有阅读计划后将会发生的8个奇迹

 　　Even though many of us do most of our reading in the form of texts or Facebook posts, there are good reasons to pick up an actual book on a regular basis. Reading—specifically, reading real books—has been linked to a wide range of mental, physical, and social health benefits. It’s easy to reap these rewards; simply develop a consistent reading plan and stick to it. Need some convincing? Here’s what to expect when you become an avid¹ reader.

　　尽管大多数人会用电子书方式或者在脸书上阅读，但我们仍然会定期的重温实体书。 阅读，特别是当你阅读一本真正的书时，书上会涉及到精神、身体、以及一些社会健康等诸多好处。简单地拟定一个长期的阅读计划并且坚持下去，你就会轻而易举的得到这些好处。不相信？当你变成一个热衷的读者，就会有些意想不到的事情发生。

　　You’ll keep your brain in top shape

　　你会使头脑保持在最佳状态

　　Research has found that reading stimulates² the brain and helps prevent cognitive³ decline, thereby⁴ helping⁵ the brain function properly for the long term (avid readership may even help prevent Alzheimer’s disease). This may be partly because from a neurobiological perspective, reading is more challenging than looking at images or listening to a speech or audio book. That means that we have to focus, concentrate, and rely on memory recall in the pursuit of new knowledge—all of which gives the brain a workout. In other words? Reading is one of the most affordable⁶ and accessible brain boosters. The earlier you become a regular reader, the greater the benefits later in life, so pick up a book ASAP.

　　研究表明阅读能刺激大脑，帮助人们防止认知能力下降，因此可以帮助大脑长期的正常的运行（爱读书的人可以有效地防止阿尔茨海默病）。从神经生物学的角度解释，大部分原因是因为阅读比看图片，听演讲或有声读物更具挑战。那就意味着为了获得新知，我们不得不集中精神，依靠回忆、记忆，这就会让大脑运作起来。换而言之，阅读是最可行最简便的大脑助推器。你越早成为一个读者，你就会在以后的生活中得到更好地益处。所以，快拿出书阅读吧！

　　You’ll be motivated to accomplish goals

　　你会更有动力地去完成目标

　　Research out of Ohio State University found that reading about a character or person who overcame obstacles can motivate you to do the same, reports Reader’s Digest. Looking to hike the Appalachian Trail or finally quit that soul-sucking job? Reading about people who already accomplished⁷ those goals can make you more likely to follow through.

　　《读者文摘》报道，俄亥俄州立大学发现，阅读那些克服困难的角色或者人物时，可以促进你做一样的事情。你会希望攀登阿巴拉契亚山脉，或者彻底放弃一份吞噬灵魂的工作？阅读那些已经完成这些目标的人的书，更可能会让你效仿。

　　You’ll become more empathetic

　　你会变得更善解人意

　　Multiple studies have confirmed that reading fiction that “emotionally transports” you into another world, character, or perspective can boost your ability to understand or identify with the feelings, thoughts, and experiences of other people. And that means you’ll be better able to form meaningful relationships (or at least cut telemarketers some slack).

　　多元化的学习认为阅读小说可以让你进入另一个世界、角色或者视角，会增强阅读能力，或者增强你的感知，想法和经验以及对别人的判断能力。那就意味着你更有能力促成一段有意义的人际关系（或者至少会给电话销售留有一些余地）。

　　You’ll reduce stress

　　你的压力会减少

　　In one study, reading was found to be one of the most effective ways to eliminate stress (It proved even more effective than listening to music, taking a walk, or drinking a cup of tea). That may be partly because reading helps reduce stress hormones⁸ like cortisol. It only took participants six minutes of reading before they started to relax, so dive into a paperback⁹ if you’re ever in need of a quick pick-me-up.

　　一个研究表明，阅读被证明是最有效的减压方式之一（据报道阅读甚至比听音乐、散步或者喝杯茶更有效）。大部分原因是因为阅读可以帮助减少压力荷尔蒙，比如皮质醇。它会让阅读者在阅读六分钟后开始放松，所以如果你急需让自己振作起来，去读本书吧。

　　You’ll fall asleep easier

　　你会更易入睡

　　Developing a calming bedtime routine is helpful for anyone looking to fall asleep faster and get better quality shut-eye. For better sleep, ditch alcohol, electronics, and cigarettes before bed and pick up a book instead—reading is a great way to unwind and relax before turning off the light.

　　设定一个起床闹钟对那些希望更快入睡的和那些希望有高睡眠质量的人都是有帮助的。为了更好地睡眠，摒弃酒精、电子乐和烟吧，用书去代替它们吧。阅读是一种关灯之前很让人放松的方式。

　　You’ll become more interesting

　　你会变得更有趣

　　Reading allows us to learn new things, gain fresh perspectives, and expand our minds. And that means readers can not only teach themselves new skills or knowledge, but also share it with other people. It certainly beats talking about the weather.

　　阅读让我们学到新东西，获得新视角，开阔眼界。那就意味着读者不仅能够自学新技能和新知识，还可以和其他人分享。再也不是聊该死的天气了。

　　You’ll be more satisfied with your life

　　你会更满意你自己的生活

　　One survey found that adults who read for a minimum of 30 minutes a week were 20 percent more likely to report feeling satisfied with their lives and also reported having higher self-esteem and greater self-acceptance than non-readers. The survey’s authors theorized that this is partly because reading can help us feel less alone by connecting us to other people’s experiences. In fact, the same survey found that readers tend to be more socially engaged and appreciative¹⁰ of cultural diversity than non-readers—all of which can infuse a life with more meaning.

　　一个研究发现20%的成年人一周阅读至少30分钟，他们比那些不阅读的人对他们的生活感到更满意，也会有更好的自我认知，更好地接受自己。调查表明，大部分原因是因为阅读可以让我们把自己和其他人的经历联系起来，会减少我们的孤独感。事实上，同样的研究发现和不阅读爱好者比阅读的人更倾向于社交应酬和多元文化的欣赏，这些都会让生活变得有意义。

　　You’ll save money

　　你会节约更多的钱

　　The average novel costs around $13 for a new paperback version; you’ll spend even less if you shop at used book stores. Compare that to the money spent on other forms of entertainment such as eating out, sporting events, or nights out at the bar. That’s not to say that you need to become a hermit¹¹, but swapping¹² in the occasional reading night for other, more expensive entertainment options will give your wallet a break.

　　对于一本新的平装书而言，小说的平均价钱在13美元。比起那些花在其他形式的娱乐项目上，比如说在外面吃饭、运动或者夜店，你会用更便宜的价钱去常去的书店阅读。并不是说，你需要成为一个隐士，而是把一些平凡的夜晚换成阅读，因为更昂贵的娱乐活动会让你钱包受不了。

　　Convinced? If you’re ready to become a reader but aren’t sure how to begin, start by choosing books or genres¹³ that interest you the most (and don’t be embarrassed if that includes romance novels or self-help books). It can also be helpful to cancel cable TV or your Netflix account (gasp!), to schedule in reading time on your calendar, or to join a book group so that other people can help hold you accountable to your reading goals. However you choose to approach it, developing a reading plan will do your mind and body good.

　　相信吗？如果你准备好成为一个阅读爱好者，但是不知道如何开始，那么就从选你最感兴趣的一本书或体裁开始吧（当然会遇到一些浪漫的书，你不要觉得尴尬）。它可以帮助你放弃那些电视或者网站浏览。在你的日程表上安排一个阅读时间，或者加入一个读书小组，这样其他的人就会帮你有计划地完成你的读书目标。当你选择完成它的时候，制定一个阅读计划对你的身心都有益。

 

1 avid   

adj.热心的；贪婪的；渴望的；劲头十足的

参考例句：

• He is rich,but he is still avid of more money.他很富有,但他还想贪图更多的钱。
• She was avid for praise from her coach.那女孩渴望得到教练的称赞。

2 stimulates   

v.刺激( stimulate的第三人称单数 )；激励；使兴奋；起兴奋作用，起刺激作用，起促进作用

参考例句：

• Exercise stimulates the body. 运动促进身体健康。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Alcohol stimulates the action of the heart. 酒刺激心脏的活动。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》

3 cognitive   

adj.认知的，认识的，有感知的

参考例句：

• As children grow older,their cognitive processes become sharper.孩子们越长越大，他们的认知过程变得更为敏锐。
• The cognitive psychologist is like the tinker who wants to know how a clock works.认知心理学者倒很像一个需要通晓钟表如何运转的钟表修理匠。

4 thereby   

adv.因此，从而

参考例句：

• I have never been to that city,,ereby I don't know much about it.我从未去过那座城市，因此对它不怎么熟悉。
• He became a British citizen,thereby gaining the right to vote.他成了英国公民，因而得到了投票权。

5 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。

6 affordable   

adj.支付得起的，不太昂贵的

参考例句：

• The rent for the four-roomed house is affordable.四居室房屋的房租付得起。
• There are few affordable apartments in big cities.在大城市中没有几所公寓是便宜的。

7 accomplished   

adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的

参考例句：

• Thanks to your help,we accomplished the task ahead of schedule.亏得你们帮忙,我们才提前完成了任务。
• Removal of excess heat is accomplished by means of a radiator.通过散热器完成多余热量的排出。

8 hormones   

n. 荷尔蒙，激素 名词hormone的复数形式

参考例句：

• This hormone interacts closely with other hormones in the body. 这种荷尔蒙与体內其他荷尔蒙紧密地相互作用。
• The adrenals produce a large per cent of a man's sex hormones. 肾上腺分泌人体的大部分性激素。

9 paperback   

n.平装本，简装本

参考例句：

• A paperback edition is now available at bookshops.平装本现在在书店可以买到。
• Many books that are out of print are reissued in paperback form.许多绝版的书籍又以平装本形式重新出现。

10 appreciative   

adj.有鉴赏力的，有眼力的；感激的

参考例句：

• She was deeply appreciative of your help.她对你的帮助深表感激。
• We are very appreciative of their support in this respect.我们十分感谢他们在这方面的支持。

11 hermit   

n.隐士，修道者；隐居

参考例句：

• He became a hermit after he was dismissed from office.他被解职后成了隐士。
• Chinese ancient landscape poetry was in natural connections with hermit culture.中国古代山水诗与隐士文化有着天然联系。

12 swapping   

交换，交换技术

参考例句：

• The slow swapping and buying of horses went on. 马匹的买卖和交换就是这样慢慢地进行着。
• He was quite keen on swapping books with friends. 他非常热衷于和朋友们交换书籍。

13 genres   

（文学、艺术等的）类型，体裁，风格( genre的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Novel and short story are different genres. 长篇小说和短篇小说是不同的类别。
• But confusions over the two genres have a long history. 但是类型的混淆，古已有之。 来自汉英文学 - 散文英译