6 Common Myths About Insomnia

When it comes to sleep problems, myths and misinformation abound. And that doesn’t make it any easier to find the right solution. Here are a six common myths about insomnia that it is time to put to rest:

MYTH: Insomnia is all in your head.
FACT: Of course stress, anxiety, and depression can all have major negative effects on your sleep. But so can external factors such as neighborhood noise or medication side effects, or physical issues such as injury or sleep apnea.

MYTH: A glass of wine at bedtime will help you fall asleep.
FACT: While alcohol may help you fall asleep initially, it usually does not lead to quality, restful sleep. Drinking alcohol at bedtime makes it less likely that you will sleep soundly, and more likely that you will wake repeatedly during the night.

MYTH: You can catch up on sleep
FACT: Within reason, you will probably feel a little better if you sleep in a bit on the weekend. But it is not a great long-term solution. Over-do it and you risk upsetting your body’s internal clock, and that can actually make your sleep problems worse. The best thing to do is to establish a daily routine and stick with it.

MYTH: Your body will adapt to less sleep
FACT: Not really. You might adapt your daily routines so that you can still be a functional human–just ask any new parent. But your body still needs the sleep it needs to be healthy, so long term, you’re going to need to find a workable routine you that allows you to get the sleep you need. Click here to learn more about the health consequences from lack of sleep.

MYTH: Exercise will help you fall asleep
FACT: Sort of. Exercise is important for good overall health, and in turn, that helps with sleep. But exercise too close to bedtime and you may feel too amped up and alert to fall asleep quickly. So for best results, exercise during the day, and finish up at least three hours before your bedtime.

MYTH: Sleep problems will go away on their own.
FACT: Probably not. Most people will need some sort of help to deal with problem sleep. Developing good sleep habits and occasional use of and OTC sleep aid like Dormin can help in many cases. But for stubborn or persistent sleep problems, you should ask your doctor for advice.