Another World（7）

Teachers and fellow schoolmates, we hope all of you are well. With this familiar melody, the sound of our campus radio station begins now. 

Welcome to Another World, another wonder.

Today, I would like to share with you a relaxing theme--Sleep.

When the former British Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher, was in power, she did her job with very little sleep. Do you know how many hours of sleep she is said to have had each night? Well, just four hours. But we should know that not all of us are Thatcher and actually most of us can't keep awake if we haven't gotten enough sleep.

New research has shown that not getting enough sleep-or sleep deprivation-can have a negative effect on our ability to learn. Someone may ask--are you saying the more sleep I get, the cleverer I will be? Not exactly - Randy Gardner, who holds the world record for the longest period of time without sleep, has stayed awake for an incredible 11 days back in 1965. And he was actually functioning quite well even at the end of research.

Now, let's talk more about this link between sleep and the ability to learn. Researchers from Boston College in the USA have found that the lack of sleep is a significant factor in lowering the achievement of school pupils. The findings could be relevant to any of us who are trying to learn something. The most interesting fact is that it is more of a problem in affluent countries - so wealthier countries such as the United States, England, France and Saudi Arabia. Because students here are more affected by influences from their home life – liking to computers and TVs in their bedrooms and using smartphones they're tempted by all this technology instead of just getting their heads down and having a good night's sleep. The survey found that 80% of 13 and 14-year-olds in the US were identified by their teachers as being affected by a lack of sleep. But the international average was 57%.

Scientists believe that the lack of sleep causes your brain to run on empty. It struggles to absorb and retain ideas. The lack of sleep can also lead to health problems such as obesity - that's when someone is dangerously overweight-and has mood swings – that changes in how someone feels or behaves. So, what is the solution to all of this? Well the school day in some countries start later, allowing teenagers a bit of a lie in. And others have a break in the afternoon-like a siesta. But the real solution is for students to turn in-or go to bed-earlier. This research has also highlighted another problem. Because teachers are simplifying their lessons to take account of the agitated-or grumpy-students, there's concern that pupils who are getting enough sleep are losing out in these adjusted lessons. So everyone suffers.

It's always nice to have a nap – or what I’d like to call 40 winks– during the noon. A few years ago research by the East of England Development Agency found 30% of people have their best ideas in bed compared to just 11% who have them at their desk. The 40 winks is seen as a way to make staff more productive. They work harder and are more creative because a power-nap-a short period of sleep - makes workers feel refreshed and more alert. I like the sound of this! So i hope all of you will have a good bed time not only in night but at noon!

Would you look at that, once again, time has flown. Thanks again for listening, my friends. Have a pleasant week. 

Another World, another wonder. See you next Wednesday. Bye！

节目制作：雷佳欢、李庚桐、李翰麒、杨妍（嘉宾）、Peter（嘉宾） 

编辑：夏志道