Mlily

Sleep Myths 1

Sleep can definitely seem like a mystery at times. Despite it being a common, everyday activity in our lives, we are all still trying to work out why we sleep, what sleep actually is, and which factors determine or affect our rest. Along with all the speculation appear plenty of sleep myths, some of which can be both misleading and even detrimental to health. Take a look below to see some sleep myths debunked once and for all.

Sleep Myth 1) Alcohol Helps You Sleep

Whilst alcohol certainly causes drowsiness and eventual sleep, the sleep achieved is broken, uncomfortable and low in quality. Alcohol can also cause dehydration, meaning that you tend to wake with a sore head, a dry mouth and a feeling far from rested.

Sleep Myth 2) Daytime Activities Do Not Affect Sleep

Wrong! Daytime activities definitely affect sleep. Activities such as working out late in the evening tend to make it difficult to fall asleep, whilst watching a ﬁlm late into the early hours can definitely lessen sleep quality due to blue light exposure. Day time activities can have a huge affect on rest and investing in the correct sleep hygiene can make all the difference.

Sleep Myth 3) Certain Foods Put Me to Sleep

Whilst certain foods can definitely help to encourage sleep, there is no speciﬁc food that will heavily induce sleep. Whilst foods such as nuts, slow release carbs and warm milk can certainly relax your mind and body for rest, they cannot directly induce sleep. Simply include sleep boosting foods in your diet for a healthy sleep and a better life, they’ll ﬁt well into your sleep hygiene routine.

Sleep Myth 4) You Can Make Up for Lost Sleep

Although it can be tempting to sleep in for longer at the weekend in order to ‘make up’ for sleep lost during the week, studies have actually shown that sleeping longer on your days off can be pretty ineffective. Not only does it make you miss out on daytime activities, sleeping for longer at the weekend will most likely cause ‘social jet lag’, making it pretty difficult for you to start the new week afresh on Monday!

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Coffee Naps

Regular napping has been shown to increase cognitive performance, boost mood and deliver an extra hit of energy to ﬁght against afternoon crashes. However, there’s a new form of napping gaining popularity- coffee naps. Although coffee and sleep don’t particularly match up in people’s minds with a restorative sleep - when combined with a quick power nap, the combination of caffeine and dozing can make for a great energy boost.

Creativity at Night

Although it might not seem that logical, as in the evening we tend to feel pretty drowsy, the period before we drop off into slumber holds the most creative potential within our minds. Sleep and relaxation allow our unconnected brain cells to basically link up- resulting in a ﬂood of philosophies. If you end up with a string of ideas coming into your head in the evenings, here are ﬁve great tips on how to harness this creative ability to ultimately channel it into your work.