I’ve had
trouble with insomnia for many years. I remember it starting when I would go to
sleep at a normal time but within a half hour I would wake up with a jolt. I
couldn’t get back to sleep so I would start reading or looking at my ipad.
I’ve looked
this up online and they call this, Hypnic Jerks.
Hypnic jerks are involuntary muscle
movement that can happen as you fall asleep.
·
Hypnic jerks are painless but can
accompany other sensations like dreams, hallucinations, or sounds.
·
Researchers theorize that nerves in the
brainstem trigger the startling reaction.
·
Caffeine, exercise before sleep,
emotional stress, and sleep deprivation can increase your risk of hypnic jerks.
Hypnic Jerks:
Why You Twitch When You Sleep | Sleep Foundation
Another doctor writes that experts don’t know the
exact cause of sleep starts, but what seems to be happening is that there’s a
neurological tussle between the brain systems that keep you awake and the ones
that encourage you to fall
asleep.
Why
Do I Jerk Awake Right As I’m Falling Asleep? (thecut.com)
But I
thought the cause was something different. I had tried giving up caffeine and
staying off my tablet to no avail. I thought it might be because my grandson
had died and I was fearful of what may happen next to my family.
Two weeks
ago, I talked with the Lord about this. I did feel convinced then that it was
from a deep fear within me. I told God I knew I couldn’t do anything about
that. I needed him to take that fear from me. So I laid my fear at his feet and
asked for him to help me. He did do that. I have slept all night without the
jerking awake and I have slept for 8 or 9 hours.
I want to
thank God for this. I’m sure having such fear now in his hands is probably the
reason I’m happier. Of course, this doesn’t mean I can just go gaily on
ignoring the fear. I pray each night for him to take it. Most things in our
life don’t just disappear, they come back over and over because they have
become ingrained in our minds. Our battle as Christians is to not get
discouraged at this, but to realize God understands our struggle and loves us.