21 Important Life Hacks

 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. Store natural peanut butter upside down so it won't separate as much.

Sally Tamarkin / BuzzFeed

"It will bring the oil to the top and make it a lot easier to mix!" —thisisnotsky

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2. If you put something down temporarily, say it out loud. ("I've put my phone on the dresser.")

"This engages many more areas of the brain (particularly the language centres) which creates a richer memory and makes it less likely you'll forget where you put it." —makes typos

"I'll also say it out loud when I turn off stove burners, blow out a candle, or unplug my hair straightener. I’ve found this helps me eliminate those moments where I leave the house or am in bed and I’m suddenly like, 'Did I leave that on?'" —plasticruester

3. Buy anything you need for the kitchen — plates, glasses, pans — from a kitchen supply store.

webstaurantstore.com

"They're almost always cheaper than big box stores. Plus their stuff is built to last years in a commercial kitchen under constant use, so it sure as hell can handle your Sunday brunch. There are a few online shops and my go-to has been Web Restaurant Store." —Fenway franks

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4. If you have a spare minute at home, always take a few seconds to just pet your dog or cat and really appreciate them.

"A phrase I heard somewhere has really stuck with me: Pets are only a part of your life but you are your pet’s entire life." —amanda30697

5. 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.

Melissa Jameson / BuzzFeed

"Then you can choose easily." —diathesis

6. If you want to wear something white or light in colour, wear underwear that matches the colour of your skin, not white.

—souppoops

7. If you sit for several hours a day, find a simple routine to stretch out your hips and chest.

youtube.com

"It's an absolute game changer for people who suffer from chronic lower back pain as a result of being hunched over a desk." —jediknightcoffman

Here are a few to start: a 12-minute foundational routine, a 14-minute WFH office break routine (above), and a 23-minute routine focused on your hips and lower back.

8. For the most reliable information on Amazon items, read the three- and four-star reviews.

amazon.com

"I've also found it helpful to sort by 'Recent Reviews' rather than 'Top Reviews'." —oldmanriver333

9. Brush your teeth more thoroughly before bed after you are done eating and drinking for the day.

Universal Pictures

"Morning brushing is important too, but more so for fresh breath. Evening cleaning will prevent bacteria from breeding and damaging your teeth and gums." —graycat3700

10. 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." —zanoskee00

11. Sometimes changing your pillowcase daily can help with acne.

Melissa Jameson / BuzzFeed

"I use a clean t-shirt over my pillow to accomplish the same thing." —lunalovegoop

"Wash your sheets with unscented or sensitive detergent too! The perfumes in regular detergent are sometimes an irritant to the delicate skin on your face." —twosoxxx

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12. 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." —vlc31

13. Before you use an automatic flushing toilet, drape a bit of toilet paper over the motion sensor.

Mike Spohr / BuzzFeed

"This will prevent it from flushing before you're ready which might scare and or splash you." —wisperino345

Mike, BuzzFeed's Parents editor, used this trick when his kids were potty training, except he swapped TP for Post-Its. As he says: "If the toilet paper falls off, your jittery kid won't be happy. I kept a pad of Post-it notes in my back pocket, and it solved the "I have to go but I'm afraid!" drama."

14. 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." —razor

15. If you bring something to someone’s house that you don’t want to forget, put your car keys with it.

Melissa Jameson / BuzzFeed

"Assuming you can trust the people there, of course. Also, get a Tile or similar Bluetooth device so you never lose your keys or phone again." —torrencemightingale

16. The easiest way to remove blood stains is to use bar soap and handwash it.

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"And always use cold water, not hot. Hot water will set the stains."  —mother of vampires

17. Remember that five minutes of daily exercise is infinitely better than zero minutes.

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"And it can make a big difference." —0x0ddba11

For a ton of great (and free!) at-home workouts, check out this list.

18. Don't start an apology with "I'm sorry if..."

"It conveys that you are not currently sorry for your actions and that you might be sorry only under certain circumstances. It also removes most of the sincerity. If you know the circumstances, leave the "if" out and just identify what it is you feel bad about. If you don't know the circumstances, you probably aren't actually sorry." —spicy lemon

19. Learn basic knife skills because they'll pay off in the long run.

Tasty / Via youtube.com

"The amount of time you'll save chopping vegetables for the rest of your life far outweighs the amount of time it takes to learn. Plus you can use the extra time to keep the kitchen clean or do other things, and that makes everything less stressful." —onewholepirate

Watch more: Basic Knife Skills 101

20. Don't take criticism from someone you wouldn't take advice from.

WeTV

"Learned this the hard way after years of listening to negative people’s negative opinions — and letting them affect what I thought I could do. Got away from that and it feels great!" —lilugliestmane

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21. Tell the people you love that you love them more often.

"You really never know what life is going to bring and what could happen in an instant. Tell those you love that you love them, appreciate them, and value them in your life. There isn't always a tomorrow to say sorry or I love you." —menace

What's your favourite simple everyday hack, habit, or tip? Share in the comments!