Episode 20: The Big Sleep Discussion Part 2: troubleshooting sleep for shift work, parenting, insomnia, menopause and more

<p>In this week’s fun chat before we head into the meat of today’s episode, we talk a bit about Holly’s dad’s new job, behavioural science and why it is so important in coaching, and why nutrition and fitness are really just the cherry on top of an otherwise fulfilled life. We talk about a topic related to nutrition that triggered us a little this week, and give you a little insight into our next couple of podcast episodes (you’ll LOVE THEM).</p> <p>From there, we get into today’s topic- we are continuing on from last week’s discussion on sleep… yes, it was such a big topic that we split it into two parts! We recognise that not everyone is going to be able to follow the sleep hygiene tips that we gave in the first part of this episode- whether that is due to work, kids, travel, anxiety or anything else that may pop up in our unpredictable lives.</p> <p>In this episode, we talk about extenuating sleep circumstances- from shift work to being a parent, to having anxiety or insomnia, and some ways you can start to improve your sleep regardless.</p> <p>We start out by talking about how you can tell if you’re getting enough sleep, and some of the warning signs that you might be under-rested. You’ll learn an interesting fact about falling asleep and why it might NOT be a great sign when you pass out right when your head hits the pillow, and some tips to help you get out of bed in the morning.</p> <p>From there, we dig into some special circumstances- what happens if you literally CAN’T get 7-9 hours in bed every night? What if you’re a parent, and your kids wake you up? What if you work nights or strange hours? What happens if you’re going through menopause? What about alcohol and sleep? <strong>Don’t you worry… we’ve got some advice for you!</strong></p> <p>We also touch on insomnia, anxiety and how that may affect your sleep, as well as tips for how to start working towards managing these issues. Holly and Olivia have both dealt with anxiety and insomnia, so you may find their tips and experience helpful!</p> <p><stro