| How to Relax Muscles Posted: 15 Aug 2021 05:00 PM PDT After a long, hard day it can be hard to unwind, especially if your muscles are tight or tense. You may have pulled them while exercising or just strained them from too much movement during the day. The good news is that your muscles will heal with a little time and rest. To make yourself comfortable in the meantime, read through our tips for loosening your muscles. [Edit]Take a hot shower or use a steam room. - Enjoy a long shower or sit in a sauna or steam room for 10 to 15 minutes. Try to stretch your muscles gently after your body warms up. The steam helps increase blood circulation, which delivers oxygen and nutrients to your muscles. This can really help them recover, especially after an intense workout.[1]
- Most gyms or hotels feature saunas or steam rooms next to the pool.
[Edit]Soak in a bath with Epsom salt. - Dissolve 3/4 cup (300 g) of Epsom salt in a tub full of hot water. Ease into the water and soak for at least 15 minutes. Studies show that Epsom salt soothes muscles and relieves pain—probably because it contains magnesium, which helps your muscles relax.[2]
- Skip the Epsom salt if you have an open wound or a burn that's healing.
[Edit]Hold a heating pad or electric blanket against the muscles. - Press the pad or blanket in place for at least 20 minutes. This gives the heat a chance to penetrate deep into your muscle tissue. Although the dry heat isn't as effective as the moist heat from a bath or shower, the heating pad or blanket can temporarily relieve muscle pain.[3]
- Read the manufacturer's instructions about how to safely use a heating pad or electric blanket. Never fall asleep while you're using the electric blanket because it's a fire hazard.
[Edit]Do light cardio workouts. - Get moving—continuous movement keeps your muscles limber. Light cardio exercises like walking, cycling, swimming, aerobics, or jogging all get your blood pumping. This increased circulation keeps your muscles relaxed and limber. Try to fit in at least 15 to 20 minutes of light cardio exercises every day.[4]
- If your muscles feel tight or cramped, don't push yourself to do vigorous cardio. The point is to relax your muscles.
[Edit]Work through progressive muscle relaxation. - Tense a muscle group and breathe in before you release the hold. Think of progressive muscle relaxation as a targeted personal massage. To release muscle tension, start by tensing specific muscles like your leg muscles or upper back muscles. Tighten those muscles while you breathe in deeply for 5 seconds. Then, relax your muscles as you slowly breathe out. Repeat this for any other muscles that feel sore.[5]
- For instance, target the muscles in your lower limbs, your stomach and chest, your arms, shoulders, and neck, and your face.
[Edit]Perform stretches or yoga. - Basic yoga poses and gentle stretches reduce stiffness and get the blood flowing. Get comfortable and take a deep breath as you slowly get into a pose or stretch a tense muscle. Hold the stretch for 15 to 30 seconds and slowly release the stretch. To target specific muscles:[6]
- Pull the top of your foot toward your torso with your leg outstretched. This stretch targets your calves.
- Stand with a leg stretched out and toes pointed down to work the muscles in the front of your legs.
- Slowly rotate your ankle and foot in circles for a good stretch along your lower legs.
- Raise your shoulders up toward your head and drop them back down. Then, rotate your shoulders in small circles. These stretch muscles in your shoulders.
- Lean your head to one shoulder until you feel a gentle stretch in your neck. Then, lean your head to the opposite shoulder for a good stretch along your neck.
[Edit]Take an OTC pain reliever for mild muscle pain. - Use over-the-counter NSAIDs like ibuprofen and acetaminophen. Although they won't loosen your muscles, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug medications can relieve pain from muscle aches. Read the instructions on the package to learn how much medication to take and how often to take it.[7]
- Don't take more than the recommended amount within a 24-hour period.
- If you're feeling a lot of pain or you don't think the medication is helping, reach out to your doctor.
[Edit]Add a magnesium supplement to your diet. - Magnesium deficiency can cause muscle cramps and strain. Fortunately, it's easy to take a daily magnesium supplement—look for a 350-mg dose that you can take once a day.[8]
- Magnesium supplements are available over-the-counter at grocery stores, pharmacies, and online.
- It's always a good idea to check with your doctor before starting a new supplement, especially if you're taking prescription medications.
- Want to get magnesium from your diet? Eat foods like spinach, peanuts, brown rice, and almonds!
[Edit]Apply a topical muscle relaxant to the area. - These deliver fast-acting pain relief to sore, achy muscles. Choose a relaxant that has diclofenac or salicylates which are mild pain killers. Topical OTC creams like these don't have a risk for serious side effects and they work quickly to relieve muscle pain. Always read the manufacturer's dosing instructions for how often you can reapply the medication.[9]
- Topical pain relievers are a good choice if you're at a greater risk for side effects from oral medications.
[Edit]Get a deep-tissue massage. - Let the massage therapist know which muscles are tight or cramped. They'll apply deep pressure on the muscle fibers so the muscles relax. Most massage sessions last between 30 and 90 minutes. Usually, you'll feel relaxed afterward and you might notice less stiffness.[10]
- Acupressure is similar to massage therapy and acupuncture. During a session, a certified acupressure practitioner presses or stimulates on specific points to loosen them.
[Edit]Visit a chiropractor for an adjustment. - Tell the chiropractor where you're experiencing muscle pain. They'll manipulate the small joints of your bones so your muscles are properly aligned. This can relieve pain and improve your flexibility. Some chiropractors also use massage therapy, so talk with yours about what services you're looking for.
- You might feel better after just one visit, but if you've had lasting muscle pain or tightness, it might take a few more visits to get the results you want.
- Check with your insurance company to see if you've got chiropractic coverage. You may have to see a chiropractor in your network to have it paid for.
[Edit]Try acupuncture to release tension. - Get an acupuncture treatment if you have localized muscle pain. During your session, a certified acupuncturist will insert thin needles into the skin at certain pressure points. It's believed that this stimulates your nervous system to release chemicals that help treat muscle cramping, pain, and weakness.[11]
- If you can't find a certified acupuncturist in your area or within your insurance network, ask your doctor or chiropractor if they also offer acupuncture services.
[Edit]Talk with your doctor about prescription treatments. - Schedule an appointment if you have muscle pain that doesn't improve. Usually, your muscles will loosen over time with a little rest, but if you're in pain or your muscles constantly seem tight, contact your doctor. They'll probably want to do an exam to figure out why your muscles are strained. As a treatment, they may prescribe a strong topical or oral muscle relaxant.[12]
- For example, they might prescribe carisoprodol or cyclobenzaprine for muscle spasms. If you're in severe pain, they may give you diazepam.
- Many of these medications are very effective but habit-forming so it's important to take them exactly as your doctor directs.
- If your muscles feel tense, practicing breathing exercises or meditating may help you feel calm and loosen your muscles.[13]
[Edit]Warnings - Talk with your doctor before adding a supplement or taking prescription medication. They can explain possible side effects and risks that are associated with the product.
- If you've had heart trouble in the past or are over 65, talk with your doctor before using a steam room or sauna.
[Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Tell a Joke Posted: 15 Aug 2021 09:00 AM PDT Nothing feels better than laughing over a good joke with your friends. There are so many ways to get a laugh, but sometimes, it can be hard to pick the right joke for the setting and audience. Luckily, there are plenty of formulas and archetypes you can pull out that are sure to please anyone! If you're looking to expand your joke-telling prowess or you're digging for a fresh take on an old joke, you're in the right place. [Edit]Observational jokes - Observational humor is fun if you enjoy pointing out life's little quirks. This type of comedy is extremely popular, and it's a common form of joke-telling for stand-up comedians. Observational jokes tend to require some context, but if your audience understands what you're commenting on, this is a great way to get a laugh. Basically, you find something "normal" and point out something silly or strange about it.[1]
- "Why is it called 'deodorant' when it should be called 're-odorant'?"
- "Why did Michael Jordan have a coach? He's the best basketball player of all time. What did the coach do? Just yell, 'Yeah! Keep doing that Mike!'"
- "People always say they're ordering food at a restaurant, but really they're ordering the server."
- "Parking attendants always sit in little glass booths; they don't really attend to anything, do they?"
[Edit]Absurdist jokes - Absurdist humor is funny because random nonsense is funny. Ever find yourself laughing when someone makes silly noises with their mouth? Ever burst out in tears just because someone said something so confusing you couldn't make sense of it? Absurd jokes can take a variety of forms, but the main thing is that they're either totally nonsensical, or kind of come close to making sense but don't. They tend to only be funny for people who "get it" (or don't'?), and the delivery is often a big part of making these land.[2]
- "Does anyone know how to clean syrup off of a wood floor? It's a serious question, I have syrup all over my floor."
- "Why do seagulls fly over the sea? Because if they flew over the bay they'd be bagels, and bagels can't fly."
- "I bought a thesaurus yesterday; unfortunately, I don't know how to read."
- "Did you know that France is actually smaller than every other country combined?"
- "I saw a fish in the bathroom, and I was just like, 'Woah. You don't belong here. Get out of here fish.'"
[Edit]Sarcastic jokes - Sarcasm is when you say one thing, but you mean the opposite. A lot of people think of sarcasm as a dull form of humor, but a good sarcastic joke can get a serious laugh! These jokes are all about the delivery, so try raising your voice a bit and rolling your eyes while you lean into the punchline.[3]
- "Just remember, I'm a unique individual. Like everyone else!"
- "I always tell my employees, don't think of me as your boss. Think of me as a friend who can fire you."
- "Honesty is the best policy. I invented that quote back when I was the president."
- "I'm not a sarcastic person. I always say what I mean."
[Edit]Knock-knock jokes - They're a silly classic, but they're a ton of fun! These jokes are great because everyone knows the format, and the person you're talking to gets to participate. The structure of these jokes work like this—you say, "Knock knock," and the other person asks, "Who's there?" You throw out a name or short phrase, and they repeat it by adding, "who?" The punchline is usually a reversal or pun of some kind. These are really easy to come up with, and they're a great way to get a chuckle![4]
- "Knock, knock." Who's there? "Water" Water who? "Water you asking me so many questions for? Let me in already!"
- "Knock, knock." Who's there? "Nobel" Nobel who? "No bell, that's why I'm knocking."
- "Knock, knock." Who's there? "Tank." Tank who? "You're welcome!"
- "Knock, knock." Who's there? "Control freak." Control freak who? "Okay, now you say 'Control freak who?'"
- "Knock, knock." Who's there? "A cow who interrupts people." A cow who inter— "MOO!"
[Edit]Chicken crossing the road jokes - This is another popular format with a lot of room for creativity. Unlike the knock-knock joke, this format is unique because everyone knows the traditional punchline—"to get to the other side." Since the punchline is already in the back of the audience's head, you can play with that expectation to make it funny! Feel free to swap out the chicken for another subject or toy with the setup a bit if you want to make it your own.[5]
- "Why did the chicken cross the road?" Why? "No one knows, but the road is clearly upset about it."
- "Why did the chicken cross the road?" Why? "Arrogance. Pure, unadulterated pride."
- "Why did the chicken cross the road?" Why? "To tempt fate."
- "Why did the cow cross the road?" Why? "Because it wanted to go to the moo-vies."
- "Why did the chicken go looking for ghosts?" Why? "To get to the other side."
[Edit]A man walks into a bar jokes - These jokes are fun because they're silly little stories. You get to paint a picture with your narrative while building up to the punchline, and there are a lot of ways to turn these jokes on their head. The structure is well-known, but the jokes themselves are often very different from one another. These gags tend to do well with an older audience, but they're definitely a fun way to get a laugh.[6]
- "A neutron walks into a bar and orders a drink. When they finish it, they say, 'So, how much do I owe you, bartender?' The bartender replies, 'For you, my friend, no charge.'"
- "A man who goes digging for expensive gems walks into a bar. The bartender shakes his head and asks him to leave. He says, 'Sorry, we don't serve miners here.'"
- "A bear walks into a bar and says, 'I'll take a whiskey and…soda.' The bartender asks, 'Why the long pause?' and the bear says, 'I'm not sure. I was born with them.'"
- "A horse walks into a bar. A scared bartender shouts out in confusion, 'Hey?!' The horse sits down at the bar and says, 'You read my mind!'"
[Edit]Light bulb jokes - This is a great format if you want a joke that works with a specific audience. While some of these can be kind of insensitive, the most successful "lightbulb" jokes are versions that aren't putting people down, but playing around with a hobby or job. As a rule of thumb, if you could tell a "How many X does it take to change a light bulb" to a person who happens to be X and they'd actually laugh, you're in the clear.[7]
- "How many psychiatrists does it take to change a light bulb? Only one, but the lightbulb has to really want to change."
- "How many surrealists does it take to change a light bulb? Three. One to hold the giraffe, one to turn into a flower, and a third to screw the bulb in."
- "How many software engineers does it take to change a light bulb? None, that's a hardware problem."
- "How many skateboarders does it take to change a light bulb? One, but it takes them 100 attempts."
- "How many politicians does it take to change a light bulb? Two. One to change it, and the other to change it back."
- A goofy pun is great—even when it's so bad it makes your eyes roll. Puns rely on one word or phrase being used two ways at the same time, which is where the joy and humor comes from. Some of the best puns are even intentionally silly, or don't make sense on a literal level. These jokes aren't for everyone, but if your audience has an inclination towards humor so bad that it's good, you'll have people in stitches![8]
- "I named my dog 'five miles,' so that I can say 'I walked five miles today.'"
- "Jokes about steak are a medium rarely done well."
- "This nosy pepper keeps bothering people. It just gets jalapeno business."
- "Did you hear about the actor who fell through the floorboards? They're just going through a stage."
- "Why don't scientists trust atoms? Because they make up everything."
[Edit]Tongue twisters - These jokes are usually funny because they sound so silly. They're really interesting to younger children, who tend to laugh when they try to repeat the punchline back. Still, they're a fun way for anyone to get a quick giggle or smile. The trick here is to find a contrived reason to put a bunch of similar-sounding words together, and they're a lot of fun to come up with![9]
- "I needed someone to draw realistic dogs for me. Unfortunately, the labradoodle doodle dude will have to do."
- "I was worried that my father sold something silly for a living, but it turns out that seldom do dads sell dumb doodads."
- "Did you hear about the three friends who drew each other? Andrew drew Ann, Ann drew Drew, and Drew drew Ann drawing Andrew."
- "How do you tell the time in Dublin? An Irish wristwatch."
- "Microsoft doesn't have a marketing campaign for their new database software. It turns out that Excel excels at cells, so it sells itself."
[Edit]Anti-jokes - Anti-jokes are hilarious precisely because they aren't jokes. They normally take the structure of a preexisting joke format, like the knock-knock joke, and turn them on their head to make them as unfunny or literal as possible. The humor comes from the audience's expectation that there will be a punchline, and when there isn't—at least in a traditional sense—you'll have people laughing! Try prepping your audience before telling one of these by saying, "Want to hear a joke?"[10]
- "A bird walks into the dentist's office. It goes to the front desk and says, 'Hello, I need the dentist to take a look at this tooth that's bothering me.' The secretary says, 'I'm sorry, we don't have a bird dentist here.'"
- "Why can't a T-Rex clap their hands? Because they're extinct."
- "A priest, a rabbi, and a monk walk into a bar. They have a pleasant time discussing a variety of topics because they're all good friends."
- "What's the difference between a joke and a rhetorical question?"
- "Knock, knock." Who's there? "To" To who? "No, no, it's 'to whom.' You use 'who' when it refers to the subject of a sentence."
- Audience matters. What makes a bunch of personal friends laugh may not be particularly funny to your co-workers or parents. Just keep that in mind if you're trying to crack a joke on the fly.[11]
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| How to Set a Tiktok Video As Your Wallpaper Posted: 15 Aug 2021 01:00 AM PDT This wikiHow teaches you how to set your favorite TikTok video as your home or lock screen wallpaper. Both Androids and iPhones allow you to download TikTok videos (depending on the user's privacy settings) as live photos, which can then be set as wallpaper. [Edit]Android - Install TikTok Wall Picture from the Play Store . This is the official TikTok wallpaper creator for Android. To download it:
- Open the Play Store on your Android.
- Type into the search bar.
- Tap TikTok Wall Picture in the search results.
- Tap Install and follow the on-screen instructions.
- Open the TikTok video you want to use as your wallpaper. You can make any TikTok video your wallpaper as long as the person who shared the video does not limit downloads.
- Tap the Sharing icon. It's the curved arrow in the lower-right area of the video. This will expand the sharing menu.
- If you've been sharing videos in another app, such as Instagram, this icon may show up as that app's icon instead. Tapping it will still open the sharing menu.
- Tap the icon. It's in the second row of icons, but you may have to scroll right to find it. This saves the picture to the TikTok Wall Picture app.
- If this option is grayed-out, the person who shared the video has adjusted their privacy settings to disallow downloads.
- Open TikTok Wall Picture. If app doesn't open automatically, tap its robot head icon in your app drawer, or tap Live wallpapers if you are prompted to do so.
- Tap the wallpaper you just downloaded. This displays a preview.
- Choose where to set the wallpaper. You can set the wallpaper to appear on your home screen, or on both your home and lock screens. It's not possible to set the wallpaper to appear just on the lock screen, though.[1] Once you make your selection, your new TikTok video wallpaper will be all set up.
- Open the TikTok video you want to use as your wallpaper. You can make any TikTok video your wallpaper as long as the person who shared the video does not limit downloads.
- You will only be able to set the video as your lock screen wallpaper—the regular home screen can only have a still image as wallpaper.
- Live wallpaper will not work on iPhone SE (first and second generation) or iPhone 6 and earlier.[2]
- Tap the Sharing icon. It's the curved arrow in the lower-right area of the video. This will expand the sharing menu.
- If you've been sharing videos in another app, such as Instagram, this icon may show up as that app's icon instead. Tapping it will still open the sharing menu.
- Tap the icon. It's in the third row of icons, but you may have to scroll right to find it. It's right after "Add to Favorites" and just before "Share as GIF." This saves the video as a live photo.
- If this option is grayed-out, the person who shared the video has adjusted their privacy settings to disallow downloads.
- Open your iPhone's Settings . It's the gray gear icon on the home screen or in the app library.
- Scroll down and tap . It's in the third group of settings.
- Tap . A list of photo albums will appear.
- Tap . You will see all live photos on your iPhone, including the one created by the TikTok video.
- Tap the Live Photo to open it. This displays a preview—you can move the preview around or zoom in and out to find the desired perspective.
- Tap . It's at the bottom-right corner. A menu will expand.
- Tap . It's not possible to set a live photo as the home screen wallpaper, so just choose the lock screen. This sets the TikTok video as your lock screen wallpaper.
- When your screen is locked, you will see just a still of the video—to play the video, just tap and hold it.
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