Are your dreams affecting your sleep? Sleep does play a vital role in maintaining good health both physically and mentally. However, many people go through periods of poor and disturbed sleep – and vivid dreams can play a significant role in this.

Dreams have long been looked to for the answers our minds can be looking for. The stories that play out in our head as we sleep happen between 3-6 times a night, however 95% are forgotten the following morning.

Dreaming is a thinking process and a continuation of thoughts from the day, which creates images. Through this process you are in fact more focussed and dreams can provide you with some insight and solutions to the every day wonderings of our lives.

There are 4 stages of sleep and dreams happen in the REM cycle (rapid eye movement). This happens 90 minutes after you fall asleep when your brain is still pretty active. Your eyes move rapidly from side to side behind closed eyelids. Mixed frequency brain wave activity becomes closer to that seen in wakefulness.  Along with your breathing, your heart rate and blood pressure increases to near waking levels. Most of your dreams will occur now!

If you do remember your dreams and would like to examine more closely what emotions you associate with them, it can be helpful to write a few notes on waking up. When we feel stressed, overloaded or anxious,  we can experience unpleasant dreams, so recording them can be revealing and helpful. I recently received a dream diary with some pyjamas I had ordered from Their Nibs wishing me sweet dreams, deep sleeps and refreshed mornings along with some comfy pjs! I will report back on my dream journalling!

I see lots of people in my hypnotherapy practice who struggle with sleep and vivid dreams and I encourage them to download my Sleep Better audio. Hypnosis is extremely relaxing and restorative and will help you to fall into a restful calmness as you go to sleep. It will soothe your nervous system and promote feelings of peacefulness. We can also address other issues and negative thought patterns which may be causing vivid dreams and sleep disruption.

Sleep plays such an important role in our lives. How well we eat, how motivated we are in the day, all depends on getting enough sleep. A lack of good sleep can also increase anxiety and health issues. So if you would like some help to sleep better, then get in touch with me for an online appointment to help yourself feel refreshed and energised…and we can chat about your dreams too!