It’s time to uncover 3 common sleep myths

When it comes to sleep and habits associated with sleep, there are a lot of myths floating around. It’s important to note that most of them are just that, myths. However, some of them may be true. That’s why it is time to uncover some of those myths so you can better understand healthy sleep. Let’s take a look at four common sleep-related myths to uncover the truth.

Myth: You can die from a lack of sleep

Humans cannot die from sleep deprivation, but the consequences of sleep deprivation can contribute to it. When sleep deprived, your body is not functioning properly and your level of alertness is extremely low.

When you are not alert, there is an increased chance of car accidents and immune system suppression. Your body needs sleep to recover and prepare for illnesses. Without sleep, your immune system is less likely to fight off bugs and viruses, and your brain is not ready to react to changing traffic. So, while you cannot die from a lack of sleep, you can die from the consequences associated with losing out on sleep.

Myth: More sleep is better

Getting more than the recommended eight hours of sleep per night is actually not beneficial to your health and overall well-being. Similar to the side effects of not getting enough sleep, getting too much sleep can negatively affect your health.

Too much sleep can raise the risk of chronic diseases such as coronary heart disease, diabetes, anxiety, and obesity. With that being said, keep an eye on how many hours of sleep you are having each night and adjust as needed.

Myth: You can “catch up” on missed sleep

Unfortunately, sleeping extra on the weekends or on a vacation will not make up for the sleep you missed during the work week. Your brain is a creature of habit, so with varying amounts of sleep here and there, you actually end up confusing your brain, and creating a bigger sleep issue. Try to stick to a schedule and your brain will thank you for it. Your sleeping will also improve.

2023-03-08T17:08:00+00:00