how your life changes for the better.
10. Practice smiling in the mirror for a few seconds.
Now, this may feel weird when you initially start doing it, but if you keep going, you will definitely notice a difference in yourself. When you smile at yourself in the mirror every day for a few seconds, you are boosting your self-esteem by being kind to yourself. By doing this, you see a happier version of you, and this helps you be genuinely happy.
When you smile, it doesn’t have to be a wide-toothed grin or a very goofy smile, just a small, kind smile does the trick. Smiling at yourself as if you know something that the world doesn’t, and this helps you feel confident and positive.
Self-validation in the morning.
Smiling at yourself in the mirror means you are looking at yourself for who you are, and in a way telling yourself, that you are capable of doing everything you set your mind to. Even if you don’t have the best day, at least you have been kind to yourself and acknowledged yourself at the start of the day.
If you live a very busy and hectic life, then it’s only natural that you will forget things on a regular basis. In order to avoid this, write down your to-do list for the day, and then gradually check them off one by one. This list will help you stay on top of everything without feeling overwhelmed about anything.
Following an organized list
The more you organize everything, the better you will be at handling them. If you try to retain everything in your mind, then you will feel exhausted and overwhelmed after a point, and you don’t want that, do you? By following an organized list, you are bringing structure and order into your life, which in turn helps you to fulfill all your tasks properly.
4 Things You Should Stay Away From In Order To Have A Good Day
1. Don’t focus on reading/listening to every news item.
It’s a good thing to stay updated about everything that’s happening around you, but try not to read all the upsetting and disturbing things that might be happening, first thing in the morning. Reading disturbing things first thing in the morning will mess with your mind, and put you in an unhappy mood throughout the day.
2. Don’t have a big breakfast.
Even if you are having the healthiest breakfast there is, bombarding your body with a ton of food in the morning is not a good idea. Your digestion is not the strongest in the morning, and eating a ton of food, will only make you feel lazier. Focus on having a light, healthy breakfast, and in case you feel hungry, have a small snack before your lunch.
3. Don’t be dependent on stimulants.
Many people can’t start their day without a hot cup of coffee in the morning to wake them up. But try to stay away from things like this. Stimulants are just temporary solutions that cover up a lack of nutrition and sleep. Ditch these stimulants and focus on building positive habits and morning rituals.
4. Don’t sleep in for long hours.
No matter how tempting it might feel to sleep for an extra couple of hours in the morning, don’t. The morning rituals and habits that you have formed throughout the entire week, stick to them on the weekends too. Following through with this will only help you be healthier and happier.
Incorporating these morning rituals will help you live a more disciplined and healthier life, and as days go by, you will see just how your life has changed for the better.
Can the human eye reveal the personality you have? What do your eyes reveal about you? Believe it or not, your eyes can reveal a great deal about the type of person you are. Your eyes can tell a detailed story about what you are holding inside, what you’ve been through, and what you strive to be.
If your eyes are the windows to your soul, then what do others see when they look into them? This personality test based on your eyes can help you find out.
“Your eyes are the window to your soul… So be careful where you put your eyes.” – William Shakespeare
What do your eyes reveal about your personality?
“When a woman is talking to you, listen to what she says with her eyes.” – Victor Hugo
Your eyes can tell someone if you are attracted to them romantically. It can also reveal whether you are confident, nervous, shy or courageous. It can help you look assertive when talking to someone or make you appear welcoming or threatening.
You can communicate almost everything with your eyes. You can know what others are thinking or feeling by looking into their eyes. So what do people see when they look at your eyes?
Do you appear happy and confident? Or do you look sad and unsure? This personality test can help you uncover secrets about yourself that only your eyes can reveal.
In fact, it is now proven by science that our eyes can tell us about who we are. Researchers at Orebro University, Sweden found that our eye color is determined by the genes responsible for forming our frontal lobes.
“The eye is so closely linked neurologically to the brain that you might call it the only part of our brain you can see from the outside. It seems to hold vital clues to our brain function.” – Dr. Anthony Fallone, Edinburgh University
Take the eye personality test
The color of your eyes and other related features can tell a lot about your personality and this personality test is specifically designed to help you find out exactly that.
Take this fun quiz and you might be surprised to find out what your eyes say about you.
However, this eye personality test is not based on any scientific research and is purely intended as a fun exercise. But it still offers you accurate answers regarding your eyes and your personality traits. So don’t think too hard and answer this quiz honestly.
At the end of this personality test, you will get accurate results that will help you understand what people think when they look into your beautiful eyes. You can then choose to share it with your friends and family.
