NIGHT-TIME TALKING
Dear HIW,
Why do I sleep talk?
P.S. I read my first HIW magazine at seven years old. I love HIW.
Jason Thomas in Australia (11 years old)
Sleep talking is common in people of all ages, though it seems to affect fewer adults than children. Doctors don’t know too much about the causes of sleep talking, but it can be more likely to occur when you’re excited or worried. It can range from full conversational speech to mumbling and nonsensical words. Most of the time, episodes will only last for 30 seconds or less. While talking in your sleep can be linked to the dreams you are having, this isn’t always the case. Scientists have discovered that sleep talking can take place in all stages of sleep. Regular sleep talking may be genetic, but if it only occurs as a one-off, this could be caused by other factors. These include sickness, stress and sleep deprivation. Making sure you take time to relax before bed can reduce your chances of chatting.