As we know, there are many different factors that can influence your quality of sleep. From simple things like your sleeping environment to certain signals and messengers in your body, there are many ways that sleep quality can be affected. 

In addition to these messengers, or neurotransmitters, there are certain hormones that regulate sleep. And because of their importance in the body, detection of these hormonal imbalances, usually on blood work, is crucial. Especially in those that struggle with their sleep. 

In my last blog, we reviewed the different neurotransmitters in the body that regulate sleep, and we discussed some ways to treat abnormal levels of these neurotransmitters. There are many more treatment options for high levels of neurotransmitters that also offer additional benefits.

So if you’ve tried what seems like endless therapies and lifestyle changes to improve your sleep without any luck, don’t worry. Many difficulties with sleep involve many different parts of the brain and body. So your treatment may involve targeting more than one pathway, neurotransmitter, or hormone at a time. Or maybe even treating an underlying medical condition.

But first, let’s review two of the most important hormones involved with sleep: cortisol and progesterone. 

From the timing and amount of light we are exposed to, when we use electronic devices, and the temperature of our environment, there are so many factors that can influence the quality of sleep we get.

However, despite their best efforts and lifestyle modifications, many of my patients continue to have trouble falling asleep, have trouble staying asleep, or suffer from daytime fatigue due to poor sleep quality. This may be because of certain medical conditions or because of imbalances of certain hormones and neurotransmitters within the body.

As we know, sleep is vital to maintaining health, wellness, and balance within the body. Without adequate amounts of sleep, not only is it difficult to function, but we put ourselves at risk of many life-threatening health conditions.¹

Even though many of my patients understand the importance of sleep, many of them still struggle to get enough good, quality sleep. Despite their efforts, many people still:

• Lay in bed for hours before falling asleep.

• Toss and turn all night.

• Wake up feeling groggy.

Our ability to fall asleep, stay asleep, and get sound sleep isn’t just determined by what we do in the few minutes before we go to bed; it’s based on decisions we make throughout the day. 

As soon as we wake up each morning, our body starts an internal “timer” that basically counts down to when we’re going to get tired and fall asleep again. This is also known as the circadian rhythm. And as much as our body tries to maintain a consistent schedule, our circadian rhythm can be influenced by certain things we consume, expose ourselves to, or do throughout the day.

Exposure to light, the use of electric devices, the time we exercise, and even the way we breath are all ways that our circadian rhythm and overall quality of sleep can be affected. By making small adjustments to the timing and amounts of things we do on a daily basis, we can optimize our circadian rhythm and reap the benefits of good, quality sleep.

Just like our bodies need oxygen, food, and water, sleep is necessary for our health, well being, and frankly, our survival. But despite all of the science around the importance of sleep, many adults still don’t get the required amount. In fact, one in three adults in America don’t get enough sleep.¹

This can be blamed on a number of things. From always being on the go, to excessive cell phone and electronic use, humans today live in a world that’s much different than that of our ancestors.

And just like our ancestors, sleep is simply something our bodies cannot go without. It’s the part of our lives that our bodies rely on to reset and restore important systems within the body. We need sleep to maintain the balance within our bodies.² This is also referred to as homeostasis.

Without this reset and restoration, things in the body start to go wrong quickly. And when we don’t get enough sleep on a regular basis, we put ourselves at an increased risk of developing several dangerous health conditions, many of which can have lasting effects on the mind and body.

If you find that you don’t get enough sleep on a regular basis, there are several proven ways that you can improve your sleep. And by doing this, you can improve your overall health. But first, there needs to be an understanding of why sleep is important, how much sleep is needed, and the risks of sleep deprivation.