Q: Recovery and self-help groups use an acronym, H.A.L.T., to determine certain conditions that could make you emotionally vulnerable. This acronym can be useful for all individuals to know when you are low on resources and cannot effectively deal with stressful situations like an argument with your boyfriend. Sometimes, it is better to attend to your most basic needs before trying to resolve relationship conflict. Assess yourself before trying to communicate with your partner. If you are hungry, angry, lonely, or tired, it may be best to delay the discussion until those needs have been met. Gaining control of your emotions is the first action step of any conflict resolution plan. Allowing anger, frustration, or rejection to overcome you clouds your better judgment and can result in you saying or doing something you later regret. When you are in control of your emotions, you can hold a discussion that is productive for the relationship. If you notice that your feelings continue to cloud your judgment, you need to get them under control first. Gain control of your emotions with regulation techniques like:  Practicing deep breathing with the 4-7-8 method. Inhale through your nose for 4 counts. Hold the breath for 7 counts, and then release the air through your mouth for 8 counts. Practice mindfulness meditation by attending to the bodily sensations you are experiencing. While deep breathing, try to label what emotion you are feeling and look for sensations that support the emotion (e.g. clenched fists, tight shoulders, etc.) Phone a friend to vent or take your mind off what's troubling you. Take your dog for a walk. Listen to soothing music. Journaling can be a great way to relieve stress, understand what you are thinking, and gather your thoughts after a disagreement. Journaling can be used as an emotion regulation technique or as a form of problem-solving, or both.  Grab a pen and pad and freely write about the problem you are having with your partner. Describe in as much detail as you can what you're thinking, feeling, and wanting to do. Writing out the problem can help you better understand both sides of the disagreement. You can even use your journal as a role-play tool for what you would like to say to your partner after a disagreement. You might start an entry out as "Dear, boyfriend/girlfriend...". The process of writing out what you are feeling can help you clarify your thoughts and decide what to do.
A: Beware of H.A.L.T. Hold off a conversation until your emotions are under control. Practice emotion regulation by self-soothing. Write it down.

Q: If you can't get the bike shop to let you try a bike out, go to another shop, or borrow one from a friend. It is easier to get a bike that fits than to adjust and get acclimated to one that doesn't.  Ride the bike around the block to get a good feel for it. You should feel comfortable and in control at all times. Make sure you can easily reach the handlebars and all the components, like shifters and brakes. Test the gears and brakes. See how easy it is for you to shift gears and brake quickly. The bike should be responsive and shouldn’t take too much effort to adjust gears or brake. Practice turning corners. You want to be comfortable with maneuverability. Some bikes are lighter than others and require more precision when maneuvering. If you don’t feel comfortable on the bike, try out other ones to find something that feels natural. No matter the type of bike, there are different weights and materials in every one.  If you’re looking at a mountain bike, ask about the frame weight and how it affects performance. Though mountain bikes will typically be heavier than road bikes, you may find that for you, a heavier one will be harder to operate on the terrain. Check out the quality of the suspension. Full suspension mountain bikes are meant for serious off-road riders. You may not need the best suspension of you’re not solely riding over extremely rough terrain. Road bikes and touring bikes offer a lot of options in the way of frames and frame construction. The more performance-based options might use a carbon frame. Carbon is a very lightweight material that helps with performance and speed. However, carbon frames can be more expensive. The material and shape of your frame can affect your comfort and speed, but might not be necessary for your type of riding. While carbon is popular for its lightweight nature, it’s easily damaged. Aluminum frames may be heavier, but are more durable and often less expensive.   Get a bike with the right tires for your needs. Thinner tires, often on road bikes, are fast and lightweight. However, thinner tires aren’t good on rocky terrain and puncture easily. Touring bikes have slightly thicker tires with more tread, which allows for more versatility in terrain. The tread also helps grip on wet or slippery roads. This is especially true with derailleur equipped bikes, the components that keep your chain on your bike. Having a bike built professionally ensures all the nuts and bolts are installed and tightened correctly, as well as the accessories.   If you’re newer to cycling, you will have an easier time getting on the road with a professionally built bike. Bike shops will ensure that your bike is properly tuned and that the wheels are properly aligned. By getting a professionally assembled bike, you will also make sure that every component, from the position of the saddle to any accessories, has been outfitted for you. A bike shop will be able to take your measurements and tailor any bike to fit your body perfectly, allowing for the best, safest riding conditions.
A: Test ride a bike before you buy it. Test the weight and materials. Buy or have your bike professionally assembled.

Q: You can make quick cash by renting out your room for a short period, such as over the summer or Christmas vacations. Of course you will need another place to stay, and if you are renting the room yourself you will need agreement to sublet the room to someone else. For example, you may be able to rent your room to a visiting student who is only in town for a few weeks.  Advertise on notice boards around campus and online to draw attention to the room you are offering out. If you work away, and are always out of town for a few days of the week, you could consider renting your room on this basis. Some people will rent a room from Tuesday to Thursday, or regularly over the weekend. Sites that offer spares rooms or whole apartments to rent for short periods, to tourists amongst others, are becoming increasingly popular and prominent. If you need to make some quick cash, renting out space in your house can be a great way to do this. You could rent out a spare room, or, if you have somewhere to stay, you could even rent out the whole place.  AirBnB has become a huge business and gives you access to countless people online. If you do decide to rent out your apartment, be a little cautious and be sure you understand the terms, conditions, and liabilities you are undertaking. Try to vet your potential tenants as best you can.  The success of Uber means you can rent out your services driving people around too. In some big cities parking spaces are very precious commodities, and renting your parking space can earn you quick and ongoing cash. Your chances will depend entirely on where you are and what the situation is like there. If, for example, you live near a big commercial or business district where workers struggle to find parking you could be in luck.  Similarly, if you live near a transport hub, such as a train station, your parking space may be highly valuable. Make sure you are not violating any terms and conditions connected to your right to rent out your parking space, and then advertise it online. It's not exactly renting it out, but you can offer your body to science in exchange for quick cash. The possibilities and options near you will depend on where you live and what facilities are nearby. In the US you can sell blood plasma for around $35 for an hour or 90 minutes of your time, but you cannot in the UK.  Clinical trials take place in facilities and hospitals in cities across the world, and these can be very lucrative. There is an inherent risk with any kind of clinical trial so ensure you read all the literature you are provided with and think carefully about getting involved. You will be vetted and tested in order to ensure you are healthy enough to undergo the trial. You can find clinical trials near you by searching online.
A:
Rent your room. Rent space in your house. Rent your parking space. Offer your body to science.