We’re not wanting to give you nightmares, but beware of naked sleepwalking zombies next time you visit the UK (who are likely to be pastier and less buff than our model pictured right). According to a press release issued by British budget hotel chain Travelodge, there was a seven-fold increase in sleepwalking customers over the last year, 95% of which were apparently naked men.
The survey spanned 310 of the chain’s hotels, and was conducted in July 2007. Approximately 400 sleepwalking cases were reported, with night crawlers often turning up naked in reception in a zombified state, asking such innocuous questions such as: “Where is the bathroom”, “Can I check out as I am late for work” and “Do you have a copy of today’s paper.”
Following the surprising results of the survey, the hotel chain has issued a guide to staff advising them on how to deal with the issue. One of the key recommendations being that they keep a stack of towels handy at reception to preserve their sleepwalking customers’ modesty. (It seems Douglas Adam’s was right when he told travelers to always carry a towel.)
Further research on a pool of 3,000 British adults has shown that the massive increase in sleepwalking is in evidence in the general population too. Experts estimate 3 million Britons sleep walk at least once a week. The top five nocturnal activities are: opening curtains, watching TV, getting dressed, eating and drinking, and going for a walk. Furthermore 11% of respondents reported injuries, such a bruising, cuts and grazes and broken bones, received during their somnambulant activities.
"Sleepwalking is a serious disorder that can develop for a variety of reasons. It can be triggered by a stressful lifestyle, sleep deprivation, alcohol abuse or not breathing properly during the night. Sleep walking is most likely within an hour or two of going to bed, when first slipping into a deep sleep,” explains Chris Idzikowski, a sleep expert from the Edinburgh Sleep Centre. "Part of the brain switches into auto pilot and can manage well-learned movements such as walking, bending or sitting despite other parts being in a deep sleep. Sleepwalkers will awake quite unable to recall any of their actions and it can be quite distressing. Other forms of 'sleepwalking' involve acting out dreams."
It would be interesting to know if Britain is alone in being increasingly a nation of sleepwalking zombies, or whether the condition is spreading beyond the country’s boarders like a nightmare scenario from Return of The Living Dead. Answers on a postcard please, and happy travels!
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