Dreams, the elusive little things that come from counting a few sheep. The ones that thrill us leave us longing to hit the snooze button and the ones that frighten us leave us not wanting to go back to sleep. But, why do we dream? Here are a few theories on what creates our dreams and nightmares.
Stimuli Overload
Your brain is hardwired to deal with only a few stimuli at a time. Just think of all you encounter each and every day from your crying infant to the simple background hum of the evening news. The excess stimuli that aren’t of immediate importance still operate long after you drift off to dreamland, thus, creating your dreams.
Un-assessed Issues
A dream can be your subconscious’s way of dealing with an un-assessed issue or problem. Many therapists will ask their patients to document dreams in hopes of finding the root of their depression or altered mental state.
Freud’s Theory
Sigmund Freud believed that a dream was a mere tattletale of your deepest, most secret desires. This is a very popular theory among other groups as well but Freud’s was the most respected and acknowledged.
While scientists have yet to come to a consensus as to exactly why we dream, these theories are all very popular and they can give you some insight into just what those dreams are really made of. Grab a notebook and keep it by your bed at night. Upon awakening, write down your dreams and spend some time thinking about how they relate to your current life. You may see some patterns and begin to understand why it is that you dream.
You can find more information on the meaning behind dreams at BrainTraining101.com. If you find yourself unable to get to sleep so you can enjoy those dreams, check out the free online brain training games. They’re the perfect pre-sleep workout your mind is looking for.