Sleepwalking is a disorder that afflicts an estimated 4% of the global population, making it a relatively common issue the world over, according to Mattress Next Day.
And Florida is no exception.
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Mattress Next Day published research earlier this month that shows that Florida has seen a surge in Google searches for sleepwalking.
The following are the top Florida cities on that list.
| Rank | City | Searches per 10,000 residents |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pembroke Pines | 904.2 |
| 2 | Orlando | 880.8 |
| 3 | Fort Lauderdale | 838.7 |
| 4 | Gainesville | 809.8 |
| 5 | Hollywood | 809.7 |
| 6 | Miami | 715.4 |
| 7 | Tallahassee | 701.9 |
| 8 | Coral Springs | 683.8 |
| 9 | Tampa | 635.9 |
| 10 | Miramar | 603.4 |
| 11 | St. Petersburg | 500.7 |
| 12 | Hialeah | 419.4 |
| 13 | Port St. Lucie | 403.8 |
| 14 | Cape Coral | 370.5 |
| 15 | Jacksonville | 240.9 |
According to Mattress Next Day, there are methods sleepwalkers can use to reduce incidents of sleepwalking, such as:
- Reducing TV and screen time: Avoid using screens in bed, like watching TV, using laptops or “doom-scrolling”
- Reduce blue light: Activate nighttime mode on your phone in the evenings and consider wearing blue light glasses to reduce the amount of blue light emitted from your phone. This type of light can disrupt melatonin production.
- Find a calm place: Engage in soothing activities to help you get ready for bed, like yoga or reading a book.
- Establish a routine: Develop a consistent bedtime routine and avoid staying up to the point of becoming overtired.
- Limit caffeine intake: Limit the amount of caffeine you consume — particularly in the afternoon. This can help you avoid having an overactive mind before it’s time to fall asleep.
Additionally, sleepwalkers can use the following tips to improve safety when sleepwalking:
- Clear obstacles: Before going to sleep, remove objects that you could step on or trip over during a sleepwalking episode.
- Secure your location: If possible, lock your bedroom door and any other doors that you could easily open to prevent you from wandering into unsafe areas.
- Protect valuables: Ensure that your valuable items are stored in a safe place where they won’t get damaged. You should also keep fragile or breakable objects out of your way.
- Be open: Be sure to tell anyone whom you live with about the possibility of you sleepwalking. This will prepare them in case they need to assist you.
- Be clothed: You don’t want to go sleepwalking in the nude.
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