The Most Googled Sleep Myths Debunked

We’ve all heard old wives’ tales whispered through family and friends about what really matters when it comes to sleep. From curious claims about how many hours you need to feel rested to the infamous “swallowing spiders in your sleep” myth, misinformation is everywhere.

These beliefs can actually have real consequences on the quality of our shut-eye. So, we did a little digging. By analysing Google search data, we uncovered the UK’s most-Googled sleep questions to separate fact from fiction – so you can focus on drifting off, worry-free.

While the NHS recommends an average of 7-9 hours of sleep each night, the amount of sleep an individual needs varies. The question, “Is 7 hours of sleep enough?” racks up 3,500 searches each month, showing that many of us do believe there is a single magic number.

However, the amount of sleep you need depends on factors like lifestyle, age and even genetics. Take teenagers, for example – they can snooze for up to 10 hours a night (and still want a lie-in). The best way to measure your own rest is simple: how do you feel the next day? If you wake up feeling bright-eyed and energised, you’re on the right track. But if mornings feel heavy and hazy, your body could be hinting at a little too much beauty sleep.

Let’s put this one to rest: eating spiders in your sleep is a myth. The question, “How many spiders do you eat in your sleep?” gets 600 monthly searches, so some people really do wonder if it’s more than one over a lifetime. This idea has been around for decades, but in reality, with all our movement, breathing, and nightly vibrations, spiders are much more likely to stay far away.

Can you catch up on sleep?” is another common search query, with 450 searches per month, and the answer is a little complicated. In short, it depends on how much rest you need to catch up on.

Sleep debt happens when you don’t get as much rest as your body needs. If it’s just a late night here and there, then having a nap can help you feel refreshed in the short term. But sometimes it can take a few days to get back to normal. If you’re consistently losing sleep, catching up on it by napping or having a lie-in at the weekend won’t quite cut it. In the long run, sticking to a consistent bedtime routine helps prevent sleep debt.

If you need some snooze-worthy inspiration, check out our guide on creating the perfect bedtime routine.

Many people wonder, “Is it bad to sleep naked?”. The good news is that sleeping without clothes on is not unhealthy. In fact, going au naturel can help your body regulate temperature, leading to better rest and a little boost for your overall well-being. Just make sure your bedding is fresh and your room isn’t too chilly if you’re ditching the pyjamas. At the end of the day, it’s all about what makes you feel comfy – there’s no right or wrong.

Still not convinced? Read seven reasons you should consider sleeping naked.

The question driving 350 searches a month is, “Can you sleep too much?” The answer is yes. Sleeping too much, officially referred to as ‘oversleeping’, can negatively affect your well-being. The Sleep Foundation considers anything above 9 hours for normal adults to be oversleeping. Catching extra Zzzs might sound like a treat, but too much can actually leave you tired, give you headaches, and drag down your mood. Not quite the treat you were hoping for! To reset your routine, check out our guide on how to stop oversleeping.

Many people turn to Google every month to ask if snoring is bad for you (300 monthly searches). In most cases, snoring is harmless. If anything, it’s more of a nuisance, especially for those nearby!

Snoring is simply the sound of air moving through relaxed throat muscles, so it’s nothing to worry about. However, frequent snoring could indicate more serious issues like sleep apnoea, where breathing stops during sleep. If you think this might be happening to you, it’s a good idea to check in with your doctor. And if your snoring is keeping you (or your co-snoozer) up at night, it’s worth exploring some solutions.

Discover natural ways to prevent snoring and handy tips for when it disrupts your slumber.

It’s a tale as old as time: eating cheese before bed causes nightmares. And with 200 people asking each month, “Does cheese before bed give you nightmares?”, it’s clear this legend has lived on.

The myth probably stems from the fact that dairy is harder to digest than other foods. But the link between cheese and nightmares can’t be proved. That said, a 2005 study by the British Cheese Board did provide evidence that different cheeses can affect the type of dreams you have. So while a bedtime cheese snack isn’t guaranteed to give you scary dreams, it can influence how vivid and memorable your dreams might be.

Have you ever been warned not to wake someone who is sleepwalking? With 150 people asking, “What happens if you wake up a sleepwalker?”, it’s clear this myth is sticking around.

So, what’s the truth about waking a sleepwalker? Well, it won’t cause them serious harm. However, startling them will likely leave them unsettled and confused. The NHS advise that you should gently guide the person back to bed, and if you feel you need to wake them up, then do so softly.

We’ve all heard of the term ‘nightcap’ and the idea that having one will help you drift into a peaceful slumber. But can alcohol really help you sleep? The answer isn’t as straightforward as you think. Alcohol can make you feel drowsy and help you fall asleep faster; however, it does disturb your sleep cycle. Drinking an alcoholic beverage just three hours before bed can reduce the amount of REM sleep you get and lead to fragmented rest. So while a glass of wine might feel relaxing in the moment, it won’t give you the restorative sleep your body really needs.

The “blue light sleep myth?” gets 110 searches each month, showing lots of people are curious about whether screens before bed affect sleep. Sadly, for those of us who are glued to our devices, blue light can actually shorten our snooze time. The glow from your phone tricks your brain into thinking it’s daytime, suppressing melatonin (the sleep hormone) and keeping you more alert. Try to limit screen time for at least an hour before bed to help your body drift off.

You can learn more about blue light in our article on how social media affects sleep.

About 100 people a month search “Do older people need less sleep?”, which shows that many people believe that sleep becomes less important with age. This is a common misconception. While sleep patterns do change as we age, adults still need plenty of quality rest. Good sleep is essential for feeling your best at any age.

Based on Google Search Data, the Most Googled Sleep Myths Debunked reveals the common misconceptions about sleep – showing just how often we turn to the internet for some bedtime clarity. To discover the most popular sleep myths, we reviewed reputable sources from the Sleep Foundation, Oxford Health, the National Library of Medicine, and ChatGPT.

We then explored Google’s “People Also Ask” feature to identify common related queries. Using Ahrefs, we analysed the monthly search volume for each myth and selected the ten with the highest search interest to reveal the most Googled sleep myths.