Evie Summers
Whether you're trying to fake sleep to get out of an unwanted conversation, eavesdrop on those around you, or avoid getting in trouble for playing video games late at night, there are several tricks you can use to convincingly pretend to be asleep. Here are some tips to help you master the art of feigning sleep without actually drifting off.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Lying position | Natural sleeping position |
| Lying still | Avoid moving |
| Eyes | Avoid tightly pinching eyelids together, let eyelids droop and close gently |
| Breathing | Slow, even, deep breaths |
| Reactions | React to noises or touch |
| Temperature | Cool down your body and room |
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What You'll Learn
Lie in a natural sleeping position
To fake sleep without actually falling asleep, it is important to lie in a natural sleeping position. This means that you should not hold anything in your hands, and your legs should be on the bed. Do not pick your head up, and if you normally sleep on your stomach, fake sleep in that position. This is because people you know won't find it suspicious.
When you are naturally sleeping, you will move very little. To give the impression that you are truly asleep, it is best not to move. You won't be expected to move unless someone is watching you sleep for an extended period. Your eyelids should be relaxed, so avoid tightly pinching them together. Look down as you close your eyes to keep your eyelids from fluttering. Your eyes are not always fully closed when sleeping, so let your eyelids droop and close gently. You may still be able to see through the slit of your eyelids.
Additionally, you can fake REM sleep by looking from side to side quickly with your eyelids closed. You can also twitch your forehead and jaw muscles to make it look like you are in a deep sleep. Remember to incorporate what appear to be unconscious reactions to sounds and movements in the room. After reacting to a disturbance, let your body relax and your breathing return to a slow, even state. Be sure not to smile or open your eyes, or you will give away that you are awake.
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Keep still
Keeping still is key to convincingly faking sleep. When you are naturally asleep, you will move very little. To give the impression that you are truly asleep, it is best not to move. Unless someone is watching you sleep for an extended period, you won't be expected to move.
To keep still, you should lie in the most natural sleeping position you can. Do not hold anything, and keep your legs on the bed. If you normally sleep on your stomach, do so when fake sleeping.
Your muscles, including your eyelids, should be relaxed. Avoid tightly pinching your eyelids together. Look down as you close your eyes to keep your eyelids from fluttering. Your eyes are not always fully closed when you are sleeping. Let your eyelids droop and close gently; you may still be able to see out of the slit of your eyelids.
To fake REM sleep (the deep-stage sleep when your eyes move rapidly), look from side to side quickly with your eyelids closed. You can even twitch the muscles in your face. Try twitching your forehead and jaw muscles for a convincing effect.
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Breathe rhythmically
Breathing is one of the most important aspects of convincingly pretending to be asleep. Carolyn McCormick, a Conservatory On Camera Technique teacher at the Stella Adler Studio of Acting, emphasizes this, saying, "Breathing, breathing, breathing, breathing. That way you won't fall asleep and you also won't look like you're faking it."
To breathe rhythmically while feigning sleep, take slow, deep, and even breaths. Relax your breathing and maintain an even pace. Count in your head as you breathe in, then exhale for the same count. Repeat this for each breath.
Avoid taking small, gentle breaths, as this can make it seem like you are merely resting and not actually asleep. Instead, aim for a more natural sleeping breath pattern by breathing deeply and rhythmically.
Additionally, remember to react to your surroundings while faking sleep. If there is a loud noise or someone touches you, take a short, sudden breath and twitch your body slightly. Our bodies remain aware of our surroundings even while we sleep, so incorporating these unconscious reactions will make your fake sleep more believable. After reacting, let your body relax and resume your slow and steady breathing pattern.
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React to noises or touch
Reacting to noises or touch is an important part of convincingly faking sleep. Even during sleep, our bodies are still aware of what is happening around us. To incorporate this into your performance, take a short, sudden breath and twitch your body slightly when you hear a loud noise or are touched. After reacting to the disturbance, remember to relax your body and let your breathing return to a slow, even state. Be sure not to smile or open your eyes, as this will give away that you are awake.
If you are faking sleep while seated, it is important to avoid resting your head on your chest, as this suggests that you are resting rather than sleeping. Instead, let your head fall back, as this is how your head would naturally fall if you were asleep. Additionally, keep your mouth slightly open, as it takes visible effort to keep it closed when your head is back and your muscles are relaxed.
If you are pretending to sleep in a bed, choose a natural sleeping position. Avoid holding anything or putting your legs on the bed, and do not pick your head up. If you normally sleep on your stomach, do so when fake sleeping.
Remember, the key to convincingly faking sleep is to create the impression that you are in a state of deep relaxation. This means maintaining slow, rhythmic breathing and keeping your muscles relaxed, including your eyelids.
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Droop eyelids
To fake sleep without actually falling asleep, you must remain relaxed and avoid moving too much. This includes your eyelids, which should be relaxed and droopy, as if you were in a deep sleep.
- Relax your eyelids: Avoid tightly pinching your eyelids together. Let your eyelids droop gently and avoid any fluttering. You can look down as you close your eyes to prevent them from fluttering.
- Mimic REM sleep: During REM sleep, our eyes move rapidly beneath closed eyelids. You can mimic this by looking from side to side quickly with your eyelids closed.
- Stimulate your eyelid muscles: Try raising your eyebrows and placing a finger underneath to hold them up while trying to close them. This creates resistance, similar to weight lifting, and works out the eyelid muscles.
- Eye exercises: Try quick, forcible blinks and eye rolls to exercise the muscles around your eyelids. You can also try the Trataka yogic eye exercise, which involves fixing your gaze on a specific object without averting your eyes.
- Cool down your body: Lowering your body temperature can help you feel less sleepy. Try turning on a fan or cooling down your room to create a less tempting environment for sleep.
Remember, while drooping your eyelids can help you fake sleep, it's important to keep your entire body relaxed and mimic natural sleeping positions to maintain the illusion of being asleep.
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Frequently asked questions
To fake sleep convincingly, it's best to lie in the most natural sleeping position you can. This means not holding anything, putting your legs on the bed, and not picking your head up. If you normally sleep on your stomach, do so when fake sleeping. Lie in bed motionless, as people rarely move around when they are sleeping. Avoid tightly pinching your eyelids together and instead, let your eyelids droop and close gently. You may still be able to see out of the slit of your eyelids. Breathe rhythmically by taking slow, even, deep breaths.
Even during sleep, our bodies are aware of what is happening around them. To sell your fake sleeping, incorporate what appear to be unconscious reactions to sounds and movements in the room. After reacting to the disturbance, let your body relax and your breathing return to a slow, even state. Be sure not to smile or open your eyes, or you will give away that you are actually awake.
Avoid holding your head in your chest, as this suggests that you are resting but not sleeping. This is because you will lose your centre of balance and fall over if you are not alert. Instead, let your head fall back, as this is how your head naturally falls when you are asleep while sitting down.
