Introduction to Sleep · 06 / Put it into practice

What would you do?

Five everyday situations. Choose the answer that best fits what you have explored. You can try again, and you will get an explanation for every answer.

Pass mark: 70% — with five questions, that means at least four correct answers. All questions need an answer.

1. Sam sleeps for five hours before learning a new route. He feels awake but keeps losing track of directions. Which explanation fits best? Feeling awake means his sleep was sufficient.Short sleep may be affecting his attention and learning.Sleep mainly affects muscles, so it is unlikely to matter.

2. Margaret, 72, now goes to bed and wakes earlier. She thinks this means she needs only five hours. What is the most useful response? Earlier waking confirms that five hours is enough.More time in bed will always solve the problem.Sleep timing can change with age, while the need for sleep remains important.

3. Lee sleeps seven and a half hours and usually feels rested. A friend insists that everyone must get exactly eight. Which response is most accurate? Most adults need around 7–9 hours; individual needs vary.Eight hours is a fixed requirement for every adult.Only how quickly you fall asleep matters.

4. Pat falls asleep quickly after an evening drink but wakes repeatedly later. What might explain this? Falling asleep quickly proves the drink improved sleep quality.Alcohol can make you drowsy but disrupt sleep later.Alcohol improves sleep only after you have used it regularly.

5. Alex snores loudly, sometimes gasps in sleep and is always tired in the day. What is the best next step? Wait until the symptoms have lasted for a year.Spend longer in bed before considering advice.Speak to a GP about possible sleep apnoea.