Insomnia After 40: The Drug-Free Fix That Works Better Than Pills

Struggling with poor sleep, night wakings, or feeling exhausted no matter how long you stay in bed? Wondering why sleep gets harder in your 40s, even when you’re doing everything “right”? In this episode, we sit down with sleep expert and CBT-I researcher Dr. Susan McCurry to unpack why sleep often worsens for women in midlife and what healthy sleep actually looks like. From hormonal shifts during perimenopause to stress, lifestyle habits, and environmental disruptions, we break down the real reasons your sleep feels off and why most advice doesn’t work long-term.

We also dive deep into chronic insomnia, what it really means, why it persists, and how to treat it effectively without relying on quick fixes. Dr. McCurry explains why Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) is considered the gold standard by major sleep organizations, and how simple, structured changes can rebuild your sleep from the ground up.

If you’re tired of being tired, this conversation will help you understand what’s happening, and what actually works. This podcast is for women in their 40s (and late 30s to 50s) who are navigating perimenopause, stubborn belly fat, energy crashes, and confusing health advice. Women who want science-backed, unfiltered conversations instead of quick fixes. Hosted by Integrated Health Strategist Jasmin Dhillon and Metabolic Health Coach Amanda Lim, we help you understand what’s changing and what you can actually do about it.

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What You’ll Learn in This Episode

-Why sleep often worsens during midlife and perimenopause

-How hormones, ageing, and vasomotor symptoms impact sleep

-The role of stress, screens, kids, pets, partners, caffeine, and alcohol

-What defines chronic insomnia (and when to take it seriously)

-Why sleep trackers can sometimes make sleep anxiety worse

-The truth about melatonin, midnight snacking, and alcohol for sleep

-What CBT-I is and why it’s the first-line treatment for insomnia

-Practical tools: stimulus control, consistent wake time, limiting time in bed

-Why reducing “time in bed” can actually improve sleep quality

-Insights from the MsFLASH trial on sleep improvement in midlife women

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• Instagram Amanda: https://www.instagram.com/coachamandalim

• Michelle: https://www.instagram.com/chillbossmom

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