Life Kit: Health Debunking sleep myths
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Sep 15, 2025 Sleep scientist Rebecca Robbins, an assistant professor at Harvard Medical School, tackles common sleep myths that keep people tossing and turning. She reveals how sleep timing and circadian rhythms impact health, especially for shift workers. Robbins shares insights on overcoming pre-sleep anxiety, suggesting strategies like meditation and focusing on positivity. Additionally, she dispels the myth that exercising late harms sleep, revealing its actual benefits and offering tips to optimize your sleep environment for a better night's rest.
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Light Shapes Your Internal Clock
- Light exposure strongly sets our circadian rhythm by controlling melatonin secretion.
- Sleeping at the 'wrong' time raises risks like diabetes and some cancers for shift workers.
Practical Steps For Night Shift Sleep
- If you work nights, use blackout curtains and wear sunglasses going home to reduce morning light exposure.
- Avoid food before sunrise and try to get consolidated daytime sleep to protect health.
Instant Sleep Is A Red Flag
- Falling asleep instantly usually signals sleep deprivation, not superior sleep ability.
- Normal, well-rested people often take 15–20 minutes to fall asleep as part of the sleep process.