The Father of our nation, Mahatma Gandhi, said, “It is health which is real wealth, and not pieces of gold and silver.”
And it’s true. You really can’t invest enough in good health.
No matter how rich or in love you may be, the moment you catch a cold, you transform into the modern-day Ophelia and pester your twitter followers with a million, “O, woe is me” pity-party ramblings. Grr.
Since even the tiniest of physical discomforts can seem like the end of the world to us, here’s a list of 10 insanely wonderful health hacks you MUST know. Like, seriously. Drop whatever you’re doing and take notes! It can save you from being unfollowed on Twitter – no kidding.
Do you stare at a computer, smartphone or laptop screen all day with no breaks? Tsk tsk! You’re putting yourself at risk of sustaining some serious eye damage. The constant strain on your eyes can produce eye fatigue. Fortunately, The Canadian Association of Optometrists suggests an oh-so-simple health hack to prevent serious damages: follow the 20-20-20 rule (1).
Doctors recommend, “Every 20 minutes, take a 20-second break and focus your eyes on something at least 20 feet away.” See? Piece of cake.
Good sleep is essential to good health… and a good mood. Sorry Shakespeare, but more than a woman scorned, I do believe the phrase should read “hell hath no fury like a woman denied her sleep.” Just saying.
If you’ve been having trouble sleeping, follow this simple hack: blink rapidly for 60 seconds. This can allegedly tire your eyes and help you catch some shut-eye.
There’s nothing more aggravating in this world than a congested nose. For real. However, science says that onions could help clear out all that horrible stuffiness. Simply cut raw onions and leave them on your nightstand when you sleep. Onions contain a compound called quercetin, which has anti-inflammatory and anti-histamine properties that can clear out congested sinuses (2, 3, 4).
I know, it sounds bizarre. But, hey, it actually happens to work!
The next time you head out to a big dinner, buffet or party, don’t waste all that hard work you put in dieting. Eat an apple or banana and drink two glasses of water before you leave to give your stomach a head start (5). This could really save you from having that second helping of chocolate truffle cake that you’ll go home and cry over.
Tired of incessant breakouts? Try this easy-breezy hack! Before leaving your sinfully hot shower, go to the sink and douse your face with some ice cold water. Better yet, rub some ice over your face post shower. Chilled water can help close skin pores. Bonus? It’s super refreshing!
Suffering from an insufferable migraine episode? Try this intriguing hack. Fill a bowl with iced water and submerge your hands in it. Then, clench and unclench your fists repeatedly. According to experts, your hands are a reflex point, and the cold works by constricting those dilated blood vessels (6).
If you happen to be in bed and are experiencing some dizziness, place one foot on the ground below you. This is said to help your brain recalculate your position.
The next time you’re plagued by those pesky mosquito bites, instead of scratching and aggravating them further, simply rub some trusty old Vicks VapoRub on the affected region. Not only will it soothe the itch, but it can also help reduce the swelling.
According to Amy Cuddy, a social psychologist at Harvard Business School, if you’re headed for an important job interview, have to deliver a speech, or participate in some athletic feat, spend 2 minutes power posing!
Power posing is when you stand with your “chest lifted, head held high, arms either up or propped on the hips”. It is a position associated with power, achievement, and confidence that can help you appear more confident when you’re not. It’s a case of faking it till you make it. Curious? Watch Amy Cuddy’s inspiring Ted Talk:
Credit: TED [YouTube]
Research indicates that swearing can increase our pain tolerance and heart rate and decrease our pain perception as compared to non-swearing (7). So the next time you happen to fall down, don’t feel too guilty for dropping the F-bomb.
It turns out you don’t really need a lot of wealth to help maintain your proverbial wealth – health. All you really need is a few oh-so-smart yet simple hacks and, girl, you’re sorted!