How to Keep a Nightmare From Returning

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By eHow Contributing Writer

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Nightmares are experienced most often by children, but they can also plague adults. Those that recur during the night or over several nights can be especially bothersome. Follow these techniques to help stop them from recurring.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Journal
Pen or pencil

Step 1

Sit up in bed when you awaken from a nightmare. Better yet, get out of bed. Go to the bathroom or get a glass of water from the kitchen. Moving around will help the nightmare fade from your memory.
Step 2

Tell someone. Recounting your nightmare to another person will move the nightmare's images from your subconscious into your conscious mind, where you have a better chance of understanding the nightmare's meaning.
Step 3

Write in a dream journal. Before going to sleep the next night, write the details of the nightmare in a bedside journal. Write a new ending to the nightmare that makes you more comfortable. For instance, if you dream about falling, write about growing wings and flying away instead.
Step 4

Go back and review your dream journal the next morning if the nightmare returns. Concentrate on the happy ending you wrote for yourself as you prepare to go to sleep that night.

Tips & Warnings

Nightmares that persist in spite of attempts to stop them may indicate a larger problem. See your doctor to find out if a medical problem is causing your nightmares. If not, ask for a referral to a psychotherapist to discuss whether stress or trauma in your life is the cause of your nightmares.

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