Article: You'll want to pinpoint what it is that you don't understand so that it will be easier for you to address the root of your confusion. Ask yourself what specifically confuses you about the issue and try to narrow down where in your thought process the misunderstanding is occurring. For example, if you're confused about how a compass works, ask yourself what aspect of the compass confuses you: the needle's spinning, the earth's magnetic field, or how that magnetic field causes the needle to move in a certain direction. You might ask questions that align with the 5 W's: who, what, when, where, and why (e.g., when in this multi-step process does something happen that confuses me?). It's important to recognize that there are some things you may not be able to understand on your own. In that case, be willing to ask for help from someone with more expertise or simply with a different perspective. If you're embarrassed about asking for help, remind yourself that it's probably more important that you fully understand something than it is to be entirely independent. Remember, everybody asks for help at some point in their lives! Being humble about what you know and don't know will also help motivate you to learn new things and will keep you motivated when you run into difficulties. Admitting that you might be wrong may be difficult at first. If you have trouble with this, start by asking someone you trust (e.g., a close friend) to help you identify areas where you might be mistaken. You may find it helpful to write out the things you DO understand about the problem and use this to better identify where the gaps are in your understanding. Writing these things down will also take them off your mind and allow you to concentrate on the things you DON'T understand. Noting the things you understand is also a good way to remind yourself that you don't completely misunderstand the subject. Use this method to motivate you when you doubt your own capabilities!
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Ask yourself what it is that you don't understand. Be willing to ask for help. Write down the things you do understand about the topic at hand.
Article: If you regularly struggle with nighttime relaxation, getting ready for bed might itself be a source of stress. This leads to a vicious cycle where your nerves make it even harder to fall asleep. You can counter your nerves by practicing deep breathing techniques. Close your eyes and breathe in deeply through your nose, counting to five. Then slowly breathe out through your mouth, counting to five again. Continue for several minutes, until you feel your heart rate slowing down and your muscles relaxing. Focus solely on your breathing and try and clear your mind of all other thoughts during this time. Make this part of your regular bedtime routine so that you associate the deep breathing exercise with going to sleep. Soon the deep breathing exercises will signal to your body that it should prepare for bed. Tense and then relax each of the different muscle groups in your body one by one. This can be an effective way to relax you before bed or even while you are lying in bed. Tense the muscle by flexing and contracting them for around ten seconds. Visualize the muscle being tensed. Release the tension and allow your whole body to go limp before moving on to the next muscle group. Start with your toes, and then work your way up to your calves, thighs, back, arms, and face. You should feel more relaxed throughout your entire body and forget the troubles of the day. Be sure to keep all other muscles relaxed while you tense a particular one. Gentle yoga can also help your body relax as you prepare to go to bed. A slow and steady yoga routine of five to fifteen minutes can relieve physical and mental tension. Only use basic poses, no power poses that might energize you. Just do basic twists and stretches. Some examples are: Child's pose. For this, you sit on your heels, and with your arms out to the side, lower your body down over your knees, bringing your forehead down towards the floor. Standing bends. Lift your hands up above your head, stretching your spine and gently bend down, keeping your back straight. Jathara Parivrtti. Lie on your back with your arms out away from your body, palms down. Bend your legs and raise them so your hips and perpendicular to the floor. Lower your legs to right, bring them back up to the center, and then lower them to the left. Having a warm bath 15-30 minutes before bed can be a great way to help you relax before sleep. Ensure the bath is warm rather than really hot to get the best possible conditions for relaxation. Having a regular warm bath before bed can help your body to recognize that it is the end of the day and time to wind down. You can couple a warm bath with soothing music and aromatherapy oils to help you relax even more. Use lavender or chamomile to create a relaxing aromatherapy bath. Cutting down on stimulants such as caffeine can be very helpful if you are struggling to relax before bed. Avoid tea, coffee, or other caffeinated substances in the late afternoon and evening as they make it harder to fall asleep and can prevent the important deep sleep you need. The effects of caffeine can last up to 24 hours, so it can be an important factor in sleeping problems. Caffeine can also raise your heart rate, making you feel more nervous and jittery. Replace caffeine with warm milk or herbal teas, such as chamomile or peppermint. Other stimulants such as nicotine,sugary foods and beverages, and heavy meals can also make it harder to relax. While many people experience sleepiness immediately after drinking alcohol, alcohol makes sleep overall less restful and restorative. Alcohol can also increase your chances of experiencing middle insomnia when you wake up in the middle of the night and have trouble falling back asleep. Steer clear of alcoholic beverages if you want to feel fully relaxed overnight. Keeping your body active during daytime hours can help your body be prepared to relax before bed. Exercise vigorously for 20-30 minutes daily by running, jogging, swimming, or biking. Make sure that you exercise in the morning or early afternoon. Evening exercise tends to energize the body instead of relaxing it. Having exposure to sunlight during the day will also help your body relax in the evening hours. Consider exercising during daylight hours to get a dose of sunlight.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Breathe deeply. Engage in progressive muscle relaxation. Do some gentle yoga. Take a warm bath. Steer clear of caffeine. Avoid alcohol. Be physically active during the day.
Article: When you receive presents for any event, be sure that you or someone else keeps track of what gifts are received and who sent each one. This will make it much easier to sit down and write thank you notes. While receiving a note in the mail at any time can be well-received, it is best to send thank you notes between one day and two weeks after opening a gift. If you wait longer than that, the person may think that you were rude for not sending a note. However, you may also want to follow the old adage of, "better late than never." Most notes and letters begin with the word "Dear" followed by the person's name and a comma; for example: "Dear Julian," You may also want to use a nickname or a relationship name, such as "Dear Mom" or "Dear Junior."
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Keep a list of gifts. Do not procrastinate. Address the recipient.