The following are signs that your relationship is suffering:  You are fighting more than usual. She hasn't contacted you in several days. Either one of you has totally lost interest in sex. (Remember that this could be due to a variety of factors, like a death in the family, personal insecurities, or excess stress).  She continuously cancels plans without suggesting a different date. One of you has been dating/sleeping with somebody else. One of you suggests a "break." No matter what either of you says, a break is usually just a segue into an official break-up. Either one of you has become physically abusive. If this is the case, then it's time to end the relationship and seek professional help to cope with the issue. Never make an excuse for domestic violence. The only way to fix a problem in any relationship is for both parties to first be made aware of the issue. Remember that sometimes people are totally unaware of their own behavior. Once you have talked about the issue at hand and have both voiced your views and opinions, come to an agreement about what to do next. Come up with something that both parties can get on board with and feel comfortable with.  If you can't reach an agreement, then consider couples therapy. Getting the opinion of a third party will help put things in perspective and allow you to rationally sort of the issue from an objective standpoint. Know when the relationship can't be fixed. If you or your girlfriend are chronically unhappy in the relationship, then don't force things. Making healthy compromises to keep a relationship alive is one thing, but making yourself miserable to maintain the status quo will not do either of you any good. Some issues just need a little time to blow over. If you recently had a big fight, give each other space for a day or two. Chances are that the issue will resolve itself, and being apart will remind you both how much you care for one another.

Summary: Learn to know when something is wrong. Talk about the issue with your girlfriend. Reach a compromise. Be patient.


Look at your local pharmacy or health food store for a supplement that combines both ingredients. Take the pills according to the directions on the bottle and let your doctor know about them as well. Ideally, the supplements will help you to strengthen the cartilage in your joints. Yoga is a great way to relieve joint pain while also exercising your joints. Yoga can also help reduce stress, which can make your joint pain more manageable. Look at your local gym or recreation center for swimming or water aerobics classes. Working out in water offers gentle resistance that can help to improve flexibility and minimize pain. It works best with lower limb joints, such as the knees.  Don’t overdo water exercises or you can overtire your joints. Aim for 30 or 45 minute classes that meet 3 times per week. There are also many exercises that you can do at the gym for joint health. For example, to strengthen your leg joints you can perform deadlifts, calf raises, or lunges. Sometimes your body simply needs a chance to relax and recuperate. If your joint is in pain or stiff, shorten the duration and intensity of any exercise program. Avoid lifting heavy objects or straining the joint until it is pain-free. In your daily activities, try to limit the movement of the joint.

Summary: Take glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate supplements. Try doing some yoga. Do water exercises. Give the joint some rest.


Depending on the position, you'll either be tested on 1 skill or several skills. Send the manager a brief and polite email asking them to explain the test to you. For example, you can say: “I am writing to ask some follow-up questions about the assessment test. Specifically, how will the test be administered and what will it cover? Thank you for your help.” In a skills-based assessment, these are the most common abilities that you'll be tested on. Check with the hiring manager first, though, to find out if you will be tested on any of these. Employment agencies sometimes offer practice skills tests on their website. For skills like math, you can look for books of sample quizzes at your local library or bookstore. Use your scores on these tests to figure out what skills you need to work on before taking the test. Practice solving sample math problems for at least an hour a day leading up to the test. If you need to improve your skills more quickly, increase the amount of time you're studying. If you have a friend who's particularly good at math, ask them to help you study. When you get sample problems wrong, make sure you look over your work to figure out why. Focus on studying math skills relevant to the job position. For instance, if you're applying to work as an architect you might be tested on your ability to calculate dimensions. Practice your grammar, spelling, and typing skills as needed. Work on these for at least an hour a day leading up to the test, or more if necessary. Show your work to someone with a good understanding of writing and ask them how you can improve and what skills you need to work on. If the job ad asks for proficiency in specific software programs, you may need to demonstrate proficiency on your test. For instance, if the job requires you to know how to use Excel, you may be given sample tasks to perform using that program.  If you need to sharpen your software skills before the test, set yourself sample tasks to perform so you feel confident using the program on the test. Search for online tutorials if you need to refresh your memory of the software program. If you're taking the test at home, work away from distractions, like the TV. You want to be focused on the assessment. If you're taking the test at the office, bring a bottle of water or anything else you might need to feel comfortable. Take a few deep breaths if you find yourself getting stressed out. If you can't think of the answer to a question, try to come back to it after you've finished the rest of the test. Try not to worry about whether or not you'll ultimately get the job, and instead focus on answering each question as well as you can. Don't simply glance at questions and assume you understand them completely. If a question confuses you, read it again. If you read a question several times and still don't understand it, take your best guess and try to come back to it later if there's time.
Summary: Ask the hiring manager what skills you'll be tested on. Take skills quizzes for spelling, grammar, and math as needed. Review any math skills you might be tested on. Study writing skills if you need to improve on them. Practice your skills with the software the job requires. Create a positive environment for the test. Stay calm while answering questions. Read questions thoroughly.