Ep 157 Why Sleep Is the Most Powerful Health Habit You Can't Ignore with Dr. Meredith Broderick

Are you exhausted but still can't sleep through the night? Do you wake up feeling unrefreshed, foggy, or wired-tired no matter how early you go to bed? Could your sleep habits—or an undiagnosed sleep disorder—be quietly impacting your hormones, mental health, fertility, and long-term wellbeing?

In this episode of Brave & Curious, Dr. Lora Shahine and her guest, Dr. Meredith Broderick, invite you to rethink everything you've been told about sleep and why "pushing through" exhaustion is not a badge of honor.

Dr. Broderick shares how her own experience with sleep deprivation led her into sleep medicine, why sleep disorders are vastly underdiagnosed in women, and how poor sleep is linked to conditions like depression, migraines, cardiovascular disease, metabolic dysfunction, and infertility.

Together, they explain the difference between true sleep and sedation, why sleeping pills and alcohol disrupt restorative sleep, and how sleep apnea and chronic insomnia show up differently in women.

You'll learn when to ask for a sleep study, common red flags you shouldn't ignore (like morning headaches and daytime fatigue), and practical, evidence-based steps to start improving your sleep—without shame, perfection, or fear.

In this episode you'll hear:

• [1:23] Sleep is a non-negotiable pillar of health
• [5:10] Recognizing sleep disorders
• [12:59] The science behind sleep
• [14:19] Sleep & reproductive health
• [19:04] Practical sleep solutions
• [27:52] Understanding mid-night awakenings
• [29:21] Cultural variations in sleep patterns
• [31:23] Sleep trackers
• [33:20] Key reasons to consider a sleep study
• [36:50] Conclusion & final thoughts

Resources mentioned:

soundsleepguru.com

@sleepdoctormer on Instagram

Dr. Shahine's Weekly Newsletter on Fertility News and Recommendations

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