森の音と心の健康
The Sounds of the Forest and Mental Health
最近、都会の生活に疲れて、週末に森へ出かける人が増えています。森の中に入ると、静かな空気と木々の香りに包まれます。風で木の葉が揺れる音や、遠くで鳥が鳴く声を聞いていると、不思議と心が落ち着くものです。これを「森林浴」と呼びます。
科学的な研究によると、森の音にはストレスを減らす効果があるそうです。普段、私たちは車や機械の音の中で生活していますが、自然の音はそれらとは全く違います。たまにはスマートフォンを置いて、ただ静かに座ってみてください。自然の力で、疲れた心が少しずつ元気になっていくのを感じるはずです。
Translation
Recently, more people who are tired of city life are going out to the forest on weekends. When you enter the forest, you are surrounded by quiet air and the scent of trees. Listening to the sound of leaves swaying in the wind or birds singing in the distance naturally calms the mind. This is called 'forest bathing' (shinrin-yoku). According to scientific research, forest sounds have the effect of reducing stress. We usually live surrounded by the sounds of cars and machines, but natural sounds are completely different from those. Try putting your smartphone away once in a while and just sitting quietly. You should be able to feel your tired heart slowly becoming refreshed by the power of nature.
Comprehension
What is the main point of this passage?
- You should avoid using smartphones in the city.
- ✓ Scientific research proves that forest sounds can help reduce stress.
- Forest bathing is a new type of exercise.
- The forest is the best place to live.
The passage explicitly mentions that scientific research shows forest sounds have a stress-reducing effect.