Let's be honest: nightmares suck. No one likes waking up during any part of your sleep cycle sweating, panting or worrying. But unfortunately - they happen. Some people claim they don't dream or experience nightmares - but a 2009 study found 85 percent of adults reported having at least one in the past year.
There is still so much we don't know about dreaming because a lot of it is subjective and will depend on each individual. But there are a few things we do know.
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Psychology Today reports that nightmares will occur during the rapid eye movement phase and are more common in girls than boys.
Nightmares are thought to be brought on by real-world scenarios which provoke stress, trauma or anxiety. Other things that might influence your dreams are illnesses, a death in the family and drug withdrawal.
There's also theories that eating just before going to bed can increase the likelihood of a nightmare.
Eating will raise your metabolism and brain activity - meaning you might have a more disruptive sleep. Spicy and junk foods are believed to be the worst food for influencing nightmares.
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According to a German study, the most common nightmares involve falling, being chased, paralysed, late or dying. Playing video games can be beneficial to help avoid nightmares, but follow up research concludes that that only works for men, whereas it can have the opposite intended effect for women.
So, because real-world experiences have a tendency to influence a particularly bad dream, you need to address those triggers. Working out the things that cause anxiety or stress will lead to a better night's sleep.
But that can be easier said than done.
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One of the best strategies of dealing with nightmares is a process called imagery rehearsal. This strategy is employed for people dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder.
Harvard psychologist, Deirdre Barrett, believes that if you've had a bad dream, the best step forward is to write the nightmare down, but change the ending to something positive.
It's then important to remember that ending while you're awake, then remind yourself about it before bed. Psychology author Bob Coalson believes that while this has remarkable effects on people with PTSD, it can also work for others.
So, while there isn't a silver bullet that will stop nightmares altogether, there are ways to reduce the likelihood of it happening.
Featured Image Credit: PA