Why can't I stay asleep?

[basildonbond]

Every morning for the past week I've woken up really early - yesterday was 4:45 - today I looked at the clock and it was 4:15!!

There's nothing obvious waking me up - no noises I'm aware of and it's not exactly the same time every morning

It's not the light as it's too early still

Once I'm awake I can't go back to sleep so
I'm absolutely knackered. Getting to sleep when I go to bed is no problem as I'm so shattered I'm asleep as soon as my head hits the pillow

Any ideas? It's really starting to get me down

[NorksofPlenty]

No ideas I'm afraid, but this has been me for the past 3 nights too! I'm drinking warm milk and am heading back to bed now to see if I can manage another hour before the dcs wake up.

[HexBramble]

Maintenance insomnia. Once you start the early waking (perhaps there was a physical reason for it/disturbance etc but you quickly form the habit of waking at that time.

Key is to try and interrupt that habit - herbal help, a later bedtime (temporary) or if it persists, GP.

I did years ago and was prescribed a low dose Valium - only for 2 weeks - so I wouldn't become reliant. It worked though.

Now I just wake at silly o clock because of DD's.

You have my sympathies OP. It's knackering.

[basildonbond]

Thanks both - I'm trying to stay up later but because I'm so bloody knackered I'm conking out as soon as I try to read etc. I don't drink coffee or normal tea after about 4pm

Will see if herbal remedies make any difference and if not head to the GP

[calamitygin]

how old are you? early morning wakings/broken sleep is one of the signs that you could be peri menopausal like me

[ihatethecold]

I wake early because for 4 days a week my DH gets up very very early for work.

Drives me bonkers, when he is off I'm still waking up at 5 ish.

By the evening I'm knackered.
I crawl into bed and pass out.

[basildonbond]

I am 50 .. But apparently hormone levels nowhere near menopausal (had blood test done few months ago as was hoping to get away with not having new coil ...)

[BuzzardBird]

The only way I can break this similar cycle is to not look at the clock. Try not to open your eyes and going back to sleep will be easier. I suffer with chronic insomnia so am definitely not an expert on how to sleep but 'clock watching' makes me worse.

[HexBramble]

OP - try and ditch the caffeine after 12 if you can, then cut down altogether for an experimental week (although I s'pose caffeine withdrawals will bring it's own set of probs if you drink lots of coffee).

I crash and burn early evening but I'm also anaemic with v short energy reserves. Could be worth a visit to GP for MOT blood tests?