Four Sleeping Myths Debunked!
- Jeff Meadows
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
Sleep is one of the most important aspects of our daily lives. It provides energy, clears toxins from the brain, and helps us retain important information (like mom’s birthday). Despite its importance, one-third of adults in the U.S. report getting less than seven hours of sleep per night. Developing a consistent sleep routine is one of the best ways to set yourself up for restful sleep. However, several sleep myths continue to circulate, leading to misconceptions about how to achieve quality rest. Some of these myths may even contribute to poor sleep hygiene. Below, we’ll debunk four common sleep myths and share the truth about how to get better sleep.
Myth 1: If You Struggle to Sleep at Night, Taking an Afternoon Nap Helps You Catch Up Â
While napping can provide a quick energy boost and help counter extreme fatigue, it’s not a replacement for quality nighttime sleep. In fact, excessive napping can reduce your homeostatic sleep drive (your body’s natural urge to sleep) and make it harder to fall asleep at night. This is especially true for long naps or those taken in the late afternoon. Frequent naps have also been linked to high blood pressure and diabetes, making it even more important to focus on achieving 7–9 hours of nighttime sleep instead of relying on naps.
Myth 2: Remembering Your Dreams Means You Had a Good Night’s Sleep Â
While dreams occur mostly during REM sleep, remembering them does not necessarily mean you slept well. Dream recall is often the result of waking up during REM sleep, with studies showing that people who wake up during this stage remember their dreams 60% to 90% of the time. While dreams play a role in emotional processing, they are not an indicator of sleep quality or duration. Consistent, uninterrupted sleep cycles are more important for overall sleep health than remembering dreams.
Myth 3: The Time of Day You Sleep Doesn’t Matter for Your Health Â
Sleeping at any time of day might seem harmless, but research suggests otherwise. Night shift workers, who sleep during the day, often experience lower sleep quality and shorter sleep duration compared to those who sleep at night. They also face a higher risk of depression, diabetes, and even certain cancers, like breast cancer. This is likely due to disruptions in the body’s circadian rhythm, which regulates sleep-wake cycles. When possible, maintaining a consistent nighttime sleep schedule helps support better overall health.
 Myth 4: Lying in Bed with Your Eyes Closed Is Almost as Good as Sleeping Â
Although resting can help you feel more relaxed, it doesn’t replace the benefits of sleep. Brain activity during sleep differs dramatically from wakefulness, allowing for key processes such as memory consolidation, muscle repair, and cognitive enhancement. During sleep, the body releases growth hormones essential for tissue repair, strengthens the immune system, and processes information learned throughout the day. None of these functions occur simply by lying down with your eyes closed. Sleep is essential for full-body recovery.
One Step Closer to a Better Routine
Now that we've debunked these common sleep myths, you’re one step closer to building a sleep routine that truly supports your health. Sleep isn’t just about resting—it’s about allowing your body to recover, recharge, and perform at its best. By understanding the truth behind sleep hygiene, you can make better choices that lead to deeper sleep, improved energy, and sharper focus throughout the day.
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