Nightmares
Face your fears!
Learn how to conquer your inner demons in this month’s dream article.
Anxiety. Fear. Paralysis. Chase. Beating heart. Cold sweat. This is what nightmares are made of. Dreams that leave you feeling distressed, frightened, guilty and/or insecure are experienced by 5 to 10 percent of people at least once a month or more.
Types of nightmare include night terrors, sleep paralysis and recurring nightmares, which are related to intense stress and emotional conflict caused by certain circumstances and events in the waking life of the dreamer. These may include the death of a loved one, a severe accident or illness, post traumatic stress, depression, insecurity, financial difficulties and repressed feelings of anger, self-doubt, worry, and/or guilt. Drugs, alcohol and medication have also been recognised as a common cause for nightmares.
Yet, it is important to note that nightmares and/or recurring nightmares offer the same opportunity for self-exploration and understanding as normal dreams, no matter how terrifying they may seem.
Nightmares and/or reoccurring dreams are normal dreams that have increased in vividness and intensity as a way to attract your attention. There may be something deeply wrong or unresolved in your life. Your hidden fears may be preventing you from moving forward and you may have missed specific messages and vital clues that you need to know – a wake up call!
Face your fears! The dreaming world provides a safe place to enact and work through fears and challenges.
This month’s dream focus aims to help you conquer your nightmares and, in turn, conquer your life.
Below are a list of exercises to help kick those inner demons.