Bad Dreams.... - DPChallenge Forums

09/02/2006 12:42:09 AM · #1

I'd maybe even stretch to saying nightmares! I am sick of them.

It's just gone 5.30am in the UK and for the 6th night running I have had some of the worst dreams, the kind that leave you scared to wake incase they are actually real and even more scared to go back to sleep incase they continue :o( With the lack of anyone I know around to talk to at such a silly hour I thought I'd post here....there always seems to be someone in :o)

I keep thinking I must be doing something wrong before I go to bed thats making me have them, I'm just not sure what!

Does anyone else suffer from bad dreams? Can anyone offer up advice on combating these nasty things? All help and advice will be greatly appreciated :o)

09/02/2006 12:49:42 AM · #2

Just about every night of my life as far back as I can remember, I've never had an unbroken night's sleep and carry the luggage under my eyes to prove it.

Not sure what can be done about it, other than herbal meds (never really worked for me though) or going to the doc for some sleeping tabs, but there's a risk of addiction with that crap...

So, if anyone has other methods for dealing with this, I'd love to know too!

Olympus 14-45mm f/3.5-5.6 Zuiko Digital ED

09/02/2006 12:59:05 AM · #3

Originally posted by rinac:

Just about every night of my life as far back as I can remember, I've never had an unbroken night's sleep and carry the luggage under my eyes to prove it.
or going to the doc for some sleeping tabs, but there's a risk of addiction with that crap...

Hi Rina, sorry to hear you suffer from this sort of thing as well :o(

I had sleeping tablets after losing Damian but because I live on my own I was always scared I wouldnt hear the fire alarm or if someone broke in so decided they were a bad idea. I have tried a couple of herbal remedies but to date nothing has worked. In a community as large as this I am hoping people have some other ideas I can try!! :o)

Message edited by author 2006-09-02 00:59:28.

Fromac

Nikon D7000

09/02/2006 01:02:06 AM · #4

My mother always used to say that eating cheese too close to bed-time would give you nightmares. Not sure that ever proved true.

I know that, for me, avoiding alcohol and coffee within about two hours of going to sleep can help.

I also find that being extra relaxed before going to sleep can reduce the likelihood of bad dreams.

I do some deep breathing...like in yoga...where you empty your lungs completely, don't blow, just let all the air out until there's nothing at all in there...and slowly refill them. Do that six or seven times.

Then climb into bed and lie flat on your back...arms at your side. Now, starting at the very end of your toes, tense and release every muscle you can feel, working your way up your body. Hold the tense for ten or fifteen seconds, and then release fully before moving on to the next muscle.

By the time you reach the top of your head, your whole body should be very relaxed.

As I said, I find that if I've been having several nights of troubled sleep, or disturbing dreams, this relaxation routine helps a lot.

The other piece of advice I got, and thought was pretty good, was that if you're having trouble sleeping (insomnia, nightmares, whatever) the worst thing you can do is TRY to sleep. Don't fight it. Get up and do something to take your mind off it. Reading, photography, etc. Fighting it will only make you frustrated and could aggravate the situation.

Good luck.

hanneke

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

09/02/2006 01:06:06 AM · #5

I've never had a really bad dream, so I'm sorry, can't help you with that.

the relaxing method Fromac describes will probably work to sleep better, but does it work with dreaming?

I know there are ways to practice the things you are dreaming about. there's probably a lot on the internet.

I do dream a lot, and I really enjoy dreaming.

09/02/2006 01:18:51 AM · #6

Thanks for the relaxation tips Richard, definitely something to try tonight!!! :o)

09/02/2006 01:30:17 AM · #7

Originally posted by talj:

I had sleeping tablets after losing Damian but because I live on my own I was always scared I wouldnt hear the fire alarm or if someone broke in so decided they were a bad idea.

Can totally understand that.

It'd be nice to minimise bad dreams, so I'll be putting Richard's advice to work tonight as well. Maybe we should report back tomorrow with results...? :)

09/02/2006 01:33:17 AM · #8

Originally posted by rinac:

It'd be nice to minimise bad dreams, so I'll be putting Richard's advice to work tonight as well. Maybe we should report back tomorrow with results...? :)

That sounds like a good idea to me Rina. I will definitely try Richard's advice tonight and will update the thread tomorrow with how I got on....I expect it'll take a few attempts to get this right!! But if it gives me more than a couple of hours sleep and dream free sleep as well then its worth it!!! :o)

Nikon AF Micro-Nikkor 60mm f2.8D

09/02/2006 01:42:39 AM · #9

Cool. Will watch the thread and catch up with ya laters!

Vapor63

Nikon D200

09/02/2006 01:43:07 AM · #10

You must have seen

this pic of me.

The dang shot gave me nightmares about myself... :-O

09/03/2006 04:38:55 AM · #11

OK 1st nights update!

I went to bed just after midnight, following the relaxation ideas that Richard posted above. Fell asleep within 15 minutes and slept a full 4 hours, no dreams, totally unbroken! I was really pleased! Awoke at 4.30am and decided the best thing was to get up and potter around the house for an hour before trying he same relaxation 'techniques' again. Another 3 hours sleep followed and for the first time in ages I am feeling at least a little refreshed!!

So thanks go to Richard for the relaxation ideas. I was also given some great advice about what to do when the dreams occur, so if or when I need to I'll be trying that too!

How did you get on Rina??

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

09/03/2006 05:12:28 AM · #12

Way to go! So pleased you got some rest :)

I guess I shouldn't have tried this on a saturday night here. Instead of dreams waking me, I was teased from slumber by the sounds of "ooonch ooonch ooonch" from boy racers driving up and down our street at 2.00 and 3.00am! HA! Just my luck...

I tell you what though, that relaxation technique is a beauty. I usually do struggle to fall asleep in the first place, but last night didn't even realise that I had, if that makes sense.

So, I'm not giving up. Even if the dreams keep recurring, I love the relaxation technique and that's likely half the battle.

Jaded_Housewife

Canon EOS-5D

09/03/2006 07:20:21 AM · #13

Originally posted by talj:

I had sleeping tablets after losing Damian

I never saw that other thread for some reason and just want to offer my belated condolences and a hug. i cant possibly imagine. no wonder your having bad dreams. i do as well. dreams of demons and angry spirits . i'm always running , alwyas fighting,but luckily its not every night and has slowed down conciderably lately. they were worst after my daughter was diagnosed with diabetes alsost three years ago and then started up alot again after she had her first seizure from low blood sugar. so i think bad dreams can be directly realated to hardship and emotionally draining events in your life. glad to hear the relaxation tips are helping. :)

Crystal

Gnarf

Fisher Price Kid-Tough Digital

09/03/2006 07:34:12 AM · #14

Maybe try listening to some music an half hour before going to sleep would help. Will maybe help you get relaxed. I have very vivid dreams all the time, and its pretty annoying. Not very relaxing.. i dont have nightmares often though. You could try learning the technique called "Lucid dreaming" :) .. controlling your dreams. I've only managed it a few times. its kinda crazy :) search the net for it.

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

09/03/2006 07:38:12 AM · #15

Thanks for your message Crystal x

Originally posted by Gnarf:

You could try learning the technique called "Lucid dreaming" :) .. controlling your dreams. I've only managed it a few times. its kinda crazy :) search the net for it.

Hi Gard,

Your the 3rd person to mention this to me and I am looking into how to do it! Thanks for your reply :o)

- Natalya

bood

Canon EOS-5D

09/03/2006 08:06:13 AM · #16

Try and recreate your dreams photographically. Its difficult as so much is implied in dreams but an interetsing project i reckon.
here are some of mine...fear
[thumb]//www.dpchallenge.com/image.php?IMAGE_ID=384807[/thumb]