2023-06-05 The sounds of relaxation 聆听大自然中令人放松的声音

忙碌的现代生活有时会伴随各种压力，因此人们常常寻找放松、解压的方式。本期 “随身英语” 节目聊一聊鸟叫等自然中的声音给心理健康带来的积极影响。

词汇：relaxing sounds 令人放松的声音

In a fast-paced world, where stress and mental fatigue seem commonplace, we’re constantly looking for new ways to unwind. Some people take a hot bath, watch a film, go for a run, or listen to slower tempo music to help them relax. But what about the chirrups and whistles of birdsong or other nature sounds? Could they also help people to let go of the tensions of modern life?

According to a study by King’s College London in 2022, seeing or hearing birds could help to boost the mental wellbeing of people. Taking a trip to a place rich in birdlife like parks, forests and canals and encountering birds chirping and warbling to each other in the trees could even help to treat some mental health conditions. And it’s not just birds that could have a therapeutic effect on our moods. Another study commissioned by the National Trust compared the effects of woodland sounds with voiced meditation apps. The study found listening to birdsong as well as other woodland sounds like leaves crunching underfoot or the gentle trickle of a stream boosted feelings of relaxation 30% more than an app. Other sounds which may help to chill people out are waves lapping on the shore, gentle breezes, and light rainfall.

However, not all of us live in rural surroundings, and depending on where we live, a trip to the countryside to see birds may not be an option. But could the nature sounds that originate there still help you? According to research by California Polytechnic State University, even a recording of the sounds of birds had a profound effect on people’s mood, while other studies saw people listening to soundscapes of the coast and forests with similar outcomes to their wellbeing.

So, wherever you live, you can access the wonderful sounds of birds and nature, be it during a stroll through a wood or via some headphones. And maybe listening to the chirps, trills, warbles and whistles of some birds could help you to relax after a long, hard day.

词汇表

unwind 放松
tempo （音乐的）速度，节奏
chirrup （鸟）唧唧叫
whistle （鸟）鸣叫
birdsong 鸟鸣声
wellbeing 健康
birdlife 鸟类
chirp （鸟）啁啾，唧唧叫
warble （鸟）啭鸣
therapeutic 使人放松的，有疗效的
woodland 树林，林地
crunch 发出嘎吱嘎吱的声音
trickle 涓涓细流
chill out 使（人）放松
wave lapping 波浪拍打
shore （海、湖、河）岸
breeze 微风
rainfall 下雨
rural 乡村的
soundscape 声景
trill （鸟）啼啭

测验与练习

1. 阅读课文并回答问题。

1. According to the article, what things do some people do to relax?

2. Which places can you visit that could help treat some mental health conditions?

3. What percentage were nature sounds better at improving feelings of relaxation compared to voiced meditation apps?

4. Other than birdsong, what other nature sounds could help people to relax?

5. True or False? Listening to recorded birdsong helps people to relax.

2. 选择意思恰当的单词或词组来完成下列句子。

1. Try listening to some waves lapping on the shore. The sounds could chill you _______.

out                                in                            up                              off

2. I decided to give up my life in the city and move to a _______ area.

lap                                wave                       underfoot                   rural

3. There’s a gentle _______ blowing today, so it could be good to go for a walk.

soundscape                 breeze                      rainfall                       shore

4. I find eating ice cream and watching my favourite TV show really _______.

birdlife                          tempo                       therapeutic                whistle

5. I love the sound of fresh snow as it _______ when I walk.

crunches                      trickles                      chirrups                     warbles

答案

1. 阅读课文并回答问题。 

1. According to the article, what things do some people do to relax?

Some people take a hot bath, watch a film, go for a run, or listen to slower tempo music to help them relax.

2. Which places can you visit that could help treat some mental health conditions?

Taking a trip to a place rich in birdlife like parks, forests and canals and encountering birds chirping and warbling to each other in the trees could even help to treat some mental health conditions.

3. What percentage were nature sounds better at improving feelings of relaxation compared to voiced meditation apps?

The study found listening to birdsong as well as other woodland sounds boosted feelings of relaxation 30% better than an app.

4. Other than birdsong, what other nature sounds could help people to relax?

Other sounds which may help to chill people out are waves lapping on the shore, light breezes, and gentle rainfall.

5. True or False? Listening to recorded birdsong helps people to relax.

True. According to research by California Polytechnic State University, even a recording of the sounds of birds had a profound effect on people’s mood.

2. 选择意思恰当的单词或词组来完成下列句子。

1. Try listening to some waves lapping on the shore. The sounds could chill you out.

2. I decided to give up my life in the city and move to a rural area.

3. There’s a gentle breeze blowing today, so it could be good to go for a walk.

4. I find eating ice cream and watching my favourite TV show really therapeutic.

5. I love the sound of fresh snow as it crunches when I walk.