Youth Incorporated Magazine

You are in deep sleep in the middle of the night. You see someone sitting in front of you, a silhouette. You are trying to switch on the lights, but they don’t seem to co-operate. You then try to open the door and run away but that too is jammed and refuses to open no matter what. With all your strength you are trying to move and even shout to call for help, but your body is rendered immobile. If these or similar kinds of nightmares are creeping up into your sleep, you could be suffering from sleep paralysis. 

Sleep Paralysis is a sleeping disorder that is gradually becoming common among people. Not only does it leave you in a state of immobility, but also frightened. For some, it occurs once in 3-4 months, for some, it occurs almost daily. Nevertheless, it needs to be corrected. 

What exactly happens in Sleep Paralysis?

Different people have different experiences but they are more or less the same. 

• You feel as if someone is sitting on your chest
• You feel someone is watching you
• You feel like yelling and calling for help
• You feel like waking up
• You start experiencing difficulty in breathing
• You start perspiring

Why does Sleep Paralysis occur?

There are multiple causes of sleep paralysis, however, the most common one is unhealthy sleeping habits. Staying up till late, especially exposing yourself to screens or sleeping for less than 7 hours, constant disturbances in the sleep, etc can cause sleep paralysis. 

Other causes include: 

• Stress
• Overthinking
• Narcolepsy (daytime drowsiness)
• Anxiety disorders
• Depression
• Bipolar disorder
• Disrupted day schedule
• Jet lag
• Disconnect with the soul

How can you rectify it? 

There are a few basic things you can mindfully practice to keep sleep paralysis in check: 

• Meditation is a great way to calm the mind down. 5-10 minutes of meditation before bed regularly can calm the mind down and promise a sound sleep.

• Exercising too can help in shedding off stress and releasing happy hormones that keep the mind at peace. Besides, when you exercise, the body tires and slips into a state of lul during the nights ensuring deep sleep.

• If the disorder escalates, it is better you see a doctor.

The people who are most likely to suffer from sleep paralysis are those between the age group of 14 to 60.