THE A–Z COLLECTION
Em’s Gems & Life Hacks.
I collect useful tricks, practical fixes, and ideas worth remembering. Pick a category, search for something specific, or browse A to Z.
89 entries
A
Em’s Gem
A Passive Witness
If you struggle with meditation, imagine there’s someone sitting next to you. When thoughts arise, imagine they’re coming from that other person and you just happen to…
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Em’s Gem
A Scenic Walk
A great way to connect and have a deep conversation is to take someone on a scenic walk. It takes the pressure off and natural surroundings put your mind at ease.
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Em’s Gem
A Spoonful Of Peanut Butter
Eating a spoonful of peanut butter before bed helps burn calories while you sleep.
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Life Hack
A Tight Squeeze for a Quieter Breeze
Tired of your ceiling fan’s rattle? That annoying hum is often just loose globe screws. Don’t over tighten them and risk cracking the glass. Instead, slip a wide rubber…
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Em’s Gem
An Unexplained Dread
If you’re feeling an unexplained dread or angry, or upset, think about how long it’s been since you took care of your physical needs. A snack, a nap, or a drink of water…
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Em’s Gem
Be Six Again
Six year olds laugh an average of 300 times a day. Adults only laugh 15-100 times a day. Be six again.
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Em’s Gem
Before You Argue
Before you argue with someone ask yourself, “Is this person mentally mature enough to grasp the concept of a different perspective?” If not, there is no point to an…
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Em’s Gem
Best Way To Clean A Microwave
The best way to clean a microwave: put a cup of hot water and vinegar inside, turn it on for three to five minutes, and wipe it clean with ease.
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Life Hack
11 Clever Skills That Pay You Back Forever
Cultivate these and watch life start conspiring in your favor.
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Em’s Gem
100 Calories Burned
20 pushups, 15 squats, 50 jumping jacks, 30 crunches. Repeat 3 times. = 100 Calories burned.
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Em’s Gem
Chewing Gum Can Help You Read Faster
Chewing gum can help you read faster. It distracts your brain from outside stimuli by giving it something to focus on.
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Em’s Gem
Clench Your Fist To Improve Memory
Simply clenching one’s fists helps boost memory. US psychologists say clenching the right hand for 90 seconds aids in memory creation, whereas doing the same with the…
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Em’s Gem
Confidence Tips
*Walk into a social gathering with a smile and straight shoulders. Scan the area before joining a group
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Em’s Gem
Don’t Have Eggs?
Don’t have eggs? 1 TBSP of corn starch mixed with 3 TBSP of water can be substituted for 1 egg in baking.
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Em’s Gem
Dreaming Of Teeth Falling Out?
If you have a dream that your teeth are falling out, it means you’re in the process of a big mental change in your life.
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Em’s Gem
Drink Water
* 2 glasses after waking up activates internal organs and increases metabolism. * Water oxygenates the blood and provides energy. * We need to drink about 2 liters of…
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Em’s Gem
Drop A Battery
Drop a battery from six inches off the ground. If it bounces once and falls over, it’s still good. If it bounces around more than that, it’s dead or on its way out.
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Em’s Gem
Enjoy The Things Money Can’t Buy
Take a moment to recognize the beautiful things in your life that money can’t buy.
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Em’s Gem
Eye Patches
To get night vision, keep one eye closed in a well-lit area and then open it in darkness; that eye will be able to see in the dark. This is why pirates wore eye patches.
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Em’s Gem
Fall In Love With Yourself
Fall in love with yourself. You are wonderful. You are unique. No one else in the world has your individual beauty or your special talents. Share your light with the…
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Em’s Gem
Five Minutes Of Exercise
Remember that five minutes of daily exercise is infinitely better than zero minutes.
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Em’s Gem
Flip A Coin
If you have trouble making a decision, flip a coin. While you’re waiting for the result, your mind automatically starts to wish for what it wants.
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Em’s Gem
Future Me
Want to be more productive? Create a separate “Future Me” identity, and go out of your way to do nice things for them. When you don’t feel like doing something (going to…
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Em’s Gem
Get Ready Playlist
To make sure you leave the house on time in the morning, create a playlist exactly as long as it takes to get ready. When the last song plays you’ll be ready to take on…
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Em’s Gem
How To Get A Phone Number
Want someone’s number? Take a picture with them and ask them to send it to you.
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Em’s Gem
4 Ingredient Stove Top Meatloaf
4 Ingredient Stove Top Stuffing Meatloaf is the perfect quick and easy dinner recipe!
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Em’s Gem
If Birds Are Flying Low
Falling air pressure causes pain in birds’ ears, so if birds are flying low to the ground, it almost always means a storm is coming.
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Em’s Gem
If Someone Gives You A Great Gift
If someone gives you a great gift, take a photo of yourself enjoying/using it and send it to them. Sometimes that speaks louder than simply saying thanks.
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Em’s Gem
If You’re Coughing Raise Your Hands
If you’re coughing uncontrollably, raise your hands above your head and it will stop.
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Em’s Gem
Keep Ice Cream Soft
Don’t break your arm in your quest to get a scoop of ice cream. Place the tub in a freezable bag before freezing, and it will be perfectly soft each time.
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Em’s Gem
Keep Your Shoes On
Studying or working in your room? Keep your shoes on. Your mind associates having shoes on with being busy.
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Em’s Gem
Kidlin’s Law
Kidlin’s Law: If you can write the problem down clearly, then the matter is half solved.
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Em’s Gem
Laughing For 15 Minutes
Laughing for 15 minutes has the same health benefits as getting two extra hours of sleep.
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Life Hack
Level Up Your Life Diet
Your diet? Way bigger than your plate. It’s the feeds you doomscroll, the tracks that hit your soul, the words you let sink in, and the circle you keep close. Curate…
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Em’s Gem
Line Tacos With Lettuce
Making tacos? Line your taco shell with a large lettuce leaf. That way if the shell breaks, the lettuce leaf will keep the rest of the fillings contained.
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Em’s Gem
Make Grab-And-Grill Tin Foil Dinners
Once a week put together some quick “grab and go” tin foil meals for your whole family. Then on those busy nights, just grab a few and throw them on the grill.
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Em’s Gem
Mental Time Travel
Mental time travel helps create new possibilities by contemplating new things. Use it to make future plans, prepare yourself for frightening situations, & find the drive…
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Em’s Gem
More Effective Cleaning
To be more effective when cleaning your home, start with the least-used room first. Your whole house is much more likely to get the thorough cleaning you’ve set out to…
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Em’s Gem
Muffin Tray Condiment Storage
Who’d have thought muffin trays were such a Summer essential? All those compartments are just perfect for storing condiments. Load each one up and pop it by the BBQ.
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Em’s Gem
Naps 101
Naps 101 10-20 min boosts energy and increases alertness. 30 min leaves you lethargic and groggy. 60 min improves recall of details like facts, faces, and names. 90 min…
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Em’s Gem
NEURO-MIND MENU
UPGRADE YOUR BRAIN WITH CURIOSITY AND CREATIVE PLAY. 1 HOUR A DAY, FIVE DAYS A WEEK.
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Em’s Gem
Notice Someone’s Eye Color
Try to notice someone’s eye color when you meet them. People will like you more for the slightly increased eye-contact.
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Em’s Gem
Phone Background Hack
Need to remember something important? Put a picture as the background on your phone.
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Em’s Gem
Pin Your Shoulders Back
If you get an anxiety or panic attack, pin your shoulders back. When you get these attacks your body’s natural reaction is to curl up into the fetal position, and by…
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Em’s Gem
Preserve The Blooms
Putting a small amount of Lemon Lime Soda (Sprite, 7UP) in a flower vase helps preserve the blooms for much longer.
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Em’s Gem
Put A Hand On Your Chest
When you put your hand on your chest, it lights up the same part of your brain as when you get a hug. Leave it on the chest for a few minutes and you’ll start feeling…
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Em’s Gem
7 Quick Happiness Tips
1. Look for the good in every situation. 2. What people think about you is not your business. 3. Develop an attitude of gratitude. 4. Once it’s past, let it go. 5. Don’t…
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Em’s Gem
Remove Labels From Containers
To remove strong adhesive labels from plastic containers, simply leave them in the freezer for a while. The stickers will peel off with ease.
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Em’s Gem
Remove Stains With Toothpaste
Have you ever unintentionally stained your clothes with ink or a pen? It should be rubbed with toothpaste, dried, and then washed. The spot will go away.
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Em’s Gem
Rhino Mode: Activated. Overwhelm Denied
When things feel overwhelming, remember… One thought at a time. One task at a time. One day at a time.
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Em’s Gem
Save On Gas
Save Money. Fill up your gas tank late at night or early in the morning. Gasoline expands and contracts by 1% for every 15 degrees the temperature changes. Colder temps…
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Em’s Gem
Scheduling Appointments
Don’t schedule appointments on Mondays or Fridays. At the beginning of the week, people are still getting into the groove, usually busy, and sometimes emotional. On…
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Em’s Gem
Search ‘Open Source’
When you need a free app or program, (i.e. video/photo editor) search for ‘Open Source’ rather than ‘Free’. This helps weed out trial versions and malware.
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Em’s Gem
Sock It To Procrastination
Feeling overwhelmed? Take one tiny step. Can’t sort the whole pile? Just pair one pair of socks. Can’t find your motivation? Create a small, visible win. Progress isn’t…
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Em’s Gem
Spend Money On Experiences
Spend money on experiences rather than things. Memories are more valuable than possessions, and they make a much happier life.
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Life Hack
Straight Talk That Doesn’t Slap
How to serve up bold truth with a side of charm and be direct without turning into the bad guy:
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Em’s Gem
Swallow The Frog
Swallow the frog: do the task you’re least excited about first and things go more smoothly.
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Em’s Gem
The 1 Touch Rule
Once you pick something up, don’t put it down anywhere except in the correct place. This saves both time and energy in the future.
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Em’s Gem
The 2 Minute Rule
If you see something that needs doing and it can be completed within two minutes, do it immediately.
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Em’s Gem
The 5-Minute Rule
Make a deal with yourself to work on a dreaded task for at least 5 minutes & you’ll most likely end up doing it longer.
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Em’s Gem
The 24/48 Rule
If it still bothers you after 24 hours, speak up about it within 48 hours. It’ll change your life.
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Em’s Gem
The 100 Most Frequently Used Words
Learning a new language? Figure out the 100 most frequently used words first. They make up about 50% of everyday speech.
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Em’s Gem
The Alien’s Guide to Cosmic Friendship
1. Commit to a Shared Obsession. Stop doom-scrolling. Find that pottery or synchronized swimming class that’s SO YOU. 2. Be the Class Regular. Show up. Let your charm…
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Em’s Gem
The Benjamin Franklin Effect
If you want someone to like you, ask them to do you a small favor. It might sound backward, but studies show that if you do something nice for someone, you will like…
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Em’s Gem
The Boiled Egg Test
To tell if a hard-boiled egg is fully cooked, just spin it. If the egg wobbles it’s raw. If it spins easily it’s fully cooked.
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Em’s Gem
The Chinese Bamboo Tree
The Chinese bamboo tree teaches patience with style. You plant it, water it, and wait… and wait… for years. Nothing above the surface. Meanwhile, the tree is secretly…
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Em’s Gem
The Last Line Of Dust
Use a piece of tape to pick up the last line of dust that won’t go into the dust pan.
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Em’s Gem
The Microwave Challenge
Try the microwave challenge: When microwaving see how much of the kitchen you can clean up.
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Em’s Gem
The Only Way Out Is Through
It frequently gets untidy while cleaning before it becomes organized. It’s the same with clearing your mind. Be persistent and patient as you travel your own path. The…
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Life Hack
The Power of 27 Minutes
One pound of fat doesn’t disappear with good intentions. It takes roughly three hours of running. Chip away at about 27 minutes a day, and you’ll cross the finish line…
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Em’s Gem
Thirsty?
Thirsty? Every restaurant in the US is required to give you free tap water. Just ask!
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Em’s Gem
Throwing A Frisbee
When you throw a frisbee, use the same motion as if you were whipping a towel. This will ensure a straight throw.
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Em’s Gem
Tips For New Runners
At first, focus “solely” on form. Keep your hips, spine, & neck aligned. Minimize up & down movements. Run in as straight a line as possible. The quieter you run, the…
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Em’s Gem
Toothache?
Have a bad toothache? Rub ice on the back of your hand on the V-shaped webbed area between your thumb and index finger. A study showed that this can relieve the pain by…
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Em’s Gem
Try Eating A Piece Of Cucumber
Have a sore throat? Try eating a piece of cucumber. It cools down your throat and stops that itchy feeling.
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Em’s Gem
Turn All Your Hangers Backwards
At the beginning of the year, take a minute to turn all your hangers backwards. When you wear anything, turn it back. In six months you’ll see everything you don’t wear.…
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Em’s Gem
Turn The Container Upside Down
Cottage Cheese & Sour Cream etc. will last twice as long if you turn the container upside down. This forms a vacuum & prevents bacteria growth.
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Em’s Gem
Use A Can Opener
Use a can opener to open blister packs and avoid cutting yourself.
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Em’s Gem
Use A Ceramic Mug As A Sharpening Stone
Stuck without a sharpening stone? Your ceramic mug can save the day! Just find one with a flat, unglazed bottom. Hold it steady and angle your knife at 20 degrees.…
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Em’s Gem
Use The TV As A Charger
When in a bind, you can use the back of a tv as a charger. Most modern tv’s have USB plugins.
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Em’s Gem
Vapor Rub Shower Cubes
Mix 1 liter of boiling water and 2 tablespoons of vapor rub stirring until combined. Freeze overnight then put one in the bottom of your shower. It’ll steam up and give…
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Em’s Gem
Vicks Vapor Rub Shower Bombs
Congested? Try Vicks Vapor Rub Shower Bombs: Just mix up 1 liter of boiling water and 2 tablespoons of Vicks vapor rub stirring until combined. Freeze overnight and put…
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Em’s Gem
Water Your Flowers
Someone congratulated a friend and they deflected the compliment. So the original speaker said, “I’m gonna give you your flowers, you can water them or not. Water your…
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Em’s Gem
What Do I Have Time For?
Next time you have the thought, “I don’t have enough time.” Try asking yourself “What do I have time for?”. Take advantage of smaller chunks of time to do the things you…
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Em’s Gem
Who Told You That?
When you worry that someone dislikes you, is upset with you, or that the situation is worse than it truly is, stop and think, “Who told you that?” Usually, you won’t…
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Em’s Gem
Write Down Exactly How You Feel
Difficult emotions: anger, sadness, worry, or shame, etc. use up a lot of energy and brain power. Rather than letting them take over, write down exactly how you feel.…
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