February 17, 2022

Alcohol & Sleep

Bulletin Health Topic - 112


Alcohol is a sedative that many people take to enable them to fall asleep quicker. The problem is it has a major impact on the quality of our sleep. Alcohol will make you lose consciousness quicker, but we shouldn’t confuse consciousness with sleep. Losing consciousness from alcohol is like being knocked out. You don't get the restorative nature of sleeping.


There are many physiological affects of consuming alcohol before sleep.

  • resting heart rate goes up
  • compressed heart rate variability
  • respiratory breathing rate increases
  • body temperature increases


For restorative sleep, we need our heart rate and body temperature to decrease.


Alcohol blocks our R.E.M sleep cycle, so you end up with a night of light sleep. This is due to a by-product made from an alcohol called aldehydes.


Aldehydes will block the brains ability to generate R.E.M sleep. We end up waking many times throughout the night, often so brief we don't remember.


Sleep is critical to the function of the brain's waste removal system (Glymphatic system), the deeper the sleep the better. 


It’s when we have disrupted sleep that beta analyoid plaque builds in the brain. This can lead to Alzheimers and premature aging.


A single drink 4- 5hrs before bedtime seems to have minimal effect.


It’s when we have 2-3 drinks close to bedtime things start to decline.


By Zina Stone February 5, 2026
Ingredients ¼ cup sesame oil, divided 2 large eggs, lightly beaten 3 cups riced cauliflower (see Tip) 1 pound large shrimp (31-35 count), peeled and deveined 3 cups broccoli florets 1 medium red bell pepper, thinly sliced (about 1 cup) 3 cloves garlic, sliced 3 tablespoons reduced-sodium soy sauce or tamari 2 tablespoons water 1 tablespoon rice vinegar ½ teaspoon ground pepper Instructions Step 1 Heat 2 teaspoons oil in a large flat-bottomed carbon-steel wok or large, heavy skillet over high heat. Add eggs and cook, without stirring, until fully cooked on one side, about 30 seconds. Flip and cook until just cooked through, about 15 seconds. Transfer to a cutting board and cut into 1/2-inch pieces. Step 2 Add 2 teaspoons oil to the pan; heat over high heat. Add cauliflower in an even layer; cook, undisturbed, until lightly browned, 3 to 4 minutes. Transfer to a plate. Step 3 Add 2 teaspoons oil to the pan; heat over high heat. Add shrimp; cook, stirring often, until just opaque, about 3 minutes. Transfer to the plate with the cauliflower. Step 4 Add the remaining 2 tablespoons oil to the pan; heat over high heat. Add broccoli, bell pepper and garlic; cook, stirring occasionally, until lightly charred, 4 to 5 minutes. Stir in soy sauce (or tamari), water, vinegar and pepper. Bring to a boil; boil for 30 seconds. Remove from the heat. Stir in the reserved eggs, cauliflower and shrimp. Step 5 Season well with salt, pepper, and any optional spices. Step 6 Divide the mixture evenly between muffin cups. Step 7 Bake for 40 minutes , or until set in the centre and lightly golden on top. Step 8 Cool for 5 minutes before removing from the tray. Nutrition and Cooking Times Prep time: 10 minutes | Cook time: 25minutes Serves: 4 Nutrient Value (per serving): Calories: 309cal | Protein: 30g | Fat: 17g | Carbohydrates: 10g |
By Zina Stone February 5, 2026
Nautilus Gravitron Workout
By Zina Stone February 5, 2026
In this bulletin we discuss Sauna's. . .