cover image High Energy Living: Switch on the Sources To: Increase Your Fat-Burning Power * Boost Your Immunity and Live Longer * Stimulate Your Memor

High Energy Living: Switch on the Sources To: Increase Your Fat-Burning Power * Boost Your Immunity and Live Longer * Stimulate Your Memor

Robert K. Cooper. Rodale Press, $29.95 (448pp) ISBN 978-1-57954-126-2

The promises made by the subtitle of this volume reveal a key element of Cooper's (Low-Fat Living) success as a writer and motivational speaker for the Lessons in Leadership lecture series: authority. Most of the suggestions offered are grounded in common-sense approaches to a healthy life, and Cooper's charismatic attitude is sure to be welcomed by those seeking relief from fatigue and lack of purpose. Cooper's program for accessing innate sources of energy begins by recognizing four sources of human energy: calm, active, sensory and heartfelt. According to Cooper, most people are running on the antithesis of these energy sources: tense, reserved, routine and surface energy. He explains in detail 21 ""switches"" to combat habits that reinforce the negative energy sources and turn on the positive ones. While exercise, relaxation techniques and a change in diet can be hard to implement, regardless of how ""simple"" they are made to seem, ideas drawn from neoteny, a field of research focusing on ""growing young,"" introduce a playful sense of experimentation that is appealing. Frazzled career-aholics and those juggling the roles of breadwinner and parent may wonder if the answer to fatigue is as easy as laughing, yet Cooper forcefully makes a case for trying. Those who do may be surprised at how subtle shifts in perception and five-minute breaks can inject needed energy into their lives. (Sept.)