3 Comments
User's avatar
rediem's avatar

Great insights!! Any tips for how to minimize dreaming at night? My dreams make me feel like I was awake in another dimension all night, so I wake up tired!

Expand full comment
Matthew Hassett's avatar

That’s such an interesting question. The science on dreaming is still evolving, but here’s what we know:

Dreams mostly happen during REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep, which is when the brain is especially active. This stage is really important—it’s when your brain is consolidating memories, processing emotions, and even learning. So while vivid dreams can feel exhausting, they’re often a sign your brain is doing some heavy lifting behind the scenes.

That said, if you’re waking up tired, it might be less about the dreams themselves and more about sleep quantity or timing.

Are you sleeping at least 7–8 hours? If not, you may be waking during a REM cycle, which can make you feel groggy or disoriented—especially if the dream was intense.

If your dreams are consistently disruptive, it may help to:

-Reduce stress before bed (a quick journaling session or guided meditation can help)

-Limit stimulants like caffeine and screens late in the day

-Try to stick to a regular sleep-wake schedule

But from my POV, dreams aren’t a problem to be solved—they’re often a sign that sleep is doing its job. It might just be a matter of getting a bit more of it, or waking up at a better moment in the cycle.

Expand full comment
rediem's avatar

Such a thoughtful response!! Good to know it's not too much cause for concern. Thank you for this insight!

Expand full comment