The Top Ten Misconceptions And Myths About Sleep Debunked And Explained

However we all have those nights, when we toss and turn and peer over at the clock every 5 minutes worrying about how much sleep we are going to get.Below are a list of ten myths debunked, which are commonly believed to be true. Accompanied with ideas and tips on ensuring you get a good nights sleep.1.Every Adult needs around 7 and 8 hours of sleep per night This is not entirely true although being advisable and the average, there have been cases of people sleeping for ten hours or as little as five. Find out the hours that suit you best and stick to that instead of chasing the average. 2.We should try to make up for all our lost sleep on subsequent nights Sleep experts don't advise this as your sleep pattern will become disrupted and although come Monday morning you will feel refreshed, you will slump mid-afternoon. Instead try to sleep around the same at weekends, or no more than an extra two hours sleep.3.The older you are the less sleep you need. An adult requires the same amount of sleep throughout their life. However when you're older it may become more difficult 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. Just 90 minutes less sleep than usual will make you noticeably more sleepy during the day, and your reaction time and ability to fight of diseases will be impaired. A sleep debt will build up if your interrupted sleep is consistent, making you feel excessively tired.5.Naps are a waste of time. A nap can never replace a full nights sleep Taking a nap after 3pm can affect your sleep pattern for that night, making you less tired so it being more difficult to fall asleep. 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 increases your temperature Some people do find it does help as they feel more tired so it is easier to fall asleep, so find out what's best for you.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 bed, this way your body recognises the routine with sleeping so will relax and cool itself down. This way it will be quicker and a lot easier for you to fall asleep. 8.Eating before bedtime will cause nightmares It has not yet been proven that certain foods do cause nightmares. However eating before bed can cause discomfort and problems with digestion, therefore causing a difficult and interrupted 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 will cause the sleeper to stop breathing completely numerous times in one night. To help with the condition, CPAP machines are advised as it keeps your 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 concentrate, is counter-productive when trying to sleep. It doesn't allow you to unwind and can keep your body alert. It is also recommended that you keep your bedroom mainly for sleeping.Making sure you get a good nights sleep will generally improve your well-being and health. If your sleep deprivation gets worse, try not to panic and visit your family doctor for more advice.