If you’re anything like us, you might randomly start daydreaming about just how awesome things would be if life were more like our favorite video games. The plotlines would be better, we’d feel empowered, and it’d be extremely convenient to see our stats and abilities whenever we want. And if things get too tough—our rent increases a bunch or we find ourselves frequently ill—we could simply type in a ‘cheat code’ and find our problems disappear, effortlessly.
Though real life is as far from video gamey as things can get (look, I really want my own personal starship), cheat codes actually do exist in real life. It’s small things that you can do throughout your day that drastically improve the quality of your life. And though it’s not actually ‘cheating,’ the positive results can make you feel as though you’ve got an angel or a wizard in your corner, backing you up.
The insightful folks over on r/AskReddit have shared a whole bunch of cheat codes for life in a series of fun and informative threads. Bored Panda has compiled the very best posts to give you a boost in whatever part of your life that might feel lacking, dear Readers. From relationships and cooking to parenting and health, there's a hack for pretty much every situation. Upvote your fave tips and tricks, and pop by the comment section to share your own advice that’s so powerful, you can’t keep the secret all to yourself.
Oh, and in case you’d like a crash course on excelling at work and navigating tense job situations, we’ve got you covered. Check out Bored Panda’s recent list of workplace cheat codes right over here, when you’re done reading through this article.
Bored Panda reached out to fitness coach Anna Armagno Toussaint for her advice and 'cheat codes' when it comes to taking care of our physical and mental health. Read on our full interview with the fitness expert below.
#21
Everyone in these comments is calling buffs and starting traits "cheat codes." It's like they've never played video games. I'll give you a couple real ones.
Compliment your friends behind their back, your relationships will improve magically.
If you ask someone you don't know well for something small, like to borrow a pen, they will actually like you just a bit more. (for best results, return pen) (does not stack)
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131points
Meanwhile, it’s paramount that you do not live in constant anger. With the amount of injustice each and every one of us sees both near and far, it’s easy to fall prey to outrage about the state of the world. However, being constantly angry erodes your health and does more harm than good.
Above everything else, prioritize your physical and mental health. That means getting enough movement, eating nutritious food, and getting enough sunlight. It means drinking plenty of water and getting enough sleep at night. All the while, you have to draw clear boundaries between your work life and your leisure, spend time building genuine emotional connections with others, and know when to disconnect from the internet. Sure, we’ve got plenty of cat memes here, but often, it’s better to go for a walk and see a cat in person.
#22
Be kind to people, and don't be a douchebag. You don't know how many favors or help I've received in my life by not being a d**k
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129points
#23
Realize that life isn't fair. It never will be. Once you accept that, you're on the first step to success. That guy driving a Porsche, sipping Starbucks and living in a huge house? Odds are, he busted is ass to get that. If he didn't, he's either lucky or inherited the results of someone else's labour.
Life. Is. Not. Fair. The sooner you realize that and divert your time and energy to getting educated, getting trained, doing SOMETHING to improve yourself instead of protesting the 1%, the sooner you'll be on the road to a life of comfort. Luxury? Maybe not. Comfort? Yes.
Repeat after me:
LIFE. IS. NOT. FAIR.
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127points
#24
Dont ask your wife what she wants 2 eat, instead, tell her to guess where you're taking her then take her to the first place she guesses.
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124points
#25
Buy ingredients and cook for yourself. I started recently, and I’ve spent 30$ for over 10 meals. A fast food burger and fries is around $7-8, and bad for you too. Not only that, but cooking for yourself is an excellent skill that earns brownie points.
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122points
#26
For getting people to like you: be genuinely interested in their personal life. Not embarrassing things, but things they enjoy about their own life. Ask about their kids, dog, etc. And (this is key) remember details for the next time you talk. If they tell you they are potty training, then ask how it's coming along. Only offer advice if it is truly helpful, not for the satisfaction of giving advice.
Also, learn their name as quick as possible. For many people, their favorite word is their name.
121points
#27
Write it down. Whatever it is. Then you don't have to focus on remembering it or worrying about it. The simple act of writing it down makes it more real. I always have a pen on me and paper close at hand. Make lists, keep a budget, tell someone you love them, jot a reminder, doodle.
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111points
#28
You can sneak into pretty much anywhere if you wear business casual and stand up straight and talk on your phone about business-related things.
Also, you can wear a blue-collar getup and bring a cooler full of beer, no one stop the beer guy, works with bags of ice too.
Very important that you act and look like this is just another shi**y day in your shi**y job, don't look in a rush either.
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96points
#29
I find that if I drink water when I wake up, and then drink coffee later, that I feel better and have more energy throughout the day
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95points
#30
Give children a choice when you want them to do something, like instead of saying “can you clean up your mess?” Say “would you like to either clean up your mess or do the dishes?” Make the second one a lot more likely for them not to choose.
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94points
#31
Pay daily expenses and bills with a rewards credit card and pay it all off each month. No interest that way but you keep the rewards. Just make sure you can pay your bills and daily spending.
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79points
#32
Press 0 to get a human.
Ever have to dial a hotline and have to go through Press 1 for, Press 2 for, Press 3 for, etc? A lot of time when you want to speak immediately to someone on those prerecorded telephone hotlines you can just hit 0 for a human. Now some places they are really smart. Hitting 0 just ends the call, which by then you mentally implode.
76points
#33
If you need to remember something but don't have anything to remind you (like you don't have time to set an alarm), visualize yourself remembering. For example, if you don't want to forget to bring your hat when you go out, imagine yourself about to walk through the door, and imagine yourself thinking, "oh, my hat!" Bad example maybe, but the point is that just visualizing is quick, easy, and effective.
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74points
#34
I always ask for a romantic table when making a reservation at a restaurant for a date. Usually my date and I get seated at the restaurant's quietest or "best" table. I've also occasionally received a free drink or dessert, probably in an effort to help me impress my date. Highly recommend!
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72points
#35
If you get a bloody nose, you can stop it by stomping the heel of your foot on the same side that your nose is bleeding on. I know it sounds absurd, but I swear to you it works. I get heavy nosebleeds, and nothing would stop the damn things. That is, until I learned the heel trick. It works every time without fail.
71points
#36
Cooking bacon in the microwave. Quick, no mess, crispy and perfect. Is like using a cheat code to get extra lives/energy.
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71points
#37
Under promise, over deliver. People will be pretty impressed and even if they know your good at something you come off as modest
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69points
#38
When you go to Chipotle wait until after they’ve scooped your first scoop of meat to ask for double meat. That way they’ve shown their hand on what a single scoop is
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64points
#39
There's hundreds of free certifications you can get online and add to your resume. Throw a few on your resume that are relevant to your career and they'll become a conversation piece during the interview. They won't land you the job by themselves, but they'll make you stand out among other candidates.
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63points
#40
Actually sleeping 8 plus hours a night. Trying sleeping at 10 pm to to no less than 4 am every night. This is when your body has enough melatonin and get the sleep it needs.
Most people wait till they are literally falling asleep while watching tv or their smartphone.. by then you have already messed up your natural sleep cycle
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58points