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How Emotionally Intelligent Men Deal With Difficult People

No matter how much you work on your mindset or how well you avoid workplace quarrels, we’re all faced with difficult people in our daily lives – but those people and their issues don’t have to bring you down, especially if you know how to handle the situation.

The most essential part of dealing with difficult people – and the part most of us struggle with – is remaining calm and respectful during the interaction and not allowing them to bring you down to their level.

RELATED: How to Handle Office Conflicts

Speaking to them in a respectful and calm manner, whilst asserting boundaries and reframing the situation to see how you can be effective rather than be “right” or “logical,” is a great starting off point. This can help disarm their frustration and let them know that they are being heard and acknowledged – but there are plenty of ways emotionally intelligent men effectively deal with difficult people.

We spoke to a marriage therapist, a psychologist, and a college professor to get their insights on how to effectively handle difficult situations at home and in the workplace. Here, their best advice for dealing with difficult people in your day-to-day:

Try to Agree With Them (Even If You Disagree)

You know those people in your life that just have to be right, all of the time – even when it doesn’t matter or is totally trivial. They share something, then you add your input, yet it’s considered wrong. This is a tough thing to deal with on a daily basis – especially if this person’s going to be around for awhile.

Consider the following: you have a friend who complains to you every single day about how crappy the weather is. I mean they totally let you have it, and if you dare to say anything different you’re wrong. It’s a frustrating scenario. However, the entirety of your day doesn’t have to go to ruins anymore, just try agreeing.

Jacob Kountz, Associate Marriage and Family Therapist, suggests trying something different. The next time they complain about the weather, say something along the lines of “Yeah, you’re totally right, the weather has been crazy lately.” Chances are your conversation will be short and sweet because they have no one available anymore to combat with. You might say this isn’t as authentic as you’d like to be, but choosing your battles wisely could determine the rest of your day. So, why not take a chance, agree with the difficult individual, and move on to a better day without conflict.

Share Your Dilemma

“If the first technique doesn’t sit well with you, then you’re likely to be inclined to practice this one,” says Kountz. “As a therapist, I sit down with many who want to be there as well as those who don’t. Some therapists may say that these are considered difficult clients to work with. Whenever my gut tells me that I’m stuck due to an obstacle, such as someone not wanting to talk that day, I simply share my dilemma.”

According to Kountz, this would look something like, “Hey, can we pause for a moment? I’ve got to share something with you. As we’re talking I’m noticing that I’m getting stuck, like I’ve hit some obstacle that we can’t get past, and it’s hard for me to move forward because I’m getting the vibe that you might not want to be here today with me. Tell me your thoughts.”

“Verbiage like so can be helpful while dealing with someone who is giving you a difficult time,” he explains. “The goal is to pause them to get their full attention, share what your mind has been telling you, and lastly, check to see what their thoughts are about what you’ve just shared.”

Practice Assertiveness

“Assertiveness is one of those powerful communication tools that can be easily misconstrued as being mean, controlling or an attempt to dominate a conversation,” says Kountz. “This is far from the truth. If you are dealing with someone who is giving you a pretty hard time, assertiveness can be a helpful way to get exactly what you need, and on your own terms.”

Sometimes, assertiveness is a good way of letting others know your boundaries, and not to cross them – especially if it involves trying to pull you into a spiral of negativity. “Let’s say you know someone who, whenever you run into them, they attempt to immerse themselves into your life without warrant. This can be very invasive of your privacy, yet sometimes it can feel like a major obligation to disclose information – most of the time just to give them what they want so they can leave,” says Kountz. “But, in order to ameliorate this, it’s going to take some good ol’ honesty. This will require you to look directly in their eyes, face them, clear your throat and simply tell them, ‘No, there’s nothing I’d like to share.’”

They may ask why, and you can again practice assertiveness and not give a reason, depending on your level of comfort. Or, be more honest and share that you’d like to keep the information to yourself and are not comfortable sharing details with this person. The number one thing to think about is to not say “sorry”, as tempting as that may be. You should not be sorry for setting a boundary with a person who never respected boundaries in the first place.

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Ask Questions That Seek Clarification Rather Than Argument

“Difficult people tend to be poor listeners and do not have a whole lot of empathy,” says Danni Zhang, a psychologist and owner of New Vision Psychology. “They may prefer to demand rather than negotiate, and can often appear to be passive-aggressive in their communication. As such, questions that seek clarification (more details, further information) can resolve any miscommunication and prevent spiraling into a personal confrontation.”

Zhang suggests speaking to them in a respectful and calm manner, avoiding trying to control or demand compliance, and listening to what the person is saying (or in many situations, not saying) and clarifying with them what they want. This can disarm their frustration and let them know that they are being heard and acknowledged.

Don’t Fight With Them

It can be tempting to spar, and make your point, but according to Dr. Ramani Durvasula, licensed clinical psychologist and professor of psychology, it's a waste of time, delays what you need to get done and, most importantly, it exhausts you, which over time can take a toll on you.

“Keep your interactions limited to what is essential,” says Dr. Durvasula. “Otherwise, you will find yourself into the same toxic conversational loops, which often consist of gaslighting, insults, criticism, deflection of blame, etc.”

Don't Personalize What They Say

It is easy to take what they’re saying personally, especially if what they are doing or saying is making your life difficult, but it is often not personal, it's who they are. “Keep your eyes focused on your prize, your true north, what matters to you and you often need to view them as a workaround. If you waste time personalizing it, you waste time having unnecessary conversations,” says Dr. Durvasula.

Lots of people can lose a lot of themselves to these relationships – and often maintain false hopes of change. Set healthy boundaries and let those boundaries be informed by the fact that this person will not change and what they’re doing reflects only on them.

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The Best American-Made Whiskeys

Sure, Scotch Whisky is pretty great – but there’s something to be said about spirits made stateside. Of course, it should come as no surprise that Kentucky has been producing world-class whiskey for centuries, but American-made whiskey is having a moment from coast to coast.

RELATED: The Best Whiskeys Around the World

From small-batch bourbon to seductive single malt whiskey, we’ve rounded up the best American-made whiskey you can actually buy. These exquisite American spirits may have roots all over – from Kentucky to Arizona – but they all have one thing in common: passionate distillers using only the best U.S. ingredients.

Stranahan’s Colorado Whiskey

One of the most well-loved whiskey brands in the U.S., this Colorado-made whiskey is hand-crafted from barley to bottle in the Stranahan distillery. Expect hints of caramel, vanilla, dark chocolate and fresh-sawn oak, but keep in mind that no two batches are precisely the same – and for good reason. Every Stranahan’s barrel is unique and imparts its own characteristics onto the final product; this is especially true with their Snowflake whiskey. Available just one day each December at the distillery, Snowflake uses a variety of unique barrels from all over the world, resulting in a totally unique batch every time.
$56.99 at Drizly.com

Wilderness Trail Bourbon Whiskey

Crafted in Danville, Kentucky, this small grain Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey aims to capture the total essence of more complex notes by using multiple types of barrels for each batch. Co-Founders Shane Baker and Pat Heist both have strong backgrounds in several science fields, which makes their distilling process, well, a science.
From $49.99 at PotomacWines.com

Wild Turkey 101

A batch of Wild Turkey 101 has been aged in new American White Oak barrels, which gives every bottle a distinct, rich flavor that doesn’t necessarily vary from batch to batch. This is a great option for those who know what they like – and want to ensure they can taste it again! Wild Turkey distiller Jimmy Russell has been in business for more than 60 years; expect a complimentary bold and sweet aroma in every bottle.
From $24.99 at Drizly.com

Buffalo Trace Bourbon

Named after the ancient buffalo that carved paths through the wilderness and led American pioneers and explorers to new frontiers, Buffalo Trace Bourbon on the banks of the Kentucky River has been crafting whiskey for more than 200 years. The amber-hued whiskey sports aromas of vanilla, mint and molasses that only get better with time.
From $29.99 at Drizly.com

Four Roses Small Batch

The Master Distiller at Four Roses takes blending seriously: this small batch bourbon was crafted from four original and limited Bourbon recipes that, when combined at the peak of maturation, create a perfectly balanced and relatively mellow bourbon. We recommend adding a small splash of water to help bring the aromas to the forefront.
$34.99 at Drizly.com 

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Peerless Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey

Located in downtown Louisville, Peerless Straight Rye Whiskey is a very well balanced Rye, boasting notes of maple, brown sugar and citrus with a light, pleasant oaky finish. Peerless is a much smoother Rye Whiskey than many others available on the market, and is exceptional by itself or with a small drop of water.
$119.99 at Drizly.com

Barrell Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Blended from seven- and eight-year-old whiskeys aged in oak, Barrell Straight Bourbon Whiskey boasts notes of dark maple syrup and warm spices that can only be attributed to a carefully matured batch. Aged in ex-bourbon barrels, the spirit has been carefully balanced to protect its wood sugar taste while avoiding the intensity of flavor that can often come from used barrels.
$94.99 at Drizly.com

Legent Bourbon Whiskey

Legent Bourbon Whiskey is a special case; a collaboration from two whiskey legends, Fred Noe from the founding family of bourbon and Jim Beam’s seventh-generation Master Distiller, and Shinji Fukuyo of Japanese whisky and Suntory’s fifth-ever Chief Blender. The result? A rounded and balanced bourbon crafted from a variety of blends aged in newly charred white oak barrels and extra-aged wine and sherry casks.
$40.64 at Drizly.com

Del Bac Dorado Mesquite Smoked Single Malt Whiskey

Carefully crafted in Tucson, Arizona, Del Bac Dorado Mesquite was born out of barbecuing with the mesquite scraps from Arroyo Design while drinking Scotch. The flagship whiskey of family-run Hamilton Distillers is said to be a true reflection of the Sonoran Desert, largely due to the unique process. Del Bac Dorado malt is dried over a mesquite fire using the species Prosopis Velutina, the predominant species in Southern Arizona. Expect sweet tobacco and desert campfire notes with soft tannins.
$57.19 at Drizly.com

McCarthy's Oregon Single Malt Whiskey

If traditional Scotch whisky is more your style, look no further than McCarthy's Oregon Single Malt Whiskey. Crafted using 100 percent peat-malted barley brought in from Scotland, this whiskey would be a single malt Scotch, if Oregon was considered part of Scotland! Aged in ex-sherry casks and Oregon oak casks, this single malt whiskey is full and robust, notes of malt and peat that are complemented by dried fruit and plums.
$54.99 at Drizly.com

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Why Work Stress Can Actually Be Good For You

Work stress can be one of two things: an emotional, energy drainer or a motivator. It all depends on your perspective. It probably doesn’t feel like it when the work is piling up and deadlines seem to appear around every corner, but as it turns out, work stress can actually be beneficial to your personal and professional development.

RELATED: How to Deal With Workplace Anxiety

“I’ve spent years focusing on turning stress into a motivational factor as well as an innovation catalyst,” shares Trace Reddick, MBA, owner of Dorado Finance LTD. “Asking yourself why you’re stressed and what can be done to eliminate or reduce that stress will give you the chance to flip the stress on its head and create an opportunity out of it.”

Whether you’re already thriving under pressure, or you’re looking for a way to flip your workplace mindset, here’s how stress in the office can actually be beneficial – if you look at it the right way.

Strengthens Your Ability to Deal With Life’s Curveballs

How did you handle your first stressful situation at work? You most likely deal with those situations better now, because you know what to expect and learned from the outcomes of previous incidents. “Most of us will have to deal with stress on the job at some point – in most cases, we will at many points in our lives,” says Nina LaRosa, Marketing Director of Moxie Media. “Learning how to handle stress now can make it easier to manage in the future.”

Boosts Your Cognitive Function and Memory

When you’re under moderate pressure at work, you may feel nervous and flustered. According to LaRosa, these feelings are a response to your brain strengthening its connection between neurons. This connection enhances your attention span and memory, leading to an increase in your productivity.

“The presence of stress helps produce neurotrophins which enhance the connection of one neuron to another inside our brains,” adds Norhanie Pangulima, Content Marketing Executive at Gigworker. “As a result, improved memory can be observed. This will come in handy at work, especially because our short-term memory can hold up to seven pieces of information at the same time but only for around 20 seconds.”

Encourages Resiliency

Resiliency is a key skill that employers would want their employees to have and nothing makes a person more flexible and resilient than being in a stressful situation. “When this happens, employees realize that not all days are going to be good but they will also recognize that they can always bounce back after a bad event. This kind of outlook can make a lot of difference in the workplace,” says Pangulima.

Strengthens Your Immune System

“Moderate stress stimulates the production of interleukins and provides the immune system with a boost of protection against illnesses,” says Pangulima. “This means that employees will have fewer sick days, which is a good thing since 5-6 percent of work days are lost per year due to sickness.”

RELATED: How to Improve Your Workplace Confidence

Pulls You Out of Your Comfort Zone

According to Tracy Y Washington, Leadership Engagement Consultant, Speaker and Coach, the stress of achieving goals calls people out of their comfort zones to accomplish more, like meeting a deadline or closing a sale, for example. “Stress, which would normally cause fear, can shift to excitement and anticipation, such as taking on a new role or promotion,” she says.

Can Help Develop Your Social Skills

Whether you’ve been met with a co-worker who does nothing but cause stress, or you’re facing disagreements with your higher ups, stressing over work relationships can actually be a good thing in the long run. “When unavoidable co-workers stress you out, it can force you to find better ways to relate to them, instead of running the other way,” says Washington.

Gives You Purpose and Direction

Stress can be the wind in your sails, if you know how to manage it. “Think of a restaurant … you usually get better service when it’s busy and the waiter has ten or fifteen tables to deal with, rather than when the place is empty,” explains Julian Jost, CEO and Co-Founder of Spacebase. “Most people need pressure to perform their best – it’s what pushes you to prioritize and make decisions quickly, so you can get on with completing the task at hand.” With no stress, no drive, people go in circles and may never meet their goals!

Helps You Expand Your Limits

Stress lets you find out what your limits are – or what you perceive them to be, anyway. According to Jost, you need to be able to recognize signs of mental and physical stress for yourself, and know when stress is having a positive and motivating effect on your performance versus when it might be time to take a break.

Often an Inhibitor of Great Achievements

Stress is a natural response to a range of stimuli, including expectations to achieve high grades in school or certain targets at work. “High achievers almost always experience moderate to high amounts of stress,” explains Maciej Duszynski, Career Expert at Zety. “What this tells us is that stress is often an inhibitor of great achievements. Perfectionists, particularly, can only be so because they care enough about a project to the point where it stresses them out a little.”

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How Listening to Music At Work Can Help With Productivity

We’re all guilty of putting on music throughout the workday, whether to drown out chatty colleagues (it happens!), or to escape from the mundanity of the office for a little bit. However, we may actually be onto something when we pop in our earbuds and turn up the tunes. Recent literature has suggested that listening to music actually helps with productivity – provided that you like the music you’re hearing.

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According to Dr. Nikola Djordjevic, MD, a medical advisor for HealthCareers.co, calm music has soothing effects on the brain and can reduce anxiety and stress, while upbeat music can give your brain a boost of energy, necessary for feeling fully awake and ready to work on whatever tasks you have at hand.

The music should also be "motivating" in some way, kind of like how the background music in video games lets you know that you are working toward something and keeps you moving forward in the game.

We tuned into a handful of music therapy and psychologists in our network to see just how beneficial music actually is to productivity – and their answers make a compelling case for tuning into Spotify at work.

Music Helps With Endorphin Production

Music triggers the activity of all parts of the brain – it triggers the production of dopamine, the reward hormone which makes us feel satisfied, similar to having a good bite or making love. According to Dr. Djordjevic, it also triggers the production of endorphins, which can help you be in a good mood. “Classical and meditative music has proven the best for focusing, and they can help you learn better, or work more productively,” he adds.

It May Help Connect the Left and Right Sides of the Brain

Studies have shown that listening to music even helps you connect the left and right sides of your brain. “When you listen to music, your colleagues or other persons around you will be less likely to bug you with their questions,” says Balint Horvath, Productivity Coach and Founder of Projectfather. “You'll concentrate more on what you're doing by getting more into the zone.”

It Just Makes You Feel Good

“Something I know to be true, which may be worth considering is when people feel good, they are more productive, and music makes people feel good,” says David Hooper, Music Marketer at 23 Hours Agency. “It gets us in a headspace that lets us get more done, be nicer to people, be more confident, be more energized, to name a few.”

“According to recent studies, happiness has been linked to higher productivity,” adds Horvath. “Since music can change your mood, ideally to make you happier, it can positively impact your results.”

Everybody talks about things like binaural beats, or the Mozart Effect, or whatever the latest trends are to use music to make us smarter, faster, or stronger, but in the end, it all comes down to how people feel and music makes us feel good.

Music Can Help Develop Daily Habits

“Music is effective in improving performance, specifically in relation to repetitive tasks,” shares Caleb Backe, Health & Wellness Expert and Productivity Consultant for Maple Holistics. “Research reveals that music has the potential to make tedious and repetitive tasks more enjoyable, and also improve concentration during those tasks.”

What’s more, creating daily habits, such as starting the working day with the same music playlist, sends a signal to the brain to focus on work, which can make diving into day-to-day tasks feel more natural.

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It Helps Boost Creativity

Research illustrates that creativity is higher when you’re listening to ‘happy music’ which creates a positive effect on your mood. This improved mood may play a role in increasing creativity. “The type of music that you listen to can impact your mood,” explains Backe. “Essentially, listening to music that you enjoy can boost your creativity and subsequent productivity.”

Music Can Be Meditative

Depending on the work at hand, different types of music can be meditative and will help keep you focused and motivated to power through a given task. “If you are writing or working on something requiring deep thinking, then more calming instrumental music may be a great suggestion. For getting outside to work on a project that requires physical labor and less thinking, then upbeat, motivating music can help keep you in a flow,” explains Betty Moon, artist and producer. “This idea would be similar to why gyms use loud music to help get people through otherwise challenging workouts."

So how do you get the most out of the music you listen to in the office? A study performed in 2011 shows that familiarity with music boosts productivity. “My biggest tip regarding music for productivity is to listen to songs you're familiar with,” says Brooks Manley, creativity and productivity expert at CreativePrimer.com. “To take this a step further, I believe listening to the same song on repeat can improve focus and help you reach flow quickly. In addition, listening to instrumental songs with no lyrics can also improve productivity.”

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Guy's Guide to Taxes

Tax season has a bad reputation – there’s just so much paperwork, reviewing and, well, praying that you checked the right boxes and claimed everything just right. Nobody wants an unintentional rendez-vous with the IRS, after all.

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If you want 2020 to be the year you finally get your taxes done on time and in an organized manner, read on. We spoke to CPAs and personal finance experts to get their best tips on how to take make the tax season less taxing. These tips and tricks will prepare you for April 15 well in advance, make tax season a little less of a headache and potentially lead to a higher return.

1. Review the Previous Year's Tax Return

“The best way for taxpayers to get organized for their 2019 tax filing is to perform a brief review of their 2018 tax return,” explains Logan Allec, CPA, personal finance expert, and owner of personal finance blog Money Done Right. “Sometimes, taxpayers forget the individual files or supporting documents they needed to file their tax returns themselves, or that their CPA required for the previous year.” Reviewing the previous year's tax return will get you in the right mindset and help you to focus your organization efforts on those recurring, significant income and expense items.

2. Review Your Estimated Payments for 2019

The IRS requires taxpayers to make estimated payments throughout the year. According to Allec, generally, a taxpayer’s estimated tax payments must exceed the lesser of 90 percent of their current year tax liability or 100 percent of their prior year’s tax liability. “Taxpayers who are traditional W-2 employees have their estimated payments withheld from their paychecks and remitted on their behalf to the IRS by their employer,” explains Allec. “However, self-employed taxpayers must make these estimated payments on their own. Taxpayers should compile an organized list of their estimated tax payments for 2019 to ensure the minimum estimated payment threshold is satisfied.” Keep in mind that the final estimated tax payment for the fourth quarter of 2019 is due January 15, 2020.

3. Fill Out a Tax Checklist

Many tax preparation websites and tax preparers have annual checklists for taxpayers to complete for the 2019 tax year. These checklists should be updated annually to incorporate changes in the tax code. “Completing an updated checklist will help taxpayers analyze their current tax situation and potential taxable transactions that occurred during the year,” explains Allec. In other words, filling out a tax checklist will ensure you’re not met with any surprises when it comes time to fork over your tax payments.

4. Make Sure You Have Contributed to an IRA

“If you have extra cash hanging out, you want to get a good return on your money, and you want to reduce your taxes all in one go, then look no further than an Individual Retirement Account (IRA),” explains Alex Caswell, Wealth Planner at RHS Financial. “For 2019 taxes, you can contribute $6,000 if you’re under the age of 50 and $7,000 for those over the age of 50.”

5. Check if You Made Any Charitable Contributions

Sometimes we forget about all the small donations we've made throughout the year, thinking they would never really amount to anything. If you think you made some donations within the last year, take a quick glance through your transactions – between Facebook birthday donations, charitable Christmas gifts and the occasional one-off contribution, you could be missing out on a lot of returns, explains Caswell.

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6. Start Collecting Your Documents Early

“Your employer, investment firms, loan providers, and other financial institutions will distribute documents at different times at the beginning of the year,” says Caswell. “In order to not scramble last minute, it is important to stay on top of your accounts and get all the relevant documents together as early as possible!” Make a digital or physical folder to keep everything organized and in one place.

7. Don’t Forget Your Side Hustle

“The IRS is always on the lookout for both unreported income and high expenses,” explains Dave Du Val, Chief Customer Advocacy Officer at TaxAudit. Self-preparers should be cautious of accidental duplication of employee and business expenses, of attempting to forego reporting side hustle income and of taking losses on activities that might be a hobby rather than a business activity. Don’t forget that just because the IRS sees your business as a hobby, it doesn’t necessarily make it so!

8. Don’t Overlook Your Deductions

“The most overlooked deduction is the home office because many CPAs are afraid that it may create a red flag for the IRS,” explains Tom Wheelwright, CPA, CEO of WealthAbility and author of "Tax-Free Wealth." “Your CPA should never be afraid of the IRS, and business owners should carefully consider taking this deduction!” Many business owners don’t realize that when they have a home office, it can increase their automobile deductions as well. Because commutes aren’t deductible, walking 30 feet to your home office can be your commute, and then driving to the office or appointments becomes deductible as travel.

9. But Don’t Try to Over-Deduct

“The IRS loves to pounce on people who report high itemized deductions, especially for charitable contributions and medical expenses,” explains Du Val. “It’s fine to claim these legally allowable deductions for your actual qualifying expenses, but make sure you have your documentation on hand to support your position before you file your tax return.”

10. Consider Filing Your Own Taxes (Or Not)

Don’t think you absolutely need to see an accountant if your taxes are pretty straightforward. “My best piece of advice for filing taxes is to consider the best method for your needs,” says Riley Adams, CPA and Senior Financial Analyst for Google. “If you earned under $66,000 in 2019 and have a DIY attitude, consider using the free filing software made available to you by federal law at the Free File Alliance.” This provides the same tax software sold to millions for free if you qualify. Why pay for what you can get for free? However, if you’ve made it to the bottom of this list and you’re still feeling uneasy, it may be worth it to hire a CPA to ensure nothing gets lost in the mix.

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Experts Reveal the Benefits of Cutting Out Coffee

While there are numerous science-backed studies that suggest drinking coffee may actually be good for you, the amount most of us guzzle from 9 to 5 (and sometimes beyond) may be doing our bodies more harm than good.

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You don’t have to tell us: cutting out coffee entirely seems like one of the worst ideas out there. How on earth would you get through the morning without a steaming cup of the good stuff? However, the benefits of cutting down on caffeine may actually be worth it – at least for a little while. We spoke to a handful of nutritionists and dieticians to see exactly how cutting out caffeine can affect us … and, well, we may just be switching to green tea, at least until Monday rolls around.

1. You’ll Be More Hydrated

Caffeine is a diuretic, which means you’re naturally dehydrating yourself with every cup of joe. “Decreasing coffee gradually can help you get more water in and keep you hydrated, which is especially hard in the winter,” explains Jessi Holden, MS, RDN, CSOWM. This means that if you replace even one or two cups of coffee with a cup of water, you’re doing your body a whole lot of good.

2. You’ll (probably) Lose Weight

“Coffee may have added cream and sugar, and decreasing or cutting it out would eliminate added sugar from your eating style,” says Holden.

Lisa Richards, author of "The Candida Diet," agrees, adding, “The burst of energy associated with coffee is likely the primary reason most men drink this beverage daily. Unfortunately, when coffee is not consumed black it can quickly add on extra calories, sugar and fat through additives. These optional coffee ingredients can lead to poor gut health, inflammation, and even brain fog and fatigue.”

3. You’ll Find Healthier Sources of Energy

“It’s common that people drink coffee for energy when they really could benefit from a fruit or veggie paired with another food group,” says Holden. “Our body wants energy and reaching for something quick is only putting a bandaid on the problem.” If you’ve decided to cut coffee and find yourself in need of a nap before the end of the day, you might be uncovering a poor diet or other health issues that constant caffeine helped cover up.

4. You’ll Have Lower Blood Pressure

Less coffee means your baseline blood pressure will be lower, resulting in less stress for your heart to keep up. “As you may know, heart conditions are not only dangerous but potentially fatal, especially when you get older. Medication and treatment for cardiovascular diseases are also very expensive, so you have a lot to gain from cutting down on your caffeine intake,” says Dr. Nikola Djordjevic MD, co-founder of LoudCloudHealth.com.

RELATED: How to Sleep After Coffee

5. You’ll Sleep Way Better

“Caffeine is a stimulant and has a half life of at least 5 hours depending on how the body metabolizes it,” explains Jason Piper, certified sleep coach and the founder of Build Better Sleep. “This means 10 hours from when you have that cup of coffee, 25 percent of the caffeine is still in your system.”

In other words, a man that is consuming large amounts of caffeine during the day will still have a considerable amount in his system when he tries to go to bed at night. This will impair him from being able to fall asleep and/or keeping him from getting the restorative deep REM sleep the body needs, instead only getting light sleep.

6. You’ll Save Money!

Aside from the health benefits of cutting out that midday latte, your wallet will thank you, too. The average American spends between $1,000 and $2,000 dollars on coffee per year. “Sure you can cut down on costs if you brew your coffee at home, but even then you are looking at a minimum $500 per year strictly on coffee. Just to put it in perspective: if you order coffee at Starbucks every day and spend say $4 per day, that comes out to over $1,500 per year!” says Dr. Djordjevic.

So… What Are the Alternatives?

“When cutting out caffeine, it is smart to wean down the amounts. Going from 400mg a day to none is going to cause big withdrawal effects and probably make it harder to give up,” says Piper. “I instruct my clients to have decaf and regular and keep reducing the ratio of regular to decaf. So that would look like 75:25, then 50:50, then 25:75, and finally just decaf.”

Just because you’ve decided to cut back on coffee doesn’t mean you have to forego the simple pleasure of sipping a warm beverage at your desk. According to Richards, matcha is growing in popularity among non-coffee drinkers for the energy boost they receive. One positive thing about matcha is the added benefits you get from this antioxidant and polyphenol-rich drink.

Lemon water can also provide the mental clarity and energy that coffee drinkers seek. Consumers of this drink claim it enhances focus and mental alertness – without the caffeine crash common with coffee.

Finally, Richards suggests golden milk, which is new on the energy-boosting and health scene. It is a mix of turmeric, dairy-free milk, maple syrup, cinnamon and just a pinch of pepper. “This coffee alternative is extremely effective as an anti-inflammatory, which is very beneficial to health. Replacing your coffee with these healthier alternatives could be beneficial for your health. You are getting the energy you desire while also taking in nutrients you may not have through your coffee.”

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Experts Reveal How Dry January Can Hack Your Physical and Mental Wellbeing

Dry January, otherwise known as a month of abstaining from alcohol, has been picking up steam year over year, with more than one in five Americans participating as of 2019. But why are so many adults so quick to take a break from the hard stuff for a month? Abstaining from alcohol for a full 31 days can have many lasting benefits for moderate drinkers.

“People who choose not to drink for one month are less likely to suffer from alcohol-related health conditions, including high blood pressure, brain cell damage and memory loss, heart and liver disease, and even cancer,” explains Michael Ahearn, Certified Addiction Recovery Coach.

RELATED: Top 2020 Health and Fitness Trends, According to Experts

However, keep in mind that while Dry January is loaded with benefits for moderate drinkers, it may not be the best route for everyone. “It’s important to note that Dry January isn’t the right fit for people struggling with alcoholism,” explains Ahearn, “who can experience life-threatening withdrawal symptoms if they suddenly stop drinking without the help of a medical professional.”

With that in mind, we reached out to a handful of health professionals to drill down the biggest benefits of participating in Dry January – and they may just make you pack away your bar cart for the month.

Time to Reevaluate Your Relationship with Alcohol

Have you ever cracked open another beer with the guys just to wonder if you actually enjoy drinking? Alcohol is so ingrained in our culture that, unless you’ve made the choice to be sober, having a beer at the end of the day is pretty much a given … but it doesn’t have to be. “I’ve never been a huge drinker, though I would drink socially, and after having a dry January I just kept it going, even in social situations,” says John Frigo, Digital Marketing Lead at MySupplementStore.Com. “I probably did have a couple glasses of wine over the course of the year and maybe a beer here or there, but alcohol to me isn’t that enjoyable in the first place.”

“People indulge in way too much of everything during the holiday season. A dry January lets you do a reset,” adds Caroline Madden, Ph.D., and a licensed marriage & family therapist. “You have a month to explore what triggers your drinking (hard day, the kids, socializing with a certain friend group). That benefits you because then you can better plan for your drinking in the future. You are then drinking by choice and not habit.”

Improved Energy and Digestion

“Removing alcohol from your diet for a short period, 30 days or less, could improve your energy and digestion,” explains Lisa Richards, a nutritionist and author of "The Candida Diet." “In the short term, alcohol has been shown to weaken the immune system, intensify mood swings, prevent restful sleep, and lower energy levels. If you’re already suffering from an energy-sapping digestive condition, like Candida overgrowth, that’s the last thing you need.”

Improved Liver Function

According to Richards, drinking alcohol has been shown to weaken liver function and prevent your liver from operating effectively. Removing alcohol for a short period can allow your liver to undergo a much-needed break, so January may even be a good time to do a detox – especially after all those holiday cocktail parties.

Bolstered Immunity

The stress that the body is under when it needs to process and digest alcohol limits its ability to lend energy to various other bodily processes, including the immune system. This is why people who drink alcohol to excess often become sick more regularly – the immune system isn't functioning at full capacity due to the body's need to distribute energy elsewhere to help process freshly consumed alcohol. According to Jamie Bacharach, licensed medical acupuncturist and health expert, Dry January can offer the immunity boost you need, thanks to increased bodily resources, to prevent your annual winter cold or seasonal flu.

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A Better Night’s Sleep

Those nightcaps might feel like they’re helping you drift into a restful snooze, but they might actually be harming your chances of a good night’s sleep. “While alcohol may initially help you fall asleep, it then disrupts the REM cycle responsible for that restorative sleep that makes you wake up feeling refreshed and well-rested,” explains Richards. “Taking alcohol away for a month can allow you to catch up on restful sleep leading to greater energy.”

A Little Weight Loss

Aside from the mental benefits, participating in Dry January can make it even easier to reach your physical health and fitness goals as well, as you will be cutting out a major source of added calories that does not provide any real nutritional benefit. “Simply by cutting out alcohol, depending on how much you drink, you could be cutting hundreds, even thousands of calories out of your diet without having to change anything else!” says Emily Tills, Registered Dietitian and Nutrition Coach.

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9 Expert-Approved Ways to Stay Fit While Working From Home

Working from home full time can be a game-changer – you don’t have to put on a suit and tie, or clean off your car in the snow … you could even work from your bed if you really wanted to, but it also has its downfalls. You might not realize it at first, but staying in the house all day makes it pretty hard to maintain a healthy fitness routine unless you’re making a serious effort to move away from a sedentary lifestyle.

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The best way to keep fit and sane while working from home requires a lot of self-discipline and intentional shifts in your routine. We reached out to a handful of fitness experts and professionals who work from home full time to get their best tips on how to stay fit while working from home.

From morning runs and standing desks to scheduling meetings at the gym, here are their tried-and-true tricks to ensuring working from home doesn’t turn you into a couch potato.

1. Work Out First Thing … and Then Again Later On

“The easiest adjustment you can make to your healthy routine when you are working from home is to wake up by doing some form of cardio first thing,” explains Reggie Chambers, celebrity trainer and fitness specialist in New York City, “Do it before you eat breakfast to get that metabolism fired up. And later in the day, follow that up with weight/resistance training such as burpees with push-ups, (which can be done anywhere!), jump lunges with weights or wall squats while curling weights. If no weights are available and you are doing this far away from the gym, use heavy objects in each hand like water bottles.”

“Splitting a workout into two during the day will really torch the calories. Other exercises you can do between writing emails and conference calls are jumping rope, running in place, doing some jumping jacks or running up and down the stairs. And when you are out walking or getting lunch, pick up the pace and make it more metabolism-friendly. There are so many little ways you can increase your body’s movement!”

2. Schedule Active Meetings

“If you need to have a meeting with a coworker, invite them to go to the gym with you,” suggests Caleb Backe, CPT and Health & Wellness Expert for Maple Holistics. “Yes, it may be a bit unorthodox, but so is working from home generally. Meeting up at the gym will force you to get moving while still being productive. It’s a win-win situation that you should take advantage of!”

3. Add Movement to Your Existing Routine

You can easily add exercise to your routine if you make it a part of your daily schedule. “Routines are hard to start and easier to stick with,” says Backe. “If you want to get your daily steps in, after you check your email in the morning and complete your first task, take a break and go on a brisk 40-minute walk. This will help you physically and mentally be more productive throughout the day while getting in some good exercise.”

4. Consider a Standing Desk

Using a standing desk can help working individuals to stay fit and healthy while doing their job. “Standing desks aid in preventing the adverse effects of a sedentary lifestyle,” explains Lilia Manibo, writer and editor from Anthrodesk.ca. “Since sitting has been known as the 'next smoking' that can be dangerous to health, it is important to apply ergonomics at work. There are various types of standing desks and converters nowadays that can promote better health and improved work performance.”

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5. Leave the Car at Home

“It's not easy to stay healthy and exercise when you're working at home. This is why I started to ride my bike whenever I need to run an errand,” says Tyler Smith, Owner of Bicycle2Work.com. “If I plan to eat lunch at a restaurant, pick up groceries or make a trip to the store, I'll take my bike. It usually takes a little bit longer to get to the destination, but it allows me to stretch my legs and get my heart beating.” According to Smith, riding a bike for errands has made him healthier and happier. This can be a great option for anyone who doesn’t love the idea of a scheduled workout – just getting your legs moving and getting outside does wonders for the body.

6. Swap Scrolling for Micro Workouts

“Instead of trying to set aside time to exercise or wake up early to go the gym (two things I know I won't commit to long-term), I have been ‘habit stacking’ quick exercises into my daily routines,” says Steve Razinski of Ivetriedthat.com. “Every morning I wake up, make coffee, read for 30 minutes, then shower. Before, I would browse mindless garbage on my phone while waiting for the coffee to brew or the shower to heat up. Now, I do 50 pushups while coffee is brewing, lunges between the kitchen and the living room before I sit down to read and a 30 burpee buy-in while the shower is warming up.” Trying to incorporate small things, frequently, to elevate your heart-rate throughout the day will end up having a big impact.

7. Adopt a Stretching Routine

Simple yoga poses and light stretching can do wonders to improve posture, flexibility and range of motion. “It is important to stay limber and mobile, as these are some of the long-term negative health effects of working from home,” explains Timothy Carlson, Travel and Outdoor Adventure Blogger. “Simple poses, such as the Child's, Cobra and Butterfly, help to keep neglected muscles healthy and functional.”

8. Use a Pull-Up Bar

A simple piece of home workout equipment that anyone can benefit from is a pull-up bar. Even if you are unable to perform a pull-up, a bar still has many uses. “You don't have to be a gymnast to use a pull-up bar,” says Carlson. “Even just hanging from a bar for several seconds can strengthen the shoulders, forearms and upper back. A simple core workout can be accomplished by lifting the knees while hanging, while also serving to strengthen the hip flexors.”

9. Don’t Forget to Eat

“Working from home poses some potential risks when it comes to your physical activity and diet. To stay fit while working from home it is important to take breaks where you allow yourself to eat. Otherwise, you run the risk of over-eating during meal times, or snacking mindlessly on calorie-dense foods,” says Lisa Richard, author of The Candida Diet. “Keeping your refrigerator and pantry stocked with healthy and nutrient-dense foods will help you stay on track with your health and nutrition.”

Richard suggests removing any refined carbohydrate-rich snacks from your house, as they will only turn to sugar quickly causing inflammation and poor gut health. Instead of relying on processed snack foods to keep whole fruits and vegetables handy to keep your metabolism going, keep you satisfied and fuel your body with nutrients for focus and mental clarity. Try to cut out any sodas or sugar-filled beverages; instead, reach for fruit infused waters for electrolytes and keeping yourself hydrated. This will prevent any potential sugar-crash and weight gain from empty calories.

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Your End-of-Year Financial Checklist

The holiday season will soon be upon us, and as your schedule fills with holiday parties and events, your wallet will inevitably start to feel like it’s shrinking. It doesn’t matter if you’ve budgeted for the holidays or not, the end of the year is a great time to take a good, hard look at your finances and start getting your stuff together for 2020.

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Whether you’re already up to snuff with every dollar arriving and leaving your bank account, or you’d prefer to squint your eyes as you pay your bills, you’ll never regret taking control of your finances – not only because you’ll feel more in control but because this time of year is especially crucial when you could be missing out on some serious end-of-year savings and tax breaks.

That’s why we reached out to a handful of financial experts – these guys know their way around a checkbook and a tax form and aren’t shying away from dispensing some serious financial knowledge. If you’re ready to take control of your finances and prepare yourself for a prosperous new year, take a look at these expert-approved tips.

Maximize Employer 401(k) Match Opportunities

“If your employer offers a 401(k) match, whenever possible, everyone should find out what the limit is, then contribute at least the amount required to get the maximum match. The result is that you will have free pre-tax employer contributions at the end of the year. If you haven’t been contributing to your 401(k) plan at work at a level that gets you the maximum employer match, check on whether there may be a ‘catch up’ opportunity before year-end. Leaving this benefit underutilized is the same as leaving money on the table,” says David Desmarais, CPA/PFS member of the AICPA PFP Executive Committee.

If You Go Green, Don’t Forget to Save Green

“Taxpayers who upgraded their homes to make use of solar or certain other renewable energy in 2019 may be eligible for a tax credit of 30 percent to offset some of the costs. For those who are into renewable energy but haven’t had the work done yet, it may be too late to book an installer for 2019. Be aware that the solar credit reduces from 30 percent to 26 percent from 2019 to 2020. Though less, 26 percent is still a good rate. If you are going to miss the 2019 deadline, act now and reduce your 2020 taxes!” suggests Mackey McNeill, CPA/PFS member of the AICPA Consumer Financial Education Advocates

Take Advantage Of Your Home Business or Side Hustle

“Many taxpayers have side gigs these days and can expect to pay both income and self-employment tax on those net profits in April. So, if you have expenses related to your business that need to be paid, do it before year-end to offset any current taxable income. Driving for a rideshare company and been eyeing some slick seat covers or gadgets? Now is the time to invest,” says Cari Weston, CPA, CGMA Director of Tax Practice & Ethics at the AICPA

Get Life Insurance

“If you’re a dad, I strongly suggest finally doing your will and getting term life insurance,” says Wesley Botto, partner at Cornerstone Financial Group. “If there isn’t a will to decide who should take care of your kids if both you and your partner pass, then a judge will make the decision. Getting estate planning documents does not have to take a long time; it’s just one of those things that is low-urgency, high-priority.”

Sit down and Create a "Financial Report Card"

During this time, you can assess your current financial situation and review the past year – and if you weren’t already planning on doing this, it’s crucial that you do. Facing your finances, no matter how tough it is, will always make you feel better. “Did you accomplish your financial goals? Did you pay down the debt you wanted to pay down? Use this as a way to review your financial year,” suggests Jordan Tarver, Senior Financial Analyst at FitSmallBusiness.com.

Go on a Debt Diet

“It's time to make goals to get rid of your debt completely and one of the best times to be debt-free is at the beginning of the year,” says Tarver. “Evaluate your debt obligations and make a plan to shed it as quickly as possible.”

Check Your Credit Report and Score

Far too many people are averse to checking their credit score in fear of what it might say … but it’s not that bad, we promise! “Checking your credit report can help you identify any misreported information and get those marks removed before the new year,” explains Tarver. “This can help increase your credit score and better prepare you for future credit applications.”

Check In On Your Emergency Fund

“If you don’t already have a healthy emergency fund, start working toward one as soon as possible,” says Sean Messier, Credit Industry Analyst. “In case of emergency, you should have a savings account containing enough cash to cover at least three months of essential expenses, like housing, food and transportation. Don’t dip into your emergency fund if you don’t absolutely have to!” To maximize your emergency savings, think about using an online savings account, where you’ll likely find the best interest rates. You may want to set up direct deposit for your emergency account, so you can build a financial safety net without putting much thought into it.

Evaluate Your Personal Cash Flow

Have you ever noticed how easy it is to spend side income like it’s Monopoly money? Now’s the time to take a look at that extra income you’ve been spending without thinking and really get your money’s worth. “Have you received a raise, or added another source of income? Think about how you can get this extra money to work for you through investments and savings accounts,” suggests Messier.

Make a Plan and Stick With It!

If after checking your finances, you've realized they’re not where you’d like them to be, formulate a plan to bolster your credit scores so you can get better rates on loans and other credit in the future. “The best ways to increase your credit scores include ensuring all payments are made on time and maintaining low credit card balances,” says Messier. “For best results, you may want to pay off your credit card balances in full each month, which will not only be good for your credit, but will also help you avoid interest.”

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Experts Share How to Tell if Youre Dehydrated & What to Do About It

We all know how good it feels to pound back a bottle of water after a hard workout or during those wee hours of the night when nothing on earth sounds as good as a cold glass of water. You’re both doing your body good by replenishing your fluids and giving into something so satisfying and guilt-free … but there’s a reason it feels so good to suck back a bottle of water after a sweat session.

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Becoming dehydrated doesn’t just happen when you’re sweating it out at the gym or deep in sleep, though. It can happen just as easily if you aren’t getting enough hydration at your desk, or if your vitamin and mineral intake is imbalanced. You’re probably well aware of the fact that you should be eating a balanced diet in the form of fruits and vegetables, but among other things, it’s unparalleled in helping your hydration levels. Fresh fruits and veggies have large amounts of water, salt and vitamins that your body needs to stay hydrated.

There are handfuls of other ways to ensure you’re staying well hydrated once you have the foundations down. We reached out to some of the top experts in our network to get their take on, first, how to tell if you’re veering toward dehydration, and second, exactly what to do about it and how to prevent it in the future.

Take a Peek at Your … Pee

It may seem gross, but taking a look in the toilet bowl is the easiest, and most reliable way to tell if you’re lacking fluids. “The number one test I use to see if I'm dehydrated is the pee test. If your urine is dark yellow, you are not drinking enough water,” says Mike Miller, Editor-in-Chief of Wilderness Times. “In addition, if you aren't peeing frequently, you're probably dehydrated.” According to Miller, when you're thoroughly hydrated, you should be peeing often and your pee should be clear. “Checking your pee is a solid indicator because it allows you to catch dehydration before other symptoms come to the surface,” he adds.

Watch For Headaches and Muscle Cramps

If you’ve just had a tough workout or you haven’t been drinking your eight-plus glasses a day, the symptoms can feel a little more severe. “The next indications of dehydration are physical,” explains Miller. “Headaches, muscle cramps, dry mouth and loss of focus are symptoms to identify. If you're feeling any of these, start pounding the water immediately.”

Dazed and Confused

If severe dehydration is setting in, you'll have dry skin, you'll need to sit down, and your heartbeat will jump up. “You might feel dizzy or even feel like fainting – at this point, stop what you're doing! You're in a bad place,” says Miller.

How To Hydrate In A Hurry

1. Start Pounding Water

“The number one treatment for dehydration is of course … water. Start drinking as much water as possible,” says Miller. Warm water is preferable to cold water since your body will absorb it faster. According to Miller, that's because cold water requires heating up, which will take away precious energy from your body. Warm water goes right in, so stick with that. “However, don't chug the water. You don't want to shock your system by flooding it with water. Take small, gradual sips and take your time,” he adds.

2. Don’t Shy Away From Sports Drinks

“When I go hiking, I usually bring a few packs of powdered Gatorade. This allows me to quickly get some much-needed hydration if I'm feeling weak,” Miller says. “The powder form makes it so I can carry Gatorade anywhere and everywhere.” Try to drink sports drinks to replenish your electrolytes if you’re feeling severely dehydrated; they were made to replenish the fluids and minerals you lose during a sweaty workout.

3. Stop What You’re Doing and Breath

When you feel dehydrated, stop whatever activity you're doing and take a break. “Physical exertion will stress you out and make you sweat even more water out,” says Miller. “Pause yourself, and re-hydrate before starting again.” Miller also urges anyone feeling dehydrated to make sure they’re breathing well. “Stand up straight and take long, deep breaths. In through your nose, out through your mouth. This won't cure dehydration, but it will help your body relax and prevent symptoms from getting worse,” he says.

4. Make Hydrating Fun

Although it can be dull to always choose water to drink when you are thirsty, avoiding sugar-sweetened beverages like soda, hydration doesn’t have to be boring. Laura Cason, RD, LDN, suggests keeping a gallon pitcher or container full of ice water and citrus fruit slices to make it more flavorful! “You can also bring a reusable water bottle to work and keep it at your desk with a goal to drink it all before the end of the day!” Making staying hydrated a challenge can add a new dimension to your fluid consumption that will make it easier to see through your body’s daily requirements.

5. Avoid Caffeine and Alcohol

Last but not least, you may want to consider putting down that coffee or cocktail. “It may sound hard to make choices that force you to refrain from your morning coffee but to prevent dehydration, you need to avoid alcohol consumption along with caffeine products like tea and soft drinks (sorry!),” says Daniel DeMoss, personal trainer. “Dehydration occurs when the body is releasing more fluid than it intakes. This imbalance causes digestive, respiratory and skin problems in people of all ages.”

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How to Get Rid of Bloat in a Hurry, According to Experts

The feeling of being bloated can ruin your day, especially when you've worked hard to avoid this by eating well and working out. Unfortunately, even after just one cheat meal or night with friends, you may wake up the next day regretting most of your choices. However, you shouldn’t live your life in fear of being bloated – where’s the fun in a cheat day if you’re not really able to eat what you’re craving?

RELATED: What Is the Low-FODMAP Diet?

That’s why we tapped into our network of experts to get all the hacks on how to debloat and avoid future bloating. Whether you’re about to embark on a long, transatlantic flight, you went a little too hard last night, or you took your cheat day to the next level, here’s how to start debloating, stat.

1. Get Your Omega-3 Fatty Acids

If you fell off the wagon and forgot to take your supplements, take them, and then get cooking something fishy. “The omega-3 fatty acids found in salmon block prostaglandin production, which means they can help decrease inflammation and eliminate discomfort, which is synonymous with bloating,” says Rima Kleiner, MS, RD and blogger at Dish on Fish. “Salmon is loaded with vitamin D, which helps overcome fatigue from bloating, helping you feel energized and ready to be active.

2. Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate

Hydration is key to preventing feelings of bloat and has a whole slew of other benefits if you find yourself hungover or stuck on a long flight. “Your bloated feeling is likely from excess sodium you consumed in your cheat meal,” says Lisa Richards, nutritionist and author of The Candida Diet. “By staying hydrated you will help your body restore balance of this electrolyte and thereby reduce the swelling you are experiencing.”

3. Don’t Forget Potassium

“If you're a frequent flyer or have just had a few long flights, you may have noticed increased feelings of bloat. This is a side effect of flying some people experience and can be reduced or avoided by opting for potassium-rich fruit and nuts,” says Richards. “Airline snacks are often made with inflammatory ingredients like refined carbohydrates and sugar. Potassium helps to reduce bloat after long flights as it helps the kidney to rid the body of excess sodium.”

4. Try Not to Eat on the Run

One way to feel less bloated after eating is to eat slower. Slowing down helps you to chew your food more slowly and swallow less air (it's this swallowed air that can contribute to a bloated feeling after the meal). “There are a couple tricks I've taught my clients to help with this,” shares Jean LaMantia, Registered Dietitian. “The first is to make a rule that you cannot put the next forkful of food in your mouth until you have swallowed the previous one. If you pay attention to this, you will likely realize that once you finish chewing and push the chewed food (now called a bolus) to the back of your mouth, you are already taking the next bite of food before you have swallowed.”

LaMantia also recommends setting your fork or spoon down between bites to encourage more mindful eating. Another more challenging option is to eat with your non-dominant hand. “By switching hands, the act of eating is less of an auto-pilot experience,” says LaMantia. “Not only will slowing down help to reduce gas after a meal, but it will help you to eat less and help with weight control.”

Keep in mind, eating fast is a tough habit to break. You will catch yourself going back to your old ways. “You just have to keep reminding yourself. If you are eating with others, make a quiet competition with yourself to be the slowest eater at the table.”

5. Don’t Hesitate to Snack Before Dinner

"Bloating typically happens after a big meal if you were too hungry when you ate,” says Jim Frith, Master Trainer and Certified Personal Trainer. “When we have not eaten for awhile, our hormones drive us to overeat before signaling that we have had enough. They also compromise our good judgment, so we make food and drink choices we might not have made if we did not feel so famished.”

The solution? Frith suggests carrying healthy snacks like fruit or carrots that can be eaten sometime during the three hours before a big meal. “This will help us to make better choices and eat less at the main meal. During a meal before a flight, or if drinking while grazing on hors d’oeuvres, men should avoid gas-producing foods such as beans.”

6. Exercise!

You may not want to hear it, but the best thing you can do to get over a tough case of bloating is to get off the couch. "When men are severely bloated, the last thing they may feel like doing is to exercise vigorously,” Frith admits. “However, walking at a moderate pace is excellent for digestion and may get things moving so the bloating can dissipate. If the bloating is mild, athletic men can go for a run. This tends to pretty quickly loosen the intestinal tract and allow gas to pass.”

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The Weirdest Habits of Highly Successful CEO and Business Leaders

Almost everybody looks up to successful CEOs and business leaders. Whether they’re humble entrepreneurs, non-profit leaders or tech giants, there’s something about a successful leader that is inherently admirable. We all want to know what makes them tick, where they source their energy and what has propelled their success – and sometimes, it’s not exactly what you’d think.

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Sure, a lot of successful business leaders have read all the right books, work out and eat right, but there are handfuls of entrepreneurs who credit at least part of their success to certain quirks they’ve embraced throughout their career. Here, we’re diving into some of the strangest habits these successful CEOs have adopted to help them take care of business – from taking ice baths to fake commuting to work.

Following an All-Fruit Diet

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Who: Steve Jobs, Founder of Apple

Steve Jobs was known to eat very specific kinds of food to try and take control of his health. He was a fruitarian (someone who only eats fruit), but he took it one step further and changed what kind of fruit he ate weekly, according to former CEO Mike Scott. What’s more, Scott also stated that due to his diet, Steve Jobs would only need to bathe once per week. “Steve was adamant that he bathed once a week, and that was adequate as long he was eating a fruitarian diet.” Scott said, “He would spend weeks eating the same thing – carrot salad with lemon, or just apples – and then suddenly spurn that food and declare that he had stopped eating it.”

Breaking the Day Into 5-Minute Segments

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Who: Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX and Tesla

Elon Musk has a lot on his plate – and he somehow manages his tasks by breaking each day into five-minute segments. Normally, he’ll spend a few days at SpaceX and a few at Tesla, but no matter what he’s currently working on, he schedules his time into five-minute increments – including his lunch.

Following a “Two Pizza” Rule

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Who: Jeff Bezos, CEO of Amazon

In order to make the most out of meetings – and the precious time of his senior execs and employees – Jeff Bezos adheres to a two-pizza rule when scheduling and attending meetings. The Amazon boss never organizes meetings where two pizzas can’t feed the entire group. This way, only the key players will be in attendance, which will, in turn, keep the meeting intimate and, more importantly, effective.

Measuring Everything

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Who: Shigeru Miyamoto, CEO of Nintendo

Nintendo’s co-representative director, Shigeru Miyamoto, has been called the “Spielberg of video games” by Time magazine, but the tech giant owes a lot of credit to his #1 stress releasing habit … which is, well, interesting. Miyamoto will guess the length of objects, then measure them to see how precise he has gotten. He even carries a tape measure everywhere he goes so he can check the accuracy of his guesses, wherever he is.

Faking a Commute to Work

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Who: Sara Blakely, CEO of Spanx

While most of us are looking for any way to reduce our commute to the office (aren’t work-from-home days a dream?!), the CEO of Spanx has a different approach. Sara Blakely lives very close to her office building, but will actually drive around the neighborhood on a “fake commute” for an hour before heading into the office. Why? She says she believes that the car is where her best thinking happens.

Wearing the Same Pair of Clothes Every day

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Who: Michael Kors, CCO of Michael Kors

Many executives and business owners, from Mark Zuckerberg to Steve Jobs, have been known to create a “uniform” to wear to work every day. But the most surprising culprit? Fashion designer Michael Kors. The fashion giant wears the same black crewneck every day, which allows him to focus on other decisions rather than wasting time curating his own outfit.

Making Out of the Box Resolutions – and Sticking to Them

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Who: Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Facebook

Like most of us, Mark Zuckerberg sets himself a resolution every year. However, the CEO of Facebook sets insanely out-of-the-box resolutions that are a lot more challenging than, say, going to the gym. Over the past few years, the social media maven has made the resolution to learn Chinese, visit every state in the U.S. and run a mile every single day.

Boasting Bulletproof Confidence

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Who: Anna Wintour, Editor in Chief of Vogue

Anna Wintour is known for her no-nonsense approach to running Vogue. However, the icy executive doesn’t always know her decisions are the best choice, even if her demeanor suggests she’s fail-safe. “Even if I’m completely unsure,” she stated, “I’ll pretend I know exactly what I’m talking about and make a decision.”

Taking an Ice Bath

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Who: Tim Kendall, CEO of Moment App

Many people practice a quick jump in a cold shower, but Tim Kendall, former Pinterest executive and current CEO of Moment, takes things one step further. The tech giant empties a full tray of ice into his bath each morning, and soaks in it for at least five minutes. He says the practice leaves him “super focused” and “really energized.” Who needs coffee after that?!

Reading for Most of the Day

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Who: Warren Buffett, CEO of Berkshire Hathaway

Big time investor Warren Buffett is known to spend most of his working day either deep in thought, or reading. “I insist on a lot of time being spent to just sit and think. This is very uncommon in American business,” Buffett said, “I read and think ... and make less impulsive decisions than most people in business.”

Never Scheduling (or Attending) Meetings

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Who: Mark Cuban, Owner of the Dallas Mavericks

Have you ever worked in an office that seems to call a meeting for every little thing? There’s nothing worse than being pulled from your desk and deep work just for another useless meeting. Mark Cuban considers most meetings (even those super hyped-up company all-hands ones) to be a waste of time. The "Shark Tank" star once said, “The only way you're going to get me for a meeting is if you're writing me a check.” We feel that.

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Kaitlyn McInnis, Khareem Sudlow