If you read newspapers and magazines, watch TV ads and listen to advice from friends and family, then there are probably too many “shoulds” in your life. These are some of mine — I’m working at reducing some, eliminating others. I should do power walks, swinging my arms to burn extra calories, or use a treadmill so that I maintain my cardiovascular efficiency. I should be working out with weights for strength training so that I can carry my grocery bags I should do tai chi or yoga in order to be flexible and prevent falls. I should eat right — less sugar, less salt, less fat, less caffeine, less red meat — which more often than not results in less taste. So even if I don’t live longer it sure will seem longer. I should floss and drink enough water to stay hydrated. I should get regular check-ups and sleep six to eight hours a night. I should be environmentally responsible and not throw a cherry pit out of the car window. I should be politically aware and read even the boring stuff about the economic policies of foreign countries. I should be financially prudent and not invest in the latest exciting-sounding research my friends are all talking about. I should clean out my closet and give away all those clothes I’ve held onto for the past ten years but that may fit again after I lose weight (I plan to do this for sure every morning as I wake up, but it gets postponed by lunchtime). I should throw out all those files that I will never need again until the day after I have thrown them out. I should meditate every day even though I’d rather do anything else. I should see my friends more often because I believe that friendships should be nurtured, and at the same time spend quiet evenings at home because time alone is necessary for refueling. I should go to the opera, the theater, the symphony, the chamber-music series, the museum openings, the fund-raisers; sit on boards; attend committee meetings; and still have time for friends and family. I should read Consumer Reports, National Geographic, the Harvard Health Letter, the Tufts Nutrition Letter, Newsweek, Time, Psychology Today, the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times and the Union-Tribune plus have time for the latest novel. I should e-mail the grandchildren on a regular basis, call the children every weekend, visit sick friends, go to all the weddings, baby namings, anniversaries, birthday parties, celebrations and outings and have quality time with my husband. I should be wearing the latest fashions; have a good haircut, polished nails; and be thin with good muscle tone, a washboard stomach and buns of steel; while being committed to the simple values that give meaning to life. I should reprioritize my life, rethink my goals and objectives and make sure that I’m on track. I should be productive, lead a meaningful life, be there for others while taking time for myself. I should not care what others think about the way I look, sound or live my life. I should be true to myself and do the necessary in terms of my values but also do the fun and pleasurable things to boost my immune system. I should find something challenging to do, such as learning new programs on my computer, in order to increase the number of neurons in my brain, which will decrease my chances of getting Alzheimer’s. I should do crossword puzzles and play word games to keep stimulating my brain in order to make new synaptic connections. I should refocus, regroup and send reaffirming messages to my brain that I’m confident, peaceful and happy. And finally, I should be confident, peaceful and happy instead of anxious, exhausted and running in circles. So, now it is your turn. First, list all your “shoulds.” Then think of the following categories: 1. Enhances my life. 2. Gives meaning or pleasure. 3. Detracts from my life. 4. Is a burden but necessary. 5. Is a carryover from earlier life injunctions from parents, teachers, religious leaders or other authority figures and therefore dispensable. 6. Neither enhances nor detracts, so do it only if there is extra time and energy and it provides benefit. Doing the above exercise falls under the category of simplifying one’s life. Getting rid of some of your “shoulds” may just save you from being anxious, exhausted and running in circles.