Sleep derivation 'myths' dispelled
23-04-2009
A report published this week in New Scientist by eminent sleep researcher Professor Jim Horne has moved to dispel some of the most common and enduring myths about sleep deprivation, including connections to conditions such as diabetes and obesity.
Professor Horne, from Loughborough University’s Sleep Research Centre, calls the claims that lack of sleep leads to medical conditions and that the pressures of today's society is at odds with good sleep "intellectually lazy", and cites a host of studies that have been taken out context to create ongoing 'myths' about sleep.
"The fact is that most adults get enough sleep, and our collective sleep debt, if it exists at all, has not worsened in recent times," said Prof. Horne. "Moreover, claims that sleep deprivation is contributing to obesity and diabetes have been overblown. My assertion is that the vast majority of people sleep perfectly adequately. That’s not to say that sleep deprivation doesn’t exist. But in general we’ve never had it so good."
"Just because we can easily sleep beyond our usual daily norm – the Saturday morning lie-in, the Sunday afternoon snooze – it doesn’t necessarily follow that we really need the extra sleep," added Prof. Horne. "Why shouldn’t we be able to sleep to excess, for indulgence? After all, we enthusiastically eat and drink well beyond our biological needs. Why shouldn’t it be the same for sleep?"
Each and every Ergo Flex visco elastic memory foam mattress offers pressure-relieving performance and is designed to give you the night’s sleep you’ve always dreamed of. Providing optimum support for your whole body, Ergo Flex mattresses ensure a restful and comfortable sleep, leaving you feeling rejuvenated and energised in the morning. See our memory foam mattresses page for details of our single, double, king size, European king size and super king size mattress versions, or call 0845 450 2338 to find out more.
Professor Horne, from Loughborough University’s Sleep Research Centre, calls the claims that lack of sleep leads to medical conditions and that the pressures of today's society is at odds with good sleep "intellectually lazy", and cites a host of studies that have been taken out context to create ongoing 'myths' about sleep.
"The fact is that most adults get enough sleep, and our collective sleep debt, if it exists at all, has not worsened in recent times," said Prof. Horne. "Moreover, claims that sleep deprivation is contributing to obesity and diabetes have been overblown. My assertion is that the vast majority of people sleep perfectly adequately. That’s not to say that sleep deprivation doesn’t exist. But in general we’ve never had it so good."
"Just because we can easily sleep beyond our usual daily norm – the Saturday morning lie-in, the Sunday afternoon snooze – it doesn’t necessarily follow that we really need the extra sleep," added Prof. Horne. "Why shouldn’t we be able to sleep to excess, for indulgence? After all, we enthusiastically eat and drink well beyond our biological needs. Why shouldn’t it be the same for sleep?"
Each and every Ergo Flex visco elastic memory foam mattress offers pressure-relieving performance and is designed to give you the night’s sleep you’ve always dreamed of. Providing optimum support for your whole body, Ergo Flex mattresses ensure a restful and comfortable sleep, leaving you feeling rejuvenated and energised in the morning. See our memory foam mattresses page for details of our single, double, king size, European king size and super king size mattress versions, or call 0845 450 2338 to find out more.
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