Each one of us has had an occasional nightmare and after a few minutes, we tend to go back to sleep and move on. However, frequent bad dreams can have an impact on the quality of sleep you have and could also make the idea of getting into bed frightening and difficult. If you are somebody who is struggling with disturbing dreams, you should try these tips which will help reduce your nightmares.
Keep a tab on your medicines: The first thing you need to do is check your meds. If you are taking any medicines, they might have a side effect and the bad dreams could be one of them. If you are on drugs and are having bad dreams, you need to talk to the doctor about the same. Keep a tab on your meds and notice whether you have a bad dream whenever you take them.
Avoid stimulation during bedtime: If you have a hectic bedtime routine, it could stimulate you. You might think that reading a book or watching a movie can be stimulating but they both can activate your brain instead of calming it down. Your body will be calm but your mind will be active. When dealing with bad dreams, you need to try simple exercises like meditating or simple stretches or taking a hot bath before you head to bed. These activities will help calm your mind and body.
Work on your environment: You need to take efforts to optimize the environment you sleep in. You need to create your environment with the right temperature, light and colors in order to be able to sleep with ease. Keep the bedroom dark and eliminate the light sources. You can also use a sleep mask for the same. The room should not be too hot or too cool at bedtime. Diffusing a little essential oil in the bedroom can promote restful sleep.
Analyze your dreams: There is something called dream analysis. There are some dreams which result from your subconscious mind and work through the events of the day. There are others which are known as psychic dreams in which the dreams are trying to pass you a message. If you think you are getting a lot of psychic dreams, you can write them down and analyze the same. It will help if you examine them closely and sort them out.
Limit your bedtime snacks: When you eat before bed, it charges your body as it begins to digest and metabolize the food. It will give energy to your body which is not conducive to a restful sleep. Hence, you should avoid eating before bed as it will make you more prone to waking up in the middle of the night. Those who limit the intake of snacks before bed tend to have more peaceful sleep and even if they have a bad dream, they usually sleep right through it. If you tend to get hungry in the middle of the night, have warm turmeric milk but stay away from the snacks.
Seek help: Nightmare is nothing something you should ignore for a long time. They can be really disturbing and can cause disruptions in your sleep routine. If you are having dreams that leave an impact on our life, you need to seek help of a doctor or a psychiatrist. It is not something to hide or be shameful about, especially if they are a certain form of response to a traumatic event. You need to educate yourself about the reason behind the nightmares and address the issue. Psychotherapy is very useful which can help you improve your sleep and energize you in your waking hours.
There are good dreams and there are bad dreams. The bad dreams are known as nightmares and if they occur to you once in a while, it is alright. But if they happen to you every other day, you need to take action and not overlook the issue. You will have to look at what activities you are engaged in before your hit the bed. Try to change the same and adjust your routine. If there is no change in the pattern of your dreams, you need to consult a doctor and seek help for the same. You will be able to notice a change in your sleep pattern and quality after you seek help of. A doctor. Do not shy away or overlook the situation you are facing.