Are These Habits Waking You in the Middle of the Night?

There’s no better feeling than getting a good night’s rest. You wake up refreshed and feeling ready to tackle the day. Conversely, if you’re up on and off all night, it’s likely to have a negative impact on your day to come.

With this in mind, it’s imperative to pinpoint why you’re waking up. This allows you to take action in search of a permanent solution. Here are five habits that may be contributing to you waking up in the middle of the night.

• Sleep schedule: Changing when you go to bed and when you wake up can wreak havoc on your “internal clock.” Set a schedule and stick with it.

• Alcohol consumption: While a drink may help you fall asleep, it also has the potential to keep you from the deep sleep stages.

• Electronic usage: Do you often browse on your smartphone or watch television before bed? The light stimulates your brain.

• Caffeine consumption: Much the same as alcohol, caffeine (such as in a cup of coffee) can make it a challenge to stay asleep. It can take as long as eight hours for the effects of caffeine to wear off.

• Smoking: Nicotine is a stimulant that can make it difficult to fall asleep and stay asleep. Also, it’s possible that you’ll wake up in the middle of the night craving a nicotine fix.

Are any of these habits waking you in the middle of the night? What steps can you take to improve your sleep?

Jennifer Ferdinand, owner of Serendipity Wellness Studio in Burke, VA, has been practicing massage therapy and esthetics since 2006. She is nationally certified through NCBTMB, and licensed in Virginia for both Massage Therapy and Esthetics.