Sleep is usually full of dreams. Some of them we remember, others we manage to forget by morning. There are some dreams that wake us up and may even frighten us. Then we talk about nightmares. Sometimes we may dream about people who are no longer with us. They have died. Why do we dream about the dead?

What is dreaming

During sleep, especially in the REM phase, the brain actively sifts through a large variety of thoughts, but also experiences and feelings. Although sometimes this is not entirely apparent at first glance. Sigmund Freud, the pioneer of psychoanalysis, said that dreams reveal hidden desires as well as inner conflicts. which the conscious mind usually tries to avoid. Freud made a clear distinction between manifest content and latent content.

━━ ( Source: Sinitta Leunen /  Unsplash+ )

What can a dream of death mean?

In India, a study was conducted in 2016 which claims that many people who are terminally ill dream about their deceased loved ones. Another survey in turn showed that there is nothing unusual about people dreaming about someone they have lost recently. For most people, these dreams were pleasant. Some said that the dream was pleasant but at the same time disturbing. Few persons found dreams about the dead merely disturbing.

Dreams about the dead can be part of grieving. And also a reflection that you really miss the person very much. However, if you are not ill or have not had anyone die recently, your dream does not necessarily have to be about death. In fact, death can also represent change or a kind of transition period in the dream. It is important to focus primarily on how you felt in the dream.

How to handle it

Dreams we have about the dead can sometimes be disturbing. It can also be the case that the dream is absolutely beautiful but leaves you with unpleasant thoughts. Sadness. Homesickness. Fear. The reminder of someone you’ve lost can affect you deeply. So what can you do to manage your feelings? There are several options from which to choose. One is to keep dream journals. Writing them down can help you deal with your feelings in a great way.

In addition, it is also useful to take sufficient care of yourself. It is advisable to have regular physical activity, follow a healthy diet and incorporate meditation and breathing exercises into your life as well. A regular sleep schedule is also important. In case all this does not help you completely, it is the turn of others to help you. If dreams are causing you great difficulty, it may be beneficial to talk to mental health professionals about it.