The Guide to Happiness

Rid Yourself of Life's Little Annoyances

Here’s how to bid farewell to 18 things you want to eliminate from your life but can’t quite figure out how

Rid Yourself of Life's Little Annoyances
Tatsuro Kiuchi
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How to Get Rid of…
Coffee Breath
The good news? Unlike onion and garlic odors, which enter your lungs and bloodstream, coffee breath can usually be curtailed by simply brushing your teeth and tongue, which are where odor-causing bacteria grow. A breath mint will mask the smell but only briefly. Can’t do either of the above? Fill your mug with water and give your mouth a swish.

Stomach Growls
If you suspected you should eat, you’re correct. “Your stomach is constantly churning, and it churns more when you’re hungry, producing a rumbling sound,” explains Joel Levine, M.D., former chair of the American College of Physicians Board of Regents. “But don’t chew gum. Swallowing air only exacerbates the sound.”

Water in Your Ear
Swimmer Natalie Coughlin, a two-time Olympic gold medalist, mixes equal parts rubbing alcohol (to dry) and white vinegar (to disinfect) in an eyedropper. Then she puts a few drops in the ear canal, waits 30 seconds, and drains it.


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