Is it normal to wake up during the night?

Yes, waking during the night is normal. Sleep moves through light and deep stages, and more of the night is spent in light sleep as morning approaches, so brief awakenings are most common in the early hours. Surveys back this up: one U.S. study found that 35.5% of people wake in the middle of the night on three or more nights a week.

Most of these awakenings are short and forgotten by morning. They are more likely to be noticed when something feeds them, such as noise, light, a warm room, needing the bathroom, or stress on your mind.

It gets more than a normal quirk if you cannot get back to sleep, or if the waking leaves you tired and foggy during the day. Underlying causes can include sleep apnea, anxiety or depression, pain, certain medications, menopause and other health conditions.

Talk to your doctor if the broken sleep affects your quality of life, or if you have signs of a breathing problem during sleep, such as loud snoring, gasping or choking, or you struggle to stay awake during the day.

Source: Sleep Foundation - Why Do I Wake Up at 3 am?

Read more on noddienight.com

• Why Do I Wake Up at 3am Every Night? A Calm Guide

Related questions

• Why does stress keep me awake at night?
• Why do I wake up at the same time every night?
• How much sleep do adults need?
• Should I look at the clock when I wake up at night?
• What is the difference between trouble falling asleep and trouble staying asleep?
• When should I see a doctor about my sleep?

All night waking & falling asleep questions · All 100 questions