Why do I wake up at 4am for no reason?

Normally, at night time, melatonin levels will naturally increase, and cortisol (our stress hormone), will naturally be lower (than in the mornings). If you are under acute stress, or you have been under chronic stress, you may notice that you tend to wake up between 2-4 am and have difficulty falling back asleep.

rootstobranchesnb.com - Top 3 Hormonal Reasons Why You Are Waking Through the Night

What is better than drinking coffee?

No matter the reason you want to make a (fair) trade, there are plenty of coffee alternatives including teas, juice shots, chocolate milk, lattes...

Last updated Jul 20, 2020

What happens if Saxenda is not refrigerated?

Can I use Saxenda if it hasn't been refrigerated? If your Saxenda pens haven't been kept refrigerated until you're ready to use them you should not...

Last updated Oct 13, 2020

Promotion

Ah yes! It’s that wonderful time of the day where you get into our cozy jammies, hop in your bed with your soft flannel sheets, pull up that perfectly weighted duvet cover and quickly fall asleep, and drift into dreamland. But, much to your surprise and frustration, you find yourself awake, I mean WIDE awake, anywhere from 2-4 hours later. You cannot fall back asleep despite all efforts. You watch each hour pass by on your clock and your anxiety builds knowing your alarm is going to go off soon. Does this happen to you? I see this quite frequently in my practice and wanted to share my Top 3 Hormonal Reasons Why You are Waking between 2-4 am through the Night:

Low Progesterone

I frequently see women that begin having sleep issues with peri-menopausal changes or find sleep worse especially the week or two leading up to their menstrual cycle. One reason this occurs is because of the impact that progesterone can have on our relaxing neurotransmitter, GABA, which helps us with sleep, and reduces anxiety and tension. So you can imagine, if your body has less progesterone than it is expecting, this will result in less GABA, and can disrupt sleep, particularly sleep maintenance (meaning, more issues with staying asleep, rather than falling asleep).

2. Dysregulated Cortisol (stress hormone)

If you are just recently having sleep issues, this is the most likely culprit! Normally, at night time, melatonin levels will naturally increase, and cortisol (our stress hormone), will naturally be lower (than in the mornings). If you are under acute stress, or you have been under chronic stress, you may notice that you tend to wake up between 2-4 am and have difficulty falling back asleep. Sometimes, this can also be experienced as waking up earlier than you would naturally want to, like 4 or 5 am. This is because cortisol can decrease deep slow wave sleep, and shorten sleeping time. For tips on how to begin regulating your stress response, see our blog here.

3. Lowering Blood Sugars

For a smaller group of people, you could be having disturbed sleep because of your blood sugar lowering through the night and creating a light, restless sleep. If you are someone that requires small, frequent meals throughout the day, and then all of a sudden your last food intake is supper, this could be you! It is worth trying to add a healthy, fat and/or protein rich filled snack an hour or so before bed to see if this could improve your sleep. Examples could include: apple with nut butter, trail mix, pumpkin seeds, turkey with cheese slices, grapes and cheese, greek yogurt and berries, etc. Want to get back to a more complete and restful sleep pattern? Book your naturopathic virtual consult here! Like what you read? Join our newsletter and receive my Top 5 Tips to Boost Your Femine Energy here

How long does it take for skin to tighten after weight loss?

“In general, it can take anywhere from weeks to months—even years,” says Dr. Chen. If after one to two years skin is still loose, it may not get...

Last updated Apr 23, 2022

Can fat burners affect your liver?

Despite several claims about the safety of herbal weight loss supplements, researchers have reported multiple episodes of hepatotoxicity. Certain...

Last updated Jan 7, 2022

Promotion

Is hard-boiled eggs good for losing weight?

Weight Loss Hard-boiled eggs are an excellent source of lean protein. They'll fill you up without packing in too many calories, which is helpful if you want to lose weight.

webmd.com - Health Benefits of Boiled Eggs - WebMD

How do you like your eggs? Eggs have lots of nutrients, but the health boost you get depends on the way you prepare the meal. Although there are tons of different ways to serve them up, the benefits of boiled eggs can go a long way. In terms of preparation, the only difference between soft-boiled and hard-boiled eggs is how long they spend cooking. There are plenty of nutrients in boiled eggs regardless of how long they're in the heat, but harder-boiled eggs are a better bet when it comes to avoiding harmful bacteria like salmonella. Health Benefits They're tasty, they're filling, and they're good for your health at any age. Here are some examples of the health benefits of hard-boiled eggs. Weight Loss Hard-boiled eggs are an excellent source of lean protein. They'll fill you up without packing in too many calories, which is helpful if you want to lose weight. Prenatal Bone Strength The protein in hard-boiled eggs also works alongside vitamin D to promote prenatal development. These elements support your baby’s teeth, bones, and general growth throughout pregnancy. Reduced Cholesterol Boiled egg whites are healthier than some of their other forms. After boiling, take out the yolks to enjoy a low-cholesterol snack. Source of Choline Choline is important for cellular maintenance and growth, and hard-boiled eggs are the top source of it in the US diet. Prevent Macular Degeneration Lutein and zeaxanthin, which are found in boiled eggs, have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that help maintain your eye health. Increased Mental Energy The combination of healthy elements like protein and choline in hard-boiled eggs helps to get your brain going, especially just after breakfast.

What size is Beyoncé dress?

Beyonce's Grammys dress designer reveals the singer is a size 2 | Daily Mail Online. Jan 28, 2014

Last updated Jul 8, 2020

How much peanut Can I eat a day for weight loss?

Conducted in partnership with Texas Tech University, the study found that eating 35 grams of lightly salted dry-roasted peanuts before two main...

Last updated Aug 11, 2021

Promotion

What is the very best natural sleep aid?

What Are the Best Natural Sleep Aids? Melatonin. Melatonin is a sleep-regulating hormone produced by the pineal gland in our brains. ... Lavender....

Last updated Dec 16, 2021

Promotion

How many eggs a day is good?

The American Heart Association recommends up to one egg a day for most people, fewer for people with high blood cholesterol, especially those with...

Last updated Oct 10, 2022