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New Indian Express

Understanding hormonal harmony

We're living in unprecedented times. Chronic stress, rising anxiety, and the pressure to constantly keep up—whether online or in life—are quietly stealing our sleep. And the cost is much higher than dark circles or daytime fatigue. Because when sleep breaks down, hormones follow. And when hormones fall out of balance, so does everything else: mood, weight, metabolism, gut health, skin, hair, motivation, and even fertility. The Invisible Work Sleep Does While you sleep, your body isn't shutting down—it's switching gears. Deep rest triggers a powerful hormonal cascade that silently governs everything from recovery to reproduction. Take HGH (Human Growth Hormone)—released primarily during deep sleep, it fuels tissue repair, fat metabolism, and physical growth. Cortisol, our stress hormone, naturally drops at night to help the body reset. But without enough rest, it stays elevated, leading to belly fat, anxiety, and burnout. Sleep also regulates leptin and ghrelin, which control hunger and satiety. When sleep is cut short, cravings spike and appetite cues get distorted. Reproductive hormones like estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, LH, and FSH all depend on sleep to support fertility, libido, and emotional balance. Even insulin sensitivity hinges on rest—poor sleep heightens diabetes risk. And of course, melatonin, the hormone that signals sleep, also acts as a powerful antioxidant and immune modulator. Research by Oncotarget shows it has also shown anticancer properties on human leiomyosarcoma. This is the invisible work your body does—when you let it rest.