There’s Nothing Like Mulled Wine and Good Conversation for Sleep

I slept through the night last night. I still can’t believe it. I slept all night long. Without waking or getting up. Not even once. I slept for a solid eight hours. That never happens. Not even when I was a child. In all my life, I honestly don’t remember not waking up at least once a night to look at the time, walk around and use the bathroom. 

As I marvelled at how well rested I felt this morning, I wondered, ‘what did I do differently last night?’  Then it hit me.  I had a couple of glasses of hot, mulled wine after dinner last night. I drank them outside hanging out on our common area balcony with a few friends. (Rest assured, we wore masks and sat six feet apart.) 

These people aren’t just any friends. These wonderful souls are my neighbors. And in the eight months since our lives were turned upside down by the Covid-19 pandemic, these neighbors have become some of my dearest and closest friends.

We gather, outside our homes, and talk about everything from religion and world politics to the best pizza and Mexican food places in the neighborhood. Over the last year, we have, in turn, cheered, consoled, supported and helped each other through these crazy times. 

So, was it the mulled wine or the laughter and friendship that helped me sleep? Both, I think. The mulled wine on its own could not have brought me the love and feeling of belonging I get from being with my tribe. And, well, yes, I’m sure the mulled wine helped a little, too. 

So, here’s the recipe I cobbled together with the ingredients we had at home, to make the carafe of hot, mulled wine that warmed our hearts and helped me sleep last night.

Méline’s Mulled Wine

• 2 bottles of red wine (I used an Australian Cabernet Sauvignon)
• 1 cup of Brandy
• ½ cup of honey (the darker the better)
• 6 cinnamon sticks
• 12 cloves
• 2 oranges, sliced (I used Navel oranges)

Put all your ingredients in a pot, bring to a boil, then let simmer for 10-15 minutes. It smells wonderful and tastes terrific! 

Why Does It Work?

Red wine is considered a natural remedy for arthritis. It containsantioxidants called polyphenols that reduce inflammation in the body. It also contains a powerful antioxidant called resveratrol that can help relieve symptoms of arthritis and halt its progression. So, if joint pain is keeping you awake at night, a glass of red wine with dinner might just be what the doctor orders. That said, there are conflicting studies on the benefits of red wine. And when it comes to wine, like with all types of alcohol, more is not better. Moderation is key. 

As for Brandy, a shot contains the same antioxidant potential as 90 mg of vitamin C.  Its antibacterial properties boost your immune system, it has sleep inducing qualities, it doesn’t contain any carbs, (great news for keto converts), it’s low in cholesterol and thanks to its antioxidant compounds, it is thought to remove bad cholesterol from the arteries, to eliminate the effect of free radicals and even prevent aging. Kind of makes you want to chug the stuff, doesn’t it? Don’t. Like all good things, Brandy must also be taken in moderation. 

Honey is truly one of nature’s wonders and it is full of antioxidants. Antioxidants help to fight off free radicals in the body. Adding some honey to your diet each day can actually help boost your immune system, and therefore lower your risk of developing certain diseases such as cancer, heart disease, and diabetes. A good rule of thumb for buying honey – the darker the honey, the better its antibacterial and antioxidant power. So, that probably helped, too.

Cinnamon smells wonderful and brings back memories of holidays, baked cookies and childhood family celebrations. And in addition to the fact that it triggers pleasant memories, cinnamon can actually counteract the negative effects of a fatty meal. Same goes for cloves and oranges. In addition to filling your home with their wonderful aromas, cloves stabilize blood sugar levels and oranges are full of vitamin C, which can lower your blood pressure and your levels of the stress hormone, cortisol. 

But, most importantly, none of these things would work without the love and support of friends and family. There is a high correlation between sleeplessness and loneliness. If you’re having trouble sleeping, try spending a little more time reaching out to friends and loved ones. That added support and social engagement just might have a positive impact on your future sleep.

So, on a chilly autumn night, raise a glass of your favorite warm libation and make a toast.  “Cheers to good conversation, great friends, and a full night’s sleep!”