Stress causes muscles to tighten abnormally. Relaxing the muscles reduces the sense of stress. Among the many relaxation techniques, here are some simple ones.

Take a very deep breath. Hold it for a moment, then exhale until the lungs are completely emptied, ending in a sigh with the mouth open. As you exhale, purposely relax your neck and shoulders. Take at least 40 such deep breaths each day.

Remind yourself to do so by connecting them to your daily routine, especially to those parts of it that are tense. You might, for instance, take a deep breath each time you are halted in traffic, the telephone rings, or your child calls “Mommy.”

These nocturnal arachnids are often mistakenly called insects. Their adult size ranges up to 8 inches long. They prey on spiders, insects, and small rodents, and are found mainly in the South and West of the United States. Of the more than 70 North American species, only the bark scorpion, a yellow species found in and near Arizona, possesses a sting that is occasionally fatal to humans.

During the day scorpions rest in dark places such as basements, attics,. under stones, in log piles or debris. They may also take refuge under clothing or towels left lying about. If you live in scorpion country, avoid putting your hand into pipes or dark corners where you cannot see. Keep areas around the house free of debris and rotting wood. Seal all possible entryways especially around a cooling system. Wear leather gloves when moving rocks or debris.

Shin splints, an inflammation of the lower-leg muscles and tendons, causes pain in the front of the leg. Because a stress fracture (hairline crack) of the shinbone causes similar pain, the two conditions are often confused. Don’t try to diagnose or treat your self-see a doctor.

Shin splints can result from any exercise that overuses leg muscles or subjects the legs to repeated jolts. Given a month or so of rest, the injured muscles and tendons usually repair themselves. If the punishment continues, the condition becomes chronic, or a relapse soon follows recovery.

The wisest course is to avoid the problem by making the activity less punishing. First, ready muscles and tendons for work with a stretching and warm-up routine. Second, lessen joints by wearing well-cushioned shoes and exercising on an even, resilient surface rather than one that is rough or hard.

Wingless and slender, these silvery insects have long, threadlike antennae and three “tails.” They like cool, damp environments. Their close relatives, the gray-and-brown mottled firebrats, prefer heat; they live around furnaces and hot-water pipes.

Both feed on substances high in starch and sugar, including flour, cereals, food scraps, glue, wallpaper, paste, book-bindings, and some fabrics.

These insects do not thrive if they are frequently disturbed. Prevent infestation by vacuuming often. Air stored clothing; clean bookshelves and basement and storage areas.

To rid a home of an infestation of silverfish, apply a 2 percent diazinon dust to infested areas that are out of reach of children and pets. Put the dust behind books and into cracks in the walls and flooring.

First you must make your own decision to stop smoking; if you do it just to please others, you will probably fail. Make a list of the reasons why you smoke. Next to it list the reasons you want to quit. Read both lists often.

When you decide to stop, pick a date in the near future and plan for it. If possible, choose a time when you are faced with a change in routine, such as a holiday or a trip. Tell your family and your friends; They will reinforce your resolve. If you can, team up with another who’s quitting-sharing the experience helps. Talk to others who have stopped. Note the moments when you most want to smoke and be ready with a diversion.

Snow blindness is a painful but temporary condition caused by the glare of the sun’s ultraviolet rays on snow. It can occur even on foggy or overcast days, and the symptoms may not appear for as long as 8 hours. The first symptom is difficulty in perceiving variations in the level of the ground. A gritty feeling develops in the eyes; then they begin to hurt when exposed to any light at all.

The best cure is prevention. Wear sunglasses that keep out ultraviolet rays. You can also protect your eyes with a mask made by cutting narrow slits in cardboard, plastic, or other material. Blackening your cheeks and nose with soot will reduce reflections.