How to Understand the Meaning of your Dreams
Your teeth fall out, one-by-one, as you speak to the girl you love. She stares at you in disgust, and you spread your arms out and fly away. Then you fall from the sky and land on the ground, completely unharmed. You scream for help, but your voice fails to work. You wake up just before a giant bear attacks you. According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, we spend more than two hours dreaming each night. Studies performed by psychologists Carey Morewedge and Michael Norton show that many people believe dreams hold hidden meanings.
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Instructions
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Keep a daily dream journal. Write your dreams down each morning as soon as you wake up, otherwise, you may forget important details. Include images, scents, sounds and physical sensations. Pay close attention to names and numbers. Write a detailed description of each dream, as well as how the dream made you feel. Ryan Hurd, a dream analyst, recommends that you give each dream a title. Store the journal next to your bed with a pen or pencil for easy access.
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Look for patterns or recurring themes. Dr. Morewedge and Dr. Norton believe that dreams indicate your current emotional state. Stress causes nightmares, and depression and anxiety often do the same. Frequent nightmares or dreams that involve traumatizing situations may mean that you need to make some positive changes in your life, such as leaving a bad job or relationship.
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Analyze your dreams with a dream dictionary or online dream interpretation site. Keep in mind that definitions for objects and events may not apply to your unique situation. Consider life experiences and listen to your intuition as you read each definition. You know yourself better than any book or website.
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Discuss your dreams with friends, family members or your significant other. They know you well and may notice messages and meanings that you fail to see. Avoid sharing dreams with any judgmental people in your life, as some dreams involve bizarre, socially unacceptable scenarios.
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References
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