7 Sleep Myths Experts Say Are Wrecking Your Rest (& What To Do Instead)
Key takeaways
- Author: Ava Durgin May 16, 2026Assistant Health Editor By Ava Durgin Assistant Health Editor Ava Durgin is the former Assistant Health Editor at mindbodygreen.
- An expert-led study published in Sleep Health set out to identify the most persistent sleep myths circulating in popular culture and evaluate their accuracy.
- Out of the 20 myths reviewed, several stood out as especially problematic for long-term health.
Why this matters: practical guidance grounded in recent research or expert insight.
Author: Ava Durgin May 16, 2026Assistant Health Editor By Ava Durgin Assistant Health Editor Ava Durgin is the former Assistant Health Editor at mindbodygreen. She holds a B.A. in Global Health and Psychology from Duke University.Image by Asia Images / i Stock May 16, 2026From nightcaps that “help” you sleep to the idea that less sleep is a sign of productivity, misinformation about sleep is everywhere—and it’s taking a toll on our well-being.
An expert-led study published in Sleep Health set out to identify the most persistent sleep myths circulating in popular culture and evaluate their accuracy. Researchers worked with a panel of sleep medicine experts to rate the “falseness” and potential public health consequences of common beliefs.
Out of the 20 myths reviewed, several stood out as especially problematic for long-term health.