<p>When you are awake, the muscles in your body are always at least a little tense to keep your body in your current position. Even when you lie down (while awake) you will usually not be completely relaxed, but holding yourself "in place".</p>

<p>When you begin to fall asleep, your muscles relax, and depending on the position you were in, part of your body will follow gravity and begin to sink from the "tense" wakeful position into a relaxed posture. Your body notices this involuntary movement of your body parts (you may even dream of a falling sensation or some movement) and startle you awake, often with a sudden countermovement to "catch" what your subconscious perceives to be a dangerous "fall".</p>

<p>If you fall asleep at your desk, as you seem to do, you may well knock over something on the table in front of you, when your arms jerk forward to prevent you from falling.</p>

<p>It happens to all of us, except that most of us go to bed to sleep ;-)</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2018-02-26T08:58:21.920Z
Your explanation seems reasonable and clear! Thanks!
Hyeonseo Yang
CC BY-SA 3.0
2018-02-25T17:25:00.293Z
2018-02-25T17:25:00.293Z
user18541
<p>Why am I sometimes extremely astonished <strong>with no reason</strong> when I doze, especially I am really exhausted?</p>

<p>When I am tired and doze, I am sometimes stunned so suddenly that my whole body shakes and punches things in front, messing evrything placed in front of me. (e.g. a cup with cocoa drink, pencilcase which was open.. etc , about twice a year)</p>

<p>Is there any scientific reason for it?</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2018-03-01T00:52:45.733Z
@Seanny123,mrt,Chris,AliceD I thought that this things could happen to  anyone. Does it really happens to only me? Then I am a bit worried and may have to go to see a doctor. :(  P.S. sorry for typo and poor English.
Hyeonseo Yang
<sleep>
Why am I sometimes astonished when I doze
Hyeonseo Yang
# Why am I sometimes astonished when I doze

(Asked by: username_0 on 2018-02-25)

Why am I sometimes extremely astonished **with no reason** when I doze, especially I am really exhausted?

When I am tired and doze, I am sometimes stunned so suddenly that my whole body shakes and punches things in front, messing evrything placed in front of me. (e.g. a cup with cocoa drink, pencilcase which was open.. etc , about twice a year)

Is there any scientific reason for it?

**Tags:** sleep

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: @Seanny123,mrt,Chris,AliceD I thought that this things could happen to  anyone. Does it really happens to only me? Then I am a bit worried and may have to go to see a doctor. :(  P.S. sorry for typo and poor English.  

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2018-02-25. Score: 1 | Accepted answer

When you are awake, the muscles in your body are always at least a little tense to keep your body in your current position. Even when you lie down (while awake) you will usually not be completely relaxed, but holding yourself "in place".

When you begin to fall asleep, your muscles relax, and depending on the position you were in, part of your body will follow gravity and begin to sink from the "tense" wakeful position into a relaxed posture. Your body notices this involuntary movement of your body parts (you may even dream of a falling sensation or some movement) and startle you awake, often with a sudden countermovement to "catch" what your subconscious perceives to be a dangerous "fall".

If you fall asleep at your desk, as you seem to do, you may well knock over something on the table in front of you, when your arms jerk forward to prevent you from falling.

It happens to all of us, except that most of us go to bed to sleep ;-)

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: Your explanation seems reasonable and clear! Thanks!  

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