How to Store and Reheat Pizza

Pizza is delicious any time of the day or night, and cold pizza is perfectly fine every once in a while, but reheating leftover pizza can leave you with a soggy, rubbery, or dried out mess. Whether you made the pizza yourself or ordered a late-night delivery, by storing the pizza properly and taking the time to reheat it with care, you can enjoy a slice that’s nearly as good as it was when it was fresh!

[Edit]Steps

[Edit]Storing the Pizza

1. Line a plate or an airtight container with paper towels. If you take a little time when you’re putting the pizza away, you’ll end up with fresher-tasting leftovers, and the texture will be much more similar to the way it was originally. Start by putting a layer of paper towels or parchment paper on the bottom of a plate or a container that’s big enough to hold 1 or 2 slices of your pizza.^[1]
   
   
   
   • While it can be tempting to throw the whole box of pizza straight into the refrigerator, it can make your pizza soggy. The moisture from the tomato sauce, veggies, and meat will soak into the crust, making it hard to get the perfect texture no matter how you reheat the pizza.
   • If you know in advance you’re planning to freeze the pizza, it’s better to use an airtight container, rather than a plate.
2. Stack the pizza on the plate with more paper towels between each layer. Place your pizza in a single layer on top of the plate, then add another layer of paper towels. If you have more pizza than you can fit in a single layer, continue alternating pizza and paper towels until you’ve stacked all of the slices.^[2]
   
   • If you need to, divide the pizza onto more than 1 plate or container.
3. Cover the plate in plastic wrap or put the lid on the container. Once you’ve stacked everything together, wrap plastic film around the entire plate or container. This will help keep the pizza fresh by sealing out as much air as possible.^[3]
   
   
   • If you’re using a container with an airtight lid, you can just close the container, instead.
4. Place the pizza in the fridge if you plan to eat it within 3-5 days. Keeping the pizza in the refrigerator will keep it from spoiling for up to 5 days, and it won’t alter the texture of the pizza as much as freezing will. However, it won’t last there indefinitely, so you should only keep the pizza in the fridge if you plan to eat or freeze it within a few days.^[4]
   
   
   
   • If you haven’t eaten the pizza by the 3rd day, throw it out or freeze it.
5. Store your pizza in the freezer to keep it fresh for up to 6 months. Freezing pizza will preserve it for about 6 months, so it’s a great option if you have a lot of extra pizza on hand and you know you won’t eat it within a few days.^[5]
   
   
   • If you stored your pizza on a plate to start with, transfer it to an airtight container instead. However, do keep the paper towels between the slices.
   • Defrost your pizza for about an hour on the counter before you re-heat it for the best results.

[Edit]Reheating Leftover Pizza

1. Heat the pizza in the oven to get a crispy crust. Preheat your oven to for 5-10 minutes, allowing it to come all the way up to temperature. When it’s ready, place your pizza on a baking sheet, then place it in the oven for about 5 minutes. Whether you’re heating up a whole pizza or just a slice, the oven is a great way to get a crispy crust with bubbly cheese that’s similar to your original pizza.^[6]
   
   
   
   • If you have a pizza stone, place the pizza on that. It will distribute the heat evenly, resulting in an even crispier crust.
   • For easy cleanup, line your baking sheet with parchment paper before you place the pizza on it.
2. Use your toaster oven for a quick way to heat up 1-2 slices. Preheat your toaster oven to , then place the pizza inside. Leave it for about 10 minutes, or until the top looks bubbly and toasty.^[7]
   
   
   • Since toaster ovens are small, this technique is best if you’re only heating up enough pizza for 1 person.
3. Try heating your pizza in a skillet for the best texture. Heat a cast iron skillet or a frying pan over medium heat.^[8] Once it’s hot, place 1 or 2 slices of pizza into the skillet and cover it with a lid. Let the pizza heat for 6-8 minutes without removing the lid. When it’s ready, you’ll have a nice, bubbly top, warm toppings, and a beautifully crispy crust.^[9]
   
   
   • Covering the pan allows the toppings to heat evenly while the crust is crisping on the bottom. If your skillet doesn’t have a lid, cover it with foil, instead.
   • After 6-8 minutes, if your crust is still soggy but the toppings are warm, take the lid off of the skillet and let it continue to heat for a few more minutes.
4. Reheat the pizza in the microwave for the fastest approach. Microwaving a pizza will change the texture, making the crust chewy and tough, so it’s not the preferred method of pizza connoisseurs. However, if you’re in a hurry, sometimes it’s the only way to go. To get the best possible texture out of the microwave, put a paper towel between the plate and the pizza, turn your microwave to 50% power, and nuke your pizza for about 1 minute.^[10]
   
   

[Edit]Common Questions: Tips to Safely Store Leftover Pizza

Is it better to freeze or refrigerate pizza?

If you don’t plan on eating your pizza in the next 3-4 days, it’s best to freeze it.^[11] Just separate the pizza into individual slices, wrap each slice in plastic wrap, and place them in an airtight container or ziploc bag. Properly stored leftover pizza can last up to 2 months in the freezer.^[12]

How do you store pizza dough?

Put the dough in a bowl that is lightly greased with olive oil. Cover it with saran wrap, then store it in your refrigerator. Use the dough within 24-48 hours for the best results.^[13]

[Edit]Video

[Edit]Tips

• Consider dressing the pizza up with fresh diced tomatoes, basil, mushrooms, and other fresh vegetables before you reheat it. You can also drizzle it with olive oil or add fresh cheese.

[Edit]Warnings

• Don't put a pizza box in the oven. Not only will it make your pizza taste like cardboard, but it can be a fire hazard. In addition, heating the cardboard and dye could release harmful chemicals into your food and your home.^[14]

[Edit]Related wikiHows

• Make Pizza
• Eat Pizza
• Make Pizza Dough

[Edit]References

[Edit]Quick Summary

1. ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/the-best-ways-to-store-leftover-pizza-220955
2. ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/the-best-ways-to-store-leftover-pizza-220955/
3. ↑ [v162228_b01]. 16 July 2024.
4. ↑ http://www.eatbydate.com/grains/pizza-shelf-life-expiration-date/
5. ↑ http://www.eatbydate.com/grains/pizza-shelf-life-expiration-date/
6. ↑ https://www.tasteofhome.com/article/how-to-reheat-pizza/
7. ↑ https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/food-recipes/cooking/tips/a20707/reheating-pizza/
8. ↑ [v162228_b01]. 16 July 2024.
9. ↑ https://www.tasteofhome.com/article/how-to-reheat-pizza/
10. ↑ https://bestlifeonline.com/best-way-to-reheat-pizza/
11. ↑ https://ask.usda.gov/s/article/How-long-will-cooked-food-stay-safe-in-the-refrigerator
12. ↑ https://www.tastingtable.com/1140907/heres-how-long-you-can-stash-leftover-pizza-in-the-freezer/
13. ↑ https://www.savorysuitcase.com/how-to-store-pizza-dough/.
14. ↑ https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/food-recipes/cooking/tips/a20707/reheating-pizza/

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How to Clean Your Room

Plus, tips to help you stay motivated and make it fun

Cleaning your room can feel like an overwhelming task, but it’s likely a quicker and easier process than you imagine! Sometimes all it takes is a simple plan and a little motivation. We spoke with Professional Organizers Julie Naylon and Ashley Moon to learn all the best tips and tricks to help you get your room sparkling clean. Read on to learn how!

[Edit]How to Clean Your Room

1. Clear off your bed and make it or wash the bedding.
2. Put away clean clothes and toss dirty clothes in a laundry basket.
3. Clear out any dirty dishes or empty food containers.
4. Sort through your belongings and throw away or donate unwanted items.
5. Put everything away where it belongs.
6. Store the same types of items in boxes or bins.
7. Display special items on a shelf or your desk.

[Edit]Steps

[Edit]Cleaning Your Room

1. Move everything off your bed and make it. Making your bed helps to make your room look much cleaner and gives you a feeling of achievement to kickstart your cleaning. Move anything from on your bed into a pile in one section of your room. Pull up your sheets and blankets, tuck them in, straighten your comforter, and place your pillows at the top of your bed.^[1]
   
   • If you haven’t changed your sheets recently, place them in the washing basket and put new ones on your bed. This will help your bed to feel and smell extra fresh.
2. Organize all the clothes that aren't put away. Pick up each piece of clothing and decide whether it’s clean or dirty. If the item is clean, fold it and place it in your dresser or hang it in your wardrobe. If the item is dirty, place it in the washing basket. When in doubt, treat it as if it’s dirty!
   
   • It's always better to wash a clean item twice than to wear a dirty item. Treat items on your floor as dirty unless you’re certain they’re clean.^[2]
3. Take any dirty dishes to the kitchen. This helps stop bad smells from developing and prevents ants and other pests from gathering in your room. Take all the cups, plates, cutlery, and mugs back to the kitchen. Also, throw away any takeout packages still in your room.^[3]
   
   • Check under your bed, on your dresser and desk, and in your bedside drawers for dirty dishes and takeout packages.
4. Sort clutter and toss out anything you don't want anymore. This is a great way to clear space in your room and get rid of clutter. Sort through all the objects on the surfaces in your room and on your floor and decide if anything needs to be thrown away. “Sorting first is really 80% of organizing, and then depending on the person, 10% tends to be purging and 10% organizing the keep pile,” says Moon.^[4] Look out for food wrappers, apple cores, random bits of paper, broken items, and things you don't use anymore.^[5]
   
   • Put unwanted paper and cardboard into a separate bag for recycling.
5. Give away any books, clothes, or toys you don’t want anymore. This is a great way to declutter your room and will give you more space for the items you treasure. Look at each object and consider whether you’ve used it in the last year. If you haven’t used it recently and it doesn’t have sentimental value, think about giving it away to a second-hand charity shop.^[6]
   
   • Make sure to check with your parents first.
6. Place objects back in their rightful places if they already have a home. Put everything that's on the floor away first. That way, you'll be able to move around your room without tripping over anything. Start with the bigger things, like books and pillows, then move on to smaller things, like pencils and other stationery. Find a home for all the items on your dresser, desk, floor, and bedside tables.^[7]
   
   • Try not to get distracted by the items you’re putting away, as this can make your cleaning process take a lot longer.
7. Store similar items that don’t have a home in bins or boxes. This is a simple way to organize your room and make it easier to find things. Place all your stationery in one box, your photos in another box, your beauty products in another box, craft supplies in another box, and so on. Make sure to label the storage boxes and store them in an accessible place so they’re easy to find and access.^[8]
   
   • Place the boxes on your shelves, under your bed, in your wardrobe, or on your desk.
   • Organize your things before you buy storage boxes and bins. Otherwise, you run the risk of having even more clutter after finishing organizing everything. Naylon says, “A common mistake I see is people go out and buy a bunch of organizing products. They'll buy bins and baskets and everything. I always say shopping is the last thing we do because you really don't know what you're going to need to organize or where things are going yet.”^[9]
8. Display a few items that are special to you. This is a great way to personalize your room. If you find a pretty ornament or cool toy while cleaning, consider placing it on your desk, dresser, or bedside table. Try to place only a few items on each surface so that space doesn't look cluttered.^[10]
   
   • Using your space as a display area will help you keep the room tidier since objects that don’t belong will look out of place, and you’ll be encouraged to put them away. Additionally, when surfaces have less clutter, they’re easier to clean and dust.
9. Dust all of the surfaces in your room. Use a duster to remove all the dust from your desk, dresser, bookshelf, slatted blinds, fans, light fixtures, lamps, and any other surfaces in your room. Always start high and work your way down so you don’t knock dust and dirt onto surfaces you’ve already cleaned. Dust before you vacuum or sweep because dust will often become displaced and then settle back on your floor.^[11]
   
   • If you don’t have a duster, use a microfiber cloth to remove the dust.
   • Make sure to dust objects on your desk, dresser, etc. Picture frames, travel souvenirs, and trophies look much nicer when dust-free.
   • Turn your fan and lights off before you dust them.
10. Wipe the surfaces to remove marks, dirt, and stickiness. Stickiness attracts ants and can damage your furniture. Spray a little surface cleaner onto the surfaces and wipe them with a cloth. Microfiber cloths are a great option, as they easily remove a variety of different marks. Wipe your desk, dresser, bedside table, window sills, baseboards, trims, and any other surfaces in your room at least once a week.^[12]
    
    • Disinfectant wipes also work well, as they help to kill any bacteria.
11. Vacuum or sweep the floor, especially under your bed and desk. These areas are often missed during quick cleaning, so make sure to vacuum them thoroughly. If necessary, move furniture to vacuum under it more easily. Push your vacuum back and forth over the entire floor until the carpet looks clean and free of dirt and debris.^[13]
    
    • If the vacuum isn’t sucking well, check if the bag or canister is full and change or empty it if necessary.
    • Vacuum your floor at least once a week. If you wear shoes inside, consider vacuuming more often.
12. Sweep and mop the floors if applicable. Use the broom to push all the dirt and dust into 1 pile, and then use a dustpan and brush to scoop it up. After this, dip your mop into a bucket of soapy water and wipe it over the floors to remove any marks and dust. Rinse the mop every few minutes to ensure that it doesn’t spread dirt around the floors.^[14]
    
    • This will leave your floors feeling and looking nice and clean.
    • Sweep and mop your floors at least once a week.
13. Wipe the light switches and door handles with a disinfectant. These points are some of the most touched spots in your room. This means that over time they can collect a lot of bacteria. Spray household disinfectant spray on a cloth and then wipe the switches and handles.^[15]
    
    • Disinfect your handles and switches once a week to keep them fresh and clean.
    • Wipe off any outlet covers, too. Since they’re not as frequently touched, they don’t build up grime as fast as light switches, but keeping them clean and bright can help the overall look of the room.
    • Don’t clean any outlets without switching off the circuit breaker for your room. Find the breaker box and flip the switch connected to your room. Then, flip it in the opposite direction to turn the electricity back on when you’re done. Always ask your parents before touching the circuit breaker box.
14. Use glass cleaner to wipe the mirrors and windows. Liberally spray the glass cleaner over all your mirrors and windows, and then use a cloth to wipe them clean. Continue to rub until there are no marks or streaks left on the glass. This will leave your windows and mirrors looking sparkly clean.^[16]
    
    • Clean your windows and mirrors each time that they get marked to make the job as quick and easy as possible.
    • Microfiber cloths work well for cleaning glass.
    • Don’t forget to clean the window tracks as well. Vacuum up loose debris in the tracks with a crevice attachment or a handheld vacuum cleaner. You can use an old toothbrush and some all-purpose cleaning solution to scrub away caked-on dirt and dust.

[Edit]Staying Motivated to Clean Your Room

1. Play music to keep your spirits high and get in the right mindset. Before you start, put on an album or playlist that makes you feel energetic. “Really activating all the senses is a great way to make it fun and engaging and celebratory,” Moon says. “I created a playlist on Spotify, which is called Decluttering Magic with Creatively Neat…It has all kinds of songs about letting go and living your best life, and not letting anything get in the way, like clutter.”^[17]
   
   • Music with a faster beat will help motivate you for your cleaning project. Stay away from slower music, as this can make you feel tired and bored.^[18]
   • If you need a timer, create a playlist that is a certain amount of time and try to finish before the playlist ends.
2. Create a reward for yourself to incentivize you to get the job done. This extra motivation can help you to get the job done faster. Decide how to treat yourself once you’ve finished cleaning. A few ways to treat yourself are: hang out with your friends, watch a movie with your family, eat a big bowl of ice cream, or read your favorite book.^[19]
   
   • Make sure not to rush your cleaning in order to get your reward!
3. Make cleaning your room into a game if you need extra motivation. When you're having trouble motivating yourself to clean your room, make the process interesting by playing a game. See how many things you can put away for 10 minutes and then try to beat your high score. Alternatively, pretend you’re a robot while cleaning and only make robot movements and noises. Another option is to set a timer and see how fast you can clean your room. ^[20]
   
   • Be creative and create your own games!
4. Create a checklist of the different tasks to stay on track. Checklists are a great way to give yourself a sense of achievement and progress when cleaning up a big mess. Decide what you want to organize and clean, and then make a list to prioritize them from the most urgent to the least. Try to be as detailed as possible so you don’t forget anything.^[21]
   
   • Tick off each task once you’ve done it to easily keep track of what you still need to do.
5. Schedule the tasks throughout the week. This is a great option to make cleaning more manageable if there is a lot to do. Write down when to complete each task so you stay on track with your cleaning schedule. Try to be as disciplined as possible and stick to the schedule.^[22]
   

[Edit]Tips

• If you feel overwhelmed, tackle one task or area of your room at time.
• Designate a day in the week to change your bed sheets and do laundry.

[Edit]Things You’ll Need

• Duster
• Microfiber cloth
• Household cleaner
• Household disinfectant spray
• Glass cleaner
• Vacuum
• Trash bag
• Storage bins or boxes
• Broom
• Dustpan
• Mop
• Bucket
• Floor cleaner

[Edit]Video

[Edit]Related wikiHows

• Clean Your Room Fast
• Keep Your Room Clean
• Organize Your Room
• Clean Your Bedroom in an Hour

[Edit]Reader Videos

[Edit]References

[Edit]Quick Summary

1. ↑ https://www.sleepfoundation.org/mattress-information/how-to-clean-a-mattress
2. ↑ https://www.sleepfoundation.org/bedding-information/how-often-should-you-wash-your-sheets
3. ↑ https://www.cleaninginstitute.org/cleaning-tips/dishes/dishwashing-made-easy
4. ↑ [v161215_b01]. 30 August 2019.
5. ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/11397-household-chemical-products-and-their-health-risk
6. ↑ https://youtu.be/0cveKd6Gth8?t=514
7. ↑ https://www.sleepfoundation.org/bedroom-environment/how-to-design-the-ideal-bedroom-for-sleep
8. ↑ https://youtu.be/rXCxnk6ANDk?t=275
9. ↑ [v161224_b01]. 18 December 2019.
10. ↑ https://www.sleepfoundation.org/bedroom-environment
11. ↑ https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/allergies-asthma/Pages/Dust-Mite-Control.aspx
12. ↑ https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/allergies-asthma/Pages/Dust-Mite-Control.aspx
13. ↑ https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/prevention/Pages/Cleaners-Sanitizers-Disinfectants.aspx
14. ↑ https://www.bhg.com/how-to-mop-7511534
15. ↑ https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/doors-knobs-switches-spring-cleaning-267984
16. ↑ https://www.cleaninginstitute.org/cleaning-tips/surfaces/clean-windows
17. ↑ [v161215_b01]. 30 August 2019.
18. ↑ https://www.uchealth.org/today/benefits-of-music-5-ways-to-use-music-to-improve-your-daily-life/
19. ↑ https://psychcentral.com/blog/psychology-rewarding-yourself-with-treats#1
20. ↑ https://www.momtastic.com/life/621855-cleaning-games-for-kids/
21. ↑ https://www.realsimple.com/home-organizing/cleaning/house-cleaning-schedule
22. ↑ https://www.realsimple.com/home-organizing/cleaning/house-cleaning-schedule

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How to Be at Peace

Is feeling truly peaceful a pipe dream? Nope! With a little work, you can feel calm, cool, and collected (just like you deserve to). Happiness is on the horizon, and we're here to show you what to do. From letting go of negativity, to relaxing through expert-proven techniques, read on to learn how you can find inner peace.

[Edit]Steps

[Edit]Releasing Negative Feelings

1. Release what you cannot control.^[1] This is the most important part of feeling at peace and the first place you should always start.^[2] 90% of the time, when we're worried about something or stressed out, the source of our angst is really something that we have no control over. All you can do in life is to try your best and then let fate take its course. If you can't affect the outcome then there is no point in worrying about something.^[3]
   
   • This is tough to do, of course, and will take some practice.
   • Mostly you just need to remind yourself to let go, but you can also do exercises by distracting yourself with other tasks while you wait out the thing that's making you upset.^[4]
   • Remember that the behavior of other people is one of the biggest things that is outside of our control.
2. Find the humanity in all people. When other people make us angry, it is usually because we cannot understand why they're doing something that's making us angry. Instead of blowing up at someone or stressing yourself out, try to see things from their side of the table. Think about why they did what they did...and remember that we're all people with our own problems and our own dreams.^[5]
   
   • For example, your husband may drive you crazy when he forgets to do the dishes. However, he doesn't forget them to be mean to you....forgetfulness is probably just a part of who he is, just like how you snore.
3. Forgive yourself. A huge source of worry in our lives comes from when we beat ourselves up.^[6] We really can be our own worst bully. Maybe you feel bad about forgetting to write a paper or maybe you're worried you said the wrong thing to your friend. No matter what you did, it's important to remember that you can't go back in time. Beating yourself up over something you can't change won't make things any better. All you can do is work to make the future better and improve yourself with time...which is something that everyone has to do.^[7]
   
   • Remember, to err is human!
4. Forgive those who have wronged you.^[8] Just like you have to forgive yourself, you have to forgive other people too. For most of the same reasons even! Remember: this means truly forgiving them.^[9] Don't be passive aggressive or find ways to punish them later. Just let it go and find ways to work better together in the future!^[10]
   
5. Accept the transient nature of life. Everything is temporary in life. The only things that are eternal are the rising and setting of the sun. You have to remember this in all things that you do. Embrace the things you love and enjoy them while you can. Wait for the passing of difficult times. When we die, we don't take any of these trappings of life with us, so make sure that it's your soul that's fulfilled and let the rest of it just go however fate feels like going.
   

[Edit]Building Positive Feelings

1. Be yourself. When we try to be someone that we're not, it adds tons of stress, guilt, and unhappiness to our lives. We can hope all we want to be a different person than we are, but that's not really how people work! You just have to be yourself and embrace the person that you are.^[11]
   
   • Don't worry about what other people say or what they want you to be.^[12] It's not their life: it's yours.
   • Focus on doing the things that are true for you! Make sure to only say "yes" and "no" when you truly mean these things.^[13]
   • We're always growing and we're always evolving as humans. What resonates with you today might not resonate tomorrow, and making choices that are in alignment with who you are today is extremely important to be at peace with yourself.^[14]
2. Pursue what makes you happy.^[15] Life is all about getting to do things that bring you joy. When you live life really well, you perfectly balance doing the hard stuff, the fun stuff, and the stuff that helps others. Of course, some of us tend to focus too much on the hard stuff or we forget to take time out for ourselves. You have to pursue the things that make you happy, regardless of what other people think, or you will never feel fulfilled.^[16]
   
3. Take time out for yourself. Sometimes you need quiet time to focus on your own problems and decompress. It can be hard, in the loud mess that is life, to find time for this but it is very important for your own happiness and ability to handle the tough stuff in life.^[17]
   
   • Try taking a weekend away at the library to read and relax.
   • Sit alone for lunch sometimes to get away from the drama.
4. Help others. Helping others is one of the most powerful things we can do to give ourselves a sense of fulfillment and peace. Helping others give us a purpose and lets us feel like we accomplished something great. If you find that nothing else in life is giving you a sense of peace, try helping people in serious need.^[18]
   
   • You can volunteer at a local soup kitchen or at your local community center, tutoring for adult literacy classes.^[19]
5. Create goals. Having a goal that you can work for can really help when you're feeling lost and aimless. Really, what's the point in life if you don't have something to work towards, right? Find something that you want for yourself and then figure out what you have to do to pursue it. You'll find a zen-like peace when you're working with all your soul devoted to a single goal.^[20]
   
   • Have you always wanted to learn how to play the piano maybe?
   • Maybe what you really want to do is have a child?

[Edit]Calming Techniques

1. Listen to calming music. Music can help us calm down and find inner peace even in the most stressful of situations.^[21] Find music that works for you and then be ready to rock it at a moment's notice!
   
   • One good chillout song is Ze Frank's "Chillout". What a surprise!
   • MyNoise is another great source of relaxing music that can help you center yourself and find some inner peace.^[22]
2. Go for a walk or run. Going for a walk or run is another good way to calm yourself down. Getting exercise not only tires us out and lets us release tension, it also releases endorphins, which are the brain chemical that regulates our emotions. Go for a quick jog around the block if you find you're having a hard time.^[23]
   
3. Play with someone who knows how to have fun. Whether you're playing fetch with a dog or pirates with a five-year-old, having fun with someone who really knows how to embrace the joys of life can make a huge difference when you're having a tough time.
   
4. Avoid drama.^[24] Drama, either drama you cause or drama you find yourself in the middle of, can really get in the way of finding your inner peace.^[25] We tend to seek out drama because it makes life more exciting, but in order to find peace we have to make our lives more exciting by pursuing challenges instead. This is because the negative feelings associated with drama cannot create inner peace, which relies on positive feelings.
   
   • If someone in your life is prone to just bringing the drama, try to cut them out as much as you can.
5. Do comforting activities. There are lots of great, basic comfort activities that you can do to calm down and find peace when you're starting to get a bit on edge. You can drink tea, watch a funny movie, meditate, light some incense, or any number of other calming rituals. These work based on personal preference, so just find one that works for you!
   

[Edit]Finding Wisdom

1. Study the Stoics. The Stoics were ancient philosophers who were pretty much the experts at being at peace. It is the whole point of their philosophy! Read up on the Stoic philosophy and the lives of the Stoic philosophers and see how you can apply their lessons to your own life.^[26]
   
   • A Guide to the Good Life, by William B Irvine, is a great modern primer on Stoic philosophy.
2. Read a holy text. Holy texts, whether we're talking about the Bible or the Quran, can all teach us how to find peace by living more fulfilling lives.^[27] Even if you're not a religious person, there's plenty of wisdom to be found in the holy texts of cultures all over the world. You will find that almost all of them teach the same ideals!
   
3. Meet with a spiritual adviser. Spiritual advisers, such as priests and monks, can also help advise you on how to find inner peace. Even if you don't want a religious solution, they are experts in the soul and human mind and should be able to help you find productive, inspiring ways to improve your experience of life.
   
4. Take a cue from nature. Go sit out in a natural area nearby. Listen to the trees. Watch the animals. Do they seem worried about what their brother did last Christmas? Do the trees seem to notice when it starts to rain? No. Nature adapts and embraces every twist and turn in life and you should too.^[28]
   
5. Read books. There are a number of books and works by people who have really mastered this peace thing. Seek out some books that deal with the issues that cause you tension or go with some of the classics. Some authors that are known for the significant contributions to philosophy on this issue include:
   
   • Joseph Campbell
   • Alan Watts

[Edit]Video

[Edit]Tips

• Never let what anyone else says get to you. You will be more at peace if you thicken your skin a little.
• Hang out with your friends and talk to them about what they do!

[Edit]Related wikiHows

• Do Tai Chi
• Hunt for Wild Ginseng
• Do Tai Chi's Horse Stance
• Make a Stress Ball

[Edit]Expert Interview

Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about peace, check out our in-depth with [v161566_b01].

[Edit]References

[Edit]Quick Summary

1. ↑ https://www.inc.com/amy-morin/6-ways-to-stop-worrying-about-things-you-cant-control.html
2. ↑ [v161566_b01]. 22 March 2023.
3. ↑ https://tinybuddha.com/blog/let-go-of-control-how-to-learn-the-art-of-surrender/
4. ↑ [v161566_b01]. 22 March 2023.
5. ↑ https://www.huffpost.com/entry/how-you-can-learn-to-unde_b_9774012
6. ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/understand-other-people/201505/5-ways-stop-beating-yourself
7. ↑ https://www.forbes.com/sites/amymorin/2017/07/17/5-ways-to-turn-your-mistake-into-a-valuable-life-lesson/#4ff541231c01
8. ↑ https://lifehacker.com/how-to-forgive-someone-who-has-wronged-you-1671192403
9. ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/mindful-anger/201409/how-do-you-forgive-even-when-it-feels-impossible-part-1
10. ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/mindful-anger/201605/how-do-you-forgive-even-when-it-feels-impossible-part-2
11. ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/click-here-happiness/201810/how-be-yourself-in-five-simple-steps
12. ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/sapient-nature/201603/how-not-worry-about-what-others-think-you
13. ↑ [v161566_b01]. 22 March 2023.
14. ↑ [v161566_b01]. 22 March 2023.
15. ↑ [v161566_b01]. 22 March 2023.
16. ↑ https://www.lifehack.org/610387/why-its-impossible-to-be-consistently-happy
17. ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/high-octane-women/201201/6-reasons-you-should-spend-more-time-alone
18. ↑ https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/can_helping_others_help_you_find_meaning_in_life
19. ↑ https://www.moneycrashers.com/ways-volunteer-give-back-community/
20. ↑ https://www.lifehack.org/451686/5-amazing-benefits-of-setting-goals-for-a-healthier-life
21. ↑ https://psychcentral.com/lib/the-power-of-music-to-reduce-stress/
22. ↑ https://mynoise.net/
23. ↑ https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2356004/You-CAN-walk-away-stress-Scientists-discover-stroll-soothe-brain.html
24. ↑ https://www.lifehack.org/articles/communication/avoid-life-dramas-with-these-tips.html
25. ↑ https://tinybuddha.com/blog/7-crucial-steps-to-minimize-drama-in-your-life/
26. ↑ https://medium.com/pocketstoic/5-stoic-principles-for-modern-living-applying-an-ancient-philosophy-to-the-21st-century-2a8e10f31887
27. ↑ https://lifehopeandtruth.com/bible/bible-study/encouraging-bible-verses/encouraging-bible-verses-about-peace/
28. ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/meditation-modern-life/201710/how-find-inner-peace

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How to Retain Knowledge

Retaining knowledge is important for success at school and in the workplace. While there’s no set rule for how much people will forget over a given amount of time, everyone will sometimes struggle to remember important information. However, it’s possible to strengthen memorization skills and ensure that important knowledge is retained.

[Edit]Steps

[Edit]Retrieving Information

1. Use spaced repetition. If you want to remember something, don’t repeat it over and over to yourself – this is known as massed repetition.^[1] Instead, let some time elapse before you repeat it. Ideally, you want to try to retrieve the information exactly at the moment when you were about to forget it.^[2] The difficulty of retrieving the information correlates to how strongly you will remember it.
   
   • If you’ve just met someone and want to remember their name, repeat it to yourself every five or ten seconds while talking to them.
   • When studying, don’t go over the same flashcards over and over again. Let a few hours or even a day go by, then go through them again. You can stop studying the ones that are easy to remember. Focus on repeated the ones that are difficult, but always allowing some time to elapse in between sessions.
2. Quiz yourself. Taking a short test helps to keep information you’ve just learned in your mind. The process of retrieving the information from your brain seems to strengthen your mental connection to it, making it easier to remember that information over the long term^[3]
   
   • When reading, stop every so often – perhaps after every chapter or section, or more often it’s very difficult reading. Put down the reading and ask yourself, "Can I summarize what I have just read in one or two sentences?"
   • If you’re going to be tested on the information, ask yourself questions in the style they’ll appear on the test. For instance, define the meaning of vocabulary words if the test will have fill in the blank questions.^[4]
   • After a lecture, class, or important meeting, jot down the main take-away points in your own words. Don’t look back at your notes: see what you can remember.
3. Take notes long-hand. Even if you only use your laptop for note-taking, and stay away from distractions like e-mail or social media, typing is still less effective than hand writing your notes.^[5] Writing by hand is slower and forces you to put the teacher’s words into your own words. This is the first step toward understanding and retaining knowledge, rather than merely recording it.
   
4. Explain your knowledge to someone else. Teaching the knowledge you need to retain to a friend, roommate, or family member forces you to translate the information into clear, understandable language. This is an important activity in “active learning,” which has been shown to improve retention and understanding of knowledge.^[6]
   
   • Spend two minutes explaining a concept to your roommate. Then, swap roles, and let your roommate explain a concept to you for two minutes.
   • Grab a whiteboard and teach a five-minute lesson to a friend. Then, ask your friend to explain what you’ve just taught them. Pay attention to what confused them: the areas that you explain least clearly are probably the things you understand least well.
   • Write a letter to a parent or other relative. Explain the concept in clear, simple terms.
5. Take breaks when studying. You need to allow time for mental recovery and for the information you’re learning to be absorbed. Even while you’re on your break, your mind will be turning over the new information, and you might find yourself better able to understand a problem when you return to it.^[7]
   

[Edit]Creating Connections

1. Link your knowledge to larger concepts. It’s much easier to remember facts if you understand why those facts are true. Ask yourself, or your teacher: why do things work the way they do? If you understand the larger conceptual framework, you will be able to retrieve knowledge more easily and even guess more accurately.
   
   • For example, if you have to memorize geographical borders, think about how those borders were formed. Notice that in many places, borders follow natural features such as rivers and mountain ranges. By observing a general rule like this you save yourself from having to memorize each individual border; instead, you can remember which borders follow this rule.
2. Connect facts to ideas. You are more likely to remember something if you can associate it with other, related things. Tell a story to yourself about a particular fact: even if your story is light-hearted, it will cement the fact in your mind.
   
   • This is sometimes call the Baker/baker paradox. Shown a picture of a woman, people are much more likely to remember that she is a baker than that her name is Baker. This is because the idea of being a baker has more associations. It conjures up thoughts of bread and might suggest links with the image: perhaps her face looks doughy, for example.^[8]
3. Evaluate your own learning process. Assess yourself by asking whether you are absorbing new material and whether you understand the big concepts that underlie that material. Reflect on what aspects of the learning process have worked for you and what aspects were less helpful.^[9] This kind of self-evaluation is known as metacognition, and it has been shown to improve your ability to transfer what you’ve learned to new settings and situations.
   
4. Opt for the final project. Sometimes you are allowed to choose between taking a final exam or completing a final project. In other cases, you might have the choice to take a class that assigns a project. Where possible, choose the final project. Completing a complex project related to the knowledge area is associated with greater retention of knowledge than taking a test alone.
   
5. Don’t focus on just one thing for too long. Instead, turn from one task to another, and intersperse studying one subject with studying something else.^[10] Look for connections between the different topics. Seeing how knowledge fits together into a larger picture will help you to understand its significance and remember it better.
   

[Edit]Varying Learning Modes

1. Present the information in different ways. By learning the same material in different modes, you will increase your ability to remember it.^[11] Regardless of preferences, everyone can benefit from learning the same information visually, aurally, textually, and so on.
   
   • Many people feel or have been told that they are more of a “visual learner,” an “auditory learner,” and so on. There’s no evidence to suggest, though, that learning mainly in your preferred mode is advantageous.^[12] Instead, it’s helpful to learn in as many different modes as possible.
2. Make up a little song about the information. Music accesses different parts of the brain, and the ability to remember music seems to have evolved earlier than the ability to process language.^[13] Singing about your topic helps you store that information in a different part of your brain.
   
   • If you’re studying a foreign language, learn a familiar children’s song in that language to solidify vocabulary. For example, “Heads, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes” will help you memorize that language’s words for major body parts.
   • You probably learned to count partly through nursery rhymes such as “Five Green and Speckled Frogs.”Make up similar silly songs about concepts in trigonometry or calculus – it still works!
   • Share your song with your study group. Singing in a group has profound benefits for your brain.^[14]
3. Create a mental image related to the information. This method builds on the importance of creating mental associations with an idea in order to remember it. A short scenario or picture in your mind will create a richer set of associations and allow you to remember abstract ideas more concretely.
   
   • Memorize the difference between the mathematical concepts of “zero slope” and “no slope” by picturing a skier. When the skier gets to a vertical cliff, she will scream, “No slope!”
4. Draw a concept map. This is a visual representation of a set of related ideas. Use words and drawings as well as arrows to indicate relationships. ^[15]
   
   • Concept maps can be very helpful in representing and remembering hierarchical relationships. However, they can also foster creativity, because it’s possible to visualize relationships in many dimensions instead of along one single line.
   • The flow chart is one kind of concept map.^[16] It represents a procedure or decision-making process, representing steps in symbols and connecting those steps using arrows.
5. Use mnemonics. These are devices to aid memory, often using poems, sayings, or initials. They should be catchy, funny, and easy to repeat.^[17]
   
   • For example, the order of the planets can be remembered using the phrase “My Very Educated Mother Just Served Us Nachos” (Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune).
   • The fates of King Henry VIII's six wives is often remembered through a simple, mostly-accurate poem: “Divorced, Beheaded, Died; Divorced, Beheaded, Survived.”

[Edit]References

1. ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/living-mild-cognitive-impairment/201403/spaced-repetition
2. ↑ https://hbr.org/2019/10/where-companies-go-wrong-with-learning-and-development
3. ↑ https://learningcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/enhancing-your-memory/
4. ↑ [v161178_b01]. 5 November 2019.
5. ↑ https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0956797614524581
6. ↑ https://www.duq.edu/about/centers-and-institutes/center-for-teaching-excellence/teaching-and-learning/active-learning
7. ↑ https://ww2.kqed.org/mindshift/2014/08/25/how-does-the-brain-learn-best-smart-studying-strategies/
8. ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/mental-mishaps/201002/large-mocha-without-name
9. ↑ [v161178_b01]. 5 November 2019.
10. ↑ https://www.apa.org/gradpsych/2011/11/study-smart.aspx
11. ↑ https://cft.vanderbilt.edu/2011/01/learning-styles-fact-and-fiction-a-conference-report/
12. ↑ https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1111/j.1539-6053.2009.01038.x
13. ↑ https://www.rasmussen.edu/student-experience/college-life/most-common-types-of-learners/
14. ↑ https://www.rasmussen.edu/student-experience/college-life/most-common-types-of-learners/
15. ↑ https://fisherpub.sjfc.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1000&context=mathcs_etd_masters
16. ↑ https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flowchart
17. ↑ https://www.researchgate.net/publication/281733369_Mnemonology_Mnemonics_for_the_21st_Century

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