Do you experience stopping breathing problems while falling asleep?

It's completely normal to occasionally forget to breathe while falling asleep, and this usually doesn't cause any problems.

However, if you find that you are frequently forgetting to breathe while sleeping, or if you experience other symptoms such as snoring or difficulty breathing in the middle of the night, gasping for air when waking up, it's important to speak with a healthcare professional. 

They can help determine the exact underlying causes of your problem and recommend the appropriate treatment options.

✅ 7 Major Reasons of Forgetting to Breathe When Falling Asleep

The common and major variety of reasons are:

1. Post nasal drip

It has long been recognized as a common cause of reduced oxygen intake when falling asleep.

In recent years, post-nasal drip has become increasingly linked to episodes of forgetting to breathe during sleep, which leads to serious complications such as heart disease or heart failure.

Postnasal drip occurs when thick mucus accumulates in the back of the throat or sinuses, blocking airway passages and reducing air intake. The accumulation of mucus makes it difficult for an individual to take regular breaths while asleep, leading to a decrease in oxygen levels that affects heart health conditions. 

When not treated promptly and properly, post nasal drip causes prolonged periods without breathing that could potentially be fatal.

2. Heart failure

It is a serious medical condition that affects the pumping power of the heart. Heart failure causes various symptoms, including tiredness, swelling in the feet and ankles, and the trouble breathing pattern.

However, one of the less known issues associated with congestive heart failure is its potential to cause forgetting to breathe when falling asleep. 

This type of breath-holding is called central sleep apnea (CSA). It occurs when certain control centers in the brain become impaired as a result of low oxygen levels caused by heart failure. 

This leads to erratic breathing patterns during sleep and can sometimes lead people to forget to take a breath entirely while sleeping. CSA also leads to high blood pressure and further worsens heart condition and function if not managed correctly. 

3. Overthinking

It is common to become overly focused on the thoughts in your head and forget to take a breath.

Overthinking is a common problem for many people when they are feeling anxious or stressed. People who overthink often have trouble letting go of worries and anxieties, which in turn can lead to not breathing during sleep.

A sleep study states that when we are struggling with overthinking, our mind gets stuck on certain thoughts and ideas. This makes it difficult for us to relax enough at night so that we can fall asleep without worrying about the day ahead or things that have happened in the past.

Unfortunately, this tension and stress can also cause us to forget to breathe while sleeping, leading to severe health problems like symptoms of sleep apnea if left untreated.

4. Panic attacks, Anxiety or Stress

Stressful situations can cause us to forget to breathe, especially when we're trying to fall asleep. This condition, known as sleep apnea, is often caused by changes in breathing patterns due to increased stress or anxiety levels. It is dangerous if left untreated for prolonged periods of time because it increases the risk of heart attack and stroke. 

Sleep apnea is typically marked by episodes of shallow breathing or total cessation of breathing during sleep. These episodes occur repeatedly throughout the night and cause sufferers to wake up feeling groggy despite having had enough hours of rest.

People with anxiety disorders, nocturnal panic attacks, and stress may be more prone to this condition because they have difficulty relaxing their bodies, leading to irregular breathing patterns while sleeping. 

5. Sleep Apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a condition that causes your breathing to pause or become shallow during sleep due to blockages in the airway.

Sleep Apnea is a sleep disorder in which a person experiences pauses in breathing or shallow breaths while sleeping. These pauses may last from a few seconds to minutes and can occur up to 30 times or more per hour.

The possible causes of forgetting to breathe when falling asleep are due to the muscles that maintain an open airway relaxing too much, causing the airway to collapse and temporarily block airflow.

People with sleep apnea often snore loudly and experience excessive daytime fatigue, insomnia, morning headaches, mood swings, and attention problems during waking hours.

The most common risk factors for sleep apnea are being overweight or obese, having a thick neck circumference, smoking cigarettes, using alcohol frequently, panic disorder or sleeping on your back.

In addition to these lifestyle choices, age also plays a role — as we get older our throat muscles become weaker and less able to keep the airway open through the night.

Strategies to manage anxiety & sleep apnea simultaneously, can anxiety cause sleep apnea?  

6. Restless Leg Syndrome

RLS is a neurological disorder that causes an uncontrollable urge to move your legs, which interferes with breathing while sleeping. This sensation can occur at any time, but it is more likely to occur when sitting or lying down for long periods of time.

It also tends to be worse in the evening and night, and as a result, many people with RLS struggle with getting enough sleep. 

One potential cause of deep sleep disruption associated with RLS is forgetting to breathe when falling asleep. This happens because the urge to move one’s legs interrupts natural sleeping patterns and distracts from relaxation activities that are necessary for good quality sleep.

Additionally, those with RLS may subconsciously tense their muscles in response to the uncomfortable sensations they experience, which can lead them to hold their breath or take shallow breaths throughout the night.

7. Poor Sleep Hygiene

Not following good sleep hygiene practices such as avoiding caffeine late in the day, having regular bedtimes and wake times, and not using screens before bedtime can all contribute to forgetting to breathe when falling asleep.

Poor sleep hygiene is a common and preventable problem that leads to long-term health issues. It involves neglecting the necessary steps to prepare oneself for quality sleep, such as avoiding caffeine or screens at night. One of the most severe symptoms of poor sleep hygiene is forgetting to breathe when falling asleep.

This condition, known as sleep apnea, occurs when breathing ceases temporarily during slumber. Not only can this be extremely dangerous due to its potential effects on heart rate and oxygen levels, but it also disrupts restful sleep patterns which leads to further health issues down the line.

✅ Tips to Treat Symptoms of Anxiety and Sleep Apnea

Here are a few tips that may help reduce signs of anxiety about forgetting to breathe while falling asleep:

⚫ Create a comfortable sleep environment

Creating a comfortable sleep environment is essential to getting a good night's rest and avoiding problems like waking up short of breath and anxiety.

To create such an environment, first choose a mattress that fits your needs and provides adequate support, as well as bedding that you find comfortable.

Make sure the bedroom is dark and quiet at night, and keep it at a temperature that is comfortable for you when sleeping. Consider using blackout curtains or an eye mask if necessary.

If you are having trouble getting enough restful sleep on your own, consider talking to your doctor about potential solutions such as cpap, medication or cognitive behavioral therapy. A hypnotic solution to anxiety and depression-related breathing problems, hypnosis for anxiety.

⚫ Establish a consistent sleep routine

Establishing a consistent sleep routine is essential for overall health and well-being.

It helps to regulate your body's natural circadian rhythm, which in turn affects the quality of your sleep. To establish a successful routine, it is important to go to bed and wake up at the same time each day, even on weekends or holidays.

Creating a relaxing environment in your bedroom by limiting distractions like screens, noise, and light also helps you get more restful sleep.

Additionally, make sure to avoid eating large meals or drinking caffeine later in the evening as this interferes with your ability to fall asleep.

Establishing a consistent sleep routine will improve the quality of your sleep and help you feel more refreshed and energized during the day.

Go to bed and wake up at the same time every day, even on weekends. This helps regulate your body's natural sleep-wake cycle.

⚫ Avoid stimulants before bedtime

It is important to avoid stimulants such as caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol before bedtime in order to lower fall-asleep anxiety.

Stimulants increase alertness and make it more difficult to relax and drift off into a peaceful good night's sleep. Caffeine should be avoided for at least four hours before bedtime.

Nicotine also increases alertness, so if you are a smoker, try to avoid smoking late at night or right before bed. Alcohol may help you initially fall asleep quicker, however, it causes fragmented sleep throughout the rest of the night. Give hypnosis for quit smoking a try!

Avoiding stimulants prior to bedtime will help reduce your anxiety about sleeping and help you get the best quality of sleep possible.

⚫ Practice relaxation techniques before bedtime

Try deep breathing exercises, progressive muscle relaxation, or the mindfulness script for anxiety to help calm your mind and body. they also prevent recurrent panic attacks.

Practicing relaxation techniques before bedtime is a great way to lower anxiety and treat falling asleep anxiety attack. There are various techniques that you can practice, such as deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, guided imagery, mindfulness meditation, and yoga.

📌 Deep breathing focuses on controlling your breath and can help to relax the body while guided imagery focuses on focusing on calming images or scenes in your mind.

📌 Progressive muscle relaxation involves tensing and relaxing different muscle groups in the body while mindfulness meditation encourages being aware of your thoughts and feelings without judgment.

📌 Yoga is a great option for those looking to practice physical activity before bedtime to help reduce stress levels and promote restful sleep. Whatever technique you choose to try, incorporating relaxation techniques into your nighttime routine can be a great way to manage stress and improve sleep quality.

⚫ Seek medical help if needed

If you are feeling short of breath and anxious, it is important to seek medical help as soon as possible.

Shortness of breath and anxiety can be signs of a serious underlying health issue, so it is important to take these symptoms seriously and talk to a doctor.

A doctor will be able to assess the situation and provide advice on how best to lessen or manage your comm symptom.

They may also prescribe medications or suggest lifestyle changes that could reduce shortness of breath or anxiety. If needed, they may refer you to other specialists such as a psychiatrist or psychologist who provide further support in managing your mental health issues.

Don't hesitate to reach out for help if you are feeling overwhelmed by physical or psychological symptoms related to breathing difficulties and anxiety.

✅ Bottom Line

Learning to control and regulate your breathing can be a great help in preventing the anxiety of forgetting to breathe while asleep. Taking time each day to focus on deep breathing can help you relax and better prepare both your mind and body for sleep. Even if you find yourself unable to drift off right away, taking time to focus on your breath will eventually help lull you into a peaceful slumber.