The New Health Rules is a packed full of inspiring tips. Here are six snippets we especially love

Just Say No (Thanks)

Many of us are packed to the gills with obligations and activities, largely out of habit. We say yes to things we could probably politely refuse and end up exhausted. As an experiment, try cutting your load of optional commitments in half. With a little air in between, your concentration, productivity, and efficiency are likely to improve.

Switch the Lens

Many of us are conditioned to worry and complain. “Think positive” may sound hollow, but the health benefits of looking on the bright side are massive. If you’re reading this book, you probably have all the basics: shelter, food, water, a community of people who care about you. So next time you find yourself indulging in the habit of negative thinking find a silver lining or focus on something you’re grateful for.

Wander Barefoot

Kick off your shoes and walk on grass, earth, or sand whenever you have the chance. Not only will this boost your immune system by exposing you to unfamiliar microbes, but it will also give you a little charge – literally. We get electrons from the earth, which have calming and healing benefits for the whole body.

Music Can Work Like Meditation

Soothing music slows down our internal rhythms and stimulates the parasympathetic system, our built-in calmer (just like meditation). If you’re just learning to meditate and you’re struggling with the silence, relaxing with your favourite mellow music is a more accessible option.

Be Unproductive

Sometimes the organ that needs the most care and restoration is the brain. If you’re a very driven person who has no patience for an unproductive day, what you might really need is... an unproductive day. No to-do list. No phone. No computer. It’s akin to giving your muscles a day off from weight training to rebuild and come back stronger. If a whole day seems nuts, make it a couple of hours and do something that seems like a complete waste of time.

Get Ready for Bed an Hour Earlier

Maybe this means sacrificing a ritual you love – plopping down on the couch with a juicy TV show after the dishes are done and/or the kids are in bed. But give it a go. Take a bath, do a relaxing yoga pose, or, if you’re not tired at all, sit in a comfy chair with a book. If you’re totally beat, climb into bed with said book. One of the reasons we all accept feeling crummy is that we know we don’t get enough sleep. So see what happens when you do. Your mind is likely to be clearer and sharper, your mood will be better, and you’ll have more patience and energy and joy.