It's very annoying if you wake up at night and can't fall back asleep. It's tempting to set your alarm for that morning a little later if you have the option. And maybe you can take a nap the next day, but is that all sensible?
According to Michael Perlis, affiliated with the Behavioral Sleep Medicine Program, no. The best thing he thinks you can do after a sleepless night? Nothing.
It will be all right Sleeping longer, taking a nap or going to bed extra early the next day could further destroy your sleep schedule. Yes, that means you are very tired, but one tired day is better than the long-term consequences of a disturbed sleep pattern.
Another wise lesson from the sleep expert
If you can't sleep, it's best to get out of bed. We are often focused on the number of hours we can sleep. It's annoying that you can only sleep for four hours, but according to Michael Perlis, you get really frustrated when you lie in bed and wait until you can go back to sleep. So get out of bed anyway.
