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来源：小宇宙
The calming effects of rain
You might have mixed feelings about rain. For those experiencing long periods of drought, rain can bring joy. But for those wanting to enjoy the outdoors, a large downpour can ruin the experience.
Getting drenched by the weather can make you feel cold and weaken your immune system, but there are some surprising benefits to going out in the rain, provided you've got your brolly and raincoat!
Have you ever noticed a difference in the smell in the air after it's rained? That smell has a name – petrichor. This earthy scent, a pleasant one to many, happens when raindrops release particles from the ground. Humans are incredibly sensitive to the smell, which some scientists think is because it tells us there is new, fresh water. It probably made our ancestors feel safe and calm.
And then there's the relaxing sound of raindrops splattering on a hard surface. A 2018 study published in PubMed Central by Thoma and colleagues found that the sound of rain can reduce the stress hormone cortisol and bring a sense of calm.
When raindrops hit a hard surface, something called 'negative ions' are released into the air, which, when in high levels, are known to boost serotonin in the brain, again making us feel more relaxed. However, there isn't a scientific consensus about exactly how this is happening.
These negative ions also make the air cleaner. Pam Dalton, a cognitive scientist at the Monell Chemical Senses Center in Pennsylvania, says there is reasonably good evidence that "the negative ions can clear dust, bacteria, allergens, and other particles from air, which for many can have a positive effect on respiratory health." The heavier the rain, the greater effect it has on cleaning the air.
You could feel some of these benefits from the comfort of your own home, just by opening the window and taking a whiff of the petrichor scent or listening to the pitter-patter sound on your roof.
Or, after making sure you're dressed in the right attire, step outside in the rain to fully experience the mood-boosting effects of those mysterious negative ions in the air. Just remember to come straight back inside if you see lightning, as this could be dangerous.
词汇表
mixed feelings [ˌmɪkst] 复杂的感情，矛盾的心情，喜忧参半
drought [draʊt] n. 干旱，旱灾
downpour [ˈdaʊnpɔː(r)] n. 倾盆大雨，暴雨
drench [drentʃ] vt. 使湿透，使淋湿
brolly [ˈbrɒli] n. 雨伞（英式口语）
petrichor [ˈpetrɪkɔː(r)] n. 潮土油（雨后泥土的芬芳）
earthy scent [ˈɜːθi sent] 泥土般的气息，泥土的芬芳
splatter [ˈsplætə(r)] v. （使）溅落，飞溅
cortisol [ˈkɔːtɪsɒl] n. 皮质醇（压力荷尔蒙）
negative ions [ˈneɡətɪv ˈaɪənz] 负离子
serotonin [ˌserəˈtəʊnɪn] n. 血清素（与情绪调节相关的神经递质）
consensus [kənˈsensəs] n. 共识，一致意见
allergen [ˈælədʒən] n. 过敏原
respiratory [rəˈspaɪrətri] adj. 呼吸的，呼吸系统的
take a whiff (of) [wɪf] 吸一口，闻一闻
pitter-patter [ˈpɪtə pætə(r)] n. （雨声、脚步声等）淅淅沥沥声，噼噼啪啪声
attire [əˈtaɪə(r)] n. 服装，衣着
mood-boosting [muːd ˈbuːstɪŋ] adj. 提升情绪的，改善心情的
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You might have mixed feelings about rain. For those experiencing long periods of drought, rain can bring joy. But for those wanting to enjoy the outdoors, a large downpour can ruin the experience.
Getting drenched by the weather can make you feel cold and weaken your immune system, but there are some surprising benefits to going out in the rain, provided you've got your brolly and raincoat!
Have you ever noticed a difference in the smell in the air after it's rained? That smell has a name – petrichor. This earthy scent, a pleasant one to many, happens when raindrops release particles from the ground. Humans are incredibly sensitive to the smell, which some scientists think is because it tells us there is new, fresh water. It probably made our ancestors feel safe and calm.
And then there's the relaxing sound of raindrops splattering on a hard surface. A 2018 study published in PubMed Central by Thoma and colleagues found that the sound of rain can reduce the stress hormone cortisol and bring a sense of calm.
When raindrops hit a hard surface, something called 'negative ions' are released into the air, which, when in high levels, are known to boost serotonin in the brain, again making us feel more relaxed. However, there isn't a scientific consensus about exactly how this is happening.
These negative ions also make the air cleaner. Pam Dalton, a cognitive scientist at the Monell Chemical Senses Center in Pennsylvania, says there is reasonably good evidence that "the negative ions can clear dust, bacteria, allergens, and other particles from air, which for many can have a positive effect on respiratory health." The heavier the rain, the greater effect it has on cleaning the air.
You could feel some of these benefits from the comfort of your own home, just by opening the window and taking a whiff of the petrichor scent or listening to the pitter-patter sound on your roof.
Or, after making sure you're dressed in the right attire, step outside in the rain to fully experience the mood-boosting effects of those mysterious negative ions in the air. Just remember to come straight back inside if you see lightning, as this could be dangerous.
词汇表
mixed feelings [ˌmɪkst] 复杂的感情，矛盾的心情，喜忧参半
drought [draʊt] n. 干旱，旱灾
downpour [ˈdaʊnpɔː(r)] n. 倾盆大雨，暴雨
drench [drentʃ] vt. 使湿透，使淋湿
brolly [ˈbrɒli] n. 雨伞（英式口语）
petrichor [ˈpetrɪkɔː(r)] n. 潮土油（雨后泥土的芬芳）
earthy scent [ˈɜːθi sent] 泥土般的气息，泥土的芬芳
splatter [ˈsplætə(r)] v. （使）溅落，飞溅
cortisol [ˈkɔːtɪsɒl] n. 皮质醇（压力荷尔蒙）
negative ions [ˈneɡətɪv ˈaɪənz] 负离子
serotonin [ˌserəˈtəʊnɪn] n. 血清素（与情绪调节相关的神经递质）
consensus [kənˈsensəs] n. 共识，一致意见
allergen [ˈælədʒən] n. 过敏原
respiratory [rəˈspaɪrətri] adj. 呼吸的，呼吸系统的
take a whiff (of) [wɪf] 吸一口，闻一闻
pitter-patter [ˈpɪtə pætə(r)] n. （雨声、脚步声等）淅淅沥沥声，噼噼啪啪声
attire [əˈtaɪə(r)] n. 服装，衣着
mood-boosting [muːd ˈbuːstɪŋ] adj. 提升情绪的，改善心情的
📖 翻译、pdf见公众号【琐简英语】，回复"1"可进【打卡交流群】
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