Claire最近工作上壓力很大，同事Jim和Tina給她出主意，如何減壓。Tina說，

T: You really have to make an effort to relax, and each person is different. My husband swears by classical music. He goes and sits in his room, turns on his stereo and listens to his favorite classical composers.

J: For me, sometimes I just need a good hard workout. I like to put on boxing gloves and hit a punching bag...makes me feel much better!

C: I've tried chanting and meditating a couple times, but I couldn't stop my brain from thinking about work. I can't seem to get in the zone.

Tina說，她老公覺得聽古典音樂特別管用。He swears by classical music. swear by something 意思是堅信某事的功效，用在人身上，to swear by somebody則是很信任某個人。Jim說，他釋放壓力最行之有效的辦法是去健身，I just need a good hard workout. Claire說，她也試過冥想，但就是無法get in the zone進入狀態。

T: I saw a news article yesterday that says chocolate helps relieve stress. Maybe you just need a chocolate bar!

C: Now there's a therapy I can get behind!

J: I think the main thing to keep in mind here is that stress is a serious issue. You're not weak. You're not a loser. You just have to find what works for you. Everybody's different. Maybe rock music is what works for you.

Tina說，頭天看報紙上說，吃巧克力可以減壓，Claire開玩笑說，Now there's a therapy I can get behind. 意思是這種療法我愿意嘗試。不過言歸正傳，壓力不是兒戲，身體對壓力做出反應，并不意味著你脆弱，也不意味著你這人沒用。每個人都需要找到對自己有效的減除壓力的辦法。

T: Speaking of rock music...there's a great concert happening downtown tomorrow night. We could all use a break. What do you say?

C: Sound like fun. and thanks.... you guys are true friends.

J: We're all in the same boat. Modern life is very stressful.

T: That's why we need friends.

C: You said it. See you tomorrow night!

T: It's a date!

Tina說，明晚有一場rock music搖滾音樂會，問Claire和Jim要不要一起去, We could all use a break. 意思是我們都需要放松一下。use在這里是享用的意思。比如 I could use a cup of coffee. 意思是我想喝杯咖啡。I could use some encouragement. 我需要點鼓勵。Claire對朋友的幫助表示感謝，Jim說，We're all in the same boat. 我們的處境都一樣，大家生活都很緊張，都需要學會放松。

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（來源：VOA英語教學 編輯：丹妮）