What are the most common sleep myths in the world of information? Misinformation! Yes, it is correct. There are misconceptions about everything, from waking up to sleeping down. In the last 20 years, sleep science has progressed significantly. However, social media or word of mouth perpetuates several widely held fallacies about it.
Sleep is an essential part of human existence. It allows us to function effectively and contributes to our overall development. A good night’s sleep is critical in terms of quantity and quality. Misconceptions about sleep can considerably obstruct your ability to enjoy the best, most rejuvenating, and restorative sleep possible. However, the National Sleep Foundation attempted to debunk prevalent sleep myths in 2009. Let’s try to look at 5 of them.
1. The more you sleep, the better it is | Common Sleep Myths
Hypersomnia, or sleeping more than what is necessary, is just as dangerous as insomnia. There is a common misapprehension that the more sleep you get, the better your mind and body will perform, even if it is 9-10 hours. That, however, is inaccurate.
According to some experts, Oversleeping might throw your sleeping pattern off because it reduces the desire to sleep the next day. Obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease are some of the severe consequences of hypersomnia. According to one study, oversleepers gain 11 pounds more than typical sleepers.
The most common symptoms of hypersomnia are the desire to take more naps than usual, increased headaches, and a general feeling of tiredness and lethargy throughout the day. So, sleeping for an exact amount of time is better than sleeping for a longer or shorter period.
2. You can function properly with 5 hours of sleep:
Nowadays, many people boast about sleeping less and being more productive instead of wasting time. Surprisingly, they’re making the biggest mistake of their lives. Sleeping less is never the answer; it will significantly reduce your productivity because you will be tired and exhausted all day.
When you don’t get enough sleep, you’re more prone to problems like memory loss, low sex desire, heart disease, and severe back pain. So, to obtain a decent night’s sleep, you’ll need a highly comfy mattress, which you may buy at Slumber Search.
To avoid these issues, get a good night’s sleep, preferably between 7 and 8 hours. You can also alter your room by dimming the lights and ensuring it is adequately ventilated. The other suggestion would be to reduce screen time while sleeping and indulge in regular physical activities like running, yoga, swimming, etc.
3. Snoring is not a serious issue
Everyone snores occasionally, but when it becomes a habit, it’s a sleeping disorder, and it’s not normal. Excessive weight gain, smoking, mindless alcohol usage, and a simple allergy can be reasons behind snoring.
Do you know that snoring is one of the signs of sleep apnea?
Sleep apnea is a sleeping disorder related to breathing issues that prevent people from taking oxygen and breathing. Choking, the frequent need to urinate, headaches, and feeling sleepy all day are some of the usual symptoms of sleep apnea.
So, it is clear that snoring is not regular and that you should schedule an appointment with a doctor. Snoring is frequently connected to breathing and cardiac problems. Keep track of your symptoms and, if necessary, get professional medical treatment.
4. Drinking alcohol before going to bed helps in sleep
Have you ever heard that drinking can help you relax and sleep better? I’m sure you’ve heard it before, but it’s not true because it will disrupt your sleep pattern. Cannabis and alcohol are the most commonly used sleep aids because of their hypnotic effect.
Many specialists, however, disagree that it aids in sound sleep. Excessive alcohol use is linked to various sleeping difficulties, including insomnia and sleep apnea. Alcohol impairs our bodies’ ability to get good sleep and function properly the next day.
So, removing alcohol from your sleep cycle will help you get a good night’s sleep with no interruptions, and cutting alcohol is also a part of good sleep hygiene. However, if getting back on track is challenging, you can always see your doctor, who may prescribe medications or practices to help you get back on track.
5. Exercising at night disturbs sleep:
Many so-called sleep gurus may have told you not to exercise at night as it can disturb your sleep. But many experts in sleep science have debunked this myth by implying that exercise at night may help you get better sleep.
But yeah, you should be mindful of the intensity of the workout. It should not be so intense that it makes it hard to relax your body and get to sleep. Regarding how activities affect your sleep, not all exercises are created equal. As a result, if you want to exercise in the evening, you must choose your activity carefully. Take into account the precise time of your workout as well. If you want to go for exercise at night, try to keep it more accessible and more moderate. The degree of intensity can be one of the deciding factors for your sleep.
It’s also crucial to finish your workout at least 1 hour before bed. Try to finish at least 90 minutes before going to bed if possible.
Conclusion:
We now understand much more about sleep than we did a few years ago. Despite all this new knowledge and what we are continually learning, there are still misunderstandings. Misconceptions have the potential to cause serious injury in the worst-case scenario.
However, misunderstandings can permanently be corrected and learned from so that you don’t repeat the same mistakes. I hope I’ve dispelled these sleep myths so you can obtain a good night’s sleep. You need to feel your best every day.
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