"Why Do I Keep Having The Same Dream?"

At different times in our lives, many of us experience recurring dreams. These dreams often come from the worries, fears, or unresolved emotions we may not want to deal with, showing up in similar scenarios again and again. Recurring dreams can actually give us valuable clues about our mental and emotional health. The importance of these dreams, suggesting that they carry hidden messages from our subconscious about what’s going on in our minds.

What’s The Point Of Recurrent Dreams?

A recurring dream is a repeated dream narrative that occurs over multiple nights. These dreams often carry negative themes and may be associated with feelings of frustration or anxiety in daily life. Research suggests that around 60% of adults experience recurring dreams. While these dreams can sometimes be unsettling, they don’t necessarily have to disturb your sleep. Gaining insight into why recurring dreams happen and exploring strategies to address them can provide comfort and help reduce their frequency.

     Recurrent dreams are typically characterized by patterns or themes that mirror real-life concerns, anxieties, or unresolved conflicts. Domhoff

The Same Scenarios Keep Coming Back

Sigmund Freud introduced a concept called repetition compulsion, which is the idea that we sometimes unconsciously repeat certain experiences, especially if they were traumatic or left us feeling uneasy. This shows up in our dreams when the same themes or scenarios keep coming back. He believed this was the mind’s way of trying to work through problems or conflicts that haven’t been resolved.

For example, someone who experienced a car accident as a child might frequently dream about being in a car or feeling out of control. While the dream doesn’t replicate the exact event, it brings back similar emotions like fear, helplessness or anxiety. By understanding what these dreams are trying to say, Freud believed people could get to the root of their anxieties and start working on them.

"Using a RUYA dream journal can help you notice how often certain dreams come up and give you a chance to explore them from a scientific angle"

I’m Falling Again!

Many people who experience anxiety might have recurrent dreams about falling, being chased, or failing an important task. These dreams reflect the individual’s ongoing struggles with fear and insecurity. Take, for instance, a person who is unhappy in their job but feels unable to quit due to financial or societal pressures. They might repeatedly dream about being lost, stuck in a maze, or trapped in an office building dream symbols that reflect feelings of entrapment and frustration.

How Can I Reduce My Recurring Dreams?

1- Identify Patterns of Recurrent Dreams

Recurrent dreams as more than just a quirk of the mind and they were powerful messages from the unconscious, telling us that there’s something we need to pay attention to. Whether it’s an unresolved conflict, a repressed desire, or a past trauma, these dreams offer a chance to dig deeper into what’s really going on in our inner world.

Today, many therapists still use this approach. If someone keeps dreaming about drowning, a therapist might ask them to think about where in their life they feel overwhelmed. Is it a relationship? Work? Emotions they’re avoiding? By identifying these sources of stress, the person can work on them consciously, which may reduce the recurrence of such dreams

2- Late-night snacks affect your dreams

Late-night snacks, especially those containing alcohol or caffeine, can negatively affect the quality of your dreams. Alcohol may disrupt REM sleep, the stage where most vivid dreaming occurs, while caffeine can make it harder to fall asleep or stay in deep sleep. These disruptions not only reduce the restorative effects of sleep but may also lead to fragmented or less vivid dreams. Choosing lighter, healthier options before bed can help promote better sleep and more pleasant dream experiences.

3- Maintain a Consistent Sleep Schedule

Your body has an internal clock, or circadian rhythm, that regulates when you feel awake and when you feel sleepy. A consistent schedule helps this rhythm stay in sync, making it easier to fall asleep and wake up. Aim to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day, even on weekends. Avoid the temptation to "catch up" on sleep by oversleeping after late nights.

4- Create a Relaxing Bedtime Routine

A calming pre-sleep ritual signals to your brain that it’s time to wind down.

• Engage in relaxing activities like reading, gentle yoga, or meditation.

• Avoid screens (phones, TVs, tablets) at least an hour before bed, as the blue light can suppress melatonin, the hormone that regulates sleep.

• Consider a warm bath or listening to soothing music.

5- Seek Professional Help

Experts suggest that if these recurring dreams are causing you stress, making you unhappy, leading to other symptoms, or starting to interfere with your ability to function in daily life, it might be time to consider seeking professional help.They can help you explore deeper psychological connections and develop coping strategies.

"With a RUYA journal, you'll shift your perspective on recurring dreams and make new discoveries about your inner world."