100 Best Free Audio Books and 10 Sites for More

Audio books may not offer the timeless look, feel and smell (oh, the sweet smell of freshly printed leaflets!) of regular books, but they certainly present their own unique set of advantages – They’re lightweight (actually, they’re weightless!), they’re portable, they eliminate dangerous paper cuts, they’re compact, and, best of all, you can typically find a good selection of audio books that are a lot cheaper than their printed counterparts – oftentimes free!

Take a look at this list of the 100 best free audio books – we bet you’ll find some worthy of your attention:

100 Best Must-Hear Audio books That Won’t Cost You a Penny

• Something New – P. G. Wodehouse A comical adventure following a competition to retrieve a stolen artifact and claim the reward.
• Short Science Fiction Collection – A variety of stories of the sci-fi genre
• The 9/11 Commission Report – 9/11 ComVarious Authorsmission The final report of findings from the devastating events of September 11, 2001
• Ghost Story Collection – Various authors A compilation of 10 scary stories
• The Adventure of Sherlock Holmes – Sir Arthur Conan Doyle A full reading of the classic novel that began the Sherlock Holmes craze we still enjoy today.
• Erewhon – Samuel Butler A satire of Victorian society
• Beyond Good and Evil –Friedrich Nietzsche A thought piece on politics and philosophy by a renowned existentialist
• Candide – Voltaire A reminder that life doesn’t always provide a happy ending
• Beowulf – Unknown The classic English tale of the heroic Beowulf, written more than a millennium ago
• The Adventures of Pinnochio – Carlo Collodi The story surrounding America’s most recognized wooden boy
• Fifteen Thousand Useful Phrases – Grenville Kleiser A practical guide to the English language
• This Side of Paradise – F Scott Fitzgerald From the author of The Great Gatsby, this stunning work mirrors the experiences of Fitzgerald himself
• On the Origin of Species – Charles Darwin One of the most widely criticized books of its time, it follows Darwin’s theory of evolution
• The Mystery of the Yellow Room – Gaston Leroux From the author of Phantom of the Opera, this mystery focuses on a crime committed in a locked room
• Sex: Avoided Subjects Discussed in Plain English – Henry Stanton A guide to sexual behavior and relationships from a 19th century perspective
• The Gods of Mars – Edgar Rice Burroughs A sci-fi novel of the protagonist’s return to Mars after a 10-year leave
• The Colors of Space – Marion Zimmer Bradley An alien-disguised human tried to uncover the mysteries of space travel
• The Wind in the Willows – Kenneth Grahame The classic tale of talking animals and their adventures
• The Adventures of Reddy Fox – Thornton W Burgess A series of stories about a grandmother fox teaching her grandson about the world
• Short Story Collection – Various Authors A variety of 10 fictional stories
• The Phantom of the Opera – Gaston Leroux The original tale of the famed Opera Ghost that haunts a Paris theatre
• Short Mystery Story Collection – Various authors Ten short mystery tales, including ones from Kate Chopin, P. G. Wodehouse, and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
• Tales of Terror and Mystery – Sir Arthur Conan Doyle A collection of short, scary, mysterious stories by the creator of Sherlock Holmes
• The Railway Children – Edith Nesbit This beloved children’s book follows three children on a London railway adventure
• Twelve Creepy Tales – Edgar Allan Poe A collection of spooky stories from a true horror master
• Night and Day – Virginia Woolf A look at spiritual and moral issues
• Just So Stories – Rudyard Kipling The creator of The Jungle Book brings this collection of stories that describe how common things might have originated
• The Adventures of Sally – P. G. Wodehouse A light romantic comedy following the topsy-turvy escapades of Sally
• Spoon River Anthologies – Edgar Lee Masters The fictional epitaphs of 212 residents of Spoon River, as told by their deceased personas
• The Diary of a Nobody – George Grossmith This comic depiction follow the trials and triumphs of a bumbling middle-aged man
• American Indian Fairy Tales – H. R. Schoolcraft A series of Native American legends and lore
• The Story of Mankind – Henrik van Loon A simple look at history for a younger audience
• The Great Big Treasury of Beatrix Potter – Beatrix Potter A beloved collection of the best works of Beatrix Potter
• Legend of Sleepy Hollow – Washington Irving The classic haunted tale of the Headless Horseman
• The Curious Case of Benjamin Button – F Scott Fitzgerald The original tale of the recent Hollywood blockbuster
• The Scarecrow of Oz – L Frank Baum A look at Oz through the Scarecrow’s adventures
• Ghost Stories of an Antiquary – M R James A collection of spooky tales guaranteed to leave you with goosebumps
• The Art of Public Speaking – Dale Carnegie A must-hear for anyone who needs or is involved in speaking to crowds
• Five Sci-Fi Short Stories – H Beam Piper A glimpse in fictional futuristic and alternative realities
• The Handy Cyclopedia of Things Worth Knowing – Joseph Trienens More comical than practical, this look of advice from over a century ago might give you a new appreciation for modern society
• The Red House Mystery – A A Milne The creator of Winnie the Pooh constructs this whodunnit tale
• Lilac Fairy Book – Unknown Part of a series of colored fairy books detailing folklore of several European countries
• Blue Fairy Book – Unknown Part of a series of colored fairy books detailing folklore of several European countries
• The Power of Concentration – Theron Dumont A self-help guide to perfecting concentration
• Last of the Mohicans – James Fenimore Cooper A fictional look at the French and Indian War
• The Problems of Philosophy – Bertrand Russell A connection between philosophy and ordinary people
• A Practical Guide to Self Hypnosis – Melvin Powers A guide for ordinary people to engage in self hypnosis
• The Jungle Book – Rudyard Kipling Follow the saga of Mowgli, Baloo, and Bagheerah in this classic telling
• Tik Tok of Oz – L Frank Baum Another spin from the wonderful Wizard of Oz series
• Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl – Harriet Jacobs A close up look at slavery, as told by a woman born into the practice
• The Brown Fairy Book – Unknown Part of a series of colored fairy books detailing folklore of several European countries
• The Crimson Fairy Book – Unknown Part of a series of colored fairy books detailing folklore of several European countries
• The Pink Fairy Book – Unknown Part of a series of colored fairy books detailing folklore of several European countries
• The Grey Fairy Book – Unknown Part of a series of colored fairy books detailing folklore of several European countries
• The Yellow Fairy Book – Unknown Part of a series of colored fairy books detailing folklore of several European countries
• The Olive Fairy Book – Unknown Part of a series of colored fairy books detailing folklore of several European countries
• Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland – Lewis Carroll A delightful tales about a young girl’s adventures after she falls through a rabbit hole into a whimsical land
• The Emerald City of Oz – L Frank Baum The continuing adventures in the land called Oz
• The Tin Woodman of Oz – L Frank Baum A look at Oz via the Tin Woodman
• The Snow Queen – Hans Christian Andersen The base story that lead to Disney’s Frozen
• The Velveteen Rabbit – Margery Williams The beloved children’s tale of a child’s love for a velvet rabbit
• Pygmalion – George Bernard Shaw A play that details how a phonetics professor can transform a rough-edged girl into a linguistic lady
• Poems, Puzzle and Stories by Lewis Carroll – Lewis Carroll The Alice in Wonderful creator also crafted mindful riddles and puzzles
• The Game of Logic – Lewis Carroll Another collection of mind-bending thoughts from the creator of Alice in Wonderland
• The Art of Money Getting – P T Barnum A bit dated, but some rather helpful advice on how to get money and keep it
• Zoo Stories – Various A collection of antics involving fictitious zoo denizens
• Katie, the Ordinary Witch – Various A series of stories about a young girl who can do magic
• Aesop – Aesop The classic retelling of the famed Aesop’s Fables
• Oprah Winfrey on Career, Life and Leadership – Oprah Winfrey A modern audio book choice featuring advice from one of the country’s most influential women
• The Secret – Rhonda Byrne One of the best-selling self-help books of the millennium
• Dr. Lissa Rankin on Mind Over Medicine: Scientific Proof You Can Heal Yourself – Dr. Lissa Rankin A look at how one doctor believes you can overcome your illnesses without modern medicine practices
• The Surprising Science of Motivation – Daniel H Pink A guide to utilizing and improving your motivation
• 21-Day Meditation Challenge – Deepak Chopra A meditation guide on how to live with passion and abundance
• Why Are We Happy? Why Aren’t We Happy? – Daniel Gilbert A TED talk that explains what we think will make us happy can have the opposite effect
• The Secret of Dreams – Yacki Raizizun A guide to the meanings behind common dreams
• The Patchwork Girl of Oz – L Frank Baum The continuing adventures in the land called Oz
• The Marvelous Land of Oz – L Frank Baum A boy named Tip unites with the Oz characters for new adventures
• Ozma of Oz – L Frank Baum The continuing saga of Oz, as told from Ozma’s perspective
• Dorothy and the Wizard of Oz – L Frank Baum The adventures of Dorothy during her trip to the magical land of Oz
• Road to Oz – L Frank Baum Dorothy and Toto meet a new cast of Oz characters and come face to face with new adventures
• Rinkitink in Oz – L Frank Baum The 10th installment of the magical Oz series
• Lost Princess of Oz – L Frank Baum Dorothy and Toto set out to find the kidnapped Princess Ozma and Glinda the Witch’s stolen magic
• The Magic of Oz – L Frank Baum A young boy discovers a powerful magic word in Oz
• Glinda of Oz – L Frank Baum The final installment in the Oz series
• Brave New World – Adolph Huxley The radio drama version of Huxley’s groundbreaking novel
• The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe – C S Lewis Four children discover the world of Narnia after wandering into an old wardrobe
• Prince Caspian – C S Lewis The second installment of the Narnia series, though some argue it should fall fourth in the lineup
• The Voyage of the Dawn Treader – C S Lewis The third installment of the Narnia series, though many choose to read this one fifth
• The Silver Chair – C S Lewis The fourth installment of the Narnia series, although some may argue it should be considered the 6th in the series
• The Horse and His Boy – C S Lewis The fifth installment of the Narnia series, though some argue this one should be read third
• The Magician’s Nephew – C S Lewis The supposed prequel to The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe
• The Last Battle – C S Lewis The final installment in the magical Narnia series
• 1984 – George Orwell An eerie satirical depiction of futuristic society that somewhat mirrors actual life in our current time
• A General Introduction to Psychoanalysis – Sigmund Freud A glimpse into psychoanalysis prepared for laymen
• The Interpretation of Dreams – Sigmund Freud A closer look at what our dreams could mean, as discovered by renowned scientist Sigmund Freud
• Stories of King Arthur and His Knights – U Waldo Cutler A collection of tales centered around one of history’s most legendary, elusive figures
• The Faerie Queene – Edmund Spenser Written as a tribute to Queen Elizabeth and the Golden Age she helped to create
• My Father’s Dragon – Ruth Stiles Gannett A young boy befriends a cat before setting off to rescue a dragon
• Eve’s Diary – Mark Twain A short, comedic telling of earth’s first woman as depicted from the diary she keeps
• Hans Christian Andersen: Fairytales and Short Stories Volume 1 – Hans Christian Andersen A compilation of some of Andersen’s most well-loved stories
• Madame Butterfly – John Luther Long A Japanese girl marries an American naval officer and becomes a disgrace to her family

Where to Find the Best Free Audiobooks

Now that you know which audio books to look for, where can you find more like them? There are surprisingly many sites making a killing on handing out free audio books, but we’ve found several gems you should check out first:

Lit2Go

Lit2Go specializes in classic stories and poems that reside within the public domain.

Free Classic Audiobooks

Here you can find most of the familiar classics in mp3 format.

Librivox

From classic works to translations in a slew of other languages, Librivox offers a huge selection of free audio books to download.

Loyal Books

Besides of the most beloved classics, you can also find a large selection of hard-to-find or out-of-print books, along with titles from lesser known writers.

Storynory

Hearing a story is a great way to encourage your child’s love of reading, especially when you aren’t available to read it to them yourself. Storynory has a lot of original titles you can’t find anywhere else.

Learn Out Loud

Dedicated to all things educational, you can find some valuable self-help and other nonfiction resources, free for the listening.

OpenCulture

Currently boasting over 900 free audio books, you can find a good variety of classic literature and poems.

Scribl

Formerly known as Podiobooks, you can find a worldwide variety of novels, short stories, essays, and series.

Kiddie Records

Reminiscent of the books-on-record days, this site is dedicated to providing a look (and sound) back to a classic form of children’s storytelling, but with a modern, digital vibe.

Mind Webs

This old-time radio series from the 1970s through the 90s has been converted to a digital audio format for your enjoyment.

The post 100 Best Free Audio Books and 10 Sites for More appeared first on Lifehack.

from Lifehack http://ift.tt/2ovshQd

Every Pregnant Women Should Be Aware of Diastasis Recti After Giving Birth!

Every mother will agree that giving birth and becoming a mother is the most beautiful thing in the world. It is probably the bravest and most generous role one can accept. Mothers take on the biggest responsibility – giving birth and taking care of another human being. Quite often, this role completely overtakes their life, in a sense that their health and wellbeing becomes of secondary importance. This is why at most mums gatherings, children health and wellbeing are the only topics discussed. Even though there is sometimes not enough time to discuss the topics of post-pregnancy health, it is an important issue that deserves more awareness and attention since it affects a great number of new mums.

One of such post-pregnancy health issues is diastasis recti – a widening of the gap between the two sections of (Rectus Abdominis) abdominal muscle located at the front of the abdomen due to the growth of the uterus. The condition usually develops in the late pregnancy and is most noticeable after delivery. In some cases, the separation of the tissue can lessen in a couple of months after the childbirth, while in some cases the condition may last up to a year or longer.

Aside from health concerns that include weakened muscles and lower back pain, women going through diastasis recti experience a series of other difficulties, such as not being able to wear their usual jeans, as they simply don’t fit, even when they weigh the same as they did before pregnancy; or being frustrated with the fact that they have been able to shed all of the baby weight and still to have to carry a tummy that looks like they are pregnant.

What causes diastasis recti?

Even though it is most common in pregnant women, pregnancy doesn’t actually cause diastasis recti. It is quite possible that a great majority of people struggle with this since 98+ women have diastasis after delivery .

Diastasis recti is in fact, caused by intense intra-abdominal pressure or loading which is heightened by pregnancy, yet can be caused by an injury or surgery, therefore, men and children can also suffer from it.

Similarly to other pelvic and abdominal problems – hernia and prolapse, diastasis recti is directly caused by unsupported intra-abdominal pressure. The reason why most pregnant women face the condition is the weight of the baby that puts additional pressure on the connective abdominal tissue.

Who is more likely to have it?

Even though, as previously mentioned, children and men can suffer from diastasis recti as well, it is most common in women, especially pregnant women. Women are more likely to develop diastasis recti

• If they have a petite physique
• If they have had multiple pregnancies
• If they became pregnant later in life – later than 35
• If they deliver a baby who has a high birth weight
• If they have poor muscle tone
• If they have a sway back posture

How Do You Check If You Have It?

Bear in mind that you should always consult your doctor for a professional medical diagnosis and advice. That being said, there a couple of ways for you to check at home, before consulting a doctor.

Lie on your back. Bend your knees with your feet flat on the floor.

1. Lift your head and neck slightly off the floor, and press your fingers above you belly button.
2. Repeat by pressing over the belly button and below it.
3. If the gap between the muscles is bigger than 1-2 finger wide, you should consult your doctor about the possible diastasis recti symptoms.

Additionally, pay close attention to the tension in the gap. In the cases of diastasis recti, the tension in the midline is weak to non-existent, which could be one of the symptoms of the condition.

Watch the two videos for more detailed explanation of the self-examination process.

If You Have Diastasis recti, What Are The Do’s and Don’ts

What You Need To Do:

There are a great number of advice on how to treat diastasis recti, and many facts to be aware of if you have been diagnosed with the condition.

Be careful with exercise

Some types of exercises like planks, push-ups, sit-ups, crunches, some yoga poses (downward dog) and swimming can make matters even worse.

Consult your doctor

Before starting any type of abdominal exercise, before or after pregnancy, make sure to ask your doctor first on how it will affect the possible development of the diastasis.

Treat the condition

Make sure to consult your doctor and find the best solution for you. There are some treatments and exercise programs that have been quite helpful in a majority of cases of diastasis recti. Some of them include the MuTu System, the Tupler technique, Fit2b, and The Tummy Team. Pilates is an other great way to strengthen the core muscles, before or during pregnancy, but make sure to choose a professional trainer who understands diastasis recti so that they can tailor the exercise to meet your specific needs.

What You Shouldn’t Do:

Even though traditional ab exercises can help to keep the abdominal muscles strong and prevent the diastasis recti, once the condition is determined it is suggested not to involve in any type of traditional ab workout.

No crunches

Helene Byrne, a prenatal and postpartum health and fitness expert suggests avoiding crunches, oblique curls, reverse curls, and roll-ups, since, at this point, it is not good for the recovery to involve in exercises that involve twisting the spine or work the abdominal wall against the force of gravity.

Don’t strain

Any type of activity that involves straining the mid-line, such as sit-ups, planks, or heavy lifting is strictly forbidden since it can strain the connective tissue and make the separation between muscles even bigger, explains Kevin Brenner, M.D., F.A.C.S., a board certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon based in Beverly Hills.

Backbends are off limits

According to Ben Butts, P.T., director of rehabilitation services and Performance Therapy at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, California, any type of exercises that involve spinal extension movements can put additional pressure on the abdominal tissue and should, therefore be avoided during the healing process.

Can You prevent Diastasis Recti?

Even though so many of us are prone to developing diastasis recti, it is possible to lessen or completely prevent the condition from developing.

Before pregnancy

Health and fitness experts suggest taking care of your body long before planning pregnancy, with special attention to strengthening your core abdominal muscles. This will lessen the chances for the separation of the muscles later during pregnancy.

During pregnancy

Preventive measures you can do during pregnancy include more subtle, yet important actions. One of those includes the log roll maneuver as Ben Butts, P.T., director of rehabilitation services and Performance Therapy at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, California suggests. The maneuver requires getting out of bed by rolling onto one side, keeping your head and torso aligned, and then using your arms to push yourself up. In this way, you are protecting your muscles from separating.

There are plenty of workout programs that specifically target the postpartum recovery and women dealing with diastasis recti, one of which is The Dia Method that provides effective exercise plan to help you regain your pre-baby belly and weight.

Do postpartum splints or corset binders really help?

Splinting is considered as a part of postpartum tradition around the world, as a means for women to heal faster and lose the baby tummy sooner. Yet, nowadays there are two opposing views concerning postpartum splinting, both providing facts in their favor.

The pro binding facts include it being great addition to mild and focused exercises, with researches and users showing its effectiveness on healing the diastasis recti problem.

On the other hand, the opposing view suggests that splinting is not only ineffective in resolving diastasis , but it can also be counter-effective and prevent body from healing.

Even though both views are strongly defended, many patients have actually found that the combined approach worked best, as best results were achieved by using the splint to protect the abdominal muscles and to become aware of the muscle they are using, and then doing mild exercises suggested by specialists’ programs.

Exercises you can do after giving birth

There are great post baby workouts you can do at home when you want to get rid of baby belly or to heal the tissue separation caused by diastasis, yet you need to make sure to always consult your doctor for professional advice before starting any workout program. Here are some of the best exercises to do at home after delivery.

Featured photo credit: Pixabay via pixabay.com

The post Every Pregnant Women Should Be Aware of Diastasis Recti After Giving Birth! appeared first on Lifehack.

from Lifehack http://ift.tt/2odTpqV

Fats Can Be Healthy Too! Consume Your Healthy Fat From These Natural Food!

Among the plethora of misinformation circulating about nutrition, one detrimental falsehood is receiving the rectification that it deserves. I’m talking about healthy fats, and yes, there is such a thing. The word “fat” itself is incredibly daunting, and we have been conditioned to believe that all fat is bad fat. Fats are actually a vital part of our everyday diet, and when consumed in moderation, they are extremely beneficial to our body’s daily function.

Trans Fats have given all fats a bad rep, and we’ve been losing out on the benefits of good fats because of it.

Preceding the end of World War II , a correlation had been linked between the consumption of high cholesterol foods such as eggs and red meat leading to ailments such as coronary heart disease. In lieu of this, The American Diet Association recommended that people reduced their intake of fats, and increased their intake of carbohydrates. This “adjustment” led to a whole new selection of issues, such as anal leakage, and an increase of refined carbohydrates and sugars. In turn, the rates of obesity and diabetes are at an all time high- and it is mostly due to the consumption of refined carbohydrates that were meant to replace the detrimental fats. A study published by The New England Journal of Medicine diffused the argument that the depletion of fats was beneficial in terms of increased lifespan or prevention of disease.

When you compare our eating habits to those of the Mediterranean diet, the difference is uncanny. Food items containing healthy fats have always been prevalent in this region; with items like olives and their coveted oil as a staple in the dining room. The proof is in the people, who boast low cholesterol levels, low rates of heart disease, beautiful skin, and lean bodies.

Healthy fats have a polar opposite effect on the body than bad fats do.

Yes, it’s true. Some fats can be good for you and are a necessity for a balanced diet. But how do you differentiate them from the rest? It’s all in the name. Anything containing Trans fats are a big no-no, and will wreak havoc on your body (and your mid-section). Instead you want to consume Monounsaturated and Polyunsaturated fats as well as Omega 3s.

Nothing that is unnatural can really be good for you. Trans fats are a perfect example of this They are actually a byproduct of a process called hydrogenation, where liquid vegetable oils are heated with a heavy metal additive such as palladium, changing the chemical composition and making the oil solid. This process also strips the oil of any nutritional value. Consuming trans fats can cause inflammation, which can later lead to heart disease stroke and diabetes. The introduction of trans fats into the blood stream raises the presence of harmful LDL cholesterol, and lowers the beneficial HDL cholesterol. The ADA has recommended that your caloric intake from trans fat should be less then 2% which can still be harmful to the body, mostly the arteries.

Saturated fats can be distinguished by their form at room temperature. Coconut oil, one of the most renowned oil based products on the market is solid at room temperature. This is true of all saturated fats. The term saturated comes from the chemical composition of the oils. The organic matter starts with one carbon atom, which is surrounded by hydrogen atoms. If the carbon chain is abundant with hydrogen atoms, then it is saturated. The ADA recommends that you keep your daily intake of calories from saturated fats below 10%.

Monounsaturated fats– now we’re getting to the good stuff. These stay liquid at room temperature. Items such as olive oil, peanut oil, avocado oil, most nut oils, safflower and sunflower oil. These fats have a single carbon to carbon bond, which is how they stay liquid at room temperature. There is no recommended daily intake other than to consume as much healthy fat as possible.

Polyunsaturated fats are considered essential to the diet. That means your body needs it to function, but does not produce it on its own. Therefore you need to consume lots of it to ensure that your body runs like the perfect machine it was intended to be. These are incredible beneficial because they help to build cell membranes and the coverings for nerves. They are also vital for muscle movement, blood clotting, and inflammation. The name Poly is derived from the Latin term meaning multiple, as in there are multiple double bonds on its carbon chain. Most cooking oils such as safflower and sunflower oils are examples of polyunsaturated fats. There are two types of polyunsaturated fats- Omega 3 and Omega 6. Both are incredibly beneficial to the body.

We need to consume healthy fats daily to improve brain and memory function, and to reduce the risk of heart disease.

Think of Trans Fats as the evil cousin, the black sheep of the family. They clog arteries and cause inflammation. They’ve given the whole fat-family a bad rap. Most other fats, particularly Polyunsaturated fats do just the opposite for the body.

Omega 3’s and 6 are super helpful for body function, by helping to reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke by lowering your blood pressure. In addition to this, it helps to higher HDL (the helpful cholesterol), and lower triglycerides. It has shown evidence of improving symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. Omega 3’s and 6 have also been linked to a number of health benefits such as reducing dementia and improving memory.

Here’s how you can consume the most healthy fats.

The only way to ensure that you incorporate healthy fats into your daily routine is to eat them! Luckily there is a wide selection of delicious foods that are high in healthy fats, and packed with additional benefits and nutritional value.

Avocados

half an avocado can keep you full for long already!

Packed to the brim with monounsaturated fats, this super food has much more to offer the body. They are also abundant with vitamin E which protects your skin from free radicals, increases immunity, and acts as an anti-aging savior for your skin. It’s super high in protein, as well as folates. This is the go-to snack for pregnant women and just about anyone who is looking for a delicious way to improve their health!

Ghee

It’s good for your heart!

High in Omega 3 and Omega 6, this product provides the body with essential fatty acids that it cannot produce on its own. Daily consumption of ghee can help to improve brain function, as well as the condition of the skin. Ghee (and butter) are high in water soluble vitamins and minerals such as selenium, which is a powerful antioxidant.

Coconut Oil

You can use coconut oil for many things!

I put that ish on everything! My hair, my skin, my food. Try and find something coconut oil ISN’T good for, I’ll wait. This stuff is super easy for your body to digest, so you’ll start to feel the benefits rather quickly. The fatty acids in coconut oil help to promote memory and brain function, as well as reduce inflammation and harmful cholesterol.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil

There are many kinds of oilve oil and you need to make sure yours is extra virgin!

Like it’s other oily counterparts, EEVO is extremely helpful for memory and brain function, anti-inflammatory, and helps to protect your skin from damage. No wonder the Italians have such great skin!

Fatty Fish

Fatty fish like salmon contains Omega3-acid which is very good for our skin.

Very high in Omega 3s. Salmon, Albacore Tuna, Sardines, Lake Trout and Mackerel are very incredibly abundant in this respect.

Walnuts

The old chinese saying said walnut is good for our brain because of the similar shape they both shared. It’s still a myth tho!

One of the only nuts containing Polyunsaturated fats.

Flax Seeds

it is gluten free and very good for weight loss

Very high in Omega 3 and 6, also a very good source of fiber.

Eggs

Don’t over-eat and you need to be aware of your cholesterol level.

Some farmers provide their chickens with feed that is very high in Omega 3s, resulting in eggs with a very high concentration of Omega 3s as well.

Dark Chocolate

Even though it delivers more health benefits than other chocolate, over eating it is not good for you too as it’s high in sugar n calories

High in unsaturated fats, and abundant with anti-oxidants as well as digestion slowing elements such as stearic acid. It helps to stagger hunger, and fights off free radicals which in turn improve brain function. Chocolate lovers rejoice!

Spirulina

It’s very good for your digestion too!

One of the ultimate super foods. Very high in Omega 3s, this magical substance is also high in protein, and probiotics. Fitness gurus swear by it in the aiding of weight loss.

Featured photo credit: Harvard Health via google.com

The post Fats Can Be Healthy Too! Consume Your Healthy Fat From These Natural Food! appeared first on Lifehack.

from Lifehack http://ift.tt/2ovIrZL

A Really Strong Predictor of Success: Self Awareness (with Ways to Boost It)

Self awareness can be defined as having a clear understanding of your personality, including your beliefs, emotions, motivation, strengths and weaknesses.

A 2010 study by Green Peak Partners and Cornell’s School of Industrial and Labor Relations found that self awareness is a key and common characteristic of successful leaders. ^[1]

And research^[2] by the Driehaus College of Business at De Paul University has also demonstrated that high self awareness leads to improved team performance.

Self Awareness Makes You Improve Much Faster Than the Others

“If I have lost confidence in myself, I have the universe against me.” – Ralicoph Waldo Emerson

Self awareness allows us to understand who we are, and how others see us. From this, we can determine how similar or different we are to other people.

Individuals with high self awareness tend to live happier and more fulfilling lives. That’s because being self aware brings several powerful benefits, including:

• Finding and expressing your authentic self.
• Being proactive, instead of reactive.
• Enjoying positive and harmonious interpersonal relationships.
• Having deeper thoughts.
• Revealing your true purpose.

One secret behind the magic of self awareness, is the fact that being self aware allows you to see your weaknesses. Once you know what they are, you can then act accordingly to fix them (where possible).

As an example, think back to a time when you achieved a major success in your life. Your confidence jumped off the scale, and suddenly, everything in your life began to look rosy. However, success was fleeting, and before long you were not only back where you started – but had lost your initial faith and confidence too.

Instead of seeing this as bad luck or personal failure, the better response would be to analyze exactly what happened.

What caused your success? What caused your failure? And what could you have done differently?

By answering these questions, you’ll gain insight into your decision making and personality traits. Most importantly, you’ll be able to discover where you went wrong, and how you could avoid this next time around. This is how self awareness becomes a crucial partner in reaching your dreams and goals.

How to Increase Your Self Awareness

“Knowing others is intelligence; knowing yourself is true wisdom.” – Lao-Tze

Okay, you’ve now seen some of the ways that self awareness can boost your success in life. (And we’ve only scratched the surface of potential benefits.)

It’s now time to reveal several tips and techniques that will increase your self awareness.

Take a psychometric test: You’ll understand more about yourself

Psychometric tests are ideal for raising your self awareness. The tests force you to think deeply about yourself, and how your react to different situations. Self reflection = Self awareness. Try this free, 100-question psychometric test offered by the University of Cambridge.

Keep a personal journal: It can reduce anxiety and depression at the same time

Writing a daily journal can be a great tool for increasing your self awareness. If your writing is honest and open, you’ll quickly discover things about yourself that you’d never previously realised. You’ll also begin to see how habits create your conditions. For self awareness purposes, your daily journal should (at the very least) list your biggest failures and greatest successes of the day. Science supports the effectiveness of journalism, with a recent Psychotherapy Research study^[3] showing that writing a daily journal reduced anxiety and depression.

Learn to meditate: To clear your thoughts

If you’ve never tried meditating before, then you should definitely consider trying it, if you want to boost your self awareness. Meditation can help you to delve below the incessant chatter of your conscious mind, and instead, let you tap into the depths of your subconscious mind. As well as boosting your well-being and health, meditation can clear your thoughts, and help you to become more creative.^[4]

How to get started? There are plenty of books and videos that can teach you the basics of meditation. Alternatively, you’ll be sure to find mediation classes in your local area.

Ask for feedback: You’ll be amazed

Choose a close family member or friend who knows you well. Ask then to give you an honest appraisal of your actions, beliefs and motivations. You’ll be amazed (and possibly shocked!) at what you hear. In fact, it’s likely that you’ll gain a completely new perspective on yourself. Use this new knowledge to make positive changes that could increase your effectiveness and success in life.

Through boosting your self awareness, you’ll begin to see new, exciting opportunities for growth and success. You’ll also learn how others see you. This will help your interpersonal relationships – as well as your ability to read others.

Self awareness can help you predict the success of others. It can also help you predict your own success.

So, choose to follow in the footsteps of the highly-successful, and start developing your self awareness today.

Reference

[1]	^	Forbes: All Successful Leaders Need This Quality: Self-Awareness
[2]	^	Harvard Business Review: We’re Not Very Self-Aware, Especially at Work
[3]	^	Everyday Health: Journal Your Way to Stress Relief
[4]	^	Huffington Post: Meditation Health Benefits: What The Practice Does To Your Body

The post A Really Strong Predictor of Success: Self Awareness (with Ways to Boost It) appeared first on Lifehack.

from Lifehack http://ift.tt/2pNzqiE

It's About Give and Take: How Codependency Hurts Us Like Other Addictions Do

Does any of these situations sound familiar to you?

Your boyfriend smokes cigarettes, so you want to help him quit. You know he couldn’t possibly do it without you. You’re the only person who understands him enough to help him become a better person. You let him know all the time that you can help fix him, that without you, he’d fail.

Your girlfriend hasn’t called you yet to let you know she made it to work okay. Maybe she’s not really going to work, you think. You two did get in an argument last night. You start thinking that maybe she’s leaving you, abandoning you without warning. You’ve always been worried that might happen, in fact you tell her all the time .

If so, you might be experiencing codependency.

Codependency is also called “relationship addiction”.

Codependency is called “relationship addiction” because in these relationships often display physical, psychological, and emotional reliance on their partners.

A person with codependency issues will often try to sacrifice their own needs and desires to meet the needs of their partner. Codependency is rooted in feeling of low self-worth shame and insecurity. It was first identified after experts noticed codependent behaviors in families dealing with drug abuse and alcoholism.^[1]

Other experts believe that codependency begins during childhood, when a child is constantly required to look after the needs of others first. Children who grew up with alcoholic, drug-addicted, abusive, or emotionally negligent parents are likely to experience codependency in their future, adult relationships.^[2] Children who grow up in these situations learn to believe that they are not important and sometimes, that they are the cause of their family’s problems.^[3]

For people who are not relationship experts, codependency may look like an intense amount of love. That love, however, comes from a place of fear. This fear may be a fear of criticism, fear of being abandoned, fear of losing control, fear of disappointing others, or fear of making somebody else suffer.

Codependency could be seriously affecting our adult relationships.

These codependent adult relationships become unfair, unhealthy, emotionally damaging, and sometimes abusive – mirroring the person’s childhood.^[4]

This is why codependency should matter to you. Because if you want to have a healthy adult relationship, you have to understand what codependency is and how it could be affecting you. If you can identify your codependency, you can work toward making it better. You deserve that and so does your partner.

The biggest clue to identify codependency is an unsatisfactory relationship.

One of the biggest clues that you might be experiencing codependency is that you can’t find satisfaction in your life without your partner. Rather than being an independent individual in the relationship, you have come to rely on the other person for your personal happiness and identity.

According to Scott Wetzler, PhD and Chief of the Psychology Division at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine,^[5]

“Codependent relationships signify a degree of unhealthy clinginess…. One or both parties depend on their loved ones for fulfillment.”

People with codependency may have low self-esteem and feel that they aren’t good enough for other people. They may constantly seek approval through people-pleasing activities. It is difficult for them to say “no”.

Additionally, codependent individuals have blurry boundaries with others and may feel responsible for somebody else’s problems.^[6]

Some other signs of codependency may include:^[7]

• Being sensitive to criticism
• Needing to control others
• Taking care of somebody who abuses drugs or alcohol
• Denying personal problems
• Feeling helplessness inside

So you’ve looked over the signs and symptoms of codependency and you’re starting to feel like maybe it describes you. Now what?

First of all, don’t worry. This is not the end of the world. In fact, it is the beginning of a journey of learning and self-development.

There are steps you can take to fight codependency in your current or future relationships.

To have healthy love in your life, try the following tips^[8]:

• Imagine yourself in a healthy, loving relationship where all of your needs are met. What does that look like?
• Start to question why you doubt your self-worth. The only person you need to prove your self-worth to is …. you!
• Practice being kind to yourself instead of focusing on being kind to others.
• Don’t forget that it’s not just okay to accept help from other people, it’s healthy. Knowing and admitting that you need help are signs of strength, not weakness.
• Don’t worry so much about rejection. The constant fear of being rejected will ultimately stop you from taking the risks that will lead you to a long, healthy, and happy relationship.

Last but not least, recognize the recovery process.

Above all else, do not deny that you have issues with codependency. Recognize it and admit it. The first step to recovery is honesty with yourself. You have spent a lifetime trying to deny your codependency. Now is the time to face it head on. Look to other people who can understand what you’re feeling for help. Support groups are essential in the healing process.^[9]

Look back at your past and try to identify anything from your childhood that may have caused you to develop codependency as an adult. You are not being unloyal to your family by admitting that you have unresolved issues from your childhood. Sometimes this challenge is best approached in professional therapy sessions.^[10]

The final step in overcoming your codependency is to let go of unhealthy relationships. If you are too involved in another person or relationship, you will not be able to focus on your healing process. This allows you to free up energy for yourself and break the toxic cycle of codependency.^[11]

Remember that as you navigate the difficult process of identifying, coming to terms with, and overcoming your codependency – you are not alone and you are worth it.

Featured photo credit: Stocksnap via stocksnap.io

Reference

[1]	^	GoodTherapy: Codependency
[2]	^	WhatIsCodepency: Symptoms of Codependency
[3]	^	PsychCentral: What Causes Codependency?
[4]	^	MentalHealthAmerica: Co-Dependency
[5]	^	WebMD: Are You In A Codependent Relationship?
[6]	^	PsychCentral: Symptoms of Codependency
[7]	^	GoodTherapy: Codependency
[8]	^	HuffingtonPost: Overcoming Codependency: Reclaiming Yourself in Relationships
[9]	^	LifeCounsel: Overcoming Codependency
[10]	^	LifeCounsel: Overcoming Codependency
[11]	^	LifeCounsel: Overcoming Codependency

The post It’s About Give and Take: How Codependency Hurts Us Like Other Addictions Do appeared first on Lifehack.

from Lifehack http://ift.tt/2odNy4M