Repetitive nightmares and their meanings

Most often, repetitive nightmares have their own, underlying cause. For example, for bereaved parents it mostly comes from anxiety, stress, and trauma, while repetitive nightmares can also come from different substance use or a health condition. 

First, I would like to go through most common nightmares people dream about, and later on, I will provide useful advice that can help you to stop nightmares from repeating. 

Here is the list of most frequent nightmares people experience during the sleep:

1. Failure. You will either dream about a failure or being in a helpless situation. Most common nightmare people experience (18%) is related to experiencing a failure of being in a situation you cannot solve. It can include literally any scenario, but most often you realize that you cannot do anything about that situation in your dream. What does this mean? It means that you are under a lot of pressure of doing something right in the real life. It can also mean that you carry a burden that reminds you how you should behave or prepare the next time. It can also mean that you are overwhelmed with life and that a little bit of help from others would mean a lot to you. 

2. Aggression. This type of aggression is most of the times a physical one and happens in 18% of all nightmares. You will probably fight for your life. Why does this happen? You are afraid for yourself. You don't trust your environment. 

3. Accidents of all sorts. Those can either be car or airplane accidents, but the dream can present an accident of any sort, including fire or water. Probably something you have experienced or saw, and it has stayed deeply in your subconscious. 

4. You are being chased. You are trying to run away from somebody or something. This can mean that you are very tired in your real life and that you have some problems you want to be solved, but don't have enough energy for that. 14% of all nightmares include being chased and running away. 

5. Health issues or death. Worrying about your physical or mental health can hunt you in the dreams too. These dreams are usually related to our anxieties or real problems. Dreaming about death can be related to the loss of a loved one. 

6. Arguments and conflicts. Maybe you want to tell someone something, but you're tired of having interpersonal problems, so those conflicts come in your dreams. 

7. Biggest worries and losing control. If you have repetitive nightmares related to losing control, you probably need a break in life. You have too many worries and too many bad emotions on your shoulders. Don't worry, you won't lose control, but you definitely deserve a break - that's what your body is telling you. Do something good for yourself. Enjoy in the small things. 

8. Disasters of all sorts. World disasters can mean that we are not feeling safe and that we don't trust our environment. 5% of all nightmares will include tragic events and disasters. 

How to stop nightmares from appearing in your dreams?

Okay, now that we have written about most common and repetitive nightmares people experience, let's see what you can do to prevent them. People claim that these tips and advice truly work:

1. A relaxing routine before going to bed could help. Try to maintain a healthy sleeping routine. We know how important this is for bereaved parents. Know when you are going to sleep every single night. It would be the best if you can relax before going to sleep. Don't spend time in front of the screens because blue light can increase your chances of having insomnia or nightmares. 

2. Talk about your dreams. The next thing you can do is to share your concerns with a person you can trust to. If you don't have anyone to talk to, feel free to share your feelings and experience in our forum section. 

3. Write a different ending. This is actually one of my favorite tips when it comes to ending nightmares and it especially works for those dreams that are repetitive. If the ending of that dream scare you, write down a different ending. You can do this for as many times as needed, and to create as many version as you want or need. 

4. Visualize. Now that you have written a different ending, it's time to visualize and change the dream in your head. You can try to change the entire dream - make it a comedy in your head, or at least a parody. 

5. Night light could help too. If the dark scares you, use a small night lamp - it will give you confidence and a provide a safe place. 

Do you experience nightmares?

Of what sort?

Have you found a coping mechanism which helps you to sleep well? 

Share it with us.