Good Sleep

Why. 
Sleep problems can affect women at different times, but are especially common in perimenopausal women and increase after age 40.  Not being able to sleep or insomnia can be associated with a variety of factors including stress, mental health problems, disease, increased use of medications and hormone imbalances.  The good news is that they can be reversible with the right approach. 

We probably don't need to tell YOU this, but good sleep helps everything you do.  We think it’s one of the most important things you can do for yourself.  It helps you maintain energy, well-being, activities and goals. 

At night during sleep, hormones rebalance.  Good sleep helps you ward off infections and illness.  Not sleeping makes people of all ages cranky.  Remember the old saying, "Everything looks better after a good night's sleep." Mom was right.  Sleep helps everything. 

What to do. 
Good sleep hygiene includes getting to bed at a consistent time every night, and giving yourself permission to sleep.  Yes, you need to give yourself permission to sleep when you need to.  Some women are so busy that they can skimp on sleep. Think about making it more of a priority. 

Okay, if sleep is already a priority for you, but you can't seem to fall asleep, or you wake up a lot, can't get back to sleep, or wake too early, it might be time for a professional evaluation of the problem.  Poor sleep or insomnia can be a sign of an imbalance. 

Many women, even though they do their best to get good sleep, can't seem to get it, and may need supplements or bioidentical hormones, which have been shown to alleviate sleep problems.  Work with a qualified health professional to find out what supplements or individualized bioidentical hormones you may need.  

Additional strategies to help you sleep: cut back on caffeine, stop smoking, and exercise during the day. Try not to schedule any stimulating activities before bedtime.  Wind down, as day turns to night.    

<< Back to Balance Steps