Can meditation or relaxation techniques reduce sleepwalking?

Reviewed by Yoshinori Abe, MD

Internal Medicine

Meditation and relaxation techniques may help reduce sleepwalking episodes. Because stress and anxiety are common triggers for sleepwalking, practices like deep breathing, guided meditation, mindfulness, and progressive muscle relaxation can calm the nervous system, improve sleep quality, and lower the likelihood of nighttime disturbances.

If you or a loved one experiences sleepwalking, it's important to understand the underlying causes—stress, sleep deprivation, medications, or another condition may be at play. Taking a free, instant, online symptom check can help you identify possible triggers, assess your risk, and guide you toward the right next steps—whether that's lifestyle changes or speaking with a healthcare professional. It only takes a few minutes and could bring you real clarity.

Reviewed for medical accuracy: 07/20/2026

Important Next Steps

Discover if sleepwalking needs medical attention Find causes of sleepwalking during meditation See if your sleepwalking is serious Explore OTC sleep aids for sleepwalking Find a doctor for sleepwalking treatment Learn home remedies to reduce sleepwalking Understand likely causes of nighttime sleepwalking

Not seeing your question? No worries.

Submit your own Question

Explanation

Sleepwalking, also known as somnambulism, can sometimes be managed by using relaxation techniques. These methods, such as meditation, help in calming the mind and body, which may reduce stress and anxiety, known triggers for sleepwalking episodes.

Techniques:

Meditation: This practice involves focusing the mind and can help lower stress levels.
Relaxation Exercises: Techniques like deep breathing or progressive muscle relaxation may help the body relax before sleep.

Considerations:

Hypnotherapy: According to some studies, hypnotherapy has been explored as a treatment for sleep disorders, including sleepwalking.
Consultation: It's important to talk to a healthcare provider for personalized advice, especially if sleepwalking is frequent or severe.

If you're experiencing sleepwalking or other concerning symptoms and want to better understand what might be causing them, try Ubie's free AI symptom checker to get personalized insights in just a few minutes.

(References)

Harris M, & Grunstein RR. (2009). Treatments for somnambulism in adults: assessing the .... Sleep medicine reviews, 19046651.
Ng BY, & Lee TS. (2008). Hypnotherapy for sleep disorders. Annals of the Academy of Medicine, Singapore, 18797562.
Cochen De Cock V. (2016). Sleepwalking. Current treatment options in neurology, 26874839.

Thinking about asking ChatGPT?Ask me instead

Tell your friends about us.

We would love to help them too.

For First Time Users

What is Ubie’s Doctor’s Note?

We provide a database of explanations from real doctors on a range of medical topics. Get started by exploring our library of questions and topics you want to learn more about.

Was this page helpful?

Purpose and positioning of servicesUbie Doctor's Note is a service for informational purposes. The provision of information by physicians, medical professionals, etc. is not a medical treatment. If medical treatment is required, please consult your doctor or medical institution. We strive to provide reliable and accurate information, but we do not guarantee the completeness of the content. If you find any errors in the information, please contact us.