Why is it that we don’t react to our dreams while we are asleep?

I awoke from an action-packed dream to find myself safe and sound in bed.

Why didn’t my physical body react to what my mind was experiencing?

There are two types of sleep: regular sleep and dream sleep. During regular sleep your muscles remain ready for action. If you are uncomfortable, you move; if your name is called out you awaken.

Regular sleep gives way to dream sleep. When you’re in this state, breathing and heartbeat are irregular and the muscles that move your body become paralysed. It is this paralysis that prevents you from reacting to your dream and perhaps hurting yourself in the process. Sometimes, when you have a frightening dream, you realise that you’re dreaming and try to rouse yourself only to discover that you can’t move a muscle! You have to make an effort to rouse yourself.

Normally, dream sleep lasts for 10-15 minutes at a stretch. Then it gives way to regular sleep when you can move again.

 

Picture Credit : Google