{"id":1552,"date":"2019-12-02T22:30:04","date_gmt":"2019-12-02T22:30:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bedguard.com.au\/?p=1552"},"modified":"2019-12-02T22:36:11","modified_gmt":"2019-12-02T22:36:11","slug":"how-alcohol-affects-your-sleep","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bedguard.com.au\/backup\/how-alcohol-affects-your-sleep\/","title":{"rendered":"How alcohol affects your sleep"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you\u2019ve ever thought that a little nightcap will help you sleep better, you\u2019re not alone. However, science says that alcohol affects your sleep more than you may realise.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"How<\/p>\n

Why alcohol makes you drowsy<\/h2>\n

Alcohol produces both sedative and stimulating effects. The sedative effects make you initially drowsy, which can help you fall asleep faster than usual. However, a few hours later, the stimulating effects kick in, causing a poorer night\u2019s sleep over all.<\/p>\n

A recent study<\/a> into sleep and alcohol found that even just one drink could impair sleep quality. Moderate consumption of alcohol lowered restorative sleep quality by 24% and high alcohol levels by over 39%.<\/p>\n

How alcohol affects the body<\/h2>\n

Initially, after you\u2019ve had a drink, you may begin to feel drowsy. This drowsiness helps you to drop off to sleep relatively quickly. This is why many people think that alcohol is a sleep-aid. However, it\u2019s what happens a few hours later that causes sleep problems.<\/p>\n

A few hours after your drink, the stimulating effects kick in. Alcohol raises the level of one of your stress hormones, called epinephrine. This hormone increases your heart rate and generally stimulates the body, meaning a disruption to your sleep.<\/p>\n

How alcohol affects your sleep<\/h2>\n

Interrupts your circadian rhythm<\/h3>\n

Alcohol affects the normal production of chemicals in the body that cause you to feel sleepy after being awake for a long time. After drinking, levels of sleep-inducing hormone increase, causing you to fall asleep faster. However, levels of this hormone subside quickly, which causes you to wake up before you’re truly rested.<\/p>\n

Blocks REM sleep<\/h3>\n

REM sleep \u2014 rapid eye movement sleep \u2014 is the type of sleep where we are most likely to dream, when our eyes move back and forth beneath our eyelids, and our body doesn\u2019t move much. REM sleep is the most restorative kind of sleep. It also helps with learning, memory and mood. Alcohol blocks this REM sleep, which is why you\u2019re likely to wake up feeling groggy and confused.<\/p>\n

Contributes to sleep apnoea<\/h3>\n

Alcohol relaxes your throat muscles, which can make sleep-related breathing problems and sleep apnoea<\/a> worse.<\/p>\n

Increases trips to the bathroom<\/h3>\n

Alcohol is a diuretic, which means it promotes the production of urine. You\u2019ll find you\u2019re more likely to get up for the bathroom after drinking alcohol before bed.<\/p>\n

Get to sleep naturally<\/h2>\n

Instead of relying on alcohol to help you drift off, try some of these methods:<\/p>\n