Facing sleep paralysis can feel scary, but it’s essential to understand it and how to cope with it.
What is sleep paralysis?
When you’re shifting between being awake and asleep, you might experience a moment where you can’t move, known as sleep paralysis.
It usually happens when you’re lying down, just about to sleep or waking up. During this time, you might feel like something heavy is on you, have trouble breathing, and even see or hear things that aren’t there.
This can be really distressing, making it hard to go back to sleep. Some folks even feel like they’re being choked or surrounded by scary stuff. Because of this, some people end up with insomnia or become afraid of going to sleep.
Why does it happen?
We’re not entirely sure what causes sleep paralysis, but certain things seem to make it more likely. For example, if you’re between 18 and 29 years old, or if you’re really stressed out, tired, or not taking care of yourself, you might be at a higher risk.
Other factors, like genetics, your body clock, or certain sleep problems, could also play a part. So, it’s a mix of stuff like your genes, how you live, and even when you were born.
How do you deal with it?
For most people, sleep paralysis doesn’t need medical treatment. But if it happens a lot or really freaks you out, it’s a good idea to talk to a doctor.
There are different ways to deal with it. Sometimes, just making changes to your lifestyle, like getting enough sleep, relaxing before bed, or avoiding stuff like caffeine, can help. And there are therapies, like talking with a therapist or learning ways to relax, that might make it easier to handle.
It’s also important to have people around you who understand what you’re going through. Talking about it with friends or family, or getting support from a professional, can really help