There are certain things you can do to “trick” your body into thinking something else is going on. For example, I trick my eyes into thinking I’m thin and good looking everyday. I also trick my mind into thinking that all girls want me. However, the tricks I’m going to tell you about ACTUALLY work. Like, did you know that if you want to take a quick nap you should drink a cup of coffee first? Weird right? Find out why and 3 more tricks you can use after the jump!
Cracked.com had some weird ways you can trick your body into working better. Here are the four I found the most interesting.
#1.) Before You Take a Nap, Drink a Cup of Coffee. According to at least one study, it’s better than doing one or the other when you need to wake yourself up. It works because caffeine doesn’t kick in for about 15 minutes, which means you have to drink it RIGHT before you lie down. And you have to make it a SHORT nap.
#2.) Don’t Stretch Before a Workout. Researchers at the University of Nevada tested it both ways, and the people who stretched their legs before they did a lower-body workout actually generated less force than they did WITHOUT stretching.
Other studies have found that stretching can decrease muscle strength by 30%, which means your workout won’t be as intense.
Plus, stretching can actually do the OPPOSITE of what you expect and make your muscles TIGHTEN. When you stretch, your limbs basically think they’re about to be snapped off. So the muscles tighten and make you MORE likely to pull something.
That’s why you should warm up by doing something like jumping jacks instead. And you SHOULD still stretch, because it makes you more flexible. But you should do it AFTER you work out, or on a day you’re not going to the gym.
#3.) Eavesdrop with Your Right Ear. This has to do with the right and left sides of your brain, and the science behind it is kind of complicated. But basically, our left ear has evolved to be better at hearing TONES, like music. And our right ear is better at hearing speech. There’s not a HUGE difference, but if you’re trying to listen through a wall or something, you’re better off using your right ear.
#4.) Reset Your Sleep Cycle by Skipping a Few Meals. The MAIN way your body regulates your biological clock is through light. So, if it’s midnight and you’re staring at a bright TV screen, your brain thinks the sun’s still out. But another factor is FOOD. A Harvard Medical School study found that if you fast for 12 to 16 hours, your brain automatically thinks it’s morning the next time you eat.
For example, if you need to start waking up earlier, at say, six in the morning, you should stop eating between 2 P.M. and 6 P.M. the day before. Then have a good breakfast as soon as you get up.
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