Likely Dreaming | Exploring Dreams & Sleep

Ever wake up in the middle of the night, fully aware—but totally unable to move? Maybe your chest feels heavy. Maybe there’s a dark figure standing in the corner. Maybe it’s just pure panic.

Yeah. That’s sleep paralysis.
And it sucks.

What Actually Happens?

Sleep paralysis is kind of a glitch between sleep and wake. Your brain wakes up, but your body is still in REM mode—aka temporarily paralyzed so you don’t act out your dreams.

You’re conscious, but stuck in your own body.
And sometimes your dreaming brain keeps doing its thing, which is why you might hallucinate weird sounds or shadowy figures.

Why Does Sleep Paralysis Happen?

Some people experience it once in a lifetime. Others deal with it more regularly.
Here’s what usually triggers it:

• Sleep deprivation
• A messed-up sleep schedule
• Stress or anxiety
• Sleeping on your back
  • 🧪 Studies have shown that sleep paralysis is 3–4 times more likely to happen while sleeping on your back. One study found that people who experienced recurrent sleep paralysis episodes were most often in the supine (back) position during REM sleep when it occurred. (Cheyne et al., 2002 – PubMed)
• Napping too long during the day
• Irregular REM cycles (especially if you’re waking up a lot at night)

Basically, anything that messes with your sleep rhythm makes it more likely.

Is It Dangerous?

Nope. Not physically.
It just feels terrifying.

Most episodes last less than a minute, and then your body catches up and you can move again. But if you don’t know what it is, it’s easy to think you’re dying or being haunted by a demon. (You’re not.)

Even though the experience lasts only a few moments, those seconds can feel like the longest of your life—especially when you’re completely unable to move and being stared down by a terrifying dark figure.

How to Stop Sleep Paralysis

There’s no magic switch, but here’s what actually helps:

• Get enough sleep — seriously
• Stick to a regular sleep schedule
• Sleep on your side, not your back
• Avoid screens and stress right before bed
• Don’t overdo naps, especially late in the day

Some people find that tracking their sleep or keeping a dream journal helps spot patterns.

How to Deal With Sleep Paralysis When It Happens

If you wake up and realize you can’t move—don’t panic. That just makes it worse.

Instead, try this:

• Focus on slow, steady breathing
• Wiggle a finger or toe if you can—small movements often break the paralysis
• Remind yourself: this is temporary, and you’re safe
• Don’t fight it—stay calm and let it pass

The episode usually ends in seconds, even if it feels longer. The more you understand what’s happening, the easier it is to deal with. And with better sleep habits, you might not have to face it again anytime soon.

I have experienced sleep paralysis while sleeping on my stomach. Although I couldn’t see any figure (since I was paralyzed looking at my pillow), I strongly felt a presence nearby. I heard strange sounds and felt as if something was climbing onto my back, pressing down on me so heavily that it became hard to breathe.