I slam the door to my bedroom shut and hastily shove the pile of dirty laundry blocking the hallway beneath the door’s crack. I can’t let whatever is lurking inside escape. If it reaches anyone in my family, disaster awaits. My poor dog is trapped in there with it—I couldn’t save him. Tears cloud my vision as I gather my kids, partner, and mom, rushing them outside where we hastily load our belongings into an old blue station wagon. How far will this clunker take us? We just need to get away—far away. My dog. But it’s already too late; he’s been infected by the creature in my room. So many have fallen victim. How can this be happening?
I shoot up in bed, heart racing, tears still wet on my cheeks for my forsaken dog. The image of the alien-virus monster lingers in my mind—it resembled a giant, wriggling tapeworm, gray and quick, impossible to catch or crush. The only option was to flee.
My dreams have always been vivid and rich in metaphor, but since the pandemic began, they’ve escalated into chaos. I wake each morning an hour or two before dawn, my mind ablaze with scenes of panic and turmoil. I find myself trapped with no hope of escape, fleeing from something sinister, or witnessing the demise of those I love.
These dreams often occur after I’ve struggled for hours to fall asleep or sabotaged my own rest by scrolling through social media in the dark, hoping to feel tired. I know I need to establish better sleep habits, but everything is so overwhelming right now, and my sleep is no exception.
Experts confirm I’m not alone in this struggle. Dr. Samuel Greene, a psychologist and researcher, is investigating how the COVID-19 pandemic impacts people’s dreams and sleep patterns. “Dreams are believed to reflect our brain’s attempts to process emotions and make sense of our experiences,” he explained in an interview. It stands to reason that during stressful and uncertain times, our sleep and dreams are profoundly affected.
Research shows that cortisol, the stress hormone, influences both the surreal quality of dreams and our ability to recall them. Even under normal circumstances, cortisol levels rise during sleep, peaking in the early morning. With the added stress of a pandemic, it’s no wonder I’m jolted awake by bizarre dreams every morning around the same time.
Therapist Lisa Martinez from Boulder, Colorado, pointed out that we are enduring a “collective trauma.” Many are aware that trauma can trigger or worsen anxiety and depression, disrupting sleep patterns and leading to insomnia (difficulty falling asleep), parasomnia (frequent awakenings), or hypersomnia (excessive daytime sleepiness).
What has surprised many, however, are the vivid and memorable dreams they’re experiencing. Individuals who typically don’t remember their dreams are now waking with detailed memories, while those who usually do recall their dreams find them more peculiar and longer-lasting. My tapeworm-alien-virus dream falls into this latter category—I remember it as vividly as if it really happened, and the feeling of leaving my dog behind still weighs heavy.
In an informal poll on my social media, I discovered that my friends share similar experiences. A few common themes emerged from this unique form of collective trauma. We’re all grappling with a sudden and profound loss of control, both individually and globally, which is reflected in our dreams.
The most prevalent theme was the sensation of losing control, whether overtly or symbolically. One friend dreamed she was driving a car amidst a marathon, inadvertently hitting people while being forced by police to keep driving. Another had a dream about a babysitting mishap that ended in tragedy. Others reported dreams of faulty emergency calls, unwanted tattoos, roller coasters without safety harnesses, and even crashing planes.
Another recurring theme involved nightmares featuring monsters, aliens, or other common fears. Experts suggest that since we’re facing an invisible threat, our minds substitute it with a visible, tangible one—like a tapeworm-alien-virus. Friends recounted dreams of spiders, snakes, and even a relentless “bad guy” who turned out to be an abusive ex.
Some dreams, however, are more straightforward. Several friends described dreams of being forced to hug strangers or being in crowded places, only to remember we’re in the middle of a pandemic. One friend dreamed of shopping without a mask, another of hunting for toilet paper, while another worried about misplaced hand sanitizer. A few even dreamt of losing loved ones to COVID-19.
I’m lucky that the panic from my dreams usually doesn’t seep into my waking life. But if your dreams are troubling you or if your sleep is disrupted, consider these tips to help regain control:
- Stick to a Consistent Schedule: Maintaining a regular daily routine supports your circadian rhythm, greatly influencing your well-being and sleep quality.
- Exercise Regularly: Physical activity releases endorphins and helps expend excess energy, making it easier to fall asleep at night. Plus, it’s a great mood lifter.
- Make Time for Yourself: Dedicate a few minutes each day to activities that help you unwind, such as meditation, a hot bath, or light exercise. Lowering stress can decrease cortisol levels, reducing the chance of unsettling dreams.
- Reserve Your Bedroom for Sleep: This advice is common for those with insomnia but beneficial for everyone. I often work in bed, which likely contributes to my poor sleep quality.
- Limit News Consumption: Choose a few trusted sources and avoid endless scrolling. My anxiety spikes when I engage with misinformation or heated comment threads.
- Plan Your Dreams: While it might sound unconventional, visualizing calming scenarios as you drift off can lead to more peaceful dreams.
For more insights on this topic, check out our other posts at Home Insemination Kit or explore resources for pregnancy and home insemination, such as Cryobaby and Healthline.
In summary, the surreal and often distressing dreams many are experiencing during these trying times stem from heightened stress and uncertainty. By adopting healthier sleep habits and addressing the root causes of anxiety, you may regain control over your dreams and improve your overall well-being.
Keyphrase: insomnia and bad dreams
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