四六级

　　Stress and Relaxation

　　It is commonly believed that only rich middle-aged businessmen suffer from stress. In fact anyonemay become ill as a result of stress if theyexperience a lot of worry over a long period and theirhealth is not especially good. Stress can be a friendor an enemy: it can warn you that you are under toomuch pressure and should change your way of life.

　　It can kill you if you don't notice the warningsignals. Doctors agree that it is probably the biggestsingle cause of illness in the Western world. Whenwe are very frightened and worried our bodies produce certain chemicals to help us fightwhat is troubling us.

　　Unfortunately, these chemicals produce the energy needed to run away fast from an objectof fear, and in modern life that's often impossible. If we don't use up these chemicals, or if weproduce too many of them, they may actually harm us. The parts of the body that are mostaffected by stress are the stomach, heart,skin, head and back.

　　Stress can cause car accidents, heart attacks, and alcoholism, and may even drive people tosuicide. Our living and working conditions may put us under stress. Overcrowding in large cities, traffic jams, competition for jobs, worry about the future, any big changes in our lives, maycause stress. Some British doctors have pointed out that one of Britain's worst waves ofinfluenza happened soon after the new coins came into use. Also if you have changed jobs ormoved house in recent months you are more likely to fall ill than if you haven't. And morepeople commit suicide in times of inflation. As with all illnesses, prevention is better than cure. If you find you can't relax, it is a sign of danger. "When you're taking work home, when youcan't enjoy an evening with friends, when you haven't time for outdoor exercise—that is thetime to stop and ask yourself whether your present life really suits you." Says one familydoctor. " Then it's time to join a relaxation class, or take up dancing, painting or gardening."