Talking in your sleep without being aware of it is very common. There was even a popular song with that title and the line, “I hear the secrets that you keep when you’re talking in your sleep.”
Related Blog: How Does Alcohol Affect Sleep?
Who’s Talking?
This sleep disorder is usually short-lived, and anyone can talk in their sleep. It’s more common in men and in children, and the tendency may run in families. Half of all children between 3 and 10 years of age talk in their sleep, and five percent of adults do.
What Are You Saying?
If you talk in your sleep, your words may make sense, or you could be talking gibberish. Your voice may even sound different from your normal waking speech. You could whisper or shout.
What Causes Sleep Talking?
Sleep talking can occur during any stage of sleep, and sometimes a cause isn’t known. It can sometimes be linked to one of two sleep disorders — REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD) or sleep terrors. RBD can cause people to shout and act out their dreams, and sleep terrors usually cause screaming and kicking and can also be associated with sleepwalking.
Sleep talking can also be caused by:
- Stress
- Depression
- Fever
- Alcohol
- Mental health issues
- Sleep deprivation
- Some types of medication
What Can You Do?
It doesn’t hurt to rule out these issues, but sometimes the cause is elusive. If you talk in your sleep over a long period of time, talk to your doctor to make sure there’s not an underlying problem.
You can also try to reduce stress, maintain a regular sleep schedule, and promote good sleep by having a comfortable mattress and quiet, dark sleep environment. Also avoid alcohol and heavy meals.
Keeping a sleep diary can help you recognize patterns. Note when you go to sleep and wake up, as well as any medicine you take, how much caffeine and alcohol you consume, and if you exercise and when. If you sleep with a partner, ask him or her if they were aware of you sleep talking.
If you’re having trouble with sleep talking or other issues, a new mattress can help promote good sleep hygiene. Contact Land of Sleep or stop by one of our two locations to find out which mattress feels best and suits your particular needs.
