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The Meaning of Life

     Many people don't realize it, but the meaning of life is a big one. Many spend more time arguing on social media than they do on figuring out what their purpose is. Does it matter? I think it does. What's the point if you don't dig deep and figure this out. Many of you don't care, but for those that do, keep reading.     The results of one study referenced below shows that the stronger the sense a person has about the meaning of life, the more confident they will be. This will decrease anxiety in difficult and stressful circumstances, which will help in problem-solving and overcoming difficulties. Yes please! Sign me up. If only it were that easy. But maybe it is. Why wouldn't you seek out your purpose so that you could lead a more fulfilling life. So many people don't want to bother and they lead a shallow life, retire and die. There has to be more.     In this study it was determined that self-efficacy is one of the two pillars of social co...
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Which Type of Narcissism Are You Dealing With?

     We like to throw the word Narcisissism around all the time. We've all done it. But just because a person is a little self-centered (or maybe a lot self-centered) doesn't mean they are a narcisisst. And for that matter, we aren't a doctor, so we should take what we learn and know into consideration, but we can't just label people on a whim.             Today I am going to talk about two forms of narcissism: vulnerable and grandiose. Both types of narcisismm have similar features, but there are some differences. The vulnerable narcissistic people are hypersensitive, vulnerable, have low self-esteem, high anger, are hostile and defensive. Grandiose narcissistic people have an inflated self-image, feel entitled, are exploitative and need to be admired by others. Vulnerable narcissists compared to grandiose ones have more trouble regulating their emotions. They also are known to have borderline personality disorder.  ...
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Will I Be Happy When I Retire?

      Whether we are happy now or whether we will be happy when we retire, can we predict the outcome? One study reported by Dr. George Valiant and his colleagues in the April 2006 issue of the American Journal of Psychiatry looked into this. He was able to gather data over a lifetime of 700 men born around 1929. This study was able to provide insight into whether it can be predicted whether a person will be happy or not happy at retirement age.     To me this study seems especially valid because some of the men partipcating were from the inner-city neighborhood as well as privileged Harvard graduates. That is a good balance. It was noted that those with the most prestigious jobs retired later than those without. I found that to be very interesting. I would think if you already had money, you would stop working earlier and not the other way around.      The study found that the men that were already most satisfied with lif...
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Am I More Mature Because I Had Siblings?

      Emotional maturity is when we are able to manage our emotions according to the circumstances. It only makes sense that our emotional maturity matures as we age. But does having siblings cause us to be more mature? When we have others to fight and share with, are we forced to mature?     I have four half siblings. I was an only child for 12 years before they were in the picture. I think I matured more being on my own than with them around. With that said, I also feel I matured with them around. Picture a 12 year old taking care of babies and growing up with them with such a large age gap.     Because adolescence is such an important period in a person's life, with lots of changes happening in the brain, it would make sense that as emotional maturity is taking place, having siblings has an effect on these changes. Another important factor is a person's birth order, which is the position of the child in the family. Many stud...
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Does Playing an Instrument Help Your Brain as You Get Older?

       I always admired those who could play an instrument. I can remember as a kid my grandfather getting out the old accordion, or his harmonica. Sometimes we would get lucky and hear him play both at the same time! I learned how to play the piano and although I don't still play, I could pick it back up at any time. It's like riding a bike!     Little did I know, that when I learned to play the piano, it might actually help me in my old age. Not only that, I believe playing piano helps with our Math skills. But don't quote me on that! I've always thought everyone needs to at least learn how to read music and play one instrument. I believe that now more than ever.     But what does research say about this? There was a study done that investigated whether elderly musicians have better auditory and cognitive abilities over those who are non-musicians. The findings were that non-musicians in auditory and cognitive tasks...
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Is Breastfeeding Always a Bad Idea When Mom is Using

     Typically moms are told to discontinue breastfeeding when they are doing drugs. But is this always the best advice? Logically, it seems like it is, but let's delve deeper as to what is best for baby. We all know breastfeeding is a good thing for baby, but what about when it is laced with drugs, specifically opioid medications, that are not good for baby? But maybe things aren't as bad as they sound.     An article by Thomas Hale and Kaytlin Krutsch explore this perspective in more depth. It should be noted that the article mainly discusses doctor prescribed medication to a breastfeeding mother. This still causes us to ponder the use of opioids that a breastfeeding mother chooses to take for  recreational use, and not prescribed for pain postpartum.     As discussed in the article, drugs with low molecular weight transfer at high levels. Opioids would fall into this category. With that said, the consideration of all levels of transfer in ...
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Are You Going to Lose Your Teeth When You Get Old?

     Oral health is a concern for the elderly. What about you? Do you worry as you age that your teeth are going to age gracefully or are they all going to fall out?  After all, teeth should be pretty durable, right? It might be true that tooth loss is greater as you get older, but does that mean tooth loss is age related? An 18 month study done in Iowa in 1988 says something along those lines. Although the study was done over 20 years ago, there are still some relevant results that are worth mentioning.      The study was over an 18 month period of a population aged 65 and older that resided in two different Iowa counties. Data was collected by interviews, dental examinations and then an 18 month follow-up. During this study 25 had died during the 18 months, and 13 had moved or were too ill to participate in the follow up. So of the 482 people available to follow-up, 451 participated.      It was found that seventy-nine percent of the s...
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