The Benefits of Keeping a Journal

    If you want to grow, one important thing you should do is keeping a journal. It may seem simple, but it can make a big difference in your life. I have been keeping journals for years. Writing all the lessons I learn and all the ideas I get has become a habit for me. And to be honest, I can't imagine what my life would be like without it.

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    It prevents you from losing an idea. Have you ever gotten an idea only to lose it later because you didn't write it down?{#blank#}2{#/blank#} But then I developed the habit of writing down every idea that came into my mind as soon as possible. If I'm away from my computer, I usually write it down on a piece of paper that I bring wherever I go. I will then transfer the idea to the journal in my computer.

    It helps you review all the lessons you've learned. By reviewing your journal, you can quickly see the lessons you've learned and the ideas you've gotten.{#blank#}3{#/blank#} You can use the ideas to propel (鞭策) yourself forward.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#} After keeping a journal for years, you can look back at it and see how far you've gone. Things that were big problems in the past might seem small today. The raw ideas you had in the past might have been realized today.

    It helps you expand your ideas. When you try to come up with a sentence to express an idea, you are thinking actively about it.{#blank#}5{#/blank#} In the end, you will expand your ideas.

A. I often experienced that myself.

B. It trains you to express your thoughts.

C. It allows you to see your progress over time.

D. Just use whatever tool you feel comfortable with.

E. Here are some benefits you will get by keeping a journal.

F. Thinking actively helps you connect your idea to another idea.

G. Then you can do whatever necessary to avoid repeating the same mistakes.

    The eyes are the windows of the soul. Having a pair of bright, clear eyes is very important, so we should protect our eyes throughout our lives. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    Keep a distance from the TV set when you watch TV and give your eyes a rest every 30 minutes.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Don't read while lying down or walking. Relax after every hour of reading.

    Don't stare at the sun or try to read in the darkness. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} This can damage your eyes easily.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#} Not many people have this habit, but it is necessary. If you feel that there is something wrong with your eyes, get them checked quickly. Eye problem can be found and treated early with regular checks.

    Rest your eyes whenever you can. You can close your eyes for a few seconds or look into the distance for one or two minutes. A small break will relax your eyes and help to stop you from getting eye problems.

    Be careful when you choose your glasses.{#blank#}5{#/blank#} Make sure your glasses are right for you. If they don't feel right, get your glasses changed.

A. Get your eyes checked often.

B. Develop good reading habits.

C. Make sure you get enough sleep every night.

D. Even if you're wearing sunglasses, never look directly at the sun.

E. The following tips may help you to protect your eyes.

F. Drink green tea every day as a way to protect your eyes against eye problems.

G. Glasses that aren't suitable for you could bring you trouble.

    While it is impossible to live completely free of stress, it is possible to prevent stress as well as reduce its effect when it can't be avoided. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    Try physical activity.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#}Running, walking, playing tennis, and working in your garden are just some of the activities you might try.

    Make time for yourself

    Schedule time for both work and entertainment. Don't forget, play can be just as important to your overall well-being as work. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} Go window-shopping or work on a hobby. Allow yourself at least a half hour each day to do something you enjoy.

    Take care of yourself

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#}If you easily get angry and can't sleep well enough, or if you're not eating properly, it will be more likely that you will fall into stressful situations. If stress repeatedly keeps you from sleeping, you should consult a doctor.

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Stress can result from disorganization and a feeling that "there's so much to do, and not enough time". Trying to take care of everything at once can be too much for you and as a result, you may not achieve anything. Instead, make a list of everything you have to do, then do one thing at a time, checking off each task as it is completed. Set out to do the most important task first.

A. Do whatever you like and want to do.

B. You should make every effort to eat well and get enough rest.

C. Make a list of things to do.

D. When you are nervous, angry or upset, try releasing the pressure through exercise or physical activity.

E. You need a break from your daily routine to just relax and have fun.

F. You could smile to yourself in front of a mirror every day.

G. The following are suggestions for ways to deal with stress.

How Laughing at Yourself Makes You Attractive

    Have you ever embarrassed yourself in public and got laughed at for it？{#blank#}1{#/blank#} And it's okay — we should even have a laugh about them.

    Laughing at yourself means accepting who you really are. You may feel bad about yourself because of past misfortune. However, it's normal to be imperfect. What's important is that you should be honest with yourself about who you are. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} You won't be able to laugh at yourself without self-acceptance.

    Laughing at yourself helps increase your confidence. When you're able to stay optimistic and laugh at yourself, you are likely to be more successful in life. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} More importantly, it helps you realize your own weaknesses, so you know which areas to do better in.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#} Laughing at someone else may hurt their feelings even if you didn't intend to, while laughing at yourself does not. You might even bring a smile to their faces. Don't worry about losing respect from others, because people actually appreciate it when you laugh at yourself. Laughing at yourself shows that you have the courage to do so and you're being real about your imperfections, making people think you are likeable.

    Just remember that humans all make mistakes. So instead of blaming yourself, try to think of your mistakes, in a positive way and accept yourself just as you are. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}

A. Laughing at yourself makes you popular.

B. Accept yourself despite your imperfections.

C. You should try to understand yourself better.

D. Chances are that we all have these kinds of experiences.

E. Laughing at yourself changes an ideal image of yourself.

F. Learn to laugh at yourself and you will be more attractive.

G. This is because laughing at yourself helps lift your mood in face of difficulties.

    Talking to strangers along your travels can change your trip into an adventure. Here are rules of thumb to serve as your guide.

    Don't ignore your fellow tourists. When you go to some place off the beaten path, you're likely to meet other tourists there. Find them, and ask where you would go.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}.

    Abandon your phone. Phones often get between you and the surroundings, ruining your chances to make contact with the people you see.{#blank#}2{#/blank#}, take a deep breath and put it in a different pocket or cover it with tape.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#}. The easiest way to do this is to talk to people who are in "open roles", such as anyone in a public service job, or a taxi driver. Or ask someone seated near you; ask where the person's favorite street is; ask if there's a residential area where it would be nice to take a walk.

    Use a map-or none at all. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}. However, the truth is, sometimes those small streets are nowhere to be found with a map. So ask for directions a lot. Asking for any kind of help is the key to many doors.

    Most Important: Ask good questions. Finding good questions means observing and noticing. A well-turned question shows that you are really paying attentions you are curious and ready to listen.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}.

A. Let strangers make your plans

B. Maps can be of great assistance

C. When the unwillingness gets in the way

D. A good question will get you everywhere

E. They are going to offer advice made of gold

F. Those fellow tourists can make sense of your journey

G. If abandoning your phone isn't practical or feels insecure to you

    There are great health benefits from walking: slimmer waistline, better emotions, more focus, a stronger immune system and balanced blood levels. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}But walking with good habits will strengthen those benefits as well as avoid any injuries. Here are the ways on how to walk properly.

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    Although everyone has their own way of walking, certain common behaviors can improve almost everyone's walking experience. Chief among these is your posture(姿势).As you walk, keep your head upright, your back straight, and your chin up. Otherwise, bad posture can lead to back pain, an inflexible neck, and even more serious diseases.

    Add warming up

    Before your workout, make sure you stretch (伸展) muscles to avoid injury. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}Not only may you get injured, but it will also get you tired even quicker. Start with a walk at a normal pace and then slowly increase the pace.

    Swing your arms

    Don't hold your arms tight by your side. If so, it looks awkward and also limits walking pace. Your walking pace will become faster as long as you swing your arms. If weather permits, try to keep your hands out of your pockets. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    Time your walks

    When walking, the time you do so matters. Make sure you walk a few minutes after you eat, not immediately. That way, your body can still digest what you just ate before a workout. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}May it be 15-30 minutes every day, find time to walk and exercise, keeping your body active.

A. Relax before walking.

B. Stand straight while walking.

C. Don't go walking at a high speed immediately!

D. It's best to create a schedule suitable for your lifestyle.

E. In other words, walking can make you happier and healthier.

F. Doing so allows you to walk faster and farther than you would otherwise.

G. Having your shoulders pulled back makes you more confident and greater!