Good Sleep Guide
Ever wondered why you seem to need ten hours sleep a night just to function normally, whereas your partner only needs six to wake up fresh as a daisy? Or perhaps you never feel rested through the week, despite getting loads of sleep on a weekend?
You might have fallen foul to some of the most common sleep myths doing the rounds. But do not despair, Dr Neil Stanley is here to dispel those sleep rumours!
Read on... to find out the truth behind the sleep myths and find how you can really get a good night's sleep
Myth 1: Eight hours a night is essential for quality sleep
We all need different amounts of sleep so there is no need to obsess abut getting eight hours. Simply find the amount of time that allows you to feel awake and refreshed the next day.
Myth 2: There is no such thing as too much sleep
You can get too much sleep. Each of us has our own individual sleep 'need' and it is possible to have too much of a good thing.
Myth 3: You can train your body to need less sleep and reduce your need to four or five hours a night
Some people naturally need less sleep than others but, regularly getting even one hour less sleep than you need can lead to semisomnia - low grade exhaustion which impacts on your health and mood.
Myth 4: Sleeping alone is the only way to get a proper night's sleep
This is totally individual. Many people sleep better with the warmth and security of another person next to them, others prefer to sleep alone.
Myth 5: You can bank sleep by sleeping more ahead of a busy period
For optimal functioning we need to have a good night's sleep every night. The benefits of sleep last until you go to sleep again, therefore you cannot 'bank' sleep.
Myth 6: If you miss out on sleep during the week you can catch up easily, simply by having a lie-in at the weekend
Catching up on missed sleep is important but a lie-in on the weekend can actually add to sleep disruption and increase tiredness. Our bodies respond better to regular sleep patterns, so it's better to go to bed a bit earlier and keep to your regular wake-up time.
Myth 7: An hour before midnight is worth two after
There is some wisdom behind this old wives' tale; the deep restorative part of sleep that we have is usually during the first third of the night, but it's actually about the quality of sleep in the first part of the night, not necessarily the timing.
Myth 8 Children will go to sleep when they are tired.
Children need much more sleep than adults, it is crucial to their development, however, like us it is important for them to have a routine in order for them to get their required sleep