Dreaming filled with anxiety and fear is a problem that many people face. Quite often, nightmares are accompanied by nocturnal awakenings and contribute to emotional depression during the day.
To get rid of nightmares, you need to learn about the factors that contribute to their appearance.
The main causes of nightmares
Stressful situations
Nightmares can appear due to severe stress or mental trauma. As a rule, in such dreams, a person has images of real events that have left a big imprint on his memory. Such dreams indicate a lost mental balance and the need to emotionally accept the situation.
Internal fears
The presence of fears is another reason contributing to the appearance of nightmares. During sleep, a person is faced with rich images that remind him of what he is most afraid of. In order to solve the problem of nightmares, it is necessary to look for methods of getting rid of fear. In advanced cases, it may be necessary to contact a psychotherapist or an experienced psychologist.
Improper diet before bed
Eating before bedtime can cause unpleasant and painful dreams. High-calorie food in large quantities causes an increased metabolism and provokes an acceleration of brain activity. In this case, in order to avoid a nightmare, you should refuse a hearty dinner before bedtime.
Alcohol abuse
Alcohol is another reason for nightmares. From the point of view of psychophysiology, a negative effect of alcoholic beverages on sleep phases has been noted. As a result of this process, the body does not receive rest, and dreams become heavy and colored in negative emotions.
Taking medicines
Certain medications can cause side effects that manifest as nightmares. If a connection is found between taking medications and the occurrence of unpleasant dreams, you should contact your doctor in order to adjust the treatment and possibly cancel inappropriate drugs.
Unfavorable sleeping conditions
The presence of external stimuli in the bedroom affects the quality of sleep. Factors such as an uncomfortable bed, hot or cold room temperature, loud noises can provoke unpleasant dreams in a person. In this case, it is important to create a relaxing atmosphere in the bedroom that promotes healthy and fulfilling relaxation.
Presence of diseases
Feeling bad is also closely related to having nightmares. The images and emotions in a dream can be influenced by both chronic and acute illnesses: colds, flu. It is important to be attentive to your health, diagnose and treat existing diseases in time.