Whenever you sleep, you may notice that you start imagining things, thinking about certain situations that might happen or not. Some of these thoughts are beautiful, while some can leave you waking up in a sweat the next morning. These are called dreams! It's an odd feeling to wake up to the most random thoughts, which makes you wonder: "What do dreams really mean?"
You'll be surprised to know that there is more to your dreams than the random thoughts your mind goes through while you sleep. If you're wondering what your dreams mean, then read on as I show you the different symbols you can associate your dreams with and how you can have a good night's sleep.
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What Are Dreams?
You meet dreams as you sleep, which are a succession of images and ideas that happen once you reach a certain stage of sleep. Depending on your dream, you go through waves of emotions or sensations, especially when the brain activity is up and running, similar to as if you were still awake.
While you do experience dreams throughout various stages of your sleep, they aren't as vivid or memorable unless in the deeper stage, which is why most people forget their dreams once they wake up. People remember their dreams better if they wake up during the REM phase.
The length of your dreams can last for a few seconds, or for even half an hour. Other people can have up to seven dreams at a time! It begins two hours after reaching the REM phase.
Why Do We Dream?
Why do we dream in the first place? There's no exact answer to that! Research shows that we have dreams without purpose, while others say that there is a meaning to our dreams, either relating to mental, physical, or even emotional health.
There have also been theories that we dream to show our unconscious desires and inner thoughts that even we don't know about! Dreams are also known to help us solve problems or incorporate happy thoughts and memories, making us feel better about any situation that has happened or is currently going on.
People who don't experience any dreams or aren't allowed to do so experience unfavorable conditions, such as increased tension, depression, weight gain, or some sleeping disorders that refrain us from properly sleeping.
Either way, dreams are NOT any cause for alarm unless you experience recurring nightmares or keep you waking up in the middle of the night. If this does happen, you will need to get checked with a doctor or psychiatrist to help figure out what causes these bad dreams.
What Do Dreams Really Mean?
There are many types of dreams you may have, with characters or different places. While they might be random, some of them have different meanings and symbolize something in your life. So what do dreams really mean? Here are the common dream symbols you need to know about:
1. Animals
This symbolizes your connection with nature. If you're chased by something, it means you're holding fear or aggression back.
2. Babies
It might mean you want to feel love or the desire to become a parent. It can also mean a brand new start.
3. Clothes
It shows how you think people perceive you to be. Shabby clothes might mean you feel worn out, while luxurious ones make you feel attractive.
4. Exams
If you dream of taking quizzes or tests, it might say that you feel like you are reflecting on your life or personality.
5. Death
If you dream of someone dying, it might represent change or move on from an unfortunate event.
6. Falling
This is very common and may symbolize you letting go of your anxiety or control.
7. Food
Since food nourishes the body, it may signify knowledge, which feeds our brain. Either that or you're just hungry!
8. Demons
Since food nourishes the body, it may signify knowledge, which feeds our brain. Either that or you're just hungry!
9. Money
This symbolizes self-worth or anticipating real change.
10. People
You might not dream of people you know, but dreaming about people might show particular aspects of your attitude.
Tips on How to Have Good Dreams
Now that you know where dreams come from and what they mean, how can you continue to have good dreams? Here are some tips to have a good night's sleep without nightmares or waking up in the middle of the evening:
- Stay calm before bedtime, creating a relaxing ritual to allow your mind to improve on our sleep quality and the dreams you'll have. Listen to relaxing music or white noise, which is known to help you sleep better.
- Have soft pillows and beddings and stay at a comfortable position to have real dreams. Sleeping on your side will help. Set the room temperature to about 60 degrees Fahrenheit
- Studies show that eating right before you go to sleep ends up with you having bad dreams. BUT, not eating enough will also lead to difficulty in sleeping. Have a small snack before bedtime and refrain from big meals three hours before sleeping.
In Conclusion
If you have been dreaming weird or very random things lately, it actually might mean something! While some dreams are completely out of the ordinary and have no meaning, others may happen because of recent happenings or other thoughts you have had before sleeping. Either way, it's best to know what your dreams mean so you can assess your ideas and start sleeping better.
I hope that this article answers your question, "What do dreams really mean?" Now that you know what your dreams signify, you can take action and learn how to think more positively for a good night's sleep. So what are you waiting for? Follow these tips and start dreaming well today!
If you have any questions or would like to share your ideas on dreams and their meaning, then comment down below. I would love to hear what you have to think.
My name is Layla Parker, the founder of ASleepyWolf.com. At this site, our team is going to bring you a lot of reliable and useful information about sleeping and everything related to it such as the therapies that improve your sleep, the ways of sleeping you should try, all the products you use every day that affects directly to your sleep, your health, and your life.