Waking up at midnight: four reasons why sleep is often disrupted

Over 850 million adults—approximately 16 percent of the global population—suffer from insomnia. Experts identify four common reasons that can interrupt nighttime sleep. Understanding these factors helps improve the situation.

Approximately 16 percent of the world's adult population—meaning more than 850 million people—suffer from insomnia, and one of the most common complaints is frequent waking during the night.

The first and one of the most frequent reasons is stress and anxiety. If worries accumulated during the day continue to trouble a person, the brain becomes active at night as well, causing sleep to become shallow and fragmented. This is why it is important to establish a relaxing routine before bedtime.

Second, body temperature significantly affects sleep. The human body needs a drop in temperature to achieve deep sleep, and a bedroom that is too warm can cause frequent waking. The recommended room temperature for sleeping ranges from 16–19 degrees Celsius.

Third, a common cause is a disrupted circadian rhythm resulting from irregular lifestyle habits. Late dinner, alcohol, or screen use before bedtime can shift the body's internal clock and worsen sleep quality.

Fourth, various health problems can interrupt sleep, including sleep apnea, frequent nighttime urination, or chronic pain. If nighttime waking occurs repeatedly and affects daytime functioning, it is worth consulting a doctor who can help identify the underlying cause of the problem.