Ep 07 - Sandi's Insomnia Glow-Up: The Sleep Hacks That Improved Rest and Reduced Anxiety

Struggling with insomnia can feel exhausting, frustrating and unpredictable. In this episode, Sandi shares her personal "insomnia glow-up" including the changes that helped her improve rest, reduce nighttime anxiety and finally start sleeping more consistently.You know that feeling when you technically slept… but wake up feeling like you got hit by a sleep-deprivation bus? We get it and you're in the right place.In Part 2 of our Sleep Series, Sandi steps into the sleep confessional and shares what’s actually helped her sleep better, from understanding sleep stages and tracking her data, to magnesium glycinate, nighttime routines, ambient noise, and why red wine and late-night pasta are not the sleep hacks we hoped they’d be.This episode blends real-life experimentation with nerdy-but-practical sleep science so you can start making small changes that add up to deeper, more restorative sleep.We cover:The four stages of sleep (light, deep, REM) and why waking up at the wrong point in the cycle leaves you groggyHow 90-minute sleep cycles explain why 7.5 hours can feel better than 8What Sandi’s Apple Watch sleep data reveals about REM, deep sleep, heart rate, and respiratory rateWhy some people really can thrive on 4–6 hours (hello, genetic short sleepers) and why most of us are not those peopleHow room temperature, light, and blue light (TV, phones, screens) quietly sabotage sleepThe real story on melatonin, why it made Sandi feel hungover, and who it might be better suited forHow alcohol (especially that “relaxing” red wine) disrupts deep sleep, REM, and your overnight repair workWhy magnesium glycinate is Sandi & Dan’s sleep crush, how it supports the nervous system, and when to take itThe difference between white noise, pink noise, and brown noise — and how to use each oneMorning sunlight, circadian rhythm, and why getting outside early helps you fall asleep laterCaffeine cut-off times and how late-night eating & drinking can trigger wakeups and anxietySandi’s real-life sleep experiments: dogs with dementia, 3 a.m. barking, red light lamps, sleep headbands, and allIf you’ve ever:Woken up exhausted after 8–10 hoursFelt wired at night but wiped during the dayRelied on wine, melatonin, or Netflix to “shut your brain off”Wondered if sleep tracking is worth it…this episode is for you.Questions or stories? [email protected]: Our curated practitioner-grade store with community discounts up to 25% off: https://us.fullscript.com/welcome/thehealthhuntIf this episode helped you feel a little less alone in your sleep struggles, share it with someone who’s also chasing better sleep, hit follow and leave a quick review so more tired tired humans can find us.Text us your thoughts, questions, or takeaways. We read every message.All views, opinions, and commentary expressed on The Health Hunt Podcast are solely those of the hosts. They are shared in a personal capacity and do not represent the views, policies, or positions of any current or former employer, including any organizations with which the hosts may be professionally affiliated.Connect with the Health HuntWebsiteInstagramLinkedInTikTokYouTube Email: [email protected] Health Hunt Fullscript Store - Practitioner-grade supplements and wellness products with community discounts up to 25% offThe Health Hunt's Prenuvo Discount - Save $300 on a full-body MRI scanIgniton (15% Off Cellular Health & Longevity Products for Health Hunt Listeners)