Sleep Facts – Busting Common Myths About Rest

Published by Hannah Long on 08/09/2025

Sleep Facts With Hannah & Maria

Busting Common Myths About Rest

We all know sleep is essential, but so much of what we hear about it is based on myths or half-truths.

How many hours should we sleep? Is waking up during the night a problem? What really disturbs our rest?

In this blog, we bring together three short videos that tackle these common questions and help you better understand your own sleep patterns.

How Much Sleep Do You Really Need?

When it comes to sleep, there’s no magic number that works for everyone. Some people function well on just four hours, while others need twelve to feel restored.

The key is recognising that your sleep requirement is unique to you — and it changes as you move through different stages of life.

What really matters is finding the balance that leaves you refreshed, focused, and ready to take on the day.

Why Waking Up at Night Is Normal

Many people worry about waking up during the night, but it’s actually a perfectly natural part of the body’s sleep cycles.

These brief awakenings happen to everyone and don’t necessarily mean you’re a “bad sleeper.”

Instead of focusing on whether you wake up, it’s more useful to notice how easily you drift back to sleep and how rested you feel in the morning.

Normalising this pattern can help reduce sleep anxiety and improve overall rest.

What Disturbs Sleep the Most?

Of course, sleep quality isn’t just about how long you’re in bed.

Disruptions like stress, late-night screen use, and noisy environments can break up your rest.

Snoring, in particular, is a common culprit that affects both the person snoring and anyone sleeping nearby.

Identifying what disturbs your sleep is the first step to managing it — and small changes, like improving sleep hygiene or seeking medical advice for persistent snoring, can make a big difference.

Final Thoughts on Healthy Sleep

Sleep isn’t about following rigid rules or chasing a perfect routine — it’s about learning what works for you.

By understanding your individual sleep needs, accepting that waking up at night is normal, and recognising the factors that disturb your rest, you can take simple steps toward healthier, more restorative sleep.

Watch the three videos linked in this blog to learn more and start improving your nights tonight.

Hannah will be running our SOMNI Sleep Therapy Program which will be covering a lot more sleep facts!

You can reach out to Paragon PsychConnect if you would like to see Hannah for an individual appointment, or you can register your interest in our SOMNI Sleep Therapy Program.

Hannah Long

Hannah began her psychology career in the field of sleep health nearly six years ago, and it remains one of her key passions today. Over those six years she has supported individuals across both private and public sectors, working with diverse people supporting the spectrum of mental health and wellbeing. Hannah loves the area of Health where psychology intersects with physical and social. She enjoys working with clients across the age range (12 to 99!) from all backgrounds. Hannah meets people where they are and works alongside them. Her therapeutic interventions are individual centred using a practical approach that sometimes moves out of the square.