Why You Keep Waking Up at 3 AM (and what to do about it) with Julie Wright

Why You Keep Waking Up at 3 AM (and what to do about it) with Julie Wright

From Bounce Back Stronger with Donna Ferris by Donna Ferris

February 12, 2026 · 37 min · Episode 86

About this episode

This episode discusses the reasons behind waking up at 3 AM and offers insights and solutions from sleep expert Julie Wright.

“When you wake up at 3 AM, your brain isn’t trying to ruin your sleep — it’s trying to protect you. It thinks you’re in danger.” Have you ever found yourself wide awake staring at the ceiling, wondering why your body won’t just stay asleep? You’re not alone—and according to sleep expert Julie Wright, these middle-of-the-night wakeups are often your body’s response to stress, anxiety, and hormone imbalance. In this episode of Bounce Back Stronger, host Donna Ferris speaks with Julie (author of The Natural Sleeper and founder of We Sleep) about what’s really happening inside your brain and nervous system when insomnia strikes. If you’ve been Googling: Why do I keep waking up at 3 AM? How do I calm anxiety at night? What should I do when I can’t fall back asleep? …this episode will give you clarity, comfort, and a toolkit to help you finally rest. To learn more about Julie’s book, events, and services, please visit wesleep.co.uk. If you enjoyed this episode, you might want to listen to Julie’s last Episode #31 or Episode #46 “The Art of Being Enough” with Jennifer Schelter. Also, please consider subscribing to this podcast, leaving a review, and sharing this episode with others…

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