FACT OF THE WEEK INCLUDED!
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By Jacqueline Crivello
Opinion Segments Head
As the quarantine progresses, the isolation continues to thicken around us, both physically and mentally. The quarantine during this pandemic has caused stress for everybody, so you're not alone in this feeling. More important is the fact that bad dreams are completely normal when dealing with the circumstances we have faced. It’s likely that your sleep patterns have been all over the place and you're continuously going through a cycle of restlessness and deep sleep that you didn't ask for. These dreams can go from nightmares to imagining you went on vacation to Hawaii and then waking up to your dull alarm at 7:00 in the morning. For those who don’t usually experience dreams this may be bizarre, but the positive side to this is that you will have stories to tell your loved ones after you wake up. Websites/hashtags have been made to document these obscurities and bring awareness to obtain evidence from experts as well as receive advice on how we can make these dreams less intense. So as you get in bed tonight let these words sink in and maybe try some of these remedies that will relieve you of the awful nightmares.
In general, dreams are a way for our body to relieve our mind of stress or anxiety from our busy daily lives. Clinical data has shown that if humans don’t experience dreams nor sleep, we will eventually go crazy. Lack of sleep and not having this time to process your day through dreams can lead to a higher risk of heart disease, obesity, and even Alzheimer's disease. The big question is “why are we having these vivid dreams, especially during quarantine?” This is actually quite simple and has an easy explanation. The reason we are having these vivid dreams is because we are being put into a situation where we are in an isolated environment when we as humans are genetically social animals. Our mind is usually more stimulated with the continuous schedule of seeing and talking to classmates as well as going to dinners with family, etc. As we are forced, or might I say, recommended, to stay inside, our minds are strictly confined to the house and backyard, giving them the opportunity to imagine either the negative or hopefully the positive of the situation. Of course this is a novel strain of coronavirus so we don't know what is going to come of this virus in the end and that leads to more curiosity for our brains to reach for. There has been some confusion as to why we are experiencing these dreams even though we're getting more sleep than our previous schedule allowed. This theory is explained by Britney Blair, Psy.D, a San Francisco area-based psychologist who says that “It probably has to do with the fact that most people are actually remembering their dreams now more than ever”. People all over the world have been documenting these experiences either on Instagram or Twitter, posting intimate information that could be used to better people's wellbeing and make them feel more comfortable with the situation we are dealing with. If you feel that you need to talk to a psychologist or psychiatrist, it is recommended that you discuss your feelings with your parents or guardians first. Your parents or guardians are a great resource of help and information. They have been through quite a bit with their life experiences and will likely know a thing or two about the uncertainties of situations like the one we are all living through today. Just remember that we are all in this together. '
Therapy all over the world is being used to manage severe and unforgettable dreams that doctors and nurses have been experiencing. This therapy is currently only being used for people experiencing severely detrimental dreams. If you would like to relieve yourself of these unusual circumstances on your own, here are a few tips:
“Establish a consistent bedtime and wake up time”
Your sleep quality will probably improve, so this means that you're going to wake up less frequently during the night. You will be able to sleep past the dream, making it more manageable. Overall it is good to get on a solid schedule to feel refreshed every day.
“Limit yourself from stressful media”
Try to stop yourself from looking at the news on your phone or TV, because this will increase stress and can enable your brain to create these more obscure dreams.
“Exercise for 20-30 minutes per day”
It’s good for your body and mind to be stimulated after not having the usual social and daily interactions occurring before. Just make sure not to do this right before bed or else it will be harder to go to sleep!
“Give yourself a buffer zone”
It’s good to give yourself a 90 minute time to unwind either by listening to quiet music, reading a book, etc. This will help your mind rewind for the start of the next day.
Fact of the Week!
Do you know why Rome was named “Rome”?
Answer: Rome was founded by two brothers by the name of Romulus and Remus. Remus was the ruler of the city at the time and Romulus became jealous. In the end, Romulus killed Remus so he would be able to name the city after himself. So much for brotherly love!
To recap: dreams are a way to express our emotions and feelings on a certain subject or experience. During this pandemic, our minds are more active in order to release the stress and anxiety we are experiencing as a result of our confinement. We, as humans, need to know that what we are dealing with is perfectly normal. “This too shall pass!”
Sources: - - - -https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/health/wellness/a32345012/vivid-dreams-during-coronavirus-pandemic-quarantine/
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