Everyone has experienced dreaming, whether it was in childhood, your turbulent adolescence or until today you are having recurring dreams. Even though we might dream every night, we know very little about them and why they happen.
This list of 8 facts is surprising, eye opening and slightly strange, but its worth reading on if you wonder what is happening during 8 hours of your day.
Premonitions Actually Happen in Dreams
Throughout history there have been many instances where people have dreamed their ominous future. In general the premonitions have been of something bad about to happen, including the world trade center attacks and even the Titanic sinking. It is even documented that Abraham Lincoln dreamt of his assassination. Don’t go thinking every bad dream is a premonition, it might just be a bad dream.
You Can’t Read or Tell the Time In Your Dreams
Have you ever felt that you have woken up but you didn’t know if you were still dreaming or not? The way to check if you are awake is to try reading something. If you cannot read then it means you are still in your dream. You can do the same test with time, in your dream you are unable to tell the time and if you are dreaming the hands of the clock will not appear to move. Strange right?
Dreaming has Created Some of the Best Inventions
Some of the best inventions have been thought of during dreams. Larry Page dreamt about the idea of Google, and even the sewing machine was discovered in the dreams of Elias Howe. Next time you dream something strange, it might be the next big thing.
The Most Common Dream
You might have wondered what the most common dream people have is? Yes it has been studied and the results are conclusive. The most common dream is one about your partner cheating on you. This type of dream is often reoccurring and is not necessarily based on infidelity rather a fear of being left alone.
Lucid Dreams
This popular practice has been taken up by the new generation of dream fanatics. This technique allows people to have control over certain aspects of their dreams, and enables them to fly, pass through walls and travel back in time. It is not an easy skill to master, sometimes it takes years to even have one second of consciousness in your dream. Though with a power like that, it might be worth it.
The Worst Feeling You Can Experience is Sleep Paralysis
It probably has happened to you at least once in your life. If it hasn’t happened then you should think yourself lucky. Sleep paralysis is probably the worst experience you can have whilst dreaming. Some people experience it as they wake up and they cannot move, this is the brain waking up before the body.
Others will experience a terrible feeling of anxiety as they come out of their dreams, which is caused by an overactive amygdala which is the control over the fight or flight response. No one has been able to explain what makes you susceptible to this terrible affliction.
Sleepwalking is Stranger Than You Think
Sleepwalking is a rare phenomenon that not many people understand or have experienced. Though those that are inflicted by it have sometimes done some very strange things. These include people like Lee Hadwin that draws masterpieces in his sleep, though in his real life he has never learned art. Other strange acts have been more morbid, which has had people drive miles in order to murder their family or even jump from windows.
Animal Dreams
If you have a pet you might have seen this happen once or twice. It is a well-known fact that pets dream too, and you can often see dogs chase cats in their sleep. It makes you wonder how close we really are to our furry friends if we share even the most personal characteristics with them.
Dreaming Helps You Learn
If you have an important test one week, you might want to turn to your bed rather than your books. According to recent studies, when you dream, it is easier for the brain to solve problems and process new information. The research found that the quieter and technology free your bedroom is, the more learning you can do in your sleep.
