How teens can stay fit

Any type of regular physical activity can improve your fitness and your health.【小题1】

Exercise should be a regular part of your day, like brushing your teeth, eating and sleeping. It can be in a gym class, joining a sports team, or working out on your own. Keep the following tips in mind:

【小题2】A good attitude is important. Find an activity that you think is fun. You are more likely to stick with it if you choose something you like. A lot of people find it's more fun to exercise with someone else,so seek a friend or family member to be active with you.

Take it one step at a time.【小题3】For example, walk or ride your bike to school. Get on or off the bus several blocks away and walk the rest of the way. Use the stairs instead of taking the elevator.

Get your heart pumping. Whatever you choose ,make sure it includes aerobic （有氧的) activities that make you breathe harder and increase your heart rate. This is the best type of exercise because it increases your fitness level and makes your heart work better.【小题4】Examples of aerobic activities are basketball, running, or swimming.

Don't forget to warm up. Do  some  easy exercise or stretch （伸展) before you do any physical activity.【小题5】It is also important to stretch out after you exercise to cool down your muscles.

【小题3】

   Even if your school provides healthy foods，it can be easy to give in to your desire（渴望）and pick a less healthy choice when you are feeling really hungry. How do you take control of it？【小题1】 Here are a few reasons for you to pack your lunch or snacks at least twice a week:

Do you ever wait in the lunch line only to find that when you get to the front，you don’t like what they are serving？So you reach for pizza again. 【小题2】 Bringing your own lunch also lets you control exactly what goes into the food you eat.

It does not hurt to enjoy an occasional（偶尔的）serving of pizza and hot dogs. 【小题3】 A packed lunch a couple of times a week means you can enjoy some favorites you might not find at every school—like your mom’s chicken soup or some crisp apples.

If you have a big game or activity after school，plan a lunch and snacks that combine lean proteins with carbohydrates（糖类）. 【小题4】

Pack healthy snacks so you don’t feel tempted to step off campus for a fast—food lunch，or hit the corner store for a chocolate and a soda！Put the money you save on such snacks aside.

In a word，whether you pack your lunch or eat in the cafeteria，what is important is that you make healthy choices. If you are concerned that your cafeteria does not offer enough healthy options，get involved in trying to make changes. 【小题5】

Ways to Say “Happy Birthday to Me”

Whether you’re celebrating alone or with friends or family, take time for gratitude and joy on your special day.

Tomorrow is my birthday — and I’m at an age when not everyone looks forward to cake and presents. 【小题1】. It always makes me feel excited to be alive, grateful for my life and family, mind and body. Some birthdays are more openly celebrated than others, but I have found that even if your birthday is a regular day at work or at home, there are some easy ways to raise it to a special occasion.

【小题2】

They say it’s better to give than to receive, and while everyone loves to open a birthday present, there’s a lot of joy and goodness to be gained from being generous to others. Making a birthday donation to a charity that means something to you — this year I will donate to the Sierra Club — is a great way to make your values known to the world around you. 【小题3】

Try something new

Today you are starting a new loop（圈）around the sun. Why not embrace（欣然接受）the newness of the moment? Dipping your toes into some new waters, 【小题4】, signing up for an adult education class, going for a walk in a park new to you, planning a new trip — do something that reminds you that your life is an unfolding story.

【小题5】

Whether or not you have the opportunity to share a meal, an outing or a party with friends and family, take time on your birthday to connect with people who are important to your life. If you use social media like phones, you’re likely filled with wishes from the loved ones. Use these as a jumping-off point to start new conversations and reconnect with people who lift your spirits and support you in your journey toward being your best self.

How to Listen to a Teen's Complaints

As your child reaches his teen years, he's likely experiencing a conflict（冲突）between his social and family lives. This often causes frequent complaining（抱怨）. 【小题1】By listening to your teen's complaints in an active way, you make your relationship better and allow for better joint decision-making.

【小题2】You can see complaints from your teen as natural and positive, though the actual content of what he says might be negative（负面的）. Believe that listening to your teen's complaints is a chance to know your teen better. By psychologically preparing yourself in this way, the conversation will go forward more easily.

Accept your teen's feelings. Understand that your teen's complaining behavior might be wrong but that his feelings are never wrong. Recognize that negative emotions are natural and do not easily fall under the control of teens or even adults. Note that your teen is at least handling his negative emotions in the right way—through words. 【小题3】

Listen patiently and carefully. 【小题4】Listen for the words in his complaints, such as "I am sick of this" or "It's unfair to me". This often shows his feelings. Through body language or eye contact, show your teen you are listening to him carefully.

React to your teen's complaint . 【小题5】 If you disagree, explain why. Finish the conversation by praising him for coming to you and expressing himself.