How Alcohol Actually Makes Your Sleep Worse

Many people believe that alcohol can help them sleep better. While alcohol may make you feel drowsy and help you fall asleep faster, it actually has a negative impact on the quality of your sleep. In this blog post, we will discuss the common misconception of using alcohol to help you sleep and the reality of alcohol's effects on your sleep cycle.

Alcohol and Sleep

Alcohol might make you feel relaxed and sleepy, but it negatively affects the quality of sleep you get. When you drink alcohol, it interrupts your sleep cycle, making you more likely to wake up during the night. It also reduces the amount of time you spend in the REM stage of sleep. REM sleep is important because it is when your brain processes emotions and consolidates memories.

Sleep Apnea

Alcohol can also exacerbate sleep apnea, which is a serious sleep disorder where you stop breathing for short periods during the night. Alcohol relaxes the muscles in your throat, making it more likely that your airway will become blocked during sleep.

Dehydration

Alcohol is a diuretic, meaning it makes you urinate more frequently. This can lead to dehydration, which can disrupt your sleep and cause you to wake up in the middle of the night.

Using alcohol to help you sleep is a common misconception, but the reality is that alcohol has a negative impact on the quality of your sleep. It interrupts your sleep cycle, worsens sleep apnea, and can lead to dehydration. If you are having trouble sleeping, it is best to avoid alcohol altogether and try other methods such as exercise, relaxation techniques, and a consistent sleep schedule.

Want to get curious about what cutting out alcohol can do for you?

Schedule some time with our expert coach, Beth Bowen!