Does Drinking Impact Sleep?

It's no secret that alcohol can have a negative impact on our sleep. In fact, many people choose to avoid drinking before bed in order to get a good night's sleep. But what is less well known is the extent of the damage that alcohol can do to our slumber. In this article, we'll cover everything you need to know about drinking and sleep.

What Happens In Your Body When You Drink Alcohol?

When you drink alcohol, it is absorbed into your bloodstream and circulated throughout your body. Your liver will break down these enzymes. However, the remaining alcohol will still circulate through the body until the process has been completed. The impacts of alcohol depend on your physical shape, body type, age, gender, as well as the amount of alcohol consumed at one time.

Alcohol has a sedative effect on the brain, which leads to feelings of relaxation and sleepiness. However, alcohol also disrupts the normal sleep cycle. It prevents you from reaching the deepest levels of sleep, which are crucial for rest and recovery. As a result, you may wake up feeling tired and unrested even after a full night's sleep. For example, low alcohol consumption decreased sleep quality by 9.3%, moderate amounts of alcohol decreased sleep quality by 24%, and high amounts of alcohol decreased sleep quality by 39.2%!

What Are The Long-Term Effects Of Alcohol On Sleep?

Deep sleep is essential for our physical and mental health. During deep sleep, our bodies recover from the day's activities and repair any damage that has been done. Furthermore, deep sleep is when our brains consolidate memories and store information. By not getting a full night of rest, you may find it more challenging to focus and remember things.

Drinking alcohol can have long-term impacts on our sleep, even if we only drink occasionally. In fact, a study found that even moderate drinkers (defined as those who consume 1-2 drinks per day) are more likely to experience sleep problems than those who don't drink at all. Additionally, alcohol use has been linked to an increased risk of developing chronic insomnia.

Even if you don't currently have any sleep problems, drinking alcohol can still put you at risk of developing them in the future. So if you're struggling to get a good night's rest, it may be time to consider cutting back on your alcohol consumption.

How To Cut Back On Alcohol Consumption

If you're looking to cut back on your alcohol consumption, you can do a few things to make the process easier. First, avoid drinking in situations where you know you'll be tempted to overindulge. For example, if you're trying to cut back on your drinking, it may be best to avoid going to happy hour with your coworkers.

Second, make sure to have a plan for when you are tempted to drink. This could involve calling a friend or family member, going for a walk, or even purchasing a non-alcoholic alternative to your favorite cocktails.

Finally, keep in mind that it's okay to slip up from time to time. Don't beat yourself up about it if you do have a drink. Just get back on track with your goals and continue working towards reducing your alcohol consumption.

The Bottom Line

If you're looking to improve your sleep, cutting back on alcohol consumption is an excellent place to start. Alcohol disrupts the normal sleep cycle and prevents you from reaching the deepest levels of sleep. This can lead to fatigue, memory problems, and difficulty concentrating. Additionally, alcohol use has been linked to an increased risk of developing chronic insomnia. So if you're struggling to get a good night's rest, it may be time to consider cutting back on your alcohol consumption.