Этот текст представляет собой простое пошаговое руководство по улучшению сна на упрощённом английском языке (уровень Pre-Intermediate). В нём собраны основные методы когнитивно-поведенческой терапии: от сокращения времени в постели и изменения негативных мыслей о сне до управления стрессом и правильного распорядка дня. Материал будет полезен для изучающих английский язык, которые хотят совместить практику чтения с полезными советами по борьбе с бессонницей.
Do you have problems sleeping at night? Many people do. You are not alone. Bad sleep can make you feel tired, angry, and sad. But there are simple ways to fix your sleep. You can learn to sleep better. Here is how.
First, you need a regular schedule. Go to bed at the same time every night. Wake up at the same time every morning. Do this even on weekends. This helps your body know when to sleep.
Second, get out of bed if you cannot sleep. Do not stay in bed and worry. If you are awake for 20 minutes, get up. Go to another room. Read a book in a soft light. Do not use your phone. Return to bed only when you feel sleepy again. This teaches your brain that bed is for sleep, not for worry.
Third, reduce your time in bed. Many people stay in bed for 8 hours but sleep only 6. This is not good. Spend less time in bed. Try to match your time in bed with your real sleep time. For example, if you sleep 6 hours, stay in bed for only 6.5 hours. This makes your sleep deeper and better.
Fourth, change your thoughts about sleep. Do not think “I need 8 hours or I will fail tomorrow.” This is not true. Most people can function well with 6 hours of sleep. Tell yourself “I can handle a bad night. The worst thing is just feeling tired. I will be okay.” This reduces your fear of insomnia.
Fifth, manage stress. Stress is a big problem for sleep. Learn to relax. Take slow, deep breaths. Breathe in, breathe out. Do this for 5-10 minutes every day. This calms your body and helps you sleep better.
Sixth, stop watching the clock at night. When you look at the clock, you feel more stress. Turn the clock away. Do not check the time. Remember, even if you wake up, you can rest. Rest is still good for your body.
Seventh, be careful with caffeine and alcohol. Caffeine keeps you awake. Do not drink coffee or tea after 2 PM. Alcohol can help you fall asleep but makes your sleep worse later. It causes you to wake up in the night.
Eighth, exercise during the day. Walking, running, or swimming helps you sleep better. But do not exercise right before bed. Exercise 3-6 hours before you sleep.
Finally, remember this important fact: you sleep more than you think. People with insomnia often think they sleep 2-3 hours, but they actually sleep 5-6 hours. Your mind plays tricks on you. Trust that you are sleeping more than you feel.
With practice, your sleep will improve. Be patient. It takes time. But you can do it. Good luck, and good night!
Quick Tips for Bad Nights
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If you wake up at night, do not fight it. Accept it.
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Tell yourself: “I am resting. This is okay.”
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Do not check the time.
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If you are awake for 20 minutes, get up and read.
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Remember: one bad night is not a disaster. You will be fine.
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You can survive on 5-6 hours of sleep. You have done it before.
Vocabulary List (Словарь)
1. regular /ˈreɡjələ/ регулярный, постоянный
happening at the same time every day
You need a regular schedule. — Тебе нужно регулярное расписание.
2. schedule /ˈʃedjuːl/ расписание
a plan for when you do things
You need a regular schedule. — Тебе нужно регулярное расписание.
3. worry /ˈwʌri/ беспокоиться
to think about problems and feel afraid
Do not stay in bed and worry. — Не оставайся в кровати и не беспокойся.
4. sleepy /ˈsliːpi/ сонный
feeling that you want to sleep
Return to bed only when you feel sleepy again. — Возвращайся в кровать, только когда снова почувствуешь сонливость.
5. reduce /rɪˈdjuːs/ уменьшать
to make something smaller or less
Reduce your time in bed. — Уменьши время в кровати.
6. match /mætʃ/ соответствовать
to be the same as something
Match your time in bed with your real sleep time. — Пусть время в кровати соответствует реальному времени сна.
7. deeper /ˈdiːpə/ более глубокий
stronger, more restful
This makes your sleep deeper and better. — Это делает твой сон глубже и лучше.
8. function /ˈfʌŋkʃən/ функционировать
to work, to do what you need to do
Most people can function well with 6 hours of sleep. — Большинство людей могут хорошо функционировать с 6 часами сна.
9. handle /ˈhændəl/ справляться
to deal with a problem
I can handle a bad night. — Я могу справиться с плохой ночью.
10. fear /fɪə/ страх
the feeling of being afraid
This reduces your fear of insomnia. — Это уменьшает твой страх перед бессонницей.
11. insomnia /ɪnˈsɒmniə/ бессонница
the condition of not being able to sleep
This reduces your fear of insomnia. — Это уменьшает твой страх перед бессонницей.
12. manage /ˈmænɪdʒ/ управлять, справляться
to control or deal with something
Manage stress. — Управляй стрессом.
13. stress /stres/ стресс
mental pressure or worry
Stress is a big problem for sleep. — Стресс — это большая проблема для сна.
14. relax /rɪˈlæks/ расслабляться
to become calm and less tense
Learn to relax. — Научись расслабляться.
15. deep breaths /diːp breθs/ глубокие вдохи
breathing in and out slowly
Take slow, deep breaths. — Делай медленные, глубокие вдохи.
16. clock /klɒk/ часы
a device that shows time
Stop watching the clock at night. — Перестань смотреть на часы ночью.
17. caffeine /ˈkæfiːn/ кофеин
a substance in coffee, tea, and cola that keeps you awake
Caffeine keeps you awake. — Кофеин не дает тебе уснуть.
18. alcohol /ˈælkəhɒl/ алкоголь
a substance in wine, beer, and other drinks
Alcohol can help you fall asleep but makes your sleep worse later. — Алкоголь может помочь тебе уснуть, но ухудшает сон позже.
19. exercise /ˈeksəsaɪz/ упражнения, тренировка
physical activity like walking or running
Exercise during the day. — Занимайся физическими упражнениями днем.
20. play tricks /pleɪ trɪks/ обманывать
to make you believe something that is not true
Your mind plays tricks on you. — Твой разум обманывает тебя.
21. trust /trʌst/ доверять
to believe that something is true
Trust that you are sleeping more than you feel. — Доверяй тому, что ты спишь больше, чем тебе кажется.
22. improve /ɪmˈpruːv/ улучшать
to become better
Your sleep will improve. — Твой сон улучшится.
23. patient /ˈpeɪʃənt/ терпеливый
able to wait without getting angry
Be patient! — Будь терпеливым!
