How to Avoid Gagging While Brushing Your Tongue

Your tongue is a happy breeding ground for bacteria. Studies have shown that bacteria growing on the protein-rich surface of the tongue end up in the rest of your mouth, potentially causing or contributing to heart disease, pneumonia, premature birth, male infertility and more. ^[1] Here's how to clean it without gagging.

EditSteps

1. 1
   Try this psychological trick. Clench the fingers of one of your hands, gently digging your nails into your palm. Your gag reflex should be gone––apparently this works because your brain is distracted by the slight pain in your hand.
   
   
   
2. 2
   Hold your toothbrush perpendicular to your tongue, brushing from the side. Putting your toothbrush in the long way will make it easier to 'slip' into the overly sensitive danger zone. It's also more psychologically invasive - namely, it makes you think consciously of gagging.
   
   
   
3. 3
   Push the tongue down hard into the lower part of the mouth behind the teeth as you brush it. As soon as the tongue starts to wobble, stop, give it a few moments to retrieve your strength and try again.
4. 4
   Exhale through your mouth while brushing your tongue. At the same time, relax your tongue and throat muscles as much as possible. Keep practicing until it becomes a normal habit.
5. 5
   Avoid using the toothbrush for your tongue altogether. There are good tongue scrapers which can be bought from the pharmacy. Tongue scrapers or cleaners may feel less invasive and more focused on a quick clean than your larger, wider-surfaced toothbrush. You can also try "flossing" your tongue: Take a normal length of dental floss and drag it down across your tongue. This works well for individuals with a particularly high gag reflex.

EditTips

• Keep in mind where you're brushing; it's not necessary to delve deep into the back of your throat, where you might nick your uvula and trigger a gag reflex.
• Avoid watching yourself in the mirror; it is best when you don't think about it!

EditWarnings

• People with high gag reflexes may vomit while brushing their tongue. If you vomit excessively, quit and go for the tongue scrapers instead.

EditThings You'll Need

• Clean toothbrush
• Tongue cleaner/scraper (optional)
• Floss (optional)

How to Dance Sexily

Dancing is one very enjoyable way to express sensuality––indeed, those who dance well are often considered to make good lovers too. Yet, not everyone feels comfortable dancing, especially when you're convinced you've got two left feet and no sense of rhythm. It's time to persuade yourself otherwise––everyone can dance and it's an experience you deserve to enjoy when seeking to attract someone or turn on a person you already love.

EditSteps

1. 1
   Feel the music. Good dancing rises from the heart and is an expression of your emotions, both your reaction to the rhythm and your feelings about the occasion. Before you even hit the dance floor, find music that makes you feel sexy. Make a playlist that includes music that makes you feel confident, relaxed, and energized.
2. 2
   Practice dancing in private. Close the door, dim the lights, and play your sexy music. Commit to spending a full 20 minutes dancing in whatever way makes you feel sexy. Don't worry about how you look. The point of this exercise is to know what it feels like to let go and dance as if nobody's watching.
3. 3
   Learn a sexy dance. Even if it's not the kind of dancing you'll do at a party or a club, learning a specific kind of dance or routine will give you some moves you can transfer into other situations and more importantly, it'll give you a boost of confidence and coordination.
   • There are definitely some dances that are considered sexier than others. Top of the list are the dances from South America, such as the tango, samba and salsa. Or try bellydancing, of Middle Eastern origins and still considered to be a very alluring dance.
   • If you don't want to attend formal dance classes, get a dance DVD or use the amazing plethora of online dance classes to teach yourself at home. Look up a choreography routine that you like and learn it!
4. 4
   Dance amongst strangers. If you're nervous about what people will think of you, consider going to a setting outside of your usual sphere so that the people you're dancing around are people you don't know. If they're strangers, who cares if you make a fool of yourself? It's not like you'll ever see them again. When you loosen about about that, you might find that your dancing draws admiration instead of ridicule.
5. 5
   Relax. More than anything, relaxation is key to feeling––and looking––sexy on the dance floor. A tense dancer looks wooden, awkward and ready to topple over. That's not sexy––it's excruciating to watch and it will cramp your style. Instead, practice relaxing and letting the rhythm wash over you. Listen for the beat and start moving in time to it, allowing your body's own reactions to be the guide.
   • If you have any hangups about being seen in public, about making mistakes, etc., then it's important to deal with these separately. Feelings of fear will hamper relaxation and will prevent you from enjoying the dance.
   • Wear comfortable, loose clothing but not too loose. If you can't move well in your clothes or you're constantly worried they're going to slip off and reveal a "wardrobe malfunction," then it'll be impossible to relax. Spend time carefully choosing your dance clothes and if need be, keep them separate from all your other clothing so that you can find them quickly whenever anyone asks you to go dancing. That's one less excuse for you to avoid dancing sexily!
6. 6
   Stay alert. When dancing, be aware of others around you. There isn't much sexy about bumping into people and elbowing them. And doing the can-can into their faces won't impress anyone. Most of all, be attuned to your dance partner. Sexiness derives from the connection the two of you establish while dancing, so keep apace of his or her moves and timing and take the utmost care to avoid tripping over them or standing on their toes. And don't be afraid to lead your partner at times, even if this is something you don't normally do. Just be sure to allow for an even balance between who leads in your partnership when dancing––a little lesson for the rest of your lives together...
7. 7
   Express yourself. Although it is helpful to learn the basics of some sort of dance, not everyone wants to do that and not everyone will find the dance steps work for every situation. Most important of all is to learn to express yourself through how you react to the music. This means having the confidence to enjoy the dance for its own sake rather than being worried about what other people are thinking or doing. Too bad if the dance crowd seems to want to jump and down but you'd like to jump sideways instead. Often it's the contrary movement that makes you appear both relaxed and confident because you dared to be different and give in to what the rhythm is telling you to do.
   • Use your thoughts to help keep you in a sexy frame of mind. See your dancing as a way to set the mood for the rest of the date, showing what you're thinking through movement.
   • One caveat to expressing yourself is knowing when to not overdo things. Your move may be unique, creative and suggestive but repeat it one times too many and it may cross over into comical and have everyone laughing as if you're deliberately poking fun. That's not sexy––it's comedic, so never go over-the-top. Remember that it's not how much you move but how you move.
8. 8
   Enjoy yourself. Tightly linked to expressing yourself is enjoying yourself. Dancing is about release, about having fun. It's not only okay to smile and laugh when dancing, it's essential when you want to loosen up. And while the professional version of a ballroom dance might see the dancers with very serious faces, trying that same look for yourself can cause you to appear fierce and unapproachable, whereas a smile can make you seem very sexy. Don't try to be overly serious––the dance floor isn't a dance competition.

EditTips

• Dance classes and dancing in general is definitely a lot more fun with a friend or even your date. It will also help you to learn how a partner responds to your moves and expressions while dancing. Doing this in a safe learning environment can let you experiment and get over the giggles when things look overdone rather than sexy! Dance with someone you trust and isn't afraid to talk openly with you as well as dance.
• Develop friendships with people who can dance well. You could learn a few things from them. Don't steal their moves, but just watch how passionate they are and see as the music flows through their bodies.
• Assess your fitness. Dancing is exercise, and especially so when it's sexy dancing. If you're fit, you'll find it easier to maintain the energy needed for dancing. If you're not so fit, find ways to improve your fitness, including using dancing as a form of fitness training. The more energy you have, the easier it will be to enjoy your dance experience.
• Consider watching "You got Served", "Stomp the Yard", or "Save the Last Dance" for tips on sexy dance moves.
• Consider experimenting in front of good friends who are willing to provide healthy feedback.

EditWarnings

• Don't experiment with new moves in front of people who you know are critical. This could result in embarrassment and the lack of confidence you feel when doing something new might translate into awkwardness rather than sexiness.
• Whenever you feel embarrassment sneaking it's way up, relax. Learn internal relaxation exercises that you can invoke no matter where you are, if you haven't already done so. And keep in mind that if you're embarrassed about how you look to your partner, it's highly likely that he or she feels the same way; and if not, it's more probable that he or she is confident enough in their own right to be considerate enough to help you learn with them. Smile. It'll be okay.
• Afraid to ask someone to dance? Just do it. If they say no, so what, it wasn't meant to be. If they do, it just might turn out to be one of the sexiest things you've ever done...

EditThings You'll Need

• Comfortable clothes and shoes suitable for dancing
• A large mirror (optional)
• Good music
• Dance classes (formal, group, online, etc.)

How to Decode a Caesar Box Code

Julius Caesar was one of the first people to write in code. He invented the Caesar cipher, in which each letter is replaced with another letter that's a fixed number of positions down the alphabet. The following cipher is not the Caesar cipher, but rather what cryptographers call a "columnar transposition cipher" or "Caesar's Box" though it is unclear if the code was ever actually used by Caesar.

EditSteps

1. 1
   Count the number of characters in the code. Here we have 16: G T Y O R J O T E O U I A B G T
   
   
   
2. 2
   Determine how many rows you can divide the letters into equally (Find the square root of the number you found in step 1. If the square root isn't a whole number, round up). We can put 16 into 4 rows of 4 (I.e. the square root of 16 is 4). If we had 25 letters we could put them into 5 rows of 5 (square root of 25 is 5) and so on. In cases where the number doesn't divide so neatly, use the number of rows for the next "boxable" (perfect square) number up. The "boxable" (square) numbers are 9, 16, 25, 36, 49, etc. If the code has 22 letters (square root of 22 is 4.69), the next number up is 25, which would mean 5 rows (4.69 rounds up to 5).
   
   
   
3. 3
   Write the letters out into rows. With the example given, it'd be written out as such:
   
   GTYO
   RJOT
   EOUI
   ABGT
   
   
   
4. 4
   Start from the top left letter and read down, then start at the top of the next column and read down again, and so on. This example has the message: "GREAT JOB YOU GOT IT".
   
   
   
5. 5
   Finished.
   
   
   

EditTips

• When turning these codes into "boxes" you won't always have exactly enough letters to make a perfect square. Simply count the letters and which ever perfect square it's closest to, use that number. For example:
• "Hey dude whats up" is only 14 letters long. The closest number (always round up) is 4x4 = 16. So pretend you have 16 letters... H U H U E D A P Y E T D W S
• 
  H U H U
  E D A P
  Y E T
  D W S
• Here is another example: h a e a n d v i a e c y
• This will decode as "have a nice day"

EditWarnings

• Some codes CAN be extremely difficult to decode, BUT:
• This code is usually not very difficult to decode. Do not put highly important information in this format.

How to Lead Like Thomas Jefferson

Like many historic leaders, Thomas Jefferson was a man who didn’t fit into a specific mold, sometimes favoring ideas that were unpopular at the time. Jefferson was considered to be a visionary, often going against the grain in order to achieve the greater good for the country. Jefferson also was a man who forged ahead, despite personal tragedy and despair. Although many lessons can be learned from Jefferson, understanding how his leadership skills influenced the way he is remembered today can be applied to your own modern business, academic and even social situations. Here are some suggestions on how you can lead like Thomas Jefferson.

EditSteps

1. 1
   Broaden your knowledge. A polymath by nature and experience, Jefferson spoke five languages, and was passionately interested in philosophy, science, religion, architecture and invention. He was well read and always had a thirst for knowledge. Devote at least one part of your week to reading books, articles, journals, newspapers and other reputable sources of information in order to keep up with developments in your own field and beyond.
   • Never assume that you are "above" digesting popular information sources as well. A leader should know the pulse of what the majority of the public is thinking and following by way of trends, fads and curiosities. Knowing what matters to the people you lead (whether it's a team or a company) will always help you to tailor your ideas and visions to make them resonate with those you're guiding. Be curious and genuine in your desire to understand what moves people.
   • Claiming "I cannot live without books", Jefferson accumulated thousands of books for his library at Monticello. You may not have the space for thousands of books in your actual home but do make use of eReaders, iPads, laptops, etc. that allow you to download eBooks. You can access the majority of the classics for free in this form, and many other great books can be purchased and stored with ease this way. Just be sure to back it all up so that you don't lose your amazing collection.
2. 2
   Speak your mind, even if your opinion isn’t popular. Looking beyond the status quo for a better way of doing things and for ways to improve society as a whole may not be popular initially––resistance to change, however beneficial, is a human certainty. During Jefferson’s times, free America was not fully realized and many Americans did not fully grasp the concept of a completely free society. However, Jefferson turned his frustration into determined persistence and talked to anyone who would listen about his vision of a free U.S. He pushed and persuaded until his dream came to fruition.
   • Stick to your principles. Don’t allow others to influence or sway you from your original intent. For example, Jefferson believed that people should be able to practice any religion they wanted and that the press should be afforded certain freedoms. Today Americans are free from persecution to practice any religion they choose. Moreover, freedom of the press has continued to keep those in public office accountable to the people.
3. 3
   Focus on your strengths. There is much said and written about overcoming your weaknesses. While there is always room for tightening up aspects of yourself that aren't working the way you want them to, it is a fool's life to pursue anything that relies principally on your weaknesses. Realize that focusing all the time on weaknesses leaves less time to focus on strengths and in many cases, can cause you to feel "less than" rather than to celebrate what you're brilliant at. If you believe you're in a position that isn’t a good fit or you aren’t qualified enough, don’t bluff or “wing it.” Jefferson was made Secretary of State by George Washington and felt at odds with the job and others in the government. He decided to walk away from working in the government, reversing this decision later when he felt ready.
4. 4
   Draw on inner strength and faith during times of personal tragedy. Personal tragedy can derail even the most steadfast of leaders. Jefferson was no stranger to devastation and misfortune, losing his wife of eleven years, Martha, and seeing only two of his six children with her reach adulthood. However, he refused to allow the tragedy in his life to unhinge his focus and determination. While he grieved strongly after the death of his wife, he realized that he needed to forge on rather than give in to despair. When challenges face you, allow yourself the time to recover but do not wallow in sadness or disappointment for long; as a leader, you have gifts to share with other people who see you as a role model, guide and mentor.
   • Hold tightly to your goals by being a man or woman of purpose. In 1786, Jefferson wrote about his enthusiasm and passion for life, despite tragedies and disappointments: “Hence the inestimable value of intellectual pleasures... Ever in our power, always leading us to something new, never cloying, we ride, serene and sublime, above the concerns of this mortal world, contemplating truth and nature, matter and motion, the laws which bind up their existence, and the Eternal being who made and bound them up by these laws. Let this be our employ.”
   • Turn to your personal and religious beliefs to bring you strength during trying times. When Jefferson’s wife and children died, Jefferson clung to his religious beliefs during these terrible times of instability and tragedy. His relationship with God helped to guide him during his darkest hours, allowing him to continue to lead and remain focused. Whether you have faith-based beliefs or you draw on other sources of moral courage, rely on these resources to help you pull through and rebuild your strength.
5. 5
   Acknowledge your imperfections without fostering them. Even the greatest leader understands that he or she is not perfect. Although Jefferson is considered to be one of the country’s greatest leaders, his character is riddled with imperfection and inconsistency. For example, Jefferson is rumored to have had an affair with his slave Sally Hemings and possibly fathered her children. While his indiscretion was never proved, he never denied it. Moreover, many scholars find Jefferson to have been a dishonest man because he never owned certain high impact decisions he made in his life and although he proclaimed to believe in equality for all, his continued ownership of slaves was an inconsistent approach to what he preached. While Jefferson's attitude has an historical context, his documented attitude is something you can learn from so that you heed your own inconsistencies.
   • All human beings are inconsistent to a point, and yet we each need to acknowledge this rather than pretend it's not an issue. Moreover, much of what is inconsistent in us is a result of how we see ourselves at different points in time––and naturally, we change as we mature and age, usually for the better. A good leader will continue to learn and grow, will seek to be less defensive of his or her own ideas and be more open to the perspectives of others. Avoid getting stuck in time or stifling your growth as this is the surest way to stay inconsistent with both yourself and with changes around you; always be prepared to stay open-minded, especially when confronted by complex issues that require considerable thought.
   • Use your mistakes as a learning experience. If you don’t learn from your mistakes you cannot build and further your leadership. By acknowledging your errors and studying them, you can fortify your ability and credibility as a leader and avoid the same pitfalls and shortcomings in the future. Although it is widely know that Jefferson made many mistakes, future presidents turned to him for advice and lessons, well beyond his actual life.
6. 6
   Learn from others, even if it means you must follow for a while. Great leaders learn skills by not just forging ahead without knowledge but by identifying mentors or guides, studying their strategies and molding their techniques to their advantage.
   • Stay aware throughout your life that you don’t always know everything, not even in your own field of expertise. Even seasoned leaders understand that always improving your knowledge is the real source of power––and that it is impossible to know everything. For example, during the creation of the Declaration of Independence, Jefferson was a junior member of the committee. He was charged with writing a draft, but knew that senior member John Adams had more knowledge and insight to write the draft (although Jefferson ultimately authored the document). He sought knowledge from Adams, even asking him to write it instead.
   • Gain motivation and insight from your mentors. Although Jefferson asked Adams to create the draft, it was Adams who provided Jefferson with the necessary motivation and encouragement, which led him to pen his draft. Adams pointed out Jefferson’s strengths, one being that he was a better writer. Sometimes it takes other people's observations of you to point out your strengths.

EditTips

• Embrace the written word. Jefferson was a man who had a distinct passion for books and reading. The more you read, the more knowledge you will glean.
• Surround yourself with trusted advisors. During his presidency, Jefferson appointed loyal colleagues such as James Madison to help him with decision making.
• Be firm with your intentions. When you intend to do something or want others to know that you authentically believe something, don't hedge or prevaricate. State what you intend to do, then do it. One of the best known phrases in the English language ("We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.") was a result of Jefferson getting straight to the point, and meaning it.

EditWarnings

• Be cognizant of any endeavor that would be considered to be scandalous. Even in Jefferson's times when television and the Internet were non existent, news that he fathered a child with a slave was a common whisper and tarnished his reputation as a leader.

EditThings You'll Need

• Books about Jefferson – historical accounts should be read first hand by you

How to Make Lemon Drop Jello Shots

Lemon gelatin, lemon juice and vodka are the basis for these intensely flavored Jello shots. The shots are served in lemon wedges for an attractive presentation.

EditIngredients

Servings: 32

• 4 large lemons
• 1 cup vodka
• 3/4 cup water, boiling
• 3 oz (85g) lemon flavored gelatin
• 2 tbsp granulated sugar

EditSteps

Prepare the lemons

Removing the pith and emptying the lemons all the way down to the rind will prevent the rind from showing when you slice the Jello shots.

1. 1
   Cut the lemons in half lengthwise using a sharp paring knife.
   
   
   
2. 2
   Squeeze the juice from the lemons into a bowl, using either a juicer or your hands.
   
   
   
3. 3
   Reserve 2 ounces (60ml) of lemon juice into a small bowl and refrigerate the rest for another use.
   
   
   
4. 4
   Carefully turn the lemon rinds inside out, being sure not to tear any of them in the process.
   
   
   
5. 5
   Locate the thin membrane that connects the pith to the rind and peel it back without damaging the rind.
   
   
   
6. 6
   Set the prepared rinds aside until you’re ready to fill them with the Jello mix.
   
   
   

Prepare the Jello shots

For a flavor variation, use a citrus vodka instead of a plain vodka. Lemon vodka will give a more intense lemon flavor, or orange vodka will create an interesting flavor contrast.

1. 1
   Stir the gelatin into the 3/4 cup boiling water in a saucepan on the stovetop until it completely dissolves, using a whisk.
   
   
   
2. 2
   Whisk in the vodka and the 2 ounces (60ml) of reserved lemon juice.
   
   
   
3. 3
   Place the hollowed out lemon halves on a cookie sheet with the sides touching. This will ensure that the lemon halves stand up while you are filling them with gelatin.
   
   
   
4. 4
   Fill the lemons all the way to the top with the gelatin and vodka mixture.
   
   
   
5. 5
   Refrigerate the lemon halves for at least four hours. Make sure that the gelatin is completely firm before you slice the lemons.
   
   
   
6. 6
   Slice each lemon half into 4 wedges using a sharp knife.
   
   
   
7. 7
   Sprinkle a plate with sugar.
   
   
   
8. 8
   Lay one side of each slice of lemon on the plate to cover the gelatin with sugar. Repeat with the other side.
   
   
   

EditTips

• If you don’t have a muffin tin, then place each lemon half on top of a 2 ounce (60ml) plastic cup. Fill the lemon half with gelatin and place the cup and the lemon half in the refrigerator. The cup will ensure that the lemon stays upright.
• You can always skip the lemon presentation and simply make the shots in plastic shot glasses.

EditThings You'll Need

• 2 bowls
• Sharp paring knife
• Juicer
• Saucepan
• Whisk
• Muffin tin/pan
• Plate