Sleep & Health

STRANGE SLEEP BEHAVIORS

Hold on, what am I doing?
Why am I eating? I should be in bed right now...
Why do I still wet bed at 25?
I cannot move, but I am in a conscious state!!
...

Have you experienced these scenes and been trapped in a strange feeling? Welcome to the weird and wonderful world of sleep! We all know how vital it is to get a good night’s sleep, but did you know that some people have some truly odd sleeping habits? Here are some of the strangest things that can occur when we’re getting some z’s.

What are Strange Sleep Behaviors?
What Do These Strange Sleep Behaviors Mean?

WHAT ARE STRANGE SLEEP BEHAVIORS?

Sleep, that elusive state of rejuvenation and repose, can occasionally be a peculiar experience. Our sleep is periodically disturbed by actions that appear right out of a horror film. For example, sleepwalking, sleeptalking, teeth grinding, and night terrors. We’ll explore the interesting world of unusual sleep habits and make an effort to explain these nocturnal enigmas in this article, so hold your teddy bear tight and get ready for this fascinating world!

SLEEPWALKING

As the name suggests, you are walking while asleep. Imagine waking up in the middle of the night and discovering that you're aimlessly walking in your house, fully oblivious to what you are doing. Say “Hi” to the sleepwalking world!

When we are sleeping the most deeply, our bodies are technically still asleep, but our minds have made up their minds to embark on an adventure, and this bizarre behavior occurs. Sleepwalkers never cease to surprise us with their nightly antics, whether they are rubbing the refrigerator or moving furniture.

SLEEPTALKING

Sleep talking is the occurrence where our unconscious selves choose to reveal our most private information to the public. Or just mumble incoherently about something utterly unrelated. Either way, it’s always interesting for someone who is lucky to see it. Most of us are afraid of whether sleep talking will unveil our deepest desires or darkest thoughts, but the odds can be as rare as winning the lottery.

SLEEP PARALYSIS

Sleep paralysis is yet another odd sleeping pattern. When you wake up, your body is immobile. It's as though you’re entrapped by your own flesh! If you frequently have nightmares, sleep paralysis can be rather scary.

REM BEHAVIOR DISORDER

REM Sleep Behavior Disorder (RBD) is a parasomnia feature acting out in dreams. When you are asleep, you might start kicking or hitting in your dream if you’re fantasizing about fending off a horde of zombies. And there is the possibility of shouting or talking in your sleep, which is similar to acting in an action movie in person!

There are still lots of strange sleep disorders that we do not list above, such as sleep twitch, clenching fists in sleep, curling wrist in sleep... these weird moves may be caused by your stress level or your personal lifestyle, or it could be the side effects of your current medical condition. If you are worried about why the peculiar action happens while sleeping, don’t panic, find out the underlying causes, and seek help from professionals.

WHAT DO THESE STRANGE SLEEP BEHAVIORS MEAN?

CAUSES

Strange sleep patterns might result from a variety of circumstances. To begin with, stress and anxiety can play a big role. Our brains sometimes have trouble turning off at night when we’re feeling overwhelmed, which can cause restless sleep and all sorts of odd behaviors. Sleep disorders, such as sleep apnea or restless legs syndrome may also be to blame. Our sleep habits may be disturbed by these situations, which leads to actions like tossing and turning or even sleepwalking.

ARE THESE SLEEP BEHAVIORS BAD FOR HEALTH?

The good news is: that occasional sleepwalking, teeth grinding, and talking when you are asleep isn’t necessarily harmful. Occasionally odd sleeping habits are only a reflection of our own personalities. We all have our eccentricities, and occasionally those oddities show themselves while we are asleep. In fact, many people engage in these practices from time to time throughout their lives without suffering any harmful effects.

However, if these behaviors turn into a pattern or severe, they can indicate a sleep disturbance. For example, sleepwalking can be risky if you roam outside or act dangerously. Dental issues and jaw pain can result from grinding teeth. Plus, talking out loud can also interfere with your partner or roommates.

So what can you do if you are experiencing these odd actions?

TREATMENT

First and foremost, prioritizing sound sleep hygiene. That entails maintaining a regular sleep schedule, abstaining from caffeine and alcohol before bed, and establishing a calm and relaxing sleep environment.

If your symptoms are continuous and recurring, it might be worthwhile to consult a sleep expert or your doctor. They can work with you to develop a treatment strategy that will help you identify any underlying issues that might be causing your odd behaviors.