Category: Adrenal Health
You are so tired. You feel completely worn out by the time night comes. You might think this is just how your life has to be every single day.
But then you get into bed… and your brain suddenly turns on!
All of a sudden, you are wide awake. Your thoughts are racing. Your body feels jittery, like you just drank three strong cups of coffee—even though you didn’t! It is so frustrating, right? Let’s talk about why this happens and how to fix it together!
What Is Really Happening in Your Body?
During the day, your body makes a hormone called cortisol to give you energy. By nighttime, cortisol is supposed to drop down low. When it drops, your body makes another helper called melatonin, which makes you sleepy and relaxed.
When you are stressed all day, your cortisol stays high. It never gets the chance to drop down when night comes.
The result? You feel super tired (because your body is exhausted) and wired (because your stress hormone is still high). You feel both at the exact same time! You are not crazy—it is just a clear sign from your body that your stress levels are out of balance.
Why Does This Happen?
Your day was too busy. Skipping meals, rushing around, and staring at your phone keep your stress levels high all day long.
Your body is stuck in “go” mode. When you are busy all day, your body cannot just turn off the second you turn out the lights. It needs time to slow down.
Phone screens trick your brain. Bright light from phones and TVs tells your brain that it is still daytime. Trust me, I get it! I have a hard time putting my phone away too. But when I actually do it, I sleep so much better!
5 Signs You Are “Tired But Wired”
1. You are sleepy all day, but suddenly awake right at bedtime. (So annoying!)
2. Your mind starts racing the second your head hits the pillow.
3. It takes you up to 2 hours to fall asleep, even when you feel totally drained. (Most people fall asleep in 10 to 20 minutes!)
4. You wake up in the middle of the night (like 2 AM or 3 AM) wide awake for no reason.
5. You need coffee or energy drinks just to make it through the day, which only makes it harder to sleep at night.
If this sounds like you, please remember: there is nothing wrong with you! Your body just needs a little help learning how to relax at night.
Easy Things That Actually Help
You do not need to change your whole life! Just pick one or two small things to try:
Put your phone away early. Bright screens tell your brain to stay awake. Try putting your phone down 20 to 30 minutes before bed. I know it is hard, but start small! You will feel the difference.
Try a relaxing guided meditation. Lie down, close your eyes, and listen to a simple bedtime meditation. It helps your brain move out of “stress mode” and into “rest mode.”
Go to bed and wake up at the same time. Yes, even on weekends! Your body loves a regular routine. Waking up at the same time every day actually helps you feel sleepy at the right time at night.
Take deep, slow breaths. Take a deep breath in, and then let it out very slowly. You can also gently shake out your hands or place your feet flat on the floor. This lets your body know that you are safe and it is time to rest.
Rest is not something you have to earn, ladies. It is something you need! Let yourself rest tonight.
Keep Reading:
Did you know that blood sugar crashes can also ruin your sleep? When your blood sugar drops too fast, your body panics and wakes you up! Check out my post Blood Sugar Swings Are Sabotaging Your Hormones to see how easy food fixes can help you stay asleep all night!