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A Warning About The ‘Worst Thing’ That People Should Never Do When Awakening in the Night

A sleep specialist has revealed the exact opposite of what most people attempt when they find themselves wide awake in the middle of the night.

Few things are more frustrating than anticipating a peaceful and rejuvenating sleep, only to be abruptly awakened in the wee hours of the morning. What often follows is a universal experience: you toss and turn for what feels like hours, squinting your eyes, hoping to will your body back to slumber. For most of us, this strategy frequently fails, and by the time the morning alarm sounds, we feel even more drained.

But is there anything we can do to salvage a sleepless night? It turns out, the solution involves doing the precise opposite of trying to force yourself back to sleep.

Why Trying to Force Sleep Makes It Worse

While attempting to go back to sleep might seem like the sensible course of action, sleep specialists now clarify why this approach can worsen your sleep cycle.

“Thinking about the fact that you’re not sleeping can rouse your mind and make you more anxious. A better move is to accept your situation—don’t resist being awake—and find an alternative focus,” Dr. Fiona Barwick told Self.

It is widely known that using your bed for purposes other than sleeping can eventually lead to poorer quality sleep. We are all aware that working from bed or spending afternoons curled up under the covers is generally not a good idea; the same principle applies to waking up in the middle of the night.

It is best to actually get out of bed and engage in some other activity until you start to feel sleepy again.

“It’s important not to stay in bed,” explained sleep expert Luis F. Buenaver in a post published on John Hopkins Medicine. He continued: “Doing this will lead your brain and body to associate your bed with wakefulness instead of with sleep. It can be difficult leaving a warm, comfortable bed after waking up in the middle of the night.”

“But think of this step as an investment in better sleep—if not tonight, then tomorrow night and in the future.”

You should also avoid aimlessly scrolling through the internet if you find yourself awake. It’s crucial to resist the impulse to check your phone at this time. The blue light emitted by the screen can trick your brain into thinking it is daytime, thereby delaying your natural sleep-wake cycle.

Dr. Barwick advises against worrying about the valuable sleep time you’re losing. Instead, she recommends seeking out relaxing hobbies to help you unwind until sleep returns naturally.

May everyone have a restful night’s sleep.