About Us

We're the creators of BetterSleep, a leading wellness app helping over 60 million people around the globe sleep better.

We’re on a mission to help people around the world live a happier, healthier life, through expert-led meditations, sleep stories, brainwaves and more.

Share article
Waking up Dizzy: Should I Be Concerned?
sleep / wellness
Waking up Dizzy: Should I Be Concerned?
by BetterSleep
4 min read
Share article

I woke up feeling dizzy

Do you ever wake up one morning and start getting a strange heavy feeling in the head, like your brain is going numb? Surely, you’re probably thinking there’s something wrong, like you’ve just woken up with a massive migraine or headache. Surprisingly enough, it’s not as dire as you might think, unless you experience it regularly. Even if it may not require attention from a health professional, here’s what you should know about morning dizziness.

What causes you to wake up heavy-headed and dizzy?

Some of the most common causes of waking up feeling dizzy and heavy-headed includes low blood pressure (also known as hypotension), low blood sugar (most often if you have diabetes), dehydration, hangovers, and ear infections such as labyrinthitis. If you’re taking prescription medication, make sure that dizziness is not one of the possible side effects. Postural hypotension, can also result from when one changes their position after waking up from sleep. Symptoms from this can include fainting and impaired vision. In general, dizziness after waking up can be a consequence of lack of sufficient blood flow to the brain, which leads to a drop in both energy and glucose. Certain medications that can cause this symptom include antidepressants, antibiotics, and immunosuppressants. However, morning dizziness doesn’t often require medical attention unless a more serious underlying condition is present. This condition can often be vertigo.

Can lack of sleep cause dizziness? Yes and no. Though sleep deprivation normally doesn’t directly lead to it, at least one study has found that disturbances in sleep for those with inner ear disorders can cause dizziness. Insomnia is also a disorder that can also lead to feeling dizzy after waking up, as well as fatigues, severe headaches, and mental health issues. Sleep apnea is another condition that can cause morning dizziness, since it disrupts one’s breathing during sleep, leading to reduced oxygen.

What are the symptoms?

If you wake up and your head feels weird, you can experience several different symptoms. These include balance issues, wooziness, lightheadedness, and feeling like the room you’re in is spinning. Should you also experience dry lips, headaches, and thirstiness, you’re most likely dehydrated. Oftentimes, this can be the result of drinking too much alcohol or caffeine, taking diuretics (also known as “water pills”), or simply not drinking enough water.

Lowered blood pressure can also result from when one changes their position after waking up from sleep. Symptoms from this can include fainting and impaired vision. In general, dizziness after waking up can be a consequence of lack of sufficient blood flow to the brain, which leads to a drop in both energy and glucose.

What Does It mean When You Dream About a Deceased Loved One?

How do you prevent morning dizziness?

Part of treating this condition comes with making certain lifestyle adjustments. These include exercise, sleeping more, minimizing consumption of alcohol and caffeine, eating better, and quitting smoking. It’s also important to drink plenty of liquids—preferably water—during the day, particularly if you perform high-intensity workouts or work a labour-intensive job outdoors. A glass of water before bed and after waking up is another solution.

Normally, morning dizziness doesn’t last particularly long. If you frequently wake up feeling a weird, pulsating sensation in your head, there may be a bigger cause behind your symptoms. Ultimately, the best things you can do are to work out, eat healthy, don’t move your position too quickly upon waking up, and—most obviously—get a good night’s sleep.

Share article

Related posts

The Importance of Sleep
sleep / wellness
The Importance of Sleep
by BetterSleep
8 min read
Best Teas for Sleep
sleep / wellness
Best Teas for Sleep
by BetterSleep
10 min read
Coffee Naps: What Are They and Do They Work?
sleep / wellness
Coffee Naps: What Are They and Do They Work?
by BetterSleep
5 min read
Reading Before Bed: What You Should Know
sleep
Reading Before Bed: What You Should Know
by BetterSleep
7 min read
Can BetterSleep Help with Snoring?
sleep / news
Can BetterSleep Help with Snoring?
by BetterSleep
8 min read
Remembering Dreams: Why You Don't
sleep
Remembering Dreams: Why You Don't
by BetterSleep
7 min read
Understanding Deep Sleep
sleep
Understanding Deep Sleep
by BetterSleep
10 min read
Nightmares in Children
sleep / lifestyle
Nightmares in Children
by BetterSleep
7 min read
Why You Need to Start Listening to Sleep Stories
sleep / news
Why You Need to Start Listening to Sleep Stories
by BetterSleep
9 min read
Night Terrors Explained: How to Help Someone With Night Terrors
sleep
Night Terrors Explained: How to Help Someone With Night Terrors
by BetterSleep
10 min read

Top 10 posts

From Stress to Success: How to Manage Back-to-School Anxiety
wellness / mental health
From Stress to Success: How to Manage Back-to-School Anxiety
by BetterSleep
5 min read
Behind the Scenes: Pride 2024 at BetterSleep with Collin Martin
lifestyle / news
Behind the Scenes: Pride 2024 at BetterSleep with Collin Martin
by Scott Yim
4 min read
Waking Up to Injustice: The Intersection of Racism, Sleep Deprivation, and Black History
news / mental health
Waking Up to Injustice: The Intersection of Racism, Sleep Deprivation, and Black History
by BetterSleep
8 min read
Sleep Paralysis Explained
sleep
Sleep Paralysis Explained
by BetterSleep
10 min read
How to Cope with Holiday Depression and Stress
mental health / wellness
How to Cope with Holiday Depression and Stress
by BetterSleep
5 min read
Have a Healthy Holiday Season
news / wellness
Have a Healthy Holiday Season
by BetterSleep
5 min read
Mindful Listening
lifestyle / mental health
Mindful Listening
by BetterSleep
6 min read
Sleep Hypnosis Apps: A Guide to Self-Hypnosis
sleep
Sleep Hypnosis Apps: A Guide to Self-Hypnosis
by BetterSleep
7 min read
Calming Foods for Anxiety
wellness / mental health
Calming Foods for Anxiety
by BetterSleep
8 min read
Brown Noise
sleep / wellness
Brown Noise
by BetterSleep
4 min read