Dear Yi-chun,
Thank you for the long message you sent last week. I am sorry I did not answer sooner. Since Grandma's funeral in March, our whole house has been quiet, and some evenings I simply could not find the words.
Things are slowly getting better. Mum walks in the park every morning now, and last Sunday she laughed at something on the radio. That small, delightful sound amazed me more than any present could.
I hope I do not disappoint you, but I would rather not join the beach trip in August. A quiet week at home would comfort me more. Let us meet for coffee in September instead.
Love,
Pei-yu
The Quiet Room — open all term
Students come here when exam worries keep them awake, and also when they simply want a calm corner. Nothing said in the room is repeated outside it. Talking early is far easier than waiting until a small worry grows into a large one. Tea is free. Food and phone calls are not allowed.
Why do people feel lighter after a good cry? For years scientists believed that tears only washed dust out of the eye. Newer studies point to something more useful: tears of sadness carry away chemicals that the body no longer needs.
There is a second reason. A person in tears is easy to notice, so crying quietly is a way of asking for help without using a single word. A friend who arrives with a cup of tea often does more good than any clever advice.
Tears alone, however, cure nothing. Doctors warn that a low mood lasting for months can affect every part of daily life and should be treated rather than hidden.
A senior high school asked 300 students to name the feeling they had most often during mid-term exam week.
| Feeling | Boys | Girls |
|---|---|---|
| Worry about grades | 44% | 52% |
| Tiredness | 30% | 24% |
| Boredom | 18% | 9% |
| Excitement | 8% | 15% |
Each student chose only one answer. The survey was taken on the last day of the exams.