Q: If you took a risk and didn't get the results you hoped for — you didn't get a promotion at work, you asked someone out and she turned you down, you auditioned for a play and didn't get the part — it can be difficult to not indulge that little voice in your head that tells you to give up. Combat that negativity with deliberate, positive self-talk and try reframing your situation to gain new perspective.   Reframing works like this: Instead of thinking "I didn't get the part in the play because I'm a terrible actor. I should just give up," you take a more hopeful approach, like "I guess I wasn't quite what the director had in mind. I'm going to ask him if he has any feedback about what I can work on." Even just replacing the thought "I can't," with "This may not work, but I'm going to try," can have a positive impact.  When you notice yourself having negative thoughts, deliberately interrupt that thought and try reframing it with something more positive. This takes practice, but if you keep with it, looking on the bright side or for the positives can become a habit.  For more help, check out the wikiHow article Get Rid of Negative Thoughts. When things haven't quite gone your way, it's easy to start feeling helpless or like you can't affect change in your own life. But all it really means is that you haven't found something that works yet; maybe your timing has been off, or you need to learn a few more skills, or you just haven't found the right approach. It is important to keep trying, even if it means you may face more disappointment. Success comes from perseverance. A counselor or therapist can help you learn new, productive ways of thinking. You may feel like you want to give up on everything; you may be overwhelmed and feel that you are out of options, because the things you have tried so far didn't work. Despite how you may feel, giving up on life will not solve your problems. If you are feeling hopeless or considering suicide, seek help immediately.  You can call a suicide-prevention hotline, like the Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or TheHopeLine at 1-800-394-4673. Seek help from a trusted friend or family member, a teacher, or a counselor.
A: Address negative thoughts and self-talk. Combat feelings of helplessness. Seek help immediately if you feel suicidal.

Article: Korean red ginseng is said to give the nervous system a boost through ginsenosides, a natural component of the plant. While there is no conclusive scientific evidence that ginseng causes the penis to get bigger, men who took ginseng extract tablets as part of a study in South Korea experienced better sexual function after taking the supplements for several weeks.  Ginseng contraindicates with several medications, and it can have negative side effects for people with certain cancers, heart disease, insomnia, and other disorders. Be sure to talk with your doctor before you begin taking ginkgo regularly. If you're considering taking ginseng supplements,  look for a supplement labeled "Korean ginseng root" and take 500 mg per day. Since herbal supplements are not regulated by the FDA, there is always a risk when taking them. Be sure to purchase the supplements from a reputable company, and never take more than the recommended dosage. This herb is often taken to boost memory, but it also help with blood circulation and may enhance blood flow to the penis. According to a study conducted at the University of California, ginkgo is most effective at helping men on anti-depressants that can lead to sexual dysfunction. Another study found that gingko had no effect. Scientific data is inconclusive, but since gingko enhances memory and has relatively few side effects, it might be worth a try.  Gingko can be consumed as a tea or a supplement in the form of a capsule. Both forms of the herb are widely available in health food stores. Do not take gingko supplements if you have a history of seizures or you're on blood thinning medication. See your doctor to make sure this supplement is safe for you to take. This powder is known for being an aphrodisiac. It contains the photochemicals macamides and macaenes, which are said to boost energy and help men maintain erections. Because no conclusive scientific studies have been conducted on this substance, it's best to proceed with caution. Be sure to discuss it with your doctor before you start adding this supplement to your daily routine. This is an amino acid that leads to increased blood flow, helping the penis get larger during an erection. A study conducted at Tel Aviv University showed that some men experienced improvements after taking the supplement for 6 weeks. It's available in natural food stores, and the recommended dose is 1 gram (0.035 oz) three times a day. This supplement should not be taken if you're on nitroglycerin for your heart, because it can cause a drop in blood pressure. Talk with your doctor about whether you should take L-arginine. It's not an herb, but it has properties that might help increase the size and duration of erections in a similar way arginine. Watermelon contains an amino acid called citrulline, which gets converted into arginine and leads to the dilation of blood vessels. The fact that watermelon contains citrulline is a relatively new finding, so no studies have been conducted to find out how well it really works or how much watermelon you'd have to eat to see the benefits. However, since watermelon is considered a superfood when it comes to men's health, you can't go wrong by eating plenty of it while it's in season.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Try ginseng. Consider ginkgo biloba. Look into taking maca supplements. Consider taking L-arginine. Eat watermelon.

Q: Technology has made avoiding small talk easier than ever. Pretend to take a call, or make it a point to always have headphones in to prevent strangers and acquaintances from engaging. You can also cut the conversation short at anytime with some variation of “I’m too busy to talk.” For example, if your co-worker meets you at the snack machine, just cut them off with a quick line like “Can’t talk. I have a deadline.” There is no need to be offensive when you decline. You should, however, make your decision firm and final. If you make up a flimsy excuse as to why you can’t attend, the host/hostess is likely to accommodate you and insist you come.  A great way to avoid nearly any event is to say something to the effect of “I’m sorry. I already have other plans.” You do not have to explain yourself if you decline an invitation. You can simply say, "I'm sorry, but I can't make it." Favors sometimes feel like chores that you must do. Instead, make saying “No” an option and say it confidently. Again, you do not need to be rude to get your point across. If your friend asks you to house-sit, simply say “I’m sorry. That doesn’t work for me.” You can offer an explanation if you’d like, but there is no need for excuses. If you feel like your friends and family are a problem, it might be healthier to build a new support system than to cut yourself off from people. Try meeting new people with similar interests to your own. Look for people who hang out in the same places, work in the same field, or generally like the same things as you do.
A:
Avoid small talk. Decline invitations to social gatherings. Refuse to do favors. Consider building a new support system.