The Good Thing About Bad Dreams...
Last night I had a dream that I was a messenger, and in order to get from place to place to deliver my messages, I had to swim through shark-infested waters. I could see huge, dark shadows of sharks below me in the ocean but I had to keep getting in and swimming from place to place. I remember many of my dreams, and like most people, more of them are bad than good.
Even though I've never had that "naked in public" nightmare that so many people seem to have, I've had lots of the other common ones: I dream that my teeth are falling out, I'm being chased, I'm unable to speak, and that people I'm close to have betrayed me. When I first wake up after a bad dream, my mood matches the dream. It usually takes a few minutes for me to let go of the feelings of fear or betrayal or frustration, and then suddenly a flood of happiness comes over me as I realize how nice real life is by comparison. This is different from waking up from a good dream, where reality it a letdown instead of a relief. No, I can't fly. No, that person is not still alive. No, I didn't find a pirate treasure buried in my driveway.
Bad dreams are a chance for your mind to work through emotions that were left unresolved during the day. You may not be aware of them, but small frustrations or subtle worries can linger in the back of your mind until you have time to deal with them. Dreaming can allow your mind to work out these small issues while you sleep, so that they don't affect your thinking while you're awake the next day. Although it's disturbing to remember a negative dream, it usually means that you're more mentally ready to start the day than if you hadn't had the dream. So, to an extent, bad dreams are good for you. There are many books and websites that claim to be able to interpret the meaning of your dreams, but remember to read them with a dose of skepticism - there are countless factors contributing to your dreams that no website or book will be able to take into consideration.
-Brigitte
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Comments
Pete Wednesday, February 17, 2010
I had a dream last night where I was walking through an empty parking lot and kept finding $100 and $50 bills on the ground. Then while reading this article I remembered a dream you talked about in one of your videos where you found coins in a gravel driveway, then you woke up disappointed that your pockets were empty. The coincidence weirded me out for a minute!
Casey McKinnon Wednesday, February 17, 2010
I LOVE having bad dreams... the reason being that it makes me appreciate what I have in my real life. As soon as I wake up, I think "thank goodness!" and I actually enjoy the dreams as if I were on a scary roller coaster. :)
Wendy Robertson Wednesday, February 17, 2010
I had a dream recently of an old woman chasing me with a clever though a butcher shop screaming to me listen to the little old lady. It was quite interesting rather then scary although Don't quite see a meaning to it.
Your very right it is just a way for our minds to disperse of the negative so that we can as you say wake up leaving behind the inner stresses and deal with every day life.
Although I have had a few rather disturbing dreams i try not to read to much into them.
nice post!
Wendy
sami sandonato Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Where did you get that sleeping mask?! i want one so bad due to my obsession with Audrey Hepburn/breakfast at tiffany's!
Joe436 Thursday, February 18, 2010
I had a dream that I had a dream about going to my doctor. But I wasn't sure if it was a dream or not so I was worried that I didn't go to my doctor and needed to make an appointment or I did go and if I went again I would look stupid. My dream was basically me trying to figure out if my dream in the dream was a dream or not. In reality I did go to my doctor, and he gave me cough syrup with codeine in it. I'm guessing that was the cause of my weird dream.
Adrian Thursday, February 18, 2010
After a bad dream you need a cupcake, I know you like them. (queenofcupcakes.co.uk) A coffee and a Chocolate and Strawberry cupcake would help me in the morning!
Blargal D. Alien Friday, February 19, 2010
Hello,Brigitte.
During any of the bad dreams,have you been able to control them? I notice in several dreams I have,I can start controlling the action,and then wake up.It makes for an easier transition to wakefulness.
Brigitte Friday, February 19, 2010
@ sami - I got the sleeping mask from Fred Flare. It's so cute!! :)
Brigitte Friday, February 19, 2010
@Blargal - so far I haven't had any luck with controlling the negative dreams, though I have heard about people that can (is what you're talking about the same as lucid dreaming?)
jackle61 Saturday, February 20, 2010
Shark dream? Could it be tied into you getting bit by the shark while you were trying to find a new gig(messages=vlogs/blogs)?