Waking up in the middle of the night is extremely annoying as it frequently causes you to toss and turn, stare at the clock and feel restless. Regularly getting up during the night can disrupt your sleep pattern and have a detrimental impact on your health, even though occasional arousal is typical. It is important to determine the possible causes of your frequent early-morning awakenings because there may be several different factors at play.  

Waking up in the middle of the night may be caused by environmental stimuli, physical health problems or mental or emotional factors such as stress or anxiety. Finding a solution that helps you sleep through the night starts with understanding these underlying issues. The quality of your sleep, how restorative and unbroken it feels is even more important than the quantity of sleep you receive. Here are some causes or factors that may be responsible for waking you up in the middle of the night.

Causes Of Waking Up At Night

Stress And Anxiety

Anxiety and stress are among the most frequent causes of nighttime awakenings. Your body goes into heightened awareness when you are stressed or apprehensive, which makes it harder to unwind and stay asleep. The stress hormone cortisol is released in response to this 'fight or flight' reaction, keeping your body tense and preventing it from completely relaxing as you sleep.  

Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a dangerous condition that causes disturbed sleep cycles and frequent nighttime awakenings. Short episodes of dyspnoea are caused by obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), a condition in which the throat muscles relax excessively and restrict the airway.

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Causes Of Waking Up At Night (Image Credits: Canva)

Hormonal Imbalance

Your sleep can be significantly affected by hormonal changes, especially those brought on by ageing, pregnancy or thyroid disorders. Hormonal changes that occur during menopause, pregnancy or menstruation can cause women to experience hot flashes, night sweats and other sleep-related problems.

Sleep Environment

An uncomfortable sleeping environment might occasionally be the cause of waking up in the middle of the night rather than a medical or psychological issue. Your sleep can be disturbed by a number of things, including temperature, light exposure, noise and even an unpleasant mattress. 

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(Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis or treatment.)