Even After Dry January , Why You Should Rethink That Evening Glass of Wine , Gin or Beer
BY WILLIAM PORTER , AUTHOR OF ALCOHOL EXPLAINED , A DEFINITIVE GUIDE TO ALCOHOL AND ITS EFFECTS .
LOCKDOWN HAS REALLY SHONE A LIGHT ON ‘ GREY AREA ’ DRINKING – WHERE A DRINKER IS NOT FULLY DEPENDENT ON ALCOHOL BUT IS STARTING TO RELY ON ALCOHOL TO COPE WITH AND ENJOY LIFE . WHEN THE LEVEL OF DRINKING INCREMENTALLY INCREASES IT HAS A NEGATIVE IMPACT ON YOUR BODY AND YOUR SLEEP – IN FACT JUST ONE GLASS OF WINE CAN HAVE A DISASTROUS IMPACT ON YOUR LIVER AND BRAIN .
All drinkers have their rules about drinking ; I never drink in the morning , I never drink until I get home from work , I never drink more than ‘ x ’ glasses in one go , etc . These rules may be conscious or subconscious but we are always happy to throw them out the window when it suits us , for example when on holiday or at Christmas . Last year , and indeed the start of this , has caused huge upset to our usual routine , and as our usual routine goes out the window , so too do our drinking rules . Many drinkers treated lockdown as an unhealthy mix between Christmas and the end of the world .
In fact , The Royal College of Psychiatrists found that over 8.4million people were drinking at higher risk during lockdown – an increase of 4.8million in February of last year . ‘ Our own research found that a quarter of adults reported drinking more in lockdown – and , worryingly , of those drinking more , 15 % felt that they were experiencing consequences connected to this .’ confirms Sally Benton , director of strategy and communications at addictions charity Action on Addiction .
How much do we really know about the effects of alcohol on our bodies ?
One of the main bodily functions alcohol can affect in the short term is our sleep . Here ’ s the basic bottom line ; the more you drink , and the closer your drinking is to bedtime , the more it will negatively impact your sleep . Even moderate amounts of alcohol in your system at bedtime alters your sleep architecture – the natural flow of sleep through different stages .
It also leads to lighter , more restless sleep as the night wears on , diminished sleep quality , and next-day fatigue . For many people who drink moderately , falling asleep more quickly may seem like an advantage of a nightly glass of wine . But alcohol goes on to affect the entire night of sleep to come .
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