What is Sleep Talking & How to Stop It?

Isn’t it awful to know that you have been talking last night in sleep? The very first thing that arises in your mind is: what did I say? and why don’t I remember any of it? Well, just be relax. Sleep talking has nothing to do with the truth. According to sleep specialist Michael Breus, Ph.D., There’s no data to prove that sleep talk is either predictive in nature or gives an idea of the subconscious or anything like that. Hence. If there is anything embarrassing you have found about your sleep talk, don’t feel bad as there is no connection between your thoughts and sleep talk.

If you are wondering what is sleep talking; why it happens; and how to stop sleep talking, give a read to this article and enhance your knowledge about sleep talking.

Let’s start with the base question, What is Sleep Talking?

Scientifically, sleep talking is know as “Somniloquy” which belongs in the subcategory of Parasomnia sleep disorder. Basically, sleep talking is also a sleep disorder which happens due to trouble in getting good sleep. In this disorder, the transition between sleep stages is affected. Hence, a person suffering from sleep talking disorder experience extreme feelings in their sleep stages and as a result, they start speaking without being aware of it. Sleep talking can be complicated dialogues or monologues, or it can be complete gibberish or mumbling. Modern sleep science and the law has accepted that sleep talking is irrational and cannot be accepted as proof or evidence against any allegation and therefore, it is impermissible in court.

You must be thinking about the cause of sleep talking so, let’s find it in the next paragraph.

In most cases, sleep talking runs in families genetically. However, it can also be a product of stress, depression, sleep deprivation, day-time drowsiness, alcohol, and fever. Sleep talking comes along with other sleep disorders such as nightmares, confusional arousals, sleep apnea, and REM sleep behavior disorder. This disorder is observed more commonly in adults of more than 25 years. Also, sleep talking is associated with the medical or mental health state.

Sleep talking symptoms that you shouldn’t miss

Sleep talking can occur in sleep stage. Sleep talker in first or second stage talk intelligible while in the third or fourth stage their talk is limited to moans and gibbers. Sleep talking is in three stages: Mild, Moderate and Severe. As the stage grow, the interval of sleep talking increases too. Some of the other symptoms of sleep talking other than speech are Sleep Terrors, Sleepwalking, Confusional Arousals, Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome, REM Sleep Behavior Disorder, Psychiatric Disorders, and Nocturnal Seizures.

Now as you are completely aware of the sleep talking causes and symptoms, let’s get on to the precaution or treatment for the same so that you can control your sleep talking without making it worse.

1. Stop taking too much stress

Stress is something that bothers you without giving any prior notice to you. A few handles it very well while others fail to handle stress and become a victim of sleep disorder. One such disorder is sleep talking which becomes worse if you don’t control the stress level. Hence, try to reduce the stress as much as you can else your sleep will be affected adversely. Stress is the reason that disturbs your sleep and increases the risk of a sleep disorder like sleep talking.

2. Take Doctor’s advice

Sometimes it is better to ask the experts or rather than try each and everything that you hear from others. So is the case with a sleep disorder, not every remedy is suitable for everyone. Every being is unique and so is their treatment. Doctors can give you a better insight into the problem that is inducing this sleep problem during your sleep. Also, there might be altogether a different cause of your sleep problem. For example, sleep talking occurs to patients only when he eats high protein meal before sleep. Hence, it is better to talk to your doctor before jumping on to any conclusion.

3. Adopt Good Sleep Habits

A good sleep routine can cure almost all sleep problems. So have a strict sleep routine including a fixed time to sleep and rise in the morning. Avoid irregularity in your sleep timing to get enough sleep in the night so that your body revive itself properly. Make sure you are not using electronic gadgets near your bed as it emits blue light which hinders your sleep quality. Instead, start a bedtime hobby of reading books or listening to soothing music to relax completely. By doing so you can sleep without experience any kind of sleep disturbance or sleep disorder. Also, some food or drinks are good for your sleep so try including it in your pre-bed routine to boost your sleep quality.

4. Sleep-Friendly Environment

Sleep is very delicate in nature. Therefore, even the slightest mistake in your day can cause your sleepless night. However, sleep is affected by two prime factors: Internal and External. Internal factors are mental stress, anxiety and, external factors are bed, temperature, ambiance. In order to get a good night sleep, it is important to have a sleep-friendly bedroom and bed. Lights should be darker, weather should be cool and the bed should be comfy. Make sure you feel at complete rest while sleeping.

5. Maintain a Sleep Journal

Make your sleep journal and note your sleep time every day while going to bed and waking from the bed. Also, mention your diet and sleep experience on that night so that you can identify how your sleep is affected by the type of food you take in every day. Consciousness is the key need to resolve any sleep problem. Hence, if you wish to the resolution your sleep problems, identify the problem.

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Sleep talking is not a physically painful sickness but it definitely feels embracing when told in public. This problem doesn’t need extensive medical treatment. You can enjoy your sound sleep by practicing certain sleep habits regularly. Therefore, stop worrying but take help from this article and help yourself to get rid of sleep talking.

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Author Bio:

Alivia Cora works as a sleep expert at Voonky, a resource providing sleep education, mattress tips, and home decoration. She writes about the various ways to improve your sleep quality. Every post she writes is her way of helping mankind to meet their needs.