My opinon on that is during the day most people are distracted and busy. At night when in bed, the energy of the day is gone and there's nothing to distract. It's just you and your thoughts.

I can get to sleep usually. Once in a while I'll have some trouble, but getting to sleep isn't the issue for me. The issue is not being able to fall back to sleep if I wake up in the middle of the night. Between 2:00am and 3:00am are my prime time for overthinking, the inability to redirect my thoughts, etc. I used to get super frustrated by it but I've kind of learned to accept and surrender to it when it happens, which helps me relax a bit. Somtimes I can actually channel my anxious thoughts into problem solving thoughts, especially if work related. Can't tell you how many times I've had a work problem that I can't get my arms around during the work day but solutions become crystal clear while lying wide awake at 2:00am.

Thanks, for the input. Your sleep sessions sound like mine. I have a routine, do all the “right” things to foster a good sleep environment and yet…….

The more we fret, the more cortisol our bodies crank out. So when we are anxious, and wake up at 3 am, it often is the cortisol rushing through our bodies and we start ruminating or fretting. Then wide awake! And unhappy! I know because this happens to me.

Yeah same. Try to do all the “good sleep hygiene” stuff and I think my brain just gets in the way, sometimes. Even when I don’t feel particularly anxious, I’m not a great sleeper. I was like that even as a kid.

Anyway, hang in there!

i favor the theory that it is because the world is quiet enough to hear my own thoughts during the wee hours. the silence is magnifying.

just one theory among many. i love theory. it behaves so well on paper.

i mostly wanted to welcome you to the forum, hoffnung

trivia question
is your username the german word for "hope" or the surname? feel free to ignore the question. just wondering. . .

Because people often don't know how to process what they experienced during the day and are just left with thoughts floating in their head. When I was young it used to take me hours to get to sleep. I started journaling many years ago and it's rare when I can't fall asleep in minutes.

There's also other things like exercise, deep breathing, yoga, meditation, that help regulate stress.

Yes, at night is a hard time because you are ready to go to bed and you are probably afraid to sleep because of nightmares and thoughts. Even if medicine is prescribed, I had heard a lot of people complaining that the same thing hasn't really changed, they are still being plagued by not being able to sleep at night because of the same reasons.

I have major depression. I feel worths at night time. Not sure why. Maybe I have nothing to do but to stay at home. And all the shops are closed.