Sounds familiar. But is it true?
Sleep advice gets passed around so often that a belief can start to sound like a fact. Try these six statements.
Make a prediction, then open the explanation. You can change your mind. This is practice, not part of your score.
Everyone needs exactly eight hours.
Read the explanation
Eight is not a magic number. Most adults need around 7–9 hours, with individual variation. How you function in the day matters too.
Older adults need much less sleep.
Read the explanation
Sleep may feel lighter and happen earlier with age. That does not mean the need for sleep drops dramatically.
You can train yourself to thrive on very little sleep.
Read the explanation
Getting used to a tired feeling is different from removing your need for sleep. Ongoing short sleep can still affect attention and health.
Snoring is always harmless.
Read the explanation
Snoring is common, but breathing pauses, gasping or persistent daytime sleepiness can be signs of sleep apnoea. Speak to a GP if these occur.
Alcohol can make you sleepy but disturb your sleep later.
Read the explanation
Feeling drowsy is not the same as sleeping well. Alcohol can make sleep lighter and increase waking during the night.
More time in bed always means better sleep.
Read the explanation
Time in bed and time asleep are different. Simply extending time in bed is not a reliable solution to ongoing sleep difficulty.