Waking up in the middle of the night can be frustrating, but a sleep expert has warned against a common habit that could sabotage your rest. Dr Fiona Barwick, director of the Sleep & Circadian Health Program at Stanford University, advises people not to pick up their phones if they wake up during the night.
Dr Barwick told Self that actively trying to get back to sleep can actually keep you awake longer, as it can cause anxiety. Instead, she recommends accepting the situation and finding an alternative focus. The best approach is to get up and do something 'distracting but enjoyable', such as reading, knitting, or journalling.
She cautioned against screen-based activities, including checking your phone or watching TV, as the blue light can activate your nervous system and keep you awake. 'Skip screen-based activities, like completing a work project or turning on the TV to finish that thriller—you want to distract yourself, not stress yourself out or blast your eyes with sleep-sabotaging blue light,' she said.
Dr Barwick also reassured that a poor night's sleep does not necessarily ruin the next day. 'The sleep system is self-correcting. If you get poor sleep one night, you’re more likely to get better sleep the next, as long as you don’t do anything to interfere with that process,' she said. She advised against napping or going to bed 'wildly early' to avoid disrupting your sleep schedule.
