About Pain Relief Network

Misconception 1: You have to sleep 8 hours per night.

This statement could not be further from the truth; as a matter of fact, I would say that the length of sleep, even though it’s still important, is far inferior to the quality of sleep. Let me clarify this a bit more.

See, when you are sleeping on a surface that is uncomfortable or not suitable for YOUR body and/or health condition, it is highly likely that you will not sleep very soundly, and that you will wake up more frequently due to pain and discomfort. The result will be getting up in the morning feeling like a train wreck, no matter how much time you’ve spent in bed.

A good mattress will give you the rest and relief that your body longs for causing you to fall into a deep slumber and creating the opportunity for true rejuvenation. Sleeping less than 8-7 hours will probably not be a problem if you make every hour count.

Also, sleeping time requirements vary from person to person, so there isn’t a single number we can pin point.

Misconception 2: There is no optimal sleeping position.

Side sleeper, back sleeper, or stomach sleeper – which category do you fall into?

While there is no one-size-fits-all optimal sleeping position, there is one which is optimal for you. You probably know it – it is the one that leaves you feeling energized and rested in the morning.

Why am I saying this? Well, it is important not to fall into the trap of listening to others when they tell you what the best side to sleep on is.

To be fair there is some truth to the claim that certain sleeping positions (e.g. side sleeping) are more beneficial than others (e.g. fetal position), but you must know that the rules do not apply to everyone.

My advice would be not to ignore what you read online, but to try things out and see which pose works for you.

Misconception 3: Alcohol will help you sleep better.

Well, alcohol may indeed help you fall asleep faster, but be sure that the quality of your sleep will not be very high. In fact, having alcohol in our blood when sleeping inhibits the body’s ability to restore and will actually create a counter effect.

The problem is that alcohol prevents your body from producing melatonin, which is a hormone necessary for a good night’s sleep. Also, your REM cycles might be negatively affected by “bedtime booze” which decreases the chance of you waking up fresh.

“Will even a single glass of wine mess with my sleep?” you might ask. The answer is yes. More alcohol is worse, of course, but even having just a little bit won’t do you any good.

Instead of that, try looking for some natural sleep aids since they are an infinitely better option.