From an early evening nightcap to a late-night latte, alcohol and caffeine can impact your ability to get good rest before going to bed.
Ban the Booze Close to Bedtime
Some people think that having a shot of alcohol before bed will help you sleep but drinking alcohol actually disrupts the sleep cycle in the brain and can contribute to poor sleep or an extended period of sleep.
In particular, consuming alcohol before bed can suppress melatonin, that hormone that helps regulate sleep-wake cycles. So stay away from alcohol a couple of hours before bed.
Cut Back on Coffee & Energy Drinks
Some people think they can drink caffeinated beverages and go right to sleep. Most people can’t do that. For the majority of people, caffeine will keep the brain fired up and it won’t let you go to sleep.
It’s a good idea to abstain from caffeinated beverages at least 4-6 hours before going to bed. Of course, everyone’s tolerance level is different. If you are highly sensitive to caffeine, you may want to consider cutting it out after midday.
Instead of alcohol and caffeinated beverages, aim to drink more water. To enhance sleep, consider sipping a cup or mug of chamomile tea, which will help promote sound slumber.
Check out Dr. Kriva’s video for more information!
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