Behaviors

Do not become sedentary if pain is not causing harm; continuing to move was described as the fastest route to recovery.

Avoid boom-bust cycles of overactivity on good days and inactivity on bad days; set small goals and increase activity gradually in baby steps. Example: if you can walk one block comfortably, walk that block; the next day add about 50 feet, then another 50 feet. Even on good days, do not greatly exceed the plan; set thresholds by time or distance. On bad days, some rest may be needed, but restart the next day where you were.

Even natural or over-the-counter agents are not automatically safe; educate yourself about side effects, adverse events, and interactions.

Some over-the-counter agents can inhibit platelets and increase bleeding; be cautious before surgery.

Listed as one of the psychological tools used in pain management.

A brief two-hour intervention designed to deliver effects similar to eight weeks of CBT; presented as an additional tool, not a replacement for CBT.

When viewing low-solar-angle sunlight, blink as needed to protect the eyes.

Using sunglasses in the middle of the day is acceptable, especially because overhead sun carries greater cataract and macular degeneration risk if overexposed.

If awake before sunrise but wanting to remain sleepy or asleep, keep indoor lights dim, then get outside once the sun starts to come out.

For hospitalized patients, especially with brain injury or stroke, get them near a window and try to control their sleep-wake cycle as much as possible.

When traveling, bring a red light bulb for nighttime lighting.

Listen to 15 Hz binaural beats, typically through headphones, during or before working memory tasks to potentially improve visuospatial working memory.

Do not add or remove supplements such as L-tyrosine or mucuna pruriens without consulting a healthcare provider first to make sure it is safe for you.

Talk to a physician before using prescription drugs to improve working memory, focus, or attention, including in children, adults, traumatic brain injury, or Parkinson's contexts.

Use either fluoride-containing or non-fluoride toothpaste that professionally trained dentists agree can help improve the mineralization state of teeth and support oral health.

Do not brush aggressively; brushing too hard may remove biofilm and tartar but can damage gum tissue and create recesses where bacteria accumulate.

Make some effort to reduce time spent on social media and email to limit excessive incoming input, preserve mental clarity and creativity, and reduce unnecessary activation of threat/reward circuitry.

Waking early can have an antidepressant effect when it follows adequate sleep the night before.

Prefer voice calls over text or social media for richer real-time social connection and greater interbrain synchrony.

If concerned about fluoride exposure, avoid toothpastes that contain fluoride.

If drinking alcohol, pay extra attention to oral-health practices on the days around consumption.

After sugar exposure, rinsing is a practical minimum; ideally brush and maybe even floss afterward when feasible.

After eating anything, especially sugary foods, swish plain water to clear food from the mouth; plain water with a little salt was also suggested as beneficial. Spit or swallow is personal preference.

If drinking acidic beverages, use a straw when possible, consume them over roughly 5-30 minutes and then stop rather than sipping for hours, and rinse the mouth with a little water afterward. The key variable is total time the mouth is exposed to acid.

Have stretches of maybe 2, 4, 6 hours or more without eating or ingesting acidic liquids to support saliva-driven remineralization; this includes not constantly snacking or sipping acidic beverages.

Use a soft toothbrush lightly on the gums to increase circulation; suggested especially for people with tooth sensitivity.

Glide floss down the side of the tooth, get a little underneath the gum, use a circular motion, then lift up from between the teeth; do not just snap floss straight onto the gum.

Most dentists he spoke to did not want people jabbing gums with toothpicks.

If spaces between baby teeth are large, flossing is not needed and could damage gums; focus on brushing instead.

If choosing toothpaste, xylitol as a sweetener is considered beneficial.