When’s the best time to stop drinking water before bedtime? You should stop drinking water 2 hours before bedtime. This allows your body time to pass the liquid before going to bed and having to disrupt your sleep for a toilet break during the night. Below we take a closer look at how long before bedtime should you stop drinking water.
How Many Hours Before Bedtime Should You Stop Drinking Water?
If you want to avoid disrupted sleep and a trip to the bathroom during the night you should stop drinking water 2 hours before bedtime. This applies to water and any other fluids such as tea, juice, or soft drinks. A 2-hour window gives your body time to process the liquids and pass them before you go to bed. And, this means you won’t have to get up during the night to go for a pee.
If you want to get a good night’s sleep that is not interrupted by a toilet break – aim to stop drinking liquids 2 hours before you go to bed. You can always leave a glass of water on your bedside locker if you wake up during the night and need to take a sip. This way you give yourself the best chance of sleeping through the night without having to take a trip to the bathroom.
What Happens If You Drink Water Right Before Bed?
If you drink water right before bed you increase the chance you will have to use the bathroom during the night. The water you drink will pass from your stomach to your kidneys, and finally to your bladder. Once the water reaches your bladder it creates an urge to urinate. If this happens you run the risk of disrupted sleep as the urge to take a pee will wake you up.
If you want to avoid waking up for a pee during the night you should avoid drinking water close to bedtime. But, how long before bedtime should you stop drinking water? Two hours is best. Allow a two-hour window of no fluids before you go to bed and you should sleep through the night without having to wake up and visit the bathroom.
Waking up during the night leads to a fragmented sleep pattern. This reduces the quality of your sleep and can leave you feeling tired in the morning. Additionally, drinking water right before bedtime can cause heartburn or reflux. This happens when stomach acid travels from the stomach back up towards the mouth and causes a burning sensation and discomfort.
What Is Nocturia?
Nocturia is the name given to the condition where a person has to wake up during the night to take a pee. It is a very common problem, especially in adults, older individuals, and affects both men and women. Nocturia results in a fragmented sleep pattern, poor sleep quality, and daytime fatigue.
Nocturia is often the result of aging but can also be caused by diabetes, urinary tract infections, kidney disease, or simply by drinking water too close to bedtime. The condition is treated by reducing fluid intake before bedtime, adjusting medications, and simple bladder training exercises.
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How Much Water Should You Drink Before Bed?
You should avoid drinking any water in the approach to bedtime. In fact, you should avoid any liquids for at least 2 hours before going to bed. This gives you the best chance of sleeping through the night without experiencing nocturia. If you drink water before bed you increase the chances of waking up during the night with an urge to pee.
However, you should listen to your body. If you feel dehydrated or thirsty you should sip a little water before bedtime. Try and keep the volume to a minimum. You can always leave a glass of water next to the bed. That way if thirst is affecting your sleep you can reach for a quenching swig during the night.
How Long Before Bedtime Should You Stop Drinking Water FAQ
Is it okay to drink water before bed?
You should try and avoid drinking water before going to bed. Drinking water before bedtime increases the chances you will have to visit the bathroom during the night and disrupt your sleeping pattern.
Is drinking water before bed good for sleep?
No, drinking water before bed is not good for sleep. It can cause a condition known as Nocturia – whereby you wake up during the night with an urge to pee. If you feel thirsty you should sip just a little water to quench your thirst and leave a glass of water next to the bed if you need it during the night.
Does drinking water before bed affect your bladder?
Yes, drinking water before bedtime affects your bladder. When you drink water it first travels to your stomach, then your kidneys, and finally to your bladder. Once the water begins to accumulate in your bladder you begin to feel an urge to urinate.
How much water should you drink before bedtime?
The best advice is to drink as little water as possible before bedtime. If you need to quench a thirst sip just a small amount of water. And, if you can, avoid drinking water for 2 hours before you go to bed.
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