CHESTERVILLE, April 9, 2003 – We can beat SARS (severe-acute respiratory syndrome) by reducing stress, increasing self-worth and maintaining a positive attitude, says a prominent happiness specialist.
"Medicine is not the only tool we have to fight diseases like SARS," says David Leonhardt, also known as The Happy Guy. "It is important to follow the best medical advice doctors can offer, but it is also important to prepare our minds and spirits to withstand disease."
Leonhardt says that happy people tend to fend off diseases better than unhappy people. "Our attitude can predict our success in most things, even in fighting disease," he adds.
Top tips for keeping SARS away
Leonhardt's top tips for keeping SARS and other diseases away:
Don't panic. Let the doctors worry about the big picture, while you follow their advice to protect yourself and those you care about. At best, panicking will not prevent catching SARS. At worst it will actually make you more vulnerable by increasing your stress level.
Reduce stress. Stress weakens the body's immune system, so reducing stress makes us less vulnerable to disease. Avoiding stressful situations, enjoying a good belly-laugh, watching light and humorous television, singing with the radio, practicing yoga or meditation and listening to relaxation tapes are just a few ways to reduce stress. Leonhardt suggests many more in his book Climb your Stairway to Heaven: the 9 habits of maximum happiness
Get plenty of sleep. A tired body and a tired spirit are sitting ducks for a disease like SARS. Get plenty of sleep to keep both body and spirits strong.
Pray. Yes, prayer makes us stronger. Whatever your concept of God, it is always easier to fight off disease when we feel less alone.
Believe. Believe that you will win. Often it has been observed that the difference between survival and death is a will to live, a positive belief that you can beat the disease.
Don't act racist. Just because SARS originated in China does not mean that everybody of Chinese ancestry carries the virus. Creating animosity is just another way of increasing stress.
David Leonhardt is author of Climb your Stairway to Heaven: the 9 habits of maximum happiness and The Get Happy Workbook, as well as publisher of Your Daily Dose of Happiness.
CONTACT: David Leonhardt by e-mail or by other means
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