出门来场森林浴吧

根据东英吉利大学的最新研究，靠近大自然并且多出门走走对身体有明显的益处。

A new report published today reveals that exposure to greenspace reduces the risk of type II diabetes, cardiovascular disease, premature death, preterm birth, stress, and high blood pressure.

今天发表的一份新研究报告显示，身处绿地之中可以降低II型糖尿病、心血管疾病、过早死亡、早产、高血压和高心理压力的风险。

Populations with higher levels of greenspace exposure are also more likely to report good overall health - according to global data involving more than 290 million people.

根据超过2.9亿份的数据显示，与自然接触更多的人的身体状况更好。

Lead author Caoimhe Twohig-Bennett, from UEA's Norwich Medical School, said: "Spending time in nature certainly makes us feel healthier, but until now the impact on our long-term wellbeing hasn't been fully understood.

来自东英吉利大学诺里奇医学院的Caoimhe Twohig-Bennett表示，身处自然的怀抱中，首先会让我们自我感觉更加健康，然而未知的是，大自然对我们健康的长期影响。

The research team studied data from 20 countries including the UK, the US, Spain, France, Germany, Australia and Japan - where Shinrin yoku or 'forest bathing' is already a popular practice.

研究小组研究了来自20个国家的数据，其中包括英国、美国、西班牙、法国、德国、澳大利亚和日本。

'Green space' was defined as open, undeveloped land with natural vegetation as well as urban greenspaces, which included urban parks and street greenery.

绿色空间的定义是，开放的、尚未开发的拥有自然植被的土地。常见的就是城市公园和街道绿化。

The team analysed how the health of people with little access to green spaces compared to that of people with the highest amounts of exposure.

研究团队分析了接触绿色空间最多的人和几乎无法接触到绿色空间的人的健康状况。

"We found that spending time in, or living close to, natural green spaces is associated with diverse and significant health benefits. It reduces the risk of type II diabetes, cardiovascular disease, premature death, and preterm birth, and increases sleep duration.

他们发现，接触自然绿色对身体健康有着明显的益处，可以降低多种疾病的风险，并且能够增加睡眠时间。

"People living closer to nature also had reduced diastolic blood pressure, heart rate and stress. In fact, one of the really interesting things we found is that exposure to greenspace significantly reduces people's levels of salivary cortisol - a physiological marker of stress.

“离自然更近的人也会降低舒张压、心率和压力。事实上，我们发现的一个非常有趣的事情是，暴露于绿色空间显著降低了人们的唾液皮质醇水平——一种生理压力的标志。

"This is really important because in the UK, 11.7 million working days are lost annually due to stress, depression or anxiety."

这是一个非常实用的发现。在英国，由于压力、抑郁和焦虑而损失的工作日，每年有1170万个。

"Forest bathing is already really popular as a therapy in Japan - with participants spending time in the forest either sitting or lying down, or just walking around. Our study shows that perhaps they have the right idea!

在日本，森林浴已经成为了一种流行的做法。人们仅仅是在森林里静坐或躺着，或者四处走走。如今，研究结果也许支持了他们的想法。

"Although we have looked at a large body of research on the relationship between greenspace and health, we don't know exactly what it is that causes this relationship.

虽然，我们已经做了大量的研究来证实绿色空间和健康之间的关系，但我们尚不明确的是什么建立了这种关系。

"People living near greenspace likely have more opportunities for physical activity and socialising. Meanwhile, exposure to a diverse variety of bacteria present in natural areas may also have benefits for the immune system and reduce inflammation.

目前有几种猜测。其一，生活在绿地附近的人们，由于便利会花更多时间在绿地中，从而接触到自然界中的各种细菌，这样做对免疫系统有益，并且能够减少炎症的发生。

"Much of the research from Japan suggests that phytoncides - organic compounds with antibacterial properties - released by trees could explain the health-boosting properties of forest bathing."

其二，日本的研究表明，树木能释放一种具有抗菌特性的有机物，由此解释了森林浴的作用。

Study co-author Prof Andy Jones, also from UEA, said: "We often reach for medication when we're unwell but exposure to health-promoting environments is increasingly recognised as both preventing and helping treat disease. Our study shows that the size of these benefits can be enough to have a meaningful clinical impact."

同样来自东英吉利大学的Andy Jones教授说：“当人们感到不舒服时，往往依靠药物。现在的趋势表明，身处在一个对健康有益的环境能够更有效地预防或是帮助治疗疾病。我们的研究就是为了证明这些益处是有临床意义的。”

The research team hope that their findings will prompt doctors and other healthcare professionals to recommend that patients spend more time in greenspace and natural areas.

研究小组希望他们的研究结果能促使医生建议患者多接触绿色环境。

Twohig-Bennett said: "We hope that this research will inspire people to get outside more and feel the health benefits for themselves.

Twohig-Bennett说：“我们希望这项研究可以激励人们多出门走走，亲身体会一下绿色带来的舒适。”