Have you ever wished you could sleep through a boring meeting or school lecture without being noticed, so you need to learn how to sleep with your eyes open.
For up to 10% of the population, this is not a fantasy. A small part of the population has the ability to naturally sleep with their eyes open. There are long-term dangers and potential side effects of this practice, which we will discuss later.
But for now, let's relish the thought of being able to take a nap without even having to close our eyes.
In this article, you will learn how to sleep with your eyes open. And we'll also give you helpful tips on how to take a nap in public without anyone noticing.
How to sleep with your eyes open? What science says
Most of our scientific sources say no, with a few exceptions. People with a condition called nocturnal lagophthalmos can sleep without closing their eyes, but this condition isn't as glamorous as it sounds. Side effects include calcium deposits on the cornea, painfully dry eyes, signs of lack of sleep.
Other people may also be able to demonstrate this phenomenon. These people could be suffering from one or more of the following conditions:
- Dermatological problems
- Botched cosmetic surgery
- Facial nerve damage
Despite these unintended causes, there are ways to practice getting your eyes closed without closing them. We'll get to those techniques in a moment.
Before you start learning to sleep with your eyes open, know that it is essential to protect them from external aggressions by providing you with a sleep mask which must be in 3 dimensions, it will protect you from light sources which can be dangerous for the eyes. eyes, mosquitoes that can bite you...
OUR 3D SLEEP MASKS TO PROTECT THE EYES
Why sleep with your eyes open?
Most people say they don't get enough sleep. Who wouldn't want to fall asleep on demand without having to close their eyes?
There has been a lot of interest in the field of "life hacks" in recent years, ie anything that allows you to improve a point in your life very quickly. We all want to know how to push our body to the max to perform better, live longer, look younger, etc.
Napping with our eyes open is another type of life hack that allows us to be present and involved in our daily lives while being able to rest easily.
Sleep with your eyes open: the list of solutions
Here are all the habits to implement to sleep without having to close your eyes.
Lie on your back
Do not rub your eyeball against the pillow and prefer to sleep on your back so as not to damage them.
Relax
Keep your eyes open but relax all the other muscles in your body. Start with your feet and toes, then slowly work your way up to your head and neck.
Breathe deeply
Focus on your breathing. Take deep, measured breaths in and out of your nose. Try counting to give in one-second intervals to get the full effect of deep breathing. You will begin to relax without needing to close your eyes.
Let your thoughts wander
The general goal is to clear your mind, but if you start by trying not to think about anything, you'll definitely get distracted and have a flood of images popping into your head. Instead, allow yourself to daydream about something pleasant, like an upcoming or past vacation. Then, gradually start not thinking about anything instead.
Other specific techniques
Take a nap without being noticed
If you don't have time to master the art of sleeping without closing your eyes, or if the side effects have scared you, you can try taking a nap in public and avoid detection.
Here's what to do:
- Find a discreet place to take a nap. It can be in your office, your car, a closet or a bathroom. If you can't escape to a private space, sit in the back of a populated room.
- Be sure to wear a sleep mask to cover the light. They also have the benefit of creating darkness, which can help facilitate sleep.
- Avoid slouching. Sit up straight, preferably at a table or desk. Rest your elbow on the surface and bend it 90 degrees so that your hand rests on your chin. You will look active and attentive.
- Ask a friend or colleague for help. Have someone watch you if you are about to get caught or if someone calls you.
Meditate with your eyes open
Common practice is to meditate with your eyes closed, but if you like the idea of doing this while on a train or bus ride to work, you can try this technique instead. It will take some practice before you can openly do this in public, so follow these steps to hone your skills:
- Start in a dark, quiet room.
- Find a comfortable sitting position. This can be on a chair or on the floor, but avoid lying down.
- Focus on two objects at a time. With your left eye, look at something on the left side of the room, then use your right eye to look at something on the right side. This exercise is challenging but gets easier with practice.
- Breathe deeply. Focus on deep and regular breathing, heart coherence will help you. Inhale for five seconds, then exhale for five seconds. With practice, you'll time your breath perfectly and won't have to count.
- Get out into nature. Once you feel comfortable with open-eye meditation, try it outside. Be patient and realize that you may not succeed the first time, but practice will help you.
Although meditation is not a substitute for sleep, the brain waves during a meditative state are in alpha, which is the pre-sleep and light sleep state. Therefore, you will find that a meditation session will help you feel relaxed, rejuvenated and needing less sleep overall.
Have a lucid dream
Lucid dreaming is when you are fully aware that you are in a dream. This realization doesn't happen often to the average person, and it's a fun and magical experience. You can do or say anything you want in a lucid dream. And, if it's a nightmare, you can immediately change the situation and control the outcome.
There's no surefire way to lucid dream, but following these steps can increase your chances of having one. Once you learn these techniques, you might end up doing them regularly.
- Read. It turns out that just reading about lucid dreaming can encourage one to come true. Before going to bed, read a few pages of a book that deals with the subject.
- Make sure you get enough sleep. Lucid dreaming occurs during REM sleep. The body needs plenty of rest to get into this state.
- Keep a dream journal. As soon as you wake up, write down everything you remember about your dreams. Don't go to the bathroom, drink water, or reach for a pen. Have the journal next to your bed and ready to write it immediately when you wake up. You'd be surprised how quickly your dreams will fade away if you don't write them down.
- Set an intention. Tell yourself that you want to have a lucid dream.
- Try a lucid dream app. There are smartphone apps you can download that will alert you with a ding or buzz when you enter a dream state. Over time, your subconscious will begin to associate this sound with the dream, and it could potentially alert you to the fact that you are in a dream!
Benefits of keeping your eyes open
Apart from surviving long meetings and boring lectures, you might also fool your kids and pets with this trick. If young babies or animals see you with your eyes open, they may think you are awake. For babies and pets, this could be comforting as they know they can get to you if they need anything.
Possible side effects
The problem with this type of sleep is that it prevents blinking. Blinking is necessary to keep the eyes lubricated and prevent them from damaging external factors such as dust, irritants and excess light.
In addition to irritated eyes, you could potentially experience dryness, redness, blurred vision, and poor bedtime.
People who cannot control whether their eyelids are raised or lowered often need treatments like putting tape or weights on their eyelids. In extreme cases, surgery may be necessary.
How to sleep with your eyes open: Frequently asked questions
Is sleeping with your eyes wide open safe?
In the long run, this can harm your eye health and the quality of your bedtime. However, in emergency situations, it could be very useful. It probably won't hurt you if done occasionally, but we suggest consulting an optometrist or ophthalmologist before making any lifestyle changes.
Can you get deep sleep doing this?
Although you can fall asleep with your eyes open, you are unlikely to be a deep sleeper. There is too much outside light and stimuli for your mind to absorb. We have eyelids for a reason, after all!
How to sleep with your eyes open: The final word
Sleeping with your eyes open can be learned, but remember that if it is sometimes useful in certain circumstances, it can be dangerous if you abuse it.
