Sleep Myths, Facts and Tips

Sleep Myths, Facts and Tips

Being in the business of sleep, actually being in the business of good sleep, I am overwhelmed at the amount of questions, stories and purported ‘facts’ that are out there in both our culture and the internet about the most basic of human traits.  It seems that when it comes to shutting your eyes everyone has an idea of how to do it faster, better, more efficiently and more comfortably.  Sometimes those ideas help; sometimes they are simply 21^st century snake oil packaged in a new environmentally friendly box.

It is from this premise that I will try and help both readers and customers sort through the true and the untrue to help you sleep well and from that live well.  I hope you enjoy these as much as I did researching them.  Also I’ve included some tried and true tips from professionals to help you find that good nights rest.

Sleep is nothing more than just resting your body.  MYTH.  Scientific research has proven through study of brain activity during Rapid Eye Movement (REM)  sleep that sleep is a necessary period for your body to maintain health, repair damage, create and organize your thoughts/long term memories and to keep steady energy.  Without sleep humans and other animals simply could not survive.

If you’re tired just sleep more. MYTH.  Being tired or fatigued isn’t an indicator of lack of sleep.  In some cases it is a warning sign of a larger medical problem that may need professional assistance.  In other cases it can be due to lack of quality sleep, which is the time when you are in a REM sleep state.  In some cases professional assistance can help you achieve REM sleep state.  For many people getting more quality sleep a simple change of sleep platform (pillows, mattress, and bedding), adding regular exercise, adjusting diet or just being in natural light and outside.

Falling asleep at work, in class, is a sign that you are lazy.  MYTH.  Contrary to what you may have thought or what your parents told you, getting drowsy at the workplace or while you were in school does not make you a bad person.  Studies have proven that a teenager’s biological clock is maturing as the child moves into adulthood.  Teens may need between 8-9 hours of sleep and may feel the need to wake up later.  The natural sleep patterns of the adolescent does not coincide with school schedules that begin at 7:30 in the morning.  Adults can become drowsy due to poor diet, low sugar levels and stimulants such as caffeine can magnify the problem when the supplement is depleted.  Eating small snacks every 3-4 hours of simple carbohydrates and simple sugars can keep you awake and active through your workday and not spoil any lunch or dinner plans.

Insomnia can mean more than you are just a little stressed out. FACT. 58% of American adults reported 1 of 4 possible signs of Insomnia.  Does this mean that over half of America is facing a medical crisis?  Of course not.  Most people can make do with one restless night every now and then while waiting for that big event or worrying about a big project at work.  The important point is to catalogue the frequency and nature of any sleep disturbance.  Many times little changes in diet, evening activities, job duties, even sleep environment can knock out occasional sleep troubles.  However, if you are having trouble sleeping with any frequency you may need to seek medical help.

Your weight directly affects your quality of sleep. FACT.  Hard as it may seem to comprehend, people classified as obese do suffer more frequently from sleep apnea (the stopping of breathing while sleeping), snoring and restless sleep.  As unfortunate as it is even turning over in bed to find a more comfortable sleep position was shown in studies to magnify sleep difficulties of an overweight person.

So, how do you apply the information learned by examining sleep myths to ensure that you get a good night of sleep?  Below are some tips on how you can get a better night of sleep.

Temperature can play a key factor.  Studies have shown for adults sleeping in temperatures ranging from 55-70 degrees can bring enhanced REM sleep.  For toddlers and children the range is 65-72 degrees.  If you can adjust individual heating in your sleep area try cooling or heating to find a temperature that you feel helps you fall asleep and stay asleep.  Personally I’ve found 65 degrees in winter and 60 degrees in summer allows me to get the sleep I need.

One the easiest changes you can make without drastic mental and physical steps are changes to your sleep environment.  If you are using pillows that you’ve had since college and before that owned in high school than it is time to change.  Typically down/feather pillows can be used regularly for 3-5 years depending on type of use, maintenance and materials.  Synthetic or down alternative pillows have a longer life of 8-10 years.  Even though the polyester fibers used in synthetic or down alternative pillows are much more durable they can still breakdown over time so if you notice clumping it is time for a new pillow.

Hopefully with information you can begin to analyze and solve your sleep issues.  If you have additional questions please do not hesitate to contact us at Sleepwell@pacificpillows.com.

Sleep Well.  Live Well.

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