THE 3AM WAKE-UP (and how to avoid it)

If youre struggling with sleep disruption, the reason may surprise you

- AMBER BRAMBLE

While we've all had moments when we've struggled to doze off, it's sometimes only half the battle. For those who suffer from sleep disturbance, waking up too early can be an even bigger problem - and strangely, many people find that it strikes at some time around 3am.

If that sounds like you, the first thing to know is waking up isn't the problem.

"It's normal to wake through the night, at least once, to use the bathroom," sleep expert Olivia Arezzolo explains.

"However, it's not normal to be unable to return to sleep and this is something that is surprisingly common."

THE WITCHING HOUR 

It may sound like the plot of a zombie film, but it really is true that many people stir from their sleep during the period between 3am and 4am. It's sometimes called the witching hour, and in ancient folklore this was said to be the time when supernatural forces were at their most powerful.