Staying Awake: The Art Of Avoiding Sleep

Don't Fall Asleep is a thriller and horror narrative that explores the dangers of sleep. The title itself is a warning, suggesting that falling asleep will lead to undesirable consequences. In the 2010 film Don't Fall Asleep, the protagonist Janice's sleepwalking triggers her disappearance and that of others in her new neighborhood. Similarly, in the 2016 short film, Don't Fall Asleep, Nancy, who has lost her mother and friends, finds herself alone and struggling to regain faith. The narrative Don't Fall Asleep: A Gripping Psychological Thriller by Marissa Finch also delves into the dark side of sleep, where the protagonist Kelty Crawford's participation in a sleep study leads to a disturbing dream that blurs the lines between reality and fantasy. The common thread in these stories is the exploration of sleep as a state where vulnerability, trauma, and uncertainty converge, often with deadly or mysterious outcomes.

Sleepwalking

The sleepwalker's eyes are usually open but may appear glassy and unfocused. They may also talk, but their speech is often incoherent and nonsensical. Sleepwalking episodes can last anywhere from 30 seconds to 30 minutes, and the sleepwalker will usually have little to no memory of the incident.

To ensure the safety of a sleepwalker, it is important to remove potential hazards and dangerous objects from the bedroom and the surrounding area. It is also recommended to keep doors and windows locked to prevent the sleepwalker from wandering outside. If you encounter someone who is sleepwalking, it is best to gently guide them back to bed without shouting or trying to physically restrain them, unless they are in danger.

Disappearances

"Don't Fall Asleep" is the title of several works, including a horror film, a book of short stories, and a podcast. Each of these works explores themes of horror, suspense, and the macabre, often involving mysterious disappearances.

The 2010 horror film "Don't Fall Asleep" centres around Janice and Sam, who have just moved into their first home in a new neighbourhood. Janice starts sleepwalking again, and people begin to disappear. The film likely explores the horror and mystery surrounding these disappearances, building suspense and leaving the audience on the edge of their seats.

The book "Don't Fall Asleep" by Hazel Bergen is a collection of five terrifying tales and scary stories filled with suspense, unexpected twists, and heart-pounding moments. One of the stories, "Greta Stirs the Pot," is a clever and entertaining retelling of the classic Grimm fairy tale, Hansel and Gretel, with a twist. While another story, "Low Tide," involves disappearances and a warning to stay away from the water.

The "Don't Fall Asleep" podcast features short horror stories from the popular subreddit NoSleep and published authors. One of the stories, "The Patchwork Man," explores a quiet town nestled deep among hills and evergreen trees, where a strange song emerges among the children in the schoolyard every decade, followed by disappearances. Another story, "Low Tide," also involves disappearances and a warning to stay away from the water.

Each of these works capitalises on the theme of "disappearances" to create suspense and intrigue, keeping their audiences engaged and eager to uncover the mysteries surrounding these vanishings.

Trauma

Distressing dreams and nightmares are common after a traumatic event. Survivors often experience dreams that directly replay the traumatic event or contain related emotions, details, and symbols. These dreams are thought to be caused by the brain's fear response, as the mind attempts to work through the trauma.

Sleep issues after trauma can be an opportunity for treatment and healing. Adequate sleep after trauma can reduce intrusive trauma-related memories and decrease their distressing nature. Managing sleep issues early on can reduce the risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

• Build healthy sleeping habits: Establish a consistent sleep schedule, limit screen time before bed, and incorporate relaxing activities such as herbal tea or meditation.
• Create a comfortable sleeping environment: Ensure your bedroom feels calm, safe, and relaxing. Consider what makes you feel safer, such as keeping a light on or having someone else in the room.
• Practice relaxation techniques: Try breathing exercises, bedtime meditations, or trauma-informed yoga and mindfulness practices to activate the body's relaxation response and reduce stress.
• Maintain a healthy diet: Avoid large amounts of sugar and caffeine in the afternoon, and eat dinner at least three hours before bedtime to avoid disrupting your sleep.
• Seek professional help: Healing from trauma is a process, and it's important to know when to ask for support. Therapists, counselors, and social workers can help you cope with and heal from the consequences of trauma.

It's important to be patient with yourself and set realistic expectations for your healing journey. Everyone's experience is unique, and it takes time to rebuild a healthy relationship with sleep after trauma.

Grief

Sleep disturbances are a common complaint among those grieving, and the loss of sleep can amplify feelings of grief, making it harder to cope with difficult emotions. This is due to the important role that sleep plays in helping us to process emotions and memories. When we don't sleep well, our brains struggle to regulate emotions, make decisions, accurately recall memories, and think positively.

For some, grief can develop into a more prolonged condition known as complicated grief, prolonged grief disorder, or traumatic grief. This is characterised by intense and persistent emotional pain and yearning for the deceased, which disrupts a person's daily functioning. Complicated grief affects 7-15% of grievers and is often accompanied by sleep problems.

• Keeping a regular sleep schedule and allowing extra time to account for potential difficulties falling and staying asleep.
• Exposing yourself to morning light, which helps regulate your biological clock.
• Creating a bedroom that feels calm and neutral, removing mementos or personal items that may be overwhelming.
• Engaging in physical exercise, which reduces stress and promotes a sense of calm. Yoga and meditation practices can be particularly beneficial.
• Establishing a healthy bedtime routine that associates your bedroom with sleep. This may include reading, journaling, listening to audiobooks, or using mindfulness apps.
• Avoiding stimulants such as alcohol, caffeine, and electronic devices before bed, as these can disrupt sleep.
• Seeking support from friends, family, counselling services, or bereavement support groups.

Nightmares

• Establish a bedtime routine and a consistent sleep schedule.
• Create a sleep-friendly environment by ensuring your room is dark, quiet, and cool.
• Manage your stress during the day through deep breathing exercises or guided mindfulness practices.
• Avoid stimulating activities, heavy meals, and substance use before bed.
• Exercise during the day, but not too close to bedtime.
• Relax before falling asleep by reading, listening to music, or practicing mindfulness exercises.
• Talk about any issues that are troubling you with a trusted friend or a professional.
• Limit or avoid alcohol and caffeine, as they can disrupt your sleep cycle and increase the likelihood of nightmares.
• Review your medications with a healthcare provider, as certain drugs can cause nightmares.
• Practice mindfulness and meditation to cultivate a more easeful mind and improve sleep quality.

Frequently asked questions