Learning new things can seem daunting, which is why so many people stay stuck in negative habits for so long. But there are plenty of life skills that don’t actually take long to learn at all.
On AskReddit, users shared skills that can be learned in five minutes or less — and that will benefit you for the rest of your life.
1. How to clear a blocked nose.
“Method 1: Push repeatedly with one finger the spot above the bridge of your nose [where the third eye is supposed to be]. This will move the bone of your nose and ‘pop’ the congestion. Method 2 [totally works 100%]: Pinch your nose closed [ hold your breath as long as you can and move your head back and forward [as if nodding like mad], this causes carbon dioxide to accumulate, which is the best natural vasodilator you can get. It has helped me immensely, especially at the end of a cold, where the mucus is thick and won’t budge.”
2. How to stay organized.
“Organize your stuff.
I learned the two-minute rule from another comment thread in Reddit a while back, I don’t have the link. I look around and see what I have to do. If it’s something I can do in under two minutes (which you can expand to five) I do it right now, instead of later.
For example, if I’ll fold some laundry right now, and browse Reddit for the next four hours a little less guiltily, instead of the laundry basket torturing me for four hours. Life just runs smoother this way.”
3. How to socialize.
“When you’re in a social situation you find awkward or strained, immediately make yourself comfortable. Find the best chair and kick back, whatever it takes. If you stand around awkwardly, its noticeable and makes you seem helpless and shy; if you get cozy, you appear more powerful and will enjoy the experience more regardless.”
4. How to scratch an itch on your back.
“The real way to communicate where on your back needs to be scratched. View it as a phone’s dial pad “1” being your left shoulder and “3” being your right shoulder. “0” is your butt hole… Instead of saying down, up, left, or right; say the number that you want scratched. A lot easier, and it feel like a secret code with your SO….or your mom.”
5. How to open links in a new tab automatically.
“Actually pressing your mousewheel button on a link instantly opens the link in a new tab. Incredibly helpful.”
6. How to stop dropping stuff.
“Take your keys and drop them. Shoot your foot out to keep them from hitting the floor. They can bounce off your foot onto the floor but your foot must break their fall. Now repeat with other random, initially unbreakable, objects. Roll things off your desk or kitchen counter. Drop them from the region of your pockets. If you’re brave, once you get your confidence up practice with raw eggs. Practice this over and over until you can faithfully prevent any object you drop from hitting the floor. Master this and you will most likely prevent anything you ever drop from hitting the floor with enough force to break.”
7. How to see without your glasses.
“I am slightly nearsighted. If I don’t have my glasses and, for example, I need to read something on the tv but it appears blurry, I make a tiny hole with my fingers and look through it. It acts as a lens just enough for me to be able to read what’s written on the tv. Blocks out a bunch of light, but otherwise it works.”
8. How to sit up straight.
“Good posture. You’ll look and feel better.”
“Walk like you’re wearing a cape!”
9. How to be grateful.
“Every night, before going to sleep, write 10 good things about your day, i.e. things that make you proud or that you are grateful for, achievements you’ve made or situations where you acted according to your values, etc. Doing this will help you keep a positive and grounded perception of your life, and will improve your mental health greatly.”
10. How to save a life.
“How to perform CPR is something you can teach yourself pretty quickly, and it’ll benefit you in knowing you’re able (or have been able) to save someone’s life!”
11. How to use the phonetic alphabet.
“NATO phonetic alphabet. Trust me, doing phone work as much as I do and trying to give serial numbers over fuzzy, static-y connections it does wonders.
You may question how this will ever help you. But the next time you’re calling for tech support to some dude in east Jabip who may or may not have complete command of the English language, you will thank me.”
12. How to flip food in the pan.
“How to flip the food in your skillet by tossing. Learn to flip an egg, you can flip anything.”
13. How to use Google properly.
“Good command of googling, how to include and exclude words and phrases, or search specific domains.”
14. How to multiply with your fingers.
“You can multiply numbers 1-10 by 9 using your fingers. Whatever number you’re multiplying by 9, put that finger down (starting with the pinky on your left hand as one if your palms are facing away from your body). The fingers before the one you put down are the first number of the product, the fingers after are the second number.”
