A psychologist has offered guidance for people who find themselves awake at 3 am. Dr Michael J Breus is a clinical psychologist and sleep medicine specialist who has gained a following from his books and social media appearances.

For those who find themselves wide awake in the middle of the night, a psychologist has shared some insights. Dr. Michael J. Breus, a renowned clinical psychologist and expert in sleep medicine, has attracted a significant audience thanks to his books and presence on social media.

As the creator of ‘Sleep Doctor,’ Dr. Breus frequently appears in @Thesleepdoctor’s TikTok content. In one particular video, he delves into the common issue of waking up at 3 am. He suggests that this phenomenon might have a ‘natural’ explanation.

Dr. Breus noted, “Many individuals question why they find themselves awake between one and three in the morning. The answer lies in your biological makeup.

“Your body temperature gradually climbs until about 10:30 pm, after which it begins to decrease. This drop signals your brain to produce melatonin. The core body temperature continues to decline thereafter.

“However, there comes a point when your body needs to warm itself to prevent hypothermia, typically occurring between one and three in the morning. This is a universal experience, as everyone wakes up during this time.”

Yet, if waking up leads to difficulty falling back asleep, Dr. Breus suggests it could point to an underlying issue. He elaborated, “While most individuals simply turn over and doze off again, some might face a different challenge, known as insomnia.”

The advice adds that you probably do not get enough sleep if you feel tired constantly. Signs of insomnia include waking up several times in the night, having difficulty falling asleep, waking up early, and still feeling tired after waking.

Some common causes of insomnia include stress, noise, uncomfortable beds, shift work, alcohol, and sleeping in a room that’s too hot or too cold.

The NHS said: “A GP will try to find out what’s causing your insomnia so you get the right treatment. Sometimes you’ll be offered cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). This may be face-to-face with a therapist, or through an online self-help programme.

The advice continued: “GPs now rarely prescribe sleeping pills to treat insomnia. Sleeping pills can have serious side effects and you can become dependent on them. Sleeping pills are only prescribed for a few days, or weeks at the most, if your insomnia is very bad and other treatments have not worked.”

More advice is available on the NHS website. Always speak to a GP about any health concerns.