When waking up in the morning, sometimes it is still vividly lingering in the dream memory that stopped by while sleeping last night. Whether it’s a nightmare, a sweet dream, evenwet dreameverything can come unexpectedly. One of the reasons why we can dream is that part of the brain activity processes all information.
A person can dream any time while sleeping. However, dreams will be most vivid when you are in the REM sleep or rapid eye movement stage . This is the phase when the brain is most active.
Why can we dream?
The causes of dreams still need to be explored further
Actually, until now, experts are still formulating why we can dream. The explanation cannot be as easy as defining how the organs work when you are asleep.Regarding why we can dream, there are many different versions, such as:
- Stories and images created by the mind while sleeping
- Increased activity in certain parts of the brain during sleep
- If you often have nightmares, there could be a problem in your subconscious
- The emotional control center in the brain is active
Apart from the various versions above, there are several theories that can provide an explanation for why we can dream:
1. Channel emotions
Dreams can be a way to calm the fluctuating emotions in a person’s life. This may be because the brain operates more emotionally when not sleeping. This means that during sleep the brain can make connections for feelings that cannot be channeled while being conscious.
2. Fight or flight
One of the most active parts of the brain during dreaming is the amygdala. This is the part of the brain that regulates the ability to survive, including responsefight-or-flight.
According to one theory, this activation of the amygdala during sleep makes a person more prepared to face threats. Fortunately, the brainstem relaxes the muscles during the REM sleep stage. That is why even when dreaming of running, normally a person doesn’t wake up and do it.
3. Channels creativity
Another theory that can answer why we can dream is that dreams accommodate someone’s creativity. Many artists claim to be inspired by their dreams, right? This could be due to the absence of a logical filter like the one used while awake. Thus, creativity can flow freely when you are asleep.
4. Construct memory
Dreams are also referred to as a medium for compiling memories. Which one needs to be stored, which one is the time to be thrown away. The sleep phase helps a person store memories. It is thought that dreams help the brain more efficiently store important information without any intervention.Apart from the above theories, there are also those who call pure dreams a sleep flower and have no meaning.
Dreams, many factors have an effect
How a person’s condition while awake can also affect dreams, such as:
· Health condition
One of the factors that greatly influence dreams is the quality of one’s sleep. For example, people who end up sleeping after two days of staying up late can have clearer dreams when they enter the REM sleep stage. In addition, when you are pregnant, a person can experience clearer dreams or vivid dreaming. The cause is high levels of hormones which affect how the brain processes emotions and thinking.No less interesting, the types of psychological disorders such as depression, excessive anxiety, or multiple personalityit can also make a person experience more intense dreams. Often times, this dream is related to bad and disturbing things. Taking anti-depressant drugs also increases your risk of having nightmares.
· Food
Although there is no scientific evidence, food is also thought to have an effect on how a person dreams. For example, foods high in carbohydrates make a person instantly energized but come back sluggish a moment later. What is consumed while awake can affect sleep quality.In addition, foods that make a person wake up frequently at night also affect dreams. Waking up in the REM phase will help you remember dreams more clearly when you are awake.
· Activity
Physical activity such as exercising in the morning has a positive impact on sleep qualitysomeone. This also affects a person’s stress levels. The more effectively a person manages his stress by being active, the less likely he is to bring anxiety to sleep.
