现在，人们的生活越来越快，压力也越来越大。
Nowadays people's lives move faster and faster, and the stress keeps growing too.
工作、房子、孩子的教育，每一件事都让人紧张。
Work, housing, the children's education — every single thing makes people tense.
很多人以为，只要努力工作，就能过上轻松的生活。
Many people assume that as long as they work hard, they will get to live an easy life.
可是他们发现，越忙压力越大，快乐却越来越少。
But they discover that the busier they get, the greater the stress — yet their happiness keeps shrinking.
其实，放松不是浪费时间，而是给自己加油。
Actually, relaxing is not wasting time — it is refueling yourself.
你可以出去走走，听听音乐，或者跟朋友聊聊天。
You can go out for a little walk, listen to some music, or have a chat with friends.
对我来说，最好的放松是晚上关掉手机，安安静静地看一本书。
For me, the best way to relax is to turn off my phone in the evening and quietly read a book.
记住：休息好了，才能走得更远。
Remember: only when you have rested well can you go further.
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Key words 生词
压力yālìpressure; stress
放松fàngsōngto relax
紧张jǐnzhāngnervous; tense
轻松qīngsōngrelaxed; easy
浪费làngfèito waste
加油jiāyóuto refuel; recharge
Grammar note 语法点
越……越……
"The more A, the more B." Two 越 link a condition and its result: 越忙压力越大。 The related 越来越 means "more and more over time": 生活越来越快。
他越说越快，我越听越糊涂。— The faster he spoke, the more confused I got.
不是……而是……
"Not A, but rather B." Corrects a wrong idea and gives the right one: 放松不是浪费时间，而是给自己加油。
他不是不想去，而是没有时间。— It's not that he doesn't want to go; rather, he has no time.
Check yourself 小测验
1. What do many people assume, according to the text?
2. What does the author say relaxing really is?
3. What is the author's favorite way to relax?
More HSK 4 reading practice
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