Your Dreams…What Do They Mean?

What is a dream?

“A dream is a succession of images, ideas, emotions, and sensations that usually occur involuntarily in the mind during certain stages of sleep “(Wikipedia).

Why do we dream?

“The most honest answer is that we do not yet know the function or functions of dreaming. This ignorance should not be surprising because despite many theories we still do not fully understand the purpose of sleep, nor do we know the functions of REM (rapid eye movement) sleep, which is when most dreaming occurs. And these two biological states are much easier to study scientifically than the somewhat elusive phenomenon of dreaming” (Ernest Hartmann, a professor of psychiatry at Tufts University School of Medicine and the director of the Sleep Disorders Center at Newton Wellesley Hospital in Boston).

Why are our dreams more vivid during the COVID-19 pandemic?

A couple of days ago I had a dream which was so vivid I woke up upset and confused about how I felt. It wasn’t the first time I had experienced this in the last month since lock-down. After some research, I realised I am not alone. A small Instagram poll whereby I asked if anyone was experiencing the same concluded that more than 85% of people were in the same boat. Vivid dreams can be experienced when someone has sleeping issues that cause a lack of sleep, such as insomnia, changes to your sleep schedule, or getting less sleep than usual. So, it’s no surprise that people are suffering considering their ‘normal’ day-to-day lives have completely changed.

So…what do our dreams mean?

Dreams about an ex
Don’t panic! This does not necessarily mean you are still pining after your ex partner (unless you do genuinely want to rekindle with them!). It could be that your current partner or someone particular in your life brings out similar feelings to those you had with your ex – whatever that feeling may be. It’s not necessarily a bad feeling and it’s not always a bad dream. If you are single, it can also mean you miss feeling wanted and the feeling of being in a relationship.

Dreams where your partner is cheating on you
Firstly, these dreams can naturally occur to anyone who has actually been cheated on. Remember, dreams are also made up of our memories. Now you are with someone new, it’s not surprising that this could mean you are insecure and worried deep down that your current partner will do the same. On a more pessimistic note, it can also mean you are suspecting something is wrong in the relationship, or that they have already betrayed your trust in some way.

Dreams where you are the cheater
This type of dream can suggest that you have already done something that compromises the integrity of the relationship, or that you feel guilty for something, which would entail betrayal in some way.

Dreams involving water
Any dreams involving water are reflective of your deepest subconscious thoughts. If you are drowning in your dream, it can mean that your emotions are all over the place. Has something drastic happened in your life recently? It usually symbolises overwhelming change. However, if you are dreaming of walking on water it can mean that you just need to understand your inner emotions a little better, alongside the fear of perhaps ‘going under’ with your emotions too.

Dreams where you are falling
This seems to be quite a common theme for our dreams, regardless of whether we are in the middle of a pandemic! These types of dreams usually suggest that you are feeling out of control in some way – something we are all feeling right now. They can also mean you are currently having thoughts that you think you are failure, or even inferior to someone else.

Dreams where you are being chased
These dreams can depict you are running away from something, or avoiding someone in the real world. It is a way of your subconscious telling you that you should confront this issue/person.

Dreams about animals
Different animals symbolise different things. I have chosen the animals which I hear about the most:
Apes/Gorillas – Can symbolise victory in your personal life – something you have really fought for. On the other hand it can also mean trouble with false friends/business partners.
Bears – Bears can symbolise growth, strength, power and independence.However, if a bear is attacking you in your dream this can denote uncontrolled aggression/anger and this could be yours or someone else’s emotions.
Bees – Bees in dreams are a good thing as they can symbolise hard work, good luck and happiness. However, if you should dream that you are being stung by a bee/bees, this suggests you feel you have been wronged by someone.
Snakes – Dreams about snakes can be both positive and negative. On the one hand it can symbolise healing, rebirth and regeneration. On the other it can indicate something in your life is toxic and you are fearful/running away from it.
Sharks – A shark in your dream can represent someone in your life who is draining you emotionally and in a negative way. It can depict someone who’s actions are harmful, yet they do not care about the consequences.

All of the above is based on online research and merely my way of compiling different types of common dreams and their meanings in once place.
If you are suffering with insomnia, here are some basic tips for a better nights sleep: