Did you know women are40% more likely than men to experience insomnia and sleep disturbances?
Have you ever been in bed and so exhausted, but still couldn’t fall asleep?
If you’re a woman, you’re not imagining it–your sleep is deeply connected to your hormones and stress levels. And these unique rhythms can make a restful night more complicated.
Stress hits differently for women. Women tend to internalize stress more, and don’t always know when or how to switch off. Add the mental to-do lists and emotional load- and suddenly your brain is wide awake at 2 am.
It’s Jess here with everything women should know about stress, hormones, and sleep!
Sleep impacts mood, immunity, weight, aging, and hormonal balance. And hormonal balance impacts everything from mood and energy to weight and fertility. Cortisol, aka: the stress hormone, naturally rises in the morning and lowers at night (circadian rhythm).
Chronic stress disrupts this rhythm, leading to:
- Trouble falling asleep
- Waking up in the middle of the night
- Feeling unrefreshed in the morning
And that’s just one of the body’s hormones…
Estrogen and progesterone affect how well you sleep as well. Estrogen promotes REM sleep and helps regulate temperature. Progesterone is a natural sleep aid and has a sedative effect. These fluctuate during:
- Menstrual cycles
- Pregnancy
- Perimenopause & menopause
As does Melatonin, which is produced by the brain, but stess, light exposure, and age can interfere. Additionally, low estrogen feeds into low melatonin levels.
Many women experience insomnia, night sweats, or restless sleep in these phases.
I know we women like to blame our hormones for just about anything and everything under the sun, but the fact remains they play a big role in many of our bodily functions throughout our lifespan, and in so can greatly affect our quality of life at various stages.
Stress & the Female Nervous System:
- Women are more prone to rumination (thinking on repeat) — especially before bed 🧠😖🛏️.
- Higher levels of cortisol (the stress hormone) can keep you alert when you should be winding down🥱🧘🏼♀️.
Then, the vicious cycle begins…
- Poor sleep = More stress.
- More stress = Disrupted hormones.
- Disrupted hormones = Even worse sleep.
But it’s NOT hopeless. Here’s how to sleep with your biology, not against it:
🌿 Wellness Tips for Better Sleep
✅ Create a wind-down ritual
- I’d say stick with the same time to sleep and rise every night/morning, but that’s just not always practical for many. Try your best to be consistent and when you get off track, work back into your routine.
✅ Limit caffeine and alcohol (especially in the evening)
✅ Try magnesium or calming activities before bed-reduce stress (to lower cortisol levels)
- a warm bath, hot tea, a grateful journal to clear you mind, or a book
✅ Move more during the day-especially early in the day
exposure to sunlight helps set and regulate your internal clock, and balance hormones. And we all know exercise is good for the body!
✅ Support hormone balance with nutrition (think omega-3s, leafy greens, whole grains)
✅ Track your cycle — adjust your sleep routine based on where you are hormonally
✨ You deserve deep rest. Honor your body’s rhythms — don’t fight them.
Your mind and body will thank you!😊
So, until next time MOT fans….Stay balanced, de-stress, and REST well!
With Love & Wellness,
Jess and the Moment of Truth Team💜
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