Expert reveals what your brain is trying to tell you when experiencing most common dreams
An expert has revealed what your brain is trying to tell you when you're dreaming.
A new study commissioned by Netflix asked 2,000 Brits about the weird and wonderful things they dream about, and has shared the 13 most common answers.
And if we're being honest, many of us will have experienced the same dreams - or nightmares - again and again.
Without oversharing, one that regularly crops up for me is running away and hiding from someone who's chasing me.
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I'd like to think it's more of a Mission Impossible vibe, which I guess would mean that I'm the villain?
Thankfully, it's not my job to figure out why this happens, as Delphi Ellis, a qualified sleep counsellor, has explained what each of these dreams might mean for you and your brain.
Dreaming about falling
As reported by the Daily Mail, 53 percent of Brits who were surveyed said falling is their most common dream.
"It happens if we're not sure where we're going or where we'll end up," the author of Answers In The Dark: Grief, Sleep and How Dreams Can Help You Heal explained.
'It's especially common after redundancy, retirement and other major life changes. The adventure awaits, but can be scary as we venture into the unknown.
"It's not to be confused with the jolt you might experience just as you're drifting off though, as this can (ironically) be caused by over tiredness or point to signs of stress, so a bedtime routine that promotes relaxation is important."
Not being able to run
42 percent said they experienced not being able to run, which might indicate that you are feeling 'stuck' in a certain situation, whether that's at work or in a relationship.
According to Ellis, it's when it feels like 'progress is too slow' or that 'whatever it is will catch up' with you.
I've had this dream a fair few times.
Getting cheated on
One of the more unpleasant nightmares for a lot of people (22 percent) is getting cheated on by their partner.
"Dreaming about infidelity often signals a fear that it could occur, rather than serving as a warning that it already has, particularly for those who have experienced betrayal in the past," the mindfulness practitioner pointed out.
Someone dying
Another awful one is witnessing someone you love pass away, something 21 percent of the people surveyed experienced.
The good news is that this one isn't as deep rooted as you might think.
"This is common for parents who dream about their child – it really reflects the shift in relationship as they grow up and become more independent," Ellis said.
"That said, dreams can also reflect our waking fears, so if a person is frightened someone will change – this might be why they dream of that person dying."
Your teeth falling out
Again, 21 percent of those surveyed have had their teeth fall out, hopefully only in their dreams.
It's apparently linked to concerns around wealth or status.
"In the West we generally exchange our teeth for money when we are little," Ellis said.
"In some cultures, dreaming of teeth as they literally are (as bone) may symbolise anxiety about losing someone significant."
Kissing a celebrity
Another common one is getting it on with a celeb, as the expert explained: "If we can relate to a particular celebrity's struggle, or if we see someone in the spotlight as a role model, or if we admire them – we may dream about them as if they are closer to us than they really are."
An exam you haven't revised for
Now, even years after finishing university, this one still terrifies me.
19 percent of those surveyed say they still dream about this to this day, which does make me feel a lot better.
"Exams usually happen at school, so they can also point to an echo of the stress – or period of learning – we were going through back then, harking back to past anxieties," she said.
Flying
This one is quite deep, and isn't always to do with being a DC fan.
"The meaning of this dream can depend on how the dreamer felt. If the dream is positive and they’re loving it – flying high may signify someone enjoying a period of success," Ellis noted.
"If the sensation in the dream is negative, you may be at a time in your life where you feel you should be more sensible and keep their feet firmly on the ground."
Family and friends being mean
Feeling isolated when dreaming about your loved ones being mean to you apparently relates to having feelings of isolation in real life.
"If people are being mean, the dream may be a prompt to reconsider who we include in our circle," she suggested
Being late
A lesser number of Brits, around 15 percent, dream about being late for meetings, which again can reflect genuine fears surrounding punctuality.
"In today’s world, it’s natural to fear being late, so this may be a literal dream reflecting what we worry could happen," Ellis said.
Finding money
While finding a boatload of cash is probably one of the best feelings you can have in a dream, Ellis says it could mean that you have 'money worries'.
"If a person has money worries, it makes sense for them to have this dream; wealth is subjective though, so the money may also be a symbol for something else the dreamer feels might improve their life," she continued.
Being unable to find the toilet
You're probably sensing a bit of theme here, but, according to Ellis, not being able to find the loo in your dreams could indicate a real life fear.
"This dream can signify you are in a time of your life where you lack privacy and searching for more private time, for example, being a new parent," she said.
"Though it can also reflect the need to get rid of something bad in your life, to flush it away – but not knowing where or how."
Naked in public
A less common dream is being naked in public, as Ellis says it generally applies to people who are in the public eye.
"This is actually a common dream among TV presenters," she explained.
"But to the general public, it may reflect the awareness of being 'on show' or in the spotlight for some reason, whether you are the subject of gossip."
Topics: Sleep, Health, Mental Health
Anish Vij