Why does it take so long to fall asleep initially, but feels super easy when woken up by your alarm?

Question

Why does it take so long to fall asleep initially, but feels super easy when woken up by your alarm?

In: 177

Answer 1

It can be harder to fall asleep than to wake up because the body’s natural sleep-wake cycle, or circadian rhythm, regulates the release of certain hormones and chemicals that affect alertness and drowsiness. At night, the body releases melatonin, a hormone that promotes sleep, while in the morning, the body releases cortisol, a hormone that promotes wakefulness. Additionally, people may be more mentally active and have racing thoughts before bed which can make it harder to fall asleep. Stress and anxiety can also play a role in making it difficult to fall asleep.