Why do I keep waking up at 2am – and how do I get back to sleep?

While it’s common to wake at night, some people have trouble getting back to sleep – anxious thoughts are a common cause. Photograph: Rita Liu/The Guardian/Getty Images/Sebastian Luz

I have no trouble falling asleep. Most nights, my head hits the pillow, and that’s all I remember.

But several times a week, I find myself wide awake at 2.00am – stressing about a work deadline, wondering if my daughter is adjusting to her new school or making a note on my phone to get the car washed. Usually, I get back to sleep in an hour, but when my 8am alarm goes off, I feel groggy, wishing I’d had that extra shut-eye.