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.

Have you ever woken up in the middle of the night and wondered why? While modern society treats uninterrupted sleep as the gold standard, history and biology suggest that biphasic sleep—waking for a period in the night—is actually quite normal. In this post, we explore why some people are naturally wakeful at night, how age and stress impact sleep rhythms, and when wakefulness signals a deeper imbalance. Plus, learn practical tips to work with your body's natural rhythm instead of fighting against it.

In Part 2 of our series, we continue exploring the lesser-known effects of gonadal hormones on the nervous, immune, and digestive systems. Learn how these hormones contribute to your body's overall health and function in ways you may not expect. Dive deeper into the world of hormonal balance and discover why these hormones matter far beyond reproduction.

In Part 1 we discover the powerful role gonadal hormones (testosterone, estrogen, and progesterone) play beyond reproductive health. In this post, we explore how these hormones impact your bones, muscles, joints, and cardiovascular system, revealing their critical role in overall well-being. I hope this two part series helps you understand why hormonal balance is essential to your whole body.