Sleeping soundly through the night is a rare luxury for many of us. Instead, we often find ourselves waking up in the dead of night, typically between 3 and 5 am. This phenomenon is not just a coincidence or a result of bad luck. There’s actually a significance to this trend that’s rooted in our bodies’ natural rhythms and ancient folklore.
The hours between 3 and 5 am are often referred to as the “hour of the wolf,” a term coined by Swedish director Ingmar Bergman. This period is believed to be associated with a higher occurrence of both deaths and births. It’s also when our bodies typically enter their deepest rest phase, which is why our bodily functions can be affected during this time.
In folk traditions, this nocturnal period is linked to supernatural occurrences and is often referred to as the “witching hour” or “devil’s hour.” It’s believed that during this time, witches, demons, and ghosts are thought to manifest and wield their greatest influence.
For those who are able to sleep normally, the hour of the wolf represents the period when sleep is at its deepest. However, for those who wake up during this time, it’s often a period of heightened anxiety. Our bodies’ circadian rhythms, which follow the sun’s rise and fall, cause our body temperature, blood pressure, and metabolism to dip during the night. At around 4 am, these functions are at their lowest, which can exacerbate feelings of anxiety and wakefulness.
So, the next time you find yourself waking up between 3 and 5 am, remember that you’re not alone. It’s just your body’s natural rhythms and ancient folklore at play.
