Ep190: Understanding Women's Sleep: Culture, Self-Care, and Mind-Body Practices for Better Rest with Dr. Valerie Cacho

OVERVIEW

"Some of the data shows that 40 to 60% of women, specifically around midlife, struggle with sleep."

In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Valerie Cacho, an expert in women's sleep health.

Dr. Valerie Cacho, is an integrative sleep medicine physician and women's sleep expert. Her interests and expertise include diagnosing and treating medical sleep disorders, mind-body approaches to insomnia, self-compassion and mindfulness, clinical hypnotherapy, and promoting sleep health and whole living. She is the president and founder of Sleep Life Med, a tele-sleep practice in Hawaii and California. Additionally, Dr. Cacho is the CEO of Sleephoria, a sleep health resource for women founded on the belief that a well-rested woman has the energy, clarity, and drive to change the world.

We'll talk about the significance of understanding cultural context and providing patients with permission to adjust their sleep patterns based on biological factors. They also discuss the effectiveness of mind-body practices, traditional Chinese medicine, and clinical hypnotherapy in improving sleep quality and reducing stress.

Dr. Cacho sheds light on the unique sleep challenges faced by women, including the myths surrounding women's sleep and the underdiagnosis of sleep apnea. Get valuable insights for women seeking to improve their sleep health, highlighting the importance of self-awareness and seeking professional help when needed.

Join us as we go into the fascinating world of women's sleep health and discover ways to achieve better rest and overall well-being.

Key points covered in this episode include the following:

1. Women's Sleep Health Matters: Women face unique sleep challenges due to cultural influences, hormonal changes, and societal expectations. Understanding the underlying causes of sleep issues and seeking professional help, especially for conditions like sleep apnea, is crucial for overall well-being.

2. Empowerment Through Mind-Body Practices: Mind-body practices such as mindfulness, clinical hypnotherapy, and embracing traditional Chinese medicine can have a profound impact on sleep quality. Integrating relaxation tools and cognitive work, while also addressing anxiety, can provide a holistic approach to managing insomnia.

3. Community Support and Education: Dr. Valerie Cacho's company, Sleepforia, is dedicated to providing sleep education and community support for improved sleep health. It's important to seek professional help and educate oneself about sleep, while also recognizing the power of the brain in the treatment process.

“When someone's in this really focused state, then you add the positive psychology. You can sleep. You're a great sleeper. You can go into a deep stage of sleep and sleep as long as you want, and then you're waking up really refreshed” - Dr. Valerie Cacho


WHAT WILL WE LEARN

00:00 Dr. Valerie Cacho promotes women's sleep health.

03:45 Many women struggle with sleep during midlife.

09:03 Prioritize self-care and rest for women.

10:43 Women's sleep issues linked to hormonal changes.

13:16 Advancements in technology enable convenient health monitoring.

17:56 Struggling with sleep? Try cognitive restructuring.

19:34 Identify sleep issues by focusing on cause.

24:23 Negotiating views on sleep and productivity.

26:53 Traditional Chinese medicine offers varied methods for insomnia.

29:25 Mind & body practices: breathing, centering, 5 senses.

34:09 Tools to relax mind and body for insomnia.

36:14 Nourish your body and mind for better sleep.

38:49 Importance of sleep for better overall life.


Are you so sleepy that you cannot focus? Are you tired of getting through the day drinking coffee? Are you worried how your poor sleep may impact your health? Checkout Dr. Yishan Xu’s Insomnia Treatment Course! 

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If you're interested in learning more about psychological testing and the services offered at the MindBodyGarden make sure to visit their website at mindbodygarden.com/AssessmentClinic.

Yishan Xu, PhD, DBSMsleep, sleep disorder, sleep better, sleep apneaComment