You're asleep, and you can't do anything. Right? Wrong! You may not be able to yawn, cough or sneeze while you are asleep but there are plenty of other things that you can do while you snooze away.
In this blog post we will discuss three surprising things that people have done in their sleep: talking, walking and laughing.
Why can't you yawn in your sleep?
According to the National Sleep Foundation, you can yawn in your sleep but it may often go unnoticed. Why? It is hard enough for most people to do this while they are awake so when they're asleep and dreaming about something else it's unlikely that their body will react with a yawning reflex unless someone wakes them up or they are woken from their sleep by internal stimuli, such as hunger or thirst.
Why can't you cough in your sleep?
Coughing during one's slumber is a reflex that requires coordination between the diaphragm and lungs to work properly. Though some people do experience this while asleep, it would probably be an involuntary reflex to a stimulus like congestion from allergies or asthma.
Why can't you sneeze while you're asleep?
Sneezing is a reflex that requires coordination between the diaphragm and nasal passages. Sneezing while asleep would most likely be an involuntary response to stimulus in one's nose, such as congestion or allergies.
What things can you do while you're asleep?
You can talk in your sleep, you can sleep walk, you can laugh in your sleep, the list goes on and on. Not only that, but there are some pretty interesting theories about what people may be dreaming about while they're asleep.
The subject of sleep has always been an interesting one and what people do when they're unconscious, is a mystery to most.
Why do people talk in their sleep?
Talking in your sleep, also known as somniloquy, is a parasomnia characterized by talking during the REM stage of sleep. It may be caused by stress and can occur just before one wakes up.
How do people sleep walk and what is it called?
Sleepwalking or somnambulism is a type of involuntary behavior that occurs during NREM sleep. In the most common form, it consists of walking around and carrying out activities while still asleep, which can lead to injuries when in dangerous environments such as traffic or fire.
How do people laugh in their sleep?
Laughing during the night is one of those endearing qualities that many find charming about babies and children. Not surprisingly, adults also enjoy laughing while they're sleeping. Laughter can occur for a variety of reasons including relief from stress or tension, but it's most common when dreaming.
Can people find themselves eating in their sleep?
Yes, people can find themselves eating while they are asleep. One theory for these occurrences is that some people may actually be conscious to a degree in their sleep and aware of what is happening around them but unable to wake up fully.
Can you cry when you're sleeping?
Crying during the night might happen because someone's dreaming about something sad or uncomfortable. Crying during the night is common and usually caused by stress or sadness. Daytime crying can also be because of a fever, an illness, allergies or other physical discomfort.
Why do people jolt in their sleep?
Sometimes people will suddenly twitch or jolt in their sleep. People who are dreaming about something stressful may sometimes do this.
Can people keep time in their sleep?
If you're dreaming about something that's going on in real time, then the person will likely be experiencing it as if they were awake.
Can people move around in their sleep?
Yes. This is called "sleepwalking". A person who has lapsed into REM sleep may also involuntarily make quick motions while they are sleeping.
Do people grind their teeth while asleep, why?
It’s not uncommon for people to grind their teeth while they are asleep. Anxiety, stress or some other emotion can cause this.
What happens when you're sleeping and something interrupts your breathing?
If someone's sleep cycle gets interrupted then they might experience a disruption in the level of oxygen that is being supplied to their brains. This can lead to some serious consequences.
Do people experience sleep paralysis?
Yes, it is possible to experience sleep paralysis. This happens when a person wakes up but their body isn't quite ready for the change in state. They are still asleep and unable to move or talk because of this lack of readiness
Can people lose weight in their sleep?
Yes, people can lose weight in their sleep. It is possible for the body to go into a state of ketosis which means they are producing cellular energy from fat rather than carbs or sugars
Can people have sex in their sleep?
Yes, people have been known to have sex in their sleep.
What is REM sleep?
REM sleep is short for "Rapid Eye Movement." This is where dreams happen so it's important for your mental health to get a good night's sleep.
In Conclusion:
Sleep is a wild thing, and there are many things that can happen while asleep. Even though it is uncommon to cough, sneeze, or yawn in your sleep it is still possible due to involuntary stimuli like allergies or congestion. It's also amazing to think of how common it is to do things like walk, and talk in your sleep!
The brain is recharging and sorting out information while you sleep so if you're overly stressed or anxious during the day it can play out during your sleep in some very unusual ways. It's important to remember how vital sleep is for your overall health and well-being.
