Sleepwalking in New Jersey: An Expert’s Safety Tips and Advice
If you’ve ever experienced someone sleepwalking, or have sleepwalked yourself, you know how scary it can be. A study by MattressNextDay looked at data to discover which states are searching for terms related to ‘Sleepwalking.’
New Jersey
In New Jersey, we ranked fourteenth in the country. The United States has seen an average of 128,000 sleepwalking searches per month in 2023. About 183 per 10,000 New Jersey residents seek answers monthly regarding sleepwalking. That means in a state of over 9 million, approximately 165 thousand are looking for answers every month.
MattressNextDay had an exclusive interview with Amy Graham. Amy is a seasoned sleepwalker who has battled this condition since her early twenties. She offers guidance on the effective management of sleepwalking and reveals how it’s affected her life and relationships.
Amy said, “It certainly has a notable impact on my relationships because I find it necessary to forewarn my loved ones about the possibility of sleepwalking and potential disruptions to their sleep. Consequently, they often endure restless nights when I’m in the midst of a sleepwalking episode. There have been instances where I’ve startled my partners awake, leading to less-than-pleasant experiences for all involved.”
Post-episode, it is a common experience for individuals to feel disoriented and anxious, often accompanied by an elevated heart rate. Graham also noted that the repercussions of these episodes extend into the following day, leaving her feeling fatigued.
Tips for Reducing Sleepwalking
- Reduce TV and screen time: Avoid using screens in bed, including watching TV, using your laptop, and especially doom-scrolling.
- Reduce blue light: Activate nighttime mode on your phone in the evenings and consider wearing blue light glasses to reduce the amount of blue light emitted from your phone, which can disrupt melatonin production.
- Establish a routine: Develop a consistent bedtime routine and avoid staying up to the point of becoming overtired.
Tips for Safety When Sleepwalking
- Clear obstacles: Before going to sleep, remove any objects from your bedroom floor.
- Secure your location: Lock the door to your bedroom to prevent you from wandering into unsafe areas.
- Protect valuables: Ensure that valuable items are stored in a safe place and keep anything breakable or spillable out of your way.
- Be open: Inform your partner about your sleepwalking. They will be prepared to assist you.
- Be clothed: Make sure you sleep with clothes on, especially if you are staying in a hotel.
Check out the full study here.
5 Unique and Unusual Thanksgiving Traditions to Consider
Turkey Toss
Some people gather to challenge the limits of distance and altitude by launching frozen turkeys. In fact, a group of college students in Indiana took this to the next level in the early 2000s. They came up with the plan of dressing a frozen turkey in a onesie, securing it to a chain, saturating it with lighter fluid, igniting it, and then flinging it across a football field.
evgenyb/ Getty Images
Second Wind Walks
Thanksgiving feasts are often so filling that many families take a post-dinner stroll to make room for dessert. It’s like taking the “I work out so I can eat” mantra to a whole new level. Of course, packing up leftovers for later is an option. But the post-feast walk is a fun tradition for those who can’t resist the temptation of that pumpkin pie.
Jovanmandic/ Getty Images
Thanksgiving Roasting
A family drew inspiration from the typical Thanksgiving customs and introduced their own unique tradition. As an X user shared, their kid initiated a comical Thanksgiving tradition by “roasting” everyone at the table. The idea was that since they roast a turkey, why not extend the roasting to the family members too. Seriously, what could possibly go wrong?
Viktoriia Hnatiuk/ Getty Images
