This is why you should never drink a glass of water right before bed

Drinking water before sleep is something most of do without question every single night. But did you know it could actually be wreaking havoc with our health? 

Of course, drinking water is absolutely essential in life but drinking water before sleep could actually be interrupting your sleep cycle – and you probably haven’t even realised.

As sleep expert and wellness psychologist, Ieva Kubiliute, explains: “I always advise clients to stop drinking water two hours before bedtime for a good reason; it interrupts their sleep cycles.”

Ieva says that drinking water a few minutes before bedtime makes you more likely to develop overhydration, which can have long-term effects on sleep. “If you have excess fluids in your system, you may need the toilet at night. This can interrupt your sleep cycle, negatively affecting the quality of your sleep. If you don’t fix interrupted sleep, you may develop sleep deprivation,” she adds.

As Dreams Sleep Expert, Sammy Margo, explains: “The main disadvantage of drinking water before bed is that it’s likely to wake up us in the middle of the night. This can cause disruptions to sleep which can then have implications on our health and lifestyle. Obviously it’s important to remain hydrated, but you need to consider the timing of your drinking. You need to work out for yourself what the optimal amount and timing for you.”

Known in the medical world as Nocturia, waking up in the middle of the night is more common for those who don’t get a lot of deep sleep. “It’s’ very common for you to assume you need the loo and wake up and when you’re awake and you may ask yourself whether you need the toilet vs whether you actually need the loo or not,” she adds.

In a study published on the National Center for Biotechnology Information, it was reported that nocturia can cause issues such as sleep deprivation, daytime sleepiness, lack of concentration and coordination, a reduction in creativity and an alteration of mood (we’ve all been there).

“Like most things, there are pros and cons to drinking water before bed,” added Sammy. “Quite simply, if you can manage a full sleep on a small glass of water before bed, then do so. There are a range of positives from staying hydrated while asleep. But balance is key and you should be conscious of how your water intake affects your sleep pattern.”

Finding the right approach can only come from an awareness of how much we drink before bed and how that impacts our sleep. Start small and consider looking at your water intake throughout the day, not just before bed. To prevent having to over-hydrate in the evening, keeping your fluid intake consistent through the day can help. To avoid a trip to the toilet in the middle of the night, consider upping your hydration levels in the day. Simple.

Struggling with insomnia? We’ve added some of the best sleep products in our ultimate guide to induce a peaceful snooze, from This Works’ amazing sleep spray to the best summer duvet. Each of them will help you create the perfect environment from which to fall asleep more easily. My personal favourite? The Heavenly Candle by This Works. Nothing else relaxes me like it.

Sweet dreams.\