There are many do’s and many dont's of what you should do before you hit the sack and bed down for the night. But are they really just common pre-sleep myths that we over think which is actually what affects our sleep? You’ve heard all the common scenarios before, avoid caffeine before you go to sleep, don’t over expose yourself to light before you go to sleep, the list is endless, but are they all entirely true?
Common Pre-Sleeping Myths
Drinking alcohol before bed will help you sleep: While alcohol may initially help you fall asleep faster, it can disrupt your sleep later in the night and lead to feelings of grogginess the next day.
Eating a heavy meal before bed will help you sleep: Eating a large meal can cause indigestion and discomfort, making it harder to fall asleep.
Exercising before bed will keep you awake:Regular exercise can actually improve sleep quality, but it's best to finish exercising at least a few hours before bed to give your body time to wind down.
Watching TV before bed helps you relax: The blue light emitted from electronic screens can suppress the production of melatonin, making it harder to fall asleep. Read more in our post The advantages and disadvantages of using tech before bed
Sleeping in on the weekends can make up for lost sleep: While sleeping in on the weekends can be restful, it can also disrupt your sleep schedule and make it harder to fall asleep during the week.
Staying in bed awake will eventually make you fall asleep: Lying in bed awake can actually perpetuate insomnia by creating a negative association between your bed and inability to sleep. Read more about insomnia in our related post.
Using sleeping pills is the only way to treat insomnia: While sleeping pills can be effective in the short term, they should not be used as a long-term solution. Lifestyle changes, such as following a regular sleep schedule, can help improve sleep without medication.
You need 8 hours of sleep every night: While 8 hours is often cited as the ideal amount of sleep, the amount of sleep a person needs can vary greatly depending on individual factors such as age, lifestyle, and overall health. Read more in our post Do you really need 8 hours sleep?
Napping during the day is always bad for sleep: While napping too close to bedtime can make it harder to fall asleep, short naps during the day can be beneficial for some people and improve overall sleep quality.
The quality of sleep is not as important as the quantity: Both the quantity and quality of sleep are important for overall health. Getting enough sleep and having good sleep quality can improve mood, cognitive function, and overall well-being.
But what do you believe? Are these just unheard myths to you or is there some truth behind this pre-sleep habits affecting the quality of sleep. It obviously doesn’t help with your sleep, but are these habits really the main cause of your sleeping woes.
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