Have you ever experienced waking up in the middle of your sleep but you suddenly couldn’t move any part of your body? This weird sensation is actually called sleep paralysis.
According to WebMD’s definition, sleep paralysis is “the feeling of being conscious but unable to move.” This often happens when a person “passes between stages of wakefulness and sleep.”
Although sleep paralysis can indeed be a scary experience, it is actually a common occurrence that does not cause harm to the body. Sometimes our body becomes very relaxed while sleeping but our minds suddenly gain consciousness and so we are unable to move or talk for a few seconds or minutes. Naturally, people are likely to panic when they experience sleep paralysis.
For some people, sleep paralysis is a rare occurrence and they may experience it only once or twice in their life. There are, however, some people who experience it pretty often – even several times in a week.
WebMD tells us that there are some factors that increase the risk of experiencing sleep paralysis such as:
- Lack of sleep
- Frequent changes in sleep schedule
- Mental conditions, such as stress or bipolar disorder
- Sleeping on the back
- Sleep problems such as narcolepsy or nighttime leg cramps
- Certain types of medication, such as those with ADHD
- Substance abuse
No treatments are needed for sleep paralysis but sometimes, a medical expert may detect underlying condition which may require treatments.
Generally, such treatments would be:
- Implementation of a sleeping schedule
- Prescription for an anti-depressant
- Referral to a mental health professional
- Referral to a sleep specialist
- Treatment of any underlying sleep disorders
- Prescription for sleeping aids
Most of the time, getting sufficient amount of stress and avoiding stress before sleeping can help you avoid sleep paralysis. Eliminating intake of alcohol, caffeine, and nicotine can likewise be a good solution. Finally, avoid bringing electronic devices in the bedroom and do your best to establish a regular schedule for resting.
source : supertastyrecipes / webMD