You know what's actually not true? That counting sheep can help you drift off to sleep.

Recent studies have actually verified that doing this exercise is so boring that all it does is help you transition back into worrying about your life; thus, making it impossible for sleep to come to you.

This isn't the only sleep myth worth debunking though, here are some more:

1. There's no such thing as beauty sleep: Actually, experts in Sweden have determined that getting more quality sleep can and does make you a little bit more attractive. A good portion of our bodies regenerates through sleep and as such repairs the cells that have been awake for say, whole weekends now.

2. Watching TV or reading can help you nod off: Not only are you sometimes kept up by an engrossing bit in your book or series, you're also tricking your body to believe that it's still light out thanks to light exposure from your TV or lamp.

3. We need less sleep as we get older: If anything, waking up early and the odd waking up in the middle of the night is caused by changing sleep patterns; it is not an indication of needing less sleep.

4. Alcohol before bed will help you sleep: Yes, it may clock you out so bad that you think you've dropped into a deep sleep but alcohol actually interrupts your precious REM time. This can cause nightmares or disturbed sleep.

5. If you can't sleep, it's best to relax in your bed until you actually do: Experts believe that after 15-20 minutes of tossing and turning, it might be best to get up and do some light activity. Read or pace softly until you feel a bit drowsy.

6. Taking sleeping pills can lead to an addiction: According to the National Sleep Foundation, sleeping pills taken as directed are harmless and efficient treatments for insomnia and introduce a lower risk of dependence than medications in the past.

7. Your brain is at rest during sleep: Sleep is believed to give neurons used while we're up and about a chance to shut down and mend themselves so that they can continue to operate normally. While this is happening your brain is also giving your body instructions on keeping you alive such breathing and fighting threats in the environment.

8. The more sleep, the better: Getting too much or too little sleep is correlated to elevated rates of diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease, reports Harvard Medical School's Division of Sleep Medicine.