- By Aditi Priya Singh
- Sun, 16 Nov 2025 07:39 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
What is Sleep Paralysis: Sleep is supposed to give your brain and body a calm pause, but for many people, it occasionally becomes scary. A thing like that’s called sleep paralysis - waking up while being unable to movement, talk or respond. Your head's alert, still your muscles won't follow. This odd phase usually runs just seconds or minutes, though it feels way more longer.
Why Sleep paralysis feels scary ?
People who face this call sleep paralysis the most terrifying moment they’ve ever gone through. Many of feels heavy weight on their chest, like something bad’s nearby, or swear there's a person standing close - even when no one is. It feels incredibly real, tricking the mind into thinking it’s actually happening.
Even though it seems scary, sleep paralysis pops up often - and it’s totally safe. People go through it once or twice in their lifelifetime - sometimes more. Getting what triggers it - the signs, the truth - helps calm the fear down.
What Is Sleep Paralysis?
Sleep paralysis occurs when your head wakes up while your body's stuck in deep rest. During dreaming, the body and muscles shut down automatically - so you don't move. This shutdown lingers sometimes, even after the brain becomes alert. That overlap causes the freeze.
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Common Symptoms of Sleep Paralysis
People may experience:
* Inability to move the body
* Inability to speak or shout
* Pressure on the chest
* Feeling someone is in the room
* Difficulty breathing
* Fear or panic
* Visual or sound hallucinations
* Sweating or fast heartbeat after waking
What Causes Sleep Paralysis?
Several factors can trigger this condition. Major Causes are;
* Irregular sleep schedule
* Lack of proper sleep
* Stress, anxiety, or overthinking
* Sleeping on the back
* Night-time disturbances
* Certain medications
* Family history of sleep disorders
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How Sleep paralysis Happens?
Sleep paralysis is common among: Students with irregular sleep patterns, People with high stress levels, night shift workers, people with insomnia or person who take frequent naps during the day. Here are the process how sleep paralysis happens;
1. When you enter or exit sleep too quickly.
2. When REM sleep (dream stage) gets disturbed
3. When the brain wakes up before the body does
Surprising Facts About Sleep Paralysis
1. Sleep paralysis affects 8 out of 100 people worldwide.
2. It is not dangerous and has no physical harm.
3. This usually last less than 2 minutes.
4. Many cultures around the world have myths linked to sleep paralysis.
5. Staying calm during an episode helps it end faster.
6. Proper sleep routines can reduce it highly.
7. Sleep paralysis is sometimes linked to lucid dreaming.