

February 20th, 2013

Family Sleep Institute busts five sleep myths

By Patty Tucker

Stamford, CT -

Lately we’ve all been hearing and reading a lot about how to get a better night’s sleep; and that’s a good thing. Sleep, after all, is important. Right up there with exercise and good nutrition, sleep rounds out "The Big Three" of how to stay healthy and live a long time. Healthy sleep is an essential need in all of our lives and with it we are healthier and happier. The Family Sleep Institute busts five sleep myths to help families get better sleep.

We’ve been told over and over that our bedrooms should be cool, dark and quiet. We know we should have a routine and to go to bed at the same time each night. We know we shouldn’t eat a big meal too close to bedtime. We know these things by now - don’t we?

But there are other things about sleep we think we know, that may not necessarily be so. Here are five sleep myths we’d like to bust right now.

• "Falling asleep before my head hits the pillow is a sign of healthy, normal sleep." Not necessarily so. Normally it takes 10-20 minutes to fall asleep. Falling asleep immediately is more likely a sign of sleep deprivation, a signal your body needs more sleep than you’ve been getting lately.

"I sleep great; like a log, never moving or waking once during the night." Actually, waking 1-3 times during the night is normal. A night of healthy sleep is composed of four to five sleep cycles. Between each of these cycles we naturally come very close to waking or actually wake up completely. We may roll over or adjust the covers. Often, the time we are awake is so short we don’t notice or remember it in the morning. Other times we are more aware. Waking in the night is only considered a "problem" when you have regular difficulty getting back to sleep; again in 10-20 minutes or so.


"The sleep aids you can get at the drugstore - usually called Something PM - are safe and effective." Most over the counter sleep drugs contain an antihistamine, usually diphenhydramine (Benadryl®). Diphenhydramine can certainly knock you out, but it’s not the same as normal sleep. From time to time, it may be better than nothing, say if you have severe allergies keeping you awake, but regular use of these products can rob you of the repairing, restorative sleep process you really need. Also, antihistamines can leave you groggy and fuzzy-headed during the day. They increase the risk of falls in the elderly. They can lead to urinary retention or stress incontinence. There are other bothersome side effects and taking them regularly can become habit forming.

"I get by just fine on 6 hours of sleep." We frequently hear this myth spoken out loud; predictably by busy entrepreneurs or active social butterflies. The truth is the typical human body requires between 7 and 9 hours of sleep time each night to repair the damage done, restore the chemicals depleted and rebalance the chaos created during the average day. Genetic research has shown that only 3% of people truly thrive on 6 hours of sleep or less. The rest are merely "getting by". Is that what we’re striving for? Getting by?? Or do we want to grow, thrive and excel? For that we truly need the foundation of sleep - 7-9 hours of it every night.

So, tonight as you follow your bedtime ritual, tend to your cool, dark and quiet sleep sanctuary and slip gently into your slumber, you can rest more easily knowing you now know the difference between many sleep myths and sleep truths. Before morning comes, let’s see what else we can dream up! Best Wishes for Peaceful Sleep!



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