Read and translate the following text.

Are You On Top of The World?

(Some Things that Can Make You Feel Better)

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

Getting Moving

As well as being important to your physical health, regular exercise is now believed to improve your psychological state by releasing endorphins or “happy chemicals” into the brain.

Some researchers consider it can be just as valuable as psychotherapy in helping depression, and engendering a more positive outlook. Even a brisk 10-minute walk every day can help according to researchers In one project, unemployed urban youths who undertook intensive sports training for several months, not only became involved in that sport, but also in other activities such as study, politics and voluntary work.

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 tend to live longer than unmarried ones. Modern researchers emphasize the value of group social activities in this respect. “Relationships we form at church or in clubs tend to be more supportive and uncritical than those we form at work or in the family”, says Professor Michael Argyle, of Oxford Brooks University, “and these positive relationships improve our self-esteem, which is vital to both our physical and mental health.” This is backed up by recent research which shows, perhaps surprisingly, that people who spend more time with others actually get fewer colds and viruses that those who stay at home on their own. In fact social support is so important to our mental and physical well-being that it may even increase our life expectancy! Another piece of research found that people who belong to strong church groups, not only claim to be happier than those who don’t, they suffer from less than half the number of heart attacks than the rest of the population, and live up to four years longer!

Watching Soap Operas on TV

One rather surprising piece of research found that on average, people who regularly watch soaps on TV are significantly happier than those who don’t! Psychologists believe that this is because such programs provide viewers with an imaginary set of friends and a sense of belonging to a community, in the same way that a club or church 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, even a cigarette – can actually improve your health, because of the psychological lift it gives you. “This is evidence, for example”, says Professor David Warburton of Reading University, “that old people living in residential homes who have a cocktail hour each day actually live longer! 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.”

2. Answer the questions to the text:

1. What is the value of physical exercise for your mental health?

2. Give two pieces of evidence that show that companionship and social support can be important for your physical health.

3. Why do psychologists believe that watching soap operas on TV can make people feel better?

4. What happens to old people who are given a cocktail every evening? What is the explanation according to the text?

3. Find the English equivalents in the text:

- «на гребені хвилі» (для опису найкращого стану, комфорту)

- гормони щастя

- сприяти формуванню найбільш позитивного погляду на життя

- швидка прогулянка

- інтенсивно займатися спортом

- добровільна праця

- тривалість життя

- потурати своїм бажанням

- віддаватися маленьким втіхам життя

- психологічний підйом

- будинок літніх людей

- зменшувати стрес та позитивно впливати на здоров’я

Read the last words in the text: “A little of what you fancy does you good.” Do you agree with this? Explain Why/why not? Has the article made you feel that you should change something in your life attitude? (Write about 200 words).

II ВАРІАНТ

Read and translate the following text.

Are You On Top of The World?

(Some Things that Can Make You Feel Worse)

Low Self-esteem

Feeling like an underdog can damage your health. Research by National Rheumatism and Arthritis Council that workers who feel undervalued or out of control at work, are significantly more likely to suffer from back problems. Depression, a spokesman claimed, is actually far more likely to cause back ache tahn heavy lifting. Professor David 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 that just getting on and 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 countries 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 workplaces with lights three times brighter that 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, asked to follow a diet consisting of just 25% fat (the level recommended by the World Health Organisation) reported a marked increase in feelings if hostility and depression. And an earlier piece of research revealed, startlingly, that people on low-fat diets are more likely to meet violent death!

Drinking Coffee

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

The Wrong Genes

Despite all the changes 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,” say scientists, “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!

2. Answer the Questions to the text:

1. What’s the connection between backache and feeling like an underdog?

2. Give two examples of groups of people affected by SAD. What is it, and what can be done to help sufferers?

3. From the research described, why do you think people on low-fat diets are more likely to meet violent death?

4. Give three possible harmful effects of drinking coffee.

5. Can your genes affect how happy or miserable you are?

3. Find the English equivalents in the text:

- почувати себе невдахою

- підірвати здоров’я

- той, якого недооцінюють

- депресія

- працювати в нічну зміну

- проблему можна вирішити

- дієта з низьким вмістом жирів

- померти насильницькою смертю

- визивати занепокоєння

- розсердити