One of the questions that have been asked for years is “what do vivid dreams mean”. When we are sleeping, we are going through a phase called REM sleep. People have 4 phases of sleep, and one of them is REM sleep. REM sleep is short for rapid eye movement. During this period, our eyes move rapidly.
Standard Dreams
It is scientifically proven that human beings dream 4-6 times throughout the night. But we forget almost all of the dreams we see. Vivid dreams and dreams we can mostly remember are experienced during the period called REM sleep. The subject of the dream can vary. We can see what we think of most, or what we think right before sleep. What does having vivid dreams mean? Also, in terms of famous Austrian neurologist Sigmund Freud, dreams represent our repressed desires. He claims that in dreams, the thoughts and desires that we try to hide or suppress are revealed (1).
Vivid Dreams
While we sleep and rest; the brain does not. It is still active, continues working and creating images. Our dreams can be soothing, irritating, or unimaginable. Most of the time, we barely remember what we see after we wake up, but sometimes we cannot get rid of the effect of the dream we have just experienced because they are so impressive and intense. And these are called vivid dreams. Speaking of remembering the dream, those who want to remember their dreams more clearly may use a dream journal, in which you keep the record of dreams. By doing that, you will start to remember your dreams more and more in time. What does a vivid dream mean? Let’s find out!
Causes of Vivid Dreams
While it is unknown why human beings dream, It is thought by experts that dreams have something to do with memory (2). Also, it is highly possible for someone to remember their last dream right before they wake up. But this does not work like this regarding vivid dreams. You can remember even your first dream if it is a vivid and intense one, in your sleep cycle. Vivid dreams can be down-to-earth, positive, or on the contrary, annoying and negative. Throughout our lives, 25% of our sleep is spent in REM sleep. What does it mean to have vivid dreams? As to the reasons why we have vivid dreams, there are several reasons for it. Overthinking, stress, and anxiety may cause negative vivid dreams. If you think of something nonstop, it might disturb you while you sleep also. And the things you reject to think of but annoy you deep down inside can come into play in your dreams. Sleep disorders such as insomnia and narcolepsy may also be a reason. You might want to consult an expert if you are having difficulty.
References:
1: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychoanalytic_dream_interpretation
2: https://www.healthline.com/health/why-do-we-dream