Nightly Tension Visions: Understanding Their Causes and methods for Elimination
In the realm of sleep, dreams serve as a mental sorting system, helping us process emotions, store memories, and even solve problems. However, for some individuals, these dreams can take a more intense and troubling form, known as anxiety dreams or stress dreams.
Anxiety dreams, also referred to as stress dreams, are vivid, emotionally intense dreams that centre on high-stress situations. Unlike nightmares, which are characterised by feelings of fear, terror, or helplessness that often wake you up, anxiety dreams tend to focus more on stress or worry, such as being unprepared or overwhelmed.
These dreams are often a reflection of stress and emotional overload. Dr. Drerup, a prominent psychologist specialising in sleep problems related to anxiety and stressful situations, explains that the brain continues to process thoughts and emotions while sleeping, and anxiety dreams can be a signal that something's bothering you and needs your attention.
Anxiety dreams often reflect real-life stressors that haven't been fully dealt with during the day. Examples of stress dreams include being chased or attacked, falling or losing control, being unprepared, losing teeth, being late or lost, failing at work, arguing with a loved one, and death or injury.
Being stressed is associated with poor sleep and can trigger more frequent anxiety-ridden dreams. Stress dreams may occur more frequently during stressful times in life, such as when grieving a loss, moving, getting a new job, or preparing for a big exam. They may also happen more if you're living with depression, substance use disorder, or an anxiety disorder like PTSD or panic disorder.
To combat anxiety dreams, self-care is key. Creating a bedtime routine, writing down worries, starting a dream journal, and practising relaxation techniques can all help. It's also important to keep the bedroom stress-free and avoid stewing in bed if you find yourself unable to sleep due to anxiety.
If stress and anxiety are significantly affecting your life or sleep, it may be beneficial to seek a therapist. Prominent psychologists like Allison Siebern at the Cleveland Clinic specialise in sleep problems related to anxiety and stressful situations.
Anxiety dreams can leave you feeling uneasy, worried, or panicked when you wake up. However, by managing stress during the day and implementing effective sleep habits, you can reduce the likelihood of these dreams and improve the quality of your sleep.
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