Should I look at the clock when I wake up at night?

It is better not to watch the clock. Sleep Foundation notes that clock watching can make falling asleep harder, especially for people with insomnia, because tracking the time raises frustration and stress. Turn the clock face away, put your phone out of reach, and use roughly 20 minutes of wakefulness as your cue to get up.

Checking the time starts the math: how many hours are left, how tired you will be. That kind of thinking is alerting, which is the opposite of what you want.

A phone is a double trap. The screen light can suppress melatonin, and a quick time check often turns into reading messages or news.

If you need an alarm, set it before bed and turn the display away. If you wake up, rely on how you feel and not on the number. When you feel clearly awake after what seems like about 20 minutes, get up, keep the lights dim and do something calm until you are sleepy.

If night waking keeps happening despite better sleep habits, mention it to your doctor.

Source: Sleep Foundation - How to Fall Back Asleep After Waking Up

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