Can’t Sleep in Anymore?

After a long and exhausting week, the best part of the weekend is sleeping in late. It is a chance to cuddle up in bed, snuggle under the covers, and catch up on some much-needed rest. So why are you up before the sun on a Saturday morning? How come you feel tired, but your body just won’t let you sleep in an extra few hours?

The answer to why you can’t sleep in may be complicated. Several factors could be keeping you from getting the rest you need. If you find that you are waking up too early, can’t sleep in, or don’t feel rested after you get up in the morning, consider these potential issues.

Your Weekday Routine

If you only have problems not being able to sleep in on the weekends, it may be because of your body’s internal clock. The body is all about maintaining patterns. If you habitually get up at 7:00 a.m. each morning, your body knows to start its wake-cycle just before that time. You have effectively set your body’s clock to recognize this pattern. Your body doesn’t know the difference between Monday morning and Saturday morning, so it doesn’t recognize the need to “sleep in.”

Blue Light and Electronics 

We live in a society dominated by technology. Computer screens, phones, televisions, and tablets surround us, even at night. If you are always checking your phone before bed or are watching TV in bed, you are subjecting your brain to blue light. Blue light from electronic devices suppresses melatonin production. Melatonin is a sleep-inducing hormone that helps you fall asleep and stay asleep. Blue light may also disrupt your sleep-wake cycle.  

Anxiety

Thinking about what you must do tomorrow, money woes, stress from your job, there is no shortage of anxiety-inducing thoughts. Anxiety can make it difficult to fall asleep. Once you finally fall asleep, anything that wakes you up can trigger another round of anxious thoughts. These thoughts can float through your head and keep you awake.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea 

Obstructive sleep apnea is a medical condition where a person’s airway becomes blocked off while they sleep. This obstruction causes the individual to stop breathing for a period of time, waking them up even if they are not fully aware they are awake. Sleep apnea can be a serious condition that prevents a person from sleeping in. It can also degrade their quality of sleep. Obstructive sleep apnea can also lead to other serious health complications.

Start Sleeping Better Today 

Caffeine consumption, restless leg syndrome, alcohol consumption, and insomnia can also contribute to being unable to sleep in. If you are having trouble sleeping in or you don’t feel well-rested after a full night’s sleep, it may be time for a sleep consultation.

At Silent Night Therapy, we want to help people improve the quality of their sleep and overall health. Our team can help diagnose sleep disorders and give you the answers you’ve been looking for. Don’t settle for an okay night’s sleep. Schedule a complimentary sleep consultation with our office today or call us at 631-983-2463 today.