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Let’s face it, we virtually know nothing about our bodies. I mean, we breathe, and sleep, and eat, and put it on repeat. But apparently, there’s some everyday magic we can do with our physique that we didn’t have a clue existed. Pull your seat closer.

You know how you're sitting in a movie theatre and out of nowhere, your nose is about to blast off like Elon Musk's SpaceX? There’s a trick for this. Or hiccups. There’s a simple hack to treat those little devils too. Because we can only take a limited amount of hiccups at a time, and every extra one is a threat to human dignity.

So scroll down below to pack yourself with some useful tips and tricks that may save your date, shield you from embarrassment, and simply make it pass.

#1

30 Cool "Life Hacks" About Our Bodies Instead of treading water and tiring yourself out float on your back by arching your spine and pushing your hips up toward the sky. Spread your limbs out and use small movements with your arms to stabilize. Contemplate life.

crdog , Leandro Riviello Report

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B
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This one is really important and could save your life. Tested and it works, even for people who can't swim. Just hope for calm seas.

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#2

30 Cool "Life Hacks" About Our Bodies When you do pullups, try to imagine yourself pulling your elbows down, not pulling your body up. It's a mental trick that can make them feel easier, because it forces you to use the muscles in your back more.

FloralBison , Eric Astrauskas Report

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hispanic! at the disco
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Although you're still going to be scammed in those "stay on the bar for two minutes and win 100 dollars!!" games

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#3

30 Cool "Life Hacks" About Our Bodies Feeling depressed or just thoroughly upset? Have a snack containing the following:

--Dark chocolate (to raise endorphins)

--Blueberries (to raise serotonin)

--Green tea+ (which contains L-theanine that blocks stress receptors in your brain)

--Anything rich in B-vitamins like 5-Hour Energy, VitaminWater, or banana chips (as B-vitamins replenish energy that's sapped when you are depressed)

I've used this custom snack pack to great effect in the past, even coming back from being legitimately suicidal. I've had my mood turn around inside of 2 hours with this. I'm on a daily antidepressant now and am doing much better overall, but sometimes I still need this emotional bandaid fix.

+Hot or cold green tea will work, but for added benefit, holding a warm mug of hot tea sends signals to your brain to help your muscles relax, which you may be subconsciously tensing due to stress.

PianoManGidley , AlexanderStein Report

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#4

30 Cool "Life Hacks" About Our Bodies Water should be the first thing you put into your body each day.

NateDawg24 , Roger Johnson Report

#5

30 Cool "Life Hacks" About Our Bodies Make pooping easier by elevating your knees and feet, so you're in a squatting position.

Squatty Potty Report

#6

30 Cool "Life Hacks" About Our Bodies Squeezing your left thumb into your palm can help cut off your gag reflex.

Thought it was [bullcrap]. Tried it. Can brush my tongue nicely now

MaxwellSavageYork , jidesu Report

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Elsker
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

isn't this just a way of diverting your brains from gagging? still, if it works:)

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#7

30 Cool "Life Hacks" About Our Bodies When you are hot pour cold water over your wrists to cool your body off. The reason this remedy works is because your wrist and neck both contain pulse points, areas where you can feel your pulse because your blood vessels are close to the surface of your skin.

mojaksywa , star athena Report

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Dynein
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Be careful to not use water that's too cold... your vessels contract quickly if it's too cold so you won't actually cool off that well. Best to use lukewarm water that your body doesn't register as *cold*... just less hot than your body. (Same goes for every other method of using liquids to cool off - lukewarm/slightly cold works better!). By the same token, wrapping your *wrists* (and neck) warm in winter can retain a lot of heat.

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#8

30 Cool "Life Hacks" About Our Bodies If you need to get up in the middle of the night keep one eye closed so that when you flip on the lights it stays attuned to night vision. That way you can still see in the dark with the other eye when you're done.

Davidglo , Alexander Krivitskiy Report

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#9

30 Cool "Life Hacks" About Our Bodies If you're worried you're gonna throw up, you're mouth usually fills with saliva a bit beforehand because the contents of your stomach are harmful to the throat. It's a pretty good sign you're gonna toss them cookies.

myrtlemurrs , Trần Toàn Report

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No you didn't
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I see, "easy body tricks that may come in handy" means reflexes. Yes, those may come in handy. Thank you.

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#10

30 Cool "Life Hacks" About Our Bodies If you have a stuffed up nostril, lay on your side which is opposite to the nostril (e.g. If the left nostril is plugged, lay on your right side). Try tilting your head different ways and just lay there. Once you find the right head orientation, the pressure will relieve itself. It's orgasmic.

bigolmonkeyfarm , PublicDomainPictures Report

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#11

30 Cool "Life Hacks" About Our Bodies Tiptoe (toe-heel walk) every time you aren't wearing shoes, improves balance and +1 stealth. Also good way to workout those calves.

crdog , Alexis Report

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Martha Meyer
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't wear shoes when I'm home. That would be very weird to do all the time.

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#12

30 Cool "Life Hacks" About Our Bodies Lie on your left side to help prevent bedtime heartburn after you eat a big meal

DieterRobbins Report

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Scott
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Your stomach is on the left side. Laying on this side stops the acid flowing back to the aesophagus thus reducing heartburn.

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#13

30 Cool "Life Hacks" About Our Bodies If you get some form of exercise every day, your mind and body will feel better. Lifting 3-4 times a week and biking to work/school every day has completely changed who I am over the course of a year and a half. Don't give up on yourself.

CoupleScrewsLoose , Jonathan Borba Report

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Martha Meyer
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

People really underestimate how important this is for mental well being. Humans are made for walking about 20 km a day actually and not exercising at all is like keeping a bird in a cage all the time.

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#14

30 Cool "Life Hacks" About Our Bodies If you are experiencing a panic attack or you are anxious enough to elevate your heart rate, you can hold a cold water bottle to your face between your nose and cheekbone and hold your breath for 30 seconds to have your body relax itself.

LanarLikker , Fernando @cferdo Report

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#15

30 Cool "Life Hacks" About Our Bodies If you feel a sneeze coming but it fails to emerge (super frustrating), look at a bright light and it'll come. Works for me almost every time.

Raisinization , Pexels Report

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ThreeOfAKind
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Actually only 18-35% of people can induce sneezing by looking at light. It's still really useful to those that can though!

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#16

30 Cool "Life Hacks" About Our Bodies Rolling around and stretching on the floor for 5-10 minutes helps to relieve a huge amount of body aches/soreness for me. It really relaxes your body and loosens it up.

Sumit316 , Adam McGuffie Report

#17

30 Cool "Life Hacks" About Our Bodies If you're writing a test and are having trouble thinking/remembering an answer, adjust your position - somehow this helps you think differently

im_paul_n_thats_all , tjevans Report

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Karen Johnston
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Also works with crying babies. If you're holding one on the left shoulder, and you move him or her to the right, sometimes it soothes them. My theory is their clothing is rubbing on them somewhere that is making them uncomfortable. I also found with a really cranky baby, change their clothes and that can help.

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#18

30 Cool "Life Hacks" About Our Bodies When you get a brain freeze, press and hold your tongue up to the roof of your mouth.

congerdesign Report

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Martha Meyer
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There is not even a word for it in my language. I still wonder what a brain freeze is supposed to be.

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Dawn
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I found rubbing my tongue on the roof of my mouth works better.

Margaret Lacher
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not just the roof of your mouth, but the soft palate in the back of the mouth. It also works best if your tongue is warmer than the cold soft palate because the warmth relieves the "wain freeze" effect.

David Peirson
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If you've never had brain freeze you haven't truly enjoyed ice cream. Basically you're teasing yourself by just tasting it bits at a time. You're not really eating it. You prolly melt it all before you swallow it. Try actually eating it.

Talon
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I usually do this but with my thumb, using my tongue has never worked for me

aw man i'm all outta cash
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Something that's worked for me is remembering, "wait, it's just from my stomach and not my head." It goes away instantly and works every single time. Weird solution, but it ain't stupid if it works. :D

Spring Fisk
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It has to do with the distance of the human brain and the nerves in the top of the mouth. I have a family member that has never had a brain freeze. Perhaps people like her have more insulating tissue on their palate? I don't know.

gabrielle wolf-stahl
Community Member
4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

sphenopalatine ganglioneuralgia.... Holding your tongue to your soft palate helps to warm it back up....

Kathy Guillemette
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'll remember this the next time I either eat ice cream too fast or drink a slurpee too fast.

Cheryl Fontaine
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ice cream always gives me a brain freeze... I keep a glass of very warm water close by, one sip does it...

Caroline Chia
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You get brain freeze when you drink a cold drink too fast. I've always just closed my mouth and breathed through my nose quickly drawing many breaths of air and that makes the brain freeze subside. I must try this trick next time to see if it works.

April
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have seen people getting these on only TV and movies.

Binxyminxem
Community Member
4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When I saw the picture I thought yay this will be an "eating ice cream helps this" post, then I scrolled down! Now I haven't got an excuse to have ice cream! Lol

Nicky OldfieldDesciple
Community Member
4 years ago

This comment has been deleted.

Jo Johannsen
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If you can't give up the slushies or ice cream, keep a cup of hot coffee handy to knock off the chill.

Alejandra Lima
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What exactly is a brain freeze? It seems only people from USA suffer from this. What's the translation to spanish for this?

Lauren Caswell
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Really? I'm not American and both me and my son get it. Perhaps it's a genetic thing

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Jo Johannsen
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When I order a slushy type drink, i also get a hot coffee - first sign of brain freeze, i sip some coffee and Presto! No more brain freeze.

Nevits Yibble
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This rarely works for me. Tried it dozens of times. Just have to take the pain. And eat the ice cream nom nom nom

nanashi
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

a thumb to the roof of the mouth works faster for me. your tongue is already cold with whatever cold food/drinks you're having.

Sian Edwards
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's not brain freeze I have a problem with, it's the cold urticaria causing my throat and tongue to swell. So all my Ice cream is melted first!

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#19

30 Cool "Life Hacks" About Our Bodies More a gltich than a hack, but if you position yourself in the door frame (or something similar) with your arms hanging down and push both your arms against the frame with all your force and keep doing that for about 30 seconds and step away while completely relaxing your arms your arms will raise themselves upwards while you are relaxing your arms.

Adolf-____-Hitler , Salim Virji Report

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Daenarys
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I show this to my 6th grade students during our body systems unit in biology every year. They think it's hilarious.

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#20

30 Cool "Life Hacks" About Our Bodies If you have somewhat of a double chin or you want your jawline to be more defined in a picture, put your tongue on the roof of your mouth.

crdog , Mike Oliva Report

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Monday
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Pressing your tongue to the roof of your mouth when you smile for a picture also keeps your eyes open wider

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#21

30 Cool "Life Hacks" About Our Bodies Drain congested sinuses by alternating between pressing your tongue to the roof of your mouth, then pressing a finger between your eyebrows

Brittany Colette Report

#22

30 Cool "Life Hacks" About Our Bodies To quickly cure your hiccups: Deeply inhale, hold it, swallow twice, then exhale through your nose.

RobinHiggins Report

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Wolfowl
Community Member
4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I drink water from the opposite rim of the glass until the hiccups are gone.

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#23

30 Cool "Life Hacks" About Our Bodies To hear someone talking next to you in a loud room, lightly pull back on the little flaps on both your ears — then push them in.

parispictures Report

#24

30 Cool "Life Hacks" About Our Bodies If you're wearing wet swim trunks, wrap a towel tightly around your waist, and pull it tight around your knees as well, so that your knees are touching each other. Now squat as low as you can, you should feel the towel constrict even tighter. Your swim trunks should now be totally dry, and you can go straight inside and sit on the couch without getting yelled at by mom for leaving a big wet mark.

saunter-o-dimm , .Martin. Report

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#25

30 Cool "Life Hacks" About Our Bodies To calm down when you're feeling extremely nervous, put your thumb in your mouth, close your lips, and try to blow out air, letting your cheeks puff up.

JESHOOTS-com Report

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Wubbleyew
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The final step is to look at yourself in the mirror while doing this. You'll look so ridiculous you won't be able to not laugh at yourself

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#26

30 Cool "Life Hacks" About Our Bodies When you accidentally burn your tongue on hot coffee or tea, swish with very cold water (but don't suck on ice)

Hayes Potter Report

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Marcus Fleming
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Good advice. But 'accidentally'? Do some people burn their tongue on purpose? Am I missing out on something?

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#27

30 Cool "Life Hacks" About Our Bodies To ensure you never miss contact in a high-five, watch the other person's elbow.

ghostoftheuniverse , Tyler Nix Report

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Marcus Fleming
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This could go wildly wrong. I recommend holding your hand hi and still. Let the hi-fiver to the swing. Take five.

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#28

30 Cool "Life Hacks" About Our Bodies Guys: when shaving over your Adam's apple, swallow as you swipe down to avoid getting nicked.

crdog , Supply Report

#29

30 Cool "Life Hacks" About Our Bodies Stop a sneeze in its tracks by pressing down on the area right above your upper lip.

Mojpe Report

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Hans
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is a good trick, but in general, we sneeze with a purpose. Thus, if there is no danger of "hitting" anyone, sneezing makes sense!

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#30

30 Cool "Life Hacks" About Our Bodies Stop a nosebleed by leaning your head forward a little, then pinching your nose in a specific spot for five minutes.

Harvard Health Blog , Marco Verch Report

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Wubbleyew
Community Member
4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

'a specific spot' well that's like saying to save yourself from a snake bite, eat a certain leaf.

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#31

30 Cool "Life Hacks" About Our Bodies If your lower back often feels tight, try lifting yourself in any location where you can dangle your legs. Relax your back and let the weight of your legs stretch out your back. The corner formed by two counters in a kitchen is a very common place that works.

_Apostate_ , Toa Heftiba Report

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Elsker
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

one works great for me, (thought it was some yoga pose but can't find a link to share) Stand straight, with your bum against a door or wall, and just carefully bend down and hold for a moment

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#32

30 Cool "Life Hacks" About Our Bodies Chew gum to stop that earworm song that's stuck in your head.

Hunter Newton Report

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Anton Swanepoel
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Another method is to play the ending of the song in your mind. Apparently this tells the DJ in your head that the song is finished now.

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#33

30 Cool "Life Hacks" About Our Bodies This one is specifically for women: if you feel lower abdominal pain so severe that it seems like it might be appendicitis, try lying down in different positions to feel whether you can minimize the pain.

If the pain has varying intensities with different body positions it probably isn't appendicitis even if it's right quadrant pain. Still go see a doctor promptly; ask for an ultrasound. It's more likely ovarian cyst torsion.

Learned this from my gynecologist.

doublestitch , derneuemann Report

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Tor Rolf Strøm
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You havent been to the doctor in how many years!? Nah, I just read bored panda.

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#34

30 Cool "Life Hacks" About Our Bodies Improve your lung capacity by trying to swim the entire length of the pool underwater on one deep breath.

I've been working on this at the large pool at the gym, and the extra breathing capacity has proved beneficial in a variety of ways - including stamina.

Back2Bach , Mohammed Kuraish Report

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Tor Rolf Strøm
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wow, who knew! If you practice holding your breath, your lung capacity will improve?! Damn!

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#35

30 Cool "Life Hacks" About Our Bodies Not sure if it's a hack but if you want to straighten your posture place your body comfortably against a wall, lift your arms up, side raise all the way up, keep repeating for a couple of minutes, when you take a step forward your posture will be improved for a bit. Keep repeating for better results

Golan_1002 , Joseph Rosales Report

#36

30 Cool "Life Hacks" About Our Bodies If you need to pee but don't have to, push into your belly button with your finger. Kinda wiggle it around as you push. This will give you the sensation to pee.

luxanderson , zeevveez Report

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#37

30 Cool "Life Hacks" About Our Bodies Next time you leave a club or concert and your ears are ringing and you're having trouble hearing quieter noises, cover your ears with your palms with your fingers wrapped around the back of your head. Then use your first and middle fingers on each hand to sort of flick the back of your head a bunch of times. The ringing should mostly go away and your hearing will come back for a while.

pappy_van_sprinkle , Counselling Report

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WilvanderHeijden
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Use earplugs before going in. The ringing of your ears is a sign that they have suffered damage according to my hearing care professional. She also said that in the Netherlands more than 75% of people to the age of 20 already have some kind of hearing loss. It's caused by the noise in concerts and clubs, but also because of headphones that are playing music too loud.

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