No matter how nutritious your diet is and how much exercise you get, your health will suffer if you don’t get enough restorative sleep.

Poor sleep has been linked to imbalances of many hormones, including insulin, cortisol, leptin, ghrelin and growth hormone (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7).

Adequate sleep goes a long way in a hormonal imbalance treatment. For example, the stress hormone cortisol is regulated at midnight. When people go to bed late, the sympathetic flight or fight stress response occurs. There is a link between sleep and testosterone production. Peak testosterone levels coincide with the sleep onset of rapid eye movement, while nocturnal testosterone levels will rise during sleep and decrease from waking.

Getting at least seven to eight hours of sleep will help correct hormone imbalance. Short sleep times are associated with weight gain, reduced insulin sensitivity, reduced oral glucose tolerance, and an increased incidence of type 2 diabetes. Limiting your caffeine intake is also associated with balancing hormones and better sleep quality. Lack of sleep will increase your cortisol levels and decrease thyroid hormone levels.

Long story short, not enough sleep will slow or halt your body’s critical repair time, will slow your metabolism to a crawl and isn’t doing you any favours when it comes to managing stress!

Sleep Savers:

• • Remove yourself from the stressor: If your job, relationship or living situation is a constant source of distress or conflict, seek support and change it.
  • Talk over your feelings With an empathetic partner, friend or relative. If you’re experiencing trauma, depression or anxiety, see a counselor.
  • Keep a worry diary: Jot down your problems and a few solutions to debrief and get troubles off your mind before bed.