Naps: Good for your brain? BBC News Review

Summary

This BBC Learning English News Review explores the impact of daytime napping on brain health. A new study suggests that regular short naps, or 'power naps', may slow brain shrinkage associated with aging and potentially reduce Alzheimer's risk. The program discusses different types of naps and their effects, using vocabulary like 'sharp' for alertness and 'hinder' to describe negative impacts. It also touches on how naps can either help or hinder health, depending on their duration.

Takeaways

• 📝 New research suggests that regular short naps during the day can slow down the shrinking of the brain as we age.
• 📚 'Power naps' are short sleeps taken during the day, often to improve job performance and may reduce the risk of Alzheimer's.
• 📝 The term 'nap' can refer to any short sleep, but 'power naps' are specifically aimed at enhancing work productivity.
• 📚 Other types of naps include 'cat naps', which are similar but not necessarily work-related.
• 📝 'Sharp' in the context of the brain refers to being alert and having quick thinking abilities.
• 📚 Regular naps are linked to maintaining a 'sharp' brain, which means better cognitive performance.
• 📝 The study from the Daily Express indicates that the length of naps can affect health differently; short naps can be beneficial, while long naps may hinder it.
• 📚 'Hinder' means to make something more difficult or worse, and in the context of the study, long naps can hinder health by increasing the risk of obesity and high blood pressure.
• 📝 The video from BBC Learning English provides vocabulary and insights into the benefits and potential drawbacks of napping.
• 📚 Subscribing to the BBC Learning English channel offers more opportunities to learn English through various topics, including health and sleep.

Q & A

What is the main topic discussed in the BBC Learning English News Review?

The main topic discussed is the potential protective effect of regular short sleeps, or naps, during the day on the brain, particularly in relation to aging and the risk of developing conditions like Alzheimer's.

What does the term 'power nap' refer to?

A 'power nap' refers to a short sleep, usually taken during the working day, with the purpose of improving job performance and alertness.

What is another term similar to 'power nap' mentioned in the script?

Another term similar to 'power nap' mentioned is 'cat nap', which is a short sleep but not specifically associated with work.

What does the word 'sharp' mean in the context of the brain?

In the context of the brain, 'sharp' is a metaphor for being alert and capable of thinking quickly.

What does the word 'hinder' mean?

The word 'hinder' means to make something more difficult or worse, often used in contrast with 'help'.

According to the script, how can naps affect brain capacity?

Naps, specifically power naps, are suggested to be linked to greater brain capacity, potentially slowing down the natural reduction in brain size as we age.

What is the potential long-term benefit of taking naps mentioned in the script?

The potential long-term benefit of taking naps, as mentioned in the script, is a reduced risk of developing conditions like Alzheimer's in later life.

What is the difference between the effects of long and short naps on health according to one of the studies mentioned?

Long naps can be associated with obesity, while shorter naps can reduce the risk of high blood pressure, according to one of the studies mentioned.

What other vocabulary related to sleep is mentioned in the script?

Other vocabulary related to sleep mentioned includes 'snooze' and 'to nod off'.

What action do the hosts encourage viewers to take after watching the video?

The hosts encourage viewers to subscribe to their channel, like the video, and try the quiz on their website.

What is the significance of the phrase 'make sure you watch to the end' used in the script?

The phrase 'make sure you watch to the end' is used to emphasize that important information, including vocabulary, is presented throughout the entire video, and viewers should watch the full video to learn it all.

Outlines

00:00

💤 The Benefits of Power Naps for Brain Health

This paragraph discusses the potential benefits of 'power naps', which are short sleeps during the day, on brain health. It introduces the topic with a news story about how regular short naps can slow down the shrinking of the brain that occurs with age, potentially reducing the risk of Alzheimer's disease. The vocabulary words 'power nap', 'sharp', and 'hinder' are highlighted. The script explains that 'power naps' are short sleeps during the day, often taken to improve work performance. It contrasts 'power naps' with 'cat naps' and other sleep-related terms like 'snooze' and 'to nod off'. The paragraph also mentions another study suggesting that naps can help keep the brain sharp, using the metaphor of a 'sharp' brain to describe alertness and quick thinking.

05:06

🌙 The Impact of Naps on Health

The second paragraph continues the discussion on sleep, focusing on how the length of naps can affect health differently. It references a study that suggests long naps may be linked to obesity, while shorter naps can lower the risk of high blood pressure. The term 'hinder' is explained as making things more difficult or worse, and is used to contrast the helpfulness of shorter naps with the potential unhelpfulness of longer ones. The paragraph concludes with a reminder to subscribe for more English learning opportunities and a farewell from the hosts.

Keywords

💡power nap

A 'power nap' refers to a short sleep, typically taken during the day, with the intent to boost alertness and cognitive performance. It is a central concept in the video, as it is linked to greater brain capacity and is suggested to potentially reduce the risk of developing conditions like Alzheimer's. In the script, the hosts discuss how power naps are different from other types of naps and emphasize their benefits for brain health.

💡brain capacity

Brain capacity in the context of the video pertains to the size and functionality of the brain, which can be influenced by factors such as regular short sleeps or naps. The video suggests that power naps are linked to greater brain capacity, implying that they might help maintain or enhance cognitive abilities as one ages.

💡Alzheimer's

Alzheimer's is a type of dementia that affects memory, thinking, and behavior. The video mentions that regular short sleeps during the day might reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer's later in life, highlighting the potential long-term health benefits of napping.

💡cat nap

A 'cat nap' is a short, light sleep similar to a power nap but not necessarily associated with work or productivity enhancement. It is mentioned in the script to contrast with power naps, indicating that not all types of naps are geared towards improving job performance.

💡snooze

The term 'snooze' is used to describe the act of dozing off or falling asleep, often briefly. In the video, it is one of the various words related to sleep mentioned to enrich the vocabulary around the concept of napping.

💡nod off

To 'nod off' means to fall asleep, typically unintentionally or briefly. It is used in the script to describe a casual sleep occurrence, contrasting with the intentional and purposeful nature of a power nap.

💡sharp

In the video, 'sharp' is used metaphorically to describe a brain that is alert and capable of thinking quickly. It relates to the theme by suggesting that taking naps can help one stay mentally sharp, especially in later life.

💡hinder

To 'hinder' means to make something more difficult or to impede progress. In the context of the video, it is used to discuss how long naps might hinder health by being associated with obesity, while shorter naps can be beneficial and reduce the risk of high blood pressure.

💡obesity

Obesity is a medical condition involving excess body fat. The video suggests a link between long naps and obesity, indicating that the length of naps can have different health implications.

💡high blood pressure

High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is mentioned as a health risk that can be reduced by taking shorter naps. This keyword ties into the video's discussion on the varying effects of nap length on health.

💡subscribe

The term 'subscribe' is used in the video to encourage viewers to follow the channel for more content. It is part of the call to action, aiming to grow the audience and ensure they don't miss future videos on similar topics.

Highlights

Our brains get smaller as we age, but regular short naps may slow this process.

Short naps during the day might reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer's.

The vocabulary for discussing this story includes 'power nap', 'sharp', and 'hinder'.

Power naps are short sleeps during the working day to improve job performance.

A 'cat nap' is a short sleep not necessarily associated with work.

Other sleep-related terms include 'snooze' and 'to nod off'.

Naps can help the brain stay alert and think quickly, described as 'sharp'.

'Sharp' is a metaphor for being alert and having quick thinking abilities.

Regular naps can keep the brain performing well, similar to practicing English.

Long naps can be associated with obesity, while shorter naps can reduce high blood pressure risk.

'Hinder' means to make things harder or worse, often used with 'help'.

Shorter naps are helpful for health, while longer ones may be unhelpful.

The word 'hinder' is not common in spoken English but is paired with 'help'.

If something is less useful than expected, it might hinder rather than help.

Working may hinder the ability to take regular naps.

There is more about sleep and its impact on health in another video.

Subscribe to the channel to learn more English and stay updated.

Transcripts

Could a short sleep during the day.

protect your brain?

This is News Review from BBC Learning English.

I'm Beth. And I'm Phil.

Make sure you watch to the end to learn all the vocabulary

that you need to talk about this story.

And don't forget to subscribe to our channel, like this video

and try the quiz on our website.

Now, today's story.

Our brains get smaller as we get older, but this doesn't happen as fast

in people who take regular short sleeps during the day.

That's according to a new study. Researchers suggest

that these naps might reduce the risk of developing conditions

like Alzheimer's in later life.

You've been looking at the headlines.

What's the vocabulary?

We have 'power nap',

'sharp', and 'hinder'.

This is News Review from BBC Learning English.

Let's have a look at our first headline.

This is from iNews.

Power naps linked to greater brain capacity, scientists say.

So brain capacity is about brain size and

this headline says that it's linked to something called 'power naps'.

Now we're going to look at this phrase 'power naps',

but Phil, the word 'nap'.

Isn't that a short sleep that babies have?

Well, anyone can have a nap,

but we're looking at 'power naps'. Now,

these are short sleeps,

usually during the working day in order to be able to do your job better.

And in fact, maybe I should have a power nap after recording this.

Well, that might be good for your brain.

That's what this headline is saying,

but there are other types of nap, aren't there?

Yes, you might have heard of a 'cat nap' which is kind of similar,

but it's not associated with work and we have other words to talk about sleep

like 'snooze' or 'to nod off' and many others.

OK, well before our audience nods off.

Let's look at that again.

  Let's have our next headline.

Yeah. This one is from the Times.

Taking more naps could help you to stay sharp

in later life.

Now, again, we're talking about naps

and this article refers to another study which suggested

that having naps can help our brains perform better.

The word. We're looking at is 'sharp' . Now, Phil.

I know a sharp knife.

But what is a sharp brain?

Well, you've probably guessed that.

It's a metaphor.

If you describe someone as 'sharp'.

It means they're alert and they can think quickly.

Think about when you've had a good rest, and you're feeling good.

Everything just seems to be a bit easier.

Yep, and we use it to talk about people that always have a quick answer

for something. We can say that they are sharp or that they have a sharp mind.

Yes, and it's being used here to say that regular naps will keep your brain

performing well.

Yes, just like how practising your English

every day will keep your language skills sharp.

OK, let's look at that again.

OK, next headline please. This one is

from the Daily Express. Naps could help or hinder your health,

depending on their length, study suggests.

Now, this is actually referring to a different study and it says

that long naps can be associated with obesity while

shorter naps can reduce the risk of high blood pressure.

We are looking at the word 'hinder'.

And this is often used with the word

'help' isn't it. It is,

but it means the opposite. To 'hinder' means 'to make things harder'

or worse. Now,

here we are looking at health.

So, the headline is saying that some naps - shorter ones - are helpful.

While others - longer ones - are unhelpful.

That's right and 'hinder' is not that common in spoken English,

but it is often used with the word 'help'.

And that's because of those two 'h's. Hinder and help.

So, for example,

if something turns out to be less useful than you expected it to be.

It might actually hinder rather than help you.

I could also say

that having to work hinders me being able to take naps regularly.

That's right. OK, let's look at that again.

We've had 'power nap'.

A short sleep during the day.

'Sharp' - alert and quick thinking.

'Hinder' - to make something difficult or worse.

Now, there's more about sleep in this video,

where we ask 'are late nights bad for your health?'

And don't forget to subscribe here, so you never miss a chance to learn more English.

Thanks for joining us, bye. Bye.