Why You Wake Up at Night: Insomnia, Sleep Anxiety & Better Sleep with Dr. Shelby Harris

Waking up in the middle of the night and struggling to fall back asleep can feel exhausting, especially when it starts happening over and over again.

In this episode of The Rest Factor Podcast, Dr. Shelby Harris breaks down why nighttime awakenings are more common than many people realize and how our reactions to them can make it harder to fall back asleep.

The conversation explores sleep anxiety, the pressure to get a “perfect” night of sleep, and how habits like checking your phone, watching the clock, or relying too heavily on sleep trackers can actually increase frustration around sleep. Dr. Harris also shares practical strategies for handling wake-ups and explains why trying to force yourself to sleep often backfires.

This conversation is about understanding how sleep actually works, reducing the fear around a bad night, and building a healthier relationship with sleep.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

✅ Why waking up during the night can be completely normal

✅ What can turn a brief wake-up into hours of insomnia

✅ Why checking your phone or the time can make it harder to fall back asleep

✅ How sleep trackers can sometimes increase sleep anxiety

✅ What to do when your brain feels wide awake in the middle of the night

Disclaimer:

The information shared in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional before making any changes to your diet, sleep routine, or health habits.

Links:

Website: https://sleep.me/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chilipad/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@chilipad