8 Ways To Hack Your Health

Feeling a little under par? A small change can make a big difference to your health and wellbeing. Take your pick from these eight easy habits to adopt today...

- Jane Murphy

1. STAND TALL WHEN YOU’RE HURTING

There are countless benefits to good posture, of course. But did you know it can make you better able to cope with pain? Contrary to popular belief, say Canadian researchers, curling up into a ball can actually make pain worse because you feel you have no control over what’s happening. But if you adopt a dominant pose – by standing tall and pushing out your chest – it creates a sense of power and control that can make the pain easier to bear. It may also lead to hormonal changes that encourage pain tolerance.

2. CHANGE YOUR WINE GLASS

Trying to cut down on alcohol? It pays to switch glasses, as well as measures. According to latest research from Bristol University, the shape of the glass you use can influence how much you drink. Picking a straight glass over a curved one enables you to more accurately judge the amounts you’re consuming. Also try drinking from a smaller glass – bigger ones encourage people to drink more – even if the volume of wine poured is the same, according to Cambridge University researchers. ‘It’s not obvious why this should be the case, but one reason may be that larger glasses change our perceptions of the quantity of wine, leading us to drink faster and order more,’ says Dr Rachel Pechey, who led the study.

3. DELETE YOUR FACEBOOK ACCOUNT