Medicine for the soul

Start the new year right with these guiding principles for happiness

MOST HEALTH ISSUES can't be resolved with a single pill or solution— and problems of a spiritual nature tend to be even more complicated. Fortunately there are steps we can take each day to address the things that weigh us down. To help soothe your soul and heal your life, I've pulled together these "doctor's orders" for total well-being.

Prescription 1 Rethink Your Attitude

Studies show that optimists live longer, healthier lives than pessimists, even when the pessimists' view of life is more accurate. As Karl Menninger, M.D,, put it, "Attitudes are more important than facts." If our self-talk gives us hope and a positive outlook, we will live very different lives than if we await trouble. Your attitude determines what you see, so try seeing through the eyes of an optimist today and observe what direction your life takes.

Prescription 2 Have No Regrets

Examine your life. Think about some risks you have been unwilling to take perhaps changing careers, following a dream, or opening your heart to another person. You can do nothing to change the choices you made in the past, but the future holds many opportunities to make life-enhancing decisions. Let there be no "if only's" or "I wish I had's" from this day forward.

Prescription 3 Wash Away Worries When you're feeling troubled, it always helps to go down to the water. Visit the beach at low tide (or imagine yourself doing so) and write your worries in the sand. After you have written every one down, visualize all the things on your list until the tide starts to come in. When it does, let each worry go as it is washed away by the sea. Just as the tide never stops coming and going, you have the ability to continue to cleanse and heal.

Prescription 4 Live in Appreciation

How do you know what's important in life? Too often the realization comes at a significant price—as the result of a tragedy or the loss of someone you love. Suddenly what used to seem important isn't. Instead, what matters are the people you love and who love you. To better appreciate my blessings, I have learned to start seeing everything as if for the first time. I think of myself as an extraterrestrial every morning and see the world as if it were my first day on earth. Try being an "extraterrestrial" yourself and revel in the beauty and variety before you.

Prescription 5 Carry What You Can

When the problems confronting you seem overwhelming, break down your tasks and problems until you have a piece that seems light enough to carry, and begin there. Then tackle each segment - one by one, day by day - until what once seemed unbearable is manageable and completed. You will have a sense of accomplishment and realize just how much you can handle.