Sleep
ESL Podcast: In this ESL Podcast we talk about sleeping problems and insomnia. Listen to this podcast and let us know if you have any stories or suggestions about sleep.
ESL Conversation
| A: I haven’t been sleeping well lately. I’m tired all day but I can’t seem to fall asleep at night.B: Have you had problems with insomnia before?
A: I’ve always been a light sleeper but I’ve never experienced anything like this. It’s been like this for over 2 months now. It started after I got my new job. B: Is the job causing you much stress? Worrying or thinking too much can negatively affect people’s sleep. A: I don’t think so. It’s a really relaxing job and I don’t think about it too much when I’m home. The only thing I can think of is that I drink more coffee now than I used to. I didn’t think that would be much of a problem since I don’t drink any after I get home. B: Caffeine stays in the system for a long time. Try not drinking any coffee past noon. You might also want to do some yoga or other relaxation techniques before bed. You want to be in a relaxed state well before you get into bed. It will make falling asleep much easier. A: What about drinking alcohol before bed. I find it helps me sleep. B: You can if you want, but don’t have too much. Too much alcohol will decrease the quality of REM sleep. |
Phrases and Vocabulary used:
Insomnia: A person with insomnia has a very difficult time sleeping or getting enough sleep. They often lie awake in bed, wishing they could fall asleep. A person with insomnia is called an insomniac.
Many people have insomnia
My brother is an insomniac
Light sleeper: A light sleeper is a person who is very easy to wake up. A light sleeper will wake up quickly after hearing even a little bit of noise.
Negatively affect: If something “negatively affects” something else it means it has a negative influence on it. Smoking cigarettes negatively affect a person’s health.
System: In medicine, we often refer to the body as a “system”.
Too much alcohol isn’t good for the system.
Relaxation techniques: Relaxation tecniques are things you can do to relax. Yoga, listening to soft music, and slow deep breathing are all examples of relaxation techniques.
REM sleep: REM sleep stands for Rapid Eye Movement. It is a phase of sleep where a person moves their eyes really quickly. It is not very well understood, but most experts believe it is a very important phase of sleep.
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