1、U8 Man and Nature People Who Appreciate Nature Are Happier, Healthier And More Innovative BY JOHN HALTIWANGER MAY 7 2015 1 Theres nothing quite like being deep in a forest, completely separated from the touch of humankind. 2 It provides an inexplicable1 sense of tranquil2 awareness. 3 The only sound
2、s are those of your own footsteps, the wind, rustling3 trees and the movements of the creatures who call the wild home. 4 But the fact of the matter is that too many of us rarely get to experience this. More and more people, particularly Millennials4, are moving into cities and away from nature. 5 S
3、ure, some of these concrete jungles contain beautiful parks, but visiting them is not quite the same as becoming deeply immersed5 in the woods. 6 To borrow from the great wilderness explorer and environmentalist John Muir: Going to the woods is going home; for I suppose we came from the woods origin
4、ally. 7 Indeed, we would all benefit a great deal if we made a more concerted effort to leave our urban dwellings6 and spend time in nature. 8 In fact, there is concrete evidence that people who appreciate nature, and make the effort to spend time in it, are happier, healthier and more creative. Nat
5、ure Reduces Stress and Helps Us Find Meaning. 9 There are a plethora7 of studies out there revealing8 the psychological benefits of nature. All of the research points to the fact that the closer we are to nature, the happier we feel. In essence, nature is a powerful anti-depressant. 10 One study, co
6、nducted by scientists at Chiba University in Japan9, monitored10 the effects of a Japanese practice known as Shinrin-yoku, which means forest-bathing. 11 The study involved field experiments in 24 forests across Japan, with 280 participants in total. In each experiment, the scientists would send one
7、 half of the participants into the woods, and the other half into a city. The next day, those who spent time in the woods would be sent into a city and vice versa. 1 inexplicable nksplkbl adj. 无法解释的 ; 费解的 ; 莫名其妙的 2 tranquil trkwl adj. 安静的 ; 平静的 3 rustling rsl n. 瑟瑟声，沙沙声 ; 4 Millennials mlnjl n .千禧年一
8、代 ; 千禧代 ; 千禧之子 ; 指 1981-1996 年间出生的人 5 immerse m:s vt. 浸没 ; 沉浸 ; 沉迷中 6 dwelling dwel n. 住处，处所 ; 寓所 7 plethora pler n. 过多，过剩 8 reveal rvi:l vt. 显露 ; 揭露 ; 泄露 9 Chiba University in Japan 日本千叶大学 10 monitor mnt(r) vt. 搜集，记录 ; 监控，监听 ; 测定 ; 监督 新导向大学英语二 厦门大学外文学院 12 At the end of it all, the scientists found
9、those who spent their day in forests had “lower concentrations of cortisol11, lower pulse rate and lower blood pressure. 13 In other words, participants were decidedly less stressed when they were in nature as opposed to an urban environment. So, if youre feeling bummed or overwhelmed, go for a walk
10、 in the woods, it will boost your mood. 14 Humans were never meant to be confined12 by concrete and steel 100 percent of the time. Within these environments, its easy to feel like just another face in the crowd. But when we step into nature, we are reminded all living organisms are connected. 15 Nat
11、ure, in the purest sense, is where both serenity and wildness coexist in harmony. When we visit it, we feel both peaceful and uneasy all at once. Perhaps this is because all life began in nature and all life ends there. 16 Nature is the universes greatest teacher - it whispers to us that even in the
12、 midst of chaos, life finds a way to carry on. 17 In turn, we emerge from the trees reinvigorated13, with the vital knowledge that the current moment is more precious than what has or will happen. Walking in Nature Strengthens our Immune Systems and Our Muscles. 18 Its not only our minds that benefi
13、t from time in the woods, but also our bodies. 19 There is widespread evidence that chemicals emitted by plants, known as phytoncides14 (wood essential oils), help strengthen the immune systems of humans who are exposed to them. 20 Plants emit phytoncides to protect themselves from insects and rotti
14、ng. A study from the Nippon Medical School in Tokyo15 found when humans breathe in these chemicals, it increases the number of natural kill cells, a type of white blood cell, in our bodies. 21 Natural kill cells are vital to our immune systems as they hunt and kill tumors or infected cells. Hence, w
15、alking in nature could end up saving your life. 22 Not to mention, hiking is one of the healthiest activities around. A simple 60-minute hike can burn up to 500 calories. Its also easier on our bodies than running, which puts a lot of pressure on the joints. 23 Concurrently16, hiking reduces blood p
16、ressure, meaning it can help prevent heart disease - the leading cause of death in the United States. It also strengthens the core, and can aid in weight loss. 24 It also goes without saying hiking often leads to some of the most spectacular views on the planet. So beyond the physical and mental hea
17、lth benefits, heading out into nature simply for the aesthetics17 is reason enough. Our Minds Become Sharper and More Inventive after Spending Time in Nature. 25 One of the most detrimental18 aspects of modern society is that we spend far too much time on our phones. 11 cortisol k:tsl n. 考的索，皮质醇 12
18、confine knfan vt. 限制 ; 局限于 13 reinvigorate ri:nvgret vt. 给 增添精力（或力量） ; 使再振作 14 phytoncide fatnsad n. 芬多精，一种植物杀菌素 15 Nippon Medical School in Toky 东京的日本医学院 16 concurrently knkrntl adv. 同时地 17 aesthetics i:setks n. 美学 ; 美术理论 18 detrimental detrmentl adj. 有害的 ; 不利的 新导向大学英语二 厦门大学外文学院 Whenever were bored
19、, we unconsciously reach for our devices. 26 Theres actually a great deal of evidence that boredom helps increase creativity, in the sense that our minds are allowed to wander to new territories19. Translation: We need to put our phones down and step away from them far more often. 27 Relatedly, a st
20、udy from researchers at the University of Kansas and University of Utah revealed spending time in the great outdoors, and away from all of the technological distractions, makes us more intuitive20 and creative. 28 The researchers sent 56 participants on hiking excursions ranging from four to six day
21、s in the wildernesses of Alaska, Colorado, Maine and Washington. During this time, the participants were not allowed to use any electronic devices. 29 Ultimately21, the researchers found the participants showed a 50 percent increase in creativity, overall attention and problem-solving abilities afte
22、r several days in the wilderness away from technology. 30 Whether or not this was a direct consequence of exposure to nature or less technology requires further research to determine. 31 But this still suggests natural environments stimulate22 the brain in ways civilization cannot, exponentially23 i
23、mproving our cognitive abilities and igniting our imaginations. 32 Correspondingly24, it comes as no surprise many of historys greatest pieces of art, literature and music were produced by those who truly appreciated nature and spent much of their time in it. 33 The wilderness is a friend, healer an
24、d muse that asks for nothing and gives everything in return. As Anne Frank once wrote: The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside. I firmly believe that nature brings solace25 in all troubles. 34 The wild is ready and waiting, all you have to do is go out and meet i
25、t. （ 1076 words） https:/ 19 territory tert()ri n. 领域；地域 20 intuitive ntju:tv adj. 直觉的 ; 凭直觉获知的 21 ultimately ltmtli adv. 最后，最终 22 stimulate stmjulet v. 刺激 ; 激励 23 exponentially ekspnenl adv. 迅速增长地 ;成指数倍增地 24 correspondingly krspnd li adv. 相对地 ; 相应地 25 solace sls n. 安慰 新导向大学英语二 厦门大学外文学院 Exercises for
26、 U8 I. Useful Chunks Please find the English equivalents for the following Chinese expressions. 1. 远离尘嚣 2. 树叶沙沙作响 3. 混凝土丛林 4. 深深地沉浸于 5. 我们都将获益良多。 6. 更加齐心合力 7. 城市住宅 8. 有确凿证据表明 9. 有大量研究表明 10. 所有研究都指向一个事实 11. 本质上讲；其实 12. 非常有效的抗抑郁剂 13. 森林浴 14. 实地试验 15. 总计 280 位参与者 16. 心率和血压降低 17. 与城市环境相对比 18. 感到沮丧或不知所措
27、19. 改善你的心情 20. 人类不应受钢筋水泥束缚 . 21. 从最纯粹的意义上说 22. 宁静与野性和谐共存。 23. 在混乱中 24. 生活总有办法继续。 25. 当下的时刻更加珍贵。 26. 免疫系统 新导向大学英语二 厦门大学外文学院 27. 众多证据表明 28. 接触到木香精油的人 29. 白血球 30. 天然免疫细胞对免疫系统至关重要。 31. 更不必说 32. 跑步给关节带来很大压力。 33. 健步走可以降低血压。 34. 死亡的主要原因 35. 地球上最壮观的景色 36. 身心健康 37. 充分的理由 38. 花太多时间玩手机 39. 下意识地伸手拿手机 40. 身处大自然
28、41. 让我们更敏感更有创造力 42. 派 56 个人徒步旅行 43. 在阿拉斯加的荒野 44. 解决问题的能力 45. 提高我们的认知能力 46. 激发我们的想象力 47. 并不意外 48. 史上最伟大的艺术、文学和音乐作品 49. 最好的治疗方法 50. 大自然可以抚平所有的伤痛。 II. Translation Translate the following sentences into Chinese. 1. Sure, some of these concrete jungles contain beautiful parks, but visiting them is not qu
29、ite the same as becoming deeply immersed in the woods. _ _ 新导向大学英语二 厦门大学外文学院 2. The study involved field experiments in 24 forests across Japan, with 280 participants in total. _ _ 3. In other words, participants were decidedly less stressed when they were in nature as opposed to an urban environmen
30、t. _ _ 4. In turn, we emerge from the trees reinvigorated, with the vital knowledge that the current moment is more precious than what has or will happen. _ _ 5. There is widespread evidence that chemicals emitted by plants, known as phytoncides (wood essential oils), help strengthen the immune syst
31、ems of humans who are exposed to them. _ _ 6. It also goes without saying hiking often leads to some of the most spectacular views on the planet. _ _ 7. Theres actually a great deal of evidence that boredom helps increase creativity, in the sense that our minds are allowed to wander to new territori
32、es. _ _ 8. Whether or not this was a direct consequence of exposure to nature or less technology requires further research to determine. _ _ 9. The wilderness is a friend, healer and muse that asks for nothing and gives everything in return. _ _ 新导向大学英语二 厦门大学外文学院 III. Comprehension Questions Answer
33、the following questions in your own words. Q1: In what way are parks in concrete jungles different from nature? _ _ Q2: What study was carried out by scientists at Chiba University? And what did they find? _ _ Q3: What are the two ways in which walking in nature makes us healthier? _ _ Q4: What stud
34、y was conducted at the University of Kansas and University of Utah, and what did they find? _ _ Q5: What does nature mean to humans? What shall we do with it? _ _ IV. Writing Tasks Task 1: Summary writing. Write a summary essay of the passage. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Task 2: Essay writing. Write a 3-paragraph essay on “The Importance of Coexistence of Man and Nature”. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ (Sample answers to the four tasks have been provided for you in the lecture of Reading for Writing.)
