#HealthBytes: Five myths about sleeping, busted!
If you are going to spend one-third of your lifetime sleeping, you might as well do it right. However, seemingly, everyone has their own set of theories and beliefs about how, when, and how much to sleep. This has given birth to some common yet nonsensical myths about the art of sleeping. Here, we bust five common myths about sleeping.
Myth: Snoring is harmless
Snoring is common, especially among men. And although it is mostly harmless, in some cases it may indicate a more serious sleep disorder, called Sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is characterized by pauses in breathing of a sleeping person, preventing air from flowing in or out of their airways. It could also lead to dreadful cardiovascular diseases. If you snore, consult your doctor.
Myth: The older you get, the lesser sleep you need
Medical experts recommend getting an average shut-eye of 7-9 hours on a daily basis. And although sleep patterns might considerably alter with increasing age, the amount of sleep we need does not get affected. Yes, older people do tend to wake more frequently through night and may actually be unable to sleep for long hours, it doesn't mean they don't need to sleep well.
Myth #3: Your brain sleeps too
It is the body that actually 'sleeps', your brain continues to function, as you doze off. This is so because even during sleep, the brain controls many important tasks including breathing.
Myth: You can catch up on lost sleep later
If you keep missing out on full night's sleep for a number of days in a row, you accumulate something called the "sleep debt." Many people believe they can catch up on their missed hours of sleep later on, say during the weekend, but it just doesn't work that way. Note that in the long run, consistency is the key to good quality sleep.
Myth #5: More sleep is always better
You might get duped into believing that the more you sleep, the better it is for you. However, the amount of sleep needed varies from person to person. In fact, research suggests that too much sleep (more than nine hours) can actually lower down your sleep quality.
Tips for better sleep
Here are some handy tips to help you sleep better: 1) Dim down the lights well before you go to bed. 2) Keep screens (smartphones, television etc.) at a good distance. 3) Finish dinner 3-4 hours prior to your natural sleeping time. Also, eat a light and digestion-friendly meal. 4) Try relaxing activities like reading books, meditation, or listening to slow music, before bedtime.
