Your Nighttime Habits: 13 Ways You're Stressing Your Kidneys While You Sleep

9. Sleeping in a Very Cold Room (The Vasoconstriction Challenge)

While sleeping cool is generally recommended for better rest, allowing your bedroom to get too cold can unintentionally challenge your kidneys. When your body is subjected to sustained cold, blood vessels near the skin’s surface constrict (vasoconstriction) to conserve core heat. This temporary constriction can increase blood pressure and slightly reroute blood flow internally. For kidneys already under stress, this subtle, prolonged change in circulatory dynamics can increase their workload. Aim for a comfortably cool room (typically between 60–67 F, or 15–19 C) and use layers or blankets to maintain warmth without causing your body to struggle to regulate temperature.

10. Ignoring Chronic Snoring or Sleep Apnea

Loud, chronic snoring and the associated breathing pauses of sleep apnea are not just sleep disruptors; they are significant, silent stressors on your cardiovascular and renal systems. When breathing is repeatedly interrupted, the body experiences drops in oxygen and spikes in carbon dioxide, which directly cause adrenaline surges and sudden, dramatic blood pressure spikes overnight. Over time, this cyclical stress severely damages the delicate blood vessels in the kidneys. If a partner notes your severe snoring or pauses, seeking diagnosis and treatment (like a CPAP machine) is one of the most critical steps you can take for long-term kidney protection.