Sleeping through the entire night without waking up even once seems surprisingly rare these days — but it’s exactly what’s needed if you want to feel fully rested and productive the next day.
Many people assume that simply going to bed at the right time guarantees a good night’s sleep, only to find themselves suddenly awake between 3:00am and 5:00am. For some, getting back to sleep afterward can be difficult.
But according to experts and folklore alike, the fact that so many people wake during this window may not be a coincidence at all.
The hours between 3:00am and 5:00am are sometimes referred to as “the hour of the wolf,” a term made famous by Swedish director Ingmar Bergman and his psychological horror film of the same name.
“The hour between night and dawn … when most people die, sleep is deepest, nightmares are most real. It is the hour when the sleepless are haunted by their worst anguish, when ghosts and demons are most powerful. The hour of the wolf is also the hour when most babies are born,” Bergman once explained.
According to Professor Birgitta Steene, the title comes from Swedish folklore, where “the hour of the wolf” refers specifically to the period between 3:00am and 5:00am.
Traditionally, this time has been linked to a higher number of both deaths and births. It’s also believed to be the point during the night when the body enters its deepest state of rest, which can strongly affect the body’s natural functions.
In folk traditions, the witching hour — also known as the devil’s hour — is associated with supernatural activity. Legends claim this is the time when witches, demons, and ghosts are thought to appear and hold their greatest power.
The hour of the wolf
For those who remain asleep, the hour of the wolf is simply the deepest stage of sleep. But for people who wake during this period, it may feel like anxiety and negative thoughts become more intense.
The body’s circadian rhythm — the natural 24-hour cycle that regulates sleep and bodily functions — follows the pattern of day and night. During the night, body temperature, blood pressure, and metabolism naturally drop.
Around 4:00am, these functions typically reach their lowest point as the body enters its deepest resting phase.
For people struggling with stress or anxiety, however, this period can sometimes intensify emotions and racing thoughts, which may explain why so many people suddenly wake up during these early morning hours.
