A doctor has revealed why you “keep waking up at 3am”. According to the expert, this could be due to stress levels. Waking up at various times throughout the night is not that uncommon. Noise or needing to go to the toilet could cause this.

Ever wondered why you often find yourself waking up at 3 a.m.? A doctor has shed light on this common issue, pointing to stress as a potential culprit. It’s not unusual to wake up during the night due to various reasons such as noise or the need to use the bathroom.

However, if this becomes a regular occurrence, it might indicate a deeper problem. In a recent episode of his podcast, “No Appointment Necessary,” Dr. Amir Khan delved into the subject further.

Dr. Amir, known for his appearances on ITV, suggests that high cortisol levels might be to blame. Cortisol, a hormone released when the body is stressed, plays a significant role. He explained, “Cortisol exhibits what we call diurnal variation, meaning its levels fluctuate throughout the day. Typically, it peaks in the morning and decreases at night to help you sleep.”

This could result in a 3/4am wake up every night. He said: “Your cortisol level starts to rise around 3/4am and then it starts to wake you up a bit later on.

“But if you’ve got a baseline cortisol that is already high and it starts to rise naturally at 3/4am, you’re going to get up at 3/4am because it’s not a natural rise anymore. You’ve already started at a much higher level.

This disruption could lead to waking up consistently around 3 or 4 a.m. Dr. Amir pointed out, “Cortisol levels begin to rise naturally around this time, which can rouse you from sleep if your baseline cortisol is already elevated.”

He added, “If your cortisol starts high and then increases at 3 or 4 a.m., you’re likely to wake up because it’s not a natural increase anymore; you began at an elevated level.”

On its website, the NHS highlights how stress can cause your body to release cortisol. It said: “Stress is usually a reaction to mental or emotional pressure.

“It’s often related to feeling like you’re losing control over something, but sometimes there’s no obvious cause. When you’re feeling anxious or scared, your body releases stress hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol.

“This can be helpful for some people and stress might help you get things done or feel more motivated. But it might also cause physical symptoms such as a faster heartbeat or sweating. If you’re stressed all the time, it can become a problem.”

Identifying the cause of stress

If you know what’s causing your stress, it might be easier to find ways to manage it, the NHS says.

• Some examples of things that may cause stress include:
• Work – feeling pressure at work, unemployment or retirement
• Family – relationship difficulties, divorce or caring for someone
• Financial problems – unexpected bills or borrowing money
• Health – illness, injury, or losing someone (grief after bereavement or loss)
• Significant life events such as buying a house, having a baby or planning a wedding

The NHS says you should see a GP if:

• You’re struggling to cope with stress
• Things you’re trying yourself are not helping
• You would prefer to get a referral from a GP

How much sleep do you need?

Everyone needs different amounts of sleep. On average:

• Adults need seven to nine hours
• Children need nine to 13 hours
• Toddlers and babies need 12 to 17 hours

The NHS adds that you should also see a GP if changing your sleeping habits has not helped your insomnia, you’ve had trouble sleeping for months, or your insomnia is affecting your daily life in a way that makes it hard for you to cope.