Here are a few well researched explanations for the most common dreams and their hidden meanings.  

Falling in your dreams 

The interpretations for this type of dream centre around feelings of fear and vulnerability. Falling in your dreams can also indicate feelings of helplessness and being overwhelmed.  

It’s also possible that dreaming of falls can be seen as a warning from your subconscious to be careful. If a situation causes a loss of control, this can be translated as a fall when dreaming. 

Being chased in your dreams 

Feelings of stress and anxiety are the major cause of being chased while dreaming. If someone is feeling threatened in their waking life, that can also translate into dreams of being chased. 

Sometimes, these dreams can result from feelings of anger and are seen as a warning to watch out for possible threats. 

Teeth falling out in your dreams 

Dreaming about teeth falling out can commonly be linked to feeling unattractive or having negative thoughts about your image.  

Struggles with communication can also be a reason for these dreams, as teeth falling out can make it difficult to talk. A lack of confidence can also trigger this type of dream. 

Being naked 

Commonly brought on by feelings of being exposed, dreams of being naked in public places like school or work can also be triggered by feeling accused by someone. 

However, sometimes dreams of being naked can indicate that a person is comfortable with who they are. 

Flying 

The ability to fly is associated with freedom. However, if you struggle or fail to fly in your dreams it can indicate a lack of confidence.  

If someone else is in the dream, struggling to fly can point to them holding you back and stopping you from moving on with your plans in life. 

A spokesperson from BedKingdom adds that: “Dreams can be linked to events that have happened or are currently happening in our lives. Remembering dreams can be difficult. Studies show that people forget 80-90% of their dreams and some people can’t remember anything. Writing dreams down as soon as you wake up can help you to remember and then you can try and interpret the meanings."

“Negative emotions and feelings of anxiety are more prevalent in dreams according to a study of over 50,000 people by psychologist Calvin S. Hall. By analysing dreams, we can problem solve and identify ways to help with issues we encounter in our lives.” 

Why can't you get a good night's sleep (ource: BedKingdom blog)  

 Snooze control

1. Caffeine consumption

Well for some reason, I'm not affected by this. But many people who take that afternoon java break are.  The innocuous afternoon indulgence might be playing more havoc on your ability to sleep than you realize. According to one study published in the National Library of Medicine, caffeine was found to have a half-life of around five hours in healthy individuals, which means it could take around five hours for half of that caffeine to be cleared from your body. Caffeine works by blocking the effects of adenosine, a neurotransmitter that naturally builds up in the body during the day and creates pressure to sleep.

So, if you experience trouble dosing off  at nigtht, consider cutting out caffeine eight to 12 hours before bedtime. 

2. Blue light exposure

The blue light emitted by electronic devices like smartphones and laptops can interfere with your body's natural sleep cycle. Blue light can suppress the production of melatonin, a hormone that helps to regulate sleep. 

Don't keep  electronic devices in your bedroom and try not to use them a few hours before bedtime. Scheduling the night mode setting on devices, can also filter out some of the blue light emitted from screens in the evening. 

3. Sleep interruptus 

The Sleep Foundation recommends maintaining a consistent sleep schedule, even on weekends/ Try to go to bed at a regular time ditto  for your wakeup call. , 

Incorporating a winding down period at the end of the day can help you relax before bedtime and help you fall asleep at a regular time. Try meditating, taking a warm bath, or listening to a calming podcast.

4. Poor sleep environment

A comfortable sleep environment is crucial for quality sleep. If you are having trouble falling or staying asleep, it may be because your sleeping conditions are sub-optimal. An uncomfortable bed or a bedroom that is too bright, noisy, hot, or cold can make it difficult to get quality sleep. 

Consider using an eye mask and earplugs to block out any ambient light and noise that may be entering your bedroom, and check whether your duvet is appropriate for the outside temperature. 

5. Medications

Some drugs, such as antidepressants, steroids, and beta-blockers, can interfere with the quality and duration of your sleep. 

If you are experiencing sleep disturbances after starting a new medication, it is important to speak with your doctor, as they can address whether an active ingredient or certain dosage might be affecting your sleep. They can then lower the dosage or change the medication completely if the problem persists.

6. Alcohol and smokes 

While alcohol may make you fall asleep faster, drinking close to bedtime can cause fragmented sleep and can also result in frequent waking. Studies show  that drinking alcohol within four hours of bedtime can negatively affect sleep continuity and duration.

A study by Zandy et al. (2020) also found that nicotine consumption is positively correlated with insomnia and sleep disturbances. Nicotine use impacts the body’s ability to fall and stay asleep, thus, quitting smoking might help you sleep better. 

7. Don't overdo the naps

While napping can help you catch up on lost sleep, it's not a good idea to be down too long as it can interfere with your ability to sleep at night. During each typical 90-minute sleep cycle, we progress through two distinct types of sleep: non-rapid eye movement (NREM) and rapid eye movement (REM). NREM sleep is further divided into four stages, the first two of which consist of light sleep, while the second two stages consist of deeper sleep.

Napping earlier in the day and for short periods means that our sleep is more likely to remain in these first two stages of light NREM sleep rather than dipping into stages three and four NREM sleep. Napping for longer than 20 minutes later in the day means you are more likely to enter these deeper phases of NREM sleep, and this can make it harder to fall asleep at night.

If you just can't stay awake during the day, lay down for only 10 to 20 minutes

in the morning or before 2 pm. Try to avoid taking them in the late afternoon or at night.

8. Eating before bed

Eating too close to bedtime can also trigger sleeping problems. Although that late night snack may not affect sleep duration, it can lead to frequent awakenings and increased insomnia.  This can be due to gastrointestinal discomfort and reflux that occur during digestion at irregular hours, as digestion is less efficient at night than during the day due to the body’s natural circadian rhythms. 

Try to limit food consumption two hours before bedtime to ensure you have ample time for proper digestion. Keeping your evening meal lighter and avoiding spicy foods are also good ways to reduce the risk of food interfering with a good night’s sleep.

When to see a doctor

If insomnia affects your daily life and has been a problem for longer than a month, especially if the above-listed measures have not been helpful, you may want to make an appointment to see your GP. They will check your medical history for any illness or medication contributing to your insomnia.

Whileover-the-counter sleeping tablets help,  they are a temporary fix as they don't address the underlying causes of insomnia and can have side effects. 

Being full-rested  is essential for overall well-being, yet many factors can interfere with quality sleep. By understanding these common reasons people can't sleep and taking steps to address them, you can improve your sleep quality and wake up feeling rested and rejuvenated.