5. Take a Break From Your Screen
Nothing puts more strain on your vision
than staring at a computer screen for much of the day. If you are on
your computer for a good number of hours over the course of a day, give
your eyes a break by following the '20-20-20' rule. For every 20 minutes
you are staring at the screen, turn your head and stare at something 20
feet (6 meters) away for 20 seconds. Your vision is too important to be
messed with - protect your eyes and this technique will help you
maintain your concentration levels for longer too.
6. Microwave Your Kitchen Sponge
in a minute
If you were asked to name the place in your house that's most likely to
be full of germs, you are likely to point to your toilet seat or front
door mat. However, research has shown that the kitchen sponge is often
the most bacteria-ridden item in your home. It's likely to be used on
all sorts of grime and spills, and the chances are that it will also
come into contact with raw meat at some point too. You should change the
sponge regularly, but in the meantime, zap your sponge in the microwave
for 30 seconds every day to kill unwanted germs.
7. Liven Up Your Water
Many people don't drink the recommended daily amount of water every day
because they find a glass of plain old H2O a little boring. It takes
less than a minute to grab a piece of fruit or a vegetable and chop off a
slice to liven it up. Infuse your water with whatever you like -
orange, lemon, cucumber, kiwi, strawberries, and peach are all good
options and will also help quash your cravings for sugary, fruit drinks.
Try to get into the habit of preparing and drinking a glass of infused
water every two hours and keep yourself hydrated, while also benefiting
from some of the goodness the infusions offer.
8. Manage Your Sneezes
When you have a cold, chances are that you will carry tissues around
with you and sneeze into them. However, the reality is that we all
sneeze pretty much every day, regardless of whether we are sick or not.
Protect both your own health and the well being of others by sneezing
into the bend of your elbow if you don't have a tissue on hand.
Importantly, this ensures that you don't use your hands, which are
likely to be unclean and spread germs. Even better, carry a small bottle
of hand sanitizer in your bag or pocket at all times and use it after
sneezing.
9. Focus on Your Breathing
Anxiety not only causes great distress at the time, but it also has a
negative effect on your overall health. However, focusing on your
breathing is a quick and easy way you can alleviate stress and ease your
mind. Next time you are feeling anxious, take a minute to breathe
slowly and deeply to help dispel the negative emotions, refresh your
mind and lower your blood pressure.
10. Drink Your Milk
If you eat healthy cereals, then you need to be aware that up to 40% of
the nutrients contained within them dissolve when you add milk. This
means that you have to drink the leftover milk in order to benefit from
the complete nutritional boost that the likes of Muesli and grain-based
cereals provide.
11. Recite the Alphabet as You Wash Your Hands
This may sound like common sense, but although one of the earliest
lessons we were taught in childhood is to 'always wash your hands', it's
easy to slip out of the habit. Most of us will give them a quick blast
under the tap after we use the toilet or handle food, but we should
also wash them when we return from any public place or outdoors -
especially during flu season when germs are lurking on door handles and
surfaces. You also need to wash them properly - scrubbing them for at
least 20 seconds in soap. Reciting the alphabet as you wash them is one
way you can make sure you do a sufficient job.
12. Hug a Friend or Family Member
Hugs are not just ways of showing affection or greeting a loved one,
they are also healthy for you. There have been a number of studies that
have proven the health benefits of regularly cuddling, and they have
been found to be an effective stress reliever and a way to lower blood
pressure. It only takes a few seconds, and you will be sharing the
health benefits with the other person too (although in most situations,
it's probably best not to hug complete strangers)!
