A couple of months ago I started waking regularly between 3 and 4am. At first I would tiptoe into the kitchen to check the oven and microwave clocks, as we removed all technology from the bedroom. Then, as the weeks went by I did not bother walking to check the clock, I just knew. I tried laying quietly and still in the bed thinking that this might be more conducive to going to sleep. It was not!
My problem was once I woke at 3am I started going into thinking mode; what I had done or not done, what I said or not said, what I needed to do and of course the what ifs. I was very successfully beating myself up which only filled me feelings of worry and fear. This was not me, I am an eternal optimist and this self battering is so unlike me and definitely not conducive to falling asleep.
We made the bedroom a pleasant cool dark room to help sleeping. Going to sleep was not a problem as I am careful not to over eat sugar, food or drink too many glasses of wine at dinner time. As much as I worked at having a full night's sleep in a comfortable bedroom, why not stay asleep? Why was I waking routinely at 3am every night?
So in the end I worked out that I was the solution, I had to do something about my overthinking. I had to take control at 3am. So instead of going into thinking mode I started to visualise sheep leaping over the fence or beach/ocean views, saying repetitive chants in my head, doing some deep breathing, meditating and reading. Anything to stop thoughts from filling my mind.
The good news is that it mostly works but I still wake regularly in the early morning. The good thing is now I know why. Yes, I have an occasional night with tossing and turning which I am thinking is normal for most people given the conversations I have with family and friends.
I have also done a little searching of articles on the web to help me understand my waking up at 3am, and found a couple of easy to read highly informative ones reassuring me that it is very common for a lot of adults. The most important point for me to learn is that is it is no big deal.
The first one is titled - Is It Normal To Wake Up At Night? written by David Cunnington, Sleephub
The second one is written by Australian Greg Murray - Why do we wake up around 3am and overthink our fears and shortcomings GregMurrray
I now have the answers I have been looking for to my questions. A happy win for me.
The health benefits of sleep are well advertised, widely known and accepted but what we do know is that sleep is a most complex and highly problematic area. There are sleep disorders that are not easily solved for many people. My heart goes out to them as they try to overcome the challenges of not being able to sleep. I wish them lots of success as sleep is the very needed healing essence of our well being.
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@artywinkToday is Tuesday and I always think of #treeTuesday brought to hive by the laconic 
So big and proud in clothes of bark and green leaves,
Forever and always beautifully gracious and kind,
Providing oxygen in the air for humans to breathe.
Always thankful oh lovely amazing trees.
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I have had some fun writing my words,
Now it is time the white rabbit says,
For Angie Mitchell to say goodbye.