Dreams have a constant presence. All humans experience four to five dreams each night, on average. Even “dreamless sleepers” connect with true emotions, process daily activities, and become aware of their subconscious through dreams.

These are facts of life for Debra Joy Goldman, a Palm Beach County Florida psychotherapist who specializes in dream therapy. Debra comes alongside people who want to use their dreams to make sense of life. She enjoys working with individuals as they facilitate understanding of their dreams. She believes “dreams help us deal with our emotions; they help us consolidate what has happened during the day; they also give us tons of information about ourselves.”

What is a Dream?

Dreams are subjective. Still, there is a science behind why people dream. To put it plainly, dreams are activities that take place in the brain while the body is asleep. More so, they are the truthful voice of subconscious thought and tools that can be used to broaden perspective.

5 Steps to Remembering Dreams

A popular misnomer among some people is that they don’t dream. To this, Debra says, “Every person dreams every night.” Becoming aware of dream activity is as easy as turning attention to them.

Remembering dreams is within every person’s ability. There are five steps Debra shares with an individual who wants to hold onto his or her fleeting thoughts.

  1. Prepare for dreams by placing a notebook and pen next to the bed.
  2. Claim the ability to recall dreams by saying, “In the morning, I will record what I remember of my dreams.”
  3. Be still when waking up. Instead of jumping out of bed, lie for a few moments and focus on thoughts, feelings, and images that surface.
  4. Record whatever comes to mind. It does not have to be a full dream.
  5. Repeat this morning action for seven days. When a dream emerges, write it down in present tense – this can bring forth small details.

Just like every person is unique, dreams are unique as well. No dream is better than another. While it can be said that creative people tend to experience vivid dreams, truth remains that every person’s dream life reflects his or her subconscious.

The Importance of Dreaming

A fitful night rest is important for the body; this truth is emphasized when dreams are taken into account. Without sleep, dream deprivation occurs. This results in irritability and having less control over emotions. Significant dangers of not having dreams (for three days or more, Debra says) can cause symptoms of psychosis.

On the flip side, giving proper attention to dreams can increase psychological health. This is because it allows an individual to be more in tune with his or herself.

Dreams and Memory

Dreams are equally important to recalling both short and long-term memories. In fact, the two are closely related because dreams increase the likeliness short-term memories will become long-term memories. After all, dreams help the mind consolidate facts, emotions, and sensational experiences which enrich understanding of an event or thought.

Common Dream Scenarios

While dreams are subjective, the mental process applies to all humans. This is why it is no surprise that people experience similar dream scenarios.

When asked about this, Debra explains that no two people share a common dream. Even though common themes are shared, meanings are not transferable. A person’s unique dream, no matter how familiar it seems, only reflects the core of his or her being.

Nevertheless, there are five common dream scenarios Debra shares on a television interview**. In this news segment, she discusses general thoughts about why people dream about being late, falling, flying, being chased, or in a moving vehicle.

**http://www.wpbf.com/tv/about/What-do-you-dream-about-and-what-does-it-me…

Women, Dreams, and Enriching Self-worth

One of the only constancies in life is dreaming. Depending on what is going on in a person’s world, dreams may change but they always occur. For women going through the ebbs and flows of different seasons, dreams can be especially helpful in understanding how situational stress is impacting her mind and body.

Every dream reveals different aspects of oneself. Negativity that seethes in daylight can have a different perspective at night. Conscious feelings of not being good enough, enslavement, and low self-esteem can be redirected by giving attention to dreams. In a sense, Debra says, “dreams act like an inner therapist.” They offer information about the self and can bring about solutions that make life better.

Dreams empower women who leverage them. They open up opportunities to respond to life pressures in different ways. By stimulating dreams, seeking to understanding oneself, and using them as a way of bringing about inner healing, a woman can approach life with a new attitude. A confident woman understands herself. This revelation is only a dream away.

Debra Joy Goldman is a practicing psychotherapist with 20 years of experience. She offers specialization in dream therapy through Dream Works groups and individual sessions. To learn more about Debra, visit her website at http://dreamreadingsnow.com/.

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