Through lived experience, Karen Lewis – the founder of Sleep Serenity – wanted to give back the gift of mental wellbeing. After years of pushing through high-pressure roles, sleepless nights, and the silent toll of burnout, she knew something had to change. Her mission? To help other women reclaim their peace, protect their health, and prevent burnout before it takes hold.
“I wanted to create a space – and a range of products – that genuinely help women switch off, wind down and wake up feeling like themselves again,” she says.
Karen’s story isn’t unique – and that’s exactly why it matters. It’s a journey many women know too well: striving for success while sacrificing sleep, ignoring stress signals, and enduring the hormonal rollercoaster of perimenopause with little support.
What follows is her honest, inspiring account of burnout, recovery, and building a business that helps women rest, heal, and thrive – one good night’s sleep at a time.
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“I Burnt Out at the Peak of My Career – Here’s Why I Started Sleep Serenity”
Founder Karen Lewis opens up about corporate burnout, perimenopause, and why women need to start prioritising sleep – for their health, their happiness, and their hormones.
If you asked Karen Lewis five years ago where she saw herself, it wouldn’t be selling dreamy sleep masks and lavender-infused pillow sprays.
She was a digital strategy powerhouse, leading campaigns for some of Australia's biggest household names. “I’d built this incredible career,” Karen tells us, sipping herbal tea from a mug that reads ‘More rest, less rush’. “I was flying interstate for meetings, heading up major launches, leading teams... on paper, I was thriving.”
But behind the LinkedIn achievements and the glowing client reviews, her body – and her nervous system – were screaming for help. “I didn’t know it at the time, but I was heading for burnout. And fast.”
When Hustle Culture Turns Harmful
Burnout doesn’t arrive overnight – it creeps in. “At first, it was just feeling tired all the time,” Karen explains. “Then it was headaches. Brain fog. Mood swings. Insomnia. I put it down to being ‘busy’ or maybe just getting older.”
But things escalated. Karen began experiencing what she now knows were early signs of perimenopause. “I was only in my early 40s. No one had told me that your hormones start shifting long before menopause. Combine that with chronic stress, poor sleep hygiene and zero boundaries... and it’s the perfect storm.”
Eventually, her body forced her to stop. “I hit a wall – emotionally and physically. I had nothing left to give.” The doctor’s diagnosis was clear: burnout. Her prescription? Rest, recovery, and a serious lifestyle overhaul.
From Burnout to Bedtime Bliss
Fast-forward to today, and Karen is the founder of Sleep Serenity, a beautifully curated online store that helps women improve their sleep health through aromatherapy, sleep masks, calming rituals and more.
“It sounds simple – but I started with lavender oil and a sleep mask,” Karen laughs. “I’d spent years thinking I didn’t have time for sleep. Now I understand that sleep is non-negotiable. It’s the foundation of every other part of our health – especially for women.”
What started as a personal healing journey became a calling. “I realised how many women were silently struggling like I was. Juggling careers, kids, relationships, hormones, all while trying to be everything to everyone. And sacrificing sleep in the process.”
Sleep as Self-Care (Not a Luxury)
Karen’s philosophy is clear: sleep isn’t a luxury – it’s essential self-care. “There’s this hustle culture – especially in the corporate world – that glorifies being ‘always on’. But the truth is, lack of sleep is linked to anxiety, weight gain, brain fog, heart disease, and hormone imbalances. It impacts everything.”
For women navigating perimenopause and menopause, sleep becomes even more important. “Hormonal shifts affect your ability to fall and stay asleep. Hot flushes, night sweats, anxiety – it’s all real. And yet we’re still told to just ‘push through’.”
Karen now advocates for sleep as part of every woman’s health toolkit. “Whether you’re in your 30s or 50s, getting quality rest helps your body reset. It’s when your cells repair. Your mind processes stress. Your hormones regulate. Sleep isn’t weak – it’s powerful.”
A Business Built From Bedtime
Sleep Serenity is more than just a product range. It’s a personal promise. “I built a business that helps people sleep better – and it helps me sleep better, too,” Karen says with a smile.
Each item in the Sleep Serenity collection is handpicked for its effectiveness, elegance, and ability to create a calming ritual. “I’ve got products that I genuinely use every night. The aromatherapy diffuser? Game-changer. Our eye masks? The softest thing you’ll ever wear. And the guided meditation audios? They’ve saved me on many restless nights.”
But it’s more than what’s in the box. “It’s about giving women permission to rest. To say, ‘I matter. My health matters.’ That’s the mission.”
Lessons in Slowing Down – Without Letting Go of Ambition
After years of corporate stress, Karen didn’t want to give up her passion or her drive – but she knew she needed to rewrite the rules. “I didn’t start Sleep Serenity to hustle 24/7 again. I started it because I believe we can be successful and well-rested. Ambition doesn’t have to equal exhaustion.”
Running her own business allows her to honour her own rhythms, set boundaries, and model a slower, more intentional way of working. “I’m still ambitious,” she admits. “But now I listen to my body. I don’t book back-to-back meetings. I schedule rest the way I used to schedule presentations.”
What She Wants Every Woman to Know About Burnout and Sleep Health
When asked what message she wants to share with women everywhere, Karen doesn’t hesitate.
“You’re not lazy if you need more rest. You’re not broken if you can’t do it all. Burnout isn’t a badge of honour. Sleep is not optional. It’s healing. It’s hormone-regulating. It’s stress-busting. It’s what your body has been crying out for.”
She adds, “Especially for women in perimenopause – we need to talk about this more. Sleep disturbances are common, but they’re not normal. And there are things you can do. Rituals. Support. Products. Lifestyle changes. You don’t have to suffer in silence.”
Karen’s Top 5 Tips for Better Sleep Hygiene:
Create a bedtime ritual – “Light a candle, use an aromatherapy diffuser, and consider a warm bath with lavender Epsom salts. Repetition tells your brain it’s time to wind down.”
Keep tech out of the bedroom – “That late-night scroll is destroying your melatonin. Try a book instead. Give your phone a curfew and permit yourself to switch off”
Set a consistent sleep schedule – “Go to bed and wake up at the same time every day. Yes, even on weekends.”
Embrace aromatherapy – “Lavender, chamomile, sandalwood – they’re more than nice smells. They’re powerful sleep allies.”
Make your bedroom a sanctuary – “Invest in good sheets, a weighted blanket can help with anxiety, cooling pillows, black-out curtains, and a sleep mask. Your nervous system will thank you.”
Karen’s story is one so many women can relate to: high-functioning on the outside, quietly unravelling on the inside. But her journey from burnout to bedtime bliss is a powerful reminder that sometimes, the greatest strength is in slowing down.
With Sleep Serenity, she’s created more than a business – she’s built a movement. One that empowers women to take their health back, one good night’s sleep at a time.
Because when women sleep well? We rise well. And that’s the kind of revolution we can all get behind. ✨
Discover your sleep sanctuary at Sleep Serenity
Because rest isn’t just a remedy – it’s your right.
