Tag: health and medicine

Chemicals in Fast Food Packaging

B2 – Upper Intermediate

“Health is wealth.” is a common English expression. But how can we maintain good health in the midst of  our busy lives? Apparently, we can. All we need to do is to be aware of what we are eating. Find out from this link about a new study of packaging in fast food restaurants.

http://edition.cnn.com/2017/02/01/health/fast-food-packaging-chemicals-pfas-study/index.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. Summarize what was written in the article.
  2. What are the side effects of fluorine in our body?
  3. What is your reaction to this news?
  4. Take a look at the pictures and share your thoughts about them.
  5. What should we do to avoid exposure from fluorine in fast food restaurants?
  6. What are other food safety policies do you think should be implemented?

Reasons to Shower Less

B2 – Upper Intermediate

We all take a bath or a shower to feel fresh before going to work, after a rigorous work-out or simply to feel clean before going to bed. Do you enjoy your bath time? How often do you take a shower? They say that taking a shower might not be so good for you, so let’s find out.

Read the article below and be ready to answer the questions that follow.

http://www.rd.com/health/wellness/shower-less-often/

Discussion Questions:
1. Name the reasons mentioned in the article about showering less. Do you agree or disagree with them?
2. Do you prefer taking a shower or having a bath?
3. Do you prefer a quick shower in the morning or a warm bath in the evening?

Express your thoughts:
• A few germs are good for you. People wash and clean too much.
• Expensive shampoos and shower gels are a waste of money. A bar of soap is just as effective.
• The advertising industry is to blame for all the money we waste on cleaning products that we don’t need.

Stress – Signs and Symptoms

B1 – Intermediate

Stress is inevitable. We feel stress whenever we are in situations that are difficult to handle. We become overwhelmed and it becomes a challenge to cope.

Read the article below to know how we can better handle stressful situations.

http://www.english-online.at/health_medicine/stress/coping-with-stress.htm

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you think stress is ever good or necessary? Why or why not?
  2. Do you have a stressful lifestyle? What are some situations that make you feel stressed?
  3. How do you reduce stress in your life? Do you think they would be considered good or bad ways of dealing with stress?
  4. Some people like to have a drink when they are stressed. What do you think about this?
  5. Which would you choose: A stressful job with very high pay or a relaxed job with considerably low pay? Why?

What Would Happen If You Didn’t Drink Water?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Water is an essential part of life. Whether for our own consumption or for the environment. As with any substance, there is a danger of having too much and too little.

Watch the video below and be ready to answer the questions that follow about the effects of not drinking water.

Discussion Questions:

1. Discuss the facts about water presented in the video. How important is it to our bodies?
2. What are the dangers of dehydration? How about overhydration?
3. Who are usually the victims of over-hydration? Why are they prone to overhydration?
4. Do you think you’re getting enough water on a daily basis?
5. What are the other kinds beverages you enjoy drinking? What are some fruits and vegetables that you like?

Drinking to Excess

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Alcoholism is when you drink so much that your body eventually becomes dependent on or addicted to alcohol. When this happens, alcohol becomes the most important thing in your life.

Read the article below to know more about drinking too much.

https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/issue/Sep2014/Feature1

Discussion Questions:

1. Do you drink alcohol? What kind of alcoholic drink do you usually have and how often do you drink?
2. What do you think causes alcoholism? How can a person prevent it?
3. What are the symptoms of alcoholism? How can you tell if the person is alcoholic?
4. What are the risk factors of alcoholism?

The Link Between Sleep and Job Performance

B2 – Upper Intermediate

What difference could an extra hour of sleep make in your life? Quite a lot, experts say. Studies show that the gap between getting just enough sleep and getting too little sleep may affect your health, your mood, and even your work performance.

https://sleepfoundation.org/sleep-news/good-nights-sleep-helps-job-performance

Discussion Questions:

  1. Have you ever sacrificed sleep for work? Talk about this instance.
  2. What happens when you are sleep-deprived? How does it affect your performance at work?
  3. Do you manage to sleep as much as you need? Why or why not?
  4. Do you try to sleep in on weekends or during your days off? Why or why not?
  5. What can be done to avoid employees from being too exhausted?

Chile Bans McDonald’s Happy Meals

B2 – Upper Intermediate

With hopes of reducing the growing number of overweight children, Chile’s government bans marketing of toys in children’s food. McDonald’s Happy Meal and Kinder Surprise Egg are some, among others, affected by this measure.

Read this article about Chile banning Mc Donald’s Happy Meals.

https://www.telesurenglish.net/news/War-on-Fat-Chile-Bans-McDonalds-Happy-Meals-and-Kinder-Eggs-20160525-0045.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are your thoughts on this ban? Should this policy be adapted on a global scale? Why or why not?
  2. What are your thoughts on unhealthy food being passed off as something that could make kids happy?
  3. What are other ways to keep children from becoming overweight?
  4. What are things that the health authority in your country is doing to keep children healthy?
  5. Were you fond of fastfood as a kid? Why or why not?

Over-The-Counter Medicine May Shrink Brain

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Medicines are supposed to make us feel better and cure any illness a person might have. But sometimes, these medicines may also cause more harm than good.

Read the article below to find out more. Share your opinion after reading the text.

http://www.breakingnewsenglish.com/1604/160421-over-the-counter-drugs.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you think over-the-counter medicines work?
  2. Would you prefer medicines prescribed by a doctor?
  3. Would you consider yourself a healthy person?
  4. When was the last time you got sick and had to stay in bed?

Fear Over Eating Disorder Care

B2 – Upper Intermediate

There is a commonly held view that eating disorders are a lifestyle choice. Eating disorders are considered serious illnesses that can affect a person’s eating behaviors. Some people, mostly young girls, go too far with their aspiration to become slim.

Watch the video and read the article on how Japan is tackling the issue of eating disorders.

http://www.bbc.com/news/health-36095287

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are causes of eating disorders and how do they affect people who have them?
  2. What should be done to prevent this from happening and to help those suffering from it?
  3. Why is there a stigma around eating disorders and their families and what are the consequences of these to them?
  4. Who should be held responsible for illnesses like eating disorders? Explain your point.
  5. Why is it important to spread awareness about this health issue?

Coffee Can Help You Live Longer

B2 – Upper Intermediate

A cup of coffee has always been a part of a lot people’s morning routine. It could definitely awake our senses and boost our energy. Now, coffee drinkers have more reasons to drink that fresh cup.

Read the article on how coffee can help you live longer.

http://www.breakingnewsenglish.com/1511/151119-coffee.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. Are you a coffee drinker? How many cups do you drink each day?
  2. How healthy do you think coffee is?
  3. Why might coffee reduce the incidence of suicides?
  4. How do you feel about certain coffee shops like Starbucks?