MModern Wisdom
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28 October 2019

Life Hacks 110 - #115

0Frameworks
10Insights

Insights & moments

The myth-busts, hot takes, explainers, and tools worth keeping.

Explainer· 1

Explainer36:30

Flossing Lowers CRP and Systemic Inflammation

Regular flossing significantly reduces C-reactive protein (CRP), a key marker of systemic inflammation, making it one of the highest-yield health interventions.

  • Flossing reduces CRP, a blood marker linked to chronic disease
  • Gum health impacts whole-body inflammation
  • Water flossers are effective and less irritating than string floss
  • Even initial bleeding improves with consistent use

the highest yield thing you can do to reduce your CRP... is flossing

Youssef · 37:00
#oral-health#inflammation#preventive-care#dental

Tool· 8

Tool04:30

How to Make a Scalable Salad for £4-5

A simple, cost-effective salad recipe using bulgur wheat and chopped vegetables that can be scaled up for minimal cost. Ideal for people who are not confident in the kitchen.

  • Base is cooked bulgur wheat
  • Add chopped cucumber, pomegranate, peppers, parsley, mint, beans, and olives
  • Use a push chopper for easy dicing if knife skills are poor
  • Costs about £4–5 for a kilo of high-quality salad

just thinly dice them or if you just can't use a knife you can get push chopper

Youssef · 05:00
#cooking#budget-meals#salad#kitchen-tools
Tool09:30

Use Gmail’s Scheduled Send to Control Email Timing

Gmail has a built-in feature that allows users to schedule emails to be sent later, which helps avoid sending messages at inappropriate times or when emotions are high.

  • Click the dropdown arrow next to 'Send' to access 'Schedule send'
  • Schedule emails to arrive during business hours or optimal times
  • Avoids impulsive replies by introducing a delay
  • Five-second undo window after sending

you can be working away on a night time or in the morning have emails that you require to arrive with someone and just schedule…

Youssef · 09:30
#email#productivity#gmail#digital-tools
Tool27:30

Switch to Brave Browser for Speed and Privacy

Brave is a privacy-focused browser based on Chrome that blocks ads and trackers by default, imports bookmarks seamlessly, and offers faster browsing without sacrificing familiarity.

  • Built on Chromium, so it feels like Chrome
  • Blocks popups, ads, and tracking scripts
  • Imports all Chrome data including extensions and bookmarks
  • Faster and more secure than standard Chrome

brave is essentially chrome plus privacy improvements and speed improvements

Youssef · 28:00
#browser#privacy#tech-tools#digital-security
Tool57:30

Stand Up to Reduce Mindless Phone Use

A behavioral hack to reduce screen time: only use your phone while standing. This adds friction and makes mindless scrolling less appealing.

  • Body at rest stays at rest — sitting encourages passive phone use
  • Standing introduces physical effort, reducing time spent
  • Also prevents phone use in bed by keeping it out of the bedroom
  • Increases awareness of usage habits

standing when I use my phone not allowing myself to use my phone when sitting or lying down

Youssef · 57:30
#digital-wellness#phone-habits#productivity#behavioral-hacks
Tool34:30

Use Group Chats to Introduce People Efficiently

Instead of emailing introductions, create a group chat with both parties, explain the purpose, then leave the conversation. This speeds up connections and shares contact info instantly.

  • Creates immediate communication channel
  • Eliminates back-and-forth emails
  • Both parties get each other’s phone numbers
  • Can be used humorously with random contacts

create group chats for people that you're introducing... just immediately exit the group and it's a really nice way of condensing down the entire task

Youssef · 35:00
#communication#networking#productivity#messaging
Tool72:30

Clean Toilets with Denture Tablets

Denture cleaning tablets like Poligrip can effectively descale toilets when placed in the bowl and left to fizz overnight, offering a cheap and accessible cleaning hack.

  • Drop a Poligrip tablet into the toilet bowl
  • Let it fizz and sit for several hours or overnight
  • Scrub and flush for a clean bowl
  • Cheaper and more available than specialty cleaners

Poligrip tablets that are used for cleaning dentures work really well to descale your toilet

Johnny · 72:30
#cleaning-hacks#household-tips#toilet#DIY
Tool40:30

Create a Happiness Buffet List

Write down and schedule activities that bring joy to ensure they’re prioritized. The act of listing them is itself mood-boosting.

  • List things that genuinely make you happy
  • Prioritize them in your weekly schedule
  • Even creating the list improves mood
  • Examples: time with friends, comedy, nature

make a list of things that make you happy... and then prioritize them in your schedule

Johnny · 41:00
#mental-wellness#happiness#self-care#productivity
Tool60:00

Use a Second Phone to Reduce Social Media Addiction

Separate your social media accounts onto a second device to create friction, reduce compulsive use, and reclaim mental space while still allowing content creation.

  • Social media only accessible on secondary device
  • Primary phone remains distraction-free
  • Enables focused content recording without doomscrolling
  • Increases intentionality around usage

I have a second device which has my socials on... I'm freer to record content without that fear of anything

Youssef · 61:00
#digital-detox#phone-habits#productivity#mental-focus

Takeaway· 1

Takeaway18:00

Don’t Rely on One Area of Life for Fulfillment

Over-reliance on a single domain—like work, fitness, or a relationship—makes people fragile. Diversifying across multiple interests creates resilience when one area fails.

  • Putting all identity into one area (e.g. work) risks collapse if it fails
  • Having multiple 'worlds' (e.g. hobbies, sports, creativity) provides mental relief
  • Progress in any area boosts overall well-being
  • Avoid tying self-worth entirely to another person

the fact that the times in my life where catastrophes hit more easily is when I haven't hedged my life across multiple domains

Johnny · 19:30
#mental-health#resilience#productivity#lifestyle-design