Have you ever woken up in the morning, and thought to yourself: “The dream I had about being chased was really strange…” or “Why did I dream I missed my meeting?” Or “That was such a vivid dream, but I couldn’t quite grasp what I was reaching for…” How many times have you woken up shuddering from the memory of the previous night’s dreams? Have there been days when the dream has stayed with you well past the morning? 

It’s widely thought that our dreams are directly tied to our deepest subconscious thoughts. 

The Oxford Dictionary defines the Subconscious as: 

adj. 1. describing mental processes of which a person is not fully aware, but which influences one’s actions and feelings.  

2. (in psychoanalysis) denoting the part of the mind that includes memories, motives, and intentions that are momentarily not present in consciousness but can more or less readily be recalled to awareness. 

The subconscious can be thought of as our “inner treasure chest” where many of our most inner thoughts, emotions, and desires are held. So it can be inferred that dreams are a way for the subconscious mind to communicate with the conscious mind. 

How do dreams connect to our emotions? 

Recent research has shown a rooted connection between anxiety and dreams, especially pre and post the Covid -19 Pandemic. At the peak of the Pandemic, there was a heightened level of anxiety world-wide. We were dealing with the unknown, while the narrative in the media was ever changing. We did not know how life would progress or if/when we’d ever find “normal” again. Thankfully, after almost 3 years of uncertainty, we are finally trending in that direction. Despite this, many are still struggling with the aftershocks of the Pandemic, the lockdowns, and for some, the severe illnesses or grieving the death of a loved one.

Another recent study indicates that there has been a rise in dream and nightmare occurrences since the start of the Pandemic. For most people, there was an overall increase in stress, depression, and anxiety during that time, and these challenges continue to prevent some from finding their pre-Covid routines. The Pandemic forced most people into lockdown and social isolation and this has negatively impacted our sleep patterns as a result. Sleep, as we know, directly influences our mental health, particularly increasing symptoms of depression and anxiety when we don’t get enough rest. As the world around us has begun to “wake up” and begin moving toward “regularly scheduled programming”, we have experienced something called “Social Jet Lag”; a form of circadian misalignment from the sudden demands of early starts at school and work routines which has further disrupted our natural circadian. 

It’s important now more than ever to pay attention to the health of our sleep so that we can have a better night’s sleep and feel rested.

Below are some helpful tips for getting a better night’s sleep, in the new “Post Covid-19 Era”: 

• Ensure you have a good bedtime routine. Take steps to encourage relaxation and decompression from the rigors of the day. Try reading, soaking in a warm bath, meditating, chamomile or lavender tea (caffeine free), or breathing exercises prior to bed to help wind down. 

• Cut back on alcohol and caffeine several hours prior to bedtime. 

• Try to eat dinner early. Eating increases your metabolism which leads to a more active mind which can directly affect your dreams if you snack or have dinner closer to bedtime. 

• Put the phone down well before bedtime. Avoid checking social media and/or emails. Both have been directly linked to our emotions and could cause increased anxiety and/or stress when trying to fall asleep.

• Review any medications. Medications can affect sleep patterns. Be sure to discuss with your physician before making any changes to your medication or starting a new medication. 

• Talk about your dreams when you remember them. Sometimes verbalizing troubling dreams can lessen their intensity. 

• Create a dream journal. Writing can be cathartic and is a helpful way to remember details you may not remember later. This may also help you see any recurring patterns of your dreams. 

• Rewrite the endings to the negative dreams. Write out a better ending and place a more positive outlook on those intense or vivid dreams. 

• Steer clear of scary movies or books prior to bedtime. 

• Use a sound machine. Find a relaxing sound that puts you at ease and help you fall into a deep sleep.

• Practice self-care daily! Examples of self-care can be doing something creative, going for a walk, listening to your favorite song, spending time with your pets, or making time to see a therapist! 

No matter which of these tips you choose to try, commit to them and do it every day to help prime you for a good night’s sleep.

Wishing you sweet dreams! 

Authored by Ingrid Speed

Sources: 

How to Stop Nightmares