We all have those quirky tricks that actually make life easier, even if they sound a little weird at first. I want to hear yours—what’s your ultimate "don’t knock it til you try it" life hack?
#1
Actually talking, in person, to another human being without the use of technology. It's really amazing how much you can learn from that conversation. You can see the person's facial expressions and tone of voice, which eliminates ANY confusion on what they meant when they said something.
Too many people are relying on electronics for EVERYTHING and miscommunication is abundant.
Too many people are relying on electronics for EVERYTHING and miscommunication is abundant.
8points
#2
Say I love you to your kids including the adult ones!
7points
#3
One of my favorite “don’t knock it til you try it” life hacks is taking a 5–10 minute walk right after eating. It sounds so simple that I used to dismiss it, but wow — it helps digestion, clears my head, and even sparks new ideas. I’ve solved more work problems on those little walks than staring at my screen for hours.
Sometimes the smallest, easiest changes make the biggest difference once you actually give them a shot. 🚶♀️✨
Sometimes the smallest, easiest changes make the biggest difference once you actually give them a shot. 🚶♀️✨
5points
#4
When everything is overwhelming or miserable, pet an animal. If there are no animals in your home, visit a friend with a pet or a shelter or a cat cafe. But find an animal who wants to be petted, and the toxins of life will start to drain away.
3points
#5
Say it out loud to another person who's willing to listen.
Failing that, stand in front of a mirror and say it out loud to yourself.
Failing that, write it down on paper then read it back to yourself.
There are a *lot* of bad things in my head (as well as a steel fragment from a grenade and a titanium plate over the hole it made on it's way in). One of the ways I learned to stop tearing myself apart in a downward spiral of intrusive thoughts, replaying memories that feel just as real now as they did at the time, getting trapped in my own head, and the destructive behaviour that goes hand in hand with that kind of thing was to express it.
It's so easy to start out with a negative thought or memory and let it go round and round and round in your head. With every lap it does, it gets bigger, more powerful, and more destructive - and without mindfulness you'll end up half a mile underwater before you even realise it's raining. Putting that thought out in the open makes it "real" though, which provides a grounding point and sometimes makes it a little bit easier to see things from a neutral or outside perspective rather than from the bottom of a pit of despair.
It's a process rather than an event. It doesn't have to be perfect, or fast, or hard work - baby steps are good, a single baby step is even better. This coping skill helped to bring me back right from the very edge, so maybe it'll help someone else too.
Failing that, stand in front of a mirror and say it out loud to yourself.
Failing that, write it down on paper then read it back to yourself.
There are a *lot* of bad things in my head (as well as a steel fragment from a grenade and a titanium plate over the hole it made on it's way in). One of the ways I learned to stop tearing myself apart in a downward spiral of intrusive thoughts, replaying memories that feel just as real now as they did at the time, getting trapped in my own head, and the destructive behaviour that goes hand in hand with that kind of thing was to express it.
It's so easy to start out with a negative thought or memory and let it go round and round and round in your head. With every lap it does, it gets bigger, more powerful, and more destructive - and without mindfulness you'll end up half a mile underwater before you even realise it's raining. Putting that thought out in the open makes it "real" though, which provides a grounding point and sometimes makes it a little bit easier to see things from a neutral or outside perspective rather than from the bottom of a pit of despair.
It's a process rather than an event. It doesn't have to be perfect, or fast, or hard work - baby steps are good, a single baby step is even better. This coping skill helped to bring me back right from the very edge, so maybe it'll help someone else too.
3points
#6
When the going gets tough...Take a nap!
All my life when life hands me lemons, I go to sleep.
Of course the problems are this there when I wake up,
but at least I'm well rested to address the situation with a fresh perspective.
All my life when life hands me lemons, I go to sleep.
Of course the problems are this there when I wake up,
but at least I'm well rested to address the situation with a fresh perspective.
3points
#7
For those of us with Major Depressive Disorder, find a routine that you know you can stick to. And then stick to it. Do it every day. It can be something small and simple. If you start to feel like you can't or don't want to do that thing anymore, that is a warning sign that you're slipping into a depressive state. Seek help before you're at the point where seeking help is impossible.
I make sure to always make my bed in the morning. And to always wash all the dishes before bed at night. They're little things, but I do them every day. When I wake up and don't have the energy to make the bed, or I'm just sitting on the couch and just can't bring myself to do those dishes, I call my therapist and my psychiatrist.
Also, tell your friends about this. It'll help them pick up on cues that you're struggling, when you can't just tell them because you may not know yourself.
I make sure to always make my bed in the morning. And to always wash all the dishes before bed at night. They're little things, but I do them every day. When I wake up and don't have the energy to make the bed, or I'm just sitting on the couch and just can't bring myself to do those dishes, I call my therapist and my psychiatrist.
Also, tell your friends about this. It'll help them pick up on cues that you're struggling, when you can't just tell them because you may not know yourself.
3points
#8
Clove oil in your floor cleaner to repel crawly bugs from coming in your home.
2points
#9
Foods from different cultures. I have found numerous favorites from South America, Asia, Eastern Europe, and especially Africa.
2points
#10
The Pomodoro technique. Work for 25 minutes, then take a 5 minute break. This is a life saver if you have focus issues like yours truly.
1point
#11
Controlled/focused breathing. Works wonders to help calm down, as someone who suffers from panic attacks, focused breathing has saved me countless times from having a full on attack. I apply it to my kids also when they're scared and/or crying I hold both their hands in mine have them look me in the eyes and help them to calm down. They then can easily and calmly explain what has happened to make them cry or scared etc.
1point
#12
I'm habitually late, easily distracted I guess (ooh, look, a rubber chicken). I set all my clocks ahead by 10-15 min. Kitchen clock, alarm clock, microwave, oven, wrist watches, car clock, any I have control over. You'd think that you would just mentally add it back, but it works for me (usually... the family still lies and tells me "it starts at 5:00").
0points