Let’s discuss the what and why of dreams

Welcome back, everyone. This week, I would like to discuss dreams. We all have them, whether we are aware of them or not. This week, I would like to take a break from talking about energy and how it works and switch to talking about the mind and how it works on the subconscious Level.

I will admit I do not remember many of my dreams, but there are some that I just know I need to track, and I will use the method explained at the end of this newsletter.

So, if you are interested in learning more about dreams and how they work, I invite you to stick around. I am about to take the next step toward becoming positively improved.

What are dreams?

During the rapid eye movement (REM) stage of sleep, when brain activity increases, dreams occur. Dreams are complex mental, emotional, and sensory experiences that can feel vivid and real. 

While scientists aren’t entirely sure about the purpose of dreaming, it is believed that dreams play a role in processing emotions, memories, and experiences. Frequent nightmares can disrupt sleep patterns and impact overall well-being, so it’s essential to address any persistent issues with nightmares to ensure restful sleep.

Many in the psychological field believe that dreams are your subconscious working through unresolved trauma or inner conflicts. Others believe that dreams are the gateway to the soul and a way to commune with the invisible world. Many people believe that our dreams have meaning and are telling us something. Whatever you might think, dreams have proven to be essential to our overall health and well-being.

Here is the what and why of dreams

• When they happen
• Dreams can occur at any stage of sleep, but they are most vivid during REM (rapid eye movement) sleep when the brain is highly active, almost as much as when you’re awake.
• How long do they last
• People typically have four to six dreams per night, each lasting around five to twenty minutes. However, the dreamer may perceive the dream as being much longer. 
• What they mean
• There’s no simple explanation for dreams, and dream interpretation is subjective. Some theories about why we dream include memory consolidation, emotional processing, and cultural influence.
• How they work
• The activation-synthesis model proposes that the dreaming process is twofold: activation and synthesis. During REM sleep, neural activity in the brainstem activates the brain to generate information.

Do dreams affect the overall well-being of a person?

It has been proven that, in fact, dreams can impact the overall health and well-being of a person; some ways this may occur are:

• Emotional processing
• Dreams can help people process emotions, especially negative ones, and resolve emotional issues. This can lead to a better understanding of emotions and a more balanced mood. 
• Creativity
• Dreams can enhance creativity and problem-solving. The brain is most creative and innovative during sleep, and dreams can connect abstract content in a meaningful way. 
• Preparation for dangerous events
• Dreams can help prepare the brain to respond quickly to stressful situations. 
• Mental health
• Nightmare disorder can be a sign of a mental health condition, such as PTSD, borderline personality disorder, or schizophrenia. Nightmare disorder can also worsen existing mental health conditions. 
• Health issues
• Changes in dream content or behavior may indicate the onset of specific health issues before they show up physically. For example, people with epilepsy, heart disease, migraines, or Parkinson’s disease may experience frequent recurrence of the same dream. 

The best way to track your dreams would be:

Keeping a dream journal can be a great way to track your dreams. It can provide valuable insights into your subconscious mind and help you understand your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors more deeply.

There are many ways to keep a dream journal. Some people write or draw in a notebook, while others prefer typing on a laptop. Other options include using a voice recorder or a smartphone app. Anyone can start a dream journal.

If you are curious about what your dreams are telling you, these are the ways to keep track of them. Although it might seem weird or challenging initially, you will likely be amazed at what your subconscious tells you.

Final thoughts

So here we are at the end of yet another weekly newsletter. As you can hopefully now see, our body and even that quiet, still voice in the back of our heads is the voice of our soul speaking to you as it whispers its wisdom. The best thing we can do is listen.

When it comes to your dreams, much like when healing trauma, you need to record the dream, whether that be in a voice notation, a written notation, or by drawing a picture of the details you remember. It is important that you get it out of your head and put it somewhere so that when you have the time, you can examine and see what you are being told.

If you know anyone who could benefit from this information, please feel free to share it with them. If you have anything to add to the discussion, please share your thoughts in the section below. Thank you, as always, to my regular supporters. Until next week, namaste.