The physiological explanation for these interruptions often centers on the complexity of the human sleep cycle. As we move from wakefulness through the stages of light and deep sleep, we eventually enter REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep—the stage most closely associated with vivid dreaming. These REM cycles are not distributed evenly throughout the night; they become more frequent and more intense as we approach the morning hours. For many, the transition between these stages is seamless, lasting only a few seconds before they drift back into unconsciousness without a memory of the event. However, for others, these shifts act like a faulty gear change, jarring them into a state of full alertness and making the journey back to sleep feel like an impossible uphill climb.
