Sleep Myths Debunked

WHAT SCIENCE REALLY SAYS ABOUT YOUR REST

Sleep is essential to good health, but common myths and misinformation can make it
challenging to understand what your body truly needs. From how long you should sleep to
whether a nap will ruin your night’s rest, it’s easy to get caught up in advice that isn’t supported
by science. Let's clear up some of the most persistent myths about sleep and offer practical,
evidence-based insights to help you sleep better.

“Better sleep starts with understanding your body, respecting your rhythms, and creating habits
that help you truly rest,” says Robert Miller, Apria's Vice President of Sleep Business.

MYTH #1: EVERYONE NEEDS 8 HOURS OF SLEEP

You’ve likely heard the phrase, “Everyone needs 8 hours of sleep,” repeated time and again.
While this can be a helpful benchmark, it doesn’t reflect the whole picture. The truth is that sleep
needs vary from individual to individual and depend on a range of factors, including age,
genetics, overall health, and daily activity levels.

Some people feel completely rested with just under seven hours of sleep, while others may
need nine to function at their best. Instead of focusing solely on the number of hours you’re in
bed, pay closer attention to how you feel during the day. Do you wake up feeling refreshed? Can
you stay alert and focused without relying heavily on caffeine? These are more reliable factors
of sleep adequacy than a rigid hour count. Quality matters just as much, if not more, than
quantity. 

MYTH #2: NAPPING RUINS NIGHTTIME SLEEP

Naps often get a bad reputation for interfering with nighttime rest. However, when timed and
appropriately structured, short naps can actually be beneficial. A nap of 20 to 30 minutes in the
early afternoon can improve mood, restore alertness, and enhance performance without
interfering with your ability to fall asleep at night. Problems typically arise when naps stretch too long or are taken too late in the day. Longer naps can lead to sleep inertia, a groggy feeling that occurs after waking, and may disrupt your internal sleep-wake cycle. The key is to keep naps brief and consistent. If you frequently or regularly need naps, it may be a sign of poor nighttime sleep or an underlying sleep disorder, and you should discuss this with a healthcare provider. 

RETHINKING SLEEP THROUGH HABITS, NOT MYTHS

Good sleep isn’t about meeting a perfect number of hours or avoiding naps altogether; it’s about
building consistent routines and tuning in to what your body needs. Developing healthy sleep
habits, such as maintaining a regular bedtime, limiting screen use before bed, and creating a
calm sleep environment, can significantly improve the quality of your rest.
Listening to your body and responding with supportive habits, rather than rigid rules, can help
you achieve meaningful improvements in sleep quality and daytime performance. When it
comes to sleep, science reminds us of that flexibility, awareness, and self-care go further than
myths ever could.

Ready to embark on your journey to better sleep? Learn more about Apria's Sleep Care
program.

LEARN ABOUT HOW APRIA SUPPORTS COPD PATIENTS

References:

Bailly, Sébastien, Monique Mendelson, Sébastien Baillieul, Renaud Tamisier, and
Jean-Louis Pépin. “The Future of Telemedicine for Obstructive Sleep Apnea Treatment: A
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Clederhouse. “Telemedicine Improves Access to High-Quality Sleep Care - AASM.”
American Academy of Sleep Medicine – Association for Sleep Clinicians and
Researchers, March 31, 2021. https://aasm.org/telemedicine-improves-access-high-quality-sleep-care/.

Schutte-Rodin, Sharon. “Telehealth, Telemedicine, and Obstructive Sleep Apnea.” Sleep
Medicine Clinics, September 15, 2020. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32762969/.

Shamim-Uzzaman, Qurratul Afifa, Charles J Bae, Zarmina Ehsan, Arveity R Setty,
Michelle Devine, Swati Dhankikar, Innessa Donskoy, et al. “The Use of Telemedicine for
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Medicine Update.” Journal of clinical sleep medicine : JCSM : official publication of the
American Academy of Sleep Medicine, May 1, 2021. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8320493/