Many people struggle with developing healthy sleep habits and, as a result, wake up feeling groggy and irritable instead of refreshed. Unknowingly, most individuals wake up several times during the night, though these awakenings are usually brief and not remembered. However, when the interruptions last longer and make it hard to fall back asleep, the effects can be more noticeable and damaging to overall sleep quality. These disruptions are often linked to the natural sleep cycle, which moves through wakefulness, light sleep, deep sleep, and REM (rapid eye movement) stages. REM sleep, which includes dreaming, becomes more frequent in the early morning hours and may increase the chances of waking up.

Some experts attribute frequent night awakenings to aging or sleep disorders like sleep apnea. But alternative theories suggest more spiritual or energetic causes, especially for those who consistently wake between 3:00 and 5:00 a.m. According to traditional Chinese medicine, this time period aligns with specific energy meridians in the body. The lung meridian, associated with freedom and emotional release, and the large intestine meridian, tied to physical detoxification, are most active during these hours. Disruption in these energy flows could reflect emotional or physical imbalances. This time frame is also referred to as the “Witching Hour,” a mystical concept indicating heightened spiritual energy. If you regularly wake up during these hours, it may be worth considering not only physical causes but also emotional or energetic factors your body might be signaling.