Has this Ever Happened to Any of You, Or is it Just Me?

[Jennifer]

Hello fellow MDers,

It's me, Jennifer again. I actually have a question for you all, so it would be very much appreciated if you could give me a response to my Blog.

Two weeks ago, I was in my basement daydreaming, and it was about 11:00 at night. (On a Friday). And I realized I was falling asleep on the couch right there, right in the middle of my daydream. And I got frustrated because I was in the middle of a really deep daydream and I wanted to finish it before going to bed. So, I gathered my stuff and went upstairs to my bedroom and started to daydream where I'd left off. Apparantly, I fell asleep, because I woke up at 2:50 Saturday morning with my head to the foot of my bed, and my sweatshirt still on. I fell asleep while daydreaming! That was the first time that had ever happened to me, so I just let it go.

But THIS Friday, (last night) I was daydreaming on my bed again, and I fell asleep...again. I remember daydreaming with the TV on, playing my trigger movie, and my light was on.  But, when I woke up at 5:15 this morning, the TV and the light were off. I remember my mom being in the room below my bedroom, so when she went to bed, she probably turned everything off, just leaving me there like that. 

I don't know why this happens. Is it that I mentally tire myself out from daydreaming, and just suddenly fall asleep? I know it doesn't seem like a big deal, but when I am in the middle of a really involved daydream, I can't just stop in the middle of it. I always have to conclude it. I guess it just doesn't seem like something that I could do. But I've fallen asleep twice while in the middle of serious daydreams.

Has this ever happened to any of you? Why do you think it happens? It's just like an all of a sudden bolt of drowsiness, and then I don't have control of what happens after that hits. Strange...

Answers would be appreciated. Thank you!

-Jennifer

[SwanInTheWater]

Like Beth I actually daydream in order to fall asleep. Not every time, just those nights when I'm having difficulty falling asleep.
I imagine you are falling asleep because you are tired and probably don't realize it because you're distracted by the daydreaming.

[Beth W]

I have always had trouble getting to sleep, and so like Vic I learned to use my daydreaming to help me get to sleep. So eventually it got so I couldn't sleep without daydreaming. If they are very intense, then I find that I just automatically continue them when I wake up. If you don't want to do that though, you might try putting the story "on hold" and replace it with a more easy going one until the morning, because as a high school student you need your sleep! (speaking as a senior in high school) :)

[Jennifer]

Hello everyone,

Thank you for all of the responses! I really appreciate your help. I know it seems like a stupid question, but I just didn't understand why I was able to fall asleep during such heavy daydreaming sessions.

Thank you again! I appreciate it. :)

-Jennifer

[Catauxgory]

I've fallen asleep daydreaming lots of times. Even though you want to daydream for an extended period of time, as your body relaxes, you fall asleep. It all has to do with brainwave frequency. Your normal waking state has a higher brainwave frequency than your full-on daydreaming state. When a person daydreams, their brainwave frequency lowers and you feel slightly like you've entered a trance. You feel mesmerized and utterly absorbed internally by the daydream. As you continue to daydream, the brainwave frequency keeps lowering (and you keep relaxing), and you sink into a nice sleep.

[Mira]

I have certain daydreams that put me to sleep- images that are just SO calming and focused that I pass right out. Before I wore those out, I slept really well every time. I guess I was just going to a "happy place", I dunno. But if I don't have one, it's a lot harder.

TBH, I envy you. I almost NEVER just fall asleep in the middle of anything (the above being the exception). My brain is far too active, whether it's a DD or not. I have to intentionally either clear my mind or at least imagine something that isn't going to get me riled up. Getting my brain to fall asleep is like dealing with a difficult toddler.

[littleschrodinger'scat]

I've never actually fallen asleep while daydreaming (except when I'm actually trying to fall asleep and daydreaming), but I often start to feel kind of light-headed and tired, like I might pass out.

[taffle]

I agree with Hunter. When I am not busy during the day, I am more able to daydream during before and after bedtime. But when I am very busy and exhausted during the day, I cannot really daydream at night because my body is so tired that it wants to sleep instead.