104. Sleep, Cortisol & Blood Sugar: The Midnight Triangle
Wed Feb 04 2026
You're exhausted but wired at bedtime. Or you fall asleep fine, but jolt awake at 3 AM with your mind racing. If you're waking up at the same time every night and can't figure out why, this episode is for you. I'm breaking down the midnight triangle—the intricate relationship between sleep, cortisol, and blood sugar that's keeping you awake. Spoiler alert: it has nothing to do with your mattress or pillow. This is your body sending you a loud SOS signal.
In this episode we explore:
Why blood sugar crashes trigger 3 AM wake-ups (and how cortisol and adrenaline are involved)
How your HPA axis gets dysregulated under chronic stress, keeping you "tired but wired"
The vicious cycle between poor sleep, high cortisol, and insulin resistance
Why perimenopause makes sleep worse (hello, declining progesterone)
Five practical solutions you can implement tonight to start sleeping better
Resources:
Free Webinar: Why Am I Waking at 3 AM Every Night? February 12th at 11 AM Mountain Time
Take my “What Hormone is Running the Show” Quiz
Join my Hormone Unfiltered Newsletter
About Kate
Kate Nguy is the founder of Shee Revival and a Certified Hormone Health Practitioner and Cycle-Syncing Strategist who helps busy women in their 30s and 40s balance their hormones and reclaim their energy. Specializing in the hormonal ups and downs of midlife—from PMS and perimenopause to burnout and cortisol overload—Kate guides women to feel at home in their bodies and live in sync with their natural cycles. Through cycle syncing, hormone hacks, and nervous system regulation, Kate empowers women to rebalance their hormones, reconnect to their bodies, and revive the vibrant, grounded version of themselves underneath the overwhelm.
Tune in now and join the movement toward better hormone health!
Follow me @hormoneswithkate on Instagram for more insights, tips, and support!
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You're exhausted but wired at bedtime. Or you fall asleep fine, but jolt awake at 3 AM with your mind racing. If you're waking up at the same time every night and can't figure out why, this episode is for you. I'm breaking down the midnight triangle—the intricate relationship between sleep, cortisol, and blood sugar that's keeping you awake. Spoiler alert: it has nothing to do with your mattress or pillow. This is your body sending you a loud SOS signal. In this episode we explore: Why blood sugar crashes trigger 3 AM wake-ups (and how cortisol and adrenaline are involved) How your HPA axis gets dysregulated under chronic stress, keeping you "tired but wired" The vicious cycle between poor sleep, high cortisol, and insulin resistance Why perimenopause makes sleep worse (hello, declining progesterone) Five practical solutions you can implement tonight to start sleeping better Resources: Free Webinar: Why Am I Waking at 3 AM Every Night? February 12th at 11 AM Mountain Time Take my “What Hormone is Running the Show” Quiz Join my Hormone Unfiltered Newsletter About Kate Kate Nguy is the founder of Shee Revival and a Certified Hormone Health Practitioner and Cycle-Syncing Strategist who helps busy women in their 30s and 40s balance their hormones and reclaim their energy. Specializing in the hormonal ups and downs of midlife—from PMS and perimenopause to burnout and cortisol overload—Kate guides women to feel at home in their bodies and live in sync with their natural cycles. Through cycle syncing, hormone hacks, and nervous system regulation, Kate empowers women to rebalance their hormones, reconnect to their bodies, and revive the vibrant, grounded version of themselves underneath the overwhelm. Tune in now and join the movement toward better hormone health! Follow me @hormoneswithkate on Instagram for more insights, tips, and support!