Neck pain is a widespread complaint in the information age, with many more of us spending a great deal of time glued to a computer, tablet or phone, or sitting in front of the TV. It’s also a common disease of aging, due to increasing wear and tear on the spine’s (脊椎) joints and tissues. At any given time, an estimated 39 percent of people over 65 have discomfort in their necks. Assuming an injury or potential disease isn’t causing the condition, here are some tips from some experts for managing the discomfort, as well as the best stiff (僵硬) neck remedies.

Sleep off a stiff neck. If you’re looking for stiff neck relief, getting a good night’s sleep — which represents roughly a third of your day — is a good place to start. Choose a relatively firm mattress (床垫) and use only enough pillows to keep your head level with the rest of your body — one is usually sufficient. For sleep that is even more neck-friendly, try lying on your back with pillow support under your knees. This will flatten and relax your spinal muscles.

When it comes to computer use, make sure the monitor is at arm’s length and eye level. Laptops have poor posture built into their designs: if the keyboard is near enough to be comfortable, then the screen is too close, and if the screen is positioned correctly, the keyboard is too far away, forcing you to bend forward. You can solve this problem by placing the device on a bunch of large books or a laptop stand and using a separate keyboard and mouse.

There is evidence to suggest home exercises may be effective against short-term neck discomfort (lasting for 12 weeks or less). “There are many possible reasons for neck pain, including stress, poor posture and organ aging,” explains Dr Michael Westaway, a musculoskeletal clinical specialist. “Treatment is often varied and may include an exercise program. For severe cases, there are painkillers, injections and surgery. However, resist the urge to immediately take aggressive measures, since simpler steps will often ease this everyday pain,” Michael Westaway warned.

Everyone wants to be successful. For a student, being successful means achieving his goals and scoring good marks. Successful students manage their studies and recreation (娱乐) time effectively. 【小题1】.

Set SMART goals. In students’ life, the very first benefit of setting a goal is achieving success in their academic life. 【小题2】. Developing a SMART goal is essential (极其重要的) for your bright future. Such a goal stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Timely. This helps them achieve what they want in life and work according to their goals.

【小题3】. This not only shows respect towards them but also helps you understand and grasp the subject easily. While it’s obvious that you don’t need to love every single subject, it’s also important to avoid all distractions (干扰) near you and pay attention in class rather than chatting with your friends.

Don’t compare with others. Never do the comparison with others, because everyone has their abilities and capabilities. Good students succeed in their capabilities. Don’t copy what others do, but follow your own way. Comparison will make you feel discouraged. 【小题4】, because at last, all that matters is your success.

Learn from your mistakes. 【小题5】. A successful student learns from his own mistakes and tries to improve further. You can’t learn from your mistakes until you admit that you have done it. It is the best thing when you get to know what wrong you have done and how to resolve (解决) this.

When it comes to travelling around Europe, it's important to have a budget in mind. Here are some tips for getting the most out of Germany while saving your money.

Transport is “the big one” and cycling may be the cheapest alternative among all the modes(方式) of transport.

Tom Bourlet, a Brighton-based travel blogger at Spaghetti Traveller, talked to us about transport in Germany and advised that slower, regional(区域的) trains will be more affordable in comparison to those that are high-speed.

He continued, “If choosing a train journey, buy the ticket several months in advance to get a great offer.”

If you intend to use the Eurostar train, keep in mind that you can save money by buying tickets at least a week in advance. Shopping around can also offer reduced prices. A daily or weekly card for a train or a bus may also be worth investing in. Bourlet continues, “While the trains run like clock-work with high efficiency, the buses run relatively slowly, often arriving late to their destination.”

In an age of technology, we don't always consider going to a travel agent when booking on holiday. If you do, ask them for recommendations, they can give you insider tips. Make sure that they are aware of your set budget before signing up to anything.

Region to region, Germany's cuisine will differ slightly. As a general rule, outside the city centre will be cheaper—the further you go, the less expensive it is. Bear this in mind when setting a daily budget for your meals.

Make sure you book your tickets for the landmarks before your trip as there's likely to be a discount when you do this. You may also want to consider a guided tour which is often free.

Make sure you buy currency before you leave. This could prevent you being charged extra for withdrawing money and you're more likely to get a good exchange rate.