In a US study, researchers measured (測量) the happiness of 4739 people over 20 years. The study found that a person’s happiness depends on the happiness of people he connects with. Surprisingly, it also found that happiness spreads not only between direct friends, but also among friends of your friends’ friends! And those good feelings seem to have the greatest influence among friends of the same sex (性別).
“People with more good friends are less likely to develop depression (情緒低落) and worry,” says Dr. Toupey Luft. “Though you can’t choose your family or workmates, you do have control over friendships.” With a little effort, you can add more positive (正面的,積極的) relationships to your social circle. Here’re the suggestions:
“Nobody is all positive or all negative,” says Luft. “But there are people you may feel more positive. Use that as your way to check people and keep records.” When spending time with others, pay attention to your feeling. Are you feeling tired and unhappy？To help you keep records, Luft suggests taking a moment when you get home to write down what your feeling is when around them.
While it’s great to gather with positive friends, it’s also good to stay with others in the same life situations. “But if you’re all just complaining (抱怨) and nothing is changing, it’s not healthy,” says Luft. Are your friends negative, or are you doing most of the complaining? Considering the answers to these questions can help you decide if you want to stand in front of them. Or you could let the relationship disappear slowly.
Sometimes your hobbies can lead to true friendships. Check out newspapers and websites to find a group or class for something you enjoy. These friends can always be there for you and can care each other through difficulties, illness and death.
Not into groups? Look for individual (個人的) communication instead. Luft says, “Set small goals, such as having coffee with one new person, and develop friendship according to a plan. If someone suggests going for lunch sometime, set a date.”
“If you’re feeling disappointed (失望) with a friend, try talking about what you both need,” says Luft. For example, tell her what you want during hard times in your lives.
While your friend may need to be left alone, you may want caring phone calls. With some friends you laugh and have fun together at the movies—and that can be enough. With others, you pay attention to your deep connection.
小題1:What does your happiness depend on, according to the passage?
| A．How people you connect with feel. |
| B．How many friends you have. |
| C．What situation you are in now. |
| D．What kind of friends you have. |
小題2:What does the first suggestion want us to do?
| A．To measure our happiness. |
| B．To check people around. |
| C．To join a group for hobbies. |
| D．To leave negative friends. |
小題3:Which of the following is true?
| A．We often have many friends during good times but few during hard times. |
| B．It’s necessary to complain about something but not right to do so for long. |
| C．Joining a group can bring better friendship than making individual friends. |
| D．All the suggestions tell us to add positive relationship to our social circle. |
小題4:The underlined sentence in the last paragraph means that ______.
| A．when your friend is sad, you should call her up |
| B．when your friend leaves you, you need comfort |
| C．friends’ needs may be quite different sometimes |
| D．people may behave differently during hard times |
