Reclaiming Rest: Why Gen-X Women Can’t Sleep (and How to Fix It)

Episode Summary: Why can’t you sleep even though you’re exhausted? Why is your brain fully awake at 2AM thinking about laundry, budgets, and who’s bringing snacks to the meeting? And is it actually fixable in midlife? In this episode, I’m joined by Carrie Cooper — psychotherapist of 25+ years and certified sleep science coach — to talk about why Gen-X women are so burned out, so wired, and so tired… and what you can do tonight to start sleeping again. We get real about hormones, overwhelm, snoring partners, late-night anxiety, caffeine, melatonin, magnesium, and the mental load women carry that keeps our brains “on” when our bodies are begging to shut down. Carrie also shares the simple routine she uses with clients to help them fall asleep, stay asleep, and wake up like humans again (usually in about four sessions). If you’re a high-performing, midlife woman running on caffeine and attitude: this one’s for you. About today’s guest – Carrie Cooper Carrie Cooper is the founder of Sleep Solutions by Carrie, a virtual sleep coaching practice for adults. After decades as a therapist, she realized almost no one — especially midlife women — was actually sleeping. Now she helps clients reset their sleep using a mix of cognitive behavioral tools, nervous system work, and real-world strategy (not shame). Work with Carrie or learn more: Visit Website: https://sleepsolutionsbykeri.com/ Email: [email protected]  Instagram: @sleepsolutionsbycarrie What we talk about in this episode: 00:00 – Sponsor: Freedom Builder System My $57/month membership that gives you Biz Builder AI + the Freedom Builder community. Build your business the smart way while you’re still in corporate, without burning out or blowing thousands. Link in show notes. 01:00 – Why Gen-X women are exhausted Carrie shares why so many women in midlife are chronically sleep-deprived — and why “I’m fine on 4 hours” is a lie we tell ourselves. 03:00 – The 2AM Group Chat How Carrie realized all her friends were awake in the middle of the night doing dishes, Peloton, work email, and stress-scrolling instead of sleeping. 04:30 – Sleep is not “self-care,” it’s survival How lack of sleep wrecks mood, hormones, metabolism, focus, patience, and decision-making. 06:30 – Night routine vs day habits Why great sleep doesn’t actually start at bedtime. Sunlight, movement, caffeine timing, and why wine is not helping like you think it is. 09:30 – Melatonin, magnesium, and “knocking yourself out” Carrie’s take on supplements, what helps you fall asleep vs what helps you stay asleep, and how to start relying less on “sleep crutches.” 11:00 – Why he falls asleep in 9 seconds and you don’t Mental load, invisible labor, calendar overwhelm, and why women’s brains don’t shut off when the lights go out. 12:30 – The 2–4AM wakeup Why you pop awake in that weird window, and when it’s actually normal (yes, really). 13:30 – The brain-dump trick Carrie’s favorite low-tech tool: how to get the to-do list, guilt, and “don’t forget” thoughts out of your head before bed so you’re not mentally working all night. 15:30 – Guilt, boundaries, and permission Why women feel selfish prioritizing rest — and why that has to change if you want your health, patience, and energy back. 19:00 – Can you really fix sleep in midlife? Yes. Carrie explains how most of her clients see results in about four sessions because your body wants to sleep. You just need to get out of battle mode with it. Free Resource for You Grab my free flipbook: “Escape With Confidence — A Step-by-Step Blueprint to Your Bold Next Act.” If you’re planning your exit from corporate, this is how you do it with strategy (not desperation). Link in the show notes. Today’s Sponsor – Freedom Builder System This episode is sponsored by the Freedom Builder System. For $57/month you get: Biz Builder AI: My custom AI with five “Sherpas” that helps you pick the right business idea, build offers, map your runway, and market yourself without sounding cringe. Freedom Builder Community: Live support, training, and accountability so you’re not doing this alone. It’s like having me — your Corporate Escape Sherpa — in your pocket 24/7 for less than dinner out. Link in the show notes. Click to Learn more here Connect with your host, Tabatha Jones Career Advancement & Leadership Coach | The Corporate Escape Sherpa™ Helping Gen-X women build businesses (and lives) that actually feel good. Instagram: @coach_tabatha Email: [email protected]  Website: empowered-leader.com and corporateescapesherpa.com If this episode hit home, send it to the friend who texts you “U up?” at 2:14AM. And make sure you’re both subscribed. 💛