How can I fall back asleep when I wake up in the middle of the night?

Waking during the night is common, but becoming frustrated, checking the time, or trying too hard to force sleep can make it harder to drift off again. The article describes three practical approaches: relaxing without making sleep the immediate goal, giving the mind a simple and unimportant distraction, and briefly leaving the bed when wakefulness has turned into a struggle. It also explains why phones, clock-watching, and stimulating activities can keep the brain alert. Frequent nighttime awakenings, especially when accompanied by symptoms such as loud snoring, gasping, pain, reflux, or significant daytime sleepiness, may be worth discussing with a healthcare professional.