BOOK SHELF

Energise Yourself! a Complete Guide to Restoring Lost Vitality and Strength by Vera Peiffer (Thorson's, £6.99 in UK) will no doubt be of interest to many weary, flu bedevilled souls. From smelling a flower to having a session of Shiatsu, from sharing a belly laugh with a friend to improving your posture, the author suggests a variety of techniques for getting the zing back into your life. There is also a chapter which breaks down every last line of defence you might want to erect against all these sensible suggestions.

Falling in Love with Life: An Understanding of Ageing by Catherine McCann (Columbia Press, £5.99) is a new book which argues that the key to successful ageing involves the ability to adapt to change, to accept the past, to transcend self preoccupation and to lose the fear of death. The book is intended for those in their "third age" and their friends, family and carers. As 11 per cent of the population is already over 65, and this figure will continue to grow over the next 50 years, this is an uplifting book which is relevant to us all.

Recipes for Multiple Sclerosis: Over 100 Recipes to Help Control Symptoms by Geraldine Fitzgerald and Fenella Briscoe (Thorson's, £5.99 in UK). Based on the premise that a healthy low fat, high in fruit and veg diet can play a part in the control of MS, this book recommends a variety of easy to prepare recipes, including dishes from the Middle East and the Orient.

Unplanned Pregnancy by Debbie Klein and Tara Kaufman (Thorson's, £6.99 in UK) is a book which explores all the options available to women who find themselves with an unplanned pregnancy. Dealing with worries from pregnancy as a result of rape to the emotional effects of abortion, the book also includes an up to date section on Irish women. It has a useful list of organisations which offer help and advice in the UK and in Ireland (the latter includes both those which offer post abortion counselling and those which do not).

Anxiety, Phobias and Panic Attacks by Elaine Sheehan (Element, £4.99 in UK) deals with phobias from agoraphobia (fear of public places) to ailurophohia (fear of cats) as well as panic disorder and social phobias. Various tactics for coping with these anxieties are suggested, such as positive visualisation and self hypnosis; psychotherapy and acupressure; and, last but not least, turning to your friends and family for support. There is also a list of useful addresses.