3. Rethink the Afternoon Coffee — and Focus on Whole Foods
Coffee isn’t the enemy, according to Robin Noble, MD, a Portland, Maine-based gynecologist and the chief medical adviser of the nonprofit Let’s Talk Menopause.
“It depends on when and how much and what type,” she says, noting that some people should avoid caffeine in the afternoon if they notice its effects lingering into later in the day.
Try swapping your afternoon coffee for decaf and notice whether falling or staying asleep becomes easier, she says.
“We don’t have a menopause diet specifically, but for all people, especially women in midlife and beyond, the Mediterranean-style pattern of eating has been highly effective for decreasing cardiovascular and osteoporosis risk, and improving cognitive function,” Christmas says.
4. Pace Yourself and Make Time for Rest in Your Day
Night sweats may coincide with one of the busiest chapters of a woman’s life: She may be raising children, tending to aging parents, and managing a demanding career, Christmas says. Managing multiple priorities is a factor that complicates getting quality sleep.
“Stress can amplify how distressing symptoms feel, and poor sleep, anxiety, and vasomotor symptoms can create a vicious cycle,” Rahman says.
This is why protecting time for yourself is crucial, she says. “We all think we’re supposed to be superwoman. Acknowledge that you have a lot going on,” Christmas says. “It’s about making sure that you’re building in self-care,” she says.
Don’t overload your calendar. In practice, that might look like asking someone else to handle dinner, postponing a nonessential errand after a difficult night, or saying no to invites you don’t have the time or capacity for.
Block out time for exercise, sleep, hobbies, socializing, or journaling, she says.
5. Ask About Treatments That Target Hot Flashes and Sleep
Lifestyle changes are an important part of looking after your overall health and sleep quality, but sometimes they aren’t enough to manage night sweats.
If disrupted nights are leaving you exhausted, medication may offer the relief you need, Dr. Noble says. “I would tell [women] to see a menopause-informed provider, get some help, and optimize how you’re doing because it’s not necessary to suffer,” she says.
Your medical history, symptoms, and preferences can help your prescriber choose the right treatment, Rahman says. And treatment doesn’t mean sleep hygiene and self-care fall by the wayside. “I tell patients: Treat the symptom that is waking you up, and support the sleep system around it,” she says.
Check if other factors are contributing, too: Sleep apnea, restless legs syndrome, thyroid disease, medication side effects, or another medical condition may be affecting sleep, Rahman says.
6. Consider Therapy for Insomnia
“It can be particularly useful for women who have become anxious about sleep. That anticipatory anxiety can perpetuate insomnia even after some of the vasomotor symptoms improve,” she says.
It can complement treatment for hot flashes or be done on its own, Christmas says. “There are multiple benefits, so it doesn’t have to be one or the other,” she says.
How to Get Started
When you’re already running on empty from chronic sleep disruption, the idea of overhauling your daily routine may feel overwhelming. Try adopting habits one at a time, Cohn says.
“Don’t feel pressured to make all these life changes at once. Sustainable habits are built slowly,” she says. This may look like focusing on sleep hygiene for a few weeks, then incorporating dietary changes or making time for gentle exercise.
“I would want people who were really suffering with disruptive symptoms that impact their sleep and quality of life to know that this is a choice for the vast majority. We have treatment options for everyone,” she says.
