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Text 6. Health






Read the text and answer the question: What makes us feel good?

These days most doctors and scientists agree that our physical health is closely related to our psychological well-being. But what makes us feel good?

Regular exercise is very important to our physical state and it can also improve our psychological state by releasing endorphins or “happy chemicals” into the brain. Some researchers consider it can be as valuable as psychotherapy in helping depression. Even a ten-minute walk every day can help.

A lively social life. According to experts, companionship and social support are vital to both our psychological and physical well-being – one reason, perhaps, why married people live longer than unmarried ones. Modern researchers emphasize the value of group social activities in this respect. These positive relationships improve our self-esteem, which is vital to our physical and mental health. Recent research shows that people who spend more time with others actually get fewer colds and viruses than those who stay at home. In fact, social support is so important to our mental and physical well-being that it may even increase our life expectancy.

Watching soap operas on TV. One rather surprising research found that on average, people who regularly watch soaps on television are significantly happier than those who don`t. Psychologists believe that such programs provide viewers with imaginary friends, and a sense of belonging to a community, in the same way that a club might.

Self-indulgence. Many scientists these days believe that indulging in life`s little pleasures – a bar of chocolate, a glass of wine, a shopping trip – can actually improve your health, because of the psychological lift it gives you. Indulging – in moderation – in the small pleasures of life can make people calmer, alleviate stress and provide positive health benefits. There is a lot of truth in the old saying that “a little of what you fancy does you good.”

Low self-esteem. Feeling like an underdog, it seems, can damage your health. Research by the National Rheumatism and Arthritis Council showed that workers who feel undervaluedor out of control at work, are significantly more likely to suffer from back problems. Depression is actually far more likely to cause backache than heavy lifting. Professor Warburton of Reading University believes that one of the greatest health threats comes from negative feelings such as depression or guilt, which create stress hormones, producing cholesterol. “It`s quite likely that by worrying about whether or not you should be eating a chocolate bar you are doing yourself more harm than eating it, ” says the professor.

Lack of bright light. Scientists have known for some time about Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): a form of depression caused by lack of light in winter, and thought to explain the relatively high suicide rates in counties such as Sweden, where for parts of the year days are very short. However, recent research has shown that those working night shifts in factories can suffer from the same problem, leading to stress and depression. The problem can be overcome by illuminating work-places with lights three times brighter than usual, making workers feel happier and more alert.

A low-fat diet. A low-fat diet may be good for your waistline, but the latest research suggests that it is less beneficial psychologically. A team of volunteers at Sheffield University were asked to follow a diet consisting of just twenty-five per cent fat (the level recommended by the World Health Organization) and reported a marked increase in feelings of hostility and depression. And an earlier piece of research revealed that people on low-fat diets are more likely to meet a violent death.

Drinking coffee. Many of us are already aware that drinking coffee raises your blood pressure and can cause anxiety, but according to the latest research it can also make you bad-tempered. Mice who were given regular doses of caffeine by researchers, were found to be unusually aggressive.

The wrong genes. Despite all the changes that we make to our behavior, diet, and environment, there is growing evidence that at the end of the day, whether we are cheerful or miserable is largely a question of our genes. Of course what happens to you in your life will make a difference to how happy you are but there are two or three vital genes which probably decide how cheerful you are in comparison to others in a similar situation. So whatever else you do, make sure you choose your genes carefully.






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