Everyday Life Hacks That Will Simplify Your Life

I’m a big fan of “life hacks.” Although the term is kind of annoying and seems a bit gimmicky, the solutions they offer are effectively “hacks” so I think it’s an apt name. Regardless, I love finding out new things to implement in to my daily life that make things just a little bit easier. Those “oh shit, no way!” moments when someone teaches you a new keyboard trick, or points out something you never knew. They’re enough to make you crave more of that same feeling. I love hearing about new tricks or shortcuts that can effectively improve a tiny part of everyday life.

I’m always looking for new ones, but for now, here are some of my favorite life hacks:

• If you think you’re not flexible (i.e. can’t touch your toes), try rolling out your feet on a golf ball for 20 seconds each. Now try to touch your toes. The golf ball alleviates any tightness in your calves and hamstrings and you’ll notice your flexibility increase at least 6 inches.
  • I showed this to my roommate and he was absolutely shocked. It was the first time in his life he was able to touch his toes.
• If you feel yourself getting irritated or annoyed, look at a random person on the train, on the street or in your office and say in your head “I love you, I love you, I love you.” It sounds super dumb and feels really weird and uncomfortable doing it for the first time, but it immediately puts you in a good mood and gets rid of any malice or bad feelings.
  • This was recommened by comedian Jerrod Carmichael of all people. Very funny stand-up if you’re bored
• Always keep your iPhone on low battery mode to increase battery life 2x
• To peel a banana in one second, pinch the bottom instead of peeling from the top
• To get more flavor out of your tea, put the tea bag in the cup and pour water over it. Then microwave for two minutes
  • This may sound scarilege to any Irish or English people, but microwaving brings out 80% of the good tasting compounds according to studies
• To stop a sneeze, pinch your nose shut and pull it outwards
• If you want to keep your ice cream soft in the freezer, place the carton in to a ziploc bag – this way your ice cream isn’t rock hard and you don’t have to wait 15 mins without bending your spoon
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• Eat for free at a major hotel’s free continental breakfast — even if you don’t stay there. Walk in like you belong, take your food, and leave
• Read online subscription news (like NY Times or Wall Street Journal) by using an incognito window
• To pop your ears back after a pressure change, blow up your cheeks and try to swallow
• If a cough is keeping you up at night – put Vick’s Vapo-rub on your feet and put on socks. Within minutes the cough will stop permanently
• To re-open the tab you accidentally closed, press Ctrl-Shift-T
• If you ever get pulled over for speeding at night, tell the cop that the truck behind you had illegal bright lights and you were trying to get the reflection off your rearview mirror
  • Never tried this, but it works in theory in my head
• If you are caught in the rain or need to charge your phone, stop in to a nearby hotel and ask the front desk if they found an umbrella or phone charger in the Lost & Found
• When in airport security, always get behind business travelers and avoid lines with young children or elderly people
• If you’re in a conversation with someone who won’t stop talking, drop something on the floor, like a pen or a key, and bend down to pick it up. It’s your turn to talk now
• If you want to check to see if someone is staring at you, look down and check your watch. Chances are they will too
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• People like you more when you say their name
  • This is something my dad always taught me and is from Dale Carnegie’s How to Win Friends and Influence People. The sound of one’s own name is the sweetest sound in the world. Whenever we go out to eat, my dad always makes it a point to ask the waiter/waitress’ name and says it over and over again to them. We always get great service
• If you ever need to use the bathroom in a busy city, go in to a coffee shop and ask for water, then use the restroom
  • I’ve never been denied doing this
• The best way to eat chips…

• Don’t think I’ll ever need this one BUT… if a crocodile is chasing you, run in a zig zag pattern. Crocodiles can’t take sharp turns well
• If you don’t know whether to write “affect” or “effect”, use the word “impact” instead
• If you want someone to listen to you, start the conversation with “I shouldn’t be telling you this
• If you ever get stuck in a crowd, just yell out “HOT COFFEE COMING THROUGH.”
  • I do this all the time. Whether in high school to get to the front of the lunch line, or in a crowded subway station. As funny as this is, it has worked for me every. damn. time.
• When walking through a crowd, look at your destination in the distance. People will clear a path if they see you make a clear eye-line
  • This also works well. Really makes a difference when walking in NYC. The only monkey-wrench is people who don’t look up from their damn cell-phones. Screw those people.
• Always ask for a student discount, most stores have it and students never use it
• When doing sit-ups if you place your tongue on the roof of your mouth it will stop you from straining your neck
• Drink apple juice before bed if you want weird dreams
• Take notice of someone’s eye color when you’re talking to them. It will force you to make eye contact and they will automatically like you more for what looks like giving them full attention
• If you ever get a flat tire, take a picture of it and save it in your phone. This way, you can always use it as an excuse if you’re running late for something. Simply text the picture of the flat tire
•  That one’s straight cold though

-KB