9 Easy and Basic Life Hacks for Everyone

One can never have too many simple but useful life hacks, habits, and tips in your back pocket. Especially right now when we’re all looking for small ways to make our daily lives a bit easier, less stressful, or better in some way.

1. If you put something down temporarily, say it out loud. (“I’ve put my phone on the table.”). This engages many more areas of the brain (particularly the language centers) which creates a richer memory and makes it less likely you’ll forget where you put it.
2. If you sit for several hours a day, find a simple routine to stretch out your hips and chest. It’s an absolute game changer for people who suffer from chronic lower back pain as a result of being hunched over a desk.
3. If you have a spare minute at home, always take a few seconds to just pet your dog or cat and really appreciate them. Pets are only a part of your life but you are your pet’s entire life.
4. If you have trouble making a decision, flip a coin. While you’re waiting to get the result, your mind automatically starts to wish for what it wants.
5. If you want to wear something white or light in color, wear underwear that matches the color of your skin, not white.
6. If there’s a jar or container you can’t open, run the lid under hot water for 30 seconds. Dry it so you can get a good grip, then open it. I’ve never had this not work.
7. Sometimes changing your pillowcase daily can help with acne.
8. When you move into a new house or apartment, always set up your bedroom first — and make the bed. That way, when you’re exhausted and have had enough, you can just fall into it. Nothing worse than being exhausted and having to make the bed before getting into it.
9. If a recipe calls for onions and garlic, don’t put the garlic into the pan until the onion is nearly translucent. Garlic cooks way faster than onions do. If you throw them in at the same time, it won’t taste as good and the garlic will burn. It literally takes 30 seconds for minced garlic to cook.