Know the reasons for having bad dreams and ways to avoid them – Know the reasons for having bad dreams and ways to avoid them

Frequent bad dreams, often referred to as nightmares, are what we call nightmares. People have different concepts about dreams, but it is very important to find out why this actually happens. It is normal to have dreams occasionally, but if you have bad dreams every day, then it should not be ignored. There are many psychological reasons for bad dreams, which is important to understand. In this way, dreams have a negative impact on your sleep, not only this, it can also increase your mental stress.

To understand the causes of continuous bad dreams and ways to avoid them, we consulted Dr. Gaurav Gupta, (CEO) and Senior Psychiatrist, Tulsi Healthcare, New Delhi. Dr. has told many important things related to this topic, so let's know what are the causes of bad dreams, and how to avoid them (how to control bad dreams).

Causes of continuous bad dream

According to Dr. Gaurav Gupta, “Bad dreams are usually triggered by psychological factors such as stress, anxiety, trauma, major life changes, depression and unresolved emotional issues. These can manifest as disturbing images in dreams, reflecting underlying concerns about your life, and can be particularly prevalent in people with conditions such as PTSD.”

Know what to do if you keep having bad dreams (how to control bad dreams)

1. Try to understand stress and anxiety

Relaxation techniques: According to experts, practice meditation, deep breathing exercises, muscle relaxation to manage stress levels before going to bed. This way your mind remains relaxed and you do not get nightmares.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): According to experts, “Cognitive behavioral therapy is recommended to identify and address negative thought patterns that contribute to anxiety.”

Lifestyle changes: Prioritize regular exercise, a healthy diet, and healthy sleep hygiene. This will reduce your stress and keep feelings of anxiety and depression under control. Healthy sleep is very important to avoid nightmares.

2. Improve sleep habits

Create a sleep schedule: Go to bed at the same time every day and wake up at the same time in the morning, even on weekends. This helps you get good and deep sleep and you do not have nightmares.

Create a relaxing bedtime routine: Avoid screens, stimulants like caffeine, and heavy meals right before bedtime. Overeating or consuming stimulants can affect sleep quality, which can lead to nightmares.

Create a healthy sleep environment: Keeping your room dark, quiet, and cool or warm (depending on the weather), this will help you get a better quality sleep.

3. Do dream analysis and journaling

Keep a dream journal: Write down your dreams immediately after waking up to identify recurring themes and triggers.

Explain dreams: Analyze your dreams to understand the underlying emotions and situations that may have caused them.

4. Trauma Focused Therapies

Exposure therapy: If nightmares arise from a traumatic experience, exposure therapy is recommended to gradually desensitize yourself to the triggering memories.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR): This is a therapy that can help you process traumatic experiences.

5. Professional Help

Talk to a professional: If nightmares are significantly affecting your quality of life, there is no harm in consulting a professional expert working on sleep disorders. They will understand your condition better and help you improve it.

Consider medication: In some cases, your doctor may prescribe medication to manage underlying mental health conditions that contribute to nightmares.

Also read: AAyurveda can also relieve anxiety and depression, try these remedies