The feeling of a sleepless night is something everyone can relate to at some point in their life. For most, the cause is small and can easily be solved. For others, it can become problematic and a regular occurrence. A good night's sleep is vital to your well-being. It helps restore your body and allows it to be at its healthiest.
If you are not getting a good night’s sleep, it can lead to negative effects on your brain function, weight, exercise performance, and your hormones. If you constantly find yourself awake at 2 a.m. and unable to go back to sleep, there may be some factors standing between you and sleep. That is why we have listed common reasons you may be waking up in the middle of the night and provided some tips on how to start sleeping peacefully again.
Reasons Why You Could Wake Up in the Middle of the Night
Anxiety or WorrySometimes a bad night's sleep can be caused by worry or stress that comes thinking about upcoming problems or issues from the day before. Worries can become worse over night, causing your mind to race. This is often because your anxiety manifests itself easier at night than during the day. Research has shown that anxiety can be a huge reason people regularly wake up at night and have trouble getting back to sleep.
Anxiety is also shown to cause sleep insomnia because it can make it impossible for you to shut off your mind when you are trying to fall asleep. Sleep insomnia is a disorder that can lead to fatigue, irritability, low energy levels, and sometimes headaches. Sleep apnea is another disorder that could be the cause of restlessness because it can slow or stop your breathing while you are asleep. This condition can stop your brain from sending the correct signals to your muscles, causing symptoms such as clumsiness, depression, and fatigue. Both of these conditions can become serious, and speaking to a doctor can help you determine if this is what is causing you to wake up in the middle of the night.
You Need to Use the RestroomA common reason most people tend to wake up at night is because they have an intense urge to use the bathroom. This is called nocturia, or nighttime urination, and can be caused from drinking too much before bed or having an overactive bladder. Cutting back on your water intake before bed can help you reduce the nightly trips to the bathroom.
Room Temperature and BrightnessA hot room can make it hard to sleep throughout the night and even the smallest changes in temperature can greatly impact your sleep quality. Every person sleeps better at different temperatures and determining the right one for your body can help promote rest and signal to your body it is time to sleep.
Environmental cues such as light and temperature affect the parts of our brains that control when we sleep. We tend to fall asleep at cooler temperatures that release sleep hormones to help initiate a good night's sleep. Light also plays a role in preparing our bodies to sleep. Keeping your room dark by using curtains or blinds can help you maximize your time asleep.
You Have an Old Bed/PillowIf you find yourself tossing and turning all night because you can not seem to get comfortable, your mattress could be the problem. An old bed or pillow that does not provide you with the right amount of support can have a major effect on your sleep. A bad mattress can leave you with aches and pains because it lacks the support for your body.
A pillow with built up dust can trigger allergies or cause congestion during sleep. A simple wash could be an easy fix, but if your pillow is more than two years old you might benefit from buying a new one.
Tips to Help You Sleep Better
Purchase a New MattressPurchasing a new mattress is a good first step to help improve sleep quality if you experience back pain or can never reach full comfort when you sleep. Determining the right support for your body that promotes comfort and offers proper spinal alignment can help you achieve quality sleep. Try different types of mattresses such as memory foam, gel, innerspring, or latex to find which is right for your body.
Avoid Long Day Time NapsNaps that are long or irregular can affect your sleep schedule by confusing your internal clock. Instead of longer regular day time naps, try taking shorter naps or cut out napping all together to help improve your sleep quality.
Reduce Blue Light Exposure at NightWatching TV or using your phone or laptop before bed can trick your brain into believing it's still daytime. If possible, reducing technology and blue light use at least two hours before bed to promote a longer sleep.
How We can Help
Here at Wholesale Mattress Center, we pride ourselves on providing personalized service to help you find the perfect mattress for you. With a wide range of mattresses and pillows to choose from, we can determine which is right for you and help you achieve a quality sleep. Wholesale Mattress Center has provided the Auburn and Opelika area with the best mattresses and service for more than 20 years as a family owned business. Visit our store today to achieve the best sleep you have ever had.