DEAR HARRIETTE: My family has a history of hypertension and high blood pressure. I recently went to the doctor for my annual checkup, and she was pleased with my overall physical health; however, she told me that my blood pressure was a bit high for her liking. My doctor told me that I would need to add an exercise regimen to help reduce my blood pressure. How do I fit an exercise regimen into an already busy schedule? -- Releasing the Pressure, Brooklyn, New York

DEAR RELEASING THE PRESSURE: Health challenges such as yours present the requirement of a lifestyle change in order for you to stay healthy -- or even alive. Yes, this may seem daunting, but it is true. High blood pressure is called "the silent killer" because it commonly has minimal side effects, yet it can and has caused strokes in thousands of unknowing victims. Doctors do suggest that exercise, healthy eating and weight loss can significantly reduce or even eliminate high blood pressure -- in some people. Even if high blood pressure doesn't go away, these things are good for you.

Will it be hard to add daily movement into a tight schedule that did not previously include physical activity? Sure. You have to decide that your life is worth it. Once you do, get support by joining a walking group, a gym, Weight Watchers or some other group activity that will keep you honest about your developing routine. Reduce your sodium intake, cut out the alcohol, shy away from fatty foods and put the kibosh on stress. Easier said than done, I know, but if you put yourself first, you create a chance to live the life you envision for yourself. You can do it!

DEAR HARRIETTE: My boyfriend called me to tell me about his long-distance "girlfriend" -- I say that loosely because he has seen her only once. He told his phone friend that he is seeing someone in the same city he lives in, and she was not pleased with my man's confession. She insisted that he dissolve our relationship immediately, but I am so happy that he did not listen to her. Going forward, how can we continue to reinforce our relationship? I like what we have together. -- Budding Relationship, West Orange, New Jersey

DEAR BUDDING RELATIONSHIP: It's a good sign that your boyfriend told you about his phone relationship. Find out more from him about what this woman means to him and whether he intends to stay in touch with her. Express to him how much you are enjoying the time you are spending together. Make it clear to him that you want to see how your relationship blossoms and that you are excited about the possibilities. Add that you do not want to be in the middle of another relationship. Ask him directly if he is finished with this woman and if he chooses to be with you. Yes, that can seem pushy, but you deserve to know. If he's got unresolved issues to handle with her, you can step back until he is available to be with you.

(Lifestylist and author Harriette Cole is president and creative director of Harriette Cole Media. You can send questions to askharriette@harriettecole.com or c/o Universal Uclick, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.)

DEAR HARRIETTE: I have been married for five years, and my husband and I just had a baby. We are so excited, especially since it took us a few years to have this child. Our daughter is beautiful, and we could not be happier. The challenge is that my husband only wants to think about the "right now." I think we need to get life insurance so that if anything happens to us, our baby would be provided for. It has become a sore spot for us. It feels like we have argued until the cows come home. He just doesn't believe in insurance. I could see if we had a bunch of money socked away, but we don't have that, either. I don't want to disrespect my husband, but I do want to provide for my daughter. I have a job. Do you think it would be defiant to buy insurance anyway? -- Protecting My Child, Jackson, Mississippi

DEAR PROTECTING MY CHILD: Too bad you didn't discuss this aspect of family planning and values before you got married. Some people don't believe in insurance, but as you pointed out, if you don't have a contingency plan -- meaning growing money in the bank, aka investments, you put your family in a precarious position should the unthinkable happen.

You should continue the conversation with your husband about family planning -- not just insurance, but how many children you intend to have, what type of education you want to provide for them, where you want to live, how you will pay for any upgrades in your lifestyle, etc. As for insurance, you have the absolute right to purchase it on your own. You can even buy a policy for your husband. You simply pay for them and keep them in a safe place, should you ever need to use them.

DEAR HARRIETTE: I have just fired the third "millennial" that I have hired in the past year. I feel horrible. I want to work with young people, and I understand how important it is to pay it forward to the next generation. These young people showed up to work late every day with no explanation. They gave me attitude when I questioned them about their lateness. And they turned their work in sporadically. I really don't know how to get the message across about traditional work ethic. Can you help? -- Millenially Stumped, Chicago

DEAR MILLENIALLY STUMPED: In your next interviews with millenials -- or anybody else -- talk values. Ask the interviewee about what he thinks is important in his life. Listen to his interests and goals. As you talk about the responsibilities of the job you are offering, listen to hear if there is genuine interest. Then outline what is important to you in an employee -- everything from timeliness to appropriate office attire to commitment to completion of projects.

Many young people have witnessed their parents and others move from job to job without any sense of job security. I believe this has inspired young people to put themselves one step ahead and choose not to stay long on a job or get too attached. A balance needs to be struck between independence and commitment. You can be part of that conversation.

(Lifestylist and author Harriette Cole is president and creative director of Harriette Cole Media. You can send questions to askharriette@harriettecole.com or c/o Universal Uclick, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.)

DEAR HARRIETTE: My son is 3 years old and has just started the horrible testing process to get admitted into New York City schools. I can't believe how intense it is for little children to be considered for independent schools. To get into charter schools mainly requires a lottery, which is even more random. I so want my son to go to a great school, but I don't want to stress him out in the process. What can I do to calm myself so that I don't get him upset? -- On the Education Tightrope, Brooklyn, New York

DEAR ON THE EDUCATION TIGHTROPE: I remember when my daughter was in this position, and it was unbelievably stressful for us as parents. What we did was to talk out of earshot of her about our anxieties. We also reached out for tips from as many families as we knew who had already gone through the process. We identified what our catchment school would be -- the public school to which we were zoned -- so that we would know where our daughter would be going if we didn't get in anywhere else. This served as a reality check.

We did not get coaching, but some families do hire coaches to support their children in test-taking. I thought that was a bit extreme for a 3-year-old, but it has worked for some people. Mainly, we encouraged our daughter to have fun in the interviews. We decided if she did not receive a 97 on a school test that didn't mean she wasn't smart. You have to manage your expectations because the stakes are so high.

DEAR HARRIETTE: One of my good friends moved a few months ago to his hometown, but he didn't leave any forwarding information. He is an older guy, and I can't find him anywhere. For years he would call me every weekend to check in. This became a routine for us, and I became accustomed to it. Sometimes he would miss a week or so, but he always came back around. This time is different. His cellphone is turned off. I don't know what house he moved to or anything. I am so worried that something terrible has happened to him. How can I find him? -- Missing My Friend, Pensacola, Florida

DEAR MISSING MY FRIEND: If you know the town where he went, start by contacting the local police department to see if he is listed as a missing person or if they have any record of your friend. Call all of your mutual friends as well as any family members or other people you can remember him talking about over the years.

As difficult as this will be, you should also contact the local morgue. That's hard to accept, but considering that he is older and missing, this may be a possibility.

You can also hire a private detective to help find your friend. These professionals know how to do a thorough search and may be able to help you.

(Lifestylist and author Harriette Cole is president and creative director of Harriette Cole Media. You can send questions to askharriette@harriettecole.com or c/o Universal Uclick, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.)