Sleep through the night
Many people wake up in the middle of the night and then can’t fall back asleep. It is so frustrating! You wake up and your brain turns on like it’s 6 am. Problem is that you know your body and brain still need rest. Why does this happen? What can you do about it?
This common problem is defined by the NIH as a form of insomnia. The NIH definition of insomnia is “….complaints of distrubed sleep in the presence of adequate opportunity and circumstance for sleep.”
So, waking in the middle of the night certainly applies to this definition.
Why does it happen? Well, if you are sick, stressed, or traveling a lot, then there is a high probability that you won’t sleep through the night. But if this is happening to you on a regular basis, then it’s time to take action.
My advice: Go to bed later! Your internal clock (yes, we all have them) needs to be reset. It’s a natural tendency for people who suffer with middle of the night insomnia to turn in earlier and earlier. Don’t do it! For one week, you should try to stay awake as long as possible. Don’t get into bed at the usual hour. Change up your nightly routine–don’t fall asleep while watching TV; don’t read that boring book that always knocks you out.
Going to bed later may sound crazy, but it has worked for me and many other insomniacs I know. I still wake up sometimes, but it’s not every night. I now get 6+ hours of straight sleep instead of 3 hours of sleep, 2 hours of reading, followed by 2 more hours of unsatisfying sleep.
Sleep well!Many people wake up in the middle of the night and then can’t fall back asleep. It is so frustrating! You wake up and your brain turns on like it’s 6 am. Problem is that you know your body and brain still need rest. Why does this happen? What can you do about it?
This common problem is defined by the NIH as a form of insomnia. The NIH definition of insomnia is “….complaints of distrubed sleep in the presence of adequate opportunity and circumstance for sleep.”
So, waking in the middle of the night certainly applies to this definition.
Why does it happen? Well, if you are sick, stressed, or traveling a lot, then there is a high probability that you won’t sleep through the night. But if this is happening to you on a regular basis, then it’s time to take action.
My advice: Go to bed later! Your internal clock (yes, we all have them) needs to be reset. It’s a natural tendency for people who suffer with middle of the night insomnia to turn in earlier and earlier. Don’t do it! For one week, you should try to stay awake as long as possible. Don’t get into bed at the usual hour. Change up your nightly routine–don’t fall asleep while watching TV; don’t read that boring book that always knocks you out.
Going to bed later may sound crazy, but it has worked for me and many other insomniacs I know. I still wake up sometimes, but it’s not every night. I now get 6+ hours of straight sleep instead of 3 hours of sleep, 2 hours of reading, followed by 2 more hours of unsatisfying sleep.
Sleep well!
