It can be puzzling to notice your boyfriend tends to twitch in his sleep, especially when his legs twitch back and forth. Or, even as his eyes remain closed, his fingers or toes spasm ever so slightly.
Twitching in sleep can vary in intensity, from subtle twitches to more pronounced jerks that might wake the person or their bed partner.
But, it is pretty common and can happen to anyone, regardless of age or gender.
Although the exact cause of sleep twitches isn’t always clear, it is so often associated with different stages of sleep or medical issues.
If you want to understand the peculiarities of your boyfriend’s sleeping pattern, this article aims to give you answers and a sense of wonder about the mysteries of sleep.
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Why Does My Boyfriend Twitch in His Sleep?
Twitching in sleep, known medically as hypnic jerks or sleep starts, are common and generally nothing to worry about.
Up to 70% of people experience these sporadic muscle contractions while falling asleep. They’re usually confined to the legs, feet, arms, or hands.
Sleep scientists think hypnic jerks occur during the transition from wakefulness to sleep. As your body relaxes, your brain sends signals to inhibit muscle activity.
But there can be a temporary disconnect between the brain and muscles, resulting in involuntary contractions or twitches.
These twitches aren’t under your voluntary control, and you’re not aware they’re happening.
Often, a hypnic jerk will briefly startle you awake before you drift back to sleep. These sudden movements are harmless and quickly forgotten.
Why Twitching May Increase
You may notice your boyfriend’s twitches become more pronounced at certain times. Twitching tends to increase when someone is:
1. Stressed
High stress and anxiety levels put the body in a state of sensory hyperarousal. This can interfere with the brain’s ability to smoothly transition between wake and sleep smoothly, resulting in more hypnic jerks.
Difficult life situations that pile more stress will likely exacerbate these sleep twitches.
2. Sleep Deprived
Lack of sleep is another trigger. Too little sleep causes mental and physical exhaustion, disrupting the body’s natural transition into deeper sleep stages.
This makes it easier for those involuntary muscle contractions to occur. Poor sleep schedules and habits will lead to more pronounced twitching.
3. Illness
Minor illnesses like the cold or flu cause physiological stress on the body, making it difficult to relax fully into a restful sleep.
The discomfort of the illness, combined with fever and body aches, will often aggravate sleep twitches. This reaction should subside once the illness passes.
4. Consuming Stimulants
Stimulating substances found in coffee, tea, energy drinks, chocolate, or medications can overexcite the nervous system and interfere with the body’s ability to settle down for sleep.
The brain stays on higher alert, so twitches are more apt to occur. Laying off stimulants close to bedtime curtails this effect.
If your boyfriend has recently been stressed, sick, or sleep deprived, that could explain the increase in involuntary nighttime spasms. The twitches should become less frequent once those issues are resolved.
When To Seek Help if Your Boyfriend Twitch in His Sleep
Hypnic jerks are an annoyance but not a cause for concern for most people. Occasionally, these muscle contractions can be so severe they disrupt sleep or cause injury.
Counselling or sleep medicine may help in those situations. See a doctor if your boyfriend twitches:
- Cause significant daytime sleepiness or fatigue
- Lead to anxiety about going to sleep
- Result in self-harm, like punching himself while asleep
- Are associated with other sleep disturbances like sleepwalking
- Seem to coincide with unexplained stress, sadness, or excessive worry
Seek immediate medical care if the jerking motions:
- Occur during the day when he’s fully awake
- Are accompanied by loss of consciousness or disorientation
- Include the whole body or multiple limbs
- Are associated with new medication use
Certain medications, drug and alcohol abuse, or neurological conditions can prompt more severe twitching episodes.
A doctor should evaluate unexplained frequent or intense sleep twitches to identify potential causes.
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What You Can Do to Help If Your Boyfriend Twitch in His Sleep
Most of the time, occasional sleep twitches are normal, and there is no reason to be alarmed. But if you want to help reduce your boyfriend’s nighttime twitching, here are some tips:
1. Reduce Stress
Ensure your boyfriend isn’t overwhelmed by his job, school, finances, or other obligations.
Help him find ways to relax and manage stress, like massage, yoga, meditation, or just taking time to do fun hobbies. Being overstressed and anxious will only exacerbate those muscle spasms.
2. Improve Sleep Habits
Make sure your boyfriend is allowing enough time for sleep and sticking to a consistent sleep-wake schedule, even on weekends.
Having a relaxing pre-bed routine and limiting electronics use at night helps prepare the body for rest. A dark, quiet, and comfortable sleep environment also promotes sound slumber.
3. Limit Stimulants
Suggest your boyfriend avoid caffeinated beverages after lunchtime. Nicotine and other stimulants close to bed can undermine sleep quality as well. Drinking alcohol is not advised either since it fragments sleep.
4. Exercise Regularly
Daily exercise helps reduce stress and enhances sleep. But make sure your boyfriend finishes workouts 3-4 hours before bed so they don’t overstimulate the nervous system.
5. See a Doctor if Needed
If lifestyle and schedule changes don’t seem to help, or the twitching is causing problems, consult a physician to identify potential causes and solutions.
This may involve changing medications, counselling for anxiety, or getting evaluated for underlying conditions.
When To Worry About The Twitching
Occasional involuntary muscle twitches or hypnic jerks during sleep are very common, especially when your body feels stressed or overtired. Try not to fret when your boyfriend’s legs or arms spasm at night.
But if the twitches become frequent or severe, cause issues functioning during the day, or include other troubling symptoms, seek medical advice. Diagnosing and treating the root cause can help minimize disruptive sleep disturbances.
With some simple lifestyle adjustments like managing stress and prioritizing rest, those annoying sleep twitches should become less apparent.
Then you can both enjoy a calm night’s sleep curled up in each other’s arms.
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Final Thoughts
Dealing with an unusual sleep habit like twitching is one challenge couples face. But you’re likely grappling with many other issues in your relationship too.
Explore more articles on elizegan.com for insightful advice on navigating all aspects of romantic relationships. Here are a few topics you’ll find:
We offer helpful guidance for nourishing your relationship and keeping the love alive.
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