Combating Stress Dreams

[JustGeorge]

I've been quite stressed lately. There have been a number of things going awry lately. These things do happen from time to time, but, on top of that, I'm going on vacation in a few days.

Vacation has, to me, the same connotations as someone mentioning mandatory overtime. Except I don't get paid with a handsome paycheck at the end. Actually, I lose all my paycheck, and probably end up owing someone something... Vacation is 4 times the work with a quarter of the resources.

Anyways, it all has left me rather frazzled. When I have had enough, I go to bed. Well, I lay in my bed as my husband repetitively tells me stuff he sees on YouTube and the 8 year old bounces all over me(he will not go to bed until everyone, including his father, is laying down). But eventually, after the chaos dies down, I go to sleep and feel better in the morning.

Not lately. I keep having intense dreams... they're not nightmares, but just have a stressful feeling to them as well. So much so that I'll sometimes get up early just to avoid having to put up with them! But, that makes me even more tired... and even more stressed...

How can one help change the content of one's dreams so they are not disturbing on a consistent basis?

 

[dybmh]

How can one help change the content of one's dreams so they are not disturbing on a consistent basis?

I've heard or read somewhere that writing down dreams helps to clear them from repeating. Maybe it will help with your situation.

 

[ChristineM]

I've been quite stressed lately. There have been a number of things going awry lately. These things do happen from time to time, but, on top of that, I'm going on vacation in a few days.

Vacation has, to me, the same connotations as someone mentioning mandatory overtime. Except I don't get paid with a handsome paycheck at the end. Actually, I lose all my paycheck, and probably end up owing someone something... Vacation is 4 times the work with a quarter of the resources.

Anyways, it all has left me rather frazzled. When I have had enough, I go to bed. Well, I lay in my bed as my husband repetitively tells me stuff he sees on YouTube and the 8 year old bounces all over me(he will not go to bed until everyone, including his father, is laying down). But eventually, after the chaos dies down, I go to sleep and feel better in the morning.

Not lately. I keep having intense dreams... they're not nightmares, but just have a stressful feeling to them as well. So much so that I'll sometimes get up early just to avoid having to put up with them! But, that makes me even more tired... and even more stressed...

How can one help change the content of one's dreams so they are not disturbing on a consistent basis?

It never worked for me but in the distant and frightening past i was told to eat a banana, orange or nuts in the evening, good sources of B6 which is supposed to promote good dreams.

Exercise during the day and the difficult part, spend some relaxing (me) time before going to bed thinking pleasant thoughts.

I don't usually dream or more likely I don't remember my dreams. Though i do have the occasional recurring nightmare. In the past it was every night so i needed what you are looking for. Unfortunately only time sorted out my problem. Hopefully yours will heal up much quicker

 

[Twilight Hue]

I've been quite stressed lately. There have been a number of things going awry lately. These things do happen from time to time, but, on top of that, I'm going on vacation in a few days.

Vacation has, to me, the same connotations as someone mentioning mandatory overtime. Except I don't get paid with a handsome paycheck at the end. Actually, I lose all my paycheck, and probably end up owing someone something... Vacation is 4 times the work with a quarter of the resources.

Anyways, it all has left me rather frazzled. When I have had enough, I go to bed. Well, I lay in my bed as my husband repetitively tells me stuff he sees on YouTube and the 8 year old bounces all over me(he will not go to bed until everyone, including his father, is laying down). But eventually, after the chaos dies down, I go to sleep and feel better in the morning.

Not lately. I keep having intense dreams... they're not nightmares, but just have a stressful feeling to them as well. So much so that I'll sometimes get up early just to avoid having to put up with them! But, that makes me even more tired... and even more stressed...

How can one help change the content of one's dreams so they are not disturbing on a consistent basis?

I'd face the dreams. Develop an avatar in your mind and have conservations from time to time.

It's why I have talks with the universe.

 

[JustGeorge]

I've heard or read somewhere that writing down dreams helps to clear them from repeating. Maybe it will help with your situation.

Funnily enough, I right down some dreams, but I haven't done so with the 'stress dreams', because I hate recalling them! Maybe I'll have to give it a go.

It never worked for me but in the distant and frightening past i was told to eat a banana, orange or nuts in the evening, good sources of B6 which is supposed to promote good dreams.

Exercise during the day and the difficult part, spend some relaxing (me) time before going to bed thinking pleasant thoughts.

I don't usually dream or more likely I don't remember my dreams. Though i do have the occasional recurring nightmare. In the past it was every night so i needed what you are looking for. Unfortunately only time sorted out my problem. Hopefully yours will heal up much quicker

That's interesting. I'd never heard of the connection between B6 and dreams.

'Me' time before bed is impossible; actually, bedtime is often the most stressful time of day. The 8 year old goes bonkers, and my husband usually has a beer or three, and sometimes becomes quite childlike himself. He isn't usually quarrelsome, its just very overstimulating to deal with all these very noisy situations all at once..

Maybe that's why I'm having stress dreams...

I'd face the dreams. Develop an avatar in your mind and have conservations from time to time.

It's why I have talks with the universe.

You mean make up a 'face' for the dreams and talk to it?

 

[Wildswanderer]

I agree with exercise before bed, it's not a cure all but can help.
I have also used what some might call meditation, in my case focusing on a specific verse that I find comforting, and imagining myself in a sea, ( which represents God) sinking and breathing in the love around me.
I still very occasionally have stressful dreams.

 

[JustGeorge]

I agree with exercise before bed, it's not a cure all but can help.
I have also used what some might call meditation, in my case focusing on a specific verse that I find comforting, and imagining myself in a sea, ( which represents God) sinking and breathing in the love around me.
I still very occasionally have stressful dreams.

That sounds like a comforting meditation.

Glad your stress dreams are down to only occasional.

 

[Brickjectivity]

How can one help change the content of one's dreams so they are not disturbing on a consistent basis?

I think omega 3 supplements help, but these take weeks to start taking effect. Anything that keeps cortisol low might help.

Also its possible your sleep is getting disturbed. Leave a voice recorder on and next day skim the sound file at high speed. Are your breathing patterns changing in response to a nightly event that happens at the same time?

 

[JustGeorge]

I think omega 3 supplements help, but these take weeks to start taking effect. Anything that keeps cortisol low might help.

Also its possible your sleep is getting disturbed. Leave a voice recorder on and next day skim the sound file at high speed. Are your breathing patterns changing in response to a nightly event that happens at the same time?

My sleep totally gets disturbed. The cats wake me up a lot.

 

[Shadow Wolf]

I've been quite stressed lately. There have been a number of things going awry lately. These things do happen from time to time, but, on top of that, I'm going on vacation in a few days.

Vacation has, to me, the same connotations as someone mentioning mandatory overtime. Except I don't get paid with a handsome paycheck at the end. Actually, I lose all my paycheck, and probably end up owing someone something... Vacation is 4 times the work with a quarter of the resources.

Anyways, it all has left me rather frazzled. When I have had enough, I go to bed. Well, I lay in my bed as my husband repetitively tells me stuff he sees on YouTube and the 8 year old bounces all over me(he will not go to bed until everyone, including his father, is laying down). But eventually, after the chaos dies down, I go to sleep and feel better in the morning.

Not lately. I keep having intense dreams... they're not nightmares, but just have a stressful feeling to them as well. So much so that I'll sometimes get up early just to avoid having to put up with them! But, that makes me even more tired... and even more stressed...

How can one help change the content of one's dreams so they are not disturbing on a consistent basis?

Sounds like you need to adjust things in your life more so than your dreams. Of course that's easier said than done, but I don't see the dreams improving unless your situation does.
It's not what you need more of, it's what you need less of (the stress).

 

[JustGeorge]

Sounds like you need to adjust things in your life more so than your dreams. Of course that's easier said than done, but I don't see the dreams improving unless your situation does.
It's not what you need more of, it's what you need less of (the stress).

Maybe I can go to bed in the morning when everything's simmered down.

 

[Quagmire]

Funnily enough, I right down some dreams, but I haven't done so with the 'stress dreams', because I hate recalling them! Maybe I'll have to give it a go.



That's interesting. I'd never heard of the connection between B6 and dreams.

'Me' time before bed is impossible; actually, bedtime is often the most stressful time of day. The 8 year old goes bonkers, and my husband usually has a beer or three, and sometimes becomes quite childlike himself. He isn't usually quarrelsome, its just very overstimulating to deal with all these very noisy situations all at once..

Maybe that's why I'm having stress dreams...


You mean make up a 'face' for the dreams and talk to it?

Can't you like, go sit in the yard or take the dogs for a walk? Sometimes just a little me time goes a long way.

Edit: summer nights just after the sun goes down tend to be pretty peaceful times in residential neighborhoods in my experience.

Edit edit: but take the dogs. I don't want you to get mugged and have to feel like it was my fault.

 

[JustGeorge]

Can't you like, go sit in the yard or take the dogs for a walk? Sometimes just a little me time goes a long way.

Edit: summer nights just after the sun goes down tend to be pretty peaceful times in residential neighborhoods in my experience.

Edit edit: but take the dogs. I don't want you to get mugged and have to feel like it was my fault.

At night, I'm on Ares duty. He starts going a bit nuts around 11pm... everything's funny and the practical jokes start up. I seem to be the only one able to handle the lad at these times... I could take the dog/s for a walk, but he'd come, too.

Ultimately, I feel blessed that when he does go out, he sleeps hard(a lot of parents with autistic kids aren't so lucky), and he sleeps until I get the excavator out the next day to remove his butt from bed. My 'me' time comes after waking due to that. I get an hour or so to myself. Sometimes the youngest wakes up, but he seldom gives me any trouble in the morning.

We're a bit shy of midnight here... Hubby's doing a drum solo on the drumset in what used to be our living room, Ares was running around stealing bags to take all his brother's toys away in and laughing hysterically, and the littlest found the remains of chocolate right after I gave him a bath. So, its a relatively quiet evening.

 

[JustGeorge]

I just realized....

After yapping about it a bit today, and reflecting a bit on the parts of the dreams I can recall...

The central theme in them tends to be some turd or the other who won't leave me alone. They're not aggressive or scary dreams... just stressful.

I wonder if figuring out why they're occurring will be as good as writing them down...

 

[stephenpiper]

My dear friend,

It sounds like you're experiencing a perfect storm of stress: work, family, and the looming shadow of vacation. It’s understandable that your dreams, as a reflection of your waking mind, might be mirroring this turmoil.

Dreams can often be our subconscious mind's way of processing stress, anxieties, or unresolved issues. While we can't directly control the content of our dreams, we can influence the overall atmosphere of our sleep.

Here are a few suggestions:

Mindfulness and Relaxation: Incorporate relaxation techniques into your daily routine. Meditation, deep breathing, or even a warm bath can help calm your mind before sleep.
Dream Journaling: Keeping a dream journal can provide insights into recurring themes or patterns. Understanding your dreams can sometimes offer a path to resolution.
Create a Peaceful Sleep Environment: Ensure your bedroom is a tranquil space. A comfortable mattress, blackout curtains, and minimal electronic disturbances can contribute to better sleep quality.
Limit Screen Time: The blue light emitted by screens can interfere with sleep patterns. Try to avoid electronic devices for at least an hour before bed.
Seek Support: Don't hesitate to share your feelings with a trusted friend, family member, or counsellor. Talking about your stress can provide relief and offer new perspectives.
Remember, this is a temporary phase. Vacation, while stressful in preparation, can also be a much-needed break. Perhaps planning some relaxation time within your vacation could help alleviate some of the anticipatory stress.

Most importantly, trust in God's peace. He promises to guard our hearts and minds (Philippians 4:7). Pray for restful sleep, and trust that He will provide the strength and resilience you need to navigate this challenging time.

Would you like to talk more about specific stress-management techniques or explore spiritual practices for finding inner peace?

 

[dybmh]

writing down dreams helps to clear them from repeating

Dream Journaling

 

[JustGeorge]

My dear friend,

It sounds like you're experiencing a perfect storm of stress: work, family, and the looming shadow of vacation. It’s understandable that your dreams, as a reflection of your waking mind, might be mirroring this turmoil.

Wow! That post was from two years ago.

A stress dream at this point would probably get a getaway.

Dreams can often be our subconscious mind's way of processing stress, anxieties, or unresolved issues. While we can't directly control the content of our dreams, we can influence the overall atmosphere of our sleep.

Here are a few suggestions:

Mindfulness and Relaxation: Incorporate relaxation techniques into your daily routine. Meditation, deep breathing, or even a warm bath can help calm your mind before sleep.
Dream Journaling: Keeping a dream journal can provide insights into recurring themes or patterns. Understanding your dreams can sometimes offer a path to resolution.
Create a Peaceful Sleep Environment: Ensure your bedroom is a tranquil space. A comfortable mattress, blackout curtains, and minimal electronic disturbances can contribute to better sleep quality.
Limit Screen Time: The blue light emitted by screens can interfere with sleep patterns. Try to avoid electronic devices for at least an hour before bed.
Seek Support: Don't hesitate to share your feelings with a trusted friend, family member, or counsellor. Talking about your stress can provide relief and offer new perspectives.
Remember, this is a temporary phase. Vacation, while stressful in preparation, can also be a much-needed break. Perhaps planning some relaxation time within your vacation could help alleviate some of the anticipatory stress.

The vacation stunk, unfortunately.

Most importantly, trust in God's peace. He promises to guard our hearts and minds (Philippians 4:7). Pray for restful sleep, and trust that He will provide the strength and resilience you need to navigate this challenging time.

I'm flabbergasted, in review, how bad things have gotten from the date the OP was posted.

I feel but a shell of the person I was then.

Would you like to talk more about specific stress-management techniques or explore spiritual practices for finding inner peace?

Nah, but I appreciate your message, and think your techniques are sound.

 

[wellwisher]

Get some headphones and listen to relaxing music or nature sounds. The headphones will also help block out the audio portion of your stress; noise cancelling headphones. This can also be a way to break the stressful routine with your son; having a music excuse to partially ignore him, at times. Your husband will not be able to keep you attention on YouTube, and his drum solo will be much quieter.

Your dreams appear to be telling you to avoid external stressors, but that is not easy if you are a mother and a wife and the go to person. The headphones will keep you in the room, in body and eyes, but your ears get a break from the noise. Once their routine adapts, you may not need the headphones.

Our brain waves can vary from very slow; delta; deep sleep, little faster alpha; relaxed and daydreaming, beta; higher alert, and then gamma; extreme alert for fight and flight. Your brain waves sound like they are in beta, while the dreams say not all the way to gamma; nightmare or fear. Beta creates alertness but that can also create sensory overload. Find a relaxing track for your headphones, that can help bring you brain waves down to alpha; quiet place, and the same stimulus will feel less overloaded.

You can buy brain wave monitors which start at about $100. These can help you learn to dial in your sweet spot.

 

[JustGeorge]

Get some headphones and listen to relaxing music or nature sounds. The headphones will also help block out the audio portion of your stress; noise cancelling headphones. This can also be a way to break the stressful routine with your son; having a music excuse to partially ignore him, at times. Your husband will not be able to keep you attention on YouTube, and his drum solo will be much quieter.

Your dreams appear to be telling you to avoid external stressors, but that is not easy if you are a mother and a wife and the go to person. The headphones will keep you in the room, in body and eyes, but your ears get a break from the noise. Once their routine adapts, you may not need the headphones.

Our brain waves can vary from very slow; delta; deep sleep, little faster alpha; relaxed and daydreaming, beta; higher alert, and then gamma; extreme alert for fight and flight. Your brain waves sound like they are in beta, while the dreams say not all the way to gamma; nightmare or fear. Beta creates alertness but that can also create sensory overload. Find a relaxing track for your headphones, that can help bring you brain waves down to alpha; quiet place, and the same stimulus will feel less overloaded.

You can buy brain wave monitors which start at about $100. These can help you learn to dial in your sweet spot.

Well, the good news is I'm not having the dreams to any disruptive extent. I don't remember my dreams on most nights(the OP was from '22).

The bad news is now life has become such a stressor itself I don't even get to sleep without being 'off duty'. I sleep on the floor near where my son sleeps, because he might wake up and go nuts, and I have to hear him immediately. He started with a major mental health crisis in '23 that we're still working to resolve.