Sleep Walking - Why It Happens and What You Can Do About It

Spotting the Signs: What Sleepwalking Looks Like

Think sleepwalking only means wandering around with your eyes shut? Think again. Here are some typical symptoms:

• A blank, dazed look—eyes open but not really “seeing”

• No response when spoken to

• Sitting up and fiddling with clothes or rubbing eyes

• Talking during sleep

• General clumsiness

• Peeing in strange places (yep, really)
  
  

If any of this sounds familiar, it might be time to take a closer look.

Why Do People Sleepwalk?

It usually happens during the deep (non-REM) stage of sleep, when your brain is taking a break but your body’s still active. Some folks are just more prone to it—especially kids, or adults going through a rough patch with stress or lack of sleep.

Here are a few common triggers:

• Stress, anxiety, or depression

• Being overtired or not getting enough sleep

• Fever

• Certain medications (like sedatives or antidepressants)

• Alcohol or drug use

• Sleep disorders like sleep apnoea or restless leg syndrome

• Even conditions like GERD or migraines
  
  

There’s also a genetic link—if one or both parents were sleepwalkers, there’s a good chance the kids might be too.

Do You Need a Diagnosis?

If you or someone else in your household sleepwalks, you might not need a doctor to tell you—it’s often pretty obvious. But if you're waking up in strange places alone or unsure what's going on, a visit to a sleep specialist could help.

They may recommend a physical or psychological exam to rule out other issues (like REM sleep behaviour disorder or even epilepsy). In some cases, they’ll suggest a sleep study—basically a night spent in a sleep lab where they monitor your brain activity and body movements.

Treatment Options: What Actually Helps?

So how do you stop wandering around in your sleep? Good news: there are several options to try, and many people improve just by tweaking their bedtime routine.

Start with good sleep hygiene:
This means creating a calming wind-down routine—think warm baths, screen-free time, meditation, and no caffeine late in the day.

Treat the underlying issue:
If sleep apnoea, anxiety, or another condition is messing with your sleep, dealing with that can help reduce sleepwalking episodes too.

Medication (if needed):
In more serious cases, doctors might prescribe medications like sedatives or antidepressants. It depends on your individual situation.

Hypnotherapy:
Yep, hypnosis can help some people relax into deeper, uninterrupted sleep.

And just a heads-up—untreated sleepwalking isn’t always harmless. It can lead to falls, injuries, daytime fatigue, and more serious sleep issues over time.

Keeping Sleepwalkers Safe

If you live with a sleepwalker, safety is key. Here are some smart things you can do:

• Lock windows and doors (maybe even put locks out of reach)

• Clear the floors of clutter that could cause tripping

• Keep sharp or dangerous items tucked away

• Install a door alarm or bell to alert you if they start wandering

• If it’s a child, lock their bedroom windows just to be safe
  
  

And don’t worry—waking a sleepwalker won’t give them a heart attack (that’s a myth). What’s dangerous is letting them roam unsupervised.

How to Stop Sleepwalking

There’s no magical fix for sleepwalking, but the good news is there are ways to reduce the chances of it happening. Start with the basics: a consistent sleep schedule, a calming bedtime routine, and a sleep environment that’s cool, quiet, and safe. Stress and sleep deprivation are big triggers, so anything that helps with relaxation—like reading, breathing exercises, or white noise—can be a big help. For more serious or frequent episodes, especially if they’re leading to injury or wandering, a doctor might suggest therapy or short-term medication. And for children, most will naturally grow out of it over time.

What Causes Sleepwalking in the Brain

Sleepwalking happens during the deepest stage of non-REM sleep, when the body is resting but parts of the brain can still become active. It’s almost like the brain gets stuck between being asleep and awake. The motor control parts switch on just enough to make the body move, while the conscious mind remains asleep. The exact cause isn’t fully understood, but it’s often linked to things like genetics, stress, fever, medications, and even sleep disorders. For children, their brains are still maturing, which could explain why they’re more prone to it.

Is Sleepwalking Hereditary?

Yes, sleepwalking can run in families. If one or both parents have a history of sleepwalking, their child is more likely to experience it too. While it’s not guaranteed to be passed down, genetics definitely play a role. It’s another reason why some children might start sleepwalking even if they seem perfectly healthy and relaxed otherwise—it could simply be in their DNA.

Can Sleepwalkers Talk?

They can—and often do. Sleepwalking isn’t always a silent affair. Some people mumble, repeat phrases, or even appear to have conversations. But what they say usually doesn’t make much sense, and they won’t remember saying any of it the next morning. It’s just another sign of how strange and fascinating sleep behaviour can be when parts of the brain are still in dreamland.

How Do Sleepwalkers Know Where They're Going?

They don’t, really—not in the way someone who’s awake does. But the brain is still active enough to navigate familiar environments. That’s why a sleepwalker might manage to avoid furniture or walk straight to the bathroom without bumping into anything. Their movements rely heavily on muscle memory and environmental familiarity. Put them in an unfamiliar setting, though, and they’re much more likely to stumble or get disoriented.

Sleepwalking might sound quirky or even funny, but it can actually be disruptive and even risky. Whether it’s your child, your partner, or you doing the midnight wandering, there are ways to manage it—and in many cases, make it stop altogether.

💤 Sleepwalking FAQs – Let’s Clear Things Up

Q: Should you wake up someone who’s sleepwalking?

This is one of the most common questions—and the answer is yes, but with care. Waking a sleepwalker won’t cause them harm (no, they won’t have a heart attack or stroke!). The real danger is letting them continue to roam, especially if they’re near stairs, doors, or sharp objects. If you can, gently guide them back to bed. If that’s not possible, wake them calmly and try not to startle them—they’ll likely be confused or disoriented.

Q: Why do kids sleepwalk more than adults?

Kids between the ages of 4 and 8 are the most likely to sleepwalk. Their brains are still developing, and they spend more time in the deep stages of sleep, which is when sleepwalking tends to happen. The good news? Most kids grow out of it by the time they hit their teens.

Q: Can adults sleepwalk too?

Absolutely. While it’s more common in children, some adults do sleepwalk—often triggered by things like stress, sleep deprivation, medications, or underlying sleep disorders. If it’s happening often or causing safety concerns, it’s worth checking in with a doctor or sleep specialist.

Q: Is sleepwalking dangerous?

It can be. While a lot of sleepwalking episodes are harmless, there’s always a risk of injury—think tripping over furniture, walking out of the house, or even driving (yes, it’s rare, but it happens). That’s why it’s important to create a safe environment and look into treatment if sleepwalking becomes frequent.

Q: What should I do if my child sleepwalks?

First—don’t panic. Keep their room and common areas clutter-free, lock doors and windows, and hide anything sharp or dangerous. You can also try waking them up briefly about 30 minutes before the time they usually sleepwalk (this is called scheduled waking) to disrupt the pattern. And most importantly, let your child’s doctor know—it might be nothing serious, but it’s good to rule out any underlying issues.

Q: Is it true that sleepwalkers don’t remember anything?

Yes, in most cases. Sleepwalkers are in deep sleep when it happens, so they typically have no memory of what they did. That’s why it can be so puzzling or even scary for people when they hear what happened during the night!