POPSUGAR UK

I Started Waking Up Hours Before My Alarm, So I Asked a Sleep Doctor What to Do

06/10/2021 - 04:45 PM

When I have sleep problems, it's usually not about struggling to fall asleep [1]; I conk out pretty quickly once I get in bed. For me, the problem comes on the other side, when I'll wake up two hours before my alarm, perfectly alert and awake and ready to start my day despite repeatedly telling my brain that, hello, excuse me, it's really not time yet.

Turns out there are a few reasons this could be happening to me (and you) and — even better — a couple of things to do right now that can help. POPSUGAR spoke to Vaishnavi Kundel, MD, assistant professor of pulmonary, critical care, and sleep medicine at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, to figure out what it is that's waking us up way too early and what we can do to sleep straight through to morning.

Why Am I Waking Up So Early?

There are a few different reasons you might be waking up too early and finding yourself unable to sleep in, Dr. Kundel said.

How Do I Sleep Longer?

If you're waking up during the night or having trouble sleeping in until your alarm, there are a few things you can do to help you sleep longer and better.

How Do I Fall Back Asleep at Night?

Dr. Kundel also recommends a couple of techniques to help you fall back asleep at night, if counting sheep isn't cutting it anymore.

Try a couple of these techniques before bed tonight, and happy sleeping!


Source URL
https://www.popsugar.co.uk/fitness/why-cant-i-sleep-in-anymore-48538968