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Gentlemen DO prefer blondes

<p dir="ltr">Almost half of Aussies (42%) are in relationships with someone who doesn’t reflect their type, according to new research by dating app eharmony. </p> <p dir="ltr">This challenges the definition of having a “type”, which often is misleading and can restrict romantic potential. </p> <p dir="ltr">eharmony psychologist Sharon Draper said it’s not surprising that apps have affected the dating world.</p> <p dir="ltr">“It’s not that surprising that so many people have a preconceived idea about their type, but it is unfortunate that this can act as a barrier to finding love,” she said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“The fact that almost one in three of those in relationships are with partners who do not typically reflect their preferences, proves that our lustful leanings can be unreliable.</p> <p dir="ltr">“In the world of online dating, it’s easy to make snap judgements based on appearance. But numerous scientifically based studies demonstrate that long after sexual chemistry has peaked, its high compatibility that determines romantic success or failure.”</p> <p dir="ltr">More than half of those polled (56%) admit they avoid dating matches that don’t fit all their chosen criteria, meaning that up to 14 million individuals may be missing out on finding real love.</p> <p dir="ltr">More than half of online love-seekers (53%) admit they have a type when it comes to dating (51% men versus 54% women), including an inclination for certain hair colour, height and body size.</p> <p dir="ltr">Women prefer the darker hair look (34%), but it seems gentlemen do prefer blondes, with fair locks taking out the top spot (37%) for their dating type. </p> <p dir="ltr">Redheads appeal to just over one in 10 (13%) Aussies when it comes to romantic choices.</p> <p dir="ltr">Women are generally (40%) smitten for the stereotypical ‘tall dark and handsome’ type – preferring to date men of taller stature who have dark hair.</p> <p dir="ltr">In terms of body size, almost half of men (48%) would prefer to date someone of slim build, whereas only a quarter of women (27%) require their blokes to be trim.</p> <p dir="ltr">Compared to Brits, Aussies are more likely to go for the athletic type, with a third (34%) of Aussies liking tall or large, compared to only 18% of our northern hemisphere cousins.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Shutterstock</em></p>

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The surprising trait people who listen to sad music share

<p>Sad songs say so much, according to Elton John. And according to David Huron, an expert in music cognition, a predilection for them says a lot about the listener.</p> <p>Professor Huron, a visiting academic at the University of NSW, has explored why some people like sad-sounding music. </p> <p>Those who most enjoyed it scored high on empathy in personality tests.</p> <p>They also tended to score high on agreeableness and openness, his research at the Ohio State University found. About 50 per cent of people like listening to sad music, with 10 per cent saying it is the music they most enjoy.</p> <p>Professor Huron said the acoustical qualities of sad music closely reflect what makes a human voice sound sad, and some people “respond to a ‘sad’ song as though they were in the presence of a sad person – they feel a sense of compassion”.</p> <p>“As it turns out, compassion is a positive emotion,” he said. “People who are not so empathetic simply hear the music as sad, and feel sad themselves.”</p> <p>David Robertson, the chief conductor and artistic director of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, said music affects people in different ways “because each person brings with them a wealth of background when they’re listening to any piece of music”.</p> <p>“A concert is one of those moments when you go in and you are moved uniquely,” he said. “It’s interesting to look back at an audience after you’ve finished a performance and see the different expressions on their faces because they can range, [after] the same piece, anywhere from a sense of awe and glory ... to a sense of utter and complete intimacy and closing off of the rest of the world.”</p> <p>The SSO has been rehearsing Beethoven’s <em>Missa Solemnis</em>, or solemn mass, for performances starting on Wednesday in the concert hall at the Sydney Opera House. The composer described it as his “greatest work”.</p> <p>Robertson said the piece “is so incredibly rich that you can come back to it time and time again and you find different things in it, which I think is an indication that these emotional triggers – whatever they may be – are different for us at different times of the day and different periods of our life”.</p> <p>Associate Professor Emery Schubert, who researches emotion and music at the University of NSW, said music can influence the way we feel intrinsically as well as through associations, “such as watching movies where the love scene has slow, gentle music playing, or a chase scene with fast, pulsating music”.</p> <p>“Importantly we may not be conscious of the rich history of connections we make over our lifetime between music and emotions,” he said.</p> <p>“But being aware of how the music affects us can make us experts at manipulating our own moods through music.”</p> <p><em>Image: Shutterstock</em></p>

Music

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What your music choice says about your personality

<p dir="ltr">A study has found the link between an individual’s music preferences and distinctive personality traits in music fans around the world. </p><p dir="ltr">The research, conducted by the <a href="https://www.cam.ac.uk/stories/musical-preferences-unite-personalities-worldwide">University of Cambridge</a>, found that those who like Ed Sheeran’s latest album are likely to be extroverted and confident, with their findings consistent across multiple countries. </p><p dir="ltr">Neurotic traits were found in global fans of Nirvana’s grunge hit <em>Smells Like Teen Spirit</em>, while most people will tend to sing Marvin Gaye’s <em>What’s Going On</em>, Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper's <em>Shallow</em>, regardless of personality. </p><p dir="ltr">The study, which involved more than 350,000 people from over 50 countries, found that conscientious people are unlikely to like the music from Rage Against the Machine, while international borders could not stop people from playing David Bowie’s <em>Space Oddity</em>. </p><p dir="ltr">Leader of the study Dr David Greenberg, who is also a musician, said the research shows an international common ground through music. </p><p dir="ltr">He said, “People may be divided by geography, language and culture, but if an introvert in one part of the world likes the same music as introverts elsewhere, that suggests that music could be a very powerful bridge.”</p><p dir="ltr">Dr Greenberg was surprised by the results of how neuroticism is expressed through a musical outlet, expecting people would prefer a slower, more sad song to express their discomfort. </p><p dir="ltr">However, according to Dr Greenberg, “Actually, on average, they seem to prefer more intense musical styles, which perhaps reflects inner angst and frustration.”</p><p dir="ltr">“That was surprising but people use music in different ways — some might use it for catharsis, others to change their mood.”</p><p dir="ltr">Today, people are using music as a way to signal their personality and so, the study argues, there is potential to use music as a way to bridge gaps between different social groups through the common language of music. </p><p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>

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How certain personality traits could add years to your life

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A recent study has shown that people who have certain personality traits </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">will enjoy health into their 80s and beyond.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">According to research, the link between longevity and personality is as strong as financial stability or intelligence, both of which have previously been cited as relating to longer lifespans. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">While these traits are fairly stable in most people, experts believe these five key personality traits can be enhanced at any stage of life to increase the chances of longevity. </span></p> <p><strong>Conscientiousness</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">People who are often conscientious, meaning responsible and organized, tend to live longer than people who aren’t. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Psychology professor Nicholas Turiano, says, “It’s probably the best silver bullet we can hope for.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">He says that being conscientious builds up “a resilience factor” that can help individuals overcome major obstacles in life, such as health complications or poverty. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">People who are conscientious also tend to have healthier habits and lifestyles, and are diligent about having positive coping strategies. </span></p> <p><strong>Purpose</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Another quality for longevity is having a purposeful life, and a clear direction in life and fulfilling goals to keep you motivated. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">People who are purposeful in their life tend to bounce back from confronting situations quicker than most, and have a self-awareness factor that can prove very valuable. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Purposefulness also shows itself in the form of creativity and hobbies, as having these outlets keep the brain alert and fulfilled, as well as working to decrease the risk of dementia and depression. </span></p> <p><strong>Optimism</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">According to psychologist Lewina Lee, optimism has long been associated with longevity, and often goes hand in hand with confidence. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I would think that optimistic people tend to feel more confident about their ability to accomplish goals as they age,” said Lee.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">People who find the positives of ageing, like wisdom and emotional maturity, live an average of 7.6 years longer than those who feel negatively about getting older. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">These advantages are often seen in people who regularly exercise, eat a healthy diet and don’t let the small, unimportant things get to them. </span></p> <p><strong>Extraversion</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Being outgoing or extraverted is another trait that can help to lengthen your span of health. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Psychology professor Susan Charles said, “The link between social relationships and longevity is as strong as cholesterol levels or smoking.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Social butterflies tend to be more active in their lifestyles, which greatly helps overall health. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">There is also a link between valuable friendships releasing chemicals in the brain that increase happiness, making an individual feel less stressed and more assured. </span></p> <p><strong>A lack of neuroticism</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Inner tranquility and an even disposition often help to reduce stress levels, and therefore promote longevity. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Susan Charles said, “They’re less likely to report feeling ecstatic or so sad that nothing will cheer them up.” </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This inner peace and acceptance also helps to promote a healthy sleeping schedule, and reduce tension.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Reducing outside stress factors, assessing relationships and increasing creative outlets can all be valuable tools to help someone achieve this inner tranquility.</span></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image credits: Shutterstock </span></em></p>

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5 traits you didn’t know you inherit from mum (and 4 you inherit from dad)

<p>Do you have your mum’s button nose? Did your dad pass on the curse of sneezing in bright sunlight? And where did your baby’s red, curly hair come from when there hasn’t been a redhead in your family for generations? These questions may sound simple but the answers get complicated fast. Why? Because the science of genetic inheritance is complicated, says genetic counsellor, Dawn Allain. “It’s nearly impossible to tease out exactly where each of your traits came from,” she explains. “Most traits are influenced by many different genes and you inherit some from each parent.” Plus, there’s the influence your environment plays; just because you have a gene for a certain trait doesn’t always mean you’ll end up with it, she adds.</p> <p><strong>How you inherit traits</strong></p> <p>Still, it’s fun to ask those questions and while there aren’t many detailed answers, there are a few basic things genetics can tell you about traits you inherit from your mum and those you got from our dad, Allain says. But first, you need to know how inheritance works.</p> <p>“There are three main ways you can inherit traits from your parents,” she explains. First is through a dominant gene – if you inherit a dominant gene you will develop that trait. Take eye colour, for example. If either of your parents have brown eyes, you likely will have brown eyes as this is a dominant trait. Second is through a recessive gene – both parents have to have the recessive gene for you to have that trait. For instance, if you have blue eyes then both of your parents must carry a gene for blue eyes, even if their eye colour isn’t blue. Lastly, there are X-linked traits which are found only on the X chromosome and are passed on through the mother.</p> <p><strong>Your ability to lose weight</strong></p> <p>There are two types of fat in your body: ‘good’ brown fat, which increases your metabolism and helps you maintain a healthy weight, and ‘bad’ white fat, which can cause obesity and disease if you have too much of it. Everyone has some of each type but how much brown fat you have – and therefore how high your metabolism is – may be inherited from your mum, according to a study published in Nature Communications. Another trait you get from your mum is your intelligence.</p> <p><strong>How easily you gain weight</strong></p> <p>However, while mum may be helping you out with the brown fat, you can blame your dad for your white fat, the Nature Communications study found. How much fat you store, particularly around your organs may be partly determined by genes passed down from your father, the researchers said. Genetics aren’t destiny when it comes to your weight, your lifestyle choices play an even bigger part.</p> <p><strong>Your ability to focus</strong></p> <p>If your mother has lower levels of serotonin, a brain chemical linked to mood, then you’re more likely to develop attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder later in life, according to a study published in JAMA Psychiatry. The genes, passed down from mum to kid, that impact serotonin production also seem to influence your ability to focus. Sound like you?</p> <p><strong>If you hit puberty early</strong></p> <p>Puberty, and all the fun milestones that come along with it, like acne, cracking voices, or getting your period while wearing white shorts, is a rite of passage many children go through on their way to becoming an adult. Both parents’ genetics play a part in determining when exactly you start the big change but if you started puberty early– before age eight in girls and nine in boys – that may be due to a gene you inherit from your father, according to a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine. Specifically, they identified that a genetic mutation leads to a type of premature puberty, meaning that if you have it, you’ll have to deal with all that stuff before any of your friends.</p> <p><strong>Your laugh lines</strong></p> <p>How well you age and how much you show it is determined on a cellular level by the accumulation of damage over your lifetime to your mitochondrial DNA – genes you only get from your mum. Environmental factors like sun exposure, smoking, and an unhealthy diet can cause mtDNA damage but some of the damage can be inherited from your mother, according to a study published in Nature. The more mtDNA with mutations you inherit from your mother, the faster you age and the more it will show in traits like wrinkles and grey hair.</p> <p><strong>Your mood</strong></p> <p>Mothers can influence your mood in many ways and it’s not just by grounding you or serving broccoli three times a week. The structure of the part of the brain known as the corticolimbic system, which controls emotional regulation and plays a role in mood disorders like depression, is more likely to be passed down from mothers to daughters than from mothers to sons or from fathers to children of either gender, according to a study published in The Journal of Neuroscience. This may mean that daughters at least partly inherit their mood from their mothers.</p> <p><strong>The genders of your children</strong></p> <p>Obviously the genes from you and your spouse determine the gender of your children. But did you know that which gender genes you pass on may be inherited from your father? This is how it works: a man with many brothers is more likely to have sons, while a man with many sisters is more likely to have daughters, according to a study published in Evolutionary Biology.</p> <p><strong>Your memory</strong></p> <p>It’s been known for some time that a family history of Alzheimer’s disease significantly increases the risk for developing the illness, but a new study, published in Biological Psychiatry, found that the genetic risk primarily comes from your mother. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia later in life, affecting nearly 459,000 Australians, so it’s important to know what factors increase your risk – including your mother’s medical history – so you can start taking steps to protect your brain health now, the researchers noted. Medical history is only one of the questions you should ask your parents before it’s too late.</p> <p><strong>Your fertility</strong></p> <p>A woman’s fertility may be impacted by a gene she inherited from her father, according to a study published in Science. In a normal egg cell, a part of the cell called the centrioles is eliminated as part of the natural development process. However, if the centrioles aren’t eliminated – often due to a genetic dysfunction, passed on by her dad – then the woman is sterile, researchers explained.</p> <p><strong>Your hairline?</strong></p> <p>You may have heard that how and when a man loses his hair is due to an inherited trait from his mum’s side. However, a study, published in PLoS Genetics, of over 55,000 men has proved this to be a myth. Researchers found 287 independent genetic signals that were linked to male-patterned hair loss and while 40 were only found on the X chromosome, meaning they were inherited on the maternal side, the rest were scattered throughout DNA inherited from both patterns. Interestingly, some genes associated with hair loss also seem to be associated with an increased risk for heart disease in men. While some traits are inherited, others are learned.</p> <p><em>Written by </em><strong>Charlotte Hilton</strong><em>. This article first appeared on </em><a href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/culture/5-traits-you-didnt-know-you-inherit-from-mum-and-4-you-inherit-from-dad?pages=1"><em>Reader’s Digest</em></a><em>. For more of what you love from the world’s best-loved magazine, </em><a href="http://readersdigest.com.au/subscribe"><em>here’s our best subscription offer</em></a><em>.</em></p>

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Secret royal baby visitor: Special guest reveals adorable trait Archie has

<p>Ever since his birth at the beginning of May, baby Archie has had a number of exciting people come to visit him</p> <p>From tennis champion Serena Williams to the members of the royal family themselves, including Prince Charles, Prince William, the Queen and Duchess Kate, the son of Harry and Meghan has many admirers.</p> <p>But now, it’s been revealed that the little one had another exciting visitor, and they’ve emphasised on how special Archie really is.</p> <p>Joining Prince Harry at a special event in London this week, Dr Jane Goodall, the famous British primatologist and anthropologist, shared a special connection with the new dad.</p> <p>The pair chatted as if they were old friends, as they attended a meeting at the Roots and Shoots program in London.</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/B0RPO-UFmJ0/" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B0RPO-UFmJ0/" target="_blank">Today, The Duke of Sussex met with young people doing ground-breaking work in their communities as part of Dr. Jane Goodall’s Roots &amp; Shoots Global Leadership gathering. Started in 1991 by world renowned ethologist and primatologist Dr. Jane Goodall, with just 12 high school students in Tanzania, Roots &amp; Shoots brings together young people from around the world who are leading projects in their communities to make the world a better place for people, animals and the environment. Today @RootsAndShoots has over 150,000 groups in over 50 countries - the collective power of these young people is limitless. His Royal Highness believes that people are at the heart of conservation and sustainability and that in order to succeed we need an inclusive, community-centred approach. In his roles as President of The Queen’s Commonwealth Trust and Commonwealth Youth Ambassador, The Duke has met young people from around the world who are leading the way with creative sustainability solutions and campaigns – it is thanks to the creativity of young people’s minds, that we can turn the tide and preserve our planet for future generations. After listening to presentations on endangered species, reducing plastic waste and embracing the wild, The Duke had the chance to thank all the young people taking part for their efforts and the difference they are making every single day. As a continuation of our monthly social awareness approach, for July we turned our attention to following accounts featuring the environment. @JaneGoodallInst, founder of Roots &amp; Shoots, is one of those selected profiles, having dedicated her life’s work to bettering our environment and world. To learn more, visit @RootsAndShoots. Photo©️ PA images</a></p> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/sussexroyal/" target="_blank"> The Duke and Duchess of Sussex</a> (@sussexroyal) on Jul 23, 2019 at 11:28am PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>And halfway through the conversation, Jane revealed that she had already met baby Archie.</p> <p>The 85-year-old said she had the opportunity to cuddle with the little one earlier in the British summer, saying that he was “very cute and gentle".</p> <p>And going by the photos we’ve already seen of the newborn, that is no surprise.</p> <p>Jane also revealed Duchess Meghan’s excitement when she met her for the first time.</p> <p>“She told me she’s followed me all her life. She told me, ‘You’ve been my idol since I was a child. I’ve hero worshipped you all my life’,” Goodall said.</p> <p>The 37-year-old Duchess is known to be passionate for social and environmental causes, which is why she most likely looks up to the powerhouse that is Dr Jane Goodall.</p>

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This trait could be key to a lasting romance

<p>Passion and commitment are widely believed to be the foundation of strong romantic relationships.</p> <p>But a relationship is made of two unique individuals, and personality traits these individuals possess or lack can often make a relationship more likely to endure.</p> <p>In a <a href="https://doi.org/10.1080/15427609.2017.1414670">recent</a> <a href="https://doi.org/10.1080/15427609.2017.1415093">study</a>, we found that one trait in particular – humility – is an important indicator of successful relationships.</p> <p><strong>An honest view of shortcomings</strong></p> <p>Humility can sometimes be confused with low self-esteem, low confidence or meekness.</p> <p>But researchers <a href="https://digitalcommons.lmu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?referer=https://www.google.com/&amp;httpsredir=1&amp;article=1030&amp;context=phil_fac">have come to realize</a> that being humble generally indicates the presence of deeply admirable personal qualities. It means you have the ability to accurately assess your deficiencies without denying your skills and strengths.</p> <p>For example, you might recognize that you’re smart but realize it would be absurd to call yourself all-knowing – especially when the scope of human knowledge is so vast. This is an honest and sober view of your shortcomings.</p> <p>As the philosopher Jason Baehr <a href="https://www.bigquestionsonline.com/2013/12/10/how-does-humility-contribute-strength/">has argued</a>, “To be humble is to be attentive to and disposed to ‘own’ one’s limitations, weaknesses, and mistakes. A humble person does not ignore, avoid, or try to deny her limits or deficiencies.”</p> <p>If you’re humble, you lack a host of negative qualities, such as arrogance and overconfidence. It means you can acknowledge mistakes, see value in things that are riddled with imperfections and identify areas for improvement.</p> <p><strong>The link between humility and forgiveness</strong></p> <p>Humility appears to be a huge asset to relationships. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1080/17439760.2014.898317">One study</a> found that people tend to rate this quality highly in their significant other. It also found that someone who is humble is more likely to initiate a romantic relationship, perhaps because they’re less likely to see themselves as “too good” for someone else.</p> <p>But in our study, we wanted to explore the link between humility and forgiveness in couples.</p> <p>Humility is tricky to measure; we worried that people who were arrogant might presumptuously declare their humility, while people who were actually humble would, as a sign of their humility, downplay this trait.</p> <p>So we approached this question by asking each partner in a romantic relationship about their own and their partner’s humility. We hoped that even if a truly humble person didn’t consider themselves humble, at least their partner would recognize this trait.</p> <p>We asked 284 couples from the Detroit metropolitan area questions about how humble they were, how humble they thought their partner was and if they were likely to forgive their partner if they did something that was hurtful, like insulting them.</p> <p>We found that people who felt their partner or spouse was humble were more likely to forgive them following a hurtful situation. This wasn’t true, however, of those who felt their partner or spouse was arrogant. Many of our respondents with arrogant partners indicated that because their partners were less likely to admit to any personal failings, they were less likely forgive them.</p> <p>Interestingly, the strength of an individual’s social network can play a role too. If someone has a humble partner, they’re more likely to forgive that person. If someone has a lot of close, supportive friends and a humble partner, they’ll be even more likely to forgive that partner after he or she has screwed up. But if your partner is arrogant, it doesn’t matter how many great friends the couple has, they’ll still be less likely to be forgiven.</p> <p>The ability to forgive is so important because pain is an inevitable part of any relationship. People mess up. They might say something they don’t mean, be unknowingly inconsiderate or forget an important event. So when looking for a partner, it’s probably a good idea to find someone who recognizes that making mistakes is part of being human.</p> <p><!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><em>Written by <span>Toni Antonucci, Elizabeth M. Douvan Collegiate Professor of Psychology, University of Michigan; Kristine J. Ajrouch, Adjunct Research Professor, Survey Research Center, Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan, and Noah J. Webster, Assistant Research Scientist, Survey Research Center, Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan</span>. Republished with permission of </em><a href="https://theconversation.com/this-trait-could-be-key-to-a-lasting-romance-111722"><em>The Conversation</em></a><img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important; text-shadow: none !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/111722/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />.</p>

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Are you a good person? Psychologists outline the traits of "everyday saints"

<p><span>We have long been intrigued by the darker side of human psyche – look no further than our culture’s unwavering interest in serial killers, true crime and the morbid. </span></p> <p><span>In early 2000s, psychologists identified the trio of traits known as the “dark triad”: psychopathy (callousness and cynicism), narcissism (entitled self-importance) and Machiavellianism (tendency to exploit and manipulate). Since then, these antisocial traits have continued to become the focus of both academic research and public attention.</span></p> <p><span>However, Scott Barry Kaufman, a psychologist at Columbia University decided to look in another direction.</span></p> <p><span>“The dark triad and the dark side of our nature is an area that people keep on talking about over and over again,” he told the <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/science/2019-05-16/psychopaths-narcissm-the-dark-triad-fascinate-us-the-light-triad/11093104"><em>ABC</em></a>. “I wanted to see if there was anything interesting about people who are not arseholes.”</span></p> <p><span>After testing <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.00467/full?utm_source=S-TWT&amp;utm_medium=SNET&amp;utm_campaign=ECO_FPSYG_XXXXXXXX_auto-dlvrit">more than 1,500 people</a> of varying ages, genders, races and ethnicities, Kaufman and his colleagues proposed “light triad”, the three characteristics that best demonstrate the lighter side of the human nature.</span></p> <p><span>These three good personality traits are Kantianism (treating people as ends unto themselves rather than mere means), humanism (valuing the dignity and worth of each individual person), and faith in humanity (belief in the fundamental goodness of people).</span></p> <p><span>They are not necessarily the inverse of the dark triad – instead, there is a little bit of both light and dark in every one of us, the researchers said. “The absence of darkness does not necessarily indicate the presence of light,” the authors write in their paper. </span></p> <p><span>“There appears to be some degree of independence between the Light and Dark Triad, leaving room for people to have a mix of both light and dark traits.”</span></p> <p><span>Kaufman said it is important to examine what makes a “good” person in today’s world.</span></p> <p><span>“Yes, everyday psychopaths exist,” Kaufman wrote on <a href="https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/beautiful-minds/the-light-triad-vs-dark-triad-of-personality/?redirect=1"><em>Scientific American</em></a><em>.</em> “But so do everyday saints, and they are just as worthy of research attention and cultivation in a society that sometimes forgets that not only is there goodness in the world, but there is also goodness in each of us as well.”</span></p> <p><span>Even if you are tilted towards the dark side, it can still change, said Nick Haslam, a personality researcher at University of Melbourne. He said personality is not fixed throughout our lifetime. “Personality is not some mysterious thing lurking deep within the soul, it's just is the way you tend to behave. There is lots and lots of evidence that these things can change.”</span></p> <p><span>Want to know where your personality lies on the spectrum? Take the Light Triad Scale test <a href="https://scottbarrykaufman.com/lighttriadscale/">here</a>.</span></p>

Mind

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The personality trait Lady Kitty shares with her aunt Princess Diana

<div> <div class="replay"> <div class="reply_body body linkify"> <div class="reply_body"> <div class="body_text "> <p>A lot of comparisons have been made between Lady Kitty Spencer and her late aunt, Princess Diana, given their similar looks.</p> <p>The two women indeed share some features such as blonde hair, wide blue eyes and an impeccable fashion sense. </p> <p><span>However, the resemblance between the late princess and her niece goes beyond appearance, a makeup artist who has worked with both women has revealed.</span></p> <p>Mary Greenwell, who did Spencer’s make-up for a recent photoshoot with <a href="https://www.harpersbazaar.com/culture/features/a26786746/lady-kitty-spencer-model-princess-diana-niece-interview-2019/"><em>Harper’s Bazaar</em></a>, said the experience reminded her of the times when she worked with Princess Diana in the 1980s and '90s.</p> <p>“To have Kitty with me in the makeup chair ... it just took me back in time,” Greenwell said.</p> <p>The makeup artist said Spencer – the daughter of Diana’s younger brother Charles Spencer and model Victoria Aitken – has a laissez faire attitude to life, just like her aunt Princess Diana and mother Victoria.</p> <p>“Diana was so willing and open – as is Victoria, and as is Kitty,” said Greenwell. “Just sort of free – there’s a sense of freedom with all of them. I think the sense of freedom is actually very important, that then they didn’t feel stifled by their upbringing and their circumstances.”</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/BvjVUkuB-tF/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_medium=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BvjVUkuB-tF/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_medium=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Kitty Spencer (@kitty.spencer)</a> on Mar 28, 2019 at 5:31am PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p><em>Harper’s Bazaa</em>r also highlighted Spencer’s commitment to philanthropy work as another quality she shares with Diana. The 28-year-old is currently acting as a patron for military-family charity Give Us Time and an ambassador for youth homelessness charity Centrepoint, for which Diana was <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/entertainment/art/kensington-palace-shares-rare-photos-of-princess-diana/" target="_blank">a patron</a>.</p> <p>“You’ve got to really choose carefully and put your weight behind a few things that really matter to you, rather than spread yourself so thinly, because it’s easy to do that,” said Spencer.</p> <p>While the model and aristocrat has always been in the public’s eye, her popularity surged after she attended the wedding of her cousin Prince Harry in 2018. </p> <p>“[My Instagram followers] went from 17,000 to half a million in one night,” she said. “I thought I had someone else’s phone when I woke up the next morning.”</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div>

Beauty & Style

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Why people with these personality traits live longer

<p>Everyone who manages to reach the ripe old age of 100 seems to have a different “secret” to their longevity, but let’s face it, the real “secret” is usually a healthy lifestyle and good genes.</p> <p>According to a new study, however, there’s more to becoming a centenarian than just eating well, staying active and being genetically blessed.</p> <p>Researchers from Italy, Switzerland and the US analysed the mental and physical health of elderly residents of villages in Italy’s Cilento region, an area known for its usually high number of people older than 90.</p> <p>The participants were given questionnaires and interviews on topics like tradition, culture, grief and loss, traumatic events, migration and beliefs while their younger family members were asked what they believed to be their older relatives’ strongest personality traits.</p> <p>The younger relatives described their older family members as controlling and stubborn, but researchers wrote the nonagenarians and centenarians also displayed incredible resilience and willingness to adapt to change.</p> <p>For example, one man, who recently lost his wife, told interviewers, “Thanks to my sons, I am now recovering and feeling much better … I have fought all my life and I am always ready for changes. I think changes bring life and give chances to grow.”</p> <p>Dr Dilip Jeste from the UC San Diego School of Medicine, the study’s senior author, said that somehow, the elderly residents of these Italian villages had somehow found a way to reconcile these conflicting traits.</p> <p>“These people have been through depressions, they’ve been through migrations, they’ve lost loved ones,” he told <a href="http://time.com/5061891/live-to-100-personality-traits/" target="_blank"><em><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">TIME</span></strong></em></a>. “In order to flourish, they have to be able to accept and recover from the things they can’t change, but also fight for the things they can.”</p> <p>The oldest residents also shared a number of other interests and values in addition to the traits of stubbornness, resilience and adaptability – they had an overall positive outlook on life, a strong work ethic, strong familial bonds and an interest in religion.</p> <p>Living in the countryside, most of the participants were still actively tending to their homes and their land, which researchers believe gives them a sense of purpose.</p> <p>Perhaps surprisingly, although many of the elderly participants had experienced deteriorated physical health, their mental health remained higher – higher, in fact, than their family members between the ages of 51 and 57.</p> <p>“Things like happiness and satisfaction with life went up, and levels of depression and stress went down,” Jeste explained. “It’s the opposite of what we might expect when we think about aging, but it shows that getting older is not all gloom and doom.</p> <p>While there isn’t one sure-fire way to reach triple digits, Jeste says his research “shows that there are certain attributes that are very important, including resilience, strong social support and engagement, and having confidence in yourself.”</p> <p>Tell us in the comments below, do you think you share any of these personality traits?</p>

Mind

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Introverts share these 6 special personality traits

<p>Introverts are too often slapped with the “loner” label, but if you are one – or know one – you’ll know that’s not quite true. Sure, they like to spend time alone, but they also rely on their small but close circle of loved ones.</p> <p>Here, we’re taking a look at the six personality traits shared by introverts that make them such special people.</p> <p><strong>1. Strong boundaries</strong></p> <p>Introverts respect the boundaries of others – and expect to have theirs respected in turn. These firm boundaries might make it a bit harder to break through and get to know them, but once they let you in, you might just find they’re one of the most interesting people you’ve ever met.</p> <p><strong>2. Loyalty</strong></p> <p>If you’re close with an introvert, chances are you’ll be close with them for life. Introverts choose their friends wisely and don’t waste time with people who don’t “get” them. If you’re one of the lucky chosen ones, rest assured that you can always depend on your introverted loved one – once they find that rare someone they click with, they don’t want to put that relationship in jeopardy.</p> <p><strong>3. Open-mindedness</strong></p> <p>Just because they like their own company doesn’t mean introverts aren’t willing to meet new people and try new things. They’re creative, imaginative, and always full of new ideas. In turn, they’re also receptive to the ideas of others, and always willing to give something a try at least once.</p> <p><strong>4. Level-headedness</strong></p> <p>The independent introvert doesn’t rely on the opinions of others to make decisions or judgements. Their self-reflective nature gives them the tools to weigh different options up rationally and logically. Going it alone comes at a price, though, and to avoid feeling stressed or overwhelmed in these situations, introverts often need to spend some time alone to reboot.</p> <p><strong>5. Values time</strong></p> <p>No one wants to waste time, but for an introvert, time is one of the most valuable resources. They hate wasting time with slow people or unnecessary tasks. Not only to their value their own time, but others too. As a result, they’re rarely late and become frustrated when others are.</p> <p><strong>6. Observant</strong></p> <p>Given their reserved nature, introverts learn a lot by observing those around them. They prefer to learn information and skills independently, by trial and error and by watching others, and the same can be said for their approach to making new friends. Because of this, they’re naturally empathic and always in-tune with the emotions of others.</p> <p>Tell us in the comments below, are you an introvert – or do you know one? Do you find these traits to be accurate?</p>

Mind

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The personality trait you’re most likely to inherit from your parents

<p>We inherit many things from our parents, including our eye colour, facial features and, unfortunately, disease risk. However, it’s not just physical traits we can thank mum and dad for. A new study published in the <a href="http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bjop.12238/full" target="_blank"><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">British Journal of Psychology</span></em></strong></a> has found that the personality attribute our parents are most likely to pass down to us is kindness.</p> <p>Researchers assessed more than 400 families and found that children who were brought up to value supporting, caring and helping others were more similar to their parents overall than those brought up to value power and success.</p> <p>“We often take for granted ‘like father, like son’ and this is especially interesting when it comes to the inheritance of destructive values such as power-seeking and selfishness,” co-author Professor Anat Bardi from Royal Holloway explained. “We’ve now demonstrated that parents who foster more altruistic values, such as helping and caring, more strongly pass on all their values down the family line.”</p> <p>In addition, parents who focused on instilling positive social values in their children tended to forge stronger and longer-lasting bonds, as well as inspiring such behavioural traits as a sense of curiosity and tradition.</p> <p>“This research really shows that where parents nurture positive, supportive and altruistic values their children will also take these characteristics to heart,” Bardi said. “Where being ‘the best’ is among the dominant interests of the parents, children tend not to express such connection to their parent's values.”</p> <p>Tell us in the comments below, are these findings true to your upbringing?</p>

Mind

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These two traits make men more attractive but women less so

<p>We all love creative, witty types and studies published by the Royal Society suggest that these traits can actually make you more attractive when looking for a partner. </p> <p>However, in a twist that should come to a surprise to no-one who is vaguely aware of society's ridiculous double standards when it comes to gender – it's only an advantage if you're a man, and could actually be detrimental to women.    </p> <p>The study, <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="http://rsos.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/4/4/160955" target="_blank">Creating beauty: creativity compensates for low physical attractiveness when individuals assess the attractiveness of social and romantic partners</a></strong></em></span>, was conducted by Abertay University lecturer Christopher D Watkins.</p> <p>The research took a sample size of 89 participants with an average age of 23, of whom 21 were male. </p> <p>One group of participants were given male and female head shots and asked to rate their attractiveness, but were given no other information.  <br /> <br /> Meanwhile, a second group of participants rated the same people and were additionally supplied with short essays they had written to showcase their personalities, which were judged on creativity, imagination and wit.  </p> <p>The volunteers rated men who were considered to be less desirable, but had also written creative essays to be more attractive overall. However, they rated the less attractive women who had written creative essays as less attractive overall. </p> <p>So, if you're a good-looking woman, it doesn't really matter if you're creative of not. </p> <p>As the study notes, "evidence for women across two of three experiments suggests that facial attractiveness enhances their overall attractiveness while creativity does not". </p> <p>Understandably, the results have left many unimpressed. </p> <p>Tell us in the comments below, what do you think of these findings?</p> <p><em>First appeared on <a href="http://www.stuff.co.nz/" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Stuff.co.nz</span></strong></a>.</em></p> <p><strong><em>Looking for love – or perhaps you just want to meet some new people? <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://ad.doubleclick.net/ddm/clk/300422191;127409031;k" target="_blank">Why not sign up at RSVP today by clicking here… You never know who is just around the corner.</a></span></em></strong></p>

Relationships

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4 mistakes that make you a bad listener

<p>Sometimes, you need to admit that you’re not good at something, and state that you wish to be better. Some of the more common skills people wish to develop include exercising, eating healthy, public speaking, and dancing. But there’s an incredibly important thing everyone does every single day, and we are still terrible at it – listening. Being a bad listener is a completely normal behaviour – humans are all stuck inside or own heads, and have to work hard to imagine how others are feeling. Bad listeners aren’t bad people – they are probably just excited to talk.</p> <p>Being a better listener will better equip you to understand how other people are feeling. You’ll be able to pick up on what they’re saying with their body, and are more likely to develop a closer relationship because of your attentiveness.</p> <p>Let’s take a look at some of the things people do that affect their ability to listen.</p> <p><strong>1. Multitasking</strong></p> <p>We live in a fast-paced world that values the ability to get many things done at once, but doing something else while you’re listening divides your attention. Next time you find yourself doing something else <em>while</em> you have a conversation, stop what you’re doing and focus all of your attention on the person with whom you are speaking, or ask them if they would mind continuing the conversation when you can give to them your full attention.</p> <p><strong>2. Subject changing</strong></p> <p>A conversation should have natural twists and turns, and sometimes we get so excited to participate and contribute that we grab the steering wheel a little early. People who change the subject abruptly are usually not listening to what others have to say because they’re so excited to share their own opinion or story. Remember that you will have a chance to contribute, even if it’s not to this particular subject – give your friends/family the gift of your listening skills and they will notice.</p> <p><strong>3. Appearance of caring</strong></p> <p>A bad listener doesn’t look you in the eye. They don’t smile, or nod their head. They don’t orientate their body towards yours. Their eyes aren’t engaging with you. When someone is speaking with you, you should <em>show them you’re listening</em> and that you care about what they’re saying.</p> <p><strong>4. Free advice</strong></p> <p>Someone who doesn’t listen well will often offer unsolicited advice. They can’t wait to jump in and offer their two cents. “Here’s what I think,” they’ll say. Or, “well if you ask me”. The thing is, if someone wants advice, they will specifically ask for it. If they don’t, then they may just want to share their feelings with someone for a few minutes. That isn’t an invitation to solve any problems for them. If you’re unsure, wait until they have finished speaking, and then ask if they would like advice and listen to their answer.</p> <p>Do you know someone who is a bad listener? Or do you recognise any of these traits in yourself?</p>

Relationships

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5 surprising traits of smart people

<p>There are all kinds of people in the world, and that really is a beautiful thing. Everyone has a role they play, and a purpose to their life. That said, there are some of us who are smarter than the rest. It’s interesting to consider different factors when determining why certain kinds of people tend to be cleverer than others. Luckily for us, researchers have carried out a host of studies on just this subject.</p> <p>Let’s take a look at which kinds of people are more likely to be smart, and consider why that might be.</p> <p><strong>1. Comedians</strong></p> <p>Research out of the University of New Mexico found that a sense of humour can reveal, among other things, intelligence. A study of 400 students (200 male, 200 female) showed that those with higher general and verbal intelligence scores were likely to be funnier. The ability to produce humour, in turn, is linked with one’s likelihood at mating. <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/sites/default/files/attachments/95822/humor-predicts-mating-success.pdf" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">The same study</span></strong></a> suggested that humour evolved through sexual selection as a way to indicate intelligence.</p> <p><strong>2. Lefties</strong></p> <p>According to psychologists from the University of Liverpool and the University of Milan, there is a significant link between the hand you use to write and your ability to perform mathematic tasks. Speaking with <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-4112330/From-swearing-staying-late-10-surprising-personality-traits-highly-intelligent-people.html"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">MailOnline</span></strong></a>, the researchers revealed that the correlation changes based on age and gender, as well as the type of task being performed.</p> <p><strong>3. Cat people</strong></p> <p>A 2014 study of people who identified as either a “cat person” or a “dog person” found that cat lovers were the smarter of the two. By looking at personality traits of the two groups, researchers also determined that cat people are more sensitive, open minded, and introverted. Interestingly, they also tend to have a rebellious nature. Dog people, however, are usually energetic, outgoing, and perform better in social situations.</p> <p><strong>4. Worry warts</strong></p> <p>A <a href="http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0191886914005558" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">study published in Elsevier in 2015</span></strong></a> examined the connection between intelligence and people who worry. The results showed that those who frequently worried (about future negative events, or by repeatedly revisiting negative past events) scored higher on verbal intelligence tests. Those who tended to worry about things like social situations, and the risk of looking silly, scored lower on non-verbal intelligence scores. The researchers theorised that people with a higher level of verbal intelligence are better equipped to consider past and future events in detail, making them more likely worry.</p> <p><strong>5. Teen prudes</strong></p> <p>A <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10706169?dopt=Abstract" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">2000 study</span></strong></a> by Dr Carolyn Tucker Halpern from the University of North Carolina examined the relationship between teens’ sexual activity and their intelligence. The results, controlled for “age, physical maturity, and mother’s education” showed that “a significant curvilinear relationship between intelligence and coital status was demonstrated.” Those with higher levels of intelligence were shown to be less likely to initiate “the full range of partnered sexual activities.” Drawing on the results, Dr Halpern concluded that “higher intelligence acts as a protective factor against early sexual activity during adolescence”.</p> <p>Do you fall into any of these categories? Or do you perhaps know someone who does?</p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/health/mind/2017/01/the-simple-question-that-will-help-people-change/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>The simple question that will help people change</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/health/mind/2017/01/tips-to-improve-your-memory/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Improve your memory with these 4 tips</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/health/mind/2016/12/the-art-of-mindful-origami/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>The art of mindful origami</strong></em></span></a></p>

Mind

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Top traits of empathic people

<p>An empath is a highly sensitive person who takes on other people’s emotions. They can have strong emotions and feelings in stressful situations, and may even experience depression or panic attacks. They may find themselves succumbing to binges (food, sex, alcohol), or experiencing chronic fatigue.</p> <p>Being an empath doesn’t have to mean that you live your life feeling completely overwhelmed. There are ways that empaths can learn to acknowledge their feelings in order to become emotionally free.</p> <p>See if you identify with some of these traits.</p> <p><strong>High sensitivity</strong></p> <p>They are good listeners who are open to the feelings of others. They will nurture, guide and advise people going through a hard time. However, this can cause them to feel too much, and they might even be labelled as someone who is too sensitive.</p> <p><strong>In tune with other’s emotions</strong></p> <p>Empaths tend to absorb other people’s emotions, whether they are good or bad. They need to be in a calm and relaxed environment to avoid feeling permanently stressed and anxious. </p> <p><strong>Introverts</strong></p> <p>Don’t put an empath in a large group of people if you want them to feel relaxed. They do prefer smaller groups, ideally one on one so that they can focus. If they do have to attend a large function or event they may decide to limit their time there in order to keep their emotions in check.</p> <p><strong>Need their own space</strong></p> <p>In order to recharge, empaths need to spend time on their own regularly. Being around people constantly is physically and emotionally draining for them. They dislike things like group travel where they aren’t able to get up and go as they like.</p> <p><strong>Can struggle with intimacy</strong></p> <p>Many empaths can find intimate relationships difficult to sustain, as they can get overwhelmed with the emotion involved. They may need to discuss ideas for their own relationship where they change the traditional roles in order to make them more comfortable.</p> <p><strong>Nature sustains them</strong></p> <p>Being within a natural environment can help an empath to recharge.</p> <p>Things like the roaring ocean, or a quiet field, can give them time to reflect and lower the amount of emotion that they take on.</p> <p>If you are an empath you can seek to keep your sensitivity under control by taking charge of how you spend your time (and who with), meditating, and spending time outdoors in nature. Remember to speak to other people about how you feel so that you can protect yourself from unnecessary stress and anxiety.</p> <p>Are you an empath? How do you cope with the stresses of everyday living? We would love to hear from you in the comments.</p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="/health/mind/2016/07/how-to-stop-dwelling-on-negative/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Why we dwell on the negative and how to stop</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="/health/mind/2016/07/secret-to-quieting-a-frazzled-mind/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>The secret to quieting a frazzled mind</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="/health/mind/2016/07/benefits-of-believing-in-yourself/"><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">5 wonderful things that happen when you start to believe in yourself</span></em></strong></a></p>

Mind

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