JOMO JULY - Day 9
How Alcohol Disrupts Your Sleep Patterns
A lot of people believe alcohol helps them to sleep better, when it actually robs you of deep rest.
You might feel drowsy after a drink, but here’s what’s really happening behind the scenes:
It Messes with REM Sleep:
Alcohol suppresses rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, the dream rich stage that’s crucial for memory, mood regulation, and cognitive function. Scientific studies were performed on rats who were deprived of this crucial stage of sleep, and died within short periods of time!
More Wake Ups in the Night:
As your body processes the alcohol, it can lead to fragmented sleep - waking up more often and tossing and turning.
Dehydration & Night Sweats:
Alcohol is a diuretic, which means it dehydrates you and can cause uncomfortable night sweats, making restful sleep even harder.
Less Time in Deep Sleep:
Even though you might fall asleep faster, alcohol reduces the amount of slow wave sleep (deep, restorative sleep) your body needs to recover and repair.
You Wake Up Groggy, Not Refreshed:
You know that heavy headed, sluggish feeling the next morning? That’s poor quality sleep doing its thing.
Interesting Fact: Until the 1930s, alcohol was used as an anaesthetic to “knock people out” before surgery, due to its ability to render you unconscious with the right amount!
This July, embrace the joy of missing out on that nightcap. Instead of disrupting your sleep cycle, why not nourish it?
Sip a calming herbal tea
Read a few pages of a good book
Wind down with some light stretching or meditation
You’ll sleep more deeply, wake up more energised, and be more present for what really matters.
Want better sleep? You might not need a new mattress - you might just need a dry night.
#JOMOJuly #BetterSleep #AlcoholFreeLiving #MindfulRest #JoyOfMissingOut