Monthly Archives: July 2023

The Impact of Eudaimonic Happiness on Our Well-Being And In Our Lives

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Happiness

The Impact of Eudaimonic Happiness on Our Well Being And In Our Lives

In the pursuit of happiness, we come across many thoughts and experiences. Some of the experiences bring us momentary joy and happiness while others last long and make us feel like we did something for ourselves, for once, and feel proud of it. Some of you may know that what I’m talking about are two types of happiness – hedonic (the happiness we get from momentary pleasures) and the other eudaimonic (the happiness that feels long-lasting).

The kind of happiness that goes beyond the fleeting moments and pleasures to focus on living a fulfilling and purposeful life is eudaimonic happiness.

But, is eudaimonic happiness truly ever-lasting? Can this type of happiness be truly good for our well-being in the long run? Isn’t hedonic happiness better than eudaimonic happiness?

How Eudaimonic Happiness Impacts Mental Health

What is Eudaimonic Happiness

Eudaimonic happiness comes from Greek philosophy or more specifically, Aristotelian philosophy, where the term eudaimonia translates to “happiness”. This term of happiness emphasizes the idea of flourishing and living while having your potential, values, and virtues in alignment.

Unlike hedonic happiness which centers around chasing pleasure and momentary happiness, eudaimonic happiness goes beyond temporary joy and experiences to focus on long-term growth, pride, and fulfillment.

Where hedonic happiness places the primary focus on instant gratification to increase positive experiences while diminishing or avoiding negative ones, eudaimonic happiness focuses more on self-acceptance and personal fulfillment as well as growth as a person. This long-lasting happiness involves finding meaning in your life and making a positive impact on others as well as gaining a sense of fulfillment that goes beyond simple life pleasures.

Eudaimonic Happiness and Well-Being

According to various psychological studies, there is a strong link between eudaimonic happiness and your well-being. When you choose to engage in activities that are not only meaningful to you but also align with your values and core, you gain higher levels of life satisfaction, resilience, and cognitive functioning.

Eudaimonic happiness has also been linked to high self-esteem, a sense of purpose in life, healthy and positive relationships, personal growth, and fulfillment. All of which contribute greatly to your overall well-being and health.

In studies related to healthy benefits, eudaimonic happiness has been shown to contribute to a purpose-driven life. This philosophical approach to happiness is recorded to reduce health problems, increase longevity, and even reduce various health risks.

In terms of psychology and motivation, it is believed that eudaimonic happiness can bring long-term satisfaction and fulfillment compared to the short-term benefits of hedonic happiness.

How Eudaimonic Happiness Impacts Mental Health

How Eudaimonic Happiness Impacts Mental Health

Eudaimonic happiness can also leave a great impact on our mental health and wellness. When you live a purposeful life and live with a sense of meaning, you’re likely to feel a sense of contentment and satisfaction. Eudaimonic happiness has also been shown to help reduce symptoms of depression, anxiety, and other mental health disorders.

Eudaimonic happiness can also help buffer the effects of stress and adversity that you may experience in your day-to-day life. This happiness can also benefit your mental health by promoting positive relationships. When you create meaningful connections with others, you’re more likely to feel supported and connected, reducing the effects of isolation and loneliness.

In other studies, it has been reported that eudaimonic happiness can contribute to better cognitive functioning. People who embrace eudaimonic happiness are more likely to have better memory, attention span, and problem-solving abilities. It is believed that this is possible because eudaimonia brings a sense of well-being and contentment with it.

The Six “Pillars” of Eudaimonic Happiness

Experts of the eudaimonia school of Happiness believe that six pillars provide a sturdy foundation that eudaimonic happiness rests upon;

1. Meaning And Purpose:

Finding a sense of purpose in life is important to embrace eudaimonic happiness. This means pursuing activities that align with your core values and virtue.

2. Personal Growth:

Always working on self-improvement and chasing opportunities that allow you to grow is another element of eudaimonic happiness.

3. Being Authentic:

Another element that is crucial in eudaimonic happiness is being true to yourself and living your authentic life. This means embracing your values, strengths, and passions as they are every day.

4. Being Present in The Moment:

This means engaging and immersing yourself in experiences that promote a state of flow and where you’re present in the moment. This kind of presence and engagement can bring a sense of long-lasting joy and fulfillment.

5. Positive Relationships:

Another pillar of eudaimonic happiness is positive relationships. This involves creating positive and meaningful relationships with people who support and encourage your desires, needs, and your unique perspective on life.

6. Self-Acceptance:

Another important element of eudaimonic happiness is self-accepting, meaning that you accept who you are – strengths, weaknesses, flaws, and values – as they are and choose to continue to improve yourself.

How to Embrace Eudaimonic Happiness?

How to Embrace Eudaimonic Happiness

Eudaimonic happiness might seem like an abstract concept, but fret not! There are some easy and practical ways to embrace this long-lasting happiness;

1. Know Your Values

To begin embracing eudaimonic happiness, you need to first take time to identify your values and align them with the actions you take. You can start by engaging in activities that give you a sense of purpose and meaning in your life.

2. Seek Growth

This you can do by setting goals that challenge you. Don’t turn away from new opportunities that allow you to learn and grow. It could be achieved simply through learning something new, engaging in new hobbies, or pursuing more creative experiences.

3. Try Mindfulness

Eudaimonic happiness can be easily achieved when you learn to live in the present moment and this can be achieved when you practice mindfulness meditation or other mindfulness exercises. Mindfulness exercises can help you develop an awareness of your present and foster a state of flow.

4. Build Connections

Try to build and nurture positive relationships with yourself and others around you. Having positive and meaningful relationships can help you gain a sense of belonging that can contribute to your eudaimonic happiness as well.

5. Engage in Acts of Kindness

Consider giving back to the community. You can do it by engaging in acts of kindness or volunteering for a cause you care about. Volunteering and giving back to the community can bring a sense of fulfillment and purpose to your life, effectively contributing to eudaimonic happiness.

6. Be True to Yourself

Don’t forget, authenticity is one of the most important pillars of eudaimonic happiness and to fully embrace long-lasting happiness, you need to remain true to who you are. Express your thoughts and feelings honestly. This simple act of being yourself will allow you to create a more meaningful and fulfilling life.

Wrapping Up

Eudaimonic happiness is the pleasure and joy that goes beyond momentary happiness. This happiness taps into the deeper areas of your existence. When you align your core values, pursue what matters to you, embrace your true self, and find meaningful connections, then you can feel a sense of fulfillment, contentment, and happiness – the kind that is authentic and ever-lasting.

 

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10 Major Lies Anxiety Makes You Believe That Aren’t True

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Your anxiety has been lying to you all the time!

One major lie is that “anxiety is not a real mental health issue.” Well, it’s a psychological fact that anxiety is not only about worrying but it’s about racing, difficulty concentrating, extreme worrying, losing control, and more! Anxiety colors up your judgments and makes you think about everything from a negative perspective.

Anxiety tells us lies that are not even real, let us find out what lies anxiety has been telling us all the time. So, let’s get started!

10 Major Lies Your Anxiety Tells You

1.“I am not good for anything.”

It is way more challenging to maintain self-esteem while you’re struggling with anxiety, however, this is one of the major lies your anxiety tells you often. No, you are efficient in doing everything you want to. When your anxiety starts digging into your personal or professional equations, know it’s a lie and you deserve to live the best life and achieve your dreams.

2.“I am not likable.”

My social anxiety disorder once told me that I am not likable and I must not attend that party…what did I do in return? Well, I braced it up and enjoyed that party though my anxiety really tried to beat me off! I didn’t allow it to make me feel annoyed, irritated, or worthless. I geared up my self-confidence and pulled myself out of this trap.

So, next time, if your anxiety tells you that you’re not likable, you know what to do! Never allow your anxiety to become someone you’re not! Be you, do you, and buzz off your anxiety by responding, “I know, I am likable.”

3.“I am unsafe.”

Feeling insecure or unsafe is another consequence of anxiety that makes us believe that we’re not safe or we are in danger. No matter where you go or with whom you speak, your anxiety will tell you that you’re unsafe, and it’s a lie! Anxiety wants you to be on the edge every time you take a step ahead to achieve something big. Note that danger only resides in your head, and never hesitate to move ahead in your career.

4.“I am weak.”

It’s so easy for anxiety to dig up on your weakness! Anxiety is really great at masking up your strengths and presenting them as your weakness. Never let your anxiety say that again and learn to convert your weaknesses into strengths because it will allow you to become headstrong and achieve your goals positively and mindfully.

5.“I always mess up in the end.”

Anxiety is really great at convincing you that you’re unworthy and you’ll surely mess it up in the end. Well, you know what you must do? Close the door of negativity in the face of anxiety and allow positivity to come in and tell you that you’re not going to screw it up, failures are part of life, and we must all move forward after taking lessons.

6.“I will never get out of this situation.”

This phrase looks fearful and dark, but you can really get out of this misery! Ask your inner demons to stop lying and allow yourself to move further. Clearly, life is full of ups and downs, therefore, welcome the positivity and ask the negative thoughts to take a long break!

7.“I am not beautiful inside out.”

Anxiety is good at making up its own negativity. Your anxiety is surely going to tell you that you’re not beautiful inside out but never allow self-hatred or self-doubt to enter in your world. Do what you like to do, be kind to yourself and others, enjoy small achievements, put in the hard work, and wait for positive results.

8.“I am a failure.”

Cognitive distortions are a major part of anxiety and they’re really great at under-exaggerating your strengths. No, you’re not a failure! You must set yourself on the road to recovery, try learning new things, and allow positive thoughts only!  Whenever your anxiety tells you that you’re a failure, take the help of positive affirmations!

9.“I can’t move my body.”

Your anxiety is likely to eat up all the energy or motivation inside out, in order to make your strengths win, stand up, move your body, get some extra energy, consume nutritious food, and shake your body vigorously!

10.“I am not able to focus or concentrate.”

Anxiety makes us lethargic and tells us that we’re not capable of concentrating or focusing on things. Your task is to remind your mind and body to disconnect from racing thoughts, acknowledge your issues, and get support (if needed).

 

 

Stay positive and never let anxiety take over your mind and body! 😊

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Living an Intentional Life: Unlocking Peace and Beauty in Everyday Life

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Intentional living is a powerful practice that enables individuals to find peace, beauty, and fulfillment amidst day-to-day chaos. By embracing intentional living, we can create a life filled with purpose, clarity, and a deep appreciation for the present moment.

In this blog post, let us explore the benefits of intentional living and explore some practices on how anyone can start living an intentional life for peace and beauty.

What is intentional living?

Intentional living is figuring out your goals, and what you want from your life, putting them in pieces and working on them. Intentional living prompts you to take actions and steps that are important for your growth as an individual.

It requires discipline to follow such practice knowing that we can sometimes completely derail but also knowing that there is always a space to bounce back and live an intentional life to fulfill your goals.

Examples of intentional living could be minimalistic living, simple living, sustainable living, spiritual living, or following a path completely different from others but having some intention to it which mostly shows in your personality.

If I want to live a simple life but a peaceful one, I will have to work every day to surround myself with things and practices that give me peace.

Benefits of Intentional Living

5 Benefits of Intentional Living

1) Helps you find and stick to your purpose

Intentional living empowers us to live with purpose and direction. By clarifying our values, passions, and goals, you can align our actions and choices accordingly. Take a moment to reflect on what truly matters to you. What brings you joy? What are your long-term aspirations? By identifying your values and priorities, you can make intentional decisions that steer your life in a meaningful direction, leading to a sense of purpose and fulfillment.

2) Brings you to the present moment – Mindfulness 

One of the key tenets of intentional living is cultivating mindfulness and being fully present in each moment. Instead of being consumed by worries about the past or anxieties about the future, intentional living encourages us to focus on the present moment and savor its beauty.

3) Nurturing connections

Intentional living prompts us to prioritize meaningful relationships and foster deeper connections. By investing time and energy in nurturing our relationships with loved ones, friends, and community, we cultivate a sense of belonging and support. These mindful connections not only enrich our lives but also contribute to our overall well-being and happiness.

4) Helps to embrace simple things

Living intentionally often involves embracing simplicity and minimalism. By decluttering our physical and mental spaces, we create room for new clarity, peace, and beauty to flourish. We can focus on what sparks joy in our lives and what truly adds value to it. Simplify your routines, your environment, and your mindset, allowing space for peace and beauty to thrive.

5) Creates more space for prioritizing self-care 

Intentional living recognizes the importance of self-care and well-being as essential components of a fulfilling life. Make self-care a priority by carving out time for activities that replenish and rejuvenate you. This could include basic things like taking nature walks, gardening, practicing breathing exercises, or simply engaging in activities that bring you joy. By nurturing your well-being, you enhance your overall quality of life and cultivate a greater sense of peace and beauty within yourself.

Tips to Start Living Intentionally for Peace and Beauty

  1. Take time to identify what truly matters to you and align your actions with those values.
  2. Cultivate a habit of gratitude by regularly acknowledging and appreciating the blessings in your life.
  3. Set clear intentions for how you want to live your life and make choices that align with those intentions.
  4. Create mindful rituals in your daily routine, such as meditation, journaling, or as simple as starting the day with a moment of silence.
  5. Practice mindfulness and be fully present in each moment. Engage in activities with your full attention and immerse yourself in the beauty of the present moment.

 

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Episodic Acute Stress: Signs, Causes, Effects, and How to Treat

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Stress and Anxiety

Last Update on July 6, 2023 : Published on July 6, 2023
Episodic Acute Stress

We all feel stressed; it’s something of a fact these days, and while some stress can be good for us, too much stress can become too harmful, too quickly. We’ve been told that stress can have detrimental effects on our bodies and minds, but what we are not told is that stress can give us that push of energy that helps us respond quickly to adversities.

One such “healthy stress” is acute. It’s short-term stress that can last anywhere between a few minutes to an hour, however, at the end of it, it’ll leave you with a boost of energy and mental clarity. One such short-term stress is episodic acute stress.

Episodic acute stress is a stress response that is a result of going from one episode of short-term stress to another without a long break in between. It’s a common type of stress when you work in a demanding job, where you’re constantly chasing deadlines. Or when you’re a student going through tests after tests.

Leaving episodic acute stress unaddressed can leave you feeling mentally and physically exhausted and can eventually take a toll on your mental well-being. In this article, we’re learning the warning signs of episodic stress, what causes it, and how you can manage episodic acute stress.

The Warning Signs of Episodic Acute Stress

Signs of Episodic Acute Stress

Episodic acute stress can be identified when you experience frequent bouts of acute stress symptoms. Here are some of the common signs that you’re experiencing episodic acute stress;

  • Frequent headaches and migraines
  • Feeling constantly on edge
  • Feeling irritable and agitated
  • Feeling overwhelmed and anxious without a stressor
  • Experiencing excessive worry and rumination
  • Experiencing physical symptoms such as heart palpitations, stomach problems, and sleep issues
  • Feeling fatigued, mentally and physically
  • Having trouble concentrating and focusing
  • Experiencing heightened emotional reactivity
  • Wanting to socially withdraw
  • Poor decision-making abilities

What Causes Episodic Acute Stress?

It is believed that a mix of your lifestyle choices and personality traits can be factors that can contribute to your bouts of episodic stress. Other factors that can cause episodic acute stress can include;

  1. Over-commitment: If you’re likely to take on responsibilities beyond what you can handle at a time, then you may be more prone to experiencing episodic acute stress. When you’re constantly under pressure and overwhelmed by tasks, it may result in a constant state of stress.
  2. Being a Perfectionist: The pursuit of perfection can also make you more prone to episodic acute stress. Because you’re a perfectionist, you set exceptionally high standards for yourself that can make you feel overly critical of yourself and when you can’t meet those standards, you may feel stressed.
  3. Stressful Working Environment: High-stress work environments can also be a factor that can cause episodic acute stress. A highly demanding job, long working hours, intense workplace competition, and lack of control can result in you feeling stressed and overwhelmed.
  4. Major Lifestyle Changes: Persisting financial difficulties, relationship problems, and other major life events such as separation from a partner, loss of a loved one, moving to another country, etc., can also trigger episodic stress.

The Effects of Episodic Acute Stress

Episodic acute stress can have long-lasting effects on your well-being if it is left untreated and unaddressed. One of the effects of episodic stress can be on your heart health. It is believed that episodic acute stress can increase blood pressure, and heart rate, and can put you at risk of hypertension.

Experiencing stress without recovering can also weaken your immune system, making you more susceptible to infections and illnesses.

If we talk about the psychological impact of episodic stress, then this type of stress can contribute to the development of mental health disorders such as chronic stress, anxiety disorders, depression, and other mood disorders. If you’re already living with these disorders, then experiencing episodic stress can worsen your existing disorders.

Moreover, experiencing episodic stress can impair cognitive functioning as well. When you experience stress, your body releases hormones such as cortisol that can impair memory retention, concentration, and decision-making skills.

Other than impaired cognitive performance, episodic stress can also impact your sleep quality. You may have trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or having restless sleep. Left unaddressed, episodic stress can contribute to insomnia, sleep deprivation, and overall poor quality of life.

The chronic cycle of acute stress can increase mental fatigue and exhaustion. You may be constantly feeling a lack of energy and low productivity.

How to Manage Episodic Acute Stress?

How to Manage Episodic Acute Stress

With the right steps and timely interventions, you can easily manage stress and reduce the risk of episodic acute stress;

  • Engage in Stress Management

Practice stress management techniques such as deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, guided imagery, mindfulness meditation, or other relaxation techniques to manage stress and promote feelings of relaxation and calm. Practicing these techniques regularly can help you better cope with stress and improve your overall well-being.

  • Make Lifestyle Changes

Making healthy lifestyle choices can also help you prevent episodic stress. You can try engaging in regular self-care, and exercises, and getting enough sleep to combat episodic acute stress and its symptoms. Physical exercise can help release endorphins which can improve your mood. Getting enough sleep can help your mind and body relax and recover. Overall, adopting healthy habits can help manage acute stress effectively.

  • Managing Your Tasks

You can also manage your stress by managing your tasks so that they do not overwhelm you. Employing effective task management skills can help you reduce stress. Try to set realistic goals and realistic expectations, break down your tasks into manageable chunks, and organize your responsibilities effectively.

  • Seek Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is a therapeutic approach that can help you identify negative thought patterns and replace them with positive ones. This therapy can also help you modify your behaviors, beliefs, and thoughts that contribute to your stress. With this approach, you can learn healthy coping strategies, stress management, and other skills to help you combat episodic stress.

  • Seek Social Support

Instead of withdrawing from your social support, actively seek people and connections who can help you reduce and manage stress. Having a strong support system can help you find emotional validation, understanding, and assistance in managing episodic stress.

  • Medications:

In some severe cases of stress, a psychiatrist may prescribe medications to manage episodic acute stress symptoms. Antidepressants, anti-anxiety medications, and other medications that target specific symptoms may be prescribed by a professional. Please note that you should not take any medication without a prescription as some medications may worsen your existing symptoms of stress.

 

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Do You Go To Bed Angry? Here’s Why You Must Avoid It

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Relationship

Last Update on July 5, 2023 : Published on July 6, 2023
Do You Go To Bed Angry

Arguments or discussions with loved ones, family members, or colleagues are normal only when you don’t hold a grudge against each other, resolve conflicts right away, and forget heated things said or argued! However, discussions that are initiated over the bed or during dining can be really damaging… Do you know why?

Because there are fewer chances or time to resolve the conflict and unfortunately… going to bed angry becomes the last option. But have you ever heard a rule phrased as “never go to bed angry?” Well, going to bed angry can indeed upset the conflicts and affect your mental health.

If you or your loved one go to bed angry, you must read this blog to avoid going to bed angry! This blog covers why you should follow “never go to bed angry” along with the psychological implications. So, let’s get started!

Reasons Why You Should Never Go To Bed Angry

Reasons Why You Should Never Go To Bed Angry

1. Conflicts can build up overnight.

Heated conversations or arguments started before going to bed can build up overnight if not resolved. Anger emotions can lead to negative thoughts that can convert the whole situation into a major issue. And, the fact is that it feels worse to discuss the whole situation the next day. Such feelings can catastrophize and dig down past mistakes as well.

2. Anger impacts your overall well-being.

Research shows that sleeping on anger changes the memory management in your brain and it catalyzes negative memories and thoughts within. Nipping your anger basically increases negativity and this can directly harm overall wellbeing.

3. Communication gaps or anger disrupt your sleep health.

When there are communication and understanding gaps, it can inflate the anger within more and it can directly impact your sleeping pattern. Lines of communication get limited overnight which disrupts your sleep as it gets difficult to sleep with empty threats or verbal digs.

4. Impulsivity can be really bad for your relationships.

Impulsivity is toxic as it can result in saying hurtful things that you might regret tomorrow. Additionally, impulsivity can intensify emotions.  It takes a lot of commitment to take space, think, and speak in the current situation. Therefore, keep your anger subside and think from a positive viewpoint.

5. Anger can trigger other mental health problems.

Anger is a natural and valuable emotion that should not be avoided as it can result in exhaustion or suffocation. However, you must not also sleep on anger as the pressure of not expressing your emotions can trigger other mental health issues such as stress, depression, anxiety, and more.

6. Sensitivity towards the conflict can reach up to regretful decisions.

Some topics or discussions are so sensitive that they can convert into major conflicts. When we react to a situation with anger or deception, it can lead to saying things that can be unkind.

How To Practice the “Never Go Bed Angry” Rule

Never Go Bed Angry

Going to bed angry can be mentally and physically exhausting, therefore, you must avoid this habit and practice the “never go to bed angry” rule by following the below-mentioned tips:

1. Take some time out and communicate your feelings.

The first ever step to avoid anger before stepping into bed is to find a healthy medium to communicate the problems right away. The goal is not to reach the resolution ASAP but to be honest with each other, express emotions, and put the conversation on hold so that you both can get a good sleep and get time to process the situation. It allows us to revisit the situation with a fresh and healthy perspective.

2. Take the help of useful emotions.

Anger is a normal emotion that we are likely to experience and we can take help from it by locating healthy boundaries, setting our values, and providing insight into the situation from our viewpoint. Use your emotions wisely and avoid blaming each other.

3. Finding a solution over lengthy discussions.

In case you have time, you can take some time and commit to finding a solution over lengthy discussions. It can help in avoiding major conflicts, recognizing emotions, and engaging in honest and healthy communication so that you can move in a positive direction. While communicating your needs, be humble, use your anger productively, and do not forget to set healthy boundaries for the future.

4. Validate each other’s emotions.

While communicating, make sure you’re validating each other’s emotions. You can do so by avoiding distractions during the arguments and viewing the whole situation from their viewpoint. If you’re not able to validate someone else’s emotions in the meantime, you can engage in self-care to process the whole situation from a fresh perspective.

5.  Seek professional support for major issues.

If you or your loved one are not able to find a healthy medium or provide support to each during this challenging time, you can seek the help of a professional. A mental health professional can help you resolve the conflicts and convert the negative thoughts into positive ones.

 

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