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What’s the deal with sleep paralysis?
Morning Dudes! Did you know that around 8% of people experience sleep paralysis at least once in their lifetime? That’s nearly 1 in 10! So, the next time your body decides to hit the snooze button while your brain wakes up, you’re in good company—just maybe not the kind of company you’d want in the middle of the night. In Today’s edition, we dive into what’s really happening when sleep goes sideways.
Stick around to see the only three watches a dude needs to own ⬇️
Science Stuff
What’s the deal with sleep paralysis?
Imagine this: you’re dead asleep after a long day, dreaming about whatever dudes dream about (maybe flying F-14s or discovering lost treasure), when suddenly, you wake up. But there’s a twist—your body doesn’t get the memo. You’re stuck, unable to move, and there’s a strange, shadowy figure hovering in the corner of your room. Welcome to sleep paralysis, where your brain hits 'wake up' but your body forgets to follow the plan.
What Is Sleep Paralysis?
Sleep paralysis happens when your body stays in sleep mode while your brain wakes up. Normally, during REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep, your body is “paralyzed” to keep you from acting out your dreams. But sometimes, your brain wakes up before your body does. The result? You’re fully conscious, but your muscles are locked down like the vault at Fort Knox.
It usually lasts a few seconds to a couple of minutes, but those moments feel like hours—especially when you’re freaked out by the imaginary dark figures often reported during an episode. You’re awake but trapped in your own body with a creepy shadow standing by the bed. Fun times, right?
What Causes It?
Good news—it’s not an alien abduction or a visit from the ghost of pirate past. Sleep paralysis is pretty common and can be triggered by factors like:
Lack of sleep: Staying up too late watching action movies or scrolling through endless memes? Yeah, that’ll do it.
Irregular sleep patterns: Maybe that cross-country road trip or night shift threw you off your rhythm.
Stress: Because nothing says "I’m stressed out" like your body turning into a human mannequin.
Sleep disorders: Sleep apnea or narcolepsy can sometimes be the culprits.
How to Deal With It
The best way to beat sleep paralysis is by leveling up your sleep hygiene game. Here's a quick guide to help you out:
Get enough sleep: Aim for 7-9 hours. More sleep = less chance of waking up mid-dream like you're in a horror movie.
Stick to a schedule: Try to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day—even on weekends (yeah, I know).
Relax before bed: Ditch the caffeine and heavy meals before sleep. Maybe trade in that action-packed movie for something a bit calmer(Try this).
Don’t panic: If it happens, remind yourself it’s just your body catching up. Easier said than done, but knowing it’s temporary can help.
The Dude Who Decoded Sleep Paralysis
Back in the 1920s, there was a guy named Sylvan Muldoon who was the dude when it came to studying sleep paralysis. He even wrote a book on the topic, offering insights on how to experience it voluntarily. Muldoon believed that sleep paralysis was related to out-of-body experiences. Basically, he thought your soul was taking a quick stroll while your body stayed behind. Cool, but a little spooky. Whether you’re on board with that or not, Muldoon deserves a shoutout for being one of the first to dive deep into the weird world of sleep paralysis.
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Photo of the Week
Helicopter taking off at night / Andreas Feininger / 1949
Buy it for Life
The Only Three Watches a Dude Needs
Written by our friend Ian Roth of Own The Watch
When it comes to watches, every dude just needs a good analog timepiece - really, does anyone need another phone strapped to their wrist?
These three analog watches manage to span everything from sporty adventure to formal wear and are reasonably priced. These are the only three watch designs a dude really needs.
Take a Hike
Timex Expedition Titanium
When getting ready for the next trek, camping, or even wild weekend trip, you need a watch that'll be able to carry on through the elements. Enter the Timex Expedition Titanium Automatic. Lightweight but tough. Its titanium case makes it durable without that feeling that you've strapped a brick to your wrist.
Wear it anywhere and in anything, with a water resistance of up to 200 meters, even if taken for a dunk. With a recycled fabric strap added in, you're going to be eco-friendly rugged and feeling good.
In other words, this is the outdoorsy watch that is functional and stylish enough to not look out of place at the post-hike brewery stop.
Clean Yourself Up
Citizen Tsuyosa Black Dial
Every guy needs a sharp, dressy watch for those times he needs to look put together—be it for a wedding, a date, or just because his partner finally convinced him to go to that "fancy" dinner. The Citizen Tsuyosa is going to fit the bill perfectly.
It's neither really flashy nor shiny but rather strikes a balance between style and simplicity. This elegance is in its matching black dial and a highly polished stainless steel bracelet, which does not overbear—something that would have clashed if it were too overpowering. It's just slightly the conversation piece for people who dig the craft but do not want to scream it from the rooftops.
Whether you dress up or just make an attempt to look a bit less slobbish, this is the watch you want on your wrist.
Daily Beater
Seiko Prospex Sea SRPE93
The Seiko Prospex Sea SRPE93 is the perfect beater, designed to withstand all the bumps, scratches, and hustle that life throws your way. Be it at the gym, while running errands, or just living life, this is that kind of watch: the one you don't need to baby.
Its exterior features a 200-meter water resistance that helps protect the inner mechanisms, and with its rugged stainless steel case, this watch means business. Besides, it's a dive watch, which really ups the ante on street cred when you roll up wearing it. The unidirectional bezel and the luminous hands will help in the functionality of telling time when it's dark, too, for those late-night taco runs.
This is a timepiece that will never let you down, or fall apart, no matter how rough and dirty your day is. And it wouldn't hurt if you looked at it once in a while, either.
Last Word
A watch for the great outdoors, a watch for those moments you need to dress up a little, and one for everyday wear: that's all you need. They’re automatic watches, so no batteries required. Forget about an overflowing watch box; just go for quality, functionality, and timeless style.
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