Shadowing Practice: Why You're Always Tired (and how to fix it) - Learn English Speaking with Video
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A portion of this video was sponsored by Google Career Certificates.
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Do you feel tired all the time?
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If you're anything like me, you've spent years of your life either waking up tired every single day or just generally feeling drained all the time.
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It sucks.
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Except I honestly don't feel that way anymore.
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I spent the past few years obsessing over sleep research
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and my own habits to figure out how to feel less tired
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and be more energized and that's what I'm going to share today.
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The top research and expert back tips that I've followed to not only feel more alert and alive, but it'll also help you fall asleep well way faster for those who struggle with that too.
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Consider this the ultimate guide to feeling less tired that you
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and I can reference back to whenever we're hitting those slumps in life.
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First up, we have to get two obvious things out of the way.
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Number one, are you getting enough sleep?
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I know this hardly feels like a tip worth sharing.
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Hmm, maybe you should sleep more if you're tired.
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Mind blown.
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But a lot of people don't know how much sleep their brain and body actually needs.
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Like, how many hours should you be asleep for?
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is seven to eight hours consistently is the most optimal, but over 50 % of people are getting less than six hours a night.
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And countless studies have shown that getting less than six hours on a regular basis is equivalent to being cognitively drunk,
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and under four hours a night is obviously even worse.
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There is a very small genetic minority that can handle really low hours, but chances are you and I are not it,
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especially if you clicked place to look is the sheer number of hours you're getting.
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Do whatever you can to regularly get as close to eight hours as possible
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and if you aren't already you'll likely feel a huge difference.
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And number two, just before we jump into the changes you can actually make today, an important question to ask yourself is: what is your chronotype?
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Are you an early bird or a night owl?
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These might just seem like cute terms but we can actually see genetic differences
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that make some people more prone to get up early and others to stay up late.
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And it's not simply a matter of making yourself go to bed at a different time.
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If you're night owl but you're trying to make yourself fall asleep early, you won't be getting good quality sleep because it doesn't match your innate circadian rhythm.
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It's part of the reason teenagers are so desperately exhausted in school
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because their chronotype naturally shifts to later at night as they go through puberty, meaning early mornings are exceptionally hard.
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Later start times at school increase class attendance, decrease behavioral and psychological problems, and decrease substance and alcohol abuse in teens.
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I know your schedule isn't always your choice but if you have the flexibility to match your chronotype, a long way to feeling less tired.
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Also know that your chronotype can change throughout your life.
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Alright, so I thought the easiest way to break down these science -backed tips would be chronologically.
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Starting from the moment you wake up and going through your day all the way to your bedtime and sleeping habits.
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But before we do that, I want to take a quick moment to thank today's sponsor, Google Career Certificates, for sponsoring this portion of the video.
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We know that good sleep improves your cognitive ability, memory capacity, reaction time, productivity, creativity.
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What better way to use those advantages than to get a certificate
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that can fast -track you to in -demand jobs in under six months without the need for a college degree
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or prior experience.
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Google Career Certificates not only lead to job opportunities by improving tangible skills, but you're able to take them at your own pace and on your own terms.
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They're available in job fields of IT support, data analytics, project management, and user experience design,
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and they recently launched the Google Digital Marketing and E -Commerce Certificate, which focuses on the skills that employers are hiring for.
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These certificates are taught and developed by Google employees who are subject matter experts working in these fields and upon completion,
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you can connect directly with top employers who are currently hiring.
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And unlike many other learning experiences, you won't be sleep deprived because of these.
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Score for sleeping!
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I started taking the marketing course myself.
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You know I love learning
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and it's amazing what it feels like to learn from someone who's a literal expert at Google in their field.
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Head to grow .google /certificates to start learning job -ready skills that will help you in job applications and interviews.
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Thanks again to Google Career Certificates for sponsoring this to more tiredness tips.
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Alright, what are the first moments of your day likely include?
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An alarm.
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It's maybe time to change your alarm sound.
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Studies have shown that melodic alarms, like those that play music, not only reduce perceived sleep inertia and tiredness in the morning,
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but actually improve psychomotor abilities and reduce attention issues compared to neutral alarms.
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Personally, I love an alarm that starts quiet and slowly builds over time so that I'm not jarred out of sleep, but ultimately you just want to choose something that's melodic, like music.
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Don't hit snooze.
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Your body goes through multiple sleep cycles every night from light sleep to deep sleep to REM sleep
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and then back to light sleep and this repeats over
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and over and
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if your alarm goes off in the middle of deep sleep you're way more likely to feel sleep inertia
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and groggy when woken up.
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Now the problem with the snooze button is
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when you're getting close to your natural waking time the body starts preparing itself by releasing hormones
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and increasing body temperature but alarms often cut this process short
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which is why you feel tired especially when sleep deprived
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but by hitting the snooze button you're basically telling your body to restart another sleep cycle and head back towards deep sleep.
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This means you'll have the same problem when the alarm goes off again and may feel even more tired.
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Honestly, you're much better off getting that extra 10
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or 20 minutes of sleep time than setting your alarm early and just snoozing it a bunch.
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Move around when you wake up.
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Recent evidence has shown that as little as 30 seconds of physical activity can improve perceived alertness in the morning.
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This may be because of an increased cortisol awakening response.
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Important to note that while participants felt They actually didn't perform any better on tests with morning exercise, but hey, sometimes you just want to feel better.
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Expose yourself to bright light in the morning.
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Light exposure is key to regulating your sleep patterns.
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Of course, sunlight is the best way to trigger this, but studies have even found that bright, artificial light in the morning can help stimulate wakefulness.
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Even beyond just the morning, make sure you're being exposed to daylight.
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Try to get outside in natural sunlight for at least 30 minutes a day, and if you have problems falling asleep, experts recommend one hour of morning daylight exposure,
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Turn down the lights before bedtime.
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Hydration.
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First thing in the morning when your body hasn't taken in any fluids for a while can be super helpful.
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Studies have shown that not only are alertness and concentration improved with hydration, but so are cognitive abilities and your mood.
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Caffeine.
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We all know her, we all love her.
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I mean, obviously caffeine's like a secret cheat code for feeling less tired.
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Your brain naturally accumulates adenosine through the day, making you feel tired, but caffeine binds to these same receptors, blocking them from making you feel tired.
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And that's a great temporary solution.
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Except with chronic caffeine use, your brain actually creates more receptors, meaning you need more caffeine to block that adenosine accumulation.
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For the most part, people can have a perfectly healthy relationship with caffeine.
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The bigger problem seems to be how close to bedtime you're drinking it.
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Since the half -life of coffee is around 6 hours, that means if you have a coffee at 6pm, by midnight there would still be 50 % of it in your body,
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and this caffeine has a direct impact on sleep quality.
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Ultimately, trying to contain your caffeine intake to the morning or midday will not only make it easier to fall asleep, improve your sleep quality through the night.
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Speaking of stuff you're consuming, let's talk about diet.
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Now, anecdotally, I personally feel a huge difference when I'm eating healthy consistently, and so this has become a major focus area for me.
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I can immediately feel energy changes when I'm not eating well, but the science behind this area is tricky 'cause there's so many different diets and everybody's body reacts differently to food.
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There are some studies that show correlations between whole food diets and higher energy levels, or that higher levels of processed foods make people feel more tired.
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low -fiber diets also impact non -REM sleep quality, and result in more awakenings at night.
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Without trying to give you diet advice, I'll just say that for me, my food intake has personally played a huge role in my energy levels.
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But the hardest part was that it wasn't an immediate thing.
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It's been sort of over a long -term habit change that I could really see those differences.
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I still obviously let myself indulge, but now I can immediately feel the difference when I've eaten really unwell.
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We all have a general idea of what healthy eating is, so do what feels right for you within those guidelines.
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Similar to coffee, though, 'cause that can cause indigestion, which impacts your sleep.
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Exercise.
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This one has been the other game changer for me, which I know is so annoying to hear.
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I used to hate exercising, but I started by just adding more walks in my day, and have slowly worked my way up to proper resistance training and cardio.
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I'm actually really proud of how far I've come.
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Like, look at me lifting those weights.
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Sleep studies show that exercise increases total sleep time, especially non -REM, and increases the overall quality of sleep.
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On average, subjective alertness improves, and the time it takes participants to fall asleep decreases, waking times across the night.
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But an interesting takeaway from these studies is that the relationship between exercise
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and sleep isn't always consistent on a day -to -day basis.
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So just because you worked out hard today doesn't mean you'll see or feel those benefits tonight.
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Much like diet, it's the long -term changes that seem to make a bigger difference.
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Ironically, studies also find that while exercise improves sleep, sleep can improve your exercise capacity, so it's a nice little positive reinforcement circle going on there.
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I know it's impossible to untangle the tips I've already shared and the ones I've still yet to share, but I feel like exercise has had one of the biggest impacts on my life.
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I spend a lot of the day sitting on a chair, looking at a computer, and the days where I go without moving, I can physically feel my energy levels lower.
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It's the weirdest phenomenon that moving and using energy gives you more energy, but personally, that is what I have found.
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Ultimately, it's pretty clear from the research that a sedentary lifestyle not only impacts sleep quality, but life quality.
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The only time to avoid exercise is, you guessed it, right before bed.
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Body temperature can remain high for an hour or two, for your body to drop its temperature in preparation for sleep.
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Napping, my favorite thing.
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20 to 30 minute naps have been shown to increase productivity, cognitive function, memory, creativity, and make people feel less tired.
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Just remember though, under 30 minutes, and you're not likely to go into deep sleep.
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If you wanna go longer, I suggest sleeping a full sleep cycle, which is around 1 .5 hours for most people.
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To me, this is a sleep and not a nap, but you're way more likely to wake up out of light sleep and experience less sleep inertia.
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Finally, try not to nap after 3 :00 PM, affect your ability to fall asleep later.
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Alcohol.
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It's ironic that we tend to drink in the evenings because alcohol is sleep's worst enemy.
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You might think a nightcap relaxes you or helps you fall asleep better, but the truth is it robs you of REM sleep and keeps you in the lighter stages of sleep.
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It can contribute to impaired breathing through the night
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and you're more likely to wake up in the middle of the night when the effects have worn off.
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And of course, being hungover won't make you feel any more energetic tomorrow or look any better for that matter.
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Now, when it comes to bedtime, have a warm shower or bath before bed.
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get out of the warmth, your body will radiate the heat and start working to cool down.
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And this is actually one of the natural processes that happens as you fall asleep.
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Your body temperature drops.
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So by creating an environment where that can happen naturally, your body and brain will begin to feel sleepy.
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Not to mention the natural relaxation that a calming bath can provide.
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Sleep in a dark, cool environment.
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For a similar reason, having a cool environment helps promote sleep.
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And darkness plays a major role in not stimulating your brain, so remove any gadgets or bright clocks that might be
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clock it's better to turn it away from you so you won't worry about the time while you're trying to fall asleep.
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Put away your gadgets.
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I know it's tempting, if not literally impossible, not to sit in bed and use your phone, and I even used to use mine as my alarm.
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But not only does pre -bedtime phone use stimulate your brain with activity and shine light directly into your eyes, tricking your brain into thinking the time might be different,
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but simply having the phone in your room and being able to see it can occupy your mind.
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So if you can bear it, put the phone and any other gadgets outside your bedroom.
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Don't lie awake in bed.
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until you feel sleepy.
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It's so easy to feel anxious when your eyes are closed
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and nothing's happening and you know you have to be up early in the morning.
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That only makes things worse, so get up for a bit and do what you can to just chill and relax.
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If you wake up in the middle of the night, don't check the clock.
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Checking the time in the middle of the night can cause anxiety and a cortisol spike, which will only make it harder to go back to sleep.
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Individuals who have insomnia often watch the clock, causing a similar effect.
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And while you're up, try and avoid any bright lights, like a bathroom light.
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Again, your body's circadian rhythm responds to light, the darker you can keep it, the better.
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Nightlights aren't just for kids.
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Now, before I go over the final and most important tip, it's worth mentioning that there are obviously health issues, and medical conditions that can affect not only your sleep, but your energy levels.
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So if you seem to be trying everything and nothing's working, it's definitely worth talking to your healthcare professional.
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And perhaps the most important tip of all, develop a sleep schedule.
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This, along with exercise and sleep, has easily had the biggest impact on my energy levels.
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You wanna try and go to bed and wake up at the same time, If you can't follow any other tips, I suggest this one in conjunction with getting enough sleep.
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Creating a routine will set up your body to work like literal clockwork.
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Anytime my sleep schedule gets moved around, whether we're traveling or it was the weekend and I was out, I can always tell how badly it impacts my life over the next few days.
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So the more you can keep a consistent schedule, the more your body knows the game, when to fall asleep immediately, when it should start its morning routine, and when you need your most energy.
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I'm telling you, commit to a schedule, and even when you get bumped into your sleep, it's not going to be a good time off of it, which is inevitable, just take your time and get back on track.
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For me, that's going to bed at midnight and waking up at 8 a .m every day that I possibly can.
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For you, that might be shifted to a different time.
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And when I'm in a good swing of it, I rarely need my alarm because my body just naturally wakes up.
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At the end of the day, I'll say it again, for me, I think sleep schedule, exercise, and diet have had the biggest role in my energy levels.
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Yes, I fall off course and sometimes have bad days or weeks in a row where I'm exhausted, but thinking back on who I used to be before I implemented all these practices,
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I was literally tired every day.
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I would say it to myself, I'm always exhausted and I actually don't feel that way anymore.
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Yes, I still have tired days, but me as a whole, I'm a person with way more energy.
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So my fingers are crossed that this list is useful to you and helps you become a more well -rested, energized person.
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If you have your own personal anecdotes or other studies you know of, feel free to comment.
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Many people will be looking at me for any little extra chip they can do to optimize their sleep and energy.
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Otherwise, thank you so much for watching.
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Make sure you hit the like button if you liked it and made it this far.
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Make sure you subscribe and we'll see you next time for some more science.
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Peace.
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Context & Background
In the video titled "Why You're Always Tired (and how to fix it)", the speaker delves into the pervasive issue of fatigue that many people experience daily. By sharing personal experiences and research-backed insights, the speaker aims to empower viewers with actionable tips to enhance their energy levels and improve sleep quality. Key notions like sleep duration, chronotypes, and the importance of aligning one’s sleep habits with their natural rhythms are discussed, making it a valuable resource for those seeking to feel more alert and energized. Understanding these concepts not only enriches one's vocabulary but also provides essential speaking practice in a real-world context.
Top 5 Phrases for Daily Communication
- “Do you feel tired all the time?” - A common way to initiate a conversation about fatigue.
- “How many hours should you be asleep for?” - A crucial question that leads to discussions about sleep health.
- “Are you getting enough sleep?” - A direct inquiry that can lead to personal sharing about sleep habits.
- “What is your chronotype?” - A key term that opens up dialogue about sleep preferences and biological rhythms.
- “You likely feel a huge difference.” - A phrase to encourage someone to consider the benefits of following health tips.
Step-by-step Shadowing Guide
If you want to improve your English speaking practice using this video, the following guide will help you effectively employ shadowing techniques, particularly through the use of a shadowing app. Shadowing involves mimicking the speech of a native speaker, which can greatly enhance your pronunciation, intonation, and overall fluency.
- Listen Carefully: Start by watching the video without any interruptions. Pay close attention to the speaker's pronunciation and rhythm.
- Select Key Phrases: Choose phrases from the “Top 5 Phrases for Daily Communication” section. These phrases are useful for everyday scenarios.
- Use a Shadowing App: Upload the selected phrases into a shadowing app. This will help you listen and record your repetition alongside the speaker.
- Practice Regularly: Engage in daily shadow speech by repeating the phrases aloud. Use your app to play segments of the video, pausing as needed to repeat the speaker’s words.
- Evaluate Progress: Record your own speech and compare it to the original. Listen for differences in pronunciation and try to adjust accordingly.
Remember, incorporating these tips into your routine will not only improve your English skills but also provide a practical context to discuss topics like energy levels and health, making your conversations richer and more engaging.
What is the Shadowing Technique?
Shadowing is a science-backed language learning technique originally developed for professional interpreter training and popularized by polyglot Dr. Alexander Arguelles. The method is simple but powerful: you listen to native English audio and immediately repeat it out loud — like a shadow following the speaker with just a 1–2 second delay. Unlike passive listening or grammar drills, shadowing forces your brain and mouth muscles to simultaneously process and reproduce real speech patterns. Research shows it significantly improves pronunciation accuracy, intonation, rhythm, connected speech, listening comprehension, and speaking fluency — making it one of the most effective methods for IELTS Speaking preparation and real-world English communication.