Alright ladies, first things first, we all know how valuable sleep is. They didn’t call her ‘Sleeping Beauty’ for nothing. Getting the optimal amount of sleep every day prevents hunger cravings which ultimately lead to more fat and weight gain. We were tempted this week to debunk the latest sleep myths. Follow our rules and you’ll find those eye bags disappearing, more energy to accomplish the things you’ve always wanted to do, and you’ll have everyone assuming you’ve gone under the knife.
1. Catching up
• Myth: Sleeping in on the weekends is a good thing.
• Truth: Your sleeping schedule should be kept constant. Catching up on all your zzz’s that you missed during the past week on the weekend might seem like a good idea but don’t go over board. Sleeping in, which the majority of us do, screws with our sleeping schedule making sleeping difficult the Sunday night before work. Keeping a regular schedule of about 7 hours of sleep a night is ideal and will make you a less cranky, zombie-like persona in the morning.
2. Evening workouts.
• Myth: Doing a hard workout at night will help you sleep faster.
• Truth: A body that is cooler has an easier time going to sleep. After exercise, it takes about six hours for the body temperature to return back to normal. Experts advise that athletes stop working out three hours prior to going to bed.
3. Older people.
• Myth: Older people need less sleep.
• Truth: You remember how lame it was when you were four or five years old and it was nap time. Who knew that the youngsters and the older folk both work better with nap time? Now older adults find that a nap in the middle of the day is fulfilling. Older people actually need the same amount of sleep as the young.
4. Brain’s rest
• Myth: Your brain needs rest.
• Truth: Your brain does not need rest. Your body does. Sleep re-energizes the body and allows tissues to repair themselves, with new cells constantly forming. The brain never dips into hibernation mode while you sleep; it still works hard to help you breathe.
5. Trouble falling back asleep.
• Myth: Staying still when you wake up in the middle of the night will make you fall to sleep faster.
• Truth: Stressing about sleep only induces you to do the opposite. If you’re wide awake waiting until you’re tired enough to go to sleep, leave the room to clear your mind. A glass of warm milk or reading a book will put your mind at ease and take the edge off in your sleeping anxiety.
6. Your room
• Myth: Hanging out in your room before bed will make you fall asleep faster.
• Truth: Allow your bedroom to be your sleeping sanctuary. Activities such as computer usage and watching TV allows your brain to not associate your bedroom with sleep.
7. Sex
• Myth: Sex will make you an insomniac.
• Truth: Sex releases the feel-good endorphins, which keeps you relaxed, enabling you to fall asleep faster.
8. Temperature
• Myth: Heavy blankets will make you fall asleep faster.
• Truth: Again, the body finds it easier to sleep when it’s at a cool temperature. Prompt for a cooler down comforter or even leave your ceiling fan on the low control to create a light breeze.
9. Snoring
• Myth: Snoring is completely harmless.
• Truth: For few, snoring can be associated with sleep apnea, a dangerous sleeping disorder. For others who have roommates, it can be an annoying habit. Luckily, you can help eliminate the noisy habit by making small changes in your diet and lifestyle.
10. Alcohol
• Myth: A glass of wine will put you sleep faster.
• Truth: Alcohol will put you to sleep, but you’ll have fragmented sleep. Fragmented sleep will allow you to wakeup frequently during the night.
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