森林浴等2则外刊阅读训练-2023届高三英语二轮复习

外刊精读 森林浴 导读： 源自日本的 “森林浴” 概念如今受到世界各地越来越多人的喜爱。一些专家认为，在树林里散步可以帮助人们改善身体健康和提升幸福感。假如你正要前往森林，当你到达后，应该做什么？本期“外刊精读” 讨论这个可以帮助我们缓解生活压力的自然疗法。 一、语篇泛读 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 program me 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 you 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