Genius and simple healthy tips you should know

 There's a new study out every day-presenting scary medical news. Figuring out how to stay-healthy can be really stressful,-and we all know that stress isn't healthy. Fortunately, there are lots of simple ways-to boost your health. 

From sleeping on your left side,-to getting a pet,-even playing video games could-be good for you in moderation-Prepare to be amazed by this-list of 20 genius health tricks--

Number 20,

Sleeping on your left side. You may not think it matters-which side you lie on-when you go to bed but studies-have shown you're better off-snoozing on your left side. This position improves-blood flow to your organs,-helping the spleen and-intestines work more efficiently. There's also a big bonus-for heart burn sufferers,-since several studies have-found that sleeping on your-left side apparently reduces heartburn. No one knows the exact reason for this,-but one hypothesis holds-that left side sleeping-keeps the junction between-the stomach and esophogas-above the level of gastric acid. It seems very odd but it's all true-and the good thing is that-left side sleeping is a cool-and easy trick everyone can use. 

Number 19, 

Don't brush-after eating after all! Since you were a kid,-you were probably told-to brush your teeth after-every meal, it turns out-that's not such a great idea. Acidic food or drinks,-and even healthy foods-like fruits and vegetables-are often very acidic-and can soften your tooth enamel. This raises the risk of-tooth damage with brushing. A better idea is to wait 30-to 60 minutes after a meal-to brush those pearly whites. 

Number 18, 

Avoid bright lights before bed. You may like to relax-before bed by reading-on your tablet, surfing the internet,-or updating your calendar on your phone. Unfortunately, even if-these things are relaxing,-they can prevent you-from sleeping soundly. It's the blue light produced-by all our electronic devices,-any kind of bright lights-at night interfere with-the production of melatonin,-a hormone that helps us sleep. Several studies have linked-exposure to bright light at-night to increase risk of-several forms of cancer,-heart disease and obesity. Some preliminary evidence,-suggests lower melatonin levels-may increase the risk of cancer. If you like to read, a-paper book is a better idea-than an e-reader. But if you have to use-something with a screen,-a pair of amber tinted glasses-can reduce the blue light-and help you sleep better. Now that's a bright idea! 

Number 17,

 Sitting-correctly at a computer. Sitting at a computer can-leave you with all sorts-of aches and pains and-pore posture is a big part-of the problem, admit-it, you sat up straighter-just hearing that! Improving posture is a good start. But there are other changes-you can make to reduce strain-when sitting, raise the-height of your chair,-put your keyboard and mouse-on your desktop surface,-and move your monitor and-laptop screen so it's at exactly-the height of your face. That way, you won't strain-your neck looking down.

Number 16, 

Exercising longer-is not a good way to lose weight. While experts agree exercise-has many health benefits,-it is not a magic bullet for weight loss. In fact, physical activity is-usually only a tiny percentage-of your daily calorie burn. Most of the calories you-burn result from your resting-metabolism in other words,-the basic functioning of your-body like breathing! Additionally, many people-over eat after exercise-because it makes them hungry. If you do exercise, longer-sessions may seem like a good-idea but you'll actually-get more metabolic benefits-from a shorter, more intense workout,-than a longer one. High intensity interval training, or HIIT,-helps you burn more calories-after you finish exercising. One study found those-who do a HIIT workout,-burned 100 calories more-in the following 24 hours-than those who did a longer,-lower intensity, sweat session. This can have some weight-loss benefits if you don't-follow your workout with a box of donuts. Instead, pack a healthy snack-to eat after you exercise-as HIIT is most effective when-paired with a healthy diet. I'm not saying that exercise-is bad and you shouldn't do it,-what I'm saying is that-exercise alone is not enough-or as important as most people think. Instead, put more focus on-maintaining a healthy diet-and the way you exercise.

Number15, 

Smoothies, energy bars,-and even some salads are not healthy. Now that you know diet and-calories are more important-than exercise when it-comes to losing weight,-you may think ordering a-salad is the way to go. Salads certainly can be healthy-a vegetables like lettuce,-kale, and carrots,-tend to be low in calories and-high in vitamins and fiber. But some restaurants add so much cheese,-salad dressing, and sometimes-even fried meats to their-salads that they can top 1,000 calories. If you're dining out, ask-for dressing on the side-so you can us a small amount-and limit the extra calories. You can also ask for-the cheese on the side,-or left off entirely. If your salad comes with meat,-ask for it to be grilled instead of fried. Smoothies and energy bars-often have an unhealthy-amount of calories as well-and it's always a good idea to check-the label before buying. Or read a restaurants nutrition-info online before ordering. 

Number 14, 

Loosen your tie to-reduce your risk of glaucoma. Wearing your tie too-tight can be uncomfortable-not just for you but also your eye balls. There's a reason some guys-think of a neck tie as a noose. In one study of 40 men,-adjusting a tie to slightly-uncomfortable for only three-minutes raised intra ocular pressure,-a leading cause of glaucoma. So loosen up that tie, or better yet,-just use a clip on. Then you'll also save yourself the stress-of having to tie it every morning. 

Number 13, 

Easy on the positive thinking,-it can make you feel more depressed. You know the feeling,-you're having a bad day-and someone attempts-to help by telling you-to look on the bright side-or have a positive attitude. If you find this annoying-instead of helpful,-you're not alone. Studies have shown-positive thinking provides-only a marginal improvement-in the mood for those-with high self esteem. Those with lower self esteem,-actually felt worse. Probably because there's-nothing more depressing-than a fake cheer when-you're having a lousy day. Many people actually felt-better when making a list of-negative things about themselves. This may be because once-you've identified your faults,-you can work to improve them. 

Number 12, 

Masturbating-promotes a healthy sex drive. Good news for the porn industry. Masturbation is very healthy,-as it turns out, showing a-little self love is not only-temporarily present, it can-also help you have a better sex-life in general, the more-frequently you have orgasms,-the more your body produces-libido increasing hormones. Doctor Darius Paduch,-director of sexual health-at Weill Cornell Medical College,-found out that among his patients,-this leads to a higher sex drive. 

Number 11, 

Beware of the new car smell-and open those windows. Many people love that new car smell,-so much that it's even sold-as a variety of air freshner. But getting a good whiff of the real thing-could actually be bad for your health. The inside of a new car contains plastics,-adhesives and fabrics and-when these are concentrated-in a small space, like the-inside of a new vehicle,-they can release harmful gasses,-especially in high temperatures. As much as you might-love that new car smell,-it's much healthier to-roll down the windows-and let it escape,-especially in warm weather. 

Number 10, 

Yogic breathing-improves lung function-and blood flow to the brain. Pranayama sounds like-something you might order-at that new Indian restaurant downtown. But it's actually a yoga-breathing principle,-yoga is healthy in general,-but if you don't have time-to bend yourself into a pretzel,-you can still benefit from pranayama. This technique brings more-oxygen to the blood and brain. And it can improve lung function,-just don't take any deep,-calming breaths in your new car. 

Number 9, 

Get a pet. If you already have a pet-you probably know your furry-friend can help reduce stress. Many studies have shown having-a pet lowers blood pressure,-and can even reduce-the risk of depression. Seniors with Alzheimers-have fewer anxious outbursts-when an animal shares their home. Walking a dog is also a good exercise-but your pet doesn't have-to be furry and four legged. Watching fish swim in an-aquarium has been shown to be-just as relaxing! 

Number 8, 

Gardening reduces stress-and symptoms of depression. Another good way to relieve-stress involves getting-down and dirty in the garden that is. One study in the Netherlands,-showed that gardening reduces-stress even better than-other relaxing activities-like reading a book, spending time outside-and away from digital-devices, combats stress-and attention fatigue and can even-reduce symptoms of depression. Growing healthy, fresh-produce that you can eat-and soaking up some vitamin-D from the sun are other-benefits of the outdoor activity. 

Number 7, 

Drink that wine. Wine lovers have good reason to celebrate. Maybe with a glass of well, wine. Because the beverage is-actually good for you. Wine contains polyphenols-which reduce the risk-of heart disease and cancer. They might also have-anti bacterial properties-that are effective against-the strepto caucus bug. Cabernet Sauvignon, may even-reduce your risk of Alzheimers. Just make sure you don't drink-so much you lose your memory-for an entirely different reason. Wine is best enjoyed in moderation. 

Number 6, 

Bird watching-is heart healthy. Bird watching may sound-like a sedentary pursuit-but it can actually be good exercise. Many bird watchers spend time-walking through the woods-while looking for unusual-varieties of the feathered-creatures, walking two-miles an hour for two hours-can burn almost 400 calories-and the fresh air and immersion in nature-can also help reduce stress. 

Number 5, 

Playing a musical instrument. Even if you're not a musical genius,-playing an instrument-has many health benefits. It improves hand eye coordination-and fine motor skills. Better still, it can increase-your IQ by seven points. And it's never too late to start. Both kids and adults reap-these brain benefits. Adults who play instruments-also have lower blood pressure. As for the people who listen to you play,-well we'll get back to you on that. 

Number 4, 

Playing video games. You may have heard that-sitting on a couch and playing-video games is unhealthy,-and doing so all day has it's-down sides but playing video-games also has health benefits. It reduces stress and depression,-and can even help relieve physical pain. However, this is another-situation where moderation-is key and you should still-try to keep your screen time-to two hours a day or less. 

Number 3, 

Stop trying-to shape up your butt. Sir Mix-a-lot may have been-onto something when he rapped-about how much he likes big butts. While many of us think-of this as a problem area-we want to reduce with diet an exercise,-the fat stored there is not your enemy. In fact junk in the trunk-contains an anti-inflammatory-that prevents arteries-from becoming clogged-and reduces the risk of heart-disease, diabetes and stroke. Back that thing up. 

Number 2, 

Surfing the internet. We've all heard how unhealthy-it is to spend the whole day-in front of the computer,-but some time spent surfing-the internet is actually healthy. Researchers at UCLA-discovered searching the web-boosts brain health in-those middle aged and older. It may even slow some of the-effects of aging on the brain-by stimulating areas that-control language, memory,-and complex reasoning. Just make sure you take breaks-and stretch while exploring-the world wide web. 

Number 1, 

Pucker up. Assuming no one involved has mono,-kissing can be a very healthy activity. The extra saliva from swapping spit-can help break down oral plaque on teeth,-reducing the risk of cavities-and other dental problems. Just don't give up your toothbrush,-brushing is still a better-way of cleaning teeth. Kissing may even help-you lose a little weight-by increasing your metabolic-rate and burning extra calories-Who knew it could be such a good way-to kiss calories goodbye! 

What's the most surprising-health tip you've learned? 

Hopefully this has been helpful. 

Did you learn anything new? Also, which one did-you think was the best? 

And do you know of any others? Please let me know in-the comments down below.