Explains

They say that your eyes are the window to your soul. When these spiritual windows are open to others, what can they decipher about you? Psychologists assert that your eye contact says a lot about your personality.

Most predatory animals, including humans, have forward-facing eyes that give them a binocular vision. Our early ancestors could easily focus on their prey as well as dangerous animals and situations to avoid. Your eyes still provide safety and are continually processing pictures of the world around you.

Did you know that roughly half of your body’s sensory receptors are found in your eyes? They can detect visible light wavelengths up to 700 nanometers and many spectra of colors. Six extrinsic eye muscles control their complex movement.

When you combine positions of your eyelids and eyebrows, your eyes help to create instantly recognizable expressions. Humans are adept at interpreting eye contact, so we assume that someone looking into our eyes has nothing to hide. How you use your eyes to communicate with others usually mirrors what you are feeling or thinking.

What the Eyes Say Without Uttering a Word

Think of all the idioms you’ve heard about eyes and personality. They say a shifty-eyed person can’t be trusted. “She loves him, and you can see it in her eyes.” “He couldn’t even look me in the eyes and tell me the truth.”

Good eye interaction with others suggests that you are confident in your abilities. People may view you as more successful, and you may have better leadership qualities than those who avert their eyes. Your gaze may reveal an attraction to another, or it can imply aggression and malice.

Some cognitive disorders, such as the autistic spectrum, are known for their avoidance of connecting with other people’s eyes. Many people who battle depression, anxiety, or ADHD have difficulty focusing their eyes, especially when in a conversation. For others, eye connection aversion may be low self-esteem from a lack of confidence and basic shyness.

Understanding Eye Communication

While you assume that anyone who looks you eye-to-eye is telling the truth, it’s not necessarily so. Pathological liars often use eye connection to manipulate people into believing their lies. They often become so jaded that they can lie without as much as a blink. Here are some other things your eyes can show.

• Friendliness and Familiarity

When you are in public and surrounded by strangers, you can expect to meet a few people’s glances. However, most people only look strangers in the face for only a couple seconds, and then they look away. Looking at someone any longer becomes staring, and it makes others feel uncomfortable.

Friends and acquaintances will usually meet your eyes in a longer, natural way. Close friends and family can often look into your eyes and intuitively know how you feel before asking. You may tell them that you are feeling fine, but your eyes can betray you.

• Authority and Trustworthiness

If you want others to respect your authority, you must look them straight in the eyes when you talk. Would you have much confidence in a person in leadership who was shy and kept averting his eyes? When you make direct eye contact and smile while conversing with or addressing a group, people will respect you more and will assume you are successful and trustworthy.

• Mutual Attraction

The eyes are only second to the heart when it comes to stories, songs, and art about love and romance. When you are attracted to someone, you instinctively gaze into his eyes as he does yours. Scientific research demonstrates that people who are attracted to each other look into the others’ eyes more often and for extended periods.

Do you want a special someone to be more than just friends? How do you look him in the eyes? He may think you aren’t interested if he sees you avoiding his eyes and looking all around.

Eye connection in sexuality is another point that divides us from the animals. Unlike most of them, humans are usually intimate face-to-face and eye-to-eye. We often feel more attracted to those who express attraction to us in their eyes.

• Intimidation

Have you ever watched two cats locked into a staring contest? In the animal kingdom, staring allows them to size up their adversaries. There is a wild glare that means a clash of wills is about to happen.

While we are not felines, we still use our eyes to intimidate others, often without thinking. Remember the sharp glance your mother gave you when you were misbehaving in public? She didn’t have to say a word, but you got the point.

• Memory Enhancement

Why is it that you may forget names, but you hardly ever forget a face? Your brain is making countless references and notations when you look into another person’s eyes. Your first impression of this person may be what her eyes tell you.

It will trigger a memory in your brain when you meet the person again and make eye contact. For this reason, psychologists encourage people to look at each other when meeting and often during conversation. Not only does it suggest to the other person that you are genuinely interested in what she has to say, but you will be more likely to remember her and the conversation.

Do Your Eyes Have It? Different Types of Eye Avoidance

How can you use proper eye contact to your advantage? Do you want to reflect confidence and honesty? Here are some helpful ways to identify common eye contact problems and how to improve them.

• The Low Looker

In many cultures, it is considered rude and forward to look at someone straight in the eyes, especially those of authority. A downcast glance shows reverence, respect, and humility. Unfortunately, women were often taught to keep their head and eyes lowered as a sign of loyalty and subservience.

If you are a low looker, then train yourself to hold your head high and meet other people’s eyes. Keep good posture, let your eyes show that you are friendly, intelligent, and subservient to no one.

• The Kewpie Doll

Have you ever seen one of these iconic baby dolls with their pixie smile and adorable side glance? You wonder what they are thinking. Whether it is from nervous tension or learned behavior, many people often avoid direct eye contact by looking to the side or a corner of the room.

“Kewpie dolls” personalities often have a difficult time when they are in leadership and must address a group. Are you one of these who keep your eyes glued to a corner rather than face your audience? Practice speaking in a mirror and retrain your eyes to look at the eyes of your listeners.

• The Rapid- Fire Blinker

Some people have a nervous tick in their eyes that often gets worse when they are talking to people, or they experience eye twitching. While they try to keep their eyes focused during a conversation, all the other people can see is a flurry of blinks and twitches. If they gradually gain control of their eyelids, a rapid-fire blinker may also be a low-looker or a kewpie doll.

Some rapid-fire blinkers not only blink, but they often have conversations with their eyes closed. Occasionally, they may open their eyes to flash a bit or to acknowledge what the other person is saying, but their eye contact is limited.

Do you want to remedy your Rapid-Fire Blinker habit and practice good eye connection? Since rapid blinking may be symptoms of a physical or mental condition, consult your professional healthcare provider. Practice keeping your gaze steady and relaxing your eyes.

• Give Your Eyes a Rest

Although making good eye connection is beneficial in a conversation, there can be too much of a good thing. When you are having a discussion with another person, some eye movement is expected. A thoughtful pause to glance up and think about what the person is saying is helpful because a constant stare will make others uneasy.

• Practice Makes Progress

Some people are naturally talented conversationalists, but you can learn these skills with practice. Maintaining proper eye connections with others can be practiced in front of a mirror or with a trusted friend. If you have one or more of these common eye aversion characteristics, you can retrain yourself.

As you talk to the mirror or your practice partner, train yourself to rest your sight at the other person’s eye level. If he wears glasses, you could focus on the rims or study his eyebrows, if you feel uneasy about looking pupil to pupil.

If you feel your eyes going back into their old habit of aversion, gently bring them back into focus. Ask your trusted practice partner to give you honest feedback and to let you know when your eyes aren’t making the proper connection.

Final Thoughts on Using Proper Eye Contact in Life

Using proper eye interaction in your professional and personal life can tell others a lot about you. Show people that you are self-confident and can make eye contact when you are conversing. You’ll discover that people will be more apt to confide in you and will see the confident, fascinating person you are.

Do you know someone who needs to slip away to recharge batteries every so often?

It isn’t easy to understand others in this world. You may sit next to a lady at work and know nothing about her. Then on the other side of you may be a gentleman that you could tell his story as if you had written a book on his life.

The difference is one has an introverted personality, and the other has an extroverted one. How would you classify yourself? Do you tend to be outgoing and the life of the party or sit back and watch as life happens around you?

You will meet people every day who are either social or anti-social, according to the world’s perception. However, both types of individuals are just as valuable to society. You view people through your eyes and with your methods for doing things, and your expectations skew your opinion of others. Thankfully, everyone is unique.

Understanding the Differences Between Introverts and Extroverts

Personalities can be grouped into two categories. The extroverted person tends to be favored in society, and if someone isn’t a socializer, then they are considered abnormal. Those with an introverted personality may have a challenging time in school and the workforce, as they are commonly misinterpreted.

A teacher may write on their grade card that they don’t like to participate in class, or a boss might see them as quiet and disconnected. Being in a romantic relationship can be even more difficult. They may continuously field insinuations that they don’t love their partner or don’t communicate efficiently.

In life, the extrovert is often celebrated. They’re the ones that get the job promotions, have the best relationships, and are go-getters. The sad thing is that introverted personalities often are disregarded and very misunderstood.

Children are taught that they must speak up for themselves and be more assertive in life. When they go to college, they will get farther when they network and put themselves out there. An extrovert has no problem mingling with strangers and thrives during social events, while the introvert is often a bundle of nerves at the thought of a crowd.

Since an introverted personality doesn’t feel like they fit into the mainstream, they avoid social interactions. Their feelings make them question if there is something wrong with them. The energy from a large group can make an extrovert thrive, but the introvert feels drained and like they need to recharge their batteries.

12 Ways Introverts Can Recharge Their Batteries

Did you know that over one-third of the population is introverted? People look down on these folks because they are quiet and avoid gatherings. Sadly, these individuals often go through life being viewed through biased eyes.

In the continent of Asia, being an introvert is considered a high quality that is valued among the people. In the Western world, it’s the opposite. Anxiety is high among introverts because they continuously feel as if they can’t measure up to social norms.

All this pressure to fit into a world where they don’t fit causes them significant problems. These individuals need to recharge their batteries, and here are just a few ways to do it.

1. Meditation

Meditation has been around for more than 5,000 years. Introverts looking to recharge their batteries should look to this Chinese method first. When you’re meditating, you’re releasing anxiety and tension that harbors inside.

One of the biggest problems an introvert has is that they cannot articulate how they feel, and all their emotions become trapped inside. This ancient art is a great way to relax the mind, body, and soul. By visualizing and releasing pent up energy, it can be a very freeing experience.

2. Alone Time

Have you ever heard someone say that they wanted some alone time? Introverts love to go into space, close the door, and be alone with their thoughts. It’s a way to recharge their batteries by sitting in the quiet.

Remember, these people don’t always know how to vocalize how they are feeling, so they need a quiet space to reflect.

3. Go Where Nobody Knows You

When you feel introverted claustrophobia, you want to go somewhere where you won’t stand out in the crowd. Maybe you want to hear the noise around you, but you don’t want anyone to expect anything from you.

Some introverts love having people around, but they don’t want to interact with them. If you’re feeling a bit claustrophobic and can’t get any peace, then drive to another city where no one knows your name.

You will be surprised how much better you feel to mingle in an area where people don’t want to chit-chat.

4. Delve into a Good Book

Is it any wonder that the introvert usually loves a good adventure story? Books allow you to transport yourself to another time and place. You can live out an account through the character, and it doesn’t make you uncomfortable either.

Some people use books or movies to get over the loss of something near and dear to them. It’s an outlet that helps recharge your batteries and help you escape the stressors of life.

5. Engage in Mindful Distractions

To recharge your batteries and keep you from ruminating about things, engage in mindful distractions. Items such as crossword puzzles or coloring can help you to focus on something other than your feelings. You need these distractions to help you with your anxiety.

6. Take a Walk in Nature

One of the best things for you to do when you feel like you need to be alone is to take a walk. Did you know that walking barefoot on the earth it will help you feel grounded?

If you feel like your world is out of sorts, then taking your shoes off and feeling the ground beneath your toes can be beneficial. There’s something so calming and tranquil about the gentle breeze blowing against your face and the whistle of the birds in the distance.

If you feel like you need to be alone to stop the noise inside your head, Mother Nature can provide the relief you need.

7. Soak in a Hot Bath

For centuries, the value of a warm bath has not gone unnoticed. Roman bathhouses were used for public sanitation, and these bathhouses allowed people to socialize. The concept developed into the swimming pools of today.

An introvert won’t like the socialization of a public pool, but a hot bath can bring about the same effects. You can recharge your batteries while listening to soft music, sipping champagne, or relaxing in some delicate bubbles. It’s hard to feel stressed or out of sorts with life when you’re soaking your troubles away.

10. Take a Drive

Another way that introverts can get the peace and tranquility they crave is by taking a drive. There’s something almost euphoric about jumping behind the wheel of a car and blasting the radio. The best time to drive is down a country road when the sun is shining bright.

These little get-a-ways don’t cost hardly anything and can be just what you need to regroup and recharge.

11. Journal

Did you know that many people can’t express how they feel, but they can write it down? Just like so many people use text messages to break up with a lover. It’s easier to put things into writing than to vocalize them.

A journal can be written or on your computer. It’s just a place where you can collect your thoughts and get out of your feelings. It’s also a great way to be alone and has time to meditate on the day and your life.

12. Listen to a Podcast

Podcasts have become the best way to gain inspiration without leaving the comforts of home. Ted Talks, as well as The Moth, are two great places where you can find stories of people who have overcome insurmountable odds in front of them.

Introverts care and have hurts, but they don’t share with the world their pain. While listening to these short stories of how people have won against a great battle, it can help you with what you face.

Final Thoughts on Breaking Away to Recharge Batteries, as Needed

The things that work for extroverts won’t always work for an introvert. People watching, for instance, might make you more nervous. Additionally, going to a spa and having a massage, pedicure, or manicure might not be the ticket.

You can treat yourself to a gift for a job well done, but your idea of relaxation isn’t going to be going to a rock concert. The noise, crowd, and claustrophobic nature of the venue may be too much for you to handle.

You should lay your head on the pillow and know that you are uniquely you. While you may never become the director of a corporation or a politician, your contribution to society is significant.

The world would be a boring place to live if everyone were the same. Having a quiet and subservient personality is what many people are attracted too. Whether you’re an introvert or an extrovert, you can still have a successful career, a beautiful family, and a life that many people desire.

Conflicts, arguments, and disagreements are bound to happen in the course of any relationship. Sometimes, it gets so bad that the discord escalates from a moderately annoying dispute to a full-blown heartbreak. You or your partner are bound to say harsh and hurtful things to the other that create obvious issues in your love paradise. And afterward, it can be challenging to return to your previous emotional intimacy.

While both physical and emotional bonds are instrumental in making any relationship healthy, after a fight, it can be quite challenging to want to share your body and emotions. Recovering from a bad conflict or any form of betrayal from your partner is a long healing process. It’s possible to get back to where your relationship was before the conflict or even make it better, but it requires patience and wisdom.

Which begs the question in this piece’s segment: How do you restore emotional intimacy in your relationship after a bad conflict? The experts in relationship matters will guide you through a few steps that can help you salvage your relationship and bring your partner closer.

Step to restoring emotional intimacy after you fight with your partner

Keep these things in mind as you move forward after an argument.

It starts with you

The need for change has to start from somewhere. You might want to begin the healing process from within yourself. Take some time to reflect on the happy times, the sad times, the mistakes, and begin to forgive yourself first.

Healing a broken relationship requires multiple gentle and open moves while thinking about your partner. Release all the anger and start working on committing to the relationship rather than trigger another argument. Avoid getting defensive, justifying your mistakes, and ignoring the real problem.

Change your mindset from blaming to forgiving and moving on. It will help you stay calmer.

Someone has to make the first move

As earlier discussed, healing a broken relationship requires gentleness and patience. It also needs someone to save that relationship, drop the ego, and take the responsibility of protecting it. It’s common for both parties to feel like the other party needs to admit to their mistake.

You will need some wisdom to overcome this challenging phase where you get to make the first move. If you are the voice of reason in your relationship, then it’s your responsibility to approach your partner and remind them of your attachments and connections. Consider making the first move when things are calm, and when your partner seems to be in the right mood.

Communication is paramount

Therapists insist for the longest time now, that communication and comprehension work hand in hand in a relationship. Looking at things, you could spend the entire day communicating with your partner about your feelings and thoughts, but if they don’t understand you, it’s all void. Choose a time when your partner is in the mood to communicate and reach an understanding with you.

You could begin this talking phase by hinting at it and let them prepare to discuss and let out their emotions when the time comes. When the time is right, communicate openly about the disagreement. Try to be calm and honest about what you feel. In most cases, conflicts don’t come up because of one event but a culmination of build-up emotions.

The only way you and your partner get to move on from the full-blown heartbreak is through communicating. Get to understand what your partner has been going through. Let them see your troubles and heartbreak through your eyes too.

Apologize and let it go

It takes two to tango; both you and your partner need to acknowledge your mistakes and feel sorry for the wrongdoings. Apologize to your partners after accepting your mistakes and give them the chance to do the same thing. You can only move to the next step if both of you forgive each other and accept to let it go.

What is next?

Now that you are past the worst, you might want to solve the problems that caused the conflict to avoid a repeat of the fight. How did the conflict come about? Was it a lack of quality time? Perhaps a lack of communication? Maybe your intoxication and abuse of alcohol led you to blow things that hurt your partner.

Whatever the reason, it doesn’t matter now after you have already forgiven each other and promised to work on the shortcomings. Focus on coming up with a solution to solve the problem at hand. You might decide to see a relationship therapist or perhaps support your partner and enroll them for rehab.

What if the conflicts keep recurring?

Fighting fair is also another effective strategy that helps you improve your communication and prevents another harsh fight. The approach focuses on attacking the mutual problem eating into your relationship, rather than each other. Just because you’ve moved on, doesn’t mean other conflicts won’t erupt.

Nonetheless, it takes wisdom to know how to approach the conflict and when to unleash the tactics. Downplaying the disputes won’t solve the problem. Consider contacting an expert for great fighting fair tactics that will help you stick to the mission.

Time to restore that bond

With all the burden lifted, this should be the right time to work on your lost or weakened bond. Without a doubt, the healing process is a painful process that requires effort, patience, time, love, and lots of forgiveness. Try not to bring up things from the past; it only makes the process harder.

Numerous ways can help you restore the bond in your relationship. For instance, you could go back into memory lane and do the things you both loved to do in the past. Practice regular date nights together, go to movies, or even cook a meal together. Instead of focusing on the conflict moments in your relationship, you could drive your energy into having fun together and recreating those wonderful memories.

Move onto emotional intimacy

Emotional intimacy revolves around so much more than sex. Someone had to say it. Work on reconnecting with one another intimately through using non-sexual methods.

We promise, it’s not going to get boring, and it only gets better. Emotional intimacy entails having deep conversations with one another and enjoying the quality time just between you two. Find unique ways to express your love and appreciation through cuddling, hugging, kissing, touching, and admiring one another.

Through these tips, you will make a great way to reconnect with your partner physically and sexually. It all starts with the emotions first.

Give yourself time

Like we said a little earlier, healing takes time and patience. You can’t just dive into where you left and proceed smoothly. Reconnecting intimately after the bond with your partner was broken will take time.

The last thing you want after coming this far is struggling to create a sexual connection with them because you haven’t built intense emotional intimacy. You might want to start working on trusting your partner again and avoid forcing the process. There isn’t one timeline that defines when you are ready for the next level.

Every relationship, situation, and individual is different. Consider communicating your own healing process with your partner and let them know how you feel every step of the way. When the time is right, you will know.

Seek to find a balance between your relationship and yourself

The strongest relationships are made of two interdependent partners striving to be together against all the odds. As you continue to heal, don’t lose yourself to the relationship. Before you two met, you had your hobbies, a social life, and a professional life; don’t tamper with that.

Ensure that you take care of yourself as much as you strive to take care of your partner and his or her feelings. Allow your spouse to do the same and then come together as a strong, trusting, and secure couple. Again, remember to employ fighting fair whenever an issue comes up, and when an unhealthy argument is about to blow up.

Emotional intimacy doesn’t happen immediately

Nothing good is built overnight. Therapists can’t necessitate this enough. We understand that words hurt, actions replay in your mind, being in love is a risk, and nothing is certain, including restoring emotional intimacy to its previous settings.

It’s important to understand that repairing and redeeming your emotional intimacy with your partner will take time. Before it gets better, there will be tears, spoiled days, and rough nights. However, don’t get discouraged; you will get there with the right amount of effort, energy, hope, and positivity.

Continue finding your way around your partner and work on restoring your romantic side. Intimacy soon follows after everything else is in place. Remember, forgiving, forgetting, and moving on is your relationship’s strongest motto.

Final thoughts on restoring emotional intimacy after a fight

The basis of any strong relationship is an emotional connection. By being gentle, loving, mindful, and caring, you will eventually make yourself a better partner. It starts with you.

Once you’ve made a safe haven for your partner to open up and be a better partner, you will be on the right track to saving your relationship. It’s the little things that count.

Any decision we make sets in motion the wheels of karma, which either rewards or punishes us for our actions. The universe simply responds to our state of consciousness and the choices we make from that frequency. So it makes sense to have a calm mind when making decisions.

The universe has no fixed agenda. Once you make any decision, it works around that decision. There is no right or wrong, only a series of possibilities that shift with each thought, feeling, and action that you experience.” – Deepak Chopra

The universe may seem like a chaotic, random cluster of energy and events. But within that tumultuous energy lies order. By clearing the clutter from our minds, we can choose a path that will result in better outcomes for ourselves. Scientists and researchers have studied meditation for decades now. They discover time and again the many health benefits that can arise from the ancient practice.

People who regularly practice meditation tend to have a calmer disposition. This calm mind means they can hear their intuition much more clearly. Our intuition helps us make decisions, and if it becomes clouded by a restless mind, we might make a less than desirable choice.

“If you obsess over whether you are making the right decision, you are basically assuming that the universe will reward you for one thing and punish you for another.

Below, we’ll go over how exactly meditation can help you increase the positive outcomes in your own life.

Here’s how a calm mind helps you make better decisions:

1 – It allows you to focus on the present moment.

Unfortunately, many people make decisions based on circumstances that happened in the past or perceived outcomes in the future. However, since we can only really live in the present, we must make decisions according to the here and now. Studies have shown that people make better decisions when practicing mindfulness meditation.

Researchers find that just a few minutes of this type of meditation can ground you in the present tense, which will help you have a calm mind. In turn, you’ll make better decisions because you can gain clarity on the situation and choices at hand.

In one study, researchers found that just 15 minutes of focused breathing meditation can help people make better decisions. Researchers from INSEAD and The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania tested the hypothesis that mindfulness meditation could boost decision-making skills by increasing resistance to the sunk-cost bias. This thinking explains our tendency to continue investing in a losing proposition due to how much time, money, or energy we’ve already spent on it.

If you’ve watched a movie to the end despite not enjoying it, continued investing in a failing business, or stayed in a toxic relationship, you have experienced this whether you knew it at the time or not. Of course, these scenarios don’t seem rational, but humans don’t like to admit they’ve wasted time or energy on something.

The expert explains the link between a calm mind and making good decisions.

Andrew Hafenbrack, along with co-authors Zoe Kinias and Sigal Barsade, performed four different studies to test their hypothesis about the link between meditation and better decisions. Ultimately, they found that mindfulness meditation can effectively break the cycle of investing resources into something that no longer produced viable outcomes.

“Most people have trouble admitting they were wrong when their initial decisions lead to undesirable outcomes,” says lead author Andrew Hafenbrack. Adding, “They don’t want to feel wasteful or that their initial investment was a loss. Ironically, this kind of thinking often causes people to waste or lose more resources in an attempt to regain their initial investment or try to ‘break even.’”

For the study, one group of participants listened to a 15-minute guided meditation that told them to focus on the sensation of their breath. The other group listened to a recording that instructed them to think of whatever came to their mind. Then, researchers told both groups to decide according to various sunk cost scenarios.

The researchers discovered that mindfulness meditation, which helps people focus on the present moment and block out everything else, can help people make better decisions.

“We found that a brief period of mindfulness meditation can encourage people to make more rational decisions by considering the information available in the present moment while ignoring some of the other concerns that typically exacerbate the ‘sunk cost bias,’” explains Hafenbrack.

Mindfulness meditation increased resistance to the sunk cost bias in each experiment in two different ways.

Other researches agree

Zoe Kinias explains, “First, meditation reduced how much people focused on the past and future, and this psychological shift led to less negative emotion. The reduced negative emotion then facilitated their ability to let go of sunk costs.”

Sigal Barsade concluded, “This tool is very practical. Our findings hold great promise for research on how mindfulness can influence emotions and behavior, and how employees can use it to feel and perform better.”

So, if you find that you have trouble making decisions, try a quick guided meditation to dispel doubts and clear your mind of the constant chatter.

2 – It helps you tap into your intuition.

To make any sort of decision, you need to know what you desire in life. Most people have no idea what direction to go or what to strive for. That’s because they haven’t gotten in touch with their soul. If you want to access the deepest parts of yourself, you will have to quiet the mind and go into the heart. That introspection requires concentration and a deep longing for higher knowledge.

Many people refer to intuition as the “sixth sense.”

If you’ve ever had this gut feeling to take a different route home from work and discovered later that a bad wreck occurred on your usual route, you know the power of intuition.

Or, perhaps your intuition told you someone had bad intentions with you. Then, later on, you confirmed these suspicions. If used correctly and developed, our intuition can help us navigate the storms of life and make better decisions.

Meditation can serve as an excellent tool to develop intuition. According to a team of University of Iowa researchers, the brain’s “axis of intuition” is located in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC). A 2014 Wake Forest University study analyzed the brains of 15 volunteers before and after just four days of mindfulness training. They found that in addition to brain functioning, the meditators seriously increased their vmPFC’s “activity” and “interconnectivity.” If these changes occurred after just four days, imagine how much you can develop your intuition after months or years of meditating!

By silencing the mind and focusing on the breath, we all have the potential to develop our intuition so we can make better, more informed decisions. We have unique purposes in life, and our intuition helps us steer our minds in the right direction.

 3 – A calm mind eases emotional reactivity, which can help you make better decisions.

Everyone knows that in a highly reactive, emotionally charged state, the right decisions seldom happen. Our emotions can serve as a powerful tool to make decisions. But if we only go by how we feel, we have the potential to cause devastating choices. For example, in a period of loneliness, we might go back to our toxic ex just because they feel familiar. However, if we had stopped to analyze the repercussions of this decision, we would know that getting back with that person would only lead to more problems.

Researchers from Michigan State University (MSU)  found neural evidence that mindfulness helps people control negative emotions. The team of psychology researchers, led by Yanli Lin, an MSU graduate student, found 68 females who had never practiced mindfulness meditation before participating in the study. Researchers found that the participants came into the study with various levels of natural mindfulness.

The participants then engaged in one of two 18-minute activities. Researchers gave one group a guided meditation to listen to, and the other a language-learning presentation. Afterward, researchers showed both groups disturbing images, such as a bloody corpse. They were instructed to view the photos either “mindfully” or “naturally,” and completed a questionnaire afterward.

The study found that whether the participants had high or low levels of natural mindfulness, the brain could control negative emotions to the same degree. The meditating group recovered more quickly, however, after looking at the photos, which suggests that meditation helps calm negative emotions.

Final thoughts about how a calm mind helps you make better decisions

Having a clear and calm mind can help you make better decisions in three ways:

• by keeping your attention on the present
• helping you tap into your intuition
• and easing negative emotions.

So learn to look at the world with an objective, rational, and calm mind. Indeed, you can quickly discern between a good and bad choice. If you haven’t begun a meditation practice, we encourage you to get started with one! Even 15 to 30 minutes a day can make a huge difference in your mindset and consciousness.

Words have a lot of power. They can be used to bring people together or keep people apart. They can also be used to express feelings, especially in relationships. There are certain things that women might say when they are genuinely feeling somebody.

Knowing these phrases can be useful when you aren’t entirely sure how the woman in your life feels about you. Here are four sentences women tell their partner if they genuinely care.

4 Phrases Women Use to Express Love

1. “This made me think of you.”

One of the most uncomplicated phrases women can tell their partner to let them know they care “this made me think of you.”

When a woman starts to fall for a partner, she will think about this person all of the time. This thinking includes while listening to music, reading articles online, watching television, and shopping. While going about her day, she will likely see things that remind her of her beau. Letting them know about what made you think of them is a way to initiate conversation and develop even more of a connection.

Phrases women tell their partner should be used as effectively as possible. To make this phrase useful, a woman should make a point to get to know their partner. If the person enjoys cooking, send a picture of a new gourmet meal you found online that would interest them. If the person likes music, send them new music you found in a genre they enjoy.

You can also send a picture or buy a gift of something that reminded you of an experience you once shared, such as a movie or vacation. Do not post something that doesn’t apply to your partner in other ways, or it can make it appear as if you don’t know that person.

These little messages and reminders will make someone feel adored and appreciated. They will know that you think about them regularly. Everyone is busy throughout the day, and you are taking the time to let them know how you feel, even though you are working. These reminders will make the person smile. It may also help encourage stronger feelings for you. They may even return similar sentiments while they go throughout their day. Ideally, you can use these messages as a way to hang out with each other.

2. “How’s your family doing?”

When a woman cares for her partner, she will also care about the people and things going on in their world. One of the most important things for people is their family. These are the people who helped develop them into who they are. Family members are also the people who offer love and support when necessary. They were also there through certain things that you just couldn’t be there for.

Phrases women tell their partner when they will make it clear that they know how important these people are to you.

Many women who care will not only want to know about how their partner’s family is doing but also want to develop a relationship with them themselves. Of course, this doesn’t happen right away. However, a woman who cares will want to eventually meet the family and be present for important events and holidays.

Family isn’t always comfortable for a partner to get along with. At times, families can be intimidating, invasive, or downright rude. A woman who cares will make a point to take it all in stride and deal with it for you, even if it’s not always easy.

Learning about and getting to know a partner’s family can also help explain a lot of things about the person and why they are the way they are. A person may bring what they witnessed in their household into the relationship.

Hopefully, your partner had good role models in their parents. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case. It can become apparent why a partner may have trouble expressing themselves or certain beliefs they have. Seeing how their family affected them can help a woman relate to their partner better.

Finally, a significant other’s family will eventually become their own family in time. This saying is one of the phrases women tell their partner when they want to be a part of the family and take the relationship to another level one day. IF things go well, you may even have your own family in time.

3. “Talk to me.”

Many people assume women talk more than men. Due to this social training, many men may not express their feelings as much as they would like to. Whether they show it or not, men have emotions and problems, too. They may have family problems, problems at work, or personal issues bothering them. If a woman truly cares, she will sit down and ask her partner to talk to her.

When a woman truly cares about someone, they can tell when something is weighing on them. Some people get quiet, some people start drinking, and other people get irritable. Instead of being angry about the behavior, a woman who cares will ask for their partner to open up to them. They will offer an open ear without judgment or talking over the person with their problems.

It’s essential for someone in a relationship to be able to speak to their partner about what’s happening. Some women may be so busy that they don’t notice the signs of a problem or have time to talk. If a woman cares, they will slow down for a bit to listen.

When there is a problem, their partner will be able to relax and go over what’s bothering them in a safe place. However, they need to feel they are in a safe place first. Women can do this by talking in a gentle tone and smiling when appropriate.

Hopefully, the partner will start talking and expressing what’s going on. When this happens, you know a woman cares when she listens instead of talking. Venting can be the best medicine at times. Just letting things out can help someone feel better about everything. It’s just the fact that someone cares and is willing to listen.

Some people aren’t so keen on opening up and talking. In these cases, it’s still nice to offer up an ear anyway. When your partner doesn’t take you up on the offer, you don’t want to push the matter any further. A happy and comforting presence can be the best solution in this case. Just be there.

4. “I love you.”

Ultimately, a woman will let a man know how they feel by just saying the words “I love you.” These three little words can be so meaningful. Of course, it can be challenging to determine when to say this all-important phrase.

You don’t want to say “I love you,” too soon. It can cause someone to run off instead of feeling cared for. However, when you say it at the right time, it can be a very powerful phrase.

Some people jump in too quickly and say the phrase right off the bat. However, it’s best to say it between 3 months to 6 months if things are going well, and both people want to move forward in the relationship. At this point, you have gotten to know each other better. You should be exclusive at this point, too. The phrase “I love you” can help take you to the next step in the relationship without taking drastic measures so soon. It’s a sign of future intentions.

A woman who wants to show that she cares will continue to use this phrase throughout the relationship to help reassure her partner about her feelings for them. It can help get a couple through the hard parts of a relationship, too. This is one of the phrases women tell their partner to help smooth things over after a fight and get things back on track.

It’s also important not to use this phrase frivolously. You shouldn’t say it on a first date. You also shouldn’t say it so much that it loses meaning. The phrase should be heartfelt to your partner every time you say it. You also don’t want to use it every single time you make a mistake. It can become a way for someone to get out of trouble when used in this way.

Final Thoughts on the Phrases Women Use to Show They Care

Women are usually expressive creatures, but you need to listen to what they say. These phrases, women tell their partner to indicate a real sense of caring and love. If you hear these phrases, you’re probably on the right path.

But be careful–it’s crucial not to get things confused. A woman may say something, demonstrating that they care. However, they may not care for you in that way. Look for other signs that your partner is falling in love as well. If the person does care for you, you should make a point to say the same things back to her.

Homeschooling might be the wave of the future, and nearly two million children learn in the comfort of their homes every day. Many students are delving into home learning for safety reasons, while others have chosen this lifestyle for their family. While there are certainly some benefits to homeschooling, there are also some cons that need to be considered.

Counting the Cost of School Versus Homeschooling

Every day, millions of Americans get their kids up and send them off to school. Your local education system works hard to provide learning opportunities for your child. These parents sent their children into a world where things are quite scary.

Not only can these children be infected with viruses and diseases that can be harmful if not deadly, but they can experience violence and bullying. No wonder so many parents are rearranging their lives to homeschool their children.

If you’re on the fence about going back to an old-fashioned style of learning, then you must consider the effects this education system has on the child and the entire family.

Pros of Homeschooling

There are many advantages to taking your child’s education into your hands. When you’re the teacher, then you get to call the shots. You can teach them what you think is appropriate if it falls within the curriculum requirements for your district. Here are some other pros to consider:

1. Quality Time

Many families struggle with the ability to spend quality time with their families. With hectic work, school, and sports schedules, it seems the family only has time to pass at times. When you homeschool, quality time is not an issue. Your child will have your full, undivided attention, as they rely on you for instruction.

2. Your Curriculum – Your Way

Each school system has different guidelines that are set forth for homeschooling. However, most authorities only require a plan of action and to know that the child learns the required skills. Some parents feel it’s foolish to teach subjects like calculus and trigonometry.

Many parents take a pragmatic approach to their child’s education. They teach them real-world things they need to use. It does someone no good if they can solve a calculus problem, but they cannot cook a meal. Fractions and elements that apply to life are the best subjects.

There are hundreds of programs for you to choose from, including online learning applications. Many school districts even have an online version of their educational program that costs little to nothing to use. The options to bring the classroom to the home are vast.

3. Fit the Education Plan to Your Child’s Needs

Each child has unique learning abilities. Parents with children who have disabilities often love homeschooling because the curriculum can be concentrated on their child’s specific learning needs. If a child requires one-on-one type learning, then who is better than their parent to teach them? You know your child better than anyone.

Some children require medications or a revised schedule due to physical or mental limitations. A homeschool parent can create a schedule that focuses on those needs. You don’t have to take into consideration 20 other children and their demands.

4. Small Class Size – Better Learning

Class size is always a big issue when it comes to schools. The board of education puts out mandates on how many can be in a classroom with one teacher. Teachers have a stressful job trying to attend to and teach so many at once.

However, when it’s just a child and their siblings, the smaller class size allows you to help them when needed directly. Some children are self-starters and won’t need much assistance. Sadly, some cannot answer one or two questions without direction.

Having the small class size allows the child to feel that they aren’t left behind, so they don’t need to be confused about a subject. You simply don’t move on until they master it. There are no stringent deadlines when you homeschool.

5. You Set Your Schedule

Some people are early birds, and others prefer the night owl lifestyle. When you are the teacher, you can say if school starts at 8 am or noon. Since everyone’s schedule is different, and you have work and other activities, you can set your timetable based on the needs of the home.

Additionally, if you want to call off school one day for a doctors’ appointment or other meetings, it’s not an issue. You don’t need to show proof or call the school when your child is too sick or can’t do school that day. You just need to meet an hourly requirement that you can prove to the board.

6. You Can Travel

Many movie and television stars have their children in homeschool programs so that they can travel with them. If you have a computer, and some quiet time, then a child can turn any area into a learning center. If your family is on the road a lot or you long to take vacations, there’s nothing in the rules that says your child must learn in your home.

You have the freedom to take their studies on the road. What kid wouldn’t want to do their work beachside?

7. Better Teaching Materials

Teachers are limited to the materials that are purchased for them through the board of education. Sadly, many educators must pay for supplies out of their pockets due to funding cuts. When you homeschool, you get to say what materials you want to use.

Some programs even provide learning devices and workbooks for you. The internet is full of all sorts of resources for those who want to homeschool and need materials. The support for this style of learning is overwhelming, as it’s certainly grown in popularity.

The Cons of Homeschooling

It’s easy to see that there are numerous advantages to homeschool. However, there are also several cons that you should also consider. Before making such a choice, you need to evaluate the downsides to this type of learning.

1. Some Children Are Hard to Motivate

Some children are challenging to motivate to do their work. If they see the television, video games, and other distractions in the home, it may be impossible for them to do their job.

Setting up a dedicated classroom or workspace can help, but some children need to be sent to a place about learning to focus on schoolwork.

2. Parent’s Aren’t Always the Best Teachers

To be a homeschool teacher, you must have a solid background and be educated. You must know the stuff you are teaching your child. Additionally, you are making a long-term commitment that is going to impact the future of your kid.

Some people find that they just can’t get their children to listen to them or cooperate. Consequently, some children will do things for other people that they would never do for their parents, including learning.

3. It’s Easy to Get Off Schedule with Homeschooling

When your child must report to the school, it’s easy to stay on a schedule. However, when you are teaching from home, it takes discipline. It’s so easy to get off track and procrastinate.

Why do schooling when you can go to the mall instead? Though that statement sounds extreme, it becomes challenging to keep up with school if you are not disciplined enough to stick with a schedule. The school must be the priority of the day, and everything else takes a back seat.

4. It Can Impede Social Skills

Children are in desperate need of developing social skills. The only people in their life cannot be family. If they don’t mingle and play with other children, then they can soon develop social inadequacies that will haunt them for life.

Many programs encourage homeschool children to socialize. However, parents must take an active part in ensuring the social needs are met. Sadly, many don’t have the time for such activities.

Children cannot be expected to stay behind four walls every day. There must be social activities, and it costs money and time.

5. Can Make College More Difficult

Many kids that have been homeschooled have problems when they go back to public school or off to college. Learning in a classroom setting is so different than learning at home. Some people may not be able to adjust from a small group to a large group without issues.

6. Puts a Big Burden on Parents

Parents have a significant responsibility to teach their children the things they need for the future. Many try to do this while working from home. It can be quite a considerable undertaking to try to juggle many things at once.

However, if you’re forced into a situation where you have no choice but to homeschool, then you must make it work. Though, it will probably stress you to the max.

7. You Need A Dedicated Space

One of the most important parts of homeschooling is having a dedicated space that you can allow your children to work. Working at the kitchen table may be suitable for a few days, but you don’t want that mess in your dining room long term.

Children need a desk, places to hang their artwork and papers, and a site that is dedicated to learning. It will make the entire process more manageable when there is a space designated just for their school needs.

Final Thought: Is Homeschooling Right for Your Children?

Finally, consider some of the greatest minds in our time who studied through homeschooling. Thomas Edison invented the lightbulb and many other things, but the traditional school didn’t work for him. He was sent home as his teacher said that he was unteachable.

The harmful statement infuriated his mother. She knew how bright her son was, and she was determined to give him the education he needed. The rest is history. Other big names like Miley Cyrus, Dakota Fanning, Christian Aguilera, and Ryan Gosling also received homeschooling.

No one else knows what works for your child like you. When you’re in the driver’s seat, your child’s education can be a fun and memorable time in their formative years. Are you ready for the challenge?