Sleeping through the night without waking up is rare, but it’s essential for full productivity the next day. Many people wake up between 3:00am and 5:00am, often struggling to fall back asleep. This isn’t random; there’s meaning behind it.

This time is known as the “hour of the wolf,” a term from Swedish folklore and a psychological horror film by Ingmar Bergman. It’s associated with deep sleep, but also heightened anxiety, nightmares, and even both deaths and births.

From 3:00am to 5:00am, the body reaches its deepest rest, with functions like temperature and metabolism at their lowest. However, for those suffering from anxiety, this period may amplify their feelings, explaining why many wake up during this time.

In folklore, this period is also linked to supernatural occurrences, where witches and ghosts are thought to have the most power. The “hour of the wolf” represents both the deepest sleep and the time when anxiety is most intense.