Expert shares one thing you should never do if you wake up in the middle of the night

From nottinghampost.com

Around one-third of Brits are regularly battling insomnia. The reasons for losing sleep are many, and there are plenty of ways to help - but there's one thing you absolutely shouldn't do if you find yourself awake in the wee hours

For countless individuals, the still, small hours can morph into a marathon of wakefulness, as elusive slumber evades them, while others ease into dreams almost instantly. According to research, approximately one third of people in Britain grapple with insomnia on a regular basis.

It's not merely the struggle to fall asleep that disrupts a restful night; repeated interruptions can plague even the most weary, often due to stress or uncomfortable room temperatures. However, those who find peace in sleep less attainable, take heart, for there are proven methods to aid your pilgrimage to dreamland.

These include being mindful of late-night eating and embracing the soothing ritual of a warm bath before bed. But heed this vital piece of advice for moments spent gazing at the ceiling at 3am: avoid grabbing your mobile.

Dr Biquan Luo, CEO of LumosTech, informed the New York Post that, "Checking the time can increase stress and make it harder to sleep. Additionally, if you check the time on your phone, the contents of the phone may be too stimulating, which further prevents you from relaxing and falling asleep."

Moreover, the pervasive blue glow emitted by our digital companions such as smartphones and TVs has been shown to interfere with natural sleep rhythms, leading to suggestions from experts to set them aside when retiring for the evening, reports the Mirror.

                                                        Do you lie awake at night? (Image: Getty Images)

A sleep specialist has advised that if you wake up in the middle of the night, it's best to stay in bed and try to relax. "When you wake up in the middle of the night, it's best to stay in bed at first, try to relax, and see if you can fall asleep again."

If you can't fall back asleep after 10 or 15 minutes, it's time to get out of bed.

Try going to a quiet and comfortable place at home, like the couch, and engage in a quiet, low-stimulation activity, such as reading a book or doing a calming activity, until you feel sleepy again - then return to bed. " However, if you're still struggling with sleep, the NHS advises seeing a GP if sleep evades you despite changing habits, if the problem has persisted over months, and if it impacts your daily life negatively.

https://www.nottinghampost.com/news/uk-world-news/expert-shares-one-thing-you-9761686