Four benefits of writing by hand

    Today is National Handwriting Day! Although we don't write like we used to, here are four ways handwriting is still helpful.

    It's better for learning.

    {#blank#}1{#/blank#}That's because putting ink to paper stimulates (刺激) the brain.  One study from 2010 found that the brain areas related to learning “lit up” much more when kids were asked to write words like “spaceship” by hand versus just studying the word closely.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    Many famous authors prefer writing by hand to the use of a typewriter or computer. Writer Susan Sontag once said that she penned her first drafts (草稿) before typing them up for editing later. She said, “{#blank#}3{#/blank#}” A 2009 study seems to support Sontag's preference for writing by hand: Elementary school students who wrote essays with a pen not only wrote more than their keyboard-tapping friends, but they also wrote faster and in more complete sentences.

    It will prevent you from being distracted (分心).

    The computer in front of you is really a distraction.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}In 2012, scientists even suggested that taking five-minute breaks to browse Tumblr or BuzzFeed could make you a more productive worker. However, when it's time to work on that essay, have only a pen and paper in front of you.

    It keeps your brain sharp as you get older.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#}According to The Wall Street Journal, some physicians say that the act of writing is good exercise for those who want to keep their minds sharp as they age.

A. It makes you a better writer.

B. Writing is good for your brain.

C. Of course, the Internet isn't all bad.

D. I like the slowness of writing by hand.

E. Try writing by hand at least 20 minutes each day.

F. Many writers have a preference for writing by hand.

G. One of the most effective ways to study is to rewrite your notes by hand.

    Depression can be harmful to those affected by the disease， but the pain it causes doesn't end there.{#blank#}1{#/blank#} They can see the damage the disease is causing, but may feel helpless orconfused about what to do to assist. Yet there are many ways that friends and family can help.

    Know the symptoms

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#} That means learning the symptoms of depression. Also, it means realizing that the individual may not recognize the signs himself or herself. Depression may appear as persistent unhappiness, anger, tiredness or other feelings and emotions that the individual may owe to something other than depression.

    Be sympathetic

    The most important thing is to be sympathetic.{#blank#}3{#/blank#} Listen with patience and acceptance. Let the person talk about how they're feeling no matter how sad or negative their comments are. Do not argue about their points or try to convince them to see things in a more positive light, because someone wrestling with depression does not have the ability to do so.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    Talk to your physician and share what's going on and ask what they suggest. It won't be the first time they have heard this, and they have resources that will be helpful. For the friend or loved one, the best thing to offer is your understanding and a sense of hope. Let them know that, they will start to feel better and see things differently once they seek help and undergo treatment.

    Support them through treatment

    It can be helpful to point out that depression is not a personal problem or weakness of character but it's a medical condition that responds to treatment, just like most other medical problems. And help your loved one stick with treatment. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}

A. Seek your own support.

B. Ask doctors about your symptoms.

C. Friends and loved ones are affected, too.

D. The first step is to recognize that he or she may be depressed.

E. Those with depression are at increased risk of harming themselves.

F. It may take several weeks before the patient sees signs of improvement.

G. Do not suggest in any way a sense of surprise that this person is depressed.

    "You are what you eat," goes an English saying. But actually, you are what you drink. Why? Because 75% of your body is water! {#blank#}1{#/blank#} When we don't give our bodies enough water, our organs cannot work properly. We are also easier to catch a disease. When we are sick, drinking plenty of water should be one of the first things we do. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    Is your body asking for more water?

    If you experience headaches, sleepiness, allergies or dizziness (头昏眼花), your body might be telling you to drink more water. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    Even problems such as nervousness or forgetfulness can be caused by lack of water. In addition, the medicines that treat these illnesses can sometimes dry out your body further. The more water you are lacking in, the worse your health will be-no matter how much medicine you take. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    How much water is enough for you?

    Most experts suggest drinking at least 8-ounce glasses of water every day. However, if you weigh more than 128 pounds, you need even more water. Drink an extra glass of water for every 15 pounds of body weight.

    Drink more water in the hot summer months and when you exercise to replenish (补充) the water loss through sweating. Caffeine makes your body lose water very quickly. So drink extra water if you drink beverages such as coffee, tea and soda.

    Helpful tips

    Try these tips to help yourself drink more water.

    Don't wait until you are thirsty to drink. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}

    Plan to have enough water.

    Carry a bottle of pure water with you wherever you go.

    Don't hesitate by frequent trips to the toilet.

    Drinking plenty of water can take as much time as you need and prevent serious illness in the future. So pour yourself a glass of water and drink up!

A. Drink water occasionally.

B. All kinds of drink will contribute to your health.

C. If you're thirsty, you're already lack of water.

D. Instead, we usually depend on drugs to make us well.

E. Lack of water may be the real reason for your sickness.

F. Therefore, it is important to listen to your body when it asks for a drink!

G. With this in mind, it's no surprise that drinking enough water is crucial for good health.

    Whether you're on a long road trip or stuck in traffic while driving home from work, a low phone battery (电池) could mean disaster for the bored driver. At first, it may seem harmless to plug your phone into your car's USB port. But unless you're desperate, charging your phone in your car might be a big mistake.

    Why? First, the USB port in your vehicle probably provides less electricity than your phone really needs to charge. As a result, your phone might stop working while it charges, or worse—hardly charge at all.

    Brad Nichols, a technician at Staymobile, told Reader's Digest. “This is mostly due to the fact the phone is using more power than the car charger is supplying it.”

    Nichols also says that your phone could receive too much power, especially if you're using a “Cigarette Lighter” port to charge up. Most Cigarette Lighters can supply up to 10 amps (安培), while most chargers use one to three amps. A damaged charger can provide inconsistent power to the phone, leading to sudden power increase that could cause damage to the inside parts, or on the rare occasion, destroy it.

    Charging your phone while on the road could use up your car's battery, too. If your engine is off, but you still use the radio—the phone will draw power from your car's battery as it charges. This usually isn't a big deal for those who own new cars with healthy batteries Nichols says. But if your car is an older model, you might want to avoid charging your phone through its USB port.

    Most importantly, it, s not safe to use your phone while operating a vehicle. “Anytime a person's hands leave the wheel or eyes leave the road, it becomes very dangerous for them and the other people around them,” Nichols says. Bottom line: Play it safe, and wait until you get home to plug in.

Forgiveness

    To forgive is a virtue, but no one has ever said it is easy. When someone has deeply hurt you, it can be extremely difficult to let go of your hate. However, forgiveness is possible, and it can be surprisingly beneficial to your physical and mental health. People who forgive show less sadness, anger and stress and more hopefulness, according to a recent research.

    {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Try the following steps:

    Calm yourself. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} You can take a couple of breaths and think of something that gives you pleasure: a beautiful scene in nature, or someone you love.

    Don't wait for an apology. Many times the person who hurt you does not intend to apologize. They may have wanted to hurt you or they just don't see things the same way. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} Keep in mind that forgiveness does not necessarily mean becoming friends again with the person who upset you.

    Take the control away from your offender (冒犯者). Rethinking about your hurt gives power to the person who caused you pain. Instead of focusing on your wounded feelings, learn to look for the love, beauty and kindness around you.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#} If you understand your offender, you may realize that he or she was acting out of unawareness, fear, and even love. You may want to write a letter to yourself from your offender's point of view.

    Don't forget to forgive yourself. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} But it can rob you of your self­confidence if you don't do it.

    Stress is so common that many people choose to ignore it. But without proper management, stress can become much more serious. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    ⒈Breathe

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Slow, deep breathing stops the mind focusing on whatever else might be going on, and actively lowers stress levels.

    ⒉Write

    Instead of allowing a jumble (混乱) of thoughts and ideas to jump around inside your head, let them fall out onto your computer keyboard instead. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}They don't even have to make sense. Minutes later, you might be surprised at how light and airy you feel.

    ⒊Walk

    If you're feeling stressed, drop everything and go for a walk. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}Walking provides your body with an ideal outlet(完美的出口) for the energy that stress can create.

    ⒋Laugh

    If you're stressed, the last thing you probably feel like doing is laughing. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}If you are able to smile during your day, you'll soon begin to see the effects of stress slowly disappear.

A. Stress is not good for people's health.

B. Here are four ways to deal with stress.

C. Deep breathing lowers the blood pressure.

D. Laughing can calm the nerves and reduce stress.

E. Or write down your feelings onto a piece of paper.

F. Keep yourself at an easy speed and breathe properly.

G. Taking a deep breath in stressful situation is helpful.