1 . Living and studying abroad can be a rewarding and enriching experience. And living with a host family is one of the best ways to immerse yourself in its culture. However, living with a foreign family can be difficult and adjusting to it can take some effort.     1    

Involve yourself in family activities. If you spend all your time in your room, it’s going to be hard to feel like you belong. Getting involved in everyday activities with your host family will help you create a family bond. For example, some families like having dinner together on weekends.     2     Not only will they appreciate it but you will also feel like a part of their world.

Be patient with yourself. Keep in mind that you’ve just left everything you’ve known for years behind to start a new life. It’s okay to be confused.     3     While you may know the language, some expressions and slang can be hard to grasp at first. Take it easy. Remember you will adapt but it will take some time.

Communication is key. If you are unsure about something, ask! It’s normal to know few customs and habits at first.     4     Your host family will understand and help you. It’s also normal not to know a lot about unspoken social rules of the country.

    5     You have to understand that host families are not just providing a roof over your head. They are making significant changes to their daily routines. Thank them for their kindness, patience and understanding. Let them know how much their assistance means to you.

Remember, a grateful heart is a happy heart, and a happy heart will lead you to further success and fulfillment in your life abroad.

2 . How To Find Spring Fashion Trends

Fashion changes faster than most people can keep up with.     1    . Keep yourself at the forefront by paying attention to designers and social media, shopping early and knowing the basics of spring fashion.

Look through fashion magazines to get fashion ideas. Magazines like GQ, Vogue, and Cosmo are generally considered “taste makers”.     2    , and often bring excellent runway shows together. To keep ahead, make notes about the fashion trends that keep popping up in different magazines.

Find your favorite fashion blogs. What’s on the catwalk isn’t necessarily what’s on the streets, so I also like getting inspiration from travel blogs, fashion blogs, and smaller designers. Many brands, designers, and fashionistas post their inspiration online, as well as recommendations on where to find the best new fashions.    3    .

Explore social media. More and more often, people are using the Internet to broadcast their personal fashion recommendations, which is a great way to get a pulse on spring fashion. Sites like Tumblr and Pintrest have specific sections devoted to fashion.

    4    . If you’ve got friends in Miami, they will experience spring fashion a lot faster than you might in the cold Chicago. Check out your friends’ pictures or go online and look up southern fashion blogs to get ahead of the game before the snow melts.

Make your own spring trends. Having confidence in yourself and rocking your outfit is more important than following any trend. Sometimes you still can’t figure out what spring fashion trend to follow.     5    . Trends aren’t as exaggerated as they used to be because people are more into developing their own personal styles, which is more permanent and empowering.

3 . Hop on the Silent Walking Trend

Silent walking involves walking outdoors without distractions like music or conversations, focusing on the mind-body-nature connection.     1     That’s a slower, lower-impact way to relax and is great for fitness. Here’s everything you need to know about the trend.

Select a natural setting and fully engage your senses. For reaping the mental health benefits, it is recommended to find a quiet and peaceful natural location.     2     Meanwhile, consciously observing the sights, sounds, smells, and physical sensations during the walk can significantly impact cognitive and emotional well-being.

To stimulate the mind, consider exploring different routes than usual. Without your favourite podcast or playlist, you might slip into boredom on your walk.     3     And it might even be good for your brain. Scientists applaud the virtues of boredom for brain health, believing that it boosts creativity and improves social connections. And if you do get bored, rest assured that it shows you’ve disconnected from external distractions. Go with it, and make sure you take a different route each time—it’ll keep you motivated.

Start off with five-minute silent walks and eventually build up to thirty minutes. If you’re usually a headphone wearer, it will feel super weird to walk without your go-to tunes, but give yourself a second to adjust. Chances are, once you’re a few minutes into your silent walk, you’ll feel the magic kick in.     4    

Regular reflection and ongoing documentation are essential. After completing a silent walk, take time to reflect upon any emerging thoughts, feelings, or insights.     5     Journaling about the experience can also solidify connections between thoughts and ideas, providing a valuable tool for self-reflection and growth.

5 . Health is wealth.     1     Here are some ways to prevent diseases and take care of yourself so you can live your healthiest, best life.

    2    

A study published in 2019 concluded that consumption of more than 4 servings of extra-processed food was associated with a 62% increased danger for all-cause deaths. For each additional serving, all-cause deaths increased to 18%. These foods can cause chronic inflammation (慢性炎症), a normal bodily process that can contribute to heart disease, diabetes and even cancer.

Get your cholesterol (胆固醇) checked.

When checking your cholesterol, your test results will show your cholesterol levels in milligrams per decilitre. It’s crucial to get your cholesterol checked because your doctor will be able to advise you on how to maintain healthy levels.     3    

Watch your blood pressure.

    4     Having high blood pressure puts you at risk for heart disease and stroke, which are leading causes of death in the United States. Even small weight loss can help manage or prevent high blood pressure in many overweight people.

Get up and get moving.

Throw away any common misconceptions about exercising like that it has to be in a gym or a structured environment.     5     Taking 10, 000 steps a day is a popular goal because research has shown that when combined with other healthy behaviors, it can lead to a decrease in chronic illness like diabetes, metabolic syndrome and heart disease. Exercise does not need to be done in consecutive (连续的) minutes. You can walk for 30 to 60 minutes once a day or you can do activities two to three times a day in 10 to 20 minute increments.

7 . You already know that playing sports helps keep you fit. But you might not know why it’s so important to get a sports physical at the beginning of your sports season.

    1     Most require students have a sports physical before they can play school sports. But even if a sports physical isn’t required, doctors still recommend getting one if you are active in any sports.

A sports physical can help find out and deal with health problems that might affect your sports performance or increase the chance of getting hurt. For example, if you have frequent asthma (哮喘) attacks, the doctor can change your medicines.     2     Your doctor may offer training tips or recommend exercises or physical therapy (疗法) to help you avoid injuries.

Most teens go to their regular doctor’s office to get a sports physical, since your doctor knows you and your health history best. Some get their sports physical at school.     3     Each one is armed with a medical professional who does a specific part of the physical exam.

Plan your sports physical at least 6 weeks before your sports season starts.     4     Neither you nor your doctor will be very happy if your sports physical is the day before baseball practice starts and it turns out there’s something that needs to be taken care of before you can suit up.

Sports physicals are usually good for 1 year, though you probably will have to complete a sports form each season. If there are any changes in your health history, like a new injury or you notice new symptoms (症状), you may need to see the doctor before being allowed to play.     5    .

8 . Micro habits are simple practices that you can usually do in a few minutes.     1    . Making positive micro habits and keeping them regularly can be an effective way to improve your life. Here are some great examples of micro habits you can start today.

Read an inspiring story

    2    . Look up stories of people helping people or stories of hope and write down what lessons you can learn from them. Many stories can be read in a matter of minutes, making this a great micro habit.

Set a productivity timer

Having difficulty concentrating at work? Setting a productivity timer will help you focus on the task at hand. You can set that timer for whatever amount of time you have-fifteen minutes, thirty minutes, sixty minutes — and develop the habit of working consistently during that period.     3    . Let these minutes be your time to be positive and productive.

Set a break timer

Much like the previous micro habit, set a break timer for yourself in between your periods of productivity. Set that timer and commit to giving yourself a break.     4    . If your job has you on your feet, take a rest by sitting in a quiet space. If you sit at a desk, get up and walk around.

Text a friend

As we find happiness in our own life, what can we do to bring happiness to others? Take two minutes out of your day to text a friend and tell them how much you care about them. List out how they have had a positive effect on your life. You’ll be surprised how much this micro habit will bring a smile to their face, and your own.     5    .

9 . Problem solving skills are increasingly valuable in the workplace and could help you achieve more in your personal life too. Here’s how to enhance your strategy.

The key to effective problem solving is the ability to break down complex issues into smaller, more manageable components.     1    . This involves systematically deconstructing a problem, understanding its differences and identifying the relationships between its various elements. Improving analytical thinking requires a structured approach. Begin by clearly defining the problem at hand, identifying its key components and recognizing the interconnections between them.

    2     To develop creativity, you must engage in activities that can stimulate your imagination and form new ideas. Additionally, exposing yourself to different fields, experiences and cultures can serve as a source of creative problem solving.

Clear and brief communication is the key to effective problem-solving, acting as the bridge that connects diverse perspectives and adjusts individuals toward a common goal. Good communication begins with the art of expression. This needs choosing the right words and structuring information logically. Active listening, on the other hand, is the skill of receiving information with focus.     3    .

Mistakes are not failures but a good way to success.     4    . Analyze what goes wrong, identify areas for improvement and use this knowledge to inform your future problem-solving efforts. It not only accelerates the learning process but also encourages collective problem-solving skills.

The journey to becoming an expert problem solver is an ongoing process of growth and improvement. Seeking continuous learning opportunities ensures that you stay ahead of changing challenges and acquire the necessary skills. Furthermore, networking with professionals in your field provides a good way of shared learning.

10 . What you need to know

Follow these tips for a smooth and safe journey:

Be visible

Always wear a helmet and at night ensure your bike is fitted with working lights—it’s the law. Consider reflective clothes when riding in the dark.

Use the lane

You’re allowed to use the full width of any road lane you ride on. Taking the centre of the lane maximizes your visibility and your sight lines and gives you room to avoid drains, gutters and car doors.

Watch for car doors

Don’t rely on car drivers and passengers to look for you when opening their doors. Ride wide of the door zone.

Watch for pedestrians

People walking always have right of way on shared paths. Treat them with respect. When passing. use your bell early, keep a safe distance and be ready to stop if needed.

Stop at red lights

A bicycle is regarded as a vehicle in NSW and must obey all road rules, including stopping at red traffic lights and bicycle crossing lights. Heavy fines apply.

Use the diamonds

Look for diamond-shaped markings at intersections on cycle ways. This is where sensors are located to trigger the lights. Line your wheels along the diamond strip, stop and wait for a green light. If there are no diamonds, keep your wheels on the central wire cut.

NSW road rules

You can:

·Pass other vehicles on the left, except when those vehicles are indicating and turning left.

·Ride a maximum of two abreast in a lane as long as you are not more than 1.5 metres apart.

·Travel in bus, tram and transit lanes.

You cannot:

·Ride on the footpath, unless you are under the age of 16, or accompanying a rider under the age of 16, have a medical exemption or if the footpath is a designated shared path.

·Ride in a bus-only lane.

Bike share

No bike? Why not try a share bike to get around Sydney? Download an app from one of the providers to find a bike nearby, unlock and ride to your destination. Find out more about bike sharing in Sydney at cycleways. Sydney