12 Common Sleep Myths, Busted

Sleeping doesn't seem like it should be all that hard. After all, humans have been sleeping for hundreds of thousands of years-it's not like flying a plane or performing laparoscopic surgery. Sleeping is high up there on the list of activities essential for survival, along with eating and breathing. And yet, chances are, when it comes to sleep, we're still doing something wrong.

Whether it's falling asleep with the TV on, letting Fido curl up in bed with you or pouring another cup of coffee too late in the day, a lot of what we believe to be acceptable bedtime behavior is simply not. In the slideshow below, we've rounded up 12 of the most commonly believed sleep myths, and asked the experts to shed some light on the truth.

Myth: Everyone Needs Eight Hours of Sleep

Fact: What works for you might not work for your neighbor. "A person's sleep need is genetically pre-determined," says Michael Decker, Ph.D., associate professor at Georgia State University and spokesperson for the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. "Some people need a little bit more, and some need a little bit less."

So how do you know how much you need? One tell-tale sign you're not getting enough is falling asleep as soon as you get into bed, says Robert Oexman, director of the Sleep to Live Institute. "It's very common that people tell me, 'I'm a great sleeper, I fall asleep as soon as my head hits the pillow,'" he says. "That's a sign that you're probably not getting enough sleep." Drifting off should take around 15 minutes if you're regularly fulfilling your sleep needs, he says. And if you wake up feeling refreshed and energetic? You're doing something right, says Decker.

However, the people who say they're fine with just six hours of sleep a night are likely setting themselves up for future problems. Research suggests that consistently sleeping fewer than six hours a night can increase stroke and diabetes risk, damage bones and hurt the heart, among other scary side effects.

Myth: The More Sleep You Get, the Better

Fact: Believe it or not, there is a thing as too much sleep. Just like people who regularly sleep fewer than six hours a night, people who consistently clock more than nine or 10 hours a night also face a number of health problems, says Michael A. Grandner, Ph.D., an instructor of psychiatry and a member of the Behavioral Sleep Medicine program at the University of Pennsylvania. We don't quite know yet if too much sleep is the proverbial chicken or the egg, he says, but we do know there is such a thing as too much of a good thing!

Myth: You Can Make Up For a Lack of Sleep During the Week by Sleeping Late on the Weekends

Fact: If you're grouchy and crabby from skimping on sleep all week, and then sleep a couple extra hours Saturday morning, you'll find the short-term effects of sleep deprivation vanish pretty quickly, says Grandner. But the long-term impact is still likely dangerous. "The problem [with counting on catching up on sleep] is thinking there's not a consequence of not getting enough sleep all week," says Oexman. "There are consequences of even one night of not getting enough sleep."

Plus, if you sleep in too late on the weekends, you're setting yourself up for trouble falling asleep Sunday night. Then, when the alarm goes off Monday morning, you'll find yourself starting the cycle all over again, says Oexman.

Myth: If You Can't Fall Asleep, Just Rest in Bed Until You Do

Fact: Turns out, lying there staring at the clock hoping sleep will come is one of the worst things you can do, the experts say. "Lying in bed and ruminating about why we're not sleeping can increase anxiety and make it harder to fall asleep," says Decker. If you stew there long enough, you may teach your brain to associate lying in bed with being awake, says Oexman.

Instead, get out of bed and do something else for a while to help you wind down. The change of environment can help you avoid a stressful association with your bedroom, as long as it's nothing too exciting and away from any bright light. Half an hour later, try getting back into bed, says Grandner.

Myth: Watching TV Can Be a Good Way to Fall Asleep

Fact: "There's a difference between relaxation and distraction," says Grandner. When you relax, your breathing and heart rate slow down, your muscles release, your thoughts grow calmer-and none of that happens when you're watching TV. "TV at night is not there to help you sleep, it is there to sell you stuff," he says.

Not to mention that the blue light emitted from the TV tricks your brain into thinking it's time to be awake and alert. Experts agree that you should power down all electronic devices at least an hour before bed.

Reading a book (that isn't too exciting) can help you relax, but sleep docs are quick to point it has to be the real thing. iPads and other backlit electronic readers emit the same kind of stimulating light as your TV.

Myth: Snoring is Annoying but Harmless

Fact: While certainly a nuisance to your bedmate, snoring can be more dangerous to your health than you might know.

The vibrations of the soft tissue of your airways that leads to that log-sawing sound can cause swelling overtime. As the swelling further narrows your airways, it becomes increasingly difficult for enough oxygen to pass through, says Oexman.

When it's not getting enough oxygen, the brain will trigger snorers to wake up, says Grandner. Most people who snore or have sleep apnea almost immediately fall back to sleep, but some experts hypothesize that the constantly cycling between alert and asleep causes a great deal of stress in the body, particularly to the heart, says Grandner. This could explain why both snoring and sleep apnea have been linked to increased heart risks.

Myth: Alcohol Will Help You Nod Off

Fact: It might help you doze off, but it becomes seriously detrimental to the quality of your shut-eye later on in the night. It's a much more complicated relationship than just "alcohol makes you pass out," says Grandner. As your body processes the alcohol, it can begin to act as a stimulant, leading to more shallow and less restful sleep later in the night.

Drinkers may also be more likely to wake up in the middle of the night and have trouble falling back to sleep. "Alcohol is very disruptive to sleep continuity and leads to fragmented sleep and poor sleep quality," says Decker. "Drink now, pay later."

Myth: An Afternoon Coffee Won't Disrupt Your Sleep

Fact: Caffeine has a surprisingly long half life, meaning there's still about half of the original amount of caffeine you ingested in your blood about 12 hours later, says Oexman.

Caffeine isn't always the most obvious of sleep-stealers, however. "In most cases when it comes time to sleep, you just don't quite feel ready for it," says Grandner. "You're not feeling the caffeine jitters, you're just less able to wind down, even if you don't realize that it could be a culprit."

Even lunchtime caffeine could cause trouble if you're particularly sensitive to caffeine, but definitely steer clear of any after-dinner coffee or tea.

Myth: Your Bedroom Should Be Warm and Cozy

Fact: Even though we totally understand the urge to cuddle up under loads of blankets, a cooler environment is more conducive to good sleep. Because there are specific changes in core body temperature as we prepare for sleep, anything that raises your internal temp can make sleep more difficult, says Grandner. Some people would rather save on electricity and turn the AC off at night, but if you find yourself struggling to sleep as the weather warms up, try keeping a fan running at least, he suggests.

In most cases, says Oexman, having your head exposed to some cool air will counteract the effects of too many blankets, but for bedmates with opposite temperature needs, he suggests sleeping with two sets of sheets and blankets, even if you're in the same bed.

Myth: An Afternoon Nap Will Mess with Your Nighttime Sleep

Fact: When timed right, it shouldn't! In fact, there's substantial research that shows nappers have improved memory, alertness, and performance after a short siesta. Make sure you're not napping too close to bedtime, and cut it to 30 minutes or less, otherwise you risk drifting into deeper sleep and feeling groggier when you wake up.

A word of caution for people who have difficulty sleeping: If you already find it hard to fall asleep, wake up multiple times throughout the night, or wake up too early, it's probably wise to skip the nap, says Oexman.

Myth: Exercising at Night Will Keep You Up

Fact: Not necessarily. This thinking probably stems from studies of people doing much more intense exercise much closer to bedtime than most of us really do, says Grandner. If you have no other time than at night to hit the gym, don't skip the workout, just make sure it isn't too rigorous and that you allow yourself ample time to cool off before jumping into bed, says Grandner.

However, if you already have trouble falling asleep at night, the boost to your core body temperature caused by exercise could add fuel to the fire, says Oexman. People with trouble sleeping should look to exercise at least three to four hours before bedtime, he says.

Myth: It's OK for Your Pet to Share Your Bed

Fact: Your furry friends are not the best bed partners. "Some people feel that having their pet in the room helps them sleep better," says Decker, "but if Fido snores and Fluffy is roaming around on the bed as cats often do, it can be very disruptive!"

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