Sleep

The Triangle of Health: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4

“I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead…”

I used to say that all the time. During medical school and residency, sleep felt like a luxury I couldn’t afford. I was working 80–120 hours a week, pulling 30-hour shifts, and surviving on adrenaline and caffeine. I thought I was invincible.

But I was wrong. Skipping sleep doesn’t make you invincible; it accelerates your decline. Sleep is the cornerstone of health—and neglecting it undermines everything from your energy levels to your immune system.

The good news? Prioritizing sleep isn’t just necessary; it’s transformative. Let’s explore why sleep is vital and how small changes can make a big difference.

Why Sleep Matters

Sleep is more than rest; it’s the time when your body repairs, detoxifies, and resets. Without it, everything suffers. Here’s why it’s so critical:

1. The Stress Connection

When you don’t get enough sleep, your cortisol levels skyrocket, making it harder to handle stress. Over time, this drains your energy, mood, and focus—creating a vicious cycle.

2. The Gut Connection

Sleep and gut health are deeply intertwined. Poor sleep weakens your gut’s protective barrier, contributing to inflammation and digestive issues. If your gut’s not happy, your health suffers.

3. The Longevity Connection

Sleep is your body’s natural defense against disease. It regulates your immune system, supports heart health, and even helps manage weight. Missing out on sleep doesn’t just make you tired—it shortens your lifespan.

Tragically, in today’s hustle culture, sleep deprivation has become a badge of honor. But mistreating your body for productivity isn’t sustainable—and it’s costing us our health.

3 Tips for Better Sleep

The first step to improving your health is prioritizing sleep. Here are three science-backed tips to start today:

1. Track Your Sleep for Insightful Adjustments: Use a health tracker or sleep journal to monitor factors like heart rate variability and REM sleep. This data can help you identify what’s disrupting your rest and guide improvements.
2. Optimize Your Sleep Environment: Create a sanctuary by blocking artificial light, reducing screen time before bed, and keeping your room at an ideal temperature of 62-67°F.
3. Manage Metabolic Disruptions: Avoid late-night eating, and try supplements like C8 MCT oil or glycine to stabilize blood sugar and promote restful sleep.

Want More Tips?

Discover: 8 Lifehacks for Better Sleep.

Supplement Support

Once you’ve established healthy sleep habits, supplements can enhance your efforts. Here are a few of our vetted recommendations:

Liposomal Melatonin

By Quicksilver Scientific

Fall asleep and minimize morning drowsiness. Less is more with our highly bioavailable melatonin thanks to advanced liposomal delivery. Keep on-hand at home or while traveling for fast-acting sleep support…

Magnesium Chelate

By Designs for Health

Magnesium bisglycinate chelate is a highly absorbable and bioavailable form of elemental magnesium chelated to two molecules of the amino acid glycine. molecules and each magnesium ion via a patented process…

Insomnitol Chewables

By Designs for Health

Insomnitol™ Chewables are great tasting‚ lemon-flavored tablets formulated to support quality sleep and the promotion of calming brain activity…

The Sleep-Stress-Gut Connection

Sleep is one corner of the Triangle of Health, working in tandem with stress and gut health. If you’re not sleeping well, your stress levels rise, and your gut health suffers. Addressing one part of the triangle can improve the others, creating a ripple effect of health benefits.

Explore our related articles on Stress and Gut Health to learn how these areas work together to optimize your well-being.