Some of the Most Famous Myths about Sleep Debunked

There are a lot of myths and misconceptions about sleep. We’ve all heard things like “you should sleep eight hours a night” or “you should never sleep on your back.” But are these things actually true?

In this article, we’ll be debunking the most common sleep myths. After reading this, you’ll have a better understanding of how sleep works and what you can do to get the best night’s sleep possible.

Myth #1: You Should Sleep Eight Hours a Night

One of the most common sleep myths is that you should be getting eight hours of sleep every single night. But the truth is, there is no magic number of hours that everyone needs to sleep. Some people function just fine on six hours of sleep, while others need nine or 10 hours to feel their best.

What matters more than the number of hours you sleep is the quality of your sleep. If you’re regularly getting eight hours of sleep but still feel exhausted during the day, it’s time to reassess your sleep habits.

Myth #2: You Should Never Sleep on Your Back

Another common sleep myth is that you should never sleep on your back. The reasoning is that sleeping on your back can cause your head, neck, and spine to become misaligned. However, there is no evidence to support this claim. 

Myth #3: Drinking Alcohol before Bed Will Help You Sleep

Many people believe that drinking alcohol before bed will help them sleep. However, this is not the case. Alcohol can actually disrupt your sleep and cause you to wake up in the middle of the night.

Myth #4: It’s Alright for Older People to Get Less Sleep

As people age, they tend to sleep less overall and have more difficulty staying asleep through the night. This is partly due to a weakening of the circadian rhythm, which is the body’s natural sleep-wake cycle. However, older adults still need to have adequate and quality sleep. Additionally, older adults may have more health conditions that interfere with sleep or require medications that have side effects that disrupt sleep.

Myth #5: Turkey and Milk Make One Feel Sleepy

While it is true that tryptophan in these two foods can help to induce sleep, you would need to eat a lot of turkeys or drink a lot of milk to see any real effects. In other words, the tryptophan in these foods is not enough to have a significant impact on your sleep.

Myth #7: Long Naps Are Essential

A nap can help improve your energy and focus for the rest of the day, but it’s important not to nap for too long. Doing so or too late in the day can throw off your sleep schedule and make you feel disoriented and hazy.

Conclusion

There are many misconceptions about sleep, which can prevent people from getting the rest they need. Although we have learned a lot about sleep in recent years, there are still many misunderstandings about how it works. These misunderstandings can have a negative impact on sleep quality and quantity. It is important to be aware of these myths so that you can avoid them and get the best possible sleep.

Are you looking for the best sleep center? Check out Lethbridge Snoring & Sleep Apnea Clinic. We’re passionate about helping our patients achieve better sleep health. We provide sleep testing to help understand and assess underlying sleep conditions. Get an appointment now.