Depression, mania, fatigue, headache - a fast-paced and stressful lifestyle can lead to a series of mental health issues for the working class. In recent years, there has been an upward trend in the number of people with mental illnesses in Qingyuan, particularly among young adults. Poor sleep quality is one of the primary causes of mental illness. I have introduced many methods to promote better sleep, and I hope everyone takes the time to read them carefully.
March 21st is "World Sleep Day," and the importance of healthy sleep is once again being highlighted. Today, I will provide a detailed explanation of what is commonly referred to as "ghost oppression."
Firstly, let's address the superstitious belief behind "ghost oppression." In sleep neurology, this phenomenon is classified as a symptom of sleep paralysis. When a patient is in a state of sleep, they experience a semi-awake, semi-asleep scenario where their brain waves show patterns of wakefulness. Some individuals may even experience visual hallucinations, but their entire body's muscle tension drops to its lowest point.
The human sleep cycle progresses through the stages of falling asleep, light sleep, deep sleep, and finally, the 'rapid eye movement' (REM) phase, also known as the dream phase. If a person enters the REM phase prematurely during sleep, it leads to a lack of coordination during this stage.
According to medical experts, if the natural sleep cycle is disrupted and someone rapidly enters the REM phase, sleep paralysis can occur. During this time, the body remains in a resting state, but the brain awakens from its resting state, unable to reconnect with the body quickly enough. This results in a semi-conscious state where dreams and reality intertwine, causing an imbalance between the body and the brain. At this moment, the muscles are at their weakest, which is why individuals feel like they want to move but cannot, or they want to exert force but cannot.
Sleep paralysis often occurs when there is excessive stress, anxiety, tension, extreme fatigue, insomnia, insufficient sleep, or jet lag. Adolescence is a common period for experiencing sleep paralysis, especially among students preparing for exams, though it rarely happens consecutively. As long as patients maintain a positive mindset and reduce stress, these symptoms will naturally disappear.
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