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The issue isn’t a lack of effort or discipline. In most cases, the body is stuck in a heightened state of arousal. Even when you feel exhausted, your nervous system may still be on high alert, reacting as if there’s a hidden danger.
Sleep specialist Michael Breus explains that falling back asleep isn’t about battling your body—it’s about helping it slow down.
Why do you wake up in the middle of the night?
Sleep is governed by two opposing systems: