Sleep Myths Everyone Believes

There are folks who have very strong beliefs and no amount of persuasion can get them to change their minds. This isn’t for them. Instead, we’re taking a look at some of the most widely believed sleep myths out there and what makes them a myth.

The one thing we can all agree on is that we want good health. One of the best ways to help maintain good health is by getting good sleep. Believing these sleep myths can put your health at risk.

Sleep Myth: Hitting ‘snooze’ is better than getting up right away

We’ve all been there – the alarm starts going off and your brain convinces you that if you just hit the snooze button once, that’ll be the perfect amount of sleep for the day. Then you hit snooze a second time. Then a third. Next thing you know, you’re late for work trying to come up with something better than “my brain said do it” as an excuse for your boss.

Any time there is a disruption in your sleep, it’s bad. Getting fragmented sleep by hitting the snooze button over and over is linked to reduced mental flexibility and decreased subjective mood. Translation, it takes a little longer to processes things (how do I turn on this coffee maker again?) and you might be a little moodier (if I don’t get this coffee maker working, I’m going to throw it across the kitchen).

In the end, you’re better off just setting your alarm for what time you actually want to wake up and then get up when your alarm goes off. Just hit snooze on this sleep myth.

Sleep Myth: Some adults only need 5 (or fewer) hours of sleep per night

There are several reasons why this is a sleep myth, but the main one is that no two people have the same set amount of sleep needed to function. This is why you usually hear the word “average” thrown in there when talking about amounts of sleep, as in the average adult should get 7 hours of sleep a night. That’s true, by the way.

There are some adults who can manage to function on 5 hours of sleep, but those people are few and far between. Instead, habitually insufficient sleep for the average adult can lead to mental and physical health repercussions.

Overall, just try to get 7 hours of sleep a night and you’ll be able to put this sleep myth to rest.

Sleep Myth: The more sleep, the better

Seven hours, folks. Seven hours.

OK, obviously there are times when your body actually needs more than 7 hours of sleep. For example, when you’re sick or recovering from an illness. Your body uses this time to help build back your energy. And, while it’s true that children need more sleep for behavioral development, the average adult needs 7 hours of sleep a night.

Adults who sleep longer than 7 hours consistently might have an undiagnosed health issue. It should also be noted that ‘catching up on your sleep’ is also a sleep myth. People with insomnia shouldn’t try to compensate for less sleep by staying in bed longer.

If you want to sleep better, focus on that 7-hour window and cut this sleep myth out.

Sleep Myth: Teens Don’t Sleep Enough Only Because They Choose to Stay up Late

As any parent of a teenager knows, teens tend to sleep … a lot. Or, that’s what we think. In fact, up to 72 percent of high school students get less than the recommended amount of sleep. In many cases, this is because their sleep schedule involves staying up later into the night.

That doesn’t mean this isn’t a sleep myth. Most teens aren’t staying up late by choice. Instead, it’s a reflection of biological changes that start around puberty that push their circadian rhythm back by around two hours.  

A significant number of teenagers, including, get less than the recommended amount of sleep. In many cases, this is because their sleep schedule involves staying up later into the night. Of course, teens also might have school and work obligations, social events to go to, and their phones/tablets/computers. These things don’t really help with the biologically delayed sleep timing.

Try to give your teen the time to sleep when they can and talk with them about the mental and physical importance of good sleep.

Sleep Myth: All Mattresses are the Same, Some Just Cost More for No Reason

Anyone who has ever slept on a mattress away from home knows that not all mattresses are the same. This is a total sleep myth. There are different levels of comfort – soft, medium, and firm. There are even different types of mattress materials – innerspring, memory foam, and hybrids. Want a pillowtop? They make them. Want something that feels like you’re sleeping on a cloud (or even a bed of bricks), they make that, too.

The point is, when you take the cost of the mattress, figuring you’ll own the mattress for at least 8 to 10 years, you start to look at the cost as an investment into better health. When you know you’re guaranteed to get the best price on a mattress, that helps you sleep a little better, too.

At Mattress Warehouse, you’ll find the One-Year Price Guarantee. If you buy it at Mattress Warehouse and find it cheaper anywhere within the first year, Mattress Warehouse will give you the difference PLUS 50 percent. That way you’ll always know you’re getting the best deal on a great mattress.

Drop by any Mattress Warehouse store today to find out how our sleep experts can help you get your best sleep.

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