We all know that a good day begins with a good night’s rest, yet perimenopause can make catching those crucial z’s even more difficult. So, what is it about this menopausal transition that makes restful sleep harder to achieve?
Perimenopause, often occurring in your late 40s, is the biggest transition that your body will go through after puberty. It is the transition to the phase of life where reproduction ends. This transition can be even more challenging than menopause.
In fact, our hormones become so vastly different that the way we approach our entire body has to change to accommodate this transition. It’s certainly more difficult to drift into dreamland when hot flashes and night sweats are keeping you up!
Compound this hormonal shift with the fact that most women are also in the busiest season of their lives when perimenopause begins. They can be caring for children or aging parents, managing staff, balancing career responsibilities, and generally putting others ahead of personal wellness. With an ever-growing to-do list, does ‘getting ready for bed’ ever reach the top?
The natural symptoms we experience during perimenopause, combined with our busy and stressful days, can result in disrupted and insufficient sleep. Lack of sleep can lead to lower cognition, forgetfulness, irritability, and overall emotional malaise. Sleep is no longer a ‘luxury’ but a necessity for all of life’s demands and excitement.
Our bodies require so much more from us during perimenopause for reasons both hormonal and social, and the changes are so subtle that it’s easy to ignore our body’s needs. Because we still have our cycle during perimenopause, we may believe that our bodies aren’t changing and continue to treat our bodies the way we always have. If we don’t pay close enough attention or are simply unaware of the signs, our overall wellness and performance suffer. This is why sleep is crucial – it’s the body’s way of recharging, especially through a transition like this.
Simply put, perimenopause means our bodies are changing, and we need a recovery period more than ever. In order for this recovery to happen, we need 7 to 7 ½ hours of sleep every night. Yes, EVERY night!
A good night’s rest must be the #1 item on your to-do list during this transitional phase so you can make your way through your daily to-do list with ease. And since no one can have a restful sleep while stressed, ease is key!
Sleep and stress are what we call ‘bio-directional.’ When one is tended to, the other is more likely to be balanced. When we are dealing with chronic stress, sleep can be more elusive. When we don’t get quality and sufficient sleep, we are more likely to become stressed, and the vicious cycle continues. When we prioritize sleep, we are able to be less reactive and more responsive and calm in stressful situations. The less reactive we are, the more easily we can fall into restful sleep at the end of the day.
Sleep is EVERYTHING, especially during perimenopause. It is the foundation of our health and wellness. When we get sufficient and quality sleep, our bodies are equipped to handle the everyday demands and hormonal changes of this new season in our lives. Together, I can help you CRUSH this perimenopausal stage of life through getting a good night’s sleep.
