Ever been in a dream where you’re trying to run but you can’t? Or you’re moving really slowly and just can’t go any faster? Well, sometimes that happens in real life, and it can be scary! If this has ever happened to you, keep reading to find out about sleep paralysis; what it means and what you can do to prevent it from happening again.
What Is Sleep Paralysis?
Sleep paralysis is a state of feeling unable to move even though you’re conscious. It happens during the transition between wakefulness and sleep and can prevent you from being able to move or speak for several seconds and sometimes even minutes. In some cases, it can make you feel as if you’re choking. It can happen when you are starting to fall asleep or as you are waking up.
What Causes Sleep Paralysis?
Sleep paralysis may be hereditary, and it often accompanies another sleeping disorder such as narcolepsy, which is an overpowering need to sleep. Other possible causes include:
- Changes in a sleep routine
- Sleep deprivation
- A side effect of medications including those for ADHD
- Stress, anxiety, or other mental disorders
How is Sleep Paralysis Treated?
There is no specific sleep paralysis treatment. Episodes of sleep paralysis can be minimized by treating the underlying conditions that cause them to happen. Getting 7-8 hours of sleep at night, addressing mental health problems, changing medications, and treating other sleep disorders such as narcolepsy are the best ways to stop sleep paralysis from happening.
One of the Best Ways to Stop Sleep Paralysis is to Get Better Sleep
If you’re concerned about the sleep paralysis episodes you’ve been having, you may want to discuss it with your doctor. One recommendation you may get from a health professional is to start getting 7-8 hours of sleep at night since sleep deprivation can lead to increased episodes of sleep paralysis. Whether you’re staying up late watching TV or you just can’t get comfortable on your bed, it’s important to make changes in order to give your brain and body the rest it needs at night. Here are some ways to start getting more sleep:
Here are some ways to start getting more sleep:
- Establish a regular bedtime routine. Plan to get quiet and head to bed 8 hours before you need to wake up in the morning. Turn off the TV, tablet or phone 30 minutes before you head to bed since blue light from electronics can keep you from falling asleep. Use a dim lamp in your bedroom, read a few pages of a book or magazine, and then close your eyes.
- Stop drinking endless caffeine throughout the day. Afternoon and evening energy drinks and sodas are terrible for interrupting quality sleep. Don’t drink them after 2 or 3 pm to prevent yourself from waking up in the middle of the night.Buy a more comfortable mattress. You’ll never get the sleep you need if you’re tossing and turning all night. Pain from a bed that’s too firm or too soft can prevent you from falling asleep and cause sleep disturbances throughout the night. A quality mattress that offers pressure relief and keeps your spine in neutral alignment is a necessity for preventing sleep deprivation.
- Buy a more comfortable mattress. You’ll never get the sleep you need if you’re tossing and turning all night. Pain from a bed that’s too firm or too soft can prevent you from falling asleep and cause sleep disturbances throughout the night. A quality mattress that offers pressure relief and keeps your spine in neutral alignment is a necessity for preventing sleep deprivation.
Have you checked out, “5 Simple Steps to Improve Your Sleep?” These quick and easy steps in addition to the right mattress could help you sleep better for longer!
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