Say Goodbye to Sleepless Nights with Morgan Adams, MSW (Episode 199)
Oct 23, 2024
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This week, Morgan Adams, a holistic sleep coach and two-time breast cancer survivor, shares her journey from prescription pills to natural sleep solutions. She discusses the unique sleep challenges women face during menopause, including night sweats and anxiety. Morgan emphasizes the importance of circadian rhythms and creating a calming bedtime routine. They explore the negative impacts of alcohol on sleep quality and introduce cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia as an alternative to medication, empowering women to reclaim restful nights.
Hormonal fluctuations during menopause significantly disrupt sleep patterns, requiring tailored strategies for effective management and improvement.
A holistic approach to enhancing sleep involves creating consistent routines, mindful practices, and addressing environmental factors like temperature and noise.
Consulting with healthcare professionals about hormone replacement therapy and supplements is crucial for personalized solutions to sleep disturbances.
Deep dives
Challenges of Sleep During Midlife
Many women experience significant sleep disturbances as they enter midlife, struggling to fall asleep, stay asleep, or both. These issues can stem from hormonal fluctuations and other stressors that disrupt the body’s natural rhythm. The impact of poor sleep extends beyond fatigue, affecting mood, cognitive function, and physical performance. It's clear that addressing sleep challenges is crucial for maintaining overall wellness during this stage of life.
Holistic Approach to Sleep Improvement
A holistic approach to improving sleep includes various strategies, such as establishing regular sleep schedules, overhauling diet, and engaging in physical activity. Consistency in waking times is particularly vital, as it helps regulate the body's circadian rhythm, making it easier to feel sleepy at night. Additionally, meal timing significantly influences sleep quality; women should aim to eat earlier to avoid digestive disruptions during the night. Regular light exposure upon waking can further support circadian regulation, signalling to the body that it's time to start the day.
Mindfulness and Relaxation Techniques
Practices like mindfulness, meditation, and structured relaxation periods throughout the day can significantly improve sleep quality. Engaging in short breaks for mindfulness allows busy women to process the day's stresses and unwind before bedtime. For instance, replacing stimulating activities with calming ones during the evening can help prepare the mind and body for restful sleep. Women are encouraged to find pleasurable, low-stress activities that promote relaxation as part of their nighttime routine.
The Role of Supplements and Hormones
While supplements like magnesium and glycine can be beneficial for sleep, melatonin is one of the more contentious options. Women may find that low doses of melatonin can aid in regulating their sleep patterns, particularly post-menopause, as natural levels of this hormone decline. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may also improve sleep for some, but results can vary widely among individuals. Consulting healthcare professionals about the appropriate use of both supplements and HRT is crucial to finding effective personalized solutions.
Practical Sleep Solutions
Practical solutions for enhancing sleep include addressing environmental factors, such as noise and temperature control. Women dealing with hot flashes may benefit from cooling mattress pads and other temperature-regulating solutions. Behavioral approaches like limiting screen time before bed, avoiding heavy meals late at night, and managing caffeine intake also play a significant role in fostering better sleep. Ultimately, combining multiple strategies tailored to individual needs is essential for achieving sustainable improvements in sleep quality.
We don’t have to tell you that menopause can be a real sleep wrecker. Recent research finds that half of women aged 45 to 64 say they experience sleep disruption due to menopause. One of the biggest culprits is hormonally-driven symptoms like night sweats, so hormone therapy can help. But it’s not a guarantee to a good night’s sleep, as this week’s guest, holistic sleep coach Morgan Adams can attest. Morgan went from relying on prescription sleeping pills for nearly a decade to doing the work to remedy her own sleep issues and then becoming a certified sleep coach to help others. This week we discuss her approach, including dialing in your circadian rhythms, creating a healthy amount of sleep pressure during the day, rethinking your bedtime routines, and how to not stress about sleep.
Morgan Adams is a holistic sleep coach who empowers women to conquer their battle with sleepless nights without reliance on sleep medications. With her powerful sleep toolkit, Morgan not only ensures that women experience a profound enhancement in their sleep quality, but she also guides them in rekindling their relationship with sleep, paving the way for less stressful and more fulfilling days. Morgan is also a two-time breast cancer survivor. This experience fueled her advocacy for a lifestyle rooted in disease prevention. Her wisdom and guidance extend far beyond just sleep, as she champions holistic well-being in all aspects of life. You can learn more about her and her work at www.morganadamswellness.com.
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