Sleep Paralysis

If you have experienced sleep paralysis in your life, you'll know that it can be very confusing and scary. I want to explain what you are experiencing.

If you haven't heard of sleep paralysis, I'll explain. It is an experience where you've become conscious either while falling asleep or while waking up but your body is unable to move. Your eyes are still alert so you can see your bedroom but have no control over your body. Some people will experience a vibrating sensation, hear a loud high pitched ringing in their ears, and even see hallucinations in the room around them. It is more common than you may think. Millions of people have had this so you are not alone.

Naturally, this is alarming to the person experiencing this because, let's be honest, it sounds pretty crappy. I have suffered from sleep paralysis for years (I am 20-years-old and it started when I was about 14). I remember the first time that it happened and I was so frightened that I couldn't go back to sleep at night. Not only was I scared just from the experience but I didn't know what the hell it was so what I'm saying is. I know how you feel.

Now let me explain WHY this happens. When you are in a R.E.M. sleep (rapid eye movement, also known as a deep sleep) your body paralyses itself so that you don't, you know, run around acting out what you are dreaming. Some people experience other disturbances to their R.E.M. sleep and that's why we have sleep walkers (I've done this too). Anyways, sometimes something interrupts that R.E.M. sleep (I'll give examples further along) and your brain wakes itself up instantly. Well, your body doesn't always get the message that it's "wakey time" since you were awoken so abruptly, and thus you can see but not move.

Let's talk about the hallucinations now. For many people, this can be the freakiest part of the whole thing. I've seen some pretty crazy stuff happen in my bedroom during sleep paralysis. I haven't been able to look at my teddy bear the same since he walked across my room and waved at me really. Now let me assure you, no you are not crazy, no you are not hallucinating because you are crazy, and no, your teddy bears cannot really come to life and greet you and there is not a blood thirsty demon sitting on your chest waiting to gouge your eyes out. The reason the hallucinations can happen is because, just like your frozen body, your brain is not entirely awake yet either so you are in this sort of half-dream, half-conscious phenomenon. Oh and the vibrating feeling? That awful feeling is your body doing its magic on your nerves to keep you from moving in your sleep; as I said before, quite unpleasant.

There's a number of things that can interrupt your R.E.M. sleep and one of the number one examples is anxiety. Yep, that other challenging thing that lots of us deal with on a day-to-day basis. Anxiety is a very interesting thing; it can make you think you are really having a heart attack (I know from many trips to the emergency room in a panic), convince you that you have an illness you don't have, the list goes on and on. Well, naturally this can also effect your sleep since your brain never stops running. Even when you're sleeping, that adrenaline and those intrusive thoughts can keep swarming around up there. Other things that can effect R.E.M. sleep are caffeine, not having a set sleeping schedule (even naps), a noise in your room startling you, and even just a bad dream. It's crazy how sensitive the human brain can be; it's both a blessing and a curse but once again, you are not crazy and you are not alone on this.

While you are experiencing sleep paralysis (as hard as it is to stay calm), try breathing deeply a few times and remind yourself about what is happening, and that it is nothing to be alarmed about. Start by wiggling your fingers, as this is commonly one of the easiest things to gain control of, continue breathing, and focus on your breaths and your fingers. Eventually you will gain control again.

These are tips and ways to lower your chances of getting sleep paralysis as often:

• Don't drink caffeine or eat sugary foods at least three hours before going to sleep.
• Get yourself on a schedule, try to go to sleep at the same time every night, and if you just simply can't cut naps out of your life (because let's be honest, naps are heaven), then nap at the same time every day.
• Refrain from drugs and alcohol.
• Try watching a relaxing short meditation video at night before falling asleep to calm your nerves and anxiety.
• Don't sleep on your back. It sounds weird but, having experienced this for quite some time, I can assure you that it is by far easier to gain control of your arms and push yourself up while on your stomach or side than it is to pull some kind of half-frozen gymnastic trick to get your arms under your back and get up.
• Oh and if someone in bed with you is experiencing this, DO NOT TOUCH THEM. No you are not helping, their body will wake up when it decides to, and you could actually make matters worse by doing this.

So there you have it. Sleep paralysis will never be an enjoyable experience, but it doesn't need to be alarming. Happy sleeping!