【推荐1】What is depression (抑郁症)? It’s important to know what it is as it affects a lot of people. About 280 million people around the world have depression, according to the WHO. Recently, the Ministry of Education said China would include screening (筛查) for depression in students’ regular health checks, to find and prevent mental (心理的) problems.

It’s common to feel unhappy or sad at times. But with depression, a sad or bad mood (情绪) lasts for weeks, months, or even longer because it is a mental illness. Depression affects more than a person’s mood. It can affect the way they act and how well they do in school or at work. It can affect their energy, sleep and eating, too. If people are depressed, they lose interest in all kinds of things. Most of all, depression affects how people think and feel about themselves.

Depression can start small. For teenagers, friends, family and school can have major emotional (情绪的) effects. But depression can build and get worse. In serious situations, it may lead to suicide. However, don’t be afraid of it. Depression can be treated. If you are unhappy for more than two weeks and have some symptoms of depression, it is time to look for help from doctors or others.

You are not alone even if you are depressed. You can try the following ways to feel better. First, talk to a trusted adult, such as a parent, teacher, about how you’ve been feeling. Second, try to spend time with friends or family. Third, stay active and exercise even if you don’t want to. Then, remember to eat healthy foods. What’s more, keep a regular sleep schedule. Finally, ask your doctor for professional help.

【推荐2】When you feel unhappy or forget how great you are, these are five ways to make you feel good about yourself.

* Look in the mirror and say to yourself “    1     I can do anything.” It may not sound so good, but it really works (起作用)!

*    2     Helping others always makes you feel good.

* Smile!     3     Look for the good things in your friends and family.

* Read and start a diary. Turn off the TV and let your imagination (想象) fly! Write down your thoughts, dreams or anything you want!     4    

*    5     We all need our family time. Talk with your Mum or Dad or maybe even your cousin.

【推荐2】Tired of traditional celebrations? Have a look at the four special days.

	Earth Day “Earth Day” is on April 22nd. Many people all over the world try to do something green on this day. In Italy, people don’t use plastic bags. In Canada, people ride bicycles and don’t use their cars. In the USA, people dress up like plants and animals and dance in Times Square, New York.
	Car Free Day “Car Free Day” is on September 22nd. It encourages drivers to give up their cars for a day to protect the environment. People get together in the streets to remind the world that we don’t need to use cars so much. In Brussels, the public transportation is free on that day.
	Buy Nothing Day “Buy Nothing Day” is usually on the fourth Friday in November. On this day, many people don’t buy anything. “Buy nothing” means “make no rubbish”. When you make less rubbish, you can make a cleaner earth.
	Meatout Day “Meatout Day” is on March 20th. Many people around the world don’t eat any meat for one day. They think diet change was important because of the huge greenhouse gas emission(排放) and other emissions and other environmental problems. Also, join this day, you’ll get healthier.

【推荐1】If you think you’re too shy and want to be a little braver, try the followings. You can make it.

Tell people you’re shy.     1     When they get to know you’re a shy kid, they understand you better. This also helps you feel easier in talks.

    2    When you smile, people think you’re friendly and easy to talk with. Remember that other people have feelings, too. And most people will stay away from an angry-looking face.

Learn to be a good talker. If you find it hard to start talks,     3     Think about how great you feel when someone says something nice to you. Doesn’t it make you want to keep talking to that person?

    4     Think more about ways to enjoy the party or the game. Don’t waste time worrying about your looks or whether people like you or not.

    5     Each time after you say “hi” or smile at someone for the first time, say “I did it!” to yourself. Keep trying and one day you’ll never be shy when you talk to others.

【推荐2】The World Health Organization(WHO) says that 80% of the world’s teenagers don’t get enough exercise to live healthy lives. It did research(研究) on students aged from 11 to 17 in 146 countries for about eight years and got the result.

Doctors say 60 minutes of exercise a day is important for teenagers to build up their strength(力量). It’s also good for their hearts and lungs (心肺). Also, teenagers won’t become fat through exercise. What’s more, more and more research is showing that exercise doesn’t just help with the body. It can help with the mind, too—making people think better and helping students get better grades.

Trevor Shilton working for the Heart Foundation in Australia says that doing exercise is really important, and he also says, “If this were a medicine, we would all take it.”

However, it’s not easy. Now many teenagers find it very difficult to stay away from smartphones, computers or televisions. In their free time, they talk with friends online, play online games and watch interesting TV programs. WHO says that young people need to play less in the online world and play more in the real world.

Health experts want schools and families to ask teenagers to do more exercise. Doctors also say that teens can do 20 minutes of exercise three times a day to get 60 minutes of exercise. They say it’s very important for young people to do exercise, because it will be good for their lives in the future.

【推荐3】Now parents and their children spend less time together.     1     How to help parents and their children stay close. Below is a list of helpful ways for family life.

Sharing a meal together lets parents and their children have time to talk about each other’s lives.     2    

For parents, it is important to read to their children. Look for books that your children like reading.       3    

    4     Jump into the family car and go for a trip to the beach. Also, the visit to a zoo, a park or a museum will make you have a discussion.

A great way to spend more time children and light a fire of learning is to help children with their schoolwork.     5