It All Starts with a Good Night’s Sleep

Of all the symptoms of menopause that women complain about, hot flashes and sleep disturbances are among the most common and I seem to have licked both with a daily dose of Black Cohosh. Or is it the Gaba that’s doing the trick? Perhaps it’s the combination of the two. But the elimination of hot flashes has resulted in my ability to get a better night’s sleep. And that, in turn has made me feel better overall. The dulled, fuzzy feeling I’ve been walking around with for so long has evaporated and been replaced with more energy and focus; and, with a greater energy reserve, I’ve been able to increase my exercise and lose a few pounds in the process.

It’s impossible to overstate the importance of sleep. It’s a crucial piece in the jig saw puzzle of factors that contribute to our overall well-being and keep our bodies humming. According to a WSJ  (1/18) “Science Journal” column about “the Secrets of Sleep,” (which was among the most widely emailed last week), “one vital function of sleep may be to help our brains sort, store and consolidate new memories,” which explains why memory loss is another frequent complaint of sleep-deprived, menopausal women. As reported in a  Harvard Women’s Health Watch newsletter, sleep helps the brain commit new information to memory through a process called memory consolidation.

Lack of sleep also affects the way our bodies store carbohydrates and alters levels of hormones that affect our appetite. This may explain why middle-aged women have trouble losing weight. It’s not the diet. And it’s not menopause, per se. You just may need more shut-eye.