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27 Dec 2024
6 Min Read
Ruka Nakamatsu (Student Writer)
Want to know what dreams are made of? From why we dream to what we dream about, explore how they uncover our deepest thoughts, emotions, and memories!
Swings held a special place in her heart, a cherished relic of childhood comfort. As she swung back and forth, the breeze tickling her cheeks, a thick mist began to curl around her legs, cloaking the ground beneath her. Within the haze, scenes from her past materialised—her childhood home, the first day of school, her favourite park—all vivid yet softened by the dreamy fog. Joy and longing intertwined as the memories felt both achingly close and impossibly distant. But then, the sky darkened. The swing froze mid-air, the stillness heavy and chilling. Without warning, it dropped, plunging her into a freefall as the memories below twisted and dissolved into darkness. She woke with a start, heart pounding, clutching her blanket in the eerie stillness of her room.
Dreams like these—striking, unsettling, and strangely poignant—offer glimpses into the depths of our minds. But what do they mean? Are they random, fleeting images, or do they hold a mirror up to our inner world? Let's uncover what dreams are made of, exploring their psychological significance and the insights they hold about ourselves.
Have you ever experienced the surreal moment of realising you're dreaming and feeling like you can steer the narrative? Or have you ever woken up with a dream so intense it lingers for hours? We've come to casually accept that every night, our minds conjure up 'movies' of our own making—yet it's fascinating to pause and reflect on how extraordinary this phenomenon truly is, that our brains can construct entire worlds, complete with sights, sounds, and even elaborate scenarios, without conscious effort? Interestingly, research reveals that while nearly everyone dreams during sleep, not all of us can recall those nighttime adventures.
You've probably heard of REM sleep, but what exactly is it, and why is it so important for dreaming? REM (rapid eye movement) sleep is a unique stage of the sleep cycle where the magic of dreaming unfolds. During this stage, our brain becomes highly active—almost as if we're awake—while our body remains still, allowing our vivid, story-like dreams to come to life.
But before reaching REM sleep, the journey begins in NREM (non-rapid eye movement) stage 1, a light, transitional sleep and deepens through stages 2 and 3, crucial for physical restoration. Afterwards, we enter REM sleep. Once the first REM cycle concludes, our brain restarts the process, cycling back to NREM stages 1 or 2 before repeating the entire sequence. This cyclical pattern means that, throughout a full night's sleep, experts estimate we dream at least four to six times.
Now that we've explored the science behind dreams, let's delve deeper into the meanings behind some of the most common ones:
It might be more surprising not to have dreamt about being chased by someone—or something. That's just how common this dream is! Often, we might not even know what we're running from, but that unmistakable twinge of panic in our chest feels all too real. Sigmund Freud believed that such dreams reflect repressed desires or urges, so unsettling to our sense of morality that our psyche 'runs away' from them. Carl Jung, however, offered a different perspective, seeing the figure chasing us as our shadow self—a hidden part of our psyche that we may not consciously recognise or accept. He proposed that these dreams are not something to fear but an invitation to explore and embrace the unseen aspects of ourselves, guiding us towards better balance and well-being.
Dreams about falling—whether from a towering cliff or into an endless void—are among the most common experiences reported by dreamers worldwide. In his work, Freud suggested that such dreams often reflect feelings of fear and anxiety, particularly those related to loss of control. Jung shared similar views but emphasised that dreams don't provide definitive answers. Instead, he believed they are symbolic, open to multiple interpretations, and act as mirrors reflecting the experiences, emotions, and challenges of your waking life. For instance, if you dream about falling into water, it could point to a real-world fear, such as a fear of swimming or the ocean. It could also represent doubt or uncertainty regarding your relationships, career, or emotional state.
Dreams of flying, where you feel weightless and free, are some of the most exhilarating and uplifting experiences many dreamers encounter while asleep. These dreams often symbolise what you might expect—freedom, liberation, and empowerment. However, it can also carry a subtler meaning, inviting you to view a situation from a fresh perspective. From a Jungian perspective, dreams of flying can symbolise a desire to detach from your current reality or to escape from challenging situations. A dream about waiting to board a flight at the airport could also represent your readiness to take that leap towards a positive direction.
Dreams have a remarkable way of helping us navigate and understand complex thoughts, emotions, and memories, weaving them into a narrative that reflects our inner world. One of the best ways to decipher it is through keeping a dream journal. Keeping a record of fleeting or recurring dreams can help you uncover patterns that might reveal insights about yourself, not to mention the added benefit of improving your brain's ability to retain and strengthen your memories.
Choose your dream journal style:
Dream memories are like delicate glass jars, fragile and easily broken. A momentary distraction—such as scrolling through your phone or jumping into morning tasks—can quickly 'shatter' them if you're not careful. So, record your dreams as the first step in your morning routine to preserve them. If recalling specific details feels challenging, start by asking yourself: What emotions lingered when I woke up? This focus can help bring more of your dream into clarity.
Here are some final tips from me:
Dreams offer us a unique glimpse into the depths of our subconscious, acting as a bridge between our waking and sleeping selves. By exploring their workings and meanings, we can gain valuable insights into our emotions and experiences, opening doors to self-awareness and personal growth. With the new year on the horizon, why not start the practice of keeping a dream journal? It's not about rigid routines or perfect interpretations but about fostering curiosity and deepening your connection to your inner world. Think of it as an ongoing conversation with yourself—making it a refreshing habit to start the year or even the perfect New Year's resolution!
Ruka Nakamatsu is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) at Taylor's University. A voracious reader with an insatiable curiosity, she constantly delves into diverse topics, always on the lookout for the next great story to write.
