Stress makes it harder to create and store short-term and long-term memories.Learning becomes difficult when stressed.Memories change over time when recalled, influenced by present emotions.Stress reduces focus and concentration, making it harder to absorb new information.

1. Stress and Memory Formation

Stressful events can lead to distorted recall.Stress colors perception, affecting how memories are formed and recalled.Eyewitness testimony is unreliable due to memory distortion under stress.False memories can form when people are exposed to misleading information.People under stress tend to remember emotional aspects of an event but forget neutral details.

2. Stress and Memory Type

Timing of Stress Matters: Stress before or during memory formation impairs memory, but stress after formation improves recall.Cortisol Levels Don’t Directly Affect Memory: More cortisol doesn’t mean worse memory. Women on contraceptives experience less memory impairment.Stress-Related Exhaustion Hurts Memory: Long-term stress can cause cognitive impairment lasting years.

3. Additional Impacts

Practice self-care: Get enough sleep, eat well, and manage stress.Use relaxation techniques: Breathing exercises, mental imagery, and attentional focus help recall.Exercise regularly: A 12-week aerobic program improved memory in those with stress-related cognitive issues.Practice mindfulness: Reduces stress, improves sleep, and enhances memory.

4. How to Improve Memory Under Stress

Take Breaks While Studying:Overworking the brain leads to mental fatigue and poor retention. The Pomodoro technique (study 25 minutes, break 5 minutes) can improve learning.Stay Socially Connected:Talking to loved ones can help reduce stress and improve mental clarityWrite Things Down:Keeping a journal or using notes helps reinforce memory. Use Mnemonics and Visualization:Associating information with images or acronyms makes recall easier.

More Ways!

Stress can affect memory in many ways. Learn what studies show about the relationship between stress and memory, along with how to reverse memory loss from stress.

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Mindfulness

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Health

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Problem Solving

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Meditation

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Science & Nature

How You Can Improve Your Memory When Dealing With Stress

Ramadan is the perfect time to build the habit of reading the Quran. Every letter brings 10 rewards, and completing one juz daily means finishing the entire Quran in a month. Find a time that works best for you—after Fajr or between Asr and Maghrib—and stay consistent. Fasting enhances our consciousness of Allah, making Quran recitation even more impactful.

Read Quran Daily

“Allah will build house in Jannah for whoever is diligent in observing 12 sunnah rakat (as follows) 4 rakat before and 2 after Dhur, 2 after the Maghrib, 2 after Ishaa, and 2 before Fajr.”[Tirmidhi]Ramadan is the perfect time to build this habit, making voluntary prayers feel natural and spiritually fulfilling. These extra prayers bring countless blessings—start now and make them part of your routine!

Pray Sunnah Salaat

“O You who believe! Remember Allah with much remembrance”{Surat Al-‘Aĥzāb33: Verse 41}Use free moments—while commuting or waiting—to do Dhikr. Simple phrases like SubhanAllah, Alhamdulillah, and La hawla wa la quwwata illa billah bring immense rewards, including forgiveness and entry through a special door in Jannah. Make Dhikr a habit and fill your days with blessings!

Increase Your Remembrance Of Allah

In addition to your Zakaat (obligatory charity) you should find a way every day to give extra charity. Feed a hungry child or family; give away some of your clothes to needy people; or even help an elderly person cross the road. Our beloved Prophet Muhammad salallahualeyhiwasallam, has said that even a smile is charity. The little things would add up and would be a great source of your blessings

Give extra charity

It has been reported that if someone approaches you and engages in nonconstructive talk, then you say ‘I am fasting, I am fasting’ and stop it in its tracks. This is a good way to cleanse your thoughts as well. Think positively and talk positively.

Do not engage in unnecessary talk

“There is no Muslim who visits a sick Muslim early in the morning but 70 thousand angles send blessings upon him until evening comes, and if he visits him in the evening, 70 thousand angles send blessings upon him until morning comes, and he will have a garden in paradise.”[Tirmidhi]

6. Visiting a sick Muslim

“Whoever provides food for breaking of the fast for a fasting person receives the reward of the fasting person, without the reward of the fasting person being reduced in any way.”[Tirmidhi & Ibn Majah]This is an easy way to receive more blessings during this month, while increasing our spirituality.

7. Providing food for breaking the fast

“LaylatulQadr is better than a thousand months.”{Surat Al-Qadr 97: Verse 3}The rewards from prayers of this night is equivalent to a thousand months. This is a great opportunity to get closer to Allah and build up your spirituality.

“Whoever seeks forgiveness for believing men and believing woman, Allah will write for him a good deed for each believing man and believing woman.”[Tabarani]“Thus have we made of you an Ummah justly balanced, that you might be witnesses over the nations, and the Apostle a witness over yourselves…..” (2:143)

9. Asking Allah to forgive

“Whoever goes to the mosque not desiring except to learn or teach what is good has the reward of a pilgrim who completed his Hajj”.[Tabarani]

10. Attend lectures and events in the Masjid

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Productivity

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Religion & Spirituality

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Personal Development

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Motivation & Inspiration

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Habits

10 Spiritual Things You Should Do During Ramadan

To start your minimalist journey, identify why you want to simplify your life—whether for health, career goals, travel, or personal time. Write down what you want from life and how minimalism can help. Understanding your "why" will make the process of simplifying much clearer<ul><li>What fears do I have about becoming a minimalist or simplifying my life?</li><li>What pace will best suit my personal time and energy availability?</li><li>Who can I turn to for support?</li><li>How will I measure and celebrate my progress?</li></ul>

1. Start to become a minimalist by asking questions.

Not everyone in your family or social circles will support the changes you want to make. Create an environment that will support you by reading books and blogs and enjoying other resources that encourage minimalism.

2. Build a Curiosity Support System

You can't force others into minimalism, but you can inspire them. Focus on your own journey and show the joy of living with less. If they're curious, involve them in fun activities like a minimalist scavenger hunt. Share the benefits and let them explore minimalism at their own pace.

3. Encourage minimalism by inspiring, not convincing

To embrace minimalism without frustration, start small and build gradually. Instead of making drastic changes overnight, keep a decluttering box by the door, tidy a single area like a pantry shelf or closet corner, and reduce social media use step by step. Rather than getting rid of everything at once, experiment by living without certain items for 30 days. Small, consistent actions make minimalism sustainable and stress-free.

4. Take tiny steps in becoming a minimalist

When you are decluttering to become a minimalist or simply to create a little space in your home, there may come a time when empty shelves and sparse calendars make you uncomfortable. To ease the pain, you might want to buy more things, and commit to doing more. Instead, let the spaces you create give you room to think about how you really want to spend your time. This is how you intentionally start a minimalist life.

5. Don’t fill up all the spaces.

Be curious and have fun challenging yourself to live with less. Becoming a minimalist doesn’t have to be a project in suffering. You can have fun and learn along the way.

6. Try a minimalist challenge or experiment.

Make decluttering easier. The idea of not pushing and working so hard at making a change is one of my unpopular opinion. I just think we can get where we want to go in a gentler way. Before simplifying further, think about what you really want out of this life of yours. Is this the time to declutter more or is this the time to deepen a connection with someone you love? Is this the time to move on to your bookshelves, or is this the time to create something new, or serve in your community?

7. Don’t work so hard at becoming a minimalist.

We often think that how we become more minimalist is directly correlated to how many things we own and what things look like around us. That’s part of it but the biggest shifts won’t happen around you, they’ll happen within you. You’ll begin to discover that you need less than you think to live a happier life. Because you won’t be juggling as much, you’ll feel more connected to yourself, overreact less and you’ll be able to direct more attention and energy to the things that matter to you.

8. Create a minimalist mindset

We don’t remove clutter, reduce stress, and reject busyness to have a simple life. We do it to have a life. Don’t wait until your debt is paid off, or every room in your home is decluttered to start living. Minimalism invites you to be intentional about how you invest your time and energy, and how you want to fill your heart. Start now.

9. Don’t forget to have a life.

Don’t worry about following the advice of every popular minimalist or decluttering expert. You don’t have to live in a tiny house or carry all your belongings in a backpack. Don’t worry about how many items you own or don’t own. Don’t compare your journey to another. You can watch your favorite movies and buy what you need and love. You can call yourself a minimalist or not. This is your journey, your minimalism, your life.

10. Trust yourself to do what is best for you.

If you are curious about simplifying your life, have fun with this guide on how to become a minimalist and live with less.

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Reading & Writing

How To Become A Minimalist: A Little Guide To Living with Less

Falling in love is a great start, but it’s just the beginning. The excitement and energy come from a rush of brain chemicals, pushing us to connect. But this feeling doesn’t last forever. Real love is what comes after the effort, understanding, and deep connection that grow over time. If we keep chasing the high of new love, we risk missing out on something lasting. Love isn’t just the cocktail; it’s the full meal, and that takes time to build.

What does it mean in terms of long-term happiness ?

When the initial bliss fades, differences emerge, and doubts may follow. What once felt perfect now seems uncertain. But this isn’t a sign that love is gone—it’s the next step. This is where real love begins, moving beyond the excitement of new romance to the deeper work of understanding, accepting, and growing together.

What does it mean when the feeling goes away?

Love isn’t just something we find—it’s something we learn and practice. It’s not always easy. Sometimes it feels like patience when plans change or generosity when things don’t go our way. Loving relationships come with hard conversations and tough emotions like hurt, anger, and fear. These moments can push us apart, but learning to love means pausing before reacting and turning challenges into growth.

Building Love

Mindfulness helps us pause before reacting, creating space between our emotions and our responses. Instead of acting out of fear or anger, we choose to protect our connection. Love in these moments is a mix of anxiety, determination, and hope the struggle between closing off and staying open.

Mindfulness And Love

In difficult moments, we can stay open to connection by finding the feeling of compassion for ourselves and our partners. Compassion doesn’t mean that everything is okay or that you ignore the difficulties. Compassion means that you recognize that love inevitably includes these moments of tension and hurt. You feel loving acceptance of your own and your partner’s limitations

Love Feels Like Compassion

Love requires discipline and commitment. It’s not just about feeling love, but consistently choosing to act with compassion, even when you feel like reacting negatively. Over time, this effort helps you stay grounded in tough emotional moments. Instead of being tossed by feelings, you learn to steady yourself and move forward, just like learning to sail through a storm.

Love Feels Like Discipline and Commitment

So, does loving and learning to love always feel hard? Not at all. Sometimes it feels like a great relief when you have successfully navigated a difficult set of emotional rapids without capsizing the boat. It can feel triumphant, deeply satisfying, comforting, and secure. It can feel like being on solid ground. It feels like the joy of learning. It feels like the security and trust of finding yourself with a teammate for this adventure of learning to love.

The Joy of Learning to Love

What does the feeling of being in love mean? And what does it mean when the feeling goes away?

Understand yourself and those around you.

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Psychology

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Mental Health

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Love & Relationships

Decoding the Confusing Feelings of Love

One of the first steps in studying while sad is recognizing and accepting how you feel. Trying to suppress or ignore sadness often makes it harder to focus. Take a moment to acknowledge your emotions, whether through journaling, deep breathing, or simply sitting quietly. This brief emotional release can help clear your mind, allowing you to approach your study session with more clarity.

1. Acknowledge Your Emotions

When you're sad, everything can feel overwhelming, including your study material. Instead of tackling large, daunting tasks, break your work into smaller, more manageable chunks. For example, if you're reading a long chapter, focus on finishing one section at a time. Set achievable, short-term goals, like reviewing a few pages or completing a single problem set. This not only makes studying more manageable but also helps you build momentum as you complete each task.

2. Break it Down into Smaller Tasks

Your surroundings can greatly influence your mood and productivity. When you're feeling down, create a space that feels comforting and soothing. This could mean using soft lighting, playing calming instrumental music, or wrapping yourself in a cozy blanket. Some people find that studying in a space with a pleasant aroma, like a scented candle or essential oil diffuser, can also enhance their mood. A warm cup of tea or coffee can add an extra touch of comfort and warmth.

3. Create a Comforting Study Environment

Sadness can often make your mind wander, leading to distractions. One way to counter this is by using active learning techniques, which engage your brain more fully in the material. Instead of passively reading or listening, try summarizing what you’ve learned, creating flashcards, drawing mind maps, or explaining concepts to a friend or yourself. These techniques not only improve your focus but also enhance retention by encouraging deeper understanding.

4. Engage in Active Learning

When you're not feeling your best, it’s important to adjust your expectations. Don’t force yourself to perform at the same level as you would on a good day. Instead, set realistic, achievable goals based on your current emotional state. If you typically study for three hours straight, maybe reduce that to shorter sessions with breaks. Acknowledge that it’s okay to slow down and that any progress you make is valuable, even if it’s less than usual.

5. Set Realistic Expectations

Continuous studying while feeling sad can quickly lead to burnout. To prevent this, take frequent breaks. Use a technique like the Pomodoro method, where you study for 25-30 minutes, followed by a 5-minute break. During these breaks, do something that brings you joy or relief, whether it’s listening to your favorite song, stretching, taking a short walk, or doing a quick breathing exercise. These small acts of self-care will help you recharge and stay focused.

6. Incorporate Frequent Breaks

Sadness can sometimes make you feel isolated, but studying doesn’t always have to be a solitary activity. If possible, consider studying with a friend or in a group setting. Even if you're not working on the same subject, the presence of others can be comforting and motivating. Alternatively, you could reach out to a friend or family member for a quick chat during your study breaks. Sometimes, just talking to someone who cares can make you feel supported and less alone.

7. Stay Connected with Others

When you're feeling down, it can be hard to stay motivated. During these times, remind yourself of the bigger picture—why you're studying in the first place. Whether it's for a career goal, personal growth, or future opportunities, keep your long-term goals in focus. Visualize the success you want to achieve and how each study session, no matter how small, brings you one step closer to it. This mental shift can give you a sense of purpose and motivate you to keep going despite how you're feeling.

8. Keep Your Long-Term Goals in Mind

Lastly, be gentle with yourself. When you're sad, your energy and focus may not be at their peak, and that’s okay. If you don’t accomplish everything you set out to do, don’t be hard on yourself. Remember that your mental and emotional well-being is just as important as your academic progress. Celebrate the small wins, no matter how minor they may seem, and recognize that you're doing your best under difficult circumstances. Self-compassion will help you bounce back more effectively in the long run.

9. Practice Self-Compassion

Studying effectively while feeling sad can be challenging, but it's not impossible. Here are some strategies to help you stay productive even when you're feeling down

Studying Effectively While Feeling Sad

It's important to acknowledge your pain rather than push it away. Give yourself the space to grieve, cry, or express whatever you're feeling. Emotional release is a key part of healing.

Allow Yourself to Feel

Understand that you cannot control how others behave or the choices they make. By releasing the need for justice or revenge, you free yourself from carrying that emotional weight.

Let Go of Control

Prioritize activities that nourish your body and soul. This might include:<ul><li>Journaling to express your thoughts and emotions</li><li>Engaging in physical activities like yoga, walking, or dancing, which help release tension</li><li>Eating well, resting, and treating your body kindly</li></ul>

Focus on Self-Care

Try creating new, positive experiences in your life. This could be in the form of learning something new, pursuing a hobby you love, or connecting with friends and family who uplift you. These new memories will help you feel less attached to the past.

Build New Memories

If watching your ex’s actions is hurting you, consider creating some distance. This might mean muting or unfollowing him on social media, or avoiding situations that trigger painful thoughts.

Limit Exposure to Painful Reminders

Practice Mindfulness

If thoughts of your ex consume you, gently redirect your focus. It takes time, but try to remind yourself that your healing is more important than replaying past events. You can say something like, “I’m choosing peace today.”

Set Boundaries with Yourself

Whether it's friends, family, or even music and books that uplift you, filling your environment with positive energy can gradually shift your mindset. Spend time with people who support and value you.

Surround Yourself with Positivity

Sometimes, talking with a therapist can help you navigate through unresolved emotions, providing you with tools and coping strategies to find peace.

Seek Professional Support

This is not about excusing your ex's behavior, but about releasing the hold it has on your life. By forgiving the situation—both your ex and yourself—you can free yourself from the lingering emotional pain.

Forgiveness (For Yourself)

Finding peace, especially after emotional pain, is a gradual process, but there are several steps you can take to start healing and nurturing inner calm

Finding peace, especially after emotional pain

Life can sometimes feel monotonous and lacking in direction, leading to a dull routine. However, with the right strategies, it’s possible to transform your life into one of discipline and fulfillment. This guide will help you navigate from a state of inertia to a more structured and purposeful existence.

Introduction

Assess what led to the dullness in your life. Was it a lack of motivation, unfulfilled goals, or external factors?Journaling and self-reflection can help pinpoint the underlying issues. Identify areas where you feel dissatisfied and set specific, achievable goals to address these areas.

1. Identify the Root Causes

Establish a daily routine that includes time for work, exercise, leisure, and self-care.Consistency is key. Start with small changes and gradually build a routine that works for you.Use tools like to-do lists or digital planners to prioritize tasks and manage time effectively.Break larger tasks into manageable steps to avoid feeling overwhelmed.

2. Create a Structured Plan

Exercise can boost energy levels and improve mood. Aim for at least 30 minutes of physical activity daily.Eating nutritious foods can enhance your overall well-being and increase productivity.Aim for 7-9 hours of sleep per night to ensure you’re well-rested and rejuvenated.

3. Build Healthy Habits

. Practice Mindfulness and Meditation:Mindfulness and meditation can help reduce stress and increase focus.Cultivate Gratitude:Regularly acknowledge and appreciate the positive aspects of your life to foster a positive mindset.

Having someone to share your goals with can provide motivation and accountability.Engage with groups or communities that align with your interests and goals.

Regularly review your goals and progress to stay on track and make necessary adjustments.Recognize and celebrate your milestones, no matter how small, to stay motivated.

6. Track Progress and Adjust

Making a comeback from a dull life to one of discipline involves a commitment to change and self-improvement. By identifying the root causes, creating a structured plan, building healthy habits, fostering a positive mindset, seeking support, and tracking your progress, you can transform your life and achieve a renewed sense of purpose and fulfillment.

Conclusion

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Time Management

Reviving Your Life: How to Make a Comeback from Dullness to Discipline

Self-expression is the process of engaging in activities you believe exemplify your innermost thoughts, feelings, and desires.As a unique individual, your own personal definition of self-expression might differ from just about everyone else’s. For one person, it might look like <a href="https://www.masterclass.com/articles/joyce-carol-oates-on-the-importance-of-journaling">journaling </a>and singing along to their favorite songs. This is just one of the beauties of self-expression: It’s always individualized.

What Is Self-Expression?

The importance of self-expression lies in its ability to effect self-discovery. To know yourself, you need to try new things. As you express yourself through these activities, you will realize you have self-existent and innate talents you might have never discovered had you avoided getting out of your comfort zone. Additionally, if you don’t express yourself, it can take a major toll on your <a href="https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-mental-health">mental health </a>and sense of overall wellness.

Why Is Self-Expression Important?

There are limitless ways to express who you are. Here are just five key forms of self-expression you can consider:1. Art : Whether you paint, sketch, or sculpt, art can be an amazing medium in which to express yourself. It’s one of the earliest means of self-expression known to humankind. Stretching back to the days of cave paintings, human beings have made making pictures of the world around them a formative part of their identities.

5 Self-Expression Examples

The clothes you wear can help express your inner self. People use their fashion sense to announce who they are and what they like. Think of how often you can guess the sort of music a person listens to just by the clothes they’re wearing. Fashion is one of the foremost forms of freedom of expression. Some people go one step further and begin designing their own clothes or embark on a career as a full-fledged fashion designer .

2. Fashion

Playing an instrument or singing is a great opportunity to express yourself. Songs allow people to wed poetry with melody, announcing who they are, what they believe, and what they’ve experienced. You don’t even have to learn how to play music to express yourself through it. By listening to your favorite bands and artists, you relate to their own self-expression and come to a better understanding of yourself, too.

3. Music

Whether you’re on Broadway in New York or on stage at your local community theater, theatrical performances can help you express yourself by taking on the role of another person. Acting is the process of using your own experience to depict that of another human being—your own self informs the character. Other forms of public speaking and performance can help you build confidence and express yourself, too.

4. Theater

Putting pen to paper or typing words on your screen will help you achieve a great deal of personal growth. Maybe you’ll find solace in writing blog posts about your everyday life. Perhaps you’ll enjoy writing fiction or poetry . Writing can be one of the best ways to express who you are.

5. Writing

Learning to express yourself will make your life richer and more fulfilling. Keep these tips in mind as you develop self-expression skills of your own:<ul><li>Develop self-confidence </li><li>Say what you mean </li><li>Spend time alone</li><li>Try different creative activities </li><li>Work with others </li></ul>

Some Tips

As you learn to express yourself, you’ll also begin to build up your self-esteem . The same proves true in reverse, too. Go against the grain and let go of societal expectations. Get out of your comfort zone and challenge yourself.

Develop self-confidence

Authentic self-expression requires honesty. No matter which medium you use to express yourself, always strive to be yourself rather than someone else. Sometimes you’ll learn even more about who you are through the process.

Say what you mean

To express yourself, you need to delve into your own personal story. Spend moments in quiet reflection . Think about the things that make you come alive. The more self-awareness you obtain, the better you’ll be able to express yourself in a fulfilling way.

Spend time alone

There are endless ways to express yourself. Whether it’s trying out for team sports or speaking in public for the first time, try new things. Make jokes about your own personality in a stand-up routine. Try out problem-solving and strategy games with your friends. Learn to play an instrument. Write down your unabridged thoughts in a journal.

Try different creative activities

Sometimes the best way to find your inner self is by partnering with other people engaged in similar pursuits. Spending time with like-minded creative friends can feel like your home away from home. You’ll find validation among your peers that what you’re doing is worthwhile and important. Along the way, you’ll discover the likes, dislikes, and talents that make you you , while helping others find their true selves in the process.

Work with others

Self-expression can prove to be one of the greatest joys of your life. Whether through the arts or athletics, the kitchen or your career, doing what you love allows you to make a positive impact on the world and maximize your own personal sense of well-being. Learn more about the art of self-expression.

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Career

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Creativity

Self-Expression Examples and Tips: How to Express Yourself - 2024

Mpox (previously known as monkeypox) is a rare disease caused by a <a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/24861-virus">virus </a>. Mpox spreads through close contact with someone who’s infected. You can also get it from an infected animal.There are two known types of mpox virus-one that originated in Central Africa and one that originated in West Africa. The current world outbreak (2022 to 2023) is caused by Clade IIb, a subtype of the less severe West African clade.

What is mpox?

For decades, mpox was mostly seen in Africa. But it’s occasionally found in other countries, including the United States. In the summer of 2021, a case of mpox was found in a U.S. resident who had traveled from Nigeria to the United States. Then, 2022 brought outbreaks to regions outside of Africa, including Europe, the Americas and Australia.

Where else is mpox found?

Anyone can get mpox. In Africa, most cases are among children under 15 years old. Outside of Africa, the disease appears to be more common in men who have sex with men (MSM), but there are numerous cases in people who don’t fall into that category.Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services.

Who does mpox affect?

After exposure, it may be several days to a few weeks before you develop symptoms. Signs of mpox include: <ul><li>Fever. </li><li>Rash. </li> </ul>

What are the signs and symptoms of mpox?

Because mpox is rare, a healthcare provider may first suspect other rash illnesses, such as <a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/8584-measles">measles </a>or <a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/4017-chickenpox">chickenpox </a>. But swollen lymph nodes usually distinguish mpox from other poxes. To diagnose mpox, your healthcare provider takes a tissue sample from an open sore (lesion). Then, they send it to a lab for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing (genetic fingerprinting). You may also need to give a blood sample to check for the mpox virus or <a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/22971-antibodies">antibodies </a>your immune system makes.

How is mpox diagnosed?

Mpox (formerly monkeypox) is caused by the mpox virus. Mpox is a rare disease that leads to rash and flu-like symptoms.