A List Of Ten Myths And Misconceptions About Sleeping Debunked And Disproved

By Author: Emilee Jaden
Total Articles: 68
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However we have all experienced those nights, when we toss and turn and glance over at the clock every 5 minutes worrying about how little sleep we will get.

Here are ten sleep myths, which are believed by most people. Accompanied with the best ways to make sure you get a good nights sleep.

1.Every Adult needs around 7 and 8 hours of sleep per night This is not entirely true, although the average person does sleep for around 7 or 8 hours, people have been know to sleep as long as ten hours per night and as little as five. Instead of chasing the average, try and work out what suits you best and stick to that.

2.We should try to make up for all our lost sleep on subsequent nights
This is not ideal as your sleep pattern will become disrupted and although you will wake up feeling refreshed Monday morning, you will slump Mid-afternoon. Instead stick to balanced routine and try not to sleep more than an extra two hours at the weekend.

3.The older you are the less sleep you need. An adult requires the same amount of sleep throughout their life. However when you're older ...
... it may become more difficult to sleep, you may be woken up easier by the slightest noise and your sleep pattern fragmented.

4.Waking up during the night means you'll be tired all day. This slight pause in sleeping will cause you to be noticeably more sleeping during the day, it will also hinder your ability to make decisions and react quickly, as well as fighting off infections. A sleep debt will build up if your interrupted sleep is consistent, making you feel excessively tired.

5.Naps are a waste of time. A full nights sleep cannot be replaced however a quick power nap can revive you to some extent and may you more alert. Napping after 3pm can affect your sleeping pattern later that even.

6.A good workout in the evening will make you tired so you'll fall asleep faster. Exercise is better earlier in the day as it increases your temperature which will stay high hours effecting how quickly you fall asleep. Some people do find it does help as they feel more tired so it is easier to fall asleep, so find out what's best for you.

7.It's good to hang out in your bedroom at night, before you go to sleep, because it will get you "ready" to fall asleep. It is always best to get a routine before going to bed, this way your body recognises the routine with sleeping so will relax and cool itself down. This way it will be easier to drift off.

8.Eating before bedtime will cause nightmares There is no medical evidence to prove that certain foods, such as cheese causes nightmares. However eating before bed can cause discomfort and problems with digestion, therefore causing a difficult and interrupted sleep.

9.Snoring is the same as Sleep Apnea Snoring and Sleep Apnea often get confused with each other when in fact Sleep Apnea is a lot more serious as the sufferer will stop breathing several times a night. To help with the condition, a CPAP (Continuous positive airway pressure) sleep apnea mask is advised to help keep airways open as you sleep.

10.Watching TV in my bedroom and working on my laptop in bed helps me wind down and fall asleep. Any type of activity which requires you to be alert, is counter-productive when trying to sleep. It prevents your body from relaxing instead keeping it alert. It is also advised that you keep your bedroom primarily for sleeping.

Ensuring you get a good nights sleep will have a positive effect on your body, mind and general health. If you still struggle with sleeping, don't panic and seek advice from your family GP.