1 . Separation, money troubles, and transitional (过渡的) adjustments are all stressful events to the members of a family. Learning effective skills is key to solving the disagreements.

Schedule a time to talk as a group. When working together, you are more likely to solve family differences.     1     . Then, once tempers are cooled, everyone needs to plan to come together and think out a solution to the problem .

Focus on the issue at hand. When disagreements occur, people tend to bring up any and every unresolved issue they have ever faced with the other parties. This blurs the point of the discussion. Try to uncover what is important about the current problem.     2     .

Have everyone state what they truly mean. Direct communication is essential to effective conflict resolution.     3     . Such “I” statements allow everyone to express themselves while they show respect for other’s listening.

    4     . Let another know you recognize, value, and accept his thoughts, opinions, or beliefs. Of course, your own opinions may differ greatly, but using validation (确认) demonstrates that you see the other as a human, worthy of respect. Validate your family members by saying something like “I’m really glad that you feel comfortable enough to share this with me” or “I appreciate your willingness to work towards a solution”.

Decide on a solution together. Once everyone has shared their needs, wants, and concerns, consider all the suggestions that each party has provided and look for a middle ground.     5     . If necessary, develop a contract or written agreement .

2 . No matter where you go, you’ll notice something strange about trees—the fact that their bottoms are painted white. Generally speaking, the purpose of whitewashing is to protect trees from heat and insects.     1    . Let’s check them out!

Blocking the sun

You might sometimes notice that some tree trunks’ surfaces get dry and crack easily.     2    . Simply put, they are exposed to the burning sun and the temperatures change wildly between day and night. Fortunately, painting a tree’s trunk white is similar to adding sunscreen, which helps block the sun.

Heat protection

    3    .White paint reflects the heat and allows trees to spend more time on transpiration (蒸腾) and growing their fruits. Additionally, when trees are cooler, they have less stress, which makes their stomata (气孔) stay open a bit longer for the exchange of gases.

Defending against pests

More often than not, a tree’s surface will crack, allowing insects to creep inside.     4    . Therefore, people whitewash trees using latex paint and water, which prevents insects from climbing up trees and entering inside through the cracks.

    5    

Last but not least, the surface of trees is painted white to make them more visible, specifically for those on the side of the road. Why is that important? Because accidents involving trees are extremely common, especially during the night, when drivers can not see them much more clearly.

3 . The more you care about getting a job, the more you’re likely to stress over how the interview will go. Below are tips on how to succeed in your job interview.

Always do your research on a company before an interview.     1    . Some important information includes how financially stable the employer is and how well they treat employees. Regarding the job, look for information that can help you be more convincing about how you’d be a great fit.

Part of a successful job interview is your ability to market your experiences and skills related to the job described, and a great way to do just that is by telling stories to illustrate your experiences and successes with those skills. Stories allow you to demonstrate your personality and communication skills.

If the employers wonder out loud if you have any questions for them, you simply reply “No”.     3     Having questions shows how interested you are in the role and that you did your homework and should be taken seriously. Prepare a list of questions you’d like answered.

    4    , bring paper copies for you and your interviewer to refer to. It’s also a good idea to bring a work portfolio (文件夹) with proof of your sills and achievements. This will build your confidence and make it easier to tell your stories.

Plan to arrive for your interview 10-15 minutes before the appointed time. Arriving too early can confuse the employer and create an awkward situation. On the other hand, arriving late creates a bad first impression and you may lose your chances immediately. If you run into a problem, phone ahead at the first sign of trouble.     5    

7 . How to deal with stress at school

Stress is part of students’ life. While some stress can help inspire them to get work done, too much stress can cause problems with health, sleep and brain function. Now when you feel your stress building up inside, how can you manage it?     1    .

Work out your own learning ways

Students learn in different ways and have different learning styles. Some do homework all at once, while others need to take some breaks.     2    . However, other students remember well in the evening. So work out your best learning ways and you’ll feel relaxed.

Stay healthy and get enough sleep

    3    . As a result, their performance in school and work can suffer. Exercising, eating a healthy diet and getting enough sleep do good to school performance. When you take care of yourself, you just feel better!

    4    

Share your problems and how you are feeling and dealing with a parent, friend, teacher, or doctor. When you talk your stress out with some friends, chances are that some of them are going through the same thing and they might have some ideas to share. Besides, it helps to know you’re not alone.

Give yourself a break

You should feel good about taking break.     5     Some people find that quiet activities like reading a book or watching TV are the best way to relax. Others prefer more active breaks: working on personal projects, exercising like yoga or Tai Chi, Listening to music or spending time outdoors.

9 . Everyone wants to live a healthier life and be happy. Learning how to live better and feel more positive about the world around you can help you live a happy and meaningful life.

Think positively. This does not mean that you ignore the bad or unpleasant things in life. It simply means that you approach every situation in life, both good and bad, with a positive outlook and a productive mindset.     1    , try to identify the things you think negatively about, and recognize why. Or you can evaluate your thoughts and feelings throughout the day.

    2    . Determine what you value most. Everyone has things that are important in life, but what do you ultimately value above all else? Don’t think about physical, tangible things. Instead, focus on those in your life that will give your life a sense of meaning and purpose.

Manage stress in your life. You cannot avoid stressful situations, but you can find ways to relieve your stress. You can use relaxation techniques, such as meditation, visualization, tai chi, yoga, and deep breathing.     3    .

Eat a healthy diet.     4     It’s not enough to avoid bad foods. You should also be getting vitamins and nutrients from all of the major food groups, and avoiding overeating or under-eating.

Cultivate a healthy lifestyle.     5    , it’s important to live a healthy and active lifestyle. How well you care for your body in your early and middle years can greatly influence your health later in life.