Hypnic jerks: why you twitch/jerk while falling asleep

Are you experiencing hypnic jerks or twitches right as you are falling asleep at night? Maybe you're also experiencing them during the daytime? In this video we'll talk about what jerks and twitches are (hyperarousal symptom and a way your body releases stored stress) and why your body jolts/twitches as you're beginning to fall asleep. I offer 1-on-1 coaching at 👉 hopefulmind.com and a free newsletter to help you step out of the struggle. My approach is rooted in compassion, nervous system safety, and a belief in the body’s innate ability to heal. When you are going through chronic insomnia and anxiety, experiencing hypnic jerks and twitches right before falling asleep (or being woken up this way) feels incredibly frustrating. Many people go to doctors or practitioners and receive very little information, which only increases the fear around this particular symptom. It is common to look up myoclonus or try calcium supplements, but when these do not help, you can start to get more scared. Understanding jerks and twitches from the perspective of hyperarousal is really helpful. Hyperarousal is your body's stress response, and insomnia involves a conditioned arousal response that kicks in especially at night. While you may be familiar with a racing heart or a racing mind, these sudden twitches or body jolts and the adrenaline that comes afterwards are also part of what your brain/body can create when it is in a hyperaroused state. At its core, insomnia is about fear and a perception of ongoing threat where your brain and body feel scared and place safety above sleep. Your brain starts to understand that a struggle is happening at night. As it predicts danger and tries to protect you, your brain creates symptoms to alert you and keep you on guard. Jerks and twitches can be part of these symptoms. They often will happen at sleep onset or as the body relaxes with the intention of protecting you and keeping you on guard (the purpose of hyperarousal is to mobilize you to face the threat). At times, this symptom can also be a sign of your body trying to release stored stress as well. Overall this is a common hyperarousal symptom that happens in the daytime as well as at sleep onset, and it is something you can absolutely recover from. A Normal Stress Response: Jerks and twitches are hyperarousal symptoms driven by your body's conditioned arousal response at night. Prioritizing Your Safety: Your brain is biologically designed to place safety above sleep, waking you with a body jolt to keep you alert against a perceived threat. You Are Not Alone: Many people experiencing chronic insomnia and anxiety struggle with these exact same symptoms during sleep onset and in the daytime. Recovery is Possible: These symptoms do not mean they will be here forever; this is something you can absolutely recover from as you step out of the struggle. 00:00 Welcome to The Hopeful Mind 00:23 The Frustration of Jerks and Twitches Before Falling Asleep 00:51 Why Practitioners Often Lack Answers for This Symptom 01:13 My Personal Experience with Insomnia Twitches 01:58 Understanding Hyperarousal and Your Body’s Stress Response 02:37 Anxiety Symptoms can Vary 03:14 Myoclonus 03:37 Why Sleep Onset Jerks Happen at Night 04:15 How a Perception of Threat Causes Hyperarousal 05:07 Jerks and Twitches in the Daytime 05:22 You Can Recover From Hyperarousal Symptoms #Insomnia #Hyperarousal #TheHopefulMind