5 KILLER HABITS TO BOOST YOUR CONFIDENCE

By David De Las Morenas

Confidence is everything. Our level of confidence at any given moment dictates how we feel about ourselves and how sure we are of our abilities to succeed at any given activity.

For this reason, our levels of self-confidence are quite possibly the most important thing we possess. At any given moment, our confidence is directly correlated with how happy we are, and how “good” we’re performing at whatever it is that we’re doing.


There are a lot of ways to build confidence. Quite possibly the most efficient way to do so is through expanding your comfort zone. When you push yourself to do things that scare or intimidate you, you raise this threshold, expand your comfort zone, and become more comfortable doing things that were previously right on the edge of it. So my biggest piece of advice for someone who wants to improve his or her confidence levels quickly would be to identify, and then do, things that scare you… But there are other ways to accomplish this goal as well.

One of these ways is to adopt the right set of daily habits. Our habits are things that we so often that they have the ability to change how we think about ourselves and how we perceive the world around us. And by altering these two things, our habits can effectively improve our confidence and self-esteem.
Below are five key habits that have proven confidence-building capabilities.

1. Meditation

Meditation is amazing. But it often gets written off as being some weird, spiritual routine…
Mediation has been clinically proven to reduce stress and anxiety, through lowering blood pressure and resting heart rate, among other things. And the fact of the matter is that stress and anxiety are two of the biggest confidence-killers out there. When you’re stressed out or worrying about something, it’s extremely hard to feel comfortable. It’s hard to trust in yourself and love yourself when something is eating away at you from the inside.

Meditation is the answer for this. Meditation is like a medicine that instantly transforms your state, and brings you to a place of tranquility and focus… A confidence inspiring combination.

2. Reading

For me, reading is a meditation of sorts. It gets me out of my head, stops me from worrying about pointless things, and gives me invaluable inspiration at the same time.

The key ingredient here being that it gets me out of my head. We often get caught up in negative thought loops in our minds, and these can cause a lot of anxiety. Reading forces you to focus on something else, the same way meditation gets you to focus on your breath, and this is a game-changer.

I prefer reading non-fiction, self-development type books. These books are motivating on one hand, and on the other hand they cause you to draw parallels between the author’s life and your own. And these parallels often lead you to creating life-changing improvement in your own life.

3. Lifting weights

Lifting weights and getting stronger has several crucial confidence-building effects, especially for men.
First of all, when you exert yourself to the point of exhaustion, any tension or stress that you’re holding in your body tends to evaporate. On top of this, lifting weights builds muscle and physical strength. And this makes us feel stronger, both mentally and physically, which in turn causes us to feel more confident. Moreover, we look better when we have more muscle mass.

For guys, having broader shoulders and a thicker chest is a sign of health and virility. For women, having a firm butt and strong legs is a sign of femininity and attractiveness. And these things cause other people to perceive us in a more favorable light… Not to mention that we are all, at least somewhat, vain by nature… And this means we feel more confident when our bodies look better.

4. Cold showers

Cold showers have actually clinically been proven to have anti-depressive effects. By immersing ourselves in cold water, we release key hormones and neurotransmitters that make us feel happier.

In addition to these hormonal changes, cold showers also cause us to breathe deeply (this is the first thing your body will do when you step in) and feel more awake and energized. This combination of feeling happier, breathing deeply, and being energized is a killer combination when it comes to assuming a confident state of mind.

After all, if you’re lethargic, sad, and tired it’s going to be very tough to feel confident and project this confidence to the world around you.

5. Accepting reality

This habit is less actionable than the previous four, but it’s equally important. Too many people get caught up wishing things were different than they are… They wish they were better at talking to girls… They wish that their boyfriend or girlfriend behaved differently in certain situations… They wish that they got the job that rejected them… They wish that they hadn’t spent all that money on that silly jacket they never wear… The list goes on.

By getting stuck wishing for things to be different than they are you are essentially rejecting reality… And this never ends well. It only leads you to further regret, anxiety, and anguish… All confidence-killing emotions.
You have to accept the reality of the situation, no matter how grim or bleak it is. Only when you accept the way things are, or how people tend to behave, can you work on taking action to effectively change them… Or just take an altogether different route.

8 COMMON LIVING HABITS THAT MAY SHORTEN YOUR LIFE

By Carl Preston

For many of us, the idea of being able to live forever is one thing we never really stop believing until the day that we die. The problem is that many of us also have lifestyles that encourage a shorter lifespan and can actually reduce our time to come to grips with mortality. For anyone in this position, we recommend that you consider these ten lifestyle choices that many of us are making that actually puts each and every one of us in a position whereby we could be drastically shortening our own lifespans, even if it seems pretty healthy!

1. Living Alone

Humans need interaction; we need love in our lives. If we want to find that love, though, we have to be able to get out here and find it. Those who take the easy “stress-free” option of living alone are actually limiting the happiness and enjoyment that we can get from the world. Never sharing love and intimacy with another person is a sure-fire way to reduce your lifespan by a considerable margin.

2. Sitting Too Often

Do you work at a PC? Then you need to consider the importance of standing up and getting a bit more rest. It’s estimated by the JAMA Internal Medicine study hat sitting for more than 11h per day increases the risk of death by up to 40% over the next three years alone! This is something that you need to consider moving forward, so if you need to get a stand-up desk you should!

3. Lack of Social Life

Neglecting our friends and loved ones for solitary time isn’t always a bad thing; we all need our own personal space. However, taking the time that is needed to have a social life can improve our lifespan! Likewise, failing to do so increase our chances of passing on early. Prolonged loneliness can have the same negative health effects of having 15 cigarettes a day!

4. TV loving

Many of us love to spend our time sitting in front of the TV and just zoning out, vegging there for hours to come. This can bring on things like diabetes and even heart disease. According to the NY times, every single hour of TV you watch after being 25 reduces your lifespan by around 21 minutes. That’s quite the state, but it’s something you really need to consider moving forward with your life if you want to live healthily.

5. Taking Extended time off

You might think that quitting your job or going for a gap year could be a good thing but it’s actually quite unhealthy for the body. Your mind will get rested, sure, but you will find that premature death is far more common if you are taking that time off due to the serious inactivity that your body will be going through when moving forward.

6. Helping Annoying People

Being the kind member of the workforce who helps out that annoying colleague might seem like a great idea, but how do you come to terms with the stress that they cause you? Putting yourself through the mill just to be nice might seem like a sacrifice that’s worth it for karma points, but it really isn’t if it’s driving you up the wall!  This can put you into stressful situations you really had no reason to be involved in.

7. Sleeping In

The worst thing that you can do for your sleeping pattern is getting used to sleeping more than eight hours on a regular basis. It’s unhealthy for the body so even if you can get those extra hours, limit yourself to 7 hours at the most.

8. Exercising Too Much

The last thing that you want to do is lessen your lifespan but unfortunately going through too much exercise in a week can do this to you. Just go to a doctor and get them to give you an idea of what you should be taking on exercise wise as it will give you much better ideas about how you can improve your health and your quality of life in general – just remember that seemingly being too healthy and exercising too much is going to make a marked difference to your overall lifespan moving through life.

15 Health Benefits Of Guava Leaves That You Shouldn’t Miss

By Julia Kitlinski-Hong 

Guava fruit gets a lot of attention for its health benefits. It’s packed with vitamins A and C, lycopene, potassium, and dietary fiber. Although this popular fruit deserves its acclaim, its leaves should not be overlooked for their myriad of healthy properties. Let’s take a look at the many wonders of guava leaves.

1. They aid in weight loss

Guava leaves help prevent complex carbohydrates from turning into sugars that are known for stimulating food cravings and excess weight gain. This is why it can help you with your weight loss goals.

2. They help soothe gastrointestinal issues

Guava leaves have anti-bacterial properties that help prevent further microbial growth in the intestines and make the area more alkaline. They also reduce the production of extra mucus that can irritate the digestive system. This is why guava leaves are useful in treating the problems like gastroenteritis and diarrhea.

3. They reduce the effects of diabetes

Guava leaves lower the body's glucose levels, without creating a rise in the insulin levels.

4. They help fight diseases like cancer

Due to high quantities of the antioxidant lycopene, guava leaves can help fight cancer, especially breast, prostate, and oral cancers. Research reveals that guava extract helps inhibit the production of androgen, the male hormone that is responsible for promoting the growth of prostate cancer cells.

5. They help heal colds

As well as with more serious respiratory illnesses such as bronchitis, guava leaves can be helpful if you 've got a cold. The high levels of vitamin C and iron in unripe tropical fruit help reduce mucus productions and prevent the spread of microbial activity. It is important to remember that while unripe guava is effective, ripe guava can have the opposite effect and instead irritate and prolong the illness.

6. They reduce the side effects of allergies

By halting the creation of histamine, guava leaves can reduce side effects of allergies. They can also be a welcomed remedy for minimizing the swelling of insect bites.

7. They can soothe inflamed gums, oral sores, or mild toothaches

By chewing on the leaves, you can soothe oral discomfort.

8. They aid in reducing acne

With their high percentage of vitamin C, guava leaves can help with your acne when crushed and applied to trouble spots. Blackheads also benefit from this homemade paste with a few drops of water.

9. They help with premature aging signs

By applying this same mixture to your face, you can prevent premature signs of aging.

10. They can prevent hair loss

Guava leaves can be boiled and massaged onto the scalp to put a stop to hair loss. Make sure the water is cool to the touch before applying it to the scalp.

11. They can help control your blood pressure

Guava leaves are known to help control blood pressure by preventing blood from thickening and promoting the fluidity of blood flow throughout the body. The high fiber content and hypoglicemic nature of guava leaves are both known to be contributing factors to combating an elevated blood-sugar level.

12. They can keep your brain healthy

Guava leaves promote brain health due to high levels of vitamin B3 (niacin) and B6. Niacin is known to help with increased blood flow, along with improved cognitive function and focus.

13. They can keep your thyroid function healthy

Guava leaves assist in maintaining a healthy thyroid due to their high levels of copper. The thyroid gland is one of the most crucial glands in regulating hormone levels and proper organ function. Copper helps with making sure thyroid metabolism is maintaining a regular amount of hormone production and absorption throughout the body.

14. They help alleviate constipation

Guava leaves have very high levels of dietary fiber. They can serve as an excellent laxative and help the body restore itself back to a regular ability to excrete waste.

15. They can help improve your eyesight

High levels of vitamin A means guava leaves can help improve your eyesight. They can help decrease the presence of cataracts and macular degeneration, as well as improving the overall health of the eyes.



 

5 Different Types of Leadership Styles

By Rose Johnson

Some organizations require managers to follow certain leadership styles.

Different types of leadership styles exist in work environments. Advantages and disadvantages exist within each leadership style. The culture and goals of an organization determine which leadership style fits the firm best. Some companies offer several leadership styles within the organization, dependent upon the necessary tasks to complete and departmental needs.

Laissez-Faire

A laissez-faire leader lacks direct supervision of employees and fails to provide regular feedback to those under his supervision. Highly experienced and trained employees requiring little supervision fall under the laissez-faire leadership style. However, not all employees possess those characteristics. This leadership style hinders the production of employees needing supervision. The laissez-faire style produces no leadership or supervision efforts from managers, which can lead to poor production, lack of control and increasing costs.

Autocratic

The autocratic leadership style allows managers to make decisions alone without the input of others. Managers possess total authority and impose their will on employees. No one challenges the decisions of autocratic leaders. Countries such as Cuba and North Korea operate under the autocratic leadership style. This leadership style benefits employees who require close supervision. Creative employees who thrive in group functions detest this leadership style.

Participative

Often called the democratic leadership style, participative leadership values the input of team members and peers, but the responsibility of making the final decision rests with the participative leader. Participative leadership boosts employee morale because employees make contributions to the decision-making process. It causes them to feel as if their opinions matter. When a company needs to make changes within the organization, the participative leadership style helps employees accept changes easily because they play a role in the process. This style meets challenges when companies need to make a decision in a short period.

Transactional

Managers using the transactional leadership style receive certain tasks to perform and provide rewards or punishments to team members based on performance results. Managers and team members set predetermined goals together, and employees agree to follow the direction and leadership of the manager to accomplish those goals. The manager possesses power to review results and train or correct employees when team members fail to meet goals. Employees receive rewards, such as bonuses, when they accomplish goals.

Transformational

The transformational leadership style depends on high levels of communication from management to meet goals. Leaders motivate employees and enhance productivity and efficiency through communication and high visibility. This style of leadership requires the involvement of management to meet goals. Leaders focus on the big picture within an organization and delegate smaller tasks to the team to accomplish goals.

MEET QUEEN VANESSA!

 Queen of the Downtrodden

The age long saying “Beauty is character”, has remain the guiding principle for the 21 years old Most Beautiful Girl in Benue state, Queen Vanessa Mlumun Beetseh whose favourite quote is “You only live once, but if you live it right, once is just enough”.

For Queen Vanessa, “Life as a beauty queen have been challenging and the responsibility of being an ambassador for the youths and being able to effectively represent the crown you hold makes you a stronger person”.

In a brief chat with Chiude Nnajiofor, who recently met with her in Markudi, she bears her mind on what led her into contesting for the title of the Most Beautiful Girl in Benue in 2013, her future plans and other personal matters.

Could you share with us what led you into contesting for the title of the Most Beautiful Girl in Benue state?

My primary reason for contesting in the pageantry was to have a platform to reach the less privileged and physically challenge people in the society and impact on them positively. I am glad I have been able to achieve this through my pet projects as a beauty queen in the state.

In the cause of carrying out my pet projects, I have visited medical facilities and prisons in Benue state to give food stuffs and give words of encouragement to patients and inmates. This would have been an up-hill task if I were not a beauty queen.

I took part in a peace summit on the Fulani/ Benue crisis which has brought so much pains and sadness to my people. The summit helped, to a great extent, to reduce the crisis to a very minimal level.  My visit to orphanages and old people’s homes in Makurdi with the various donations made to them gladdens my heart as that was one of my major reason of taking part in the pageantry which I have been able to achieve.

What would you consider as your greatest accomplishment as a beauty queen?

My greatest accomplishment was when I organized a two days workshop for the physically challenged people in Benue state. They were taught soap, shoe and Vaseline making to enable them have a source of livelihood and I concluded the workshop on October 10^th with my birthday celebration which I had with them.

What would you say life has taught you as the Most Beautiful Girl in Benue?

To be humble. I have learnt to stand and face any challenge that confront me and also to be outstanding and known for something positive.

What keeps you going in the midst of challenges?

Smiles! Prayers, God has been and will always be my greatest strength.

Any regret of being the Most Beautiful Girl in Benue?

No regrets whatsoever being a queen of my state, rather it has actually made me a better person and most of all given me a focus future which am very glad about.

What would you consider your most memorable day in life?

My happiest day… I still remember vividly was July 27, 2013. The day I was crowned the Most Beautiful Girl in Benue. That achievement marked a turning point in my life.

Who has the greatest influence in your life and why?

My mum has the greatest influence on my life. She is everything to me and she was the first person to believe and support me in contesting for the title of the Most Beautiful Girl in Benue.

Where does Queen Beetseh see herself in the next 10 years?

Wow! 10 years from now, I see my Non-Governmental Organization, Vanessa Beetseh Foundation, caring for humanity nationwide and a Nollywood actress who will be happily married and bless with beautiful kids.

HAND-WASHING AND DISEASE PREVENTION

Unconsciously, our hands come in contact with so many filthy and infected items at different times. These same hands are either used to rub a hitching eye, put food into the mouth or close a yawning mouth. These actions can be devastating if these hands are not clean or properly washed.

At home, work school, play or while traveling one is exposed to the germs. Hand-Washing goes a long way in minimizing the risk of infections. If properly and frequently done, it can cut death rate by half.

Washing your hands is the best way to stop germs from spreading.

•          Germs are tiny organisms, or living things that can cause disease.

•          Germs are so small and sneaky that they creep into our bodies without being noticed.

•          In fact, germs are so tiny that you need to use a microscope to see them.

•          When they get in our bodies, we don't know what has hit us until we have symptoms that say we've been attacked!

    

SOME DISEASES TRANSMITTED BY HAND

•          Conjunctivitis.

•          Ebola Infection

•          infectious diarrhea

•          Skin infection

•          Enteric fever i.e. Typhoid.

So when are the best times to wash your hands?

•          after using the rest room

•          after cleaning around the house

•          after visiting or taking care of any sick friends or relatives

•          after touching animals, including family pets

•          after blowing one's nose, coughing, or sneezing

•          before and after eating or touching food (e.g. after helping with cooking or baking)

•          after being outside (playing, gardening, back from the office)

•          after leaving hospital premises,

•          before feeding babies

•          after changing baby’s diapers

Handy Hints:

•          Use warm water (not cold or hot) when you wash your hands. It helps to remove germs better.

•          Use whatever soap you like. Some soap come in cool shapes and colors or smell nice, but whatever kind that gets you scrubbing is the kind you should use.

•          Anti-bacterial soaps are OK to use, but regular soap works fine. 

CORRECT WAY TO WASH YOUR HANDS

•          Wet your hands.

•          Apply liquid or clean bar soap or disinfectant.

•          Place the bar soap on the rack and allow it to drain.

•          Rub your hands vigorously together and scrub all surfaces – front & back to the wrist, finger webs, and nail beds.

•          Continue for 10 – 15 seconds. This ensures that as many germs as possible are washed away.

•          Rinse well, preferably under running water.

•          Dry your hand (using towel or hand dryer).

Note: 

•          It costs very little to wash your hand.

•          It cost a lot more to treat germs.

•          Don't under-estimate the power of hand washing!

The few seconds you spend at the sink could save your trips to the doctor's office.