Sleep: Our Human Superpower and a HUGE Stress Reliever

When I think back on my college days, I’m honestly shocked that my body managed to function—and not just function, but thrive. I had a kickass GPA, great friends (shoutout to my bestie I met during those years), and an incredibly full schedule. But I never slept.
Like, truly. I don’t know how my brain recovered between the all-nighters and early classes. I’d start “getting ready” for nights out at 9 p.m., head to bars or parties by 11, and be in bed around 2 or 3 a.m. On non-party nights, I was glued to a Starbucks table or in a Taco Bell booth doing homework until midnight, only to head home for another round of work and make it to my 8 a.m. class. I never skipped—tuition was too expensive not to show up—but I did fall asleep in class more times than I want to admit.
Ah, to be in your twenties… When your body feels invincible and sleep seems optional.
Fast forward to now: I’m 42, and let’s just say, I’ve come a long way. If I don’t get at least seven hours of sleep a night, I feel like a zombie. I’m up at 5:30 a.m. to work out and by 8 p.m., my body is shutting down. This shift isn’t just about age—it’s about realizing that sleep is one of the most powerful tools I have to reduce stress and feel like myself.
So in honor of April’s Stress Awareness Month, I want to talk about sleep—not just as rest, but as a form of healing.

The Science Behind Sleep (And Why It’s Your Anti-Stress Secret Weapon)

According to neuroscientist Dr. Matthew Walker, author of Why We Sleep, “Sleep is the single most effective thing we can do to reset our brain and body health each day.” His research shows how sleep impacts us in five major ways:
1. Memory Consolidation
During deep non-REM sleep, your brain takes short-term memories and stores them in long-term regions like the neocortex. This process helps you learn, solve problems, and retain information. No wonder I struggled to stay awake in college lectures—my brain needed downtime to file everything away!
2. Emotional Reset
REM sleep helps us process emotions and regulate our moods. Dr. Walker even calls it “overnight therapy” because it helps remove the emotional sting from tough experiences—something I definitely wish I had more of in my 20s.
3. Physical Restoration
While we sleep, our bodies releases growth hormones to repair muscle, tissue, and cells. Our immune system gets a major boost too. Not to be dramatic, but this is how we avoid burnout and breakdowns.
4. Brain Cleaning (Glymphatic System)
During deep sleep, your brain literally cleans itself—flushing out toxins like beta-amyloid, a protein linked to Alzheimer’s. This is your brain’s version of a deep clean.
5. Hormonal & Metabolic Balance
Sleep affects the regulation of hormones like cortisol (stress), ghrelin/leptin (hunger), and insulin (blood sugar). Ever notice how everything feels 10x more stressful when you’re sleep-deprived? It’s not just mental—it’s hormonal chaos.

Why Prioritizing Sleep Is the Most Practical Way to Handle Stress

We live in a culture that tells us to do more, hustle harder, and treat sleep like a luxury. But without proper rest, our bodies literally can’t function at their best—causing more stress, not less.
I know life is hectic and sleep can feel like the first thing to go. But if you’re trying to feel better—physically, emotionally, mentally—start with your sleep routine. Not just the number of hours, but the consistency. Going to bed and waking up at the same time every day is a game changer. And no, weekends aren’t an exception.
I’m not saying sleep will fix everything. But if you’re struggling with stress and burnout, giving your body consistent, quality sleep might be the simplest first step toward feeling grounded again.

A Few Easy Ways to Improve Your Sleep:

* Go to bed and wake up at the same time—even on weekends

* Avoid screens an hour before bed

* Do a 5-minute deep breathing or meditation session

* Cut caffeine after 2 p.m.

* Create a calming sleep environment with soft lighting and no clutter

Other helpful Links:
* 3 Easy Evening Rituals to Reduce Anxiety

* How to Build a Consistent Morning Routine That Sticks

* Why We Sleep by Dr. Matthew Walker (Amazon)

* CDC – How Much Sleep Do You Need?

Bottom Line: You don’t need to overhaul your entire life to feel less stressed. Sometimes, it starts with just getting more sleep. Not flashy. Not expensive. But incredibly powerful.
So tonight, skip the scrolling. Light a candle. Do a little breath-work. Get in bed early. Your future self will thank you.
Sweet dreams,