We all have bad dreams but what causes nightmares in the first place?

A nightmare is an unpleasant or unwanted dream in which the dreamer feels they are in some danger. The most alarming aspect of a nightmare is the lack of control associated with it. Did you know that around 5% of adults have nightmares regularly?

All dreaming occurs during the REM sleep - rapid eye movement. Nightmares, as opposed to most other dreams, can produce very real physical effects. The dream's pulse rate can increase and he/she can display physical characteristics that are only apparent during stress.

Even though there are many theories about it we really do not know for certain what causes nightmares.

A popular view of dreaming suggests that what causes nightmares is the need to release stresses from the day. Sigmund Freud held the view that repressed or suppressed fear was what causes nightmares and they could be stopped through psychotherapy.

Experiencing some form of trauma is sometimes what causes nightmares.

Another common factor in what causes nightmares is illness. This is often worsened by the introduction of medicine into the body which is what causes nightmares to be more vivid and frequent.

It is unknown exactly what causes nightmares to be so vivid. It is possible that we merely remember our bad dreams more easily because they frighten us.

People who are very sensitive to the views and opinions of others have nightmares much more frequently than those who are not. These people are more likely to become upset and emotionally disturbed if someone criticizes them and this could be what causes nightmares to be more frequent for them.

Constantly harbouring negative thoughts and feelings is often what causes nightmares to become frequent. In order to process the negativity the mind creates dreams that enact fears and apprehensions associated with the conscious negative thoughts.

There are several ways to deal with bad dreams and remove what causes nightmares for you. One way is to avoid anything stressful, upsetting or negative at least two hours prior to sleep. This includes the news or violent/scary movies as reading or watching such things create negative images in your mind and this is often what causes nightmares.

A great way of eliminating nightmares is by controlling your dreams. Lucid Dreaming allows you to investigate your dream world, control it and find out what what causes nightmares for you.

Read or watch something inspiring. You can also visualize a tranquil scene or imagine yourself doing something you enjoy. Whatever you're thinking just prior to sleep can have a huge impact on your dreams. Thinking negative thoughts while you fall asleep is often what causes nightmares!

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