Sleep Paralysis

I remember one night, I was having a hard time falling asleep for whatever reason. I didn’t remember falling asleep, but I suddenly opened my eyes and it was dark, and it was just the worst feeling. I realized I couldn’t move my arms or my legs. I was frozen. I couldn't cry. I couldn’t scream. I was so afraid of what was happening. From the corner of my eye, I saw a pair of feet at the door—it wasn’t a good feeling. My eyes were so fixed on them, I wondered who it was, until the door opened and I realized what was happening. I thought I was crazy, or maybe I was just having the worst nightmare, but it felt so real to me. I was so aware of my surroundings and I felt so awake. My door just opened slowly and it was completely dark but I saw a black figure just staring at me. It came closer and closer, and at this point I just wanted to pass out. I wanted to wake up but my body refused. As it came closer and closer, I woke up. And that was my first sleep paralysis experience.

Sleep paralysis can be different for everyone. It’s not always frightening but most people have experienced it like that. By definition, "sleep paralysis is a temporary inability to move or to speak that can occur before u wake up or fall asleep. It can be very frightening, but is not known to be harmful and should pass a few minutes after occurring." After that night I’ve read all about it, watched documentaries and movies (The Nightmare was pretty chilling), and still I wonder, why? Why was it so frightening? I had many questions at the time, and now, I’m here to give you the answers. Sleep paralysis is actually pretty common. 20 - 60 percent of people experience it at least once in their lifetime. Scary, huh?

Sleep paralysis can be caused by deprivation of sleep, a messed up sleep schedule perhaps, or even stress, but sleeping on your back is actually the most common one, so you know what to do now! The one thing you don’t have to worry about sleep paralysis is that it’s completely harmless. No matter what happens during the occurrence, you can’t be touched or harmed in any way, and the only way to snap out of it is if you wake up or fall back asleep!

Sleep paralysis can actually be really scary. Of course I’m speaking from experience. Once it occurs that one time, you’ll get that reassurance that you’re okay if it’s to happen again. If you wake up unable to move or speak, don’t panic. That’s the last thing you should be doing. Try and relax your mind with whatever works. Maybe tell yourself it isn’t real, or think of waking up. Don’t pay attention to your surroundings because that can make it worse and make it longer for you to snap out of it.

How would you know it’s sleep paralysis? You won’t be able to breathe properly. Of course you’ll be breathing but it’ll be kind of restricted.

You may or may not be able to move your eyes. It's different for everyone who goes through that experience. You won’t be able to move your body, but don’t worry.

You’ll get the feeling that you’re not alone. So many people have the same experience that I did. But not to worry, you gotta stay calm. It will almost be like you’re hallucinating, and it’ll pass in a few minutes.

Sleep paralysis is probably a once in a lifetime experience. For some it can occur a few times a month, but for most people, you only really experience it one time. There are a lot of skeptics out there and wonder, is it real? Well, that’s up to you!

There’s my take on sleep paralysis. Hope it helped, haha. I feel like giving your opinion really helps when it comes to topics like this. So don’t be afraid of opening up if you have an experience like this! :)