18 Main Reasons Why Your Dreams Feel So Real

Have you just woken up from a particularly vivid dream? The line between sleeping and waking can often become blurred, especially if you sleep very deeply. The images and scenarios you experience when you are asleep can stay with you long after you wake up.

Dreams are often full of weird and wonderful images and scenarios that could never happen in the waking world. However, these images are sometimes so powerful and lingering that they can be confused with memories from our waking lives. So, let’s take a closer look at 18 main reasons why your dreams feel so real.

Vivid Dreams

When you wake up in the middle of dreaming, the images often stay with you for a few moments. However, you quickly realize that you were asleep and dreaming. Even though you can remember some of the things that you experienced, the images don’t feel real.

However, there are times when the dreaming world and the waking world can become confused. Some people mix up the images they experience while dreaming with their actual memories. In some cases, this can lead to confusion in the waking world and can lead to serious issues.

Alternatively…

When your dreams feel so real, they can also be messages from your subconscious mind or spirit guides. When the images feel particularly vivid, it may be because they contain important messages. It could be worth spending time interpreting the images to discover an important message or warning. 

18 Main Reasons Why Your Dreams Feel So Real

There are both scientific and spiritual meanings of vivid dreams. In some cases, there may be an important spiritual message that you need to interpret. In other cases, your body could be sending you a message that you need to pay attention to. 

1. You woke up while in REM sleep 

REM stands for rapid eye movement and is the stage of sleep when you are dreaming. This is the fifth stage of sleep, and it typically begins seventy to ninety minutes after falling asleep. People who get enough sleep experience several REM cycles each night.

2. The REM cycle

Your REM cycles become increasingly longer throughout the night. During this stage, your eyes move back and forward beneath your eyelids in response to the images you experience. Your heart rate and breathing also increase during this stage of sleep. 

If you wake up during the REM stage, you are likely to have been experiencing vivid dream images. These images often linger for a few minutes as your brain makes the transition to the waking world. This can make your dreams feel very real, and they may linger for several minutes. 

3. You are sleep deprived

It is important to try and maintain a regular sleep schedule to keep your mind and body functioning properly. The amount of sleep needed to do this varies slightly from person to person and is between six and nine hours. If you haven’t done so already, you need to know how much sleep you need and work on getting it.

Failing to get enough sleep can make your REM cycles longer and much more intense. This is because your eye moments and brain activity is heightened when you finally fall asleep. This can make it much easier to remember the images, and you may even have trouble shaking them. 

4. You have low blood sugar

Hyperglycemia or low blood sugar can make your dreams extremely vivid. While you are asleep, your brain may realize that your body is low on sugar. This triggers a high level of activity to produce an adrenaline rush to compensate for the low sugar levels.

If you are in the REM stage of sleep when this happens, the images you experience become more intense. They may often seem quite weird and will stick with you long after you wake up. If this happens regularly, it is a good idea to check if you are at risk of hyperglycemia. Ignoring this warning sign can be dangerous, and it is a good idea to consult your doctor. 

5. You are pregnant

Pregnancy-related hormones can have a powerful effect on your sleep cycles. They usually make your dreams feel much more intense and memorable. This is perfectly normal and nothing to be concerned about.

This is also because women tend to sleep more when they are pregnant. This is particularly common during the third trimester of pregnancy. Women often wake up during their REM cycles when they are pregnant due to discomfort and pressure on their bladder.

6. You are menstruating 

Many women also often find that their dreams are more intense on the first and second days of their period. Their body temperature tends to rise, and they may have to use the bathroom in the middle of the night. If nature calls during REM sleep, the images can linger during the trip to the bathroom. 

7. A side effect of medication

Some prescription medications come with side effects that can trigger vivid and strange dreams. These medications include beta-blockers, drugs for Parkinson’s disease, Malaria medicine, and antidepressants. Although this is a fairly normal side effect, you should consult your doctor if it becomes too disturbing. 

8. Substance or alcohol use

Next up on my rundown of the Main Reasons Why Your Dreams Feel So Real is drug use. Certain drugs like marijuana, cocaine, and ketamine can lead to strong images during REM sleep. In many cases, these images can be disturbing and can follow people into the waking world. This experience is particularly common during the withdrawal and recovery process.

Although many people feel euphoric when they drink alcohol, it is actually a depressant. Binge drinking can prevent people from entering the REM stage and sleeping deeply. When heavy drinkers decide to withdraw from alcohol, they often experience weird images during REM sleep. 

9. Your stress levels are high

Being chronically stressed is a serious issue that many people overlook or choose to ignore. When you are chronically stressed, you often spend several hours worrying over certain issues while awake. This stress and anxiety are often carried over to your subconscious while you’re asleep.

When you are asleep, your conscious mind often tries to find solutions for the things that make you stressed. When this happens during the REM stage, it can result in strong images and scenarios. It is worth paying attention to these, because they may contain the answers you seek. 

10. You are suffering from mental illness

Mental instability can disrupt your sleep cycle and have a negative impact. Bipolar disease, depression, stress, and even anxiety can cause oversleeping or sleep deprivation. These conditions can trigger strong and disturbing images while you are asleep.

If you are severely depressed, you are likely to sleep much longer than necessary. However, you may still wake up feeling exhausted. This is because your brain has been working overtime while you were asleep and running particularly long REM cycles. 

11. You feel vulnerable

Vivid dreams can often be an indication of the way you feel in the waking world. The emotions you feel can often spill over to your dreaming state. This can be particularly true if you have been trying to bury your emotions while you are awake.

If you experience scenarios where you are at risk or falling when you are asleep, this indicates you feel vulnerable. If the fall was fatal, you are likely to wake up with your heart pounding. This can trigger feelings of panic and anxiety, which are difficult to escape from.

12. If this happens regularly:

It should be treated like a call to action. It’s time to examine the cause of your anxiety rather than trying to hide from it. If you are suffering from chronic anxiety, it could be caused by childhood trauma, and you should seek professional help.

13. You feel overwhelmed

The images and themes you experience while you are asleep can come with important messages. Dreaming about a person or an animal chasing you can indicate that you feel overwhelmed in your waking life. This is a common theme that most people experience from time to time.

If you experience this regularly, it’s time to examine your waking life. You may be taking on too many responsibilities at work or in your personal life. You also may feel that things are not working out how you hoped or expected.

During REM sleep…

Being chased while in the REM stage of sleep directly symbolizes the hopelessness you feel while awake. It can indicate that you are trying to run away from your problems and are worried about them catching up. It is a good idea to talk with a close friend or family member and try to lighten your burden. 

14. You feel extremely anxious

You may be worried about something bad happening while you are awake. The pain, discomfort, and hopelessness you feel while awake can follow you while you’re dreaming. This is particularly common if you dream about a loved one or yourself being seriously ill.

Dreaming about sickness isn’t necessarily a warning or a message about illness. Instead, this is usually connected to the anxiety you feel while awake. You may be concerned about your own health or the health of someone you love. 

15. You need to take more time for self-care 

Dreaming about your own ill health can also indicate that you need to take better care of yourself. Your subconscious may be warning you that you have overlooked an area of your health. Although you may not be consciously aware of it, this issue has been on your mind recently.

Dreaming about a health-related issue can be a warning or a call to action. It is time to check in with your body and spirit and pay attention. This could be the perfect time to schedule a medical checkup or visit your spiritual healer. 

16. You are not being true to yourself

One sign that your life is out of alignment is dreaming about your teeth falling out. This is a fairly common dream that many people experience at some point in their lives. The classic interpretation of this is that you lack authenticity in your waking life.

You could have created a mask for yourself to hide behind because you are shy or feel unworthy. Although this mask has helped you to thrive, it is creating a feeling of dissatisfaction. This could be a message that you need to take more time to connect with your inner self and embrace it. 

17. You read before falling asleep

Reading just before you go to sleep can be a great way of relaxing your mind. However, it is a good idea to choose your reading material carefully. If you fall asleep reading something disturbing, the images and themes can follow you into the REM cycle. 

18. You are a highly creative person

Studies have shown that the dreams of writers, artists, and other creative people tend to be more vivid. In many cases, the themes that you see when you’re asleep may be pleasant and uplifting. If you are a painter or writer, they may contain themes that you can capture in your work. 

Ways to Prevent Unpleasant Vivid Dreams

In most cases, strong images during the REM cycle are nothing to worry about. However, these images can be very intense and even disturbing at times.

The Different Meanings of Dreams

Dreaming of different images or scenarios can mean hundreds of different things. For more insights, check out the meaning of a Dream Of Running, a Dream Of Dead Person Talking To You, a Dream About Bears, a Dream About Tornado events, a Dream About Airplane issues, and a Dream About Demon encounters in 2023.

Also, check out what it means when you’re Dreaming About A Dog Attack, Dreaming Of Earthquake events, Dreaming Of Old Friends, Dreaming Of Someone Dying Who Is Still Alive. And find out what Dreams About Witches, Dreams About Ants, and Dreams About Murder mean as well as the Swimming Pool Dream Meaning and Dreams About Turtles Meaning.

Come On, Get Happy!

Let’s take a look at some ways to reduce the intensity of these dreams so that you are happier and healthier. 

Work on your sleep hygiene

It is important to make sure you get enough sleep each night. In addition to the number of hours you sleep, you need to make sure you are getting quality sleep. The best way to do this is by improving your sleep hygiene and aligning with your inner circadian rhythm.

We are all creatures of habit, and it is best to stick to a sleep routine as much as possible. An hour or two before you go to sleep, you need to gradually reduce the amount of light. Use this time to relax both your body and mind, and make sure your bedroom is dark and cool. 

Cut out stimulants

Drinking alcohol, smoking cigarettes, and drinking coffee can make it difficult to get to sleep and sleep deeply. Some people are more sensitive to stimulants than others and can be triggered more easily. Try to avoid stimulants of all kinds for at least two hours before you go to bed. 

Change your diet

The saying that eating cheese before bedtime gives you nightmares is usually thought to be a myth. However, there is actually a certain amount of truth to it. Eating a heavy meal containing rich food before bed can cause you to spend more time in REM sleep. 

If you find that your dreams are often intense, it is a good idea to pay close attention to your diet. Avoid eating at least four hours before going to bed. Try cutting out rich and fattening foods in the evening and see if the quality of your sleep improves. 

Exercise

Regular exercise releases endorphins and helps to lift your mood. Exercising regularly is important for physical health and also makes it easier to fall asleep. This is essential for mental health and helps both the body and mind relax and unwind. 

Gentle exercise, like a short walk an hour before bed, can help you fall asleep more quickly and sleep more deeply. 

Meditate

If you have a busy schedule, your brain could be working overtime trying to process everything. While this can be useful, failing to allow your brain to power down for a while can lead to stress. Your brain may continue working busily even when you are asleep, causing vivid and even disturbing dreams.

Meditation is a great way to calm your mind before you go to sleep. Even a ten-minute meditation session can calm your mind and improve the quality of your sleep. When you combine meditation with a short yoga session, the results can be even more beneficial. 

Consult a doctor

If you find that the situation is getting worse, it is a good idea to speak with your doctor. Before the consultation, keep a log of your sleep patterns for a few days. This will give your doctor insights into what could be going on.

There are several medical conditions that can cause vivid and unpleasant dreams. If caught early, these conditions are fairly easy to treat. You could have a sleep disorder like insomnia or narcolepsy that can be treated with medication or therapy.

Main Reasons Why Your Dreams Feel So Real – Final Thoughts

If your dreams feel very real, you might wake up feeling confused and disorientated. If the themes were unpleasant in some way, you could feel distressed and anxious after you wake up. It is important to pay attention when this happens and find a way of resolving the issue.

In some cases, this could be a message from your spirit guide. There could be a warning that you should pay close attention to. In other cases, very vivid dreams could be a sign that you need to take better care of your health.

Sweet dreams!

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