The effects alcohol has on sleep
I thoroughly enjoyed doing a talk/coaching session for the staff at SwipedOn today. It's been a while since I did corporate events, all the mask wearing and restrictions made it a bit difficult. My sessions are very interactive, I do educate, but I also put a lot of emphasis on the individual and goal setting.
The best thing is when we get a great discussion going. One of the best discussions today was about alcohol, and the detrimental effects it can have on sleep. Did you know that as little as one glass of alcohol before bedtime can really mess with your sleep? Alcohol might make you feel more relaxed and it may well help you fall asleep, but it will stop you from entering the two most important phases - REM & deep sleep. REM sleep is very important for our memory and healthy brain development. Deep sleep is when our body releases the so important growth hormone, which helps to build and repair all our muscles, tissues and bones, plus immune system.
So, in short, if you drink a glass of wine every night, you might miss out on your important restorative sleep. You'll wake up the next morning still feeling tired. If this is ongoing, it may lead to memory issues, anxiety, depression, weakened immune system, weight gain, high blood pressure, and the list goes on.
Now, remember, it's all about balance and being mindful about what we put in our bodies. A glass of wine in the company of friends or your other half, might be absolutely right sometimes. But it's when we just pour that glass without giving it any thought, it may be worth changing the habit. Perhaps have a bottle of kombucha in the fridge, if you feel like a nice cold drink?
