Have you ever had a really weird dream that made you go, “Woah, what was that?” when you woke up? Yup, the feeling is all too familiar. More often than not, we’re amazed by the freaky ideas our brain is capable of coming up with while we sleep. Whether it’s being without clothes in public or fighting some giant monster, dreams can actually hold more meaning than we think.
Why Do We Dream?
The simple answer is… there is no answer. Scientists have been trying to find a reason for why we dream for decades, if not centuries; but while we have many theories, there’s no conclusive answer. It could be that our brain uses our sleepy time to process information it was unable to while we were awake. That’s why you might find yourself playing sky tennis with that coworker who brought you coffee earlier that day.
It's important to note that sleep has many phases, and the deepest phase, which is when our brains are most active, is called REM sleep. It is during that phase that our dreams become the most realistic and vivid. Let’s delve into some common weird dreams and what they mean.
You’re Failing A School Test
Oh yeah, we’ve all had that one. Picture this: you’re suddenly 12 again at school and you’re in the midst of taking a test you didn’t study for. It’s scary, but it might mean that you’re scared of something you’re currently unprepared for. It could be work, an interview, a presentation. There’s obviously a challenge on the horizon that you’re stressing about, since tests were kind of our first real life challenge. So such a dream probably means you need to take things easy.
You’re Being Chased
This is one of the most stressful dreams, and the one that makes everyone feel relief when they wake up. You’re running in the street or indoors, with something or someone chasing after you, but you don’t see the chaser. What this dream means is that you might be running away or struggling to cope with something in your daily life. Sounds familiar? Are you avoiding dealing with past traumas, perhaps?
This is one of the most stressful dreams, and the one that makes everyone feel relief when they wake up. You’re running in the street or indoors, with something or someone chasing after you, but you don’t see the chaser. What this dream means is that you might be running away or struggling to cope with something in your daily life. Sounds familiar? Are you avoiding dealing with past traumas, perhaps?
You Have No Clothes on in Public
This one is not just a very common dream, but also particularly awkward, especially if you’re dreaming you’re naked around people you know. If you dream you have no clothes on and you’re embarrassed, the dream is most likely linked to feelings of vulnerability or shame.
Maybe you’re hiding something, or afraid of someone. If you’re insecure about a particular issue, it could manifest in this dream. But if you have no clothes on and you’re delighted in the situation, the dream is indicative of accomplishment or pride. You want to be noticed by others, or you want your accomplishments to be recognized.
Your Teeth Are Falling Out
When we dream of our teeth shattering or falling out we are most likely filled with negative emotions related to insecurity. Think about it this way - when we’re happy we smile and show our teeth. But when we’re down in the dumps - we don’t, right?
Losing your teeth symbolizes losing your peace of mind. So maybe you’re anxious or unsure about something. Maybe you’re worried about how you came across to people earlier in the day. Take a step back and try to figure out what the issue is.
You’re Falling
This one is likely to wake you up instantly, whether it’s falling off a building or down a cliff, or tumbling into nothingness. Metaphorically, falling is always associated with failure, and it’s no different here. If you’re falling in your dream, you’re probably worried about failing. So what you need to do is simply regroup, and tackle your challenges fiercely and confidently. We bet you’ll do great!
