You want to be happy, who doesn't? However, whether you procrastinate(拖延), feed negative self-talk, or don't rest your mind, you lower your potential to create happiness.

Procrastination

    You aren't in deadly danger if you procrastinate, but your system doesn't always take this information on board. You still react as though you are anxious and produce stress chemicals.

    {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Your ability to see the big picture of life is reduced when you procrastinate. Therefore, you don't see as much joy.

Negative self-talk

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Taking notice of what goes on in your head and putting positive change in action makes negative self-talk useful. Nevertheless, most people don't recognize negative self-talk as a pointer; they feed it until it grows out of control.

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    Your mind contains an incredible amount of information and is more powerful than any computer many times over. However, if you give it too many tasks, you shut out peace of mind.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#} Thought-overload results in physical symptoms, like a racing heart and shortness of breath. Additionally, you might have sleeplessness, digestive problems and other symptoms of stress that reduce your happiness.

    If you want to increase the odds of being happy, don't procrastinate. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} Similarly, don't overload your mind, give it a rest and you will soon notice you are happier.

    Everyone can benefit a lot from reading books. The following is about various benefits of reading books.

    {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Whenever you read something, you learn information that you wouldn't have known. If you want to learn new words, reading books is a great way to enlargeyour vocabulary.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Similar to solving puzzles, reading books allows your mind to practice its processing skills. Going without books for too long will turn your mind into mess.

    One of the primary benefits of reading books is its ability to develop your thinking skills. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} Wherever you are faced with a similar problem in real life, your mind is able to put its mystery solving skills to a test.

    The information in books can be referred to over and over again. For example, reading a cookbook allows you the chance to review the cooking steps whenever you need to. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} Don't even think about writing the information down because you may lose the paper sooner or later.

    These are just some of the wonderful benefits of reading books. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} If you can't even go outside, you can download free e­books online and read them on your computer. That way, you can see how useful reading can be for yourself.

A. You can improve your memory by reading.

B. Reading keeps your mind in good condition.

C. Reading books can make you become confident.

D. Reading books provides you with new knowledge.

E. Reading mystery novels, for example, trains your mind.

F. Following the steps from a cooking video will be difficult.

G. Why don't you drop into a bookstore and pick a book up?

    It's easy to spot signs of physical suffering, but much emotional pain can be easily masked.{#blank#}1{#/blank#} “We don't tend to have conversations about mental well-being,” says Dr. Barbara Van Dahlen, a clinic psychologist. Simply asking someone “How are you” may just get “Fine, thank you”, says Van Dahlen. “It's important to be aware of what could lead to somebody needing help they're afraid to ask for,” she adds. The following are four signs a friend might need help.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#} If you sense something different about the way your friend is acting — maybe he's not smiling much these days, for instance — trust your feelings and reach out. “Try saying, ‘I see these things. I care about you. Can I be of help?'”, Van Dahlen says.

    He's unusually unhappy or annoyed.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#} “It may take more than one time to follow up if you're talking to someone who is upset,” Van Dahlen says, “but if a friend responds with anger, that could mean you're onto something.”

    He's less put together than usual.

    Drinking more and ignoring personal hygiene (卫生) can be signs that someone is in trouble. Don't consider these behaviors are nothing.{#blank#}4{#/blank#} He seems overwhelmed (压倒) by life.

    No one is happy all the time, but if your once optimistic friend can't find anything to be hopeful about, he may be having thoughts of worthlessness, sadness and something negative. “{#blank#}5{#/blank#}” says Van Dahlen, “so that more people can get the help they need.”

A. He's acting a bit more withdrawn.

B. He doesn't seem like himself lately.

C. Instead treat them as a sign to care for your friend.

D. Getting angry quickly and easily can be a sign that something is wrong.

E. It's a constant effort to bring into the open discussions about mental health.

F. Many people avoid talking about it no matter how close they are to someone.

G. We want people to get comfortable being more open and discussing mental health.

    How to deal with your homework

    Write it down.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}Make a note on your notebook. Always be sure to write down any homework for school so you won't forget anything.

    Create a homework station. Find somewhere comfortable and quiet to work.{#blank#}2{#/blank#}It will take twice as long to get the homework done. Shut off your cell phone, log off(退出) your computer(unless you will need it for your homework) and close the door.

    Do homework as early as possible. Don't leave homework to die last minute.{#blank#}3{#/blank#}The earlier you start your homework, the sooner you will finish! Do all your homework as early as you can, so you don't have a pile of(一堆) homework the next day.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#}Think about how long it will take you to complete each homework subject. For example: English-ten minutes, science-ten minutes, math-forty minutes, history-twenty minutes.

    Treat yourself. You can easily get tired by sitting through an hour or two of homework without stopping. Once you finish homework for a subject, take a small break. Just make sure it's quick(no more than 15 minutes). Do not turn on the TV, or you'll never go back and finish your homework.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}

A. Use your time wisely

B. Start as soon as you get home

C. Start your hardest homework

D. Never do your homework in front of the TV

E. You can take a walk or find something to eat

F. After short breaks, return to finish up the last of your work

G. Keep a homework notebook where you record all your homework

    On many websites, experts share advice on how to achieve your life goals. Most of the experts agree on one thing. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Here are some ideas on how to start your day on the right foot.

    Get up an hour early.

    People who get up early in the morning get a jump on the day. In American English, we like to say, “The early bird gets the worm.” Here, if you were a bird, the worm would be the reward. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Therefore, they are more likely to succeed.

    Exercise!

    Some people may disagree with this one. Exercising in the morning may not be for everyone. Some people like to exercise after work or at night. However, at the end of the day, you may not have the tune or energy to exercise. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}.

    Think about your day at night.

    Take time at the end of the day to think back on all the things that have happened. And spend a little time thinking about tomorrow. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} But it may help you to prepare if you take a few minutes to think about what you need to do next day. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} You probably won't have time to do everything you've planned. But that's fine. If you have done one thing, that means you are one step closer to your goal.

A. This is not the best way to start your day.

B. Starting your day in a right way is most important.

C. Also, know that your day will probably change.

D. You've already gotten your exercise!

E. Exercising in the morning prevents that from happening.

F. So this expression means that people who rise early have an advantage.

G. Some people who talk about “living in the present” may disagree with this.

    Having good study habits is key to success in college. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} To begin making the change, you need to get organized to study.

    Create a fixed study space. Find a quiet space in your room or somewhere on campus where you can focus. Studying in the same place every day makes your brain combine a certain environment with work. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    Find a regular time for studying. If you study at the same time each day, your brain will be prepared for learning when you sit down. Review your schedule and see when you have free time. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} You can study during gaps between classes or in the evening after your classes are done for the day.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#} Make sure you have everything you need to study at your study space. If you're studying in a place in your home, keep things like your books, pencils, pens, and paper in that area. If you go out to study, you can take a book bag and keep all your studying materials stored there.

    Avoid distractions (干扰). When you prepare your study space, it's important to keep it away from distractions. Remove any technologies that will take your mind off your work, like your iPad. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} Besides, keep other distracting materials such as outside reading, away from your study area.