Better Sleep: What Stress & Hormones Have to Do With It

Stress, hormones, and daily habits all play a role in whether you wake up feeling refreshed—or like the creature from the Black Lagoon. I’ve been on my own sleep journey, from crashing anywhere as a kid (yes, even on ski lifts) to learning how to navigate the push-and-pull of stress, cortisol, and hormonal balance. If you’ve ever found yourself waking up at 3 a.m., dealing with a second wind at night, or feeling groggy no matter how much sleep you get—you’re not alone. In this post, I dive into why sleep changes, how stress and hormones throw off your rhythms, and what you can actually do about it—including herbs, lifestyle shifts, and foods that support deep, restorative rest.