Why Business Leaders Struggle With Sleep And How Somatic Therapy Can Help

I don’t think starting this article with a reference to today's “fast moving world” is very useful. If you’re reading this article, you already know that your “in here” is having a hard time keeping up with the “out there.” People are more confused, exhausted, disconnected (from themselves and each other) than ever. One big side effect of this highly cognitive hustle culture is poor sleep. If you're someone who thrives on pushing limits, meeting deadlines, and constantly showing up for others, yet you find yourself wide awake at 2 a.m. or waking up more tired than when you went to bed, you're not alone. I just listened to an acquaintance of mine (a very accomplished business woman) say the single biggest regret she has in her career is not learning to manage her sleep properly. 

Over the past several years of working with clients through hypnotherapy, somatic therapy, breathwork, and nervous system recalibration, I’ve seen one recurring pattern:

The very traits that make high performers successful are the same ones that disrupt their ability to rest. Their need to “survive” blocks their ability to thrive. 

The Real Reason Sleep is Broken (It’s Not Just “Too Much Screen Time”)

Let’s go deeper than surface-level sleep tips and understand what’s really going on. I hear too many indications that it’s screen-time, etc. which just is nowhere near the whole picture. 

1. You're Operating in Chronic Fight-or-Flight

Most high performers spend their days in sympathetic nervous system dominance. This is the state that fuels drive, productivity, and focus but it comes at a cost. Your body forgets how to access the parasympathetic state (rest-and-digest) that allows for deep, restorative sleep. Over time, your nervous system gets stuck in hypervigilance constantly scanning for the next demand, deadline, or decision. Even when your body is exhausted, your nervous system doesn’t feel safe to let go.

2. Cortisol is Keeping You Wired

Chronic stress leads to dysregulation of the HPA axis, the system that controls your stress hormones. For high performers, cortisol often spikes at night, making it incredibly difficult to fall asleep or stay asleep. This is why you can feel “tired but wired.” Your body is begging for rest, but your mind is still racing. You can check out this study which explains the above in more detail. 

3. Your Brain is Addicted to Thinking

Success in high performance often comes from constantly analyzing, strategizing, and solving problems. But this habit doesn't just shut off when you close your laptop. You lie in bed replaying conversations, planning tomorrow’s tasks, or thinking about what you forgot to do, a classic case of cognitive hyperarousal, a primary contributor to insomnia.

4. Bad Sleeping Environment

It’s really important that your bed is a place that is for SLEEP. Not working, or  playing on your phone but a place for resting. I heard a sleep expert once so our bed should only be for sexual activities and sleep and I whole-heartedly agree. Having the appropriate consistency when you enter your room. Have appropriate lighting, leave electronics away, have a set sleep schedule (as best you can) and take it seriously. Prioritize sleep, it’s extremely important. 

Common Pain Points I Hear from High Achievers

• “I can’t fall asleep unless I’m completely exhausted.”

• “I wake up between 2 and 4 a.m. — and I’m wide awake.”

• “Even when I sleep 8 hours, I wake up unrested.”

• “I’ve tried everything — melatonin, white noise, magnesium — nothing works.”

• “I know I need rest, but I can’t stop my mind.”

  
  

If any of these resonate, know that there’s nothing wrong with you. Your system is just dysregulated and it needs support to relearn how to feel safe enough to rest.

The Missing Link: Nervous System Recalibration Through Somatic Therapy, Hypnosis and Breathwork

You don’t need more productivity hacks. You need a way to shift your body out of overdrive.

Through practices like hypnotherapy, somatic therapy, breathwork, sound healing, and Reiki, you can train your nervous system to return to balance gently, safely, and sustainably. These methods don’t just relax the body temporarily they repattern the way your system responds to stress, helping you drop into a deeper state of rest that lasts. This isn't a theory for me. I have witnessed, first hand, so many instances with those that I work with, the dramatic effects of them finally experiencing a relaxed body. Many times, it’s almost miraculous but it’s because they have been in overdrive for so long. 

A few tools I’ve found especially powerful for my high-performing clients:

• Hypnotherapy: to rewire the subconscious patterns that equate rest with laziness or failure. Also, to induce a deep state of relaxation by entraining the brain to Alpha & Theta brainwave states.

  
  

• Somatic tracking: to bring the body back into presence and out of future-oriented anxiety. Also, various somatic movement exercises designed to release unconscious tension people don’t even realize they are holding.

  
  

• Breathwork: to downshift the nervous system in real-time (especially useful at night). This is both remedial and gives clients a consistent and reliable tool.

  
  

• Sound healing + Reiki: to help recalibrate energetic overload and promote deep surrender. In addition, it engages the body’s parasympathetic nervous system which prepares the body for deep rest. 

  
  

Here is some research on how breathwork reduces stress and arousal, and here is another study on sound healing and here is another one talking about the benefits of sound healing for sleep. 

Sleep is Not a Luxury. It’s a Power Source.

High performers often see sleep as a “nice to have” - something you’ll get to once everything else is handled. But sleep isn’t a break from growth. It’s what fuels it.

Without consistent, quality rest:

• Your decision-making becomes foggy

• Your creativity shrinks

• Your emotional regulation goes offline

• Your body begins to break down

  
  

Deep rest is not a reward for working hard. It’s the foundation that makes high performance sustainable. Here is a list of the things I found that good sleep helps to improve. I won’t cite all the sources as I encourage you to do your own research and see for yourself. Benefits of Good Sleep (Especially for High Performers)

1. Sharper Focus and Cognitive Function

Sleep enhances attention, problem-solving, creativity, and decision-making — all critical for leadership and innovation. Deep sleep clears mental fog and strengthens your brain’s ability to process and retain information.

2. Increased Productivity and Efficiency

Well-rested individuals complete tasks faster and more accurately — not by grinding harder, but by working smarter. One hour of deep, quality sleep can be more effective than three hours of distracted work.

3. Stronger Immune System

Sleep is when your body repairs and regenerates. Chronic sleep deprivation weakens immunity and increases inflammation, making you more vulnerable to illness.

4. Emotional Regulation and Resilience

Sleep helps regulate your mood and stress response. Without it, your amygdala (the brain’s emotional center) goes into overdrive, increasing anxiety, irritability, and burnout risk. Good sleep = better boundaries, clearer thinking, and calmer reactions.

5. More Energy and Stamina

Sleep replenishes cellular energy (ATP) and balances hormones like cortisol and adrenaline, giving you consistent energy throughout the day, without needing to rely on caffeine or stimulants.

6. Optimized Hormones and Metabolism

Sleep balances hunger hormones (ghrelin and leptin), supports metabolism, and improves glucose regulation all key for maintaining mental clarity, physical health, and steady performance.

7. Greater Creativity and Innovation

REM sleep enhances pattern recognition and novel thinking — essential for strategic planning, creative output, and big-picture problem solving.

8. Enhanced Relationships

Better sleep supports empathy, communication, and patience — making you a better partner, leader, colleague, and friend.

9. A Regulated Nervous System

Consistent quality sleep trains your nervous system to shift between action and rest, helping you feel grounded and present, not constantly wired or on edge.

10. Longevity and Quality of Life

Good sleep is directly linked to a longer lifespan, reduced risk of chronic diseases (heart disease, diabetes, Alzheimer’s), and overall quality of life.

Recalibrate: There is Hope

If your system is stuck in overdrive, you don’t have to force sleep, you have to create the conditions for rest to arise naturally. Yes, this is something we have to mostly do ourselves but I have found that this is where my work comes in through the use of somatic therapy for sleep. I help high performers like you:

• Unhook from the mental loops keeping you awake

• Reconnect to your body’s natural rhythm

• Rewire the patterns that equate rest with weakness

• Learn to let go without losing your edge

• Relax and release the unconscious tension in your body

• Go through exercises which actually help you feel rested.

  
  

Conclusion: Rest Is Your Greatest Power Source

In a culture that glorifies hustle and hyper-productivity, sleep can feel like a luxury, something you’ll get to after everything else is done. But if you’re constantly running on adrenaline, waking up exhausted, or unable to switch off at night, your nervous system is waving a red flag. Your body is asking not just for more sleep but for a new relationship with rest. The truth is, rest is not the enemy of high performance. It’s the foundation of it.

As someone who has supported high performers through hypnotherapy, somatic practices, breathwork, and energy healing, I’ve seen this transformation firsthand. Rest becomes something sacred. A resource. A return to self. Because sleep isn’t just about closing your eyes it’s about feeling safe enough to surrender.

Ready to Recalibrate?

​If you're ready to stop white-knuckling your way through burnout and start building a sustainable, nervous-system-aligned path to rest, I invite you to explore the next step. Whether it’s a guided hypnotherapy session, a breathwork journey, or a full recalibration container, the support is here when you’re ready to return to your natural rhythm.

About Me 

I am an integrated somatic practitioner & wellness coach for leaders, influencers, and high-performers. I have over 8 years experience and have trained & coached 1000's of people in my topic areas. My journey began when I sought out to heal my own serious physical and mental health illnesses, which took me on a deep journey through Asia, engaging with Zen masters, healers and experts around the world. My work bridges the best of Eastern and Western practices, and is designed to create meaningful and lasting change in the lives of my clients. 

Schedule a free consultation to explore which somatic practice suits your needs.

Disclaimer: The above article may contain statements that reflect the opinion of the author. It is intended for general informational purposes and does not constitute psychological or medical professional advice. I don't diagnose medical conditions, nor do I interfere with any treatments given by your medical professional. If you already are under the care of a doctor or under medical treatment, follow the advice and treatment recommended by your doctor. For any medical emergency, please call relevant authorities.