How to Cure a Stomach Ache

    When your stomach is upset, it is difficult to concentrate or even get through your day. If you wish to cure a stomach ache and keep it from coming back, follow these steps.

    1）{#blank#}1{#/blank#}Don't start treating until you know the source of your pain. Your stomach is a big area so start by pinpointing your pain. Is there tightness in your lower abdomen or intestines? Or is there a burning high in your stomach?

    2）Stay hydrated. You need to drink water every day, no matter what. Dehydration can cause your stomach ache, tightness in your intestines and constipation. Drinking proper water each day helps your body function properly.{#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    3）Eat some crackers. Often pain in your stomach is caused by hunger or something disagreeable you have eaten. Fill the hunger with a few crackers to take the edge off. The crackers will also provide something to mix with any bacteria or other disagreeable items you may have consumed.

    4）Relax. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}Stand up to stretch, and take a walk to relax. This will also help loosen any tension your stomach is holding due to the ache you feel.

    5）Maintain a regular high-fiber diet. When your stomach aches often you need to take a look at your diet. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}If your digestive system is not working with a steady flow you will back up and feel the pain. Consuming high fiber foods will help you regulate your digestive system.

    6）Wait it out. Sometimes whatever is ailing you just needs to work its way out of your system. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}

    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.

    A volunteering vacation can be a meaningful way to spend your time off, but to make the trip satisfying both for you and the cause you are supporting, several factors need to be considered. Here is some advice on planning the satisfactory vacation:

    {#blank#}1{#/blank#} There are hundreds of causes to volunteer for, and finding one close to your heart will lead to a more worthwhile trip. Possibilities include wildlife conservation, education, environmental protection, health and nutrition. Also, consider any personal and professional skills that you can contribute. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    Choose your destination and setting. Your volunteering trip will be more enjoyable if you use it to reach a favorite destination. Southeast Asia is on your mind, helping with tree­planting programs in Bali would benefit the environment and let you appreciate the scenic island. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} Is volunteering outdoors in a hot or snowy climate attractive, or do you prefer being in an air­conditioned office?

    Ask the right questions. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} Be aware that most volunteering programs require a week-long stay. Ask other questions like: How many hours of work per day is required? Are there days off? Will you be working individually or as part of a team? And what are the goals of your efforts? {#blank#}5{#/blank#} Ask if the cost includes only accommodations or meals and transportation too.

A. Figure out your cause.

B. Find a well­respected organization.

C. And think about the surroundings you want.

D. Your duty there is to rest and play.

E. The more you know about your trip, the more successful it will be.

F. Despite the word “volunteer”, these vacations usually cost you some money.

G. If you're a doctor, for example, working at a health clinic could be an ideal fit.

Easy Ways to Keep Your Brain Sharp

    Everyone is forgetful, but as we age, we start to feel like our brains are slowing down a bit—and that can be a very annoying thing. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Read on for some techniques worth trying.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    People who regularly made plans and looked forward to upcoming events had a 50 percent reduced chance of Alzheimer's disease (早老性痴呆症), according to a recent study. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} Something as simple as setting a goal to have a weekly coffee date with a friend will do. There's evidence that people who have a purpose in life or who are working on long or short-term goals appear to do better. In other words, keep your brain looking forward.

    Go for a walk

    Mildly raised glucose (葡萄糖) levels can harm the area of the brain that helps you form memories and physical activity can help get blood glucose down to normal levels. In fact, exercise produces chemicals that are good for your brain. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    Learn something new

    Take a Spanish class online, join a drawing club, or learn to play cards. A study found that mental stimulation limits the weakening effects of aging on memory and the mind. But the best thing for your brain is when you learn something new and are physically active at the same time. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} Or go dancing with your friends.

A. Focus on the future.

B. This can be especially harmful to the aged.

C. It should be something like learning gardening.

D. So take a few minutes each day to think about your future.

E. But don't worry if your schedule isn't filled with life-changing events.

F. Luckily, research shows there is a lot you can do to avoid those moments.

G. In other words, when you take care of your body, you take care of your brain.

    Many facts suggest that children are overweight and the situation is getting worse, according to the doctors. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}.

    Some people blame the fact that we are surrounded by shops selling unhealthy, fatty foods, such as fried chicken and ice cream at low prices. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}, then probably children would buy less take-away food.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#}. I agree with this, because good eating habits begin early in life, long before children start to visit fast food shops. If parents often give their children fried chicken and chocolate rather than healthy food, they will go for sweet and salty foods, and children will find it hard to get rid of the habit.

    There is a third reason for this situation. Children these days take very little exercise. They do not walk to school. When they get home, they sit in front of the television or their computers and play computer games. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}. What they need is to go outside and play active games or sports.

    The above are the main reasons for this problem. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}, as well as forcing them away from fast food shops and bad eating habits.

A. There is another argument that blames parents for allowing their children to become overweight

B. Adults are becoming fatter and unhealthier too

C. If there were fewer of these restaurants

D. So we have to encourage young people to be more active

E. Not only is this an unhealthy pastime (消遣), it also gives them time to eat more unhealthy food

F. I feel there are a number of reasons for this

G. It's a good idea to allow children to eat what they choose

    Sometimes it can be hard to recognize a true friend, one who is loyal (忠诚的) and one who is worth keeping by your side. The suggestions provided in this article will help to guide you in working out which friends are likely to be true.

    Be able to trust your friends. You should be able to trust true friends and they should return this trust. Your friends tell you secrets that no one else knows. Let you share secrets. Ask you for advice. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} However, if your friends hide things from you and act secretive, this could be a sign that they do not trust you, but it could also mean your friends keep to themselves or don't like to reveal too much about themselves.

    Consider comfort. How comfortable do your friends feel when they are around you? Watch them, are they being themselves or are they timid (胆怯的) around you? {#blank#}2{#/blank#} True friendships can take a while to develop, but if your friends are true, they should feel comfortable around you.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#} This is not meant in a romantic way, but consider whether your friends are comfortable with the touch. If your friends are fine with hugging you, leaning on you, resting their heads on your shoulder and so forth, then you can judge they love you.

    Think about loyalty. True friends are always there for one another. If you are in need of a helping hand, your true friends should be there to offer it to you. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} You can trust friends with anything, knowing that they will be loyal and will not let your secrets out.

    Look at how you fight. Nearly all best friends fight; so if you and your friend have a little dispute (争论), don't sweat it! {#blank#}5{#/blank#} They will not tell each other's secrets and they still care about each other.