Insomnia or work-related stress may be what you ultimately chalk up your early rising to. While it’s possible that’s the root of your problems, it's also possible it’s something entirely different-- and of a spiritual nature. As it turns out, the time you wake up in the middle night might be something you should really pay attention to.
If you wake up at the same time every night, there may be an inner meaning that can be applied towards your life. It’s possible that you have multiple energies present in your body that you are unaware of, IN5D, a metaphysical and spiritual blog, reports.
Traditional Chinese medicine has used energy meridians as guidelines. ACOS describes these meridians as energy highways within the body. Qi flows through these channels and reaches different points in the body.
The energy meridians in our bodies are also connected to our inner clock. This clock energizes our bodies at different periods of time, which mean sometimes in the middle of the night, according to ancient Chinese medicine practices.
"Waking between 3am and 5am every night is a sign that energies in that corresponding part of your body are blocked or weak,” IN5D writes. In fact, whatever times you have trouble sleeping are said to be associated with a deeper meaning.
The hours of 9 P.M. and 11 P.M. are the typical times most people fall asleep. However, if these are the hours that you have difficulty falling asleep, then this is a sign of excess stress and worries from the day. So for you, the answer is simply a need to relax. IN5D recommends meditation, positive mantras, and muscle relaxation to improve your sleep.
If you were able to peacefully fall asleep between 9 P.M., but find yourself waking up sometime between 11 P.M. and 1 A.M., this indicates a different problem present. According to IN5D, the gallbladder energy meridian is most active during these hours.
So, what does that mean? Well, it means that you are experiencing “emotional disappointment." If you're interested in breaking this sleeping pattern, forgive others, let go of your grudges, and practice self-love and acceptance, IN5D reports.
Those who wake up between 1 A.M. and 3 A.M. might be experiencing problems with anger. This type of night is associated with the liver and body clock meridians. You are possibly experiencing excess yang energy. IN5D recommends drinking cool water and taking ownership in what it is that’s making you angry.
Waking up between 3 A.M. and 5 A.M. is one of the most special times because it may have a deeper meaning. Sadness is associated with the energy meridian of this time. The energy meridian flows through your lungs. To fall back to sleep, consult your higher power and attempt deep breathing exercises.
Additionally, waking up between 3 A.M. and 5 A.M. could be a sign that you’re higher power is attempting to alert you to messages and signs that you have been sent. These messages could lead you to discovering your higher purpose.
Waking up between the hours of 5 A.M. and 7 A.M. without having a reason to may be linked to the energy that flows through the large intestines, according to IN5D. This could be a sign of an emotional blockage. Pro tip: Try going to the bathroom or doing a quick stretch to go back to sleep.
According to The New Yorker, “one of the consequences of waking up suddenly, and too early, is a phenomenon called sleep inertia. First given a name in 1976, sleep inertia refers to that period between waking and being fully awake when you feel groggy. The more abruptly you are awakened, the more severe the sleep inertia.” This explains how our brains function when we are suddenly awoken from a deep sleep.
When waking up, our brain isn’t fully there with us yet-- or at least the part involved in decision-making and self control isn’t. “We are not capable of intelligent thoughts when we wake in the night so avoid making any important decisions,” IN5D reports.
If you weren’t already aware, our dreams can also have inner meanings. Depending on your beliefs, messages can be revelations from your inner self or messages sent from the divine revealing inner purpose or maybe even both.
According to IN5D, they are messages from a higher power. Dreams have the potential to reveal details about your spiritual path. Similar to how emotional worries and problems can affect your body and your sleep schedule, so can your spirituality-- and it might just reveal your higher purpose."