Daily Life - Trying To Sleep (C0236)

Jill: Alex, what's up with you? You look dreadful!
Alex: Hey Jill, I don't know. I've been having trouble sleeping these past few weeks. I usually lie in bed for hours trying to get to sleep . I've tried stretching and different breathing techniques before going to bed . I've tried eating and not eating different foods. I've even tried counting sheep! And then when I finally get to sleep , I have these really disturbing nightmares, so I usually wake up in a panic and more tired than before I went to sleep .
Jill: Wow, maybe you should get that checked out. Maybe you're stressed?
C: Just take some sedatives! Works for me! Every so often having some melatonin on hand helps me when I have trouble sleeping . It works on all kinds of sleeping disorders . It's the stuff pilots use to regulate their sleeping patterns .
Jill: I heard of that. But does that apply to Alex's situation?
C: Ya sure, why not ? Sounds like he only has transient insomnia since it's a recent thing so taking melatonin do the trick.
Jill: But shouldn't he be looking into WHY it's been happening?
C: Well aren't youthe little psychologist? Our buddy's having trouble sleeping , it's easy and curable. It's not something freakish like if he was a sleepwalker.
Alex: Well, there's that too.

Key Vocabulary

go to sleep fall asleep
sedative a drug that calms or relaxes someone
nightmare a dream that cause horror
sleeping pattern the regular time of sleeping
do the trick accomplish the desired task
sleeping disorder people who have a medical disorder of the sleep
get to sleep fall asleep

Supplementary Vocabulary

sleeping pills medication used to help you fall asleep
night terrors severe nightmares
sleep apnea a sleep disorder where the breathing is irregular
REM cycle the sleeping cycle
sleep deprivation to go without sleep for a long period of time

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