For most people, sleeping is something that they generally look forward to at the end of the day. Getting some well-deserved rest and waking up the next day feeling refreshed and energised is usually no problem at all, when you work out the right sleeping arrangements for you.

Some people suffer with a condition known as Sleep Paralysis – a temporary inability to move your body – which can be scary if it is happening to you for the first time. But don’t worry, this condition doesn’t cause you any harm.

Read on to find out more about the condition and how to treat it.

Symptoms of Sleep Paralysis

Sleep paralysis is the term used to describe a fairly uncommon experience where, as the name suggests, you are not able to move your body despite your mind being awake. The feeling can last from just a few seconds up to several minutes.

Some people may also experience a feeling of pressure across the chest and find that their breathing is a restricted for a short time.

After an episode of sleep paralysis, you are soon able to move and speak as normal, however some people may feel a little anxious and unsettled for a few moments.

Other side effects

This already-uncomfortable sensation can be made more worrying when it is accompanied by feelings of paranoia that someone is watching you or is physically causing your inability to move.  Whilst these type of hallucinations are common during sleep paralysis, they don’t happen to everyone.

What causes sleep paralysis?

When we sleep, it is normal for our muscles to be relaxed, which prevents us from acting out on our dreams (which is probably a good thing for most of us!). Sleep paralysis occurs when our muscles are still relaxed, despite waking up from a sleep.

So there’s no need to worry if this happens to you on the rare occasion. All that’s happening is a delay in your body waking up. It can be uncomfortable and confusing at the time, but there are usually no underlying medical conditions causing it. It just happens!

What is sleep paralysis

Who is affected by the condition?

Sleep Paralysis can affect men and women of any age but is most common in teenagers and young adults.

Risks of suffering from sleep paralysis are also increased by:

  • Irregular sleeping times
  • Sleep deprivation
  • Some medication
  • Conditions including bipolar disorder

Treating Sleep Paralysis

If you are concerned about the condition, there are a couple of things you can try.

It is a good idea to cut down on caffeine, in particular avoid consuming it too close to your bed time. You should also ensure you get regular exercise so that you feel tired when you go to bed.

Another way you can try to prevent sleep paralysis is by making your sleeping environment much more comfortable and supportive of your needs.

You may benefit from bringing in a new large mattress to accommodate you stretching and sprawling during your sleep without interruptions. Making sure your bed suits your needs means you are much more likely to get a decent amount of quality REM sleep during the night.

How we can help

If you suspect that your quality of sleep is being impacted by your current set-up, here at Odd Mattress there is a wide variety of made to measure mattresses of all shapes and sizes intended to give you the perfect environment for restful sleep. We specialise in Bespoke mattresses and can give you a wonderful Odd night’s sleep.

If you’d like more information on finding the right mattress for you, contact us on 01772 786666 and a member of our expert team would be happy to help.