Many people notice that cold and flu symptoms like coughing, congestion, sore throat, and body aches feel more intense at night. This happens for several reasons. As the body prepares for sleep, natural hormone levels shift, inflammation increases, and mucus drains differently when you lie down. Lower night-time cortisol levels can make symptoms feel more noticeable, and dryness from indoor heating may also irritate the throat and nasal passages. Because you're less distracted at ...