Sleeping in tight underwear is not recommended for women, as it prevents air circulation around the vulval area, increasing the risk of bacterial vaginosis, according to sleep experts. This is one of 16 common sleep myths debunked by specialists in a recent article.
Dr Lindsay Browning, sleep expert at Trouble Sleeping, explains that darkness is crucial for sleep because light suppresses melatonin, the hormone that regulates circadian rhythm. Even with closed eyes, light is sensed through the eyelids, making a dark room preferable. However, consistency matters: people who grew up with lights or noise may need a nightlight or white noise for emotional security.
Teenagers who sleep in at weekends are not lazy; their melatonin production is delayed during puberty, making them biologically inclined to go to bed and wake later. The recommended sleep for 13- to 17-year-olds is eight to ten hours, and for 18- to 19-year-olds, seven to nine hours.
Waking a sleepwalker is not dangerous but can scare and confuse them. Instead, talk reassuringly and guide them back to bed. Sleepwalkers in deep sleep can perform complex tasks like driving, as parts of the brain controlling movement are awake while rational thinking areas remain asleep. In REM sleep, muscle paralysis normally prevents acting out dreams, but those without paralysis may punch or kick.
Sleep talking, common in adolescence, often involves unintelligible sounds; the most common understandable word is 'no'. It can be triggered by stress, caffeine, or alcohol. Lack of sleep is more critical than lack of food—humans can survive 19 days without food but only nine without sleep. However, the body naturally induces microsleeps to prevent harm.
Consistent sleep patterns are vital; weekend lie-ins can cause 'social jet lag', linked to poor gut health, inflammation, and increased risk of heart disease and diabetes. While sleeping in for 90 minutes occasionally may not harm, long-term consistency is better for circadian rhythm.
