Why is it that we remember some things so vividly and others not at all? Some things we remember in such perfect detail that we can almost relive that moment in our minds, over and over again.
At the same time, we’ll have difficulty remembering the name of that person we met three minutes ago. Clearly it isn’t only the happiest memories that follow us through life, but also the most horrible memories – those memories that haunt us no matter how hard we try to forget them.
I met a woman once who changed my life. Without her, I couldn’t possibly be the person I am today. That’s what true love does to a person — it changes you and sets your life on a different track.
Some love stories do come with a happy ending, the two spending their lives together, growing old together, and departing this world together. In such instances, the change that they create for each other is clearly visible: without them spending their lives with each other, their lives wouldn’t be what they are.
Has your spouse started to dress a little differently or does he keep his vehicle a bit cleaner? Has he been acting slightly happier and more cooperative, yet all of a sudden he is busier and just leaving the house more often? (e.g. going out more often with “friends,” running more errands, etc.) If so, take heed. Take interest in his new activity/involvement if you’re curious about what’s really going on.
2. He doesn’t touch you as much.
Sometimes affection drops off a bit due to poor communication, unresolved issues or a recent argument. If this is unexplained behavior or he is repelling you with odd excuses, you may have a hint. At minimum, you have an issue in your relationship that needs to be addressed honestly.
Next month I will be 26, and over the past few years, I have changed. I’ve matured, I have become responsible, professional and reached a bit of success career-wise. After college ended and I experienced true independence, I started to find happiness in different things. I traded in my time partying for time reading and relaxing, my money eating out for cleaning supplies and cookware, and my love of carelessness for a love of responsibility. I became an adult! Don’t get me wrong — I still drink too much wine, I sometimes have a fit like a toddler over a bill and I usually buy clothes instead of gas, but the things that bring me happiness these days are pretty lame by my 21-year-old standards.
1. Farmers’ markets
Good golly, has this little homegrown piece of heaven been around my whole life? There is nothing I love more (except the nerdy things listed below) than going to the farmers’ market on a crisp fall morning. Being surrounded by all those vibrant, fresh, beautiful fruits, veggies and jams actually makes me want to quit the corporate world and become a farmer.
Nearly three-quarters of adults say they’re stressed about this factor. (Photo: Getty Images)
Even with the U.S. economy on the rebound, Americans are more stressed out about money than ever, and the financial strain is harming the nation’s health.
The American Psychological Association’s “Stress in America” survey results for 2014, released this week, shows that 72 percent of adults report feeling stressed about money at least some of the time, and 22 percent say that they experience extreme stress about money. Top reported triggers include paying for unexpected expenses, paying for essentials, and saving for retirement.
While money generally stresses people out across the board, the survey finds that the hardest hit, stress-wise, are parents, millennials, Gen X-ers, and lower-income households (those bringing in less than $50,000 per year). In other words: anyone besides wealthy Baby Boomers without children to support.
Women shoulder much of the burden. Far more women than men say they have lain awake at night in the past month due to stress — 51 percent, compared with 32 percent of men).
For the first time, the annual report shows a disturbing trend: All of this financial strain is negatively affecting Americans’ health. Parents are more likely than nonparents to report engaging in unhealthy stress-management techniques, such as drinking alcohol and smoking. And 32 percent of adults say that their lack of money prevents them from living a healthy lifestyle, while 12 percent report skipping going to the doctor because of financial concerns. Almost a third of adults with partners (31 percent) report that money is a major source of conflict in their relationships.
There is some good news: Stress as a whole is trending downward, with lower overall levels reported now than in 2007. But that stress is still way too high. “Despite the good news that overall stress levels are down, it appears that the idea of living with stress higher than what we believe to be healthy and dealing with it in ineffective ways continues to be embedded in our culture,” Norman B. Anderson, PhD, CEO and executive vice president of the American Psychological Association, says in a statement.
Chronic stress is directly linked to myriad health issues, including high blood pressure, ulcers, irritable bowl syndrome, headaches, and depression. As difficult as it is to find a way to relieve the mind when life is a pressure cooker of stress, taking a moment to care for oneself is incredibly important. Studies repeatedly show that one of the best ways to reduce stress is with exercise, which lowers stress hormone levels in your body — and it doesn’t mean spending hours at a gym every day. Experts agree: Even a simple walk around the block for a few minutes can do a world of good for the body and mind.
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