《英语流行话题阅读:语境识词3500》Unit79:直面压力

　　Unit 79
Confronting Stress
Stress is defined as the body's response to any demand made upon it. Long ago, stress was a matter of survival. Increased pulse, breathing, and alertness kept our ancestors ready for dangers and prepared them to "run or fight".
Today stress result from negative and positive events. A job promotion¹ or graduation from college can be a positive stressful event. A job loss, financial troubles, or a death in the family can be a negative stressful event. Despite the different times, our body's reaction remains² the same as the caveman's.
Some of the effects that we experience from stress can include: depression, or feeling really sad about nothing in particular; anxiety, or a fear that makes you feel tense or nervous; anger, or a feeling of hostility³ towards persons or events; panic, or a feeling of losing control. Symptoms can include panic, sweating, dizziness, breathlessness, and palpitations. Stress can lower our immune systems and make our bodies more susceptible⁴ to infections, colds, and flu.
Stress will always be a part of your life. It is important to recognize what gives you stress and learn how to control your responses to those thing that cause stress.
Here is a list of the top ten stress-busters that you can use to manage your own stress:
1. Try not to "self-medicate" with diet formulas, alcohol, or over-the-counter medicines such as sleeping pills. Covering up a problem can make the stress even worse.
2. Do something just for yourself. A trip to the hair salon⁵, or having a massage⁶ can do wonders when you're under a lot of stress.
3. Eat at least one hot meal a day. Good nutrition is important because it gives your body the fuel it needs to deal with daily stress.
4. Share how you are feeling with someone you can trust and who will listen to you. There is an old saying that "A joy shared is doubled, and a sorrow shared is halved⁷."
5. Exercising at least three days per week for at least 30 minutes each time improves your fitness and your sense of well being.
6. If you are a smoker⁸, stop smoking and start breathing clean air. Smoking and stress are a dangerous combination.
7. If you are a coffee or cola lover, cut down on these and other drinks that contain caffeine.
8. Learn and use relaxation⁹ exercises such as yoga, meditation¹⁰, or other stress-relieving activities of interest to you
9. Laughter is the best medicine. It is. Laughing releases chemicals in the brain that help promote a relaxation response. Rent a comedy from a video store. Share it with friends and laugh your stress away.
10. Get regular physical exams. Your healthcare provider can spot health problems related to stress and can provide you with suggestions.

1 promotion   

n.提升，晋级；促销，宣传

参考例句：

• The teacher conferred with the principal about Dick's promotion.教师与校长商谈了迪克的升级问题。
• The clerk was given a promotion and an increase in salary.那个职员升了级，加了薪。

2 remains   

n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹

参考例句：

• He ate the remains of food hungrily.他狼吞虎咽地吃剩余的食物。
• The remains of the meal were fed to the dog.残羹剩饭喂狗了。

3 hostility   

n.敌对，敌意；抵制［pl.］交战，战争

参考例句：

• There is open hostility between the two leaders.两位领导人表现出公开的敌意。
• His hostility to your plan is well known.他对你的计划所持的敌意是众所周知的。

4 susceptible   

adj.过敏的，敏感的；易动感情的，易受感动的

参考例句：

• Children are more susceptible than adults.孩子比成人易受感动。
• We are all susceptible to advertising.我们都易受广告的影响。

5 salon   

n.[法]沙龙；客厅；营业性的高级服务室

参考例句：

• Do you go to the hairdresser or beauty salon more than twice a week?你每周去美容院或美容沙龙多过两次吗？
• You can hear a lot of dirt at a salon.你在沙龙上会听到很多流言蜚语。

6 massage   

n.按摩，揉；vt.按摩，揉，美化，奉承，篡改数据

参考例句：

• He is really quite skilled in doing massage.他的按摩技术确实不错。
• Massage helps relieve the tension in one's muscles.按摩可使僵硬的肌肉松弛。

7 halved   

v.把…分成两半( halve的过去式和过去分词 )；把…减半；对分；平摊

参考例句：

• The shares have halved in value . 股价已经跌了一半。
• Overall operating profits halved to $24 million. 总的营业利润减少了一半，降至2，400 万元。 来自《简明英汉词典》

8 smoker   

n.吸烟者，吸烟车厢，吸烟室

参考例句：

• His wife dislikes him to be a smoker.他妻子不喜欢他当烟民。
• He is a moderate smoker.他是一个有节制的烟民。

9 relaxation   

n.松弛，放松；休息；消遣；娱乐

参考例句：

• The minister has consistently opposed any relaxation in the law.部长一向反对法律上的任何放宽。
• She listens to classical music for relaxation.她听古典音乐放松。

10 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。