Tag: health

Dangerous Slimming Pills

B1 – Intermediate

Most people wish to be slimmer. Some take slimming pills to help them lose weight.

But it had been a disaster for some people in the UK. 33 people died after taking a dangerous pill that they thought could help them make their weight go down.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about dangerous slimming pills.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/a-dangerous-pill-level-2/

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What is a “supplement”? “DNP isn’t a medication or a nutritional supplement.” Use this word in your own sentence.
  2. Give 2 synonyms of “consume”. “At least 33 people died in the UK after they consumed a pill to lose weight called DNP.” Use them in sentences.
  3. What does “battle” mean, “People died after taking DNP; their families won a long battle with authorities to change the chemical’s classification.”? Use this word in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your reaction to this news?
  2. What are your thoughts on slimming pills?
  3. What are the pros and cons of taking slimming pills?
  4. Do you think there are more negatives than positives about such pills? Share your opinion.
  5. What are some healthy ways to lose weight?

Health News in 2022

B1 – Intermediate

The year 2022 had yet been another memorable year for all. Each industry has had their breakthroughs and outstanding developments, including, the health and medical field. Loads of life-changing progress were achieved in the health sector in the said year.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about some advancements in the health sector for the year 2022.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/2022-health-news-level-3/

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does the expression “to keep one’s eye on something” mean? “A driving simulator teaches teens with ADHD to keep their eyes on the road.” Use it in your own sentence.
  2. Give 1-2 synonym/s of the word “glance”. Use them in your own sentences.
  3. What does “immersive” mean? Use it in your own sentence. 

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of these new technologies?
  2. Which one do you think is the most helpful and why?
  3. What other medical technologies do you know were invented in 2022? Describe them and their uses.
  4. What health device have you started using? Talk about how it helps you in your day-to-day life.

What Happens When We Stop Exercising?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

There are lots of reasons why we take some time off from working out such as family obligations, work demands, inclement weather, vacation, etc. but there could be consequential changes to our bodies and health if we stop exercising.

Here’s exactly what we can expect to happen to our bodies if we stop exercising. Let’s read the article below.

https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20210603-how-soon-do-we-become-unfit-when-we-stop-exercising

Discussion Questions:

  1. What kind of exercises – if any – do you do and how often do you do them? What effects do they have on you?
  2. Can you tell a physically inactive person from someone who takes care of their physical condition? What are the main differences?
  3. What are some challenges to exercising?
  4. Is it better to workout at home or at the gym?
  5. What are other side effects of stopping exercise that you know of?

Larks Are Happier than Night Owls

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Being a lark means waking up early and going to bed early. Whereas, the opposite night owl, is someone who tends to stay up until late at night. Being a lark is usually associated with being a go-getter.

Studies have shown that people who are more active at night face greater health risks such as diabetes and low muscle mass.

But is staying up late really as bad as some people make it out to be?

Let’s read the article below about advantages of being an early riser.

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2021/jun/08/the-lark-advantage-why-naturally-early-risers-are-happier-than-night-owls

Discussion Questions:

  1. Are you the type of person who is active during the day or at night? Why?
  2. What are your thoughts on this statement: “People who get up earlier in the morning tend to be happier and better protected against depression.”?
  3. Do you tend to sleep through the night without waking? If not, what usually wakes you up?
  4. In your opinion, what is the main function of sleep? Why do some people need more sleep than others?
  5. Which do you enjoy more: the silence of night or the calmness of morning? Why?
  6. Have you ever suffered from insomnia? Share your experience.

Live Well with Covid and Chronic Illness

B2 – Upper Intermediate

We all know what it feels like to be sick. It feels unpleasant and distressing. For people suffering from chronic illnesses such as cancer, heart disease, or Covid, there are some things you can do to feel better. While you’ll still have to let the illness run its course, you can at least make things a little more bearable.

Here are ten helpful tips on living well through a chronic illness. Let’s read the article below.

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2021/apr/22/10-ways-live-well-with-long-covid-chronic-illness

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you consider yourself healthy? How can you tell?
  2. How often do you get sick? Talk about the last time you had a serious illness.
  3. What do you think the worst illness to have would be? Why do you say so?
  4. How does chronic illness affect one’s daily life?
  5. How can one stay positive if they have a chronic illness?

Your Favorite Face Mask Might Not Be as Protective as You Think

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), recommends that all people wear masks in public as more contagious variants of COVID-19 are rising. Coronavirus can be spread from coughing, sneezing, or even talking in close distance. Masks can keep respiratory droplets from reaching another person. Among the popular masks, which one is the most effective in protecting you from COVID-19?

Read the article and be able to answer the questions that follow.

https://www.newsweek.com/your-favorite-face-mask-might-not-protective-you-think-1525247

Discussion Questions:

  1. How did you feel the first time you wore a mask? What do think about them? How has your behavior towards wearing them changed?
  2. According to doctors and medical experts, what is the importance of wearing masks?
  3. What myths and critical advice have you heard about wearing masks and how did you react to them?
  4. What should we keep in mind when buying masks?

Do Essential Oils Work?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

As wellness trend becomes stronger and stronger, many people nowadays enjoy using essential oils as part of their wellness routines. A lot of essential oils from billion-dollar companies like doTerra and Young Living claim to be “therapeutic-grade” or medicinal. People are using them in diffusers, applying them on their skin, and even putting them in their food recipes.

Watch the video to know why we should be cautious in using essential oils. Be able to answer the questions that follow.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Have you tried essential oils before? What do you think about them?
  2. According to the video, what are some potential side effects of these oils?
  3. Do you agree that natural isn’t always safe? Explain.
  4. Some people report benefits from essential oils. Do you believe them? Why or why not?
  5. What do you do when you are sick or not feeling well? What remedy or treatment do you take?

Wristband Lets Others Know Your Mood

B1 – Intermediate

If you know how a person is feeling at certain moments, it will be a little easier to communicate and relate with them.

A wearable device lets you do that. You can see a person’s mood when they are wearing this wristband.

Read more about this wearable mood device.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2101/210120-moods-0.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is Moodbeam and what do you think about it?
  2. What are the advantages and disadvantages of such device?
  3. Do you agree or disagree that moods are hard to explain and difficult to talk about?
  4. What causes you to be in a good/bad mood?
  5. What device/technology do you want to invent/to be invented?

Better Brain Health

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Have you ever heard of the phrase ” You are what you eat”? When we celebrate many special festivities like Christmas, New Year, and even Three kings or Los Reyes Magos in Spain, food has been, of course, one of the highlights of these events. However, not many of us care about the effects of food on our brain.

Let’s watch the video below to further understand better brain health.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xyQY8a-ng6g

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are the effects of food on our brain?
  2. Do you agree with the statement “You are what you eat”?
  3. Do you pay attention to what you eat? How important is it to pay attention on the food we eat?
  4. Are you following a strict diet? How easy/difficult it is to follow a strict diet?
  5. Can you describe your country’s food culture?

Going for a Swim in the Ocean Good for You and for Nature

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Swimming is one of the most popular sports. As well as being fun, swimming is a great way to keep fit, stay healthy, and make friends. Swimming is a healthy activity that you can continue practicing for a lifetime. It is a low-impact activity that has many physical and mental health benefits. But did you know that it can also be good for ocean and beach ecologies too?

Let’s read the article to find out more about the benefits of swimming on humans and oceans.

https://theconversation.com/why-going-for-a-swim-in-the-ocean-can-be-good-for-you-and-for-nature-150281

Discussion Questions:

  1. Can you swim? Do you like swimming? Why do you like it?
  2. Do you prefer swimming in a swimming pool or in the sea?
  3. How old were you when you learned to swim? Was that a good age to learn?
  4. On the beach, do you usually stay within your depth or are you that swimmer who swims far out into the sea?
  5. Have you ever had an unpleasant experience while swimming? What happened?
  6. Do you think swimming is an important skill? Why or why not?