Sleep paralysis happens when a person is unable to move or speak as they’re falling asleep or waking up.
This can often be a scary experience; however, it’s not harmful. Believe it or not, most people will experience sleep paralysis once or twice in their lives.
When we experience sleep paralysis, we’re awake, but unable to speak, open our eyes, or move. It feels like someone is in the room and like we’re being pushed down.
One may also feel scared. This experience usually lasts for several minutes.
What Are the Reasons for Sleep Paralysis?
When we can’t move the muscles while falling asleep or waking up. This happens due to being in sleep mode while the brain is awake.
The reasons why sleep paralysis happens aren’t clear.
However, it’s been associated with insomnia, disturbances in sleeping patterns, narcolepsy, PTSD, anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and a family history of sleep paralysis.
How to Reduce the Risk of Sleep Paralysis?
To prevent this uncomfortable experience, here are some tips that can help out:
- Get 6 to 8 hours of sleep per night
- Try to follow a sleep routine: go to bed at approximately the same time and get up at the same time
- Work out on a regular basis, but not in the four hours before sleep
- Avoid big meals, alcohol, or cigarettes before going to bed
- Avoid back sleeping; this can increase the risk of sleep paralysis
- It may be advisable to consult a GP if you have sleep paralysis and are anxious when going to sleep
- Consult your GP if you feel fatigued consistently due to sleeplessness
Is Sleep Paralysis Treatable?
A GP may treat the underlying cause of sleep paralysis if it’s PTSD or insomnia. If these treatments don’t work out, you may be advised to consult a sleep specialist.
Meds may be given to you to treat depression. This is because lower doses of these meds may help with sleep paralysis. Cognitive behavioral therapy is another option.
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