Wondering what it means if you keep waking up in the middle of the night?
Experts explain what it means and how to stop.
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Its happened to the best of us.
Suddenly, youre waking up hot at 4am, clammy, confused, and very much not rested.
neurologist and sleep physician
a night, says neurologist and sleep specialistW.
Chris Winter, MD, sleep advisor atSleep.comand author ofThe Sleep Solution.
But in many cases, these normal arousals are so short or non-eventful that we dont remember them.
But what exactly does waking up in the middle of the night mean?
Is it bad for you?
Does it ruinhealthy sleeping habits?
We spoke to the experts to find out.
What are some common causes of waking up in the middle of the night?
Is it bad or harmful to wake up in the middle of the night?
neurologist and sleep physician
Tips for sleeping through the night in one continuous block
1.
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Control is probably part of the reason for that, too, he adds.
In fact, you could end upkeepingyourself awake that much longer to negative effect.
Checking the time can trigger a learned negative emotional reaction, says Dr. Peters.
This reaction can activate the fight-or-flight response, prolonging wakefulness.
One of his favorites?
For instance, you might start with zebra, spelling it both forward and backward before moving onto yellow.
And FYI: Should you want moretips for sleep difficulties, weve got you.
venture to do something mindless.
Fold your laundry, put away your dishes, or read a couple pages of a boring book.
When waking up in the middle of the night is actually a problem
1.
The timing of these awakenings may also matter, he adds.
Thats when it may be time to consider how you might optimize your bedrooms environment for sleep.
FAQs
1.
Is it normal to wake up 5 times in the middle of the night?
Give it twenty minutes first.
However, dont stress out too much if you cant.
Dont look at the clock as that can put more pressure on you.
How many times per night is it normal to wake up?
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