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If you are nervous, pinch your nose; you’ll calm down immediately. To reduce anxiety, place your hand over your heart and take slow, deep breaths. No, we are not advising you to do this. These are some of the tricks that claim to help the body that social media is going gaga over. There are more:
*To boost energy levels, splash cold water or take a brisk walk
*If you have a stuffy nose, put an ice cube on the roof of your mouth
*If you can’t sleep, blink rapidly for a minute.
So, we tried some of them and found that they do provide temporary relief (or solution). But are there any scientific studies that back these hacks?
According to Dr. Sudhir Kumar, neurologist, Apollo Hospitals, Hyderabad, these are non-specific measures. However, they may work, albeit temporarily. “It is important to dig deeper and try to find out the root cause behind nervousness, anxiety, and insomnia. Tackling the root cause would provide a long-lasting solution,” said Dr Kumar.
Pinching your nose, placing your hand over the heart, and breathing deeply or rapidly blinking could, at best, provide only short-term improvement in symptoms, stressed Dr Kumar. “Similarly, to boost your energy, it would be better to focus on a healthy diet, good sleep, and regular exercises, rather than splashing cold water over the face or taking a brisk walk (which are also good habits otherwise),” said Dr Kumar.
According to Dr. Kumar, food, stress, and sleep are closely linked. Stress can adversely impact physical and psychological health, leading to poor eating habits and disturbances in sleeping patterns. This further creates a vicious circle.
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Dr Kumar advised staying hydrated, practicing breathing exercises, mindfulness, and progressive muscle relaxation, which are helpful techniques for boosting energy, sharpening brain functions, reducing stress, and improving sleep quality.
DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.