{"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

Sleep Myths<\/b> and Facts<\/b><\/h2>\n

Myth 1: Blue light is the enemy.<\/b><\/h3>\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

Myth 2: Everyone needs 8 hours of sleep.<\/b><\/h3>\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

Myth 3: You don\u2019t need sleep apnea treatment.<\/b><\/h3>\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