6 MYTHS ON SLEEP!

Sleep is so insanely essential for us to function optimally as human beings. Sleep is the fundamental building block for the rest of our health. Even if we are eating healthy, exercising to keep energetic and fit, and of are of good health generally, if we are sleep deprived we feel exhausted and low.

As a result of societal influence and expectation, we tend to brush away poor sleep and try and put up with it. We try and catch up on sleep when we can and sometimes believe that poor sleep is a part of growing up and taking on responsibility.

When we become parents, we accept that having children means to be sleep deprived. This attitude then flows into other stages of our adult life. We expect to put in longer hours at work and carry stress home to our beds as part of being career focussed. We take for granted ancestral habits and patterns and cannot comprehend alternate ways of "being". Lifestyle habits, Sickness, hormonal imbalances, trauma and much more all impact sleep.

Getting to understand sleep and sleep habits is the first step towards getting sleep. When we know a bit more about a subject and see a different perspective then we can work towards some change.

Over the next couple of weeks, I am excited to share my learning on sleep (or lack of) related information with a view to knowledge share and helping others, like me, manage their sleep deprived states. These shares include blogs, posts, instagram lives and cover perspectives from ancient eastern and western outlooks. This also includes a unique challenge that you can participate in.

Please do share this blog to others that can benefit and follow me on instagram if you are not already.

As a start, we need to change our views about some of our incorrect beliefs regarding sleep. So here are some sleep myths explained. There are many more, but these are ones that I believe impact us day to day. I have also kept them concise because I know you have to manage your time so you can get to bed in a timely manner! :)

6 MYTHS ABOUT SLEEP

1. Myth: The older you get, the fewer hours of sleep you need.

Experts recommend 7 to 9 hrs of sleep for the average adult. Sleep patterns change as we age, the amount of sleep we NEED does not. Frequent sleep problems interfere with sleep in older adults and it is usually the symptoms of peri/menopause and conditions that affect sleep. How many people you know, including yourself who sleep between 7-9 hours?

2. Myth: The Ability To Fall Asleep Anywhere and at Any Time Means You’re a “Good Sleeper”

I used to be this person! Being able to fall asleep at any time and under any circumstances is a sign of having sleep problems, not of being a “good sleeper.” Sleeping at any time can also be tied to circadian rhythm disorders and narcolepsy. The goal of good sleep is to have consistent high quality sleep AT NIGHT that supports and reinforces a good circadian rhythm which is an important factor for sleep quality.

3. Myth: More Sleep Is good and How Long You Sleep Is All That Matters

While sleeping too little is not good, too much sleep in general is also problematic. It could be a sign of an underlying health condition. In Ayurveda it is considered to be an indication of an imbalanced Dosha. The quality of how you sleep is also a very important factor. Just clocking the number of hours is not enough, having a good uninterrupted sleep is essential for the body and mind to recalibrate and restore.

4. Myth: You can “make up” on the amount of sleep you get

Healthy sleeping habits mean sleeping every day preferably at the same time, length and a good quality of sleep. Expecting to accumulate sleep hours later in the day or week is ok once in a while but if accumulated for longer periods of time can be difficult to 'payback' to the body, eventually leading to health issues.

5. Myth: Insomnia is characterized by difficulty falling asleep

This is a good one! We always assume that difficulty falling asleep is insomnia but it is only one of four symptoms. Other symptoms include waking up too early and not being able to fall back asleep, frequently waking and waking up feeling unrefreshed. Insomnia can be a symptom of a sleep disorder or other medical or psychological/psychiatric problem, and can often be treated. These make so much sense from an Ayurvedic perspective, which I will be sharing on my insta life soon, if you are interested. (Instagram: @purnimatrasi)

6. Myth: Exercising at Night Disturbs Sleep

A very common reason we tend not to exercise in the evenings. However, research studies indicate that even vigorous exercise at night does not usually affect sleep. While this does differ for people, working out at night mostly helps many people sleep better. I hope that people are moving away from this as a reason not to take up exercise. Even though the perfect time to do Yoga is early morning, you can also benefit immensely from practicing in the evening especially to shed the day's stresses and calm the mind.

There are many more. Do you know any, please do share in comments below as I would love to hear.

As someone who used to be a believer in Myth 2 listed above and quite surprised by Myth 5, I hope that you learnt something from this blog today. Please do share it with people who need to know. I will be sharing more on sleep on my instagram account so follow me by clicking here.

I love sleep. Now I know that this is due to the way my constitution is put together. In Ayurveda (Indian science of health) it is a characteristic of VATA dosha. When I have a night of bad sleep, even if it is for just one night, I feel absolutely weak, lifeless and down. I also hear so many family, friends and yoga students who suffer from erratic sleep and deprivation. These blogs and shares are therefore to help myself and the community around me.

I am putting together a mini unique challenge that will be the pivotal point in your transformation journey and it is absolutely FREE!

It is a very simple challenge and I promise you, it is one that you can do. It is not exercise related or one that will try and change your shape or appearance but definitely one that will transform you!

INTRIGUED?

Are you interested in finding out more? If so please, register to get on the waitlist.

The challenge starts in Feb and you can join in anytime. All you need to be is COMMITTED and follow instructions.

Another reminder to please share this blog to others that can benefit and follow me on instagram if you are not already.

This kind gesture will make a big difference to my small business.

Gratitude Always,

Purnima