Why You Feel "Tired but Wired" in Perimenopause

Let me guess...

You're tired all day and just can't wait to get into bed at night.

But then bedtime arrives and suddenly your brain decides it's time to replay every conversation you've had this week!

Sound familiar?

This "wired but tired" feeling is incredibly common in perimenopause, and cortisol is often part of the reason.

Cortisol is your body's primary stress hormone. Under normal circumstances, it follows a daily rhythm — higher in the morning to help you wake up and lower in the evening so you can wind down.

However, during perimenopause, that rhythm can become disrupted.

➡️ Declining progesterone can leave your nervous system feeling more sensitive and reactive.

➡️ Ongoing stress (even everyday stress!) can keep cortisol elevated later into the evening.

➡️ Skipping meals or under-eating signals stress to the body and can trigger the release of cortisol.

➡️ Evening screen time and bright light exposure can interfere with melatonin production and make it harder for your body to settle down for sleep.

When cortisol rhythms become disrupted, it can feel like your body is working against you.

However, consistent nourishment can help send signals of safety to the body, making it easier to unwind at night and wake feeling more refreshed.

Ready to make sleep-supportive meals part of your daily routine?

My Sleep Reset Cookbook (available exclusively inside the Perimenopause Recipe Bundle!) contains delicious, hormone healthy recipes to help you unwind, relax, and enjoy restful sleep.

xoxo Kimberly