The Four Sleep Myths We’ve All Heard

From drinking alcohol (13%) or watching TV (38%), to scrolling on social media (24%), there are many things’ people do to ‘wind down’ at the end of the day. however, all of these actually lead to a poorer night’s sleep. Woolroom has partnered with wellness brand LYMA to debunk myths surrounding sleep and to supply genuine solutions ), as part of its ‘Clean Sleeping is the New Clean Eating’ campaign, which aims to raise awareness about unhealthy sleeping habits and educate people about how clean sleeping should be taken just as seriously as clean eating.

Sleep is a superpower. It’s one of the main building blocks of a healthy, happy life. Insufficient sleep can worsen mood, sap energy and has been linked to a range of health issues including dementia, depression, heart disease and a weakened immune system. The best thing you can do for your health is give your body the rest it deserves and prepare a clean sleep routine.

MYTH: Alcohol will help you sleep better

There’s a popular misconception that alcohol helps us to sleep. In a recent survey by Woolroom, 13% of people thought a nightcap would assist them in getting a better night’s sleep, however, this is untrue. Chris Tattersall, our resident sleep expert at Woolroom reveals “While a drink may help you fall asleep quicker, it will also cause you to have a more restless and disturbed sleep, as you skip the important REM stage. You might wake up often during the night or earlier than you want the next morning, leading to you feeling less able to function the following day.”

MYTH: Watching TV or scrolling on social media are good ways to relax before bed

For many of us, watching TV or going on our phone is a common way to wind down at the end of the day. 38% said they watch TV before bed, while 24% scrolling on social media. Screen time will not help you wind down. It will in fact do the opposite and fire up your mind. Instead, try reading a book or listening to music. For those of you who are tempted to use your phone, I would recommend putting it in a separate room overnight.
Blue light fools the brain into thinking it's daytime. When that happens, the body stops releasing a sleep hormone called melatonin. Melatonin is nature's way of helping us wind down and prepare for bed. The body starts releasing it a couple of hours before bedtime.

MYTH: Exercising before bed

In Our survey, 10% revealed they work out before bed to help them get a good night’s sleep. However whilst regular exercise can help you fall asleep, if you do this a couple of hours before you go to bed, it will just make your mind more alert and raise your body temperature, both of which make it hard for you to fall asleep right away.

Instead, we would suggest doing yoga or mediation which induces a faster removal of toxins accumulated in your body by stimulating natural detoxification processes. This will help lower cortisol levels and reduce stress and anxiety, allowing you to fall into a deep restorative sleep.

MYTH: Sleep aids are long-term solutions

There are now lots of aids people use to help them sleep better, generally, sleep aids should be for short-term use therefore it is important to look at long-term solutions. Our survey revealed people use pillow sprays (37%), natural supplements (26%), sleep masks (24%), silk pillowcases (16%), sleep APPs (8%), and sedative based supplements (14%).

Opting for long-term solutions are a much more efficient way to improve sleep. Our first recommendation would be to invest in natural bedding fibres. Bedding can last up to five years and wool is the only natural, sustainable, and renewable bedding fibre that contributes to a better night’s ‘Clean Sleep’, owing to its temperature regulating, hypoallergenic, chemical free and self-cleaning properties. It’s been proven to help you sleep better as it allows you to spend 25% more time in Stage 4 REM sleep, those crucial hours between 2am and 5am, when cells regenerate, and the body heals itself.

In the survey, nearly one third (31%) revealed they sleep with wool products and reported that it helped them get to sleep faster, they slept deeper and longer, it alleviated their allergy symptoms, they didn’t wake up feeling too hot or cold as often and wool actually helped both them and their partner get a better night’s sleep.

About LYMA

LYMA has changed the way the world looks at wellness. It has launched two wellness products which have redefined wellness categories. The LYMA Laser is the world’s most powerful at home near infrared laser skincare device. The LYMA Supplement is the first to only use peer-reviewed, patented ingredients, each dosed at proven levels. Formulated by the leading authority in preventative, degenerative disease, Dr. Paul Clayton PhD, LYMA is more than a vitamin pill, it’s the ultimate antidote to the stress of modern life.

LYMA is a sleep-supporting powerhouse, derived from completely natural sources and has powerful sleep-inducing potential. Lucy Goff, the Founder of LYMA reveals: “Scientists have realised that sleep is a dynamic process, incorporating many different processes that a traditional night-time supplement doesn’t address. With the LYMA Supplement we’ve forged a paradigm shift in sleep supplements, moving away from knock-you-out sedatives to brain enhancing formulas that optimise sleep, without compromising daytime functioning.”

Lucy continues: “The LYMA Supplement is the only formula in the world to incorporate ten patented, peer-reviewed ingredients, each dosed at the level proven to work, offering a medical-grade supplement The LYMA formula is proven to help people fall asleep three times faster compared to placebo, improve sleep quality and help people feel refreshed when they wake up in the morning.”