Let’s Talk About the Weird Things That Actually Help

Late August can be tricky. The days are still long, the nights are sticky, and your body might feel… off. Maybe your joints are stiff, your muscles sore, or your sleep just isn’t as deep as it used to be.

Sometimes, the solutions aren’t what you’d expect. The weird little tricks that actually work can feel a little funny—but if it helps you feel better, it counts. Science often supports these strange habits, even if they look silly at first glance.

Weird tricks work best when you least expect them.

 

1. Frozen Peas (Just Like The Old Days) 🧊

Remember when you were a kid and scraped your knee, and your mom or dad told you to grab a bag of frozen veggies to put on it? It wasn’t just old-school parenting—it actually helped. And guess what? It still works today for inflammation, soreness, and stiff muscles.

Cold therapy like this isn’t just convenient—it actually works better for many joints than a rigid ice pack. The peas mold to the shape of your knee, elbow, or shoulder, providing even cooling right where you need it. That helps reduce inflammation, calm sore muscles, and ease stiffness more effectively than a flat ice pack. Plus, they’re inexpensive and easy to grab anytime—no special equipment required.

 

2. Unusual Sleep Positions 😴

Forget the usual advice about sticking to your back or side—sometimes the positions that feel the strangest are the ones that help the most.

1. The Half-Twist: Lying on your side with your torso slightly twisted and a pillow tucked between your knees. This can relieve pressure on your lower back and hips while keeping your spine aligned.

2. Legs on the Wall: Some people sleep on their back with their legs propped up on a stack of pillows or against the headboard. It sounds odd, but elevating the legs can improve circulation, reduce swelling, and ease tired muscles after a long day.

3. The Diagonal Stretch: Sleeping diagonally across the bed, stretching arms and legs toward opposite corners. It may feel silly, but this position can relieve joint pressure and give your muscles more room to relax.

4. Pillow Sandwich: Placing a pillow under your knees and another under your head and neck while lying on your back. It may feel exaggerated, but it supports the natural curve of your spine and reduces strain on your lower back.

These positions may look unconventional—but they can reduce stiffness, calm nerve tension, and help you fall asleep faster, making them worth a try.

Sleeping diagonally across the bed? Weird—but it works.

 

3. Socks to Bed 🧦

It sounds silly, but slipping on socks before bed can actually help you fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer. Warming your feet signals your body that it’s time to relax, helping your blood vessels dilate and nudging your nervous system toward rest mode.

Some readers take it a step further with two different sock tricks:

1. The Loose Sock Hack: A slightly oversized sock keeps feet warm without feeling constricted, perfect for restless toes or mild circulation issues.

2. Layered Cozy Feet: A thin sock under a thicker sock gives extra warmth and pressure, which some people find comforting—like a mini foot hug.

 

4. The Frozen Water Bottle Hug 💧

One reader told me they stumbled on this trick after a long, hot summer day—they didn’t have an ice pack, so they grabbed a frozen water bottle from the freezer and hugged it to their chest while reading in bed.

It turns out this actually helps your body cool down, calm sore muscles, and signal the nervous system that it’s time to relax. The gentle pressure combined with the cold can make it easier to settle in for sleep, especially when your body feels overheated or tense.

 

Your Turn: Share Your Strange-but-Effective Trick

I’ve shared a few weird tricks that help me sleep and ease pain—but I know everyone has their own little hacks. I really want to know: what actually works for you?

Drop a comment below and share your go-to weird-but-effective trick. You never know—you could be helping someone else finally get a good night’s sleep tonight.

Sometimes the pain is so bad, we'll try anything that works.

P.S. If you want a little extra support, our Outback Magnesium+ can help calm your muscles and nerves so your body is ready for rest after a long day.