Posted on March 12, 2020 by Kate Halsall
Did you know that March is National Bed Month? Now we’re not saying for a second that everyone should all of a sudden take a “duvet day”! But we do think that people often underestimate the importance of sleep. We have previously written about the importance of sleep for health , and these days most activity trackers also track how much sleep we’re getting. So in order to do something different with this blog, we look at 5 common sleep myths and facts which should provide some nice bedtime reading for you!
MYTH – Eating dairy before bed can give you nightmares and affect your sleep
FACT – Studies have shown that Cheese contains tryptophan, an amino acid that has been found to relieve stress and induce sleep. There are actually foods which can help you get a good night’s sleep as they contain tryptophan, magnesium, calcium, and B6. Examples include dairy products, almonds, turkey, fatty fish, broccoli and rice
MYTH – Falling asleep whilst you’re watching TV in an evening means that you’re sleep deprived.
FACT – Sleep deprivation can cause fatigue, impaired concentration, weight gain, premature skin aging and a weakened immune system – so yes, falling asleep in front of the TV may mean you’re sleep deprived!
MYTH – Snoring when you’re sleeping means you are in a deep sleep.
FACT – Snoring generally occurs because of the air pathway and can be caused simply by sleeping on your back! It can also be made worse if you are a smoker, drink alcohol or are overweight. There is no proof that it is linked with deep sleep.
MYTH – You need 8 hours of sleep a day.
FACT – Research suggests that there is no set “amount” of sleep each individual requires, although it does recommend between 7-9 hours. However, the amount of sleep you require does depend on factors such as what time you go to bed, how tired you are and how quickly you fall asleep. But ultimately, everyone’s sleep cycle is different.
MYTH – The heat can affect your sleep
FACT – whilst most of us want to feel warm and cosy when we go to bed, it is true that hotter temperatures can affect the efficiency of your sleep. A colder room can not only improve the quality of your sleep, but can also enable you to wake up more alert!
To read more about sleep, sleep cycles and national bed month, click on the following links: