For World Dream Day, dream expert Dr Keith MT Hearne has decoded some of the most common dreams and what they mean.
Explaining more, he said: “Dreams, especially those that wake you suddenly, are probably best understood – not literally – but as symbolic messages, and verbal puns, from your wise unconscious. The emotion left on waking is probably the best indicator of whether the dream portrayed something good or bad.”
Meanwhile, a study for Bed SOS revealed the UK’s ten most common dreams as:
1. Having sex
2. Falling
3. Being chased
4. Teeth falling out
5. Being at work
6. Being late
7. Flying
8. Meeting a celebrity
9. Being cheated on
10. Demons or monsters – nightmares
And Dr Hearne explained what some of them mean:
* Teeth falling out: Apart from direct warnings from the unconscious of poor dental care, this dream may be interpreted as a warning that time is passing and important things need to be done in life, or that you are embarrassed over something insensitive you’ve said to someone else.
* Being at work: Most reported dreams are about ordinary daily situations, so in the two hours or so of dreaming each night it is not surprising to find yourself at work – especially if you actually enjoy your job – or carry work-stress home.
* Being late: This is a common term in waking life for missing an opportunity. In dreams it can be visually and dramatically displayed. Perhaps your unconscious is chiding you for your laziness.
* Flying: This is a well known metaphor for doing well in life, and progressing with ease. Such a positive theme can ‘make your day’ and be encouraging for even more success.
* Dreaming of death: You may dream that someone has unexpectedly died. But the ancients understood the concept of opposites in dreams – the unconscious message might be that a birth is in fact imminent.
* Being unprepared for a test: These dreams are putting into pictorial form, the consequences of a lack of studying for a forthcoming test, or ‘performance’ situation where you need to give a good impression.
