Are you having particularly vivid, anxious dreams at the moment? Perhaps you are being chased by a monster, are suddenly naked in front of a crowd of people or are having to sit an exam you haven’t prepared for.
If so, it’s probably because of the hot weather. For in the summer, our bodies can overheat and so we are more likely to wake up during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, which leads to intense dream recall, often of anxious dreams.
But these dreams are also trying to tell us something, and not just that we need a better fan: there is a problem in our waking life that we need to work through.
Our dreams are alerting us to this issue and showing us a way forward, if only we knew how to listen. Because, yes, dreams can be a form of therapy.
Every night, our dreams – those fleeting invisible feelings, ideas, stories, symbols and sensations we can sometimes recall on waking – take us on a fantastic voyage of self-discovery. They are our secret superpower, striving to heal and empower us.
Every night, our dreams – those fleeting invisible feelings, ideas, stories, symbols and sensations we can sometimes recall on waking – take us on a fantastic voyage of self-discovery
I should know. I have been researching dreams for more than 20 years, but it was only about seven years ago, when the foundations of my life were rocked, that I realised how much they can help.
My partner of 25 years suffered an irreversible brain injury and severe memory loss and I was catapulted into the demanding role of carer. I felt frightened, vulnerable and alone, grieving the gradual loss of my partner’s identity.
I tried all the advised self-help. I visited my GP. I meditated. I practised positive rituals and went for long, brisk walks. I reached out for help, for advice from loved ones, therapists and support groups and forums. I journaled. I prayed. I cried as often as I needed to. I attended vibration-raising webinars and reread seminal spiritual books and quotes.
I tried everything.
Some things helped for a while. Nothing stuck. After months of struggling, I fell into bed one very cold winter’s evening, feeling broken and empty.
When I woke the next morning, a carnival of intensely clear dream memories greeted me. I reached for a notebook to write them down, and, as I did, more and more sensations, stories, symbols, thoughts and feelings flooded in.
Such intense dreaming helped me understand and work things through in my waking life.
Dreams are recreations of things our unconscious mind or intuition has noticed during the day because they are important for our personal growth. But our waking mind has either not noticed them or dismissed them.
They reveal how we really feel about things and, by correctly interpreting them, we can understand and tackle problems in life.
By understanding the meanings of my dreams and putting those lessons into practice, I transformed ingrained feelings of helplessness into feelings of empowerment.
My dreams helped me not just survive but thrive at a time of crisis. Now, whenever I need help, I turn to my dreams.
To help you do the same, particularly during these hot weeks, I have created a list of the most common dreams, explaining what they mean and how to use them to make changes in your life.
Help, I’m being chased!
In the great majority of cases, the monsters that chase you in dreams aren’t literal (I would assume you are not being stalked by a scary beast in your real life), though this dream can symbolise the fear of being attacked.
However, it is more likely to be a representation of issues you haven’t dealt with. Think about what they might be.
If you are doing the chasing in the dream, this suggests you may be pinning your hopes on and investing your energy in someone or something that is proving elusive. The message of this dream is to stop chasing and attract what you want instead.
Dreams are recreations of things our unconscious mind or intuition has noticed during the day because they are important for our personal growth
Out of your depth
Water is a potent symbol of emotion and the unconscious world. Is there an area of your life where you feel overwhelmed or out of your depth in some way?
This could be a work stress or a relationship issue that is dragging you down emotionally.
Or, could it relate to the more abstract or common associations with drowning? Are you losing yourself in something or someone? Is there a weight of expectation on you? In what area of your daily life are you struggling to breathe or keep your head up?
If the feeling is of panic, your dreaming mind is urging you to find ways to deal with what is overwhelming you, or to ask for help and support.
If, however, you find that you can breathe underwater, this is a sign that you are finding ways to adapt and make a challenging situation work for you.
Your dream lover
Dream affairs are exceedingly common. In most cases they have nothing to do with cheating or the desire to cheat in real life.
It doesn’t mean that you want to cheat on your partner, but it does suggest you are cheating yourself out of something.
If you’re cheating with a stranger, your dreaming mind is urging you to discover untapped creativity within you or to better understand your shadow side (the part of you that is unknown or feels unacceptable to you).
What, o-levels again?
In this dream you may find yourself in an examination room or classroom, sitting at a desk with a paper in front of you. You have absolutely no idea why you are there or what the exam is about, or, if you do know what the exam is about, you can’t answer any of the questions.
Consider what personal test you are undergoing at the moment and in what area of your life you feel you are being judged.
Your dreaming mind may also be trying to reassure you. It has taken you to the scenario of being unprepared for something but the fact is you woke up and nothing disastrous happened. It’s telling you that however much you feel you have messed up or feel like an imposter, you have the resources to pull through.
Reassuringly, the people who have such dreams are often those most likely to be prepared for an exam or upcoming challenge.
This kind of dream is one many successful people have.
That falling feeling
When you dream of falling, it can sometimes be related to the natural process of falling asleep.
As you drift off to sleep, your heart-rate slows and blood pressure drops. These physical changes can not only induce a sensation of falling, but also trigger tiny bodily movements which may startle you awake.
Assuming it isn’t related to the process of falling asleep and you don’t jerk yourself awake, it might be a literal warning of something you may not have noticed or forgotten about in your waking life. For instance, are the steps outside your front door safe or in need of repair? No harm in making sure.
In the vast majority of cases, falling dreams refer to some kind of symbolic fall that you feel is happening in your waking life. Go with the first association you have with that word ‘fall’.
What immediately comes to mind in the context of your current waking life? Are you concerned about an upcoming result or status report at school or work? Do you feel that you can’t keep up or that you have let yourself down in some way? Or do you feel you don’t have the support of others?
Theresa Cheung has been researching dreams for more than 20 years
I believe I can fly!
These dreams are often accompanied by a sense of exuberance and liberation. They reflect our ability to happily rise above and express ourselves freely.
However, if you feel anxious when you are flying, this is your dreaming mind gently but firmly telling you that whatever you are worried about, the solution is to rise above and see the bigger picture. In other words, try a different perspective and don’t take things so personally.
Keep your hair on
Dream hair loss is typically a symbol of personal stress. The most likely interpretation will be concerns about your ability to cope with someone or something that is happening. Also consider the universal symbolism of hair, dating back to ancient times when hair was believed to be a sign of virility and fertility.
Losing hair, therefore, suggests feeling disempowered in some way or personal concerns with self-image.
I’m late, I’m late…
If you are someone who often arrives late, dreaming of being late could be urging you to improve your time-management.
However, in most cases, dreams about arriving late for an interview, appointment, flight, train or date, despite your best efforts to arrive on time, signify FOMO (fear of missing out).
Ask yourself what you fear you are missing out on and who you feel is moving ahead.
Profit from loss
There are countless aspects of loss – from losing possessions or friends and loved ones to losing personal freedom and aspects of your own personality. Dreams which feature the theme of loss can reflect concerns about actual things you have lost or people you have lost contact with in your waking life.
But you might also want to consider loss in terms of ‘loss of direction or purpose’ or even ‘loss of confidence’.
Many will experience dreams about loss when going through times of stress.
Loss dreams are also common during bereavement, as the dreaming mind works to help you process grief.
Remember, they are not meant to cause you anxiety. Your dreaming mind has conjured up these images to alert you to something significant and to help you cathartically release stress.
The naked truth
If you are unexpectedly naked in your dreams, you may be feeling vulnerable or exposed.
Notice the reaction of others in your dream to your nudity. Chances are they won’t notice or be bothered in the way you are.
This is telling you to be less self-conscious as people are not judging or as interested in you as you think they are.
Can’t stop the car
If in the dream your car is out of control or you can’t get it to stop, think about how in control you feel in your life. Pay special attention to whether you are driving the out-of-control vehicle.
If you aren’t driving, who is? You need to find out why someone else has taken control and what you need to do to get back in the driver’s seat of your own life.
Baby on board?
Are you starting a new project or considering a fresh perspective, or does someone or something in your life – and that could be an idea – need nurturing, loving unconditionally and protecting like a baby? What new life within yourself are you giving birth to?
This dream theme could also suggest that your own inner child, the part of you that is spontaneous, trusting and passionate, urgently needs more attention.
Holy molars!
In this dream, your teeth crumble or fall out one by one and you may feel helpless and embarrassed. Or you may dream of your teeth rotting or gums swelling with infection.
Most likely it’s an assault on your self-image, a sign of weakness or vulnerability. Have you ‘lost face’ in some way in your waking life?
In the animal world, teeth are powerful ways to communicate or to assert themselves.
So, might you have failed to have expressed your true feelings in your waking life? Have you not been assertive or decisive enough recently? In what area of your life have you been toothless?
Watch what you eat
Contrary to what you may have been told, eating cheese before bedtime won’t give you nightmares. But eating anything, cheese or not, before you go to sleep will influence your dreams.
After a large meal, your sleep will be lighter and you may wake up during the night having had anxious dreams. If you want to dream well, don’t eat dinner within two hours of bedtime.
Alcohol is another sleep-disruptor, and whenever sleep is poor, dream quality is compromised.
You won’t reach the deep unconscious state that nourishes your dreaming mind because your conscious mind is too dominant.
Vivid dreams often occur during seasonal transitions and when your body clock is unsettled by clocks going backwards or forwards or by overseas travel.
The day of the week is also influential: we are more likely to recall our dreams on a Friday or over the weekend as we tend to have a more leisurely morning on those days, and linger in bed.
Sleeping positions also affect your dream life. Studies suggest the best position for dream recollection is on your side – and sleeping on your back leads to an increased risk of nightmares.
Contrary to what many sleep experts say, stomach-sleeping isn’t bad – indeed, some studies have shown stomach-sleepers have more sensual dreams.
©Theresa Cheung 2024
Adapted from The Dream Cure by Theresa Cheung (HarperCollins, £16.99) published on August 29. To order a copy for £15.29 (offer valid to 28/08/24; UK P&P free on orders over £25) go to www.mailshop.co.uk/books or call 020 3176 2937.
Beware that nest of vipers…
Typically, snakes ignite an intense reaction in the dreamer. Your personal associations are vital here, because if you aren’t afraid of snakes, the more positive meaning of this symbol could apply.
Snakes are potent symbols of transformation (they shed old skins) as well as stealth, mystery and endurance – they have thick skins.
According to psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud, there may also be a sexual nuance, given that snakes are a phallic symbol. Philosopher Carl Jung thought snakes represent the mysterious part of the self. Bear in mind other associations: is there ‘a viper in your midst’?
Snakes are potent symbols of transformation (they shed old skins) as well as stealth, mystery and endurance – they have thick skins
Fear of spiders… or has a woman spun her web?
As with snakes, if you dream of spiders, you must ask yourself, is there a fear factor when you dream of them? Do you wake up feeling terrified, as Ron Weasley did in Harry Potter, or trapped like Frodo in Shelob’s web in Lord Of The Rings?
If you like spiders, seeing them in dreams is empowering.
Culturally, spiders often represent dark mystery as well as ingenuity. Given their incredible ability to weave perfectly constructed webs, they’re also respected as creators.
As well as representing innovation, they also symbolise divine feminine energy. You must ask yourself: is there a woman in your life spinning you in her web?
As well as representing innovation, spiders also symbolise divine feminine energy