“[Waking up around 2 a.m.] is one thing referred to as ‘center sleep,’ which is a standard, physiologic wake-up between two symmetric blocks of sleep. I used to emphasize about it, considering, oh no, I am awake in the midst of the night time; that is going to be a nasty night time of sleep; tomorrow goes to be a nasty day. And it seems, that narrative I used to be telling myself, by stirring up my stress response, grew to become a self-fulfilling prophecy. Now, as an alternative, I reassure myself that that is simply center sleep. I take advantage of the lavatory, have a sip of water, after which relaxation with my eyes closed, trusting that I am going to fall again asleep momentarily. And I do.”

—Holistic psychiatrist Ellen Vora, M.D., in this text