Imagine parts of your brain snoozing while others are wide awake. Sounds strange, right? Well, that’s what happens when people sleepwalk! The mind is a complex landscape, and when it comes to sleep, there’s still much to learn. Those who sleepwalk not only take a toll on their bodies but also their daily lives due to increased sleepiness and a need for extra rest. Let’s dive deeper into why sleepwalking occurs and what it means for the people who experience it.
A divided brain at bedtime
Sleepwalking occurs when parts of the brain are fast asleep, while others remain fully conscious. So, while it may look like a person is wakefully interacting with the world, their brain is still partially asleep. According to Antonio Zadra, a researcher at the University Health Network, “the brain does not fall asleep in a single block all at once. Sleep may occur in a localized manner. Parts of the brain can fall asleep before others.”
This scenario is not limited to those who sleepwalk, implying that even people without this condition may experience certain brain regions falling asleep first.
The memory mystery
Interesting enough, sleepwalkers, particularly adults, can often recall their actions during their nocturnal adventures. In children and adolescents, amnesia is more common, but many adults can remember what they did and even what they thought and felt while sleepwalking.
Moreover, they’re frequently aware that their sleepwalking actions were not rational choices. For instance, a person could douse their dog with water because they believed it was on fire despite zero evidence supporting this notion. The brain conjures up an explanation for doing something rather than automatically performing the action.
The daytime struggle
While sleepwalking is, by definition, a nighttime issue, the problem doesn’t end when the sun rises. Sleepwalkers often experience increased daytime sleepiness, which can impact their quality of life and ability to function optimally. This issue can lead to a desire and even a need for additional rest or napping during the day.
Solutions and strategies for sleepwalkers
Whether you fall into this category yourself or know someone who sleepwalks, solutions could help manage and alleviate these issues. Here are a few strategies to consider:
- Set a sleep schedule: By establishing a consistent bedtime, even on weekends, the sleep cycle can become more stable. This reduced disruption could help prevent sleepwalking episodes from occurring as frequently.
-
Create a sleep-friendly environment: Ensure the bedroom is conducive to a good night’s sleep by keeping it dark, quiet, and a comfortable temperature.
-
Develop a bedtime routine: Incorporate calming activities, such as reading or taking a warm bath, to help signal to the body and brain that it’s time for sleep. This pattern can lead to deeper, more restful sleep and possibly decrease sleepwalking instances.
-
Manage stress: Stress can contribute to poor sleep, which can potentially increase the risk of sleepwalking. Finding healthy ways to manage stress, like exercise, meditation, or talking with a mental health professional, can help improve overall sleep quality. WebMD
-
Consult with a sleep specialist: If sleepwalking continues to be a problem, consider speaking with a sleep specialist who can evaluate the situation, suggest potential treatments, or recommend a sleep study to better understand the underlying causes.
-
Safety first: For those who live with sleepwalkers, take additional safety steps like locking doors and windows, placing alarms on doors, and removing potentially dangerous objects from their path.
While it’s essential to find ways to manage sleepwalking, recognizing that it’s a complex issue involving how the brain functions during sleep is crucial. Gaining a deeper understanding of this fascinating phenomenon can help sleepwalkers take the necessary steps to improve their quality of life and avoid letting sleepwalking take control of their days and nights.
