A dream is defined as a succession of images, thoughts, or emotions passing through the mind during sleep. A person moves through four stages called the sleep cycle:

Stage 1: Entering into light sleep. This stage is characterized by Non-rapid eye movements (NREM), muscle relaxation, lowered body temperature and slowed heart rate. The body is preparing to enter into deep sleep.

Stage 2: Also characterized by NREM, this stage is characterized by a further drop in body temperature and relaxation of the muscles. The body's immune system goes to work on repairing the day's damage, the endocrine glands secrete grown hormone and blood is sent to the muscles to be reconditioned. In this stage, you are completely asleep.

Stage 3: Still in the NREM stage, this is a deeper sleep still. Your metabolic levels are extremely slow.

Stage 4: In this stage of sleep, your eyes move back and forth erratically. Referred to as REM sleep or delta sleep, this stage occurs at about 90-100 minutes after the onset of sleep. Your blood pressure rises, heart rate speeds up, respiration becomes erratic and brain activity increases. Your involuntary muscles also become paralyzed.




Dreams can occur in any of the four stages of sleep but the most vivid and memorable dreams occur in the last stage of sleep (also commonly referred to as REM sleep). The sleep cycle repeats itself about an average of four to five times per night, but may repeat as many as seven times. Thus, you can see how a person has several different dreams in one night. Most people, however, only remember dreams that occur closer toward the morning when they are about to wake up. But just because you can't remember those dreams does not mean that they never happened.

Some studies show the importance of dreaming and its role in our well-being and health. Some researchers believe that dreams help us tackle stress. It is clear that dreaming help recharge the mind and revitalize the body. Dreaming is a necessity.


Why should we recall dreams?

A dreaming mind has access to information that is not readily available to you when you are awake. Your dreams may reveal your secret desires and subconscious feelings. In remembering your dreams, you will have an increased knowledge about yourself, bring about self-awareness and self-healing. Dreams are an extension of how you perceive yourself. They can be a source of inspiration, wisdom, and joy. Learning to recall your dreams may help you become a more assertive person. In remembering your dreams, you are expressing and confronting your feelings.




Dream Theorists Adler & Freud

Alfred Adler: Believed that dreams were an important vehicle to mastering control over our waking lives. They were problem solving devices. Dreams need to be brought to conscious light and interpreted so that we can better understand and solve our problems. He believed that the more dreams we have, then the more problems we are likely to have. And thus the less dreams we have, then the less problems we have and more psychologically healthy we are.

Sigmund Freud: He believed that nothing we did occurred by chance; every action and thought is motivated by our unconscious at some level. In order to live in a civilized society, we tend to hold back or urges and repress our urges and impulses. However, these urges and impulses must be released in some way and have a way of coming to the surface in disguised forms. One way these urges and impulses are released is through our dreams.




Dream Facts

  1. One-third of your lives is spent sleeping.

  2. In an average lifetime, you would have spent a total of about six years of it dreaming. That is more than 2,100 days spent in a different realm!

  3. Dreams have been here as long as mankind. Back in the Roman Era, striking and significant dreams were submitted to the Senate for analysis and interpretation.

  4. Everybody dreams. EVERYBODY! Simply because you do not remember your dream does not mean that you did not dream.

  5. Dreams are indispensable. A lack of dream activity can mean protein deficiency or a personality disorder.

  6. We dream on average of one or two hours every night. And we often even have 4-7 dreams in one night.

  7. Blind people do dream. Whether visual images will appear in their dream depends on whether they where blind at birth or became blind later in life. But vision is not the only sense that constitutes a dream. Sounds, tactility, and smell become hypersensitive for the blind and their dreams are based on these senses.

  8. Five minutes after the end of the dream, half the content is forgotten. After ten minutes, 90% is lost.

  9. The word dream stems from the Middle English word, dreme which means "joy" and "music".

  10. Men tend to dream more about other men, while women dream equally about men and women.

  11. Studies have shown that our brain waves are more active when we are dreaming than when we are awake.

  12. Dreamers who are awakened right after REM sleep, are able to recall their dreams more vividly than those who slept through the night until morning.

  13. People who are giving up smoking have longer and more intense dreams.

  14. Toddlers do not dream about themselves. They do not appear in their own dreams until the age of 3 or 4.

  15. If you are snoring, then you cannot be dreaming.

  16. Nightmares are common in children, typically beginning at around age 3 and occurring up to age 7-8.

  17. In a poll, 67% of Americans have experienced Deja Vu in their dreams, occurring more often in females than males.





Types of Dreams:

Daydreams

Studies show that we all have the tendency to daydream an average of 70-120 minutes a day. Day dreaming is classified as a level of consciousness between sleep and wakefulness. It occurs during our waking hours when we let our imagination carry us away. As our minds begin to wander and our level of awareness decreases, we lose ourselves in our imagined scenario and fantasy


Lucid Dreams

Lucid dreams occurs when you realize you are dreaming. "Wait a second. This is only a dream!" Most dreamers wake themselves up once they realize that they are only dreaming. Other dreamers have cultivated the skill to remain in the lucid state of dreaming. They become an active participant in their own dreams, making decisions in their dreams and influencing the dream's outcome without awakening.


Nightmares

A nightmare is a disturbing dream that causes the dreamer to wake up feeling anxious and frightened. Nightmares may be a response to real life trauma and situations. These type of nightmares fall under a special category called Post-traumatic Stress Nightmare (PSN). Nightmares may also occur because we have ignored or refused to accept a particular life situation. Research shows that most people who have regular nightmares have had a family history of psychiatric problems, bad drug experiences, people who have contemplated suicide, and/or rocky relationships. Nightmares are an indication of a fear that needs to be acknowledged and confronted. It is a way for our subconscious to make up take notice. "Pay attention!"


Recurring Dreams

Recurring dreams repeat themselves with little variation in story or theme. These dreams may be positive, but most often they are nightmarish in content. Dreams may recur because a conflict depicted in the dream remains unresolved or ignored. Once you have found a resolution to the problem, your recurring dreams will cease.


Healing Dreams

Healing dreams serve as messages for the dreamer in regards to their health. Many dream experts believe that dreams can help us avoid potential health problems and help us to heal when we are ill. Our bodies are able to communicate to us through our dreams to "tell" us that something is not quite right with our bodies even before any physical symptoms show up. Dreams of this nature may be telling the dreamer that he/she needs to go to the dentist or doctor.


Prophetic Dreams

Prophetic dreams, also referred to as precognitive or psychic dreams, are dreams that seemingly foretell the future. One rational theory to explain this phenomenon is that our dreaming mind is able to piece together bits of information and observation that we normally overlook or that we do not seriously consider. In other words, our unconscious mind knows what is coming before we consciously piece together the same information.


Signal Dreams

Signal dreams help you to solve problems or make decisions in your waking life.


Epic Dreams

Epic dreams (or Great dreams) are so huge, so compelling, and so vivid that you cannot ignore them. The details of such dreams remain with you for years, as if your dreamt it last night. These dreams possess much beauty and contain many archetypal symbology. When you wake up from such a dream, you feel that you have discovered something profound or amazing about yourself or about the world. It feels like a life-changing experience.




Common Dream Themes:

A mysterious fact of dreams is people of diverse backgrounds, of varying experiences, and of different ages can share common dream themes. The human mind has the ability to generate and conjure up countless images, yet we can still share such similar themes in our dreams. This may serve to remind us that perhaps we are all not that different. Some psychologists have argued that our shared dream experiences serve to connect us as a human race. Human beings share common concerns, hopes, fears, and conflicts.

Naked Dreams:Metaphorically clothes are a means of concealment. With clothes, you can hide your identity or be someone else. If in the dream you become mortified at the realization that you are walking around naked in public, is often a reflection of your vulnerability or shamefulness or being caught off guard which suggests that you may be unprepared for a project or uninformed in making a well-formed decision.

Many times, when you realize that you are naked in your dream, no one else seems to notice. Everyone else in the dream is going about their business without giving a second look at your nakedness. This implies that your fears are unfounded; no one will notice except you. You may be magnifying the situation and making an issue of nothing. On the other hand, such dreams may mean your desire (or failure) to get noticed.

A small percentage of people, dream that that they are proud of the nakedness and show no embarrassment or shame, then it symbolizes unrestricted freedom. Nothing to hide and proud of who they are. The dream is about a new sense of honesty, openness, and a carefree nature.


Chase Dreams:Chase dreams often stem from feelings of anxiety in your walking life. Running is an instinctive response to physical threats in our environment. Chase dreams may represent your way of coping with fears, stress or various situations in your waking life. Instead of confronting the situation, you are running away and avoiding it? The pursuer or attacker who is chasing you in your dream may also represent a part of yourself. Your own feelings of anger, jealousy, fear, and possibly love, can assume the appearance of threatening figure. A more direct analysis of chase dreams is the fear of being attacked. Such dreams are more common among women than men, who may feel physically vulnerable in the urban environment. These dreams are inspired by fears of violence.


Teeth Dreams:One theory is that dreams about your teeth reflect your anxiety about your appearance and how others perceive you. Another rationalization for these falling teeth dream may be rooted in your fear of being embarrassed or making a fool of yourself in some specific situation. These dreams are an over-exaggeration of your worries and anxiety. Teeth are used to bite, tear, chew and gnaw. In this regard, teeth represent power. And the loss of teeth in your dream may be from a sense of powerlessness.


Flying Dreams:Flying dreams fall under a category of dreams where you become aware that you are dreaming, known as lucid dreaming. Many dreamers have described the ability to fly in their dreams as an exhilarating, joyful, and liberating experience. If you are flying with ease and enjoying the scene and landscape below, then it suggests that you are on top of a situation. Having difficulties staying in flight indicates a lack of power in controlling your own circumstances. You may be struggling to stay aloft and stay on course. If you are feeling fear when you are flying or that you feel that you are flying too high, then it suggests that you are afraid of challenges and of success.


Falling Dreams:As with most common dream themes, falling is an indication of insecurities, instabilities, and anxieties. You are feeling overwhelmed and out of control in some situation in your waking life. This may reflect the way you feel in your relationship or in your work environment. Falling dreams typically occur during the first stage of sleep.




A Few Other Dream Themes:

Animals:To see animals in your dream, represents your own physical characteristic, primitive desires, depending on the qualities of the particular animal. To dream that animals can talk, represents superior knowledge. Its message is often some form of wisdom. To see lab animals in your dream, suggests that an aspect of yourself is being repressed. You feel that you are not able to fully express your desires and emotions.


Birds:To dream of a chirping and/or flying birds, represents joy, harmony, balance, and love. It denotes a sunny outlook in life. It is almost as if a weight has been lifted off your shoulders. To dream of dead or dying birds, foretells a period of coming disappointments. To see bird eggs in your dream, symbolizes money. To see a bird nest in your dream, symbolizes independence, refuge and security.


Characters:An important thing to keep in mind about the characters you come in contact with or the characters you become in your dream is to first consider how they represent aspect of your own self. Characters in your dreams also represent unfinished communication with that person and may continue to appear in your dream until the conflict is resolved. Consider also how you know the people your see in your dreams and whether they not acting like themselves.


Colors:When you dream of colors first consider your own personal and special associations with the color. Does the color remind you of a particular person, a body part, a childhood toy, or some object. For example, the color yellow may remind you of the childhood school bus your rode in or the yellow house you grew up in.


*** It is important to remember that every dream can have more then one meaning, and dreams can mean completely different things for different people***




Colors:

Beige Everything related with this color denotes neutrality and detachment. There is absence of communication.

Black Black signifies isolation and transition period. It shows up conflicts and friction with relations and friends.

Blue This dream denotes a great source of inner peace and a symbol of contentment.

Brown This is an auspicious color to dream about:signifies freedom, success, money and happy and long-lasting union.

Gray Related with a transition period. If clear signifies peace but if dull signifies, fear.

Green Growth and serenity. There are projects which you are enthusiastic about. Great pleasures from simple things.

Orange The color orange in dreams indicates passion in every aspect of your life.

Pink Associated with tenderness and love. You can expect interesting developments in relations with opposite sex.

Purple Great aspirations and understanding of visible and invisible realms. Take advantage of your creativity.

Red This is an indication of great passion and sensitivity in your emotional relationships.

Turquoise Normally indicates new opportunities and the successful completion of projects. Sign of good luck.

White People feel they can rely on you. You have an abundance of energy and vitality.

Yellow This color is a sign of confidence in yourself and your abilities but will encounter opposition.



Seasons:

Spring To dream about spring is a sign of fortunate undertakings and cheerful companions.

Summer Summer foretells joyous events and prosperity; denotes the maturity of ambitions and signals unbound satisfaction.

Autumn Implies cycle of transformation and change of surroundings. Will experience many ups and downs.

Winter In this case is a cycle of disintegration and rest. It foretells happiness and financial gains.



Calender:

January To dream of this month, signifies financial gains, a mystery will be solved and beware of a false friend nearby

February Usually associated with health problems and many worries. There is hope for beneficial events to come.

March To dream of the month of March leads disappointing returns in business and enemies could cause damages.

April It signifies that much pleasure and profit are in the horizon, but if the weather is miserable, it is a sign of distress.

May To dream of this month denotes prosperous times and pleasure for the young. Do not be discouraged.

June Will have good earnings but must rely on own good judgment. Avoid rivals.

July To dream of July, foretells unusual gains in all undertakings. Use caution in your affairs.

August Overall a positive month. All will go well in life, will take a long trip, and will receive unexpected good news.

September To dream of September means good luck, changes for the better and desires and hopes will be accomplished.

October To see yourself in October means you are enjoying the fruits of hard work and will make lasting friendships.

November To dream of November, augers a time of happiness and success in all affairs.

December It is a month that foretells accumulation of wealth, but loss of friendship. Will be very fortunate in love affairs.



Bodyparts:
Again, I must remind you that every dream means something different for every person.

Ankle : Support and direction. Difficulties followed by success later. A friend is trying to help you secretly.

Arm: Strength. To dream of seeing an arm, means victory over enemies but family quarrels.

Back: Unconscious. Jealous people are against you and there is opposition in love.

Blood: Essence. Life energy. Unfortunate love affairs. Severe Disappointment.

Bones: Structure. Evidence. Support. Poverty and death.

Brain: Intellect. Mind and reason. Great knowledge will bring good result in affairs.

Cheeks: Long life. Good health. Will be love very much

Chest: Fullness of life. Generosity. You are having a peaceful time and general prosperity.

Ear: Receptivity. Trouble from unexpected source but big success with an intimate friend

Eye: Vision. Consciousness and clarity. You will have a pleasant and profitable business and a congenial companion.

Eyelashes: Protection of vision. Allure. You are being cheated by friends. Postponement of success

Face: Identity. Ego. Self-image. This dream denotes displeasure with yourself and warnings of someone working secretly against you.

Finger: Sensitivity and awareness. It denotes great spiritual research and restless efforts to reach the pinnacle of your ambitions.

Foot: Basic beliefs. Direction in life. You should mend your ways in life otherwise you will suffer from your foolishness

Hair: Attraction and sensuality. If you dream of hair means that you are careless in your personal affairs and will lose advancement by neglecting mental application.

Heart: Love and security. Happy love affairs and successful future. Dignity and distinction

Hips: To dream about hips denotes pleasant work and good news. Hip being injured means misplace confidence in mate and large losses to the family.

Muscles: Strength. You have the power to overcome emotional sorrow but beware of new friendships

Nose: Instinctive knowledge. It reflects great powers of imagination and creativity, but also difficult relations with a partner.

Skeleton: Internal structure. Support. You feel disconnected or falling apart in parts of your life. It can also suggest a lack of trust in someone close to you.

Skin: This dream is related with sensitivity. Keep calm and think carefully before you make any major decisions.

Thigh: Associated with power of movement. You should watch out for malicious gossip and it also shows that your behavior is being irrational.

Throat: It shows considerable powers of imagination and signifies a successful ventur



Animals:

Ape: Warns the dreamer to beware. Deceit goes with this dream. You will find opposition in love.

Bat: Nocturnal. Eerie. Quarrels. Sorrows and calamities from hosts of evil work against you.

Bear: Victory over enemies. Bear is significant of overwhelming competition in pursuits of every kind.

Bees: Activity. Productivity. Social life. Happiness in life. Success in love. Good earnings. Bees signify pleasant and profitable engagements.

Butterflies: Everything related to beauty and grace. They are an indication of prosperity and fair attainments.

Cat: A feminine aspect. Cats attacking you represent the enemies; if you succeed banishing them you will overcome great obstacles and rise in fortune and fame.

Chicken: Easy available. They represent fortune in love, joy and happiness in all aspects of your life.

Duck: It signifies fortunate journeys, also they could indicate thrift and a fine harvest. It also denotes marriage and children in a new home.

Eel: Slipperiness. A dream about them is good only if you can maintain a grip on it, otherwise fortune will be fleeting.

Elephant: They are associated with terms like wisdom, memory and the power of persistence. Overall is a very positive dream that will bring you dignity and distinction.

Flies: You are feeling annoyed by friends and maybe thinking of doing something foolish. There is a postponement of success.

Fox: To dream about a fox means that an enemy or rival is among your acquaintances. If the dream involves the killing of a fox you will overcome a threat of trouble and will win in every engagement.

Frog: They are related with health problems and may cause no little distress among those of your family.

Goats: They are associated with lusty vigor and relentless energy. It denotes cautious dealings and a steady increase of wealth.

Goldfish: To dream of goldfish, is a prognostic of many successful and pleasant adventures.

Gorilla: You will regain your strength but there will be a postponement of success.

Turtle: Opportunity for advancement is available to you. You have secret enemies around.

Vulture: To dream of vultures, signifies that you are unable to reconcile misunderstandings with a friend, and maybe a long illness that may bring death and misery.

Whale: They are related with power and strength. Good times are coming. There is a great truth that you are ready to accept.



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