In today's busy and competitive world, we all lead incredibly stressful lives. When stress becomes overwhelming, it can affect our mood and productivity. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} The good news is that it is manageable and can be reduced, or even relieved completely.

    Enter the world of books. Feeling stressed out? Pick up your favorite book and leave the reality and worries behind. It is the most effective way to relax and overcome stress. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Getting lost in a book before bedtime can calm your mind and prepare your body for a good night's sleep.

    Connect with people. Another way to successfully beat stress is meeting with friends. Friends and loved ones are important to any healthy lifestyle. If you're feeling a little overwhelmed and just can't seem to shake it off, call your best friend or a member of your family and talk to them. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    Walk it off. You can also effectively relieve yourself of stress by simply taking a walk around your neighborhood. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} There's a whole new world up there that you never seem to notice while rushing to work or talking to someone. Take a moment to admire a new building or a balcony somewhere high up that reminds you of a castle from your favorite movie. Enjoy your time alone and seize every moment of it.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#} Nothing brings you back on track like a good laughter. It is the most powerful antidote(良方) to stress and it brings joy into your life. Laughing brings people together and drives away all stress-related problems as if they never existed. It is absolutely the best medicine there is, and it will keep you both physically and emotionally healthy.

    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 causes 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 self-confidence if you don't do it.

    When you got sick, did your parents and doctors make you drink a "terrible soup"? {#blank#}1{#/blank#}, but it can really make you feel better in several days. The "soup" is actually a kind of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM).

    In recent years, TCM has become more popular around the world. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}. China has 10 TCM centers abroad, such as in France and the United States. Doctors give TCM treatment to local people there. They also teach TCM knowledge to local people. Now, there are over 100,000 TCM clinics, with about 300,000 TCM workers around the world.

    TCM came from China thousands of years ago. It is based on the Chinese philosophy（哲学）of yin and yang. Humans should follow the natural rules to keep healthy. Old Greece and Egypt created western medicine. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}.Western doctors check people's height, weight, blood pressure and body temperature.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#}."Bringing together western medicine and TCM can use collective knowledge, rather than create competition between them. It can develop the great effects of both of them," said Bernhard Schwartlander, a World Health Organization representative in China.

    On Dec 6, a government document reported that 86 countries and regions are now developing TCM together with China. In 2015, Chinese scientist Tu Youyou won the Nobel Prize. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}.Today, with more and people paying attention to TCM, it will definitely have a bright future.

A. Let's see some facts and figure

B. It is difficult to compare which one is better

C. It might be a bad drinking experience for you

D. There are many women of great achievements in history

E. Then the idea took shape in Europe in the 19th century

F. It's because she made an important drug using traditional Chinese medicine

G. Many people believe western medicine is more effective than traditional Chinese medicine

    Researchers define self-control or self-discipline as "ability to control or change one's inner responses". {#blank#}1{#/blank#} However, some people think that as an immediate consequence of leading lives of constant self-control, they aren't likely to gain a lot of pleasure from life.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#} To start, 414 adults completed on online survey. In the survey, they rated their self-control by indicating how much they agreed with 14 statements, such as "I indeed do certain things that are bad for me, if they are fun."

    In their study, 205 adults were given smart phones and required to report their emotions at random moments throughout the week. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} If so, they had to report how hard they tried to resist them, and whether they eventually ended up acting on them.

    The researchers found that the more self-control people had，the more satisfied they were with their lives in the long run. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} In fact, such people's increased happiness to a large extent accounted for the increased life satisfaction.

    These researchers also figured out that people high in self-control are simply less likely to find themselves in situations where that's even an issue. They don't waste time fighting inner battles over whether or not to eat a second piece of cake. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} And that, it would seem, makes them happier……even if occasionally a little bit sad.

A. In a word, they are not bothered about such little desires.

B. Researchers checked these general ideas through a survey and study.

C. It is generally believed that in the long run self-control can make people happier.

D. Meanwhile, they were also asked to report whether they were experiencing any desires.

E. However, people with more self-control were also more likely to be happy in the short run.

F. But they are still uncertain why some people are more able to control their inner responses.

G. Most adults reported they failed to control their desire to play video games before an exam.

    There are several different types of fire departments. Some hire full-time paid firefighters and some are run entirely by volunteers. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}, a firefighter must go through strict physical and academic training to ensure a strong knowledge of fire safety and the physical strength to handle the tasks required by member of a fire department.

    Joining a fire department requires that both physical and written tests are passed with scores showing a thorough knowledge of fire safety. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}.

    The first step in joining a fire department as a paid firefighter is to submit an application as well as acquire the appropriate training. Usually firefighters must have a high school diploma, and some complete two-or-four-year programs in fire science at community colleges and universities. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}, and if a candidate already has connections at a fire department, he may apply for a position straight out of high school.

    Once a candidate applies and is accepted for training at a fire department, he must then complete several weeks of training at the department's training center. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}. When this is done, the candidate is sent to a fire company for a period of probation (实习). He has to continue training in the new position while being directed by experienced firefighters. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}. An application must be submitted to the volunteer fire department, then if the application is accepted, the candidate will take a training program and then be required to pass a physical and written test. Firefighters must also become certified (认证) as Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs). The level of EMT certification is determined by the individual departments.

    Happiness has become a big deal in the past ten years. Hundreds of books, lectures and even the media tell us that happiness is within our reach. All we have to do is follow some simple steps, like meditation, living in the moment and doing yoga. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} In fact, feeling deeply sad is a normal part of the healing (治愈) process.

    It's said that if you are going through a hard time, it's important to do what you can to feel better.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Perhaps they can work for you too.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#} But if you're not anywhere near an ocean, lake or river, looking at images of moving water on TV can make you feel peaceful.

    We have to get our happiness where we can find it. If you have lost the ability to find any pleasure in your daily life or the people around you, something deeper is going on. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    Think about the times you were at your happiest. That may sound a little strange. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}

    We can't allow natural and normal emotional low points rule our lives, but we can't ignore them either. They must be processed, so we can move on.

A. Getting close to nature can help cheer you up.

B. Looking at water while in nature can be calming.

C. You'd better get yourself checked out by a medical doctor.

D. Here are some ways that have helped me and many people.

E. Talk with your friends and try to find your happiness from them.

F. But if you are going through a really difficult time, none of this may feel right.

G. But doing this actually sends chemicals to your brain, and it can make you feel better.