Ep. 581 "Hack Your Vagus Nerve” –  Simple Daytime Rituals To End 3:00 AM Wake-Ups

Ep. 581 "Hack Your Vagus Nerve” – Simple Daytime Rituals To End 3:00 AM Wake-Ups

From Everyday Wellness: Midlife Hormones, Menopause, and Science for Women 35+ by Everyday Wellness™

April 16, 2026 · 15 min

About this episode

Cynthia Thurlow discusses sleep issues in postmenopausal women and offers strategies for better sleep.

Welcome to this week’s Midlife Minute episode. Today, I answer a question from a 55-year-old postmenopausal woman on HRT who still wakes up multiple times at night. I also explore the factors that tend to affect women’s sleep in midlife and offer practical strategies for better sleep. IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL LEARN: How sleep apnea shows up differently in women than it does in men Why being constantly sympathetic dominant may interfere with your sleep How not eating enough protein, healthy carbohydrates, fiber, and healthy fats can spike your cortisol overnight How drops in progesterone and changes in estrogen can impact GABA and glutamate The importance of doing vagal exercise during the day and gearing down before bed Some simple vagus nerve practices to support relaxation How alterations in progesterone and estrogen impact neurotransmitters My favorite supplement for supporting sleep, and adaptogenic herbs that buffer cortisol Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on X, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website Submit your questions to support@cynthiathurlow.com Join other like-minded women in a supportive, nurturing community: The Midlife Pause/Cynthia Thurlow Cynthia’s…

People in this episode

Host: Cynthia Thurlow

Topics covered

  • vagus nerve
  • sleep
  • midlife hormones
  • menopause
  • HRT
  • cortisol
  • neurotransmitters
  • relaxation techniques

Keywords

  • sleep apnea
  • sympathetic dominance
  • diet and sleep
  • progesterone
  • estrogen
  • vagal exercises
  • adaptogenic herbs

Mentioned in this episode

Products: Cynthia’s Menopause Gut Book, Cynthia’s Intermittent Fasting Transformation Book, The Midlife Pause Supplement Line

Books & works: Hack Your Vagus Nerve, Midlife Minute, The Midlife Pause Supplement

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