It is reported that although our genes and environment play an important role, how happy we are largely depends on our choices and activities. The following are just several areas that tend to make a big difference to people's happiness.

    Take a positive attitude

    Positive emotions―like joy, gratitude, satisfaction, inspiration and pride― don't just feel good when we experience them.{#blank#}1{#/blank#} So although we need to be realistic about life's ups and downs, it helps to focus on the good aspects of any situation―the glass half full rather than the glass half empty.

    Accept who you are and what you are

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Learning to accept ourselves and being kinder to ourselves when things go wrong will increase our enjoyment of life. It also helps us accept others as they are. Ask a trusted friend or colleague to tell you what they think your real strengths are.{#blank#}3{#/blank#}

{#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    Caring about others is fundamental to our happiness. Helping other people is not only good for them; it's good for us too. It makes us happier and can help to improve our health. Giving also creates stronger connections between people and helps to build a happier society.

    Take part in something bigger

    People who have meaning and purpose in their lives are happier. They also experience less stress, anxiety and depression.{#blank#}5{#/blank#} It might come from doing a job that makes a difference, or spiritual beliefs, or our family. The answers may be different for each of us but they all involve being connected to something bigger than ourselves.

A. Our broader social networks bring a sense of belonging.

B. Nobody is perfect.

C. Give them a call or offer your support.

D. Try to make more use of these.

E. They also help us perform better, and improve our physical health.

F. But where do we find meaning and purpose?

G. Do things for others.

What Teenagers Can Do To Earn More Respect

    As teenagers continue to grow and develop into young adults, the transition(过渡) into adulthood has begun. With so many physical and emotional changes going on, certain manners are often forgotten and other adult traits(特点) are not yet accepted as a way of life. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}By doing the following things, you will earn more respect.

Contribute to the household(家庭)

    At the very least, clean up after yourself. As a teenager, you are old enough to clean up after yourself. When you make a mess, clean it up. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} All chores(家务) that you do help to reduce the load of the person who did them before. Now that you're old enough and capable, why shouldn't you contribute to the household? {#blank#}3{#/blank#}

Be responsible

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#} Whether they are basic things, like brushing your teeth or doing your homework, or more involved chores that contribute to the household, simply fulfill (履行) your responsibilities on time. When adults know that they can rely on you, their trust and respect for you will increase.

Solve more of your own problem without asking for help

    Instead of taking the easy approach and asking for help, make an effort to solve your problems on your own first. The "easy way" is only easy for you, but it is an extra task for the person from whom you are seeking help. Seek help only after you have make an honest effort to solve your own problems. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} When you become a good problem solver, you increase your valve to the community.

A. Everyone has certain responsibilities.

B. By being aware of these manners and traits, you can manage them sooner.

C. The people doing the chores before will greatly appreciate the help.

D. This includes, but is not limited to, your dishes and your room.

E. It will make your life more pleasant.

F. Depending on the problem, 15 minutes of effort is usually a good guideline.

G. When speaking to a group, speak loud enough.

    Rent movies over the weekend. Try to follow the story line of comedy shows.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}Not having to respond in English lets you concentrate on simply understanding what is being said. Understanding how English is used in conversation will help you to better communicate in the language.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#}When you are reading, pay more attention to the correct pronunciation of the words you are reading rather than comprehension of each word. Read easy books that were written for children. Reading simple books takes away the frustration of sounding out hard words.

A. Read out loud for twenty to thirty minutes every day.

B. Listen to English radio while getting ready in the morning.

C. Observe how much the mouth is opened to say certain words.

D. Find a friend or teacher who is willing to help you learn English.

E. Repeat the conversations several times to increase your speaking speed.

F. Watching TV shows and movies allows you to hear English used in conversation.

G. The more a person practices his or her skills, the easier speaking English will become.

    Kids and Food: Advice for Parents

    It is important for parents to know how to help their kids eat healthy. Here are a few easy ways:

    Parents control the supply lines. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Though kids may keep asking for less nutritious foods, parents should decide which foods are regularly provided in the house. Kids won't go hungry. They'll eat what's available in the fridge at home.

    Say goodbye to “clean-plate club”. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Lots of parents grew up under the clean-plate rule, but that way doesn't help kids listen to their own bodies when they are full. When kids feel full, they're likely to overeat.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#} Food preferences(喜好) are developed early in life, so try to offer different kinds of food. Likes and dislikes begin forming even when kids are babies. Parents may need to serve a new food on several different occasions(时机) for a child to accept it.

    Food is not love. Find better ways to say “I love you.” When foods are used to reward kids and show love, they may start to turn to food when feeling worried or unhappy. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    Kids do as you do. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} When trying to teach good eating habits, try to set the best example.

    Choose nutritious food, eat at the table, and don't forget breakfast.

A. Start them young.

B. Rewrite the kids' menu.

C. Be a role model and eat healthy yourself.

D. Offer praise and attention instead of food treats.

E. Let kids stop eating when they feel they've had enough.

F. You decide which foods to buy and when to serve them.

G. Let kids choose what to eat and how much of it they want.

Body language can reflect our confidence level. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} and another way when we're nervous. At a glance （看一眼）, most people can tell if we're confident or not. So we should learn some tips to show confidence through body language so that we always appear confident and ready.

{#blank#}2{#/blank#} The first tip to show confidence with body language is to keep your hands out of your pockets. We often put our hands in our pockets when we're unsure of ourselves. And that's how other people will view us.

Keep your eyes forward

{#blank#}3{#/blank#}, it often feels natural to lower your head slightly and watch your step. However, this gesture communicates to others that you don't want to interact. And if you're not careful. you might get into the habit of doing it all the time. So keep your head up and your eyes forward. even when you're walking down the street by yourself.

Smile

Try this as an experiment: Smile at someone as you pass by them on the street or walk around the office. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}. Now wouldn't you like to have that effect on people all the time?

Firm handshakes

There are few things worse than reaching out your hand during an introduction and getting a handshake which is not firm enough. Don't be that guy. Instead, hold the other person's hand firmly and confidently. Of course, a handshake is not a contest. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}.

A．Take wide steps

B．Avoid your pockets

C．It's very likely that they'll smile back

D．When you're walking anywhere by yourself

E．Don't try to hold the other person's hand too long

F．If you want to show confidence with body language

G．We stand and walk a certain way when we're confident

What do a picturesque sunrise, a nice cup of coffee, and holiday celebrations have in common? {#blank#}1{#/blank#}Being open about your feelings can be rewarding. Here are some reasons for sharing your feelings with others.

Expressing your feelings connects you with others. When it comes to relationships with your family and significant others knowing how to express your feelings is the key to creating intimacy (亲密关系). {#blank#}2{#/blank#}However, it is that sincere revelation(透露) that enables you to bond with your loved ones.

{#blank#}3{#/blank#}In a study, after participants expressed their emotions, brain images showed a decrease in the brain activity in the amygdala, the part of the brain associated with feelings, indicating a calming effect on the brain. The researchers concluded that talking through emotions decreases the strength of these emotions.

Sharing your feelings boosts health. According to The New York Times, holding everything inside and not expressing your emotions can be harmful. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}But choosing to appropriately share them benefits you mentally and physically. By doing so, you can normalize your speaking about emotions and emotional needs. This can help not just you, but also others.

Speaking about your emotions enables you to get help.When you put what's in your mind into words, you are making that experience or emotion real, instead of ignoring it. That's a way of recognizing yourself. Moreover, talking about your feelings allows your loved ones to help you. They are naturally concerned about your well-being. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}

All in all, accept your feelings, even negative ones and learn to manage them. Practice sharing your feelings on a regular basis, and you will benefit a lot.

A. Opening up keeps emotional intensity down.

B. Sharing your emotions improves brain function.

C. Telling others about the depths of your feelings can be scary.

D. If so, you'd better avoid judging yourself and other people.

E. These are all wonderful experiences that you can share with loved ones.

F. By letting them know what you're experiencing, you can get their support.

G. That may cause increased stress levels and risk of developing related diseases.