​After studying people, researchers have divided smiles according to muscle combinations:
​

1. Smile of reward. It’s a symmetrical hoist of zygomaticus muscles with an eyebrow lift. Lips are pulled.
2. Smile of affiliation. It communicates tolerance, acknowledgment, or a bond. It’s also symmetrical but spread wider and thinner with pressed lips and no exposed teeth.
3. Smile of dominance. It signifies status and it’s not symmetrical, with raised brows and lifted cheeks.
4. Besides this, researchers define more specific types that can show different shades of emotion.

​This is a very famous smile that we’ve seen many times in the Leonardo da Vinci painting of the Mona Lisa. It’s one of those mysterious and embarrassed smiles you use before quickly looking away again. This act lasts for just a moment.

Next time, you’ll realize that someone is flirting with you when you see this expression on a person who is looking at you.

​The felt smile is easy to recognize. Muscles reflect genuine, uncontrolled, positive emotions. No other muscles in the lower part of the face are involved except for the muscles that circle the eyes, so you can see wrinkles. The felt smile can last long and be intense.

​The contemptuous smile is not a positive expression. It indicates a mixture of disgust or resentment. The corners of the lips are tightened and often one side of the lips is higher than the other.

​The miserable smile is a grin-and-bear-it expression. It’s very slight and asymmetric. You can see a deep sadness in the eyes of the person expressing it. Basically, it’s a type of protection and effort to hide misery. You can see this smile when a person is trying to pretend that they are okay with something, but they actually aren’t. Like watching a boring movie with your partner and you hate it, but have to be there.

​The dampened smile is an attempt to control a happy smile. It happens when we need to be polite and shouldn’t smile, even though there’s something that seems very funny. The cheeks are raised but the corners of your lips are down.

​The qualifier smile has the aim of taking the edge off bad news. You have this expression when you find out that all the seats in a restaurant are reserved or busy. It begins abruptly. The lower lip is slightly raised and you might notice a tilt of the head.

​The fake smile is easy to spot. The muscles around the eyes are not involved so you don’t see wrinkles. People often think that their eyes are also smiling when they try to pretend, but researchers have shown that it’s just an illusion.

​The fear smile is shown using a silent bared-teeth display. It may look like you’re laughing, but you’re actually nervous. The teeth are tightly clamped together and the eyes get bigger. The eyebrows have a surprised expression.

​One feature fake products often lack is information about the company that produced the product along with contact details. If the company doesn’t provide an address, email, website, or phone number in order to receive feedback from the customer, it’s a matter of concern. It would probably be best to avoid buying products from such suspicious companies.

​Various large companies ask their consumers to be extremely attentive to all the supplementary items that should come with the main product you buy. For tech products, check if the earphones, chargers, and instructions are included in the package. For clothes and accessories, check warranty cards and passports.

​One of the not-so-obvious characteristics you may want to pay attention to while checking a new phone is the brightness of the screen. Comparing the iPhone 7’s authentic and fake examples proved that the authentic item has a much darker screen when you turn it on for the first time. The fake, on the other hand, was much brighter.

​Before buying any name-brand product, go through the pictures first and pay attention to logos and hallmarks. Usually, brands put their logos in specific places, using unique fonts and sizes. Fakes are not generally as precise, and you will easily be able to determine whether or not the product is real.

​When buying clothes and bags, pay particular attention to the stitching. On authentic products, the stitches will be neat, beautiful, and straight, which means the patterns will be even. However, on fake products, stitching is usually poorly done, and patterns appear uneven and crooked.

​When buying AirPods, you can identify whether they’re original or not before even opening them. Look at the case. On a counterfeit product, the back button will be much higher than on the original case. Also, the authentic case will have the original caption that all Apple products have.

​Brands pay a lot of attention to the way they pack their products, which is why the packaging of an authentic product will be of good quality. If the box looks poor, sporting faded colors, seedy fabrics, or an overall worn look, it probably means the product is fake.

​Even though most airlines now have placed limits on how far along a pregnant woman can be whille flying (usually no later than 38 weeks or 30 days before the due date and confirmed with a doctor’s note), there are still ways that unexpected labor can happen.

Even though it’s rare, if it does happen and a woman goes into labor, the crew doesn’t have a lot of options. First of all, flight attendants are not trained to deliver babies. So at that moment, everyone will hope that there’s a doctor or a nurse on the flight.

If there aren’t any medical professionals on board, the flight attendants will act as midwives and deliver the baby. This is likely to happen if there is no way they can make an emergency landing, and the flight simply continues to its initial destination.

​While the rules are not set in stone and can change depending on the airline and the territory that the plane is flying over, one thing is for sure: the baby will get the same citizenship as its mother and father.

The other 2 possibilities are that the baby will get citizenship of the country where the aircraft is registered or where the plane is at the time of the delivery. For example, if a baby is born in any part of US territory, even in the air, it will get US citizenship immediately. But if a baby is born in British airspace, it won’t get UK documents.

​There are a few rumors flying around that babies born on planes get a lifetime’s worth of free flights. Unfortunately, this is not the case for everyone. There have been only a few babies who have received free flights for life, like one baby boy who was born on an Indian airline and a girl born on an Egyptair Flight.

Babies who were born on Polar Airlines, AirAsia, Asia Pacific Airlines, or Airways — and one baby from a Virgin Atlantic flight — got free tickets until the age of 21. And in 2017, a boy was born on a Spirit Airlines flight and was gifted with free tickets on his birthday for life, but with an additional guest passenger too.

​In 2019, a JetBlue flight landed with an extra passenger. The available medical personnel and the crew helped to deliver a baby boy thousands of miles in the air. They renamed the plane “Born to Be Blue” after the baby and their youngest customer ever.

Babies might even get gifts from the airlines. In 2018, a baby girl was born on a Chick-fil-A flight. She was given food for life and was even guaranteed a job position for when she is old enough.

​There are a few reasons why a plane is not the ideal place for a baby to be born. First of all, the air up there is thinner, which will make it difficult for the baby to breathe. Second, in a plane, there isn’t any high-tech equipment that will help with labor, especially if an emergency C-section is needed. Also, the newborn’s ears might struggle due to the air pressure.

Even though it’s pretty rare for birth to happen in the air, the crew will make sure that the mother feels as safe and as comfortable as possible. The mother might get moved to a more spacious area, like first class or business class.

​In the beginning, everything sounds good: processed cheese is made from natural cheese. However, the further we get into the details, the worse it gets. They add saturated fat (to increase the level of cholesterol), a big amount of salt (to extend the shelf life and enhance the taste, which at the same time increases the risk of developing various diseases), and artificial food dyes (they have been controversial among scientists around the world for many years because of their dubious safety) to natural cheese.

The main goal of processed cheese manufacturers is to increase the shelf life of the product and sell the maximum quantity. Oftentimes, the price for this product is the same as the price for good quality natural cheese.

​Less wheat flour and more grain — that’s what drives us when we buy healthier whole-grain bread with aesthetically pleasing seeds. However, in reality, whole-grain bread is oftentimes ordinary bread disguised as “healthy.” As a rule, it is made of white wheat flour combined with rye flour, with some amount of flax seeds and bran added to it.

A pack with fruit puree in it is a truly comfortable thing. Moreover, it gives buyers confidence that its composition is harmless. Not only can it be used by kids but also by adults as a snack before a long-awaited lunch.

However, pay attention that the main ingredient in these purees is apple. It’s the most budget-friendly fruit in most Northern regions where 2 pounds cost about $2. A pack of puree at the same time costs almost the same money. How many apples do you think the production of 1 3-oz pack of puree requires?

​Shelves with yogurts and puddings take up a lot of space in supermarkets. The assortment varies: there are banana, strawberry, vanilla, mango — flavors for any taste. We gladly buy these products because “they are very healthy.” But, unfortunately, the benefits are there only in natural yogurt, without any additives. Most of its flavored companions have increased amounts of sugar, thickeners, and preservatives. In addition, if you compare the price of sugar-free Greek yogurt and the usual yogurt with fruit additives, you will notice that natural yogurt is often cheaper.

It’s a very popular snack: it is tasty, looks nice, and gives us confidence that we are eating something healthy. However, if you look closely at the composition of the pack, you’ll see that the main part of this product is candied fruit, cheap peanuts, and raisins. There are actually much fewer, more expensive nuts like almonds or cashews in it.

These mixtures are quite expensive but don’t hurry to buy them if you spot a discount — it will be much cheaper to put together this mixture by yourself. Moreover, it will give you a chance to reduce the number of candied ingredients and make the overall product a bit healthier.

​Some spices contain oils that are responsible for flavor and aroma. These seasonings are best used immediately after grinding. You shouldn’t store them for years, because they lose their taste and aroma very quickly. Of course, no one can forbid you to use pre-ground spices if you have no opportunity to buy each type of whole spice separately. They will still add aroma — it will just not be as intense. But not all spices possess these properties: only cumin, nutmeg, cardamom, cloves, coriander, and all kinds of pepper have these properties. Spices made of dried vegetables (carrots, celery) or herbs can be stored for years.

By the way, try to pay attention to the composition of spices that are meant for cooking certain dishes (“for fish,” “for cutlets,” “for kebab”). Usually, these mixtures have a lot of ingredients, among which you can find flavor enhancers and stabilizers. Mono-spices as a rule don’t contain them.

​Dry mixtures for baking cakes, pancakes, or cookies are present in almost all shops nowadays. Many of us buy them because they are convenient — you only need to add 1-2 ingredients, mix them, and the dough is ready.

However, you shouldn’t forget that apart from flour, egg powder, and sugar, flavorings, stabilizers, and colorants are also present in these mixtures. That’s why if you have a little spare time and the desire, it’s better to bake cookies from non-processed products. Moreover, some mixtures contain a maximum of 5 ingredients that are likely already there in your home.

​Bulgur and millet are actually close relatives. Bulgur is made from parboiled, dried, and crushed wheat. Millet groats are processed differently. However, both have the same origin. The taste is quite similar, but bulgur is more crumbly, while its “relative” often ends up in lumps. This crumbliness is important in some dishes like salads or some types of side dishes. In other cases, it doesn’t make much difference like in soups of stuffings.

When it comes to nutritional value, bulgur and millet are almost equal in this sense, while the prices for both products differ greatly. That’s why it’s necessary to clearly know how you are going to use bulgur. Perhaps there is no need to overpay for it for dishes where you can use millet.

​A cut fillet of any fish will always cost more than a whole product. All because someone has spent their time and skill to clean it, and you have to pay for it. When buying a whole fish, you’ll have to work a bit to clean and cut it. The good thing is that it will save you a lot of money and give you confidence that the product is processed and cooked in decent sanitary conditions.

The same thing applies to poultry meat — a whole product is much cheaper than separated parts of the chicken or turkey.

​Many people love this Japanese dish, however, not everyone can buy ready-made sushi in cafes. That’s the reason some people decide to cook this delicacy at home. For that, we normally buy rice which says “for sushi” on its package. It’s true that there are types of rice that are used exclusively for these reasons — they contain a lot of starch which makes the rice sticky after boiling.

However, if you take regular round grain rice and cook it appropriately, you’ll get the same thing. And only a great gourmet will be able to find the differences in the finished product.

​Canned products are loved all over the world — they offer small portions, the fish is ready to eat, and has as many vitamins as a fresh one. Usually, canned products come in 2 variants: in their own juice and in oil (which is of course juicier). However, if you want to get the maximum amount of vitamins that fish has, it’s better to opt for the one canned in its own juice. For example, in one of these servings (pictured in the photo above), omega-3 is on average 20% less than in the other because tuna in the water loses only 3% of omega-3 — they remain in the liquid that we drain. And if the tuna is in oil, then it has 15-25% less of this precious substance. And all this is just because omega-3 is soluble in fat.

​Many people try to diversify their home cuisine with various spices. And stewed veggies, for example, as well as many other dishes, can really take on a sort of exotic tinge. However, don’t rush to buy spices that have salt as a base because the major ingredient is actually the salt, which costs pennies. And these mixtures are normally sold at quite high prices.

If you buy salt and spices separately, you’ll spend much less than if you buy the same things mixed and sold as one product.

​A lot of people prefer liquid soap to good old soap bars. But there are no objective reasons to pay more for liquid soap. There are many bars of soap that don’t make the skin too dry, and there’s no proof that soap bars can be a breeding ground for bacteria. Of course, bars of soap are much cheaper to buy, so they are a better option if you’re trying to save.

​Offers and discounts often make us want to buy more than we actually need. In the end, we throw away some of the foods we buy, canceling out any advantages of these discounts. There are many ways to prevent this from happening. You can make a list of things you need to buy (to avoid impulsive purchases), buy some frozen vegetables, and plan your menu for the following week.

​Usually, to remove makeup, you need more than one cotton swab, so you go through packs of them very quickly, making it so you have to buy new ones at least once every few weeks. But there are better options now, such as swabs you can use every day. They could be made of bamboo, microfiber, or flannel, and you can wash them after each use.

​Deep in everyone’s drawers, there are outfits that are no longer trendy, and sometimes, it may be hard to find the clothes we’ve never worn yet. According to studies, a modern person buys 60% more clothes than they did just 15 years ago. At the same time, we know that about 12% of clothes in women’s wardrobes are not used at all. All of this points to the fact that we should shop way more critically. For example, you can consider the idea of a capsule wardrobe, which can cut down on how many clothing items you buy.

​The idea of paper towels to clean surfaces, such as kitchen counters, is tempting, but if you need to save money, it’s obviously not the best option. It might not seem like a big deal, but in the long-term, it’s much cheaper to use microfiber towels.

​Meat and fish fillets, pre-cut vegetables, and salad mixes are some of the most prominent examples of marketers and manufacturers making money off our laziness. Despite saving lots of time and energy, it’s not cheap to buy such foods all the time. More than that, washed vegetables have a much shorter shelf life, and some washed and cut fruits have fewer nutrients because they come into contact with oxygen.

​From a short-term perspective, buying a bottle of water is much cheaper than buying a filter. But in the long-term, filters are obviously cheaper. Of course, the frequency of changing filters largely depends on the quality of water you have in the region. But on average, filters should be changed once to twice a year, so this is definitely a cheaper option.

​Buying a year gym membership and ignoring it later is a very popular problem. According to studies, by the end of each year, about 37% of people make resolutions to work out more. But studies also show that more than 50% of people that buy gym memberships don’t actually go to the gym. So what’s the point of paying for the membership when you know you’re not going to exercise? Choose a type of exercise you enjoy and stick to it.

​Anti-cellulite scrubs, lower eyelashes mascara, single-colored shades — the beauty industry does a lot of things to amaze us and make us want to buy more and more products. This is why in order to save money, we have to be critical thinkers. It was proven a long time ago that the effect of anti-cellulite scrubs is a myth, and pallets of shades are better to buy, and there’s absolutely no point in buying mascara for the lower eyelashes only. Try to be more critical about the beauty products you’re buying.

​Shower gels and shampoos are often sold in very thick bottles that could be used for a much longer time than the products inside them. This is why you don’t have to buy new bottles every time you need more and can opt for refills. Thanks to the soft packs, they are usually cheaper than ordinary products. More than that, if you have special bathroom dispensers, this is a great solution for you.

Although you may just be trying to be polite and attentive by calling service workers by the names that are written on their name tags, it can actually be demeaning. This is because while their names are on display, yours isn’t and they are not in a position to ask you for your name. As a result, the employees are put in an inferior position. In some cases, you might even be pronouncing their names wrong, which may make things awkward.

What you can do: Rather than putting effort into personalizing your conversation, perhaps it would be better to just smile and speak to them without mentioning any names. Some workers prefer to get their work done quickly without having to deal with small talk and keep their professional and personal lives separate.

You may think that making time to be early is showing people that you respect their time by not making them wait. But being too early can sometimes be just as rude as being late to an event. For example, if you are 30 minutes early for a bridal or baby shower but you’re not part of the set-up crew, the host might feel pressured to start entertaining when things aren’t ready yet. The same could be said for interviews, where the hiring managers might think that you’re interrupting their work and that you’re over-eager or desperate for the job.

What you can do: Make it a rule to never show up more than 15 minutes early than the appointed time. If you happen to be early, just take your time somewhere else to do what you like first before appearing at the event.

​People who are too trusting tend to get taken for a ride more often than those who are not. If you’re too kind to be suspicious of others, you’re not likely to think that people might have malicious intentions toward you. Especially if those people have done a favor for you before, because you’d feel obliged to do something for them in return.

What you can do: Try to be more wary of others, particularly people you’re not familiar with. Even with those you’re close to, whenever anyone asks for a favor, try to think of the consequences of you doing so. It’s wise to weigh the pros and cons of doing something for or with others.

Apologizing too much, especially for things you have little control over can make people lose respect for you or find you annoying. On top of that, if you keep saying sorry, it makes your future apologies sound less meaningful because it will seem like a habit rather than a sincere apology. Always saying sorry may even lower your self-esteem.

​What you can do: Try to keep tabs on how many times you say “I’m sorry” and know what you should and shouldn’t apologize for. If you find yourself saying sorry way too many times, change your apology to something more positive like saying, “Thank you for pointing that out to me,” when someone catches a small mistake you’ve made.

Just like over-apologizing, if you give compliments too frequently, they will soon lose their meaning. People might even think you’re trying to butter someone up to get something out of them. And if you keep doing it, people might come to expect compliments from you. When they don’t get complimented, they might think that something is wrong, or that you don’t like them anymore.

What you can do: Even if you genuinely think highly of them, it might be best to keep some of those thoughts to yourself. Remember that you are not responsible for making people feel good about themselves.

When someone gives you a compliment, you might dismiss it by saying, “Oh no, it’s not as good as yours!” or “It’s not really that great,” to show modesty. But doing so could damage your self-confidence, diminish your value in people’s eyes, and even harm your relationship with those who compliment you. In the future, they will be less likely to praise you.

What you can do: The best way to accept a compliment is by simply saying, “Thank you.” You don’t even have to add anything else. Chances are, you’ll feel good for being praised and those who compliment you will feel good for praising you.

When you’re too nice to say “no,” you’ll find yourself having less time to do things for yourself and spending more time doing things for others. Worst case scenario, you might end up exhausted after running around doing things for everyone, all because you don’t want to hurt or disappoint people. You’d rather suffer by yourself than avoid conflicts.

What you can do: Practice saying “no” in small, unimportant situations like making someone coffee. Remember that you can change your mind in most cases, not everything is a do-or-die kind of situation. Think about whether or not you are actually able to help someone at that given time. If you have to sacrifice your health over it, it’s probably better to not give them a hand.

​If the cashier gives you extra change, even if it’s only a few cents, you return it because you’re being honest and think taking it is the same as stealing. But sometimes, it’s a nuisance for the staff, especially if they’re done settling the books for the day. Another example of correcting a mistake even if it favors you is when someone mistakenly thinks you hold a slightly higher title than you actually do. Even if they’re unlikely to meet you again, you feel like you’re undeserving of being seen to hold such a title or that they have the right to know the truth.

What you can do: Unless you’re profiting at other people’s expense, it’s okay to let things go and enjoy the little mistakes that make you slightly better off than usual. You deserve good days too.

​Being politically correct (PC) means avoiding language and actions that insult, exclude, or harm people who are already experiencing discrimination. However, in your attempts to be respectful and sensitive, you might offend people you want to protect. You trying to police the words to describe them might be seen as condescending and patronizing. While others who are not in the group might think that you’re weak, overly sensitive, and cowardly.

What you can do: Talk to the people you want to support to understand what is offensive and what isn’t before lending your voice to support them. Talk also to the people who think you’re censoring the truth about how their words could hurt others. Sometimes, though, you could give others the benefit of the doubt and let it go, instead of correcting their language. For example, when they’re in deep grief and unknowingly say something that could exclude a certain group of people.

You’re too nice if you find it difficult to ask for help in times of need because you feel that other people have their own worries to take care of, and you don’t want to burden others with yours. In some cases, you might feel terrible about outing someone’s behavior, for example when someone’s bullying you.

What you can do: Keep in mind that people want to help others, it gives their life meaning. If you give people the opportunity to lend you a hand, everyone can feel satisfied and happy in the end. Remember also that it’s only human to need help, it doesn’t make you a bad person to ask people to assist you when it’s necessary.

​It’s not only a lack of sleep that can make you look older — as it turns out, your pillowcase might also be aging you as well. Most pillowcases are made of cotton, and although it might feel comfortable, this material causes friction against your skin, leading to dryness. Skin that lacks moisture is more prone to fine lines, and dryness makes all existing wrinkles more visible too. Sleeping without a pillow takes some getting used to, but it will benefit your skin in the long run.

​Your body needs to be hydrated to feel its best, and so does your skin. Cotton pillowcases zap your skin of moisture and essential oils it needs to stay youthful and plump. This, in turn, can result in scaling and peeling, making your skin less healthy over time.

​If you have sensitive, acne-prone skin, sleeping on a cotton pillowcase might not be the best choice. Cotton is too rough on the skin, and the friction from it can irritate delicate skin, worsening the existing skin conditions. Because your pillow can easily become a breeding ground for bacteria, sleeping with your face pressed against it can result in more breakouts.

​When you’re sleeping, your whole body goes into recovery mode, and it’s time for your skin to repair itself. Your pillow accumulates oils and makeup residue from your face night after night, and sleeping with your face squished into it can turn beauty sleep into a nightmare.

​Sleeping on a pillow that is too soft may reduce blood flow to the head. This can result in neck pain, headaches, and can make your skin appear dry and dull. Poor blood circulation might lead to various skin problems, including discoloration, rashes, and flakiness.

​If you’ve ever woken up with annoying sleep lines on your face, your pillow might be to blame. When you turn in your sleep, the thick cotton pillowcase causes creases to form on your skin. And although these lines will gradually disappear throughout the day, repeated damage might eventually lead to permanent wrinkles. Choosing to sleep without a pillow may give your skin a healthier look and keep it smooth and supple.

If you find it impossible to part with your favorite pillow, opt for pillowcases made from fabrics that are softer on your skin.

• Silk: Silk is gentler on the skin than cotton, it absorbs less moisture, and can even help you get rid of acne breakouts.
• Copper: Sleeping on a copper pillowcase can help you heal acne, prevent wrinkles, and even reduce the appearance of existing fine lines.
• Déjà pillowcases: This creative invention allows you to “peel” a new layer of fabric to sleep on every night, and as an added bonus, it makes doing laundry a lot easier.

​ATMs are like magnets for pickpockets, and they can even work in pairs in order to distract you while one of them snatches your money. Also, there are thieves who will try to see your PIN number and then take your wallet.

If you need to use an ATM, use one in a business building or that isn’t out in the open. That’s because ATMs inside hotels and restaurants have less cash and aren’t as likely to get exploited.

​Don’t take out your phone or wallet just to make sure that you still have them. Pickpockets’ eyes will be on you immediately, especially if you pull your belongings out after you get bumped. If you need to do it, be smooth and discrete about it so that you don’t signal to them where your valuables are.

Also, pickpockets might shout, “Someone stole my wallet!” just to make everyone turn around and check their own. Ignore this as much as you can and check your valuables smoothly but only after some time has passed.

If you’re on a train or bus and you notice someone who is constantly going up and down and at a fast pace, keep your belongings close. Even better, clutch your bag tightly, as your hands are your protective tool here.

When a pickpocketer is doing this, it’s because they’re scanning the environment for bags that are left unattended or for ones that can be grabbed easily as they exit at the next stop. Also, be aware of those who make small movements with their hands and even legs. They will use this as a type of bodily distraction so that you don’t see when they reach to grab something.

​Invest a few bucks in pieces of clothing with secret pockets. These could lower your chances of getting robbed on the streets. There are many different types you can buy, like jackets with inside pockets, shorts, underwear, T-shirts, and more.

​If you want to wear a purse while going out, choose one that will be hard for a thief to reach in and steal your valuables from. Cross-body bags are a good choice because the thief won’t be able to just grab and run. Avoid bags that have only a button flap.

Also, it’s better to get a bag that has 2 layers inside with zippers and a button flap that goes over the zipped layers. However, an experienced pickpocketer might be able to unzip the bag without you feeling it, so maybe a zipper with a lock would be better.

​Signs that say things like, “Be aware of pickpockets!” are what thieves like. This is because we tend to check our pockets immediately after seeing the sign, which will give out a signal to any thieves nearby. So don’t check your pockets after looking at a sign like this.

​Pickpockets sometimes work in groups. So if you notice a group of people entering a building you’re about to go into, or they gather in a touristy spot and spread out, be on alert. Also, you might notice that they’ll start to act like they’re alone.

Make sure you aren’t anywhere near them because they spread out in order to find their next victim. They might even start to talk on the phone while they’re actually scheming something.

​Thieves know that many people can’t resist watching strangers that are fighting. That’s why they might start an argument, hoping to distract the crowd. Another pickpocketer will push through the crowd and lift your valuables. They’re counting on everyone to pay attention to the distraction and not your purse or wallet.

Other ways that they can make diversions are by falling and tripping or acting like they’re sick.

​There are pickpockets who love snatching bags and valuables by driving by you. So when you’re on the sidewalk, make sure you are as far away from the road as possible. If you can, walk against traffic so that you can see vehicles approaching. Also, keep your bag on the arm that is not closest to the road.

​If you find yourself on an escalator with a couple of people in front of you and they’re actually blocking you from passing, you might have stumbled upon a “sandwich” technique. The couple in front of you is actually a “staller” who can buy time for the pickpocket behind you to lift your valuables. This can usually happen in shopping malls, airports, markets, or train stations.

To avoid it, keep your bag in front of you, at your feet, or on you when you’re on an escalator. If you’re feeling like you are in the “sandwich” situation, firmly but politely ask those in front of you to step away so that you can pass.

​Animals who have rabies may engage in actions that are not normal for them, so observing their behavior is key. For example, this could be a nocturnal animal coming out during the daytime, or some wild animal losing its fear of people and coming toward them instead. If you ever see an animal do something out of the ordinary, it’s best to stay away from it and move to safety.

A list of animals commonly found with this disease include bats, bears, coyotes, deer, dogs, foxes, raccoons, skunks, and wolves. Here are the most common signs that can appear in a diseased animal.

​Rabies is known for its ability to alter the behavior of the infected animal — it might turn them incredibly aggressive, vicious, cause them to lose their normal fear of humans, and lash out.

​Another common symptom of rabies is drooling or excess saliva. The virus makes the animal produce more saliva than normal, which is what makes them drool. This is a sign that the virus has progressed.

As the virus progresses, more symptoms will keep appearing. Some of these symptoms include paralysis, vomiting, difficulty breathing, etc.

If you ever find yourself in such a situation, keep a few pointers in mind.

​Don’t try to get close to it, as this can be very dangerous. You risk getting bitten and contracting rabies. It’s never a good idea to feed or approach any wild animals. It’s best to back away carefully and leave.

​If a wild, rabid animal approaches and you end up in a confrontation with it, you can attempt to make loud noises to scare it away by using an air horn or just by whistling, for example. But any type of loud noise can work.

​Trying to fool the animal into thinking you’re larger than you actually are might also scare them away. In the case of black bears, it can be helpful to make yourself look bigger by raising your arms and backpack, and/or by standing on a rock.

​Always inform appropriate authorities about these kinds of situations so everyone is aware of the current level of rabies activity in your area. Report any animal you run into that acts in a weird manner, especially if it’s a threat to anyone who might pass by.

​If you are bitten or scratched by a rabid animal, the best way to lower the chances of infection is to wash the wound right away with soap and water and disinfect it. You should get medical attention quickly so the wound can be properly cleaned and treated.

​If you’ve ever felt a sudden burst of energy in the late afternoon, there’s a reason for that. Just remember how extremely active you’d be before bed when you were a kid. This is because your body temperature rises between 2 PM and 6 PM. This makes you more likely to put more effort into your workouts.

Additionally, if you’re a runner, consider going out for a run in the evening. One study found that running in the dark with nothing to distract you makes you run faster.

​Contrary to popular belief, exercising before bed actually improves your sleep quality. You find it easier to drift into a deep sleep, according to researchers at ETH Zurich. Besides, there’s been no proof that physical exercise negatively impacts sleep quality. However, it’s better to stay away from HIIT workouts, as they’re the ones that can affect your shut-eye.

​The ratio of testosterone and cortisol is the best in the evening for muscle growth. Although it’s higher in the morning, the muscle-building effects work to the fullest when the sun sets. It’s better to focus on long-distance runs or longer but milder workouts to get the most of it.

​Sometimes it’s hard to fall asleep because of all the emotions and thoughts we have. In this case, bedtime stretches or yoga are the best options. One review found that practicing yoga before sleep helps you drift off earlier. It is also known to reduce stress and anxiety as well as slow down your mind and deepen your breath. The latter lets more oxygen into your body, thus making you feel more relaxed.