Sleep—everyone needs it, and everyone thinks they know all there is to know about it. However, this doesn’t stop several myths from circulating the grapevine and leading students to develop some less-than-healthy sleeping habits as a result. If you want to make informed decisions on the amount of rest you’re getting, the best place to start is by clearing up the confusion. These are some common misconceptions about sleep and the truth behind them.
You Can Catch up on Sleep Later
If you or any of your friends have pulled an all-nighter, you’ve probably heard the saying, “I’ll catch up on sleep this weekend.” Unfortunately, there is no way for you to do this. Once your body is sleep-deprived, you continue to accumulate what is known as sleep debt until the next time you go to bed. Your sleep debt continues to build over time, and getting a bit more sleep on a Saturday morning does little to counteract the long-term effects of overall sleep deprivation.
Your Brain Can Adapt To Function on Less Sleep
Many people also believe that one can train the brain to operate optimally on fewer hours of sleep. While it is true that the brain can adjust its circadian rhythm to accommodate fewer resting hours, this is in no way good for the overall health of the body. In fact, routinely getting less sleep than is necessary can lead an individual to develop serious symptoms, such as high blood pressure, chronic fatigue, confusion, and even weight gain.
It Doesn’t Matter When You Choose To Sleep
Another common misconception about sleep is that rest is the same regardless of the time of day you choose to fit it in. However, this is clearly false when taking our circadian rhythm into account. This function of the brain allows us to develop a natural cycle of wakefulness and sleep that corresponds directly to light—namely, sunrise and sunset. As the sun rises, the light acts as a trigger that tells the brain it’s time to wake up, while sunset is what communicates to the brain that it should start producing melatonin. Because of these effects, this sleep cycle is the most natural and, therefore, the most restful for your body.
If you find that you’re suffering from insomnia during your stay in the dorms, a quality college mattress topper might be all you need to turn your condition around. At Sleepyhead, our copper-infused products properly cradle certain parts of your body to ensure that you’re always comfortable. They’re also able to keep you cool throughout the night and promote perfect spinal alignment. Together, these benefits make up the perfect night’s sleep—no matter the circumstances.
