Know what it is. During sleep paralysis you will feel conscious and aware but unable to move your body or speak. This phenomenon could last just a few seconds, few minutes or in very rare cases longer. It is not unusual for people experiencing sleep paralysis to feel pressure on the chest or a choking sensation, as if something were pushing down on their chest.[13]
The paralysis does not cause you any harm, but it can be a frightening situation, especially if you have not experienced it before.
Some people will experience it a few times in their life, others more frequently, and some not at all.
Typically, it is more frequently observed in teenagers and young adults, although it can affect anybody and is not thought to be influenced by gender.[14]