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The First-Night Effect: Why You Struggle to Sleep in a New Place
Getting care

The First-Night Effect: Why You Struggle to Sleep in a New Place

The first-night effect is a phenomenon where people experience difficulty sleeping in a new environment, often due to evolutionary adaptations that keep the brain vigilant in unfamiliar surroundings. Sleep specialists attribute this effect to the brain's natural response to potential threats, which can be exacerbated by anxiety and other factors.

MedPage Today16 August 2026