Last updated on September 2nd, 2024 at 09:05 pm

• What Are Nightmares?
• What Causes Nightmares?
• The Science Behind Nightmares
• REM Sleep and Dreaming
• Brain Activity During Nightmares
• The Role of Brain Chemicals
• Common Nightmare Themes
• Being Chased
• Falling
• Being Unprepared
• Losing Someone
• Natural Disasters
• Nightmares and Mental Health
• Nightmares and Anxiety
• Depression and Nightmares
• PTSD and Recurring Nightmares
• Nightmares as a Symptom
• Interpreting Nightmares
• Dream Analysis
• Freud’s Theory of Dreams
• Jung’s Approach to Nightmares
• Modern Views on Nightmare Interpretation
• Nightmares in Children
• Why Kids Have Nightmares
• How to Help Kids with Nightmares
• When to Worry About a Child’s Nightmares
• Coping with Nightmares
• Improve Your Sleep Habits
• Face Your Fears
• Talk to Someone
• Try Relaxation Techniques
• When to Seek Help for Nightmares
• The Potential Benefits of Nightmares
• Emotional Processing
• Problem Solving
• Creativity Boost
• Preparation for Challenges
• Self-Understanding
• The Impact of Trauma on Nightmares
• PTSD and Recurring Nightmares
• The Cycle of Trauma and Nightmares
• Healing from Trauma-Induced Nightmares
• Nightmares and Sleep Disorders
• Insomnia and Nightmares
• Sleep Apnea and Nightmares
• Narcolepsy and Vivid Dreams
• The Role of Medication in Nightmares
• Medications That Can Cause Nightmares
• Medications Used to Treat Nightmares
• Nightmares and Creativity
• Artists and Nightmares
• Using Nightmares in Art Therapy
• The Impact of Lifestyle on Nightmares
• Diet and Nightmares
• Exercise and Sleep Quality
• Screen Time and Sleep
• Nightmares and Relationships
• Sharing a Bed
• Communication About Nightmares
• Nightmares in Children and Family Dynamics
• Nightmares and Personal Growth
• Self-Reflection
• Facing Fears
• Emotional Processing
• Cultural Perspectives on Nightmares
• Native American Dream Catchers
• Chinese Ghost Month
• African “Nightmare Masks”
• Western Psychological Approach
• The Future of Nightmare Research
• New Technologies
• Targeted Therapies
• Virtual Reality
• Genetics of Nightmares
• Conclusion: Embracing Our Nightmares

Have you ever woken up in a cold sweat, heart racing, after a terrifying dream? Nightmares are scary, but they can teach us a lot about our minds. Let’s dive into the fascinating world of nightmares and uncover their hidden meanings.

What Are Nightmares?

Nightmares are scary dreams that make us feel afraid, worried, or upset. They usually happen when we’re sleeping deeply, in a stage called REM sleep. That’s when our brains are very active and we have the most vivid dreams.

Nightmares are different from night terrors. Night terrors happen in a different sleep stage and people often don’t remember them. With nightmares, we usually remember the scary details when we wake up.

“I believe in everything until it’s disproved. So I believe in fairies, the myths, dragons. It all exists, even if it’s in your mind. Who’s to say that dreams and nightmares aren’t as real as the here and now?” – John Lennon

This quote reminds us that nightmares can feel very real, even though they’re just in our minds. They tap into our deepest fears and worries.

What Causes Nightmares?

Lots of things can trigger nightmares:

• Stress: When we’re worried about something, it can show up in our dreams
• Trauma: Bad experiences can lead to scary dreams
• Not enough sleep: Being really tired can cause more nightmares
• Medicines: Some drugs have nightmares as a side effect
• Scary movies or stories: What we see and hear before bed can influence our dreams
• Anxiety: Feeling nervous a lot can lead to more nightmares

Our brains use dreams to process our daily lives. So if we’re going through a hard time, we might have more bad dreams. It’s like our mind is trying to work through our problems while we sleep.

Anxiety and stress can have a big impact on our mental health, including our dreams. When we’re anxious, those worried feelings can spill over into our sleep. This can create a cycle where bad dreams make us more anxious, which leads to more bad dreams.

The Science Behind Nightmares

To really understand nightmares, we need to look at what’s happening in our brains when we dream. Scientists have found some interesting things about how our minds create these scary stories.

REM Sleep and Dreaming

REM stands for Rapid Eye Movement. It’s a stage of sleep when our eyes move quickly under our eyelids. This is when we have our most vivid dreams.

During REM sleep, parts of our brain become very active – almost as active as when we’re awake! But our bodies are paralyzed so we don’t act out our dreams. This is when nightmares usually happen.

Brain Activity During Nightmares

When we have nightmares, certain parts of our brain light up:

• The amygdala – This is like our brain’s fear center. It’s very active during scary dreams.
• The hippocampus – This part helps with memory. It might be pulling scary memories into our dreams.
• The anterior cingulate cortex – This area helps process emotions. It’s working overtime during nightmares.

Scientists use brain scans to see this activity. It’s like watching a light show in our heads while we dream!

The Role of Brain Chemicals

Our brains use special chemicals called neurotransmitters to send messages. One important one for nightmares is serotonin. This chemical helps control our mood.

Too much or too little serotonin can lead to more nightmares. It’s like a delicate balance in our brains. When it’s off, our dreams can get scary.

Understanding how our brains work during nightmares can help us find better ways to deal with them. It’s amazing how much is going on in our heads while we sleep!

Common Nightmare Themes

While everyone’s nightmares are unique, there are some themes that show up a lot. These common scary dreams might tell us something about what we’re worried about in real life.

Being Chased

This is one of the most common nightmares. You might be running from a monster, a bad guy, or something you can’t even see. This dream often means you’re trying to avoid a problem in your life.

Falling

Ever had that awful feeling of falling in a dream? It’s super scary! This might mean you feel out of control in some part of your life.

Being Unprepared

Dreams about showing up to a test you didn’t study for or being naked in public are examples of this. These nightmares might mean you’re worried about not being good enough.

Losing Someone

Dreams about a loved one dying or disappearing can be really upsetting. They might show that you’re afraid of losing someone important to you.

Natural Disasters

Earthquakes, floods, or other big disasters in dreams can mean you feel overwhelmed by something in your life.

“Strange, I thought, how you can be living your dreams and your nightmares at the very same time.” – Ransom Riggs, Hollow City

This quote reminds us that our nightmares often reflect our real-life worries and fears. By looking at the themes in our bad dreams, we might learn something about what’s bothering us when we’re awake.

Recognizing patterns in our nightmares can be a first step to dealing with them. It’s like our brains are sending us messages through our dreams.

Nightmares and Mental Health

Our nightmares and our mental health are closely connected. Bad dreams can be a sign that something’s not right in our minds. But they can also make mental health problems worse.

Nightmares and Anxiety

People who worry a lot often have more nightmares. It’s like their anxious thoughts don’t stop when they go to sleep. Instead, those worries turn into scary dreams.

Having lots of nightmares can also make people more anxious. They might start to fear going to sleep. This can create a nasty cycle of anxiety and bad dreams.

Depression and Nightmares

Depression can also lead to more nightmares. People with depression might have dreams about feeling sad, hopeless, or worthless. These dreams can make their depression feel even worse when they wake up.

PTSD and Recurring Nightmares

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is strongly linked to nightmares. People with PTSD often have scary dreams about the traumatic event they went through. These nightmares can be very vivid and feel very real.

“Even if she be not harmed, her heart may fail her in so much and so many horrors; and hereafter she may suffer — both in waking, from her nerves, and in sleep, from her dreams.” – Bram Stoker, Dracula

This quote shows how nightmares from trauma can affect both our sleep and our waking lives. It’s a powerful reminder of how important it is to deal with our bad dreams.

PTSD can have a big impact on our overall mental health. Dealing with the nightmares is often an important part of treating PTSD.

Nightmares as a Symptom

Sometimes, having a lot of nightmares can be a sign of a mental health problem. If you’re having scary dreams all the time, it might be worth talking to a doctor or therapist. They can help figure out if your nightmares are connected to a bigger issue.

Interpreting Nightmares

Many people believe our dreams have hidden meanings. Let’s look at some ways people try to understand their nightmares.

Dream Analysis

Dream analysis is when we try to figure out what our dreams mean. Some people think nightmares are messages from our unconscious mind. They believe if we can understand these messages, we can learn important things about ourselves.

Freud’s Theory of Dreams

Sigmund Freud, a famous psychologist, had some interesting ideas about dreams. He thought dreams were a way for our unconscious mind to express hidden desires. In his view, nightmares might be showing us things we’re afraid to think about when we’re awake.

Jung’s Approach to Nightmares

Carl Jung, another well-known psychologist, saw nightmares differently. He thought bad dreams could be a way for our minds to balance themselves. Jung believed nightmares might show us parts of ourselves we don’t want to see.

Jung’s ideas about how our minds work can give us a new way to look at our nightmares. He thought our dreams could help us grow and understand ourselves better.

Modern Views on Nightmare Interpretation

Today, many therapists use dreams as a tool to help people. They might not think every part of a dream has a specific meaning. But they believe looking at our nightmares can help us understand our fears and worries better.

“I don’t paint dreams or nightmares, I paint my own reality.” – Frida Kahlo

This quote reminds us that our nightmares are very personal. They come from our own experiences and feelings. Understanding them can help us understand ourselves better.

Nightmares in Children

Kids have nightmares too, and they can be really scary for them. Understanding children’s nightmares can help parents and caregivers support them better.

Why Kids Have Nightmares

Children’s brains are still developing, and they’re learning about the world. This can lead to more nightmares. Some reasons kids might have bad dreams include:

• Big changes: Moving to a new house or starting a new school can cause stress and nightmares.
• Scary movies or stories: Kids’ imaginations are very active. Scary things they see or hear can show up in their dreams.
• Normal fears: As kids grow, they develop new fears. These can turn into nightmares.
• Trauma or stress: Just like adults, bad experiences can lead to nightmares in kids.

How to Help Kids with Nightmares

Parents and caregivers can do a lot to help kids deal with bad dreams:

1. Be comforting: When a child wakes up scared, stay calm and reassure them.
2. Talk about the dream: Letting kids describe their nightmare can help make it less scary.
3. Create a bedtime routine: A calm, regular bedtime can help reduce nightmares.
4. Check the child’s media: Make sure kids aren’t seeing scary things before bed.
5. Address daytime stress: Helping kids deal with worries during the day can lead to better sleep.

“Childhood should be carefree, playing in the sun; not living a nightmare in the darkness of the soul.” – Dave Pelzer, A Child Called “It”

This quote reminds us how important it is to protect children’s peace of mind, both day and night. Helping kids deal with nightmares can set them up for better mental health as they grow.

When to Worry About a Child’s Nightmares

Most of the time, nightmares in kids are normal. But sometimes they can be a sign of a bigger problem. Parents should consider talking to a doctor if:

• Nightmares happen very often (several times a week)
• Nightmares seriously disrupt the child’s sleep or daily life
• Nightmares are causing a lot of anxiety or fear of sleeping
• Nightmares started after a traumatic event

Remember, every child is different. What’s normal for one might not be for another. Trust your instincts as a parent or caregiver.

Coping with Nightmares

Nightmares can be really upsetting, but there are ways to deal with them. Here are some strategies that can help:

Improve Your Sleep Habits

Good sleep habits can reduce nightmares. Try these tips:

• Stick to a schedule: Go to bed and wake up at the same time every day.
• Create a calm bedroom: Keep your room dark, quiet, and cool.
• Avoid screens before bed: The light from phones and computers can mess with your sleep.
• Relax before bed: Try deep breathing or gentle stretches to calm your mind.

Face Your Fears

Sometimes, nightmares come from things we’re afraid of. Dealing with these fears in real life can help stop the bad dreams. This might mean:

• Talking to someone about what scares you
• Slowly facing your fears in safe ways
• Learning more about the things that frighten you

Talk to Someone

Sharing your nightmares with someone you trust can help. They might see things you didn’t notice. Plus, just talking about scary dreams can make them feel less powerful.

Getting support when dealing with nightmares is really important. Whether it’s a friend, family member, or therapist, having someone to talk to can make a big difference.

Try Relaxation Techniques

Learning to relax can help reduce nightmares. Some things to try:

• Deep breathing exercises
• Meditation
• Progressive muscle relaxation
• Guided imagery

These can help calm your mind before bed and might lead to more peaceful dreams.

“You learned to run from what you feel, and that’s why you have nightmares. To deny is to invite madness. To accept is to control.” – Megan Chance, The Spiritualist

This quote suggests that facing our feelings, even the scary ones, can help us deal with nightmares. It’s about finding a balance between acknowledging our fears and not letting them control us.

When to Seek Help for Nightmares

While nightmares are common, sometimes they can be a sign of a bigger problem. Here are some signs that it might be time to talk to a doctor or therapist about your nightmares:

1. Frequent nightmares: If you’re having nightmares several times a week, it might be more than normal.
2. Daytime distress: When your nightmares are affecting how you feel and act during the day, it’s time to get help.
3. Fear of sleep: If you’re avoiding going to bed because you’re scared of having nightmares, that’s a problem.
4. Nightmares after trauma: If your nightmares started after a scary or upsetting event, talking to someone can help.
5. Physical symptoms: When nightmares are causing headaches, fatigue, or other physical problems, it’s time to seek help.
6. Relationship problems: If your nightmares are affecting your relationships with others, professional help might be needed.
7. Safety concerns: In rare cases, people might act out their nightmares in ways that could be dangerous. If this is happening, get help right away.

Remember, seeking help for mental health issues is a sign of strength, not weakness. There’s no shame in asking for support when you need it.

The Potential Benefits of Nightmares

Believe it or not, nightmares aren’t all bad. They can actually help us in some ways:

Emotional Processing

Nightmares might be a way for our brains to deal with tough emotions. They give us a safe place to experience scary or upsetting feelings.

Problem Solving

Sometimes, nightmares show us problems in a new way. This can help us find solutions we didn’t see before.

Creativity Boost

Many artists and writers use their nightmares as inspiration. The vivid imagery in bad dreams can spark new ideas.

Joyfulness and creativity are linked, and understanding our nightmares can lead to both. It’s about finding the silver lining in even our scariest dreams.

Preparation for Challenges

Nightmares might be a way for our minds to practice dealing with scary situations. This could help us be more ready for real-life challenges.

Self-Understanding

Looking closely at our nightmares can teach us about ourselves. They might show us fears or desires we didn’t know we had.

“The stuff of nightmare is their plain bread. They butter it with pain. They set their clocks by deathwatch beetles, and thrive the centuries.” – Ray Bradbury, Something Wicked This Way Comes

The Impact of Trauma on Nightmares

Trauma can have a profound effect on our dreams, often leading to persistent and distressing nightmares. Let’s explore this connection more deeply:

PTSD and Recurring Nightmares

People who have been through traumatic events often struggle with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and recurring nightmares. These nightmares can be incredibly vivid and may replay the traumatic event or feature similar themes.

• Flashbacks in dreams: Many PTSD sufferers experience flashbacks of their trauma in their dreams.
• Heightened emotions: These nightmares often come with intense feelings of fear, helplessness, or anger.
• Physical reactions: People might wake up sweating, with a racing heart, or even screaming.

The Cycle of Trauma and Nightmares

Trauma and nightmares can create a vicious cycle:

1. A person experiences trauma
2. They start having nightmares about the trauma
3. The nightmares make them relive the trauma, causing more stress
4. This increased stress leads to more nightmares

Breaking this cycle is an important part of healing from trauma.

Healing from Trauma-Induced Nightmares

Recovery from trauma-related nightmares is possible. Here are some strategies that can help:

• Therapy: Talking to a professional can help process the trauma and reduce nightmares.
• Medication: Some medicines can help reduce the frequency or intensity of nightmares.
• Nightmare rescripting: This technique involves changing the ending of recurring nightmares while awake.
• Relaxation techniques: Practices like meditation can help calm the mind before sleep.

“I still get nightmares. In fact, I get them so often I should be used to them by now. I’m not. No one ever really gets used to nightmares.” – Mark Z. Danielewski, House of Leaves

This quote highlights how persistent and impactful trauma-induced nightmares can be. It’s a reminder that healing is a process, and it’s okay to still be affected by nightmares even as you work on recovery.

Understanding the long-term effects of trauma is crucial in addressing nightmares and other symptoms. It’s not just about the immediate impact, but also about how trauma can shape our minds and dreams over time.

Nightmares and Sleep Disorders

Nightmares often go hand in hand with various sleep disorders. Understanding this connection can help in addressing both issues effectively.

Insomnia and Nightmares

People with insomnia often struggle with nightmares. This can create a challenging situation:

• Fear of sleep: Nightmares can make people afraid to go to sleep, worsening their insomnia.
• Fragmented sleep: When sleep is broken up, it can lead to more vivid and disturbing dreams.
• Anxiety cycle: Worrying about having nightmares can increase anxiety, making both insomnia and nightmares worse.

Sleep Apnea and Nightmares

Sleep apnea, a condition where breathing stops and starts during sleep, can also increase nightmares:

• Oxygen deprivation: When the brain doesn’t get enough oxygen, it can lead to more disturbing dreams.
• Frequent awakenings: People with sleep apnea often wake up many times a night, increasing the chance of remembering nightmares.

Narcolepsy and Vivid Dreams

Narcolepsy, a condition that causes excessive daytime sleepiness, is also associated with intense dreams:

• REM sleep abnormalities: People with narcolepsy often enter REM sleep very quickly, leading to more vivid dreams and nightmares.
• Sleep paralysis: This symptom of narcolepsy can be accompanied by terrifying hallucinations.

Addressing these sleep disorders can often help reduce the frequency and intensity of nightmares. If you’re struggling with both nightmares and sleep problems, it’s important to talk to a doctor who can help address both issues.

The Role of Medication in Nightmares

Sometimes, medication can play a role in either causing or treating nightmares:

Medications That Can Cause Nightmares

Some medicines can increase the likelihood of having nightmares. These include:

• Certain antidepressants
• Some blood pressure medications
• Drugs used to quit smoking
• Some Parkinson’s disease medications

If you’re experiencing increased nightmares after starting a new medication, talk to your doctor. They might be able to adjust your dose or switch you to a different medicine.

Medications Used to Treat Nightmares

In some cases, doctors might prescribe medication to help with severe or frequent nightmares:

• Prazosin: This blood pressure medicine has been found to help with PTSD-related nightmares.
• Antidepressants: Some antidepressants can reduce nightmare frequency, especially in people with depression.
• Anti-anxiety medications: These might be used to reduce overall anxiety, which can help with nightmares.

Remember, medication should always be used under a doctor’s guidance. It’s usually not the first treatment option for nightmares, but it can be helpful in some cases.

Nightmares and Creativity

While nightmares can be distressing, they can also be a source of creativity for many people:

Artists and Nightmares

Many famous artists have drawn inspiration from their nightmares:

• Salvador Dali’s surrealist paintings often featured dreamlike and nightmarish imagery.
• Mary Shelley’s idea for “Frankenstein” came from a nightmare.
• Horror author Stephen King has said many of his story ideas come from his dreams and nightmares.

Using Nightmares in Art Therapy

Art therapy can be a powerful way to process and understand nightmares:

• Drawing or painting nightmare scenes can help make them less scary.
• Creating art about nightmares can help people express feelings they might not be able to put into words.
• Changing nightmare imagery through art can be a form of rescripting, helping to reduce the nightmare’s power.

Boosting creativity through understanding our dreams and nightmares can lead to personal growth and artistic expression. It’s about turning something scary into something meaningful or beautiful.

The Impact of Lifestyle on Nightmares

Our daily habits and lifestyle choices can have a big impact on our dreams and nightmares:

Diet and Nightmares

What we eat can affect our dreams:

• Spicy foods: Eating spicy food close to bedtime might increase the likelihood of nightmares.
• Late-night snacks: Eating right before bed can increase metabolism and brain activity, potentially leading to more vivid dreams.
• Alcohol: While alcohol might help you fall asleep, it can lead to more disturbed sleep and nightmares later in the night.

Exercise and Sleep Quality

Regular exercise can improve sleep quality and potentially reduce nightmares:

• Reduced stress: Exercise helps lower stress levels, which can lead to better sleep.
• Better sleep quality: People who exercise regularly often have deeper, more restful sleep.
• Timing matters: Exercising too close to bedtime might make it harder to fall asleep, so try to finish workouts at least a few hours before bed.

Screen Time and Sleep

Our use of electronic devices can affect our sleep and dreams:

• Blue light: The light from screens can interfere with our body’s production of melatonin, a hormone that helps us sleep.
• Stimulating content: Watching exciting or scary shows before bed can influence our dreams.

Reducing screen time before bed and using blue light filters on devices can help improve sleep quality and potentially reduce nightmares.

Nightmares and Relationships

Nightmares don’t just affect the person having them – they can impact relationships too:

Sharing a Bed

When partners share a bed, one person’s nightmares can disturb the other’s sleep:

• Physical disturbances: Tossing, turning, or crying out during a nightmare can wake up a partner.
• Emotional impact: Witnessing a loved one’s distress can be upsetting and lead to feelings of helplessness.

Communication About Nightmares

Talking about nightmares with a partner can be helpful:

• It can strengthen emotional intimacy and understanding.
• Partners can provide comfort and support.
• Discussing nightmares might help in processing and understanding them.

Nightmares in Children and Family Dynamics

When children have nightmares, it affects the whole family:

• Parents might lose sleep comforting children after bad dreams.
• Siblings might be disturbed or become anxious about having nightmares themselves.
• Family routines might need to change to help a child struggling with frequent nightmares.

Understanding how family dynamics can impact mental health, including sleep and nightmares, is important for creating a supportive home environment.

Nightmares and Personal Growth

While nightmares can be distressing, they can also be opportunities for personal growth and self-understanding:

Self-Reflection

Analyzing our nightmares can lead to insights about our fears, desires, and unresolved issues:

• What themes keep showing up in our nightmares?
• How do these themes relate to our waking life?
• What might our nightmares be trying to tell us?

Facing Fears

Nightmares often bring our fears to the surface. This can be an opportunity to face these fears in a safe way:

• Identifying the root of the fear in the nightmare
• Exploring ways to address this fear in waking life
• Using techniques like nightmare rescripting to change our response to the fear

Emotional Processing

Nightmares might be a way for our brains to process difficult emotions:

• Grief
• Anger
• Anxiety

By paying attention to these emotions in our nightmares, we might be able to address them more effectively in our waking lives.

Rebuilding our sense of self after emotional challenges can involve understanding and working with our nightmares. They can be a tool for healing and growth.

Cultural Perspectives on Nightmares

Different cultures have various beliefs and practices related to nightmares:

Native American Dream Catchers

Some Native American tribes use dream catchers, believing they filter out bad dreams and only let good dreams pass through.

Chinese Ghost Month

In Chinese culture, the seventh month of the lunar calendar is considered “Ghost Month,” when the boundary between the world of the living and the dead is thinnest. Some people report more nightmares during this time.

African “Nightmare Masks”

Some African cultures have created masks designed to ward off nightmares and evil spirits.

Western Psychological Approach

In Western cultures, the focus is often on psychological interpretations of nightmares, looking for meaning related to the dreamer’s life and experiences.

Understanding these different perspectives can broaden our approach to dealing with nightmares and might offer new strategies for coping.

The Future of Nightmare Research

As our understanding of the brain and sleep continues to grow, so does our knowledge about nightmares:

New Technologies

Advanced brain imaging techniques are allowing researchers to see more clearly what’s happening in the brain during nightmares.

Targeted Therapies

Research is ongoing into more specific treatments for nightmares, including new medications and therapy techniques.

Virtual Reality

Some researchers are exploring the use of virtual reality to help people confront and process their nightmares in a controlled environment.

Genetics of Nightmares

Scientists are investigating whether some people might be genetically predisposed to having more nightmares.

As this research progresses, we may develop even better ways to understand and manage nightmares.

Conclusion: Embracing Our Nightmares

Nightmares, while often frightening, are a normal part of the human experience. They can be unsettling, but they can also offer valuable insights into our minds and emotions.

By understanding the psychology behind nightmares, we can:

1. Reduce their frequency and intensity
2. Use them as tools for self-understanding and growth
3. Improve our overall sleep quality and mental health

Remember, if nightmares are significantly impacting your life, it’s okay to seek help. There are many strategies and treatments available that can make a big difference.

“Which is the true nightmare, the horrific dream that you have in your sleep or the dissatisfied reality that awaits you when you awake?” – Justin Alcala

This quote reminds us that sometimes our waking fears can be scarier than our nightmares. By facing our nightmares – both sleeping and waking – we can work towards a more peaceful mind and a more satisfying life.

Understanding and overcoming our inner challenges, including nightmares, is a journey. It’s not always easy, but it’s a path that can lead to greater self-awareness, resilience, and personal growth.

So the next time you wake up from a nightmare, remember: it might be scary, but it might also be your mind trying to tell you something important. Listen to it, learn from it, and use it as a stepping stone towards better understanding yourself and your world.