1 . How to charge an electric vehicle (EV) is one of the biggest concerns people have when working out whether going electric is right for them.

It is true that sometimes gaining access to reliable charging can seem a bit tricky.     1    

First, download an app with a comprehensive map of the public charging points showing their locations, how powerful they are, and whether they’re working. All this is vital information because, even if you have public charging points nearby, you will need alternatives in case they’re in use.    2    

A growing number of property owners are renting out their charging points and drive ways to other local EV drivers when they’re not using them.    3     Thus, your car gets charged, the owners make money, and emissions are reduced.

    4       For example, when your car is running out of juice, you’d just pull up to a battery-change station from your car brand and sit in the car while a fully charged unit is changed in. The Chinese EV brand Nio does this, but isn’t available in the UK as yet.

For now, if charging access remains difficult for you, it’s still possible to go electric-in part.    5     Many hybrid (混合) cars are now good for 50 miles of electric running before you need to use the engine. So, if most of your driving is local, you might only need to find a charger once or twice a week, while you have the backup of a fuel engine for long journeys.

2 . Things To Remember On Your First Solo Travel Adventure

If you’ve ever thought about just taking a trip yourself instead of waiting for someone to join you, you’re not alone.     1     However, do you count yourself among the many who have tried it? If you’re planning your own solo trip, here are four important things to keep in mind.

    2     Since you’re traveling solo, how you choose to explore it is entirely up to you. This is your chance to do whatever you want whenever you want because this time, you’re running the show.

Don’t be afraid to talk to random people. Though there is someone who poses a threat, it’s important to remember that not everyone is out to get you.     3    That’s because you’re a novelty, a person from another country who is visiting theirs. Therefore, instead of putting on your headphones or instantly seeing them as weirdos, use this spontaneous chat as a chance to meet the locals or get recommendations for things to do during your trip.

It’s okay to have bad days.     4     It happens and it’s completely okay to take some time to process whatever it is you’re feeling. Take yourself to a movie or spend the day dong something relaxing like writing in your journal or reading on the beach.

It’s okay to start small.     5     Start by doing a staycation in another part of town, spending a few days in a new locale a bus or train ride away. Just do whatever you’re comfortable with and see how it all feels for you.

3 . When attending holiday parties, we are eager to help our hosts in the kitchen, with food and drink service, and with post-party cleanup, which sometimes causes more trouble and stress for a host.     1     Here’s what professional event planners recommend.

Be sure to respond in a timely manner.     2     If the invitation asks you to respond, do so well before the host has to reach out to confirm your attendance. Hosts who don’t want their guests to help out during the party can hint that all has been taken care of right on the invitation.

    3     Asking a host if you can assist on the event date can be overwhelming, but extending that offer while the host is still planning the party and putting the details together may prove more useful. If you are someone who loves to help, contact the host in advance and offer your assistance.     4    

Don’t show up early. Respect the event’s start time and arrive on time or 5 minutes later than the time on the invitation. If the invitation says 7:15 pm, guests should arrive between 7:15 and 7:20.

When the party is over, don’t stay. At the end of the evening, you can make one last offer to help the host tidy up the space. But if they refuse, don’t insist.     5     So it’s the guest’s responsibility to leave at an appropriate hour.

4 . Being a good co-worker contributes to a positive work culture and strong relationships with your colleagues.     1     This is especially true when you’re starting a new job. Here are several tips for being a good co-worker.

Treat people warmly

Start the day right by saying hello to everyone you come across at the office. It’s a little gesture that can make a difference in the moods of others and the office atmosphere as a whole.     2     Ask someone how their family is and what they did last night. Taking an interest in co-workers makes them feel valued even if your conversation is small.

Be considerate

    3     Wash your cups, tableware and plates. Don’t leave a mess behind. Turn down your phone so as not to interrupt your co-workers. If someone’s out of the office, offer to lighten their workload so they don’t encounter a mountain of tasks upon their return.

Be positive

Maintain a positive attitude, even during difficult times. Focus on solutions rather than problems, and celebrate successes with your colleagues.    4    

Welcome new ideas

Welcome new ideas, especially ideas that are outside of the box. Sometimes, we get caught up in particular routines that we are comfortable with. It’s always a good idea to change things up and hear what others say.     5     Often, new ideas can promote innovation, creativity, and cooperation among the team. Be sure to welcome these new ideas in a space where everyone feels comfortable to share their thoughts, opinions, and visions.

5 . When did we start walking for leisure?

“Going for a walk” is a popular pastime among older and younger generations alike because of its well-known benefits for our physical and mental health. But you may be surprised to hear that wandering through pretty streets or hiking in mountainous have not always been considered leisure activities, according to Daniel Gale, a researcher of pedestrianism (步行运动).

    1     Before that, it was just something people did out of necessity, some of whom even associated it with criminal activity. But for Charles Dickens, the famous English 19th Century author, marching through London streets and tramping around the countryside was a big part of the creative process.     2     He walked at an impressive pace of four miles per hour, according to his biography by Peter Ackroyd.

    3     Perhaps you can take inspiration from another big-thinking wanderer. 19th Century American writer Henry David Thoreau took a slower approach, preferring to stroll over hills and fields and through the woods. He said that he could not preserve his health and spirits without walking at least four hours a day.

This idea of taking a stroll to clear your head has survived through to the 21st Century. But have pedestrian manners remained the same? A 1780 article for the London Magazine advised pedestrians to avoid things such as hanging around in conversation and obstructing people behind you.     4    

In this modern age, when many of us are tied to our desks and to our screens, try the simple act of stepping out onto the city pavements, or getting lost in nature.     5     Whether you see yourself more as a casual stroller or a purposeful strider (阔步者), why not build a habit out of it?

7 . One of Pulitzer Prize-winning journalists Charles Duhigg published a new book, in which he concluded common characteristics of “supercommunicators”— people who are consistently able to create authentic connections with others just by listening and talking.     1     Here is a set of skills recommended by Duhigg that can help you.

    2     If you are having a practical conversation, be ready to give good advice. If you are engaging in emotional discussions seeking empathy, you may show your support by being a good listener. If you’re in a social dialogue reflecting how we see others and how other people see us, be mindful of the different perspectives each person brings to the table and seek common ground.

Prove we’re listening. There are plenty of ways to appear like you’re listening, like making eye contact or nodding intently. But proving to someone that you’re listening is the quickest road to making someone feel heard.     3     Next, repeat back in your own words what they just told you. Lastly, ask your conversation partner if you got what they said correct.

Ask the right questions. Ask follow-up questions that signal to the other person that you’re interested in the conversation, like “So did you make it on time?” or “What happened next?” Ask questions like people’s values, beliefs or experiences and spark an opportunity for emotional connection.     4     When in doubt, just ask “why.’ People love to talk about how they see the world.

Aim to understand. The goal of a discussion isn’t to impress someone, convince someone or wait for their turn to speak. It’s to genuinely comprehend someone else’s point of view and share your own views accordingly. If people know you want to understand them, they’re going to want to understand you.     5    

8 . How to Make Family Fishing Trips Fun for All

There’s something truly special about fishing trips, especially when they involve the whole family.     1     But how can we make fishing trips enjoyable and memorable for all family members?

The first step in planning a family-friendly fishing trip is selecting the right destination. It’s important to consider places that are safe, easily accessible, and suitable for families. Destinations like lakeside cabins, or coastal towns are often perfect spots that offer great fishing opportunities.     2    

For many families, fishing trips are not just about catching fish. They’re also about teaching and learning new skills together. When it comes to introducing beginners, especially children, to fishing, it’s important to keep the techniques simple. Begin by familiarizing everyone with the basic parts of a fishing pole and reel (卷轴). Show them how to hold the pole, cast the line, and reel it in.     3     Encourage them to enjoy the experience and the surrounding nature while waiting for a catch.

    4     But it’s still important to have other activities planned. This could include exploring nearby trails, having a picnic, or playing simple outdoor games. These activities ensure that the trip remains engaging for family members who might not be as interested in fishing.

Safety should always be a top priority on fishing trips. This includes making sure everyone has a life jacket.     5     Also, having a first aid kit on hand is essential for dealing with any minor injuries or accidents.

By choosing the right destination, preparing adequately, engaging in various activities, and prioritizing safety, your fishing trips can become a cherished family tradition.

9 . We’ve all experienced the sense of unease that the end of a holiday weekend often brings.     1     Monday morning after a holiday weekend represents a psychological shift from freedom and relaxation to pressure and obligations. Our minds and bodies, accustomed to the rhythm of the holiday, resist the sudden change.     2    

Schedule your Monday morning so that you’ve got some uninterrupted time to concentrate. Researchers found that people lost significant time when they switched from one task to another.     3     Give yourself an hour or more of time to concentrate and either accomplish one of your most important tasks or take the time to plan the rest of your week.

Where possible, focus your uninterrupted Monday morning time on a task or activity you genuinely enjoy.     4     Giving yourself even a slight amount of positive anticipation can make a difference.

    5     This could be a workout, meditation, or a walk during lunch. Going from that level of physical activity to sitting at a desk can be mentally taxing, so do something during the day that breaks up the physical boredom.

The Monday after a holiday weekend won’t feel like a party. But with a few simple steps, you can reduce a good bit of the dread that typically accompanies the first day back at work.

10 . Do you have plastic bottles at home? Did you throw empty plastic bottles into the trash, just because you didn’t know how to use them? However, there are many interesting things you can do with empty plastic bottles!     1    

●Spray for your garden.     2     Then adjust the rubber bracelet to the mouth of the bottle, and make sure the plastic bottle mouth neatly fits through the hole in the lid. When everything is ready, you will have a spray bottle for your garden!

●Separate eggs. Do you find it challenging to separate eggs? In some recipes, you just need the yolks (蛋黄) or the whites, but the process is a bit complicated.     3     Break the egg into a bowl. Remove the lid from the bottle and pinch a little. Then continue the pressure, put the ends into the yolks and stop the pressure. In this way, the yolks will be absorbed into the bottle while the whites will remain on the plate.

    4     When making biscuits, you may need tools to cut them. Plastic bottles will do again. Making a homemade biscuit cutter from plastic bottles is the best way to reuse plastic bottles, as you never know the situation when you need to use it. You just need a small or a large plastic bottle depending on your needs.     5     And then take one of two sections to cut the biscuits.