As contrary as it is to our busy daily lives, sleep is a key part of a healthy life, a part that we should not just skip or underestimate, but make a priority.

As we all know, however, this is often not followed. As if that wasn’t enough, we often sleep poorly and restlessly, which contributes to a feeling of chronic fatigue, which makes our days seem more “gray”. And in all this environment of stress, come the strange dreams and nightmares, to disturb our rest even more.

If we are talking about funny strange dreams, the situation is not so serious. Some, however, often suffer from restless dreams, which seriously affect both their sleep and their daily life.

Dr. Wendy Troxelclinical psychologist and author of “Sharing the Covers: Every Couple’s Guide to Better Sleep”assures that, although unpleasant, strange dreams are normal and can even prove beneficial, helping people deal with various mental and emotional issues they are experiencing.

In any case, it is important to know where the strange dreams are due to, but also how you can deal with them if they bother you.

What causes strange dreams?

  • Insufficient or poor quality sleep

It may initially seem like a good idea to watch another episode of your favorite series, but you will definitely “pay” for this choice with worse sleep. According to dr. Troxel, insufficient or poor quality sleep is very likely to cause strange dreams. “When you’re awake, you’re likely to have more restless sleep, which equals more brain activity. All of these can lead to more vivid or strange dreams“, he explains.

  • Hormonal disorders

Women’s hormones, especially, change constantly, both during life and within the month. According to dr. Troxel, this affects the body as well as the mind. “It is very likely that hormonal changes, combined with the now established stress, are responsible for the strange dreams“, he notes.

  • Alcohol

It’s a myth that alcohol helps you sleep. “Drinking alcohol keeps you longer in the early stages of sleep, which is when most of our dreams take place.“, explains Dr. Troxel. This means that those who regularly consume alcohol “they are more likely to have more vivid and strange dreams».

  • How to avoid strange dreams

Dr. Troxel offers two key pieces of advice for those who frequently have strange dreams:

  1. If you take medications, check their labels. Perhaps the strange dreams are a side effect of these medications.
  2. Refer to a specialist, especially if you experience a chronic problem with strange dreams or nightmares, as they can significantly affect the overall quality of your sleep, as well as your functionality during the day.