Many of us can relate to the struggle of finding time to keep up with school, participate in extracurriculars, hang out with friends, and have some time to ourselves. When making time for these different assets of our lives, sleep is often the first thing we sacrifice. While this may seem like the obvious and best choice, the quality of our rest directly impacts not just our physical and mental health but also our social interactions and relationships. Meaning if we continuously lose sleep in the name of productivity or entertainment we might just be making those experiences worse for ourselves. Just as a well-maintained vehicle runs smoothly and efficiently, a well-rested individual navigates the social world with greater empathy, understanding, and engagement.

As we live in anxious times, a good night’s sleep may be a luxury to many people. The anxiety and stress we carry from responsibilities, deadlines, and relationships during the day can still find their way into our dreams. This phenomenon is known as “anxiety dreams”.

Have you ever wondered what happens in your mind when you go to sleep? Some of you might think our mind shuts down and gets rest, just like our body does. But each night, as we close our eyes and go to sleep, our brain continues to be active. As it moves through various sleep stages, it creates the mysterious phenomenon of dreams. Dreams are more than just a recap of the day’s events; they are the result of our brain's complex activities during REM (or rapid eye movement) sleep. Let's learn more about the fascinating relationship between dreams and sleep, considering both the scientific perspectives and the psychological interpretations that are most popular.