Have you ever woken up from a nightmare in the middle of the night? Be it a strange entity following you or drowning in a sea, a nightmare leaves one shaken and scared. Everyone knows they are not real, but that does not make it any easier to fall asleep again. You might be too scared to fall asleep, afraid of the shadows and even the slightest noise.
If nightmares are starting to disturb your sleep and life, you would want a cure to prevent it. But how to prevent nightmares? We will tell you in this blog.
Why Do I Have Nightmares?
Nightmares are more than just bad dreams. When you have a nightmare, it produces a physiological response in your body and activates the nervous system. As a result, you will feel fearful or anxious when you wake up. In comparison, bad dreams might be unpleasant to remember after waking up, but they do not have the physical impact that nightmares bring forth.
We dream during rapid eye movement or REM sleep, which includes nightmares. During REM, different areas of the brain are more active compared to other stages of sleep. These areas may have emotions or memories that activate during the dream state. Still, the parts of the brain that contribute to self-recognition or logical reasoning are not activated during this time. Other than this, stress, mental health disorders, scary memories close to bedtime, and sleep disorders can also disrupt your sleep. Moreover, certain medications, such as blood pressure medications, antidepressants, statins, and more, can cause nightmares.
Tips on How to Prevent Nightmares
You cannot control what you dream about or make sure you never get a nightmare. But what you can do is ensure you are well-rested and take the necessary steps to reduce the chances of nightmares. So, if you’re wondering how to prevent nightmares, here are some techniques that might help:
- Maintain a regular bedtime routine. When you go to bed and get up at the same time every day, it can help lower the possibility of nightmares.
- Get a sufficient amount of sleep! Adults need seven to eight hours of sleep every night, and if you are not getting that, it could lead to nightmares and other issues.
- Turn your bedroom as cozy as you can — you can add a soft blanket, control the temperature, or even use black curtains. Whatever speaks comfort to you!
- Stick to a healthy lifestyle. You can do so by regularly exercising, following a balanced diet, participating in activities you enjoy, and more.
- Do not drink caffeine and alcohol before you go to bed; consuming too much of either can affect your sleep and result in nightmares.
Final Word
There are many factors that can result in nightmares, but you can prevent them by following some helpful tips. Maintain your sleep schedule, eat healthily, and prioritize your comfort, as well as sleep to sleep soundly.
Sleep and Headache Solutions has a team of specialists who can help improve the quality of your sleep. Dial 832-688-8886 to talk to us now or give us a visit at 13114 FM 1960 West, Ste 105B, Houston, TX 77065.