Expert warns about the one thing you shouldn’t do if you wake up during the night

There are some things you shouldn't do

We all want to get a good few hours sleep every night, but there's nothing worse than not being able to get some shut eye despite your best efforts.

But there are some things you can do to try and limit the chance of this happening.

Whilst some people can get back to sleep in the blink of an eye, others can really struggle.

If you fall into the second group, then there's some advice from an expert on how to get back to sleep.

The one thing not to do? Try and force yourself back to sleep.

"Thinking about the fact that you’re not sleeping can rouse your mind and make you more anxious. A better move is to accept your situation—don’t resist being awake—and find an alternative focus," Dr Fiona Barwick told Self.

Sleep experts agree that trying to get back to sleep when you're struggling to can cause your sleep cycle to deteriorate further.

In fact, you shouldn't even stay in bed, according to another expert.

Luis F. Buenaver explained in a post published on John Hopkins medicine that it's "important not to stay in bed."

He continued: "Doing this will lead your brain and body to associate your bed with wakefulness instead of with sleep. It can be difficult leaving a warm, comfortable bed after waking up in the middle of the night.

"But think of this step as an investment in better sleep—if not tonight then tomorrow night and in the future."

And obviously, don't go on your phone. You should be more than aware by now that the blue light from devices is a recipe for insomnia, and that's before we even get onto the psychological effect doom-scrolling through social media will have on your brain.

Instead of reaching for the phone, try and do an activity that helps you feel relaxed, and before you know it you'll have forgotten about the fact you can't get to sleep, which in turn will help you sleep.

It's counter-intuitive, but it works!