Here are the sleep myths that can actually harm your health
SLEEP MYTHS – Having quality sleep is important but there are sleep myths that most people believe that can actually do harm to the health.
Here is the list of myths about sleeping which are just misconceptions. People should stop believing rumors regarding health, based on the article from Healthline.
Adults only need five hours or less of sleep
According to the article, researchers tagged this myth as the number misconception that could do the most potential harm. Lacking enough sleep can lead to diverse and far-reaching health effects. Between seven and nine hours of sleep per night is recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends.
Watching TV during bedtime
Researchers have conducted a study concentrating on the “blue light” emitted by screens and its effect on sleep and negative sleep-related health outcomes. Aside from television, this also includes cellphones, tablets, and all kinds of personal electronics. It contradicts the belief of many that watching TV can make them relax before sleeping.
It doesn’t matter what time you sleep
Due to career, family, and other activities, people tend to have varying sleep patterns. However, shifting your sleep schedule for a long time can do harm to your health. Rebecca Robbins, PhD, a postdoctoral fellow at NYU School of Medicine in the Center for Healthful Behavior Change, and study’s author said, “Timing of sleep is important. That’s why we see health risks cluster among individuals who work on shift schedules.” They found out that people who are working a night shift often experience circadian rhythm desynchronization and lower quality sleep. Aside from this, there is a higher risk for health outcomes including depression and diabetes.
Lying in bed with eyes closed is equivalent to sleeping
Lying in bed can’t give a sufficient rest compared to actual sleeping. According to researchers, this particular example of sleep myths is rated as majorly false as well as potentially harmful. It is because your body works differently when you are asleep and when you are awake. “Available evidence is showing that cognitive activity when a person is sleeping is distinctly different from wake with eyes closed,” researchers stated.
Falling asleep anytime and anywhere is a healthy sleep
There is a misconception that those people who can sleep easily, wherever they may be, is a sign of good sleep. However, according to the article, a healthy sleeper consumes a few minutes before falling asleep. Dr. Steven H. Feinsilver, director of the Center for Sleep Medicine at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City said that this myth is “dangerous”. “It minimizes the idea of excessive daytime sleeping as being bad for you or being a sign of something that’s bad for you,” the doctor said.
Alcohol before sleeping is good
Alcohol would not give you a good night sleep, instead, it will even make you feel worst when you wake up. According to Dr. Feinsilver this myth is “not only is that tremendously wrong, but it’s also pretty dangerous. It’s really terrible for sleep.” He also suggested ditching the nightcap because there is a possibility of experiencing sleep apnea.
Loud snoring is harmless
There is a perception that loud snoring is harmless but it will just irritate the person sleeping next to you. However, this is one of the common signs of sleep apnea. Though there are other signs of sleep apnea and all snoring is a sign of it, however, if you snore loudly and you had fatigue or sleepiness during the day, these symptoms together could mean you have it.
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