1. We give the best gifts How many times have you received a birthday gift that was a card with only a signature in it? I have. And let me tell you, it’s not very exciting. What about those birthday gifts that make you say, “Wow!” Those are the good ones. Sentimental people want to bring out that “wow” in you, so we tend to give gifts that are beyond ordinary....

According to research reported in Time magazine, the part of the brain associated with reward is activated when we receive approval, more so in some people than others. Therefore, receiving approval can make us feel better, at least temporarily. However, a constant obsession with seeking it certainly does not. Some people have learned to stop seeking approval and found that this brings its own rewards. 1. They know that it isn’t someone else’s responsibility to make them happy By constantly seeking approval from others, you are effectively handing over the responsibility for controlling your happiness to them....

Thankfully, there are a number of parenting products out there designed to make being a parent as stress free, smart and as fun, as possible. Here are ten handpicked by Lifehack team members who are parents too. 1. The Lalabu Dad Shirt The Lalabu Dad shirt makes carrying your baby around town much easier and safer. Traditional baby pouches, whilst secure can be uncomfortable for both you and your baby, and needs significant adjustment as your baby grows....

I have seen variations on that same photo many times and when I was younger, I wondered if I would be one of those people still walking hand in hand with my husband long after the sound of wedding bells had faded. Well, here we are 25 years later and our marriage is still going strong. I have to think that we have passed most of the major milestones in a marriage that is supposed to last until death do us part, and I have some secret tools to share with you....

1. Unexplained Aches and Pains Working in an uncomfortable chair or at a desk that’s the wrong height can cause your body to become achy. But if you’re suffering from aches and pains that can’t be explained by poor ergonomics, it may be that you’re under too much pressure. According to Dr Gabor Mate, author of When the Body Says No: The Cost of Hidden Stress, stress causes many more physical symptoms than we realize....

Here’s how to cope. You need systems to help you to keep track of everything. Once you have a trusted system in place, you can relax. Let’s look at ten simple productivity tricks which will help. 1. Get the list habit. Lists are essential to help you to manage your overloaded information. You probably use To Do lists all the time; however, lists come in many different forms. Examples include: checklists, planning lists, password lists, reading lists, reference lists, back-burner lists, and goal lists....

1. Identify Clear Goals Everyone has a different definition of success. It’s important to identify your own personal definition of success in life. Whether your goal is to enrich the lives of others or you want to open a successful business, establish a clear goal of what you’d like to accomplish in order to feel successful. 2. Gain Advice from Successful People People who have reached their goals can often offer helpful words of wisdom....

And, be mindful that this advice only works if enjoying Tequila in moderation. By no means do we endorse binge drinking and recommend 1 to 2 shots when imbibing. Here are 10 surprising benefits of tequila. 1. It can help you lose weight Crazy, right? Generally the rule is, if you want to lose weight, don’t drink alcohol. Remember, liquid calories go down so much easier than we realize, so it’s still true....

Getting kale into your diet is a great way to boost your health. However, if you’re used to seeing kale as that tough little green next to your burger at the diner, then you need to look over these recipes and get some fresh ideas. 1. Sweet Pepper Pasta with Kale Nothing boosts traditional pasta like peppers and kale. Tossed with a little olive oil, you can turn pasta on its head and make this nutritious, vegetarian dish....

1. Living with a partner can be much more difficult than you think. In the beginning, i.e. your first year or so together, it can all seem like sunshine and rainbows between the two of you. Your relationship is still fresh, you are slowly learning about each other, you have sex all the time and you spend some time away from one another regularly, so every time you see each other, there is plenty to talk about....

1. No daylight time saving Koreans notice how Americans complain about how daylight time saving changes affect their sleep-wake cycles. They talk about having to get used to adjusting to the new time change. Koreans have never experienced this as daylight time saving does not exist in their country and in most of Asia. 2. Patience is a virtue Another shock for the Koreans is how Americans expect to be on hold for 20 minutes–or even an hour–when they call a company or government department....

1. Fear You will be afraid to call it quits because you don’t know what lies ahead of you. You may be scared of the Unknown and because of this, you may tell yourself that you are comfortable even if you are miserable. You will will try to weigh the pros and cons of staying married, and tell yourself you can continue to endure your unhappy marriage. You will tell yourself lies and reason that you should stay together for the kids, for the finances, etc....

1. Don’t let it become taboo. Friendships can be tattered by that unspoken support, the repressed elephant cowering in the corner of the room. Relieve the tension, be part of your friend’s life, and you’ll both feel closer no matter how it goes. 2. If you can’t come up with the right words, make a kind gesture. Some people aren’t the best at communication and can’t quite wrap their head around the verbalising of emotions....

Not sure where to start when it comes to clearing things out? Here are 10 clutter-clearing ideas to help you simplify and streamline your life. Do you find it difficult to work on your desk or find office supplies when you need them? Remove old sticky notes, outdated papers and notes, junk mail, magazines, as well as any obvious trash and wrappers from your work space. Corral office supplies such as pens, paper clips and pushpins in small decorative containers, or store items in flat storage bins or trays in your desk drawers....

“People think actresses find public speaking easy, and it’s not easy at all; we’re used to hiding behind masks.” – Jane Fonda My first venture into public speaking was when I had to give a speech at my brother’s wedding, as I was his best man. This was an enormous challenge for me as I had struggled through adolescence with a speech defect. After an operation and speech therapy, my brother’s wedding was my first match in the public speaking arena....

If used carelessly, they can throw your finances off balance. But when used judiciously, a credit card can be an excellent source of instant credit while also offering a host of other important benefits. Regardless of whether you already have a credit card, or are planning to sign up for one, the following tips will help you leverage it to your best advantage. 1. Select wisely Before opting for a credit card, understand everything about it and its reward features, assess your specific lifestyle and get a card that offers the most useful and relevant rewards/benefits....

1. Connect Do not isolate yourself. Reach out to your loved ones, family, friends especially those who are empathetic and positive. Unburdening your feelings will make you feel more at peace and sharing it with someone will bring faster healing. 2. Consider age-old wisdom If you have lost a loved one, cherish his or her memory and know he or she is in a better place. This is fate but his or her love will remain with you forever....

This is a an every day occurrence, if you’re a likeable person. If this seems like something that could never possibly happen to you then I’d like to remind you that social skills, like any skills, are completely learn-able; and with a little practice you too could be the talk of the office, and be going home with a thriving social life. Here are several traits that likeable people share....

1. It’s Okay to Make Mistakes None of us are completely error-free, although we’d like to wish we were. Perfectionists in particular don’t like the idea of messing up, but screw-ups are inevitable; the key is to acknowledge them with grace, and move forward from them. It’s also to remember your own mistakes when you feel frustration with someone else: that barista who accidentally made you a regular venti-mocha-frappa-whippy drink when you asked for a low-fat one might still be in training, so be patient and gracious, and don’t be a dick....

Here are 10 unconventional ways to reduce stress that work for me, and I hope you find they work for you too: 1. Massage your ears. Massaging your ears to reduce stress is simple, effective, and only takes a few minutes. Gently rub your earlobes with your thumb and index finger, then squeeze the outer edges of your ears from bottom to top. These parts of your ears have reflex points that relax specific areas of your body....