Reading is a good habit, but the problem is, there’s too much to read these days, and too little time to read every word of it. There are hundreds of skills to help you read more in less time. Here are two skills that I think are especially good.

Preview if it’s long and hard. Previewing is especially useful for getting a general idea of heavy reading like long magazine articles and business reports.

Here’s how to preview.

●Read the first two paragraphs and the last two paragraphs carefully.

●Then read only the first sentence of the other paragraphs.

Previewing doesn’t give you all the details (细节). It keeps you from spending time on things you don’t really want or need to read.

Skim (略读) if it’s short and simple. Skimming is a good way to get the main idea of simple articles, like popular magazines or your daily paper of sports and entertainment.

Here’s how to skim.

●Get your eyes to move fast. Skim them across each line.

●Pick up only a few key words in each line.

Everybody skims differently. You and I may not pick up the same words when we skim the same piece, but we’ll get a similar idea of what it’s all about.

Jogging is good for us and helps us live longer and healthier lives. It’s easy to do and free. You do not have to spend money jogging. You can do it in a park or even in your home. But many people find it boring after jogging for a while. Then how can we keep jogging fun? Here are some ideas to make your jogging more interesting.

First, you should choose to wear your favourite sports clothes and shoes when you jog. They make you more comfortable and more likely to run.

Always jog outdoors (户外). By changing your route and choosing another street, you will always have something interesting to enjoy when you jog.

Take along (随身携带) your MP3 player and listen to your favourite songs when you jog. The music can make you excited and run farther without feeling bored.

It’s always more enjoyable with a friend. Make friends while jogging. Join a running club, find a new running partner, or invite an old friend to go jogging. It’s better to find a friend who runs a little faster than you. Then you can try to catch up with(追上) him or her.

When a person is experiencing stress (压力), he can feel worried. Feeling stressed is a common part of life. One way to ease (缓解) stress is making art.

Maybe you already paint for much fun. It is never too late to start. Anyone can make art if you can hold a brush or crayon.

Making art has something to do with your body. When you paint, your breathing slows. As you pay attention to your artwork, you will stop thinking about the stressful things of the day. Making art can even give you energy.

Making art is not just about relaxing yourself, it can also help you to clear your mind and make your spirit fresh. As the famous artist Pablo Picasso once said, “Art washes the dust of everyday life from the mind.”

Art can help you understand your own feelings. Through painting, you can tell feelings or ideas, which are hard to put into words.

If you do not know how to begin, here are some ways to start making art. First, without thinking about it carefully, choose colors that you like and start painting with them. Try not to think about shapes. Instead, just enjoy the colors. Second, carry a notebook with you. Try to paint a little each day. Painting what you see will help you to feel connected to the things around you, such as your living environment.