Episode 180: Sleep Issues & Deeper Healing with Homeopathy with Joanna Mikhail

Episode Description: In this episode of Homeopathy 247, we're joined by Joanna Mikhail, a homeopath with a special interest in sleep. Joanna shares how her own experience with chronic insomnia and anxiety led her to homeopathy—and why she now feels so passionate about helping others who are exhausted, overwhelmed, and simply desperate for rest. Why sleep problems often start "before" the sleep Many people reach out because they can't sleep, but Joanna explains that poor sleep is often a signal rather than the main problem. When she begins working with someone, she gently explores what happened first—such as stress, grief, trauma, hormone changes, or physical imbalances (like low iron). Sleep issues can be the consequence of the body and mind struggling to cope. Why sleep affects everything Joanna and the host highlight how sleep impacts your whole day: energy, mood, resilience, and even your ability to make decisions. When you're not sleeping, it's harder for your body to settle into a "rest and restore" state. Over time, the effects can build—because as they put it, sleep breeds sleep, and poor sleep can spiral. Looking at the full picture (not just symptoms) Joanna explains that homeopathy looks at the whole symptom picture. That can include: Your health history (even childhood sleep patterns) Night terrors or sleepwalking (especially in children) The time you wake up (for example, waking between 1–3am) Your sleep position, temperature, and how you feel when you wake Recurring dreams and themes that show up at night These details help a homeopath understand what your system is expressing—rather than forcing sleep in a one-size-fits-all way. Children, night terrors, and the ripple effect at home Children's sleep issues affect the whole household. Joanna talks about night terrors and how exploring family history can sometimes reveal patterns of stress, trauma, or inherited tendencies. The goal isn't just "stop the night terrors"—it's to help the child settle, thrive, and feel supported so the whole family can enjoy happier nights and better days. Acute support and long-term healing Even when sleep problems are chronic, Joanna shares that an acute remedy may sometimes be used to help someone get relief tonight—because sleep deprivation is hard to live with. Longer-term support focuses on addressing the underlying causes and strengthening the person overall, rather than "knocking you out." Medication, lifestyle tips, and meeting people where they are Joanna explains that homeopathy can be used alongside medication, because it works differently. She also shares a compassionate approach to lifestyle advice: if someone is already frazzled, piling on strict rules can add pressure. Homeopathy, she says, can meet you where you are—and as you improve, healthier habits often feel more possible. A real-life win: new mum, better sleep, more joy Joanna shares a lovely case story of a new mum who couldn't sleep even when her baby was sleeping. With support (including Sepia for hormonal imbalance), she not only rested again—she felt like herself, reconnected with joy, and described becoming "the mum I was born to be." Important links mentioned in this episode: Download Joanna's ebook Sleep Support for Babies: https://free.homeopathy247.com/baby-sleep-support Visit Joanna's website: https://www.likecureslike.co.uk/   Subscribe to our YouTube channel and be updated with our latest episodes. You can also subscribe to our podcast channels available on your favourite podcast listening app below: Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/homeopathy247-podcast/id1628767810 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/39rjXAReQ33hGceW1E50dk Follow us on our social media accounts: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/homeopathy247 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/homeopathy247 You can also visit our website at https://homeopathy247.com/