One example for myself is in eating more fruit. I know that I know about its goodness, yet I know I don’t fully realise that goodness in my diet.

So this Life Hack is more of a Sensible Hack. After all, it makes sense to do what we know will get good results in the long term.

It has now become a morning ritual to start off the day with at least one fruit. So with breakfast done, I’m at least part way through this Sensible Hack of the day.

Our biceps at the front of the upper arm tend to be much stronger than the triceps at the rear, probably because we use them to lift against gravity. Yet two thirds of the upper arm size is attributed to the triceps.

Strong triceps can be the difference between just “falling over” and “falling over and conducting improvised dentistry”. So to keep teeth in place if going on an unexpected ‘trip’ regular press-ups can help.

Again rather cheekily, if I wake up in the morning face down, I only have nine left to do after I get up.

Building increased fitness each and every day by a modest amount of exercise is a simple process.

You don’t have the time to go to the gym/workout/exercise/whatever-else? I have found that, if I replace the time spent thinking about this with action, I can actually do a modest amount of exercise . The effect of the exercise rapidly accumulates over a number of days.

Why make the investment in exercise? The return on the investment is quicker recovery time if injured, and better ability to deal with the stresses of life.

The stomach muscles are responsible for many body movements and by doing at least ten sit-ups per day I enable the tower to grow daily.

After getting up in the morning I’ve only nine more left to do.

Observe how long it takes from initially regaining conciousness to being fully awake, and adjust the alarm clock sound accordingly.

So if it takes five minutes to awake play a five minute audio track.

For example, in line with Life Hack #12 the audio track could be a farm yard. The track gradually increasing in volume, and possibly culminating with a cockerel crowing. A crowing cockerel is a natural noise acting as a fail-safe if there is a waking deadline.  I find it is less stress producing than using artificial electronic sounds.

Classical music has also been found to be useful in this regard.

Whatever track is chosen it creates a smoother transition into conciousness, and thus a better start to the day than would otherwise be the case.

We awake in a state of alarm.

Not really an ideal start to any day – being shocked into conciousness. I’d also hazard a guess that we naturally rebel against this by hitting “snooze”, rolling over, and trying to recover the calmer state we have just been experiencing.

Is there’s a better way of waking up at a set time and not in a state of alarm? I think so.

Instead of using an alarming artificial sound, try using an audio track of birds singing (basically any natural background sounds) that slowly increase in volume over time. The soothing sounds eases you from a rested state into a refreshed one, ready to take on the day. Much more helpful than receiving an alarming shot of adrenaline into the bloodstream before the mental faculties are fully functioning, as is normally the case.

This can be combined with other techniques such as leaving the curtains open, so the natural morning light can assist also.