
That thing in the corner of your room isn't a ghost; it's sleep paralysis
Her experience, seeing "someone" while frozen in fear, shines a spotlight on a phenomenon that has long been misinterpreted as a paranormal event, or a demonic attack. Modern medical science, however, has a different name for it: Sleep Paralysis (SP). That "someone" or "shadow" in the room also isn't a ghost. It's an intricate, terrifying trick being played on you by your own brain.THE WAKING NIGHTMAREAccording to sleep specialists, this paralysis is parasomnia, medically described as a disruptive sleep disorder that occurs in the space between wakefulness and sleep. Up to 40% of the population experiences it at least once, with many having recurring episodes.Anusha Tandon, a sleep specialist from Gurgaon, explains the phenomenon: During the Rapid Eye Movement (REM) stage of sleep, where your most vivid dreams occur, the brain releases chemicals that cause temporary muscle paralysis, a condition called REM atonia. This is a safety feature for the brain. "Simply put, SP is essentially a system glitch where your consciousness reboots and becomes aware before the atonia has worn off. "In this state, you are mentally awake, but your body is still in sleep mode — paralysed," Tandon says.THE SHADOW PERSON The sleep-awake state experience sometimes goes from being confusing to terrifying. Your mind, during this state, is fully awake, but your senses are still picking up dream-like signals. There's heightened fear and the brain's threat-detection system goes into overdrive.It scans the room for a cause and then projects a form onto the ambiguous shadows and shapes in your room. This is often perceived as a dark, human-like silhouette — the infamous "Shadow Person." Some people who have experienced this paralysis also believe they were woken up by an intruder, or an old hag.advertisementWhat is the explanation for the pressure felt on the chest? Tandon says suffocation is a hallmark of sleep paralysis."During REM sleep, your breathing is naturally more shallow and usually more rapid. When you suddenly become conscious and try to control your breathing, the lingering muscle paralysis makes it feel constricted and difficult, triggering panic," she explains. The amygdala (brain's fear centre) is active during this state. It floods your system with an intense feeling of dread and a "sensed presence," that unshakeable feeling of someone hostile being in the room with you, even if you can't see them.NOTHING NEWWhat Sonakshi experienced is not new.For centuries, different cultures around the world have created folklore to explain this exact medical event. While in Canadian Newfoundland, it's known as the "Old Hag" who sits on your chest at night. In Japanese culture, it's called "Kanashibari," meaning "to be bound by metal."advertisementIn medieval Europe, such hallucinations were often blamed on the Incubus and Succubus, malevolent demons who preyed on people who were asleep.These aren't spirits; they are different cultural interpretations of the same neurological glitch.CAN YOU FIGHT BACK?Sleep paralysis is not dangerous, and you can take steps to reduce its intensity. It's often triggered by disruptions to your sleep cycle, hence the solution lies in improving your sleep health. The first step is to master your sleep hygiene."Go to bed and wake up at the same time every day. Do it even on weekends. Create a sleeping sanctuary; a room that is dark, quiet, and cool. Second, manage your stress level. It is often seen that anxiety is a major trigger for all kinds of sleep disruptions. Incorporate stress-reducing activities into your day, like meditation, light exercise, journaling, or simply reading a book before bed," advises Tandon. Watching the way you sleep also works. Many people have reported episodes when sleeping on their back (in the supine position). Try sleeping on your side.What must you do during an episode? If you find yourself in the grip of sleep paralysis, don't try to fight the condition itself. You can't win. "Focus all your mental energy on a small movement. Try wiggling a single toe or a finger to start with," Tandon tells us. She adds that often moving one small part of the body can send a signal to your brain to break the spell and wake your body fully.advertisementRemind yourself this: there's no ghost in your room. It's your brain, momentarily caught between two worlds. By taking control of your health, you can help ensure those worlds stay where they belong.- Ends

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Indian Express
a day ago
- Indian Express
Red or yellow banana: Which should you pick for good health?
The red banana, a rich source of nutrients, offers several health benefits for the body. The delicious fruit is known by many names, such as the Musa acuminata Dacca banana or the Cuban banana, the Colorado banana, or the lal kela. But is it better than its yellow cousins? Here's what experts told us. Red bananas are not genetically modified and are a natural grouping of bananas created over time through cultivation and biological selection, said Ektaa Tandon, nutritionist, CEO at Dailyy Diet. 'They are sweet in taste with a hint of raspberry sweetness,' said Tandon. Red banana trees are disease-resistant, grow fast, and produce a compact bunch of fruits, added Tandon. According to Dr Birali Swetha, chief dietician, Gleneagles Aware Hospital, LB Nagar, Hyderabad: Boosts energy – Like yellow bananas, red bananas provide natural sugars and carbohydrates, giving you a quick energy boost. A healthy heart – Apart from several benefits to the body, it keeps heart health in check by reducing cholesterol and controlling blood pressure, which helps improve cardiovascular health. The high potassium content helps control blood pressure and supports heart health. Aids digestion – They are high in fibre, which helps with smooth digestion and prevents constipation. Improves immunity – They contain vitamins C and B6, which support the immune system. Good for skin and eyes – The presence of antioxidants and beta-carotene helps maintain healthy skin and vision. Weight loss—Since they are rich in fibre and low in calories, they can keep you full for longer, which helps reduce cravings and keep your diet in check. 'Taking them regularly helps reduce bloating, increase the diversity of friendly bacteria, and reduce constipation, making them beneficial for digestive health and reducing the risk of IBD or inflammatory bowel disease,' said Tandon. Balances mood – The vitamin B6 content helps produce serotonin, which improves mood and reduces stress. 'Unless you have an allergy or eat them in excess (which might cause bloating or an upset stomach), red bananas are generally very beneficial for overall health. Therefore, one should make it a part of their everyday diet to accrue health advantages,' said Dr Birali. Compared to yellow bananas, red bananas are denser and smaller, said Tandon. 'They have more vitamin C and are also higher in antioxidants. They are sweeter yet are lower in glycemic index (GI), making them healthy for diabetics or weight watchers. (Lower GI indicated slower absorption, meaning more satiety), said Tandon. Though red bananas have similar nutrients to yellow, they are nutritionally richer in B6, magnesium, and beta carotenoids, making them a better choice. 'Having 1-2 red bananas/day is considered healthy. One should have it as an in-between snack and not with the meal to absorb its nutrients better,' said Tandon. According to Tandon, eating red bananas daily can boost digestion and regulate blood sugar levels more effectively. 'It helps provide more energy and a feeling of fullness. It reduces the risk of heart disease by regulating blood pressure and reducing cholesterol,' said Tandon.


India Today
09-07-2025
- India Today
That thing in the corner of your room isn't a ghost; it's sleep paralysis
Ever felt this happen to you? You wake up at night with your eyes wide open, but your mind is screaming out. A feeling when your body is a stone statue; you feel trapped, pinned to the bed by an invisible force. There's a crushing weight on your chest, and from the darkest corner of the room, a figure appears. At this point, you're absolutely certain that you're not millions, this isn't a scene from a thriller film. It's a real, recurring nightmare. And it's exactly what Bollywood star Sonakshi Sinha had (in the past) bravely opened up 'Dabangg' actress confessed in an interview that she had felt an eerie presence around her room one day. Sharing this vivid experience, Sinha recalled her 4 am "encounter". 'I was at that stage where my eyes were shut, but my mind was completely alert. Suddenly, I felt this pressure, like someone was trying to wake me up..." Her experience, seeing "someone" while frozen in fear, shines a spotlight on a phenomenon that has long been misinterpreted as a paranormal event, or a demonic attack. Modern medical science, however, has a different name for it: Sleep Paralysis (SP). That "someone" or "shadow" in the room also isn't a ghost. It's an intricate, terrifying trick being played on you by your own WAKING NIGHTMAREAccording to sleep specialists, this paralysis is parasomnia, medically described as a disruptive sleep disorder that occurs in the space between wakefulness and sleep. Up to 40% of the population experiences it at least once, with many having recurring Tandon, a sleep specialist from Gurgaon, explains the phenomenon: During the Rapid Eye Movement (REM) stage of sleep, where your most vivid dreams occur, the brain releases chemicals that cause temporary muscle paralysis, a condition called REM atonia. This is a safety feature for the brain. "Simply put, SP is essentially a system glitch where your consciousness reboots and becomes aware before the atonia has worn off. "In this state, you are mentally awake, but your body is still in sleep mode — paralysed," Tandon SHADOW PERSON The sleep-awake state experience sometimes goes from being confusing to terrifying. Your mind, during this state, is fully awake, but your senses are still picking up dream-like signals. There's heightened fear and the brain's threat-detection system goes into scans the room for a cause and then projects a form onto the ambiguous shadows and shapes in your room. This is often perceived as a dark, human-like silhouette — the infamous "Shadow Person." Some people who have experienced this paralysis also believe they were woken up by an intruder, or an old is the explanation for the pressure felt on the chest? Tandon says suffocation is a hallmark of sleep paralysis."During REM sleep, your breathing is naturally more shallow and usually more rapid. When you suddenly become conscious and try to control your breathing, the lingering muscle paralysis makes it feel constricted and difficult, triggering panic," she explains. The amygdala (brain's fear centre) is active during this state. It floods your system with an intense feeling of dread and a "sensed presence," that unshakeable feeling of someone hostile being in the room with you, even if you can't see NEWWhat Sonakshi experienced is not centuries, different cultures around the world have created folklore to explain this exact medical event. While in Canadian Newfoundland, it's known as the "Old Hag" who sits on your chest at night. In Japanese culture, it's called "Kanashibari," meaning "to be bound by metal."advertisementIn medieval Europe, such hallucinations were often blamed on the Incubus and Succubus, malevolent demons who preyed on people who were aren't spirits; they are different cultural interpretations of the same neurological YOU FIGHT BACK?Sleep paralysis is not dangerous, and you can take steps to reduce its intensity. It's often triggered by disruptions to your sleep cycle, hence the solution lies in improving your sleep health. The first step is to master your sleep hygiene."Go to bed and wake up at the same time every day. Do it even on weekends. Create a sleeping sanctuary; a room that is dark, quiet, and cool. Second, manage your stress level. It is often seen that anxiety is a major trigger for all kinds of sleep disruptions. Incorporate stress-reducing activities into your day, like meditation, light exercise, journaling, or simply reading a book before bed," advises Tandon. Watching the way you sleep also works. Many people have reported episodes when sleeping on their back (in the supine position). Try sleeping on your must you do during an episode? If you find yourself in the grip of sleep paralysis, don't try to fight the condition itself. You can't win. "Focus all your mental energy on a small movement. Try wiggling a single toe or a finger to start with," Tandon tells us. She adds that often moving one small part of the body can send a signal to your brain to break the spell and wake your body yourself this: there's no ghost in your room. It's your brain, momentarily caught between two worlds. By taking control of your health, you can help ensure those worlds stay where they belong.- Ends


Time of India
15-06-2025
- Time of India
Hibiscus tea vs green tea: Which has more antioxidants and is healthier
Hibiscus and green tea, both celebrated for their health benefits, offer unique advantages. Green tea, rich in catechins, excels in promoting general wellness, metabolic function, and cognitive clarity, while hibiscus tea shines in managing blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Choosing between them depends on individual health goals, as both are suitable for daily consumption. They say there's nothing a cup of tea can't fix, and it's true to some extent, especially when the tea in question is hibiscus tea or green tea. Both hailed as healthy beverages, hibiscus tea and green tea are known for their vibrant flavours and various health benefits. But which one is better? Hibiscus tea or green tea, when it comes to antioxidants and other benefits. Let's take a look. Hibiscus tea Hibiscus tea is made from the bright coloured flowers of the hibiscus plant. The Hibiscus genus encompasses a wide variety of flowers, with blooms that differ in size and color. Some are red-orange, pink, yellow, and even white. Dried blooms are used in tea. The Roselle variety, or Hibiscus sabdariffa, is also used to make tea. It has antispastic, diuretic, and antifebrile properties, and hence the blooms are used to make tea, and the leaves are edible, with their sepals rich in organic acids, sugars, vitamins, and nutrients. Hibiscus is rich in anthocyanins and flavonoids. Research shows that hibiscus has a total phenolic content ranging from 6-20 mg/g, with anthocyanins contributing to its vibrant red hue and antioxidant capacity. A 2020 study found that hibiscus can improve the immune response and reduce inflammation in rainbow trout, thus supporting the health of the fish after it is exposed to the toxic influence of ammonia. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Вот что поза во сне говорит о вашем характере! Удивительные Новости Undo Hibiscus is rich in antioxidants, compounds that combat oxidative stress and reduce the risk of chronic diseases like heart disease and cancer. A 2016 study in people with Marfan syndrome, a disorder that affects connective tissue, found that an infusion of hibiscus extract reduced oxidative stress and increased antioxidant levels in the blood. Covid Scare Over! Sonakshi Sinha Confirms Negative Test With A Smile Hibiscus tea has shown promise in managing blood pressure and cholesterol. It also reduces LDL cholesterol and triglycerides. Its diuretic properties may also support kidney health. Green tea Green tea has long been known to have health benefits. It is made from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant. These leaves are harvested, then steamed, pan-fried, or heated in a unique way to stop oxidation. Its rich in polyphenols, particularly catechins like epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). Studies indicate green tea contains 20-45% polyphenols by weight, with EGCG being a potent antioxidant linked to anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties. The catechins in green tea are linked to improved cardiovascular health, weight management, and cognitive function. A 2020 review of 11 studies found that green tea can help reduce body weight, body mass index (BMI), and belly fat in people with type 2 diabetes. A 2022 study in people with a cluster of heart disease risk factors has shown that consuming green tea extract for four weeks can reduce blood sugar levels and improve gut health by lowering inflammation and decreasing leaky gut. Green tea is also linked with reduced LDL cholesterol and blood pressure. The L-theanine in green tea promotes relaxation without drowsiness, and also supports mental clarity. Which is better? The healthier choice really depends on individual needs. Green tea is known to have a broader antioxidant profile and bioavailability compared to Hibiscus tea. It is often useful for general wellness, particularly for metabolic and cognitive benefits. Green tea also has anti-cancer properties. Hibiscus tea, on the other hand, may be best to target blood pressure or cholesterol management. As both of them are low-calorie, caffeine-free (hibiscus) or low-caffeine (green tea) options, it's suitable for daily consumption. NB: This information is based on internet research and is intended for general knowledge only. It should not be considered a substitute for professional medical advice. One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change