

Alcohol blocks REM sleep, which is often considered the most restorative type of sleep. Sleep Foundation says “ research has shown sleepers who drink large amounts of alcohol before going to bed are often prone to delayed sleep onset, meaning they need more time to fall asleep”.

It’s also a diuretic and will cause frequent night-time trips to the bathroom, resulting in broken sleep throughout the night. Although alcohol can make you feel relaxed and sleepy, it can cause your sleep quality and time to decrease. Alcohol can increase your heart rate before bed and act as a stimulant and a sedative, keeping you awake for longer.

So if you can create a pre-bedtime wind down routine that deters cognitive arousal, then you’ll be winning. More so than physical arousal or feeling tense and restless. ZME Science explains how a busy mind also known as cognitive arousal can be “ten times more likely” to be chosen by the patient as the main reason they’re having difficulty sleeping and suffering from insomnia. If you head to bed in a stressed or energetic state, the likelihood of falling asleep quickly and easily can be very low, because physical and especially mental stimulation before you sleep can cause cognitive arousal and keep you awake.Ī n effective way to quieten a busy mind and cognitive arousal is to create a good wind down routine each night. We know that life can get in the way of relaxation and there’s not much that you can do about it, so that’s why our 5 simple ways to wind down and relax before bedtime are really rather doable - even if you’ve got a houseful. Feeling calm and getting into a relaxed bedtime routine prepares you physically and mentally for whenever your head hits the pillow. You’ve probably guessed by now that wind down time before bed is pretty crucial when it comes to getting a good night’s sleep. If relaxation before bed doesn’t really exist in your household, then we may have a few game-changing ways for you to wind down and relax before bed. How do you relax before bedtime? Do you mellow into a movie? Have your own relaxation techniques for sleep? Sip on chamomile tea? Or is it a little less chilled in your house before bed? Perhaps you’ve got kids to entertain, a parent to look after or some lively dogs that need walking. Scientifically fact checked by Nick Witton, Sleep Scientist. Written by Maisie Bygraves on Aug 09, 2021.
