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Ask HN: What lifehacks actually changed your life?

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Re: Ask HN: What lifehacks actually changed your life?

#71

Cutting out dairy from my life. I drank a lot of milk as a kid and teen, and never really had any intolerance. I noticed that when I consume dairy I get slow and bloated, and just generally feel a "-30% debuff" so to speak. I've cut out all dairy and drink almond milk with cereal or protein shakes, and it's made a clear improvement to my health. Give it a month and see what you get back.

Ditto.

Only difference is that I haven't resorted to any other types of milk like almond or cashew.

These days I feel energetic all day and no bloating.

The only hard part was to convince my spouse. She thinks milk is some sort of elixir.

Re: Ask HN: What lifehacks actually changed your life?

#72
post #10

1. Intermittent fasting which led to an awareness that my "mood" most days is essentially a function of my body behaving differently to various foods. Strangely, controlling when I eat led to controlling what I eat, too. 2. Breathing exercise (~5 minutes) before going to bed. Generally keeps me really light and energetic the next day. 3. Spending dedicated time with my son. Can't describe this but generally makes me…

> my "mood" most days is essentially a function of my body behaving differently to various foods. Funny thing is our elders and forebears knew this but it is completely lost on the most people these days. My grandmother forbade us eating cheese until 10-12 years old. Her reason was that we will become moody and have nightmares at night. She was right ofcourse. Hard to digest foods affect our ability to sleep properly…

Dreams of a Rarebit Fiend!

Re: Ask HN: What lifehacks actually changed your life?

#73
Hi, these points work well for me:

1. Realize that the picture of good and bad, which we are used to and learn while growing up, doesn't make much sense in real life. What is good and what is bad? Who defines this? Think about it and come to your own conclusions.

2. Learn to read and write in English. It doesn't need to be perfect (look at me) but will open up a whole new world to you, in case you are no native speaker.

3. Learn how to talk to people and strangers. Realize that there are people, which aren't that smart, and others, which are way smarter than you. - Learn to deal with both groups.

4. Learn how to handle your ego and overcome it.

5. Take a cold shower in the morning. Start with warm water, then switch over to cold. Practice until you reach 3 minutes. But don't force the progress.

6. Do 100 push-up during the day.

7. Don't use your mobile phone while you're in the bathroom.

8. No mobile phone in your bedroom.

9. Figure out which time is best for you to drink a cup of coffee.

10. Learn how to efficiency take notes, develop a system and stick to it. I prefer the PARA method combined with Obsidian.

11. Realize that technology and so called 'smart devices' are just tools. You don't really need them and should invest too much time and money into it.

12. Save some money at the beginning of the month as fuck-you-money for hard times.

13. Try to walk at least 5.000 steps per day. Better 10.000 and more.

14. Regularly invest some time in something that is not digital. For me this is spending time with people I love and training martial arts.

15. Try the Wim Hof breathing method. If it works for you, stick to it.

16. Don't read the news. It's a waste of time and energy. I personally only read the economic news.

17. Don't use Twitter to stay up do date. Use accumulated news letters instead.

18. Read books before going to bed. I personally re-read books and take notes.

19. Challenge yourself to try out new things and to learn more. I'm doing this with multiple 30 day challenges during the year.

20. Learn to articulate your thoughts in a clear manner.

21. At the end of they year: write some kind of report or letter to yourself to summarize what happened during the year.

22. Treat others kindly and with respect, even if it's hard sometimes. Most of us are struggling threw life and most of us will feel better and more secure if our counterpart acts friendly and calm.

23. Don't take life too seriously. Just live and be thankful for everything that is good in your life.

And one book recommendation for all of you: The Art of the Good Life: Clear Thinking for Business and a Better Life by Rolf Dobelli. The book is very straight to the point, full of great insights and written in short chapters.

I hope that helps.

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