Why do problems always seem greater in the middle of the night?

1. 80

   Electro-Denizenposted 10 years ago

   Why do problems always seem greater in the middle of the night?
   
   Is there some physiological condition behind this mind frame that occurs in the middle of the night? e.g. low blood sugar level. Or some more esoteric reason? Or is it because psychological defenses are low? The mind is clearly churning through the possibilities and trying to get at answers, but it doesn't always seem useful. For example - many people feel the terror of their own mortality in the middle of the night, more than at any other time. Why?

   replyreport
2. 81

   Author Cherylposted 10 years ago

   Once the day is done and you have time to think, I think your mind goes ramped on the what ifs.  Most people that are mentally challenged people often have issues at night time as with old people with dementia it is called sun downing.  I think that we all have that issue at night because it gives our mind too much time to think and not enough stimulation like we have in the day time.

   replyreport
3. 86

   btrbellposted 10 years ago

   At night, you are alone with your thoughts. For, possibly, the first time all day, your body is at rest. This gives free rein to your mind! Now is the time to rerun, replay and rehash previous events and conversations. Now is the time to anticipate, both positively and negatively, what comes next. In my opinion, the "things that go bump in the night" are usually my thoughts.

   replyreport
4. 88

   suzettenaplesposted 10 years ago

   Because it is dark!  LOL  I think in the morning, with a little light on the subject, things don't look so badly.  I think the dark midnight, which is that foreboding hour anyway,  and as you say probably psychological and physiological changes in the body that affect how we feel.  Also, with dreaming, the sub-conscious enters the picture and sometimes can affect the situation also. 
   
   Light affects the brain and melatonin in the body and can change a perspective and body chemistry.  That's  my take on your question!

   replyreport
5. 56

   SAM ELDERposted 10 years ago

   Because during the night your brain is programmed to rest and everything that you have to face in darkness looks more dramatic.

   replyreport
6. 73

   sandrabusbyposted 10 years ago

   Because your ego strength is lowered, I believe.

   replyreport
7. 0

   lesliebyarsposted 10 years ago

   I think that problems seem overwhelming at night because maybe at that exact moment, you are in a restless, vulnerable state.  Feeling like you aren't able to do anything about your problems at night would be reason enough to panic.  Maybe it's something that can't be dealt with until then next day and there's really no solution at a particular time of night and all you can do is worry.  Instead of worrying try to think about different scenarios and the outcomes.  Maybe this will help in solving the problem and the next day won't be as bad.

   replyreport
8. 63

   Lucildollposted 10 years ago

   At the end of a day there is less human activity the human mind tends to become more relaxed as it is supposed to be, unless due to our lifestyle programs. Night seems to be accompanied with certain fears and terror. More evil seems to dominate the atmosphere in the dark and at midnight which only the Supernatural can subdue. Suffering and pain are not good so their powers are increased in the dark of night.

   replyreport
9. 77

   Silva Hayesposted 10 years ago

   As you lie in bed in the middle of the night, all the normal daytime stimulation is absent.  Light, noise, interruptions, hunger, thirst, all the daytime activities, cease.  You are left alone with your thoughts.  If you have worries, they circle around you like wild animals circle a campfire. 
   
   If you are worried about your mortality, this is when that worry is magnified.  You feel that, when you relax and let sleep take over, you lose control of the situation and death can steal upon you in your sleep.  The older you are, the more valid this fear becomes.

   replyreport
10. 46

    Ericdierkerposted 10 years ago

    For me it is the emptying of good thoughts. If I meditate a bit before I sleep and fill me up with love and good thoughts there are no night boogie men. But if I do not after about 6 hours there is turmoil. That ego I rely on during the day is resting. And there I am left alone on my own. I breathe deeply and focus on the good and the turmoil is gone.
    Easier said than done. So sometimes I need to work through an issue. It seems sometimes it is the only time that I am not too busy to let fear interrupt me.
    Perhaps we should not avoid the issues at all and just go with it. At fifty six I can honestly say that nothing bad has ever happened during that time.

    replyreport
11. 76

    my_girl_saraposted 10 years ago

    Have you ever heard of the witching hour? It's the time between midnight and 3 a.m. when demonic activity is said to be the highest. If I'm awakened in a state of unrest between those times, it's always from a demonic spiritual attack. I simply rebuke the spirit out loud in the name of Jesus, roll over and go back to bed. Problem solved.

    replyreport
12. 94

    cat on a soapboxposted 10 years ago

    Added to our focus on problems at night when we have fewer distractions can be an inherent fear of the dark and the claustrophobia it brings. There is also the isolation one feels in dealing with tough issues. They sometimes come down upon us like an avalanche, yet we are alone or choose not to wake a partner. Once anxiety starts,  the breathing and heartbeat increase, and we begin to sweat in response to a perceived fear. Combined with dehydration, salt intake from dinner, or  blood sugar levels you mentioned, it can be enough for us to think we are having a heart attack and may die alone. Some of us fear the repeated cycles of insomnia and fatigue and panic over our loss of control over them.
    It is helpful to recognize the onset of panic attacks and to tell yourself that you are going to be okay, it's only your body's natural reaction to a PERCEIVED fear.  I also find writing in a journal to be helpful when I am overwhelmed. My habit of taking a hot bath,reading devotionals and praying before bed helps me relax and sleep soundly.

    replyreport
13. 90

    caseymelposted 10 years ago

    Because you have time to think of them then.

    replyreport
14. 83

    rudra007posted 10 years ago

    We are not very busy during the night as we are during the day , with me problems seems to be greater whenever i am free from any work whether it is day or night.

    replyreport
15. 82

    jennshealthstoreposted 10 years ago

    I agree with a lot of these answers. You are busy all day long. You have other things that consume your mind. Once you are home and relaxing you have time to think. But this could be a good thing. When you have time to think about your problems, then you will be able to try to find resolutions to them. I am sure all of these thoughts are there all day long, we kind of just push them away until other things are out of the way. Use this time to address these issues and concerns.

    replyreport
16. 80

    Electro-Denizenposted 10 years ago

    Thanks for all the replies everyone. Seems most think worries etc come to the fore because all the distractions of the day are over, but all these things are there just beneath the surface. It could be. But neither do I put it beyond the 'witching hour' and the darkness of the night as 2 or 3 have mentioned, to get really spooked by things i.e. exaggerate small worries. In all cases, saying ones prayers or thinking positive thoughts have to be a good thing i.e. preparing for sleep properly, so thanks for those positive ideas. It's an area of the mind I've always found fascinating, sleeptime etc.

    replyreport
17. 82

    peachpurpleposted 10 years ago

    my dad wakes up in the middle of wee morning 3am just to take his blood pressure reading. He gets panicky all time. My mom wakes up 3x just to pee and couldn't get back to sleep. My hubby couldn't sleep if his body aches in the middle of the night. I guess people have more problems in the middle of the night than day time.

    replyreport