Using

A brandy before bedtime is one of the oldest prescriptions for a good night’s sleep. Unfortunately, drinking alcohol anywhere close to bedtime may disturb rather than aid sleep.

While alcohol may help you fall asleep faster, it can significantly diminish the quality of sleep you obtain during the night. For example, having alcohol in your system can cause you to wake up prematurely—sometimes with an urgent need to urinate. It can also reduce the time you spend in REM sleep. Drinking too much alcohol at bedtime is also associated with an increase in snoring and sleep apnea.

However, as is true for caffeine, the effects of alcohol vary considerably among individuals. Many people enjoy a glass of wine or two with dinner and suffer no ill effects.

Some even manage quite well having a liqueur or brandy within an hour or two before bedtime. Others are unable to tolerate any alcohol in their body systems and, should avoid it for several hours before they try sleep.

A consideration comes into play when it comes to alcohol, and that is dependence. Once you start to cross over that line, you may need some help in cutting back on the amount of alcohol you drink on a daily basis or eliminate alcohol altogether.

It’s always a good idea for you to carefully track how much you drink and how well you sleep on the nights you drink. If, after a few weeks, you see that you’ve established an unhealthy pattern, it’s time to take control.

One way to start reducing your dependence on alcohol is by looking at the amount of stress in your life: The better you can mange life’s problems, the less likely you will need the odd glass of alcohol to unwind before bed.

If you still have problems managing alcohol, it is best to seek out the advice of a doctor or join a local AA.

Using Alcohol To Sleep
Alcohol And Sleep Disorder