đ Bananas, Women & Sleep: Why Rest Is More Than Just Recoveryđ
- alex stretton
- Sep 24
- 2 min read

The effects of poor sleep go far beyond feeling tired. From hormone balance to mental health and skin ageing, lack of sleep can quietly impact nearly every part of a womanâs wellbeing.
When sleep is disrupted, your bodyâs delicate hormonal rhythm is one of the first things to feel it. Estrogen and progesterone levels can fluctuate, leading to more intense PMS symptoms, mood swings, and even irregular menstrual cycles. Over time, sleep loss can also affect fertility, reducing ovulation and throwing off reproductive balance.
Emotionally, women are more prone to anxiety and depression from sleep deprivation than men â something linked not just to hormones, but to the way the female brain processes stress during rest. And it shows physically, too. Poor sleep interferes with the skinâs natural repair cycle, accelerating signs of ageing like dullness, fine lines, and breakouts.
On a broader level, poor sleep hits all genders â impairing memory, focus, immune function, and metabolism. But for women, the compounded hormonal and emotional effects often go overlooked, dismissed as stress or mood changes.
Chronic sleep loss increases long-term risks for both men and women â including obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, infertility, and even cognitive decline. But itâs often women who push through exhaustion, juggling more responsibilities while ignoring the signs.
Sleep isnât just rest â itâs regeneration, resilience, and hormonal harmony. For women, prioritising sleep is not indulgent â itâs essential self-care with lasting impact.
Why the bananas?Â
Bananas are great for sleep because they contain magnesium, potassium, and vitamin B6, which help relax muscles and support the production of melatonin and serotonin â two key hormones that regulate sleep. Their natural sugars also help tryptophan (an amino acid that promotes sleep) enter the brain more easily.
Bananas also support women's hormonal health by:
Promoting progesterone balance
Stabilizing mood
Supporting estrogen metabolism
Reducing PMS symptoms
Aiding sleep and stress reduction
Did anyone else know bananas could help contribute to better sleep and support hormonal health ? đ€đłđâșïž






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