晨读英语美文100篇 Passage 55. Stress and Relaxation
 音频下载[点击右键另存为][00:00.54]Passage 55. Stress and Relaxation[00:06.33]It is commonly believed that only rich middle-aged businessmen suffer from stress. [00:12.69]In fact anyone may become ill as a result of stress [00:17.71]if they experience a lot of worry over a long period [00:21.55]and their health is not especially good. [00:24.39]Stress can be a friend or an enemy: [00:28.11]it can warn you that you are under too much pressure and should change your way of life. [00:33.69]It can kill you if you don’t notice the warning signals. [00:38.07]Doctors agree that it is probably the biggest single cause of illness in the Western world. [00:45.07]When we are very frightened and worried [00:48.24]our bodies produce certain chemicals to help us fight what is troubling us. [00:53.50]Unfortunately, these chemicals produce the energy needed to run away fast from an object of fear, [01:01.48]and in modern life that’s often impossible. [01:05.53]If we don’t use up these chemicals, or if we produce too many of them, [01:11.33]they may actually harm us. [01:13.62]The parts of the body that are most affected by stress are the stomach, heart,skin, head and back. [01:22.16]Stress can cause car accidents, heart attacks, and alcoholism, and may even drive people to suicide. [01:30.91]Our living and working conditions may put us under stress. [01:36.16]Overcrowding in large cities, traffic jams, competition for jobs, worry about the future, [01:43.82]any big changes in our lives, may cause stress. [01:48.20]Some British doctors have pointed out that [01:51.92]one of Britain’s worst waves of influenza happened soon after the new coins came into use. [01:58.81]Also if you have changed jobs or moved house in recent months [02:04.50]you are more likely to fall ill than if you haven’t. [02:08.44]And more people commit suicide in times of inflation. [02:12.27]As with all illnesses, prevention is better than cure. [02:17.41]If you find you can’t relax, it is a sign of danger. [02:21.79]“When you’re taking work home, when you can’t enjoy an evening with friends, [02:27.25]when you haven’t time for outdoor exercise [02:30.43]—that is the time to stop and ask yourself whether your present life really suits you.” [02:36.56]Says one family doctor. [02:38.63]“Then it’s time to join a relaxation class, [02:43.17]or take up dancing, painting or gardening.” |
