A full night of uninterrupted sleep is often taken for granted, yet it’s crucial for waking up refreshed and fully productive the next day. Many assume that simply going to bed at a reasonable hour guarantees rest, only to find themselves awake in the middle of the night—most commonly between 3:00am and 5:00am. Struggling to fall back asleep can leave one groggy and exhausted, impacting daily performance.

Interestingly, this phenomenon isn’t just a random quirk of sleep patterns or bad luck. There’s a deeper significance to why so many people wake up during these particular hours. The period between 3:00am and 5:00am has long been referred to as the “hour of the wolf,” a phrase popularized by Swedish director Ingmar Bergman in his psychological horror film of the same name. This time is often associated with heightened anxiety, restlessness, or even a sense of loneliness, which could explain why so many people find themselves awake during these hours.