为什么一读书就犯困？

Why Does Reading Make You Sleepy?

王淑怡 供稿

Most people enjoy reading a good book after a long day or over the weekends. However, do you ever notice how you start feeling sleepy three pages into a book no matter how exciting it is? If you can relate to this, you are not alone. So what is it about reading that can make us conk out?

多数人都喜欢在漫漫长日的结尾或周末时光阅读一本好书。但你是否留意到，不管这本书多么精彩，你刚翻几页就会困意来袭？如果确实如此，其实像你这样的人为数不少。那么，我们到底为什么一读书就犯困呢？

The act of reading requires regular eye movement as your eyes follow the words across the page. It also requires brain power as your brain interprets the letters your eyes see and converts them into meaningful words, sentences, and paragraphs. As your brain works hard and your eye muscles tire, it's only natural that they would need rest, leading to eyes slowly closing and sleep taking over. The concentration required to process every word can be pretty exhausting, too, especially if your chosen tome is dense. And reading line after line of anything can make you feel like giving your eyes a break.

阅读行为要求眼睛随着文字在页面上进行有规律的眼球运动。阅读还需要动脑，因为大脑需要解释你所看到的字母，并将它们转换成有意义的单词、句子和段落。由于大脑在努力工作，眼部肌肉也会感到疲劳，它们自然而然想要休息，这时我们的眼睛就慢慢睁不开了，开始昏昏欲睡。逐字阅读需要集中注意力，这也特别劳心费神，尤其在读一本文字密密麻麻的大部头时。不论读什么书，一行又一行地看下来，都会让你想给眼睛放个假。

The environment you create could be a big reason. People generally create a cosy and comfortable atmosphere that is quiet while they read. Experts say these are the very same conditions that are perfect for sleep. Reading is also a great way to escape from all your troubling thoughts as it helps you put your mind at ease. Reading is one of those activities that can be enjoyable and relaxing, which can help to put the mind and body in a calm state. This calm state can cause you to feel sleepy.

你创造的阅读环境也可能是导致犯困的一大原因。人们通常会营造安静、舒适的阅读氛围。专家认为这些条件也很适合睡眠。阅读是摆脱烦恼的绝佳方式，因为它能让你放松心情。阅读会令人轻松愉悦，让你的身心平静下来，进而让你感到困倦。

If you have a book that you really need to finish or you simply want to read longer without falling asleep, there are some techniques you can use. First, find a place to read that's comfortable, but not too comfortable.

如果你需要读完一本书，或者仅仅想阅读时不犯困的话，可以试试这几种方法。首先，找一个舒适的地方阅读，但切忌过于舒适。

Rather than lying down on your back, sit up in a comfortable chair, so you don’t feel like drifting off to sleep. Use lighting to reduce eye strain. Also make sure that the temperature isn't too hot. Reading in an environment that's too warm can make you sleepy.

与其躺着看书，不如坐在一把舒服的椅子上看书，这样你就不会不知不觉睡过去。保证照明充足，减少眼睛疲劳。还要确保室温不要太高，在温暖的环境中阅读会让你昏昏欲睡。

If you anticipate trouble staying awake and you really need to finish that book before bed, try waking yourself up before you start reading. Do some light exercise, drink a caffeinated beverage, or take a cool shower. If you're more alert when you start reading, you're more likely to make it to the end of that book!

如果你感觉实在难以保持清醒，而且必须要在睡前读完那本书，试着在阅读前振奋精神。做少量运动，喝一杯含咖啡因的饮料，或者洗个冷水澡。你在开始阅读时越清醒，就越有可能坚持读完这本书！

【VOCABULARY】

1. conk out 入睡；睡着

2. convert v. （使）转变，（使）转换

3. process v. 审阅，审核，处理（文件、请求等）

4. tome n. 大部头巨著

5. cosy adj. 舒适的；惬意的

6. drift off 迷迷糊糊地睡去

7. caffeinated adj. 含咖啡因的

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