For many, waking up in the early hours between 3-5 AM can be an ironically infuriating experience. In folklore, this time frame, often referred to as the ‘witching hour,’ is also a period when our body’s circadian rhythms are at their lowest ebb. How poetic, right?

Whether it’s due to stress, health issues, or just life reminding you that peace is a myth, finding yourself awake at this time can be disorienting – and let’s be honest, maddening.

However, the following steps can ensure your safety and well-being during these early hours. Yes, safety – because at 3 AM, the barriers between dimensions are thin, obviously.

Here are ten important things you should do if you wake up between 3-5 AM.

1. Don’t Panic

Staying calm is the first and most crucial step. Panicking can elevate your heart rate and make it harder to get back to sleep. Trust us, you don’t need a mini heart attack on top of disturbed sleep.

Practice deep breathing exercises to calm your mind and body. Inhale slowly through your nose, hold for a few seconds, and exhale through your mouth. Lather, rinse, repeat. And hope for the best.

2. Check Your Surroundings

Make sure that your surroundings are safe. If you live in an area where security is a concern, double-check that all doors and windows are locked. Imagine explaining to your friends how you were so busy contemplating the universe that you forgot to lock the front door.

This will give you peace of mind and help you relax. Because nothing says ‘relaxation’ like a double-checked deadbolt.

3. Hydrate Yourself

Often, waking up at ungodly hours can be because of dehydration. Take a few sips of water. Maybe your body is just screaming for some H2O.

Hydration can help you feel more relaxed and might even help you get back to sleep. Who knew water could be so magical?

4. Avoid Checking Your Phone

Step away from the glowing rectangle. The blue light emitted by screens can interfere with your body’s production of melatonin, the hormone that regulates sleep.

Instead, keep the lights dim and avoid screens altogether. You don’t need another pointless scroll through social media to jazz up your 3 AM wakeup call.

5. Engage in Light Stretching

Light stretching or yoga might help release any tension in your body. Focus on gentle stretches that don’t raise your heart rate too much but help relax your muscles. Because, honestly, what else do you have to lose at this juncture?

This can also ease any discomfort that might have woken you up in the first place. And maybe, just maybe, you’ll get back to that dream where you’re riding a giant sloth through space.

6. Practice Mindfulness or Meditation

Engaging in mindfulness or meditation can help center your thoughts and reduce anxiety. Because there’s nothing quite like an existential crisis when you’re already awake at 3 AM.

There are many apps and online resources with guided meditations specifically designed for relaxation and sleep. Just another tool in your no-sleep arsenal.

7. Evaluate Your Sleep Environment

Sometimes, waking up at odd hours can be due to an uncomfortable sleep environment. Check if your room is too hot or too cold, if any noises could disturb you, or if your mattress and pillows are comfortable.

Making adjustments can improve your chances of getting uninterrupted sleep in the future. Future-you will thank past-you for making smarter choices.

8. Write Down Your Thoughts

If your mind is racing with thoughts, try writing them down. Keeping a journal by your bedside allows you to jot down any concerns, tasks, or ideas that might be keeping you awake. Say goodbye to spiraling thoughts, and hello to a slightly saner 3 AM you.

This can help clear your mind and make it easier to relax. Or at least give you something interesting to read when you’re awake again tomorrow night.

9. Listen to Soothing Music or Sounds

Soothing music or nature sounds can help lull you back to sleep. Create a playlist of calming music or use a sound machine to play gentle rain, ocean waves, or other relaxing sounds.

This auditory stimulus can create a peaceful environment conducive to sleep. Because nothing says serenity like the sound of non-existent waves crashing onto a beach you can’t afford a trip to.

10. Read a Book

Reading a physical book (not an e-book) under dim lighting can make you sleepy. Choose something light and non-stimulating. Maybe avoid ‘War and Peace’ or that thriller novel.

A few pages of a favorite novel or some poetry can do wonders for calming your mind. Plus, it’s a perfect opportunity to play literary catch-up, even if it’s just at 3 AM.

And there you have it. An easy guide to surviving your early morning awakenings. Just remember, it’s probably not the universe trying to send you cryptic messages. It’s just life – unfiltered and unapologetic, as always.