7 Common Myths about Sleep

Written by Glenn

Sunday, 17 August 2008

Just a few weeks ago, the Associated Professional Sleep Societies finished their yearly meeting in Baltimore, MD. During the meeting, several new and exciting theories related to the cost of health care and the effects of a good night’s rest and a bad night’s rest on the human body were discussed. These new theories were based on the plethora of new studies concluded during the months between last year’s annual The results to some of these studies were more than a wake-up call. Ironically enough, the studies revealed most people need less wake-up calls and more sleep.meeting and this year’s meeting.

The human body needs 8 hours of rest per night. The latest research in the field of sleep patterns revealed the lowest rates of mortality in people who assumed 6 ½ to 7 ½ hours of sleep per night. People who managed to get more or less sleep tended to show an increased rate of health problems and illness. While it is difficult to pinpoint the reasons why people who get more sleep have greater health problems, some researchers believe the extra hours spent sleeping may be related to other life problems. These problems may include, but are not limited to, alcoholism, depression, and other mental illnesses. On the flip side of the sleep center, people who tended to receive less than the 6 ½ to 7 ½ hours of sleep suffered from stress, trouble concentrating, lack of alertness and reduction in physical ability. People with less sleep were also more likely to fall asleep at the wheel of the car when driving.
Going to bed at the same time each night is healthier for the body and sleep patterns. While many scientists and doctors recognize the fact that a regular bedtime is optimal, this scenario is not always practical. According to the new studies completed this year, researchers have concluded increased levels of stress and anxiety, as well as a lack of sleepiness are all reasons to stay up past your normal bed time. Our bodies are well equipped to tell us when it is time to hit the sack. Insomniacs, however, manage to create a mental anxiety cycle preventing them from falling asleep. The cycle involves large amounts of anxiety centered on the thought that they will be unable to fall asleep and thus they cannot. As opposed to heading off to bed before your internal clock says it is time for sleep, try drinking a cup of chamomile tea at bedtime. Listening to soothing music or reading a book can also help to relax the body after a day of energy.
Staying up all night burning the midnight oil increases productivity. Just about everyone has pulled an all night session either preparing for work, playing with friends or studying for that big test. As someone who has lived their life as a night owl, it would be difficult to convince me that I could get more accomplished in the morning than late at night. A new study, however, lends insight into the need for working early as opposed to late. The study focused on college students and their sleeping patterns. The “morning” students earned higher grade point average than the students that stayed up late at night. The late-nighters also suffered from trouble concentrating and memory deficits.
Choosing to exercise before bed will keep the body and mind awake. According to a new study out of Brazil, late night exercise may not be affecting sleep as much as we would think. While extreme aerobics and heavy exercise did show a slight effect on sleep patterns, light aerobics and moderate aerobics helped people sleep more soundly. It seems that “getting the blood moving” does not necessarily correlate with staying awake. People who exercised before bed tended to sleep better and fall asleep more quickly. Along these same lines, a study of persons aged 59 to 86 found that Tai Chi, no matter what time of the day it was practiced, helped keep sleep patterns regular and lessened disturbances during sleep.
Sleep will provide a gateway to the fountain of youth. While finding the actual fountain of youth may be stretching it a bit, researchers have linked a lack of deep sleep to a decline in the physical health and resilience of the body. The study focused on the human growth hormone levels found in the body. Human growth hormone helps to maintain muscle and lower total body fat. When deep sleep was broken by the scientists in the study, the body produced much less human growth hormone. Therefore, it seems that both quality and quantity of sleep needs to be considered.
The most productive people are insomniacs. Tufts, New England, set out to study the effects of insomnia on business. During their research they found insomnia costs businesses money both in lost productivity and increased health problems and prescription medications. According to the study, insomniacs were more likely to suffer from depression, fall asleep on the job and perform less effectively while on the job. On average, businesses contend with a loss of 2 ½ weeks of work thanks to the effects of insomnia.
Eating hot or spicy foods before bed causes odd dreams. Myth? No, this one may actually have some validity. An Australian team of scientists took it upon themselves to eat spicy meals before bed time. The results? The team did not sleep for the same duration as normal and slept lighter than they were used to sleeping, when compared to the scientists who ate meals of less spice. The theories surrounding these results are two-fold. The food causes indigestion in many people and the reaction of the stomach during digestion may affect the sleep patterns. Another theory states the spice that causes the heat in spicy foods, may also cause a slight increase in body temperature. None of the scientists suffered from odd dreams, but the spicy food certainly did not add up to a healthy night’s rest.

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