B2 – Upper Intermediate
Do you struggle to go to sleep even though you are tired? Or do you wake up in the middle of the night and lie awake for hours, tossing and turning, anxiously checking the clock?
Insomnia is a very common problem and most of us experience this some time in our lives.
So what is insomnia? Is there any way to break the cycle?
Watch the video as Dan Kwartler details the science of insomnia.
Discussion Questions:
- What usually keeps you up at night?
- Have you ever had any difficulty sleeping? Talk about it.
- What are some ways to help you fall asleep easily?
- Do you use, or have you ever used, any special methods that help you get to sleep? Talk about it.
- Do you know anyone who suffers from insomnia? How do they cope with it?
6 replies on “What Causes Insomnia?”
1. What usually keeps you up at night?
When I am worried about my work or family issues such as health matters, I am not able to sleep adequately.
2. Have you ever had any difficulty sleeping? Talk about it.
In some occasions, I had serious difficult for sleeping due to unfinished work or any important job meeting that makes my brain remains totally activated. I woke up to bathroom only five hours after going to bed. Then, I was absolutely unable to continue sleeping until clock rang at waking up time.
3. What are some ways to help you fall asleep easily?
I’m totally convinced that have dinner at least two hours before going bed is necessary to help your body and your brain falling asleep easily. It is also necessary to avoid digital screens before sleeping, otherwise your brain remains activated and will not help you to rest.
4. Do you use, or have you ever used, any special methods that help you get to sleep? Talk about it.
Normally, I can fall asleep easily. I don’t have any special method that helps me get to sleep. Occasionally, a relaxing shower with hot water helps me to fall asleep quickly.
5. Do you know anyone who suffers from insomnia? How do they cope with it?
My sister is suffering from insomnia since she was a student and It gets worsened along the years. My sister has a long sense of responsibility. She is worried to have everything under control, having too much stress at the end of the day. I think this stress comes with her at bed, causing a frustrating chronic insomnia. My sister uses to apply relaxing techniques before going to sleep. She also practices yoga regulartly helping her to feel relaxed at night.
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1. What usually keeps you up at night?
I usually sleep worse when I have something important to do next day, such as a presentation or a planned trip. Sometimes, when something unexpected happens it can also affect my sleep because I keep thinking about it.
2. Have you ever had any difficulty sleeping? Talk about it.
Yes, I have. Some years ago, when my husband’s company was going through some difficult times, I was very worried about the outcome and that kept me up at night because I couldn’t avoid thinking about it.
3. What are some ways to help you fall asleep easily?
I find that reading just before I go to sleep helps me a lot. I read using an e-book to avoid the blue light that other screens have and that has been told to interfere with our sleep. If I am very agitated, I find that a shower just before I go to sleep helps me to relax and I usually sleep better.
4. Do you use, or have you ever used, any special methods that help you get to sleep? Talk about it.
No, I have not. I usually sleep well, except for special occasions.
5. Do you know anyone who suffers from insomnia? How do they cope with it?
My husband suffers from insomnia when he awakes in the middle of the night. He usually falls asleep in a couple of minutes but due to the stress of work, he awakes at 3 or 4 a.m. and it is difficult for him to fall asleep again. Sometimes he just tries to relax, sometimes he gets up and watch some TV hoping to fall asleep in the couch in front of the TV.
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What keeps you up at night?
Nothing since I became a mother. Before that, when I was at the university and during the exam periods I invested long time until felt asleep. I studied until late at night and it difficult me to disconnect prior to sleep. I though about the exams and felt anxiety.
Do you have difficulty falling asleep?
Not right now. I’m in a point of my live where I can fall asleep so quickly. Take turns with my husband to take care about our little children after work and to have time to do some physical activities (pilates, gym…) as well as take the eldest to activity, meaning no time during the week to rest.
What are some ways to help you fall asleep easily?
Being very active during the day, getting physically and mentally tired. Spend long time with children. Notice that I love to spend time with my children but they are only 1 and 3 years.
How do you feel when you suffer from Insomnia? How do you cope with it?
Fortunately, I’m not suffering insomnia, but I think that if I suffered of that, a good way can be to assimilate the problem, get out from bed and do some relaxing activities such as stretching or reading a book and also take hot drinks like infusions that help to go asleep.
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