Unlocking Wellness: Innovation, Women’s Health, and the Free Power of Sleep
I was honored to join the Delta Dental of Colorado Sustaining Partner table at
The Ludeman Family Center for Women’s Health Research Annual Community
The event this year. A special thank you to Helen Drexler, CEO of Delta Dental of
Colorado, for the invitation, and for Delta Dental’s continued commitment to advancing
women’s health.
The Seawell Ballroom in Denver sparkled with floor-to-ceiling windows, elegant décor,
and an energy that was truly contagious. The theme of the day—“Unlocking Wellness:
The Power of Innovation in Women’s Health” came alive through inspiring
speakers, groundbreaking research, and meaningful conversation.
Why Women’s Health Research Matters
For decades, medical research has largely focused on men—leaving gaps in how we
understand, diagnose, and treat women. The Ludeman Family Center for Women’s
Health Research has been working to change that for over 20 years.
Their researchers recognize the unique biological differences in women and challenge
long-held assumptions. They’re turning science into practical solutions that improve
care for women across every stage of life. Their mission is simple but powerful: to build
a future where “all women are healthy and thriving.”
A Conversation with Arianna Huffington
The event reached new energy when Arianna Huffington, Founder of Thrive Global
and The Huffington Post, took the stage. Named one of Time Magazine’s 100 Most
Influential People and featured in Forbes’ Most Powerful Women, Arianna brought
humor, personal stories, and practical wisdom.
She reminded us that innovation isn’t always about the newest gadget or technology.
Sometimes, it means revisiting ancient wisdom and validating it with today’s science.
She spoke about stress, burnout, and the devastating impact they have on health,
productivity, and families.
Stress and burnout cost our society $4.9 billion annually in negative health
effects.
Chronic stress raises cortisol levels, which trigger inflammation in the body. This
leads to poor sleep, weight gain, anxiety, low concentration, and decreased
productivity.
Her message was clear: we need to rethink how we approach health, starting with the
basics.
Why Sleep Is the Ultimate Game-Changer
When Arianna said, “It’s time to make sleep sexy,” the room erupted in laughter and
applause. And she’s right. Sleep is the most powerful performance enhancer we
have—and it’s completely free.
Quality sleep strengthens the immune system, boosts energy, and improves mental
health. It even supports mitochondrial function, which fuels every cell in the body. Yet,
too many of us are “marinating in cortisol” (as Arianna put it), flipping into fight-or-flight
mode multiple times a day and never fully recover.
Consider this:
In 1960, 42% of Americans smoked. Today, that number has dropped to 12%,
thanks to science-backed education and public awareness.
Imagine what could happen if we applied the same effort to educating people
about the health impact of sleep.
Micro Steps, Big Change
The path to better health doesn’t come from crash diets, magic pills, or extreme lifestyle
overhauls. Arianna encouraged us to focus on micro steps—tiny, achievable changes
that build momentum over time.
Examples include parking farther away, taking the stairs, or drinking a glass of water
before coffee. These steps may seem small, but they reduce stress, improve sleep, and
create sustainable habits.
Instead of resolutions that set us up for failure, micro steps ensure progress is natural,
gradual and lasting.
My Mission: Connecting Oral Health, Sleep, and
Overall Wellness
As a dentist and a Diplomate of the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine, I left the
event feeling more motivated than ever. My personal mission is to bridge the gap
between oral health, sleep health, and systemic wellness.
Every day, I see how poor sleep contributes to stress, chronic inflammation, and
reduced quality of life. But I also see how simple, science-backed solutions can
transform lives. Our daily behaviors—how we sleep, eat, and manage stress—have a
greater impact than our genetics.
This is the foundation of my work at:
Dynamic Dental Sleep, LLC – where I provide premier training and seamless
workflow automation for dental teams. Our goal is to empower providers to
screen, diagnose, and treat patients with sleep-related breathing disorders
efficiently and effectively.
Sleep. Thrive. Live. (@SleepThriveLive) – the public health education arm of
my work. Here, I share credible sleep science in real-world, engaging ways so
individuals and families can take action to improve their own health.
When we invest in our health through sleep, stress management, and oral-systemic
Care - we thrive in every other aspect of life.
Final Takeaway
How you spend your energy is like economics: you cannot burn the candle at both ends
and expect positive returns. The good news is that the most powerful tool for
recovery—sleep—is free and available to us all.
Work smarter, not harder. Prioritize rest. And remember: sleep is free, but its impact
is priceless.
Learn more about sleep and overall health:
Follow @SleepThriveLive on Instagram and YouTube.
Visit www.DynamicDentalSleep.com for training and workflow solutions.
Looking for a dentist who integrates oral, systemic, and sleep health?
Suggested Pull-Quotes
“It’s time to make sleep sexy.” – Arianna Huffington
“Sleep is free, but its impact is priceless.” – Dr. Ashley Spooner
“Women are not small men… Research is the answer.” – Ludeman Center
“Stress and burnout cost our society $4.9 billion every year.”
“Micro steps create lasting change.”
Suggested Sidebar Elements
Quick Stats on Sleep & Amp Stress
42% of Americans smoked in 1960; today, only 12% do. Education and science
changed behavior.
Stress and burnout cost the U.S. $4.9 billion annually.
Flipping into “fight or flight” mode multiple times a day increases cortisol, leading
to inflammation, poor sleep, anxiety, and weight gain.
Micro Steps to Better Health
✔ Park farther away from the store.
✔ Take the stairs instead of the elevator.
✔ Drink a glass of water before your morning coffee.
✔ Move your body daily, even if just for 10 minutes.
Dynamic Dental Sleep & Sleep. Thrive. Live.
Dynamic Dental Sleep helps dentists integrate sleep medicine into practice with
seamless workflows, training, and support.
Sleep. Thrive. Live. brings credible sleep science to the public with tools, tips,
and inspiration to transform health.
Dr. Ashley Spooner: 303-683-5091, smile@falconparkdentalgroup.com