What keeps you up at night?
Night sweats, an anxious mind, difficulty breathing, a burst of energy at 2 AM?
Lying in bed, staring out the window at 2 AM, I’m cursing myself for having that dark chocolate for dessert after dinner. I’m wide awake, ready to start the day. Why can’t it be daytime yet?
I always took sleep for granted before I turned 40. Most of the time, by 9 PM I had a hard time keeping my eyes open and blissly kept them closed all night after my head hit the pillow at 10 PM.
Since I turned 40 and started perimenopause, I’m way more sensitive to exercise, spicy foods, caffeine, alcohol, and sadly, chocolate affecting my sleep.
Falling asleep isn’t usually the problem. But the clock strikes 2 AM and bam! My eyes fly open, my nervous system floods with energy, and I’m ready to start the day!
If you’re a woman in midlife and having difficulty sleeping, chances are you’re experiencing one of many neurological perimenopause symptoms.
Dr. Caitlin O’Connor ND is back on the podcast to discuss how to get better sleep in midlife
This is part 1 of a two-part conversation with Dr. Caitlin about better sleep, health, and vitality for women in midlife
In this Savor Food and Body Podcast episode, you’ll learn how to sleep better in midlife. We’re talking about…
- How hormone fluctuations during perimenopause and menopause affect sleep quality
- The neuroscience of sleep and how fluctuating estrogen levels affect your circadian rhythm
- Why poor quality sleep can contribute to midlife weight gain
- The importance of eating enough complex carbs, especially at dinner to improve sleep in midlife
- And Dr. Caitlin shares her advice on how to improve sleep in midlife through lifestyle and with supplements or botanical medicine
Stay tuned for part 2 of this conversation where we take a deep dive into botanical medicine to improve sleep, support perimenopause symptoms, and improve overall well-being in midlife.
As a reminder, Dr. Caitlin is a Naturopathic Doctor providing care for women and children in Denver, Colorado. She pairs a philosophy of patient-centered, whole-body, individualized care with an emphasis on nutrition, botanical medicine, and a balanced approach to joyful living.
Dr. Caitlin focuses on women’s health by improving gut health, hormonal balance, optimal mood and energy, fertility, and postpartum. Most recently, she created a new podcast called The Change: a podcast about perimenopause for people in their 30s,40s, and 50s.
Speaking of eating carbs to improve sleep, how’s your relationship with food? Take the quiz to find out!
Subscribe to the show so you don’t miss an episode. Don’t forget to rate, review, and share! This kindness helps other women in midlife find the show too!
