32% of French people consider their sleep quality to be poor. Dr. Rim Savatier, who heads the sleep unit at the private hospital Eure-et-Loir, Elsan, in Mainvilliers, clears up some misconceptions on the topic and also offers suggestions on how to prepare for a good night’s sleep.
As the head of the sleep unit at the private hospital in Eure-et-Loir in Mainvilliers, Dr. Rim Savatier clarifies fact from fiction when it comes to getting a good night’s rest.
Reasonably, one should sleep in complete darkness, peacefully, with a suitable temperature and a comfortable bed.
It depends on each person. Some will sleep deeply on their back, others on the right or left side, or on their stomach.
Not at all, except for those who require less sleep. On average, we need 7 to 8 hours of sleep to stay in good shape, and even more for children and adolescents.
When you’re a teenager, it’s not a big deal. Adults don’t require as much sleep to recover. The risk is to shift the schedule of bed and wake times.
Reasonable?! It’s preferable to sleep with a not-completely-empty stomach but rather with a relatively empty one. For those who eat early and sleep late, think about eating something light before going to bed because it’s hard to sleep well on an entirely empty stomach.
No. You should exercise more than two hours before going to bed since exercise increases body temperature and the body produces waste materials that disrupt sleep. You can stretch and relax before bedtime, but never do intense workouts.
It’s very dangerous to sleep while exposed to screens at night. Smartphones, tablets, and computers are rich in blue light. Fifteen minutes of blue light exposure inhibits our melatonin secretion for about two hours, making it difficult to fall asleep and altering the quality of sleep.
Yes, for people who need time to do activities, especially those who work at night and have to wake up at 6 am to start working. But most of us don’t need it. Usually, after five minutes, you’re ready when you’ve had a good night’s sleep.