Vivid Dreams

[jd_1984]

Since our new arrival 7 weeks ago and the broken sleep that comes with having a newborn.... I have been experiencing the most random and vivid dreams every single time I go back into sleep.

Surely this is a result of the lack of sleep and broken sleep?

I very rarely dream normally. Is this something other new parents have experienced?

[woofgang]

not a new parent but at the other end of life. I get spates of vivid dreams too and find that they happen when I am getting hormonal stuff happening (flushes dizzy spells etc post menopause) maybe yours are hormone related too?

[Bazile]

What is dreaming normally ?

Sometimes i have very clear dreams and at other times my dreams seems to
be all muxed up

[jno]

when it happens to me (I haven't had any babies recently) it's usually because I'm too hot; remove a layer of bedclothes and they stop.

[TheChair]

"I very rarely dream normally." Everybody dreams. What you mean is that you rarely remember dreaming.
Broken/lack of sleep will have two effects.

If you are missing sleep, then you will hit REM sleep quicker when you do sleep (REM Sleep is when we dream, and is essential to our health).

If you wake more often, you are more likely to wake during or shortly after REM sleep, so will be more likely to remember your dreams.

[wolf63]

I get vivid dreams when I am running a temperature. They are never scary or nightmares but they can be very complex and disconcerting.

[Eve]

I get quite vivid dreams anyway but find they get much worse and can be really awful when I get too hot too.

I do get too hot very easily though and don't cope well with it when awake, let alone asleep.

Had some horrible instances of waking up too hot (and the awful dreams with it) and I rarely get under my duvet save for maybe a few months if it's really cold over the winter. Use a thin bedspread instead mostly.

[jd_1984]

To me (normal) is to dream very rarely.
I have never dreamt every night for a sustained period before.
Like I say I am putting it down to broken sleep, wasn't sure if there is any "science" to explain this or if anyone has experienced similar!

[jd_1984]

@TheChair - that seems logical, cheers.

[ummmm]

I'm with TheChair. I have lots of disturbed sleep and it often feels like I haven't slept at all but I can remember my stupid dreams so I think it's mainly only having REM sleep some nights.

When I have a good nights sleep I rarely remember my dreams and when I do I've forgotten them by the time I've made my coffee.

[jd_1984]

Cheers ummmm

[ummmm]

jd - you will dream every night. You just don't remember them because after REM we go into a deep sleep where our bodies shut down.

[bednobs]

hello JD, i must have missed your momentous news - congratulations!

[jd_1984]

bednobs - Thanks! To be fair I haven't visited this site for ages