Why you wake up at night: Insights from sleep experts
Photo: How to stop waking up at night (freepik.com)
Why do you often wake up at night and then can't fall back asleep? What causes shallow sleep besides caffeine consumption?
Mirror answers these questions and explains the human sleep architecture.
Why do you wake up at night and can't fall back asleep
Dave Asprey, an author specializing in longevity — living a longer and healthier life — explains that fluctuations in blood sugar levels can be a reason for waking up at 3 a.m.
A drop in cortisol and adrenaline levels can cause you to wake up, the expert asserts.
"The problem is, cortisol and adrenaline wake you up. While the brain gets what it wants, you don't get your sleep," said Dave.
Recently, there has been increased interest among health-conscious individuals in cortisol, a hormone that regulates a wide range of processes in the body, including blood glucose levels.
But could this also be the reason you find yourself yawning during your morning commute?
Another sleep expert, Dave Gibson, reported that Asprey's theory about cortisol is correct, but it's not the only factor at play.
"Human sleep architecture consists of different stages with unique functions. The deepest stages restore the body, while lighter stages, including REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep, help reboot the brain, especially through dreaming," he explained.
According to the expert, these stages repeat in cycles of approximately 90 minutes, averaging about five cycles in a full night’s sleep.
However, each cycle has a different composition; the first few cycles are rich in deep sleep, while later cycles, especially after 3 a.m., consist of lighter phases.
"This means we're more likely to wake up due to sounds, light, or temperature changes later in the night. Additionally, as we age, we tend to get less deep sleep, so night awakenings become more frequent," Gibson concluded.
Also, discover the 3-2-1 rule for the best sleep of your life.
This material is for informational purposes only and should not be used for medical diagnosis or self-treatment. Our goal is to provide readers with accurate information about symptoms, causes, and methods of detecting diseases. RBС-Ukraine is not responsible for any diagnoses that readers may make based on materials from the resource. We do not recommend self-treatment and advise consulting a doctor in case of any health concerns.
