8种特别的方式让生活更美好

 　　New scientific research offers surprising ways to shower yourself with tranquility, creativity, longevity¹ and more.

　　新的研究发现有很多方式能让自己更加安静、富有创造力和长寿。

　　1. Optimism

　　乐观积极

　　Never mind if you don't have hours a day-even a few minutes spent in quiet contemplation once in a while yields noticeable benefits. A group of adults who meditated² an average of six hours and 13 minutes over the course of five weeks developed patterns of brain activity typically associated with positive moods.

　　就算你每天没有太多的时间也没关系，仅仅几分钟的沉思就能让你获得不少好处。研究显示，在五周的时间里平均沉思6小时13分钟的成年人，有效地提升了脑力，心态也变得更加积极。

　　2. Serenity³

　　平静

　　When mice were fed a strain of probiotics found in some yogurt, they became calmer under stress, Irish and Canadian scientists observed. The were less likely to panic like their broth-fed brethren, and they produced fewer stress hormones-effects similar to those brought on by antidepressants. Look for yogurt that has active probiotic cultures, and say, "Mmmm."爱尔兰和加拿大的科学家观察发现，用某种酸奶里含有的活益生菌喂食老鼠，能让它们在压力之下显得更加冷静。相比那些食肉的老鼠而言，它们似乎更不容易陷入恐慌，还能分泌出较少的压力荷尔蒙--这和服用抗抑郁症药物的效果一样。喝喝那些富含活益生菌的酸奶吧，然后大赞一句“好喝”。

　　3. Creative Thinking

　　创造性思维

　　Volunteers who worked in rooms lit by a lamp with an incandescent⁴ lightbulb instead of overhead fluorescents solved problems requiring novel thinking more successfully. Scientists say the symbolism of the bulb (not just its light spectrum) led to the subjects' bright ideas, and cited "a growing body of research showing that perception of objects...can subtly influence our behavior."房间里的灯泡对创造性思维有影响。相比头顶是日光灯的志愿者而言，头顶是白炽灯泡的似乎更能轻而易举的解决需要创新性思维的难题。科学家表示，灯泡的象征主义（不仅仅它的光谱）能帮助被试者想出不错的点子，并且“越来越多的行为研究表明对物体的感知能潜移默化的影响我们的行为”。

　　4. Belonging

　　归属感

　　Undergraduates who considered chicken soup a comfort food and then were fed some scored higher on a psychological test of social connectedness than those who weren't given any soup. When given a word fragment like incl, they converted it into a "relationship word" such as include, instead of a neutral term, like incline, because the dish stirred a sense of connection.

　　在社交连通性的心理测试中，我们给那些把鸡汤看成是安慰食物的大学生准备了一些鸡汤，结果显示他们的得分要比没有喝鸡汤的那群人更高。比如我们给出词根incl， 他们会迅速转化成“关系词汇” 比如include，而非中性词汇incline，因为鸡汤激起了他们心中的归属感。

　　5. Vitality⁵

　　活力

　　Tired? Draggy? Stuck in your office? Picture yourself outside beneath an arching sky and canopied⁶ branches. Daydreaming⁷ about nature is energizing⁸, according to a new study. And if you can go outdoors, even better: As little as 20 minutes in a natural setting demonstrably increased people's energy levels for the day.

　　累了？乏了？被困在办公室了？想象一下自己正在户外，蓝天下，绿茵旁吧。新的研究显示，做点关于自然的白日梦能增加能量。如果你真能去户外那就更好了，每天只需要在自然环境下待上20分钟就能有效提高一天的能量了。

　　6. Longevity

　　长寿

　　Using data from about 10,000 adults tracked over 50 years, scientists discovered that volunteering, especially for altruistic⁹ motives¹⁰, can be a lifesaver. People who reported giving their time because they wanted to help others outlived those who didn't volunteer at all, as well as those who did so mostly for their own satisfaction.

　　根据对10000个成年人长达50年的追踪研究，科学家发现，志愿活动尤其是那些无私利心的，可以是救命稻草。那些花时间帮助别人的人们要比其他人更加长寿，即使他们帮别人只是为了自己开心。

　　7. Bliss¹¹

　　狂喜

　　Researchers asked volunteers to rate their level of happiness the last time they spent money on themselves or on someone else. Not only were the givers happier, but when presented with extra cash to use as they wished, they were more apt to spend it on others. The study's authors concluded "a positive feedback loop" exists between offering gifts and well-being¹².

　　研究者要求志愿者回想一下上次为自己或别人花钱时到底有多开心。事实上，花钱者不仅更开心了，给他们多余的钱时，他们还会乐于花在别人身上。研究作者总结道，给礼物和人之间有着“积极的回馈循环”。

　　8. A Healthier Diet

　　健康饮食

　　To make better choices at the grocery store, bring dollar bills, a revelatory study shows. Analyzing¹³ 1,000 households, researchers found that shoppers who paid by credit card tended to select chips, cookies, and other junk food. The theory: Shelling out cash is more psychologically painful, so people are less likely to spend it on unhealthy goods.

　　一项启示性的研究显示，想在便利店做出正确的选择，用现金吧。对1000个家庭的分析发现，那些用信用卡付账的顾客似乎更易选择薯片、饼干和其他垃圾食品。理论：花现金才更会肉疼，人们也就不会多买那些垃圾食品了。

　　快乐人群的减压9法

　　人们只有在他们决定做一个幸福的人时，生活才会变得更幸福。为了能尽快减轻压力，慢慢来并考虑考虑下面的事：

　　1. Know what you’re trying to achieve and why.

　　了解什么是你在努力达成的目标以及原因

　　Lack of direction creates stress. And it’s lack of direction, not lack of time, that’s the problem when it comes to personal achievement. Everyone has the same 24-hour days and 7-day weeks.

　　缺失方向会产生压力。是缺失方向而不是缺少时间，这就是在涉及到个人成就时的问题所在。我们每个人都一样，一周只有7天一天同样有24小时。

　　Whenever you want to achieve something keep your conscious clear. Focus and make sure you know exactly what it is you want and why. No one can hit their target if they don’t know what their target is.

　　无论何时你想达成什么，都要保持头脑清醒。专注并清楚明了地知道什么是你想要的，还有原因。如果不知道目标是什么，那么没人能达成目标。

　　2. Do less by focusing exclusively on what’s important.

　　少做事，一心专注重要事

　　The essence of personal productivity is to do the important things rather than the urgent things. In other words, put first things first. Focus on the essential and eliminate the rest.

　　个人效率的实质在于做重要的事，而不是紧急的事。换句话说，要事为先。专注重要事，淘汰其它事。

　　3. Think progress, not perfection.

　　完善式思考，不是完美

　　Don’t worry about perfection; you’ll never achieve it. Instead, focus on the progress you’ve made and the progress you intend to make today.

　　不要担心不完美；你永远达不到的。相反，专注你已经取得的进步，以及你今天想要取得怎样的进步。

　　Progression is not automatic or inevitable¹⁴. Every step of personal growth requires sacrifice and work. Every step is part of an ever-improving, ever-ascending life path. Every step is an accomplishment¹⁵ that should be celebrated¹⁶. You know you will never get to the absolute peak (perfection), but when you celebrate the journey this truth only adds to the joy and glory of the climb.

　　进步不是自己送上门的，也不是必然的。个人成长的每一步都需要牺牲和付出。每一步都是自我完善、自我提升的人生历程的一部分。每一步都是应该庆祝的一份成就。你知道你永远不能达到绝对的顶峰（完美），但是当你庆祝这段旅程，快乐和攀登的荣耀会更有真实感。

　　4. Cleanse¹⁷ your heart every night.

　　每天净化心灵

　　Just as your body needs regular washing because it gets dirty every day, so does your heart.

　　就像身体每天都会变脏所以需要时时洗漱一样，你的心灵也一样。

　　Because every day, people hurt you, offend you, forget you, snub you, step on you, or reject you. But if you choose to forgive these people and let these things go at the end of each day, you cleanse your heart. You wake up the next morning refreshed and free of negativity. Refuse to carry old regrets, mindsets, and distractions¹⁸ into each new day.

　　因为每天有人会伤害你、冒犯你、忘记你、冷落你、侵犯你或是拒绝你。但是如果你选择原谅他们，在一天结束时忘掉这些事，你就净化了你的心灵。第二天早上醒来精神抖擞，消极情绪尽散。不要把过去的遗憾、心态和心烦意乱带到每一个新的一天。

　　5. Purge¹⁹ untrue thoughts.

　　清除不真实的想法

　　Behind every stressful feeling is an untrue thought. Before the thought you weren’t suffering, but after the thought you began to suffer. When you recognize that the thought isn’t true, once again there is no suffering. When you change your thoughts, you change your life.

　　在每一种紧张感觉背后是一种不真实的想法。在形成这想法之前，你没有很痛苦，但形成这种想法后，你就开始受罪了。当你认清这种想法不是真实的时候，那么也就没有伤害了。当你改变了你的想法，你改变了你的生活。

　　6. Expect some stress, accept it, and let go of it.

　　期待一些压力，接受，或放手

　　The most important journeys that lead to the most wonderful places are usually the challenging ones you must endure the hard way.

　　通往最美妙的地方最重要的旅程常常都是有挑战的，你必须要经历艰难。

　　Stress is but a wall between two peaceful gardens - the garden where you are and garden where you want to be. You must scale the wall that’s in your way, gathering²⁰ lessons as you climb, before letting go as you descend²¹ to the other side. You will only lose if you never climb or you never let go.

　　压力就是隔在两座宁静花园里的一道墙--一座你现在所在的花园和一座你想要去的花园。你必须衡量好挡着你去路的那道墙，在你攀爬的过程中吸取教训，当你在另一头往下走时才可以放手。如果你从不攀爬，或从不放手，你只有失败。

　　7. Be kind to your body.

　　好好对待自己的身体

　　A good workout is the best stress reducer, and a fit, healthy body is the best fashion statement.

　　好的锻炼是最好的减压，匀称健康的身体是最好的状态。

　　The pursuit of optimal²² fitness is a journey, a constant struggle, a lifestyle. It’s a gradual process where intensity²³ during each exercise session, what you eat every single day, and patience over years is what’s required.

　　对完美体型的追求是一段旅行，一段持久的斗争，一种生活方式。这是一个循序渐进的过程，每一训练阶段难度的增加、每天吃的饮食，这些都需要你持久的耐心。

　　But as you know, the longest journey always begins with a single step. It’s all about taking that step and then stepping one day at a time, committing yourself to a daily intake²⁴ of 30 to 60 minutes of uninterrupted exercise and a reasonably healthy diet.

　　但是就像你知道的，最长远的旅行总是由第一步开始的。所有关乎的是迈出那一步，然后每天前进一次，承诺自己每天有30到60分钟不受打扰的练习时间，和一份相当健康的饮食。

　　8. Do one nice thing for yourself every day.

　　每天为自己做一件好事

　　Put yourself at the top of your priority list. There is no person on Earth who deserves your kindness and attention more than you. When you love yourself first, everything else falls into place.

　　把自己放在优先事项的顶端。在这地球上没有人能比你自己更值得拥有你的善良和注意。只有你先爱自己，其它一切才会自动跟来。

　　So treat yourself every day. Give yourself something special - like laughter, good conversation, meditation²⁵, quiet reading, an hour to work on a passion, a long walk, etc. You are worth it.

　　所以每天待自己好一点。给自己一些与众不同的--像笑声、愉悦的对话、沉思、安静的阅读、花一小时在自己热爱的事情上、一段长长的漫步等等。你值得拥有。

　　9. Simplify.

　　简化

　　Organize, don’t agonize²⁶. Keep your space ordered and your schedule under-booked. Create a foundation with a soft place to land, a wide margin²⁷ of error, and room to think and breathe…安排有序，不要折磨自己。保持空间条理有序、计划表仍有空档。让自己有缓冲的空间，做事留有余地，有思考和呼吸的空间……So you have the flexibility²⁸ to explore the possibilities for happiness in each and every day.

　　这样你就可以灵活利用，在每一天里探索幸福生活的各种可能性。

 

1 longevity   

n.长命；长寿

参考例句：

• Good habits promote longevity.良好的习惯能增长寿命。
• Human longevity runs in families.人类的长寿具有家族遗传性。

2 meditated   

深思，沉思，冥想( meditate的过去式和过去分词 )； 内心策划，考虑

参考例句：

• He meditated for two days before giving his answer. 他在作出答复之前考虑了两天。
• She meditated for 2 days before giving her answer. 她考虑了两天才答复。

3 serenity   

n.宁静，沉着，晴朗

参考例句：

• Her face,though sad,still evoked a feeling of serenity.她的脸色虽然悲伤，但仍使人感觉安详。
• She escaped to the comparative serenity of the kitchen.她逃到相对安静的厨房里。

4 incandescent   

adj.遇热发光的， 白炽的，感情强烈的

参考例句：

• The incandescent lamp we use in daily life was invented by Edison.我们日常生活中用的白炽灯，是爱迪生发明的。
• The incandescent quality of his words illuminated the courage of his countrymen.他炽热的语言点燃了他本国同胞的勇气。

5 vitality   

n.活力，生命力，效力

参考例句：

• He came back from his holiday bursting with vitality and good health.他度假归来之后，身强体壮，充满活力。
• He is an ambitious young man full of enthusiasm and vitality.他是个充满热情与活力的有远大抱负的青年。

6 canopied   

adj. 遮有天篷的

参考例句：

• Mist canopied the city. 薄雾笼罩着城市。
• The centrepiece was a magnificent canopied bed belonged to Talleyrand, the great 19th-century French diplomat. 展位中心是一架华丽的四柱床，它的故主是19世纪法国著名外交家塔列郎。

7 daydreaming   

v.想入非非，空想( daydream的现在分词 )

参考例句：

• Stop daydreaming and be realistic. 别空想了，还是从实际出发吧。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
• Bill was sitting and daydreaming so his mother told him to come down to earth and to do his homework. 比尔坐着空想， 他母亲要他面对现实，去做课外作业。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

8 energizing   

v.给予…精力，能量( energize的现在分词 )；使通电

参考例句：

• a refreshing and energizing fruit drink 提神并增加体能的果汁饮料
• The time required after energizing a device, before its rated output characteristics begin to apply. 从设备通电到它开始提供额定输出特性之间所需的时间。 来自辞典例句

9 altruistic   

adj.无私的，为他人着想的

参考例句：

• It is superficial to be altruistic without feeling compassion.无慈悲之心却说利他，是为表面。
• Altruistic spirit should be cultivated by us vigorously.利他的精神是我们应该努力培养的。

10 motives   

n.动机，目的( motive的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• to impeach sb's motives 怀疑某人的动机
• His motives are unclear. 他的用意不明。

11 bliss   

n.狂喜，福佑，天赐的福

参考例句：

• It's sheer bliss to be able to spend the day in bed.整天都可以躺在床上真是幸福。
• He's in bliss that he's won the Nobel Prize.他非常高兴，因为获得了诺贝尔奖金。

12 well-being   

n.安康，安乐，幸福

参考例句：

• He always has the well-being of the masses at heart.他总是把群众的疾苦挂在心上。
• My concern for their well-being was misunderstood as interference.我关心他们的幸福，却被误解为多管闲事。

13 analyzing   

v.分析；分析( analyze的现在分词 )；分解；解释；对…进行心理分析n.分析

参考例句：

• Analyzing the date of some socialist countries presents even greater problem s. 分析某些社会主义国家的统计数据，暴露出的问题甚至更大。 来自辞典例句
• He undoubtedly was not far off the mark in analyzing its predictions. 当然，他对其预测所作的分析倒也八九不离十。 来自辞典例句

14 inevitable   

adj.不可避免的，必然发生的

参考例句：

• Mary was wearing her inevitable large hat.玛丽戴着她总是戴的那顶大帽子。
• The defeat had inevitable consequences for British policy.战败对英国政策不可避免地产生了影响。

15 accomplishment   

n.完成，成就，（pl.）造诣，技能

参考例句：

• The series of paintings is quite an accomplishment.这一系列的绘画真是了不起的成就。
• Money will be crucial to the accomplishment of our objectives.要实现我们的目标，钱是至关重要的。

16 celebrated   

adj.有名的，声誉卓著的

参考例句：

• He was soon one of the most celebrated young painters in England.不久他就成了英格兰最负盛名的年轻画家之一。
• The celebrated violinist was mobbed by the audience.观众团团围住了这位著名的小提琴演奏家。

17 cleanse   

vt.使清洁，使纯洁，清洗

参考例句：

• Health experts are trying to cleanse the air in cities. 卫生专家们正设法净化城市里的空气。
• Fresh fruit juices can also cleanse your body and reduce dark circles.新鲜果汁同样可以清洁你的身体,并对黑眼圈同样有抑制作用。

18 distractions   

n.使人分心的事[人]( distraction的名词复数 )；娱乐，消遣；心烦意乱；精神错乱

参考例句：

• I find it hard to work at home because there are too many distractions. 我发觉在家里工作很难，因为使人分心的事太多。
• There are too many distractions here to work properly. 这里叫人分心的事太多，使人无法好好工作。 来自《简明英汉词典》

19 purge   

n.整肃，清除，泻药，净化；vt.净化，清除，摆脱；vi.清除，通便，腹泻，变得清洁

参考例句：

• The new president carried out a purge of disloyal army officers.新总统对不忠诚的军官进行了清洗。
• The mayoral candidate has promised to purge the police department.市长候选人答应清洗警察部门。

20 gathering   

n.集会，聚会，聚集

参考例句：

• He called on Mr. White to speak at the gathering.他请怀特先生在集会上讲话。
• He is on the wing gathering material for his novels.他正忙于为他的小说收集资料。

21 descend   

vt./vi.传下来，下来，下降

参考例句：

• I hope the grace of God would descend on me.我期望上帝的恩惠。
• We're not going to descend to such methods.我们不会沦落到使用这种手段。

22 optimal   

adj.最适宜的；最理想的；最令人满意的

参考例句：

• What is the optimal mix of private and public property rights in natural resources?私人和国家的自然资源产权的最适宜的组合是什么？
• Optimal path planning is a key link for the sailing contest.帆船最优行驶路径规划是帆船比赛取胜的关键环节。

23 intensity   

n.强烈，剧烈；强度；烈度

参考例句：

• I didn't realize the intensity of people's feelings on this issue.我没有意识到这一问题能引起群情激奋。
• The strike is growing in intensity.罢工日益加剧。

24 intake   

n.吸入，纳入；进气口，入口

参考例句：

• Reduce your salt intake.减少盐的摄入量。
• There was a horrified intake of breath from every child.所有的孩子都害怕地倒抽了一口凉气。

25 meditation   

n.熟虑，（尤指宗教的）默想，沉思，（pl.）冥想录

参考例句：

• This peaceful garden lends itself to meditation.这个恬静的花园适于冥想。
• I'm sorry to interrupt your meditation.很抱歉，我打断了你的沉思。

26 agonize   

v.使受苦，使苦闷

参考例句：

• Why do you agonize yourself with the thought of your failure?你为何总是对于你的失败念念不忘而自我折磨呢？
• There's no reason to agonize over telling people you're job hunting.没有理由为告诉他人你正在找工作而感到苦恼。

27 margin   

n.页边空白；差额；余地，余裕；边，边缘

参考例句：

• We allowed a margin of 20 minutes in catching the train.我们有20分钟的余地赶火车。
• The village is situated at the margin of a forest.村子位于森林的边缘。

28 flexibility   

n.柔韧性，弹性，（光的）折射性，灵活性

参考例句：

• Her great strength lies in her flexibility.她的优势在于她灵活变通。
• The flexibility of a man's muscles will lessen as he becomes old.人老了肌肉的柔韧性将降低。