The Next Big Wellness Trend Capitalizes on

Your Love of High-Pressure Showers and Hugs

未來健康行業的利潤空間和發展趨勢，全得益於你對高壓淋浴和擁抱的熱愛

Why do hugs feel so good? Why do massages de-stress us? Why do some people like sleeping with heavy blankets, even in the heat of summer? Why do we love high-pressure showers and squeezing our loved ones' hands as a sign of support?

爲什麼你會覺得擁抱如此美好？爲什麼按摩可以爲你減緩壓力？爲什麼有人即使在炎熱的夏天，睡眠時仍然偏愛選擇厚重的毯子？爲什麼我們會喜歡高壓淋浴，以及緊握與我們關係親密夥伴的手來表示支持？

It's all to do with pressure—and utilizing its soothing powers is becoming the next trend in health and wellness.

以上一切問題的答案竟都與壓力有關。而利用重力緩解壓力，將成爲下一個健康領域的熱點趨勢。

The instinct to calm ourselves and others through the application of pressure is deep-seated in our subconscious.

其實，這種通過施壓重力來讓自己和他人平靜下來的技本能，早已在我們的腦海裏根深蒂固。在嬰兒時期，母親們通過用被子或衣服緊緊地包裹住寶寶，使他們平靜下來。

Mothers swaddle babies tightly to calm them down. Young children squeeze stuffed animals when woken by nightmares.

在孩童時期，當被噩夢驚醒時，年幼的孩子們會用力的抱緊毛絨玩具，來擺脫噩夢帶來的心理上的恐懼。

A job well done is rewarded with a pat on the back, and when reunited with a loved one, we wrap them in an embrace, the longer and tighter the better.

當一份出色的工作得到回報時，他人會輕拍你的背，以表示鼓勵。或者當我們與所愛的人重聚時，我們會產生想與他們長時間擁抱的想法。

Touch and pressure are so vital to our well-being that their absence can create serious impairments in our physical and psychological health.

身體的直接接觸與重力的壓迫，對我們的健康有很重要的作用。如果在我們的日常生活中，缺少了他們，那麼，將對我們的生理健康與心理健康都造成不利的影響。

For example, children who grow up without extensive physical contact are more likely to have developmental challenges. Adults also languish without skin-to-skin contact; what psychologists term "touch hunger" can, along with other factors, permanently damage the mental and physical health of prisoners in solitary confinement.

舉個例子，孩子在成長中缺乏與他人的肢體接觸，將不利於孩子往後的發展。成人缺乏身體直接的接觸，或是缺乏直接的擁抱的機會，將不利於身體與心理的健康，使活力降低。

Touch and pressure seem to promote health by regulating the nervous system's responses, which control our vital reactions to the external world. If you are being chased by a saber-toothed tiger, for instance, the autonomic nervous system kicks the body into fight-or-flight response.

肢體的接觸與重力的接受，可以通過調節神經系統的運作來促進健康。而神經系統參與控制人體對外界的反應。比如，在你正在被劍齒虎追趕的情況下，神經系統會自發地控制你的身體做出“戰鬥或逃跑（要麼激烈抗爭、要麼倉惶逃脫的兩個極端選擇）”的反應。

When this happens, your heart rate quickens, your pupils dilate, and blood rushes to the limbs to prepare you to run as fast as you can.

當這種情況發生時，你的心率會加快，瞳孔擴散，血液也會迅速的流向四肢，使你儘快跑開。

Some researchers posit that applying pressure in the form of physical touch or heavy blankets works to calm us by slowing down the fight-or-flight response. It may decrease the release of the stress hormone cortisol and increase the release of "happy hormones" like serotonin and dopamine.

一些研究人員認爲，以身體接觸或以蓋重毛毯的形式對身體施加壓力，可以使我們從“戰鬥或逃跑”的緊張狀態中平靜下來。它可以減少應激激素皮質醇的釋放，增加血清素和多巴胺等“快樂荷爾蒙”的釋放。

As an example of this, a study of teenagers revealed that French adolescents touch each other a lot more and exhibit fewer physically or verbally aggressive behaviors compared to their US counterparts. Increased serotonin levels convert to melatonin, which also helps us to sleep better and even boost memory by affecting the hippocampus.

還有一個例子，一項有關於青少年的研究中表明，與美國青少年相比，法國青少年在成長中與他人有更多的身體接觸，在日後，他們在肢體動作方面與語言中所體現的攻擊性也更少。身體中的血清更多的轉換爲褪黑素。褪黑素對改善我們的睡眠質量，和通過對海馬體的影響來增強我們的記憶力十分有利。

Beyond mental health and cognitive function, studies of HIV positive, autoimmune disease, and cancer patients show that touch may also boost physical immunity and even slow the progression of disease.

與他人的身體接觸，除了能夠改善心理健康和認知功能外，對艾滋病、自身免疫性疾病和癌症患者的研究表明，還能增強身體免疫力，甚至延緩疾病惡化的時間。

According to the research of Tiffany Field, the founder and director of the Touch Research Institute at the University of Miami School of Medicine, deep-touch pressure may increase natural "killer" cells that ward off bacterial, viral, and cancer cells.

邁阿密大學醫學院觸覺研究所的創始人兼主任 Tiffany Field 的一份研究報告顯示，接觸產生的對肢體的物理壓力可能會增加可以對抗細菌、病毒甚至是癌細胞的“自然抗菌細胞”。

Pressure-based Innovations

to Improve Mental Health

善用物理壓力，改善心理健康的新方式

A few pressure-based interventions have made the news in the past decades. For example, Temple Grandin, professor of animal science at Colorado State University, built a "hug machine" that became well-known in the autism community.

在過去的幾十年中，一些有關於用施加物理壓力的方法緩解壓力的消息在人羣中廣爲流傳。例如，科羅拉多州立大學動物科學教授坦普爾格蘭丁創造了一個“擁抱機”，這個爲緩解壓力而製造的機器，被很多自閉症患者所知曉。

At age 18 in 1965, Grandin, who is on the autism spectrum herself, built it to manage her own anxiety and increase her tolerance for being touched by others. The user controls the pressure that the device exerts, imitating the sensation of being hugged.

擁抱機的工作原理十分簡單，但卻對緩解焦慮大有益處。用戶控制設備施加的壓力，模仿被擁抱的感覺。1965年18歲的格蘭丁，患有自閉症。爲此，她創造了這個機器來緩解自己的焦慮，同時也幫助到了和自己一樣的抑鬱症患者。

Preliminary research supports the hypothesis that the machine has a calming effect on those with autism, especially those with high levels of arousal or anxiety.

科學家們通過初步研究證實了這一假設，該機器可以使自閉症患者平靜下來，對焦慮和高度亢奮人羣，作用尤爲明顯。

Other children may find relief using a "deep-pressure vest," which was developed by Brian Mullen, the former CEO of Therapeutic Systems and current innovation strategy manager at Brigham and Women's Hospital.

而其他的孩子可能會在日常生活中使用“深壓背心”來緩解壓力。這是由布里漢姆婦女醫院的治療系統前首席執行官、現任創意總監 Brian Mullen 開發的。

Pressure systems are being used to calm people outside of the medical community, too. When our evolutionary instincts react inappropriately to sensory input in the developed world, our nervous systems can overload us with fear and anxiety in situations that are far from life-threatening, like a presentation, a first date, or simply trying to get to sleep.

施加物理壓力的方法，同樣可以使健康人羣緩解壓力。我們的進化本能使當我們感到外界給我們造成壓力時，我們的神經系統會在不危及生命的情況下，使我們感到恐懼和焦慮，例如一次當衆演示，第一次約會，或者只是試圖入睡。

To combat these stressors, in May 2017, a crowdfunding campaign raised over $4.7 million to bring a weighted blanket to market. Targeting the stressed-out average American, the product promises to promote relaxation, help people get to sleep, and meditate.

爲了應對現代社會生活中與日俱增的壓力，2017年5月，美國組織了一場羣體集資活動，在這次活動中，人們爲“重力毯”這一新商品籌集了470萬美元，使產品成功上市，也給美國市場帶來了新鮮血液。“重力毯”主要針對不堪重負的普通美國人而設計，產品可以促進放鬆,幫助人們入睡、冥想。

Citing Mullen's research, the blanket simulates "the feeling of being held or hugged." A featured testimonial even describes it as "like Advil PM for your whole body."

根據馬倫的研究，“重力毯”是全面模擬”被擁抱的感覺”。有一個首贊置頂評論甚至還說：“蓋重力毯堪比服用對全身都有效的夜用泰諾。”

The trend goes beyond vests and blankets. Another Kickstarter campaign has raised over $35,000 for a weighted backpack for students with autism.

還不止背心和毯子呢！另有一款爲自閉症學生設計的“重力揹包”，已衆籌到$35,000美元。

The creators say they were inspired by other weighted sensory tools to design the backpacks, which feature pouches for weights and "hugging straps" for children between the ages of six to 12 years old.

據發明者的介紹，這款書包的發明是因爲他們受到其它通過增加重量來緩解壓力工具設計的靈感啓發，最終設計出這款揹包，它通過增加口袋重量和肩帶重量去“擁抱”年齡在6到12歲的孩子。

In Canada, a group of volunteers also sewed "heavy helpers": which are weighted stuffed animals, to help children in need deal with sensory processing issues or trauma.

在加拿大，一羣志願者也通過縫紉，用輔助物增加玩具重量的方式，去幫助孩子撫平心理創傷。

How You Can Reap

the Health Benefits of Pressure

如何才能將壓力帶來的好處歸爲己用？

You don't need to install a hug machine in your office to reap the calming benefits of pressure. There are plenty of DIY solutions that can be done at little or no cost, and in no time at all.

保持內心平靜的方法有很多。若是爲了保持良好心態，而將擁抱機安裝在辦公室裏，會顯得沒有必要。因爲在只花費小成本的情況下，或者沒有時間的情況下，也有很多簡單的方法，可以達到一樣的效果呢。

According to Field, as little as 15 minutes of touch a day can boost your health. If you don't have a partner or pet to cuddle with, Field says that self-touch can be just as effective especially when you use an object such as a tennis ball.

根據健康領域的調查研究，每天花費15分鐘作爲你的“接觸時間”，就可以改善你的健康狀況。如果你沒有一個親密夥伴或者寵物擁抱，那麼也沒有關係。因爲，與自己接觸也一樣可以有相同的效果呢。即便是當你使用一個物品,比如一個網球，其對健康的益處也是相同的。

Engaging in physical activities that stimulate pressure receptors, such as yoga or fast walking, may also do the trick.

保持健康心理狀態的方法還不只如上幾種呢，從事一些消耗體力的體育活動，如瑜伽或快走，也可以達到相同目的哦。

Pressure researchers are hoping to build on pilot studies investigating how devices such as the weighted blankets can be safely and effectively adopted by patients. Although such devices seem innocuous, every intervention comes with risks.

儘管這些毯子看起來並不存在安全問題，但嚴謹的科學研究人員卻認爲每一個創新產品的背後，都可能蘊含着風險。爲了確保萬無一失，研究人員希望建立試點進行研究，使重力毯更好的服務用戶。

For example, putting a heavy blanket over an injured, frail, or elderly person presents dangers. In a couple of tragic cases, children have passed away after suffocating under heavy blankets they didn't have the strength to lift.

例如，蓋厚重的毯子,會給受傷、虛弱者或老人帶來了危險。曾經有孩子因爲毛毯過於沉重，而沒有力氣抬，最終窒息身亡，這真是令人悲傷的消息。

Research is lagging behind popular interest in these products, and scientists don't have a full picture of what makes these strategies safe and effective for some and not for others yet.

當研究滯後於人們對這些產品的追捧程度，科學家們還沒有全面瞭解如何將產品打造得更加安全有效。

So if you're thinking of tinkering with weighted devices yourself or using them with your family, consult an occupational therapist and refer to best-practice guidelines issued by scientific bodies first.

所以如果你想使用或是縫補一個重力產品，去諮詢一個職業治療師或者科學機構是一個最妥當的選擇。

Science has shown that enjoying high-pressure showers and deep-tissue massages is not all in your head. The sensory input leads to a range of biochemical responses that impact your entire body, promoting feelings of well-being.

科學研究表明，享受高壓淋浴和深層按摩雖不是促進健康的全部手段。但身體感覺體驗產生一系列生化反應,也會改善你的身體狀況,提升幸福感。

Though the market for such devices are currently aimed at the medical community, recreational pressure-based solutions are likely to grow as people seek out innovative ways to find relief from stress and anxiety. Here's hoping that research funding catches up with consumers' interest in cost-effective innovations to common mental-health challenges.

雖然這類產品的市場目前主要針對的是醫療界，但通過重力改善心理狀態的方案可能會隨着人們尋求創新的解壓方式而增長。希望研究資金能夠滿足消費者對於成本效益型產品創新的興趣，以應對常見的心理健康挑戰。