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Support system: finding help and hope in difficult times
If the first step in nourishing your mental health is realizing you struggle, then creating a support system is what will help you overcome those struggles. In fact, regardless of why you struggle, only realizing that you do, will not be of much benefit to you. Only with the help of others and with your unshaken determination to get better, you will overcome the behavioral patterns which constantly make you feel like you are stuck in your life.
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Perfectionism and anxiety: How is the fear of failure hindering our progress?
More often than not, the perfectionist will avoid even the tiniest of risks in her or his lifestyle, because the mere idea of possibly failing or not excelling in what they do, is paralyzing. Sadly, however, this means that although we are not failing, we are not experiencing much of outstanding success either. When I say success, I do not necessarily mean money or status or results at work, because I believe defining success is subjective. However, regardless of what success means to you, if you are running after perfectionism, you are running away from success because you will sabotage every possibility to develop and fight for your values, beliefs,…
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“High-functioning depression and distorted thinking. Yet, I say everything is fine.”
A person with highly-functioning depression can experience feelings of hopelessness and extreme sadness - same as the clinically depressed person. The difference is that these individuals tend to suppress these damaging feelings by focusing on their goals and wish to succeed. The drive to be accomplished and the fear of failure are so dominant in their mind that high-functioning individuals focus primarily on addressing their ambitions, rather than their feelings.
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How are our hormones and emotions correlated?
Hormones and emotions: a complicated, but very real and measurable relationship. Sometimes, when we struggle or experience hardship, it is not merely because of our choices. More often than not, it is about our brain chemistry. The science of the human mind says that our brain is primarily wired for our survival, but interestingly enough, the hormones that evolved to ensure our survival and to sharpen our instincts, are also the hormones that determine our happiness levels. When it comes to hormones and emotions, there are four highly relevant hormones: dopamine, oxytocin, serotonin and endorphin. I remember them easily when I take the first letter of their names and create…
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How do our relationships influence our mental health?
When it comes to our mental health and psychological well-being, there is rarely any other social phenomenon that influences us more than the relationships we build and nourish with other people. But, what makes relationships so special? Why do they have such significant power over us and over our mental health?
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Mental health and the importance of self-knowledge
Much of what destroys our lives can be attributed to emotions that our conscious selves haven't found a way to understand or address in time. It is logical that Socrates should have boiled down the entire wisdom of philosophy to one simple command: "Know yourself". - "An emotional education" by The School of Life
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Planet over profit: myth or fact? Can we have both?
We have to evolve - both economically and personally. Sustainable development and job generation can and must go hand in hand. If we properly transform and redistribute our resources and efforts, we can not only live more environmentally-friendly, but we can also create many more jobs and provide decent works in both developed and developing countries.
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Is Rügen – Germany’s biggest island – a good choice for a summer vacation?
Rügen - Germany's biggest island. The pearl of the Baltic sea. "Island" and "sea" sound wonderful, but is the Baltic, with its relatively cold water, wonderful enough to spend your summer vacation there? The short answer, definitely yes; the long one: keep on reading, it will be worth it. I promise.
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Jane Goodall: wildlife’s researcher, animal and nature-protection activist you really need to know
"We are not separated from the rest of the animal kingdom, we’re part of it. Gradually that’s gone more and more mainstream. So that’s one thing, helping people understand that animals have personalities, minds and emotions, and now you can study those things." - Dr. Jane Goodall
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Everything I wish I knew before I reached my 20s
1. Not all friendships last a lifetime Friendship – as any other relationship – is a two-way street. You cannot maintain it if the other people are not willing to put in the effort to do that as well. There are countless of reasons why a friendship can fall apart. Some are truly serious – such as betrayal or lack of trust or communication; but others cause people to simply naturally drift apart without any serious fight. No matter what the reason for your broken friendship is, please remember this: knowing whose fault it was and what you did wrong might not always be helpful. If you think you “need…
Ideas that matter: read, think, learn
