Hydrate for Better Sleep: Water Before Bed

Sleep is like gold dust, precious and sought after by many, yet often elusive. While we're all on the way to better sleep, one treasure that's often overlooked is hydration. We’ve all seen the wellness coaches on social media telling you to drink X amount of water throughout the day, but what about right before hitting the sack? Let’s dive into the benefits, timing, and amount of hydrating you should do before bed.

How to Go to Sleep: The Deal with Hydration

Think of water like the oil that keeps these human bodies pumping properly. It plays a crucial role in nearly everything, including getting high quality sleep. When you’re properly hydrated, your body can regulate its temperature like a thermostat, ensuring a less tropical transition into dreamland.

On the flip side, dehydration during sleep can truly be the stuff of nightmares. If you’ve ever woken up with a dry mouth, scratchy throat, or a parched tongue, you know what we’re talking about. A well and truly awful wakeup call.

Why Drinking Water Before Bed is a Smart Move: Scientific Research on Sleep Benefits

Pouring yourself a glass of water before bed is an easy way to optimize your sleep quality. Here’s why:

Chill Pill: Downing some water before bed sends a signal to your body that it’s time to chill out and relax. Consider it flipping a switch to unwind mode.

No Midnight Thirst: Ever woken up in the dead of night feeling like you've been stranded in the Sahara? Hydrating before bed can help prevent those middle-of-the-night thirst traps, keeping your sleep uninterrupted, unless you’re sleeping with your mouth wide enough for the boats to come to port.

Deeper Sleep: When you're hydrated, your body can slip into those deep, restorative sleep cycles with ease. Just like we discussed earlier, water is like spa oil for your body.

Recovery Mode: While you sleep, your body repairs and recharges itself. Staying hydrated ensures that the gears are sufficiently greased in order to carry out those overnight repairs.

The Art of Timing and Quantity

The key to not waking up during your slumber to either a mouth as dry as a desert or desperately running to the bathroom is timing and quantity. Aim to knock back your water about 30 minutes to an hour before bedtime to give your body enough time to process it without sending you on a mad dash to the bathroom in the middle of the night. And remember, as with most things, moderation is key. Don’t flood your system with water. A few modest sips will do the trick.

Incorporating Hydration into Your Bedtime Routine

Making hydration part of your nightly wind-down routine doesn't have to be a chore, but it can take a little getting used to. Here are some tips to help:

A ‘No Pressure’ Reminder: If you’re prone to forgetfulness, set a casual reminder on your phone or have a water pedestal by your bed as a gentle nudge to hydrate.

Relaxation Ritual: Make your nightly glass of water part of your nightly unwind schedule. Pair it with reading a book, a little stretch, or a bit of meditation to ensure you’re on the road to relaxation.

Don’t Waste Your Water: Substances like alcohol and caffeine tend to dehydrate the body. While we recommend staying away from both a few hours before bed, if you're indulging, make sure to balance it out with some good ol' agua.

By incorporating a little proper hydration into your bedtime routine, you can set the stage for more restful nights and wake up feeling like a million bucks. So pour yourself a glass, kick back, and let the sweet dreams roll in.