Do You Worship It Too? The Hour of the Wolf or insomnia is that strange moment when you wake up at 4:00 a.m. into pure darkness while everyone else sleeps like they signed a pact with the universe. If you’re wondering whether you’re the only one—don’t worry. This “exclusive club” has plenty of members, even though none of us signed up willingly.
When the night gets too quiet
How can this particular hour mess with our sleep so effectively? Experts say it’s all about the body’s internal rhythm. Melatonin—our loyal night-time sidekick—drops sharply around three in the morning, and your body wakes up before your brain has any say in it.
And so you lie there, staring into nothingness, analysing life, the universe, and that embarrassing thing you said in 2009.
My experience: when even the sheep give up
I wasn’t spared this phenomenon either. I tried counting sheep, breathing exercises, relaxation, even those expensive “magical” sleep drops.
Nothing worked.
In the end, I moved to the next room so I wouldn’t disturb my partner or the dog—only to discover that now I was disturbing… myself.
And somewhere in that nocturnal exile, these blog posts are born. Some people create at sunrise; I create at the exact moment melatonin packs its suitcase and leaves.
Why single life suddenly makes sense at 4 a.m.
And this is where my theory emerged:
being single is an ecologically and mentally sustainable lifestyle choice for insomniacs.
Think about it:
– no one steals your blanket,
– no one claims “I don’t snore”,
– no one farts,
– no one silently shoves you to the edge of the mattress,
– and if you decide to watch a documentary about alpacas at 4 a.m., you won’t wake up half the neighbourhood.
Rumour has it that this is why single people still exist—peace, silence, and a bed that feels like a small continent.
When insomnia stops being funny
Jokes aside, long-term insomnia can wreak havoc on health and mood. I eventually spoke to a doctor. He suggested:
- limiting electronics before bedtime,
- creating a steady evening ritual,
- avoiding afternoon naps,
- take a cold shower in the evening,
- improving diet and staying active.
The Hour of the Wolf
No matter what wakes you during the wolf hour—stress, rhythm, or pure celestial mischief—I hope these tips help.
And if they don’t?
Well… at least you’ll have more time for books, audiostories, and late-night reflections on why a bed for one is sometimes life’s biggest luxury.
photo Pexels, CottonBro studio
