The Midlife Feast #171: Sleep in the Messy Middle of Midlife and Menopause with Dr Shelby Harris
Nov 17, 2025
Join Dr. Shelby Harris, a behavioral sleep medicine psychologist and expert in women's sleep, as she unpacks the complexities of sleep during midlife. She shares why changing hormones create a 'perfect storm' for insomnia and discusses the common pitfalls of sleep hygiene. Debunking myths around needing eight hours, she offers practical strategies including CBT-I techniques for better sleep. Learn the role of hormone therapy and discover when to seek further help for sleep challenges.
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The Three-Part Sleep 'Perfect Storm'
- Shelby Harris frames midlife sleep problems as a 'perfect storm' of biology, mood, and social load.
- Hormonal changes, higher anxiety/depression, and added social demands combine to increase sleep disruption risk.
Use Sleep Hygiene As Prevention
- Use sleep hygiene to prevent occasional bad nights but don't expect it to cure chronic insomnia.
- Treat hygiene like dental care: continue it, but add targeted treatments if insomnia persists.
Eight Hours Is A Range, Not A Rule
- The 'eight hours' rule is a useful average but individual needs vary from about six to nine hours.
- People with chronic poor sleep may misjudge their ideal sleep because rare good nights feel amplified.