Have you ever suddenly woken up from sleep in the night? Some people might associate it with various mystical things if you talk about this.
One of them mentions that waking up at night signifies that an invisible creature wants to invite you to communicate. For this reason, these celestial beings wake you from sleep because midnight is the time when the portal of another world opens.
No research can prove the truth about this midnight awakening theory, so of course, this leads to the midnight awakening myth.
In addition, there is also a theory that says that drinking alcohol before bed can prevent you from waking up in the middle of the night. In other words, alcohol can make you sleep better.
For this theory, researchers have proven otherwise. According to the Sleep Foundation page, drinking alcohol before bed drastically decreases sleep quality. Indeed, drinking a sip or two of alcohol can make some people relax and sleepy. However, this effect is only temporary at first.
Studies show that alcohol can interfere with sleep stages. In addition, the alcohol content also triggers you to snore. The symptoms may become more severe for those of you who have sleep apnea. As a result, it can wake you several times from sleep.
Causes of waking up in the middle of the night
Generally, waking up at night is related to the stages of sleep, which consist of several phases. People will quickly wake up at the end of a particular sleep phase leading to another sleep phase. You will increasingly desire to wake up when you experience various things. For example, heat makes the body sweat.
Some wake up in the middle of the night. After all, they want to urinate because they drink too much water before bed. However, you can also wake up because you experience symptoms of illness.
1. Sleep apnea
People who experience this sleep disorder very often sleep snoring. This narrowing of the airways during sleep can make a person’s breath stop for a few seconds. As a result, people with sleep apnea will wake up in shock gasping for breath.
2. Nocturia
Nocturia is the term for frequent urination at night. This condition is usually a typical symptom of diabetes. People with diabetes will often have trouble sleeping at night because they constantly experience the urge to urinate.
3. Stress or mental illness
Stress can make it hard for you to close, but it can also make you wake up in the middle of the night and have difficulty getting back to sleep. In addition to stress, various mental illnesses such as depression or anxiety disorders can also interfere with your restful sleep.
4. Have other health problems
Many symptoms of certain diseases can interfere with sleep; for example, arthritis causes pain in the body, making it difficult to sleep comfortably. It could also be due to coughing, itching skin, or pain in other body parts that interfere with sleep.
If you find getting up at night quite annoying, don’t worry about the midnight awakening myths you hear. You should immediately consult a doctor. Your doctor will help you find out the cause and the treatment.
Tips for not waking up in the middle of the night
While it’s natural, you may prefer to sleep undisturbed. Don’t worry, there are many ways to get a good night’s sleep.
1. Drink water at the right time
Drinking water before bed is indeed beneficial. However, you need to pay attention to the time to drink.
Avoid drinking right before you get into bed to sleep. You’re better off drinking more after dinner or at least an hour before bed. You can also drink a glass of warm milk in addition to water. This type of drink can help you sleep better.
2. Meditation or breathing exercises
To avoid waking up in the middle of the night, you can try to do meditation or breathing exercises before bed. The goal is to make your mind and body more calm and relaxed.
A tangled mind and tense body muscles can disturb you from closing your eyes. It can make you wake up from sleep because you continue to feel anxious and restless.
3. Prepare a comfortable room
Lighting too bright, hot room temperature and dirty room conditions can be a sleep nuisance. So, don’t be surprised if you wake up in the middle of the night feeling itchy, hot, or dazed.
So that you don’t wake up feeling disturbed by these conditions, always clean your bedroom and use the best pillow you are comfortable with. In addition, adjust the lighting and air temperature.
