Cholesterol-Fighting Tricks That Take Less Than 60 Seconds a Day

51. Use Blue Light Filters Post-Sunset (Melatonin Protection)

Implement a one-minute habit of switching on blue light filters (night shift modes) on all screens (phones, tablets, computers) as soon as the sun sets. This is a crucial, non-dietary hack for metabolic health. Exposure to the short-wavelength blue light emitted by screens suppresses the production of melatonin, the hormone that regulates your sleep-wake cycle. Poor melatonin and sleep are directly linked to metabolic dysfunction, leading to increased cortisol (the stress hormone) and higher production of LDL cholesterol by the liver overnight. By filtering out blue light, you support a robust melatonin release and a deeper, more restorative sleep state, indirectly sending a metabolic signal to your liver to slow down its production of harmful lipids.

52. A 20-Second Ear Pull and Jaw Release (Vagal Fascial De-Tension)

Chronic, subconscious stress often manifests as deep tension in the jaw, neck, and facial muscles, which keeps the nervous system in a low-level fight-or-flight state. This tension elevates the stress hormone cortisol, a metabolic signal that tells the liver to overproduce cholesterol. To counteract this, take 20 seconds to perform a subtle fascial release: Gently pinch your earlobes between your thumb and forefinger, pulling down and out slightly. While doing this, consciously drop and relax your jaw muscles. This manual decompression releases tension in the facial fascia and subtly stimulates the vagus nerve. This simple, 20-second reset sends an immediate calming signal to the brain, quieting the stress response and indirectly reducing the hormonal drive behind elevated LDL cholesterol.