· By Stacie Henson
World Sleep Day Special: “ Sleep Myths - Fact or Fiction?”
Did you know that March the 14th is World Sleep Day? While we all love a good snooze, there are plenty of sleep myths keeping people from getting the rest they need. Let’s bust some of the biggest ones!
Myth 1: “You can catch up on lost sleep over the weekend”.
❌ Fiction! Sleeping in on weekends won’t fully make up for sleep debt—it can actually mess up your body clock and make Monday mornings worse!
✅ Fact: A consistent sleep schedule is key to feeling well-rested. Aim for 7-9 hours every night instead of trying to "binge sleep.
Myth 2: “Watching TV or scrolling on your phone helps you relax before bed”.
❌ Fiction! Blue light from screens suppresses melatonin, the hormone that makes you sleepy.
✅ Fact: Try reading a book, meditating, or dimming the lights 30-60 minutes before bed to wind down naturally.
Myth 3: “Hitting snooze gives you more rest”.
❌ Fiction! Those extra 5-10 minutes of snooze time aren’t high-quality sleep and can actually make you feel groggier.
✅ Fact: Try placing your alarm across the room to force yourself to get up or aim to wake up at the same time every day to train your body clock
Myth 4: “More sleep is always better”.
❌ Fiction! Sleeping too much (consistently over 9-10 hours) can make you feel more tired and may be linked to underlying health issues.
✅ Fact: 7-9 hours per night is the sweet spot for most adults!
Myth 5: "Exercising at night ruins your sleep”.
❌ Fiction! While high-intensity workouts too close to bedtime may make falling asleep harder, light workouts can actually improve sleep!
✅ Fact: Try yoga, stretching, or a light walk in the evening to help your body relax.
Quick Sleep Tips for Better Zzz’s:
✔️ Keep a cool, dark, and quiet bedroom 🌙
✔️ Stick to a regular sleep schedule 🕰️
✔️ Avoid caffeine 6 hours before bed ☕
✔️ Try a relaxing bedtime routine (reading, stretching, or deep breathing) 📖