Sleep Talking and Sleepwalking: Causes, Safety and What to Do

Sleep talking and sleepwalking are both parasomnias, unusual behaviours that happen while you're asleep. Sleep talking is very common and usually harmless. Sleepwalking is less common in adults, but it can be risky if someone leaves the bed and moves around the house. This guide covers what each one is, who gets them, common triggers, how to keep a sleepwalker safe, what to do during an episode, and when to see your GP.

The short answer: sleep talking is one of the most common sleep behaviours and is generally considered benign. Sleepwalking happens in deep sleep, is most common in children, and most grow out of it. Not enough sleep, irregular hours, stress, some medications and family history make both more likely. Keep the home safe, guide a sleepwalker gently back to bed rather than waking them suddenly, and see your GP if episodes are frequent, risky or affecting the day.

Sleep talking: what it is

Sleep talking (somniloquy) ranges from mumbling to full sentences. A 2022 study describes it as one of the most common sleep behaviours in the general population and classes it as a benign parasomnia. It can happen in any stage of sleep but is more frequent in non-REM sleep (source).

That study did find that sleep talkers reported worse sleep quality than people who didn't sleep talk, and that the talking was linked to more broken-up sleep. So while it isn't dangerous, a lot of it may be a sign your sleep isn't as settled as it could be. It's also often the bed partner, not the talker, who loses sleep. If that's you, see how to sleep next to a snorer; most of the same tactics apply.

Sleepwalking: what it is

Sleepwalking happens during deep sleep and can involve complex movements and behaviours, from sitting up and walking around to opening doors. The person is not properly awake and may be confused if woken.

According to the Sleep Health Foundation, 2 or 3 in 100 children sleepwalk often and about 5 in 100 sometimes. Many recover before adulthood, and only about 4 in 1,000 adults still sleepwalk. The longer it continues into the teenage years, the more likely it is to carry on into early adulthood (source).

	Sleep talking	Sleepwalking
Sleep stage	Any, more often non-REM	Deep sleep
How common	Very common	Most common in children, rare in adults
Main risk	Disturbing a partner	Injury, leaving the house
Usual response	Often none needed	Safety steps, gentle redirection

Common triggers

The Sleep Health Foundation lists these as making sleepwalking more likely:

• Not getting enough sleep. See how much sleep do I need.
• Irregular sleep schedules. Late nights followed by early starts, or big weekend swings.
• Stress.
• Certain medications. Ask your GP or pharmacist; don't stop a medicine without advice.
• Family history. It tends to run in families.
• Other sleep problems. Conditions such as sleep apnoea, and seizures, can contribute. See signs of sleep apnoea.
• Noise. The foundation notes that sounds that disturb your sleep can also make you sleepwalk.

For kids, a predictable bedtime and enough sleep for their age make a real difference. For teens, see how much sleep do teenagers need.

Keeping a sleepwalker safe

The aim is a home where a sleepwalker can't get far or get hurt. The Sleep Health Foundation suggests locking windows so they can't leave the house, putting bells on doors so others are alerted, and using a baby monitor for awareness. It also suggests reducing stress and avoiding caffeine before bed.

Other practical steps many families use:

1. Clear the floor of toys, cords and anything easy to trip on.
2. Gate the stairs if the sleepwalker is a child.
3. Lock outside doors and keep keys somewhere out of reach.
4. Avoid top bunks for a child who sleepwalks.
5. Keep sharp objects and car keys put away at night.

A note on alarms: a door bell or monitor can tell you someone is up, but a vibrating alarm clock is not a safety device and isn't designed to alert you to a sleepwalker.

What to do during an episode

The foundation's advice is simple: comfort them and guide them back to bed. Avoid forcing them suddenly awake, because sleepwalkers may be confused when woken.

• Stay calm and speak softly.
• Steer gently by the arm or shoulder towards bed.
• Don't argue or restrain unless they are in immediate danger.
• Don't make a big deal of it the next day, especially with children, who can become anxious about sleep.

With sleep talking, there is usually nothing to do. There's no need to wake the talker or try to hold a conversation.

When to see your GP

See your GP if sleepwalking or sleep talking is affecting how you or your child function during the day, if episodes are frequent or involve leaving the house or injury, if they start for the first time in adulthood, or if there's loud snoring, gasping or pauses in breathing. Also mention any violent movements or acting out dreams. Your GP may refer you to a sleep specialist. This guide is general information, not medical advice.

Where the Sovune Nudge fits

We make the Sovune Nudge, a silent alarm wristband, so we're not neutral. It won't stop sleep talking or sleepwalking. Where it can help is in a household where one person's early alarm shouldn't become another noise in the night.

• Silent. No speaker, no sound and no light in the room, so it won't disturb a partner, child or housemate.
• Wakes you with vibration on your wrist, starting as a gentle tap and building through three intensity levels.
• Each alarm runs for a full minute, and you can switch it off sooner once you're awake.
• Set on the band itself. No app, no phone and no pairing.
• Not a safety device. It won't alert you to a sleepwalker; use door bells or a monitor for that.

It comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Quick answers

Is sleep talking a sign of a problem? Usually not. It's classed as a benign parasomnia, though a lot of it can go with more broken sleep.

Is it dangerous to wake a sleepwalker? It isn't usually dangerous, but they may be confused. The advice is to guide them gently back to bed instead.

Do children grow out of sleepwalking? Most do. Only about 4 in 1,000 adults still sleepwalk.

Can stress make you sleepwalk? Stress is a listed trigger, along with too little sleep, irregular hours and some medications.

For every type of silent alarm compared, see our complete guide to vibrating alarms in Australia.

See the Sovune Nudge →