Welcome to OllySleep, where we’re all about the art of getting a good night’s rest. And while most people sleep with their eyes closed, we know that some of you might be curious about how to sleep with your eyes open. Maybe you’re an aspiring spy, or maybe you just want to impress your friends with your unique talent. Whatever the reason, we’ve got you covered!
But before we begin, let’s take a moment to check out some other interesting sleep-related topics:
– How to Sleep on a Plane: Learn the tips and tricks for catching some Z’s while soaring through the sky.
– Noise Canceling Headphones for Sleep: Discover the best headphones for blocking out unwanted sounds and creating a peaceful sleep environment.
– How to Sleep with Curly Hair: Find out how to keep your curls intact while getting your beauty sleep.
– How to Sleep 8 Hours in 4 Hours: Uncover the secrets to maximizing your sleep efficiency and feeling refreshed, even with limited time.
– How to Stop Drooling in Your Sleep: Learn techniques to prevent embarrassing drooling incidents during sleep.
Now, let’s dive into the intriguing world of sleeping with your eyes open! It’s time to awaken your inner undercover agent or astonish your friends with this unusual skill. But be warned, it’s not as easy as it sounds. So, grab a cup of your favorite essential oils for sleep to relax and let’s get started.
Can People Sleep With Their Eyes Open?
The majority of our sources say no, with a couple of exceptions. People who have a disease named Nocturnal Lagophthalmos can sleep without shutting their eyes, but this is not as glamorous as it seems. Side effects include calcium residue on the retina, dangerously dry eyes, and having to sleep a lot.
Other individuals might also have this ability due to several conditions, including:
- Skin disorders
- Botched cosmetic surgery
- Damage to nerves
Despite these causes that are involuntary, you may actually be able to train yourself to get some shuteye without closing your eyes. We are going to get to all those techniques in a minute.
Should You Sleep With Your Eyes Open?
Many people would say that they do not get sufficient sleep. Life is hectic, and we are all extra busy nowadays. Who wouldn’t want to catch up on rest throughout the planet’s dullest after-lunch logistics meeting?
There has been a great deal of interest in biohacking within the previous several decades. Most of us would like to determine how to push our bodies to the max to do better, live longer, look younger, etc. Napping with our eyes open is another kind of biohack that makes it possible for us to at least appear involved in our everyday duties while also catching up on rest. It is like multitasking at its best.
Along with unnoticeably sleeping through long meetings and dull lectures, you might also possibly trick your children and pets by using this suggestion. If young kids or pets see you with your eyes open, they might think you are awake and feel reassured without asking for your attention.
How to Sleep With Your Eyes Open
Sit in the back row
The further away from prying eyeballs, the better. Sitting in the back row permits you to remain from direct line of sight of whoever is leading a classroom or a meeting discussion.
Relax
Keep your eyes relaxed and slowly start relaxing the other muscles in your body. Begin with your legs and feet, and gradually work your way up to your neck and head.
Breathe normally
Concentrate on your breath. Take deep breaths in and out of your nose. Try counting in one second intervals to get the complete effect of deep breathing. You’ll start to unwind with no need to shut your eyes.
Focus your eyes on a single spot
Fix your gaze on the same spot in the room and stay still. This way, you can concentrate your eyes. Avoid picking something glowing like the sun because that will negatively impact your ability to focus.
Let your thoughts wander
The general purpose is to clear your thoughts, but if you begin with trying to think about nothing, you will probably get distracted and have a flood of distracting images come to mind. Instead, let yourself daydream about something pleasant, like going on holiday. Then, slowly start to think about nothing in particular.
Try to sleep
By now, you should be fully relaxed, and as you’re staring at a single spot, it will still seem as if you are awake. Continue looking at that same spot, thinking of nothing, and you might end up falling asleep without anybody knowing!
Keep practicing
Like anything you do, you are most likely not going to be an expert the first couple of times you attempt it. So don’t get discouraged if it does not work out immediately. If you are concerned about looking somewhat creepy to your peers, then consider wearing sunglasses. You may seem a bit weird if you are indoors, but it is a price worth paying to learn this technique.
Other techniques
Napping without being noticed
If you do not have enough time to master the art of sleeping without closing your eyes, you can try having a nap without people around and get some rest.
Here is what to do:
- Locate a discreet spot to nap. It might be at your office, car, closet, or bathroom. If you can not escape into a personal area, sit at the rear of a populated area.
- Wear sunglasses to disguise closed eyes. They also have the advantage of shielding your eyes from too much light, which may help you fall sleep.
- Avoid slouching. Sit up straight, preferably at a desk or table. Rest your elbow on the desk and then bend it 90 degrees so that your hand props your chin up. You will seem awake and attentive.
- Get a friend or colleague to help. Have somebody act as a lookout to nudge you in case you are about to get caught, or somebody calls your name.
Meditating with your eyes open
Meditating with your eyes open is good practice. You can do this on your bus ride to work. It’ll require some practice until you are able to do it in public, so follow the following steps to ensure success.
Start in a darkened, silent room. Locate a comfortable, seated position. It might be on a chair or on the ground but avoid lying down. Concentrate on two items at the same time. With your left eye, look at something around the left side of the room, then use your right eye to look at something around the right side. This exercise is hard but becomes easier with practice. Take deep breaths. Breathe in for five seconds, then exhale for five seconds.
While meditating is not a replacement for sleeping, the brainwaves during a meditative state are in alpha state, which is the condition of presleep and mild sleep. A meditation session can allow you to feel relaxed, rejuvenated, and require less sleep all around.
Possible Side Effects of Sleeping With Your Eyes Open
The issue with this form of sleeping is the fact that it prevents blinking. Blinking is essential to protect your eyes from harmful external factors such as allergens, dust, and excessive light.
Apart from swollen eyes, you may potentially experience eye tingling and redness, blurry vision, and bad sleep.
In the long run, sleeping with your eyes open may wreak havoc on your health and sleep quality. However, in emergency situations, it can be very useful. It likely will not hurt you if done on rare ocassions. However, we suggest talking to your ophthalmologist prior to introducing this potentially lifestyle-altering change.
When to See a Physician?
If you suspect that you’re sleeping with your eyes open without trying to, it is important to find a physician for an assessment. A physician will take a look at your eyes and eyelids and conduct neurological or imaging tests to better understand the way your eyes are functioning.
Treatment can greatly enhance the quality of your sleep and your general eye health. If you want to stop sleeping with your eyes open, you should also consider purchasing an eye mask for sleep to provide darkness for your eyes and force them to stay shut while you are waiting for your doctor’s appointment. Furthermore, noise-canceling earphones may help you achieve deep sleep, therefore making you less likely to sleep with your eyes open.
