A doctor has explained why some people consistently wake up at 3am, linking it to high stress levels. Dr Amir Khan, known for his appearances on ITV, discussed the issue on his podcast 'No Appointment Necessary'. He said that waking up at this time could be due to elevated cortisol, a hormone released when the body is stressed.
Dr Khan explained that cortisol naturally fluctuates throughout the day, peaking in the morning and dropping at night to aid sleep. However, chronic stress keeps cortisol levels high, preventing the necessary nighttime drop. This can make falling asleep difficult and lead to waking around 3 or 4am, as cortisol begins to rise naturally at that time from an already elevated baseline.
The NHS confirms that stress triggers the release of hormones like cortisol and adrenaline, which can cause physical symptoms such as a faster heartbeat or sweating. While stress can sometimes be motivating, persistent stress can become a problem. The NHS advises seeing a GP if changing sleep habits does not help insomnia, if sleep troubles persist for months, or if they significantly impact daily life.
