IS LIFE US

We can be put into a lot of toxic situations throughout our life. It can be relationships, environments, jobs, the list goes on. The first step is to realize that it is toxic and identify what makes it toxic. Then, you should decide if it can be fixed or not. If not, it is time to leave it behind. Once you experience one or more things below, it may be time to leave.

Here are some examples for a relationship:

• Any kind of emotional, physical, mental, or verbal abuse
• Lack of trust 
• Controlling behaviors
• Dishonesty 
• Manipulation 
• Feeling belittled
• Being unsupported
• If they are unreliable
• Passive aggression
• If it feels like you are “keeping score”
• Unhealthy attachment issues
• Codependency 
• Possessiveness 

Here are some examples for a work environment:

• High turnover rate
• Burnout 
• Gossip 
• Lack of leadership
• Minimal trust of colleagues
• Poor communication
• Disengaged employees
• Nonverbal feedback
• Hesitations to ask questions
• Uncertain work responsibilities
• Lack of boundaries
• Growing workload without additional compensation
• Micromanagement 
• No management
• Overall wellbeing is compromised
• Feeling drained 
• Hypocrisy 
• Threats 

Body Dysmorphia is a challenge that many of us may find ourselves dealing with. Thankfully, there are a few things you can do to help combat this feeling:

1. Stop your inner critic in its tracks, follow it up by writing something down that you love about your body

2. Make time to meditate and set your intentions for the day

3. Surround yourself with people who are good for your mental health, try avoiding isolation as much as possible

4. Set goals for yourself to work towards, and when you reach those goals, continue to set more

5. Engage in physical activity or practice yoga

New studies are showing many different health benefits of THC. Research suggests THC might help with the following: 

• Reduce anxiety
• Reduce inflammation and relieve pain
• Lower blood pressure
• Control nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy
• Kill cancer cells and slow tumor growth
• Relax tight muscles in people with MS
• Stimulate appetite and improve weight gain in people with cancer and AIDS
• Can help control seizures
• Helps prevent relapsing in drug and alcohol addictions

Research shows that it is better for you to avoid smoke when consuming THC, as the smoke can impact your lung health. If you think THC might help you and your symptoms, ask your doctor if you might benefit from THC use. 

Energy drainers can cause you to feel burnt out, overwhelming fatigue, and lack of interest in others and activities. It is so important to realize when things are energy drainers to you and when you need to take a break. Learning how to set boundaries and reframing your mind will help you avoid these issues.

Here are some examples of things that can be energy drainers:

• Trying to gain control over things we cannot control
• Bringing up our past mistakes
• Spending time with people who do not make us happy
• Comparing ourselves to others
• Being too harsh with ourselves
• Worrying about others’ opinions 
• Acting like someone we are not
• Trying to convince others of our worth
• Focusing on the negatives
• Doing things we don’t care to do
• Taking care of others more than ourselves

Thrift shopping isn’t only a way to save money, it helps the environment too! It is good for the environment in many ways. Here are some examples: 

• It keeps clothes and other goods out of landfills
• Lowers the demand for new goods which reduces carbon emissions
• Reduces carbon and chemical pollution
• Lowers water consumption
• Reduces water pollution 
• Reduces pesticides used in cotton cultivation 
• Reduces carbon emission from shipping products
• Many thrift shops support local charities- some of which are environmental causes

The simple explanation of what imposter syndrome is: feeling like you are a fraud and not deserving of all that you have accomplished. People with imposter syndrome are typically high achievers who accomplish a lot, yet they don’t believe they actually deserve it. Despite things like education, hard work, experience, and everything else that would help them accomplish things, they still have self doubt about the accomplishments. 

You may have imposter syndrome if you are unable to realistically assess your abilities and skills related to your performance and success. Common personality traits linked to people with imposter syndrome are perfectionism and low self esteem. 

Some things that may help:

Understanding that you are experiencing this is the first step in helping yourself get over imposter syndrome. 

Focusing on what is really going on and being able to distinguish the truth from how you are feeling. 

Acknowledging everything you do to achieve your accomplishments will remind you that you do deserve this.

Everyone knows the usual anxiety symptoms such as fidgeting, being worried, etc. but there are many physical symptoms, some of which are lesser known. Anxiety can actually cause the throat muscles to contract the same way they would when your gag reflex is triggered which means severe anxiety can cause you to gag or even throw up. 

It seems like this symptom isn’t talked about enough. As someone who has personally dealt with this, sometimes people do not believe it can happen and they assume you are being dramatic. It isn’t only that you feel so anxious you could throw up, it is your body physically reacting to that anxiety. 

A few things that could help when this happens is focus on your breathing, try drinking some water, and giving yourself a break.

Empathy burnout is something that can occur when you exhaust yourself while catering to others’ emotions, energies, and wellbeing. Another term for it is compassion fatigue. It is important to set boundaries for yourself and for others because a lack of boundaries can lead to burnout. 

Here are some examples of what empathy burnout can look like: 

• Feeling disconnected to others
• Feeling exhausted
• Lack of emotion
• Intrusive thoughts
• Being triggered more often
• Feeling overly emotional
• Feeling numb

If you are feeling any of these things and you have noticed that you have been taking care of others more often lately, it is important to make time to take care of yourself.

Homemade salsa is a great summer snack, it tastes good and has great health benefits. It is even better when the ingredients come fresh from a garden. My favorite salsa recipe can be found here. Some of the health benefits are:

• Good source of vitamins
• Hydrating 
• Contains fiber
• Can help burn fat 
• Contains potassium 
• Low in calories
• Can help prevent kidney stones
• Contains quercetin which has been found to have anticancer, anti inflammatory, and antihistamine effects

“I need some time to process my emotions on my own.”

“I don’t feel comfortable talking about this right now.”

“I need to figure this out on my own.”

“I don’t have the energy to hang out today.” 

“I am busy at that time.”

“I wish I could be there for you but right now I do not have the mental capacity to do so.”

“I do not want to have this conversation.”

“I respect your opinions but I do not share the same opinion.”

It’s okay to have boundaries, even with people you love. It will help maintain your own wellbeing and help maintain your friendships.