Sleep Smarter in 5 Days:
Your Quick Start Guide to Rest

Day 1: Understanding the Foundations of Sleep and Circadian Rhythms

• Introduction to Sleep Physiology
  • Overview of sleep stages: NREM, REM, and their roles in health
  • The sleep-wake cycle and why it’s essential for restorative health
• The Circadian Rhythm Connection
  • How the body’s internal clock influences sleep cycles
  • The impact of light exposure and temperature on circadian rhythms
• Functional Medicine Approach to Sleep
  • How functional medicine views sleep issues as multifactorial
  • Introduction to tracking sleep quality: using apps, journals, or devices
• Practical Exercise: Setting a baseline – recording current sleep patterns, daily habits, and environmental factors

Day 2: The Role of Nutrition and Gut Health in Sleep

• Impact of Diet on Sleep Quality
  • Blood sugar balance and its effect on sleep stability
  • Foods to include for better sleep and those to avoid in the evening
• Gut Microbiome and Sleep
  • How gut health impacts serotonin production and sleep quality
  • Foods and probiotics that support gut health and melatonin synthesis
• Micronutrients Essential for Sleep
  • Key vitamins and minerals that promote relaxation and support sleep (e.g., magnesium, B6, zinc)
• Practical Exercise: Preparing a sleep-supportive nutrition plan for the week, focusing on balanced meals and gut-friendly foods

Day 3: Hormones and Sleep – Finding Balance

The Role of Melatonin and Cortisol

• • How melatonin and cortisol interact to regulate the sleep-wake cycle
  • Factors that disrupt hormonal balance, such as stress and irregular sleep schedules
• Balancing Other Key Hormones for Better Sleep
  • Role of insulin, thyroid hormones, and sex hormones (e.g., estrogen, testosterone) in sleep quality
• Supporting Hormone Health with Functional Medicine
  • Natural ways to balance cortisol, including adaptogens and lifestyle changes
  • How diet and stress management impact hormone regulation
• Practical Exercise: Implementing a relaxation routine (such as yoga, breathing exercises, or journaling) to reduce cortisol before bed

Day 4: Detoxification and Environmental Factors Affecting Sleep

• Understanding Detoxification Cycles
  • How the body’s natural detoxification process occurs during sleep, especially in the liver and brain (glymphatic system)
• Toxins and Sleep Disruption
  • Common environmental toxins that interfere with sleep (e.g., heavy metals, pollutants)
  • Role of clean, toxin-free sleep environments in promoting restful sleep
• Functional Medicine Detox Practices for Better Sleep
  • Simple detox strategies to improve liver health, like hydration, fiber-rich foods, and gentle movement
• Practical Exercise: Detoxifying the sleep environment (e.g., minimizing EMF, using air purifiers, and removing sleep disruptors)

Day 5: Lifestyle Modifications and the Role of Mind-Body Practices

• The Importance of Consistent Routines
  • Why going to bed and waking up at the same time improves sleep quality
  • Role of morning sunlight and evening wind-down routines
• Physical Activity and Sleep
  • How exercise supports better sleep and when to avoid it for optimal rest
• Mind-Body Practices for Better Sleep
  • Guided meditation, mindfulness, and breathing techniques to reduce stress
  • Journaling and cognitive behavioral strategies to manage nighttime anxiety
• Practical Exercise: Creating a personalized nightly routine incorporating light exposure management, stretching, and mindfulness