The Top Ten Misconceptions And Myths About Sleep Explained And Disproved

Despite this we have those nights, where we just can't get comfortable and peer over at the clock every 5 minutes worrying about how little sleep we will get.


Here are ten sleep myths, which are believed by many people to be true. Accompanied with hints and ideas on ensuring you get a peaceful nights sleep.


1.Every Adult needs around 7 and 8 hours of sleep per night This is not entirely true although being advisable and the average, people have been known to sleep for 10 hours or 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 advisable 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 a balanced sleep pattern, sleep on average the same each night and not sleeping 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. As you get older however, 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. If this disrupted sleep is consistent a sleep debt will build up making you feel excessively tired.


5.Naps are a waste of time. A full nights sleep cannot be replaced Taking a nap after 3pm can affect your sleep pattern for that night, making you less tired so it being more difficult to fall asleep.

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. However some people find it makes it 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 sleep, your body recognises that you are preparing yourself for sleep and gets your body ready. This way it will be quicker and a lot easier for you to fall asleep.

8.Eating before bedtime will cause nightmares It has not yet been proven that certain foods do cause nightmares. However eating before bed will hinder digestion and will cause discomfort, therefore resulting in a interrupted and irregular sleep.


9.Snoring is the same as Sleep Apnea It is a common misunderstanding that Snoring is the same as Sleep Apnea when in fact this most serious of the two, Sleep Apnea can cause the sleeper to stop breathing several times a night. Medical experts advise that sufferers use a CPAP mask as they 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 and keeps your body alert. It is also advised that you keep your bedroom primarily for sleeping.


Ensuring you get a good nights sleep will have a positive impact on your body, mind and general health. If you still can't seem to get a full nights sleep, try not to panic and seek advice from your family doctor.