Many people enjoy a drink or two before bed to help them relax and fall asleep, but the truth is that alcohol can have a negative impact on the quality of your sleep. While it may seem like alcohol helps you sleep more deeply and quickly, the reality is that it can disrupt your sleep cycle and lead to poor sleep quality.
One of the ways that alcohol affects sleep is by suppressing REM sleep, which is the stage of sleep where you dream and process emotions. When you drink, you may fall asleep more quickly and feel like you’re sleeping deeply, but you’re actually missing out on an important stage of sleep. Without enough REM sleep, you may wake up feeling groggy and irritable, and you may have trouble concentrating throughout the day.
Alcohol can also cause you to wake up more frequently throughout the night. This is because it has a diuretic effect, which means that it makes you urinate more frequently. When you wake up to use the bathroom, you may have trouble falling back asleep, which can lead to fragmented sleep and feelings of fatigue in the morning.
Another negative effect of alcohol on sleep is that it can worsen sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a condition where your breathing becomes interrupted during sleep, and it’s more common in people who drink heavily. Alcohol relaxes the muscles in your throat, which can make it more likely that you’ll experience breathing interruptions during the night.
Finally, alcohol can affect your circadian rhythm, which is your body’s natural sleep-wake cycle. When you drink, your body may release more of the hormone cortisol, which can disrupt your circadian rhythm and make it harder to fall asleep and stay asleep. Over time, this can lead to chronic sleep problems that can be difficult to overcome.
Overall, while alcohol may help you fall asleep initially, it can have a negative impact on the quality of your sleep. If you’re struggling with sleep issues, it’s best to avoid alcohol before bed and try other relaxation techniques, like meditation or reading, to help you wind down. By prioritizing good sleep hygiene, you can improve your overall health and well-being.
This and many other topics to help you improve your sleep are covered by our online sleeping coach programs. Do you prefer to improve your sleep without coaching support? No problem, check out our Road to Sleep e-book, Sleep Better, your guide to a better sleep, where you will find our method to support you.