Meet the Experts: Wellness Board Member Mollie Eastman

Here at CBDistillery®, we know that taking charge of your health and wellness is a daunting task and it's sometimes overwhelming to know whose recommendations to rely upon.

Transparency is key to our approach in every aspect of our business, which is why we wanted to introduce a series of conversations with CBDistillery® staff as well as other experts in their fields. We hope that these conversations will offer more information about our company and products and help foster trust in our products.

In this edition, content strategist Adrian Crawford sat down with another member of our newly created Wellness Board, sleep consultant Mollie Eastman, the founder of Sleep is a Skill and host of the podcast of the same name.

Adrian Crawford: First things first. What made you want to pursue the sleep-related career path you ended up in?  

Mollie Eastman: My motivation to pursue a sleep-related career path stemmed from my personal battle with sleep challenges. Initially, I thought I thrived as a night owl entrepreneur, dismissing early health warnings to the contrary. However, a severe insomnia breakdown due to stress, overwork, and various health issues, including anxiety and chronic headaches, forced me to confront the impact of poor sleep on my well-being. My transformation began as a pragmatic one, as a quest for solutions, experimenting with numerous remedies, gadgets, and lifestyle changes - before finally creating my own protocol routed in circadian biology. This journey not only restored my sleep confidence but also inspired me to establish Sleep Is A Skill. My experiences, both as a full-time traveler for three years and facing sleep disruptions, highlighted the importance of sleep as a foundational and transformative health pillar. Consequently, I became committed to aiding others in overcoming their sleep challenges through technology, accountability, and behavioral change.

AC: I realize this seems like an obvious question, but what constitutes quality sleep and why is it so important?  

ME: Quality sleep is essential for our overall health, encompassing adequate duration (7-9 hours for most adults), minimal disruptions, and cycles of deep, restorative sleep and REM sleep. It's during these cycles that the body and brain undergo critical restorative processes, such as tissue repair, memory consolidation, and hormonal regulation. These processes are vital for physical restoration, cognitive function, and emotional regulation, highlighting the importance of quality sleep for maintaining overall health and well-being.

AC: In a physiological sense, what happens to the body while we’re asleep?  

ME: While asleep, our body engages in several crucial restorative processes. Deep sleep focuses on physical restoration, including tissue repair, muscle growth, and the secretion of growth hormones. REM sleep, meanwhile, is especially supportive of cognitive functions like emotion processing, memory consolidation, and problem-solving. These sleep stages facilitate brain detoxification, emotional regulation, and immune system support, illustrating the complex and vital nature of sleep for our physiological well-being.

AC: What challenges, in your experience, have the past few years presented for people in terms of getting quality rest and wind-down time?  

ME: The challenges to achieving quality rest and wind-down time in recent years are diverse. The ubiquitous presence of technology, with constant engagement through smartphones and laptops, has led to overstimulation and difficulty disconnecting. Coupled with overworking, a lack of strong social connections, and not to mention, an epidemic of unstable blood sugar levels, these factors have compounded the difficulty of winding down and achieving consistent restful sleep.

AC: From your professional perspective, would you say people are becoming more open to trying alternative methods to get good rest rather than over-the-counter sleep remedies?  

ME: Yes, there's a noticeable shift towards alternative methods for improving sleep.  I believe technology is a part of this, with more people tracking with Fitbits, Oura Ring, Whoop Band, Apple, Garmin, Biostrap, and more. My hope is that this helps us as a society eventually move away from reliance on over-the-counter & prescription remedies. This trend reflects a growing recognition of the limitations of quick fixes and the importance of addressing the root causes of sleep issues through holistic approaches. 

AC: Do you see benefits in CBD use for those who struggle to achieve quality sleep, and do you incorporate CBD into wellness plans for your clients? 

ME: CBD has shown promise as a beneficial component for those struggling to achieve quality sleep, particularly due to its anti-inflammatory properties that can alleviate anxiety and pain. In my practice, I incorporate CBD into wellness plans for clients, as appropriate, as part of a holistic approach to improving sleep quality.

AC: Last one: What’s your absolute favorite sleep tip that anyone can achieve at home? 

ME: My favorite sleep tip involves a two-fold strategy: maintaining consistency and natural light exposure. Waking up at the same time every day and immediately getting outside to absorb morning sunlight, without the barrier of sunglasses or hats can enhance sleep quality. This practice reinforces the body's natural circadian rhythms, facilitating easier sleep onset and improved rest.