BBC随身英语｜“森林浴”能治愈现代压力吗？

Can forest bathing cure modern stress?

How do you relax after a stressful day in the office? There are many remedies to help you unwind, but the best solution, according to some experts, lies in the great outdoors. It takes a little effort to get there but the benefits can be a perfect tonic for our stressed-out lives. I am talking about the activity of forest bathing.

The Japanese concept of shinrin-yoku – or forest bathing – originates from the 1980s, when it was introduced as a national health programme by the country's government. Stressed Japanese workers are today still relaxing and reconnecting with nature.

The Forest Therapy Society has certified 62 forest therapy sites in the country and the forest bathing movement is also gathering momentum in other parts of the world. It says: "Just as bathing in a hot spring helps to soak your cares away, going for a walk in the woods is said to have a soothing effect."

If you're worried that bathing involves stripping off your clothes, don't be! This is about taking time to wander through woodland with no fixed plan or route and just immerse yourself in the forest atmosphere. Some health experts have said that having this exposure to nature seems to promote well-being and that's particularly good for people with mental health issues.

A study conducted in 24 forests across Japan found that walking among trees lowered blood pressure, the pulse rate, and the levels of the hormone cortisol, which is released in response to stress. It also found phytoncides - chemicals emitted by trees - have an anti-microbial effect on humans, boosting our immune systems.

Another study carried out a few years ago by Stanford University in the US, found similar benefits. Brain scans showed reduced activity in an area of the brain linked to the risk of mental illness in participants who took a 90-minute walk among oaks, birds and squirrels.

One of the researchers, Gregory Bratman, told the BBC: "There's an increasing body of evidence showing that natural versus urban areas benefit us at least emotionally with our mood and possibly also our cognitive development too."  

The evidence seems clear that forest bathing is a shot in the arm for stressed-out workers, so now is the time to get out and lose yourself in the natural environment – you could even hug a tree as it could be your new best friend!

词汇表
remedy [ˈremədi] n. 治疗法，药物，解决办法
unwind [ˌʌnˈwaɪnd] vi. 放松，松弛
great outdoors 大自然，户外
tonic [ˈtɒnɪk] n. 补药，滋补品，使人振作的东西
stressed-out [ˌstrest ˈaʊt] adj. 极度紧张的，压力过大的
forest bathing [ˈfɒrɪst ˌbeɪðɪŋ] 森林浴（通过沉浸于森林环境中，与自然建立深度连接，来放松身心的活动）
reconnect with [ˌriːkəˈnekt] 与…重新建立联系
certify [ˈsɜːtɪfaɪ] vt. 证明，认证，证实
gather momentum [ˈɡæðə məˈmentəm] 势头增强，发展加快
hot spring 温泉
soak one's cares away [səʊk] 洗去烦恼，借沐浴/泡澡来消除烦恼
soothing [ˈsuːðɪŋ] adj. 抚慰的，舒缓的，使人平静的
strip off [strɪp] 脱掉，剥除（衣物或外层物体）
wander through 漫步于，穿梭在
woodland [ˈwʊdlənd] n. 林地，森林
immerse oneself in [ɪˈmɜːs] 沉浸于，融入，专心于
pulse rate [pʌls] 脉搏率（心脏每分钟跳动的次数）
hormone cortisol [ˈhɔːməʊn ˈkɔːtɪsɒl] 皮质醇激素（压力激素）
phytoncide [ˌfaɪtəʊnˈsaɪd] n. 植物杀菌素（植物释放的用于杀菌、防御的挥发性有机化合物）
anti-microbial [ˌænti maɪˈkrəʊbiəl] adj. 杀菌的，抗菌的
immune system [ɪˈmjuːn] 免疫系统
oak [əʊk] n. 橡树，橡木
squirrel [ˈskwɪrəl] n. 松鼠
a body of evidence 大量证据，一系列证据
cognitive development [ˈkɒɡnətɪv] 认知发展
a shot in the arm  一剂强心针，令人振奋的事
lose oneself in 沉浸于，陶醉于

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