According to sports psychologist John F. Murray, the more success an athlete has achieved, the more likely it is that he or she will experience depression before and after a surgery

That's an interesting theory that might or might not be true. But it's certainly true that anyone who's having surgery can become seriously anxious beforehand.

Here are a few tips to help you relax before surgery, so you can achieve your best outcome and speed up your recovery time:

• Remove inflammatory foods (trans or saturated fats, added sugars or syrups, and any grain that isn't 100% whole) from your diet.

• Get as much physical activity as you can. Being strong before surgery reduces recovery time.

• Ditch bad habits like smoking (anything), and stop alcohol consumption for a week before surgery.

• Find a meditation class; consider talking with a counselor online or in person.

• Ask your doctor if there are medications (such as blood thinners and aspirin) you shouldn't be taking before surgery, and if any meds you take might conflict with your anesthesia.

• Listen to music. U.K. researchers found that listening to music before, during, and after surgery reduces pain, anxiety, and the need for painkillers. Check with the surgeon or anesthesiologist and hospital staff about bringing your iPod into the operating room.

• Talk to your anesthesiologist before you go into the operating room. That's your chance to find out how anesthesia will be handled and what to expect as you wake up.