Sleep: Why It’s Not Just About a Sleeping Pill
If your GP’s answer to poor sleep is “here, take this pill,” it’s missing the point.
Sleep struggles are right at the top of the symptom list I see every day. Yet they’re also one of the most ignored, as we drag our tired bodies through another day hoping tonight will be different.
The truth? Sleep doesn’t exist in isolation. A pill might knock you out for one night, but unless you fix the cause, the cycle continues.
Eventually, you reach the point where you’ll do anything for just one good night’s sleep. And while that one night can make the world look rosier, it doesn’t fix the problem, it only buys you 24 hours of relief.
The Truth
Poor sleep isn’t just an inconvenience. It hijacks your hormones, your mood, your metabolism, and even your relationships.
If I had the answer to guarantee a good night’s sleep every single night in one pill? I’d be the wealthiest human in the world (I wish!). Instead, I live a modest lifestyle with substantial educational debt, lol. There is no magic pill.
What I do have is a way to uncover the cause. Sometimes it’s hormonally driven. Sometimes it’s stress. Sometimes it’s blood sugar or liver health. More often, it’s a messy combo. And the kicker? Lack of sleep feeds these issues, creating a snowball effect.
Address the cause, stop the snowball. That’s why I get results that last.
Start with the Basics!
Track your sleep. Is it worse after a stressful day or just before your period? Do you wake up tired even after a full night’s rest? Find out why you’re sleepless in the first place by tracking it.
Prioritise your sleep. Make it non-negotiable. Build bedtime routines, create a calming bedroom, use block-out curtains, turn off noisy appliances, ditch the screens, and make your bedroom a place of peace.
Fix your daytime habits. They often dictate how you sleep at night. Keep coffee minimal (and before lunchtime), reduce or cut alcohol (it’s the enemy of deep sleep), get morning sunlight to reset your circadian rhythm, and move your body. Walk, stretch, lift weights… just move to tire out your body, not just your mind.
Regular sleep doesn’t come from a magic bullet. It comes from small, boring habits done consistently. The good news? That’s also how you get lasting change.
You are far from alone in this sleep-deprived world. Sleep has become the holy grail. But it’s within your reach if you shift from band-aid fixes to long-term, sustainable habits.
It’s not about a pill for an ill. It’s about consistency, self-care, and treating the cause…not just the symptom.
Your sleep issues may be more complex than you first thought, and that’s fine! It’s incredibly common. If the regular advice just isn’t cutting it, don’t be shy. Book in for an appointment so we can uncover what’s really going on.
If sleep has become your holy grail, it’s time to stop chasing band-aids. Book an appointment and together we’ll look at the whole forest, not just the trees so you can finally enjoy sweet, restorative sleep every night.