Anxiety and Depression

 It's perfectly normal to feel anxious or depressed occasionally, especially in response to life's stressors. 

However, when these feelings become prolonged, disproportionate, or apparent for no significant reason, they need to be addressed. 

Thankfully diagnosis and treatment methods have come a long way, with many public health campaigns working towards bringing mental illness 'out of the shadows'. 

The co-occurrence of anxiety and depression is a noted feature of these disorders. 

While behavioral and emotional symptoms may differ within the two, the fact remains they are both an unnatural and unwelcome state of mental health. 

Characterized by a constant overwhelming state of fear or worry, anxiety can be debilitating in its physical manifestations too. 

The symptoms of depression may be similar to unrelenting feelings of sadness or despair.

The exact cause is still unclear; however, changes in brain chemistry, genetic factors, and hormone function are all believed to play a role. 

Irrespective of the cause, mental illness requires and generally responds to professional treatment. 

Best Methods of Treating Anxiety and Depression

Our understanding of mental illness has evolved over time, yet it still presents certain difficulties. 

Diagnostically speaking, depression and anxiety primarily affect the way an individual thinks and feels, and in most cases subsequently behaves; therefore we generally rely upon patients to identify these changes themselves and seek help. 

In some cases, family members or close friends may be able to identify vulnerable individuals and assist in requesting attention. 

Once diagnosed, however, treatment can be quite successful using a variety of approaches; the most common of which are psychological therapies or 'talking therapies'.  

Such therapies are generally administered by a qualified psychologist and involve either behavior modification (Cognitive Behavior Therapy or CBT) or examination of intrapersonal and interpersonal patterns and behaviors. 

Generally, work will be done to identify and address key triggers and ways of managing future events. 

Such therapies are often combined with a focus on improving nutrition and encouraging regular exercise, which itself can actively promote a healthy mental state. 

Indeed, a safe and effective first step towards self-empowerment is taking control over one's diet. 

The benefits are both psychological and physiological. Reducing or eliminating spikes caused by sugar-laden foods and stimulants, such as excess coffee, cigarettes, etc., will help in reducing the debilitating feelings associated with general anxiety.

Children and Adults Can be Affected

Young people and children unfortunately are just as vulnerable to mental illnesses such as anxiety and depression. 

While often harder to detect, once diagnosed, applied therapies specifically designed for children can usually assist the child in living a happier and more fulfilling childhood.  

A happier childhood better prepares the child for dealing with the stresses of teen years and young adulthood. 

The healthy and safe transition of young adulthood enables the individual to prepare for and live a life feeling in control, empowered, and able to deal with everyday challenges.

Finally, and hopefully, after exploring other options, the use of antidepressant medication may be required. 

This depends on the severity of the illness and is most often used in conjunction with psychotherapies. 

Antidepressants can be very effective in some situations. 

As in any medical case, treatment is ideally specifically tailored to suit the individual, based on a thorough study of a personal history of symptoms, responses, and environment.

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7 Tips To Increase Your Credit Score

 Having a high credit score can mean the difference of thousands of dollars of saved interest expense compared to others with a lower score. 

For example, if you improve credit score results from the credit bureaus, just a few points that increase your credit score can make a huge difference in the interest rate you will pay for a home purchase. 

It pays to increase your credit score!

The most commonly used credit scores available to lenders are FICO scores, which is a scoring method created by Fair, Isaac & Co...FICO!

These scores are provided to lenders by the three major credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. 

Before we get into some tips on how to improve credit scores, it pays to review the major areas that determine your FICO score.

1. Payment history on credit and retail store cards, loans, and mortgages.

2. Amount that you owe. Credit agencies look at how many accounts have balanced and the proportion of that balance to the credit line.

3. How long is your credit history? The longer the better.

4. New credit accounts. Applying for a bunch of credit cards all at once can hurt your score.

5. Different credit types, such as mortgages, retail loans, credit cards, and installment loans.

6. How many late payments do you have?

Now, with the playing field laid out, let’s work to boost your credit score! Some methods that boost your credit score take time, months, or years, and other areas to improve credit score can be made with a phone call right now! 

That said, here are the 7 tips to raise your credit score!

1. Pay your bills on time. 

Your payment history is a major factor (35% of your FICO score) in determining your credit score. 

If you pay your bills late or had an account referred to collections, your credit score will take a major hit.

2. Sign up for online banking and make sure your regular recurring bills are paid automatically. 

This way you will not forget a payment that will wind up reducing your credit score.

3. Increase your credit limit. 

Another large factor is the amount of your debt in relation to your credit limit. 

If you have a card with a $10,000 credit limit and your balance is $9,000, this will not help to improve your score. 

To make the debt/credit limit ratio look better, you can try to call your credit card company and request an increase in your credit limit. 

Don't use the extra credit though! That defeats the whole purpose and puts you further in debt!

4. Don't apply for many cards at once. This will not improve your credit score because this is a characteristic of high credit risk groups.

5. Don’t ever close an open credit card account. If you pay off a credit card down to a zero balance, leave it open. 

Remember that a positive factor for your credit score is how much available credit you have at your disposal when compared to your credit balance, in addition to the length of your credit history.

6. Apply for loans within a two-week period. 

Every time you request a loan and the lender pulls your credit report, it can hurt your score. 

It is part of the FICO formula that reasons "this person is trying to apply for credit and loans and possibly be trying to live way beyond their means!" 

If you keep the loan process within a two-week period, all of the credit report lookups are bundled together as one single request!

7. Check for errors on your credit report. 

Examine your credit report for errors and contact the credit reporting agencies to fix any errors on your credit report.

If you take action and follow these tips, you will be able to give your credit score an immediate boost and gradually increase it even more as time passes. 

The major keys are to pay your bills on time and reduce your debt amounts when compared to your credit limit. 

This has a twofold benefit of improving your credit score and reducing your debt.

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$1000 Provable Income Cash Advances: Should You Take The Opportunity?

 Many finance firms are willing to offer a sum of $1000 to those in need, provided the beneficiary has a provable source of income and agrees to repay the amount as per the firm’s outlined repayment schedule. 

However, needless to say, that you would end up repaying more than you acquire from the cash advance firm. 

This is because the cash advance firm is likely to charge interest on such credit lending.

Getting hold of a $1000 cash advance won’t be a cinch by any means. 

You would have to carry out preliminary research of reputable cash advance firms willing to lend $1000. 

Though it’s easy to find a cash advance of around $250 to $500, you might have to shop around a bit in order to bag $1000. 

It is recommended to keep several options open during your quest for a cash advance. 

This way, if one cash advance firm leaves you high and dry, you could easily switch to another.

Sums of $1000 and below are considered trifling amounts by bigger loan firms’ standards. 

Therefore, it is highly unlikely to acquire a $1000 loan from a loan firm. 

However, cash advance firms are a viable option for people in urgent need of around $1000. 

Cash advance firms would gladly approve your application, provided you have a provable income source. 

But, cash advance companies normally charge a higher rate of interest relative to bigger loan firms.

All in all, a cash advance is a nice and quick way to acquire that much-needed cash in a jiffy. 

But since the rate of interest is on the higher side, it’s best to take up a loan from a loan firm, if possible. 

In general, you should turn to a cash advance firm only when you have no other means of acquiring cash.

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7 Habits of Highly Successful Dating

 1)Don’t look at other women

While dating, focus your attention on your date and make her feel as if she matters the most to you compared to other women. 

Let’s face it, women loved to be showered with attention and pampered by her man. 

If not for you, who else other than her immediate family members.

2)   Make her feel like a queen. 

On the first date, buy her dinner to show you value her company. 

This will also reduce any tension between two people meeting for the first time. 

Make her feel special. 

Women find this absolutely irresistible. 

Build a bond of fun and excitement between you and be romantic. 

Subsequently, you can buy her gifts when the relationship progresses but never ask or even hint at sexual favors in return. 

3)Be yourself. 

Don’t exaggerate or boost your credentials, successes, etc. 

Make the other party feel at home so that she does not feel pressured to impress or lie to you. 

Sincerity is the best policy. Nobody feels more comfortable around people who are genuine and sincere.

4)Don’t ever talk about your past relationships.

Don't keep harping on them. This is a no-no and a sure turn-off. 

You will only project the impression that you are unable to let go and continue to give a present date a chance to get to know you better in a positive manner. 

5)Treat your first date as if going for an “interview”. 

You want to impress and let the other person know your qualities and characteristics of a life partner. 

If you are not ready to be in a commitment, let her know straight away so that you do not mislead her into false hopes. 

But be cautious not to boast or exaggerate stuff that is beyond you. 

Your deepest communication with women is carried out by your personal style and your level of confidence. Nobody feels more at ease than being with a confident man.

6)Don’t keep splurging and live like a millionaire unless you are one yourself. 

During the dating process, be careful how you handle money and spend within your own capacity. 

You don’t want a bank account with only 1 figure left after several dates. 

If you cannot afford it, go somewhere cheaper or try less expensive alternatives. 

It is most undesirable if, after several dates, you find that both of you are almost broke or worse, had to borrow to continue your lavish lifestyle. 

If your partner is in a habit of borrowing money from you, drop her or him immediately. 

7)   Be observant.

While dating for a while, you can conclude if this person is suitable for you for life or not. 

During dating, keep both eyes wide open and look for telltale signs like a persistent borrower, in debt, etc but after marriage, keep a close eye and forgive. 

The best time to date is during high school or undergraduate years as you are young with no "life baggage" but you can also date if you are single again. 

Marriage is meant to last for better or for worse till death do us part. 

But enjoy dating while you can and live life to the fullest. 

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Do Less to Accomplish More

 Multitasking – it's how we do things these days. 

Five things at once.

 Why? 

Time crunch. 

Too much to do, so little time. 

We're busy, busy, busy. ..Rush, rush, rush. 

Gotta be productive. 

Gotta get more done. 

Gotta go more places, have more things, see more people. 

We're frantic, exhausted, and stressed. 

You know the scenario. I know it, too. 

Here are some recent examples.

I'm finishing the dinner dishes while starting a load of laundry, taking out the trash, setting up a lunch date with a friend on the phone, and baking super-chunk chocolate chip cookies.  (We can't forget the importance of chocolate in our daily lives!)  

End result: bits of tissue from an unchecked pocket all over the "clean" clothes, a spilled glass of milk, a lunch date mis-entered on the calendar, a sticky, stinky mess on the floor from dropping (and spilling) the trash, and two broken dishes. 

Oh, and I burn the cookies, too, and hurt my friend's feelings by not paying attention to her. 

All in all, apologizing, cleaning up the mess, straightening out the confusion, and redoing the jobs I was trying to do all at once take more than twice as long (and create about twenty times the stress) as if I'd done things one at a time. 

Or I'll be putting laundry away while tidying the house, having a yelled conversation with my daughter, and thinking about an article to write. 

End result: My daughter thinks I'm angry because I'm yelling, I can't ever find the stuff I've put away (and two months later end up buying replacements, only to have the original turn up the next day), and half my clothes fall off the hangers and have to be picked up and rehung. 

Or even ironed, if I don't catch them for a couple of days. Then I forget to write the article. 

I've been known to (accidentally) leave my sunglasses in the refrigerator and my car keys in the bathroom sink because I was thinking of what I had to do next instead of paying attention to what I was doing at the time.

What I – and everyone else caught in this rush-rush trap – need to do is just slow down. 

Do one thing at a time and be fully present for it. 

We'll end up saving time, money, and energy in the long run. 

By slowing down, by concentrating on one thing at once, you'll remember tomorrow what you did today. 

You'll know where you put your car keys. You'll remember that you bought a loaf of bread yesterday, and you don't need to buy two more. 

You won't burn your cookies and have to start from scratch. 

And in the long run, you'll save time, money, and stress.

Now, we don't need to swing too far the other way. 

My beloved husband, the official cookie maker in the family, will put a batch of cookies in and actually sit and watch them as they brown. 

Of course, he also watches paint dry and glue set. (Really!) 

And while what he does he does well, that extreme would drive me crazy. 

So I compromise. 

I do two things at once, or even three, but no longer four or five. I put the cookies in to bake, then settle in on a chair in front of the oven with a magazine (or a telephone) and keep those cookies company. Then I’ll sample one as soon as it's out of the oven and cool enough to handle. That's a reward I've been missing out on. 

I've been too frantic, too busy, doing too many things at once to enjoy the fruits - or cookies - of my labors. 

I don't get the satisfaction of a completed job, much less a job well done when I'm doing so many things at once that none of them are well done. 

So a vague sense of dissatisfaction builds up, along with the frantic stress that's also a by-product. 

Between stress and dissatisfaction, I get the feeling I need to do more – when actually, that's the cause of the problem. 

The answer may seem counterintuitive: I need to do less.

After a certain point, multitasking is no longer efficient. Sometimes (take cell phones and driving, for example), it can be downright dangerous. 

I'd like to challenge you to notice how much you really accomplish when you multitask. 

Are you saving enough time to be worth the stress and the worry? 

Or if you did one or two things at once, instead of four or five or six, would you end up with more energy and less stress, more satisfaction, and less time expended? 

It's up to you – only you can escape from the rush-rush, multitask, a be-more-productive trap that American society is caught up in. 

Only you can choose to do more by doing less all at once. 

The reward? 

Finding your car keys exactly where they are supposed to be and eating a perfectly baked chocolate chip cookie is priceless.

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Authentic Success

 A More Effective Way

I own a stack of self-improvement books ten feet tall. 

Achievement seminars I've attended number in the dozens. 

I had been trying to improve myself since the second grade when Mrs. H. burst my young bubble. 

Although I went on to fourteen more years as a star pupil, I never forgot the way she made me feel - not good enough.

 And through the years whenever a co-worker, boss, or customer questioned my motives or integrity, I felt those same feelings - of being not good enough. 

So what went wrong with my self-improvement stint? 

I tried dutifully to follow the advice in all those books and workshops, showing me what to do and how to be. 

But, time after time, I failed. 

I have come to learn that I did not fail...what I did do was try to copy the efforts of others and expect results for me. 

My perceived lack of success came from trying to change myself. And, I was forcing on myself the methods and skills that weren't me! 

Discovering and embracing your own authenticity is the more effective way toward achieving fulfillment in life. 

Want to be a better boss, more valuable volunteer, finer parent, more creative employee? 

Be yourself. 

Know yourself. 

Uncover and use your inborn strengths and natural talents. 

Your authenticity, then, will serve as the foundation for all you are and do. Lead, manage, parent, create, love...all from this base of authenticity. 

Then, and only then, those enhancement skills- time management or assertiveness skills for example- will work in the balance! 

Authenticity

Authenticity, I have found, comes from a combination of engaging your talents, loves, and gifts; being autonomous (self-directed); and relating to your external world in your way- not as a copy of someone or something else. 

In their book Why We Do What We Do (1996 Penguin USA), Edward Deci and Richard Ryan note that some of the signs that hint we are moving towards authenticity include having a feeling of competence and being effective, feel free to choose based on wise decisions, and a certain connectedness to the world. 

Why Bother?

So what is it that makes authenticity so desirable? 

When you strive to find and be your authentic self, you gain a certain control. 

The world continues to spin around and around throwing your days out of whack but you, authentic you, remain in balance. 

You stand ready from a central point of self-control able to make decisions by considering those facets important to you. 

You find satisfaction and contentment through being and acting authentically. 

Even, especially, in times of chaos, you know where you stand because you are in control of yourself. 

If You Don't Bother

Okay, so what if you don't bother? When you are not freely choosing your direction or making choices from an authentic center (your true self), others take control of your being! 

Whether subtle or outright, others may begin to make it seem that your duty is to be under their control, that you indeed must give up your sense of authority over self. 

Certainly, there are some situations that are not within our ability to control (taxes, laws, work regulations, etc.), nor do we desire to. 

However, we can always choose how we will react to, feel about, or even overlook these situations. We also hold great power in any situation - that is hope. 

When you're acting from an authentic foundation you can easily find hope. On the other hand, when you allow others control of you when you are not acting from an authentic place, here's what can happen, and many times do (Are you showing any signs of being unauthentic?): Low job satisfaction

Tardiness or absenteeism

Self-imposed limits on work performance (Why bother doing more?) Bad or poor attitude

No motivation or motivation that is conditional on receiving something else.

Low productivity

Hopelessness (Stuck in a rut)

Too much on your plate (Out of balance or alignment) 

Searching For Your Authenticity

To find your authentic self, you will work hard- it's not that easy a task. 

For me, even when I realized that I had to find my own personal methods that matched my strengths and personality, I struggled to be. . .me. 

Who was I anyway? 

At a training session for a utility corporation, we were asked to quickly tell a story related to a time when we got results by relinquishing control. 

I told the story of helping my daughter to ride her two-wheeler. 

In short, she finally rode the thing when I stopped running alongside her steadying the seat! 

It was a fantastic story, told with finesse. 

My feedback? 

The class thought I was an excellent actress who had told that story many times. 

I hadn't actually - the incident had only occurred two days before the training! 

What I was missing was AUTHENTICITY. 

How could that be? 

It was what I valued most, being true to myself! 

But I wasn't being true to myself. In my heart of hearts, I was yearning to let Jane out! 

On the outside, I was acting as if. 

I was acting the way I thought I needed to act depending on the culture or politics of the situation. 

Yes, we do have to adapt...but not to the point of losing ourselves in the process! 

When times got rough and I was out of control...others were surprised to see Jane's survival personality coming through - and it wasn't very refined! 

Sometimes self-exploration shows particular actions you need to take - and taking them might prove to be painful. 

As you grow to a deeper appreciation and understanding of self, others may not like it one bit! 

Authenticity helps you to regain control of your life and this may make the controllers in your life angry, defensive, and even more controlling. 

Their distorted feelings, although real, come from their loss of control over you - they may still love you dearly, or value your friendship, but they must not be allowed to take your life in their hands. 

The essence of your authenticity is true and clear, and it becomes stronger each time it is recognized as so, and each time you consult yourself over some decision. 

Many authenticity seekers report that once they began taking back control, people in their lives truly important to them eventually came to respect and enjoy them even more, although the initial "coming out" caused great uneasiness in their relationships. 

How To Engage Authenticity

Keeping in mind all the great things that can and will begin happening for you in light of some of the not so great stuff, here, in brief, is how authenticity can be engaged and embraced in your life. 

You engage in an expedition of discovery which helps you to get to know yourself better than you did at the start. ¡¤ You work to pinpoint areas in which you haven't allowed authenticity in the past, and you consider reasons why this was so. ¡¤ You create a foundation with authenticity as the key so that you always have a ready plan of action to engage whatever chaos comes your way. ¡¤ This foundation also stands strong as you encounter others who do not favor your newfound authenticity or those who state they simply will not allow you to be this way. ¡¤ You recognize that you are a very special, genuine soul on this earth. No longer will you try to copy the actions of others. You won't need to imitate it. You will be yourself, effective, accountable. Yes! You will be all this thing! s and more when you begin from a center of authenticity! 

Authenticity improves productivity and personal fulfillment in your daily work. 

It diminishes feelings of hopelessness and reduces tardiness and absenteeism. 

These positives, and those mentioned before, are attained through authenticity because when you are true to yourself, you can rely on our autonomy in your choices, weighed carefully with your values and principles. 

As you respond to others, they mirror that responsiveness to you - it's catching! Authenticity yields confidence that allows your creativity to flow and the innovation in you is unleashed. When combined with a personal plan of action and choices made from accountability, authenticity propels us along toward our vision and allows us a feeling of content. Just think of the possibilities if all of us, and our organizations too, would engage our authenticity. Wow! Synergy in life.

Jane Miller works with People to Discover their Authentic Life Work and to use their Potential in a World of Chaos. 

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5 Ways Moms Can Make Money With A Home Business

 Does the idea of starting your own business from home sound appealing? 

Has found the right one stumped you?  

Do you often think that if you could make money at home you would be one very happy person? 

Then read on and see how easy it is to make money with a home business.

Make Money with Your Interests

Everyone is born with a special talent that sets them apart from others. 

Your job is to figure out what that talent is and find a way to turn it into a business. 

One lady I profiled in my book, "The Stay-at-Home Mom's Guide To Making Money" had always liked horses. 

When she was younger she didn't have a horse of her own, so she would groom and feed other people's horses just for the chance to ride. 

Now that she is an adult, she has turned that interest into a pet sitting business. 

While she takes care of the smaller critters, she has niched herself in the area of horse care.

What Are Your Hobbies? 

Is your hobby candle making, painting portraits, herb gardening? 

These are all great home businesses just waiting to happen, and you don't necessarily have to produce these items to make money. 

Maybe you could start a newsletter on the subject of your hobby for others just like you. 

 Maybe you could sell supplies to other hobbyists or businesses. 

Or maybe you could write a book on the subject. Once you start brainstorming you'll be surprised at all the ideas you will come up with. 

One woman I've met online is now the owner of her own portrait sketching business. 

She actually had two other home businesses before she decided that she could make extra money drawing sketches of people.  

She does incredible work, and when you look at your pictures it's hard to believe she hasn't been doing this longer. 

Sometimes the business for you is right in front of you; it's just hard to believe that someone would actually pay you to do something that comes so easily and naturally for you. 

You're Producing a Product or Service for Your Friends and Family for Free already.

I talk with moms all the time who say their family or friends are always coming to them because they are great at creating a resume, or because they can really put a nice bouquet of flowers together for special events. 

These are all great ideas for a home business. 

Seriously consider charging for these services. 

Let your family and friends know you are in business. 

They've already used you in the past for these things; they trust your work. 

They will probably enjoy spreading the word and letting other people know that you are open for business. 

Go With What You Already Know A Lot About 

Maybe you enjoy your work outside the home but still want to be home with your kids, or want the flexibility and satisfaction of owning your own home business. 

Use your previous skills to get your business started. 

Teachers become tutors, secretaries become virtual assistants, graphic artists become -- graphic artists.

 The same can go for architects, photographers, and transcriptionists. 

You'll be surprised at the number of jobs you've held in the past that could be the key to getting your own home business started now.

Have You Ever Thought, "Why Doesn't Someone Start A Business Doing xx and x?"

Do you see the need for a particular product or service in your community? 

Are you trying to figure out why someone hasn't thought of it and started providing it yet? 

Why can't that someone be you?

 There is no reason why you shouldn't be the one to see a need, fill it, and make money from it. 

You have many interests, talents, previous experiences, hobbies, and good ideas that are just waiting to be turned into a money-making venture. 

Why not make this the year your home business dreams come true? 

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