Sleep paralysis is when you cannot move or speak as you are waking up or falling asleep. It can be scary but it's harmless and most people will only get it once or twice in their life.

What happens during sleep paralysis During sleep paralysis you may feel: awake but cannot move, speak or open your eyes

like someone is in your room

like something is pushing you down

frightened These feelings can last up to several minutes.

Causes of sleep paralysis Sleep paralysis happens when you cannot move your muscles as you are waking up or falling asleep. This is because you are in sleep mode but your brain is active. It's not clear why sleep paralysis can happen but it has been linked with: insomnia

disrupted sleeping patterns – for example, because of shift work or jet lag

narcolepsy – a long-term condition that causes a person to suddenly fall asleep

post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

general anxiety disorder

panic disorder

a family history of sleep paralysis

Things you can do to help prevent sleep paralysis Do try to regularly get 6 to 8 hours of sleep a day

try to regularly get 6 to 8 hours of sleep a day go to bed at roughly the same time each night and get up at the same time each morning

go to bed at roughly the same time each night and get up at the same time each morning get regular exercise, but not in the 4 hours before going to bed Don’t do not eat a big meal, smoke, or drink alcohol or caffeine shortly before going to bed

do not eat a big meal, smoke, or drink alcohol or caffeine shortly before going to bed do not sleep on your back – this can make sleep paralysis more likely to happen

Non-urgent advice: See a GP if: You often have sleep paralysis and you feel: very anxious or scared to go to sleep

tired all the time due to lack of sleep Information: Coronavirus update: how to contact a GP It's still important to get help from a GP if you need it. To contact your GP surgery: visit their website

use the NHS App

call them Find out about using the NHS during coronavirus