Reboot Your Sleep with Functional Health Lab Insights
- Nourish Health
- Mar 31, 2023
- 3 min read
Updated: Sep 27
There is an unsettling trend involving our sleep that is on the rise. According to a recent study in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC), more than a third of American adults are not getting enough sleep on a regular basis. (1) The truth is, sleep isn't a luxury—it's essential. If you're struggling to feel rested, it may be time to dig deeper into what's disrupting your sleep and how to support it naturally.
Poor sleep is hardly new. However, since the pandemic feelings of restlessness at night, nighttime anxiety, and other sleep issues have been on an uptick. Brought on by the stress of living in a global pandemic, sleep experts have labeled these sleep problems “coronasomnia,” a combination of coronavirus and insomnia.
Health Effects of Sleep Deficiency
During our sleep our body repairs, supports immunity and the brain sorts and processes the day's information. Sleep deficiency is linked to many chronic health problems, including heart disease, kidney disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, stroke, obesity, and depression. Sleep deficiency is also linked to a higher chance of injury in adults, teens, and children. (2)
I have also seen in my practice children struggling with staying alert while in school, and an increase in disruptive behavior. Additionally, day to day tasks are more challenging when sleep deprived. Motivation, joy, memory and even quality time with family and friends can be impacted.
Circadian Rhythm
While the roots of sleep challenges can be far reaching; one of the first places to explore is your sleep-wake circadian rhythm. The sleep-wake circadian rhythm is the 24-hour internal clock in our brain that regulates cycles of alertness and sleepiness by responding to light changes in our environment.
Cortisol has a particular circadian rhythm that is affected by sleep and follows the sleep-wake rhythm. Based on physiology, cortisol should be lowest during the initial part of sleep, and highest just minutes before the individual wakes up. This process is part of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, which is in control of your stress response.
How to Check Cortisol Levels
If stress is playing a role in this new trend of sleep disruption called “coronasomnia,” then investigating your sleep-wake circadian rhythm may provide insights to how and when to support your adrenals, thus your sleep.
One of the most accurate ways to determine whether you are experiencing HPA axis circadian rhythm disruptions is to test your diurnal cortisol pattern. This involves collecting four non-invasive samples (from your home) over the course of one day, from which the lab is able to generate results with a diurnal cortisol curve. This four-point graph reveals cortisol levels throughout the day and allows practitioners to pinpoint issues with adrenal gland function and create a supportive road-map to get you back to sleep.
ReBoot: Sleep Package
We have created an easy way for you to test your levels through our ReBoot Sleep Package. This simple at-home (4-point) urine test assesses your stress response by measuring cortisol and DHEA hormone levels. Samples are taken at specific intervals throughout the day and can reveal whether or not you need a circadian rhythm reset.
We have also layered in an addition screening to this package that reviews specific organic acids that will offer greater insight to nutritional markers such as, B12, B6, Biotin, Glutathione, Dopamine, Norepinephrine/Epinephrine Metabolite and Melatonin.
Additionally, one of the best ways to improve your chances of a good night’s rest is adopting healthy sleep hygiene habits. Research has found that certain behaviors are associated with more restful sleep and reduced risk of insomnia. With every ReBoots package, we include a Lifestyle Guide that supports all areas of your sleep, along with your personal diurnal cortisol pattern and supportive supplement protocol.
Sleep Package Includes
A review of your ReBoot: Sleep Questionnaire to help uncover potential root causes of your sleep challenges.
Personalized supplement recommendations tailored to your diurnal cortisol rhythm.
Insight into how your current habits may be disrupting sleep—and guidance on how to shift toward more supportive routines.
Practical sleep hygiene strategies provided in our Lifestyle Guide.
Sleep is one of our specialties, and we understand firsthand how deeply poor sleep can affect every aspect of your life. If you're struggling, don't hesitate to reach out—this is what we do!
Cheat Sheet: Circadian Rhythm, here
Blog: Night time waking, here
Blog: Moon Milk, here
Have a Nourishing Day!
