Do you ever see yourself in a known place in unknown circumstances with situations seemingly unfit under the given context? Most likely, you are probably dreaming. Dreaming is defined as a series of thoughts, images, and sensations occurring in a person’s mind while they sleep. It has always been a fascination as to why dreaming occurs, what dreams mean, and even some dangerous disorders that can come with it.

There are many theories as to why dreaming occurs. One theory says that dreams have no meanings and that they are actually electrical brain impulses that gather thoughts and imagery from our memories. Another theory states that dreaming has a purpose. Dreaming is suggested to be a biological defense mechanism designated to provide us with an evolutionary advantage of creating stimulations to be more aware of our surroundings. Most dreaming occurs during REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep, which is when we are in the deepest stages of sleep.

There are some dreams that all humans commonly see, and there are some universal hidden meanings behind those dreams. For example, being chased by something or someone can hint that you are running away from some problem or issue. Falling from a cliff can often signify anxieties of letting go or losing control of life. Missing a flight may acknowledge missed opportunities in life. Or though not common, if you see violent dreams of self-inflicting pain, it may indicate the need for better mental health care. Most of these dreams are universal, and are seen throughout all cultures. I have seen all of these types of dreams, and some of them even include my friends and people I know.

Sleeping can come with many disorders such as sleepwalking, sleep paralysis, and lucid dreaming. During sleepwalking, a person performs complex tasks which can include walking around, sitting, and even driving. It can be very dangerous as the person does not remember what they did during the episode and may end up hurting themselves or others around them. Sleep paralysis is another strange condition where the person has feelings of consciousness but is unable to move or speak. They often have symptoms of choking or an evil presence in the room that is holding them down, which can be very scary. Lucid dreaming is a fascinating concept where a person is aware that they are dreaming, so they can control their dreams and feel the sensations that occur in the dream. The dreams feel very real and are more often seen in people who are aware of their surroundings and are detail-oriented. These sleeping conditions are very commonly seen amongst young adults.

Everyone dreams, it is a recurrent behavior that occurs almost every night. We sometimes see bad dreams, and sometimes see good dreams. However, dreaming has no connection with any future events, and it is merely a coincidence if a dream does become true. So be sure to get a good night sleep and dream away!