{"id":3917,"date":"2019-12-31T09:00:26","date_gmt":"2019-12-31T08:00:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/disturbmenot.co\/?p=3917"},"modified":"2020-06-05T00:49:22","modified_gmt":"2020-06-04T22:49:22","slug":"sleep-myths","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/disturbmenot.co\/sleep-myths\/","title":{"rendered":"The 10 Most Common Sleep Myths That Don’t Affect Your Rest"},"content":{"rendered":"
Our society is flooded with misconceptions about healthy sleep practices. Everyone seems to be an expert, and everyone (whether they be a professional or layperson) seems to have their own be-all and end-all advice on the matter. As a direct result of this, <\/span>sleep myths<\/span> seem to be on the rise.<\/span><\/p>\n Our society is moving at a faster pace than ever before. Advancements in technology have made us less patient\u2014and our pursuit of better careers and more material possessions are trumping our biological needs of healthy diets, sunlight, exercise, and, of course, ample levels of sleep.<\/span><\/p>\n Ironically, the biggest <\/span>myth about sleep<\/span> is that sleep itself isn\u2019t as important as we once thought. In many magazine articles and interviews, celebrities boast of sleeping only five or six hours a day. Meanwhile, others report sleeping nine to ten hours per night. This disparity within pop-culture has led to celebrities and social media influencers (who seem to pull more weight than scientists or medical professionals) to conclude that healthy sleep patterns aren\u2019t as vital as we think.<\/span><\/p>\n Plus, the stigma surrounding <\/span>sleep myths<\/span> and <\/span>psychology<\/span> are forever increasing. Even science itself seems divided about how many hours we actually need to achieve healthy sleep cycles, whether those hours should be segmented or not, and how to prioritize sleep in an ever-increasing environment of artificial stimulation. Sleep is actually one of the most valuable tools we have. Good sleep practices promote a healthy body and mind, leaving us feeling more energized and productive than we could ever imagine.<\/span><\/p>\n In this article, we\u2019ll be looking at <\/span>sleep facts<\/span> while highlighting and examining some of the most common myths that seem to permeate the very fabric of modern society. These myths can impede our wellbeing, impacting us on a root level. By debunking them, we aim to give you the opportunity to correct your own sleep habits and enjoy the maximum benefits your sleep cycles can offer you.<\/span><\/p>\n The idea that <\/span>blue light<\/span><\/a> is unhealthy seems to be making the rounds these days\u2014it\u2019s something discussed almost daily across the internet.<\/span><\/p>\n With electronic devices such as computers, laptops, tablets, and smartphones becoming more prevalent in society, there\u2019s been a great deal of debate about the <\/span>blue light sleep myth<\/span>. Many companies have pounced on this opportunity and created \u201cspecial\u201d filters and glasses manufactured to counteract the so-called dangers of blue light. But is blue light really harmful? A <\/span>sleep study<\/span> conducted by UCLA contradicts this idea, opening the topic up for debate and forcing us to reevaluate the current <\/span>facts about sleep<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n The first and most fundamental thing to understand is that blue light is an element found within nature. In actual fact, we receive copious amounts of blue light on a daily basis from the sun.<\/span><\/p>\n Our bodies are biologically designed to take in only a certain amount of blue light by means of daylight (normally 10\u201312 hours, maximum). However, when we continue to use electronic equipment at night (as many of us do), we overload our bodies with excess blue light. This results in sleep pattern anomalies and disruptions. This process then further feeds into so many <\/span>myths about sleep<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n However, despite the excessive blue light through electronic devices causing sleep disruptions, there are healthy sides to artificial blue light. One such benefit can be found in the correlation between artificial blue light and seasonal affective disorder. It\u2019s been proven in numerous studies that blue light exposure can actually appease the negative effects of this disorder.<\/span><\/p>\n So is the blue light myth true? Yes and no. Blue light isn\u2019t man-made; it\u2019s naturally found in elements like the sun. But over-exposure can be harmful in the long run.<\/span><\/p>\n The <\/span>8 hours of sleep myth<\/span> is one of the most common when it comes to <\/span>sleep health<\/span>. However, sleep needs vary from individual to individual.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n These needs are also strongly influenced by genetics and what\u2019s known as the <\/span>circadian rhythm<\/span><\/a>. This system is biological in nature and is installed within all of us. It runs on a 24-hour cycle and is influenced by the light and dark stimuli that we experience externally. Everyone\u2019s system has slight quirks and is very individual. This means a major <\/span>truth about sleep<\/span> is that not everyone needs eight hours a night.<\/span><\/p>\n Some people need more than eight hours\u2019 sleep, and others will actually require an hour or two less for their sleep cycle to be healthy. The key is to do what feels right for you, which will likely require a little trial and error.<\/span><\/p>\n Sleep apnea<\/span><\/a> is a highly overlooked topic. In fact, it\u2019s so overlooked that many people don\u2019t take it seriously enough to even seek a medical opinion.<\/span><\/p>\n One of the biggest <\/span>myths about sleep apnea<\/span> is that it doesn\u2019t exist or that it\u2019s a figment of someone\u2019s imagination. However, the truth is that sleep apnea is very real and can even be a precursor to a more serious condition.<\/span><\/p>\n As a rule of thumb, if you feel lethargic throughout the day or if you find yourself lagging and drained of energy\u2014making you crave regular caffeine bursts\u2014then it\u2019s definitely worth checking to see if sleep apnea could be affecting you.<\/span><\/p>\n If left untreated, sleep apnea can contribute toward the onset of major conditions, including the following:<\/span><\/p>\n These kinds of sleep apnea myths are the most dangerous because the short-term effects of the condition are so unpronounced, they effectively dupe individuals into believing that nothing is wrong with their health. As a result, many people don\u2019t seek out the treatment they need. This can lead to them developing much more serious, long-term conditions.<\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n Can your body catch up on sleep? Yes and no. The <\/span>sleep debt myth<\/span> pertains to the belief that sleep is something that can be caught up on\u2014very much like the withdrawal\/investment model of a bank account. However, even though you can partially recover, you can\u2019t make up for your entire sleep debt. <\/span>The sleeping person<\/span> can attempt to recoup their sleep, but they\u2019ll still fall short.<\/span><\/p>\n And the more sleep deprived you are, the higher your risk of developing various health problems, from heart disease to sleep apnea to Alzheimer\u2019s disease. All this together reminds us of how easily some <\/span>sleep myths<\/span> can be <\/span>debunked<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n When you disrupt your sleep-wake cycle, also known as the circadian rhythm, you may have difficulty falling asleep at night. This will, in the short term, lead to a host of performance issues because your brain will be working at a stressful rate for a prolonged amount of time. In the long term, this can easily lead to conditions like diabetes, as well as stress-induced problems such as heart disease, amongst others.<\/span><\/p>\n According to the <\/span>National Sleep Foundation<\/span><\/a>, the whole <\/span>catching up on sleep myth<\/span> isn\u2019t accurate because you can\u2019t really catch up on lost sleep caused by insomnia, sleep apnea, or any other sleep disorders. Put simply, if you typically sleep seven hours every night, and you miss getting that amount for more than one night, your body will already be compromised.<\/span><\/p>\n Nearly every <\/span>sleep paralysis myth<\/span> out there is a product of the condition not being understood. Few people entertain thoughts on the condition, and why would they? A condition that results in someone being unable to move or speak for a short amount of time isn\u2019t exactly something people relish spending time on.<\/span><\/p>\n However, the condition is real. But the good news is that it isn\u2019t something that many people experience. In fact, it\u2019s estimated that only 8% of the population will have to deal with this condition.<\/span><\/p>\n Many people believe that after a concussion, it\u2019s dangerous to go to sleep. However, recent studies have shown that this myth is simply untrue.<\/span><\/p>\n The longstanding <\/span>concussion sleep myth <\/span>heralded the theory (a very prominent and widespread one) that if you were to sleep after a concussion, \u200byou would increase your chances of falling into a coma, never waking up, or even dying due to brain trauma combined with sleep biorhythms.<\/span><\/p>\n The reality is that concussions affect brain function, thus impairing the brain\u2019s normal acuity and clarity of task performance, but ultimately, these aren\u2019t physical ailments. Therefore, sleeping won\u2019t cause any detriment\u2014so don\u2019t worry anymore if you\u2019ve been trying to separate out the <\/span>sleep facts and myths<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n Concussions result from hard jolts to the head. Although a concussion can be extremely painful to experience, the primary treatment for a concussion is, in fact, rest. Before deciding if you should keep a loved one who has suffered a concussion awake, it\u2019s better to check whether they can hold a conversation and walk unassisted. If they can do both, then it\u2019s usually safe to let them sleep.<\/span><\/p>\nSleep Myths<\/b> and Facts<\/b><\/h2>\n
Myth 1: Blue light is the enemy.<\/b><\/h3>\n
Myth 2: Everyone needs 8 hours of sleep.<\/b><\/h3>\n
Myth 3: You don\u2019t need sleep apnea treatment.<\/b><\/h3>\n
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Myth 4: You can always catch up on sleep.<\/b><\/h3>\n
Myth 5: Everyone experiences sleep paralysis at some point in their lifetime.<\/b><\/h3>\n
Myth 6: You shouldn\u2019t sleep after a concussion.<\/b><\/h3>\n
Myth 7: It\u2019s dangerous to wake someone up who is sleepwalking.<\/b><\/h3>\n