We’ve all been there—a bad night’s sleep can affect our whole day.
It’ll affect our productivity, mood, and ability to manage our stress response.
But why can it be such a struggle for so many of us?
One major reason is stress, though we don’t always put two and two together.
Stress is a normal physical response, and we all know what it feels like. In small doses, it’s no big deal, but when it becomes constant, it can affect our sleep quality. The relationship between stress and sleep is a 360° cycle.
Stress impacts the quality of our sleep, and in turn, poor sleep exacerbates stress levels. This creates a never-ending loop that affects our well-being.
This is frustrating! But realising how stress and sleep connect is a huge step in the right direction.
Manage Your Stress & Sleep To Reclaim Your Energy & Vitality
Noticeable signs
Stress often keeps us awake because our minds won’t switch off. You might toss and turn, unable to
relax. Or, you might wake in the early hours. Your brain will race, trying to solve problems and worrying about the past or future. One thing that is damn annoying is that we often end up worrying about not sleeping! This makes it even harder to relax and fall asleep.
Stress You Don’t See
Sometimes we’re stressed without knowing it. The tell-tale sign is noticing when our sleep becomes restless and interrupted. This can leave you feeling grumpy or unrested. Noticing and addressing early signs of stress can help break this cycle. This will improve your sleep/stress relationship. They will no longer fuel each other negatively.
A Little Self-Care Goes A Long Way Quick Tips To Break the Cycle
Nurturing Bedtime Ritual
Ditch screens an hour before sleep. Then, drink a cup of calming herbal tea. Use an essential oil diffuser, play meditative music, or listen to a guided meditation.
Stress Management by Day
Use mindfulness practices. Try journaling, a walk in nature, breathing techniques, and meditation. These small actions can lower cortisol and set you up for better rest.
What’s Cortisol?
Stress affects sleep by triggering the body’s natural “fight or flight” response. This is a natural physical reaction to protect ourselves. The response is often triggered by daily pressures. Such as the routine of family life, financial worries, work, or personal conflicts.
Over time, frequent activation of this response can cause imbalances in cortisol. People understand cortisol as the stress hormone. Elevated cortisol levels make it difficult to relax and fall asleep. This perpetuates a cycle of stress and poor sleep. It can take a toll on our overall health – especially our glow!
Under normal circumstances, cortisol is released in the morning to help us feel alert and awake. But, when we’ve experienced ongoing stress, cortisol levels can become erratic. It ends up spiking at unexpected times throughout the day or night. This causes us to feel overly alert at moments when we expect, or want, to be relaxed and calm. Unfortunately, these cortisol surges often occur at night. It disrupts our ability to get a restful and rejuvenating sleep. This leads to feeling unrested and drained.
Are My Cortisol Levels Out Of Whack?
When our cortisol levels are out of whack, it can lead to a range of frustrating symptoms that impact
both our stress and sleep. Here’s what to look for if you suspect your cortisol might be running wild:
● Low tolerance to everyday stress – Small annoyances can feel overwhelming or impossible to handle.
● Fatigue during the day, but wide awake at night – You feel drained all day but struggle to fall asleep when it’s time to wind down.
● Waking in the early hours (like around 3 a.m.) – You find yourself awake in the middle of the night, unable to drift back to sleep.
● Feeling wired but exhausted in the morning – You wake up tired, yet your mind is buzzing and won’t settle down.
● Craving stimulants – You reach for coffee, salty snacks, carbs, or sugary treats to give you a boost.
● Weight gain around the midsection – Extra pounds seem to appear, especially around your waist.
● Elevated blood pressure – The constant feeling of stress can start to impact your body. Being in a constant state of alertness can drain you. Especially when it interferes with your sleep.
Find Ways To Naturally Manage & Restore Balance To Your Cortisol Levels
Help break this cycle and support your inner and outer well-being.
How To Restore Balance To Your Cortisol Levels
Bringing your cortisol levels back into balance can require effort, but with great rewards! Here at Fuel Your Glow, we believe a mix of lifestyle changes, diet, and relaxation is the key!
Here are some effective ways to help restore harmony to your body, mind, and soul:
Evening Rituals:
● Turn off blue light devices at least an hour before bedtime
● Have a calming herbal tea, such as chamomile, passionflower, or lavender
● Take a warm bath or shower to help your body relax before sleep
● Use calming balms and essential oils such as lavender, neroli, and sweet orange.
Dietary Adjustments:
● Cut back on high-sugar and high-salt foods
● Avoid overeating at dinner time, and eat before 6pm
● Limit caffeine after 2pm
● Reduce alcohol consumption
Stress-Reducing Practices:
● Engage in daily breathing exercises
● Practice daily mindfulness meditation
● Incorporate yoga or other calming stretching practices
● Exercise!
Supplement Support:
● Glow Calm – helps manage daytime stress and balances hormones, setting the stage for better rest
● Glow Rest – promotes deep, restorative sleep and emotional balance at night
● Glow Vitality – provides essential vitamins, minerals, and nutrients to support daily health
More Tips:
● Stay active, exercise often to regulate cortisol and improve sleep
Take steps to restore balance to your cortisol levels! You’ll not only improve your sleep, you’ll also fuel your glow and reclaim your vitality. Your efforts may feel small, but if you remain disciplined, you will gradually see results. You’ll help nurture your soul and support a healthier, more balanced lifestyle.
Start a mindfulness routine. Find a relaxation practice you love. Then, adjust to a healthier diet. Break the cycle of stress and poor sleep! You’ll feel more energised, centered, and at peace. Prioritise your well-being. Every effort to manage stress and improve sleep will help you glow from the inside out.
