Health：Sleep
【明報專訊】MoMo: Whoa you look terribly exhausted! What happened to you?
Bill: I spent my whole night playing online video games with my friends. The night was splendid, but I don't think I can stay awake for the class in the afternoon... (Yawns)
MoMo: Stop yawning! How many sleepless nights have you spent with your friends?
Bill: We spent 4 consecutive nights playing. The game is awesome!
MoMo: This is insane! Sleeping is crucial for physical development and mental health of children and youth. The optimal amount of sleep needed for school-aged children and adolescents is at least 10 hours per day, as suggested by the National Institutes of Health of the United States.
Bill: Well, I spent 10 hours sleeping per week. I have a more efficient use of time than anyone else. The United States authority is probably wrong.
MoMo: You can never be productive if you experience sleep deprivation (睡眠不足 ) . It can result in difficulties in concentration, like what you did in class. It can impair your memories, affect your academic performance and even shorten your attention span (集中力時間). Stop lying to yourself.
Bill: (Yawns)
MoMo: Go take a nap. I will wake you up when the class resumes.
Bill: I am not tired, I am just bored with your lecture.
◆Know more
If you have trouble sleeping, try keeping a constant sleep schedule. Go to bed and get up at about the same time every day, even on the weekends. Electronic devices stimulate our brain, hence we should avoid these screen activities before bed. We should avoid large meals and beverages before bed as well.
■Game
Bill found something under his bed. Connect the dots. What is it?
(See picture)
(Answer on next text)
■Glossary
consecutive (adj) 連續的
crucial (adj) 關鍵的
adolescent (n) 青春期
concentration (n) 專注
[Smarties' Power English 第310期]
