新奇事件簿 住在海边的人更幸福

New research suggests that people who live close to the ocean or sea are happier. Researchers from the University of Exeter in the UK say people who live in coastal¹ areas have better mental health than people who live inland. This is for rich people and poor people. The researchers looked at data from surveys of 25,963 people. The surveys asked people questions about their happiness, lifestyle and income. They found that those who live within one kilometer of the coast are 22 per cent less likely to show any signs of mental health problems. People who lived more than 50 kilometers from the coast had more symptoms of mental health problems. The researchers found that poorer people living within sight of the coast were around 40 per cent less likely to have mental health symptoms than those who lived inland.

新研究表明住在海边的人更快乐。来自英国埃克塞特大学的研究人员表示住在沿海地区的人比住在内陆地区的人心理健康状况更好。这是针对富人和穷人的研究。研究人员查看了来自25,963人的调查数据。这些调查询问人们关于他们幸福、生活方式以及收入的问题。他们发现那些住在距海岸一公里以内的人出现精神健康问题的可能性要低22%。居住在距海岸50公里以上的人有更多精神健康问题的症状。研究人员发现，与居住在内陆的人相比，生活在海岸附近的穷人出现精神健康症状的可能性要低40%左右。

Lead researcher of the study, doctor Jo Garrett, said: "Our research suggests, for the first time, that people in poorer households living close to the coast experience fewer symptoms of mental health disorders²." She said the area along coasts seemed to protect people from experiencing mental health problems. They seemed to improve people's health and wellbeing. Dr Garrett added: "When it comes to mental health, this protective³ zone could play a useful role in helping⁴ to level the playing field between those on high and low incomes." Another researcher, Dr Mathew White, said: "We need to help policy makers⁵ understand how to maximize the wellbeing benefits of 'blue' spaces in towns and cities. We need to ensure that access is fair and inclusive⁶ for everyone, while not damaging our fragile⁷ coastal environments."

该研究的首席研究员Jo Garrett博士表示：“我们的研究首次表明住在靠近海岸的贫困家庭很少出现精神疾病的症状。”她称沿海地区似乎可以保护人们免受心理健康问题的困扰。它们似乎改善了人们的健康和幸福。Garrett博士还补充道：“当提及精神健康时，这一保护区可以发挥有益的作用，帮助在高收入和低收入者之间建立公平的竞争环境。另一名研究人员Mathew White博士称：“我们需要帮助政策制定者了解如何将城镇“蓝色”空间福利效益最大化。我们需要确保每个人都能获得公平和包容的机会，同时又不能破坏我们脆弱的沿海环境。”

1 coastal   

adj.海岸的，沿海的，沿岸的

参考例句：

• The ocean waves are slowly eating away the coastal rocks.大海的波浪慢慢地侵蚀着岸边的岩石。
• This country will fortify the coastal areas.该国将加强沿海地区的防御。

2 disorders   

n.混乱( disorder的名词复数 )；凌乱；骚乱；（身心、机能）失调

参考例句：

• Reports of anorexia and other eating disorders are on the increase. 据报告，厌食症和其他饮食方面的功能紊乱发生率正在不断增长。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The announcement led to violent civil disorders. 这项宣布引起剧烈的骚乱。 来自《简明英汉词典》

3 protective   

adj.防护的，保护的

参考例句：

• A mother naturally feels protective towards her children.做母亲的天生要保护自己的孩子。
• We feel safe with a protective device in the house.我们因为家里有了防护装置而感到安全。

4 helping   

n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的

参考例句：

• The poor children regularly pony up for a second helping of my hamburger. 那些可怜的孩子们总是要求我把我的汉堡包再给他们一份。
• By doing this, they may at times be helping to restore competition. 这样一来, 他在某些时候,有助于竞争的加强。

5 makers   

n.制造者，制造商（maker的复数形式）

参考例句：

• The makers of the product assured us that there had been no sacrifice of quality. 这一产品的制造商向我们保证说他们没有牺牲质量。
• The makers are about to launch out a new product. 制造商们马上要生产一种新产品。 来自《简明英汉词典》

6 inclusive   

adj.(of)包括的，包含的；范围广的

参考例句：

• The bill is inclusive of the food and lodging.账单包括吃、住费用。
• It's an all inclusive price;there is nothing extra to pay.这是一个包罗一切的价格，不需再额外付款了。

7 fragile   

adj.易碎的，脆的，易损坏的，虚弱的，脆弱的

参考例句：

• The old lady was increasingly fragile after her operation.那位老太太手术后身体越来越虚弱。
• This glass disc looks very fragile.这个玻璃盘子看起来很容易碎。