As a 49 year old nutritionist with 20+ years of experience specializing in women’s hormones and metabolism, I want to change how you think about sleep. Because most women in perimenopause think sleep is about rest. It is actually where your metabolic health is won or lost every single night! Here is what is happening while you sleep: 🧬 1. Your growth hormone is repairing your muscle The majority of human growth hormone is released during deep sleep. Growth hormone drives fat burning, muscle repair and metabolic rate. When cortisol is elevated at night, as it is in perimenopause, deep sleep is suppressed and growth hormone cannot do its job. You wake up with less muscle and a slower metabolism than the day before. 🩸 2. Your blood sugar is either stabilizing or spiking Research published in PMC confirms that sleep disruption causes a measurable increase in morning glucose levels due to elevated cortisol and growth hormone resistance. If you wake up hungry, craving carbs or feeling...