Sleep: 15 Amazing, Myths, sleeping Disorders and treatments, sleep trivia.

 Sleep: facts, Truth and Myths

Most of what we know about sleep has only been discovered in the last 25 years, but it’s fair to say we’ve made up for it. 

Scientists and researchers all over the globe are learning more and more about sleep every day, teaching us things we never even dreamed about (excuse the pun). We’ve put together a list of 22 of the most interesting and surprising facts about sleep that you may not know.

How much do you know about sleep? here are some 

interesting facts about sleep you might not have been aware of.

15 Amazing Sleeping Facts

#1. 12% of people dream entirely in black and white:

Before color television was introduced, only 15% of people dreamt in color. Older people dream in black and white more often than younger people, it’s all here in this study.

#2. Two thirds of a cat’s life is spent asleep:

This will come as no surprise to most cat owners. Every sofa is a sofa bed to them. Otherwise found on your favourite seat or computer keyboard.

#3. Humans spend 1/3 of their life sleeping:

This obviously differs depending on the age of the human, but on average it’s around a third, which is quite a lot when you think about it.

#4. The record for the longest period without sleep is 11 days:

This was set by a Californian student named Randy Gardner in 1964. This is definitely not recommended, however, as Randy experienced extreme sleep deprivation and others have died staying awake for too long.

#5. Dysania is the state of finding it hard to get out of bed in the morning:

We’ve all no doubt found it tricky getting out of bed before, but those suffering from Dysania find it particularly difficult. It’s most likely to be a form of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

#6. Sleep deprivation will kill you more quickly than food deprivation:

Neither are good for you, obviously, but this article claims that sleep is actually more important than food in the short term.

#7: Humans can sleep with their eyes open:

Yes, you can sleep with your eyes open, which makes it truly impossible to tell whether someone is really sleeping or not.

#8. Altitude disrupts sleep: 

Due to lower amounts of oxygen at altitudes of 13,200 feet or higher, it’s much harder to get your snooze on. Be careful next time you’re visiting the Rocky Mountains.

#9.Humans are the only mammal that can delay sleep:

Dogs, cows and even sheep must go to sleep when their body tells them to. We have the ability to tell our body no to exhaustion (to an extent), and finish watching Stranger Things on Netflix.

#10: You can’t sneeze while sleeping:

Humans are more prone to sneezing while asleep, but since we aren’t moving to stir up dust particles, the reaction doesn’t occur.

#11. Those born blind experience dreams involving things such as emotion, sound and smell rather than sight:

This is a topic that is really quite interesting and the timing of the blindness in a person’s life may impact what that person dreams about. There’s plenty more on this here.

#12. Within 5 minutes of waking up, 50% of your dream is forgotten:

After an additional 5 minutes, 90% of recollection is gone. Sigmund Freud believed this was because dreams represent our repressed thoughts and so our brain wants to get rid of them quickly. 

However, it’s much more likely due to our brains simply being used much more as soon as we’re awake and so we forget much of what we’ve dreamed about.

#13. 41% of the British population sleep in the foetal position:

This is from research done by Professor Chris Idzikowski, director of the Sleep Assessment and Advisory Service, though five other sleeping positions have been identified: the log, yearner, starfish, soldier, and freefaller.

#14. Sleep experts have discovered a direct link between people’s favourite sleeping positions and their personalities:

This is also according to Professor Idzikowski, suggesting that those who sleep in the foetal position 'may appear tough but are actually sensitive souls right to their core. see what the professor says about the other sleep positions.

#15: The sensation of falling when half asleep and jerking yourself awake is called ‘hypnic jerks’:

No one is totally sure why hypnic jerks occur but they are deemed to be perfectly healthy. However, they may be increased by anxiety, caffeine or physical activity close to bedtime. They’re more frequent in young people and decrease as we get older.

Sleep And Myths

Sleep science has developed significantly in the past 20 years, providing growing insight about how sleep works, why it’s important, and the ways that it can be disrupted.

Despite this advancing science, it remains common to encounter misinformation about sleep that is spread online, on social media, or by word-of-mouth. Some of this false information becomes repeated so often that it becomes a widely held myth.

Even though these sleep myths are contrary to scientific evidence, they are often believed and can lead to poor sleep habits and insufficient sleep.

#1. Myth: Your Body Gets Used to Getting Less Sleep:

Research has found that a lack of sleep takes a toll over both the short- and long-term, demonstrating that your brain and body can’t just get used to getting less sleep.

After a few nights of insufficient sleep, you’re likely to feel sleepier during the day. This increase in daytime drowsiness may stabilize over weeks or months without enough sleep, but this doesn’t mean that your body is functioning on all cylinders or is effectively adjusting to sleep loss.

#2. Myth: Many Adults Need Five or Less Hours of Sleep:

Recommendations from a group of experts commissioned by the National Sleep Foundation state that adults should get between seven and nine hours of sleep per night.

While a very small number of people, estimated at around one in four million are believed to have a genetic mutation that allows them to naturally sleep for shorter periods and still wake up refreshed, these individuals are the rare exception, not the rule.

#3. Myth: Hitting Snooze Provides Meaningful Extra Rest:

The Snooze bar can provide what seems like precious minutes to keep sleeping between alarms, but this time is unlikely to offer meaningful rest. 

Fragmented sleep is generally not restorative, so you shouldn’t count on hitting snooze to help you wake up more refreshed.

#4. Myth: Exercising At Night Disturbs Sleep:

Data from surveys and research studies indicates that even vigorous exercise at night  does not usually affect sleep. In fact, working out at night helps many people sleep better.

That said, for some people, it may not be beneficial to do extremely intense workouts immediately before going to bed as this may make it hard for your body to relax and settle into sleep.

#5. Myth: A Warmer Bedroom is Best for Sleeping:

Although a warm bedroom might feel cozier, studies indicate that it’s not ideal for sleep. Body temperature drops naturally as part of the physical process of sleep, and a bedroom that’s too hot may disrupt that process. Sleeping hot can be bothersome and  interfere with sleep. by causing unwanted awakenings.

It’s important to find a bedroom temperature that’s comfortable for you, but most people sleep best in a room in the mid-60s Fahrenheit.

#6. Myth: If You Can’t Sleep, It’s Best to Stay in Bed Until You Fall Back Asleep:

Sleep experts recommend getting out of bed if you can’t fall asleep within 20 minutes. Instead of tossing and turning in bed, it’s better to get up, do something relaxing in a quiet and dim setting (without using your cell phone or other electronic devices), and then try to go back to bed.

The reason experts advise this approach is that it’s important to associate your bed with sleep. Staying in bed while struggling to sleep can do the exact opposite, linking your bed with a feeling of frustration.

Sleeping Disorders and Treatments

Sleep disorders are a group of conditions that affect the ability to sleep well on a regular basis. Whether they are caused by a health problem or by too much stress, sleep disorders are becoming increasingly common in the United States.

In fact, more than one third of adults in the United States report getting fewer than 7 hours of sleep in a 24-hour period. more than 70 % of high school students report getting fewer than 8 hours of sleep on weeknights.

Types of Sleeping disorder.

1. Insomnia

2. Sleep apnea

3. Parasomnias

4. Restless leg syndrome

5. Narcolepsy

How are sleep disorders treated ?

Treatment for sleep disorders can vary depending on the type and underlying cause. However, it generally includes a combination of medical treatments and lifestyle changes.

Medical treatments

Medical treatment for sleep disturbances might include any of the following:

1. sleeping pills

2. melatonin supplements

3. allergy or cold medication

4. medications for any underlying health issues

5. breathing device or surgery (usually for sleep apnea)

6. A dental guard (usually for teeth grinding)