Sleep – that magical restorative process we love but often don't get enough of. We're told to aim for 7 to 8 hours a night, but why? During sleep, our body repairs itself, our brain consolidates memories, and hormones that regulate growth and appetite are released. It's hitting the reset button for your body and mind; proteins get to recycle and repair.

If we skimp on sleep, we feel groggy the next day, and our hormones get all out of whack. Cortisol, the stress hormone, might spike, and the balance between hunger hormones like ghrelin (when you’re hungry) and leptin (when you’re full) can be thrown off, leading to overeating or unhealthy cravings. Cortisol dumps sugar in the blood, so if the balance is off, sleep patterns will continue to be disruptive.

Enter alcohol. Many people think a nightcap helps them sleep. Sure, it might knock you out faster, but here's the catch – the sleep you're getting isn't restful. Alcohol messes with your REM sleep, the dreamy part of sleep where your brain gets its real rest. So, even if you're clocking in hours, you're not getting the quality sleep your body craves. You end up with fragmented, superficial sleep and miss out on REM's rejuvenating benefits.

This is another reason why sobriety can be a game-changer. Ditching alcohol can drastically improve sleep quality. Imagine feeling genuinely refreshed, with your body and mind fully recharged. Restful sleep supports better mood, sharper brain function, and overall health.

So, if you're chasing better sleep (and who isn't?), considering sobriety might be your ticket to dreamland.

* For Sober coaching with Justin, click here.

** To buy Daily Sober, click here.