Debunking Myths About Sleep
Are you gaining weight because of stress and not being able to sleep sound at night? Or are you working on a graveyard shift, and you think getting lesser sleep is normal for your body to adapt? These are just a few of the most common myths that many people still believe. If you are having sleeping issues lately, here’s a list of truths & myths about sleep that you should remember. Read more here.
Myth: Obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and depression have no relation to the amount and quality of a person’s sleep.
Fact: Recent studies suggest correlations between a variety of diseases and poor quality sleep. Hypertension and cardiovascular problems are among the diseases which are directly affected by interrupted sleep. Research indicates that insufficient sleep impairs the body’s ability to use insulin. Hence, causes a lowered metabolism, and increased levels of the hormone cortisol. This results in an increased appetite and a decrease in one’s ability to burn calories.
Myth: The older you get, the fewer hours of sleep you need.
Fact: A total sleep time of seven to nine hours of sleep for the average adult is recommended by sleep experts. As people age, sleep patterns change, but the amount of sleep they generally need does not.
Myth: Your Body Gets Used To Getting Less Sleep
Fact: Research confirms that your brain and body can’t just get used to getting less sleep.
After a few nights of insufficient sleep, you’re likely to feel sleepier during the day. This increase in daytime drowsiness may stabilize over weeks or months without enough sleep. However, this doesn’t mean that your body is functioning on all cylinders or is effectively adjusting to sleep loss.
Persistent sleep deprivation harms decision-making, memory, focus, and creativity. Insufficient sleep can eventually destroy your metabolism, the cardiovascular & immune system, hormone production, and mental health.
Although it seems like you are getting accustomed to sleeping too little, in reality, more serious health problems may be accumulating because of the body’s inability to get the rest it needs.
Myth: Napping Makes up for Lack of Sleep at Night
Fact: While a quick nap can provide a boost of energy, it’s not a substitute for quality sleep at night. Napping doesn’t involve moving through the stages of sleep in the same way as during nightly sleep.
Many people who get insufficient sleep try to use naps to catch up on sleep. However, this often just throws their sleep schedule further out-of-whack by making it harder to fall asleep at a normal bedtime. Long naps can also mean waking up disoriented and sluggish.
Though napping isn’t necessarily bad, relying on naps to try to cope with regular sleep deprivation isn’t a winning approach. When you do need a nap, it’s best to keep it shorter than 30 minutes and early in the afternoon.
Myth: If You Can’t Sleep, It’s Best To Stay in Bed Until You Fall Back Asleep
Fact: Sleep experts recommend getting out of bed if you can’t fall asleep within 20 minutes. Instead of tossing and turning in bed, it’s better to get up, do something relaxing in a quiet and dim setting (without using your cell phone or other electronic devices). Once the tone has been set, go back to bed.
The reason experts advise this approach is that it’s important to associate your bed with sleep. Staying in bed while struggling to sleep can do the exact opposite, linking your bed with a feeling of frustration.
Myth: A Warmer Bedroom Is Best For Sleeping
Although a warm bedroom might feel cozier, studies indicate that it’s not ideal for sleep. Body temperature drops naturally as part of the physical process of sleep, and a bedroom that’s too hot may disrupt that process. Sleeping hot can be bothersome and interfere with sleep17 by causing unwanted awakenings.
It’s important to find a bedroom temperature that’s comfortable for you, but most people sleep best in a room in the mid-60s Fahrenheit.
Myth: If you wake up in the middle of the night, it is best to lie in bed, count sheep, or toss and turn until you eventually fall back asleep.
Fact: Waking up in the middle of the night and not being able to go back to sleep is a symptom of insomnia. Relaxing imagery or thoughts may help to induce sleep more than counting sheep, which some research suggests may be more distracting than relaxing. Whichever technique is used, most experts agree that if you do not fall back asleep within 15-20 minutes, you should get out of bed, go to another room and engage in a relaxing activity such as listening to music or reading. Return to bed when you feel sleepy. Avoid watching the clock.
Now we have broken down a few of the most common myths about sleep. Additionally, you need to have a good bed to make your sleep more comfortable. Choose premium mattresses, or the newest orthopedic memory foam and orthopedic cooling pillows to make sure you have a good night’s sleep.
To know more about mattresses, pillows, and sheet sets that will work for your bedroom, check out Comfort Living PH. We offer a wide range of bedding essentials such as premium memory mattresses, orthopedic memory pillows, bed foams, foam memory toppers, orthopedic cooling pillows, and more . Definitely, you will find something that will fit your needs and preferences.
Know more of these at comfortliving.ph.