9. Alcohol
After a long, exhausting day, it’s tempting to pour ourselves a glass (or two) of wine to relax. We may even head to bed feeling like we’re on the fast track to a peaceful night’s sleep. But is that really the case? Not so much…
When we drink alcohol, our bodies actually release cortisol—the stress hormone. So even though we feel chill in the moment, we’re adding stress behind the scenes. Over time, high cortisol levels can lead to inflammation, weight gain, and even raise the risk of more serious health issues like heart disease and type 2 diabetes.
Sure, alcohol might help us fall asleep faster, but it messes with our sleep cycle. We could miss out on REM sleep, which is the deep, restorative sleep we really need. That means waking up feeling groggy and drained instead of refreshed.
Bottom line: While alcohol might help us fall asleep quickly, it disrupts our sleep quality and can have long-term health consequences.
