Sleep paralysis: causes, information & measures

In this guide you will find out all the causes of sleep paralysis and what you can do about uncomfortable paralysis.

There are several triggers for sleep paralysis. In this post, you will find out what they are and what you can do even if you are stiff.

Perhaps you know the feeling that you are sleeping, dreaming, suddenly waking up and unable to move.

The so-called sleep paralysis is used to:

  • To prevent dreamed movements while sleeping.
  • It is actually a natural protective mechanism in the body.

In the following chapters, I will look at the causes of sleep paralysis and introduce you to ways and means of avoiding it. In detail, it concerns these topics:

You can jump directly to the topic of your choice using the links in the table of contents.

I very much hope that this post will help you resolve your sleep paralysis.

What is sleep paralysis?

Sleep paralysis is a phenomenon which, due to its circumstances, causes concern among many people.

 

Although you are asleep, you find that you cannot move your own body. A really uncomfortable feeling. Anyone who has ever experienced it knows what I am talking about.

Sleep paralysis is also known as rigidity or sleep paralysis. Simply put, your body sleeps while your mind is awake.

The body protects itself

In fact, paralysis is a protective mechanism of the body. Rigid sleep prevents our body from actually executing the movements our mind makes in our dreams.

Although you are running in your dream, your legs do not move when you sleep.

Sometimes it happens that you are consciously aware of this paralysis or rigidity. This effect is called sleep paralysis, in the case of chronic problems also sleep paralysis.

How long does sleep paralysis last?

The duration of sleep paralysis varies greatly from case to case. It can last a few seconds or several minutes. The duration depends on how quickly your body wakes up.

When does paralysis occur?

In the most common cases, paralysis occurs early in the morning.

 

While the body is still in a deep sleep phase, the mind suddenly awakens.

Sleep paralysis can also occur when falling asleep.

Hallucinations

Many people have reported that they have hallucinations while their sleep paralysis has progressed. Often witches, demons or ghosts were seen.

Since sleep paralysis occurs in a state between dream and wakefulness, the hallucinations described can often be traced back to the dreams.

Instead of having positive dreams, many patients report true nightmares they experienced.

What are the causes of sleep paralysis?

In principle, all people sleep paralyze. Only most people do not notice them because they are sound asleep.

 

Sleep is divided into different phases and, especially in the REM phase , more or less intense dreams occur.

The muscles of the body are largely paralyzed, only the eyes move.

Info: You can find out in great detail how the individual sleep phases work in the article Sleep phases explained: This happens to your body at night .

So, when you notice that your body is in a paralysis phase, the problem is that your mind is awake at a time when it should be deeply asleep.

 

Sleep problems and stress are the most common causes of sleep paralysis.

Medical studies have also shown that sleep paralysis can be genetic. Parents can pass sleep paralysis on to their children.

Other triggers for sleep paralysis are alcohol and drugs. These generally lead to restless sleep .

What you can do about sleep paralysis

The better and deeper you sleep, the less likely it is that you will be consciously aware of sleep paralysis. A healthy sleep is therefore the best remedy for sleep paralysis.

You will find a lot of information and aids for sleep problems in these articles:

It is important to question which triggers could be responsible for the fact that you experienced sleep paralysis that very night.

 

Have you been stressed or had a serious argument during the day? Have you been feeling powerless and tired for a few days?

Often there are very simple causes for restless sleep , which then lead to paralysis .

Don’t worry about sleep paralysis

One of the most important therapeutic tools for sleep paralysis is to use information to relieve the patient of fear. As already described, the actual muscle rigidity is a natural protective mechanism of the body.

 

However, anyone who has experienced paralysis knows that it can lead to panic and anxiety.

The feeling of not being able to move, not controlling your breathing, or feeling a burden on you can in many cases be frightening and nightmarish.

However, the more you know about sleep paralysis, the easier it is to spot the problem and stay calm. Talking to a doctor can also help reduce anxiety.

Targeted movement of the eyes

If you are consciously experiencing sleep paralysis, first try to move your eyes selectively.

 

Since the eyes are unaffected by the paralysis of sleep, conscious movement can help you wake up faster.

Other sources recommend consciously trying to move a small part of the body such as a finger or toe.

In this way, you can concentrate on a specific movement. Once you are able to actually move, you should find it easier to move the other parts of your body as well.

When should you see a doctor if you have sleep paralysis?

If you’ve had sleep paralysis once or twice, there is nothing to worry about. A good 40% of all people experience a waking phase at some point, although the body is asleep.

 

Only when sleep paralysis occurs regularly do I recommend that you consult a doctor. They can check whether your sleep problems are due to illness.

Please always use sleeping pills with great caution, many have serious side effects that you should not underestimate.

Important: therefore always consult your family doctor before taking sleeping pills.

Bottom line: sleep paralysis is not a cause for concern

A good 40% of the population has already experienced sleep paralysis. The percentage of those who suffer from chronic sleep paralysis, on the other hand, is negligible.

 

Try to stay calm and resolve any sleep problems you may have. Often times, this will help either avoid further cases of sleep paralysis or get through them without fear.

Rituals help you sleep better and deeper. A walk in the evening, quiet music or a warm bath can work wonders.

However, if your sleep problems occur regularly and chronically recur, it is important to see a doctor to rule out illness as a cause.

For more information, I recommend the articles on Sleep Problems & Sleep Disorders or Sleep Research .

I created Sleep Knowledge to share my interests and experiences on healthy sleeping with others. On this page I am therefore dealing with interesting questions about the optimal night’s sleep & everything else that goes with it.

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