5 Normal But Alarming Sleep Behaviors

Texting…preparing food and eating it…having sex…

These are just a few of the strange behaviors that sleep experts call parasomnias. The National Sleep Foundation estimates that 10 percent of the population is affected – and some may not even know it if no one is around to tell them.

But most of these behaviors are harmless – or are easily explained and treated. If any symptoms result in insomnia or being unable to wake up rested and function during the day, then tell a healthcare practitioner.

Jerking

Ever experienced those fits and starts as sleep descends? They're called hypnic jerks, and 60 to 70 percent of people experience them. They usually occur in that grey area between wakefulness and falling asleep, and researchers don't really know why.

A few theories include misfiring nerves or even evolutionary causes – perhaps the primate brain senses falling (like a primate would fall out of a tree as it fell asleep millennia ago) and jerks the body awake.

If hypnic jerks are preventing restful sleep, then take a look at external stimuli, like sleep-disturbing light or sounds. Certain factors such as extreme fatigue, stress, anxiety or too much caffeine may exacerbate the problem.