Stress, Hormones & Sleep

Hi there,

If you’ve been feeling wired but tired lately, this one’s for you.

You’re juggling work, family, drop-offs, school forms, and trying to stay sane in between.

Then, when you finally lay down to rest, your mind is on a treadmill.

It’s not just you.

When stress goes unmanaged—especially the low-level kind we’ve learned to live with—it starts to mess with more than just our mood.

It can throw off your nervous system, hormones, and sleep.

Here’s What Might Be Happening:

When your brain is on high alert all day, your body keeps releasing cortisol, your main stress hormone.

Cortisol says: “Stay ready. Something could go wrong.”

The result?

• You wake up groggy—even after 7–8 hours of sleep

• You fall asleep but wake up wired at 2 AM

• You feel emotionally sensitive, anxious, or overwhelmed by little things

• Your body doesn’t know how to turn off—even when you’re safe

Try This Quick Sleep Check-In Tonight:

Before you go to bed, ask yourself:

🌀 Did I do anything today that made my body feel safe?

🪞 Did I pause… or just push through all day?

🌙 Am I trying to sleep while still holding the weight of everyone else’s needs?

Try This Today (Save or Screenshot):

✅ Box breathing: Inhale 4 – Hold 4 – Exhale 4 – Hold 4

✅ Legs up the wall for 5–10 minutes

✅ A warm shower + magnesium spray. Grab the one I use [here]

✅ No screens 30 minutes before bed

Small shifts → nervous system safety → hormone balance → better sleep.

BONUS: Listen to My 5-Minute Reset Audio

I recorded this for moments just like this. A short grounding track to use at bedtime or any time your mind won’t slow down.

🎧 [Click here to listen + download]

What’s Coming Next:

Next Week on On the Mend:

“Is It Burnout or Is It Boundaries?”

We’ll explore the emotional exhaustion so many moms feel—and how small boundary shifts can help you reclaim energy without guilt.

With warmth and rest,

Moya Mathison, LPC, ACS

Mending Wings to Soar

PS: Reply and let me know—what’s your bedtime routine like these days? I’d love to feature real tips from readers in a future issue.

Disclaimer:

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