Why many wake up between 3 a.m. and 4 a.m. - the secret reasons!

Why many wake up between 3 a.m. and 4 a.m. - the secret reasons!

Karlsruhe, Deutschland - sometimes you wake up in the middle of the night and wonder what happened? You are not alone! According to a study by the science company ka-news.de there is a time when the so-called is particularly common: the so-called "Wolf hour", between three and four in the morning. This is the deepest night hour, a term that comes from antiquity, when nocturnal wolves were the only beings that were awake.

The current results of the Pronova BKK show that about one fifth German wakes up to five times a night. There are several reasons why we open the eyes in this mysterious time, which is particularly illuminated in sleep research. Often it is everyday factors such as walking to the toilet, worries or disruptive environmental conditions that many people have to sleep through.

why the wolf hour?

In this special hour there is an interesting dynamic of the hormones. Melatonin, the sleep hormone, reaches its peak, while the serotonin and cortisol levels are low. This can cause us to have easy sleep and are therefore more susceptible to stimuli such as noises or changes in the room temperature. Sleeping research shows that in this phase the rem-phases (dream sleep) increases and the deep sleep decreases, which makes waking up easier, such as onMeda.de explained.

Another study underlines the role of hormonal fluctuations: While the body temperature drops and certain brain regions are less supplied with, prematurely waste of melatonin can favor prematurely. In the wolf hour, many people report emotional difficult or negative feelings, which could explain why waking up often goes hand in hand with a queasy feeling.

a small guide for better sleep

If you also have difficulty sleeping in, is not alone. Almost 40 % of Germans occasionally use sleeping pills. However, experts such as the sleep researcher Gerd Herold recommend that you refrain from melatonin -containing preparations and rely on herbal alternatives such as valerian, passion flower or lemon balm. These are often better tolerated and can help restore the night's sleep.

Introduce
• sleep rituals: go to bed every evening at the same time.
• carry out relaxation exercises, such as breathing techniques.
• Enjoy a soothing drink before going to bed.
• Turn the duvet on the cool side.
• ensure darkness in the bedroom.

Sleeping research is a fascinating field that continues to provide new knowledge. Interested parties can find more on the website of the Science conference , which gives exciting insights into the mechanisms of sleep.

So if you wake up for the wolf hour next time, remember: many sleep uneasy during this time. Perhaps it is actually due to an unfavorable interaction of the hormones or the everyday stress that accompany us in sleep.