Alcohol and sleep

The traditional nightcap may send you to sleep only to wake you up with a rebound effect later in the night, because alcohol causes your body to produce adrenaline. It also makes you thirsty, increases your need for midnight toilet trips and causes headaches or nightmares. Combined with coffee or Chinese restaurant food it can have even worse effects. Don't drink too much late at night and avoid it completely if you have insomnia or sleep apnoea.