We have all heard of the famous Thanksgiving turkey making you sleepy, and a lot of myths about sleep that you can only wonder as you try to get a good night’s sleep. We all know that getting quality sleep is very important in keeping us energized for the day’s task. Without proper sleep, one cannot function properly in his or her waking hours. A lot of road accidents have even been attributed to drivers lacking good sleep. When sleep eats up almost half of our lives, we need to make sure that we know the truth from fiction.
Six Most Common Sleep Myths
You may have heard of one or more from this list, and at some point, you may find yourself guilty of having believed it. These are:
- Get Eight Hours of Sleep
What’s with the number? Know that each of us has different sleep patterns and you don’t really have to make it exactly 8 hours to feel rested.
- The More You Sleep, The Better You Get
For older people, this may work. Even those who are sad, depressed, or anxious may benefit from more sleep to recover. Still, there is more to be known about this myth and long sleepers may actually be having a sleep disorder called sleep apnea, or they may suffer depression and diabetes that’s why they spend more time in bed.
- You Can Do With Just 4 Hours of Sleep
You may be a short sleeper, but too little sleep is actually bad for your health. You can weaken your immune system and you can gain more weight. Getting less than six hours of sleep is the same as sleeping longer, where you are at higher risk of heart diseases and even death.
- Lie-Ins are GREAT
Not Really! You may feel good, but if you lie-in longer, you might just feel groggy like you’re drunk. Your body needs regular sleep and the last thing you want is to wake up in odd hours because of disrupted sleep cycle.
- Pop a Pill If You Can’t Sleep
Sleep medications are made for short-term purposes, but if you are becoming dependent on it, it’s time to take natural courses to find your way to a better sleep. There are simple ways where you can sleep well at nights like a simple meditation exercise, listening to binaural beats, or even a warm bath of your favorite scents.
- Make Up for Lost Sleep During the Weekends
This might have been popular for those working on weekdays. Beware! You may get sleep bulimia which makes it even harder for you to get that reviving sleep. You just don’t bank on deficits when it comes to sleep. You need to be consistent with your sleeping patterns for you to get the most out of – sleep.
According to the National Sleep Foundation, you can have better sleep by:
- Using the bedroom ONLY for sleep and sex
- Eating light before going to bed and avoiding spicy or fatty foods that can cause heartburn or discomforts
- Getting a regular exercise routine
- Avoiding caffeine at least 6 hours before you go to sleep
- Setting time for sleeping and waking up to help set your body clock
- Making sure to sleep on a comfortable bed with the right mattress and pillows
- Avoiding any disturbances in your bedroom
Regarding exercise, there is an important point to add up because slogging out in the gym for hours is of no use if you don’t follow a strict diet plan so do consult your dietician for more information on what and what not to eat during this regime and make sure to add a compulsory resurge supplement for good measure.
The science of sleep is wrapped in mystery. Moderation is the key to getting a good night’s sleep. Be mindful of getting quality sleep and if you have chronic sleep problems, don’t hesitate to seek expert help. Sweet Dreams!
