CET-4 Listening Practice: Why a Walk in Nature Helps

For many university students, a typical day is spent almost entirely indoors.

對許多大學生來說，平常的一天幾乎都是在室內度過的。

They move from the dormitory to the classroom, and then on to the library.

他們從宿舍到教室，然後再去圖書館。

In the evening, most of their free time is spent looking at screens.

到了晚上，他們大部分的空閒時間都花在看螢幕上。

At the same time, a growing number of students say they feel anxious and under pressure.

與此同時，越來越多學生表示自己感到焦慮、壓力很大。

Many of them go over the same worries again and again, especially before exams.

很多人一次又一次地反覆想著同樣的煩惱，考試前更是如此。

So, can a simple walk in nature really make a difference?

那麼，在大自然中簡單散個步，真的能帶來改變嗎？

A study carried out at Stanford University in twenty fifteen suggests that it can.

2015年 Stanford 大學的一項研究顯示，答案是肯定的。

Researchers asked thirty-eight healthy adults from the city to go for a ninety-minute walk.

研究人員請38名住在城市的健康成年人散步90分鐘。

Half of the participants walked through a quiet green area near the campus.

一半的參與者走過校園附近一片安靜的綠地。

The other half walked along a busy road with heavy traffic.

另一半的人則沿著一條車流量很大的繁忙馬路走。

Before and after the walk, each person answered questions about their negative thinking.

散步前後，每個人都回答了關於自己負面想法的問題。

They also had their brains scanned.

他們還接受了腦部掃描。

According to the results, the nature group spent less time on negative thoughts.

根據結果，自然組花在負面想法上的時間變少了。

In addition, an area of the brain linked to this kind of thinking became less active.

此外，大腦中與這類思考有關的一個區域活躍度也降低了。

However, the people who walked beside the traffic showed no such change.

然而，在車流旁邊散步的人卻沒有出現這種變化。

In other words, time in nature seems to give a busy mind a rest.

換句話說，待在大自然中似乎能讓忙碌的大腦休息一下。

The researchers pointed out that people living in cities face a higher risk of mental health problems.

研究人員指出，住在城市的人出現心理健康問題的風險更高。

For this reason, green spaces may play an important role in protecting our mental health.

因此，綠地可能在保護我們的心理健康上扮演重要角色。

Worrying too much makes it hard to concentrate, and as a result, our studies suffer.

擔心太多會讓人難以專心，結果課業也會受到影響。

The good news is that you don't need to climb a mountain to benefit.

好消息是，你不需要去爬山也能從中受益。

Even a short walk in a park or along a river can help.

哪怕只是在公園裡或河邊走一小段，也會有幫助。

Try to leave your phone in your bag and cut down on screen time.

試著把手機放在包包裡，減少看螢幕的時間。

Some students feel that a walk before an exam is a waste of time.

有些學生覺得考試前去散步是浪費時間。

In fact, a break outdoors may help you return to your books with a clearer mind.

其實，到戶外休息一下，可能會讓你帶著更清醒的頭腦回到書本前。

So why not make a habit of walking outside two or three times a week?

那麼，何不養成每週到戶外散步兩三次的習慣呢？

In the long run, your mind and your grades may thank you for it.

從長遠來看，你的頭腦和成績也許都會因此感謝你。