Your Nighttime Habits: 8 Ways You're Stressing Your Kidneys While You Sleep

3. Enjoying Alcohol Close to Bedtime

That “nightcap” may seem relaxing, but alcohol is a sneaky culprit when it comes to kidney stress. It acts as a diuretic, meaning it encourages your kidneys to excrete more water, potentially leading to dehydration. Research and registered dietitians like Alyssa Simpson, RDN, note that alcohol suppresses vasopressin, a hormone that tells your kidneys to hold onto water. The end result? More trips to the bathroom and extra effort from your kidneys. Instead of reaching for wine or cocktails at night, consider herbal tea or simply winding down with a book. You’ll be supporting your kidneys while promoting more restful, uninterrupted sleep. Small changes like this add up, and they allow your body’s natural overnight repair processes to shine.

4. Skipping the Pre-Bed Bathroom Visit

It might feel like no big deal to delay that last bathroom trip before bed, but holding urine for extended periods can actually increase nighttime pressure on both your bladder and kidneys. Over time, this can subtly strain your urinary tract and disrupt restorative processes. Making a bathroom break part of your wind-down routine is a small act of self-care that pays off in kidney comfort. Many health experts point out that “holding it” overnight doesn't just risk sleep disruptions—it may also make your kidneys work harder to manage waste efficiently. A quick visit before bed allows your body to focus on healing and recharging, not coping with avoidable pressure.