跟读练习: Why is sitting bad for your health? |🎙️ 8 Minute English | Beginner - 通过视频学习英语口语

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Hi, everyone.
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Welcome back to 8 Minute English on the Learn English Podcast channel.
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I'm Nathan, your host, and I'm thrilled to have you here with me today.
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Lately, I've noticed a common problem among my friends.
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Many of them have been complaining about back pain, stiff necks, and even feeling really tired during the day.
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But it got me thinking, could sitting too much be the reason behind all of this?
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That's exactly what we're going to explore today.
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Why is sitting bad for your health?
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We'll also share a fun conversation between some characters who will dive into this topic in more detail.
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And don't forget, we have a free PDF for this episode with key tips and vocabulary to help you practice your English.
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So grab your seat, but not for too long, and let's get started.
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Hey Alex, you've been stretching your neck a lot today.
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Are you okay?
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Uh, not really, Jamie.
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My neck and back are killing me lately.
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I think it's from sitting too much.
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That could definitely be it.
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I saw a video recently where a doctor explained how sitting for long hours can mess with your body.
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Really?
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What did they say?
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Well, for one, sitting puts a lot of pressure on your lower back, which can cause pain over time.
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Plus, bad posture while sitting makes it even worse.
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That makes sense.
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I always end up slouching by the end of the day.
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Exactly.
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And it's not just about your back.
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Prolonged sitting can reduce blood circulation.
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Reduce circulation?
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What does that do?
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It can make you feel tired, and it might even increase your risk of varicose veins.
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Hi, sorry to interrupt.
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I couldn't help but overhear your conversation.
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Oh, hey, Chris, join us.
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We were just talking about how sitting too much affects your health.
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Perfect timing.
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I actually had to see a physiotherapist last month because of severe back pain.
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Really?
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What caused it?
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Sitting for 8-10 hours every day at my desk.
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I didn't realize how much damage it was doing until the pain became unbearable.
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That sounds awful.
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What did the physiotherapist say?
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They explained that my muscles had weakened from lack of movement, and my posture had made things worse.
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If left untreated, they said, prolonged sitting can lead to more serious conditions like herniated discs.
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Herniated discs?
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That sounds scary.
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It is.
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It's when the cushion-like discs between your spine bones move out of place, causing severe pain and sometimes even nerve damage.
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Yikes.
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Can sitting really cause nerve damage?
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Yes, especially if poor posture is involved.
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It can pinch nerves in your back, leading to pain that radiates down your legs or arms.
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That sounds unbearable.
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It really is.
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And the physiotherapist said prolonged sitting also increases the risk of osteoporosis over time.
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Osteoporosis?
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That's the condition where your bones become weak and brittle, right?
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Exactly.
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Sitting too much reduces bone density because there's no weight-bearing activity to keep your bones strong.
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Wow, I didn't realize sitting could have such long-term effects.
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That's why the physiotherapist emphasized the importance of early intervention.
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Acting quickly?
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Yes, things like improving posture, stretching regularly, and strengthening your core muscles can prevent these problems from getting worse.
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I guess it's never too late to start making changes.
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So, what did they recommend?
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A mix of stretching, core strengthening exercises, and standing breaks every 30 minutes.
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That makes sense.
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I've been meaning to try yoga for better posture.
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Yoga's great.
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My physiotherapist recommended it too.
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What about standing desks?
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Are they worth it?
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Absolutely.
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I switch to a standing desk and it's made a huge difference.
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I feel more active throughout the day.
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That's encouraging.
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Do you have any other tips?
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Keep moving.
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Even a five-minute walk during your lunch break can do wonders.
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Thanks, Chris.
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I'll definitely start making some changes.
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Same here.
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Time to take those breaks seriously.
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Let's go over some helpful phrases from today's conversation.
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1. Poor posture, sitting in a way that is not healthy for your body.
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Example, poor posture can cause back pain and neck stiffness.
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2. Sedentary lifestyle, a way of life that involves little or no physical activity.
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Example, a sedentary lifestyle can lead to health problems like obesity.
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3. Circulation, the movement of blood around your body.
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Example, sitting too long can reduce circulation and cause your legs to feel numb.
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4. Core muscles, the muscles in your stomach, back, and hips that support your body.
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Example, strengthening your core muscles can improve your posture and reduce back pain.
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5. Break the habit to stop doing something that is bad for you.
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Example, it's hard to break the habit of sitting for long hours, but it's worth it.
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6. Take a stretch break to stop for a moment to stretch your body and relax your muscles.
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Example, remember to take a stretch break every 30 minutes to stay active.
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Now let's dive into two questions about today's topic.
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Question 1.
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What are some health risks of sitting for too long?
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Sitting for long hours can lead to back pain, reduced blood circulation, and even increase the risk of heart disease and diabetes.
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Question 2.
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What's one small change you can make to reduce the harm of sitting?
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For me, I set an alarm to remind myself to stand up and stretch every hour.
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What about you?
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Let us know your tips in the comments below.
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Let's talk about some surprising facts and studies about sitting for long periods.
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Did you know that sitting for more than six hours a day increases your risk of early death by up to 20%?
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This was found in a study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.
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And it's not just physical health.
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Sitting too much also affects your brain.
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Research from UCLA shows that excessive sitting can reduce the thickness of the part of your brain responsible for memory and learning.
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That's pretty scary, right?
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But here's the good news.
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small changes can make a big difference.
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For example, a study by the Mayo Clinic found that standing for just 30 minutes can boost your blood circulation significantly.
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And if you combine standing with light activity like walking, the benefits are even greater.
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One fun fact, standing desks are becoming increasingly popular in offices worldwide.
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Some companies even provide treadmill desks.
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Can you imagine walking while typing an email?
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Another fascinating study found that fidgeting, like tapping your foot or bouncing your leg, might help counteract some of the effects of sitting.
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So even small movements matter.
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Remember, the goal isn't to avoid sitting completely, but to find balance.
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If you can, try setting a timer to remind yourself to stand or stretch every 30 minutes.
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And of course, check out the PDF for more tips and exercises you can try right now.
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Let us know in the comments, what small change will you try today to sit less and move more?

背景与语境

大家好，欢迎回到《八分钟英语》的学习频道。我是你们的主持人Nathan。最近，我的朋友们普遍感到背痛、颈部僵硬，甚至白天非常疲倦。这让我思考，长时间坐着是否是导致这些问题的原因。今天，我们将探讨“坐着对健康的危害”。在这个过程中，我们将分享一些角色之间的有趣对话，深入讨论这个话题。别忘了，我们为本集准备了免费的PDF资料，里面包含关键的技巧和词汇，帮助你进行英语口语练习。所以，准备好坐下，但不要坐太久，让我们开始吧。

日常交流的五个常用短语

  • My neck and back are killing me lately.（我的颈部和背部最近疼得厉害）
  • That could definitely be it.（这绝对可能是原因。）
  • What does that do?（那会有什么影响？）
  • I didn't realize how much damage it was doing.（我没意识到这造成了多大的伤害。）
  • It's when the cushion-like discs between your spine bones move out of place.（就是脊椎骨之间像垫子一样的椎间盘移位。）

逐步模仿练习指南

对于提升英语口语和发音，模仿练习是一种很有效的方法。以下是一些步骤，可以帮助你在观看这个视频后进行更深层次的看YouTube学英语练习：

  1. 首先，观看视频并注意对话的语调和节奏。试着理解每个人所表达的情感。
  2. 接着，重放视频，并跟随每一句话进行模仿。在这一过程中，集中心思于发音和语音连贯性，尝试在适当的地方停顿。
  3. 当你熟悉对话后，可以尝试不看字幕而仅靠听觉进行模仿。这将帮助你提高英语发音的准确性。
  4. 最后，记录自己的日常对话，注意与视频中角色对话之间的差异，不断进行自我调整与改善。

通过以上步骤，你不仅能够提高口语能力，还能获得更深入的理解，从而在生活中更自信地使用英语。这种shadowing site练习方式，将大大提升你的英语水平。请坚持下去，相信你会看到成效！

什么是跟读法？

跟读法 (Shadowing) 是一种有科学依据的语言学习技巧，最初开发用于专业口译员的培训，并由多语言者Alexander Arguelles博士普及。这个方法简单而强大：您在听英语母语原声的同时立即大声重复——就像是一个延迟1-2秒紧跟说话者的影子。与被动听力或语法练习不同，跟读法强迫您的大脑和口腔肌肉同时处理并模仿真实的讲话模式。研究表明它能显着提高发音准确性，语调，节奏，连读，听力理解和口语流利度——使其成为雅思口语备考和真实英语交流最有效的方法之一。