We are not suggesting that you can reach a permanent state called “happiness” and remain there. But there are many ways to turn the path of anxiety, anger, and sadness into a state of happiness. Here are four ideas to get you started. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}

● Laugh out loud

    Just expecting a happy, funny event can raise levels of pleasure-causing hormones (荷尔蒙) and lower production of stress hormones. Researchers at the University of California tested 16 men who all agreed they thought a certain videotape was funny. Half were told three days in advance they would watch it. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} When they actually watched the video, their levels of stress hormones dropped greatly, while their levels of pleasure-causing hormones rose 27 percent.

● Do one thing at a time

    Edward Suarez, professor of medical psychology at Duck, found that people who do several things at the same time are more likely to have high blood pressure. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} Instead of talking on the phone while cleaning the kitchen, sit down in a comfortable chair and turn your entire attention over to the conversation.

●{#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    Although relationships help take away stress, sometimes you need time to recharge and reflect on your own. Take yourself out to lunch or to a movie, or simply spend an afternoon reading at home, or looking through books in a bookstore.

● Practice mindfulness

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#} Instead of worrying about your check-up tomorrow while having dinner with your family, focus on the here and now — food, the company, and the conversation.

A. Spend time alone.

B. Focus on the present.

C. Take care of the soul.

D. Take that finding seriously.

E. Choose the ones that work for you.

F. They started experiencing biological changes right away.

G. Find a quiet place near your house and make it your secret place to escape.

    When you ask people how to make friends as an adult, they usually give you suggestions like, “just get out there,” “join a dance class,” or , “try speed dating.”{#blank#}1{#/blank#}.

    After all, making friends does require us to get out into the world and take a few emotional risks. Most of the time, however, we are not lacking for ideas on where to meet people. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    For this reason, most people find that reconnecting with themselves is a first step towards reconnecting with others.

    If you feel tired, out of shape, or sad, most of the time, making friends is going to be extremely difficult. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    Start small. Use the1-minute technique to gradually increase your commitment to exercise. Get out into nature. Set a timer to remind yourself to get up every hour to stretch. Try gentle yoga.

    While you build up your body, don't forget to nourish your mind. Write down one thing every day that you are grateful for. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    Learn to become your own best friend.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#}Instead of relying on our social circumstances to bring people into our lives, we need to change ourselves first and then invite people into our lives.

A. On the surface, these are fine suggestions.

B. Spend a few minutes every day in reflection.

C. It will be even more difficult when you are an adult.

D. We only need to know how to start a conversation with strangers.

E. We are missing the motivation and self-confidence to get started.

F. Making friends as an adult is possible, but it requires a new approach.

G. Fortunately there are plenty of simple things that you can do to increase your physical and emotional resources.

    Holidays with friends can be great fun and a good way of getting to know each other better. Once you are on holiday, the trip can be full of fantastic memories if it's planned correctly.

    Choose a destination

    {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Going abroad will cost more but be a more exciting experience. Going to a different place in your own country can also be fun and will be cheaper.

    Collect your friends

    Find out how much interest there is from people to go on the trip, and work out your maximum and invite those who you get on well with.

    Meet up

    Everyone will have their own idea of what the trip is to be like, so meet up at a local café or restaurant, and share your ideas and concerns.{#blank#}2{#/blank#} Don't try to overpower others. Once you've all shared ideas you'll have a much better idea of how to start organizing the trip.

    Look for accommodation

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#} When you are searching for a place to stay in, read reviews and ratings(等级)．Book it as soon as possible because leaving it too late is going to make things harder.

    Book transport

    Once you have accommodation, you'll know the dates of your stay and be able to book transport, coach, bus, airplane, etc.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    Choose things you want to do there

    When you are on your trip it will be more relaxing if you have a good idea of what kind of things you want to do. Research the area on the Internet and book some activities you want to join in.{#blank#}5{#/blank#} Don't book a load of things which you can't afford.

A. One person will naturally be the leader.

B. Check out if your idea is necessary.

C. The first step is to work out where you want to go.

D. Match the activities to your budget.

E. Booking transport well in advance lowers the cost greatly, so please do it soon.

F. Make sure that the trip to the foreign country is not too long.

G. Find out your hotel near to the place you want to visit.

Dealing with Difficult Relationships

    Everyone has at least one awkward or tense relationship. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} It may be with somebody who will use up your energy whenever you are with them. Or worse, it could be someone who always cuts you down. By persuading you it's your obligation or duty, you forget about your own needs. Sadly, by remaining loyal to these people, you forget who you are. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} No matter who they are, it's necessary that you learn to set boundaries (界限) for yourself. It is you who allow them to take advantage of you or even belittle you.

    If you find a relationship unhealthy and it's time for you to set boundaries, the following advice may be helpful.

    Setting boundaries for difficult relationships starts by admitting how you are affected by the relationships. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} For example, it's time to study for tomorrow's test. But your friend wants to take you to a party. Here, setting boundaries will help protect your academic goals. Someone who pressures you to something you're not comfortable doing will stress you out. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}

Next, decide how much time you should spend with these people. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} But it's difficult to help others if you forget to protect your own priority (优先次序).

    Settling boundaries requires taking a long, honest look at yourself. By saying no to harmful patterns in relationships, you say “yes” to a healthier you.

A. Does this kind of relationship lower your self-respect?

B. These people may be your family members or even friends.

C. It's easy to spend too much time and energy offering them help.

D. People may try to keep you in an unhealthy relationship.

E. But a friend who considers how you feel will respect your willingness to try something new.

F. It's not easy to set boundaries because you may be afraid of losing them.

G. Do they bring you closer to your goals or pull you farther away?

    Anyone who loves to sing will probably tell you how good it makes them feel. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} But there are many different physical, emotional and social benefits associated with singing that you may not realize.

    singing improves your memory and cognition (认识). For one thing, there is no question that singing requires you to use your memory in ways that you don't normally use even if you can't always remember all of the lyrics to your favorite songs, {#blank#}2{#/blank#} For another thing, singers and musicians typically have higher IQ than non-musicians. Singing can improve your overall brain function and help you think a little clearer.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#} A joint Yale and Harvard study showed that for some people living in New Haven, Connecticut, choral singing promoted healthy minds and hearts, which increased the length of life.

    Singing lowers your blood pressure .There have been several case studies that have revealed that singing can decrease blood pressure due to its calming and relaxing effect{#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    Singing brings people together and creates a sense of community. Singing in a choir or singing in any sort of group environment with other people can be a fun, bonding activity. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} what's more, singing in a chore can be decrease depression in many adults.

A. Singing leads to a longer life.

B. Singing can cure various diseases.

C. It gives you an opportunity to share an experience with a group of people.

D. This is one excellent way to keep your brain remember things well as you age.

E. Although singing is good for your health, it is not good singing loudly in public.

F. It's no secret that singing can reduce your stress and bring much fun into your day.

G. Patients are able to calm themselves down and lower blood pressure by singing songs.

    What do you order when you go to a Chinese restaurant? Do you start with an appetizer of fried dumplings and then move onto General Tso's chicken? {#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    Tofu is made from soybeans(黄豆).There are different types of tofu, from soft creamy silken tofu to pressed extra firm tofu. The difference is the amount of water in them. The longer the tofu is pressed, the more water is squeezed out and the tofu becomes denser(更密实)and chewier.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#} In the letter to his friend John Bartram, Franklin cites(引用)a description of a type of Chinese cheese made from soybeans called "teu-fu" by Fernandez Navarette who published accounts of his travels to China in the late 1600's.

    However, there isn't much documentation of tofu production in the United States. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    In 1917, as part of an effort to develop new sources of protein for American soldiers during World War I, the United States Department of Agriculture sent Chinese-born doctor Yamei Kin a dietitian well-known for promoting tofu as an nutritious meat alternative, to China to study soybeans {#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    It wasn't until the 1970's that tofu started to become better known, during a wave of interest in vegetarianism(素食主义), natural food, and less wasteful food sources. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} And the restaurant, chain Chipotle successfully added tofu to its menu a few years ago.

A. Americans are not big consumers of tofu.

B. Let's take a look at tofu and its history in the United States.

C. Or do you start with deep-fried tofu and then choose Ma Po tofu instead?

D. Today, you can buy different types of tofu in many American supermarkets.

E. Despite the government's efforts, interest among the American public never picked up.

F. One of the earliest references to tofu by an American is in a letter by Benjamin Franklin.

G. It is likely that by the early 1900's, cities with large Asian populations had small tofu shops.