One of the most mysterious parts of the mind happens when we close our eyes, and that is the dream. Some of us dream about whacky adventures. Others have dreams more grounded in reality. Some of us dream about what we want, such as the dream relationship. Many of us can remember what we’ve dreamed, and for others, that dream goes away as soon as we wake up.
The purpose of dreams is still up in the air in the psychological and neurological world. Some say dreams can give an insight into unconscious desires, while others claim dreams are more random and lack meaning. They are just subconscious remnants and nothing more.
This has been present with different psychologists throughout the years. Sigmund Freud was in the belief that dreams concealed our thoughts in our conscious. Carl Jung, meanwhile, thought dreams to be a new type of consciousness.
While that is still hotly debated, most people believe dreams have a certain meaning, and they may base their life on what they dream. Because of this, dream therapy is popular.
Dream Therapy
Dream therapy, as you may have guessed, is a form of therapy where one’s dreams are analyzed in order to help a person understand their problems and come up with solutions. While our dreams can’t tell us anything, many people believe it is a look into the unconscious mind and we should listen to our
dreams.
Recording and Remembering Your Dreams
We can’t yet hook a person to a machine and view their dreams, so the person dreaming has to record.
For most people, they may remember their dreams immediately after waking up, but as they go on about the day, they soon don’t remember. They know they dreamt about something, but they just don’t remember what.
The science is still out on why this happens, with one explanation saying it’s due to the lack of norepinephrine, a hormone associated with memory. Others may say that it’s due to the fact that dreaming takes place in a different part of your brain.
Of course, there are some dreams we do remember. You may remember a nightmare you had as a child, for example. When a dream leaves an impact, you’re more likely to remember it.
Otherwise, people remember their dreams through journaling. They wake up, and while the dream is still fresh on the mind, they write it down.
How People Journal
Some people may prefer writing their journals by hand in a traditional diary. Others, especially those who sleep with their phone nearby already, may prefer a dream journaling app. There are many apps, such as the Dream Catcher app, that can allow you to compare your patterns and keep your dreams in a place locked by a password. This is especially good if you have a nosy roommate.
Some People Journal Before Bed, Too
You have some people who believe that dreams can reveal our conflicts. One way they prove this is by writing down everything that’s bothering them before bed. Not only can this help you sleep better, but you can then look at your thoughts before you went to bed and compare it to your dreams.
It Can Be Done Professionally or Not
One interesting part about dream therapy is that it doesn’t need a therapist. Few people in that field will take on the title of “dream therapist,” even though they are capable of analyzing your dreams. Instead, an artistically minded person, or at least someone who can think critically, can interpret their own dreams after journaling, and after comparing it with other dreams.
A therapist may look at your dreams through various lenses. Some may see a dream as your unconscious trying to tell you something, while others may see dreams as an insight into your fears.
There are certain common dreams that have common interpretations like this. For example, dreaming about being chased may mean you’re running away from your problems. Dreaming about being naked in public may indicate you’re afraid of being exposed for something.
Dreams Can Be Symbolic
Some people view dreams as a story, and just like a story, there can be symbolism hiding deep in there. Maybe you dream about driving a new car. That car could symbolize you trying out something new in life.
Obviously, this is subjective. Dreams don’t have an author you can interview to ask “what does it mean?” Maybe there is some deep symbolism, or maybe it’s not.
It’s Creative
Another aspect of dream therapy that is worth discussing is that dream therapy can boost your creativity. Trying to think critically about your dreams and learning several ways of interpretation can help you with your artistic endeavors. It may inspire you to write a story or create a painting. Even if you aren’t artistic, it’s still a good exercise that is healthy for you.
It’s a Good Way to Meditate
There are some who may use dream therapy as a form of meditation or mindfulness. Focusing on what’s on your mind, and having a morning ritual, can be a good way to practice self-care and be in the moment. It’s a small move that can lead to better self-care practices down the road.
It’s Good for PTSD
A more professional way dream therapy is used is tackling PTSD. Many people who have that may have nightmares and other terrors, which can trigger their symptoms. A therapist may help to find ways to rewrite or reinterpret the dream in order to alleviate the symptoms you’re feeling.
Conclusion
The meaning of dreams, along with the idea that dreams mean anything at all, is subjective. However, writing down your dreams and interpreting them, or discussing them with your therapist, can be a great way to care for yourself. Try it out. Have a diary ready and write down your dreams upon waking.
Then, review the dreams every week and see what you can find with them.
stock photo ID: 1811897539
