There are many insomnia myths that are still circulating today. In fact, these myths are not necessarily true and can actually be misleading. Therefore, it is important for you to find out more information about insomnia, including myths and facts related to this condition.
Insomnia is a disorder that causes sufferers to have difficulty sleeping. If it has been going on for a long time, insomnia can make sufferers feel tired, often sleepy during activities, and have difficulty concentrating.
Not only that, insomnia that is not treated properly can also cause other health problems, such as decreased memory and sex drive, weakened immune systems, and mental disorders such as anxiety disorders and depression.
Various Myths About Insomnia
Here are some insomnia myths and the facts behind them:
1. Sleep faster when watching shows on television
Sleep and wake cycles are regulated by the hormone melatonin which is produced in the brain. Thanks to this hormone, you can sleep at night and wake up the next morning.
There is an insomnia myth that says that watching shows on television, laptops, or smartphone can make a person fall asleep faster so that it can overcome insomnia. However, this is not true.
The habit of often watching TV or electronic screens at night can actually cause disruption of the production of the hormone melatonin. As a result, it will be more difficult for you to get quality sleep.
If you find it difficult to sleep at night, try applying sleep hygiene and listen to soft rhythmic music that can make you feel more relaxed and fall asleep easier.
2. The body can get used to a little sleep
This insomnia myth is not true and quite the opposite. The habit of lack of sleep is actually not good for the health of the body because it can make the body tired.
In the long term, this bad habit can increase the risk of various health problems, such as impaired body coordination and psychological problems, such as mood swings, excessive anxiety, depression, hallucinations, and paranoia.
Not only mental disorders, lack of sleep can also increase the risk of various diseases, such as heart rhythm disorders (arrhythmias), heart failure, heart attacks, strokes, and high blood pressure.
3. Missed hours of sleep can be replaced at a later time
Many people who often cut hours of sleep during the working day with the excuse of being busy. Instead, they will make up for the missed hours of sleep by oversleeping on the weekends.
In fact, this habit can actually disrupt the body's natural sleep schedule, so that insomnia will get worse.
One effective way to make up for lost hours of sleep is to reorganize your activity schedule and make sure you get enough sleep each day. The ideal number of hours of sleep for adults is 7–9 hours per night.
4. Sleeping pills are safe to consume and harmless
Sleeping pills can help you sleep better at night, but they should only be used under the supervision of a doctor. The use of sleeping pills is also generally only for the treatment of insomnia in the short term.
If used inappropriately, sleeping pills run the risk of causing addiction or dependence. In addition, sleeping pills can also cause various side effects, ranging from diarrhea, headaches, dry mouth and throat, heartburn, chest pain, to memory loss.
5. Napping can overcome insomnia
Napping has a different effect on everyone. Some people may find that sleeping for about 15 minutes during the day will refresh the body and make it easier for them to fall asleep afterwards.
However, on the other hand, napping can also make a person more difficult to sleep at night, especially in insomniacs.
If you're tired and want to take a quick nap to boost your energy, try to get just 10–20 minutes of sleep before 3pm. This can prevent you from having trouble sleeping at night.
6. Sleep disturbances can subside on their own
There are many things that can cause a person to experience sleep disorders, ranging from mild such as the habit of staying up late or staring at electronic screens at night to more serious causes, such as certain diseases or medical conditions.
Therefore, to treat sleep disorders properly, you must first find out the cause. The trick is to consult a doctor to undergo an examination and get the right treatment.
In order not to be misinformed, you should not immediately believe the various myths surrounding insomnia and sleep disorders that are widely circulated. Try to find the right information about insomnia by consulting a doctor or reading information on trusted health sites.
Insomnia that occurs occasionally is normal and nothing to worry about. New insomnia needs to be watched out for if it has occurred for a long time or causes certain health problems, such as fatigue and difficulty in carrying out daily activities.
Therefore, if you feel disturbed by this condition or your insomnia does not go away, you should consult a psychiatrist to get the right treatment.
