Do you have strange dreams or are you having a lot of dreams lately while sleeping? Of course you are not alone. But what causes them and how can you get a better night's sleep?

Your dreams can be many and seem very real for a variety of reasons, including lifestyle, a break in normal daily activity, exercise routine, eating habits, and sleep pattern. 

Increased levels of stress or anxiety - especially with the ongoing Covid news cycle, or other important news and events in your life - can cause your brain to "keep you awake", making it difficult to sleep. , or causing you to have an intense dream sleep.

What is the science behind dreams?

They occur during REM sleep cycles, and the more REM sleep you get through the night, the more dreams you will usually experience. As your sleep night progresses, your REM cycles become longer, which is why most of your dreams happen during the last part of the night.

Most people dream for about 2 hours every night, but not everyone remembers their dreams. And while we do not know exactly what triggers dreams, we do know that the right amount of quality sleep is essential for the body and affects everything from the brain and heart to your immune system and mood. Research shows that once the main stressor is eliminated, most people easily return to a routine and sleep normally. In the meantime, there are some things you can do to get a better night's rest:

- Consider what you eat and drink during the day. Too much caffeine or alcohol at bedtime will probably ruin your night.

- Keep a regular and same / similar sleep / wake schedule.

- Avoid activities such as work, watching TV, etc. in bed. This will help the brain to rest better.

Create a bedtime routine to calm down and help your brain relax.

- Try reading a book to help you fall asleep.

- If you are experiencing stress or anxiety, talk to a specialist doctor.

Source: Mayo Clinic