Have you ever woken up felling like your falling from heights or from an unpleasant shock, loud noise or flash of light in front of your eyes? No worries, you are not alone experiencing these strong jerks during peaceful night sleep.
This condition is called as hypnic jerk which disturbs our sleep and makes us difficult to fall asleep again. This article will give your about better understanding of this condition and will help you with some tips and remedies to get rid out of it.
What Is Hypnic Jerk?
A hypnic jerk is a strong and sudden contraction of body when you sleep. It generally occurs during the transition period between sleep and wakefulness.
Hypnic jerk is also called as sleep starts, night starts, sleep twitches, sleep jerks, myoclonic gerk, hypnagogic jerk.There is no clear cause for the occurrence of hypnic jerk. But there are some factors known to be responsible for this condition.
Let’s see those simple factors that lead to the cause of hypnic jerk.
Causes Of Hypnic Jerk
The following are some factors which can lead to cause of hypnic jerk.
- Exercising closing to your bed time
- Caffeine
- Excessive consumption of alcohol
- Stress and anxiety
- Deprivation of sleep
This condition is not a disorder, it’s just a normal condition which happens to everyone in their deep sleep at certain point. The following are some symptoms associated with this condition.
Symptoms Of Hypnic Jerk
Symptoms of hypnic jerk include:
- Sensory flash
- Increased breathing rate
- Increased heartbeat
- Sweating
- Sensation of falling down
How Hypnic Jerk Is Diagnosed?
The first thing is by identifying the symptoms in your body like sensation of falling down and waking up in between the sleep because of sudden jerk are the best ways to confirm your condition.
However, this is not a serious issue to think always and it does not require any treatment that consume our precious time. But, if you find it difficult to fall asleep then you can follow the below tips that will help you to give nice deep sleep.
Tips To Cure Hypnic Jerk
1. Reduce The Consumption Of Caffeine
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Even though a cup of coffee will make you active, it is not safe for the people who are experiencing this condition. Caffeine acts as stimulant and increases the symptoms of stress and anxiety that may worsen the condition. Hence it is better to avoid all caffeine beverages on regular basis.
2. Practice Meditation
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Meditation is the best way to avoid hypnic jerk. Especially, breathe mediation which involves deep breathing will provide peace and relief to your mind and even helps to alleviate the symptoms of hypnic jerks.
3. Avoid Alcohol
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Alcohol is known to increase the symptoms of hypnic jerks by increasing stress and anxiety in your body. It’s best to avoid consumption of alcohol.
4. Hot Shower
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This is perfect to have nice peaceful sleep. Hot shower before bed time prepares your body before sleep and relax all your body muscles. This helps to prevent contraction and hypnic jerks in body.
5. Consume Magnesium Rich Foods
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As we know muscle contraction is the main cause for hypnic jerk. Magnesium helps in preventing muscle spasms, twitches and contraction in the body and relaxes all body muscles.
Include foods which are rich in magnesium like green leafy vegetables, nuts, fruits, figs and avocadoes.
6. Lavender Essential Oil
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The soothing properties in lavender essential oil works great in providing calmness and relieve symptoms of anxiety and stress in the body. This oil aids better sleep and prevents hypnic jerks.
A hypnic jerk is a natural phenomenon and there is nothing to worry. You can use above tips to have a good sleep and to prevent hypnic jerks.
