Have you ever woken up after having a dream that felt so real, yet as soon as you try to recall it, it slips away? Or have you ever wondered why we even have dreams in the first place? If so, you’re not alone. In this blog post, we’ll explore the mysteries behind dreams, why we have them, and why we can sometimes struggle to remember them. We’ll also dive into some techniques for lucid dreaming and preventing unwanted dreams.
What are Dreams and Why Can I Never Remember Them?
Dreams are a series of thoughts, images, and sensations that occur in your mind while you are sleeping. They are often associated with rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, which is known to be the stage where the most vivid dreams occur. While there is still much we don’t know about dreams, scientists believe that they serve a variety of functions, such as processing emotions, consolidating memories, and enhancing creativity. On average, people have around 4-6 dreams per night, with each dream lasting from a few seconds to up to 20 minutes.
So why is it that we can remember some dreams but not others? While there isn’t a definitive answer to this question, some factors that may influence dream recall include how deep or light your sleep was, how emotionally charged the dream was, and whether or not you were awoken during or shortly after the dream.
Common Dreams
We all have dreams that seem strange, confusing, or downright bizarre, but did you know that some dreams are more common than others? Dreams of falling, being chased, or losing teeth are often cited as some of the most common dreams. These types of dreams may be linked to anxiety, stress, or a lack of control in your waking life.
instantprint, a poster printing company, recently surveyed 1000 UK office workers on weird work dreams in lockdown. They found that a whopping 75% of office workers experience workplace nightmares, and one in five consider quitting as a result of them.
Dr. Sarah Jane Daly, a senior lecturer in social psychology at The University of Huddersfield, said:
“For many of us, Covid-19 has brought work into our personal spaces. We think of home as a place where we can relax and shut out work-day stresses and strains. The fact that many people work from home now means that our homes have become literal places of work. Kitchen tables, coffee tables, beds, and sofas – all once stress-free places are now sites of work production. Getting away from work has never been so difficult.”
Lucid Dreaming
Lucid dreaming is the ability to control or be aware of your dreams while you are still asleep. It’s an incredibly unique experience that can be both exciting and beneficial. Some potential benefits of lucid dreaming include overcoming fears, improving problem-solving, and practising new skills. However, it’s important to approach lucid dreaming with caution. Some potential risks include waking up feeling tired or disoriented or experiencing nightmares if you lose control during the dream.
Preventing Unwanted Dreams
While some dreams can be exciting and enlightening, others can be stressful and unwanted with 10% of common dreams being fired from work, 11% being trapped at work and 3% being colleagues passing away.
Setting boundaries and practising self-care techniques can be helpful strategies in reducing unwanted dreams. For example, setting a regular sleep schedule and avoiding certain foods or drinks before bed can help promote more restful sleep. Additionally, practising relaxation techniques like meditation or yoga can help alleviate stress and anxiety that may be contributing to unwanted dreams.
By understanding the factors that influence dream recall and exploring techniques like lucid dreaming and self-care, we can harness the power of our dreams and use them to our advantage. Sweet dreams!
