Our bodies constantly react to changes in posture, temperature, stress, and pressure. Sometimes, small adjustments can make a noticeable difference in how we feel. Researchers and clinicians have studied several simple physical techniques that can offer short-term relief from common discomforts such as dizziness, congestion, pain, or anxiety. Below are ten simple body hacks for instant relief

1 Prevent blackouts when you stand up by squeezing leg muscles

Many people experience a brief head rush or dizziness when standing up quickly. This is known as initial orthostatic hypotension, caused by a temporary drop in blood pressure as gravity pulls blood toward the legs. According to research published in Clinical Science, you can counter this effect by engaging your lower body.

By tensing your leg and glute muscles before or during the act of standing, you manually compress the veins in your lower extremities. This action pushes blood back toward the heart and brain, stabilizing blood pressure and preventing the “blackout” sensation.

2 Clear water from the ear with jaw movement

Water trapped in the ear canal after swimming or showering is more than an annoyance. If left untreated, it can lead to infections like “swimmer’s ear.” To clear it without using dangerous objects like cotton swabs, experts at the Cleveland Clinic recommend using your jaw.

Tilt your head so the affected ear faces the ground and perform a chewing or yawning motion. This movement manipulates the Eustachian tubes and the ear canal’s shape, often creating enough space for the surface tension of the water to break, allowing it to drain naturally.

3 Calm palpitations with child’s pose

Stress-induced heart palpitations can be alarming. When the body is in a “fight or flight” state, the sympathetic nervous system is overactive. Holding “Child’s Pose“—a yoga position where you kneel and fold your torso over your thighs—can help shift the body into “rest and digest” mode.

This position encourages deep, diaphragmatic breathing. Studies on the vagus nerve—the main component of the parasympathetic nervous system—suggest that certain postures and breathing patterns can stimulate the nerve to send signals to the heart to slow down.

4 Ease toothaches with ice on the hand

One of the most unusual yet effective hacks involves the hand rather than the mouth. Research published in the Journal of the Canadian Dental Association suggests that rubbing ice on the V-shaped webbing between your thumb and index finger (the L14 acupressure point) can reduce tooth pain by up to 50%.

The area is a junction for nerve impulses. The cold sensation travels along the same pathways that dental pain takes to reach the brain. Because the brain prioritizes the cold sensation, it effectively “blocks” or overrides the intensity of the toothache signals.

5 Quiet racing thoughts with cognitive shuffling

Insomnia is often fueled by “analytical” thinking—worrying about the future or rehashing the past. To fall asleep, the brain needs to transition into a non-logical state. A technique recommended by sleep researchers involves imagining random, unrelated objects.

By visualizing a “banana,” then a “cloud,” then a “violin,” you mimic the fragmented, nonsensical imagery of the early stages of sleep. This distracts the brain from stressful loops and signals to the nervous system that it is safe to drift off.

6 Stop panic attacks with sour candy

During a panic attack, the brain’s amygdala is hyper-focused on a perceived threat. Grounding techniques aim to pull the brain back to the physical environment.

Eating a piece of extremely sour candy provides an intense sensory shock.The overwhelming taste of citric acid forces the brain to process a new, immediate stimulus. This “sensory bypass” can interrupt the cycle of panic, providing a window of clarity to practice deep breathing or other coping mechanisms.

7 Relieve nasal congestion with quick exercise

If you have a stuffy nose, short bursts of physical activity like push-ups or jumping jacks can provide temporary relief. Exercise triggers the release of adrenaline, which acts as a natural vasoconstrictor.

According to the Mayo Clinic, adrenaline causes the blood vessels in the nasal passages to constrict, reducing the swelling of the membranes and opening the airways. While the effect is temporary, it can provide enough of a window to fall asleep or use a saline rinse more effectively.

8 Reduce sciatic pain with a tennis ball

Sciatica—pain that radiates from the lower back through the hips—is often exacerbated by a tight piriformis muscle. If this muscle becomes inflamed, it presses directly on the sciatic nerve.

Health experts suggest “trigger point therapy” using a tennis ball. By sitting on a ball and positioning it under the gluteal muscle, you apply firm, targeted pressure to the tight area. This acts as a deep-tissue massage, encouraging the muscle to release its grip on the nerve and reducing radiating pain.

9 Fix “Pins and needles” sensation with head movements

Waking up with a numb, tingling arm (paresthesia) is usually the result of compressed nerves in the neck or shoulder, rather than a lack of blood flow. To “wake up” the limb, gently rock your head from side to side.

This motion helps stretch and loosen the nerves in the cervical spine. While shaking the hand can help, the “pins and needles” sensation often originates in the neck’s nerve bundle – addressing the source through gentle neck movement is often a faster way to restore sensation.

10 Cool down fast via pulse points

In extreme heat, drinking water is essential, but you can also lower your perceived body temperature by targeting your pulse points. Placing an ice pack or cold water on your wrists or the sides of your neck can provide rapid relief.

Because the blood vessels in these areas are very close to the surface of the skin, the cold temperature is transferred more efficiently to the bloodstream. As that cooled blood circulates through the rest of the body, it helps lower your overall core temperature more quickly than cooling other areas of skin.