Sudoku

Some people not only can, but need to do many things at the same time. They thrive on stress. Others need to take their time and smell the roses on the way. Know yourself and respect your own rhythm. If you work better under pressure and with a deadline, then use that to your advantage. If you like working in complete peace, without colleagues talking or outside noise disturbing you, find a quiet place to finish up that project. If the turtle used the rabbit's pace it would kill him, and vice versa. Think about times when things have flowed for you, when you were most productive and creative. What were you doing? How did you feel? And now remember when you were pushing yourself to do too much or too little?

5. Don't worry about 66what ifs."

Very few things are worth getting sick over. Most o[ the time we create scenarios in our mind that never come into fruition. Worrying about something that is yet to happen is like watching tv. It pulls you in and keeps you occupied for hours, days and years. If you are always worrying about what you don't want to happen, how will you make room for what you do want to happen? The antithesis of worry is trust.

You can't trust and worry at the same time. It's your choice: worry and stress or trust and peace!

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Instructions: Fill in the grid so that every row, every column, and every 3x3 box contains the numbers 1 through 9 once. Therefore, each number in the solution will be unique in each of three "directions."

The solution is on page 91

O. Update your coping skills.

As you change and your life changes with you, what worked when you were 20 might not when you are 40 and less when you are 60. Maybe it's time to learn to meditate, or maybe the answer is to exercise less. The solution might be as simple as traveling more or simplifying your life.

Invest in your health plan.

Exercise moderately, eat small but nutritious meals five times a day, drink eight glasses of water, and sleep at least seven hours.

Create play and fun time, and stop any habits that you know will eventually cause harmful stress on your body. Even at work, it's important to keep up a healthy routine. Bring some bottled water and fresh fruit to snack on. Say "no" to that vending machine!

After all is said and done, the most important advice is to know thyself. What is a stressor (the cause of stress) for one, can be the elixir of life for another. Once you know what makes you happy and what makes you sad, what causes you to want to flee or fight, follow it. By being yourselfand understanding your individual needs, you will stay in control of the stressors and give yourself more energy and motivation to unleash the creativity and productivity within.

- Linda Nacif is a speaker and author o/Jump and the Joy Will Follow: How to Live in Conscious Joy and Health in Every Stage of Life. She can be reached at (619) 733-207 I or via www.lindanacif.com.