Middle of the Night Awakenings
Are you experiencing waking up at the exact same time every night? I personally know how perplexing it can be, especially when the goal is to sleep through the night, not wake up in the middle of it.
So, what gives?
Well, it's actually not so bizarre at all. In fact, it makes perfect sense!
Let me explain...
To provide more context, let's look at a more common example of consistent awakenings...
Most people, at some point in life, must get up at the same time every day for work, school, or whatever. And oftentimes, our brains wake us up right before the alarm goes off.
But why would that be?
Well, we consider waking up on time important! We don't want to slip up on our responsibilities. Plus, who hasn't experienced the consequences of oversleeping a time or two, which can be so not fun.
So, our brains remember this stuff!
The mind interprets waking up on time as a priority, so it makes sure to do so. Eventually, waking up right before the alarm becomes an automatic internal program.
The exact same thing happens in the middle of the night (even when we DON'T want to wake up).
Let's say you wake up 2:22 am one night and stay awake a little longer than usual. Then, maybe you think:
"Hmm... this is weird, why is this happening?"
"I've woken up two nights in a row at the same time, something is up..."
"Are my guides trying to tell me something?"
"Is it my liver?"
"Is my circadian rhythm busted?"
"I think this is becoming a problem."
"I have insomnia."
Suddenly you're paying a lot more attention to it. There's energy flowing there.
The brain takes cues from our responses. So, when we are super perplexed trying to figure out what is happening and wondering what on earth is wrong with us, the brain takes note.
It goes: "Hmm... something important is happening here, I better wake them up."
Which is how 2:22 am becomes the new internal program.
Then, we might unintentionally reinforce the program by getting more and more freaked out about it. Perhaps we start asking DR. Google, or sharing how annoying it is with friends and family.
"You know, It's SO weird, I've been waking up at 2:22 am every single night..."
All the while, the brain is noticing how important this time of 2:22am seems to be!
Now you're probably thinking, “Okay, that makes sense. But what can I do about it?"
Good question.
There is something I recommend to every single client, and still do myself.
It's called: The Timeless Night.
Going Timeless
Give yourself the gift of going timeless. Removing all sources of time from your night will free your mind in multiple ways, including breaking the cycle of waking up.
When your brain doesn't know what time it is, there's no way to make a big deal about it! Plus, it will save you all the hyperarousal associated with "sleep math."
"If I fall asleep by 'x' time, I can still get 'x' hours."
How Does It Work?
Simply decide that after a certain time at night, you're not going to look at the clock anymore. I don't even have a clock in my bedroom. And if I did, I'm so out of the habit of looking at the time that I don't think I would. Leave your cellphone in another room or at least any from reaching distance.
Take the clocks out of the bedroom and no phones in the bathroom either, and if you're on your computer at night, put a piece of tape over the time. I recommend no devices at least 30 minutes prior to slipping into bed.
If your brain feels a little rattled by this at first, that's completely normal. Humans have become almost addicted to time!
After a while it becomes a peaceful way to live — a liberation from needing to control time.
Remember, all humans wake up multiple times a night; this is a natural part of our evolution. Usually the awakenings are so brief and shallow that we don't even remember them. It's only when we respond like something unusual is happening that it becomes unusual. Otherwise it's just a normal part of every night.
Adopt an attitude of indifference about the whole thing and hopefully your sleep will get back on track.
Sometimes waking up is also caused my blood sugar fluctuations and hormone imbalances. For an evaluation of your particular sleep concerns, schedule a session with Coach Dee.
