Sleeping is one of the easiest ways to make us feel better and more alert, improving our health and mentality.
Despite this we have those nights, when we toss and turn and look at the clock every 5 minutes worrying about how much sleep we are going to get.
Below are a list of ten sleep myths, which are believed by many people to be true. Accompanied with ideas and tips 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 despite most people sleeping around 7 or 8 hours a night, people have been known to sleep for 10 hours or as little as five. Instead of trying to get the average, find 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 come Monday morning you will feel full of energy, you will hit an afternoon slump. 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. However the older you get the more difficult it may be to sleep, it becomes lighter and fragmented, it is also easier to be awaken.
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 however a quick power nap can revive you to some extent and may you more alert. Although a nap after 3pm can affects your sleep pattern that evening.
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 elevates temperature causing it to stay high for hours which may result in you being unable to sleep.
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 you will fall asleep a lot quicker.
8.Eating before bedtime will cause nightmares There is no medical evidence to prove that certain foods, such as cheese causes nightmares. However eating shortly before bedtime will affect digestion and cause discomfort, therefore causing a difficult and uncomfortable sleep.
9.Snoring is the same as Sleep Apnea Snoring and Sleep Apnea are often believed to be the same thing 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 CPAP machines 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 recommended 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 your sleep deprivation gets worse, dont panic and visit your GP for more advice.
