Top 10 Sleep Myths to Ignore

People often produce a wide assortment of reasons as to why they couldn’t sleep last night. Google is responsible for many of the myths and legends associated with sleep and sleeplessness.

However, most of these myths are not backed by scientific evidence, and should not be relied upon as a valid source. Here is a list of the most common sleep myths to watch out for:

1. You can catch up on lost sleep on weekends

It is a common misconception that a busy, stressed or sleepless week can be made up for by sleeping a little extra on the weekend. However, those few extra hours will not be enough to recover for lost sleep over the course of an entire week and you may find yourself in “sleep debt”, meaning it can take a long time (sometimes even weeks) to make up for those lost hours of sleep.

2. The longer you sleep, the healthier you are

Despite our insisting on the importance of a lengthy night’s sleep, there is such a thing as sleeping for too long. When we sleep too long it can often result in a sleep “hangover”, causing headaches and drowsiness. Don’t risk it!

3. Drinking alcohol will help you sleep better

Because alcohol has a natural sedative effect and can make you feel sleepy, many people are under the impression that a stiff drink before bed will help you to fall asleep. It’s true, it may help you to fall asleep quickly, however, the alcohol will be metabolised through your body during the night, meaning your sleep is lighter and more you are far more likely to wake up. This in turn leads to a fragmented sleep pattern rather than a healthy deep sleep.

4. Teenagers are lazy

Although this may be true in some cases, studies have shown that on average teenagers do require more sleep than adults. This is due to a change to their body clock which occurs during puberty. They experience a 2-3 hour delay in their circadian rhythm, meaning it is more difficult for them to rise in the morning and they tend to stay awake longer at night.

5. Sleeping less keeps you thin

The thinking behind this theory is that more “awake” time means more time for physical activity, burning calories and keeping trim. However, lack of sleep can actually have the opposite effect and you may find that you are putting on the kilograms, rather than losing them. Lack of sleep fuels our appetite increasers, while causing significant changes to other hormones which can trigger our appetite.

6. You can train yourself to get by with less sleep

Each individual requires a different amount of sleep each night; some of us require 9 hours to function productively the next day, while others only require 7 hours. As an adult, most of us know by experience how much sleep we need to feel good the next day. If we start taking time away from our required sleeping hours, we can accumulate “sleep debt”, resulting in an endless cycle of catching up on sleep. It is recommended to stick to your own individual sleep needs each and every evening.

7. Beauty sleep is a myth

False! Sleeping healthy helps your body to rest and recover from your daily rigours. It can give you healthy skin, reduce stress-lines and assist you to lose weight. If you are taking bedtime for granted, revamp your thinking and view it as a time to nurture your sleeping self. Don’t ever underestimate the power of a good night’s sleep! Read more here.

8. Naps are bad for you

Good news, they’re not! In moderation of course. Napping can improve mood, performance and alertness, but it is important to ensure you nap for no longer than 30 minutes, and no later than 3pm, as it may affect the quality of your sleep later.

9. Exercising right before bed can help you sleep

Regular exercise is generally promoted as a vital part of a healthy lifestyle, and we do recommend it on a daily basis to ensure your body and mind is revitalised and ready for sleep at bed time.

It makes sense to think that being physically exhausted from a workout will naturally make you sleepy. However, this is not always the case; in fact, many people feel exhilarated after a workout and may find it difficult to wind down ready for sleep.

10. Purchasing a mattress is a stressful, time consuming and expensive process.

In actual fact, it doesn’t have to be!

If you are having trouble sleeping lately, or if you have been feeling tired or worn out, it might be time to invest a new mattress to support a healthy night’s sleep. The team at Sleepy’s have been trained to select a mattress for your own individual needs and preferences, to ensure you are properly supported and comfortable while you sleep. They will guide you through the process, answering any questions you may have, and if you are still unsure even after the purchase of your mattress, rest assured that we will happily exchange your mattress within the initial 60 nights.

In terms of cost, we’ve got that covered too. Our team will happily organise to remove your old mattress free of charge. We are also proud to offer Oxi-Pay; a new incentive which allows you to pay off your purchase in four instalments.

If you have any questions at all, please don’t hesitate to pop in and say hello to the friendly team at your local Sleepy’s store. We will help you to reclaim an amazing night’s sleep, for an amazing you!

Sleep Healthy!