Believe it or not, what you drink before bed time can drastically affect your quality of sleep. There are some obvious drinks like soda that people know to avoid, but there are even more drinks that actually improve sleep quality. Read on to learn what you should and shouldn’t be drinking before bed.
Alcohol
The worst substance you can drink before bedtime is alcohol. You might not believe this because one of the most obvious effects of alcohol is drowsiness. But while alcohol can help you fall asleep faster, it noticeably reduces the quality of your sleep. Alcohol can interrupt your circadian rhythm and your brain wave activities, which is a sure-fire way to get a restless night of sleep.
Coffee
Coffee is another substance that should be avoided when attempting to get a fitful night’s rest. Most people know not to drink coffee if they plan on sleeping, but some people mistakenly believe decaf coffee won’t affect their sleep. Decaf coffee has less caffeine in it than a standard cup of coffee for certain, but it is not caffeine free. The amount of caffeine present in a cup of decaf coffee is enough to disturb your sleep throughout the night.
Warm Milk
Warm milk is a classic sleep aid remedy. Milk is rich in the amino acid known as tryptophan, the same amino acid compound that is found in carb heavy meals. When tryptophan is consumed, the body converts it to melatonin which is a hormone that regulates sleep.
Almond Milk
If you’re lactose intolerant or simply not a fan of milk, then try switching to almond milk. Almond milk also contains significant amounts of tryptophan. And it is rich in magnesium, an essential mineral needed to improve the quality of sleep.
Chamomile tea does not need a lot of introduction. It is a very popular sleep remedy for insomniacs as it is caffeine free, calm, and naturally soothing.
