Conditioned Arousal: Why We Can’t Sleep in Our Own Beds
It’s a scenario almost everyone knows: you’re nodding off on the sofa, remote slipping from your hand, but once you climb into bed, sleep vanishes and insomnia kicks in. This phenomenon actually has a scientific name—conditioned arousal. The good news? A British physician has revealed a dead-easy trick to finally break the cycle and reclaim restful sleep.
The Stats Behind Sleeplessness
According to a survey published in March 2022 by Ifop (a leading French polling institute), 7 in 10 French adults reported experiencing sleep disturbances in the previous eight days. If this stat makes you feel less alone, wait—the fundamental triggers are no strangers, either. As highlighted by France’s national health insurance (Assurance maladie), stress and anxiety rank high among the usual suspects, but everyday habits can also sabotage your shut-eye.
Some common sleep disruptors include:
- Alcohol consumption
- Smoking
- Stimulant use (think too much coffee or energy drinks)
- Excessive screen time—phones, tablets, laptops, TV, you name it
On TikTok, Dr. Karan Rangarajan—a British doctor and surgeon known online as Dr. Karan Rajan—recently spotlighted another bad bedtime habit to kick: engaging in stimulating activities while in bed. This practice, he says, is at the root of what he calls “acquired” or “conditioned” arousal.
Dr. Rajan’s Surprisingly Simple Solution
If you find yourself drifting off on your couch but wide awake in bed, Dr. Karan Rangarajan explains, it might be due to this very phenomenon. The reason?
“You’ve accidentally trained your body to associate your bed with being awake. You do things in bed that wake you up: watching Netflix, scrolling on your phone, working, even eating,”
he explains.
This British doctor, who has nearly 5 million followers on TikTok, offers a straightforward and effective tip for breaking the cycle: if you can’t fall asleep after 20 minutes in bed, get up and move to another room. Stay there until you feel tired again. The objective?
“Break the association between your bed and that restless feeling,”
he says.
The Internet Tries the Doctor’s Advice
Plenty of people online have been intrigued by Dr. Rangarajan’s advice and are eager to give it a go. As one commenter named Chris wrote:
“This seems useful. I’m lying here, wide awake, two hours after going to bed. I’m going to try it.”
For others, the technique has already been tried and adopted:
“I literally did sleep therapy, it took me months and they told me exactly what you’re saying (…) It took time but it really helped,”
as Denise shared.
About the Author
Since joining the FemmeActuelle.fr team in 2018, I’ve been a journalist and head of the Health, Parenting, Love, and Weight Loss sections. I also launched the Manipulées podcast, which features testimony from people who have experienced controlling relationships, along with insights from psychologists.
John is a curious mind who loves to write about diverse topics. Passionate about sharing his thoughts and perspectives, he enjoys sparking conversations and encouraging discovery. For him, every subject is an invitation to discuss and learn.
