C
How would you feel if you couldn't use the internet on your phone for two weeks?
Surprisingly, some people felt better after doing just that! New research suggests that turning off your smartphone's internet can improve your mental health, your ability to focus, and your sense of well - being.
A group of researchers in the United States and Canada wanted to know how disconnecting the smartphones would influence people's feelings. They studied 467 people aged between 18 and 74. These people used a special app to block the internet on their phones for two weeks. They could still make calls and text messages.
The researchers asked the people questions about their feelings and tested how well they could focus. The results were very interesting! About 91% of them felt better in at least one area—either their mood, their focus, or their overall happiness. About 71% said they had better mental health after the two weeks, and 73% said they had improved well - being. The people also did better on focus tests—like they were 10 years younger!
Looking more deeply into the reasons for these changes, the researchers found that when people weren't using the internet, they spent more time outside, got more exercise, and met and talked to others.
It was hard for many people to stay offline for two full weeks. In fact, only 25% actually did so! However, even those who only blocked the internet for part of the time showed improvements. Some people kept using their phones less even after the two weeks.
Although completely blocking the internet from our smartphones might be difficult, the study shows that using it less—like spending less time on some apps—can help us feel better too.
词汇
block / blɒk/ v. 拦截 mood / mu:d/ n. 心情,情绪
句型1. Looking more deeply into the reasons for these changes, the researchers found that when people weren't using the internet, they spent more time outside, got more exercise, and met and talked to others. 研究人员深入探究这些变化的原因后发现,当人们不使用互联网时,他们会花更多时间待在户外,增加运动量,并与他人见面交流。
2. Although completely blocking the internet from our smartphones might be difficult, the study shows that using it less—like spending less time on some apps—can help us feel better too. 尽管完全屏蔽智能手机的网络或许有些困难,但研究表明减少网络的使用——比如少花时间在某些应用程序上——同样能让我们感觉更好。
理解1. How many people interviewed said blocking the internet had improved their happiness?
About 73% of them said they had improved well-being.
2. Are you willing to keep your smartphone off for two weeks? Why?
No, I'm not. Because I need to use the internet to study and communicate with my friends. / Yes, I am. Because it can help me focus on my studies and get more exercise.
