Stress at Work and Still Healthy 3 L# Y* E: E4 _6 D5 k
The term could yet become the word of the year: stress is on everyone's lips these days and everywhere. Not only managers, officials and teachers are complaining nowadays, housewives, children and pensioners now also have their own problems. They too sacrifice themselves for others, feel under- or overworked and quickly lose their inner balance. Irritation, tiredness and exhaustion quickly follow.-But that is only the negative aspect. Stress, after all, is also linked to positive terms such as joy of life, tension and vitality (活力). + j& V s; q" @- Y' l
"Firstly, stress is healthy," says Wolfgang Stehling from Eltvelle. The doctor and management consultant says: "It occurs when the body loses its inner balance, but then stress hormones are produced to re-establish the balance." Thus stress is nothing more than a positive reaction of the body to pressure. It is unavoidable as part of our nature: "There is no such thing as a stress-free life."
" y7 I2 j l6 S1 G But whether stress leads to tensions in the mind or .to tenseness of the muscles depends on the duration (持续时间), its cause or causes and the sufferer's personal situation. People who have trouble sleeping or suffer from bad moods or simply the flu will not be on top of the world and will take every little strife as negative stress. Others, people who feel refreshed at every new turn, are relaxed and successful, will view a difficult round of negotiations or competition at work more as a positive challenge than a cross to bear.
$ L# G+ k3 r b9 ~6 o3 ] Exercise, healthy eating and relaxation are thus the three pillars by which stress can be conquered almost every time. These factors form a unit, explains Marita Voelker-Albert, spokeswoman for the government's Nutrition Advice Center in Cologne. Its campaign "Gut Drauf' (Feeling Good) is targeted at young people. The government agency's research suggests that three out of four adolescents feel tired, overtaxed (负担过重) and under stress. Eating disorders and complaints such as migraines (偏头痛) and indigestion (消化不良), nervousness and concentration problems have increased among 12- to 16-year-olds.
$ [& S) q9 N, W But even the best solutions don't work if they are not put into practice, says Stehling. Anybody who goes jogging regularly, practices yoga (瑜伽功) and prescribes good literature as a cure for negative stress, may well end up under more pressure as he tries to find the time for it all. Sometimes, says the consultant, it helps to take time out to reduce stress levels over a weekend. ! u0 D5 X/ I- H9 O
6 Which of the following is NOT a correct view on stress?
1 ^* C2 |" f" T; h. t0 k$ f6 [ A Stress has both positive and negative aspects.
. \+ N5 E" T* r9 ^ B Stress is only a positive reaction of the body to pressure.
6 K8 d/ T" v" ] C Stress is unavoidable as part of our nature.
* ^9 A, T" Y7 C" w" {) U9 k; @ D Stress only leads to serious problems.
& _! ^ A- j/ ]! K3 ^2 q 7 A person who has lost his inner balance may soon feel 1 l6 V5 j+ S5 S
A fit and healthy. - D" d& R9 y2 N4 A1 M9 X- L
B under-or overworked. ' k5 m+ `: X/ L* C$ M
C irritated, tired and exhausted.
$ l6 \/ _. ?% Q s, i/ F0 Y D relaxed and happy. 0 f1 s4 a$ y) G
8 Who will easily take every little strife as negative stress? 6 w8 z# t9 W O
A Those who are in good moods.
5 S" Z9 Y0 i! k/ U* n0 q B Those who suffer from the flu. 4 p7 U; ]* ~& C. |) o
C Those who are successful.
- `$ S* O/ D- R' P# L$ `$ A D Those who feel refreshed at every new turn. 3 I/ D, E# Z$ W/ Z1 K
9 All the following complaints are said to have increased among children aged 12 to 16 EXPECT
+ e5 o S( w2 b" E0 w/ g( v1 O7 L% R A painful headache.
) B2 G0 |7 Q4 |/ O+ A9 D% s B indigestion.
/ Z% R. D, S( J. e$ r! j6 \ C loss of memory.
8 }7 L2 Y! ^. z4 p" M D nervousness and concentration problems. ; }2 a( E! }* Q B3 G
10 Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a possible cure for negative stress?
$ ^- n V* R: I* [* y& M A Reading good literature.
6 W" X/ G4 q6 [3 ^8 g5 [3 @2 J+ I B Practicing yoga. & n& i4 c7 i$ f) M/ t" c; S- Y
C Working overtime. 5 t. Y1 n1 d4 @# q, _
D Having a healthy diet.
l% w/ ?% |; ~ }; h- ?7 Z$ {【参考答案】
( P2 T. B$ L9 o+ w3 K 6. D 7. C 8. B 9. C 10. C |