Sleep myths

Everybody dreams each night! Even if you’re sure you didn’t, our brains are always active while we’re sleeping – however it’s very common to forget as soon as you wake up.

A good night’s sleep is more important than ever, with the everyday stresses in life tiring us out.
Sleep can be great for your mental and physical wellbeing and improve your overall quality of life!
However, nowadays, there are so many misconceptions and old wives’ tales around, it’s hard to know what’s correct and what’s not.
In this blog we take notes from sleep experts and expose some of the most popular sleep myths to set the record straight!

Myth #1 – Adults only need up to five hours of sleep

Despite popular belief, adults need seven to nine hours of sleep a day to function to their fullest, according to the National Sleep Foundation. There are a few genetic mutations that allow certain people to sleep for shorter periods without adverse effects, however these are only found in one in four million people. So if you’re getting by with five hours of sleep, you’re either incredibly rare, or you’re not actually properly rested!

It's also often assumed that if you’ve missed a few hours of sleep the night before, you can make these up later – however, sleep deprivation accrues over time and nothing can compare to getting at least eight hours of sleep each night.

Depending on age, generally the younger you are, the more hours you will need. Babies, young children and teenagers need the most sleep – so before your start yelling at your teens to wake up, remember, their sleep is vital to their health!

Myth #2 – You don’t dream every night

Everybody dreams each night! Even if you’re sure you didn’t, our brains are always active while we’re sleeping – however it’s very common to forget as soon as you wake up.

There are many different stages of sleep, however it is during the REM stage that our dreams often feel the most intense. According to Prima Sun researchers, the more soundly people sleep, the less likely they are to remember their dreams.

If you ever wake up and have a slight memory of something strange that has happened, don’t worry! It is extremely common and healthy to not remember – but they’re always happening!

Myth #3 – Snoring is harmless

Severe snoring may be a cause of concern for certain people! According to the Sleep Foundation, chronic or loud snoring may be caused by obstructive sleep apnea, a serious breathing disorder that prevents a person from taking in oxygen.

Luckily there are many tools around today to aid snoring, such as wearing a sleep apnea mask, anti-snoring mouth pieces and participating in sleep tests.

Not only can snoring affect your own health, it can also significantly affect a partner or roommate’s health and wellbeing by disrupting them.

Myth #4 – The environment around you shouldn’t matter

The bed that you sleep in can significantly impact your overall sleep cycle and can have negative effects on your mind and body.

Having all of the correct elements on your bed can contribute to your sleep health. This may differ from person to person, depending on what your body may need.

Whether it’s different types of pillows to aid with neck pain, a specific quilt to assist with temperature control, a mattress protector to help with allergies or asthma, or a soft underlay to aid overall body pain, make sure you do your research and figure out what’s right for you and your sleep.

If you’re unsure where to start, make sure to check out our Bedroom range to make sure you're getting the right sleep solution for you.

We spend over a third of our lifetime asleep, so it is extremely important to do everything we can to achieve a healthy sleep. Start today by exploring our range of bedding options, including Mattress Toppers, Mattress Protectors, Underlays, Quilts and Pillows.