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In a segment on the βTodayβ show last month, sleep psychologist Michael Breus shared tips for waking up fully rested, which he said can be a challenge during the fall season change.
βWe have less light and we have cooler temperatures, both of which can help with sleep but makes it a little bit difficult to wake up in the morning,β Breus said on the program.
He detailed a few things that can help people get better sleep and wake up rested even on the coldest and darkest fall and winter days. One technique he recommended? The β3-2-1 rule,β which instructs folks to stop drinking alcohol three hours before bed, stop eating two hours before bed and stop drinking fluids of any kind one hour before bed.
Is this really a good way to get better sleep? Hereβs what experts told HuffPost:
This technique isnβt harmful β but it isnβt gold, either.
βThe 3-2-1 rule is really just healthy guidelines,β said Dr. Timothy Young, a sleep medicine specialist at Mayo Clinic Health System in Wisconsin. βI think most of us are looking for better quality sleep β thatβs the most common request I hear in our sleep clinic, and this is a way to help you achieve that.β
But following this exact formula probably isnβt required for you to get better sleep.
βIβm always hesitant with regard to these kinds of messages since they are not necessarily evidence based,β Jennifer Goldschmied, an assistant professor of psychiatry at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, told HuffPost via email.
βNot that this isnβt helpful advice, but there are no studies to suggest that these are hard and fast numbers to adhere to.β
So, while following this rule likely wonβt get in the way of your rest, missing the β3-2-1β hour marks probably wonβt hurt your rest, either β at least in most cases.
Alcohol can get in the way of quality sleep.
If you typically drink alcohol, it is a good idea to say no to that beer or glass of wine once youβre three hours from bedtime.
βAlcohol, of course, makes us sleepy,β Young said. βBut it actually results in less total sleep time and less REM sleep, which is our dreaming sleep that most people find refreshing.β
Moreover, alcohol use is linked to sleep apnea. βEven if you donβt normally have sleep apnea, you can experience some of those arousals from the alcohol,β Young said. Alcohol relaxes your muscles, including ones at the back of your throat that can contribute to sleep apnea, he explained. (Thatβs why you may notice your partner snoring more after a night of drinking.)
People who have untreated sleep apnea are less likely to get deep, restful sleep because of the snoring and breathing trouble associated with the condition.
But you probably donβt need to forgo all liquids.
Though Breus told βTodayβ that itβs helpful to stop drinking all liquids one hour before bed, the experts who spoke to HuffPost disagreed.
βReally, if youβre thirsty, itβs OK to keep drinking liquids. I wouldnβt discourage anybody from drinking water at any point,β Young said. βMost people donβt find the getting up to go to the bathroom too burdensome. And if your bodyβs telling you youβre thirsty, itβs OK to get it at any time.β
Goldschmied said sheβd only advise patients to limit nonalcoholic liquids before bed if they wake up often at night to pee, a condition known as nocturia.
Limiting food intake could be a good idea for some people.
According to Young, most people donβt sleep as well when they go to bed too full. So, saying no to a late-night snack can be an effective way to sleep better.
Instead of the recommended two-hour deadline in the 3-2-1 rule, Goldschmied advised limiting food intake for three hours before bed. βHowever, for some individuals, I do suggest a light carbohydrate snack to prevent nighttime hunger if this is a common issue,β she said.
In other words, if you know you get peckish at night and it keeps you from sleeping, itβs OK to eat. The 3-2-1 rule is more of a suggestion than a requirement.
You should prioritize calming practices before bed, like stretching and avoiding screens.
If the 3-2-1 rule doesnβt fit with your lifestyle, thatβs OK. Itβs more important to have a calming, nighttime routine β whatever that means for you, Young said.
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βThatβs really what the 3-2-1 approach is: Itβs developing a routine so that your body is unwinding with your mind at the same time,β he noted.
You can use parts of the 3-2-1 rule, along with some tried-and-true sleep tips like putting away your phone an hour before bed, to create your own wind-down routine.
βThe data about the actual light coming from your screen is a little bit controversial, but thereβs no question that our screens are very stimulating. Thatβs how theyβre designed,β Young said. βSo you could jump from the news to the sports to a controversial article to politics in the last hour if you donβt shut off your screen, and I think thatβs a contributing factor for people having trouble shutting off their mind.β
Another way to relax before bed? Young recommended stretching or doing 10 minutes of yoga and breath work to help prepare your body and mind for restful sleep.
You should aim to get at least seven hours of sleep each night, which can be a challenge. But instead of watching that last video or sharing one last post online, Young suggested trying to spend extra time β an hour or so β in bed. If youβre already in bed, youβre more likely to fall asleep and get the rest you need.