Try an Unexpected Technique a Sleep Doctor Swears By

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Sometimes, these recurring dreams are so awful that youd prefer to haveno dreamsat all.

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What does it mean if I keep having the same dream over and over?

Its also worth reiterating that dreams are a part of thenaturalprocess of working through lifes events.

Dreams reflect your subconscious mind speaking to you, not literally or linearly, but metaphorically, says Loewenberg.

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dream analyst and author ofDream on It: Unlock Your Dreams, Change Your Life

Can recurring nightmares be a sign of trauma or stress?

The short answer: Yes.

Are there common themes in recurring dreams for most people?

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Dreams are always about the right now, says Loewenberg.

The best way to do that?

(For example, maybe the dream keeps occurring in the same place where a traumatic event occurred.)

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dream analyst and author ofDream on It: Unlock Your Dreams, Change Your Life

How can I interpret the meaning of symbols in my recurring dreams?

The way you describe it might align with something real in your life, says Loewenberg.

Its important to note that theres nothing inherently dangerous or abnormal about having a recurring dream, says Gailing.

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(Thats to say, its not out to get you.)

Interacting more with an upsetting or scary recurring dream can also, paradoxically, minimize its scariness factor.

After that point, its power is likely to become much less potentand may ultimately diminish altogether.

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From there, you’ve got the option to reclaim your nights.

Up first on that agenda?

Learninghow to have good dreamsinstead.

Li, Shirley Xin et al.

Prevalence and correlates of frequent nightmares: a community-based 2-phase study.Sleepvol.

33,6 (2010): 774-80. doi:10.1093/sleep/33.6.774

Suchecki, Deborah et al.

REM Sleep Rebound as an Adaptive Response to Stressful Situations.Frontiers in neurologyvol.

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