DEAR DR. GOTT:
Are dreams healthful?

DEAR READER:
Yes, they are. Dreams occur during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep stages. A sequence of dreams in a progressive pattern often appears to resolve emotional issues by working through them in a step by step manner and by comparing them to successful challenges from the past. A dreamer is likely to awaken in an uplifted mood after such an evening of dreams. In an opposite manner, sequences of dreams that present in a repetitive pattern throughout the night fail to resolve emotional problems and the dreamer often awakens in a bad mood.

It is often said that people problem-solve when they dream. They might awaken abruptly from a sound sleep with those thoughts still fresh in their minds. A resolution is apparent and restful sleep follows. [Read more...]