Sleep is vital. We know that our brains remain highly active when we sleep. Lack of sleep have many negative effects, both on our health and mental functions. Sleep is necessary for having a fully functioning brain when we are awake; perhaps because sleep helps to restore the energy consumed by the body and brain throughout the day. Sleep may also enable removal of harmful material that accumulate in the brain when we are awake. Sleep seems to play a crucial role in learning and memory, especially by aiding long-term storage of memories. (https://www.lifebrain.uio.no/publications/e-newsletters/sleephedda.html)
If you are interested in learning more about the topic and practice your reading skills at the same time, go to these sites:
https://arley360.com/sleep-allows-immune-cells-to-do-maintenance-work-on-the-brain/
So… sleep more! Your brain needs it!
After introducing this week’s topic, now let’s work on it!
First, we will focus on idioms and fixed phrases connected with sleep, for example sleep like a log, a light sleeper or a short nap.
Next, you will learn grammar structures of used to, be used to and get used. Have a look at this video to understand the difference:
You can also go to your Student’s Book page 143, Grammar Bank 6B 'used to, be used to and get used to' for some grammar reference or check the grammar explanation and try the exercises online from https://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/grammar/intermediate-to-upper-intermediate/used-to-infinitive-and-be-or-get-used-to-ing.
Finally, you will watch a video of a short talk about brain maintenance by Arianna Huffington where she discusses the importance of a well-rested mind and body and answer the comprehension questions on the speech and speaker’s ideas.
Click here to dowload the worksheet:
THE KEYS WILL BE UPLOADED ON THE BLOG FOR YOU TO CHECK YOUR ANSWERS.
Once you have done all your work, let’s move to a short discussion point and ‘talk’ about some issues connected with sleep. Then, WRITE A COMMENT ON THE BLOG answering one of the following questions: (Please, when you write it, copy the question first and then answer the question)
- When you were a child, did you use to… share a room with a brother or sister / have nightmares / wake up very early in the morning?
- Do you have problems if you have to sleep in a bed that you aren’t used to sleeping in (e.g. in a hotel)?
- Do you think you would find it difficult to get used to… getting up at 5.30 a.m. every day / only being able to sleep for six hours a night / not having breakfast in the morning?
- How many hours are you used to sleeping? Would you like to sleep more?
- Could you get used to leaving electronic devices like your mobile phone outside the bedroom?
- Have you ever tried meditation? Do you think it can make you feel better?
- Why nowadays do so many people brag about how little sleep they get?
- Are there more and more people who suffer from insomnia because of stress at work?
25 replies on “How much sleep do you get?”
Question 4 How many hours are you used to sleeping? Would you like to sleep more?
-I´m used to sleeping seven o eight hours but lately I wake up several times during the night because of some pills that I have to take but fortunately I go back to sleep.
-Nowadays I wouldn´t like to sleep more becuase now I´m used to getting up early to go to work and when I don´t have to go to work I like to do a lot of things on weekends that I don´t have any time to do on weekdays but when I was a teenager I didn´t used to get up early at least on weekends.
2. Do you have problems if you have to sleep in a bed that you aren’t used to sleeping in (e.g. in a hotel)?
When I was a little boy, I used to have some sleeping problems whenever I went to sleep on a bed that wasn´t mine, for example, on holidays in a hotel or my parents’ friends’ house.
Nowadays, the situation is a little bit different since the moment I usually sleep on a different bed, I have problems the first night but the rest of the nights I´m used to sleeping there.
6. Have you ever tried meditation? Do you think it can make you feel better?
I have never tried meditation because i haven´t felt motivated to do it. Nowadays, our society have many problems with stress or insomnia, so the meditation can be the solution of our problems and it can feel us better.
Meditation is good for keeping our calm. Since pandemic started, I’ trying it. So far, it’s a recommendable experience. We need to make a stop at least once a day. Closing eyes, breathing, only concentrate on this and forgetting about the world. Our mind will be grateful.
2. Do you have problems if you have to sleep in a bed that you aren’t used to sleeping in (e.g. in a hotel)?
I don’t normally have problems with a strange bed. I can stand it, but I have preferences for my pillow. By the way, I remember some occasion when I couldn’t fall asleep due to a pillow or an annoying noise. In fact, a hotel changed my room at 1.30 a.m. because of an irritating noise from a vibration on the roof. From the reception desk, a technical assistant was sent. Then, he told me that repair it was impossible at that moment. Getting to sleep if there are mosquitos is also a problem but differently, because can stop your sweet dreams and wake you up in a bad mood. As for me, restful sleep is a real treat that brings benefits, like taking a siesta.
As regards the latter, are you used to taking a nap? I hope your comments. Have a nice day.. and night!
I was used to having a nap when I had less responsibilities. I wish I could now… 🙁 🙁
1- When you were a child, did you use to… share a room with a brother or sister / have nightmares / wake up very early in the morning?
When I was as a child I used to share the room with my sister so, I was very happy because I was quite scared and I used to spend the night trembling with fear. I didn’t use to have nightmares but I thought that a monster was going to eat me.
I was used to waking up early to go to school and I also used to wake up early in summer because I was used to doing it. I would to watch from the balcony to the farmers going to the orchards with theirs donkeys.
Nowadays, I’m used to waking up very early to go to work and I’m also getting used to doing it at weekend because I can make better use of the day.
8. Are there more and more people who suffer from insomnia because of stress at work?
Yes. Due to the current situation, people are getting used to working from home and stress is increasing more and more. We can reduce insomnia fighting against stress.
I currently work from home, too, so I’ll give you some tips to deal with it:
-At the beginning, I used to read my email at any time, but now I’m getting used to doing it only during my work hours.
-In addition, I’m used to working in a room which is not my bedroom. It helps me to easily unplug from my work.
-Finally, getting used to doing some sport every day is one of the best things you can do to combat stress.
Very useful and interesting tips! Thank you, Alejandro! 😉
Do you have problems if you have to sleep in a bed that you aren’t used to sleeping in (e.g. in a hotel)?
Not at all, I´m able to sleep wherever I want, because I work on a boat and I´m used to sleeping in all types of beds, because every boat has different beds, in addition, I have to sleep in difficult conditions like large waves and strong winds . When I started to work at sea, I couldn´t sleep because I didn´t get use to sleeping on a boat, but currently, when I go to the bed, I sleep like a log.
Do you have problems if you have to sleep in a bed that you aren’t used to sleeping in (e.g. in a hotel)?
When I was a little girl, I didn’t get used to sleeping in a bed that wasn’t mine, such as in my sisters’ beds or even in my friends’ beds, so I couldn’t have slumber parties with them.
Nowadays, I have become used to sleeping in beds that aren’t mine because I travel a lot and when I go to hotels I’m used to sleeping since I learned to sleep in a bed that isn’t mine.
I think that getting used to sleeping in other people’s beds is an advantage because you get used to sleeping directly and without hobbies like leaving the bedroom door open or you get used to sleeping in beds with another size.
1- When you were a child, did you use to… share a room with a brother or sister / have nightmares / wake up very early in the morning?
Yes, I used to share the room with my sister and I’m still sharing it. We have been in the same room since she was born. Nowadays she is 17 years old, so we’ve been sharing the room for seventeen years.
Nowadays I hardly ever have nightmares, but I had a lot of bad dreams when I was a child, and I remember when I had one, I went to my parents room and I slept with them.
When I was a child, I used to wake up at eight o’clock in the morning, because of school. But at the weekend I was used to wake up at ten.
I’m used to wake up very early in the morning and I’ve never had a siesta but today I know that it’s not good for my health. I used to sleep no more than five or six hours because I don’t use to go to bed till 2:00 p.m.
I have to change my sleeping habits and go to bed earlier.
Goodness I have no problem to sleep out from home, when I travel I can sleep as a log if the room is dark (if you go abroad is really difficult!)
How many hours are you used to sleeping?.Would you like to sleep more?.
When I was a teenager, at the weekends, I used to sleep for a long time. I remember one day that I slept more than twelve hours. Nowadays, my reality is another. I have children so I am used to sleeping for five or six hours every night. It depends on situations such as whether my children want water, are afraid or they have nightmares.
Sleep trouble is not just an adult problem. Kids have trouble getting to sleep, too. Our children’s bedtime was a big problem for my husband and for me. It became a battle, children against parents, Starks against Targaryen. Here are some helpful tips that we use:
– Set a wake-up time.
– Create a bedtime routine.
– Turn off the TV at least two hours before bedtime.
– Create a sleep Atmosphere. Smooth smell to lavender.
– Provide protection from fears. [ Night light, bears, spray kills monster).
Yes of course, I would like to sleep more time. Maybe someday.
How many hours are you used to sleeping? Would you like to sleep more?
I’m used to sleeping about six hours more or less, but sometimes I sleep less hours because I wake up and I can’t go back to sleep again, perhaps because I get nervous thinking that I can’t sleep, although I really don’t know the reason. When that happens, I’m usually very tired the next day and I can’t do all that I want.
And, of course, I’d like to sleep more and wake up when it’s daytime and not at early morning, as I usually do every day. I’d love to sleep from time to time eight hours at least !
Do you think you would find it diffcult to get used to getting up 5:30 am every day?
I think l wouldn’t find it difficult get to used very early every morning,
In fact l already did. When l was working in Marbella l had get used to getting up really early at 5 in the morning.
But l can’t get used to having breakfast early, l think that my stomach is asleep and l usually having my breakfast around 10 in the morning.
Currently l don’t work that far, but l get used to getting up early becarse l love to read first thing in the morning having about a cup ir two of
Sorry , Ana
l want to write a cup or two of coffee.
Why nowadays do you many people brag about how little sleep they get?
Personally, I think that before in the old days people were used to doing extremely hard work. For instance, working in the fields, simply because there wasn´t too much advanced technology. After a long day they could hardly think whether or not they would get to sleep. They were too shattered!!
Nowadays, we are used to doing lighter Jobs and we also have a lot of new modern devices that can help us in our daily routine and shores such as: mobile phone, controlled sweepers, Smart TVs, microwave ovens and so on.. I believe that all these gadgets cause pollution and the emission of carbon dioxide gases.
Perhaps this is why people are getting used to sleeping less.. and suffer from nervous disorders. Including getting hooked on playing computer games and networking almost non-stop!!.
Could you get used to leaving electronic devices like your mobile phone outside the bedroom?
At the present time I do not sleep with the mobile phone in my bedroom. I do not usually oversleep even though I sleep without any problems and have a deep sleep, I wake up before the alarm goes off.
I have no objection to leave the mobile in another room, because I am used to using other means to wake up, I even wake up by myself, because my body is used to a schedule.
A few years ago I used to put my phone on my bedside table and I was used to setting the alarm on the phone to get up at 7:00 o´clock to go to work.
Also before bed I was used to looking at the phone in case I had received any emails or messages so I had to get used to not looking at my phone in my bedroom.
6.Have you ever tired meditation?
Do you think it can you feel better?
I didn’t used to meditate before,but now usually do meditate every night
before I go to sleep.I think it’s good for your mind and body.You can sleep
8 hours and feel more rested the next day.
From muy experience ,I advise practicing yoga and meditation .Before I wasn’t used to giving up at work during the day because I didn’t seelp very well.Now ,I feel much better. Doing meditation is healthier than taking sleeping pills.Nowadays you can find many vídeos on Youtube to learn how to meditate.
Sorry! The correct message is this:
6. Have you ever tried meditation? Do you think it can make you feel better?
I didn’t use to meditate before, but now I usually do meditation every night before I go to sleep. I think it’s good for your mind and body. You can sleep 8 hours and feel more rested the next day.
From my experience, I advise practicing yoga and meditation. Before, I wasn’t used to giving up at work during the day because I didn’t sleep very well. Now I feel much better. Doing meditation is healthier than taking sleeping pills. Nowadays, you can find many videos on Youtube to learn how to meditate.
When you were a child, did you use to… share a room with a brother or sister / have nightmares / wake up very early in the morning?
When I was a child, I used to share a bedroom with two sisters of mine, Kina and Auxi. It was really funny because we used to talk every night, especially at weekends. I didn´t use to have nightmares, but I was used to waking up late at night because of Kina´s nightmares. I didn´t like getting up early in the mornings, but I got used to it very quickly when I went to school for the first time.
How many hours are you used to sleeping? Would you like to sleep more?
Nowadays I usually sleep about 6 hours at night. But before I started to work and adopt my dogs, I used to slep about 8 or 9.
I´m always tired, always.
When I finish the lunch time, I take a nap, because if I don´t do it , I could die.
Sometimes I think that I´m getting used to it. But it is a fake.
I would like, NO, I need sleep 8 hours at night or more, but it is impossible.
I have to accept that I´ll be always tired, for the rest of my life.
5. Could you get used to leaving electronic devices like your mobile phone outside the bedroom?
I think I couldn’t, despite it would be a very good way to develop a better sleeping habit. I’m used to watch series or movies before sleeping, or read my social media on my phone. That makes me sleep later than I should.
Perhaps, I should try to disconnect from all my devices at least 20 minutes before the time I expected to be asleep, in order to improve my sleeping habits.
3. Do you think you would find it difficult to get used to… getting up at 5.30 a.m. every day?
I don’t think I would get used to getting up so early every morning because I am a night owl. Although I am tired after a long day, it’s hard for me to fall asleep soon.
When I was young, I used to stay studying at night. Over time, I had insomnia and had a hard time, so I’m used to going to bed sooner. I usually rest better at night and feel better in the morning. But I haven’t gotten used to getting up so early, I like waking up in the daylight!
P.S. I’m used to sleeping about six hours every night, but I always have breakfast in the morning