Most people need about eight hours of sleep per night to feel like a human the next day. There is no doubt that getting a good night’s sleep is important, not only for your physical health but for your mental health as well!
There are many individuals, however, who find that getting a good night’s sleep can be quite difficult. For some, it is a matter of not being able to fall asleep at night but for others, it is having their sleep ruined by a phenomenon that is known as sleep paralysis.
An issue with sleep paralysis occurs when your mind wakes up but your body has not yet had the opportunity to do so. During an episode of sleep paralysis, you see and understand everything that is taking place around you and you breathe normally, but you can’t move a muscle. More than likely, a problem with sleep paralysis has left you terrified and wondering what is truly happening to you.
For some individuals, sleep paralysis is reported after they hear a large noise in their head that wakes them up suddenly. Some people have even reported that it feels as if they were being choked and they have a difficulty with sleeping. An issue with sleep paralysis can last anywhere from a few seconds to a few minutes and at times, even longer. It is most common during teenage years.
An issue with sleep paralysis is not very common, as it is thought to only affect less than 8% of the population. It does not carry any serious physical risks on its own but the mental risk can be quite damaging for the long run. There is some thought that it may be associated with genetics but a lack of sleep, schedule changes and even sleeping on your back can be a great contributor. In times past, it was thought to be caused by evil forces but now it is known to be a physical phenomenon.
These 8 Facts about Sleep Paralysis May Frighten You:
1. No One Knows What Causes It – Although there has been extensive study on the subject, scientists are unable to determine what causes it or what may trigger it. For thousands of years, sleep paralysis has been a mystery and it continues to be one today.
2. You May Feel like You are Dead – When going through an episode of sleep paralysis, many people report that they feel that they are dead, although they are mentally awake. It has sometimes been described as an out of body experience.
3. It Could Occur When You Are Falling Asleep – For most people who experience sleep paralysis, it takes place when they wake up. It may also be possible that it could affect you during the part of your sleep cycle when you are falling asleep, as you could be slipping into REM sleep.
4. It’s More Likely to Occur If You Don’t Sleep Enough – Studies have shown that if you have chronic sleep issues or don’t get enough sleep on a regular basis, you’re more likely to experience sleep paralysis.
5. You May Continue to Have Your Nightmare – Individuals who wake up with sleep paralysis may feel as if they are still living in the nightmare after they open their eyes. This could include hallucinations. They may be mentally alert and awake but their minds are seeing things that were part of their imagination.
6. It May Feel As If Something Is on Your Chest – One of the common descriptions associated with sleep paralysis is that it feels as if someone is sitting on your chest.
7. It Is Impossible to Wake up Your Body – If you are experiencing sleep paralysis, there is no sense in trying to snap yourself out of it. It doesn’t matter what you do, you will have to wait for your body to wake up naturally.
8. Anyone Can Experience It – Although you may not have experienced sleep paralysis at any point prior in your life, it can happen to anyone at any time. There is also some thought that everyone will have a problem with it at some point in their life.
Please pass this on to others.