ok so my first full week back at the office after 7 mos postpartum finished friday… i’d mentally prepared for the sleep deprivation and the
that return to work at 7mos pp is incredibly hard. the emotional instability you’re describing tracks with how profoundly chronic sleep deprivation impacts cortisol and insulin sensitivity, not just physical energy. it’s like a baseline stressor that amplifies everything else, and it’s almost never counted in the bigger picture.
oof, 7 mos pp and back in the office is brutal. everyone talks about the fatigue, but the deeper physiological stuff from chronic sleep deprivation really messes with everything.
i’ve read studies suggesting that even fragmented sleep can keep cortisol elevated and mess with insulin sensitivity, which then has a direct impact on emotional regulation, not just energy levels. it’s not just “you’re tired,” it’s your whole system running on empty and fighting uphill.
fwiw, i started tracking my sleep and mood in careclinic after margot went through a rough patch, and seeing how closely they aligned was a real eye-opener.