Secrets to a

Experts say these simple tricks erase soreness fast so you can sail through the new year feeling better than ever!

Halt head pain with a jaw press

With so much to do every day, the last thing you want is a tension headache slowing you down. Thankfully, New Zealand scientists say massaging tight jaw muscles can chase away pain in 5 minutes and even prevent future headaches if you do it twice daily. That’s because when jaw muscles are relaxed, they’re less likely to pinch and irritate the delicate nerves that carry pain signals. To do: Using firm pressure and circular motions, massage along your cheekbones and jawline, starting at your ear and working toward the centerline of your face.

OR FILL YOUR MUG!

If you’re reaching for painkillers, wash them down with coffee instead of water. Sounds simple, but scientists at Albert Einstein College of Medicine say even small doses of caffeine boost the absorption of painkillers, providing an impressive 40% more relief.

More joy = less pain!

Finding time every day to do something that makes you feel truly relaxed and happy (such as reading in bed, soaking in the tub or watching sitcoms) reduces stiffness and pain by up to 60%. So say Norwegian researchers, who found that stress-busting breaks don’t just soothe nerves, they also activate pleasure-triggering areas of the brain, noticeably increasing your pain threshold.