
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
More episodes of Everyday Wellness: Midlife Hormones, Menopause, and Science for Women 35+
- Ep. 605 "What Happens When You Stop the Pill in Midlife?" | Oral Contraceptives, Menopause, Perimenopause, Hormones · June 11, 2026 · 38 min
- Ep. 604 “It’s Not Just Vitamin D!” – How Sunlight Supports Blood Pressure, Mood & Hormonal Health with Rowan Jacobsen | Perimenopause, Menopause, Sleep · June 10, 2026 · 57 min
- BONUS: Breaking Down Calorie Restriction, Protein Intake and The Ketogenic Diet with Chris Irvin · June 8, 2026 · 1h 16m
- Ep. 603 The Microbiome's Role in Heart and Metabolic Health with Dr. William Davis | Menopause, Perimenopause, Microbiome · June 6, 2026 · 1h 1m
- Ep. 602 “The Gallbladder-Hormone Connection” – How Perimenopause Changes Bile Flow and Gallbladder Health | Menopause, Perimenopause, Gallbladder Health · June 4, 2026 · 34 min
- Ep. 601 “Why High-Functioning Women Stay Stuck” – The Nervous System Patterns Keeping You in Survival Mode with Dr. Nicole LePera · June 3, 2026 · 1h 2m
Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Everyday Wellness: Midlife Hormones, Menopause, and Science for Women 35+ podcast page.