Many of us are so busy with work, school and home life, which often cause there is no time left to do something that you enjoy. What follows are some ways to carve out that essential time you need to slow down, enjoy life and relax yourself.

    {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Try to save certain weeknights just for you. If others ask you to do things those nights, just tell them you have plans. Use the time for gardening, reading, exercise, thinking or the ultimate luxury of doing nothing!

    Monthly Treat. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} It could be on your lunch break, a weekend or it could be leaving work early. Maybe you get a spa treatment, go to see a movie, a haircut, play golf or whatever treat you're always thinking about but rarely get to. Schedule it in and it will happen!

    Buy Tickets in Advance. Sports, theatre, concerts or any other event you would enjoy. Schedule the plans with a friend later. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#} Huh? Yes, many of us stay at work late on a regular basis. If this is you, make it a point to leave work exactly on time at least once a week, if not more. And then enjoy that time! Leave work at work.

    Join a Group. Here are some ideas of groups that can allow you some time away from work and home: singing group, gardening group, astronomy society, book club, biking clubs, ski club, etc. What are you interested in? Strike while the iron is hot. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} If you can't find a club, consider starting one yourself!

A. Leave Work on Time.

B. Evenings with Yourself.

C. Having the tickets already in hand will force you to make it happen!

D. Listen to your favorite music!

E. Look up a club in your area today and join!

F. Take an Adult Education Class.

G. Schedule a treat for yourself once a month.

    When high temperatures are around the country, some things also go up. Here are four things expected to rise along with our desire to stay indoors and best the heat.

    ①Sales of goods that keep you cool.

    Malls are high on the list of places where people often go for free air conditioning outside home in summer.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}Goods related to keeping cool, like air conditioners, fans or sun care items, are very popular.

    ②{#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    Pests like stink bugs(椿象) grow fast during summer heat waves, and many agriculture experts are expecting a repeat of last year's incident that harmed fruit and crops, particularly on the East Coast.

    ③Energy bills

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#}With all those air conditioners and fans working, it makes sense that energy bills will be higher than average.{#blank#}4{#/blank#} “Not only are people going to have extremely high energy bills for July, it will also put increased stress on power plants, and we're going to see more air pollution because of it,” says Angela Fritz.

    ④Violence

    Heat waves may cause violence, right?

    Not necessarily, says Richard Larrick, a researcher. He took a unique look at the relationship between violence and heat through baseball. Larrick and his research team examined 57,294 Major League Baseball games taking place between 1952 and 2017 and found that while heat may increase violence, there always has to be a motive. “{#blank#}5{#/blank#}Instead, heat affects a specific form of violence,” he said.

A. Air pollution

B. Pest population

C. Rising heat is the expected response in any summer

D. Heat does not directly lend to more violence in general

E. More and more people are worried about their expenses

F. As more energy is used, air-quality problems may occur

G. So it's not a surprise that some sales jump during heat waves.

    As most of us know, talking and listening don't go smoothly every time. Will parents take you seriously, believe what you say, listen to and respect your opinions? {#blank#}1{#/blank#} But some of what happens depends on you, too. Since communication is a two-way street, the way you talk can influence how well a parent listens and understands you. So here are some guidelines to consider when talking to parents:

    Be clear and direct. Be as clear as you can about what you think, feel, and want.{#blank#}2{#/blank#} They can listen better or be more helpful if they understand what you mean and what's really going on.

    Be honest. If you're always honest, a parent will be likely to believe what you say. If you sometimes hide the truth or add too much drama, parents will have a harder time believing what you tell them. If you lie, they'll find it hard to trust you.

    Try to understand their point of view. If you have a disagreement, can you see your parents' side?{#blank#}3{#/blank#}Telling parents you understand their views and feelings helps them be willing to see yours, too.

    Try not to argue or complain. Using a tone that's friendly and respectful makes it more likely parents will listen and take what you say seriously.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}If you think your emotions might get the better of you, do something to blow off steam before talking: Go for a run. Cry.{#blank#}5{#/blank#} Do whatever it takes to sound calm when you need to.

A. Hit your pillow.

B. If you can, say so.

C. A lot depends on your parents.

D. Think twice before you make a decision.

E. Your parents won't always see things your way.

F. Give details that can help parents understand your situation.

G. Of course, this is hard for any of us when we're feeling heated about something.

    Do you have a health problem, such as high blood pressure or obesity? Did your doctor tell you that you can improve your condition with better nutrition? Do cancer, heart disease, or diabetes run in your family?{#blank#}1{#/blank#}Meanwhile, you also need to improve your eating habits for better nutrition.

    It can be hard to change your eating habits. However, you are sure to benefit from making changes to your diet if you have diseases that can be made worse by things you are eating or drinking. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    Find the strengths and weaknesses in your present diet. Do you eat 4-5 cups of fruits and vegetables every day? Do you get enough calcium（钙）? Do you eat whole grain, high-fiber foods? If so, you're on the right track. Keep it up!{#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#}If you eat a lot of fat at present, cut back and change your habits. For example, reduce any extra fat. This includes butter on bread, sour cream on baked potatoes, and salad dressings.

    Keep track of your food intake（摄入量）.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}This record will help you assess（评价）your diet. You'll see if you need to eat more or less from certain food groups.

    Think about asking for help from a nutritionist. They can help you follow a special diet, especially if you have a health issue.

A. Cut back on unhealthy fat.

B. Write down what you eat and drink every day.

C. Below are suggestions to improve your health

D. If not, add more of these foods to your daily diet..

E. You should eat foods that contain vitamins and minerals.

F. If your answer is yes, talk to your doctor about your health.

G. Balanced nutrition and regular exercise are good for your health.

How to be safe when you are travelling on your own

    Be sure to arrive during daytime {#blank#}1{#/blank#} People looking to prey (欺骗)on tourists can do it with ease at night. Make sure your arrival time will get you where you are going during daylight hours.

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    Make sure to keep your money in a money belt, keep your credit cards in another place, and your passport in another.

    Look for people to group up with Have you met friendly people at the bar? See if they want to join you when you go out for dinner. See if there's a tour group you can join up with.{#blank#}3{#/blank#}

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    It can be a struggle to carry a lot of bags around on your own. If criminals see you struggling, they may use the opportunity to grab one of your suitcases. Before you leave, be sure you can carry your luggage quickly and smoothly. If you can't, it's time to cut down your bags.

    Trust your instincts(直觉)

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#} If you have a bad feeling about something, it's probably for a reason and it's best to go with your instincts. Even if your concerns are nothing, it can't hurt to listen to them.

A. Store important things separately.

B. Travel with as little luggage as possible.

C. Never get close to possible dangers wherever you are.

D. Surrounding yourself with others will help keep you protected.

E. Ensure that your family and friends know exactly where you are anytime.

F. This is when bus stations, airports, and hotels will be at their most active.

G. If something makes you suspicious or nervous, it's better to be careful and avoid it.

How to improve reading efficiency

    ⒈Make sure of your purpose of reading.

    Before you start reading, ask yourself why you are reading this book. Most people read for two main reasons: pleasure or knowledge. Being specific and clear about your reading purpose not only helps you to avoid books that you don't need to read, it also reminds you the book is important to you.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    ⒉Read only what you are attracted to.

    Whether you are reading fiction or nonfiction, it's important to enjoy what you read. Your friends may recommend books that they love, but those books might not necessarily be the ones you enjoy. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    ⒊Give up books that you don't enjoy.

    You may have selected books that match your purpose. You may have selected books that you are attracted to. But you are reading them, there may still be some books that you won't enjoy reading. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} Remember reading shouldn't make feel annoyed.

    ⒋{#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    Having a reading goal helps you figure out how much reading you need to do in a week or even a day.

    ⒌Give yourself a deadline to finish each book.

    Before you read each book, ask yourself when you need to finish this book. What I find interesting is that I tend to read books that I borrow from libraries faster than the books I bought. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} I don't need to return those books. When you don't set a deadline to finish you book, there isn't a sense of urgency. And when something isn't urgent, you tend to slow down.

A. Set a reading goal.

B. Understand each word of the sentence.

C. Read books which you are interested in.

D. Reading is the most important way to get knowledge.

E. The reason is that the books I bought don't have a due date.

F. This encourages you to keep reading and complete the book faster.

G. Whenever you realize that you aren't enjoying the book you are reading, give it up.