Research found drinking even a small amount of alcohol before bed can adversely affect sleep quality. People who do not get enough REM sleep can experience emotional problems.
Research found drinking even a small amount of alcohol before bed can adversely affect sleep quality. People who do not get enough REM sleep can experience emotional problems.
Everyone has heard the old wives' tale about having a nightcap to help you fall asleep. Numerous books and movies have glorified the concept of having a little bit to drink before bed, portraying it as the ideal relaxing technique.
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I drink very little, usually only one or two beers a week. But on the rare occasion I have a couple drinks with friends late at night, I sleep like a baby. I feel well rested after only 4-6 hours, and actually have dreams almost every time. Which doesn't happen most nights without alcohol.
I find this a little alarming, as I see how that could be habit forming. But yeah, alcohol seems to drastically improve my sleep, though I haven't given this thorough testing for obvious reasons.
As someone that likes booze a little to much, drinking helps me fall asleep easily but I personally feel much more tired when I drink. Outside of actually being able to fall asleep fast (fuck insomnia) the quality of my sleep is much worse.
I had the same reaction, rarely drink, maybe a couple every other weekend, and I sleep like a log after that. I find that beer or spirits help me sleep well, but I’ll wake up feeling like a new man after a few glasses of wine.
Similarly, I used to think that alcohol, stress and caffeine didn't bother my sleep like everyone said it would (FYI I was working 2 jobs and raising 3 highschool aged kids at the time.) I thought I was sleeping fine.
Then through a multitude of life changes, my kids grew up and I was in a far better place. I also started wearing a fitness watch that tracks sleep quality, stress, etc. Turns out I'm not a super hero, I was just exhausted and passing the fuck out and not recognizing (because I didn't have other options) how much it had effected me.
Now I rarely drink, not because there's anything wrong with it but because I have a visual record of the stress it causes my body and have come to recognize that I do actually sleep better without it. That said, as menopause is creeping up on me I've tracked hormonally related sleep challenges. After months of experimentation, 2.5-5mg indica gummy and 1mg of melatonin within the hour before bed and I typically sleep like a baby. (Melatonin by itself leaves me feeling slightly groggy for some stupid reason, but this combo balances.)
Melatonin was so weird for me. Identical dosage from different brands felt wildly different, and some wildly vivid and violent nightmares.
I drink may be once a quarter or 6 months . I don't remember last time drank. But when I drink ( that too only red wine a glass ) I sleep very nicely, very deeply and I feel refreshed next day, and all stress if there is any or thoughts causing disturbance are not felt at all next day
I suspect you have that sleep mutation which allows you to feel rested after only 4-6 hours. That’s not enough sleep to be well rested even without alcohol.
it depends. if I get 4-6 hours sleep while camping I usually wake up full of energy and ready to take on the world. that said, I don't often sleep well outdoors so 4 broken hours is usually what I'd consider "a good night"