Stress and Sleep Have a Complicated Relationship

This February, we are focusing on sleep: the importance of sleep, how it plays a role in chronic stress and how you can get better, deeper, more restorative sleep.

Why You Need Sleep to Manage Stress

If you’re constantly stressed, exhausted, and running on fumes, poor sleep might be the missing piece of the puzzle. Sleep isn’t just rest—it’s a full-body reset that helps regulate stress hormones, improve mood, and keep your nervous system balanced.

The Stress-Sleep Cycle

Stress and sleep have a complicated relationship. When you’re stressed, your body releases cortisol, the hormone responsible for keeping you alert in fight-or-flight mode. But if cortisol stays elevated late into the night, it becomes harder to fall asleep and reach deep, restorative rest. Over time, sleep deprivation increases cortisol levels even more, keeping you stuck in a cycle of stress and exhaustion.

What Happens When You Don’t Get Enough Sleep?

• Higher Anxiety & Irritability – Lack of sleep makes you more reactive to stress.

• Brain Fog & Poor Focus – Sleep is essential for memory and clear thinking.

• Weakened Immune System – Chronic sleep deprivation puts you at risk for illness.

• Increased Cortisol Levels – Making it even harder to wind down the next night.

How to Break the Cycle

To reduce stress, improving your sleep is key. Start by setting a consistent bedtime, limiting screen time an hour before bed, and incorporating stress-reducing tools like adaptogens, deep breathing, saunas (or hot baths) and cold plunges. Supplements like Stress Shed’s Snoo-ZZZ’s can also help support relaxation without hormones, so you wake up feeling calm and refreshed.

Prioritize Sleep, Reduce Stress

Sleep isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity. By improving your rest, you give your body the reset it needs to handle stress more effectively. Ready to break the cycle? Start with small changes tonight.