345 // Sleep in Midlife: Why I can't fall asleep!

345 // Sleep in Midlife: Why I can't fall asleep!

What are the common struggles and victories in addiction recovery, midlife hormones, and sleep all doing in the same podcast? In this honest chat, Stacey Ziegler brings them together in a way that feels like sitting down with a candid, faith-filled friend. Speaking to women in their 40s and 50s—especially mums who already carry a lot on their shoulders—Stacey talks about those nights where you're exhausted, but the second your head hits the pillow your mind starts racing.

She reassures women straight away: "it's not you. You're not broken. It's just your body trying to tell you something." This episode in her "Hello Hormones" series looks at how fluctuating oestrogen, low progesterone and elevated cortisol can wreck sleep, increase anxiety, and leave you feeling "tired but wired". She shares her own experience of perimenopause at 51—hot flushes, night sweats, brain fog, weight gain, and those frustrating 2, 3 or 4 a.m. wakeups.

Alongside the hormone chat, Stacey gets very practical. She talks about eating protein within 30–60 minutes of waking, avoiding long fasting, staying hydrated, moving your body gently, and shifting dinner earlier in the evening. She stresses winding down with low lights, getting off your phone, journalling, prayer and magnesium glycinate for calmer sleep, while reminding you to check your vitamin D and other levels with your doctor.

Faith weaves through the whole conversation, from her tired prayers of "Lord, please give me a restful night's sleep" to seeing rest as part of caring for the body, mind and soul "God's way". If you're a midlife woman of faith, perhaps already doing the hard work of changing unhealthy habits or addiction, this episode might help you stop blaming yourself and start asking a kinder question: what is your body trying to say—and how could you honour it tonight?