memories.
Between 3 and 5 AM, your brain is often deep in REM. This is why those hours can bring wakefulness, racing thoughts, or vivid dreams. If your body has been short on rest for several nights, these fragile cycles can become disrupted, making it even easier to wake up too early.
This is where many seniors get caught in a frustrating cycle: one rough night leads to another, creating what scientists call “sleep debt.” The more your sleep schedule unravels, the harder it becomes to get back on track.
