Common sleep myths can harm your health

Common sleep myths can harm your health today’s Video of the Day from NYU Langone Health describes how common sleep myths can be detrimental to our health.

For example, some people believe that alcohol is a good idea before bed to help them fall asleep. The reality is that alcohol deprives the body of good quality rest and deep sleep.

Another common myth that was negated by the researchers is related to snoring. While many people believe that snoring is harmless, it can also be a sign of a potentially serious sleep disorder that affects breathing known as sleep apnea.

“Sleep is a vital part of life that affects our productivity, mood, and general health and well-being,” said study lead author Dr. Rebecca Robbins. “Dispelling myths about sleep promotes healthier sleep habits which, in turn, promote overall better health.” In a new publication, researchers say that common misconceptions about sleep can lead to unhealthy sleep behaviors. To fight back against these sleep myths, they debunked 20 of the most common of these myths, including things like “watching television before bed is a good way to relax,” and “adults need five hours or less sleep for general health.”Common sleep myths can harm your health  A night of bad sleep means more than just being grumpy in the morning. In the short term it can mean poor performance at work or school. But chronic sleep deprivation can lead to serious health problems including increasing a person’s risk of heart attack and early mortality.

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By Chrissy Sexton, Earth.com Staff Writer

Video Credit: NYU Langone Health