Q.1. Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow (81
Getting enough sleep is as Important as taking time out to relax. A good night's sleeplessential for preserving the
health of your brain and gives you the best chance to meet the coming day with a razor-sharp mind. An average
person needs about six to eight hour sleep a night - although it is also true that you need slightly less than this, as
you grow older-another advantage of ageing stress and sleep deprivation often feed on each other, since stress
tends to make it harder for you to fall asleep at night and sleep deprivation in itself causes stress.
2. Eventually, too little sleep can dramatically interfere with the performance of your memory - something you
obviously want to prevent. If you are not getting enough sleep, try going to bed 30 to 60 minutes earlier than your
normal bedtime for a few days. Lie down on the bed and try to relax by dissociating yourself from your daily
routine work. This is normally enough to catch up on any sleep deprivation.
3. If, however, you suffer from insomnia you should seek the advice of your doctor. The chances are it is already
affecting your ability to remember and recall information - and if you are struggling to improve your memory
scores, this could be at the root of your problem. Prolonged periods of insufficient sleep can deplete your immune
system, make you more accident prone and even cause depression - this can also reinforce a more negative
outlook on life, which can contribute to your stress burden. The good news is that your memory and mood should
automatically improve once you improve your sleep patterns. Tackle your sleep issues and everything else should
fall into place.
4. Because stress management is so essential to maximize your brain power, if you are not in the habit of setting
aside time to relax, make it a priority to do so. Even a minute or two of deep breathing can start to work wonders.
Often the best ideas and memories can come to you when you are in a state of relaxation as it is during these
moments that your brain stores, processes and plays with the information It has received.
5. Meditation has long been part of religious and spiritual life, especially in Asia. Today, more and more people are
adopting it in Western countries also, for its value in developing peace of mind and lowering stress. There is some
evidence that regular meditation can have real sleep gain and health benefits particularly in terms of protecting
your brain against ageing.
1.1. On the basis of your understanding of the above passage, make notes on it using headings and subheadings.
Use recognizable abbreviations (wherever necessary - minimum four) and a format you consider suitable. Also
supply an appropriate title to it.
Answers
Answer:
We all know that feeling when our alarm goes off in the morning, but we just don't want to get out of bed! If you're like most Americans, the lack of a good night's sleep is impacting your energy level, your productivity, and could lead to serious health complications. Don't push your exhaustion to the side, pay attention to your energy levels throughout the day and your general well being as these could be signs of sleep deprivation. A study by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) states that more than one-third of American adults are getting less than seven hours of sleep on a regular basis. Most experts agree that between seven to nine hours of sleep per night is optimal for adults.
It's important to remember that sleep is just as important as diet and exercise for maintaining good health. Not only is sleep important for our daily functioning, it has many systemic health benefits.
Your Body on Sleep
Sleep accounts for nearly one-third of the human lifespan. Not only is sleep important for our daily functioning, it has many systemic health benefits. Sleep helps control our metabolism and weight, promotes stable moods, helps prevent cardiovascular diseases, boosts our immune system/function, increases knowledge retention, and helps us with long and short-term memory.
Sleep is also essential for brain functioning. "Sleep is a period during which the brain is engaged in a number of activities necessary to life - which are closely linked to the quality of life." says Johns Hopkins sleep expert and neurologist Mark Wu, M.D., Ph.D. According to research done at Johns Hopkins, sleep is vital for brain plasticity and helps with the removal of waste products from brain cells.
Your body does incredible things while you are sleeping. Remember, sleeping less than seven hours per night could have a negative impact on your overall health. From keeping our bodies healthy to providing the energy and focus we all need to get through the day, sleep is a key factor for our quality of life.
The Impact of Sleep Deprivation
Woman runner holding her chestSleep deprivation is a serious issue in the United States. It's estimated that one in five Americans are chronically sleep deprived. However, even one night of sleep deprivation can put a person at risk of illness or injury. Here are some common way that sleep deprivation can impact your health and safety:
Can Cause Accidents: The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that fatigue is a cause in 100,000 auto crashes and 1,550 crash-related deaths a year in the US.
Puts Your Heart At Risk: Sleep deprivation can put you at risk for heart attack, heart disease, heart failure, irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure, stroke and diabetes.
Lowers Your Sex Drive: Sleep Specialists say that sleep-deprived men & women report lower libidos & less interest in sex when they are sleep deprived.
Ages Your Skin: When you don't get enough sleep your body releases a stress hormone called cortisol. In excess amounts, cortisol can break down your skin's collagen.
Causes Weight Gain:People who sleep less than six hours a day are 30% more likely to become obese than those who slept 7-9 hours.
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