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4. Manage Your Money

Much of what authentic beauty is about—feeling satisfied with yourself, happy with life—comes down to managing stress. Which brings us to one of life's major hot buttons: money. Every time you deposit your paycheck, take 10 percent and put it in an emergency account (to help if the car dies, the roof leaks, a spouse or child is sick and you need to hire a nurse for a few days); put another 10 percent into a retirement account. The peace of mind you'll get is priceless.

5. Tune Up Your Relationship

Try this with your husband or significant other: Agree that for two weeks you will make every major decision—what to have for dinner, when to go to bed, what to watch on TV. Then for the next two weeks, your partner gets to make all the decisions. Just committing to the experiment reaffirms your trust. And by the end, you'll likely feel safer accommodating each other's preferences.

6. Create a Chain of Giving

Few feelings surpass the high of helping others—whether it's making a donation or offering up your seat on a crowded bus. Generosity is also good for your health. Studies show that heart attack patients who do volunteer work have death rates two and half times lower than those who don't. So we want you to give, but here's the catch: If possible, do it so that the recipient becomes able, in turn, to pass something on to another person. For example, if you offer money to help a struggling woman start a business, the condition is that she will give away some of her profit to the homeless; if you mentor a needy child, she must teach what she learns to a friend or sibling. This way, the recipient receives the added gift of dignity, and you create a chain of charity, expanding the number of people you help.

Dr. Oz's Beauty School
  • 13 ways to get your energy and passion back
  • Dr. Oz and Dr. Roizen share their best beauty advice
  • Plan your ultimate beautiful day

    Adapted from You: Being Beautiful, by Michael F. Roizen, MD, and Mehmet C. Oz, MD. Copyright © 2008 by Michael F. Roizen, MD, and Oz Works, LLC. Reprinted by permission of Free Press, a division of Simon and Schuster, Inc.

    • From the November 2008 issue of O, The Oprah Magazine
    As a reminder, always consult your doctor for medical advice and treatment before starting any program.

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