Experts have warned of the ‘worst’ thing you can do if you happen to wake up in the middle of the night.
Most of us touch at least once while sleeping, while others wake up several times during the night.
But while many of us want to go back to sleep, for others it is not so straightforward.
There are things you shouldn’t do if you wake up at night (Getty Stock Photo)
But according to experts, if you happen to wake up in the night and struggle to get back to sleep, there’s one thing you absolutely shouldn’t do.
And no, it’s not raiding the fridge for a snack, although we imagine that’s not a good idea either.
An expert, Dr. Fiona Barwick, director of the Sleep & Circadian Health Program at Stanford University School of Medicine, explained that instead of lying in bed thinking you can’t get back to sleep, there’s a better alternative.
She told Self: “Thinking about the fact that you’re not sleeping can wake up your mind and make you more anxious.
“A better move is to accept your situation—not resist being awake—and find an alternative focus.”
Worrying about not sleeping is a big no-no (Getty Stock Photo)
Another expert has argued that if you can’t get back to sleep, ‘it’s important not to stay in bed’.
Sleep expert Luis F. Buenaver explained to John Hopkins Medicine, “If you do this, your brain and body will associate your bed with wakefulness instead of sleep.
“It can be hard to leave a warm, comfortable bed after waking up in the middle of the night.
“But think of this step as an investment in better sleep—if not tonight, then tomorrow night and in the future.
“Sit in a comfortable chair in another room.
“Read a book with just enough light on so you can comfortably see the print.
“If your mind is racing (perhaps going over a work presentation you want to give in the morning or trying to solve a problem in your life), distract yourself by listening to quiet music or a recorded book for a few minutes. Do nothing stressful like working or paying bills.”
Buenaver also explained that if you have a bad night’s sleep, it’s important not to sleep the next day and to follow your usual routine.
“Don’t sleep in, don’t sleep and don’t go to bed early the next night,” he added.
“Get up at your usual time and go to bed at your usual bedtime. You may feel a bit more tired than usual during the day, but by increasing your body’s appetite for sleep, you’ll ensure a better night – and you’ll put yourself on the path to healthy sleep afterwards.”