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5 Myths vs Facts About Sleep

We all know sleep is essential to our health and well-being. Over the years, you’ve probably identified your rhythms. You know when to expect your afternoon crash, or that once you’ve woken up in the morning, you can’t go back to sleep no matter how hard you try. But there’s still some conventional wisdom about sleep that needs debunking.

Myth: Young People Who Sleep In Are Lazy

There are immature behaviors we need to grow out of through wisdom, experience, and discipline; and then there are biological traits we just can’t help. A teenager might wash his face twice a day and still have oily skin, thanks to hormones and genetics. In the same way, teenagers are naturally inclined to stay up late and sleep in. They aren’t just doing it to annoy their parents and get out of morning chores, although some teenagers may consider that an added bonus.

Myth: The Snooze Button is a Lifesaver

It’s a wonder alarms still come with snooze buttons, considering how detrimental they are to the rest of the day. Still, we have an amazing capacity to choose short-term rewards over long-term benefits. Most sleep experts agree you shouldn’t use the snooze button, since it usually results in your brain being woken up in the beginning stages of sleep. This makes you feel drowsier than you were when you first woke up.

Myth: You Need Less Sleep As You Age

This is technically true when we’re comparing the needs of newborns to the needs of schoolchildren. Once you enter adulthood, though, the National Sleep Foundation recommends 7-8 hours of sleep per night, whether you’re 28 or 82. Older adults may find themselves waking up more frequently at night, or getting poorer quality sleep, compared to when they were younger. Naps come in handy to make up for the shorter nights of sleep. Keep in mind that certain medications or health conditions can make you feel drowsy or alert. If your sleep patterns change and you don’t feel rested, talk to your physician.

Myth: You Can Power Through Driver Fatigue With Caffeine, AC, or Loud Music

Driver fatigue is dangerous, and the only cure is to pull over in a safe area and go to sleep. A study from AAA found that people who received less than 7 hours of sleep the previous night quadrupled their likelihood of losing control of the vehicle. One in five fatal car crashes involves a drowsy driver. People are well educated about the risks of driving under the influence, and campaigns alert us to the risk of distracted driving. Lack of sleep can be just as dangerous when you get behind the wheel.

Myth: More Sleep is Better

Although some studies suggest that people who get more sleep feel happier the next day, more sleep is not always better. This is especially true if you experience fatigue or mood changes with extra sleep. Feeling tired all the time can be a sign of a vitamin deficiency, an illness, or a mood disorder. The amount of sleep you get should leave you feeling rested and refreshed.

 

Don’t Lose Sleep Over Sleep

Understanding how sleep works and how to optimize sleep schedules is a complicated task. Our suggestion: don’t lose sleep over it. In fact, try to lose as little sleep as possible. If your mattress impacts the amount or quality of your sleep, visit Scottsdale Bedrooms to try our world-class mattress brands.

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