27 Sep 2016
Posted by Vicky Sargeant 
It is often the simplest of tasks, like cleaning the microwave, ironing the clothes or finding the keys, that frustrate us the most. So, in light of our new AA Life Insurance campaign, we have collected a selection of practical life hacks that are sure to make everyday life that little bit easier for you.
Use lemon and water to clean your microwave
Cleaning the dirt and grime off your microwave is a tedious job, and not one that anybody enjoys doing. But does it really have to be that difficult? The answer is no. All you need is a lemon, a bowl of water and your microwave. Simply cut up the lemon, squeeze the juice into a bowl of water and drop in the rind. Next, place the bowl in your microwave. Turn on the power for three minutes and let stand for five minutes. Finally, wipe it squeaky clean! [1]
Eat breakfast and lose weight more efficiently
After all the excesses of Christmas, it’s time to kick start to a healthier New Year. If you are looking to shed the Christmas trimmings that bit faster something as simple as eating breakfast before you start your day will make all the difference. Eating early in the day has been proven to help you lose weight more efficiently, and more importantly, keep it off – it prevents us from eating more later on and helps jump-start our metabolism. [2]
Put ice cubes in the dryer to remove wrinkles in your clothes
If ironing is not for you and you are looking for a quick and easy way to remove wrinkles from your shirt, we have the perfect trick. Place your clothes in the dryer with four ice cubes, turn it on and let dry for 10 minutes. Next, remove your wrinkle-free shirt. It’s as simple as that! [1]
Watch cute animals to boost your performance in work
We have found the perfect excuse for you to watch cute kittens and puppies all day long, even on repeat. A study carried out in Japan found that watching cute animals actually boosts your performance in work, making you more focused when carrying out tasks. You’re welcome.[2]
Smell an orange to relieve everyday stress
Have you heard of the saying ‘wake up and smell the coffee’? Well, add oranges to the list. Several studies have proven that the smell of citrus has calming and clarifying properties that are helpful when you’re feeling anxious or stressed. Researchers from Mei University in Japan found that patients who had orange fragrance administered to them were able to markedly reduce the amount of anti-depressants that they took. [3]
Scan the room from right to left to find something you’ve lost
We’ve all been there, frantically searching to find a set of keys or a phone. However, this is not the right way to go about finding them. If you have lost something, the best thing to do is to take a step back and scan the room with your eyes from right to left. The reason for this is that your brain is not used to reading that way so it it is likely to pick up more. [4]
Sources:
[1] Kitchn [2] WebMD [3] Business Insider [4] Plos One [5] NCBI [6] 1000 Life Hacks
