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The Science of Laziness
我们为什么那么懒惰
It can feel good lounging around and doing nothing...sometimes too good! Whether it's to avoid work or escape physical activity,we've all had those days. But why are some people wied lazier than others? Is there a 'couch-potato gene' that causes lazy behaviour? Evolution has molded our brains and bodies to respond positively to natural rewards such as food, sex and even exercise. Wait - exercise?? Yup, the pleasure we experience comes largely from the dopamine system in our brain, which conveys these messages throughout the body,ultimately helping to ensure the survival of our species.
到处闲逛,什么都不做的感觉很好……有时感觉简直太好了!无论是躲避工作还是逃避体育活动,我们都有这种想要偷懒的日子 。但是为什么有的人比其他人更懒呢?有没有一种所谓的“懒人基因”导致懒惰的行为呢?进化过程塑造我们的大脑和身体对食物,性爱甚至运动等自然反馈给出积极的反应 。等等,运动?是的,我们经历的愉快感主要来自大脑中的多巴胺系统,通过身体传递这些信息,最终确保我们的种族得以生存 。
For many, the pleasure derived from exercise can become just as addictive as food and sex. But while we're all up for more food and sex, many struggle with the desire for physical activity, even though it's an essential part of human biology.
对许多人来说,来自运动的快乐像食物和性一样上瘾 。但是在我们渴望更多食物和性爱的时候,许多人则不想参加体育活动,尽管这是人类生物学的必要部分 。
Scientists studying mice have found an interesting genetic connection. After separating mice into two groups - those that chose to run on their wheel more often, and those that decided not to run as much - the difference was clear in their offspring. After 10 generations,the running mice would run on their wheels 75% more often than the other group, and by 16 generations they were running 7 miles a day as opposed to the average 4 miles. It seemed their motivation for physical activity was genetic.
科学家对老鼠进行研究,发现了有趣的基因联系 。他们把老鼠分成两组,一些更经常奔跑,另一些则不那么喜欢跑动——它们的后代差异非常明显 。10代以后,喜欢跑动的老鼠比另外一组老鼠跑动的多75% 。16代以后,喜欢跑动的老鼠每天跑7英里,而另外一组每天跑4英里 。看上去,他们运动的动机似乎是基因决定的 。
We all inherit genes from our parents that play a key role in the development of our brains, and these genes can make some people literally crave activity. In fact, the brains of the running mice had larger dopamine systems and regions that deal with motivation and reward. They needed activity, otherwise their brains would react similar to drug addicted rodents when deprived of cocaine or nicotine.They were genetically addicted to running.
我们都从父母那里遗传在大脑发育中发挥关键作用的基因,这些基因会让一些人渴望运动 。实际上,跑动的老鼠的大脑拥有更大的多巴胺系统和脑区,用来处理动机和回报 。它们需要活动,否则,它们的大脑做出的反应就像有毒瘾的啮齿动物被剥夺了可卡因或尼古丁一样 。它们从的基因决定它们对奔跑上瘾 。
We also inherit genes responsible for our other traits - from impulsivity, to procrastination to work ethic and straight up laziness. And it turns out our physical laziness may be linked to a couch potato gene - or rather,a mutation in a normal gene which regulates activity levels. This gene is responsible for a type of dopamine receptor - without it, you're more likely to prefer sitting around,and simply doing less than those who have the properly functioning gene.
我们也继承了负责其他性格个点的基因——从冲动,拖拉,职业道德到懒惰 。事实表明,我们的身体懒惰似乎与沙发土豆基因有关——或者控制体育活动水平的正常基因发生了突变 。这种基因负责多巴胺接收器——如果没有的话,你更有可能喜欢坐着,比拥有功能正常的基因的人更少活动 。
So the truth is, your desire for activity may not be entirely up to you. But many environmental factors are also at play, which means you aren't doomed to a life of laziness. Although making a change will be harder for some, knowledge is power. So if you think you are genetically lazy, get off the couch and fight your DNA.Your brain will reward you in the end.
所以,事实是,你对活动的渴望可能不完全取决于你自己 。但是许多活动因素也发挥着作用,这意味着你的懒惰不是注定的 。尽管对一些人来说很难做出改变,然而知识就是力量 。如果你认为你天生懒惰,走下沙发,向你的DNA挑战 。你的大脑会给你回报 。