Dreams are the pathways to our inner souls that come from our subconscious mind. While we are sleeping, our body tries to send us messages about what we want and the needs that our body yearns. A person’s dreams can give a sense of direction in life. Although we do not remember most of our dreams when we wake up, they still have an impact on the way we think and function. SigmundFreud believed that dreams are expressions of unfulfilled wishes and desires. Dreaming plays an important role in our lives. Speaking for myself, dreaming always helped me escape from reality to a faraway make believe world where no one could hurt me.
Studies have shown that people who are repeatedly awakened at the beginning of dream periods for several nights become irritable and have difficulty concentrating. If your body is natural sleep cycle has been interrupted and has been deprived of dream sleep, your body will compensate by providing proportionately more dream sleep at the next dream sleep opportunity. Research shows that a healthy sleep is needed for a person’s body to restore itself. Some scientists believe that adequate dream sleep is equally important because it enables the brain to recharge. Medical research has not proven this testimony. Usually, when a person is awake, their brain waves will show a regular rhythm. When a person first falls asleep, the brain waves become slower and less regular. They call this sleep state non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep.
Sleep consists of stages. There are four stages and each stage is a progressively deeper stage. The deeper the sleep, the more your body restores itself. Stage one sleep is the transition from wakefulness to sleep. Restoration begins in stage two, but is more significant in stages three and four, sometimes called delta sleep.
After an hour and a half of NREM sleep, the brain waves begin to show a more active pattern again, though the individual is in a deep sleep. This sleep state, called rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, and is when dreaming occurs. A person typically experiences a brief arousal from sleep and returns to stage two sleep after dreaming. This sleep cycle has begun again. The length of time in each of these stages differs throughout the night, with most REM sleep occurring during the later sleep cycle.
Dreaming and fantasizing give you a feeling of serenity and inner peace. Fantasizing has a positive impact on you and your body. When you fantasize, you put yourself in a state of consciousness that lies between reality and the world of dreams. The imagination roams freely, although usually guided by mostly unconscious urges, concerns and memories. Fantasies help us find out what type of ambition we have and the people we want to become in life; it takes us into another world where we can do and become anything we want. It allows us to relax and joyfully think about the various scenarios that would make us happy.
While growing up, I always enjoyed sitting closing my eyes and fantasizing about something relaxing trying to analyze how my body was feeling the same time. It seemed when I understood my body and mind, I was able to make them function as one and then release all negative thoughts and feelings that was putting unnecessary stress on me. (Remember, the less stress you have the better for you (mind, body & soul.) My stress level decreased sharply and I was able to think clearly, relax and tackle problems with ease. I did not stress over the little things in life anymore.
During this time of dreaming and fantasizing, you can focus on anything you want, including making goals for yourself on how you are going to live your whole life. What is my next step in life? What type of plans should I focus on?
I have always dreamed about positive things. I knew I was going to survive in this world because I refused to think negatively or feel sorry for myself in any way shape or form. Life is not easy, but why should I give up every time I encounter an obstacle. If anything, I was going to work twice as hard to reach my dreams. I looked at myself as a fighter and an achiever. I was not going to let anything get in my way.
Dreams can stay in your mind, no one has to know about them, and you can record them, in your daily diary, where you write down your significant dreams and fantasies. These dreams and fantasies can be used as motivators to help you work on moving forward in your life and learning how to overcome obstacles.
Your dreams and fantasies can help you plan your life five or even ten years from now and you can use your dreams to strengthen your inner self. When life seems too stressful to handle, close your eyes and let your mind take you somewhere you can relax and fantasize.
Dreams are the pathways to your inner soul and it is your soul that knows what your mind and body need. Reach out and get in contact with your soul because it is necessary that you take the time out to understand what your mind and body crave.
Keeping a journal has been a very successful tool for me. I write everything down on paper from my short-term goals to my long-term goals, to my dreams and fantasies. This helps increase my inner strength by keeping me in touch with who I am and what I need to do with my life. I write down that is important to me. By writing everything down and expressing how I feel I can understand myself better and figure out what my body mind and soul needs from life.
The exercises you do in your journal will help you strengthen and understand yourself, and make you feel better about yourself as a person.
MY DREAMS
Date:
1. WHAT DID THIS DREAM MEAN TO ME?
2. HOW WILL I USE THIS DREAM TO MOTIVATE ME?
MY FANTASY
Date
1. WHAT DID THIS FANTASY MEAN TO ME?
2. HOW WILL I USE THIS FANTASY TO MOTIVATE ME?
Keep a list of the dreams and fantasies you have that mean something special to you. Write down how they can motivate you in this program and how they relate to helping your epilepsy.
Do they relax you? Do they help you understand yourself better as a person? Do they give you hope for the future? While you write in the dream portion of your journal, answer the questions above. This is another way to strengthen yourself and understand your personal make up. These exercises will help strengthen your mind, body and soul in many ways.
Erin Elizabeth Kelly-Moen