If you've been struggling with sleep, this episode is for you. I've been in the thick of it myself lately — between our dog's 4 AM lick baths, my husband's temperature wars, teens coming home late, and the reality of being a nearly 47-year-old woman in perimenopause — sleep has become the most precious thing in my life. And I know I'm not alone.
After sharing a few stories on Instagram about my own brutal nights, my DMs absolutely exploded. 90% of the women who reached out were like, "Girl, we've been sleeping in separate rooms for years." It was like collective permission to stop pretending this isn't happening.
So in this episode, I'm breaking down the real reasons your sleep might be struggling — and why the answer is almost never just "take melatonin."
In this episode, we cover:
Why sleep is a mirror, not a standalone issue — and what it's actually trying to tell you
The stages of sleep (light, deep, REM) and why each one matters for your health
How estrogen and progesterone directly impact your ability to fall asleep and stay asleep
Why cortisol is one of the biggest sleep disruptors I see in women — especially if you wake up at the same time every night
The blood sugar connection: how under-eating all day sets you up for 2 AM wake-ups
Thyroid, adrenals, and your nervous system — why you can't biohack your way out of a chronically overactive system
Sleep environment non-negotiables: temperature, darkness, noise, and yes — separate bedrooms
Sleep apnea in women: massively under-diagnosed, presents differently than in men, and increasing after menopause
How to actually troubleshoot your sleep by asking "why am I waking up?" instead of "how do I sleep better?"
Supplements worth considering: magnesium, glycine, valerian + passionflower, progesterone, and when melatonin actually makes sense
Let's dive in!
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