What are Dreams? Causes, Types, Phases and Meanings

When you woke up from a dream, did you ever think about what it meant? When we dream, we see little movies in our minds. They might be weird, funny, or even scary. 

But did you know that our dreams can tell us a lot about ourselves? Knowing what your dreams mean can help you figure out how you feel, solve problems, and even make choices.

People often wonder what their dreams represent. They may wonder if their dreams are meaningful or merely random ideas.

When you don’t understand your Dream, it can be frustrating. An unusual dream might make individuals frightened or puzzled, thinking it means something is wrong. Dreams can reveal your feelings and thoughts, not just random notions.

Learning about your dreams can reveal your thinking. We will talk about the different kinds of dreams and what they might mean in this piece. If you understand these dreams, you can sleep better, feel more in charge of your feelings, and even be more creative. Let’s jump right in with me!

What are Dreams?

Dreams are the stories and images that our minds create while we are sleeping. Dreaming might be good for you in some ways, like helping your brain understand what you learned during the day.  

Dreams happen to everyone. They are a state of awareness that includes sensory, cognitive, and emotional events that happen while you sleep.

Though visual imagery is most typical, dreams can encompass all senses. Some people dream in color, some in black and white, while blind people have more sound, taste, and smell dreams. 

Studies show a variety in dream content, however some common dream traits are:

• First-person perspective.
• Not voluntary.
• Illogical or nonsensical content.
• Other characters engage with the dreamer and each other.
• It stirs emotions.
• Content includes moments from waking life.
• Most normal dreams have some of these elements.

Scientific Definition of Dreams

Based on science, dreams are a normal part of the way we sleep. They happen when our brains work on memories, emotions, and events. Even when we sleep, our brains are still working, putting together pieces of our lives. We have dreams when we do this, and those dreams can be good, bad, or even scary.

Causes of Dream

Brain Activity: Even when you sleep, your brain is still working. It works with memories, emotions, and events, which can cause dreams.

Stress from Everyday Life: Problems or fears that you have during the day can show up in your dreams.

Emotions: Having strong emotions, like joy or fear, can make you dream about things that are connected to those emotions.

Sleep Cycle: Your brain is most active during REM sleep, when you dream.

Memories: At night, your brain sorts and saves memories. Sometimes, in dreams, these memories come together.

Sleep disorders: Issues like sleep apnea or sleeplessness can lead to strange or scary dreams or nightmares.

Sleeping imagination: Your mind can make up stories from what you’ve seen, heard, or thought about.

Health: Problems with your physical or mental health can also change the kinds of dreams you have.

Outside Stimuli: Things or sounds in your surroundings, like a loud noise or a change in the temperature, can have an effect on your dreams.

When Do We Dream?

The average person dreams for two hours per night. Every stage of sleep has dreams, but REM dreams are the most frequent and powerful.

REM dreaming is different from non-REM dreaming because brain activity increases significantly. 

Even though they may contain everyday reality, REM dreams are more vivid, fantastical, and/or weird. 

Non-REM dreams are more coherent and incorporate time- and place-based ideas and memories.

Phases of Sleep

There are some phases of sleep in a sleep cycle:

Stage 1

Brain waves slow down, and eye movement stops. Sometimes, brain waves go quickly, which are called sleep spindles. This stage makes up 45 to 55 percent of all sleep.

Stage 2

Delta waves, which are very slow brain waves, start to show up, along with smaller, faster waves. This makes up 4 to 6 percent of all sleep.

Stage 3

Delta waves are almost always made by the brain. During stages 3 and 4, which are together known as “deep sleep,” it is hard to wake someone up. There is no movement of the eyes or muscles. When someone is awakened from a deep sleep, they don’t always feel right away. They often feel lost for a few minutes after waking up. This makes up 12 to 15% of all sleep.

Stage 4

REM stands for “rapid eye movement.” The person’s breathing gets faster, less regular, and shallower, their eyes move quickly in different directions, and their muscles temporarily stop working.

Men get erections in their penises, and their heart rates and blood pressure go up. A lot of the time, when people wake up during REM sleep, they tell strange, silly stories. These are just dreams. Twenty to twenty-five percent of the total sleep time is spent in this stage.

Common Types of Dreams

Dreams are a natural part of our sleep cycle, and there are different types of dreams that people experience. Here are some common types:

1. Daydreams

Daydreams are dreams that happen when you’re awake. You might imagine yourself in different places, thinking about something exciting or wishing for something to happen. 

They differ from nighttime dreams because you’re conscious and aware of your thoughts. Daydreaming can help spark creativity and give you ideas to solve problems. 

Sometimes, daydreams help you think through challenges or explore new possibilities.

2. Nightmares

Nightmares are scary or disturbing dreams that often happen when you feel stressed, anxious, or scared. They can also happen after traumatic events or certain medications. Nightmares can be upsetting and leave you feeling uneasy when you wake up. 

To cope with recurring nightmares, it helps to practice relaxation techniques before bed, like deep breathing or meditation. Speaking with someone about your dreams or seeking professional help can also reduce their frequency.

3. Lucid Dreams

Lucid dreams are special because you know you’re dreaming while you’re in the dream. This gives you the power to control what happens in the dream, like flying or changing the environment. 

To achieve lucid dreaming, people often do reality checks during the day, like looking at their hands or checking clocks. Keeping a dream journal can help you remember your dreams and recognize patterns. 

Lucid dreaming can be fun and also useful for overcoming fears, as you can face scary situations in a safe environment.

4. Recurring Dreams

Recurring dreams are dreams that happen repeatedly, often with the same setting or theme. They might happen because your mind is trying to tell you something. 

It could be related to unresolved emotions, fears, or a specific situation in your life. Understanding the meaning behind these dreams might help stop them. 

Writing about the dreams, facing the emotions they bring up, or speaking to a therapist can sometimes help reduce recurring dreams.

5. Prophetic Dreams

Prophetic dreams are those that seem to predict the future. People have believed for centuries that dreams can provide glimpses into what’s to come. 

However, it’s often hard to tell if a dream is truly prophetic or just a coincidence. Some people think they are intuitive, while others believe these dreams are just our brains trying to make sense of patterns. 

While prophetic dreams can be intriguing, it’s important to understand that not all dreams have meaning beyond what our minds create.

6. Spiritual Dreams

Some people who have experienced “spiritual dreams,” or dreams they think are from God, are mindful of how irritating they may be at times. Such dreams often have frightening and odd symbolism that leave us asking, “Lord, what are you meaning to tell me through this?!”

7. Fantasy/Adventure Dreams

Fantasy or adventure dreams are fun and exciting, often filled with magical places or epic adventures. These dreams allow us to escape from everyday life and experience things that aren’t possible in the real world. 

They can reflect your desires or unfulfilled aspirations, like the wish for freedom, excitement, or achieving a big goal. Fantasy dreams are often a form of escapism, offering an emotional break from stress or routine.

Each type of dream serves a different purpose, whether it’s to explore emotions, solve problems, or provide fun escapes. Understanding these dreams can help us learn more about our thoughts and feelings.

The Meaning of Dreams

Dreams have always fascinated people. They are a natural part of our sleep and can be strange, fun, or even scary. 

Many believe that dreams carry hidden meanings or messages, and over the years, different theories have tried to explain what they might mean.

Dream Interpretation

Dream interpretation is the process of understanding what dreams might symbolize or represent. 

Some people believe that dreams reveal our thoughts, emotions, and worries that we may not think about when we’re awake. 

Others think that dreams can give us clues about our future or offer wisdom that we need in our waking lives.

The Role of Symbolism in Dreams

Many dreams contain symbols—images or things that represent something else. For example, flying in a dream might represent freedom, while being chased could symbolize fear or stress. Common symbols in dreams include:

Water: Often represents emotions or the unconscious mind.

Teeth falling out: May suggest worries about appearance or aging.

Being naked: Could symbolize vulnerability or fear of being exposed.

The meanings of symbols can vary, depending on the person and their life experiences. What one person feels about a symbol may be different from someone else’s interpretation.

Freud vs. Jung: Two Perspectives on Dream Meanings

Two famous psychologists, Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung, had different ideas about dreams and their meanings.

Freud believed that dreams were a way for our unconscious mind to express hidden desires or feelings, especially about things like sex and aggression. According to him, dreams let us safely explore these thoughts without acting on them in real life.

Jung, on the other hand, thought that dreams are a way for us to connect with our deeper selves and learn about our personal growth. He believed that dreams also contain universal symbols—called archetypes—that are shared by all humans. These symbols can help guide us through life’s challenges.

Both Freud and Jung helped us understand that dreams are more than just random images—they might be ways for our minds to process feelings, experiences, and thoughts.

Role of Religions and Cultures on Dreams

Dreams have been an important part of many religions and cultures throughout history. Different societies, belief systems, and religions have their own ways of interpreting dreams, often seeing them as messages from the divine or as a way to connect with the spiritual world. 

How we understand and interpret dreams can be influenced by our culture, traditions, and beliefs.

Dreams in Religion

In many religions, dreams are considered more than just random thoughts or images. They are seen as ways for God, spirits, or ancestors to communicate with the living. For example:

In Christianity

Dreams are sometimes viewed as messages from God. In the Bible, there are many stories where people receive guidance or prophecies through dreams, such as the story of Joseph, who interpreted Pharaoh’s dreams and saved Egypt from famine.

In Islam

 Dreams are considered important, especially if they are vivid or occur during sleep. Muslims believe that good dreams come from Allah, while bad dreams may come from the devil. Dream interpretation is a respected tradition, and some Islamic scholars believe dreams can reveal hidden truths or guide decisions.

In Hinduism

Dreams are seen as a way to connect with the divine and understand one’s inner self. Hindu texts like the Upanishads mention the importance of dreams in spiritual awakening and self-realization. Some believe that dreams reflect the state of the soul and can offer spiritual insights.

In Native American Cultures

Dreams are seen as a way to connect with ancestors, animals, and nature spirits. Dream catchers, a symbol in Native American traditions, are believed to help filter out bad dreams and allow only good ones to pass through.

Cultural Views on Dreams

Different cultures have unique ways of understanding dreams, which can shape how people interpret and respond to their dreams. Here are a few examples:

Ancient Egyptians believed that dreams were messages from gods and the dead. They had dream interpreters who would help people understand their dreams. They also used dreams to predict the future and guide decisions.

In Ancient Greece, dreams were seen as messages from the gods, and people would visit temples to receive interpretations. Greek philosophers like Aristotle believed that dreams could reveal truths about a person’s health, character, or future.

In African Cultures

Dreams are often seen as a way to communicate with the spirit world or deceased ancestors. Many African communities view dreams as a guide for personal growth, healing, and decision-making. Dream interpretation is a skill passed down through generations.

In China

Dreams are closely tied to the concept of yin and yang (balance) and the flow of energy (chi). Dreaming of certain things could signal an imbalance in one’s life or health. Chinese medicine also suggests that dreams can reveal the state of a person’s organs or physical health.

Can Sleep disorders Affect Dreaming?

Yes, sleep disorders can affect dreaming. Since dreams mostly happen during REM sleep, conditions that disrupt sleep can lead to fewer or less vivid dreams. Here’s how some common sleep disorders affect dreams:

• Insomnia: Causes shorter REM sleep, leading to fewer dreams or less vivid ones.
• Sleep Apnea: Interrupts REM sleep, reducing dream frequency and intensity.
• Narcolepsy: Causes rapid entry into REM sleep, leading to vivid or strange dreams, sometimes blending with reality.
• Nightmares/Night Terrors: Lead to more intense, often frightening dreams, especially during deep sleep.
• REM Sleep Behavior Disorder: Causes intense and sometimes violent dreams, as the person physically acts them out.
• Sleep Deprivation: Reduces REM sleep initially, but after a lack of sleep, dreams can become more vivid during REM rebound.

How Can You Remember Dreams?

For people who want to document or interpret dreams, remembering them is a key first step. The ability to recall dreams can be different for every person and may vary based on age. While there’s no guaranteed way to improve dream recall, experts recommend certain tips:

As soon as you wake up, think about your dreams. You should remember your dreams as soon as you wake up because you can forget them in an instant.

Close your eyes and try to remember your dreams before you get out of bed or even say good morning to your partner.

Keep a journal or an app handy to write down the things that happen in your dreams. Before you forget what you dreamed, you should have a quick way to write it down, even if you wake up in the middle of the night.

A pen and paper on your nightstand works well for most people, but there are also apps for your phone that can help you keep your dream journal organized and easy to find.

Try to get up in the morning without any trouble. A sudden wake-up, like from an alarm clock, can knock you out of a dream quickly, making it harder to remember what happened.

Our Free Dream interpretation calculator can help you!

Is it normal not to dream?

It’s normal not to Remember dreams, as everyone dreams but some people don’t recall them. Factors like stress, sleep deprivation, or medications can affect dream recall. If you’re not dreaming or remembering dreams, it’s usually not a concern unless it’s linked to sleep problems.

Sources: