# An unexpected reason for sleep problems in summer has been revealed

In summer, sleep quality can noticeably deteriorate — and heat is not the only culprit. Some habits that most people consider completely harmless can seriously harm nighttime rest. Among them are drinking large amounts of water before bed and evening exercise. This was discussed in a conversation with Yahoo by therapist and sleep specialist Christopher J. Allen from Wayne University.

As the specialist explained, one of the common causes of nighttime awakenings is the habit of drinking most of the daily water intake in the second half of the day. If the main volume of fluid is consumed during evening hours, the body inevitably starts "waking" a person up in the middle of the night, forcing them to get up to use the bathroom — and quality sleep is put at risk.

Another hidden enemy of nighttime rest is intense workouts shortly before bed. According to Allen, such exercise triggers a whole cascade of physiological reactions: body temperature rises, heart rate increases, and adrenaline and cortisol are released into the bloodstream. Adrenaline speeds up reaction time, raises blood pressure, and mobilizes energy resources. Cortisol, in turn, triggers the breakdown of glycogen and fats, providing the body with fuel for the workout. All of this combined literally prevents the body from switching into rest mode.

"In addition, in summer, sleep patterns are affected by the increase in daylight hours. Early sunrises and late sunsets can shift the time of falling asleep and disrupt circadian rhythms," the expert warned.

To improve sleep quality, the sleep specialist offered several practical recommendations: limit fluid intake two to three hours before bedtime, and replace intense workouts with calmer forms of activity — such as yoga or Pilates. In addition, the doctor advised waking up at approximately the same time every day to maintain a stable circadian rhythm.