Bite Back with Abbey Sharp

The Hidden Hormonal Cost of Women’s Poor Sleep (Weight + Sleep Relationship Explained) with Alanna McGinn

Episode Summary

In this episode of Bite Back with Abbey Sharp, we’re diving into one of the most neglected yet essential pillars of health: sleep. I’m joined by sleep consultant Alanna McGinn, owner of Good Night Sleep Site and host of This Girl Loves Sleep, to unpack why women experience sleep differently than men and how hormones, stress, technology, and lifestyle all shape our nights. We’ll break down the biggest sleep myths, the dos and don’ts of building a strong bedtime routine, and the surprising ways sleep interacts with diet and weight.

Episode Notes

Here’s a run down of what we discussed in today’s episode:

• Why Sleep Is a Lifesaving Health Priority
• Understanding Normal Sleep Architecture
• How Women’s Sleep Differs From Men’s
• Why So Many Women Struggle With Sleep
• Revenge Bedtime Procrastination & the Mental Load
• Rapid-Fire Sleep Myths: What’s Fact vs Fiction?
• Is Tech in Bed Really That Bad? A Realistic Take
• Building an Effective Wind-Down Routine
• Sleep Hacks for Bright Evenings and Busy Mornings
• Should You Use Wearable Sleep Trackers?
• How Better Nutrition Can Rebalance Sleep, Stress & Weight

References:

• https://goodnightsleepsite.thrivecart.com/stop-3am-wakings-course/
• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15602591/\
• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10543671/
• https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2279744/
• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27633109/

Check in with today’s amazing guest: 

• Website: alannamcginn.com
• Podcast: goodnightsleepsite.com/podcast
• Instagram: @alanna.mcginn