It’s generally easier to skimboard on sand than on the water, so you’ll probably want to do this first if you’re just starting out. Sand skimming only requires a board with a flat design, which most wooden boards have. Plus, wooden boards are usually cheaper than foam boards, making them ideal for those who are trying to save money while skimboarding.  The typical price for a wooden skimboard is around $100. You can buy wooden skimboards at most sporting goods stores and many mass retailers. Once you’ve gotten the hang of skimming on sand and want to try skimming on water, you’ll want to get a skimboard that isn’t as heavy as your sand skimming board. Foam boards are much lighter than wooden boards, making them ideal for skimming over water. They also typically are made with a curved design that makes it easier for the skimmer to ride along breaking waves. The typical price for a foam skimboard is around $200, though some may be as much as $600. The best terrain to go sand skimming on is any beach with smooth, flat sand. For skimming on water, the most important thing to look for is a shoreline with a very powerful shore break, meaning it produces sizable waves that you can ride all the way back to shore.  If you want to focus mainly on wave skimming instead of sand skimming, then it might be better to go to a beach with a steep slope. Some of the more popular beaches to skim at are located in San Diego, England, and Florida. Skimboarding is a strenuous sport; if you’re not in shape, you may injure yourself doing it. Don’t try skimboarding unless you’re sure you can run in short spurts, ride on a board, and take a few falls during the learning process. Keep your leg and back muscles stretched, warm, and strong while you’re learning to skimboard to avoid injury.

Summary: Buy a small, flat, wooden board if you’re mostly going to sand skim. Opt for a curved foam board to go skimming on water. Find a flat beach along the coast to skimboard on. Make sure you’re able to run and jump without any physical issues.


Bragging overtly can put people off. It's more likely to make people dislike you than envy you. However, you can find ways to subtly work your accomplishments into daily conversation. This can make people envious without making you look boastful.  Express gratitude for success. This will make you look grateful rather than boastful. For example, "I can't believe how great I did on that test. I'm glad I studied so hard." Find ways to sound self-deprecating while working in a brag. For example, you got a new internship at a very prestigious magazine. You could say something like, "It's the most professional sounding job title used to indicate I grab big time publishers coffee." Many people feel sad or envious when looking at other people's social media profiles. They may come to envy the lives of those around them. You can use this to your advantage. Try to use your social media profile to make your life look enviable.  Watch what you post. Try to post things that make your life look fun and exciting. For example, post happy statuses about success at work or school. Post photographs of you and your friends having fun. Post pictures of any fancy possession you have or events you attended. Try to avoid posting anything negative. People are unlikely to envy you if you, say, got a "D" on a test or had a negative exchange with your boss. Rant about these issues to close friends rather than broadcasting them online. People tend to envy those who have refined tastes. If you want to be envied, try to mention the finer things on occasion. This will make you look sophisticated, which may make others envy you.  Find ways to make yourself look cultured. Start reading the most recently acclaimed books. Attend museums and art shows. See films lauded as artistic and groundbreaking. Work these things into conversations. For example, "I just finished reading that new Toni Morrison book this week..." or "Did you see that new photography exhibit at the Art Institute?" Much like bragging, however, try not to be over-the-top. Wait until a moment comes to naturally bring such things up in conversation. People are often jealous of those who travel a lot. If you've been on a vacation recently, or have traveled a lot in general, bring this into conversation to make your life look enviable.  Tell anecdotes of your travels at parties and get-togethers. Share pictures online and with others during social events. If you've traveled somewhere where you've been exposed to other cultures, mention this. This can make you look worldly.

Summary: Find ways to brag subtly. Use social media to your advantage. Talk about finer things. Discuss your travels.


Foods rich in vitamins A, C, and E are vital for good vision. Eating plenty of food rich in these three vitamins is a great first step for sharpening your ability to see. You should also strive to eat foods rich in beta-carotene, lutein and zeaxanthin, since these antioxidants protect the eyes from sun damage.  Eat dark leafy greens, pumpkin, sweet potatoes, carrots, and peppers. Blueberries, grapes, garlic, onions, and shallots also contain antioxidants that protect your eyes. Foods with DHA, a fatty acid, are also essential for healthy eyes. Eat salmon, sardines, cod, and mackerel. Having to strain to see what you're doing can hurt your vision over time. Invest in good lighting in your office and home workspaces to avoid hurting your eyes. It's very important to get up and look outside, so that your eyes don't get strained from staring up close at the blinking lights on your computer. Every hour or so, stand up and look out the window. Gaze at an object several miles away, if possible. Keep looking until your eyes adjust to the view. Having dry eyes can cause your vision to look blurry. Drink at least 8 glasses of water every day. If you wear contacts, be sure to clean them properly and change them frequently. Use saline drops as tear replacements if you have trouble producing your own tears. You can sharpen your vision by performing a few simple exercises on a daily basis. Do them when your eyes feel a little tired and you need a break from whatever task is at hand.  Roll your eyes around. Look up, then to the side, then down, then to the other side. Repeat ten times.  Focus on an object. Hold it close to your face, then move it slowly backward, keeping your eyes focused on the item. Move it close to your face again, maintaining focus. Repeat 10 times. Test your peripheral vision. Stand facing a wall, staring straight ahead. Try to identify what is on either side of you using your peripheral vision. Move closer to the wall and keep using your peripheral vision to see from side to side. Continue until your side views are blocked. Repeat every few days, and little by little, you'll gain a greater ability to see what's in your peripheral vision.
Summary: Eat food that makes your eyes healthier. Make sure you have adequate lighting in your workspace. Don't stare at a computer all day long. Make sure your eyes are moisturized. Do eye exercises.