Four percent of adults have ADHD -- attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder -- although many don't know it and only about 25 percent of the 10 million adults in the U.S. with ADHD receive treatment for it. Among the signs to look for, according to psychiatrist Marc Swartz, co-editor of AdultADD.info, are chronic lateness, difficulty staying on topic during conversations, procrastination, disorganization, inefficiency in work, being forgetful about things that need to be done, trouble staying focused, trouble completing tasks, problems affecting work, relationships or schoolwork that cause moderate distress, anxiety or depression. Here are 10 coping strategies that make life easier if you have ADHD. 1. Make a to-do list. Making a daily list is an essential tool for people with ADHD, but keep it short -- one line for each task -- and be specific. Don't write 'Call Jeannie,' write 'Call Jeannie about picking up kids from school on Thursday.' (If you make a lot of calls, keep a separate phone list.) Check off completed items as you go along. 2. Keep it simple. Break a big job down into its components. Rather than writing 'Plan family reunion' on your list, itemize specific tasks to be accomplished each day, such as: 'Make guest list,' 'address and mail invitations,' 'call caterer to plan menu.' 3. Mark your calendar. Use a written or electronic calendar to keep track of appointments, birthdays and deadlines for bills or assignments. Most importantly, note each appointment on the calendar at the time you make it. You might forget to do it later. 4. Make a shopping list. Write down everything you need to get before you leave home, and use a different list for each store. 5. Remind yourself. An electronic reminder is a great tool, and most computers, iPods, PDAs, Blackberries and cellphones have them. Set the reminder when you make an appointment to prompt you a day before in case you need time to prepare, and an hour before, so you won't forget to go. 6. Look at the time. When planning your day, always consider how long it will take you get somewhere and allow for the possibility that a meeting may go long to avoid over-scheduling or being late for appointments. 7. Work through your issues. If you have hard time sitting still at a desk, consider replacing your chair with a large balance ball. Use a wireless phone, so you can pace as you talk. If you zone out during meetings, don't text under the table; try squeezing a stress ball or take notes to keep busy but focused. Work in a quiet room or block distractions with noise reducing headphones. 8. Leave yourself a message. To remember things you need to do and capture all the good ideas that occur to you while you're out and about, leave yourself voice mails or text messages. 9. Prioritize your life. Make a list of the things you value most, in order, and put it where you'll see it every day. Use it to help prioritize your activities. If spending time with family tops your list, for instance, decline an offer to work overtime on Saturday -- realistically, you can't do everything. 10. Take 24. Instead of impulsively saying 'yes' to every new project or invitation, tell the person making the request you'll need to check your schedule first. Take a day to think about it before accepting a big project, and review your calendar and your 'to do' list to make sure it will fit into your schedule and is in line with your main priorities. Find more information online at www.adultadd.info and www.adult-adhd.com. HAVE A BALL Weighted medicine ball workouts can be a highly effective way to train your body. You can target almost every muscle in your body, producing gains in strength and flexibility. The range of motion allowed by the medicine ball makes it superior to many forms of resistance exercise, and with the added benefit of throwing, it is very effective. Medicine ball workouts can be one of most efficient ways to improve your body when you have limited space and resources. They take up almost no room and the investment in buying a quality ball is very low. Exercises you can do with a medicine ball can help you improve your body. To learn more and find a list of exercises you can do with a medicine ball, go to http://fitbell.com/. fitbell.com/ 