Should I Get Out of Bed If I Can't Sleep? Here's What You Need to Know

Why You Can’t Sleep in the First Place

Well, first things first – if you're wide awake at 3 a.m., tossing and turning, it's totally normal to wonder if you should just give up and get out of bed. But before we dive into that, let's talk about why you’re struggling to sleep. Honestly, it's often a mix of things. Could be stress, anxiety, maybe you’re binge-watching Netflix (guilty as charged), or simply you’ve had one of those days where your brain just refuses to shut down.

In my case, I once stayed up late thinking about a big presentation the next day – and surprise, I was wide awake for hours. My mind was racing, trying to solve problems I hadn’t even faced yet. So yeah, anxiety and stress can totally mess with your sleep.

But what if you can't sleep for no apparent reason? That can be even more frustrating. It’s like your body’s telling you, “Hey, I’m tired,” but your brain’s like, “Nah, not tonight!” So, what should you do?

The Science Behind Getting Up When You Can't Sleep

Okay, let’s get into some science here. Studies show that if you can’t sleep for 20 minutes or more, it’s actually better for your body to get up. I know, sounds crazy, right? But staying in bed, tossing and turning, actually keeps your body in “alert mode,” which makes it harder to fall asleep. By getting out of bed and doing something else for a while, you can help reset your brain.

Actually, a friend of mine tried this last week when she couldn’t sleep (and she’s got the best sleep routine normally!). She got out of bed, read a book, and after about 30 minutes, she was able to fall asleep much easier. It seems like a small thing, but sometimes just breaking the cycle of frustration can help your body relax again.

What To Do When You Get Up

If you decide to get out of bed, it’s important to do something that isn’t too stimulating. No scrolling through your phone for hours (because, honestly, that’s just asking for more frustration). Instead, try a relaxing activity. Something low-key, like reading a book (nothing too exciting) or listening to calm music. I’ve tried both, and personally, listening to soothing music does wonders for me. It calms my mind and helps me wind down enough to go back to sleep.

Another trick I’ve used is stretching lightly. You don’t have to do yoga or anything extreme, just simple stretches to ease the tension in your body. I swear, sometimes it’s just a little tightness in my muscles that’s preventing me from falling asleep.

When Should You Stay in Bed?

Okay, now, there’s also the other side of the coin. Sometimes, you might just need to stay in bed and embrace the restlessness. Honestly, I've done this a few times when I felt exhausted but couldn’t quite fall asleep. Instead of stressing about it, I just relaxed in bed, focused on my breathing, and let my body rest even if my mind wasn’t sleeping.

I know it’s tempting to get up, but sometimes just giving your body a chance to relax can be enough. Try to resist the urge to look at the clock (because that’s just a countdown to more anxiety, right?). Instead, focus on clearing your mind. This might sound a bit woo-woo, but believe me, it works. Over time, your brain will learn that the bed is a place for rest – even if that rest doesn’t always come in the form of sleep.

Should You Worry About Not Sleeping?

Frustrating as it is, not getting sleep every now and then is totally normal. I used to freak out if I couldn’t sleep, thinking I’d be a zombie the next day. But now, I try not to stress about it too much. If I’m really tired, I’ll take a nap the next day or adjust my schedule.

If you find that sleepless nights are happening regularly, though, it might be time to take a closer look at your sleep habits. Are you winding down properly before bed? Is there stress in your life that needs to be addressed? Sometimes, your inability to sleep might be telling you something about your overall wellbeing.

When to Seek Help

If sleeplessness is becoming a recurring issue and it’s affecting your daily life, it might be worth seeking professional help. A doctor or sleep therapist can help identify any underlying issues, like insomnia or sleep apnea, that might be preventing you from getting proper rest. Trust me, you don’t want to let sleep issues slide. Your mental and physical health depend on it!

Wrapping It Up: What Works For You?

So, should you get out of bed if you can’t sleep? It depends. Sometimes, yes – breaking the cycle of frustration and trying a calming activity can help. Other times, just staying in bed and relaxing might be the best move. Ultimately, it’s about finding what works for you. I know it’s hard to be patient with your body, but giving yourself permission to relax and not worry so much about sleep can be a game-changer.

Anyway, next time you’re up in the middle of the night, try not to stress too much about it. It happens to the best of us, and the more relaxed you stay, the more likely you are to fall back asleep. Keep experimenting, and hopefully, you’ll find the perfect solution for your sleepless nights!

Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?

The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.

Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?

How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).

How tall is a average 15 year old?

Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years

How to get taller at 18?

Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.

Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?

Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).

Can you grow between 16 and 18?

Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.

Can you grow 1 cm after 17?

Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.