Despite us spending a third of our lives asleep, we underestimate the importance of sleep in our daily life. It is surrounded by myths and misconceptions. Rethinking some of these myths can help you increase your relationship with sleep.
Here are some common myths that people believe about sleep, according to Harper’s Bazaar:
It’s not normal to wake up at night
Several people feel that waking up in the middle of the night is unusual. With the anxiety thinking that something is wrong with their body, they don’t end up sleeping either. It subsequently gives rise to other behaviours like measuring your sleep and checking the time throughout the night.
These habits cab both be disruptive to sleep. If you are a sensitive sleeper, then these habits can contribute to insomnia. It is normal for an adult to wake up 8-10 times throughout the night. When this happens, stay relaxed and take deep breaths.
You can catch up on lost sleep
With corporate life catching up to you, people don’t often get 8 hours of sleep at night. They often sideline the importance and think they can catch up on the sleep over the weekend.
We sleep in 90 minute cycles and they each contribute to a different aspect of our well-being. The first 90 minute phase before midnight is essential for calming the nervous system and reducing adrenaline levels. Once this sleep is lost, it can’t be caught up over the weekend.
Napping ruins night-time sleep
Power napping helps you rather than hindering your sleep. Taking a nap between 2-4 pm for 10-20 minutes calms your mind and body. But make sure to not get too comfortable and under a duvet.
Napping also de-excited the nervous system and helps you sleep better at night.
Alcohol helps you sleep
This is the biggest and most dangerous misconception. Alcohol deteriorates quality of sleep by interrupting the vital REM (rapid eye movement) sleep. Alcohol makes you pass out and thus interrupts the dreaming process.
You need complete darkness to sleep
While darkness is definitely preferred, you don’t always need darkness to get a good night’s sleep. It depends on person to person. Those sensitive to light need a complete blackout curtain. Some prefer to wake up to some light streaming in.
