5 myths concerning sleep

In Nigeria, myths and tales are our thing, we pass these from one generation to another never really which is true and which is not.

People have said a lot of things concerning sleep from the eight hours thing to the role alcohol plays in sleep, find which is fiction and which is rule as sleeping is an essential part of staying healty.

Kids will go to bed when they’re tired

Fiction: “It’s vital that parents set a good pre-bedtime routine in early childhood so they can take their good habits into adulthood,” says Dr Ramlakhan.

“This means going to bed the same time every day.”

You can catch up on sleep at weekends

Fiction: “It’s impossible to catch up on missed sleep because you can’t make up the quality,” explains sleep expert Sammy Margo.

“A long lie-in disturbs your biological clock and leaves you groggy so it’s counter- productive.

“So go to bed earlier the following night instead – but get up at the same time every day regardless of bedtime.”

Exercise helps

Fact: “Exercise is good for quality sleep – but high- intensity exercise can be disruptive if done too close to bedtime,” warns Dr Ramlakhan.

Alcohol helps

Fiction: “Too much alcohol, can play havoc with sleep patterns especially late at night,” warns Lisa. “It may help you fall asleep initially but will interrupt your sleep later and it robs us of one of our most satisfying types of sleep, where dreams occur.

“Plus you’ll wake dehydrated and need to go to the loo.”

Eight hours is essential

Fiction: “Some of us function well on just six to seven hours while others need eight to nine,” explains Lisa Artis of the Sleep Council.

“One size doesn’t fit all, so if you feel OK, stop worrying that you haven’t had enough.”

There they are, the myths and truths concerning sleep.