The human body is working all the time, repairing damage and adapting to its environment. There are some tricks to help you outsmart it. Some are funny, while others seem like superpowers.
#1. Close one eye
If you wake up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom, try to keep only one eye open. If the bright light from the bulb enters both eyes, your body will think it is time to wake up and so you will have more difficulties to fall asleep again. However, if you keep one eye closed, your brain will adjust much easier to the darkness and you will be able to fall asleep faster.
#2. Pull on your ear
Next time you are dealing with a headache, don’t massage your temples, but pull your ear instead. When you rub your temples, you help release tension around your eyebrows, while the nerve pathways around your ears can relax the whole body. Take your ear between your thumb and forefinger and pull gently up and down. It will release fresh fluid to the brain and give it some extra nourishment.
#3. The right way to swallow pills
If you have troubles swallowing medications, try this: put the pill in your mouth and lean your head forward before you swallow. When leaning forward, your swallow reflex is activated and your body should swallow the pill on its own.
#4. Thaw your brain
Brain freeze occurs often in summertime. It is when we can’t wait to sink our teeth into that ice cream of Popsicle. Then the brain tries to protect itself from the rapid change in temperature. You can get rid of this problem by pressing your tongue against the roof of your mouth. The warmth will relax the blood vessels and the headache will be quickly relieved.
#5. Avoid crying
If you are in a situation when you should not be crying, even if you really want to, follow this: find a few different points in the room and stare intensely at them. Repeat the colors of these objects over and over again in your head. It will decrease your pulse and distract you.
#6. Roll your head
When you have sat too long with your legs crossed or your arm fell asleep and it’s all pricks and needles. You can try two things: tense the muscles in that part of the body and shake it or hop awkwardly on one leg and wait until the pricks and needles go away.
Also, you can slowly roll your head from side to side. The feeling will go away when you release the nerves or vessels which are pressured or the blood flow is interrupted. This won’t help you with your feet, so you will just have to activate them by performing the uncomfortable dance.
#7. Stop the hiccups
Hiccups can be caused by eating too fast, swallowing air, temperature changes in the stomach, or when excited. Here is one trick you need to try when experiencing hiccups next time: open your mouth and swallow several times leaving your mouth open. This way your diaphragm will relax and your hiccups will disappear.
#8. Don’t be scared of needles
Not only kids, but also adults are afraid of needles. Try this next time you are going to the doctor’s office: Cough lightly a few times as the needle is being placed and the procedure should ne painless. The body becomes distracted, so probably it is the reason this trick works.