74. Why 3 A.M. Wake-Ups Are Trying to Tell You Something with Mollie Eastman

What if the secret to deep, restorative sleep begins at sunrise, not bedtime? In this grounding episode, I sit down with sleep educator and former insomniac Mollie Eastman to explore why rest is a skill , and how light, food, temperature, and mindset shape the way we sleep. Together, we uncover why so many of us feel tired but wired , how morning sunlight and meal timing set the stage for deep rest, and what to do when you wake up at 3 a.m. Mollie shares compassionate, science-backed insights on alcohol, blue light, circadian rhythms, and the nervous system, showing us that sleep isn’t about perfection, but about remembering how to work with our bodies instead of against them. If you’re ready to restore your nights and reclaim your energy, this episode is for you. Mollie Eastman is the creator of Sleep Is a Skill , a podcast and platform dedicated to helping people transform their sleep through science and circadian wisdom. We Also Discuss: 00:00 – Welcome & Why Sleep Is a Skill 09:40 – Morning Light and Circadian Rhythm Basics 19:20 – Sleep Anxiety, Mindset, and Nervous System Health 29:00 – Sleep Apnea and Common Sleep Disorders 38:40 – Alcohol, Food Timing, and Deep Sleep Quality 48:20 – Blue Light, Scrolling, and Sleep Disruption 58:00 – Hormones, Cortisol, and Restorative Sleep 01:07:40 – Wearables, Sleep Metrics, and Biohacking Rest 01:17:20 – Sleep Positions, Ancient Wisdom, and Final Takeaways Thank You to Our Sponsors: iFit: Movement is medicine—iFIT makes it personal, science-backed, and ready for you anytime, anywhere. Explore more at iFIT.com . Pulsetto : If you’ve been feeling anxious, burnt out, or disconnected from your body, Pulsetto is a gentle, wearable tool that supports your vagus nerve—the gateway to your rest-and-restore state. Try it for 10% off at pulsetto.sjv.io/MONA with code MONA. Stress Quiz: The way you react to stress isn’t random—it’s rooted in your biology and lived experience. Discover your unique stress type + get a personalized healing plan to help you feel more calm, clear, and resilient. Take the quiz now: monasharma.com/quiz Learn more about Mona Sharma: Download Your FREE Guide - 12 Wellness Tips to Unlock Your Best Health Now: Ready to reclaim your vitality? Download Mona’s 12 Wellness Tips and take actionable steps to transform your health, energy, and mindset. Get started now at https://monasharma.com/12tips . Visit Mona's website: https://monasharma.com – Unlock powerful tools and wisdom rooted in wellness to elevate your health, energy, and clarity. Mona blends ancient healing practices with modern science to help you achieve lasting transformation. Follow Mona on Instagram: Stay connected with Mona for daily inspiration, holistic health tips, and personal growth. Join the conversation on Instagram at https://instagram.com/monasharma . Learn more about Mollie Eastman Instagram: @mollie.eastman Website: https://www.sleepisaskill.com/