Everyone has experienced dreams, and most people remember them on a regular basis. Dreams are healthy for our mind, and in human history have always been used to interpret our lives. Modern research has shown us that stress, something which this generation’s culture is addicted to, has impacted not only our physical well being, but also our dreams, ultimately impacting our minds.
Dr. Michael Brues, a sleep specialist, has found that everyone has one reoccurring dream that occurs during times of high stress for that individual 1. Victims of natural disasters, rape, or veterans with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder recall the greatest amount of recurring dreams or nightmares. Not only do we remember our dreams on a regular basis, but we especially remember them during times of stress or psychological mayhem 2. The most memorable and emotionally charged dreams occur during REM, a stage in our sleep patterns where our minds are very close to a wakeful state. During REM, the four parts of our brain controlling memory, emotions, attention and coordination, all work together in dream production. 2
There are also many accounts of people who are able to process their stressful emotions and memories through these repetitive dreams. Dreams can be a symbolic image of the truths in our lives, which when interpreted, may be a means of coping with those major life stresses 3. Many researchers agree that dreams can be essential for memory consolidation or conflict resolution 3. A 1999 study scanned brains for adult women and found that the women with a history of depression had much smaller hippocampus organs and very high stress hormones 4, but other studies have concluded that dreaming will help patients overcome depression 3.
All studies have published the same information to treat nightmares and assist in peaceful sleep and dreaming. These include physical conditioning, important because exercise can be an outlet for stress and anxiety 4, and meditation or deep relaxation right before sleep, which will calm your body and mind down, preparing you for a good night’s rest.
Works Cited
How Dreams Affect Your Sleep
Reviewed By Brunilda Nazario, MD, January 2009
SOURCES: Michael J. Breus, PhD, American Board of Sleep Medicine, Clinical Psychology, Clinical Sleep Disorders, Altanta School of Sleep Medicine, Atlanta.
© 2008 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved.
November 10, 2009. <http://www.webmd.com/video/breus-dreams>
Brues, Michael. What's in a Dream? Monday, March 16, 2009. November 9, 2009. <http://blogs.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/2009/03/whats-in-dream.html>
Michael J. Breus, PhD. The Health Benefits of Dreams, WebMD the Magazine – Feature. November 8, 2009. <http://www.webmd.com/mental-health/features/the-health-benefits-of-dreams>
Nadis, Steven. Basic Brain Care - Keeping Stress in Check. October 2007. The Dana Foundation. November 12, 2009. <http://www.dana.org/news/brainhealth/detail.aspx?id=9912>
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