Hic-up
Friday, May 22nd, 2009
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Hic-ups…one of those pointless, annoying spasms that we all get to suffer from at some point in time…usually when it’s most inappropriate and embarrassing, like at a funeral or when your boss is raking your whole team over the coals in the main conference room. And don’t you hate it when you can tell the folks sitting next to you are annoyed and wish you would stop, while at the same time they’re kind-of relieved that it’s you and not them drawing unwanted attention to themselves.
Over the years I have used several different tricks to get rid of the hic-ups. When I worked at the airport and would get the hic-ups, I would simply walk over to the lounge and ask the bartender for a shot of bitters and lime. Boy that stuff tasted awful, but it sure did the trick. But what was I supposed to do when I wasn’t near a bar?
Well a friend told me about this technique. Get a glass of water. Put it on the floor in front of you. Then bend over and with your head between your knees take a sip of water. Repeat several times. A warning though: you must do this before your hic-ups go on too long. I don’t know why, but if you can catch it right away, this usually works.
The simplest and most amazing remedy I have ever used was taught to me by T, who learned it in junior high school from her science teacher. Are you ready?
When you have the hic-ups, close your eyes then have someone else (preferably someone you trust) place their pointer finger gently on one eyelid in the center, and their immediately adjacent long finger on the other eyelid, like they’re holding the “peace” sign on your eyelids, but not touching any other part of their hand to your face. The gentle pressure should be steady and consistent, but not hard. Hold like that for 30 seconds, or a bit longer. I’ve never been able to make it work by doing it on myself, but with a partner doing it, this amazing technique works about 90% of the time for me. I’m not sure exactly why it works, but I suspect that there is some nerve or something behind your eyeball, and the gentle pressure placed on your eyelid must… I don’t know…maybe calm or relax the nerve somehow?
Whatever makes it work, you’ll want to give it a try next time you are plagued with the dreaded hic-ups! It’s simple, it’s quick and very effective. Can’t you just picture it? Asking your boss to pause for a moment during his tirade while you have your co-worker place their fingers on your eyelids to alleviate your hic-ups for you? 
How ‘bout it?
-Vision Runner
P.S. Just a reminder: As a part of my 1,222.25 mile Run Over To Ellen’s Fundraising Project, everyone who has donated $1 or more by Sunday May 24th will be in a donors drawing for a special, limited edition Vision Runner “Dare To Envision A New Reality” retractable ballpoint pen. Less than 10 in existence! Sure to be a collector’s item…We only need 30,000 people to donate $1 each for Guide Dogs for the Blind…so get your donations in today. You can make miracles!! $1 at a time! Click here: Run Over To Ellen’s Fundraising Project
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