Why Am I Up in the Night?

It’s 2:37 a.m.

Again.

You’re not anxious. Nothing dramatic happened. You even did everything “right.”So… why on earth are you wide awake?

If you’ve ever asked yourself, “Why am I up in the night?”—you’re not alone.In fact, it’s one of the top sleep-related questions people ask Google.

Let’s unpack it together—but in my way. No rules. No shame. No rigid “10 commandments of sleep.”Just real talk, simple tools, and the kindness we all deserve when we’re exhausted.

First, You’re Not Broken

Some version of this question comes up all the time with my clients. And I hear the quiet frustration behind it. It sounds like:

• “I don’t feel anxious, so what’s the deal?”

• “I go to sleep fine but wake up three times a night.”

• “I got 7 hours… Why do I still feel like a truck hit me?”

  
  

Let me say this loud and clear:

Sleep isn’t an isolated event. It’s not this magical thing that just happens every night.It’s deeply connected to what’s going on in your mind, your body, and even how you breathe.

So when sleep goes off track, we have to look at the whole person.

Today, we’re going to zoom in on the body—because sometimes, even when your thoughts are calm and your mind is quiet… your body is still wide awake.

The Body: When It’s Not “In Your Head”

This is a big one—especially for women in their 40s, 50s, and beyond.

It’s not always racing thoughts. Sometimes, you just can’t fall asleep, or you wake up again at 3 a.m., and you’re like… “Seriously??”

So let me say it:

Not all insomnia is mental. Sometimes your body chemistry is off—and your poor brain is taking the blame.

Let me introduce you to three lovely humans:

• David, 19 — Night Owl Extraordinaire Super laid-back, no stress. But still wide awake until 4 a.m. every night.We did some testing and found his melatonin was low and arriving way too late. His cortisol (the stress hormone) was also super low in the morning, making it hard to start his day.With the right light exposure, a few lifestyle shifts, and some targeted support? Boom.He started falling asleep like a normal human.

• Helen, 66 — The “I Wake Up All Night” TypeHelen fell asleep just fine… but woke up 5 times a night.It wasn’t anxiety. It wasn’t needing the bathroom. It was her blood sugar spiking and cortisol peaking at the wrong time.We worked on food timing, gentle movement, and calming her nervous system.It wasn’t an overnight fix—but within weeks, her body got the message.

• Faigy, 52 — “Help, My Melatonin Has Left the Building”Brilliant. Creative. But couldn’t fall asleep for hours.We tested and—surprise—her melatonin was practically nonexistent.We skipped the generic “just take melatonin” route and tried tart cherries, morning light, and some natural support for her sleep hormones.Now, she sleeps better than she has in years.

Let’s Talk Gut Health and Hormones (Stay With Me!)

I know this sounds technical, but I promise—your gut is not just about digestion.

If your gut is inflamed, your body can’t properly produce or regulate sleep hormones.

Things like:

• Chronic bloating

• IBS

• Thyroid issues

• Sugar crashes

• Eating late or drinking wine before bed

…all of these can throw off your internal rhythm.

And here’s the kicker:

Your gut makes about 90% of your body’s serotonin—yes, the same chemical that affects mood and sleep.

So when people say “you are what you eat”? It’s not just a slogan.Your dinner might be keeping you up at night—and it has nothing to do with spicy food.

Now Let’s Talk About Breathing

You sleep 7–8 hours. The math checks out. But you wake up exhausted.

Before you assume it’s all in your head, let’s ask:

Are you mouth breathing, snoring, or waking up with a dry mouth?

Because if your body isn’t getting enough oxygen at night, even a full 8 hours can leave you foggy and drained.

If you:

• Wake up feeling panicked or wired

• Wake up at the exact same time every night

• Snore like a bear in a tunnel

…your breathing might need a second look.

Still Not Sure What’s Causing It? Try This.

No pressure, no overthinking. Just observe:

• How do you feel when you wake up?

• What’s happening right before sleep?

• What time are you waking up?

• Are you sweating? Calm? Wired? Starving?

• How are your mornings?

These little details give us clues.And from there, we can figure out if it’s your mind, your body, or your breathing that's holding sleep hostage.

Final Thoughts: Be Curious, Not Critical

Please don’t beat yourself up.

Sleep is a natural process.If it’s not working, something’s probably out of alignment—and that’s fixable.

Sometimes it’s food. Sometimes it’s stress. Sometimes your melatonin just needs a nudge.Sometimes it’s your gut saying “Hey! Pay attention to me!”

Whatever it is, you're not alone—and you're not crazy for struggling.

💬 Need Help Figuring It Out? If all this sounds overwhelming, relax. I’m here to help you figure out what’s really going on and what your next best steps should be.

✨ Whether it’s your racing mind, hormonal imbalances, gut health, or breathing, you don’t have to do this alone.

👉 Book a complimentary call with me here: https://calendly.com/chevymermelstein/30min

And if you want to read yesterday’s post on calming your racing mind at night, here’s the link: What To Do When Your Mind Won’t Stop Racing at Night

Hang in there—you’ve got this!