Mental Health- conversation Club Reading Vocabulary I

Mental Health- Conversation Club

Reading
Vocabulary I

Depression	n	A state of feeling sad	Tiredness, loss of appetite, and sleeping problems are all classic symptoms of depression.
Documentary	n	A movie or television program that tells the facts about actual people and events	They showed a documentary on animal communication.
Social standing	n	Your position in society based on your job and family background	She was worried that if she married someone from a different background it could negatively affect her social standing.
Genetic	adj	Of, relating to, or involving genes	Cystic fibrosis is caused by a genetic defect.
Gratitude	n	Gratitude A feeling of appreciation or thanks	She sent them a present to express her gratitude.
Dopamine	n	Controls the brain’s reward and pleasure centers	Exercising releases a lot of dopamine.
Collaborate	v	To work with another person or group in order to achieve or do something	Two writers collaborated on the script for the film.
To hit the theaters	phr	To start playing at a movie theater	I want to go see the new Avengers movie that just hit the theaters.
Stay fresh	phr	To stay new and interesting	It’s important to keep studying new vocabulary so the language stays fresh in your mind.
Journal	n	A notebook where you write your thoughts and ideas	She kept a travel journal during her trip to South America.

Interview about the documentary, “Happy”
Level: - | Word Count: 489
Source: https://americanenglish.state.gov/files/ae/resource_files/english_club_member_guide-508.pdf (p. 73-75)
Interviewer (I) Dr. Lyubomisky (L) Dr. Burns (B) Dr. Diener (D)
I: We’re all searching for happiness. After studying depression for centuries, scientists have just started taking the study of happiness seriously. Several years ago, a documentary called Happy hit the theaters and explained what we know so far about how to be happy. Joining us today are some of the scientists who shared their research in the movie. Welcome, Drs. Lyubomisky, Burns, and Diener. In the movie Happy, it is stated that we can cultivate happiness in our lives. Let’s start with the question: What advice would you give others to build happiness in their lives?
L: I think it’s important to note that your social standing, your job, and how much money you make only account for ten percent of your happiness. Fifty percent is genetic. There’s a gap of forty percent that is unaccounted for, and we are researching that gap now. What we have seen so far is that something as simple as keeping a weekly gratitude journal can make you happier.
B: My research shows that in addition to writing down what you are grateful for, physical exercise is very important. Our bodies release a chemical called dopamine in the brain, which causes us to feel happy. When we exercise, we release a lot of dopamine and this sustains a feeling of happiness.
L: Great point, Dr. Burns. I would like to add that when you exercise you should do something slightly different every day. Walk up the stairs rather than take the elevator, go to the pool rather than run. This change helps the activity stay fresh and interesting for the mind and body