Sleep Myths Debunked

MYTH: you wiill get sick if you don't get eight hours of sleep each night.
DOCTOR SAYS: No amount of sleep fits everyone, individual requirements vary. Some studies show sleeping more than eight hours a day can also be detrimental to your health. For some, five to six hours of sleep may be enough.

MYTH: Having poor sleep the night before will make you irritable.
I myself do experience that, if I wasn't able to sleep for at least six hours, I feel as if I'm floating on air and I cant think straight.
DOCTOR SAYS: Most patients can be functional even after a poor night's sleep. It is important not to attribute daily hassles with disturbed sleep. Initiative and motivation may be diminished, but actual performance and alertness may remain intact.

MYTH: Insomia is the cause of a chemical imbalance.
DOCTOR SAYS: Although this may have a valid contribution,dwelling and worrying about things you can't change will only increase anxiety.

MYTH: You can "make up" for lost sleep by napping, sleeping early, or waking up lte the next day.
DOCTOR SAYS: Varied times of sleep compensation are actually harmful to sleep habbits.

MYTH: If you try hard enough, you will be able to sleep.
DOCTOR SAYS: The more you try, the more anxious you get, and the more likely you won't be able to sleep.