What does waking up at 5am mean

Some people may find that they wake up far earlier than they would like and then find it difficult to get back to sleep. The stress that this causes can often exacerbate the problem.

They also advise ditching the caffeine and alcohol in favour of a herbal tea before bed, not eating meals late at night and not using devices with bright light right before you go to sleep. But Penelope Ling, one of our sleep experts, suggests that early morning waking is linked to depression. Continuous disruption of sleep can cause depression, but equally, depression can trigger insomnia. There is also evidence that depression encourages longer stretches of sleep at different times, and that reducing the amount of sleep for a depressed individual can be beneficial.

The NHS advises treatment based around the severity of the condition so for mild depression, treatment options like exercise and therapy might be suggested. Cognitive behavioural therapy CBT and counselling is an option suggested for those with mild to moderate depression, and anti-depressants are given as one treatment option for those with severe depression.

They may even have a role in moderating our fears in waking life — making us less reactive and so more able to act more responsively in our daily lives. My advice would be if this is the case, do not beat yourself up about it too much, and embrace your larkishness, taking advantage of more energy earlier in the day.

Children are notorious for not sleeping through the night and while they tend to grow out of it at some stage, it can be an uncomfortable couple of years in some cases. Lauren Peacock at Little Sleep Stars is a child sleep specialist. As one of the most breathable materials, a linen duvet cover like this set from La Redoute will keep your temperature regulated during the winter months.

While it might feel natural to bundle up in warm layers, the combination of radiator heating and warm layers could see those struggling to stay asleep in the morning waking up in a sweat. As James Wilson suggests, a blackout blind is great way to keep unwelcome sunlight out of your bedroom. Available in many sizes and shapes, this one will fit most windows and its striking black colour is sure to give you a good night's sleep.

If you and any little ones are on the move frequently, a blackout blind that you can take with you wherever you go might be a better option than a stationary one. Argos has lots of options for blackout blinds, check them out here.

As recommended by sleep expert James Wilson, blocking out sunlight will help you sleep better through to the morning. While it might be pricier than some of the other fans on the market, this Dyson fan is especially great as it purifies the air before sending it around the room. This means that instead of just hot, stale air being blown about, the air will help cool you down.

As James suggests, if you're in the market for a new mattress and having trouble sleeping, then an open spring mattress might be the one for you. Foam mattresses tend to make us feel warm and if you're already struggling to sleep in the heat, then your mattress could be making it worse.

We love this magnesium body butter from Neom, as its wondrous lavender smell and magnesium combination sends us into easy sleep almost instantly. A real winner if you love a bath before bed, just sprinkle some of these into your water for a little helping of magnesium. And ditch the screens for an hour before bed; try reading a book instead. According to the Chinese Body Clock , the energy meridian that services your gall bladder is activated during these hours. Waking up in this time frame is also associated with emotional disappointment, bitterness, and resentment; some suggest that you practice self-acceptance, let go of the mistakes that you or others have made, and focus on feelings of forgiveness before trying to get back to sleep.

The solution: Try having your dinner earlier in the evening, and avoid late-night snacking wherever possible. Your liver is being refreshed during these hours, according to the Chinese Body Clock, which means that, if you wake up during this time, your liver could have too much to do. Tweaking your diet and reducing late-night alcohol consumption could be the key to solving this issue.

Damien Stevens, a doctor of sleep and pulmonary medicine at the University of Kansas Hospital, backs the idea that drinking late at night is bad for your sleep cycle.

Speaking to Time. Timothy Roehrs, director of sleep disorders research at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, adds that many people do feel sleepy after a glass of wine or bourbon — but that the effects never last for long. Once your body has broken down and metabolised the alcohol, the deep sleep phase of your cycle is over; instead, your sleep becomes fitful, as your brain waves are stimulated. According to the Chinese Body Clock, this is when the meridian that services your lungs is strongest, replenishing them and giving them a boost of energy for the day ahead.

Waking up and coughing during this time could be a sign that you need to consume healthier food or breathe cleaner air. The solution: Try to engage in some outdoor exercise at some point in the day. However, Dr Nerina Ramlakhan advises that we t ry to avoid any vigorous activity in the three hours before bed , as it releases the stress hormones in the body. This time is for the renewal and cleansing of your large intestine, according to the Chinese Body Clock.

Learn more about yourself and about your spiritual power that lies within yourself. Being awakened between 5 and 7 a. These aspects are not separate and distinct, but different manifestations of the same core imbalance. What's more, according to traditional Chinese medicine, the function of the large intestine is to let go of things that don't serve us.

This relates to both physical and emotional aspects. Basically, traditional Chinese medicine focuses on a mind-body connection , and if this speaks to you it's worth learning more about what your body might be trying to tell you. Because it's not all in your head. By Brandi Neal. Perfect manscaping tips for millennial men. When Shruti Haasan openly admitted to undergoing plastic surgery. How to care for your baby's skin the right way. The perfect beauty product for oily skin.

See all results matching 'mub'. Count: We have sent you a verification email. To verify, just follow the link in the message. Share fbshare twshare pinshare Comments 0. If you are brought awake naturally at this time, it signifies emotional disappointment.

In order to get back a normal sleep routine, you must practise forgiveness and self-love. If you are brought awake naturally at this time, it signifies problems of anger and an excess of the yang energy in your body.

Try anger management techniques so that your sleep is not disrupted. Immediately, you can have cold water and think about what made you angry during the day and try to settle with it. However, this time frame can also suggest a spiritual awakening. If you are brought awake naturally at this time, try to deep breathe, be hopeful and stay optimistic about the future.

If you are brought awake naturally at this time, it signifies emotional blockages.