Dreams can be captivating or disconcerting or can simply defy the laws of all the accepted truths that we’ve learnt throughout our lives. Every one of us dreams – even if we don’t remember the details in the morning. At MyNextMattress we spend all day every day helping people deal with the consequences of an uncomfortable mattress, but we also think it’s important to further understand the science and psychology behind two of the most mysterious questions that have confounded us for centuries… Why do we dream? And what do our dreams mean?  

What Are Dreams?

  Dreams are a series of images our mind projects to create, what is essentially, an internal film and this all happens whilst we’re asleep. We often dream so vividly that we believe the pictures are happening right before our eyes and this can make us feel happy, sad or frightened. Some may create scenarios and objects that you know don’t exist, whilst some can feel perfectly normal and rational. Dreams occur at any stage of sleep, but they are most vivid and most common during REM sleep when the brain is most active.  

Why Do We Dream?

  Unfortunately, this is not a question that anyone can answer with any amount of certainty. There are many theories, for example, some researchers say dreams are meaningless, nonsensical concoctions of the sleeping brain. Whilst others claim dreams are necessary elements to be happy, healthy and emotionally stable. Studies have backed up this theory and have shown just how important dreaming is to our mental well-being. In one such study, researchers woke participants that were just about to fall into REM sleep and they discovered those who weren’t allowed to dream were: - Excessive tension - Anxiety - Depression - Difficulty concentrating - Lack of coordination - Weight gain - Complaints of seeing things Many experts say that dreams exist to: - Help solve problems - Incorporate memories - Process emotions How often have you gone to bed with a troubling thought and woken the next day with a solution, or at least the tools to begin to find a fix for the problem? Prominent neurologist Sigmund Freud, the father of psychoanalysis, believed that dreams displayed the subconscious. He argued that they revealed: - Unconscious Desires - Thoughts - Motivations Freud thought that dreams were an avenue for people satisfy their innermost desires in a way that was acceptable in society. Researchers are still trying to test the merits of these theories and it may be the case that some dreams may help our brains process thoughts and events. Whereas others may just be the result of normal brain activity and mean very little.  

What Do Dreams Mean?

  Just as there are differing opinions as to why we dream, there are also different views on what they mean. Some experts claim that dreams have little bearing on our real emotions and thoughts; merely just fairy tales we create in our heads. Conversely, others say dreams may magnify our thoughts and feelings. This is often reflected in recurring dreams which bring deep desires, fears and thoughts to the surface. By dissecting dreams, we may be able to gain awareness of our lives and things that we perhaps didn’t know about ourselves. Many people have claimed to have come up with their best ideas whilst dreaming, so are dreams a place of creativity? The most common dreams are being chased, falling or appearing in public situations nude. These dreams are likely to be caused by hidden stress or anxious tension. Dreams may be similar, but experts say the meaning behind each dream is as unique to each person as their fingerprints and this is why many experts dismiss the idea of searching for meaning in dreams books or dream dictionaries.

Why Do Nightmares Happen? 

  Nightmares are common in all who dream and are often caused by: - Stress, conflict and fear - Trauma - Emotional issues - Medication or illegal drug use - Illness It’s widely believed that a recurring nightmare is your subconscious trying to tell you something. Listen to what it’s trying to teach you. Medical professionals may also be able to help you dissect a recurring dream if you’re unable to do so yourself.  

What Are Lucid Dreams?

    Have you ever had a dream where you knew that it was all a figment of your subconscious? This is called lucid dreaming. Research shows that lucid dreaming is accompanied by an increase in brain activity in areas that are normally suppressed during sleep. Lucid dreaming represents a brain state between REM sleep and being awake. Some people who are capable of lucid dreaming are able to change and influence their story, as it were. In the first part of our two-part blog, we’ve covered why we dream, what dreams are, nightmares and lucid dreaming, part two will be uploaded shortly. We often look upon dreaming as a given, but for those who struggle to sleep because of an uncomfortable mattress or bed, dreaming is something of a luxury. Contact us for advice on how to improve your night’s sleep. Click here to read Part II.