'I'm a sleep expert - here's why you wake up every day at 4am'
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A sleep expert has revealed why many people wake up at 4am some mornings, and also given tips on how to avoid it happening. Many have their night’s rest ruined by waking early and then struggling to nod back off after being interrupted. An expert has revealed there may be a reason why this happens - and how to possibly avoid it happening in the future.
Lisa Artis, deputy CEO of The Sleep Charity , which has teamed up with Simba mattresses told SurreyLive : “Sleep is guided by our internal clock or circadian rhythm. One of the most significant and well-known circadian rhythms is the sleep-wake cycle.
“Sleep is regulated by the levels of two hormones: melatonin and cortisol, which follow a regular 24-hour pattern. Melatonin helps you fall asleep, while cortisol aids in waking you up and keeping you alert. "Monitoring your hormone levels can be crucial in avoiding those middle-of-the-night disturbances. The reproductive hormones – oestrogen and progesterone – are entwined with the sleep and relaxation hormones, melatonin and serotonin.
"When oestrogen begins to fall before and during menopause, it can create a disturbance in the sleep-promoting hormone melatonin, meaning it can’t properly balance out cortisol. When this happens, the ability to fall and stay asleep is affected.”. Dr Mariyam H. Malik added there are a number of things people can do before they turn their lights off at night to ensure they sleep through to morning. The expert suggested avoiding screens for at least two hours before bedtime or using blue light filters, and charging devices in a separate room overnight to aid melatonin production.
