How to Avoid Getting Nightmares?

   Tweet   

---

Most people believe that you have no control over nightmares and dreams, and to some extent, that's true. Certain behaviors have been linked to the things you dream. By avoiding activities that are associated with nightmares, you might be able to reduce them or eliminate them entirely. Dreams and nightmares are often a manifestation of fears, doubts and anger that accumulates throughout the day, seeking an outlet through your subconscious mind.

Avoid Getting Nightmares

Following are the things which you can do to avoid getting nightmares:

1. Prepare for bed by calming your mind and body. Follow a yoga video for a settling stretch and take a hot bath, filled with aromatherapy soaps, that will sooth your mind. As you fall asleep, you'll feel the loss of tension in your muscles and smell the relaxing scents on your skin.
2. Avoid fatty and spicy foods, which could cause gas and, in turn, nightmares.
3. Give up smoking. Nicotine has been linked to certain sleep disorders.
4. Stop using any drugs that are not essential to your health and well-being.
5. Write down your nightmare when you wake up in a dream journal. Try to figure out how it relates to your life at present to prevent it from recurring.
6. You need to find a way to get relaxed before bed.
7. Take a long bath, drink a soothing cup of hot tea or meditate for fifteen minutes before turning out the light.
8. Avoid getting scared - Watching a scary movie, reading a horror novel or telling ghost stories with your spouse will probably result in nightmares, depending on your susceptibility to such stimuli.
9. Both nicotine and recreational drugs have a tendency to produce vivid nightmares. Try to avoid using both substances and come up with a different nightly ritual.

How to prevent from getting nightmares?

1. If you see that you are under a lot of stress due to pressure at work, family problems or so forth then look for ways to reduce this stress.
2. If you have lost a loved one try talking about your feelings to someone. If you do not have a friend or loved one that you feel comfortable discussing your feelings with then make arrangements to see a professional. It can really make a difference in how you feel emotionally and it can help you get rid of the bad dreams.
3. Get a good routine going where you go to bed around the same time at night and get up around the same time.
4. Try watching something funny and pleasant before bedtime.
5. It is not uncommon for medication to affect certain people in this way. If it seems as though your medicine is making you have bad dreams, then discuss this with your doctor to see what options you have.
6. Try helping your child imagine a good or funny ending to a scary dream. Your child will learn to use his or her imagination and to feel safe and in control.
7. Establish a bedtime routine that starts at the same time every evening.
8. Make bedtime a safe and comfortable time by reading to your child or relaxing and talking with your child before bedtime.
9. Encourage your child to imagine positive scenarios before bedtime. Talk about positive endings to your child’s nightmares.