Choking During Sleep: Spiritual Meaning You Should Know

Ellie McKenzie's avatarBy Ellie McKenzie
Choking During Sleep: Spiritual Meaning You Should Know

If you’ve ever woken up in a cold sweat from a nightmare where somebody or something was trying to choke you, then this blog post is for you. Experiencing episodes of choking during sleep is no laughing matter. 

It can be downright frightening! But as scary and unpleasant as it may feel at first, did you know that your body could be trying to tell you something? 

This powerful dream can have a deeper spiritual meaning that might just provide clarity on an issue that has been weighing heavily on your mind. 

In today’s blog post, we will discuss what choking in sleep spiritual meaning is and how to find comfort instead of fear when dealing with these dreams.

What does Choking During Sleep Mean?

Choking during sleep, also known as sleep-related laryngospasm or stridor, is something that can occur in people of all ages.

Most commonly it occurs in children, where the throat and windpipe spasm while they are asleep, making it difficult to breathe normally. 

If a person wakes up choking, it could be a sign of many different underlying medical issues, such as gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD), asthma or allergies. It is usually more common for those who face anxiety and stress-related issues. 

Seeking medical advice should be the first priority if someone experiences this phenomenon on a regular basis. An accurate diagnosis must be obtained in order to receive appropriate treatment for the issue at hand.

9 Spiritual Meanings of Choking (Messages and Meanings)

9 Spiritual Meanings of Choking (Messages and Meanings)

Choking can be an alarming experience, but it can also hold spiritual meaning. It could be indicative of something blocking our growth spiritually, emotionally, and mentally.

Pausing to take stock when we choke can help us to identify patterns of behaviors holding us back, enabling us to find ways to break through them for meaningful personal growth. 

Choking can also be symbolic of a fear of speaking out or expressing ourselves in the world, it might point toward the need for courage and confidence in asserting ourselves.

Most importantly, choking should teach us to trust our instincts and look within ourselves for answers, seeking strength from our inner spirit and allowing it to guide us on a journey toward true self-realization.

1. Your friends are affecting your esteem

It is often said that choking can have spiritual meanings, and one interpretation may be that too many of your friends are affecting your self-esteem.

In short, maybe you’re too focused on what others think and this has drained away your ability to make decisions based on what feels right to you. 

It is important to remember that, as individuals, everyone has a different sense of self-worth. When we focus too much on the opinions of those around us and don’t trust our own judgment, it can chip away at our esteem, just as the metaphorical act of choking would do in real life. 

Therefore it’s important to pay attention to the spiritual messages being sent by your body and mind when it comes to decision-making.

2. Too many responsibilities on you

Spiritually, choking may represent a feeling that there are too many responsibilities shifting onto the individual’s shoulders, leading to an overwhelming sensation. Choking can take on various forms and meanings depending on the context in which it is experienced. 

This sense of malaise can arise from having taken on too many roles and obligations at once, leaving one with a restricted space for breathing.

From this perspective, experiencing feelings of choking could be seen as an important signpost to slow down and relieve oneself of some of the pressures they are facing. 

Ultimately, spiritual meanings of choking can be thought of as an invitation to gain greater awareness around how life goals and commitments should be balanced in such a way that provides adequate mental space for self-care.

3. Watch what you say

Choking symbolically has long been said to represent a moment of silence or an untruthful statement. For centuries mankind has associated the encounter with spiritual meaning, and many ancient texts interpreted it as an attempt by one to take back control in a situation where they felt powerless. 

It often warns us to be honest with both ourselves and others, as speaking the truth can be difficult if we are scared or not sure how someone else will react.

For those who have experienced choking on occasion, it is oftentimes seen as a reminder to take caution when speaking, as even wronging another person out of frustration can have far-reaching consequences beyond our current understanding.

4. You are alone

According to spirituality, it is believed that if you find yourself often choking, especially in situations where you feel alone and isolated, then this could be a sign from your inner self that you are feeling disconnected from your true purpose and direction in life.

Choking has become a very common and concerning problem in more modern times. It can be attributed to many causes, but one of the more deep-rooted interpretations is the spiritual meaning behind it. 

This feeling of lostness can often lead to major health issues such as panic attacks or even depression. To combat this, it is important that we take time to find our true identity and reconnect with our spiritual side by focusing on the meaningful things in life.

5. You feel ashamed to speak

Spiritual meanings of choking may vary between different cultures, but it often signifies a feeling of shame or embarrassment when it comes to speaking up.

This could relate to working on your inner self and finding peace in times of struggle, but especially so when it prevents us from expressing ourselves and our emotions. 

It can also be difficult to articulate our thoughts out loud to others. Difficulties stemming from trauma or negative experiences can contribute to this sense of shame that is associated with choking. 

The feeling can be deeply rooted and require addressing at the spiritual level, as well as dedicated effort in learning how to trust your intuition and speak your truth confidently. 

Often its source lies within, presenting itself as that lump in the throat that frustratingly stops us in our tracks when we’re trying to say something meaningful.

6. Someone is trying to attack you

Choking is more than just a physical reaction; it can be interpreted as a spiritual sign as well. Many believe that when someone is choking, it means someone or something is attacking them on a spiritual level, whether that be negative energy, negative thoughts, or even bad luck. 

It’s important to recognize the signs so that we can protect ourselves and rid our lives of this negative energy.

Although traditional medicine offers solutions for physical choking, spiritual solutions are available, ranging from prayer to meditation to seeking out spiritual advisors. 

Whatever the cause of the choking may be, understanding and treating it on an emotional and spiritual level can help you resolve your issues and find more peace in life.

7. You want to speak

From the spiritual point of view, when we choke, it is our spirit’s way of telling us we want to say something.

The thing that is most difficult for us to express sometimes can manifest in the physical body, trapping our emotions and thoughts in that space. 

Choking gives us a chance to release what we are holding onto emotionally and allows us to come into alignment with who we are as spiritual beings.

It also encourages us to be more mindful of how we communicate our true feelings and needs instead of pretending they don’t exist. 

Furthermore, if this happens frequently, then it is likely a sign from your higher self that you need to take action to express yourself, or else you may become overwhelmed and unable to truly enjoy life.

8. You lack your prayers

Choking can have a powerful spiritual meaning and represent an indicator that we are not giving our prayers the respect, love, and attention they deserve.

Oftentimes we will pray on autopilot and forget to actually sit in gratitude and participation in our prayer. 

If we neglect the spiritual gifts of prayer, consequences in the body can be experienced as choking. By living conscious lives and remembering to take time with our prayers, we can honor them fully and use them as a way to heal our whole selves, body, soul, mind, and spirit.

9. Someone is trying to choke you

In the spiritual perspective, It could be a sign from the spiritual plane that someone or something is trying to stifle your hopes and dreams.

Perhaps you’re dealing with negative energy in your life, and this is a warning sign of becoming aware of it so you can start to break free from its grip. 

On the other hand, it could be a sense of someone else’s emotional energy expressing itself through you; they need an outlet and give their energy to you because they trust that you will know best how to handle it. 

Either way, spiritual choking speaks of needing more control over whatever emotions may be bubbling up, so they don’t overwhelm or engulf you.

It shows that although we sometimes feel powerless against pressure, there exists within us the strength necessary to rise above anything challenging our souls.

Why does it feel like someone is choking me in sleep?

Why does it feel like someone is choking me in sleep?

Sleep paralysis is a phenomenon that affects many people, causing them to experience feelings like someone is choking them as they are trying to sleep.

It can be a terrifying experience, with sufferers feeling like they can’t move their bodies or scream for help. 

The scientific explanation for this phenomenon is that during deep sleep, our bodies relax so much that the muscles used to move cannot be engaged, resulting in a sense of pressure on the chest and throat.

But it can also be associated with spiritual beliefs, thoughts of impending doom, or even nightmares related to panic attacks. 

Though this experience may seem strange and uncomfortable, it usually isn’t dangerous and doesn’t last long, usually just a few seconds or minutes before the person wakes up fully relaxed.

What To Do If You Get Choking Dreams?

Choking dreams can be an unsettling and distressing experience, but it is important to remember that they are not necessarily indicative of a deeper underlying issue. If you get a choking dream, the best thing you can do is take some time for yourself. 

Try calming activities such as yoga and deep breathing exercises, or simply take a few moments to clear your head and refocus your thoughts on positive things.

Additionally, make sure you are taking care of yourself by getting enough rest and eating healthy meals. 

Doing these things can often help reduce the chances of having nightmares in the future; if they continue becoming more frequent or intense, then seeking professional help may be beneficial.

What Causes Choking in Sleep?

One of the most frightening experiences that can happen is waking up suddenly and feeling like you’re choking in your sleep.

This phenomenon, known as sleep-related laryngospasm, occurs when your throat muscles involuntarily constrict while you’re asleep. 

It’s thought to be due to a combination of physiological and psychological factors, such as having allergies or other respiratory illnesses that cause inflammation in the throat; sleeping with your mouth open; stress; or simply sleeping in an awkward position. 

Fortunately, the sensation usually passes quickly once you wake up and begin to move around. If persistent issues arise from this condition, however, seeking medical advice is advised so further investigations can be done to ensure it does not continue to occur.

Sleep-Related Choking: Preventative Measures

Sleep-Related Choking: Preventative Measures

Sleep-related choking is a dangerous and potentially life-threatening affliction that affects both adults and children alike.

However, it doesn’t have to be so. With proper caution in laying down for sleep, such as having only pillows of the appropriate size and avoiding bulky and constricting clothing made from fabrics that attract dust or lose the thread, it is possible to mitigate the risk of sleep-related choking drastically. 

It can also help to elevate your sleeping surface off the ground or mattress by at least four inches, or whatever is necessary for you to sit up with your chin tucked in comfortably; this will ensure any foreign objects have nowhere to fall during the night. 

Finally, being aware of potential sources of airway obstruction around your sleeping environment, the sheets and blankets are most common, but stuffed animals can be forgotten, and you can keep yourself safe while snoozing.

People Also Ask

People often worry about the possibility of choking in their sleep. These fears are understandable; after all, once asleep, it can be difficult to respond swiftly in the case of an emergency, and anything that impedes our airways can have serious consequences. Fortunately, there are ways to help reduce the risk of choking in sleep. 

These include elevating one’s head during sleep, avoiding eating for at least a few hours before bedtime, and sleeping on one’s side, among other measures.

Accidents can happen to anyone, and taking precautions to reduce the risk of dangerous events like choking while sleeping is definitely worth considering.

Can someone choke while sleeping?

It is possible for someone to choke while sleeping, although it is a relatively rare occurrence. An individual who is prone to sleep apnea or heavy snoring might be at an increased risk of such an incident. 

When the airways are obstructed during sleep, the body may try to adjust automatically by moving the tongue out of the way, which can lead to the back of your throat. 

It is important for those with any kind of sleep disorder to ensure that they receive proper medical care and treatment, as this can significantly reduce the chance of choking while sleeping.

What to do if someone chokes in sleep?

If someone is choking in their sleep, it can be quite a frightening experience. Knowing what to do if you or someone else is suffocating while sleeping is essential knowledge. The first thing to do is remain calm and try to wake the person up. 

Make sure that you put your hand between the person’s shoulder blades and give five firm back blows with the heel of your other hand.

If this does not work, then position yourself behind the person with your arms around their waist and give up to five abdominal thrusts, pushing inward and upward until the item is dislodged. 

If these steps don’t work or if at any point the person becomes unresponsive, call 911 as soon as possible. It may be difficult in an alarming situation like this, but staying calm and following the proper protocol can save a life.

What Does It Mean When You’re Choking In Your Sleep?

Sleep choking is a dangerous and uncomfortable condition experienced by many people. It causes difficulty breathing and can lead to a person abruptly awakening from their sleep due to the sensation of choking or gasping for air. 

Many people worry that they are actually suffering from an illness. However, it’s important to know that sleep-related choking is common and mostly harmless.

There are various underlying conditions that can cause someone to choke during their slumbers such as gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD) or sleep apnea. 

Treatment depends on the root cause, however, those at risk should get tested and if needed see their doctor for treatments that could stop this frightening nighttime symptom.

What To Do If Someone Is Choking While Sleeping?

What To Do If Someone Is Choking While Sleeping?

It can be scary when someone is choking while they sleep. It is important to stay calm and remember to act quickly.

Firstly, make sure the person is in a supine position and move any objects away from them, so they don’t cause further obstruction. 

If they’re in a standing position, gently lay them on the ground and tilt their head back slightly.

If you’re capable, try using abdominal thrusts, also known as the Heimlich maneuver, by standing behind the person and placing 1 hand just above the belly button while making a fist with your other hand before pulling up sharply upwards into their stomach.

Final Words

It’s easy to become overwhelmed and scared when it feels like something is actively trying to choke us while we sleep. But with a little bit of knowledge, we can put a stop to this fear and understand the spiritual meaning behind these scary episodes. 

While some may consider choking in your sleep an omen or bad sign, there is much more to be read into the spiritual meanings behind it.

It could mean that an aspect of your personal growth is being blocked in some way, or it could be indicative of some sort of personal struggle that you are currently going through. 

Whatever the reason may be, keeping the spiritual meaning in mind can help you determine the cause and find ways to move forward toward a more stable future.

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