It's widely acknowledged that sleep deprivation can detrimentally affect our well-being. But add the strain of cancer treatment—either enduring it yourself or supporting a loved one—and it's no surprise that sleep disturbances like insomnia become all too common. Insomnia disrupts our ability to fall, stay, or enjoy restorative sleep. This often leads to increased fatigue during the day, mood swings, and irritability, affecting every facet of life.
What’s astonishing is how stress triggered by something as taxing as cancer treatment can wreak havoc on our bodies. The nervous system goes into overdrive, pumping out adrenaline and cortisol and placing us in a perpetual state of "fight or flight." This relentless tension saps your vitality and compromises your immune system. Imagine being relentlessly pursued by a bear for months—exhausting!
So, how do we combat these sleep troubles? Dr. Cassie Wilder, a Minneapolis Integrative Medicine Clinic pioneer, provides enlightening advice. Start your journey towards refreshing sleep from the moment you wake up! For some of us facing an imbalance—excess melatonin in the morning and too much cortisol at night—a dose of bright light first thing can enhance that morning cortisol spike. Establishing an empowering morning ritual can rival even the most soothing of nighttime habits.
In the Rising podcast. She is passionate about empowering others to enhance their nutrition. But before we dive into that topic, let's explore the initial spark that ignited her journey.
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In Good Health,
Bettina
