A FORMER Olympic athlete has released a book which she hopes will contain the recipe for success when it comes to living life to the fullest.

Anna Bennett is a practicing acupuncturist and she believes the mind's power over the body is preventing humans from being happy.

Divided into two sections, her book 'Health Toolkit' provides a series of steps to help people understand their emotions and how to stay in control.

She also hopes the guide will be a useful assistant to people who are pursing a New Year's resolution about getting fitter, losing weight or practicing what she calls 'mental clarity'.

Anna said: "The mind is a powerful tool and has helped us to achieve so much, but it should never control you or tell you that you are not good enough.

"In life, just as in sport, you have periods where you are more in form than others.

"Life is amazing, but it is moving so fast - faster than it ever has - and many people have just forgotten how to slow down and take care of themselves."

Based in Reading, Anna played hockey for England and Great Britain for nearly two decades.

Her career influenced a great deal of her book, with the pressures of competing at international level providing useful material for her research.

Anna has practiced Chinese medicine for more than 10 years, running her own clinic since she qualified in 2008.

She added: "I prefer the phrase mental clarity. When you put yourself under pressure you learn so much about your mind.

"The mind can help us, but we need to take back control. That can be harder for young people nowadays with social media."

Anna hopes by reading her 'Health Toolkit' that readers will possess the skills to self-regulate through periods of stress.

The book is available to purchase for £14.97 paperback, or £9.99 for Kindle, through Amazon.

Visit: anna.bennett.org.uk for more information.