“Sleep, Stress, and the Silent Epidemic”

Discover how sleep and stress form a powerful loop—and how annual sleep testing for children (age 2+) and adults can break it. Learn practical strategies to improve sleep quality, lower stress, and protect long-term health.

Sleep and stress are deeply connected, but few of us truly understand how much they shape our daily lives, our health, and even our children’s development. In this Beyond Breathing episode, host Lancette VanGuilder uncovers the science behind the sleep–stress loop and why annual sleep testing for children starting at age 2 and for adults of all ages is a game-changer.

You’ll learn how stress hormones disrupt sleep, why poor sleep magnifies stress, and what steps you can take today to improve your sleep quality, lower your stress levels, and safeguard your family’s long-term well-being. Plus, get practical tips on bedtime routines, breathing practices, and creating the ultimate sleep environment.

Key Topics Covered:

• The sleep–stress loop: how cortisol and fragmented sleep reinforce each other
• Why children as young as two need annual sleep testing
• Silent epidemic of adult sleep disorders and why annual screening matters
• Practical steps to break the stress–sleep cycle at any age
• Actionable bedtime and stress-management strategies

📌 Action Step: Add annual sleep testing—starting at age 2—into your family’s health routine. Ask your provider about at-home sleep tests or referrals to sleep specialists.