Why do I suddenly wake up at around 6 a.m. recently? What should I do?

Waking up suddenly around 6 a.m. recently may be caused by factors such as aging, circadian rhythm adjustment, mental stress, depression, or anxiety disorder. This can be improved through regular sleep schedules, psychological counseling, and medication. It is recommended to seek medical attention promptly and manage the condition under a doctor's guidance. Specific analyses are as follows:

1. Age-related factors: With advancing age, the body's circadian rhythm changes and melatonin secretion decreases, which may lead to an earlier sleep cycle and cause one to wake up earlier. It is recommended to maintain regular daily habits, engage in moderate physical activity, and avoid excessive caffeine and alcohol intake in the afternoon.

2. Circadian rhythm adjustment: The human body has an internal biological clock that regulates the sleep-wake cycle. If recent lifestyle changes have occurred—such as going to bed and waking up earlier—the biological clock may gradually adjust to a new pattern, resulting in earlier morning awakenings. This is generally a normal phenomenon. Maintaining a consistent sleep schedule can help gradually shift the biological clock to the desired wake-up time.

3. Mental stress: Psychological stress and anxiety can activate the brain's stress response system, releasing large amounts of stress hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol. These hormones disrupt the normal sleep cycle, causing frequent awakenings during sleep. It is recommended to alleviate mental stress and anxiety through psychological counseling, meditation, yoga, and similar methods.

4. Depression: This condition affects emotional regulation and neurotransmitter balance, leading to disordered sleep architecture, manifested as difficulty falling asleep, early morning awakening, and light sleep. Early awakening is often accompanied by symptoms of low mood and loss of interest. Patients may take medications such as clomipramine hydrochloride tablets, maprotiline hydrochloride tablets, or amitriptyline hydrochloride tablets as directed by a physician to relieve symptoms.

5. Anxiety disorder: This condition may cause excessive brain activity, making it difficult for patients to relax at night and causing them to wake easily from minor stimuli, thus leading to early awakening. It is recommended to use medications such as sertraline hydrochloride tablets, duloxetine hydrochloride enteric-coated tablets, or tandospirone citrate tablets under medical supervision to improve symptoms.

It is also recommended to soak feet in warm water before bedtime, which can improve local blood circulation and, to some extent, enhance sleep quality and prevent premature awakening.