I've blogged quite a few times on the subject of dreams. I've 'suffered' from the problem for as many years as I can remember although sometimes I seem to go for periods without any. I know that I posted in 2008 that I had got to the stage of classifying my night escapades as dreams (ok, perhaps even pleasant but I'd rather just sleep), night ponies (I'd rather have had a dream and, in any case I don't usually remember them), night mares (not very pleasant at all but usually forgotten within a day or so) and, worst of all, night stallions (which cause me to wake in a fearful sweat, which often remain with me for weeks and which come back again and again both when I'm asleep and awake).
Anyway I've been having a lot of dreams and mild night ponies recently and I woke up this morning to one bordering on being a night mare and the first thing I said to myself was just how thankful I was that it wasn't a full-blown nightmare. Then I realised that it was Thursday and my Thankful Thursday post was already written for me.
I'm very thankful for a relatively 'quiet' period in my dreaming life.
Pleasant dreams are always a joy and I retain the happiness for the entire day. But the nightmares and night stallions, sometimes I'm shaky for a week. I recently had one and I couldn't get up. It was so spooky.Like ur dream type names :))
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear that Ruby. I thought the names described the dream state rather appropriately.
DeleteIt's eating cheese for supper. Like funny mushrooms it should only be eaten if you have got a minder to mind your mind and your body.
ReplyDeleteAdrian I've tried all sorts of regimes: no cheese, no alcohol, no late meals and various other things and can find absolutely no correlation between food and drink or any other habits that affect the dreams.
DeleteI do wonder whether there is any way you could train your mind to actually influence those dreams, so that you could turn a mare into a pony. Some people claim it is possible, but I've not really tried it myself (never felt the need to) and therefore can not say for sure whether it works or not.
ReplyDeleteI think, Meike, that sounds like a lot of very hard mental effort even if it is possible. I'm not sure that I have that stamina.
DeleteInteresting classification system GB. I would certainly be seeing someone about the nightmares because of their recurring nature. Even blog about it. I am sure we can all be two-bob therapists for you :)
ReplyDeleteCarol in Cairns
http://carolslittlewingblog.blogspot.com
Friends have mad many suggestions Carol. It's been something I've lived with for more years than I can remember and I've tried all sorts of physical ways i.e. cutting out foods and drinks and can fins no correlation between anything physical and the dreams. It's like many things in life: you learn to live with it. It doesn't stop me commenting on it occasionally though and being grateful that it's not a lot worse. I'm always conscious that there are many who have infinitely worse problems than I have.
DeleteOne of the first subjects I remember discussing with you... And also one of the topics I wrote about on my own blog early on (as well as later). Especially in certain periods of my life, I've found dreams helpful - including some recurring nightmarish ones. I do believe that in general, dreams are the brain's way of sorting out our daytime impressions and emotions and matching them with previous experiences. I also think that sometimes it can be helpful to try and "catch" the dreams and complete the analysis of them consciously in broad daylight. For me it seems that once I've got the "message" of a dream (or type of dream), it seldom comes back. And if it does, I'm usually able to recognise it and figure out what in my present circumstances may have triggered it. But of course I too prefer it if I just wake up feeling refreshed from sleep and with no bad dreams lingering! So I hope you'll be able to keep the stallions at bay, and meet nothing scarier in your dreams than perhaps a stray pony now and then ♥
ReplyDeleteMonica as you say we have discussed dreams on a number of occasions. I have decided that I really prefer to forget my dreams and write them off as soon as I wake: almost to pretend they never happened. I haven't had really bad ones for ages and I can live with the ones I do have (for the most part anyway) which is why I was so thankful when I woke yesterday.
DeleteIt's only sometimes or periodically that I bother to try and remember and analyse dreams, Graham. More specifically - when it feels like it might be worth while to do so. Most of the time mine (whether good or bad) dissolve into oblivion with the morning as well. (I treat them a bit like books or TV, really... Some easily forgotten, while a few leave more of a longlasting impression.)
DeleteIt is very rare that I go a night without dreams. Most of mine are usually unpleasant, some downright awful...I do not always remember them, I just remember the feeling of not having pleasant dreams if that makes sense. I would say most of mine verge on nightmare status.
ReplyDeleteI think if mine were constantly very unpleasant Serenata I would see if there was something that could be done. As it is for me it's like any low-lever nagging ache or pain: one just accepts it and learns to live with it.
DeleteUsually my dreams involve other people, often family members who've passed away. My grandmother used to say, "Dream of the dead, and hear from the living." If I don't get a phone call or a letter from someone I like, then I just call someone, just to see how they are.
ReplyDeleteAs various commenters have noted, dreams can sometimes serve as inspiration. I once had a dream which I turned into a story. The vivid pictures in my head kept me going until I had the story written.
But you're very right about disturbing dreams. I don't often get those, but when I do, I get up, make myself a cup of tea, have a piece of toast or a cookie, and read for a bit. Something soothing. Gladys Taber is a particular favourite. John and I have shared posts about her writings, if you're not familiar with her. She writes short, soothing essays about homely subjects like her dogs and her garden and her family and the seasons. Her books never fail to sooth and calm me.
xoxox Carol/DeeDee/Canadian Chickadee
PS - I should've been clearer - I wait until daytime wherever my friend/relative is, before I call them! Since many of them are in the British Isles and I live near Seattle, it's a good idea to check the time zones before dialing! xoxo DeeDee
ReplyDeleteDeeDee I sleep very soundly as a rule and so far as I am aware almost all my dreams occur just before I wake up at my normal time so I would be getting up anyway. One thing I never do on the rare occasions that I wake in the middle of the night (apart from to answer the call of nature when I'm usually asleep again before my head hits the pillow) is read. I may put some music on the bedside speakers and listen to that though and then I can just drift back to sleep naturally.
DeleteSometimes I wonder whether the dream world is actually a the real one. It can be terrifying, but I love to fly, which I do beautifully in dreams. Do you ever fly in dreams?
ReplyDeleteFrances I, too, used to wonder whether I was just entering another dimension but it would be just to bizarre a place to contemplate. I can't ever recall flying in a dream.
DeleteI hardly ever dream and when I do I can barely remember what it was about when I finally wake up.
ReplyDeleteMy poor brain is probably too tired to engage in dreaming at night after what it goes through in my head on a daily basis...constant barrage of thoughts and ideas and what I want to do next, and do next week, and do next summer....my poor brain.
I know we've talked about your dreams before, and I thought they had settled down somewhat, but it seems they have no intention of doing so.....I know you've tried everything under the sun, maybe some kelp tablets may help a little......wishing you the best my friend.
It's nearly two months since that post was written Virginia and I've had relatively few nightmares until two nights ago. I've now had two nights with nigh stallions. Hopefully that's them over and done with for the time being.
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