One Drink might potentially be Enough to Sabotage Sleep, New Research Reveals
New York, NY – That nightly glass of wine or beer to “wind down” could be doing far more harm than good, according to research highlighting the detrimental impact of even small amounts of alcohol on sleep quality.A 2018 study involving over 4,000 adults demonstrates that alcohol consumption, even at low levels, substantially reduces the body’s ability to recover during sleep.
For many, alcohol initially seems to induce drowsiness. However,experts now say this is a deceptive effect. The body doesn’t truly enter a restorative state, even while seemingly asleep. The findings, published based on data collected from participants aged 18 to 65, utilized wearable devices to measure heart rate variability (HRV) – a key indicator of the nervous system’s transition into recovery mode. High HRV signifies relaxation and restoration, while low HRV indicates continued stress.
The study revealed a clear correlation between alcohol intake and reduced sleep recovery:
Less than two drinks for men, or less than one for women, reduced sleep recovery by 9.3 percent.
Moderate drinking cut recovery by 24 percent.
* Heavy drinking slashed recovery by 39.2 percent.
These results suggest that even a single alcoholic beverage can disrupt the physiological processes essential for restful sleep, leaving individuals feeling fatigued despite spending adequate time in bed. The body, rather than resting, remains in a state of overdrive.
Experts emphasize that breaking the habit of using alcohol as a sleep aid requires more than simple willpower. A extensive approach focusing on value realignment, belief reconstruction, skill expansion, and mindset upgrading is crucial for building a enduring alcohol-free lifestyle and reclaiming quality sleep. Resources like the “5 Tips Guide to Get Through Your First Nightcap-Free Week” are available to support individuals in this process.
