
Why do our brains become frustratingly active in the middle of the night?!?
See if you can relate to this scenario: You are sitting in the middle of a meeting and can’t find the word for the thing you put paper in to fasten it together. Heavy. You press it. Sits on your desk. What is that thing called?
Lately, you might feel like your waking moments have become foggy at best. You either struggle to fall asleep or struggle to stay asleep. As a result, during the day, you feel sluggish, sometimes irritable, and lack the focus to perform at your best.
Suddenly, at 4 am, the word stapler comes to mind with surprising mental clarity, then a full replay of the last 10 conversations you had, the one thing you forgot from your grocery list, and your child’s social security number.
A broken sleep/ wake cycle can be maddening. The longer it goes on, the worse it gets, with added stress, insomnia and even depression affecting an already delicate state of being. You might think you are losing your mind, but most likely, there is a reasonable explanation. Many people attribute poor sleep to stress or a hectic schedule. While these factors certainly play a role, our hormones are integral to regulating our sleep-wake cycle.
Functional testing and medicine can give insight into underlying issues that keep your mind in disarray. For example, after an initial consultation at Colorado Natural Medicine and Acupuncture, Dr. Graves, ND, LAc, might suggest a hormone panel – for either men or women. Especially if you are aged 35+ and feel like sleep is affecting your mental, physical or spiritual ability to operate in the world successfully. It might not be all in your head or “just something you have to power through.” It could be a hormonal imbalance that Dr. Graves can identify through functional testing and address with naturopathic medicine such as acupuncture, supplementation, nutrition, movement and/ or lifestyle changes. Functional testing and medicine give us scientific and intuitive information and tools to deal with imbalances that affect our ability to live optimally healthy lives.
From a naturopathic perspective, just as hormone balance is necessary for sleep, sleep is essential for hormone balance. Hormones like melatonin, cortisol, testosterone, estrogen and progesterone all help to regulate our sleep-wake cycle. When these hormones are out of balance, it can lead to a cascade of issues, from difficulty falling asleep to frequent awakenings throughout the night. And vice versa: a disrupted sleep pattern can affect whether these hormones replenish themselves successfully at night. Despite our best efforts, sometimes we need a trusted advisor’s help to transform our health challenges into triumphs.
At Colorado Natural Medicine & Acupuncture, we understand the intricate interplay between hormones and sleep. We don’t just treat the symptoms; we delve deeper to identify the root causes of your sleep disturbances. We prioritize your health by emphasizing that a good night’s sleep is essential for overall well-being.
Let’s work together to optimize your sleep-wake cycle and help you feel your best. You can start here:
- Explore our latest articles about optimizing your sleep.
- Sign up for our weekly newsletter to find out about our special discount on hormone panels in January, take advantage of additional tips and tricks from Dr. Graves + other monthly specials and exclusive offers for subscribers.
- Check out our new offering, Strong and Balanced: A Holistic Menopause Program. This is your self care guide to not only surviving menopause but thriving!
- Schedule a free 15-minute consultation with Dr. Graves online or by calling (303) 688-6698, to discuss your sleep challenges and explore a personalized approach to optimizing your hormones.
Dr. Adam Graves, ND, LAc, practices functional medicine at Colorado Natural Medicine & Acupuncture which is located in Castle Rock, CO between Denver and Colorado Springs on the I25 corridor.
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