3 Common Sleeping Myths…

1. There is no such thing as oversleeping.

Oversleeping, according to the National Sleep Foundation, is defined as sleeping more than nine hours in a 24-hour period. Furthermore, "oversleeping can reduce your natural hunger for sleep the next night, disrupting sleep and increasing sleep anxiety in some," according to Doctors.

Oversleeping symptoms include taking more naps than usual during the day, feeling sleepy throughout the day, and experiencing an increase in headaches.

2. Snoring is never cause for concern.

While a snoring habit is often associated with being an annoying bedmate, sometimes it can also reflect serious health concerns. “Loud, frequent snoring with regular pauses in breathing is called sleep apnea, a serious sleep disorder that should be treated,” says Dr. Stanley.

If you suspect a snoring habit may be reflective of an underlying health issue, it’s best to seek the help of a medical professional.

3. Certain foods will put you to sleep.

It's a popular after-dinner joke that eating turkey can put you to sleep. However, while turkey contains the amino acid tryptophan, which can help with sleep, Dr. Breus says you'd have to eat a lot of it to digest enough tryptophan to help you fall asleep faster.

While there are no foods that can replace a sleeping pill, there are a few that can help you get a good night's sleep, such as bananas, eggs, and pistachios. The caveat is that certain foods and ingredients, such as caffeine, alcohol, and sugar, may actually interfere with quality sleep.