Have You Ever Faked Being Asleep Just to Enjoy the Moment?

My favorite kid move is “Carry Me, Please.”

For kids, making out they are asleep is an art form. Remember how you used to fall asleep in the living room while watching TV (or trying to watch TV)? You’d slouch a lot, wait for your parents to notice, and then all of a sudden you’d be in an Uber going straight to bed.

It felt amazing to be picked up by a parent and have your head rest on their shoulder while they did everything else. Let’s be honest: some of us still wish this service went on into adulthood. Imagine pretending to sleep on the couch today and then being taken to your room, tucked in, and kissed goodbye. Now, really? Please sign me up.

The mode for spying without being heard

After a few years, pretending to be asleep has a new use: it’s the best way for someone to listen in without being seen.

Think about having friends or cousins over for the night. It’s said in a whisper, “Okay, but don’t say this in front of them. They’re asleep.” At the same time, you’re lying there with your heart racing from excitement, taking notes on every word. You turned into a human radio machine that picked up drama without anyone knowing.

Oh, the thrill of not being caught! Just one little smile or twitch could have given you away, but you made it through. It was Mission Impossible: The Pajama Game.

How to Stay in the Scene with the Lovebird Trick

When it comes to love, pretending to sleep is kind of cute. If your partner thinks you’re asleep, they might tuck you in, stroke your hair, or say something sweet to you. What about you? Like a cat in the sun, you stay still and soak up all the love.

It feels like ruining a great movie scene when you break the fantasy. You’re not lying; you’re just extending the moment. Because it can be easier to just enjoy the softness in quiet than to open your eyes and say, “Hey, I’m awake. Keep doing that, it feels good.”

The Best Way to Get Away

Of course, not all fake snoozes are sweet. They can also be used to avoid doing things you don’t want to.

When the doorbell rings, you know someone is trying to sell you something. Boom—coma right away.

Someone in your room asks, “Who’s washing the dishes?” Not you. Buddy, you’re in a dream.

Family coming to visit? They need help with their bags. You wake up in the middle of the best nap of your life.

People can go from being fully awake to saying, “I haven’t moved in three hours,” very quickly when they have things to do. Really, Oscar-worthy.

Why We Do It (Aside from Being Lazy)

Putting on a fake sleep act seems funny at first glance. While you’re there, you’ll find some interesting truths:

People of all ages like to be cared for. It feels good to be tucked in or watched over. Getting more of that is easy with fake sleep.

We’re naturally interested. Sometimes it’s not so much about love as it is about hearing things or going through things without changing them.

We don’t want to be awkward. People fake sleep a lot when they don’t want to talk, fight, or explain themselves. Peace is golden… and snoring is one of them.

Just for fun—at the end of the day, kid stuff. When you do something bad, it makes you feel like you’re getting away with it.

The Human Secret We All Know

It’s crazy that almost everyone has a story about pretending to be asleep, but no one talks about it until it comes up by itself. The statements started coming in all at once:

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“I used to lie about being asleep to get to sleep.”

“I faked being asleep once to avoid going to the store.”

“My partner doesn’t know when I’m lying, but my dog does.”

People of all ages and countries share this oddity. It’s something that kids, teens, and adults all do. Really, even pets do it sometimes (don’t tell me you’ve never seen a cat pretend to sleep to avoid moving).

Last Thoughts on Snoozing

So, has anyone pretended to be asleep just to see what was going on? Of course. It does happen more often than you might think. Fake sleep is the unsung hero of human behavior. Kids use the standard “carry me to bed” trick, couples make the most of sweet moments, and adults avoid chores like pros.

The best part is that it’s not harmful, kind of funny, and very true. Don’t feel bad the next time you catch yourself trying to sleep. You should instead be kind to yourself. You’re just using an old way to stay alive—one that keeps you from being awkward, makes you feel better, and sometimes lets you hear the hottest news of your life.

Not being serious all the time is a waste of time. Making up dreams can lead to some of the best moments.

Frequently asked questions

1. Is lying and trying to sleep the same thing?

Not really. It’s more fun to play. You’re not breaking the law; you’re just playing “Deep Sleeper #1” so well that you should win an Oscar. Often, it’s not dangerous and even funny.

2. Why do people act like they’re asleep?

Because they want to feel better, show love, be curious, or be lazy. At times, it’s to enjoy a sweet moment, and at other times, it’s just to avoid doing the dishes. Either choice is a good one.

3. What if someone finds out I “fake” sleep?

That depends on what. The people you’re with will laugh. It’s likely that your partner will roll their eyes. It will be hard to explain that one if it’s your boss.

4. Do kids pretend to sleep more than grown-ups?

It might begin with kids, but adults are sure to keep it going. To make things even, kids want hugs and adults want to avoid their duties.

5. Does pretending to be asleep really help you go to sleep?

It’s funny—yes. Your body will sometimes fall asleep just by pretending you’re sick. You can also use “fake it until you make it” to help you sleep.

6. Is it bad to act like you’re asleep a lot?

It’s pretty safe as long as you don’t use it every day to avoid having serious talks. Like chocolate cake, it’s best to enjoy it in small amounts. For better rest habits, you can also try a sleep mask.

7. Do pets also pretend to sleep?

Yes, of course. When cats don’t want to get off the couch, they lie down and pretend to sleep. They came up with fake sleeping hundreds of years ago. And if you love cozy naps, a memory foam pillow can make the act even more convincing.