Gransnet forums

Chat

Anyone else wake at 3am and start overthinking?

(82 Posts)
Labradora Fri 05-Dec-25 16:23:26

I think that this happens to everyone. It certainly happens to me.I either get up and watch some telly or thrash about then go back to sleep.

M0nica Fri 05-Dec-25 13:59:29

I sleep with mu kindle under my pillow and a bedtime book, as soon as I wake I whipout my kindle, do not sit up, just lie reading under the sheets.

Usually I drift off to sleep in minutes. It doesn't always work, but reading a good book stops you thinking, even if you read for hours.

I think the nack is, not turning on of lights, having the brightness on you kindle turned down and the warmth turned up as much as practical. The book should be familiar and not too exciting.

kircubbin2000 Fri 05-Dec-25 10:46:27

Yes. I was trying to remember who came to my wedding. My friends all went to Europe that summer so I only had my bridesmaid. The others were people my mum invited but I can't remember many of them and I can't name some of husbands family. I might get the album down later.
..

Daffonanna Fri 05-Dec-25 10:41:54

This happens occasionally and my brain whirrs round uselessly . I find it helps if I get up , make a hot drink , take it back to bed and read until I feel sleepy . If I go back to sleep , coffee effects wake me up at normal time . If not I just accept I’m making an early start on the day .

Jaxjacky Fri 05-Dec-25 10:22:58

www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&cx=010995057459380558086:wn3vvylhmc4&q=https://www.gransnet.com/forums/chat/1353563-A-thread-for-the-3-am-crew%3Fpg%3D2&sa=U&ved=2ahUKEwi1poqNnaaRAxWOTqQEHZQsKaEQFnoECAEQAg&usg=AOvVaw1xN8b5_RPHE7R4MvLwTI7j

Existing thread may help.

25Avalon Fri 05-Dec-25 10:22:53

Frequently awake between 3 and 4 am. I’ve tried counting sheep but I can count really fast backwards and my brain is thinking of other things at the same time. Working through the alphabet for flowers or names sometimes works. Otherwise I give up and read a book for an hour or so. Then when I finally get back to sleep I’m really tired when it’s time to get up.

EthanCarter Fri 05-Dec-25 10:03:25

Recently I’ve started waking up around 3am and my brain immediately jumps to old memories, worries and “to do” lists.😵😵😵
Most of the time everything feels manageable in daylight, but in the small hours it all seems much bigger.
Does anyone have tricks for calming that middle-of-the-night mind chatter?