Why You're Waking Up in the Middle of the Night

This brief video discusses the phenomenon of middle-of-the-night awakening, a form of insomnia that can be both a symptom (e.g., of a major mood disturbance) and a side effect. Although there are medications one can take on an as-needed basis in the middle of the night to get back to sleep (tune in for details), the key to managing this all-too-common side effect is to avoid getting out of bed for any reason (you don't really have to pee!), and practice mindfulness and acceptance until, lying there in the dark with your eyes closed and becoming increasingly bored with it...you drift back off to sleep. Rinse and repeat as often as necessary, until morning.
If you are particularly stressed and can't stop thinking long enough to fall asleep again, you may be a good candidate for that mid-night dose, but absolutely don't clock-watch, and avoid doing anything other than hugging your pillow. If you have to be awake, be awake, but be awake in bed. Accept being awake, and it will torment you less, whether or not you get back to sleep (this will also increase your chances).