Waking up in the middle of the night and struggling to drift back off can be incredibly frustrating. The urge to sleep in the next morning or sneak in a nap feels irresistible—but is it truly helpful?
Michael Perlis, affiliated with the Behavioral Sleep Medicine Program, says no. His recommendation after a rough night? Stick to your routine and do nothing out of the ordinary.
It Will Be Okay
Sleeping longer, napping, or hitting the hay extra early risks throwing your sleep schedule further off track. Sure, you'll feel exhausted that day, but one off day beats the lasting damage of chronic disruption.
Another Proven Tip from the Sleep Specialist
Can't fall asleep? Get out of bed. We're often obsessed with logging enough hours, which amps up frustration when staring at the clock after just four hours. Perlis advises rising anyway to break the cycle of wakeful anxiety.
