Thursday, December 27, 2012

40 Interesting Dream Facts



  1. Every human dreams. There are tons of people who can’t remember their dreams when they wake up, but they still get them
  2. Human beings spend roughly around 6 years of their lifetime dreaming
  3. Sometimes we dream outside of our REM sleep (Rapid Eye Movement)
  4. Thousands of years ago, the Egyptians were the first to create a dream dictionary in 4000 B.C.E
  5. We roughly spend around 1/3 of our lives sleeping
  6. People who suffer from a personality disorder lack dream activity
  7. Our brains tend to be way more active when we sleep, than when we’re awake
  8. Humans tend to have around 3 to 7 dreams a night. We dream around 2 to 3 hours in a whole night
  9. 90% of the dream is lost the first minute we wake up
  10. Men tend to dream about men more than women, and women dream about people of both genders
  11. Drug withdrawal can cause more intense dreams. People who also quit alcohol and smoking experience heavier dreams and nightmares
  12. You can lucid dream for up to 30 minutes if trained properly
  13. It’s impossible to dream when you’re snoring
  14. Babies don’t dream of themselves until they reach the age of 3
  15. More women than men experience deja-vu in their dreams (eg. you have been in the dream before)
  16. People who experience Sleep Paralysis hear voices and see strangers in their rooms
  17. Nightmares happen more to kids than adults
  18. Blind people dream. Their dreams are auditory if they were born blind. If they became blind at an early age, they still dream of what they remember
  19. Did you know around 100 000 drivers a year crash going in and out of sleep in their cars
  20. Thousands of people suffer from sleep apnea in America
  21. Men get erections in their REM sleep and women have an increased blood flow to their vaginas
  22. You can translate over 5000 dream symbols
  23. The word “Nightmare” was used a long time ago for a female spirit who besets people at night while sleeping
  24. On average, dogs sleep around 10 to 13 hours a day
  25. The colder your house is, the worse your dreams are. They say that if your room is at an average temperature, you have better sleeps
  26. Your body burns more calories sleeping than it does in the day time
  27. Information that we learn before we go to bed tends to stick with us longer than information any other time
  28. On average, cats sleep 10 to 15 hours a day
  29. If you avoid your sleep for more than 10 days, you will die
  30. A giraffe sleeps for only 2 hours a day
  31. Most dreams are based on visual images (Except in people who were either born blind, or who lost their sight at an early age). Occasionally, dreams will include sound and touch.
  32. The normal rules of logic do not apply in dreams. For example, the dream may be taking place in one location – then, abruptly, the dreamer is translocated to a completely different place.
  33. Most dreams occur in a house – but this is usually not your own home. The most frequently reported room is the living room. People rarely dream about their work place or school.
  34. The most frequent scenario is the dreamer plus two other people.
  35. Famous people seldom appear in our dreams. The vast majority of people dream about people who are significant to them, especially if there is an ongoing conflict.
  36. Mundane activities (such as brushing your teeth) rarely appear in dreams.
  37. Dreams tend not to be happy events, and the three most common reported emotions are anger, sadness and fear.
  38. Some themes are so common that they are reported the world over. These universal themes include the loss of a tooth, falling or flying, exhibition, arriving late for exams or other important events, and being chased or attacked.
  39. Cross-cultural research indicates that our dreams reflect normal life events in our own country and culture.
  40. There appear to be some differences in the content of dreams between the two sexes. Specifically, women are more likely to dream about their children, family or household activities; men are more likely to dream about strangers, violence, sexual activity, achievement, and outdoor events.

Monday, December 10, 2012

9 Relationship Truths We Often Forget


1. All successful relationships require some work. – They don’t just happen, or maintain themselves.  They exist and thrive when the parties involved take the risk of sharing what it is that’s going on in their minds and hearts.  Open communication and honesty is the key. 
2. Most of the time you get what you put in. – If you want love, give love.  If you want friends, be friendly.  If you’d like to feel understood, try being more understanding.  It’s a simple practice that works.
3. You shouldn’t have to fight for a spot in someone’s life.– Never force someone to make a space in their life for you, because if they know your worth, they will create one for you.
4. There is a purpose for everyone you meet. – Some people will test you, some will use you, and some will teach you; but most importantly some will bring out the best in you.  Learn to see and accept the differences between these people, and carry on accordingly.
5. We all change, and that’s okay. – Our needs change with time.  When someone says, “You’ve changed,” it’s not always a bad thing.  Sometimes it just means you stopped living your life their way.  Don’t apologize for it.  Instead, be open and sincere, explain how you feel, and keep doing what you know in your heart is right.
6. You are in full control of your own happiness. – If your relationship with yourself isn’t working, don’t expect your other relationships to be any different.  Nobody else in this world can make you happy.  It’s something you have to do on your own.  And you have to create your own happiness first before you can share it with someone else. 
7. Forgiving others helps YOU. – Forgiveness is not saying, “What you did to me is okay.”  It is saying, “I’m not going to let what you did to me ruin my happiness forever.”  Forgiveness is the answer.  It doesn’t mean you’re erasing the past, or forgetting what happened. It means you’re letting go of the resentment and pain, and instead choosing to learn from the incident and move on with your life.
8. You can’t change people; they can only change themselves. – Instead of trying to change others, give them your support and lead by example.  If there’s a specific behavior someone you love has that you’re hoping disappears over time, it probably won’t.  If you really need them to change something, be honest and put all the cards on the table so this person knows what you need them to do.
9. Heated arguments are a waste of time. – The less time you spend arguing with the people who hurt you, the more time you’ll have to love the people who love you.  And if you happen to find yourself arguing with someone you love, don’t let your anger get the best of you.  Give yourself some time to calm down and then gently discuss the situation. 

Saturday, December 8, 2012

Help for When a Relationship Ends


1. Try not to take it personally. Some relationships were never meant to be, and some simply don’t work out in the end. It isn’t always a reflection on you (or even them).
2. Act as if you’re happy, and are coping, with your life. Often, “fake it till you make” can make a difference. It can give you needed strength so you can make it through each day.
3. Choose to be thankful for the happy memories; and choose to forgive for the heartache and the pain. (Although this may be difficult and likely will take time.)
4. See this as a stepping stone – the future lies ahead. You may still meet someone special who will bring you happiness!
5. Let go of the old memories, the unmet expectations, the bitter disappointments and frustrated hopes and dreams. Only then will you be ready to live and love again.
6. Be patient, understanding and kind to yourself. It takes time to recover from a major loss in life.   
7. Keep your eyes on the future, and what still lies ahead. You have good reason to hope that you will find true love again.

Thursday, December 6, 2012

The Little Things

I like the curve of a ballerina’s foot. I like when boys are passionate about something and care about their mothers. I like poems about coffee and fucking and love. I like when I’m on the highway and I make eye contact with the person speeding next to me. I like when I’m in the city and I see someone taking pictures of skyscrapers; with their necks arched back and their eyes lost in the view and their mind on something wondrous. I like drinking wine with friends and vodka with strangers. I like when my heart feels full even if my wallet is empty. I like when people hold my hand or lift me up. I like when someone offers me something- anything…Their advice, to pay, their love, a hit. It’s a good feeling to be excited for the future and proud of your past. To speak to someone new and genuinely impress them. To leave something better than it was before. To be charming just by being yourself.

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Secrets to Success


Move outside your comfort zone and try doing something you’re afraid to do.
2. Don’t overplan your week, year or life. Allow yourself the chance to be taken by surprise.
3. Meet new people and make new friends. It’s an excellent way to grow and learn.
4. Make a note of your thoughts and ideas. They may be creative – and lead to something great.
5. Allow yourself some time for peace and solitude. Being quiet and alone will recharge your batteries – and provides a fertile ground for thinking through your new ideas.
6. Be honest with yourself, and what you want from life …. And what you need to do to make your dreams reality.
7. Show an interest in others, and what’s happening in their life. Reaching out and helping people is part of true success.
8. Have fun. We’re attracted to people who seem to love their life – and since we only get one chance, we might as well enjoy our life!     

Tips for Coping with an Awful Day


1. Distract yourself. Let your mind wander and think about fun things you’ve planned; or watch a funny movie; or call up a friend.
2. Play your favourite music.
3. Try and balance out your terrible day by thinking of something that went really well (and maybe unexpectedly well) recently.
4. Try and squeeze in time for exercise. The endorphins this releases will help to lift your mood.
5.  Don’t isolate yourself. Research shows that we generally feel better if we spend time with others, rather than retreating and being on our own.
6. Try to maintain perspective. Ask yourself, “How much will this matter - a week, month or year from now?”
7. Try journaling. Many people find that just writing things down helps to drain away the negativity.
8. Go to bed early and try to fall asleep … And remember that tomorrow is another day.

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

8 Time Management Tips


1. Admit that multitasking makes you less effective – and don’t do it if the work is important.
2. Know when you work best – and schedule studying, assignments and projects for that part of the day.
3. Do the most important tasks first. For example, if a project is worth a large proportion of your grade, then prioritise the time you spend on that (whether you like the subject or not.)
4. Check email, facebook, messages, texts etc at set times of the day. Don’t look at them at other times.
5. Know what works as a reward for you, and reward yourself with that when you complete a task. (But don’t cheat and reward yourself until the task is done!)
6. Have an organised to-do list, and work through it, item by item.
7. Don’t allow yourself to be sidetracked by friends, or unexpected distractions and opportunities.
8.  Schedule in some leisure as you can’t work all the time.  

Some Tips for Coping with Anxiety


1. Check your nutrition. Sometimes high levels of anxiety are caused by a magnesium or potassium deficiency.
2. Pay attention to your caffeine levels. Coffee, tea and chocolate all contain reasonable levels of caffeine. This can make you jittery, or increase your feelings of anxiety.
3. Try meditation and mindfulness. These help to keep you focused on the here and now, to slow your heartbeat and breathing down, as well as helping to relax your mind.
4.  Work on maintain a healthy self-esteem. Many people who feel anxious, stressed or depressed are actually suffering from low self-esteem.
5. Find a trusted sounding board, and vent your feelings to them – but make sure it’s someone who understands and cares.
6. Exercise – This releases endorphins, those feel-good hormones, which help reduce our feelings of anxiety.
7. Distract yourself. Take your mind off your worries by doing other things that require concentration, and a focused state of mind.
8. Treat yourself. Give yourself a mood lifter by hanging out with friends, buying something that you love, or doing something that is fun.   

Basic Friendship skills


Dos
1. Talk about things that interest others, and not just things that interest you.
2. Share the conversation. Don’t talk over others, interrupt others, or seek to be the centre of attention.
3. Be interested in what other people have to say. Ask open questions, and try to find out more.
4. Notice when people do well, and make the effort to praise them for it. Try to be an affirming, and encouraging, friend.
5. Be respectful, considerate and polite. Be sensitive to the feelings of others. 
6. Think before you speak. (Sometimes it’s better to say nothing than to speak your mind and upset or offend).
7.  Learn how to ask for what you want and need in a non-threatening, and non-defensive way. Don’t react; and don’t pick needless arguments.
8. Try to understand the perspective of others – and don’t just assume that you are right and they are wrong.
9. Look out for others – and be a trusted friend
10. Back off, don’t dominate, and give your friends some space. 
Don’ts
1. Don’t brag about what you’ve done or what you’ve got.
2. Don’t put others down.
3. Don’t judge and stereotype people.
4. Don’t take over the conversation. Let others tell their jokes, and have their say.
5. Don’t try to control other people, or to make them do what you want them to do.
6. Don’t talk, or gossip, about others.
7. Don’t make jokes at others’ expense.
8. Don’t demand perfection – allow your friends to be human, and to sometimes make mistakes.
9. Don’t be sensitive and quick to take offense. 
10. Don’t be mean or stab others in the back.

15 Meditation Tips


Meditation is the art of focusing 100% of your attention in one area. Below are some practical recommendations to help beginners get past the initial hurdles and integrate meditation over the long term:
1) Make it a formal practice. You will only get to the next level in meditation by setting aside specific time (preferably two times a day) to be still.
2) Start with the breath. Breathing deep slows the heart rate, relaxes the muscles, focuses the mind and is an ideal way to begin practice.

3) Stretch first. Stretching loosens the muscles and tendons allowing you to sit (or lie) more comfortably. Additionally, stretching starts the process of “going inward” and brings added attention to the body.
4) Meditate with purpose. Meditation is an ACTIVE process. The art of focusing your attention to a single point is hard work, and you have to be purposefully engaged.
5) Notice when frustration creep up on you. When this happens, really focus in on your breath and let the frustrated feelings go.
6) Experiment. Be experimental and try different types of meditation. Try sitting, lying, eyes open, eyes closed, etc.
7) Feel your body parts. Take notice of the body when a meditative state starts to take hold. Once the mind quiets, put all your attention to the feet and then slowly move your way up the body (include your internal organs).
8) Pick a specific room in your home to meditate. Make sure it is not the same room where you do work, exercise, or sleep. Place candles and other spiritual helps in the room to help you feel at ease.
9)  Commit for the long haul. Meditation is a life-long practice, and you will benefit most by NOT examining the results of your daily practice. Just do the best you can every day, and then let it go!
10) Generate moments of awareness during the day. Finding your breath and “being present” at various points throughout the day is a wonderful way to evolve your meditation habits.
11) Make sure you will not be disturbed. For example, if you have it in the back of your mind that the phone might ring then you will not be able to attain a state of deep relaxation.
12) Do NOT stress. No matter what happens during your meditation practice, do not stress about it. This includes being nervous before meditating and angry afterwards. Meditation is what it is, and just do the best you can at the time.
13) Do it together. Meditating with a partner or friend can have many wonderful benefits, and can improve your practice. However, it is necessary to make sure that you set agreed-upon ground rules before you begin!
14) Meditate early in the morning. Without a doubt, early morning is an ideal
time to practice: it is quieter, your mind is not filled with the usual clutter, and there is less chance you will be disturbed. Make it a habit to get up half an hour earlier to meditate.
15) Be Grateful at the end. Once your practice is through, spend 2-3 minutes feeling appreciative of the opportunity to practice and your mind’s ability to focus.

How to get the most out of your brain


1. Make sure you get plenty of exercise: For example, “Scientists at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies in La Jolla, Calif., found that adult mice who ran on an exercise wheel whenever they felt like it gained twice as many new cells in the hippocampus, an area of the brain involved in learning and memory, than mice who sat around all day discussing Lord of the Rings in Internet chat rooms.[1]
2. Expose yourself to novel experiences: This forms new connections in the brain, and gets underused areas working again. The benefit to you is an active, alert brain.
3. Be curious and ask “why?”: The brain is designed to question and to think. Thus, you build new neural pathways when you search for new solutions.
4. Laugh more: This releases endorphins – the body’s feel good hormones – and shakes up our thinking, and disrupts habitual patterns.
5. Eat more fish: Fish contains essential nutrients that nourish the brain. This is especially important for the young children, and the elderly (as it builds new connections, and staves off dementia.
6. Reduce your consumption of saturated fats: “When researchers at the University of Toronto put rats on a 40-percent-fat diet, the rats lost ground in several areas of mental function, including memory, spatial awareness and rule learning. The problems became worse with a diet high in saturated fats … Also, fat can reduce the flow of oxygen-rich blood to your brain, and it may also slow down the metabolism of glucose, the form of sugar the brain utilizes as food.[2]”     
7. Get plenty of sleep: Sleeping on problems, and on new information, can improve our understanding and assist with retention.
8. Do important tasks when your brain is most awake: Every 90 minutes, we cycle through period of peak and low consciousness. To master key tasks, do them when you’re most alert, and not when you’re drowsy, or about to fall asleep.
9. Develop concentration: We need to learn to focus and to fully concentrate to develop our thinking and increase our brain’s connections. But being constantly distracted interrupts this crucial process.
10. Make time to play: Play encourages us to be more creative in our thinking, to develop better strategies, and think outside the box.

Questions for Knowing Yourself Better


1. If you could change one aspect of your life or personality, what would it be?
2. Are you “your own person” or are you defined and pushed around by others?
3. Is there any area of your life where you feel out of control?
4. Do you feel more comfortable in an organised or chaotic environment?
5. How comfortable are you with spontaneous ideas, or a last minute change in plans?
6. Do you feel renewed by being around others, or is it crucial for you to have time on your own?
7. Are you motivated, or undermined, by competition?
8. Do you work well under pressure, or do you tend to fall apart?
9. Are you better at praising and complimenting others, or at consciously affirming and building yourself up?
10. Are you a morning or an evening person?
11. Do you persevere, or do you give up easily?
12. Do you like to go with the flow, or take control of your own life?
13. Are you more of a thinker or a feeler?
14. What are your passions and goals?
15. What would your perfect day look like?

Quote

Never ignore a person who loves you, cares for you, and misses you. Because one day, you might wake up from your sleep and realize that you lost the moon while counting the stars.
Nico Lang

How to Improve your Self Esteem


1. Stop comparing yourself to others.
2. Stop putting yourself down, and attacking yourself with your own thoughts and words.
3. Don’t reject compliments. Instead of automatically brushing them off, recognise that what has been said is true.
4. Deliberately affirm yourself throughout the day with positive statements like “I am a valuable person; I am unique and have talents and gifts; I am likeable and loveable.”
5. Surround yourself with positive people who can see, and affirm, your worth and value. At the same time, avoid critical and negative people who get a kick out of putting others down.
6. Make a list of the goals you have achieved, and your minor and major successes in life.
7.  Make a list of your top 10 traits and remind yourself of these important qualities.
8. Be true to yourself. It’s important that you live an authentic life and be the person you were meant to be. Don’t try to be a replica of anybody else. You have so much to offer – so always be yourself.

Quote

I used to think the worst thing in life was to end up all alone. It’s not. The worst thing in life is to end up with people who make you feel all alone.
- Robin Williams

12 Things Happy People Do Differently


Happy people value and choose:
 1. Love over Fear: People, who are truly happy, are less fearful and more loving. They perceive every moment, every challenge, and every person as an opportunity to learn more about themselves and the world.
2. Acceptance over Resistance:  Happy people know that you can’t really change things by denying and resisting them. So when bad things happen, they don’t fight, get angry and complain. Instead, they ask themselves questions like: What can I learn from this? How can I make this better?
3. Forgiveness over Unforgiveness: Truly happy individuals understand that it’s destructive to hold on to feelings of anger. Instead, theychoose to forgive and let go, understanding that (in the end) forgiveness is a gift they give themselves.
4. Trust over Mistrust: They trust themselves … and they have learned to figure out the trustworthy people – and those they should avoid.
5. Meaning over Ambition: Happy people do the things they do because it adds meaning and purpose to their lives. They’re not driven by the need to gain acceptance, praise and approval from others. 
6. Challenges over Obstacles: Happy people see problems as challenges, and as opportunities to explore new ways of seeing and doing things. That is, challenges are something that help them to grow.
7. Selflessness over Selfishness:  Happy people seek out ways ways to give to others - of themselves, their time, of their money, and their gifts. That is, they’re not self-focused and self-absorbed.
8. Kindness over Harshness: Happy people are gentle and kind with themselves and others. They know the importance and power of self-love, self-forgiveness and self-acceptance - and they freely love, forgive and accept other people, too.
9. Gratitude over Ingratitude: No matter where they are, or who they are with, happy people have the capacity to see beauty where others would only see ugliness – and they’re quick to express their gratitude, as well.
10. Being Present over Being Disengaged:  Happy people know how to live in the moment, appreciating what they have and who they are with. They are not constantly being dragged down by the past, or distracted by what could happen (or go wrong) in the future.
11. Positivity over Negativity: Regardless of the circumstances of life, happy people are able to adopt and maintain a positive, and upbeat, attitude and perspective.
12. Taking Responsibility over Blaming: Happy people assume full ownership for their lives. They assume responsibility for their life, choices, decisions, actions, reactions, beliefs and attitudes.

Did you know?


1. Those who seem the strongest are usually the most sensitive.
2. Those who seem the kindest have often been mistreated.
3. Those who reach out to, and care for, other people are usually the people you need some help themselves.
4. Those who smile the most rarely have the perfect life. If you look behind the smile you will often find a lot of pain.
5. The three hardest things to say are “I’m sorry”; “I love you”; and “Please help me.”

Mental Health Tips


· Daydream – Close your eyes and imagine yourself in a dream location. Breathe slowly and deeply. Whether it’s a beach, a mountaintop, a hushed forest or a favourite room from your past, let the comforting environment wrap you in a sensation of peace and tranquility.
· “Collect” positive emotional moments – Make it a point to recall times when you have experienced pleasure, comfort, tenderness, confidence, or other positive emotions.
· Learn ways to cope with negative thoughts – Negative thoughts can be insistent and loud. Learn to interrupt them. Don’t try to block them (that never works), but don’t let them take over. Try distracting yourself or comforting yourself, if you can’t solve the problem right away.
· Do one thing at a time – For example, when you are out for a walk or spending time with friends, turn off your cell phone and stop making that mental “to do” list. Take in all the sights, sounds and smells you encounter.
· Exercise – Regular physical activity improves psychological well-being and can reduce depression and anxiety. Joining an exercise group or a gym can also reduce loneliness, since it connects you with a new set of people sharing a common goal.
· Enjoy hobbies – Taking up a hobby brings balance to your life by allowing you to do something you enjoy because you want to do it, free of the pressure of everyday tasks. It also keeps your brain active.
· Set personal goals – Goals don’t have to be ambitious. You might decide to finish that book you started three years ago; to take a walk around the block every day; to learn to knit or play bridge; to call your friends instead of waiting for the phone to ring. Whatever goal you set, reaching it will build confidence and a sense of satisfaction.
· Keep a journal (or even talk to the wall!) – Expressing yourself after a stressful day can help you gain perspective, release tension and even boost your body’s resistance to illness.
· Share humour – Life often gets too serious, so when you hear or see something that makes you smile or laugh, share it with someone you know. A little humour can go a long way to keeping us mentally fit!
· Volunteer – Volunteering is called the “win-win” activity because helping others makes us feel good about ourselves. At the same time, it widens our social network, provides us with new learning experiences and can bring balance to our lives.
· Treat yourself well – Cook yourself a good meal. Have a bubble bath. See a movie. Call a friend or relative you haven’t talked to in ages. Sit on a park bench and breathe in the fragrance of flowers and grass. Whatever it is, do it just for you.