Digestive Wellness: Strengthen the Immune System and Prevent Disease Through Healthy Digestion, Fourth Edition (70 page)

Imagine you are sitting before a roll-top desk with pigeonholes in it. In each hole is a scroll tied neatly with a ribbon. See yourself opening one scroll at a time, examining it, putting it back in its proper place, selecting another, and repeating the process. Do this for several minutes. Find a way to use these pigeonholes in your daily life to help you accomplish tasks step by step. Practice this exercise to help you create closure between tasks and events in your life.

On the other hand, many people never grab for the ring, and they watch the world go by because they’re worried about taking a risk. Because we are afraid, we box ourselves into worlds that are small, hoping to gain control of the chaos “out there.” Fear is also stressful. Break out of your box. Act! Oh, to have loved and lost is way better than never to have loved at all.

Compartmentalizing thoughts is a useful tool. Since we can think about or act upon only one responsibility at a time, it helps to put each one in a “compartment.” The pearl here is to be able to be 100 percent present and focused on each task while you are doing it. This frees the mind and calms the spirit.

Eat healthy foods.

Develop better communication skills; learn to really listen.

Exercise regularly.

Spend time outdoors.

Make time for yourself each day for pleasure or relaxation.

Meditate or learn self-hypnosis or visualization techniques.

Realize that you don’t have to be perfect.

Think creatively.

Go at your own pace.

Think of solutions, not problems.

Prioritize.

Keep journals.

Live one day at a time.