Why Can’t I Sleep? Dr. Benjamin Long on Insomnia, Perimenopause, and God’s Gift of Rest

Get a copy of the chapter “Grace: God’s Power to Crush the Impossible” from Thriving in Grace: Unleashing Wellness from a Biblical Perspective at karenadittman.com

Want to be a guest on The Grace Cycle Show? Send Karen Dittman a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1733503318442796293a1fecb

Get a copy of Sleep Habits Journal: Practices, Prayers, & Devotions to Ease Your Sleepless Nights by Dr. Benjamin Long at https://www.sleephabitsjournal.com/

Why can’t I sleep—even when I’m exhausted?
Is something wrong with my body, my mind… or my life?
And where is God in the middle of another sleepless night?

In this episode of The Grace Cycle Show, Karen Dittman talks with Dr. Benjamin Long, physician and theologian, about the deep connection between sleep, faith, stress, hormones, and spiritual well-being.

Dr. Long shares:

• Why insomnia is often a signal, not just a problem
• How perimenopause and hormonal changes can seriously disrupt sleep for women
• What actually helps (and what usually doesn’t) when it comes to sleep hygiene
• And how Scripture frames sleep as a gift from God, not a failure of faith

They also talk about:

• The emotional and spiritual weight carried into the night
• Why unresolved stress, grief, and anxiety often show up as sleeplessness
• And how God’s grace meets us even when rest feels impossible

Dr. Long also explains the heart behind his guided sleep journal and how it helps people gently uncover what’s really keeping them awake—physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

This episode is for anyone asking:

• “Why am I awake at 3 a.m. again?”
• “Is perimenopause or stress destroying my sleep?”
• “How do I stop my mind from racing at night?”
• “Can I trust God with my exhaustion?”

If you’re tired of being tired, this conversation offers both practical tools and deep reassurance: your sleepless nights are not wasted, and rest is something God wants to give you, not something you have to earn.

Dr. Benjamin Long is a sleep doctor by day & seminary student by night with an interest in the integration of theology and sleep. These interests have culminated into his debut book "Sleep Habits Journal: Practices, Prayers, & Devotions to Ease Your Sleepless Nights." He lives in San Antonio, Texas with his wife, son, and their dog-Rolo.

00:00 Introduction: Struggling with Sleepless Nights

00:24 Guest Introduction: Dr. Benjamin Long

00:43 Dr. Long's Journey to Publication

04:22 Insights on Perimenopause and Sleep

07:30 The Role of Caffeine and Alcohol in Sleep

11:55 Biblical Perspectives on Sleep

22:45 Practical Sleep Tips and The Sleep Journal

31:17 Conclusion: Embracing God's Gift of Sleep

Want to be a guest on The Grace Cycle Show? Send Karen Dittman a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1733503318442796293a1fecb