Episode 40

Why Sleep Is the Secret to Caregiver Health: Expert Tips from Dr. Kimberly Dwyer

Published on: 12th September, 2022

In this episode, Laura welcomes Dr. Kimberly Dwyer, a clinical psychologist, author, and business coach with over two decades of experience. Dr. Dwyer shares her expertise on sleep, stress management, and mindfulness, especially for those navigating the challenges of caregiving. Together, they discuss why sleep is crucial for well-being and how caregivers can develop healthier sleep routines to better support themselves and their loved ones.

👤 Meet Dr. Kimberly Dwyer:

Dr. Dwyer is the author of Mindful Mondays: Transforming the Everyday to Claim Calm and Reduce Stress. She specializes in helping adults, teens, and children manage anxiety, stress, and life transitions. Through her work, Dr. Dwyer emphasizes the importance of sleep, self-care, and mindfulness as foundational elements of wellness.

đź“Ś Topics Discussed:

  • The critical role of sleep in overall health
  • How sleep impacts emotional regulation and stress management
  • Why caregivers often struggle with sleep quality
  • Strategies to establish healthier sleep routines
  • Understanding sleep hygiene and common sleep disruptors
  • The relationship between sleep, memory, and brain function
  • How to practice sleep consistency despite caregiving challenges
  • The impact of caffeine, alcohol, and sleep aids on sleep quality
  • How Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBTI) can support better sleep
  • Practical tips for caregivers to improve their sleep environment

⏱️ Timestamps (Approximate):

00:00 – Introduction and Dr. Dwyer’s background

03:00 – Why sleep is a foundational aspect of health

08:45 – How stress and anxiety interfere with sleep

12:30 – Sleep and emotion regulation: Why it matters

18:15 – Best practices for creating a sleep-friendly environment

22:00 – Sleep hygiene tips for caregivers

28:40 – Common myths about sleep and sleep aids

32:20 – How CBTI can help with chronic insomnia

38:50 – Managing sleep while caring for someone with dementia

45:00 – Final thoughts and practical takeaways

đź’ˇ Key Takeaways:

  • Sleep is essential for mental, physical, and emotional health.
  • Consistency in sleep routines can help regulate mood and stress.
  • Caregivers often face unique sleep challenges but can develop routines to optimize rest.
  • Sleep hygiene practices, such as reducing screen time and creating a calming environment, can improve sleep quality.
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBTI) is a highly effective, non-pharmaceutical approach to improving sleep.

đź“š Resources Mentioned:

  • Book: Mindful Mondays: Transforming the Everyday to Claim Calm and Reduce Stress by Dr. Kimberly Dwyer
  • Why We Sleep by Matthew Walker
  • National Sleep Foundation – sleepfoundation.org
  • Dr. Kimberly Dwyer’s website – https://drkimdwyer.com/

🤝 Connect with Dr. Kimberly Dwyer:

Website: https://drkimdwyer.com/

Instagram: @drkimdwyer

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrKimDwyer/

🌿 Connect with Laura Vaillancourt & the Life on Repeat Podcast:

Website: lifeonrepeatpodcast.com

Instagram: @lifeonrepeatpodcast

Facebook: Life on Repeat Podcast

YouTube: Life on Repeat Podcast Channel


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About the Podcast

Life on Repeat: A Dementia Caregiver Podcast
A Podcast for Dementia Caregivers
Life on Repeat is the podcast for dementia caregivers who need a breath, a laugh, and a lifeline.

Hosted by eldercare consultant and dementia coach Laura Vaillancourt, each episode offers practical tools, expert insights, and honest conversations to help you navigate the caregiving journey with more clarity and less overwhelm.

Whether you're a spouse, adult child, or long-distance caregiver, this show is your companion through the complex world of dementia care—offering wisdom, validation, and encouragement every step of the way.

You’re not alone. You’re doing better than you think. And this podcast is here to walk beside you.

About your host

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Laura Vaillancourt

Laura has a unique perspective of dementia. She grew up spending time in the nursing home wing of the hospital her mother worked at in a rural community in the Pacific Northwest. She learned from a young age the importance and impact that connecting with those that have memory impairment can have. This early exposure shaped her perspective and fostered her passion and love of working with those who experience and live with dementia.

Laura is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Geriatric Mental Health Specialist and Eldercare Coach. She owns a group practice that specializes in serving the aging population and she has extensive experience as a consultant providing counseling, coaching and care management to families that are in the midst of making difficult decisions related to their loved one’s care and health transitions.

Laura's passion and professional experience has been working with individuals and family members that have been affected by Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia. She is a passionate speaker and educator on topics related to dementia and caregiving. She is the host of Life on Repeat: a Dementia Caregiver Podcast.