Are there Benefits to Drinking Water Before Bed?
You likely know that the body contains 70% water and that you should at least drink eight glasses of water per day to stay healthy. But do you know if drinking water before bed serves as a sleeping solution? We explore this idea by discussing water’s effect on our mood, metabolism, and sleep patterns.
Let’s have a look:
Water Improves Mood and Mental Performance
Mild dehydration can cause headaches and mood swings. It also negatively affects brain activity and cognitive functions, which can disrupt the sleep-wake cycle.
A study tested this theory and deduced that increasing fluid intake promoted emotional and mental well-being. The participants felt calmer and more composed after increasing their water intake over the course of a few days. Conversely, a lack of fluid intake impacted mood, disrupting the natural sleep-wake cycle.
Drinking water before bed can uplift your mood, cool your body, and set an agitated mind at ease.
Warm Water Enhances Sleep
Drinking hot (or warm) water activates a natural cleansing process in the body. It helps boost metabolism and enables you to sleep better, too. Warm water improves blood circulation and healthy elimination. These processes allow the body to break down excess toxins and flush them out.
In turn, water, warm or cool, helps to prevent muscle cramps, stomachaches, headaches, and other health problems that can prevent you from sleeping peacefully.
Can You Drink Too Much Water?
Drinking too many glasses of water can disrupt your sleep cycle. High fluid intake compels the bladder to go into overdrive, increasing nighttime trips to the bathroom. It is a common cause of nocturia (i.e. a condition where urination frequency prompts you to wake up during the night repeatedly).
If you are worried about dealing with nocturia, try drinking more water during the day. That way, you can still maintain optimal hydration levels when you go to sleep. And make sure you go to the bathroom right before you climb into bed.
How to Stay Hydrated Throughout the Day?
There are various health benefits of drinking water before bed and during the day. Sufficient water intake prevents dehydration, promotes healthy detoxification, and improves sleep quality.
Here are a few tips to stay hydrated:
· Eat fruits and vegetables with higher water content (like citrus fruits, berries, cucumbers, and bell peppers)
· Drink flavored water, seltzer, and fresh natural juices to beat the heat
· Always drink water before and after a workout
· Carry a full reusable water bottle whenever you step out of the house
· Drink a glass of water before your meals and have one at your meals
In short, you should monitor your water consumption according to everyday activities, weather, and health.
Water Wisdom
Overall, the benefits of drinking water before bed include indirectly regulating your sleep-wake cycle. Maintaining hydration levels can keep you refreshed, calm, and healthier. Its effect on the natural detoxification process and weight management motivates you to stay fit and active. Proper hydration and regular exercise can also have a positive impact on how you deal with insomnia-inducing stressors and anxious thoughts.
Looking for more sleeping tips?
FusionSleep® provides various sleeping solutions via onsite and virtual consultation.
Our personalized therapy plans allow you to fall asleep naturally and improve your mental health. Lifestyle changes like maintaining a well-balanced diet, physical exercise, and drinking water before bed are part of our holistic treatment programs.
Get in touch with our sleep experts to discuss how FusionSleep can help you with your sleep habits.