The most common myths about sleep and the facts behind them

We spend a third of our lives sleeping, so it is normal to take a great interest in this natural process. Experts are constantly trying to figure out why we need to sleep and what happens when we travel to the dream world. Let’s find out what the most common sleeping myths are and the facts behind them.

Myth # 1 The afternoon nap is a waste of time

If you didn’t sleep well last night, nothing can freshen you up better than an afternoon nap. You will regain your energy and you will be able to complete the day without problems. Be careful, the nap should not last more than 45 minutes because you may feel drowsy.

Myth # 2 If you can’t fall asleep, just lie down until you fall asleep

Did you think that you would sleep as soon as you put your head on a pillow? Those nights are rare. More and more people are struggling to fall asleep due to the stress, anxiety, and other problems they face every day. When you cannot fall asleep, it is a good idea to lie down for 15-20 minutes and do your best to fall asleep. However, if you are having difficulties, it is best to get out of bed because you risk anxiety and frustration. The next time you are faced with this kind of problem, get out of bed and listen to music or read a book. When you feel like your eyes are “dropping”, go back to bed.

Myth # 3 Everyone should sleep 8 hours a day.

8 is not magic, but an average number of hours needed for a person to sleep and function normally. Although Thomas Edison slept 4 hours a day and Bill Clinton claims that 4 or 5 hours a day is enough to sleep, the chances that you belong to this group of people are small. Experts estimate that only 10% of people are “programmed” to sleep more or less than the recommended 7-8 hours.

Myth # 4 Exercising before bed will make you feel tired and make it easier for you to fall asleep.

A workout will really help you sleep better, but only if you practice at least 3 hours before bed. Otherwise, a workout can delay your sleep. The reason is that exercise heats up your body and you can easily fall asleep if your body has a lower body temperature. After exercise, it takes about 6 hours for the body to regain its normal temperature. You should exercise in the morning or afternoon, but not at night.

Myth # 5 It doesn’t matter what time you go to bed

“Night owls” are more likely to have more symptoms of depression than those who go to bed earlier, even when they sleep the same number of hours. Research shows that going to bed later can not only cause depression, it can also put you in a bad mood and negatively affect your overall health. If you want to change your sleep routine, you should go to bed about 15 minutes earlier than the night before.