Where Are You Now?

Posted by Miz Helena

Author's web site: http://www.abundantworldpublications.com

Jul 2

If you're new here, you may want to post an article. You get 3 FREE AdSpace Article Credits when you join Article Content King. Like the name suggests, YOU control the ad space in your AdSpace articles. Click here to sign up

WHERE ARE YOU NOW?

Before you can figure out where it is that you want to be with your life, you need to take a good, hard look at where you are right now. No matter how mundane or desperate your life may seem at the present time, you can’t hope to set some realistic goals for improvement if you aren’t honest with yourself about your current situation and what led you to be in this situation.

EMOTIONALLY

What is your personality type? Most people can be classified into some type of personality type. Are you introverted? Are you extroverted? If you have never taken a personality test before, you may want to try a simple one to at least get some sort of idea of where you land on the personality scale. Many psychologists, sociologists, and other experts argue the question as to whether personality can be changed, but the reasoning behind finding out your personality type is to essentially know what you’re working with. If you find that you are basically an introverted type of person, meaning you get more energy from spending time alone than you do from spending time with other people, then you can set your goals accordingly. An extroverted person who is setting a goal to spend more time at home, or an introverted person who is setting a goal to go to more parties, may find they have set themselves up for failure.

What are your personal relationships like? Important personal relationships in your life do not have to be confined to romantic relationships. Sometimes the relationship you have with close friends, family, and even the person who works in the cubicle next to you at work, can have a huge influence on your well-being. Of course, your romantic relationships often have the potential to bring out the most emotion, but that isn’t to say that other close relationships in your life won’t affect you greatly as well. When you are examining the relationships in your life, you should look at every relationship you have, not just that of the relationship with your spouse or significant other.

What do people say about you? This isn’t to say that you need to take stock in every little thing someone says about you. You certainly do not want to live your life according to what everyone says about you; that is a recipe for disaster. You want to consider, however, what the people who know you best are saying. If your loved ones are constantly approaching you, concerned about your emotional health, then you should take notice of their concerns. Sometimes the people who are close to us can see things that we ourselves cannot. A sudden change in demeanor can be a good indicator of some issues that need to be resolved, but there are times when a person cannot notice their own behavior change. So although you shouldn’t necessarily pay much mind to what the person on the subway says to you, there could be some validity to what the people close to you say. If your spouse tells you that you need to seek anger management classes, chances are you need to do so. If your family sits you down for a heart-to-heart about your lack of ambition, there is a good chance you should take what they say to heart. It’s one thing if the people who approach you with their concerns have always criticized you and seem to be out to harm you instead of help you, but if someone who genuinely cares for you has something to say about your emotional well being, then you need to swallow your pride and listen to what they are saying.

Are you happy? Really, are you? It is one thing to be blatantly elated with your life, it’s another to be merely content, and it is another thing entirely to be miserable. You should analyze your current life to figure out if you are indeed happy or if you are instead simply going through the motions because that’s just what you are used to doing. When you do make the determination as to whether you are happy or not, you can start working on what you need to do to make yourself happier. There is always room for a little more joy in your life; it’s your job to figure out how to get your hands on some.

Have you reached a point where you need help? Do you ever find yourself really feeling as though you may simply not be able to handle everything on your own anymore? Some people get the distinct feeling as though their lives have spiraled out of control. You need to figure out if you have reached a stage in your life when you may need to seek the assistance of someone who is trained to help in situations that may seem unmanageable to you, whether that’s a life coach, a therapist, or even a psychiatrist. Not everyone needs this sort of help, but there is nothing wrong with getting help when it’s needed.

Medication is sometimes in order for emotional disorders. When you seek professional help for emotional problems, a prudent professional will first try every means possible to assist you without putting you on some sort of behavior modifying medication. Therapy often involves simply chatting with a therapist or counselor in the hopes that you will have a big enough breakthrough or at least learn some coping strategies that will help you get your emotional life under control. If you have a behavioral professional who immediately tries to scribble a prescription for an anti-depressant or anti-anxiety medication without really taking the time to get to know you, it may be time to find a different professional. Medications for emotional problems should not be handed out like candy, and any professional who relies on this sort of thing as a knee-jerk reaction is not a very competent professional. There may come a time, however, when after a few sessions it becomes obvious to both you and your therapist that you may need a little extra help with your emotional dealings, and at this time you might discuss the possibilities of some prescription medications. And whether they are to be considered a short or long term solution to your problems. Furthermore, you should only accept medication after you have thoroughly discussed not only the dosage instructions and possible side effects of the medication, but also after completely understanding what your therapist expects the medication to do for you and how long the therapist anticipates you will need the medication. Your therapist should periodically check on your progress while you are taking the medication as well, since many people react differently to medications. If the pills cause you to start feeling “weird” or “off” you should discuss this with the professional that prescribed them to you because the dosage may need to be reevaluated. Above all else, realize that there is absolutely no shame in needing some medicinal intervention in order to get your emotional life on track. You are certainly not the only person around who is in this position. If so many people did not need these sorts of medications, they would not be so readily available. You should merely consider your medication as a tool to assist you in your efforts in creating a better life.

PHYSICALLY

How is your health? Your health is so much more than how much you weigh. Although it is certainly true that there are health concerns revolving around excess weight, you need to take a look at your health as a whole. If you find that you are more tired than you think you should be, or if you seem to have a propensity towards catching every single cold and flu that comes your way, then this is probably a good indication that you aren’t taking care of yourself the way you should. Some people have chronic conditions that definitely have an influence on their quality of life. Most conditions, however, can be made a little more manageable (or at least a little more comfortable) when the affected person is able to make an effort to live as healthy a life as possible. Do you make any time at all during your day for some exercise? Do you find yourself eating fast food more than you eat homemade meals? Are you constantly popping acetaminophen for headaches, or antacids for a sour stomach, or do you generally feel exhausted all the time? If any of these instances apply to you, it is time for you to get your body healthy.

What is the health of your family like? When you look around at the people in your family, what do you see? Is your family populated with healthy, vibrant people, or is it full of people who aren’t in the best health? It is easy to adopt the health habits of the people around you, and you need to take into consideration the fact that some health traits are inherited. You may be an avid runner and watch what you eat, but if high cholesterol runs in your family, you may be destined to have high cholesterol too. It may be worth it to sit down with some family members to find out exactly what sort of ailments run through the family. You might be surprised to discover that something like diabetes is rampant within your family.

What do you see when you look in the mirror? This question does not simply refer to your weight, although weight does have a lot to do with a person’s health. When you look in the mirror, does the face staring back at you appear exhausted? Are there dark circles under your eyes? Often times the appearance of the skin on a person’s face can be a pretty good indicator of general health. A person who doesn’t drink enough water may have dry patches on their forehead, a person who eats entirely too much fast food may have greasy skin, and someone who simply does not take care of themselves may have blemished skin on their face. If people are constantly telling you that you look tired, then this should be a pretty good indicator that your body is trying to tell you something.

Where do you focus all your energy? Does the drive to work exhaust you because you are spending so much time screaming at all the other drivers? Do you expend a lot of energy loathing the person in the cubicle next to you? If a waiter gets your order wrong, do you take it personally and feel as though your entire night has been ruined? Whether you realize it or not, you are the one responsible for how you react to situations. Nobody can make you feel a certain way, because it is you who decides how you will allow yourself to feel. So when you are bumped by someone while walking down the street, you have the responsibility to decide whether you will mutter something rude under your breath and feel sour the rest of the day, or if instead you will smile, say “excuse me,” to the other person, and then move on with the rest of your day in a sunny disposition. If you find that you are spending way too much time and energy with getting upset over various things during the day that you really can’t control, then it is definitely time to alter your behavior. Constant stress is not good for your physical health, let alone your emotional health. Try focusing your energy on positive things and see if it helps you to feel better about your life and your health.

What do you take into your body? Nearly everyone indulges in an occasional fast food meal. After all, the price is relatively low, and if you’re running late, fast food can be a viable option for getting some food on the table. Fast food everyday, however, is not a good idea. This food is layered with ingredients that should be enjoyed in moderation: fruit is dipped in sugar, potatoes are fried, and meat is dripping with fat. Sodium and preservatives are commonplace within fast food repertoires. You can’t dine on this sort of food constantly and not expect your body to eventually rebel against it by shutting down or falling ill. Take a look at the food recommendations made by various governmental agencies and experts and see where your current diet rests with regards to their guidelines. Let’s face it: if you haven’t eaten a fresh fruit or vegetable in weeks, then there needs to be some adjustments made. Your body requires certain nutrients that it just can’t get from fried chicken nuggets and french-fries.

What’s your addiction? You don’t have to use illegal drugs to be an addict. How many people do you know who cannot start their morning without a cup of caffeine-laden coffee? Are you the kind of person who likes to drink soda throughout the entire day, and start to get headaches without them? Maybe you smoke cigarettes, drink wine every night, or use a prescription pill in an otherthan prescribed manner just to get through the day. Here is how you figure out what you are addicted to: figure out what you can’t get through the day without, and then disregard anything that is necessary for survival such as water, food, sleep, and other necessary needs. What’s left are the things that you have formed some sort of dependence on, either physical, psychological or both. Here is the truth: even if a certain addiction is considered socially acceptable, it may not necessarily be good for your body. Do you know that excessive caffeine usage might eventually lead to brittle bones? Are you aware of the fact that alcohol consumption can harm your liver over time? Even if the physical reasons for ridding yourself of an addiction do not move you, then consider the fact that a person without any so-called crutches is a healthier and happier person. If your ultimate goal is to be healthier and happier person, then it is time to take a hard look at what might be stopping you from achieving that goal.

Have you just had a baby? There is a special condition attached to some new mothers…not all women suffer from post-partum depressive disorder, but many new moms do encounter more of a shock when they realize that, although they used to have a nice busy life, they are now essentially chained to a screaming baby who sometimes sleeps no more than two hours at a time. This sage advice is for you: it gets easier, and you are not going insane. You may be reading this because you feel as though your life has certainly spiraled out of your control and that you are probably the only new mom who does not feel as though she has her act together. You’re not. Although it is true that there is always room for improvement within everyone’s lives, you should realize that you are doing a very important job right now: making a young baby feel loved. Of course, if you do feel as though you might harm yourself or the baby, or you can’t shake a depressed mood, you should most certainly talk to your doctor immediately. If you simply feel as though you can’t get organized and as though you just aren’t doing what you’re supposed to be doing, fear not. Wear the spit-up on your shoulder as a badge of honor, and enjoy this special time with your beautiful baby.

For A Strictly Limited Time We Are Offering Everyone The Chance To Grab “Be A Healthy Woman At Any Age” On Audio Normally Valued At $10 Absolutely FREE!! Get Yours Today!!

This guide is about YOU! It’s about YOU taking control of your health. Let’s face it, no one else is going to. You are the person who is responsible for your own health. If someone is going to take control of your health, it has to be you. Even the smallest changes can make a huge difference over the long term. What are you waiting for?

Are you awaiting some magical motivation, or perhaps even some sort of health scare that will shock you into improving your health? The good news is that the more effort you put into being healthy, the more your body will reward you with strength, stamina, and longevity.