Dealing with sleep paralysis

I’ve been reading in some comments that many of you suffer sporadically from sleep paralysis. I thought I’d share the method that has proven most effective for me to wake up rapidly from SP, I hope it helps. Because everyone is different and what works for some might not work for others I’ve also included other methods below, although the first one has proven to be the most effective for many people -myself included.

Reminder of what SP is and why it happens

Sleep paralysis happens either during falling asleep or awakening and is characterized by a temporary inability to move, speak, or react. Sleep paralysis is frightening because we feel awake but have the impression of being held down and are unable to move or scream.

But don't worry : sleep paralysis is a biological event; a hiccup in the brain’s chemical soup as we transition from sleep to wakefulness or vice-versa.

The ultimate and most effective method : scrunch up your face.

That's right - try to pull a face similar to Benicio del Toro's. In other words, snarl and squint. Make a face like you just smelled something bad. Do this 2 or 3 times in a row, and if you can try to open your mouth a little, and the paralysis WILL break. This is extremely effective. The other methods I'll list below can be helpful but this one has proven to be foolproof for many people, myself included.

After you wake from SP get out of bed and wash you face or drink water

If you just stay in bed, the chance of sliding right back into sleep paralysis is pretty high.

Other methods

- Focus on your Breath
Controlled breathing lessens the feelings of chest pain that sometimes accompany SP. Breathing is autonomic like the heart’s beating or digestion, so it’s not paralyzed like the big muscles in our arms, chest and legs. Focus on your breathing, and normally you should be able to control your fear.

- Surrender and Go with the Flow

Instead of fighting, try to relax when you notice SP starting to happen. Prepare an affirmation like “This is SP and I am okay.” If you feel pressure on your chest, see if you can “go with” the pressure rather than against it

- Coughing

Try to cough into wakefulness. Like breathing, coughing can be autonomic or consciously regulated

- Clench your Fist or try to wiggle your toe
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I hope this helps, and do try the first method - it has helped me overcome my fear of SP by knowing I can quickly wake up from it, and as a consequence, I suffer from it a lot less than I used too.

Source: Robert Waggoner, you can check out the full article & get more methods http://dreamstudies.org/2010/04/29/9-ways-to-wake-up-from-sleep-paralysis/