Waking Up at 3 a.m.: Is Someone Watching You? Spiritualism & Health

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Learn why you wake during the Witching hour
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Have you ever heard the saying, “If you wake up at 3 a.m., it means someone is watching you?” Although it’s probably not true, what does waking up at 3 a.m. mean? In this article, Keep reading to discover what this time means for your spirit and your health and learn how to get a better night’s sleep moving forward.

Things You Should Know

  • Waking up at 3 a.m. doesn’t necessarily mean that someone’s watching you, but it could have other spiritual and health interpretations.
  • 3 a.m. is believed to be a spiritual time when angels or spirits are more likely to communicate with you. [1]
  • You might wake at 3 a.m. because you’re under stress, you have insomnia, you drank too much alcohol, you’re pregnant or menopausal, or you’re reaching midlife.
Section 1 of 5:

Does it mean someone is staring at you if you wake up at 3 a.m.?

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  1. In general, any “meaning” of waking up at 3 a.m. is considered to be superstition. However, many people believe that 3 a.m. is the Witching Hour or the Devil’s hour because spiritual connections between dimensions seem to be stronger during this time. Waking up during this time might mean that you’re sensitive to the spiritual activity around you. [2]
    • When some people wake up, they tend to assume they're being watched. This might be because they feel like their body’s “gaze detection” system has been activated, which can sense when someone is staring at them. However, the belief that you wake up because your “gaze detection system” is activated is usually rooted in non-reality. [3]
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Section 2 of 5:

Spiritual Interpretations

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  1. Some believe that spirits and angels are more likely to communicate with you during the Witching Hour, between 3 a.m. and 4 a.m. To understand what this hour is trying to tell you when you wake up, you can journal, meditate, pray, and be open to receiving all messages. [4] [5]
    • Creating a daily routine can also help you practice better self-care , which can make your mind more open and relaxed at night.
    • Use your journal to write down notes and dreams. You might receive messages from spirits while you’re sleeping.
  2. You might receive this message when you’re feeling discouraged or lonely. The number 333 is your guardian angel’s way of letting you know that you’re on the right track, that you have a clear handle on life, and that you should be excited about what’s coming in the future. [6] When you see this number, it can mean that:
    • It’s time to take action and make your dreams come true.
    • Someone close to you is pregnant and might give birth soon. [7]
    • You need to readdress a problem that’s buried in the past to avoid it reappearing in the future. [8]
    EXPERT TIP

    Mari Cartagenova

    Spiritual Teacher & Medium
    Mari Cartagenova is a Spiritual Teacher & Medium based in Westford, Massachusetts. Mari has been seeing and speaking to Spirits since she was a child, and she loves to share her psychic gifts and abilities to help others. She specializes in mediumship, intuitive psychic guidance, past life or soul reading, and animal communication. Mari is the 2019 Award-Winning Best American Psychic and a Certified Advanced Spirit Worker.
    Mari Cartagenova
    Spiritual Teacher & Medium

    When cats wake up their owners at 3 a.m., they could be passing along spiritual messages. Their intuitive ability makes them sensitive to spiritual forces. So this might signal communication from the spirit realm. The specific time, known for spiritual activity, adds to the meaning - suggesting protection, guidance, or connection with spiritual beings.

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Section 3 of 5:

Health Interpretations

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  1. If you find yourself waking up at 3 a.m., it might be because your stress is causing you to wake up earlier than you normally would. If you’re frequently triggering your stress response, your body has a difficult time getting back to baseline, which could cause a bad night of sleep. To soothe your body and relieve stress before bedtime, try practicing progressive muscle relaxation: [9]
    • In a quiet place, sit or lie down in a comfortable position.
    • Take a few gentile breaths in and out, and begin tensing groups of muscles, one at a time, as you breathe. Hold the tension as you inhale, and release it as you exhale.
    • Start with the muscles in your head, neck, and face, and then relax the muscles on your front side and your backside, all the way down to your feet.
    • Repeat for any areas where you still feel tension.
  2. Insomnia is a common sleep disorder that can cause you to lie awake for a long period before falling asleep, sleep for only short periods, stay awake for most of the night, or wake up too early. [10] If you think you might have insomnia, here are some ways to help:
    • Develop good sleep habits to relieve short-term insomnia.
    • Seek out cognitive-behavioral therapy to help alleviate anxiety that might cause insomnia.
    • Talk to your healthcare provider to see if a medication can help you re-establish a regular sleep schedule.
  3. In small amounts, alcohol can act like a sedative and make you fall asleep faster. However, it can also make you wake up during the middle of the night as your body is metabolizing it. [11] Studies show that drinking alcohol before bed can lead to poor quality sleep. [12]
    • Limit your alcohol intake before bed to increase your chances of sleeping through the night and avoiding 3 am.
  4. Hormonal changes may cause you to wake up during nighttime. If you’re pregnant or going through perimenopause or menopause, you might experience changes to your normal sleep schedule that can be uncomfortable or disruptive. [13]
    • If you’re pregnant, try using a maternity pillow to make sleeping on your side or your back more comfortable.
    • If you’re going through menopause and having hot flashes that cause you to wake up at night, try using a fan or cool bedding to sleep more comfortably. You can also try using an over-the-counter sleep aid like melatonin to re-orient your sleep schedule. [14]
  5. Midlife can make you more vulnerable to sleep disturbances, especially if you’re a woman. As you grow older, your normal sleep schedule gets shorter, and you spend less time in deep sleep. If you go to bed early trying to sleep, you might wake up at 3 or 4 a.m.—too early to get up, but too late to fall back to sleep. [15]
    • As you age, you might also accumulate more stress which can make it difficult to get a consistent night’s sleep. If you feel more stressed out than normal, try practicing breathing techniques or writing in a journal before bedtime to decompress. [16]
  6. Certain medications can interrupt your sleep cycle. Cold and allergy decongestants, stimulants, steroids, and some medications for asthma, diabetes, mood and anxiety disorders, pain, or prostate health can disrupt your sleep. [17] If you think your medication may be causing damage to your sleep schedule, talk with your doctor about alternatives.
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Section 4 of 5:

How to Stop Waking Up at 3 a.m.

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  1. Research shows that a single instance of moderately intense exercise can decrease racing thoughts that can keep you up at night. [19] Although researchers don’t know exactly how physical activity improves sleep, studies show that people who engage in at least 30 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise might see a difference in their quality of sleep the same night. [20] Here are some exercises you can do at least 1 to 2 hours before bed to improve your sleep: [21]
    • Take a brisk walk.
    • Do water aerobics.
    • Ride a bike on level ground or with a few hills.
    • Push a lawn mower.
    • Play doubles tennis .
  2. Reserve your bed for sleep, intimacy, and bedtime rituals like meditation or reading for pleasure. Set a healthy sleep environment by keeping the noise level low and the room cool and dark. Use a fan or a white noise machine to block out noise. [22]
    • Reduce how much water you drink before you go to bed. Even though some people drink water before bed to get up in the morning, drinking too much can cause you to wake up too early. [23]
  3. Establishing a consistent routine before going to bed can help get your mind in the mood for rest and improve the quality and length of your sleep. [24] Set a bedtime that’s early enough for you to get at least 7-8 hours of sleep, and try to get up at the same time every day. Choose calming activities to do before bed, such as:
    • Drinking a cup of tea.
    • Practicing meditation.
    • Taking a warm bath.
    • Listening to music.
    • Reading a book.
    • Eating a light snack.
    • Doing your skincare routine .
    • Writing in a journal.
    • Jotting down a to-do list for the next day.
  4. If stress or anxiety causes you to wake up earlier than you normally would, exercising self-compassion could help you break the cycle of rumination, which can cause insomnia. [25]
    • When something happens during the day that can cause you to lose sleep, try showing yourself the same kindness and compassion that you would show a close friend if they made the same mistake.
    • Cognitive behavioral therapy can teach you how to change habits and thinking patterns that interfere with getting a good night’s sleep. [26]
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Section 5 of 5:

Other Spiritual & Paranormal Meanings

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  1. Waking up at 3 a.m. is just one of many messages from the universe. Check out these other spiritual and paranormal interpretations sent from your spirit guides, the universe, or whatever higher power you believe in:
    • Waking up at 4 a.m. : Signifies that you’re being guided toward your higher purpose, a transition or change is coming, or you are in denial about something.
    • Flickering lights : Indicates that spirits are present, your angels are looking over you, or there’s an energy shift in your environment.
    • Knocking 3 times : This may mean someone you’re close to has passed away or that bad news is coming.
    • Lip twitching : Twitching on the right side signifies positive energy and good fortune, while twitching on the left side may be a sign of conflict and misfortune.
    • Left hand itching : Signifies bad luck, especially in terms of money.
    • Left ear ringing : Indicates that you’re on the wrong path and need to readjust, or that the energies of those around you are impacting you negatively.
    • Right ear ringing : A sign that good luck and blessings are headed your way. It may mean you are spiritually aligned and your third eye is open.
    • When a ladybug lands on you : Signifies that you’re about to have good luck. If it’s a yellow ladybug, it represents blooming love or new adventures.
    • When a bird poops on you : Believed to bring luck, good health, and supportive relationships. It also suggests you’re finding your life’s purpose.

Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    Why might my cat consistently wake me up at a specific time, like 3 a.m., and could there be any spiritual or numerological significance to this?
    Mari Cartagenova
    Spiritual Teacher & Medium
    Mari Cartagenova is a Spiritual Teacher & Medium based in Westford, Massachusetts. Mari has been seeing and speaking to Spirits since she was a child, and she loves to share her psychic gifts and abilities to help others. She specializes in mediumship, intuitive psychic guidance, past life or soul reading, and animal communication. Mari is the 2019 Award-Winning Best American Psychic and a Certified Advanced Spirit Worker.
    Mari Cartagenova
    Spiritual Teacher & Medium
    Expert Answer
    Cats are highly intuitive creatures. If your cat suddenly starts waking you at a set time, especially unusual behavior, there could be several reasons. One is they may sense a spirit or loved one trying to connect with you. Cats can strongly perceive spirits, who might want to communicate through the cat. Another aspect is the numerological meaning of the time. For example, if your cat wakes you at 3 a.m., three is often linked to The Trinity — the Father, Son and Holy Ghost. This could indicate you are protected and watched over. The cat's behavior on waking, like meowing or jumping on you, can also carry messages. If such awakenings become a pattern, note the exact time and research its numerological significance, as the time itself may hold meaning.
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      Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about spirituality, check out our in-depth interview with Mari Cartagenova .

      References

      1. ↑ Mari Cartagenova. Psychic Medium & Animal Communicator. Expert Interview
      2. ↑ https://www.fromtheangels.com/spirituality/spiritual-meaning-of-waking-up-at-3am/
      3. ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-narcissus-in-all-us/201102/how-you-know-eyes-are-watching-you
      4. ↑ Mari Cartagenova. Psychic Medium & Animal Communicator. Expert Interview
      5. ↑ https://www.fromtheangels.com/spirituality/spiritual-meaning-of-waking-up-at-3am/
      6. ↑ https://relaxlikeaboss.com/waking-up-at-3am/#Spiritual_Meaning_of_Waking_Up_at_3am
      7. ↑ https://www.spiritualposts.com/biblical-meaning-of-waking-up-at-3am-spiritual/
      8. ↑ https://www.womansday.com/life/a42601847/333-angel-number-meaning/
      9. ↑ https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/sleepless-nights-try-stress-relief-techniques
      1. ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/insomnia.html
      2. ↑ https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/13/well/mind/sleep-insomnia-tips.html
      3. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5821259/
      4. ↑ https://www.sleepfoundation.org/sleep-hygiene/why-do-i-wake-up-at-the-same-time-every-night
      5. ↑ https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/sleep-problems-and-menopause-what-can-i-do
      6. ↑ https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/too-early-to-get-up-too-late-to-get-back-to-sleep
      7. ↑ https://www.sutterhealth.org/health/how-perimenopause-menopause-and-midlife-impact-sleep
      8. ↑ https://www.aarp.org/health/drugs-supplements/info-04-2013/medications-that-can-cause-insomnia.html
      9. ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/sleepdisorders.html
      10. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5859016/
      11. ↑ https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/exercising-for-better-sleep
      12. ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/physical-activity-basics/guidelines/adults.html?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/basics/adults/index.htm
      13. ↑ https://www.health.harvard.edu/sleep/awake-at-3-am-strategies-to-help-you-to-get-back-to-sleep
      14. ↑ https://sleepeducation.org/healthy-sleep/healthy-sleep-habits/
      15. ↑ https://hr.wustl.edu/creating-a-sleep-routine-6-steps-to-better-sleep/
      16. ↑ https://hbr.org/2019/12/how-to-stop-thinking-about-work-at-3am
      17. ↑ https://www.health.harvard.edu/sleep/awake-at-3-am-strategies-to-help-you-to-get-back-to-sleep

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