COVID-19 Pandemic Haunts Our Dreams: Study Finds Over 55% of Bad Dreams Linked to Crisis
A recent study published in Frontiers in Psychology has shed light on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our dreams. More than half of all bad dreams recorded during the study were pandemic-related, with over 55 percent of participants reporting increased stress and disrupted sleep patterns.
The study, led by Dr. Anu-Katriina Pesonen, analysed dream data from 33 participants, categorising them into clusters based on word associations. Out of these, 20 clusters were deemed bad dreams, with recurring themes including failures in social distancing, coronavirus contagion, and dystopian or apocalyptic scenarios. Interestingly, Dr. Pesonen speculated that these shared dream themes could indicate a collective 'mindscape' among individuals.
Experts recommend several strategies to cope with pandemic-related nightmares. Prioritising quality sleep, reducing stress during daylight hours, and not dwelling on bad dreams are key. They also suggest practising different dream endings and imagining happy outcomes before sleep. However, specific epidemiological data quantifying PTSD-related nightmares linked to the pandemic remains unavailable.
The study underscores the significant impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our sleep and dreams. With more than half of bad dreams being pandemic-related, it's crucial to prioritise mental health and implement these expert-recommended strategies to improve sleep quality and reduce nightmares.
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