With Christmas on the horizon, and the excess of summer almost a distant memory, it’s little wonder that so many people choose to “reset” their bodies by taking part in Sober October – the national initiative that encourages people to ditch the booze and help raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support.
But for many, Sober October is not just a test of willpower; it’s an opportunity to reap the benefits that come with being alcohol-free. Besides avoiding the weekend hangovers, a key benefit to staying off the sauce is significantly improved sleep.
When you cut out alcohol, your body is allowed to follow its natural sleep rhythms, leading to deeper, more restful sleep, so you’ll find yourself waking up feeling more refreshed, energised, and ready to face the day with a clear mind and vibrant spirit.
James Higgins, sleep specialist and CEO of Ethical Bedding, said: “Drinking alcohol can have a significant impact on your sleep quality as it interferes with your sleep cycle, particularly the rapid eye movement (REM) and deep sleep stages. Firstly, alcohol can suppress REM sleep in the early parts of the night, leading to disrupted sleep in the latter half as your body tries to compensate. By staying sober, you allow your body to naturally cycle through the amount of REM sleep it needs, which is crucial for improved memory, learning, and mood regulation.
“Additionally, alcohol can also interrupt deep sleep (stages 3 and 4), which is the most restorative stage of sleep that helps improve your physical wellbeing and immune system. So, you’re more likely to wake up feeling achy and sore after a night drinking – and not just from a headache!”
James added: “Drinking alcohol can also mess up your sleep patterns for a number of reasons. Firstly, you’ll most probably need a trip to the toilet more often in the night. Your body may also lose the ability to regulate its temperature, leading to night sweats and overheating. Abstaining from alcohol will ensure that your sleep is restful and regulated.”
Alcohol is a diuretic, which can lead to frequent waking up in the night to go to the bathroom, disrupting your sleep. Avoiding alcohol helps prevent these night time awakenings.
James says: “Alcohol causes the muscles in your throat to relax, which can worsen symptoms of sleep apnoea, a severe sleep disorder where breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep.
“This relaxed state of throat muscles, induced by alcohol, also contributes to more common conditions like snoring. Snoring is triggered by the vibration of respiratory structures due to obstructed air movement, a situation made worse when the throat muscles are relaxed.”
“A good night’s kip is a critical factor for mental wellbeing as it aids in processing emotions, managing stress, and maintaining emotional balance,” says James.
“Alcohol can upset the balance of chemicals in the brain that send messages between nerve cells. It can make some chemicals less active, leading to tiredness and low mood, while making others more active, causing calmness. This imbalance can lead to feelings of depression.”
“Additionally, sobriety enhances cognitive function, which is your ability to think, learn, remember, and solve problems. Quitting the booze can support improved decision-making, memory, and attention spans, contributing to overall better mental health.”
“Have you ever had the dreaded beer-fear?” says James. “Sobriety can play a huge role in boosting your self-esteem and self-confidence by reducing your reliance on alcohol, which, in turn, will enhance your overall wellbeing, helping you rest without worries at night. This includes improved relationships, greater personal development, and better physical and mental health.”
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