Imagine this: your body jerks awake as if you were falling while you are laying in bed, at last ready to go asleep. That shocks you and makes you question what just happened.
You are not alone if you have at least once gone through this. Actually, up to seventy percent of people have experienced these odd feelings sometimes referred to as hypnic jerkes or sleep beginnings. But why then do they arise?
Actually, the reason hypnic jerkes occur is not well understood. A few ideas, meantime, provide some understanding of the likely causes behind them.
One hypothesis holds that hypnic jerkes arise as the nervous system naturally slows down during our going off to sleep. Our body relaxes, the brain may misunderstand this as a symptom of falling and signal our muscles to jerk us awake. It seems as a reflexive reaction to guard us from possible harm.
Another theory suggests that irregular sleep cycles, stress, anxiety, and coffee could all help to explain the frequency and intensity of hypnic jerkes. These elements can throw off our regular sleep patterns and increase our vulnerability to get these unexpected shocks.
Although the precise origin of hypnic jerkes is yet unknown, there are several steps you might take to reduce their frequency. The occurrences of hypnic jerkes may be lessened by practicing relaxation techniques before bed, designing a peaceful sleep environment, and keeping a regular sleep pattern.
Thus, keep in mind that you are not alone the next time you wake up startled by a sudden jerk. Many folks go through this often occurring phenomena. Accept the mystery and work to establish a calm sleeping schedule that will enable you to slink off into dreamland unaltered.
