Skip to main content

Sleepwalk This Way: 6 Facts for Sleepwalkers

3 min read

By Emily Lockhart

You remember going to bed, like in your actual bedroom. However, you woke up this morning on the living room couch. What’s even more bizarre is that you’re grasping your car keys, you have on your winter coat and just your left winter boot, and your laptop is open to a travel article on the penguins of Antarctica.

Now you may still be dreaming, but chances are you were sleepwalking last night…

 

1. What Characterizes Sleepwalking

According to the American Sleep Association (ASA), sleepwalking is classified under parasomnia, which refers to a number of sleep-related abnormalities—including nightmares, sleep paralysis, REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD), sleep aggression, sexsomnia, sleep-associated eating disorder, and sleepwalking.

Parasomnias typically occur in one of 2 ways—either during sleep or as an individual is about to fall asleep. ASA data shows that roughly 10-percent of Americans (mainly children) are inflicted with some form of parasomnia. In the majority of cases, sleepwalking doesn’t typically cause negative health consequences and will dissipate with maturity. However, sometimes sleep walking can cause harmful dream-enacting behaviors to the sleepwalker and others.

nightmare

2. What Causes Sleepwalking?

Sleepwalking can be caused by an array of factors. For instance, in many cases genetics plays a role. The ASA notes that most parasomnias run in the family.

Parasomnias, like sleepwalking, can also develop due to certain medications (i.e., antidepressants), or they may be triggered by another sleep disorder (i.e., sleep apnea), or health condition (i.e., narcolepsy, stroke, or Parkinson’s disease).

sleep walking

3. Evidence of Sleepwalking

It’s tricky to really establish if you sleepwalked the night previous—particularly if you live alone. After all, you were asleep. However, aside from just snoozing and walking aimlessly around your home, evidence of sleepwalking does exist.

For instance, a study published by the National Institutes of Health looked at the nocturnal wanderings of the American population. The study noted that sleepwalking symptoms can range from uttering nonsensical expressions or opening the eyes while not appearing awake to more dangerous actions, like cooking a gourmet meal or taking a midnight drive.

sleepy driver

4. Duration of Sleepwalking Episodes

According to the National Institutes of Health, the average sleepwalking episode lasts about 10-minutes in length. Luckily, that leaves time for little more than sitting up in bed and listing off your to-do list for tomorrow.

However, experts say it’s not likely you’ll actually remember it once you wake up. While the ASA says children do most sleepwalking—adult sleepwalking is on the raise due to the prevalence of prescription antidepressants, which can cause sleepwalking.

shutterstock_134253680

5. Other Sleepwalking Perpetrators

Another National Institutes of Health study from 2005 claims that sleepwalking is triggered by sudden arousal from non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep, which is why they often occur during childhood and as teens mature. However, for adults, other factors can perpetuate sleepwalking.

The study notes that sudden NREM arousal can occur due to environmental factors and stimulants that increase deep sleep—such as a change in sleep schedule, taking drugs, drinking alcohol, and severe stress.

shutterstock_316293002

6. Dangers of Waking a Sleepwalker

You’ve likely been told never to wake a sleepwalker. However, experts from the National Sleep Foundation remind us that this is equally important for the safety of the sleepwalker and the bystander. Understandably, waking suddenly to someone shaking and shouting at you could result in an aggressive or violent response.

The National Sleep Foundation estimates less than 2-percent of sleepwalkers are violent when roused suddenly. However, a 2000 study from the Mayo Sleep Disorder Center found that approximately 64-percent of sleepwalkers assaulted their spouses when woken suddenly. The best thing to do for safety’s sake is to gently guide the sleepwalker back to bed.

Sleep window open

 

Emily Lockhart

Contributor

Emily Lockhart is a certified yoga instructor and personal trainer. She believes that being healthy is a lifestyle choice, not a punishment or temporary fix to attain a desired fitness or body image goal. Anna helps her clients take responsibility for their own health and wellness through her classes and articles on ActiveBeat.

Your Health

Explore

Allergy-Proof Your Spring: Tips for Tackling Seasonal Allergies Before They Start
By Clarissa Vanner Your Health

Allergy-Proof Your Spring: Tips for Tackling Seasonal Allergies Before They Start

As spring approaches, so does the dreaded arrival of pollen, dust, and other common allergy triggers. Instead of waiting for symptoms to strike, take proactive steps to minimize exposure and keep sneezing, itching, and congestion at bay. A few simple changes can help allergy-proof your environment and make the season much more enjoyable. Start with […]

Read More about Allergy-Proof Your Spring: Tips for Tackling Seasonal Allergies Before They Start

3 min read

Seasonal Health Reset: How to Refresh Your Wellness Routine for Spring
By Clarissa Vanner Your Health

Seasonal Health Reset: How to Refresh Your Wellness Routine for Spring

As winter fades, spring offers the perfect opportunity to refresh your body and mind. Longer days and warmer weather invite more movement, fresh foods, and revitalizing self-care. A seasonal reset can help boost energy, strengthen immunity, and restore balance after months of cold-weather sluggishness. From clean eating and outdoor exercise to mindfulness and detox practices, […]

Read More about Seasonal Health Reset: How to Refresh Your Wellness Routine for Spring

4 min read

Adjusting to Daylight Saving: How to Prepare for the Time Change Without Losing Sleep
By Clarissa Vanner Your Health

Adjusting to Daylight Saving: How to Prepare for the Time Change Without Losing Sleep

As daylight saving time approaches, many of us struggle with adjusting to the time change, especially when it disrupts our sleep schedule. Losing an hour of sleep can leave us feeling groggy and out of sync, but with the right preparation, it doesn’t have to be a stressful transition. By making small adjustments to your […]

Read More about Adjusting to Daylight Saving: How to Prepare for the Time Change Without Losing Sleep

3 min read