Take Control

By Sarah Bowen Shea

Quick techniques to deal with envy and other temptations

You're out with friends—and craving another drink or smoke

Rather than try to banish the craving, make like a yogi and focus on it. “Our tendency is to push away a craving, but then it gets really big and you are fighting with the craving. It becomes a major drama,” says Cyndi Lee, founder of OM Yoga in New York City. A yogic, or Buddhist-like, way of dealing with the urge is to admit that you are having the craving and observe it. Notice the response in your body to what is happening at that moment; get fascinated by your response. Yogis do the same thing while maintaining an asana. Continue observing your urge to indulge and it will change, Lee says. “Eventually, the response is more fascinating than the craving.” This technique also works for panic attacks and hot flashes, she says.

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