You’ve probably heard these nuggets of wisdom from your parents and grandparents since you were young. Or perhaps everyone around you has been doing these acts since the dawn of time, so you assume that it definitely has to be right.

No matter where you hear from, these health myths are actually old wives’ tales that carries no evidence of being true.

Sure, there’s no harm to your health in continuing to do them, but there’s no real scientific evidence to show they are actually harmful or beneficial to your health.

Read on to find out which of these you’ve fallen prey to!

1.       “Don’t sleep with your hair wet, it’s not good!”

Imagine having a nice, warm, and relaxing bath when you return home after a long and tiring day outside. All you want to do when you come out of the bath is hit the sack immediately and fall into a deep slumber, right?

But upon seeing your full head of wet hair, your mother warns, “Don’t sleep with wet hair! You will catch a cold/get pneumonia/get a headache/grow fungus in your hair!” (or insert your mum’s health scare of choice)

In fact, the only result from sleeping when your hair’s wet is a wet pillowcase!

While sleeping with wet hair might make you feel colder, it won’t give you a cold. We only catch a cold through viruses.

Fungal diseases or scalp infections require contact with contaminated sources, so unless your pillowcase has fungus growth, you won’t have fungus growing in your hair just because you slept with wet hair.

There is also no scientific evidence that links headaches to sleeping with wet hair.

2.       “I can finally sleep in this Saturday to clear the sleep debt I’ve accumulated over the week.”

Can’t sleep at night, can’t wake up in the morning.

Living in this day and age, this is a sentiment most of us can relate to. As a result of keeping up with our homework or revising for exams, we often end up sleeping less than 6 hours every night during the week.

“Oh well, I’ll catch up on my lost sleep and sleep for 12 hours this Saturday,” is what most of us will think.

That’s where you’re wrong! This deprivation of sleep, or a “sleep debt”, cannot be repaid just by having an extended sleep marathon.

In fact, if you sleep too long at one go, you might wake up feeling even more tired than before. You end up in a state of sleep drunkenness for the rest of the day!

The best way to recover from your sleep debt is to gradually add 1 or 2 more hours of sleep every night, until you recover from your fatigue and regain your focus and attention, and then keep up the regular recommended 8 hours per night!

3.       “When you have a fever, sweat it out under layers of blanket.”

 Most of us have definitely done this before. When you’re down with a fever, your mother will come along and tuck you in under the blanket.  Soon, you feel hot and end up drenched in your sweat, but you have to stay under the blanket to “sweat out the fever”.

Guess what. This actually escalates your fever!

Being cooped under the blanket will keep the heat in and cause your body temperature to increase even more, thus increasing your fever.

Technically, sweating does help to bring the body temperature down. So this method might occasionally cause your fever to break, if you’re lucky.

But it is actually a dangerous way to break a fever because of the high body temperature and dehydration that occurs.

There are better and safer ways to bring your fever down, such as taking a shower or applying a cold washcloth to your forehead.

So your exams are over and the much awaited June holidays are finally here. It’s time to refer to the list of activities you’ve been building since the start of the school term.

Let’s see… Sleep in till 12 noon. Shopping at Bugis Village. Korean drama marathon. DOTA or WOW the entire day and night in your room! You’ve probably already done some of these things, right?

Well, here’s something different to add to your list!

This holiday, why not get out of your comfort zone and go on an adventure close to nature? Fresh air, green pastures, and a spotless sky unblocked by tall buildings await you.

You’ll find that there’s a lot to Singapore you have yet to discover!

1)      Kusu Island

Kusu Island, also known as ‘Tortoise’ island, is a reclaimed island that’s a 15-minute ferry ride away from the South of Singapore. It is famous for housing the Da Ba Gong Temple, as well as Malay shrines, or keramats.

The swimming lagoons, the pristine beaches, and the serene environment of Kusu Island will make for a chillax day with your friends or family.

The island is also bordered by coral reefs with abundant marine life. You can join the Blue Water Volunteers guided reef walk to see and discover more about the reefs and its inhabitants, including clown anemone fishes, anemone shrimps, and giant clams!

2)      Pulau Ubin

Did you know that Pulau Ubin is the second largest off-shore island of Singapore, after the well-known Sentosa Island? Just a 10 minute bumboat ride away from Changi Jetty,  Pulau Ubin is  the last ‘kampung’ you can find in Singapore.

There are plenty of fun things to do on this island. You can rent a bike and spend the day cycling around the island on its rustic roads under swaying coconut palms, or join one of the many guided walks available.

The most popular attraction on Pulau Ubin is Chek Jawa, a 1 hectare intertidal flats with seagrasses, sand flats, and coral rubble surrounded by coastal forest and mangroves.

You can explore all these different ecosystems along the 1.1km boardwalk or up the 20m Jejawi Tower!

3)      Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve

Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve is located within the Kranji Countryside, easily reachable via a 10-minute express bus ride from Kranji MRT.

The mangroves and freshwater wetlands are home to an amazing diversity of flora and fauna.

You can take any of the multiple walking trails or the boardwalk, all of which will bring you closer to nature and the inhabitants of these wetlands.

If you’re lucky, you may even see the family of otters and the lonesome crocodile living there!

4)      MacRitchie Tree Top Walk

Even if you aren’t a fan of heights, the views on the MacRitchie Tree Top Walk are well worth challenging your fears!

The MacRitchie Tree Top Walk is a 250m long suspension bridge that spans across the two highest points in MacRitchie, at 25m from the ground!

Walking on the bridge will bring you closer than you can ever get to the canopy of the forest. Some 80 species of birds and 18 rare trees have been spotted in the forest. You’ll get a better view of the forest birds, flying lemurs, and even monkeys!

To get there, you can hike from MacRitchie Reservoir Park via the MacRitchie Nature Trail. Challenge your friends to complete the hike together, and be rewarded with the magnificent views from the Tree Top Walk!

No matter which place you pick , you are bound to have an exciting time.  So why not have a picnic at the same time, it would also be a fun activity for you and your friends.

Here’s what you could pack to recharge yourself midway through your adventures:

1)      Lots of water – You’re going to sweat loads, so drink loads!

2)      Edamame – A Japanese favourite, these beans  make a delicious snack on the go and it is also a great source of dietary fibre and antioxidants.

3)      Sandwich – Obviously, since they are simple to make and fuss-free to eat!

Use wholegrain bread (instead of white), put in some grilled chicken breast (instead of ham), a slice of cheese and fresh vegetables such as lettuce, tomato and onions to add crunch to your sandwich. Finally, use guacamole or hummus as dressing (instead of mayo/butter which will spoil easily in the heat!).

4)      Fruits – Pack fresh fruits like apples, oranges and bananas to round off your picnic meal.

Got any other suggestions? Let us know in the comments section below, or better yet, send us your opinion on Facebook or Twitter!

This article is brought to you by guest writer,Tan Hui Jeng Aileen, currently studying at NUS. Thanks for the great tips!

What if I fail my test tomorrow? What if they hate me? What if I chose the wrong career? What if the world ends tomorrow?

Youth are just as prone to worrying as adults.

Excessive worrying, however, can disrupt our performance at school, sleeping patterns, and  appetite. It interferes with our lives and causes us to become emotionally fragile. At times, it may even result in unwanted panic attacks.

Unfortunately, we all have to deal with problems every day. Sometimes, the more we think about a problem, the bigger our worries get.

But at the end of the day, worrying doesn’t help, but actions do. Here are some tips to help you sort out your endless worries and toss the unnecessary ones away.

1. Know what you can and cannot fix

Constant dwelling on a problem will get you nowhere. List out your worries and categorise them into current and future concerns. Do you have any control over the situation? If the answer is “no,” put that thought aside and focus on tackling the problems that you can solve at the moment. (Hint: Write your concerns downon a piece of paper.)

2. Consider the worst-case scenario

One tried-and-testedmethod of tackling excessive worrying is to consider the worst. Ask yourself: “What are the chances of this happening?” Chances are your worst fears may never come true. So why spend precious time worrying?

3. Engage in mindless tasks

Be it watching a short video clip or reading a good comic, performing mindless tasks help take your mind off present concerns. Try taking a shower if it helps you to think clearer. Think of it as a productive bath or even multi-tasking. This simple 15-to-30 minute break could be the best escape from reality!

4. Sleep your worries away

If all else fails, sleep. Once you feel refreshed, you will be in a better position to face any problem that comes into your way.

However, research shows that people who worry tend to have difficulty sleeping. If you are one of those individuals, here’s a tip you could try:

Close your eyes and take a long deep breath. Relax all muscles in your body. Imagine that you’re in a serene environment like a beach…Empty all thoughts and visualise a calm, blue sky. Visualise yourself dipping your toes into the water or into the warm sand… Listen to the soothing sound of the waves. Breathe in… breathe out……….

Got any other suggestions? Let us know in the comments section below, or better yet, send us your opinion on Facebook or Twitter!

We all know of someone in school who scores As for everything, yet seem to spend lesser time studying than others. But how on earth do they do it?

Often, we think the more we study, the better our grades will be. While that is true to a certain extent, spending all your time studying does not necessarily get you that elusive A.

Likewise, you see some people who don’t seem to study very hard, yet they still manage to ace everything.

The key is to study smarter, not harder! Don’t lock yourself up and spend hours cramming information in a slipshod way.

Do try out these tips for smarter studying, and you may realise that with the right studying habits, you can achieve more with less.

1.       Use mnemonic devices

Mnemonic devices are memory techniques that will help you remember information.

The most common method is to form phrases or acronyms by taking and arranging the first letter of each item in a list. For example, in English, the seven coordinating conjunctions are For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So, which spells FANBOYS.

Another form of mnemonics is to construct a representation of the information as a model, such as a pyramid with ascending levels, or a mind map. This gives you an overall picture of all the content and how they relate to each other.

Mnemonics can help you easily remember large chunks of content, or content that is otherwise difficult to remember.

Go on and create your own mnemonics to tackle that mountain of notes!

2.       Outline and write your own notes

Everybody interprets information differently.

The standard format given to you in textbooks and lecture notes may not be how you would organise the content.

Outlining the content and writing your own notes allow you to think about the content in your own way, create links and structure the concepts in a way that you understand best.

Writing your own notes forces you to think through all the concepts clearly and arrange them in a logical manner.

The process of creating the notes helps you to remember the content better as well. Instead of just reading with your eyes, you also involve your muscles (hands) in writing your own words and concepts.

With memory, the more senses involved, the better!

3.       Review content frequently

Revisit previous concepts even as you move onto new ones.

This will help you study smarter because it allows you to associate and connect new information with older ones. You understand how the new concepts link with what you learnt before.

By continuously incorporating new concepts with previously learned content, you can better comprehend how they all fit into a bigger picture, which will help when you’re trying to recall them later.

It is easy to displace previously learned material when you’re learning new things. Reviewing your earlier notes will help prevent this from happening as well.

Besides, it doesn’t take long to review your notes, as long as you do it frequently!

4.       Study with a small group of friends

Studying together with friends is mutually beneficial.

When you are not sure of any concepts, you can immediately clarify it with them. Likewise, you can teach your friends the concepts that you understand more.

Teaching something to someone actually helps you to further understand and remember the content. The discussion of the content between you and your friends helps you to remember it better.

You can even quiz each other often!

Additionally, studying together is a form of motivation. You can spur each other to study if any of you starts slacking off.

Be careful though, if your study group is too big, it might have the opposite effect when everyone starts chatting and socialising instead.

Got any other suggestions? Let us know in the comments section below, or better yet, send us your opinion on Facebook or Twitter!

Having a beach holiday just around the corner?

We often think that there’s not enough time to tone up, but that’s because the day-to-day changes in our body are so small that it’s not noticeable, so you’ll tend to feel like your plan to look bikini ready is not working. Collectively, it makes all the difference!

Thing is, you don’t have to be a devoted gym-goer or do a cold turkey on your occasional sweet treats to prepare for your holiday. Just try out these few easy tips and you’ll start to notice changes, not just in the way you look, but the way you feel as well! What better ways to start a holiday eh?

1.       Eat regularly in small portions

Instead of having three (sometimes two) big meals a day, try having five small meals instead.

By slightly reducing your portion, you will stop feeling bloated and eating more than necessary. And you’ll soon notice your body adapting to getting full with smaller amounts of meal.

Eating regularly will help keep your metabolism strong throughout the day so you’ll be able to function effectively.

2.       Choose protein, fruits, and veggies

To make up for the smaller portions of your meals, top up with a variety of fruits and vegetables.

Having these food components in your meal consistently will also help replenish the water your body loses on a daily basis.

Load up on your protein as the main serving so that you’ll be less inclined to rely on refined carbohydrates (white bread, white rice) to stay full.

You can also opt for wholegrain choices!

3.       Never skip breakfast

There’s a reason why experts say breakfast is the most important meal of the day!

Breakfast kick-starts your metabolism and ensures your energy is sustained before your next meal.

It can also reduce your overall hunger throughout the day, which is why breakfast is linked to many health benefits, including weight control.

4.       Walk, power-walk, and climb

If you’re not a big fan of exercising, at least make a conscious effort to do these simple, yet effective moves.

If your bus or MRT stop is just a few steps away, why not walk? You can also power-walk when you’re going home from class, or while you’re doing window shopping. Whenever possible, opt to climb stairs instead of taking the elevator!

By making sure that it’s done every day, bit by bit, you’ll start to see an improvement in your stamina.

Good luck!

Got any other suggestions? Let us know in the comments section below, or better yet, send us your opinion on Facebook or Twitter!

Are you born a leader, or made into one? Either way, a good leader is able to demonstrate a few key traits in which YOU can hone.

In fact, the opportunity to lead presents itself even when you’re in school or college. Think about the time when you were asked to coordinate your classmates for a group project, or when you were the captain of a sports team.

Did your peers think you were a good leader? Did they share their feedback with you? If anything, you should always be open to constructive criticisms – it only makes you better!

Developing admirable leadership skills is a continuous process based on experience. If given the challenge to lead, take it on with confidence and keep these suggestions on how to be a good leader in mind!

1.       Be proactive

Everyone likes a person with initiative.

If something can be done better and more effectively, offer your point-of-view and volunteer to drive those changes.

Positive changes can benefit your team, and your peers will soon approach you for your feedback on how things should run.

2.       Be a problem-solver

This is a critical skill in the real world.

Nobody can fully predict the outcome of a situation or a decision, but what matters is how a leader confronts it when there’s an unfavourable turn of event.

Instead of playing the blame game, a good leader focuses on how it can be solved and draws insights from this experience to be shared with the team.

3.       Think of the big picture

Often times, people tend to overlook the big picture because they’re too focused on the day-to-day tasks and happenings.

For instance, if you’re working on a project with your team, do you just tick a list of boxes on what needs to be done, or do you think about what your teacher and peers would really like to learn from your presentation?

Having an overall mind set will help you achieve the end goal you desire.

4.       Inspire others

Last but not least, there’s no ‘i’ in ‘team’ or ‘leader’. A good leader has the support of its peers, thus a leader should be able to guide and inspire his team.

People look up to you for a reason, not just for the knowledge that you have, but your ability to constantly challenge your peers to do better.

This means acknowledging their contributions, and helping them grow as a person and as your team member.

Got any other suggestions? Let us know in the comments section below, or better yet, send us your opinion on Facebook or Twitter!

This article is brought to you by Justine Koh, currently studying at NUS. Thanks for the great tips!

Have you ever noticed how we seem to have too many problems and tasks to tackle daily? How we often feel like we don’t have the energy to get through the day?

Well, you’re not alone!

Some of us find it increasingly difficult to psych ourselves up, even for activities we usually enjoy doing!

Sure, there’s little we can do about the amount of responsibilities we face in life. But we can change the way we feel about them!

After all, feeling energised is a key to feeling happy, and studies have shown that when you feel energetic, you feel better about yourself!

Here are 4 energy-boosting tips you can add into your life today to fuel your energy:

1. Listen to music

It’s no surprise that music can really affect your mood.

Research shows that our brain’s pleasure centres light up when we hear music.

So why not come up with a playlist of songs you like to jam to, and plug those earphones in whenever you are on the go. A sure-way to combat fatigue!

2. Get some sunshine

Most of us spend lots of time indoors toiling under artificial lights.

But did you know that spending just 10 minutes in the sun can do you good?

Firstly, getting outside can be refreshing. Secondly, stretching stiff muscles gives you some quick energy boost. Thirdly, sun exposure improves mood and help you sleep better at night.

3. Drink tea

It is essential to replenish our bodily fluids every now and then. How about a cup of tea to do the trick?

A recent study has found that drinking tea helps to reduce stress hormone levels in your body, suggesting that it “may speed up our recovery from the daily stresses in life.” So, drink up and feel better already!

4. Take a power nap

Finding it hard to combat fatigue and stay on top of things?

Taking a 15 to 30-minute power nap is just enough to refresh your body and mind!

Sometimes, sleep deprivation is what’s really holding us back. A short nap can give you a burst of alertness and better performance. A tip is to have an eye mask to block out the light so that you can fall asleep faster.

As you can see, there are many different ways to boost your mood and energy!

Got any more tips? Let us know in the comments below, or send us a message on Facebook or Twitter!

We recently caught up with Patricia Tang (Not her real name) – Youthpal/volunteer at Audible Hearts Singapore – as she shared what motivates her to help others and how being a youthpal/volunteer at Audible Hearts has made her more appreciative of life!

Breathe.sg: Hi Patricia, why did you want to become an Audible Hearts Youthpal/ volunteer?

Patricia: I identify with Audible Hearts’ objective to reach out to individuals who may be facing a difficult time in their lives. Having been through some difficult phases myself, I know how a listening ear and support can help get through tough times. Hence, I hope to extend this help received and pay it forward as an Audible Hearts volunteer.

Breathe.sg: How did you hear about the Audible Hearts programme? And what made you want to become a Youthpal/volunteer?

Patricia: I heard about Audible Hearts through a Health Promotion Board programme on youth mental health awareness. After meeting some of the volunteers at an event roadshow and learning more about it, I happened to receive a recruitment mailer some months later and decided to apply. I guess the age limit for applicants also played a part as I was already 24 then and they cap it at 25. So, I jumped at the opportunity to join this commendable group before I was “too old” haha.

Breathe.sg: What drives you each day to help your peers in need?

Patricia: Knowing that my words of encouragement and empathy can help them see the light in situations to persevere through a difficult time or to stop someone from taking the helpless way out; acknowledgement of the comfort I brought to someone when ensuring them that they are not alone; and appreciation for the portal itself helps drive myself as well as all AH volunteers to continue sustaining this platform and being a better friend to our loved ones.

Breathe.sg: Have you experienced a traumatic or distressing event in your life before? If yes, how do you draw on your learnings to help others?

Patricia: Yes, I have and believe everyone experiences at least one at some point in their life. It has helped me understand the pain and emotions which come with difficult situations, and empathised better with the peers I help. I am also able to put myself in their shoes and share appropriate personal learnings or advice I received from the experiences.

Breathe.sg: What is the best bit of advice you’ve received to help you get through an emotional time?

Patricia: “Time heals, but we need to be patient and take each day as it comes. Step by step, we will be able to walk out of the difficulties faced and learn to cherish each moment of life as a blessing. No matter how unhappy, hurt or lost we may be, nothing is really as bad as it seems because there will always be someone who would have been through it as well, and someone who’s willing to help shoulder your burden if you would just be kinder to yourself.”

Breathe.sg: Do you have an inspirational figure that you look up to (i.e. family member/celeb/musician/actor/etc.)? If yes, why does that person inspire you?

Patricia: I don’t have a specific inspirational figure, but I draw my inspirations from various people, acts and readings. I think everyone is able to amaze themselves and each other with the little things they do, be it by serving the nation, raising a family, supporting a friend, making a child or elderly laugh, helping to hold the lift or clear the tables, etc. Because, “sometimes the smallest things take up the most room in your heart” (A.A Milne, Winnie the Pooh).

Breathe.sg: Is there an example you can give (Please do not use real names) of how you helped someone overcome an emotional period in their life? If yes, what was the problem and what advice did you give? How did that person relay their gratitude?

Patricia: I had a friend who had been through a really rough patch after ending a very long relationship. She had not been able to work or see any meaning to life in general anymore as she was too deeply hurt and distressed by the loss. It was painful for me as her friend, to see her usual high spirited and together self be so defeated and despondent for an extended period, but I did my best to be there for her through the entire period, supporting and reassuring her whenever she got caught up in the chaos of anguish and doubt. I checked in on her frequently and gathered her family and friends to help as well.

By showing her that her loved ones accept her as she is, and are still there for her regardless, we managed to help get her back on track.  She still has a long road ahead and may not have moved on entirely but it is my hope that the support she received during that darker period will give her the strength she needs to persevere. Our focus was making the best of our next steps and cherishing each day as it is. She’s a good friend and has been there for me though some difficult times as well, knowing she’s well and determined to move forward is the best “thank you gift” I could ask for.

Breathe.sg: Can you give three benefits (i.e. spiritual, sense of self purpose, a general feel-good factor, etc.) of being an Audible Hearts Youthpal/volunteer?

Patricia: It broadens one’s mind and heart, raises our self-awareness, and teaches us to be more accepting of the differences in beliefs and values. We also learn to be more appreciative of life and what it has to bring, and how blessed we truly are.

If you’d like to join the Audible Hearts team or would like to speak to a youth counselor, simply visit http://www.audiblehearts.sg/

Holidays are over, which can only mean back to school blues and late night study/home work sessions and not to forget, those dreaded dark eye circles.

Ever feared that your eye bags may grow bigger than your eyes one day? We regularly stay up to finish our seemingly never-ending workloads; however forget that it is essential for us students to get eight hours of sleep daily to avoid sleep debt. Such sleep debts are certainly harmful to our body and have more dire consequences than you might think. Besides the unsightly panda eyes that we all fear, insufficient sleep may lead to memory problems, and weaken your immune system.

Hence, I present to you my personal formula to avoid panda eyes, which you can test out before school term starts. Believe me, these tips work better than any concealer or bb cream we extensively pile on to hide those dark circles

1. Don’t go to bed preoccupied

Have a “winding down” period before heading to bed. Switch off your cell phone, log out of your email, and shut down your computer. The few minutes it takes to disconnect and put your mind at rest will make all the difference in getting a good night’s rest.

2. Let the bed be a bed

All of us are guilty of making the bed our second home. Instead, read on your couch, work at your desk, and eat at your table. The bed is only for sleep and rest! Limit the activity in your bed and head there when you’re feeling sleepy. This will help to train your brain to associate your bed with sleep, and lets you get an optimum amount of undisturbed sleep.

3. Limit caffeine intake

Yes, the regular promotions at Starbucks are enticing but, if you think that coffee taken during the day has no effect on your sleep at night – think again. Caffeine six hours before bed has been more disruptive than caffeine 3 hours before bedtime.  Munch on some fruits and nuts if that class is really making your eyelids droop. Besides, think of the amount of money you can save from not getting a Starbucks coffee fix first thing in the morning

4. Choose a wake-up time

Set your alarm and train your body to wake up at the same time every day, regardless of the time you went to sleep. Keeping your biological clock going in the right direction helps promote a healthy sleep-wake pattern, and ultimately regular rest. For the heavy sleepers, I present to you your greatest nightmare – 10 alarm clocks from hell. Waking up will certainly be a breeze using them J

5. Get physical

Incorporate some physical activity into your day. Take the stairs at school. You can save time and enjoy a little smirk as you beat frustrated crowds in the elevator queue. An active body will enable you to feel more ready for a good nights’ rest. (Just avoid strenuous workouts one hour before your bed time.)

6. Invest in a bed

It may sound silly and obvious, but you want to be at your most comfortable when you’re ready to sleep. Find a suitable bed, comfortable pillows, pajamas, blankets and bed sheets. You’ll look forward to heading to bed in no time!

Remember how your bedtime was 10pm when you were young? Let’s change our sleeping habits and bid goodbye to being mistaken as pandas, or walking zombies whenever we see familiar faces in school

Got any other tips? Let us know in the comments section below, or better yet, send us your opinion on Facebook or Twitter!

“Hey dude… that girl was so checking me out!”

“In your dreams, buddy! Go and speak to her…”

“What! I can’t do that – what if she laughs at me in front of everyone?”

Knowing if a girl or guy likes you is one of life’s tricky predicaments. We’ll spend hours, days even, acting out different scenarios in our head to think of ways in finding out someone’s true feelings.

“I know what I’ll do … I’m going to send her a friend request on Facebook and then start to LIKE the pictures she posts, so she knows that I’m interested.”

“Yeah – good one! She won’t think you’re a stalker at all! Hahaha.”

Such instances happen on a daily occurrence, don’t they?

But if we didn’t go through this social awkwardness then we wouldn’t have the opportunity to sharpen our skills, and discover our own ways in talking to someone we fancy.

To help start you on your journey, here are some tips and tricks in finding out if that person really likes you.

1.       Body language.

Body language can be the “big tell” when it comes to discerning if that person fancies you enough to date you.

Interestingly, body language experts believe that while females have around 52 body language signs to show a guy that they’re interested, guys show around 10.

All the same, you still need to know what to look for, as well as being sure that you’re not mistaking innocent gestures for calls of love which may prove embarrassing.

Sure ways to tell whether someone has a keen interest in you is:

• If the person in question enters your personal space by using physical contact with a gentle tap on the shoulder or somewhat – this is a sure way to tell whether someone’s interested in you.
• Fiddling with their locks, earrings, finger rings, neckties, keys while in conversation. This is indeed one of the plausible clues for any signs of interest.
• One of the most fascinating flirting cues to watch out for is raised eyebrows. This simple facial gesture, most often disregarded by another, may in fact convey signs of attraction.

2.       Loving gaze.

An admirer who is interested in you will look at you a lot, even if covertly. They may try to catch your eye or, if they’re shy, they may suddenly turn their head away if you catch them checking you out.

To test their interest, scan their face for four seconds, then look away (don’t look any longer or it becomes awkward).

Then look back – if they maintain or extend eye contact with you – they’re definitely interested!

On the other hand, if they break eye contact with you and start to look around the room, they’re not interested in you.

Another way to know if someone is looking at you is to yawn. Whoever was paying attention to you will feel the urge to yawn along!

3.       Common interests.

If you like a certain genre of music that they don’t know about, this person may ask you to suggest bands or artists for them to look up.

Or, they may have gone to the trouble of finding out about a favorite band of yours and randomly or casually mention they’re playing a gig next weekend!

Even if there’s no direct request to go together, he or she may be fishing for your attention!

4.       Social conversation.

When chatting online there are many things that can consume our time: games, connecting with friends, and checking out sites that interest us.

Which means your attention is divided amongst various tasks and is not concentrating on the person you’re talking to.

So if you don’t get an immediate response to your message… do not fret.

Play it cool!

Maintain insightful and intriguing conversation while not trying to rush that person for a response.

This is also a great way to get to know someone better.

As you can see, there are many ways to find yourself in the arms of your true love!

Got any other tips? Let us know in the comments section below, or better yet, send us the links on Facebook or Twitter!