Do you get a 'second wind' during bedtime? Here's what it means.

For god's sake don't even think about reading the Report before bedtime. Otherwise you can look forward to a long evening filled with vapid sex. That's expecially dangerous if you're not alone.

Do you get a 'second wind' during bedtime? Here's what it means.

Portrait of Adrianna RodriguezAdrianna Rodriguez

USA TODAY, Oct 15, 2025

Why do screens disrupt bedtime according to the article?

What does Dr. Lu recommend when experiencing a 'second wind'?

How is 'second wind' linked to sleep disorders like insomnia?

Why do screens disrupt bedtime according to the article?

After a long day of work, chores, errands and parenting, you can barely keep your eyes open. But instead of crashing into the soft bed you’ve been yearning for all day, you’re hit with an unexpected burst of energy.

What gives?

People may experience a “second wind” if they miss their typical sleep window, said Dr. William Lu, medical director of Dreem Health, an online sleep clinic.

Around bedtime, the brain emits neurotransmitters that tell the body it’s time for sleep, he said. But if a person stays up, the brain thinks the body needs to be awake and sends wake-promoting neurotransmitters.

This can also happen when people are lying in bed scrolling on their phone, Lu said.

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“Having light shining brightly into your eyes can push back when you’re feeling sleepy,” he said. “As you’re reading through or digesting content, that can activate you and tell your mind, ‘I need to be awake to digest content.’”

If you’re feeling anxious for any reason, Lu said stress hormones, like cortisol, can also trigger wake neurotransmitters and flush out the ones that help the body sleep.

What to do if you get that ‘second wind’

When a "second wind" hits, staying in bed won't help, Lu said.

The more you associate the bed with stress and sleeplessness, the harder it will be to fall asleep at bedtime. Instead, he suggests leaving the bed and restarting the bedtime routine with relaxing activities, such as reading a book or meditating.

“We want to break that stimulus and retrain your body and mind to associate the bed as a place of rest,” he said. "The more that you associate that stimulus of struggling in bed or that stress, your body is going to respond and release stress hormones as a result," making it more difficult to fall asleep.

What is good sleep? Scientists find consistent sleep a major health indicator over sleep duration

The best way to avoid a “second wind” during bedtime is to maintain a relaxing routine around your sleep window, Lu said, "consistency is key." He also recommends ditching phones and other screens before bed.

“Nothing good is going to come from doomscrolling after 9 p.m.,” he said.

While some people may experience this “second wind” on occasion, others may be experiencing a sleep disorder, like insomnia or sleep apnea. Lu urges those who have consistent problems with the quality, timing and amount of sleep to seek help from a sleep specialist.

Adrianna Rodriguez can be reached at adrodriguez@usatoday.com.