A good night’s sleep is quite possibly the most underrated requirement for one’s good health. You will often find people claiming that they can get by comfortably with five or fewer hours of sleep. Others will tell you that snoring is harmless and the rest of the one will say having a drink helps them sleep. Basically, despite its importance, they are more myths about sleep floating around than real facts.
However, a recent study tried to combating it. The study dispelled many common myths about sleep, sleeping habits, and poor sleeping habits that pose a threat to one’s health. As a part of the study, a research team reviewed more than 8,000 websites and identified 20 most common assumptions about sleep. They collaborated with a team of ‘sleep experts’ and ranked them based on the fact that how easily they could be dispelled as myths or supported by scientific evidence, and on the harm that the myth could cause.
"Sleep is a vital part of life that affects our productivity, mood, and general health and well-being. Dispelling myths about sleep promotes healthier sleep habits which, in turn, promote overall better health," said Rebecca Robbins, lead researcher of the study published in the Journal of Sleep Health.
The first myth to be dispelled off was people claiming they can get by with 5 hours of sleep. There enough scientific evidence to suggest that 5 hours of sleep doesn’t cut it for our body. In fact if you do so, you may be posing some serious risk to your health.
There also have been people saying taking naps routinely leads them to have difficulty sleeping overnight. For this, the research team suggests creating a consistent sleep schedule and spending more time, at least seven hours, asleep.
There’s another common myth about snoring. Most people think it’s harmless. If only! While it can be harmless in most cases, Robins also says it could be a cause of sleep apnea. a potentially serious sleep disorder in which breathing starts and stops over the course of the night. The authors encourage patients not to dismiss loud snoring, but rather to see a doctor since this sleep behaviour may lead to heart stoppages or other illnesses.
The researchers also found enough evidence to prove that contrary to popular belief, an alcoholic beverage before going to be is unhealthy. Experts say it reduces the body’s ability to achieve deep sleep, which people need to function properly.
The researchers acknowledge that some myths still cause disagreement among sleep experts. For instance, although sleeping in on weekends does disrupt the natural circadian rhythm, for people in certain professions, such as shift workers, it may be better for them to sleep in than to get fewer hours of sleep overall.
