Thread: Staying awake when attempting sleep paralysis

Lemmee see... Make sure you're doing it after a few hours of sleep (WBTB), or if you're sleepy in the early afternoon, that's a perfect time too. Sometimes entering SP is easier if you're lying on your back (this is true in my experience, but I have to actually be sleepy for this to work- otherwise I lie in whatever position is most comfortable). As for staying awake, don't do something (mentally) that keeps you too alert, or you'll never fall asleep... hmm that sounds weird. If nothing else, just let your mind wander but keep the tiniest bit of awareness and "watch" your own thought processes.
Causing it to occur faster... I've heard that if you're physically exhausted (after a run or something), SP can come on faster... but I might just be making that up, I can't remember who said it.

That's all I can think of for now, but the best advice I can give is not to get too bogged down in cut and dried techniques, just keep trying different things and go with what you think helps the most. Everybody's different. Eventually you'll strike gold, I guarantee it.

For me, I had multiple sleep paralysis episodes since I was a child. Some times up to 5 or 6 a night one after the other. I mostly got them while laying on my back, but I also got them while sitting in chairs, on the bus with someone right next to me, and many times while sleeping on my stomach. Later after years and year of terror (sorry to scare you) I realized that they were a blessing in disguise. One method that helped me was to eat my lunch like normal, and then take a 1 hr nap.

It's funny you mention this, because I had the exact same problem last night. I'm pretty sure I was able to go into SP, but then I couldn't fall asleep. My mind was too active, and thinking about the things my brain was trying to get my body to react to, like the immense pain in my left shoulder.

You shouldn't keep yourself from falling asleep. You need to fall asleep to have a dream. Just try to keep your mind busy enough that you don't lose focus completely. You need to stay right on the cusp of unconsciousness. Try linking a visualization with counting. For example, imagine walking down stairs, counting each step. Or climbing a ladder, counting each rung. Or opening doors, ect.