All of us have made mistakes in the past, some of which can lead to feelings of guilt. But, you don’t have to live with guilt. There are ways to move on with your life.

What is guilt? It is best described as the feeling of inadequacy that follows a mistake or a blunder. Sometimes, it isn’t even a blunder to anyone other than to the person feeling guilty.

It is not uncommon to make mistakes. But what follows that mistake? If someone else is hurt physically, mentally or financially, you may feel a sense of responsibility to make it right. This is the beginning of guilt.

Whether you hurt someone intentionally or by accident, confessing the wrong can put the situation in perspective. Either the person will forgive you or not. If it is a criminal act, you will be punished or absolved of guilt according to the law.

But, even after all of this happens, what can make a person continue to feel bad about what they have done? Guilty feelings that continue usually start before the incident that evoked the guilt.

What can cause guilt? Here are a few suggestions:

* Criticism – If you are exposed to criticism all the time, you may feel inadequate. This inadequacy could be directed at you or at a certain task you perform.

* Lack of resolution – If you can’t talk to the person you hurt, then there is a distinct lack of closure. This can result in you making up scenarios in your mind that revolve around feelings of not being forgiven for the act. You may try harder with others to not hurt or offend them as a result of not being able to make amends in this case.

* Unfulfilled expectations – Some people feel guilty just because they can’t live up to the expectations of others. They feel disappointment over what they are not, so that who they truly are doesn’t seem to matter.

So how can you counter guilty feelings?

* Take a realistic view of yourself – Each person makes mistakes. Use them as learning experiences. No one is perfect, but you can try to do better the next time.

* List your good qualities – We all have some. Keep this list handy for times when feelings of inadequacy creep back in. Post it on your refrigerator and on the bathroom mirror.

* Avoid comparisons – We all do things differently, but that doesn’t make one method better than another. If you compare yourself to someone else, you are sure to come up short on some point. That is a good way to trigger debilitating guilt.

* Counter negative thoughts – Stop negative thoughts about yourself in their path. When you have one, counter it with a positive affirmation.

Guilt is a destructive emotion that can hurt you long after the triggering event has passed. Learn to let go and move on.

If you are one who sees the glass as half empty, you should know that pessimism is not good for your health.

Pessimism is one way that we look at the world around us. Every situation has different points of views. Let’s think about running a race but not finishing first. You trained hard, but only one person can win. How will you look at the result? You can say that you did your best and will try again next time. Another view would be that you wouldn’t have won anyhow. The latter is the pessimistic view.

Studies have shown that pessimism has been linked to a decrease in physical functioning, mental problems, pains and chronic illnesses. One study at the Mayo Clinic followed patients for thirty years. Those who maintained an optimistic attitude had a lower incidence of medical problems than those who viewed the world in a more pessimistic light.

Pessimism, or a dim view of life, can lead to more than just negative self-fulfilling prophecies. It can lead to depression. Feelings that nothing will go well for you or that you are not worth anyone’s time or attention can lead to depressive thoughts. And depression can lead to physical pain, hostility, poor diet, sleep and many other problems.

The pessimistic way of thinking can also lead to other health conditions. While optimists tend to be younger, better educated and gainfully employed, they are also in better health because they care for themselves. High blood pressure, weight gain, high cholesterol and smoking are traits of a pessimistic view.

Heart problems are also common in less than optimistic people. Studies have shown a lower risk in those with a brighter view of life. There may be an explanation for this.

People who have a better outlook make better choices in life. Because they believe that they have a right to a fruitful life, they take better care of themselves. They exercise regularly, watch their diet and take preventative measures to ensure their health.

Cynical individuals are less likely to make these choices. According to their thought patterns, it wouldn’t make a difference anyway. So, they may smoke, eat unhealthy foods, live sedentary lives and avoid doctors unless they really need them, which mean a lower rate of preventative care. All of that can lead to heart disease, diabetes, a chance of stroke, obesity and other conditions that adversely affect their health.

Changing your pessimistic ways may be able to help you increase not only your health, but also your life expectancy. Who knew that seeing the glass as half full could save your life? Combat unhealthy habits with a new attitude.

Think about advertising.  The female population is inundated with photo after photo of the “perfect body” according to modeling agencies and style magazines.  Especially during the teenage years, the pressure to fit in and be liked by the opposite sex can lead to an unrealistic view of their bodies.

The same goes for men.  Seeing rock hard abs on models and male actors has them wondering if they need to look like that to attract girls.  This jaded thinking can lead to unhealthy eating and exercising habits that ruin a boy’s health and his self-image.

Men are still hesitant to come forward and reveal themselves as having a problem with eating disorders.  It is still thought of by some professionals as a ìfemaleî disease and they are not diagnosing it as much in males.  To help raise awareness, a few Hollywood actors have stepped forth and admitted that they suffer from eating disorders.

To heighten awareness, parents and others have to become familiar with the signs and symptoms of eating disorders not only for their daughters but also for their sons.  The first step is acceptance of the disorder in men and boys to shatter the stigma that is keeping them from getting the help that they need.

When you think of eating disorders, you think of Karen Carpenter or one of Hollywood’s young starlets.  But, these disorders don’t just affect girls and women.  Men and boys can be just as affected by them.

Eating disorders are not new and neither is their existence in the male population.  The reason you may not have heard about it is the stigma attached to having a problem controlling your food.  According to a Harvard study (2007), as much as 25 percent of those in the study were anorexic males and 40 percent were binge-eating males.  For a condition that has been decidedly “female”, these are high numbers.

The effects of eating disorders are more readily noticed among girls.  Wearing tight-fitting clothing or other outfits that show their shape reveal the skin and bones that mortify parents and friends.  Girls are also more likely to confide in a friend about their “new diet” than guys are.

Men and boys can hide the results of their eating disorders better than women and girls.  Furthermore, changes in their body are quickly attributed to anything but an eating disorder.  Parents don’t even think that an eating disorder can affect their son.

Even the males themselves are not likely to admit that they have an eating disorder.  Being associated with a “girl’s disease” can be seen as unmanly or feminine.  For fear of being called names, they hide their pain and their obsession with food.

It would appear that women are less happy than they were 40 years ago, and get sadder as they get older:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/marcus-buckingham/womens-happiness-what-we_b_295876.html

What reasons can account for this trend?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/marcus-buckingham/womens-happiness-what-we_b_295876.html

Conversely, men have grown happier as the GDP has improved… Which begs the question, if we as a nation are more prosperous, why are women less happy?

We will be keeping an eye out for the latest on this topic!

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Over time the person with anorexia nervosa changes in appearance.  They may wear big clothes to hide the weight loss but if you maintain physical contact with your child you will sense the changes.  Their bodies are frail and emaciated.  The natural puberty cycle is often stunted in their bodies.  For girls, menstrual periods stop or donít start at all.

Anorexics are headed for trouble.  With the lack of nutrition being given to their bodies, the cells get what they need wherever they can.  Bones become weak because cells are robbing calcium from the bones.  Lack of energy is a common symptom because there is no fat for fuel.  The organs will eventually begin to shut down.
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All the while, the person suffering from anorexia nervosa is in denial.  They do not believe that they are doing anything wrong and are reluctant to talk about what is happening to them.  Depression sets in because no one understands them.

Anorexia nervosa is a serious condition.  The first step in curing it is to get help at the first sign that something is wrong.  In order to do that, communication between you and your child or other family member must be open and healthy.

Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by excessive fear of gaining weight.  The fear drives the sufferer to do whatever they can, no matter how extreme, to keep the weight off.  The catch here is that their distorted view of their body prevents them from ever losing enough weight.

Doctors don’t know what causes anorexia nervosa.  Lately the increase in the prevalence of the condition has been blamed on society’s image of beauty.  When young girls (and boys), see the beautiful bodies of models gracing the covers of magazines and the movie screen, their own inadequacies about their body surface.
Family dynamics have also been seen as a cause.  In families where communication is poor and affection withheld, kids may seek to find control, the control is the food that they eat.  Having high expectations that put undue pressure on the child can also lead to eating disorders.

Anorexics may begin with a diet but it doesn’t end there.  The obsession with their weight spurs them on to eat fewer and fewer meals.  They stop their hunger by drinking water or exercising more.  Even when the numbers on the scale drop, their lack of self-esteem won’t let them stop.

Because of their perceived problem, they may shy away from social gatherings, especially those that involve food.  In school, they may separate from their friends as the condition takes over their lives.  Any excuse is used to keep them out of family functions.

Over time the person with anorexia nervosa changes in appearance.  They may wear big clothes to hide the weight loss but if you maintain physical contact with your child you will sense the changes.  Their bodies are frail and emaciated.  The natural puberty cycle is often stunted in their bodies.  For girls, menstrual periods stop or donít start at all.

Anorexics are headed for trouble.  With the lack of nutrition being given to their bodies, the cells get what they need wherever they can.  Bones become weak because cells are robbing calcium from the bones.  Lack of energy is a common symptom because there is no fat for fuel.  The organs will eventually begin to shut down.

All the while, the person suffering from anorexia nervosa is in denial.  They do not believe that they are doing anything wrong and are reluctant to talk about what is happening to them.  Depression sets in because no one understands them.

Anorexia nervosa is a serious condition.  The first step in curing it is to get help at the first sign that something is wrong.  In order to do that, communication between you and your child or other family member must be open and healthy.

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People suffering from bulimia are often seen going to extremes.  They will exercise more than normal in an attempt to lose weight.  They may even fast a lot.

When periods of stress occur, they will binge.  Something in their lives has gone awry and they can’t control it.  Eating foods that comfort you has been shown to release endorphins in the brain.  These “feel good” secretions may calm you down.  Once that calm settles on them, the bulimic will stop eating.

After the eating there is a sense of guilt about the entire experience.  Seeing the result of their binging around them, increases these feelings.  To gain control of their bodies, they purge.  Purging is usually done with a finger down the throat.  To further purge, an abuse of enemas, laxatives and other diuretics begins.

Bulimia is a serious condition.  The constant presence of stomach acid in the throat can cause strictures, ulcers and other digestive system conditions such as abnormal bowel function.  Teeth enamel will erode away from the constant contact with acid.  Female bulimics can also stop having periods as a result of the extreme dieting and exercise.  Bulimics have a higher rate of recovery than anorexics but sometimes surgical intervention is necessary.

If you know someone who you suspect or know is showing signs of bulimia, get help for them.  Only trained professionals can guide them to the road of recovery and stop the compulsive behavior.

Hello all!

We really hope you are enjoying our blog. We at Goddess strive to bring you the most full information about healthy living. Lately we have noticed trends and eating habits that are not healthy for anyone. It is a misconception to think only woman suffer from eating disorders. In today’s society the fight to stay on top comes from both the male and female counterparts. Bulimia, anorexia, depression these diseases do not pick the sexes they want to attack. Woman and men have different ways to deal with each situation, but please keep in mind we can all be affected!

For the next few articles we are going to talk about, Bulimia and Anorexia0 Nervosa and how they affect both female and males.

Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by binging and purging of food.  Bulimics have a poor self-image and the disorder is an extension of that.  Women as well as men suffer from this type of eating disorder.

Bulimia nervosa can sometimes begin as a way to finally get off the roller coaster of dieting.  Many bulimics have dieted before but without sustained success.  They begin again, only this time, they take extreme measures to try to achieve their desired body image.

While bulimia affects mostly women in the United States, a fair percentage of men have also been identified as bulimic.  Bulimics are prone to compulsions.  When they eat, they do it in secret and are out of control.  They eat until they have stuffed as much food in themselves as they can.  The binging can be due to emotional stress within their peer group or at home.

After eating as much as they can, they will immediately vomit.  Vomiting may remove the evidence in their mind that they were ever out of control in the first place.  Even after normal meals they will excuse themselves and go to the bathroom where they force themselves to throw up.

You may notice that your son, daughter or friend is bulimic.  They may have been previously addicted to something else like drugs or alcohol.  Their weight will fluctuate but it doesn’t usually reach the low level of a person suffering from anorexia nervosa.

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Left side stroke

This stroke occurs on the left side of the brain and will affect the right side of the body.  Besides paralysis, the person will have trouble with their speech and language.  This is called aphasia.  Their parietal lobe has been affected by the stroke.  They may forget how to speak.

There are other neurological changes that occur.  Behavior is slower and they are more cautious even if they weren’t that way before the stroke.  Vision loss can occur as well, in the right eye.  The muscle strength is weakened on the right side.

Right side stroke

The left side of the body is affected.  There is paralysis and that tell-tale mouth drooping called dysarthria.  Behavior becomes erratic and quick even if they were not that way before the stroke.  There could be blindness in the left eye.

People with right side strokes may experience changes as a result of the occipital lobe being affected.  Their spatial recognition and perception will have deficits because of the stroke.

It can be disconcerting for you to see a loved after a stroke have occurred.  How permanent these effects are depends on the speed of intervention.  It may take a few weeks to a few months or more to see signs of recovery, but they will come.