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Myths about Sleep

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Nearly seventy countries around the world follow daylight saving time, or when clocks get adjusted in the spring and fall. Because of longer daytime hours in the summer, clocks get moved forward one hour in the spring. Because of shorter daytime hours in the winter, the opposite happens. There are environmental and economic benefits, such as less energy consumption and improved sales for shops.

But did you know that there are health benefits? New research shows that an extra hour of sleep just after the time change in the fall decreased the chances of a heart attack. Unfortunately, in the spring, the number of heart attacks increased due to the loss of sleep. In fact, many other separate studies have debunked myths about sleep.

For example, seven to eight hours of sleep per night is now considered best. Some people may function on less sleep, but at a severe price. Too little sleep can greatly harm your judgment, work performance, the health of your heart, and your immune system. In addition, if you drive with only six hours of sleep or less, it's almost the same as driving drunk. You will have worse reaction times and more accidents. If you usually sleep too little during the week but then sleep a lot on the weekend, this pattern also causes harm. The body needs consistency, and irregular sleep patterns can cause stress.

On the other hand, too much sleep can cause just as much damage. Scientists haven't determined if too much sleep is the cause or the symptom.

So what message can you take away from this article? Don't just accept the time change this fall as a one or two hour bonus, but as an opportunity to make some lasting changes to your sleep habits.


Preview some of the lesson material:

Title: Speculate and/or discuss the contents of today's article from its title: "Myths about Sleep."

Fill in the Blank: Fill in the blank with the correct word.

  1. Clocks in nearly seventy countries get (                         ) in the spring and fall for daylight saving time.
  2. There are environmental and economic benefits, such as less energy (                         ).
  3. Many other separate studies have (                         ) myths about sleep.
  4. Seven to eight hours of sleep per night is now (                         ) best.
  5. Some people may function on less sleep, but at a (                         ) price.
  6. The body needs (                         ).
  7. (                         ) sleep patterns can cause stress.
  8. Too much sleep can cause, but scientists haven't (                         ) the reason.
  9. Too much sleep may be the cause or the (                         ).
  10. Use daylight saving time as an opportunity to make some (                         ) changes to your sleep habits.

post-Comprehension: Talk about the following questions in pairs/groups. Remember to support your answers!

  1. How much sleep do you get every night? Is this too much or too little? Why do you think so?
  2. Do you think people in general get enough sleep? Why/not?
  3. Do you agree that too much sleep is unhealthy? Why/not?
  4. Some countries take time off in the afternoon to rest. Is this good or bad? Why do you think so?
  5. If you could sleep less but stay healthy, would you want to? Why/not?

Google Search: Type "sleep" into Google. Look at the websites, and/or read additional articles on this topic. Discuss or write an essay about your findings.


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