7 Common Sleeping Myths Debunked

A lot of people believe common myths when it comes to sleep. Take a look at a breakdown of some of the top sleeping myths and the facts that debunk them below!

Myth: Snoring is a common problem, but isn’t harmful

Facts: Snoring can be harmless for many people, but it can also be a symptom of a serious sleep disorder called sleep apnea. If your snoring is accompanied by severe daytime sleepiness, this also points to sleep apnea.

Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder in which a person pauses in breathing during sleep – which can prevent air from flowing properly to their airways. Sleepers that snore often & loudly, especially if any pauses are detected should consult a physician.

Myth: You can get by on only a few hours of sleep a night

Facts: You might feel like you’re functioning fine with just a few hours of sleep a night, but it’s far from the truth. Getting adequate sleep on a regular basis improves both your mental & physical health – it repairs your muscles, boosts your immunity & more. When you don’t get adequate sleep, you accumulate a ‘sleep debt’ that can be difficult to pay back if it gets too big – this can result in sleep deprivation which is linked to health issues like high blood pressure, obesity & decreased productivity.

Trying to catch up on lots of missed sleep on weekends isn’t the solution, either. One to two long nights of sleep can help you feel refreshed, however the benefits of that extended sleep generally only last a few hours. Sleep experts say, a majority of adults need between 7 and 9 hours of sleep each night for optimum health & performance. 

Myth: It’s no big deal if you often have trouble falling asleep

Facts: It’s normal to have trouble falling asleep every once and a while, but if it occurs on a regular basis, you should pay attention. Insomnia is a sleep disorder that affects a person’s ability to sleep during the night and function properly during the day.

Insomnia can come in several forms, but chronic insomnia tends to occur when a person has trouble sleeping at least 3 times a week over at least 3 months. If you think you might have this sleep problem, consult with your doctor about treatment options.

Myth: The brain rests while you sleep

Facts: While your body does rest during sleep, the brain remains active & still controls many body functions. While sleeping, you usually drift between two sleep states – REM and non-REM. Non-REM sleep state includes deep-sleep, which provides the most restorative effects of sleep. Even in the deepest stage of sleep, your brain is still processing information.

Myth: Lowering the car windows or turning up the air conditioner will help you stay awake when driving.

Facts: It is best to avoid these methods as a way to stay awake when driving while feeling sleepy or drowsy. They’re generally ineffective and can be dangerous to everyone in the vehicle. Caffeinated beverages can sometimes help with drowsiness for a short period of time, but it’s important to know if it takes about half an hour before the effects are felt.

If you are starting to feel tired while driving, the safest thing to do is pull over at a rest stop or safe area and take a short nap… about 15-45 minutes. Lastly, the best way to prevent drowsy driving is ensuring you get a good night’s sleep the day before a long journey.

Myth: Health problems such as obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and depression are unrelated to the amount and quality of a person’s sleep

Facts: It’s proven that consistent good sleep positively affects your overall health in many ways, so if you’re not getting it, it can impact your life in a negative way. Both the quantity & quality of your daily sleep matter when it comes to your health. For example, not getting enough sleep can affect growth hormone secretion that is linked to obesity – as the amount of hormone secretion decreases, your chances for weight gain.

Your blood pressure usually decreases during sleep, but consistent interrupted sleep can affect this normalcy and result in hypertension or cardiovascular problems. There has also been research that connects poor sleep with the body’s ability to use insulin – which if serious enough can lead to the onset of diabetes.

The biggest part of ensuring you’re getting a great night’s sleep is with a great mattress! Start your journey to better sleep with our luxurious Allume & Nuance mattresses from Ō by Neven today!

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