Stress, anxiety: the real disruptors of the early morning
The brain, partially awakened, then restarts cognitive activity, sometimes abruptly.
This phenomenon is even more pronounced in people suffering from:
- anxiety,
- mental overload
- of emotional exhaustion,
- or chronic stress.
Thus, many people find that they always wake up at the same time, as if their brain has memorized this pattern. And in a way… that’s what happens.
When blood sugar affects your waking
A lesser-known but equally important factor concerns glucose regulation. Even at night, the body must maintain a stable blood sugar level.
If blood sugar drops:
- The liver releases glucose,
- and the body secretes cortisol and adrenaline,
two hormones… which naturally promote wakefulness.
The result: a sudden awakening, sometimes accompanied by a feeling of tension or increased alertness.
Late meals, dinners too high in carbohydrates, or alcohol consumption can accentuate this mechanism.
The sleep environment: a detail that changes everything
Is the room cool, dark, and quiet?
It seems obvious, but these conditions remain essential.
Between 3 a.m. and 4 a.m., the brain becomes more reactive to external stimuli. Thus, a:
- Heating too high.
- draft,
- snoring,
- car passing
- or even a street light
may cause an awakening.
At this time of night, even the micro-movements of the partner have a greater impact.
And what about spirituality in all of this?
In some cultures, waking up at such a precise time is perceived as a spiritual sign: a moment of introspection, inner transition, or heightened intuition.
