Express Gratitude
Researchers at the University of California at Davis and Mississippi University for Women may have found a secret to being healthier and even healing faster. In 2007, the team monitored a group of patients undergoing organ transplantation and found that those who kept a daily "gratitude journal," in which they wrote down five things they were grateful for each day and why, fared better in their recovery..
Try it: Start your own gratitude journal. Try to write down five things that you're grateful for each day for three weeks. Anotheridea: "Find a spiritual anchor," says Dr. Rakel. He's being literal: The object you choose as your anchor should remind you of the things that give your life meaning and purpose. It could be a stone, a piece of jewelry or a poem folded into a trinket whatever has meaning for you and can be easily carried.
Forgive
Carrying a grudge doesn't do your health any favors. "When we're stuck in not forgiving, it grinds us down," says Dr.Santorelli. Although research is ongoing, a 2006 study of patients with hypertension found that those with more anger who received forgiveness training were able to lower their blood pressure significantly.
Try it: Santorelli suggests paying attention to the thoughts and emotions that arise when you think about the person you're trying to forgive. Your willingness to work with your emotions starts a process that helps free you from feelings of resentment, sadness or anger. When possible, speak to the person you feel you need to forgive.
Pray
Many of us have sent up a prayer asking for good health for ourselves or a loved one. In fact, 75 percent of Americans surveyed have used prayer for health reasons, according to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM). Research led by Harold Koenig, M.D., at Duke University's Center for Spirituality, Theology and Health found that although prayer's effects on health aren't predictable, belonging to a religion seems to up your odds for staying well.
Try it: You might already know how to pray, but that doesn't mean it always comes naturally. If you need help getting started, Dr.Rakel suggests thinking of prayer as somewhat like meditating or simply focusing your mind's thoughts. Life is a gift to us by God Enjoy life and Be Happy.
Concluded
