Photo: Contributed One of the most essential yet often overlooked aspects of our well-being is sleep. In our fast-paced world, it’s all too easy to skimp on sleep in favor of getting more done. The truth is, quality sleep is not a luxury—it’s a necessity and should be treated as such.
Let's pull back the blankets and uncover how lack of sleep and poor sleep hygiene (yep, it's a thing) can negatively impact cortisol, hormones, and weight, and what you can do to ensure you’re getting the restful sleep your body and brain need to keep you feeling your best. Sleep is the body’s natural way of restoring, rejuvenating and repairing itself. During sleep, our bodies undergo critical processes like flushing out toxins, tissue repair, muscle growth, and hormone regulation.
It’s also a time for your brain to process the day’s events, consolidate memories, and prepare for the next day. When you don’t get enough sleep or your sleep quality is poor, these vital processes are disrupted, leading to a cascade of negative effects on our health. Cortisol, often referred to as the “stress hormone,” follows a natural daily rhythm.
It peaks in the morning to help us wake up and decreases throughout the day, reaching its lowest point at night. This rhythm is closely tied to our sleep-wake cycle. When we don’t get enough sleep, cortisol levels can become imbalanced, causing: 1.
Increased stress and anxiety: Lack of sleep elevates cortisol levels, which can increase feelings of .