The World In Your Hands

You’re only as old as you feel, the saying goes. But what if you feel old, tired, and rundown? Fatigue is a common complaint, especially after people hit middle age. Fortunately, there are plenty of simple ways to boost energy. Some even slow the aging process. Here’s how to refill your tank when your energy levels sputter. 1. Rule out health problems. Fatigue is a common symptom of many illnesses, including diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, anemia, thyroid disease, and sleep apnea. Talk to your doctor if you feel unusually tired. Many medications can contribute to fatigue. These include some blood pressure medicines, antihistamines, diuretics, and other drugs. If you begin to experience fatigue after starting a new medication, tell your doctor. 2. Get moving. The last thing you may feel like doing when you’re tired is exercising. But many studies show that physical activity boosts energy levels. “Exercise has consistently been linked to improved vigor...

A popular greeting card attributes this quote to Henry David Thoreau: "Happiness is like a butterfly: the more you chase it, the more it will elude you, but if you turn your attention to other things, it will come and sit softly on your shoulder." With all due respect to the author of  Walden , that just isn't so, according to a growing number of psychologists. You can  choose  to be happy, they say. You can chase down that elusive butterfly and get it to sit on your shoulder. How? In part, by simply making the effort to monitor the workings of your mind. Research has shown that your talent for happiness is, to a large degree, determined by your genes. Psychology professor David T. Lykken, author of  Happiness: Its Nature and Nurture , says that "trying to be happier is like trying to be taller." We each have a "happiness set point," he argues, and move away from it only slightly. And yet, psychologists who study happiness -- including Lykken -...