Do you often wake up at 3 a.m. and struggle to fall back asleep? You’re not alone.

While it’s common to wake briefly during the night, staying awake at that hour can be frustrating—and exhausting the next day.

Why It Happens
“Waking up in the middle of the night is often a very frustrating experience,” especially when you’re stuck watching the clock. Though we all wake briefly during normal sleep cycles, most don’t even notice. Our sleep moves through light, deep, and REM (dreaming) stages. According to experts, “we have longer deep sleep cycles earlier in the night and longer REM cycles the closer we get to morning.”

The Problem with 3 a.m.
If you’re waking around 3 a.m. and can’t get back to sleep, it may indicate deeper issues. It could be due to stress, anxiety, disrupted sleep patterns, or even physical conditions like sleep apnea. Figuring out your specific cause is key: “Figure out what your reason is, and you will be well on your way to solving the problem.”