Don't check the time when you wake up in the middle of the night

Wake Up! Don't Look at the Time in the Middle of the Night!

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7 October 2023

In recent days, Chinese social media has been buzzing with discussions about sleep patterns, focusing on the habit of waking up in the middle of the night and checking the time. Experts say that this habit can lead to anxiety, insomnia, and difficulty falling back asleep.

According to a video from the Sun Newspaper's official Weibo account, it's not advisable to remind oneself not to look at the clock, because doing so makes it harder to resist the urge. Instead, you should take a quick glance at the time and then tell yourself that it doesn't matter if you haven't slept enough recently, as it's alright once you're awake. Repeat this phrase: "It's okay not to have slept enough, and now that I'm awake, it's alright too."

This advice has sparked heated discussions among Chinese netizens on Weibo, with some sharing their experiences and tips for breaking the habit. One user shared that they set an alarm clock very early, but no longer check their phone in the middle of the night, even though they have changed this habit long ago.

However, not everyone can resist the temptation to check their phones. A Weibo user joked that looking at time in the middle of the night can cause anxiety and insomnia. Seeing notifications on your phone may trigger worry about whether you'll be able to fall asleep again, causing tense emotions.

Another netizen shared their experience: "I wake up in the middle of the night and see a time, I can't sleep. If I see news in the notification bar on my phone... Will you check the time in the middle of the night?" This person warned others to avoid looking at their phones in the middle of the night, as it can disrupt sleep patterns and make falling back asleep difficult.

Other netizens also shared their experiences. One said that they wake