The state of being 'tired but wired' in the middle of the night is caused by an overactive alertness system rather than a lack of physical fatigue, and using the 'Cognitive Shuffle' can help quiet mental agitation to fall asleep.

noli's read

The explanation that nocturnal 'tired but wired' states stem from an overactive alertness system (hyperarousal) is well-supported by research. In-depth literature reviews, such as those by Dieter Riemann (2010), confirm that sleep onset difficulties often result from mental and physical overactivity rather than a lack of biological need for recovery. Conversely, the 'Cognitive Shuffle' technique developed by researcher Luc Beaudoin is based on clinical evidence that remains very limited. The method relies primarily on exploratory work and conference presentations (Beaudoin, 2016), but lacks large-scale randomized controlled trials published in peer-reviewed journals. Although this type of mental exercise is recognized by many expert opinions as an effective gentle distraction to break the train of rational thought, its overall efficacy remains to be rigorously demonstrated. It is a highly interesting and harmless practical tool for promoting nocturnal relaxation, even if its scientific foundation is still a work in progress.

the sources

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