6 Sleep Myths Explained

Quality sleep is the secret to youthfulness – here are the truths that could help improve your rest

1 Exercise close to bedtime keeps you awake

TRUTH In fact, even vigorous exercise before bedtime doesn’t cause sleep problems for many people and, according to research by The Sleep Council, it might even be beneficial.

SOLUTION ‘As long as you wind down, exercise shouldn’t affect your sleep,’ says sleep therapist and physiologist Dr Nerina Ramlakhan. This could be anything that relaxes you, such as a warm Epsom salts bath or a few yoga moves (asanas).

‘My favourite is child’s pose, where you kneel down and rest your chest on your thighs and your head on the floor, followed by legs-up-the-wall and corpse pose,’ says Dr Ramlakhan. ‘Hold each for one to five minutes, accompanied by deep, slow breathing – it’s the ultimate pre-bed relaxation routine.’

2 Napping makes you more tired

TRUTH It depends on how long you nap for. A power nap of five to 20 minutes unloads the brain and could make up for a small sleep debt from the night before, according to Dr Ramlakhan. But, after 20 minutes, the brain may move into its deeper, slow-wave sleep, leaving you groggy when you wake up.